Category Archives: Universal News

Universal Orlando Seems To Be Faring Slightly Better Than Disney In Attracting Visitors After Reopening

It seems that Visitors are returning to Universal Orlando faster than they are returning to Walt Disney World.

According to reports, Universal Orlando, which reopened their theme parks on 5th June are seeing an upturn in attendance, although attendance is still down 64% from 2019. In comparison Walt Disney World, which reopened their theme parks in mid July seems to have attendance levels down by 80% from 2019.

Disney CEO, Bob Chapek acknowledged that Disney World had a higher than expected number of reservation cancellations when he spoke during a quarterly earnings call.

One simple theory is that Universal Orlando is attracting an older audience that feel more confident to enjoy the parks. Families with younger children that would normally visit Walt Disney World for the character experiences, etc, are probably less confident to visit at this time.

The general feeling though is that confidence is growing and as the COVID-19 cases decrease Walt Disney World will see ongoing improvements in attendance.

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Universal Studios Cancel Halloween Horror Nights At Orlando And California For 2020

Halloween Horror Nights due to be held this year at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida has officially been cancelled due to health and safety concerns with Covid-19.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights © Universal Studios

Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have made the difficult decision to not hold Halloween Horror Nights events this year. Universal Orlando Resort will be focusing exclusively on operating its theme parks for daytime guests, using the enhanced health and safety procedures already in place. Universal Studios Hollywood continues to face ongoing business restrictions and uncertainty around its opening timeframe.

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Universal Studio’s ‘The Bourne Stuntacular’ is close to Opening

Universal Orlando said on Monday that its live-action stunt show ‘The Bourne Stuntacular’ is now in technical rehearsals. Recently Team member previews have been ongoing and on Monday Universal Studios conducted a guest soft opening.

The Bourne Stuntacular which replaces the former Terminator 2 attraction, follows the character Jason Bourne as he fights off his sinister pursuers. The show, combining live actors and special effects will feature death defying leaps, motorcycle chase scenes and intense fights.

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Universal Orlando To Reopen Select Hotels Beginning 2 June

As part of the phased reopening after the covid-19 shutdown, Universal Orlando has announced that select resort hotels will reopen beginning 2 June.

The full announcement is below.

Beginning June 2, 2020, select Universal Orlando Resort hotels will reopen to guests. The reopening of the hotels will be carefully managed and phased, and includes a wide range of new and enhanced best-practice health, safety and hygiene procedures.

The phased reopening of the hotels will include Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites. Guests staying in these hotels will be able to visit the theme parks on June 3 and 4, prior to the public reopening on June 5.

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Universal Orlando Plans to Open to Guests on 5 June

This week the theme parks have been submitting their plans for reopening to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. The plan outlines a phased reopening starting with staff on 1 June, Passholders on 3 June and general public on 5 June.

Orange County must endorse the reopening plans prior to submitting to the state for a final decision on reopening.

Similar methods for entry, queues and notices that are currently being employed at Universal’s City Walk will be implemented along with additional measures that will impact rides and attractions.
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