Universal Orlando has halted its night time drone displays after a young child was critically injured by a falling drone. It happened during the ‘Universal CineSational’ drone show at Lake Eola Park in Orlando last week. “We have currently paused the drone component of CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular,” the company said. Festive drone shows planned at Orlando World Center Marriott have also been postponed. The CineSational show featured 600 drones. The drones flew in formation depicting famous movie scenes such as a Jaws and Ghostbusters with a cinematic soundtrack. The show will continue at Universal but without the drone displays. The young boy was struck by a falling drone in the chest and underwent heart surgery. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.  

Universal Orlando Resort is sharing a first glimpse of spooky side of new theme park Epic Universe. The all-new "Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment" attraction at Dark Universe is one of the five immersive zones coming to Universal Epic Universe in 2025. The ride will feature 14 life-like animated figures – each one a legendary monster immortalized in literature and film, "Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment" will take guests deep into Frankenstein Manor, where Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and more await. Frankenstein's Monster walks tall at nine feet and weighs over 800 pounds. Guests will first encounter at the line for the attraction. Guests will encounter Dracula at various moments throughout the attraction, along with the Wolf Man and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. The attraction offers meet and greets and photo ops with the legendary monsters alongside Ygor, the Invisible Man, and a monster hunter. Further details about Universal Epic Universe will be shared soon. For UK travellers, British Airways Holidays is offering seven-night packages, at the 4-star Universal Stella Nova Resort, from £1299pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 July - 31 July 2025. Bookable by 11 November 2024.

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Universal Orlando Resort's highly anticipated fourth theme park – Universal Epic Universe – will officially open on May 22, 2025. Universal says Epic Universe is the most ambitious theme park to date and will house more than 50 rides, entertainment and experiences as well as themed dining and shopping, Epic Universe will open across five themed worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe. Anchoring the park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel featuring 500 rooms. The theme park hotel will have a dedicated entrance into Epic Universe for hotel guests. "This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we're thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year," said Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort. Next week, guests can begin planning a 2025 vacation to Universal Orlando when the first phase of ticket products and packages go on sale. These include: The 2025 Explorer Ticket – which includes admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay for 14 days, plus one additional day of admission to Epic Universe. The All Parks Tickets – which allows guests to visit all four Universal Orlando theme parks – including Epic Universe – with park-to-park access for 14 days beginning January 1, 2026. Reservations for Universal Helios Grand Hotel for stays beginning May 22, 2025. Annual Passholders have the exclusive opportunity to purchase single-day tickets to Universal Epic Universe before they go on sale to the general public. Passholders can take advantage of this priority opportunity beginning Thursday, October 24. 

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  Staying at a Universal Orlando hotel comes with exclusive theme park benefits – and now, when your clients book this tasty hotel and ticket package, it comes with a whole lot of food for them! Guests can use the Food and Beverage Card (also known as the dining card) across the parks, hotels, and Universal CityWalk. Restrictions Apply.

Universal Orlando Resort has shared new details about upcoming theme park hotel Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel. The 500-room resort is located in the heart of the new Universal Epic Universe theme park opening in 2025. Co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, Universal Helios Grand Hotel will have a Mediterranean-inspired design, located at Celestial Park at Epic Universe. The theme park hotel’s amenities include multiple dining options, a rooftop bar and the hotel’s very own dedicated entrance to the new theme park. It brings the destination’s portfolio to a total of 11 hotels spanning 11,000 guest rooms. Named for the Greek god of the sun, the hotel will be adorned with celestial patterns, constellations and elegant Mediterranean inspired design elements. Accommodations comprise Serene Guest Rooms and Spacious Suites. Many of the rooms offer sweeping views of Epic Universe, and unique to Universal Helios Grand Hotel are the How to Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites, with vibrant decor inspired by the Viking village of Berk. Located off the lobby is the hotel’s dedicated entrance into Epic Universe for direct, convenient access to and from the theme park. Other highlights include the Bar Helios rooftop lounge, and a resort style pool offering cabanas, a hot tub and poolside movies. The theme park hotel will also house a fitness center and games room.   

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  It’s Alive! It’s Alive!” Next year, Universal – the pioneer of the horror genre – will bring its timeless monsters to the present day with the debut of Dark Universe – one of the five immersive worlds featured at the all-new Universal Epic Universe opening in 2025. The most mysterious world of Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, this captivating new land will envelop guests in monstrous adventures across various attractions, shops, restaurants and character meet and greets that will thrill everyone from families to classic Monster fans alike.   Created by the award-winning Universal Creative team in partnership with Universal Pictures, Dark Universe blends the iconic stories of unearthly legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more with a new generation of monsters and characters, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein – the great-great-granddaughter of the infamous Henry Frankenstein who has continued his misguided experiments. As guests venture through Darkmoor – the ravaged village within Dark Universe – they’ll encounter the characters and subjects of those experiments within a first-of-its-kind theme park environment that offers family-friendly fun while also pushing the boundaries on intensity in a way that only Universal could achieve.       WELCOME TO DARKMOOR   The journey to Dark Universe begins the moment guests enter its electrifying portal, which harnesses the dark energy of Darkmoor. As guests step foot inside, that same energy will pulsate throughout the entire village and connect at the top of Frankenstein Manor – the towering focal point of Dark Universe. Nestled within the blackened stone walls of the town, guests will embark on unique adventures where they can get made up to look like their favorite monsters, spin through the woods aboard a thrilling family coaster, enjoy unique dining establishments, enter Frankenstein Manor to brave Universal Orlando’s most chilling ride ever, and more.   Here's more information about the thrilling yet unsettling attractions and entertainment experiences that await visitors to Dark Universe:  

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction yet, this state-of-the-art dark ride takes guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments. In a vain display of her genius, she invites guests into her laboratory to witness a demonstration of her ability to control monsters – but her plans go awry when her attempts to control the most dangerous of monsters, Dracula, fails, unleashing a horde of enraged monsters. Guests are then thrust into an intense ride through the darkness as they try to evade the grasps of The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.

 

• Curse of the Werewolf – Deep in the woods that sit on the edge of Darkmoor, guests will find Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by “The Wolf Man.” Guests will enter the encampment of The Guild of Mystics where they’ll be greeted by the Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest – racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.

   

• Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience – Guests of all ages can become fashionably monstrous as they don elaborate face paint and temporary tattoos at Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. Here, monster makers have converted Dr. Pretorius’ infamous old lab into a parlor to continue the spirit of his demented experiments, and skilled artisans use their talents to transform guests’ outer appearances so they can showcase their fandom for the Universal Monsters.

 

• Meet the Monsters – There’s always someone…or something…looming in the shadows of Dark Universe – including Monsters who are eager to meet and greet everyone from kids to adults, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the alluring Bride of Frankenstein. Guests will also encounter other unusual inhabitants roaming the eerie village, including Victoria Frankenstein’s servant, Ygor, The Invisible Man, an eccentric monster hunter, and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales of the classic Universal Monsters stories.

    Guests can also sink their teeth into delicious fare and shop all-new merchandise and apparel during their visit to Dark Universe at highly-themed dining and retail locations, including:  

• Das Stakehaus – Darkmoor’s most ominous restaurant, this establishment is a dining hall run by vampire “familiars” who size up unsuspecting patrons to be part of the vampires’ feast. Surrounded by artwork and artifacts detailing the history of the village’s creatures of the night, guests can enjoy a menu of kebabs, burgers, sandwiches and more.

 

• The Burning Blade Tavern – Despite the blades of the windmill still smoldering and flaming periodically, Darkmoor’s monster hunters have transformed this old fiery mill into their favorite hangout. While enjoying a menu of burgers, wings, bratwurst, pretzels and specialty beverages, guests will hear stories of the infamous “Hounds” – boastful hunters from beyond Darkmoor – all while surrounded by an impressive display of the monster heads they consider their “trophies.”

   

• De Lacey’s Cottage – Near Frankenstein Manor sits De Lacey’s Cottage food stand, where the original Frankenstein’s Monster once received sustenance and friendship. Here, guests can find a variety of snacks and cool treats like cinnamon bread, ice cream, twisted taters and more.

 

• Guests can take home a piece of the immortal world of Dark Universe with commemorative merchandise and mementos from retail locations like Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities.

  To prepare for the electrifying chills and thrills that await in Dark Universe, guests can now purchase a variety of new merchandise themed to the new land – including apparel, accessories and more. The collection is available for a limited-time and can be purchased at the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal CityWalk and on shop.universalorlando.com.   Stay tuned – more details about Universal Epic Universe will be revealed in the months ahead. For more information about Universal Epic Universe, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/epicuniverse.

 

Guests Can Step Into the Worlds of Beloved Nintendo Characters as They Explore SUPER NINTENDO WORLD featuring Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and – for the first time in the U.S. – Donkey Kong 

  Next year, guests can jump into the action of their favourite video games when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD makes its much-anticipated debut at Universal Orlando Resort as one of five imaginative worlds at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park. Developed in partnership between the visionaries of Universal Creative and Nintendo, the vibrant land combines iconic Nintendo characters with Universal’s renowned craft of creating innovative theme park experiences to deliver a multi-sensory environment where guests can experience the fun and adventure of Nintendo games in a whole new way.   Today, Universal Orlando reveals official details about all the excitement that awaits in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe – featuring attractions plus dining, shopping and interactive experiences inspired by the Super Mario franchise and – for the first time in the U.S. – Donkey Kong Country.  

ENTER THE ICONIC GREEN PIPE

  It all begins the moment guests enter the portal to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, which will transport them through the iconic green pipe into the immersive land. As guests emerge from the pipe, vibrant scenery and exciting kinetic energy surround them as they are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds that they’ve experienced on their Nintendo game consoles – from the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach’s Castle to swaying Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas, spinning coins, ? Blocks and more.  Inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests will be able to explore Super Mario Land – where they’ll enjoy adventures alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other characters; and Donkey Kong Country – where they’ll encounter thrills featuring Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and other members of the Kong family.    

SUPER MARIO LAND

  The colorful landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom come to life in Super Mario Land, where guests can experience:  

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Guests are invited to join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments to bring the fun of the Mario Kart video game series to life in a compelling ride-through experience.

  Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser’s Castle – where they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more – as they join their favorite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.  

• Yoshi’s Adventure: The delightful Yoshi’s Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.

   

• Toadstool Cafe:At Toadstool Cafe, guests can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs and so much more. Guests will also get glimpses of several Toads cooking up culinary creations through various virtual windows as they dine inside the restaurant.

 

• Yoshi’s Snack Islandand Turbo Boost Treats: Guests can also pick up delicious treats, snacks and beverages at these walk-up dining locations.

 

• 1-UP Factory andMario Motors: Guests can shop for souvenirs, apparel, toys and more inspired by their favourite Super Mario characters and adventures within these retail locations.

 

• Meet and Greets: Guests can meet, greet and interact with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad throughout various areas in Super Mario Land.

   

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY

  At the edge of Super Mario Land, guests will discover an entrance that leads them to Donkey Kong Country, where they’ll explore the lush, tropical landscape from the video game series, complete with tall trees, waterfalls, landmarks such as The Golden Temple and more. Here, guests can enjoy:    

• Mine-Cart Madness: Guests will hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind family coaster. Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games – including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more.

   

• A selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings in the middle of the jungle – all inspired by the Donkey Kong Country video game franchise and its characters. More details will be shared in the coming months.

And that’s not all - guests will find even more exciting experiences and adventures while exploring SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.   POWER-UP BANDS   Guests can level up their fun in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with the purchase of a Power-Up Band, a wearable for their wrist that allows them to enhance their play throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. With the Power-Up Band, guests can collect digital coins by punching ? Blocks and playing interactive activities; collect digital stamps on attractions; earn digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.; and discover other hidden surprises. Guests can also access Leaderboard screens in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to see where they rank amongst fellow guests.     SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe will be Universal Destinations and Experiences’ third instalment of the immersive land. Right now, guests can enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.

Universal Orlando Resort has revelaed a first look at its two upcoming hotels, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. Universal Stella Nova Resort is set to open on January 21, 2025 with Universal Terra Luna Resort launching a month later. The Universal hotels are co-owned and operated by hotel partner Loews Hotels & Co. The space-themed hotels will each have 750 guest rooms, able to comfortably accommodate four guests. Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort will offer a variety of dining options including Cosmos Cafe and Market at Stella Nova Resort and Omega Cafe and Market at Terra Luna Resort. These quick service restaurants serve American classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus grab-and-go items. Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill at Stella Nova Resort and Moonrise Bar and Moonrise Grill at Terra Luna Resort will serve burgers, quesadillas and salads. Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort will both have resort-style pools with a hot tub, lounge and table-top seating and a firepit. Poolside activities include movie screenings and outdoor games. The Universal hotels will also house fitness centers, game rooms and recreation rooms. Hotel guests can take advantage of early park admission up to one hour before the parks open plus complimentary shuttle bus transportation to the parks and Universal CityWalk. Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort are adjacent to the new Universal Epic Universe and just minutes away from the existing Universal Orlando theme parks. More details about Epic Universe, which will open at a later date in 2025, will be revealed in the months ahead. Guests can now book reservations or packages at Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort. 

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Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights will deliver spine tingling frights earlier than ever before. Halloween Horror Nights returns on select nights from August 30 through November 3 2024, with a new terrifying experiences. This year, 10 all-new movie-quality haunted houses and five scare zones will fill the streets of Universal. Guests can also enjoy an energetic live show, eat and shop for Halloween merch. Halloween Horror Nights single night tickets are available for purchase now. Additional details about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will be revealed soon. 

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Universal Orlando Resort has given a first major reveal of what to expect at upcoming theme park Universal Epic Universe. It unveiled more details about Celestial Park which is the central focal point of Universal Epic Universe and the first zone guests will encounter at the new theme park. Celestial Park is the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in a new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films with the Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter franchise. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Guests enter the iconic green pipe into the worlds of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: A colourful world of dragons and Viking adventures based on the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise. Dark Universe: Where guests encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the landscape of monsters,and mystery. Located inside Epic Universe at the edge of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, featuring 500 rooms and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park. The park entertainment schedule will include various fountain shows throughout Celestial Park's seven acres of water. They will perform to music and interactive lighting from day to night. There will be a wide array of unique dining including Atlantic – a full-service surf and turf restaurant and the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant. Ride highlights at Universal Epic Universe include Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster and Constellation Carousel, the grand centrepiece of Celestial Park. This is a 360-degree multi-sensory ride through the milky way with choreographed music and starlight. Overall, the new theme park will have more than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping spread across the five zones. More details about Universal Epic Universe will be revealed in the months ahead. Later this year, an interactive preview center at Universal CityWalk will offer a sneak peek of what’s coming at the new theme park 

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Universal Orlando Resort is adding two new hotel properties. Co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each feature 750 guest rooms in the resort's Prime Value category. This will bring the total number of guest rooms across the park destination to 10,500. They are slated to open in early 2025. Universal Stella Nova Resort will have a galactic theme inspired by galaxies, new stars and mysterious black holes. The Universal Terra Luna Resort is inspired by diverse planetary elements of the universe. Guests staying at the new hotels, or other Universal Orlando hotels can take advantage of exclusive theme park benefits which include Early Park Admission. This allows guests to access one of the three theme parks up to an hour before park opening. There is complimentary transportation to and from the parks, and resort-wide charging privileges. Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will be located adjacent to the future site of the new Universal Epic Universe theme park. This is set to open at a later date in 2025. Universal Orlando's current theme parks and Universal CityWalk will be accessible from the new hotels via complimentary shuttles. The new accommodations provide travel agent partners additional hotel options to sell along with the eight existing Universal Orlando hotels. Stays can be booked beginning January 2025 at Universal Stella Nova Resort and February 2025 at Universal Terra Luna Resort. More details about the new hotels will be revealed at a later date.

A day out at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is now a little more expensive. Universal’s Orlando theme parks have raised their ticket prices, following a similar move by rival Disney. Single park entrance tickets are up a minimum of $10 to between $119 to $179 depending on the day. A park hopper ticket valid for both is now from $174 to $234, up from $164 to $214 previously. “Our pricing reflects the incredible, entertainment experiences we continue to offer our guests, and with our date-based variable pricing model, guests have more flexibility,” Universal said. There are no further price increases on annual passes for Universal parks. Universal Orlando is adding a third park in central Florida called Epic universe, expected to open in phases from 2025. The 750-acre park will feature DreamWorks IP themed lands including Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda attractions. The expansion will also include more Harry Potter attractions.