Author: Brian Glenn

From April 23 through May 16, guests can step into their favorite fandoms as Fan Fest Nights takes over Universal Studios Hollywood. Held on select nights, this separately ticketed event transforms the park into an after-hours celebration of movies, TV, gaming, and anime – bringing immersive worlds, interactive experiences, and exclusive entertainment to life. Fan Fest Nights blends the energy of a theme park event with the passion of a fan convention, featuring walk-through experiences, character encounters, themed food, and limited-time offerings you won’t find during regular park hours. We’ve gathered everything you need to know before heading out to…

The Burger King Whopper Bar at Universal CityWalk Orlando has officially closed. Curtains now block off the kitchen area as the space gets ready to become a Five Guys, which is set to open later this summer. Originally opening in 2009, the Burger King Whopper Bar was positioned as a more “premium” take on the traditional Burger King experience, complete with customizable Whoppers. The concept was introduced as a response to the rising popularity of fast-casual burger chains like Five Guys – making its replacement here a fittingly ironic full-circle moment. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news…

Comcast’s Xfinity has launched its Xfinity Member Celebration, a limited-time promotion running through May 10 that includes theme park perks tied to Universal Orlando & Universal Studios Hollywood. As part of the three-week event, eligible Xfinity members can access a range of sweepstakes and rewards connected to NBCUniversal properties, including exclusive opportunities at Universal’s theme parks in both Florida and California. For Universal Orlando, thousands of Diamond-tier Xfinity members can claim two complimentary one-day park tickets, available on a limited basis while supplies last. For Universal Studios Hollywood, Xfinity is offering a sweepstakes that will send winners to the park…

Loews Hotels has announced a lineup of dining options for Mother’s Day at Universal Orlando, offering a range of brunch and dinner experiences across Universal’s on-site hotels on Sunday, May 10. Both locals and visitors will be able to choose from several on-site restaurants, with offerings ranging from upscale buffets to prix fixe dining experiences. The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel Located at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, The Kitchen will offer a gourmet Mother’s Day buffet designed to resemble a rockstar’s home kitchen. Menu highlights include carving stations with prime rib and spiral ham, a made-to-order pasta station, smoked salmon,…

Construction walls have expanded in the Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure, with a new section now installed directly in front of Poseidon’s Fury. The added walls expand the overall construction footprint in Lost Continent, which had previously just been limited to the former Eighth Voyage of Sindbad attraction. Poseidon’s Fury was a walkthrough attraction where guests were caught in the middle of a battle between the ocean god Poseidon and the evil Lord Darkenon inside the Temple of Poseidon. The attraction closed permanently in May 2023. While Universal has yet to make a formal announcement regarding specific details, the…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from April 20, 2026, to April 26, 2026. Universal Orlando Butterbeer Season has returned to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The annual tradition, which will take place through May 31, allows fans to celebrate their love for Butterbeer by enjoying a selection of confections that includes all-new variations of the classic favorite, as well as shopping for exclusive Butterbeer-themed merchandise. The Burger King Whopper Bar is set to close April 21. Five Guys will be replacing the restaurant, set to open in the Summer. Refurbishments…

Universal Parks is adding a new limited-time seasonal brew to its lineup of The Simpsons-inspired beverages with the debut of Duff Happy Sour. The new offering marks the second seasonal Duff beer introduced at the parks, following the popular Dufftoberfest, which returns each fall. Happy Sour is described as a guava-infused sour beer, and was brewed by the Florida Brewing Co. I’m not usually a fan of sour beers, but I enjoyed this one. It definitely has a tart taste, but the guava adds a sweetness that keeps it light and refreshing. A good entry point for those who aren’t…

Universal Fan Fest Nights returns to Universal Studios Hollywood this spring with new themed food and exclusive merchandise inspired by this year’s featured experiences, beginning Thursday, April 23 and running select nights through May 16, 2026. Developed by Executive Chef Julia Thrash, the updated menu features a variety of dishes inspired by the event’s fandoms, offering guests new ways to experience the lineup beyond the attractions and entertainment. Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters Throughout Little Europe, guests can find Scooby Snacks as well as the Super Shaggy Sandwich, a stacked club sandwich shareable with your own Mystery Gang. Additionally, fans…

Construction on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is beginning to go vertical at Universal Studios Florida, as the first coaster supports for the upcoming attraction have been installed. The supports, painted blue, have been installed in the New York section of the attraction near the expected entrance. Recent aerial photos also show gray coaster track on site, suggesting the ride’s color scheme may be inspired by Brian O’Conner’s Nissan Skyline aesthetic from the Fast & Furious film series. With supports now in place, the next major phase of construction will be track installation as the coaster layout begins to take…

Universal Orlando is expanding its Express offerings with the addition of a new single-use option, Universal Express Now. Available exclusively through the Universal Orlando Resort App, the new option allows guests to purchase one-time Express access for a selected participating attraction and return during a specific time window to enter the Express queue instead of the standby line. Universal Express Now is only available for purchase day-of while inside the park where the attraction is located, requiring location services to be enabled. The offering is released sporadically based on availability, with limited return windows appearing throughout the day depending on…