Author: Brian Glenn

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from March 10, 2025, to March 16, 2025. Universal Orlando 2025’s Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval continues this weekend! The event will take place every day from February 1 to March 30, 2025. All Time Low will perform live in concert on Saturday, March 15, and Lawrence will perform on Sunday, March 16. Butterbeer Season is back! Fans can indulge in all things Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, daily through Saturday, May 31, 2025. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Pat O’Brien’s…

Universal Orlando has started implementing ticketless entry for guests visiting the theme parks, with plans to extend this feature to their Express Pass system. This new system, called “Effortless Entry,” allows all guests to use it after scanning their tickets upon their first entry. Once your ticket is scanned, your access to the park will depend on photo verification. If your photo cannot be verified, the staff will scan your ticket and set up photo validation for your next visit. This system has been in place for all guests entering the park over the past few weeks. The plan is…

COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF BIORECONSTRUCT The Universal Orlando app has been updated with additional Epic Universe information, revealing the parking lot names for the new theme park. Located in the “Parking Reminder” section, guests can park in one of five sections: Explorer, Monster, Viking, Gamer, or Hero. On Twitter/X, Adventuring with Annie provided a first look at the Parking lot sign markers. Monster parking lot sign at Epic pic.twitter.com/tVIAlACvKz — Adventuring with Annie (@AnniesUniUpdate) March 3, 2025 Epic Universe is currently open for Team Member Previews only, but guest previews are possible in the upcoming weeks as we approach the…

Universal Studios Hollywood has recently updated its Free Parking benefit for Gold and Platinum Pass Members to include complimentary parking after 6 PM. General parking will be available at no charge, except for entries after 6 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the months of April, May, September, and October; as these months coincide with the Universal Fan Fest Nights and Halloween Horror Nights events. Previously, Pass Members only enjoyed free parking until 6 PM, after which they had to pay a discounted fee to park. This change may address concerns that the parking fee deterred guests from visiting…

The new second-generation wands have arrived at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, bringing new adventures to an already immersive experience. The interactive wands at Universal’s parks have always been a highlight for guests, allowing visitors to cast spells at various locations throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, but the second-generation wands take the magic to an entirely new level. Besides the new wands, Universal has also added five new interactive wand locations throughout Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. With the addition of the 13 locations in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic in Epic…

This year, the film Jaws is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and Universal Parks will celebrate this milestone by featuring new merchandise inspired by the film. Beginning in May at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, an all-new collection of anniversary-themed merchandise will be available, including a new sipper, bucket hat, baseball cap, crossbody bag, cooler bag, and more. Additional celebratory activity information will be announced soon. While visiting Universal Orlando, guests can enjoy specialty food and beverages at Chez Alcatraz while taking a photo with the iconic hanging great white shark. Meanwhile, at Universal Studios Hollywood, visitors can encounter the shark…

Universal Orlando has released a new video highlighting the Resort’s transition into becoming a four-theme park vacation with the upcoming opening of Universal Epic Universe. Epic Universe, which officially opens on May 22, 2025, will invite guests to discover five immersive worlds – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGI_cMjGZQg In the video, Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort, hypes up the upcoming opening of Epic Universe and its growth into a 4-park destination while also…

The Raider Image has officially closed at CityWalk in Universal Studios Hollywood. The store offered merchandise for the NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders, which previously played in the Los Angeles and Oakland areas before relocating to Las Vegas for the 2020 season. No other details have been shared by Universal Studios Hollywood at this time. CityWalk is undergoing a significant overhaul, with many locations closing in the past month, along with preparing for the planned security checkpoints changes. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from March 3, 2025, to March 9, 2025. Universal Orlando 2025’s Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval continues this weekend! The event will run daily from February 1 through March 30, 2025. Illenium will perform live in concert on Saturday, March 9. Butterbeer Season is back! Fans can indulge in all things Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, daily through Saturday, May 31, 2025. With the winter season coming to a close, Volcano Bay has returned to normal operating hours – open 7…

Universal Studios Hollywood has closed Transformers: The Ride 3D for refurbishment. While Universal Studios Hollywood has not officially given a date, the attraction is expected to be closed for maintenance until June 2025. Please keep in mind that these dates can change. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums & discussion boards. Looking to book that EPIC Universal vacation? We recommend using our friends at MEI-Travel to help plan your next trip to Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood.