Universal Orlando Archives

Universal’s Volcano Bay: Top 6 sips and eats

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

I know it seems like we’ve been talking about Volcano Bay’s food for ages already, but that’s the result of two different factors: our honest, … Read more

Jimmy Fallon & Mark Woodbury tour Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon gets private tour of Race Through New York at Universal Studios Florida

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

With just days to go until Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon officailly opens at Universal Studios Florida, the man himself, Jimmy Fallon, got … Read more

Jimmy Fallon & his crew arrive at Universal Orlando Resort

Jimmy Fallon and crew race to Orlando in Tonight Show kickoff video

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

The Tonight Show kicked off their Orlando shows last night with a video showcasing a familiar scene and car from National Lampoon’s Vacation. Jimmy and his crew, including Steve … Read more

Water Taxi heading towards Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort’s on-site resorts to offer chef-inspired Easter brunches

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Four of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels will be offering a variety of dining options for guests to enjoy an Easter brunch on Easter Sunday, April … Read more

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure

10 Easter Eggs hidden throughout Universal Orlando Resort

April 12, 2017 by Clint Gamache

Universal Orlando Resort’s two theme parks are filled with groundbreaking, action-packed rides that leave you wanting more when they’re over with. But what about the fine details … Read more

4 BIG Universal updates from March 2017

April 19, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

March has been an exceptionally busy month for Universal – not surprising, given just how big of a year 2017 promises to be (we already … Read more

Annual passes at Universal's Volcano Bay

REVEALED: How your annual pass works (or not) at Volcano Bay

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Ever since Volcano Bay was first announced years ago, there has been one overriding question that keeps inundating us here at OI HQ (and Universal’s … Read more

Private Cabanas at Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park

Volcano Bay’s Express Passes, Premium Seating, & one-day tickets blown open

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Universal has revealed a whole score of details regarding a wide range of items at its upcoming Volcano Bay water theme park, including cabana rentals, … Read more

American Horror Story returns to Halloween Horror Nights 27

American Horror Story returning to Halloween Horror Nights 27

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Universal Orlando Resort just announced that the popular FX show, American Horror Story, will be returning to Halloween Horror Nights. The haunted house will feature … Read more

Blake Shelton coming to The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon at Universal Orlando Resort

Vin Diesel, Blake Shelton, and Shaquille O’Neal will appear at Universal’s Tonight Show tapings

March 29, 2017 by Taylor Strickland

*UPDATE (3/29)* Pitbull, Scott Eastwood, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Richie, Flo Rida, Jay Leno and Jason Derulo have been announced to appear during “The Tonight Show” episodes … Read more

Miss Adventure Falls at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Disney is beating Universal to the Virtual Queue punch

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Universal has been betting big on the idea of Virtual Queues as of late – Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, which officially opens … Read more

Mango BBQ pulled pork sandwich from Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club at Universal's Volcano Bay

REVEALED: Volcano Bay’s crazy food

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Over the course of the past two years, Universal has been slowly but surely revealing every last facet of its brand-new “water theme park”: its … Read more

Entering the Floo Network from Harry Potter

Is THIS Universal’s new Harry Potter ride?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

We’ve known for some time now that Dragon Challenge, the dueling coasters in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, may very well be … Read more

5 musical scores you’ll remember when visiting the Wizarding World

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

One of the most memorable experiences from visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the soundtrack that acts as your backdrop as you venture … Read more

CONFIRMED: Universal’s seventh on-site hotel

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

When Comcast took control of NBCUniversal some six years ago, it was unsatisfied with how few hotel rooms were on-property at Universal Orlando – only … Read more

The surprising way that Jimmy Fallon connects with Avatar Land

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

A funny thing happened after experiencing Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon during its technical rehearsal period twice in one weekend: I went back … Read more

Marvel’s apex – and what it means for Universal

March 17, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

It may appear that Marvel Super Hero Island is isolated from all the rest of Marvel Entertainment – and its parent company, Disney – meaning … Read more

3 ways How to Train Your Dragon could come to Universal’s theme parks

March 17, 2017 by Clint Gamache

There is no doubt that How to Train Your Dragon is one of, if not the, best animated films that DreamWorks has ever made. The first … Read more

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium milkshakes at Universal Orlando CityWalk

I’ve eaten at every CityWalk table-service restaurant

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Yes, the theme parks – and, soon, the “theme water park” of Volcano Bay – are where all the action of Universal Orlando is at; … Read more

Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Does the new Harry Potter ride NEED Harry Potter?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One of the main, everlasting draws of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, in addition to its stellar queue and its faithfulness to the source … Read more

Wave Village and Krakatau at Universal's Volcano Bay conceptual art

Welcome to Lava Lagoon, the original Volcano Bay

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando Resort’s third park, is soon to open its watery doors to guests. While everyone continues to wait with baited breath – … Read more

Concept art for Star Gazers Cavern at Universal's Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay’s amazing backstory was just revealed

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

If it seems like Disney and Universal are in something of a marketing war, you’re right on the money: Pandora: The World of Avatar, an … Read more

4 biggest takeaways from Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

In case you missed the news, Universal has started soft openings for its brand-new ride, Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is set … Read more

Butterbeer in a souvenir cup from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

Harry Potter: 5 things to know before venturing to the Wizarding World

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

It’s no surprise that Harry Potter is the most popular sight to behold at Universal Orlando – it’s the sole reason for the resort’s current … Read more

Super Nintendo World coming to Universal Studios Japan

How Nintendo and the new Switch could be part of Nintendo Land

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

With Super Nintendo World coming to Universal Studios Japan by 2020 and other Universal theme parks in the near future, how could Universal and Nintendo … Read more

5 rumors we WISH came true at Universal Orlando

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One of the most exciting features about Universal Orlando Resort is its current state of unprecedented construction and expansion. Ever since 2012, parent company Comcast … Read more

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort's beautiful waterfalls at Universal Orlando Resort

New Caribbean Carnaval event coming to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

December 28, 2017 by Clint Gamache

A new event is coming to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort called Caribbean Carnival. The new event celebrates the culture and food of the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, … Read more

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon at Universal Studios Florida

How Jimmy Fallon is the future of theme park attractions

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One could make the argument that Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon has a lot going against it: its show building is small and … Read more

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon in Technical Rehearsal

TECHNICAL REHEARSALS: Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

July 18, 2022 by Taylor Strickland

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon soft opened for the first time Thursday, March 2 at 3:50PM. Orlando Informer was there to share the … Read more

Jimmy Fallon describes ‘Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon’ as “insane”

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

In a recent interview with the “Today” show on NBC, Matt Lauer asks Fallon about his new “cool thing” at Universal Orlando, which is of course … Read more

Universal expanding its global theme park empire?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Universal Studios Hollywood may have started the whole shebang off, Universal Orlando Resort may be the company’s crown jewel, and Universal Studios Japan may be … Read more

Universal Orlando testing Savioke Personal Service Robot at Cabana Bay Beach Resort

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

How cool would it be to have items delivered to your room via robot? According to the official Universal Orlando Twitter account, the park is … Read more

3 hidden areas at Islands of Adventure you may not know about

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

One of the benefits of being at the parks almost every week is that I get to explore every nook and cranny of the parks … Read more

What are the best shoes to wear (and not to wear) at a theme park?

February 25, 2017 by Clint Gamache

One of the single most important wardrobe decisions you can make when visiting any theme park is what kind of shoes you’re going to wear … Read more

4 secrets of Minion Park, the new Despicable Me land coming to Japan

April 24, 2018 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Despicable Me – which is now intertwined with its spinoff franchise, Minions – has been a growing cinematic phenomenon, with its most recent release grossing … Read more

Universal Orlando releases retro attraction posters featuring Jaws, Back to the Future, and Twister

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Back to the Future, Jaws, Twister, all of the classic rides that we so dearly miss at Universal Studios Florida can now be part of … Read more

Universal Orlando Resort and Hollywood launch new joint advertisement campaign

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood announced a new joint advertisement campaign called “I’m Ready.” This new advertisement campaign is the first time Universal Orlando … Read more

IMPACT Wrestling announces 2017 filming dates at Universal Orlando Resort

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

TNA Wrestling announced a variety of dates for filming at Universal Orlando Resort. The live shows will take place on select dates March through August … Read more

Single-riders’ line, and how it can help you on your vacation

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

One of the biggest secrets at the Orlando-area theme parks is the single-riders’ line for certain attractions. Not all of the rides have them, but … Read more

Ticket information released for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon filming at Universal Orlando Resort

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

UPDATE: Tickets for all tapings and the monologue rehearsal have sold out. According to the official Tonight Show Twitter handle @FallonTix, which is the official … Read more

Universal Orlando increases ticket prices

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Universal Orlando raised ticket prices today at the parks, following Disney World by just a few days. Of course, the one-day one-park option saw an … Read more

Universal CityWalk, on-site hotels power outage

February 8, 2017 by Taylor Strickland

Update 8:53PM: Power has been restored for CityWalk and the on-site hotels. Around 8PM on Wednesday, February 8, Universal Orlando CityWalk, on-site hotels, and their … Read more

Research suggests changes to Universal Citywalk

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

With all of the changes going on at Universal Orlando Resort, it looks like we could be seeing some big changes coming to CityWalk. A … Read more

Kopiko Wai Winding River at Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay

5 top Volcano Bay questions (and our best answers)

March 6, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Universal Orlando Resort has been on a roll for the past five years, adding new rides, restaurants, and hotels at an unprecedentedly fast clip (that’s … Read more

4 ways Harry Potter influenced Avatar Land

February 1, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

There’s been so much hype for this summer’s Pandora: The World of Avatar – most of it from Disney’s Imagineers and Avatar’s filmmakers themselves – … Read more

Krakatau Aqua Coaster at Universal's Volcano Bay

11 future attractions coming to Universal in 2017 and beyond

July 25, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

UPDATE (10:43 am 07.25.17): given yesterday’s Dragon Challenge closure announcement – and, well, given the fact that we’re now firmly in the back half of … Read more

Universal Orlando testing photo validation technology

Universal testing Facial Recognition for Universal Express

July 18, 2022 by Taylor Strickland

Update 3-15-17: We can confirm that Universal has been testing “photo validation technology” at the following attractions at Universal Orlando Resort: Cat in the Hat Amazing … Read more

$Last week’s big Harry Potter news – that a nightly show involving projection-mapping on Hogwarts Castle is coming later this year – was not only incredibly popular amongst the Universal faithful, it also underlined the company’s approach to keeping its two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter fresh and exciting without having to build new rides. Keeping our purview strictly to Hogsmeade, other manifestations of this mentality include adding in new flavors of Butterbeer, whether they be hot drinks or potted cream or fudge; replacing Jonko’s Joke Shop with an expanded Honeydukes; and inserting new interactive wand experiences throughout the area. This is a strategy that, actually, is a sheer stroke of genius – it keeps providing a new reason for guests to come back year after year, while costing Universal only a small fraction of the cost that designing a brand-new ride system or constructing an entirely new show building would entail. It is, in fact, something that has already begun to spread to other areas of the resort (Raptor Encounter, which opened over in Jurassic Park in 2015, replaced the long-closed Triceratops Encounter without involving any bulldozers) and, even, to Disney itself (that same year, Frozen Summer Fun Live took over Hollywood Studios, involving a slew of shows, meet-‘n-greets, and, of course, merchandise). The next logical step, therefore, would be to expand this program even further, to have it touch more lands across all of Universal Orlando Resort. What other updates or new experiences can be slipped into both of the theme parks’ pre-existing infrastructure? We’ve got a few ideas, as it turns out, and we’re happy to share them with you below. 1. Skull Island Universal Orlando Resort’s newest land may also be its smallest, but that doesn’t stop it from having a great deal of room for future growth. Currently, the tiny sliver of real estate that used to be part of next-door Jurassic Park has just three stops for eager adventurers: Reign of Kong, that beautifully-realized (and highly controversial) ride, and two kiosks – Base Camp Provisions, which is dedicated to merch, and The Mess Tent, which carries food. It’s the latter that first concerns us, as it can easily have its rather generic offerings of standard, boring hot dogs and pretzels be expanded – or, preferably, replaced – by exclusive culinary items. Obviously, going the route of Harry Potter’s Butterbeer or The Simpsons’ Duff Beer isn’t feasible, but why not include banana-centric concoctions – including ice cream, alcohol, or both – or, say, an 8th Wonder Expedition Company meal kit for newly-arrived explorers, appropriately themed to the 1930s setting? Food cart or not, there’s no reason for The Mess Tent to be utterly forgettable. Even better, though, would be something of the spectacle variety. When Skull Island first opened, Universal put on a brief performance that saw actors representing the four audio-animatronic drivers that “operate” Reign of Kong’s ride vehicles inadvertently summon the big guy with a smattering of fog and pyrotechnics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgQKRaaeSZY Now, of course, there are severe restrictions on everything from physical space to the usage of flame effects, but there’s still plenty of options left. The tribal witch who summons Kong in both the queue and the show above can periodically come out at nights in a ritual that bids the king good night (something to help siphon crowds away from the Hogwarts show), or the flesh-and-blood counterparts of the drivers could come out during busier seasons to meet-and-greet with the crowds, including swapping other mythological stories. 2. Springfield, USA The home of the Simpsons is already a wonderfully fun and detailed area, filled to the brim with everything from photo-ops to Flaming Moe’s. The idea here, then, is to simply continue to expand Springfield’s already-robust attractions rather than attempt to fill in any gaping holes, and the best place to start is none other than Fast Food Blvd – if the Wizarding Worlds can receive new varieties of Butterbeer, why can’t Duff get a new flavor, even if it’s just a seasonal holiday offering? Or how about that hot dog idea the television series’s writers came up with that had a name that was some dozen words long? But what should really get guests’ blood flowing is the possibility of certain celebrations throughout the year – think of it like what Disney has transformed Epcot into, but on a much smaller (and, hopefully, more humorous) level. Oktoberfest seems ripe for a Springfield street fair, replete with all-new and seasonally-exclusive drinks (for both children and adults), but it’s still not as perfect as the always-rumored Treehouse of Horror event, which could be thrown during the already-incredibly-popular Halloween Horror Nights – think of it as the daytime, kid-friendly portion of the Halloween festivities, something more akin to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party over at Magic Kingdom. Still not convinced? Well, there’s more – Camp Krusty for the dog days of summer, or some sort of Christmas event (to go along with that also-always-rumored Yule Ball across the park), or Whacking Day, when all the Springfield citizens drag out snakes and whack them to death in the town square. …on second thought, we’ll scratch that last one. 3. Marvel Super Hero Island Marvel Super Hero Island is, unsurprisingly, in something of a weird state of play: although Universal does own – in perpetuity – the theme park rights for a number of Marvel Comics characters, Disney is the company’s corporate parent and probably would see it in its best interest to try and derail any new developments at its competitor’s park (though there are many in the themed online community who contend that the Mouse is now fully resigned to the fact that it’ll never be allowed to fully implement Marvel characters in Walt Disney World and has, as such, become much more cooperative with Universal, on the basis that increased ticket and merchandise sales still end up in its coffers). So we’re going to limit all talk of tearing down Doctor Doom’s Fearfall and Storm Force Accelatron for a new Avengers-themed dark ride and instead focus on a couple of smaller, more distinct possibilities. First up: with both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley already the recipients of interactive wands and Volcano Bay getting its TapuTapu bracelets when it opens this summer, it’s time for other areas at Universal Orlando to get similarly interactive elements, and there are few locations that would benefit from such an addition as well as Marvel Super Hero Island would. Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s gauntlet (not unlike what we saw in that recent Universal patent), Wolverine’s claws, and Spider-Man’s web-slingers would all prove to be ideal interactive gadgets, and, what’s more, each could be made to provide a slightly different experience, making different parts of the comic-book land respond to your commands. Now let’s throw projection-mapping into the mix. Already used during Halloween Horror Nights to simulate buildings collapsing or to make the different house emblems and mascots slide around Hogwarts Castle during Wizarding World grand openings, such projectors could be used to similar effect here – the Avengers could be seen fighting against, say, Ultron or Loki, with the action unfolding from building to building all throughout the area. But an even cooler (and, probably, more feasible) effect would be to combine them with the interactive props and create something of mini videogames; in this way, the Avengers could assemble in the form of teams of guests coming together, and they would be forced to work together like their comic book counterparts do in order to win the game – a guest using Spidey’s web goo, for instance, could momentarily incapacitate one of Dr. Doom’s robotic henchmen who has just come around the corner, while another player wearing Wolvie’s claws could then finish him off. That’s what I would do, at least, if I ran the (Universal) zoo. What other areas of the resort deserve this type of sprucing up? What other types of experiences would you want to see installed? Let us know in the comments below.$

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