Author: Brian Glenn

Happy 250th Birthday, America! Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from June 29, 2026, to July 5, 2026. Universal Orlando Universal Orlando invites guests to celebrate the 4th of July with special entertainment at Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal CityWalk – including live DJs and bands, stilt walkers, and more. The festivities will kick off in the evening and include a special fireworks & pyrotechnic display in honor of Independence Day. Universal Orlando is featuring limited-time summer experiences inspired by blockbuster films, running now through August 10, 2026. The seasonal…

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is renowned as one of Universal Orlando’s top resorts. My wife and I were invited by Loews Hotels to experience their new Alchemy by Loews cocktail program and enjoy dinner at Trattoria del Porto, along with drinks at The Thirsty Fish. Inspired by the Italian Riviera, the resort’s colorful waterfront facades and lively harbor create a unique atmosphere at Universal Orlando. The parks are just a short walk or water taxi ride away, but there’s plenty of reason to spend time at the resort itself. We stayed in a Standard 2 Queen Room for the night,…

Universal Orlando Resort’s hotels are joining the summer fun with a lineup of limited-time offerings across its 11 resort hotels, now through August 10. From can’t-miss themed displays and menu items to special perks, these hotel experiences complement the seasonal entertainment across the theme parks. The centerpiece of this summer’s hotel offerings is brand-new, must-see sand sculptures on display in each hotel lobby. Crafted from 600 to 1,200 pounds of sand and taking up to 10 hours to complete, each larger-than-life installation creates a memorable, photo-worthy welcome for guests and is inspired by fan-favorite Universal characters and experiences, including: Universal Helios…

To celebrate the theatrical release of Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, Comcast is transforming more than 700 Xfinity retail stores across the U.S. into interactive, Minions-themed destinations through July 5. Visitors can take part in an augmented reality experience, interact with characters from the film, discover hidden Minions throughout stores, and snap photos with larger-than-life displays at select locations. Xfinity members can also receive limited-time collectible merchandise, including pins and T-shirts, while supplies last, with exclusive items available for Platinum and Diamond members. The promotion extends beyond retail locations with exclusive perks for Xfinity members, including early access screenings of Minions…

Universal Orlando has announced INVASION: Alien Abduction, a new original haunted house that will be featured at Halloween Horror Nights 35. “Make contact with horrors from worlds unknown in this haunted house, where a ship full of Grays have torn apart a remote homestead in search of fresh test subjects.” Per an interview with Nerdist, the house has no connection with the 2017 scare zone with the same name. “The reason being is when you do the little gray men or the aliens, it can quickly get humorous. It can quickly get kitsche and cheesy. And we’ve done that type…

Universal Studios Hollywood invited Inside Universal for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the park’s new roller coaster currently under construction and set to open this summer. During the tour, Universal Creative Vice President Jon Corfino shared that Hollywood Drift is about more than just speed and excitement. It essentially honors the stunt performers and coordinators who shaped the Fast & Furious franchise. “We always kind of look at our tours like, how did they do this?” Corfino explained. “How do they make these great stunts? How do they do that? This was kind of the…

Universal Orlando invites guests to celebrate the 4th of July with special entertainment at Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal CityWalk – including live DJs and bands, stilt walkers, and more. The festivities will kick off in the evening and include a special fireworks & pyrotechnic display in honor of Independence Day. Epic Universe Guests can enjoy a live DJ performing at the Hemisphere Stage from 5 pm to 9 pm, along with Fourth of July-themed stilt walkers and roaming performers appearing throughout Celestial Park beginning at 5 pm. The evening will conclude with a special fireworks display over…

Universal Orlando has announced Cybergoria, a new original haunted house that will be featured at Halloween Horror Nights 35. “Awaken thousands of years in the future in this haunted house and brave a cold world driven by machines with a singular goal: to make you live forever, even if it kills you.” Halloween Horror Nights 35 will take place from August 28, 2026, through November 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts. Want to join the conversation? Head over to our Forums where fans are discussing the latest Universal news, rumors, and…

Universal Orlando has announced MADLANDS: Caged Cannibals, a new original haunted house that will be featured at Halloween Horror Nights 35. “In this haunted house, a defunct zoo is now the deadly domain of warring cannibal factions that have taken their animal instincts to extremes. They’re territorial. They’re hungry. And you’re lunch.” According to an article from CinemaBlend, the house will transport guests to a fictional dystopian world where a tribe of cannibals takes on the traits of zoo animals when hunting their prey. It is being touted as the “bloodiest of this year.” You can read more about the house…

DISCLAIMER: Inside Universal was invited by Universal Destinations & Experiences to experience Universal Kids Resort and Universal Kids Resort Hotel. Most accommodations, meals, and park admission were provided by Universal. All opinions expressed are our own. Universal Kids Resort is unlike any other destination within the Universal family. Located in Frisco, Texas, the resort was designed from the ground up for younger children, combining a theme park and a hotel into a destination aimed squarely at families with children ages 3 to 8. During our visit, we were able to experience both Universal Kids Resort and Universal Kids Resort Hotel…