Author: Brian Glenn

Voodoo Doughnut is coming to Universal CityWalk Orlando this Spring. The new location at Universal Orlando will be the first location east of the Mississippi. The shop will feature the same eclectic pink theming and irreverent names that can be found in current Voodoo Doughnut locations. It will be located next to NBC Sports Grill & Brew, in the former Element store. Loved for its “delightfully weird” lineup, Voodoo Doughnut will feature signature originals and one-of-a-kind donuts such as the Dirt Doughnut, the Bacon Maple Bar, Grape Ape and, of course, Voodoo Doll doughnuts. Voodoo Doughnut opened in CityWalk Hollywood last…

The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle is headed to Universal Orlando – and is set to debut on Wed., Jan. 31  at Islands of Adventure and run select nights throughout 2018. The nighttime show originally debuted at Universal Studios Hollywood last year. The show features state-of-the-art projection mapping, coupled with special effects and lighting, which will wrap Hogwarts castle in a dazzling display celebrating the four houses of Hogwarts – Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin  – all set to music based on the original scores from the Harry Potter films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yysvyt0il3I “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will make its official debut at Universal…

After being introduced in late 2016, the California Neighbor Pass ticket option is no longer being sold online. Targeting California residents, the 9-month pass offered unfettered access to the theme park throughout the year. The discontinuation comes after Universal introduced a new Silver Annual Pass last year; along with the new option of Flex Pay payments for Platinum, Gold, and Silver Passholders. Existing CA Neighbor passholders can still use their pass and dates are still available through October. If you purchased your ticket anywhere other than universalstudioshollywood.com, please refer to the back of your ticket for a link to your black-out calendar. Stay tuned…

Universal Orlando Resort today announced the headlining acts of its 2018 Mardi Gras celebration, which runs from Feb. 3 through April 7. On 13 select nights, guests can see some of their favorite artists. Feb. 3 Sean Paul Feb. 10 The Beach Boys Feb. 17 Kelsea Ballerini Feb. 18 Andy Grammer Feb. 24 Macklemore March 3 311 March 4 Phillip Phillips March 10 TBA March 11 Fitz and the Tantrums March 17 Foreigner March 18 Fifth Harmony March 24 TBA March 25 BUSH In addition, six new celestial floats – including Taurus, Virgo and Serpentarius – will complete a lineup of 12 hand-crafted floats engineered by Kern Studios,…

We’re changing up the format for this episode! Jonathan talks with Jerry Green, author of 25 Years Inside Universal Studios: From Tour Guide to Entertainment Director, where we discuss some history at Universal Studios Hollywood, and his role in growing Universal Parks & Resorts. https://www.amazon.com/Years-Inside-Universal-Studios-Entertainment/dp/168390057X Direct Download and iTunes You may download this episode directly here. You may also subscribe to the Inside Universal Podcast on iTunes.

New Year’s is around the corner, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk Hollywood plans to celebrate as it rings in 2018 with its premier New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a telecast of Jimmy Buffett’s Nashville concert, live music, a buffet dinner, Margaritas and Caribbean themed party favors. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. and will culminate with a midnight Margarita toast along with a live steel drum performance, a telecast of Jimmy Buffett’s New Year’s Eve concert, lots of dancing and an array of dining options. Fun party favors, including straw hats, colorful leis and NYE-themed noise makers, will be included. A…

Custom Gear Shop, the official gift shop for the Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction, opened over the weekend at Universal Studios Florida. The new gift shop features merchandise related to the film franchise, and the new attraction scheduled to open Spring 2018. Some of the merchandise includes t-shirts, tank tops, shot glasses, coffee mugs, wall posters, signs, and even jewelry. The store is located in the original queue/entrance area of the former Disaster attraction. Also worth noting, is that the gift shop will also serve as the exit of the attraction.

The final film star has been added to the talent line-up for this year’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter”. Natalia Tena, who played Nymphadora Tonks, is set to join this year’s event, which takes place from January 26-28, 2018. She will attend the special event alongside previously announced film talent Stanislav Yanevski (Viktor Krum), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley). This will be Tena’s first ever appearance at “A Celebration of Harry Potter.” She first joined the cast of the Harry Potter films in 2007 as Nymphadora Tonks in Harry Potter and the Order of the…

We’re back with this month’s photo update from Universal Studios Hollywood. There are quite a few construction projects and closures happening around the property. So let’s not waste any time and jump right into the update. Park Update Index » CityWalk Hollywood » Universal Express » New Animation Studio Store » DreamWorks Theater » Parisian Courtyard » StarWay Refurbishment » Lower Lot Expansion » Studio Infrastructure » A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That CityWalk Hollywood Just last week, Inside Universal broke the news that Saddle Ranch will be closing on January 2, 2018. As of…

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is undergoing an upgrade to the projection system, Inside Universal has learned. Although no specifics were given, we can report that Dome 1 of the attraction has already had the upgrades done and adjustments are still being made. Projectors have come a long way since the Simpsons Ride debuted almost 10 years ago – so it’s no surprise for Universal to upgrade to the latest tech available. Inside Universal’s own Tyler Crouch visited the ride on Sunday and confirms that the image is much clearer and brighter.