Editor’s note: Bruce Babcock is a contributor to Inside Universal’s coverage of Halloween Horror Nights. We’ve asked him to give us his predictions and analysis for this year’s event. July 3, 2013 – Seeing that Universal will begin announcing the titles of mazes and scare zones for 2013’s Halloween Horror Nights, I find that now may be a fitting time to take a stab at some good old speculation as to what we may see. These are guesses and are not in any way “leaks” or truths. I have no inside sources, nor do I dig for rumors. Just like…
Author: Jon Fu
July 1, 2013 – The Summer of Survival is in full effect here in Hollywood as construction and the SoCal heat clash with peak tourist season. For those of you avoiding the congestion in the park this season, here’s the latest news from Universal Studios Hollywood. We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Lot: Universal Plaza’s Continued Expansion The work in the center of the upper lot is impossible to miss now as various structures around the upcoming Universal Plaza tower above the work walls. We’ve had confirmation of an art deco inspired structure that will serve as a focal point and…
July 1, 2013 – We have to admit: this edition is a bit rough. That being said, much of this month’s episode focuses on our recent trip to Universal Orlando Resort, and our impressions of Krustyland, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and much, much more. As always, video, audio download and show notes are located below. Thanks for watching and listening! Video Cast Audio Download the show in audio form from SoundCloud.com. Do note that downloads are only available for one month after the initial recording. Show Notes – July 13, 2013 Member Meetup at Universal City – First…
June 25, 2013 – I love minions. Personally speaking, Despicable Me is the first Universal film I’ve seen in theaters in practically five years. To say that Universal hasn’t released a worldwide hit on the scale of Avatar, Batman or Harry Potter would be an understatement – hence the recent trend of non-Universal attractions opening at Universal parks worldwide. Fast-forward to 2010, and you could imagine my surprise at Universal’s box-office hit, Despicable Me. Having almost ignored Universal’s recent releases for the better half of the decade (with the exception of King Kong), I was intrigued. “What is Universal? For…
It’s almost time! Inside Universal is holding a member meetup on July 13, 2013 at Universal City between the hours of 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Are you interested in meeting the editors of Inside Universal in person? Want to talk with other fans like yourself? Read on for more details! What: Inside Universal Member Meetup Where: CityWalk Hollywood / Universal Studios Hollywood When: July 13, 2013 between 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Here’s what you need to know: Inside Universal will be holding a member meetup at CityWalk Hollywood at 12:00 PM on the second floor of CityLoft (we’ll be at…
June 22, 2013 – Carbon copying isn’t new. Just look at Terminator, Jurassic Park, WaterWorld and Shrek – all of which have spawned multiple copies at Universal parks worldwide. So while fans may cringe to see their favorite attractions ruthlessly copied around the globe, most theme park guests couldn’t care less. To them, any addition to their local theme park of choice seems absolutely fine. After all, most people don’t normally travel around the world to experience attractions that – in many respects – aren’t too different from their home-base attraction at home, and these guests are what drive the…
June 7, 2013 – We’re back with a new photo update from the Entertainment Capital of L.A. – this time from one of our own! Chris was in the park today to check on the progress of the construction projects consuming Universal Studios Hollywood right now. Without further ado, let’s dive into the very interesting developments at the site of Despicable Me and the ever-evolving Universal Plaza. The day begins! Moderate crowds starting to become the norm as the area schools let out. The new price increases are already up. They wasted no time changing the signs around. Still, with…
June 3, 2013 – After a rather long hiatus, Rumor Rumblings is back – this time, featuring the latest news on the Special Effects Stage, Universal Plaza and Universal’s Animal Actors. So without further ado, let’s see what’s the latest buzz surrounding Universal today: Putting aside the Evolution Plan for just a moment, we’ve received word that the Special Effects Stage should be getting a new segment to replace the existing ParaNorman bit on June 8th. No additional information has been provided, but ParaNorman has been a staple of Special Effects since the film’s release in summer 2012. If you’re…
June 1, 2013 – The entire gang is back with this month’s video cast! In this edition, the crew talk about Universal Plaza, Transformers, Simpsons and more. One important note about the member meetup: we’re currently looking at July 11 or July 13 as possible dates. For more information, please read this thread. As always, video, audio download and show notes are located below. Thanks for watching and listening! Video Cast Audio Download the show in audio form from SoundCloud.com. Do note that downloads are only available for one month after the initial recording. Show Notes – Member Meetup -…
May 27, 2013 – By many accounts, the 1990s and the early 2000s were considered Universal’s golden age. Universal had just finished unraveling WaterWorld – A Live Sea War Spectacular and Terminator 2: 3D – two groundbreaking attractions that pushed the traditional boundaries of theme park entertainment. Universal had also underwent a dramatic push to create a more child-friendly atmosphere with the introduction of Nickelodeon Blast Zone (now the Adventures of Curious George) and Rugrats Magic Adventure! (now Shrek 4D). Now as we arguably head into Universal’s second “golden era,” let’s take a brief look back at some of Universal’s…