Author: Brian Glenn

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from Aug 7, 2023, to Aug 13, 2023. Universal Orlando Minion Land – which includes Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, Bake My Day, Illumination Theater Meet & Greet, and Freeze Ray Pops – is set to officially open on August 11. Until then, the area is still under a soft opening. A soft opening is a technical rehearsal where all the major components are operational but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. Operating hours can vary, and an opening is…

Universal Orlando has set Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit to temporarily close for 5 days. The coaster will be closed from August 14 through August 18, 2023. Please keep in mind that these dates can change. The brief closure is most likely maintenance related. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow along on our forums & discussion boards.

During a panel at Midsummer Scream 2023, John Murdy – Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood – announced Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America will be featured as a haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 2023. Before announcing the new haunted house, Murdy discussed the use and importance of  Latin American content that has been featured at the event through the years – such as La Llorona and El Cucuy. As far as the house’s content, Murdy previewed some of the scares we can expect inside. A bit of spoilers ahead, so fair warning: The house will be narrated by…

Universal Orlando has announced that Minion Land – which includes Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, and Bake My Day – will officially open on August 11, 2023. This one-of-a-kind land expands upon the wildly popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction to engage the entire family in a new collection of humorous adventures inspired by Illumination’s beloved Minions franchise. In Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast guests can blast their way to supervillain stardom. Blending immersive sets, interactive game-based technology, and an original storyline, this first-of-its-kind attraction puts guests’ villainous skills to the test to see if they have what it takes to…

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from July 31, 2023, to Aug 6, 2023. Universal Orlando Villain-Con Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, and Minion Land  – which includes Bake My Day, Illumination Theater Meet & Greet, and Freeze Ray Pops – have officially soft opened! A soft opening is a technical rehearsal where all the major components are operational but some tweaks, changes, and updates will occur prior to the grand opening. Operating hours can vary, and an opening is not guaranteed until the area officially opens – which hasn’t been announced yet.…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced more details for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023, revealing additional all-new terrifying haunted houses, including “The Exorcist: Believer,” inspired by the new Universal Pictures film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment,  “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” inspired by Universal’s legacy of iconic cinematic monsters, and sharing more information on Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” based on the popular USA & SYFY series. Guests can experience these newly-announced houses at the event, taking place on select nights from September 7, 2023, thru October 31, 2023. Universal Monsters: Unmasked Lurking sixty feet beneath the bustling streets of the City of…

Universal Orlando has announced the final details for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 32, revealing all the houses, zones, and shows guests can experience at the event, taking place on select nights from September 1, 2023, thru November 4, 2023. The world’s premier Halloween event celebrates its 32nd year with a record-breaking 48 nights of immersing guests into the eeriest of experiences that could only be endured at Halloween Horror Nights – including a circus that’s spiraled into chaos, the long-awaited emergence of Halloween Horror Nights legend, Dr. Oddfellow, and a dark, resurrected story that delves into the haunting history of…

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns from Aug. 18 through Oct. 1, 2023, serving three-course, prix-fixe dinners at many of Orlando’s most acclaimed restaurants, including several located at Universal Orlando. Pricing is set at just $40 or $60 per person plus tax and gratuity, with up to $2 per meal going to local charities. There are 5 restaurants located across several of Universal Orlando’s hotels. They include: Mama Della’s Ristorante at Portofino Bay Hotel The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel The Palm Restaurant at Hard Rock Hotel Islands Dining Room at Royal Pacific Resort Amatista Cookhouse at Sapphire Falls Resort For…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Scarezone setup is underway at Universal Studios Florida as the park gets ready for Halloween Horror Nights 32 as the first “themed” elements for a scarezone were installed over in New York. The New York stage now features artwork advertising “Music Fest ’69” with some very time-appropriate “Groovy” artwork. String lights have also been installed in New York. Props have also been set up in Diagon Alley for a rumored Death Eaters move. Most of the other setup, which initially started last week, has been truss towers for scarezone lighting, especially in…

Knott’s Scary Farm is celebrating 50 years this haunt season and to mark 100 Days Until Halloween, tickets are now on sale for Southern California’s longest-running and most haunting Halloween theme park event. Knott’s Scary Farm takes place on select nights from September 21 through October 31, 2023. This anniversary’s lineup includes 10 frightening mazes, 5 sinister scare zones, and 4 hair-raising shows – which will feature characters from Knott’s Scary Farm’s 50-year history. Guests can visit knottsscaryfarm.com for tickets and more info. Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts and follow…