Author: Brian Glenn

Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from Aug 14, 2023, to Aug 20, 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 officially open! 2023’s Passholder Appreciation Days, which includes discounts, benefits, and menus exclusive to Universal Annual Passholders, begins August 15 and continues through September 30. The Taste of Terror experience is available for guests who want to get a “taste” of what’s to come for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. Guests can…

Universal Orlando has announced the Hogwarts Express, the train attraction that allows guests to travel between both Wizarding Worlds, will temporarily close for a brief refurbishment. The attraction will be closed from December 10 through December 16, 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.

Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating 30 years of CityWalk with limited-time entertainment and menu offerings. As part of this milestone celebration, Universal has created a limited-time video presentation that captures CityWalk’s 30-year evolution, from the construction of the landmark destination to the modern day, and accompanied by a colorful laser projection and atmospheric smoke effects. The presentation can be experienced multiple times throughout the evening on the big screen at 5 Towers until August 31, 2023. A specially crafted menu with limited-time offerings of food and beverages will also be available at the following locations through August 31. Guests must…

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced more details for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023, revealing 3 new houses, the Terror Tram, and other fun the guests can experience at the event, taking place on select nights from Thursday, September 7 through Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The full line-up of the fear that awaits follows in eight haunted houses and Universal Studios Hollywood’s exclusive Terror Tram. The new houses announced today are: “Evil Dead Rise” brings guests to a new twisted tale, based on New Line Cinema’s return to the iconic horror franchise and 2023 box office hit. “Monstruos: The Monsters of…

Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating its pass members by throwing another round of Pass Member Appreciation Days from August 15 to September 30, 2023. Annual and Season Pass members are encouraged to take advantage of the limited-time offers available just for them, redeemable by simply showing one’s pass to a team member at any participating location. As a thank you for being a part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Pass Member family, pass members will receive the following perks and benefits throughout the event: Free Collectible Magnet This year, Pass members can pick up two AP magnets inside the Park…

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.…