Orlando Informer Blog

At 4:00 pm (or so) on Thursday, May 14, Universal CityWalk Orlando reopened for the first time since March 17, enacting a raft of new restrictions and sanitary guidelines in order to maintain safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Several Orlando Informer team members made the trek to witness all the new processes and requirements […]

With so many changes and expansions on the horizon at Universal Orlando Resort, it gets one thinking a certain way. In this mindset, we start considering what rides aren’t just the “best,” but what are “untouchable,” “hallowed,” or “sacred.” The difference being that when we talk about “the best” ride, there’s somewhat of an innate […]

It’s no question that the story of Harry Potter has cast an enchantment spell on the theme-park and entertainment industry ever since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened its doors to Hogwarts in 2010. Although one could argue that the franchise was already culturally significant prior to its theme-park era, I would state that one […]

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. […]

The year was 2000. We were all thanking our lucky stars to have miraculously survived Y2K, and Tom Cruise was about to ride high on the success of Mission: Impossible 2. ‘Twas a simpler time, and us theme-park fans were enamored with our newest, shiniest destination: Universal’s Islands of Adventure, which had opened the year […]

I’ve always considered my birthday to be one of the best days of the year, and I’m sure the majority of you reading this feel the same way. What could be better than visiting Orlando and, more specifically, Universal Orlando Resort on your special day? It’s especially fun when you’re trying to take the sting out of […]

Since bringing JK Rowling’s Butterbeer to fruition for guests’ enjoyment, Universal Orlando Resort has taken the lead in incorporating beverages to captivate yet another one of your senses during your theme-park experience – both Universal Studios Florida  and Islands of Adventure are home to bold, nonalcoholic beverages that help make you feel like you’re part of the stories that […]

The number-one question Orlando locals likely receive (outside of, “Hey, do you know how to get discounted tickets to the parks?”) might be, “When is the best time to come to Universal Orlando?” It’s a heavy question. It’s a deep question. It’s… well, complicated, at best. And it might be the number-one question we locals […]

When The Bourne Identity was released in theaters in 2002, it heralded a whole new era in action filmmaking, shifting the focus from big, over-the-top set pieces (perhaps most perfectly exemplified by the Matrix trilogy) to smaller, more subtle sequences, with a particular emphasis on practical stunts and handheld, docu-style cinematography (as most effectively seen […]

It’s the oldest debate among any group of theme-park fans – what rides are the best? Being a geek who wears a few professional hats on the matter, it’s something I’ve wondered about my favorite resort – Universal Orlando – and it’s come to a point that I want some answers for myself and for […]

Universal Orlando Resort is constantly evolving its attractions, experiences, and, most importantly (arguably), its desserts. These aren’t your average desserts, either – Universal dreams up the wildest flavors and combinations of goodies to bring unique character to each of its lands and destinations. The best part? Hustling around theme parks all day is the perfect […]

With great rides come great responsibility – the responsibility to stay properly sustained with food to dominate those rides at Universal Orlando Resort, that is. Luckily, Universal’s snack game is a feat in and of itself. We could honestly just spend a day eating through the parks, because the unique snacks are just that good. Across […]

Romantics, this is your year. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday and Presidents’ Day the following Monday, it’s time for a long, luxurious weekend with your favorite theme-park partner. 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 […]

From her humble beginnings of doing stand-up comedy, Ellen DeGeneres has established herself as a staple in entertainment via her former sitcom Ellen and current daytime talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. During the latter’s third season, Ellen’s popularity became so immense that she filmed her show at Universal Orlando Resort. Given her fame and how […]

Revenge of the Mummy is an award-winning dark ride that is arguably one of the most popular attractions at Universal’s various theme parks. There are currently three locations across the world housing an indoor roller coaster dedicated to the Mummy movie franchise, in Florida, California, and Singapore. Given the clear notoriety, we figured it’d be helpful […]

We all have our favorite lodgings when visiting Universal Orlando. Especially when speaking about the resort’s hotels, it’s safe to say that each has its own unique qualities that could make it tough trying to plan your vacation ahead of time. So, how do you choose? Which is truly the best to go with? I […]

Under my more theme park-oriented hat, I’m often asked by Universal Orlando Resort guests if it’s worth visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, and my answer is yes, absolutely. Sure, there are some similarities, but there are plenty of reasons to make it worth visiting – to assume otherwise could cause you to miss out on what may […]

Transformers: The Ride – 3D is one of Universal’s most popular attractions, garnering enough fame over the past eight years to warrant its inclusion at three separate Universal locations across the globe (soon to be four, if we include the upcoming Universal Studios Beijing). And although Transformers’s queue story and ride experience are essentially the same […]