Author: Brian Glenn

Universal Orlando has released a new ad, “Welcome to the Four Parks of Universal Orlando Resort,” as marketing for Epic Universe begins to ramp up before it officially opens on May 22, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dzM8qo2qYM Touting “A new way to vacation,” the commercial references Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay but primarily focuses on the new theme park, Epic Universe – including glimpses of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Mario Kart in Super Nintendo World, meeting Frankenstein’s monster in Dark Universe, and Celestial Park. The video ends with the text, “Vacations will never…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from February 3, 2025, to February 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. This weekend will feature a concert on Saturday, February 8, with Joe Jonas performing live. Volcano Bay is currently operating on a seasonal schedule and will only be open 5 days a week and closing for 2 days. The park will be closed on the following dates this week: Feb 5 & 6…

After almost a year away, Universal Orlando has moved the Lew Wasserman statue to its new home in Central Park in Universal Studios Florida. The statue was originally located in New York but was removed last year to help alleviate traffic at its location, especially with the parade route. Lew Wasserman is recognized as the Chairman Emeritus of MCA-Universal Studios and was instrumental in the growth of Universal Studios as an entertainment company and in the development of its theme parks. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on…

To celebrate the upcoming release of DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, Universal Studios Florida has debuted a new Meet & Greet along with other small additions for guests to enjoy. Now appearing in DreamWorks Land, Dog Man will meet guests randomly throughout the day. Universal is touting the experience as “Surprise & Delight,” which means set times are unavailable. At DreamWorks Imagination Cafe, two new items were added to the menu – Ruff Mix Mac & Cheese and The Gary Cupcake. The Ruff Mix Mac & Cheese ($12.99) is served in a Ruff Mix Dog Food can and, yes, is meant…

Universal Studios Hollywood is preparing to start their Pass Member Bonus Benefits, an event celebrating its annual pass members, from February 1 to March 20, 2025. Annual Pass Members can experience Universal Studios Hollywood with extra benefits that are only available for a limited time. Here are some of the exclusive offerings during Pass Member Bonus Benefits: Scavenger Hunt Play the in-park Scavenger Hunt to get a collectible Pass Member sticker sheet! Stop by the Universal Studio Store inside the Theme Park for the checklist (or you can grab one online on their website). Once you’ve completed your checklist, return…

The Mardi Gras Tribute Store has officially opened at Universal Studios Florida as Universal Orlando gears up for 2025’s Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. The highly themed store takes guests to the Legends of the Bayou, a museum inspired by New Orleans’s legends and other popular creatures of cryptozoology. Guests will travel through the Museum’s curiosity shop, the Louisiana marsh, and a swamp shack. Celebrating 30 Years of Mardi Gras, this year’s merchandise includes t-shirts, flannels, hats, and hoodies, as well as accessories like headwear, backpacks, and vinyl toys. New must-haves include the eye-catching Gator Junior Shoulder Pal…

From February 1 through March 30, guests will let the good times roll as they experience an authentic, family-friendly version of the Mardi Gras bash at Universal Studios Florida. The event will be held over 60+ nights – with the food booths open and the parade taking place every night. Mardi Gras couples unparalleled theme park entertainment with a dazzling parade, authentic New Orleans musicians, mouth-watering international cuisine, tons of glittering Mardi Gras beads, and live concerts by high-profile artists. We’ve gathered everything you need to know before heading out to the event, including parade times, and how to plan…

As a thank you to the first responders for their heroic efforts in tackling the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Universal Studios Hollywood is offering a new “First Responder Heroes Ticket.” All eligible active first responders can enjoy one complimentary 1-Day General Admission ticket and a 50% discount on up to three 1-Day General Admission tickets, now through April 10, 2025. “The selfless dedication and tireless resilience exhibited by the first responders in response to combating the L.A. wildfires has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are very grateful to these unsung heroes for their courage during this difficult time,” said…

Tickets are now on sale for the all-new, after-hours Universal Fan Fest Nights, designed to transport fans and guests into immersive in-world experiences of sci-fi, anime, and more. The inaugural event will take place on April 25-27, May 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18, 2025. Launching exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Fan Fest Nights comes to life from the minds of Halloween Horror Nights’ innovative creators and debuts with the same level of intensity and detail as this popular seasonal event. Universal Fan Fest Nights will feature all-new, uniquely curated experiences inspired by sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime. Guests can tap…

Universal Orlando Resort’s newest hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, is now officially open – transporting guests to the center of marvelous galaxies, brought to life by the award-winning Universal Creative team and co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co. Stella Nova will be Universal’s ninth hotel and the first of three hotels opening this year in its new Epic Universe resort area. The sister resort, Terra Luna Resort, opens in March, followed by Helios Grand Hotel, which opens alongside Epic Universe on May 22. Our stay began on Opening Day, with check-in starting at 11 a.m. Upon entering, dozens…