Tap into each article below to get the full scope of what to expect:

Hellblock Horror

Spirits of the Coven

Fiesta de Chupacabras

Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake

Bugs: Eaten Alive

Descendants of Destruction

Which are you most excited to step inside? Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will run select nights from September 2 through October 31. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 150,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post JUST REVEALED: Final Six Houses for Halloween Horror Nights 2022 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal describes the house:

A coven of beautiful flapper witches will lure you into their 1920s speakeasy, reveal their haggish true form and turn your scream squad into a witch’s brew. They’ll be cackling; you’ll be screaming.

Witches certainly aren’t strangers to Halloween Horror Nights lore. Many will remember the captivating flying witch that welcomed you into Scary Tales: Deadly Ever After back in 2018. A similarly wicked character appeared in 2001’s original Scary Tales house and 2008’s Scary Tales: Once Upon A Nightmare. In 2008, two scare zones also prominently featured witches: The Path of the Wicked, a twisted take on Wizard of Oz – and Fractured Tales, which brought darkness to classic fairytales and nursery rhymes. Of course, the 2016 and 2017 American Horror Story houses had witches on display as well.

And who could forget The Coven of Halloween Horror Nights: Twenty Years of Fear in 2010? This scare zone leaned into more traditional witch stories, with the Cult of the Raven seeking revenge on those who burned witches in Salem. We have a feeling this is the iteration most likely to be reflected in Spirits of the Coven.

Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will run select nights September 2 through October 31. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 150,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Spirits of the Coven Coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2022 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal described the house:

Enter a prison whose savage inmates are monstrous creatures. If they break free from their cells, it’s a death sentence for everyone.

This won’t be the first time a prison sets the scene for a Halloween Horror Nights house. Back in 2004, Hellgate Prison was one of seven haunted houses featured at HHN 14 – and the origin of an iconic electric chair used in quite a few future houses. Cells, chambers, and corridors pulled you deep inside the brutal prison and directly toward death row.

We expect similar themes to arise for Hellblock Horror – along with plenty of deranged creatures seeking revenge and escape.

Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will run select nights September 2 through October 31. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 150,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Hellblock Horror Has Been Revealed for Halloween Horror Nights 2022 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

In The Black Phone (June 2022) made by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse productions, Ethan Hawke plays The Grabber – a “part time magician” that looks a little bit like an uninventive crossover between V from V for Vendetta and Nicholson’s Joker. A pre-teen boy named Finney is taken and held captive by The Grabber, who is also an established serial kidnapper in the area. The story seems to take place in the 70s (judging by the feathered hair, flared corduroy pants, and number of unsupervised young children), which is both a fixture in classic horror films and, as it turns out, an important element to the plot. 

Finney must escape his captivity, and he wakes to find himself in a large, plain warehouse room equipped with two things  – a bare mattress and, you guessed it, a disconnected black rotary phone that hangs on the wall. A classic rotary phone is almost a relic at this point, and many Horror Nights enjoyers today would struggle to dial out on a phone like that to get themselves out of a kidnapping situation, even if it was fully operational. But he’s out of luck – until he starts getting calls. Each call he receives is from a previous (and now deceased) victim of The Grabber, and each one gets him closer and closer to his escape. The film is based off the short story of the same name by author Joe Hill. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, maybe it’s because it’s a pen name. (Joseph King grew up in Bangor, Maine in the 1970s and was deeply inspired by his father’s work.)

The movie is a classic “escape” story, which lends itself well to a Horror Nights house. Ostensibly, guests will follow Finney’s story and do their best to escape The Grabber. One scene in particular that we think would translate well in a maze exists in the trailer. Finney has to carefully, quietly creep around The Grabber as he sits sleeping in a chair. The sheer tension from a room like this would be enough to keep thrill-seekers on their toes! 

The second Blumhouse story to make itself at home in the house is a 2020 slasher comedy called Freaky – and just as the name suggests, it’s a spin on the classic body-switching trope found in Freaky Friday. If you’re wondering how that translates into a Halloween Horror Nights house, here’s the key difference: instead of a teenage girl switching bodies with her mom, she finds herself in the body of an infamous serial killer. And that serial killer is played by Vince Vaughn. Interesting, right?

In true slasher fashion, Freaky opens with four teenagers alone in a mansion discussing the urban legend of the Blissfield Butcher, played by Vaughn. Before you know it, he’s broken into the mansion, murders the group, and discovers an ancient dagger, La Dola, that he’s thrilled to use in his next attack. It’s La Dola that holds the Freaky Friday magic that drives the plot – because when he uses it to attack his next victim, a bullied high school senior named Millie, he finds an identical wound on himself. The next morning, Millie and the Butcher realize they’ve switched bodies.

The rest of the film focuses on the Butcher continuing his murder spree in Millie’s body, while Millie desperately seeks to stab him with La Dola to escape the serial killer’s body prior to the 24-hour window closing. In the process, there are plenty of scenes that lend themselves to a killer haunted house, including a mini golf course, police station, football game, and more.

Are you ready for another Blumhouse production? Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will run select nights between September 2 and October 31.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 150,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post The Horrors of Blumhouse Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2022 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

That’s right – another “Taste of” festival iteration is headed to EPCOT. These modified annual events began last year to keep the seasonal celebrations on a smaller scale, for easier social distancing. Luckily for us, though, even these trimmed-down offerings are jam-packed with flavor.

The first Taste of Flower & Garden Festival begins Wednesday, March 3 and will take place through Monday, July 5. Despite being a slimmed-down version, this year’s outing boasts two new outdoor kitchens (noted below) and over 50 new menu items. Yes, you read that right – there are over 20 festival-exclusive outdoor kitchens with over 50 brand-new food and drink options to indulge in! Plus, fan-favorites like Frushi and Violet Lemonade are returning, too.

Also making a repeat appearance at the fresh-tivities this year is the Garden Graze, a fun food stroll that highlights five plant-based offerings in your Festival Passport. As you buy each menu item, you’ll receive a stamp – and, once all five are collected, you can take your passport over to the Pineapple Promenade Outdoor Kitchen for your festival-exclusive (and complimentary!) prize. This doesn’t have to be finished in one day, either – you can bring the same passport back for multiple visits in order to secure all five stamps. (The Garden Graze menu items are noted below.)

Now, enough of the chit-chat – what’s on the menus for the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival?

Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)

Jardin de Fiestas festival food menu

Tostada de Cochinita: braised pork on a crispy corn tortilla with black beans, topped with pickled onions, mango-habanero relish, and oregano (gluten/wheat friendly)

Taco Vampiro: braised beef on a corn tortilla with crispy grilled monterey jack cheese and salsa ranchera (gluten/wheat friendly)

Sope de Chorizo: plant-based ground chorizo on fried corn dough with black beans and avocado mousse (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)

Jardin de Fiestas festival drink menu

Passion Fruit Margarita: Corazón de Agave Blanco Tequila, passion fruit purée, lime juice, Nixta Corn Liqueur, and a hint of smoke with a hibiscus flower salt rim

The Garden Margarita: Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, lettuce juice, Ancho Reyes Chile Verde Liqueur, lime juice, Gracias a Dios Agave Gin, and a sprig of thyme

Tulum Mexican Craft Beer with Floater: artisanal lager with citrus notes made with Caribbean seawater and served with an elderflower liqueur floater

Lotus House (China)

Lotus House festival food menu

New! Papa Cakes: potato cakes filled with shrimp and water chestnuts, served with house-made strawberry sauce

Bon Bon Chicken Skewer with sesame and peanut sauce

House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons

Lotus House festival drink menu

“Panda” Bubble Tea: classic milk tea with black and white boba pearls (non-alcoholic)

Jasmine Draft Beer

Marco Boba: amaretto, iced coffee, milk, and boba

Kung Fu Punch: vodka, triple sec, mango syrup, orange juice, and soda water

New! Tang Dynasty: Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila Gold, light rum, strawberry syrup, piña colada mix, white boba pearls, and soda water

Refreshment Outpost

Refreshment Outpost festival food menu

Pineapple Skewer with tajin seasoning (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based; Garden Graze)

Refreshment Outpost festival drink menu

New! Islamorada Beer Company Key Lime Hibiscus Ale, Ft. Pierce, Fla.

Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany)

Bauernmarkt festival food menu

Potato Pancakes with house-made apple sauce (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based; Garden Graze)

Potato Pancake with caramelized ham, onions, and herb sour cream (gluten/wheat friendly)

Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest ham and melted gruyère cheese

Warm Cheese Strudel with mixed berries

Bauernmarkt festival drink menu

M.I.A. Brewing Hugo, Doral, Fla.

Bitburger Premium Pils, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria

Beer Flight of the above options

Apfelschaumwein: sparkling wine and apple liqueur

Primavera Kitchen (Italy)

Primavera Kitchen festival food menu

Margherita: rustic Italian flatbread with tomato sauce and mozzarella

Arancini: sweet sausage fried risotto balls with Pomodoro sauce

Traditional Sicilian Cannoli: crisp pastry filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate, and candied orange

Primavera Kitchen festival drink menu

Peroni Pilsner

Pinot Grigio

Chianti

Prosecco

Rosa Regale

Moscato

Italian White Sangria with Prosecco

Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon

Italian Margarita with limoncello and tequila

Magnolia Terrace (American Adventure)

Magnolia Terrace festival food menu

New! Crawfish Étouffée with Andouille sausage and dirty rice

Cajun-style Roasted Oysters

House-made Boudin two ways with spicy mustard

Pecan Cake with maple whipped cream

Pecan Praline

Magnolia Terrace festival drink menu

New! Bayou Cocktail: Bayou spiced rum, coconut rum, fruit punch, and Minute Maid orange juice

New! 81Bay Brewing Co. Orange Coriander Wheat Ale, Tampa, Fla.

New! Wicked Weed Brewing Day Light American Light Ale, Asheville, N.C.

Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA, Broussard, La.

Beer Flight of the above options

Funnel Cake (American Adventure)

Funnel Cake festival menu

Mini-Funnel Cake topped with lemon cheesecake ice cream, blueberries, and powdered sugar

Hanami (Japan)

Hanami festival food menu

Frushi: strawberry, pineapple, and cantaloupe wrapped in sweet rice and pink soy wrap, served with whipped cream, drizzled berry sauce, and toasted coconut

New! Shrimp and Crab with spicy mayonnaise and cucumber slices finished with creamy avocado and violet sauce

Soy-glazed Pork Shank with truffle mashed potatoes, crispy lotus flower, garlic chips, and green onion

Hanami festival drink menu

Sakura Zen Ale

Pineapple Sake

New! Blood Orange Sour with fresh mint

Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco)

Taste of Marrakesh festival food menu

New! Moroccan Seafood Couscous with shrimp, mussels, olives, preserved lemons, and anchovy breadcrumbs

New! Shakshuka: Moroccan baked eggs in a spiced eggplant and tomato stew

New! Lemon Magdalena Cake with fig compote and sangria gel (plant-based; Garden Graze)

Taste of Marrakesh festival drink menu

New! M.I.A. Beer Company Pink Hibiscus Orange Wheat Ale, Doral, Fla.

New! Maeloc Pineapple and Pear Hard Cider, Galicia, Spain

Sangria

La Isla Fresca (Between Morocco and France)

La Isla Fresca festival food menu

Lamb Curry with sweet plantains and rice (gluten/wheat friendly)

Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with steamed rice and coconut-lime sauce (gluten/wheat friendly)

Tropical Mousse Cup: layers of passion fruit cake, coconut mousse, and a tropical fruit glaze with fresh pineapple

La Isla Fresca festival drink menu

Tropical Freeze (non-alcoholic)

New! Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Hibiscus Guavacation Sour Beer, Orlando, Fla.

Tropical Freeze with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

Fleur de Lys (France)

Fleur de Lys festival food menu

Tarte aux Oignons Caramélisés et Chèvre: goat-cheese tart with caramelized onions on a flaky pastry crust

New! Canard Confit à l’Orange aux Gnocchi à la Parisienne: braised duck confit à l’orange with Parisian gnocchi

Macaron au Chocolate en Sucette: large chocolate macaron lollipop

New! Beignet Caramélisé, Fourré Crème Vanille, Glacé au Caramel Fleur de Sel: caramelized beignet filled with vanilla cream and glazed with caramel fleur de sel

Fleur de Lys festival drink menu

Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Draft Beer

Very Raspberry: Rosé wine with natural raspberry flavor

New! Chardonnay, Le Vieux Manoir

New! Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec Blend, Château Lorient

La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: vodka, Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka, St. Germain Liqueur, white and red cranberry juice

Festival Favorites (World Showplace)

Festival favorites food menu

Watermelon Salad with pickled onions, feta, and balsamic reduction (gluten/wheat friendly)

Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with garlic sausage, chorizo, cheddar fondue, and house-made pickle

Fried Green Tomatoes with blue crab-fennel salad, remoulade, and smoked paprika oil

Key Lime Tart with toasted meringue

Festival favorites drink menu

Frozen Lemonade (non-alcoholic)

3 Daughters Brewing Maple Bacon Stout, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Frozen Lemonade with Firefly Blackberry Moonshine

New! EPCOT Farmers Feast (World Showplace)

EPCOT Farmers Feast festival food menu – Rotating Menu 1:

New! Spring Onion Soup with crispy shallots and micro chive

Duck Confit with carrot purée, roasted root vegetables, rainbow chard, and duck jus (gluten/wheat friendly)

New! Off the “Beet”en Path: profiteroles with red-beet mousse, golden beet pastry cream, whipped goat cheese cream, and candied walnuts

EPCOT Farmers Feast festival drink menu

New! 81Bay Brewing Co. Watermelon Mint Wheat Ale, Tampa, Fla.

New! Hibiscus Lemonade Cocktail featuring Islamorada Brewery and Distillery Hibiscus Gin

Cider House (World Showplace)

Cider House festival food menu

House-made Potato and Cheddar Biscuit with salmon tartare

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with whipped cream

Cider House festival drink menu

New! 3 Daughters Brewing Pink Lemonade Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, Fla.

New! Bold Rock Watermelon Hard Cider, Nellysford, Va.

New! Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Triple Jam Hard Cider, Armada, Mich.

Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pure Brewed Organic Lager, Tadcaster, UK

Snakebite: Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Triple Jam Hard Cider and Samuel Smith Old Brewery. Pure Brewed Organic Lager

Cider Flight of the above options

Northern Bloom (Canada)

Northern Bloom festival food menu

Seared Scallops with French green beans, butter potatoes, brown-butter vinaigrette, and apple-wood-smoked bacon (gluten/wheat friendly)

Beef Tenderloin Tips with mushroom bordelaise sauce and whipped potatoes with garden vegetables

Griddled Maple Pound Cake with warm peach compote and sweet corn gelato

Northern Bloom festival drink menu

Maple Popcorn Shake (non-alcoholic)

81Bay Brewing Apricot with maple syrup, Tampa, Fla.

Collective Arts Brewing Blackberry Fruit Beer, Hamilton, Ontario.

New! Goose Island Beer Company Lost Palate Hazy IPA with mango and cinnamon, Chicago, Ill.

Beer flight of the above options

Maple Popcorn Shake with Tap 357 Maple Rye Whisky

The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board (Showcase Plaza)

The Honey Bee-stro festival food menu

New! Tupelo Honey and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread with jalapeños, bacon, and house-made whipped honey butter (gluten/wheat-friendly)

New! Lavender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread with whipped honey-ricotta cheese, marinated vegetables, and purple haze lavender goat cheese

Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with orange blossom honey whipped cream, whipped honey, crystalized honey, honeycomb, rehydrated honey, and fennel pollen meringue kisses

The Honey Bee-stro festival drink menu

Honey-Peach Freeze in a Souvenir Spike the Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)

New! First Magnitude Brewing Co. Honey Bee Citrus Blonde Ale, Gainesville, Fla.

Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, Fla

Honey-Peach Freeze with blueberry vodka

The Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)

The Citrus Blossom festival food menu

Meyer Lemon-poached Lobster Salad with grapefruit-rosé vinaigrette, Yuzu-marinated hearts of palm, and avocado

New! Yuzu Panna Cotta (gluten/wheat friendly)

New! Citrus-braised Crispy Pork Belly with kumquat and carrot

Citrus Shortcake: orange chiffon Cake, lemon curd, mandarins, whipped cream, and citrus crumble

The Citrus Blossom festival drink menu

New! Orange-Lemon Smoothie in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)

Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, Fla.

First Magnitude Brewing Co. Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, Fla.

New! Playalinda Brewing Company Hibiscus Lime Ale, Titusville, Fla.

Beer Flight of the above options

Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy

Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)

Refreshment Port festival food menu

New! House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers Poutine (plant-based)

Popsicle Trio: honeydew, raspberry mint, and coconut lime (gluten/wheat friendly)

Refreshment Port festival drink menu

New! Starcut Ciders Cidre Colada Hard Cider, Bellaire, Mich.

New! Cutwater Bloody Mary: ultra-premium vodka, all-natural tomato juice, and a dash of spice

New! Cutwater Whiskey Mule: Black Skimmer Bourbon with ginger beer, a hint of lime, and aromatic bitters

Pineapple Promenade (Showcase Plaza)

Pineapple Promenade festival food menu

Spicy Hot Dog with pineapple chutney and plantain chips

Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake

Dole Whip (plant-based)

Pineapple Promenade festival drink menu

Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (non-alcoholic)

Dole Whip with Fanta (non-alcoholic)

New! 3 Daughters Brewing Tropical Hefe Wheat Ale, St. Petersburg, Fla.

New! Wicked Weed Brewing Fresh Pressed Wheat Ale with Mango, Pineapple, and Guava, Asheville, N.C.

New! Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company Alo’hop IPA, Lexington, Ky.

Pineapple Beer Flight of the above options

Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, Fla.

Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dole Whip topped with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

Trowel & Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods (Showcase Plaza)

Trowel & Trellis festival food menu

Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)

New! Impossible Sausage and Kale Soup (plant-based)

New! Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib with cilantro-lime rice, Danmuji slaw, and Kimchee mayonnaise (plant-based; Garden Graze)

New! Lavender Pot de Crème with blueberry cake, pink peppercorn, and lime whipped cream (plant-based)

Trowel & Trellis festival drink menu

New! Twinings of London Energize Matcha Cranberry & Lime Green Tea (non-alcoholic)

New! Parish Brewing Co. Bloom Hazy IPA, Broussard, La.

New! Twinings of London Energize Matcha Cranberry & Lime Green Tea with Hanger 1 Makrut Lime Vodka served in a mason jar

Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth (Future World West)

Flavor Full Kitchen festival food menu

Grilled Baby Vegetables with hummus cream and red pepper coulis (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based; Garden Graze)

Seared Verlasso Salmon with farro risotto and micro herbs

Strawberry Mousse with chocolate crisp pearls

Flavor Full Kitchen festival drink menu

Blood Orange Agua Fresca (non-alcoholic)

Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt (non-alcoholic)

New! EPCOT Sunshine Griddle (Future World East)

EPCOT Sunshine Griddle festival food menu

New! Avocado Toast with marinated toybox tomatoes and fresh goat cheese on toasted ciabatta

Shrimp and Grits: blackened shrimp and cheddar cheese grits with brown gravy and sweet corn salsa

New! Corned Beef Brisket Hash with house-made potato barrels, onions, peppers, cheese curds, and a soft-poached egg with tabasco hollandaise

New! Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with cream-cheese frosting and candied bacon

EPCOT Sunshine Griddle festival drink menu

New! Froot Loops Shake (non-alcoholic)

New! Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail with milk, Kahlúa Rum, coffee liqueur, and vanilla vodka

Joffrey’s

Joffrey’s Future World East festival drink menu

New! Bloomin’ Berry: frozen lemon and blackberry syrup with a splash of vodka

Joffrey’s Future World East festival drink menu

New! Citrus Sunrise: frozen lemon and passion fruit with mandarin vodka

Joffrey’s The American Adventure festival drink menu

New! Bubbly Brew: Jameson Cold Brew Whiskey and coffee with a splash of Coke

Joffrey’s Canada festival drink menu

Spring Flurry: Frozen lemon and cinnamon whiskey

There are so many menu items I can’t wait to try, especially the new ones! As a vegetarian, the Trowel and Trellis menu sounds exquisite to me – and the Tang Dynasty drink from Lotus House in China is calling my name, too. Time to go start my must-taste list before I visit Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival this year!

Be sure to share which menu items have your mouth watering in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook – and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to indulge in the latest festival coverage.

The post Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival menus revealed appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The good news? There’s still a ton to enjoy – and devour. The most obvious difference in the events is that they now take place almost exclusively in World Showcase, with little to no event-exclusive excitement happening in Future World. However, once you step into World Showcase, you’ll hardly notice a difference. Tons of spectacular food studios – over 15 this year! – surround the loop, complete with artfully presented food and beverages that taste just as good as they look.

Today, the full list of food studios and their corresponding menus have been released, which means we need to dive into what to expect and highlight the items we’re most excited for from each. Spoiler alert: there’s a bunch of new, exciting options!

The Artist’s Table – The American Adventure

In true American fashion, The Artist’s Table will treat your taste buds to savory plates prepared using stove-top and oven techniques.

Food highlight: pan-seared Scallop with chorizo, roasted red pepper coulis, and parmesan crisp

Beverage highlight: white, milk, and dark chocolate sipping flight

Citrus Blossom – Showcase Plaza

Bright, fruit flavors are the main event at this beverage-only location.

Highlight: orange cream shake in a souvenir Orange Bird sipper cup

Cuisine Classique – Germany

This food studio does Germany proud with Old World delights and hearty, braised bites.

Food highlight: red-wine braised beef short rib with parsnip purée, broccolini, baby tomatoes, and aged balsamic

Beverage highlight: frozen rosé

Decadent Delights – Promenade Refreshments

Decadent Delights pays tribute to the underrated combination of sweet, tasty treats and refreshing beer.

Food highlight: raspberry and lemon soft-serve ice cream

Beverage highlight: Saugatuck Brewing Co. Peanut Butter Porter

The Deconstructed Dish – Showcase Plaza

Just as its name indicates, this studio commits to serving delicious dishes in a unique, deconstructed format.

Food highlight: Deconstructed BLT with crispy pork belly, soft-poached egg, brioche, watercress espuma, and tomato jam

Beverage highlight: Deconstructed Breakfast chai tea shake with cream bourbon, garnished with a waffle crisp and candied bacon

El Artista Hambriento – Mexico

We would expect nothing less than for “The Hungry Artist” to take us on a journey south of the border for marvelous Mexican cuisine.

Food highlight: Taco de Chocolate, a chocolate candy shell filled with Mexican chocolate mousse, topped with a touch of chile and tropical fruit

Beverage highlight: Frida Carrot Margarita with Casa Noble Blanco tequila, carrot juice, ginger cordial, lime juice, and agave nectar

Festival Favorites – World Showplace

You can head straight to World Showplace to enjoy guest-favorite dishes and microbrew beers.

Food highlight: Remy’s Ratatouille with eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and red pepper piperade

Beverage highlight: Blue Sky Black Cherry Boba Freeze

Goshiki – Japan

Japan’s food studio has a menu loaded with items that are almost too beautiful to eat.

Food highlight: Stone Garden with red bean mousse, chocolate rocks, and rice cracker pebbles

Beverage highlight: Pink Snow with sake, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and Calpico dusted with snowflake confetti

L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise – France

You can’t combine “France” and “food” without drooling over baked goods – and L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise fits the bill.

Food highlight: Croissant à la Truffle Noir d’Hiver, a black winter truffle croissant

Beverage highlight: Frozen French Martini with Grey Goose vodka, Chambord liqueur, pineapple, orange, and grape juice, topped with lemon-lime foam

L’Arte di Mangiare – Italy

Lovers of Italian food, rejoice! The taste of Italy is alive and well with imaginative bites at this food studio.

Food highlight: L’Aragosta, a lobster ravioli with vanilla-saffron cream sauce and shredded chili peppers

Beverage highlight: an Amaretto Bellini with white peach puree and prosecco

Masterpiece Kitchen – Canada

With some of the most intricate items in the Festival of the Arts lineup, Canada’s selection will wow you.

Food highlight: Vanilla, Rose Water, and Pistachio Panna Cotta

Beverage highlight: classic sidecar with a chocolate twist

Mosaic Canteen – Morocco

Delectable dishes and luscious desserts are here to satisfy those visiting with an adventurous palate.

Food highlight: Harissa-roasted rack of lamb with baba ganoush, picholine olives, toybox tomatoes, preserved lemons, and pomegranate

Beverage highlight: Maeloc Blackberry Hard Cider

The Painted Panda – China

China’s food studio presents a colorful twist to the standard local offerings.

Food highlight: Sichuan red-hot Mala shrimp

Beverage highlight: the Sea Butterfly, a Butterfly pea flower-infused cocktail with lychee syrup, vodka, light rum, and magic boba pearls

Painter’s Palate – World Showplace

Your plate is a blank canvas for chefs to decorate with delicacies at the Painter’s Palate in World Showplace.

Food highlight: salt-roasted beet tartare with pickled vegetables, parsley salad, and Béarnaise aïoli

Beverage highlight: the frozen Rusty Nail cocktail

Pop Eats – Showcase Plaza

Bold flavors and tantalizing textures join forces for these modern art-inspired eats.

Food highlight: tomato soup with French onion and bacon grilled cheese

Beverage highlight: Tomato Soup Can Bloody Mary

Vibrante & Vívido – between Morocco and France

The only all-new food studio of this year’s festival has sweet and savory Latin tastes presented in artfully plated dishes.

Food highlight: passionfruit mousse with dragonfruit jam

Beverage highlight: coconut and passionfruit smoothie

The best of the rest

In addition to the food studios representing the different locales of World Showcase, there are also select additions to standard locations for the occasion. Refreshment Port boasts a brand-new Lobster Poutine, Refreshment Outpost has a plant-based bratwurst with barbecue jackfruit, and Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company is introducing a new array of candy-centric coffees.

What food studio has piqued the interest of your palate? Be sure to share what your taste buds are most lookin forward to in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook – and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to feast on the latest deets.

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The ability to park hop, including the sale of Park Hopper tickets, has been absent since Disney World began its phased reopening on July 11 and introduced its Park Pass Reservation system. Park hopping was most recently available on March 16, the last day Disney was open ahead of its COVID-19 closure.

As usual, hopping from park to park will only be available to visitors who have purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits – and, of course, it excludes any relevant blockout dates. So, what’s different, you ask? It’s important to note first that the Park Pass Reservation system is now part of the park-hopping equation. Guests must make a reservation for the first theme park they plan to visit and enter that first park prior to visiting another. (That means you can’t, say, book a reservation for EPCOT, but skip over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios instead.) A park reservation is not required after the first visitation of the day, but it has been clearly stated that this is subject to change – so, be sure to check out the latest guidelines before planning your multi-stop Disney day.

The next big difference: timing. In the past, park hopping came free of restrictions. Visitors could jump from location to location and back again, even inciting the “four parks in one day” challenge. This was super convenient for those who wanted to rope-drop Magic Kingdom to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but head over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a few hours to do Avatar Flight of Passage before heading back to Cinderella Castle for fireworks. Now, Park Hopper hours will begin at 2:00 pm each day, with a potential to eventually start earlier, depending on the day and park. (Guests will be able to check out the latest park-hopper hours in the My Disney Experience app and online.) The good news: while subject to change, there currently is not a per-day park limit in place.

One last factor to consider is capacity. As Disney’s phased reopening continues, limited capacity measures remain in place for the health and safety of visitors, and the ability to visit another theme park will be subject to that park’s attendance restrictions. With that being said, we recommend making a Park Pass Reservation for your most-desired park of the day, just in case you’re not able to head over to your second choice.

With this change comes another exciting return: park-to-park transportation, which has also been suspended since Disney’s reopening. Transportation between parks is set to resume at the start of 2021, in line with the ability to park hop. While it’s unclear at this time which transportation options will be available, it is confirmed that operations will begin each day shortly prior to the start of Park Hopper hours.

Overall, this is fantastic news for Walt Disney World attendees. It’s a positive step forward in the resort’s phased reopening, and it also makes a more complete trip possible for those who may be limited to a one-day visit due to either time or money restraints. Once more, fans will be able to visit their favorite attractions at each park without a multi-day visit.

Do you already have a game plan set for your return to park hopping? Share your itinerary with thousands of other excited Disney fans in our  WDW Community on Facebook.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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The holly-jolly holiday decor starts before you even step foot into the park. Even though the Walt Disney World Railroad isn’t currently in operation due to construction on Tomorrowland’s upcoming TRON attraction, Main Street Station’s exterior – which welcomes park guests – has been neatly trimmed with garland. And it’s only just a taste of the tinsel you’ll find inside!

Leaving just as quickly as it arrived – or, at least, so it seems in the fast-paced year that is 2020 – Magic Kingdom’s fall decor was a bit lighter than its usual array. Most notably, the traditional fall-themed scarecrows were nowhere to be found in their Town Square position. So, we were delighted to find that the iconic nutcrackers (accompanied by candy cane-striped surroundings) had made their return for Christmas. It wouldn’t have been the same without them – although we will miss their marching counterparts in the Once upon a Christmastime Parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which was cancelled for this year.

Magic Kingdom is typically the first of Walt Disney World Resort’s four parks to receive decorations, and if its festivity level is any indication, we look forward to seeing what’s in store for the others! We expect EPCOT to be decked out with its own seasonal swag soon for Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. (And I’d be remiss not to mention my personal favorite: the vintage holiday decor around Echo Lake in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.)

As beautiful as Magic Kingdom’s decor is, one key feature is notably lacking: the Dream Lights that crystallize Cinderella Castle with an awe-inspiring overlay of twinkling lights. It was announced in September that the castle will instead be adorned by a rotating series of holiday projection effects that begin this Friday, November 6.

Despite the disappointment that comes with the lack of Dream Lights, it’s safe to say I’m impressed by the quick (and fairly complete) rollout of holiday decorations at Magic Kingdom so far – and I look forward to seeing how they continue expanding to other areas of the park. (Spoiler alert: Jingle Cruise has returned!) Given all of the curveballs 2020 has thrown in the theme parks’ direction, it’s nice to see familiar traditions come to life in the timing we’ve come to expect as Disney fans.

Ready to enjoy the magic of the holidays at Disney World? For photos of decor at all four parks, follow along on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds for the latest seasonal updates – plus news and tips from Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

And then be sure to discuss everything with thousands of other Disney fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook!

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Given Royal Pacific’s exotic atmosphere, the on-site decor might be a bit more traditional than you’d expect – but it complements the surrounding paradise wonderfully just the same. The Christmas decorations do a great job highlighting the resort’s warm, luxurious environment, even if they’re not particularly Polynesian-themed. A massive, lush tree meets you at the entrance, adorned with simple (yet oh-so shiny) red, silver, green, and gold baubles, and accented with sparkly wicker-like sphere ornaments and a few organic touches of gold flowers and pinecones.

If you’ve visited Royal during the holidays before, the yuletide garb will likely look familiar. There is one major difference, though: in past years, this icon tree has been surrounded by a gingerbread town. There’s no word on whether or not the feature will be returning for this year. So far, though, it looks like we may be sans gingerbread for 2020.

This isn’t the first sign of the Christmas season we’ve seen at Universal this year – holiday decorations first started popping up at Islands of Adventure just a couple of weeks ago, and they’ve since expanded over to select areas of Universal Studios Florida. We’ll be keeping a close eye out to see if more seasonal spruce makes its way to the other Universal hotels, as well!

Which Christmas decor do you most look forward to at Universal? Share your answers – and photos! – with 110,000+ other Universal fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Per a Facebook post from Rising Star, the venue will open its doors this Friday, October 30 at 5:00 pm, with shows running from 6:30 through 11:30 pm. Saturday will have the same operating schedule. On Sunday, doors will open at 5:00 pm with shows between 5:30 and 10:30 pm. Tables will be seated at 40% capacity with plenty of room to “rock safely” – plus, the changing and thorough sanitation of microphones between performances has been promised, as well.

For the time being, there will not be a live band to accompany those taking the stage; however, computer karaoke will be available with thousands of songs in the Rising Star repertoire, along with a host to keep the tunes coming.

The usual $7 cover charge has been nixed for now, which means CityWalk guests can sing for free. All ages are welcome this weekend, as the age minimum has been temporarily lifted (normally, it’s 21 and above). Guests are encouraged to call 407-224-2189 to reserve a table.

Are you ready to get back to rocking at Rising Star? First read our review, and then set your song list with 110,000+ other Universal die-hards in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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First, let’s talk about what’s returning from the full-fledged holiday festival of years past. Guests can indulge in the holiday spirit with the Holiday Cookie Stroll, which sends them to five different holiday kitchens across World Showcase for – you guessed it – a variety of cookies. Once all five cookies have been collected, and their respective Festival Passport stamps have been received, visitors can visit the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary Peppermint Minnie Cookie.

Speaking of holiday kitchens, 16 of them will be found across World Showcase – plus, seasonal flavors can be perused at a few additional venues, including Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company and Refreshment Outpost. The Refreshment Outpost is actually one location that has already revealed a new menu item: a warm brown-sugar-stuffed pretzel with soft-serve ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Another returning favorite is JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. A talented vocal ensemble will grace the World Showplace stage with uplifting gospel, R&B, and holiday songs in celebration of the Christmas and Kwanzaa seasons. America Gardens Theatre will also be embracing the season with special holiday shows from the Voices of Liberty and the Mariachi Cobre, the latter of which will bring a celebration of Mexican holiday customs to life through music and dance. Finally, the JAMMitors will grace the Canada Pavilion’s Mill Stage with playful percussion.

So, what’s new for Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Holidays? Olaf’s Holiday Tradition is an all-new scavenger hunt that sends young guests searching for Olaf and his misplaced holiday traditions throughout World Showcase. Maps will be available for purchase at Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway. Once complete, it can be presented to receive “a gift worth melting for” (while supplies last).

If you’ve visited EPCOT recently, you may have seen character promenades gracing the World Showcase loop and beyond. Both the Mickey and Friends World Tour and Frozen Promenade will continue through the Christmas season, with the extra magic of these characters wearing their holiday best between November 27 and December 30. The standard Princess Promenade is promised to continue during this time, too.

Now, for the most festive news of all: the Santa Claus Promenade will take Santa on a grand tour around World Showcase in a horse-drawn carriage to share holiday wishes with guests between November 27 and December 24. (After all, Santa has places to be that night!)

Amongst these grand offerings, there is one noticeable gap in the holiday lineup: EPCOT will not be hosting its traditional Candlelight Processional this year, which typically shares the story of Christmas via a 50-piece orchestra, full choir, and celebrity narrator.

Ready to unwrap the holiday season at Walt Disney World? From decor to entertainment, follow along on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds for the latest seasonal updates – plus news and tips from Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions. And then be sure to discuss everything with thousands of other Disney die-hards in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook!

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Festival of the Arts first debuted in early 2017, rounding out EPCOT’s robust annual festival line-up, which includes the International Food & Wine Festival in the fall, International Festival of the Holidays during the winter, and the International Flower & Garden Festival in the spring. Thanks to its success, the theme park now has one festivity or another taking place much more often than not – it is only during a brief few summer months that EPCOT is sans celebrations.

Festival of the Arts’s previous entertainment has included concerts by Disney Broadway stars at America Gardens Theatre and galleries (complete with artist meet-and-greets) throughout the park. There have also been a variety of performers at the event, as well, from living statues to acrobats and beyond.

As with any EPCOT festival, food is a major highlight here. Mini-culinary kitchens can be found stationed throughout the park with eclectic bites and sips to enjoy, complete with colorful and creative presentations in celebration of the arts. Between food stations, guests can also find photo-ops with iconic paintings as a 3D backdrop for the ultimate festival memories. In years past, cooking workshops and exclusive dining experiences have also been available at an additional cost. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Walt Disney World Resort annual event if there weren’t tons of merchandise to match!

Here’s a look at what’s to come for Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2021:

• 15 food studios serving artistic culinary creations throughout World Showcase
• Visiting artists bringing creations to life in-park
• Diverse artwork, including Disney specialties, available to admire and purchase
• Special photo locations across the park
• Performances by EPCOT musical artists JAMMitors and Mariachi Cobre
• Figment scavenger hunt around World Showcase
• Paint-by-number collaborative mural for guests to take part in
• Festival-exclusive merchandise

Despite a slightly more limited list of festivities, we’re excited that many of the key annual-event features will be returning in 2021 – and we expect to hear more delicious details on food kitchens and featured artists closer to the start of the proceedings.

Is Festival of the Arts your favorite seasonal celebration at EPCOT? Get excited about its return – and what you hope it will include – with thousands of other fanatics in our WDW Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest festival updates – plus news and tips from Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Splash Mountain opened to Disneyland guests on July 17, 1989 – at which point, the surrounding Bear Country land was renamed Critter Country to fit the new assortment of animals that would occupy Splash Mountain’s Briar Patch. Disney World followed on July 17, 1992, fittingly enough, in the Frontierland portion of Magic Kingdom.

The current characters and thematic setting of the legendary attraction are inspired by Walt Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South – as is its soundtrack, as the ride borrows such musical numbers as “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” and “Everybody Has a Laughin’ Place.” In its time, Song of the South featured a groundbreaking combination of live-action and vibrant animation, but since its release, the movie has often been criticized for its outdated cultural depictions, offensive stereotypes, and failure to address the brutal contextual reality in which it takes place. (The story follows a live-action Uncle Remus as he shares cautionary tales with the help of B’rer Rabbit within an animated animal world. )

Controversy surrounding Song of the South is almost as old as the movie itself. Just a month after its 1946 premiere, the New York Times reported protesters outside of Manhattan’s Palace Theater, voicing concern over Disney’s portrayal of African-Americans. A Congressman called the movie “an insult to American minorities” in a letter to the Commissioner of Licenses, and a New York Times film critic published a letter to Walt Disney, calling it “peculiarly gauche.” The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) stated that Song of the South “gives the impression of an idyllic master-slave relationship, which is a distortion of the facts.”

The film was re-released in theaters several times but, to this day, has never been issued on any home video format. In fact, after a 40th anniversary return engagement in 1986, Disney locked Song of the South away in its “vault,” and it hasn’t been seen since – with the exception of ample, unregulated copies that can be found floating around online. Upon the launch of the Disney+ streaming service in November 2019, Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger confirmed that the movie would not be available on the new streaming platform, as it “is not appropriate in today’s world.” And, most recently, a petition has been circulating for the past several weeks, demanding that Splash Mountain’s current narrative be replaced with the story and characters of The Princess and the Frog.

Despite the censorship of Song of the South, Splash Mountain has remained a headlining attraction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Both the California and Florida versions of the attraction boast bountiful gift shops full of corresponding merchandise, including highly-sought-after collectibles, like Funko Pop! figures. Indeed, last year, Disneyland celebrated Splash Mountain’s 30th anniversary with “Wishables” – plush versions of the B’rer animals you can find on the ride.

Now, however, Disney’s “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” tone is changing. The company announced that both coasts’ Splash Mountain will be completely reimagined with a theme inspired by The Princess and the Frog, making those petition-signers’ dream come true. (The future of Tokyo Disneyland’s attraction remains to be seen.) Expect the makeover to pick up the story of the new film after its final kiss; guests will follow Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure in preparation for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance. (Also expect Splash Mountain to feature Princess and the Frog‘s music, of course.)

The Disney Parks Blog announcement states:

“[T]he retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.”

While visitors have been able to meet Princess Tiana (and the occasional Prince Naveen) at the Disney parks for some time now – and see her featured in select parades and shows – this will be the first attraction inspired by Tiana’s source material. The film has only elsewhere been brought to life in the form of Tiana’s Place, a restaurant aboard the Disney Wonder cruise ship that serves up Southern cooking and jazz music.

In similar fashion to Epcot’s Maelstrom being transformed into Frozen Ever After, and Disneyland’s Tower of Terror receiving a Guardians of the Galaxy overlay, Disney has referred to these sort of changes as “plussing” the attraction. How do you feel about the upcoming transformation? Share your thoughts in our WDW Community on Facebook.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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Whether Universal Orlando is practically part of your DNA or you’re a new fan, it’s always a blast to learn more about a destination that brings such joy and excitement to so many. With tons of franchises at its fingertips and a unique approach to ride concepts, it’s fascinating to learn how the resort unfolded.

In the age of Disney+, there are plenty of documentaries and other media highlighting the history, growth, and behind-the-scenes aspects of The Walt Disney Company’s global parks. However, there’s never been quite the same level of content for Universal. We know better than anyone that the demand is there, so why hasn’t this happened? While we don’t have an answer, maybe we can be optimistic about the potential of some Universal Orlando Resort material after NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, goes live later this year (NBC is Universal’s sister company, after all).

There may not be any official, full-length documentaries on Universal Orlando (yet), but we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to get your fix of park history. Enjoy some of the hidden gems the internet has to offer in terms of documentary-esque Universal content.

Universal Orlando: Behind the Scenes

This 43-minute documentary originally aired on television in 2015 to reflect on 25 years of innovation at the resort. As we are now approaching Universal Studios Florida‘s 30th anniversary, Universal Orlando: Behind the Scenes grows more interesting – we’ve seen the parks continue to evolve in technology and theming.

Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter hub

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you may not have to look much farther than Universal’s site for some entertaining park content. The Harry Potter hub features videos spilling details on the Wizarding World‘s attractions, plus you can find a bunch of other Potter material here, as well.

The Ellen Degeneres Show

Yep, your favorite dancing daytime talk-show host has filmed her namesake program at Universal Orlando. The Ellen Degeneres Show shot a total of 10 spring-break specials at the CityWalk lagoon stage between 2006 and 2011. If you want some fun, slightly dated park footage, a quick YouTube search of these episodes should brighten your day.

Tour 1990’s Universal Studios Florida

If you’re open to reading your history instead of watching it, our article exploring what Universal Studios Florida was like in its opening year of 1990 is a great start. It’s jam-packed with nostalgia for the Universal Studios of yesteryear. If you’re a Universal newbie, this is also a quick, fun way to get schooled on some of the most iconic parts of the park (and its legacy).

Universal Orlando Easter eggs

Another fascinating read, our 10 Easter eggs hidden throughout Universal Orlando outlines some of the most interesting details added to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It’s a great set of trivia to have in your noggin the next time you visit the theme parks with friends or family, and it gives you a great insight on the thought put into everything.

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Drop your source for the best Universal Orlando Resort history and trivia on 100,000+ fellow Universal fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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But while Islands of Adventure was wowing guests with the likes of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Universal Studios Florida had a new E-ticket attraction up its sleeve. Men in Black Alien Attack opened April 14, 2000, and the world rejoiced.

On this, its 20th birthday, we’re celebrating Alien Attack with a gift to you, the galaxy defenders: 20 lesser-known facts about the ride. From the first seedlings of an idea to what became a reality (and has lasted 20 years since!), we’re breaking down the details of what is, candidly, our favorite alien shoot-down ride in Orlando.

How Men in Black Alien Attack was born

1. With Men in Black becoming a huge success when it hit theaters in July 1997, Universal fast-tracked the process for acquiring the rights from Sony-Columbia. Within two months, the first designs for Men in Black Alien Attack were being drafted and pitched.

2. The main reason the attraction was greenlit was to help balance out the crowds that Universal thought would be swarming its also-in-development Islands of Adventure; the company hoped that placing an enticing new ride in Universal Studios Florida would help keep guests on this side. Although Islands didn’t end up attracting the huge crowds that Universal was expecting, the move still largely didn’t work, with many visitors spending the majority of their time at the new park.

3. Men in Black Alien Attack had an ambitious original development schedule of only 28 months – about half the time as many attractions, including those that were in the works at the soon-to-open Islands of Adventure. The ride’s engineering was repurposed from other Universal attractions in order to accommodate the tight schedule; for example, designers tested The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man’s ride vehicles by putting targets throughout the existing attraction one night before selecting The Cat in the Hat‘s vehicle instead. (The MIB designers, however, still augmented this base – while the bottom of the ride vehicle was the same as Cat, everything up top was brand-new.)

Men in Black Alien Attack: what could have been

4. The plot of land where Men in Black Alien Attack now calls home was an expansion pad originally designed into the layout of Universal Studios Florida, as Universal anticipated the park’s eventual growth. Universal Studios Hollywood’s Jurassic Park: The Ride was meant to be copied-and-pasted into this space before the mammoth franchise ended up earning its own island in Islands of Adventure.

5. Equally intergalactic, the original concept for what ended up being Men in Black was a head-turning indoor roller coaster based on the 1995 film Apollo 13. As though a ride centered around an astronaut version of Tom Hanks wasn’t enough, the facade and queue were set to be inspired by the Kennedy Space Center’s massive Vehicle Assembly Building. Guests would ride around the moon in lunar lander-style capsules, which almost sounds reminiscent of the 2003 Epcot attraction, Mission: Space. Unfortunately, this premise was too ambitious for the tight schedule Universal had available.

6. Curious about the next couple of concepts to be laid to rest? Idea number two for the park’s soon-to-be newest E-ticket was a modified, outdoor incarnation of the Apollo 13 coaster. This stripped-down version was rejected before a generic disaster-movie concept was put on the table and also quickly turned down.

7. The fourth premise brought to light is something that would have been fitting in Universal Studios Florida’s modern-day Production Central. Heading in a slightly more child-friendly, animated direction, Nickelodeon characters and The Simpsons were considered as stars of the attraction. The premise of the latter was that the Simpson family won a contest to visit Orlando, satirizing Walt Disney World Resort and other Central Florida theme parks as a result. (Sound familiar? This was eventually brought to life with The Simpsons Ride, in 2008. And, of course, the Nickelodeon concept came to fruition in the form of Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, which was open between ’03 and ’11).

8. The last, and weirdest, take on what would eventually be Alien Attack went for a significantly older demographic. Universal aimed for a horror attraction based on Stephen King’s books, including It and The Shining, and even welcomed John Murdy, who eventually became the head of Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, to lead the charge. One of the most prominent features here would have been a “trick ending,” in which riders would have anticipated exiting the attraction but instead been shocked by Pennywise the Dancing Clown emerging from the faux control booth. (This might ring a bell, too, because the gag was repurposed for Revenge of the Mummy when it opened in 2004.) The Stephen King and Men in Black concepts were both pitched to Universal’s management, who agreed the fun aliens would have a wider appeal than straight-up horror.

9. Before settling on the 1964 World’s Fair as the attraction’s facade, other designs were considered, including the Orlando International Airport, which would have even included a baggage-claim area and boarding tram inside. (Similarly, an early idea for Men in Black’s ending would’ve had guests arriving at the Tropicana Orange Juice Factory tour, since that company, like Universal at the time, was also owned by Seagram.)

Men in Black Alien Attack’s nods to Disney

10. The 1964 World’s Fair pavilion was finally decided as the facade for Men in Black Alien Attack. As to not interfere with the existing New York section of Universal Studios, the narrative would be that the attraction was relocated from NY to the theme park. (Coincidentally, in real-life history, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was featured at the New York’s World Fair in 1964 and 1965 before being relocated to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland in ’67.)

11. When guests first enter the “Universe and You” presentation, they’ll hear a parody tune of the Carousel of Progress theme song, which is an even deeper Disney reference than it seems. Brothers Robert and Richard Sherman, renowned for creating some of Disney’s catchiest film tunes alongside Walt himself, wrote “There’s a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow” for the attraction. Composer Buddy Baker then worked to create varying iterations to fit the different decades showcased in the ride. (And Alien Attack composer Andy Garfield studied under Buddy Baker at the University of Southern California.)

12. The Men in Black ride uses the same technology in its “zappers” as Disney utilized for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which opened in 1998. Universal took the system one step further by allowing guests to pick up the weapons for extended mobility and, therefore, a more action-packed face-off with aliens.

13. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin debuted during the construction of Men in Black Alien Attack, and it inspired the Universal team to make a key difference in their take on an extraterrestrial shoot-out. Rather than having visible targets, Men in Black would use the aliens’ various body parts as the targets – this made for a more immersive experience, allowing guests to feel as though they were in the movie itself, rather than a game. Camouflaged targets, such as blast marks, were considered until they didn’t prove helpful to improving guests’ scores, and the overall number of sensors per alien had to be dramatically increased – since guests had no obvious marker to aim for, they would shoot everywhere.

Men in Black Alien Attack: some interesting details

14. Men in Black Alien Attack was marketed as having Universal’s “most ambitious” animatronic figures at the time – a fact that is particularly amusing when you compare those aliens to modern robotics, like Hagrid’s hyper-realistic self on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (then again, back then, the only other animatronic-heavy ride was E.T. Adventure). In addition, nearly all of these characters were custom-designed by Universal.

15. Concept designer Neville Page designed the ride’s vehicle, zapper guns, and roughly half of the alien animatronics (including the Big Bug at the end). Since making his mark on Men in Black, Page has worked on Avatar, Cloverfield, and Tron: Legacy, and even appeared as a judge on SyFy’s special-effects competition show, Face Off.

16. Men in Black has a show-building footprint that is some 80,000 square feet, which was the biggest in Universal history upon its opening.

Men in Black Alien Attack: critical finishing touches

17. The all-important red button you are instructed to press towards the end of Men in Black Alien Attack was originally meant to take you through a super-speed tunnel like the car in the Men in Black movie. Once it proved too difficult to add a convincing speed effect to an otherwise-slow-moving ride vehicle, the red button was set to blow up the Big Bug from the inside.

18. Because the space and layout of the attraction didn’t allow for many turns, it was tough to hide aliens around corners to add an element of surprise. That’s why the designers incorporated other effects to add variety to the ride experience, like scanning the opposing car for alien lifeforms.

19. History impacted some small details on Alien Attack. Because the tragedy of Columbine took place the year prior, Universal decided to refer to the ride’s shooting guns as “zappers,” and an animatronic figure of a little girl being “zapped” by Will Smith was also removed out of sensitivity.

20. The Men in Black film distributor, Sony-Columbia, didn’t have much to say about the attraction before its debut, but executive producer Steven Spielberg had feedback. One of his suggestions that became a reality was the inclusion of Frank the pug as a small Easter egg (Frank, of course, has since become a star of merchandise in the Alien Attack gift shop).

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Men in Black Alien Attack has quite the illustrious history, doesn’t it? We’re so grateful it survived many ideas and iterations to become the fan-favorite we know and love today. Here’s to many more years of Men in Black, and maxing out your score at 999,999 the next time you ride it!

Have even more fun facts about our beloved Men in Black Alien Attack? Share your intel with 90,000+ other Universal fans over in our OI Community Facebook group. And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

Special thanks to Dave Cobb, the head designer of Men in Black Alien Attack, for his input on this article.

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Spending your days hustling from attraction to show, and downing the most delicious snacks and treats around, will work up quite a thirst. You’re in luck, because drinks are part of the Universal experience – and we love that the company offers plenty of options for all ages. Here are our top six favorite signature nonalcoholic beverages at Universal Orlando.

Flaming Moe

Location: Flaming Moe’s or Moe’s Tavern in Springfield: Home of the Simpsons, Universal Studios Florida
Description: the signature non-alcoholic drink of Springfield consists of crisp orange soda topped with a dramatic smoke effect ($7.99)

Dry ice, paired with a special cup, cause the drink to bubble like it is boiling hot to the point of smoking. The “flaming” effect lasts for up to five minutes – the perfect photo-op prop for any true Simpsons-head.

Interested in more cartoon-inspired bevs? While less iconic than the Flaming Moe, a few other quirky, nonalcoholic options are available for your consumption, like the Mt. Swartzwelder Apple Drink or Groovy Grove Juice. You can check out the full Flaming Moe’s menu for details.

Butterbeer

Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure
Description: available in cold, hot, and frozen forms, Butterbeer tastes like a combination of butterscotch and cream soda ($7.50)

You can’t have a list about the best signature beverages at Universal Orlando and not include Butterbeer. In fact, we have a whole guide dedicated to its many forms! The internationally known drink is served cold and frozen year-round and hot during the winter season.

Lavender Elixir

Location: Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Cafe in Production Central, Universal Studios Florida
Description: Sprite with blueberry popping boba ($5.29)
Boba is the secret to taking any drink to the next level, and that’s exactly the case of the Lavender Elixir. A simple combination of Sprite and blueberry popping boba creates a beverage that’s a delightful shade of purple and fun to sip on as you explore the Universal Monsters details during lunch.

Moose Juice and Goose Juice

Location: Moose Juice, Goose Juice in Seuss Landing, Islands of Adventure
Description: frozen beverages in two flavors – orange (Moose) or sour green apple (Goose) ($5.50)

No detail in Seuss Landing leaves us disappointed, and Moose Juice, Goose Juice is the perfect example. The Seuss-themed “sweets, treats, and drinks” walk-up window takes something as simple as a sweet, frozen beverage and turns it into a nod to your favorite stories – and it’s the perfect cool-down as you walk through to The Lost Continent.

Pumpkin Juice

Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure
Description: served in a bottle with an adorable orange topper, Pumpkin Juice will quench your thirst with flavors of fall and pumpkin spice ($7.50)

There are tons of signature beverages to enjoy in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, but Pumpkin Juice stands out as an easy, on-the-go option. While it’s also available on tap, we love that the bottled version can immerse your taste buds in the Harry Potter lands without spending the time to stop and have a beverage served to you. This also means you can put the lid back on and save some for later.

If you’re interested in more of the Wizarding World’s magical mocktails, Fishy Green Ale, Tongue-Tying Lemon Squash, Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice, and Peachtree Fizzing Tea are all also excellent choices.

Lemon Slush

Location: across both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventures
Description: a smooth ice beverage with strawberry and/or lemon flavors ($4.49)

Universal’s Lemon Slush stands serve up lemon- and strawberry-flavored frozen drinks, which we recommend indulging in a combination of. This beverage is reminiscent of lemon ice you’d buy from the ice cream truck or at a baseball game as a kid, but with the perfect consistency for sipping on a hot day.

Pro tip: you can find a similar, banana-flavored frozen drink near Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Honorable mention: Gilly Water and Potions of Eternelle

Location: Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Florida
Description: plain ol’ H2O disguised in sophisticated wizarding world-inspired packaging ($5.50) with “potions” to add flavor and color ($4.25)

Whether you’re trying to convince your kid to drink more water or simply fighting the Florida heat yourself, the potions of Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment are your loophole to staying hydrated. Add these exciting flavors and colors, disguised as potions, to your bottle of Gilly Water to kick it up a notch:

• Fire Protection Potion – a sweet, pinkish-orange blend of watermelon with hints of peach and strawberry.
• Babbling Beverage – a red fruit punch with layers of tropical fruit flavors.
• Draught of Peace – blue, bursting berry flavors of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, and a hint of cherry. This is one of the more popular flavors.
• Elixir to Induce Euphoria – green color and a cool and calming pineapple flavor, with notes of green apple and mint.

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We bet you’ve never wanted to visit a theme park solely for its drinks so badly in your life. We know – Universal has quite the line-up! What’s your go-to thirst-quencher when visiting the resort? Share your secrets for delicious hydration with 90,000+ other Universal fans over in our OI Community Facebook group.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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We recently shared the seven best snacks to find at the parks, but what’s a snack without an even bigger dessert to follow? Get ready for a sugar rush, because we’re taking you through our top six must-try sweets and treats at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk.

Waturi Fusion ice cream

Location: Koka Poroka in Wave Village, Volcano Bay
Description: a waffle cone filled with a combination of four different soft-serve flavors: banana, blue raspberry, orange, and strawberry ($6.49)

Easily Volcano Bay’s most Instagram-worthy snack, the Waturi Fusion ice cream melds together four tropical flavors in the form of a creamy soft serve, perfect for those hot days around Krakatau. Not only does it look beautiful and perfectly match Volcano Bay’s colorful vibes, but the combination of flavors makes it a unique ice cream experience worth splurging on.

Cookie Jar milkshake

Location: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in Universal CityWalk
Description: vanilla ice cream, Oreo, oatmeal, and chocolate chip cookies, topped with fresh whipped cream ($14.00)

Toothsome whips up a huge variety of ridiculously indulgent milkshakes, but the Cookie Jar is like our childhood dessert dreams brought to reality. The sweet symphony of three different types of cookies (plus ice cream) makes for one perfectly sip-able concoction. Since these milkshakes are often too sweet and gigantic to tackle alone, the Cookie Jar is the perfect crowd favorite to split with a friend (or not!).

Strawberry & Peanut Butter ice cream

Location: Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Florida
Description: separate strawberry and peanut butter flavors swirl together in a hard-pack ice cream, served in a waffle cone ($6.99)

Florean Fortescue’s scoops some delightfully weird flavors – and we highly recommend Chocolate Chili, by the way – but Strawberry & Peanut Butter is our go-to. What we’ve deemed the “most pair-able” flavor Florean offers, Strawberry & Peanut Butter brings familiar PB&J tastes to the next delicious level and is an awesome complement to basically anything else on the menu.

Memphis Mafia Fritter

Location: Voodoo Doughnut in CityWalk
Description: fried dough doughnut with banana chunks and cinnamon, covered in glaze, drizzled in chocolate and peanut butter, and topped with peanuts and chocolate chips ($5.25)

Like the flavors at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, you really can’t go wrong when choosing something on the menu at Voodoo Doughnut. That’s why we’re here to draw your attention to a lesser-known gem, the Memphis Mafia. Because it doesn’t fall under the “doughnut” variety, you may have overlooked this treat during past visits – but, trust us, it’s worth your attention (and taste buds). This fritter is absolutely loaded with banana, chocolate, and peanut butter goodness.

Brain Freezin’ D’oh-Nut Sundae

Location: Lard Lad Donuts in Springfield, USA, Universal Studios Florida
Description: soft-serve ice cream sandwiched between a frosted, pink donut, and your choice of one topping ($6.59)

If you were looking at our last two items and thinking, “But how do I have doughnuts and ice cream together?” look no further than Lard Lad. The Brain Freezin’ D’oh-Nut Sundae is our favorite use of that classic pink doughnut we know and love from The Simpsons. After trying this sundae, you’ll understand why Homer is so obsessed with Lard Lad.

Butterbeer

Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure
Description: Butterbeer comes in cold, hot, and frozen versions, plus in the form of soft-serve and hard-pack ice cream, fudge, and potted cream

Our favorite part of the fruition of the Wizarding World at Universal just might be the abundant incarnations of the classic Harry Potter treat, Butterbeer. Our insider’s guide breaks down all its forms, each with a different ratio of butterscotch to cream soda-like flavors, and varying sweetness. With so many options, there’s a Butterbeer treat for every fan to enjoy!

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Is your mouth watering yet? We love how Universal uses sweets and treats to bring life and authenticity to all of our favorite fictional worlds and beyond. What delectable dessert would you add to the list? Share your go-to Universal sweets with 90,000+ other Universal fans over in our OI Community Facebook group.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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Across Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk, there’s an abundance of flavors for you to experience. But don’t worry about those ample options – we’ve taken the liberty of narrowing them down for you. We’re here to share the seven best snacks at Universal Orlando.

Chicken & Waffle Sandwich

Location: Cletus’ Chicken Shack in Springfield, USA, Universal Studios Florida
Description: double-battered, extra-crispy-fried chicken breast between two waffles with maple-syrup mayo and tater tots ($10.99)

The exquisitely sweet-and-salty combination of crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles makes this one of our favorite snacks at Universal. Not to mention, if we had a “best sauces of Universal” list, Cletus’s maple-syrup mayo would be at the top. We recommend asking for it both on the sandwich and extra on the side.

Smoked Turkey Leg

Location: Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park, Islands of Adventure
Description: served with French fries ($14.99)

Thunder Falls Terrace serves up an assortment of carnivorous options, but nothing quite makes you feel connected to the ferocious dinosaurs nearby than devouring a turkey leg. With portability as a huge plus, the Smoked Turkey Leg is an awesome way to fuel up as you stroll through Jurassic Park and make your way to face off against Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Buffalo Chicken Tots

Location: Green Eggs and Ham Cafe in Seuss Landing, Islands of Adventure
Description: chicken tenders, mozzarella cheese, ranch, and buffalo sauce over tater tots ($9.99)

Since its 2019 rebirth, Green Eggs and Ham Cafe has been serving up a solid variety of specialty tots – and we couldn’t be more pleased with this evolution. Even with Pizza and Green Eggs and Ham tot options also available, the Buffalo Chicken dish holds up as our top choice. These tots offer an A+ harmony of salty and spicy, with enough toppings to make every bite just as scrumptious as the last.

Ploughman’s Platter

Location: The Leaky Cauldron in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Florida
Description: a feast of English cheeses, crusty bread, field green salad, oven-roasted tomatoes, cornichon pickles, apple and beet salad, Branston pickle, and Scotch eggs ($19.99)

A full feast’s worth of snacks, the Ploughman’s Platter is enough to serve two as a full meal. We love a good charcuterie board, and this is a heartier (vegetarian!) take that’s full of English specialties. You won’t feel like you’re eating theme-park food when you indulge in this plentiful and unique array of cheeses, salads, and more.

(Don’t be afraid to try the Scotch eggs – they’re more delicious than expected and the perfect bit of protein to keep your energy levels up between attractions.)

Large, Warm Soft Pretzel

Location: NBC Sports Grill & Brew in Universal CityWalk
Description: lightly salted, jalapeño queso, Bertman Ball Park mustard ($12.95)

You can’t go wrong with a soft pretzel, but – boy – does NBC Sports Grill & Brew do it right. We love NBC Sports for its expansive menu with something for everyone, and the Large, Warm Soft Pretzel is the epitome of that. The appetizer is a gigantic take on a classic soft pretzel, plus it’s served warm with queso and mustard. What’s not to love?

If you want to order something for the table next time you eat here, your friends will thank you for this one.

Arugula Salad

Location: Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club in Wave Village, Volcano Bay
Description: fresh watermelon, feta, shaved red onion with balsamic vinaigrette ($9.49)

We would be amiss if we didn’t include a healthier option somewhere on this list. When it comes to snacking at Volcano Bay, this fresh Arugula Salad is exactly the light option you need before hopping on Krakatau Aqua Coaster. It might sound silly, but the watermelon not only tastes delicious, it also helps to quench your thirst and add a little extra hydration on a hot day. All of the flavors mesh super well together for a fresh snack.

I Heart Vegan Sandwich

Location: Today Cafe in Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida
Description: roasted portobello, peppers, zucchini, carrots, vegan jalapeno cheese, sun-dried tomato pesto, pressed cranberry artisan bread served with fresh fruit ($12.99)

Calling all vegans! We may only have one option for you on this list, but, man, it’s good. Universal has recently stepped up its game with vegan options, and this Today Cafe masterpiece is a prime example. We love that the company didn’t compromise on flavor when it comes to Today’s signature vegan menu item – this artisan-style sandwich is loaded with bold flavors.

Honorable mention: Pizza Fries

Location: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida
Description: pizza sauce on the bottom, fries in the middle, and mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and sausage on top

You’ve heard of icon characters for Halloween Horror Nights, but how about icon snacks? Pizza Fries are arguably the culinary mascot of our favorite Universal Orlando seasonal event – there’s no sweeter marriage than that between French fries and pizza, and the end result is a work of delicious art.

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There you have it, folks – the best snacks at Universal Orlando Resort. Now, your homework is to try them all (you’re welcome!). Do you have your own mouthwatering favorite to add to the list? Share your passion for theme-park food with 90,000+ other Universal fans over in our OI Community Facebook group.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Universal is the perfect way to pay homage to your relationship built on roller coasters, Butterbeer, and dancing to the Islands of Adventure entrance music at rope-drop together, and we’re here to give you a romantic weekend guide to the parks. The best part? All of it can be enjoyed at any point during the year, not just Valentine’s Day – plus, most of our recommendations are easy to take action on last-minute.

Whether a staycation or a vacation, here are six fun ways to enjoy a romantic weekend at Universal Orlando Resort.

1. Choose wands for one another

Location: Ollivanders at either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley

We’ve all heard that “the wand chooses the wizard,” but how about giving your significant other the chance? If you’re getting your first wand or simply adding another to the collection, you and your loved one picking out wands for one another is a great way to make the magical experience extra memorable.

Make it meaningful by choosing the wand of a witch or wizard they emulate or by simply choosing a wand made from the wood of their favorite tree. You can also check out this Celtic wood calendar to get a wand dedicated to your anniversary or another special date.

2. Indulge at Voodoo Doughnut

Location: Voodoo Doughnut at CityWalk

You’re likely familiar with Voodoo Doughnut, the Portland-bred doughnut shop made famous for its spectacularly weird selection. Super sweet and delightfully colossal, these doughnuts are the perfect metaphor for your love.

Mix things up by giving your significant other’s go-to order a try or do a tasting of some of the more interesting flavors. The Grape Ape is exactly what they mean when they say to try new things together.

3. Go out to a romantic resort dinner

Location: Universal Orlando hotels

A romantic weekend is the perfect reason to explore resorts you haven’t yet ventured to. Universal Orlando’s hotels have some of the best restaurants on property, particularly for a special occasion – not only do you get to enjoy an intimate dinner but also admire the ambiance of the resort decor. Consider making a night of it and booking a room in advance!

If pasta is the way to your heart, look no further than Bice Ristorante at Portofino Bay Hotel – the sophisticated atmosphere and vast Italian menu make for one dreamy date night. Desire something a bit more exotic? Heat things up at Royal Pacific Resort’s Wantilan Luau, complete with fire dancers and an all-you-can-eat tropical buffet. And Hard Rock Hotel’s The Kitchen is another fan favorite for delicious dishes.

4. Sip on mimosas

Location: Cafe La Bamba at Hollywood

Finnegan’s Bar & Grill is my go-to for in-park cocktails, but Universal Studios Florida has some more elegant concoctions up its sleeve. While it’s primarily advertised during Mardi Gras, the walk-up window at Cafe La Bamba has been serving up a wide array of specialty mimosas (in addition to wine and other offerings) – caramel apple, pineapple mint, raspberry rosemary, and pomegranate choco chili are just a few of the sensational mimosas served here. May we suggest grabbing one for your stroll to own each other’s high scores on Men in Black: Alien Attack?

5. Coordinate matching merch

Let’s be honest  – sometimes, it’s fun to be that couple. Whether it’s intentional couple apparel or a nod to the memories you’ve made together, locking down a look in sync with your better half is a fun way to make a romantic weekend at Universal extra fun (and perfect for photo-ops).

Flaunt the friendship you hold dear with your significant other by wearing complementary SpongeBob and Patrick spirit jerseys or grab some similar Jurassic Park swag to make it clear who you’re willing to fight dinos for. Treat yourself to matching t-shirts paying tribute to the attraction you’ve rode together most. (And who doesn’t want an E.T. shirt, after all?)

6. Sync up for spa day

Location: Mandara Spa at Portofino Bay Hotel

You probably don’t typically think “spa” when you’re on the subject of theme parks, but Universal has you covered nonetheless. Portofino Bay’s Mandara Spa is a 13,000-square-foot haven for massages, facials, hair and nail care, and pretty much everything else you can imagine. Mandara is part of a small network of spas located within iconic destinations worldwide, so you know it’s the real deal.

Our recommendation? Save this for the end of your weekend, when you’re sore from stomping through Universal – those post-park massages will feel extra relaxing. Lastly, be sure to request one of the couples’ rooms available for an extra romantic treat.

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These are some of our favorite ways to spend a romantic weekend at Universal Orlando – feel free to save a few in your back pocket for that anniversary later this year! What are your best couple traditions? Share your love with 90,000+ other Universal fans over in our OI Community Facebook group.

And don’t forget to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

The post 6 meaningful ways to enjoy a romantic weekend at Universal Orlando appeared first on Orlando Informer.