Author: Brian Glenn

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has begun technical rehearsals with the general public, better known as a “Soft Opening”, at Universal Studios Hollywood. For those unfamiliar, a “Soft Opening” is essentially a technical rehearsal of a new attraction or a final release candidate test for the ride. All the major components are installed and operational, but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. “Soft Openings” are never promised. There is no guarantee the ride will open. The ride might only open for a period of time, all day, or not at all, depending on any…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from July 27, 2026, to August 2, 2026. Universal Orlando Universal Orlando is featuring limited-time summer experiences inspired by blockbuster films, running now through August 10, 2026. The seasonal offerings will bring a range of character encounters, themed photo opportunities, interactive activations, exclusive merchandise, and new food and beverage options, highlighted by the Spielberg Summer Blockbusters Exhibit, experiences inspired by Jaws and Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, and the return of the Universal Mega Movie Parade. Volcano Bay Nights continues on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July…

Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood are celebrating 25 years of the Harry Potter film franchise with the return of Back to Hogwarts, featuring exclusive limited-time experiences from August 1 through September 1. At Universal Orlando, guests can commemorate the anniversary with a limited-edition Butterbeer mug, available while supplies last, along with specialty food and beverage offerings throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The fan-favorite Hogwarts Always nighttime projection show will also return in Wizarding World – Hogsmeade. Universal Studios Hollywood will introduce new experiences, including an encounter with the Monster Book of Monsters, Hogwarts house-themed giveaways, specialty treats,…

Universal Orlando has announced the next scare zone for Halloween Horror Nights 35: Downtown Clowntown, featuring Art the Clown and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. “The city that never sleeps becomes a waking nightmare when it’s overrun by Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Art the Clown, and other clownsfolk who can’t wait to tear you limb from limb.” The scare zone is located in New York. Per Ramon Paradoa, Show Director – Creative Development at Halloween Horror Nights, Downtown Clowntown will feature “distinct boroughs” filled with “familiar clowns from the past, entirely new clowns, Art the Clown, Killer Klowns from…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced Dead, Deader, Deadest, a new original haunted house that will be featured at Halloween Horror Nights 2026. “Uncover the dark secrets of the Deville Family Funeral Home in this haunted house, where reanimated corpses have risen from their graves.” The haunted house will be located in the Jurassic World extended queue. John Murdy, Creative Director and Executive Producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, shared some backstory from the treatment of the house: “Founded in the early 1920’s by infamous hotel impresario Maximilian Deville, The Deville Family Funeral Home was the first full-service…

Where we droppin’, y’all? Fortnite is officially headed to Halloween Horror Nights. Universal has announced that Fortnite will make its Halloween Horror Nights debut at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, inspired by Fortnite’s annual Fortnitemares event. Now, Halloween Horror Nights’ fans will have the chance to “drop in” to the world of Fortnitemares, with an all-new scare zone, featuring “ever-evolving and high-stakes environments”. Guests will enter Freaky Fields, a Halloween-inspired living battleground, overcome with a threatening force. Throughout the scare zone, fans will encounter the Battle Bus along with familiar Fortnitemares characters – plus a few new…

Thunder Falls Terrace at Islands of Adventure has closed permanently as Universal plans to replace it with a new dining concept. The restaurant quietly closed on Monday, July 20. According to Universal, the reimagined venue will become the new signature full-service restaurant for Islands of Adventure, with the rethemed dining location scheduled to debut in 2027. Located within Jurassic Park, Thunder Falls Terrace has long served one of the area’s quick-service dining locations, known for its rotisserie chicken, ribs, and outdoor seating overlooking Jurassic Park River Adventure. While not officially stated by Universal, the timing suggests the new restaurant could…

Universal has officially announced that Evil Dead Burn will be featured as an all-new haunted house at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood at Halloween Horror Nights 2026. First introduced in 1981, Evil Dead has evolved from an independent cult classic to one of today’s most terrifying horror properties. Blending extreme gore with dark humor, the franchise consistently centers on the Book of the Dead, an ancient text that unleashes supernatural parasitic demons who possess and twist their victims into Deadites. Inspired by the franchise’s latest installment, Evil Dead Burn, the haunted houses will take guests on a terrifying…

Universal Orlando has released information and prices for multi-night tickets, including the Frequent Fear Pass, for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Studios Florida. Available passes include Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus, and Ultimate Frequent Fear, with prices starting at $229.99. As reported last week, Express Pass add-ons are no longer available for any multi-night ticket. In previous years, guests could purchase the Express option that paired with their Frequent Fear pass, allowing them to use Express throughout the event. Instead, guests who want Express will now need to purchase a separate Express Pass for…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from July 20, 2026, to July 26, 2026. Universal Orlando Universal Orlando is featuring limited-time summer experiences inspired by blockbuster films, running now through August 10, 2026. The seasonal offerings will bring a range of character encounters, themed photo opportunities, interactive activations, exclusive merchandise, and new food and beverage options, highlighted by the Spielberg Summer Blockbusters Exhibit, experiences inspired by Jaws and Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, and the return of the Universal Mega Movie Parade. Volcano Bay Nights continues on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July…