jedimaster1227

This a pleasant surprise and a welcome upgrade for what is currently there. I love the Burbank Studios vibe the updated courtyard is giving off. And I'm never going to complain about more green space and character meet and greets in the park--both of which my five year old son will love!

Great report! As of the two remaining Universal destinations I've yet to experience firsthand, I appreciate seeing these kinds of updates on how the park is doing! Thank you for sharing this with us!

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced a new experience, "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" will open at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on February 14th, 2026 The new exhibition features galleries, interaction experiences and artifacts from across the Universal parks' history. https://corporate.universaldestinationsandexperiences.com/the-franklin-institute-and-comcast-nbcuniversal-announce-world-premiere-of-universal-theme-parks-the-exhibition-opening-february-14-2026-in-philadelphia/ The Franklin Institute and Comcast NBCUniversal announce today Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, a first-of-its-kind experience that delivers an immersive and interactive exploration into the creativity and storytelling of Universal Destinations & Experiences’ themed entertainment. Making its world premiere at The Franklin Institute on February 14, 2026, in the heart of Philadelphia, guests can now sign up for early access to tickets and exclusive updates ahead of the public on-sale date at www.fi.edu. The groundbreaking exhibition spans 18,000 square feet and features eight themed galleries, 25 interactive experiences, and over 100 original artifacts from fan-favorite attractions, including Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters, and more. It celebrates Universal’s rich history of bringing iconic franchises to life in unique and creative ways, as well as developing thrilling attractions. The exhibit offers a special, inside look at the storytelling, innovation and world-building behind Universal’s legendary creations, from The World Famous Studio Tour, exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood, to the most recent launch of Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort and the largest and most technologically advanced theme park to open in the US in decades. From animatronics, robotics, and ride design to costuming and special effects, guests will explore the artistry, creativity, and technology behind the thrills and chills of the award-winning Universal theme parks. The galleries will delve into the creative world of storyboard artists, animators, game designers, visual effects artists, and prop masters for a rare glimpse into the universe of innovation driven by talented teams that push the boundaries of themed entertainment and shape the future of epic experiences. Exhibition features: Step into the Action: A fully immersive experience that puts you inside the magic of Universal’s greatest attractions. Unleash Your Inner Creator: Build coasters, design monster masks, and program animated figures using real theme park tools and technology. Get Up Close with the Icons: View ride vehicles, props, and more from fan favorite attractions like Jurassic World and Universal Monsters. See the Stars: Pose with costumes of your favorite characters like Toothless, Po, Tigress, and Gingy from Universal’s live shows. Explore the Tech Behind the Thrills: Discover the science, storytelling, and effects that power the parks. Strike a Pose: Snap photos with real props and themed environments. To celebrate today’s announcement, early renderings have been released, offering a first look at the immersive galleries, original artifacts, and interactive experiences of Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition. “Hosting the world premiere of an exhibition of this caliber in 2026, during what will be a monumental year for the nation, is extraordinary,” said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of the Franklin Institute. “We’re proud to add Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition to the already impressive lineup of major events happening during the 2026 semi-quincentennial in Philadelphia.” “The Franklin Institute is thrilled to present Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition in partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences, a trailblazer in the themed entertainment industry,” said Abby Bysshe, Chief Experience and Strategy Officer at The Franklin Institute. “This first-of-its-kind exhibition is an immersive showcase of the innovation and imagination behind theme park creation and demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences with global audience appeal.” “At Universal, we are known for creating mind-blowing attractions and experiences that shatter guest expectations, and for those wondering how we do it, this engaging exhibit offers an in-depth look that celebrates the talents of our team,” said Gerald Raines, Senior Vice President, Global Location Based Entertainment & Licensing, Universal Destinations & Experiences. “We’re proud to partner with The Franklin Institute to share the innovation, artistry, and technical expertise we use to bring beloved stories and characters to life for the millions of guests visiting our destinations each year.” Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition was created in collaboration with the award-winning creative design firm MDSX. The Franklin Institute proudly presents the exhibition in the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and the Mandell Center from February 14, 2026, through September 7, 2026. Comcast NBCUniversal is the local presenting sponsor, and PECO, the proud corporate partner of The Franklin Institute, is the associate sponsor of the exhibition. “Comcast NBCUniversal has a rich history of delivering innovation and unforgettable moments and experiences to people around the world,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer, Comcast. “Our partnership with the Franklin Institute demonstrates how Philadelphia continues to be a home for inspiration, ideas, and creativity. We’re excited to bring the incredible and breathtaking world of Universal to life for our hometown to experience.” About The Franklin Institute Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is among the nation’s premier science centers and a renowned leader in science and technology learning. As a dynamic center of exploration, the museum blends storytelling, interactivity, and entertainment to create unique and inspiring experiences for guests of all ages. Over the past two decades, it has established itself as a premier destination for immersive traveling exhibits in North America, with a strong history of success in presenting major blockbusters and world premieres. Now in its 201st year, the museum remains at the forefront of innovation and a top destination for curious minds seeking to explore the wonders of science and technology. Visit fi.edu to learn more. About Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) Universal Destinations & Experiences, a unit of Comcast NBCUniversal, offers guests around the world the most innovative, immersive, and popular entertainment experiences. Our portfolio is comprised of world-class theme parks featuring the industry’s most thrilling and technologically advanced attractions, exceptional hotels and resorts, unique merchandise, games, virtual and live entertainment experiences. We use our rich collection of stories and franchises – from Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, and more— to take people to places they couldn’t imagine while creating memorable and emotionally fulfilling moments for people of all ages. Learn more here.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment has purchased properties along the River Mile development including Elitch Gardens Theme and Wate rPark and the venue that hosts Meow Wolf. The company has confirmed that they intend to continue to operate those attractiosn into the future. https://kdvr.com/news/local/ball-arena-owner-buys-river-mile-development-area-including-meow-wolf-elitch-gardens/ Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, which owns Ball Arena and other entertainment venues, announced its purchase of properties along the River Mile development on Thursday. KSE said in a press release that it acquired Revesco Properties’ interest in the River Mile development, a project that plans to transform a mile of properties along the South Platte River into a walkable neighborhood that combines nature and city life. The sale includes Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park and 1338 1st Street, which is home to Meow Wolf and other properties, as well as “other related assets,” KSE said. KSE and Revesco Properties have been working together since their joint purchase of the 58-acre historic Elitch Gardens in 2015. Renderings on The River Mile website show a future for the area with new skyscrapers, green space along the river and more. KSE also has plans to redevelop 55 acres near Speer Boulevard and Auraria Parkway, including the Ball Arena campus, into a new walkable neighborhood with housing, retail, entertainment, and green space. First plans for Ball Arena Redevelopment filed in Denver show hotel, venue and housing “Realizing sole ownership of these properties will allow us to streamline our comprehensive vision for the future development encompassing The River Mile and the adjacent Ball Arena campus,” KSE Owner and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke said in the release. “We are grateful to Revesco for many years of productive collaboration.” The future of the area is now in KSE’s hands. “We are incredibly proud of our work with KSE as the stewards of Elitch Gardens over the past decade, and to have been a catalyst for a re-imagining of the site known as The River Mile,” said Rhys Duggan, Founding Member, President & CEO of Revesco Properties. “We believe the blueprint has been set for the future of Central Denver and that both the Park and The River Mile vision are in good hands with Mr. Kroenke and his family.” KSE said that Elitch Gardens and Meow Wolf will continue to operate at their current sites, KSE said. Executive Vice President Mike Neary said the amusement park is a “rite of summer” for over a million visitors each year, and they intend to keep it that way and “better than ever.” FOX31’s Alliyah Sims spoke with Andrew Goetz, a professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Denver, about the potential impacts and the future that lies ahead for the area. He said many overbuilt parking lots in Denver are often underfilled and effectively a waste of space, and said there is “tremendous potential” for redevelopment. “By redeveloping that area, integrating it in with the River Mile project, you can create something that’s really transformative, can address the needs the city has in terms of affordable housing as well as providing a focal point for renewed development in that area,” he said. He added that the economic impact may be significant in terms of attracting people to the area for sports events and other activities. “Plus, having the housing, a more permanent stable activity that goes on, plus supporting retail, that’s all things that’s going to support the redevelopment of the area quite a bit, so I think it has a good deal of potential,” he said.

Disneyland Paris has shared an update about their current refurbishment of Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast which is scheduled to be completed before the end of the year! https://news.disneylandparis.com/en/a-major-refurbishment-for-buzz-lightyear-laser-blast-until-the-end-of-2025/ A major refurbishment for Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast until the end of 2025 Attention, Space Rangers! Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast has closed its doors for a major refurbishment, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. Here’s a sneak peek at the extensive work being carried out! Over the coming months, teams from Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, Maintenance, and Central Workshops will be working extensively on this interactive Discoveryland attraction, a favourite among guests of Disneyland® Paris. Many aspects will undergo major upgrades – or even complete replacements – to ensure the best possible guest experience. A Refreshed Star Command The attraction’s highly stylized façade, covered in radars, energy-collecting towers, and futuristic pillars that represent Star Command’s space station, will be repainted – along with the marquee and the iconic nearly -two-meter-tall Buzz Lightyear statue. The neon lighting on the five towers and radar dishes will also be completely redone to provide even more vibrant lighting. Thorough Work on the XP-41 Space Cruisers Guests will benefit from newer technology in their mission to defend the toy galaxy from the evil Emperor Zurg: all current Astro Blasters, which allow them to shoot targets, will be completely dismantled and replaced. Additionally, many of the ride vehicles will be repainted and equipped with new dashboards featuring improved displays. A Brighter Galaxy in Focus This fantastic space adventure will return brighter than ever: inside the attraction, lighting will be completely overhauled with the replacement of all spotlights and the refurbishment of special lighting effects. Some of the targets – used by guests to score points in the battle against Zurg and his army of toy robots – will also be replaced with new ones, offering improved precision and performance. Beyond these changes, many other technical and visual aspects of the attraction will be refurbished during this closure, including the restoration of several Audio-Animatronics®. Over the coming months, all teams involved in this ambitious project will be hard at work to bring Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast back in top form by the end of 2025.

^Assuming the Chicago location follows the same operating procedures as the location opening in Las Vegas next month, there is no hard age limit though Universal recommends against bringing children younger than 13 years old. https://www.universalhorrorunleashed.com

Disneyland Paris has shared updates on two of their iconic "mountains" as they enhance and refurbish these classic coasters. https://news.disneylandparis.com/en/new-light-display-for-star-warstm-hyperspace-mountain-exterior/ In celebration of the 30th anniversary of this iconic Discoveryland attraction in 2025, the Walt Disney Imagineering Paris and Design & Delivery teams are currently developing a brand- new light concept for the exterior of Star WarsTM Hyperspace Mountain. The project, which began nearly 2 years ago, is taking shape a little more each evening with the gradual replacement of over 640 luminaires – requiring over 17 kilometres of cabling – the modernisation of technical equipment, the repainting of the roof and the creation of new technical access points to facilitate maintenance operations. Once completed, this upgrade will deliver a breathtaking experience – not only for passengers aboard Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, but also for all Discoveryland guests, who will be able to enjoy the stunning light eHects generated each time a vehicle launches. To successfully complete this project, the teams also had the opportunity to work with the lighting designer who worked on the original 1995 attraction! As well as restoring the attraction’s majestic roof to its original splendour, the new lighting will feature all-new eHects to enhance this iconic Discoveryland landmark. See you later this summer to discover the results of this interstellar transformation – and to continue exploring galaxies far, far away… https://news.disneylandparis.com/en/a-day-at-star-wars-hyperspace-mountain/ To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Parisian version of the beloved attraction Space Mountain, Disneyland Paris’ teams have recorded an exclusive behind-the-scenes video revealing how the magic of this ride – which first opened on June 1, 1995 – comes to life. From its breathtaking opening ceremony to its recent transformation into Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, the history of this iconic dome-shaped attraction has been marked by many unforgettable moments. That same history continues to be written by the resort’s Operations and Maintenance teams, who help “transport guests to a galaxy far, far away” each day, while ensuring their journey is both smooth and safe. And there’s still more to come: new collectible items dreamed up by Disneyland Paris’ Merchandising teams will soon arrive in shops, and the attraction’s outdoor lighting setup is currently being redesigned! Stay tuned for more updates! https://news.disneylandparis.com/en/big-thunder-mountain-the-wildest-ride-in-the-west-to-reopen-on-21-june/ On 21 June 2025, the iconic Big Thunder Mountain attraction will once again welcome visitors to Frontierland®, following several months of renovation led by the Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, Design & Delivery, Maintenance and Central Workshops teams. Over the last few months, a wide range of specialists with a variety of skills have been taking great care of Big Thunder Mountain, one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland® Paris. Their objective: to ensure the attraction is meticulously maintained, preserving the quality of the experience while honouring the original creative vision and safeguarding its story, which remains deeply intertwined with that of Frontierland®. In addition to the in-depth maintenance of the tunnels and rails, with certain stretches being completely replaced, parts of the mountain were repainted, and the arch was cleaned using drones – a first for the Walt Disney Imagineering Paris teams. Some of the attraction’s water, visual and sound effects have also been reworked or restored. The highly detailed scenery of Big Thunder Mountain was not left out – certain wooden elements like Mill Camp Tower were dismantled for restoration before being reinstalled on the mountain. Hundreds of accessories, visible both throughout the attraction and its queue line, have been carefully cleaned, repainted, and given a patina in the Disneyland® Paris Central Workshops to preserve the authentic, timeworn look of this gold-rush-era mine. For larger pieces, such as the Lavinia steam engine visible from the queue area, the work was carried out directly on site. The attraction’s animal figures, such as the mules, opossums and bats, were restored and repainted in the Central Workshops, and some were even given a brand-new coat, like the emblematic the goat. This ambitious project, necessary for the smooth running of the attraction that is open all year round and mainly outdoors, required collaboration between teams from Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, Design & Delivery, Maintenance and Central Workshops, who worked tirelessly to renovate the wildest ride in the wilderness in the West!

Universal Studios Hollywood has shared a new look at the upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster with new concept art and a reveal of the first cars that will operate on the coaster. Prepare for high-speed thrills when Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2026. With a groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles as they rocket along an elaborate track, this is a roller coaster like no other. Get your first look at the Fast & Furious ride vehicle—the Dodge Charger—on display during Universal Mega Movie Summer, starting June 13 through August 10, 2025.

The next morning would bring another first for me beyond those found on a new ship... This would be my first time visiting Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point! The new island destination opened just over a year ago at the southern tip of Eleuthera as a complementary destination to Disney Cruise Line's original island destination, Disney Castaway Cay. The destination has been in development since early 2019 and the years since have involved significant environmental review and work to minimize impact, develop a sustainable operation and to honor the local culture and wildlife. A new open-trestle pier allows the ship to dock at the island, without requiring the dredging that traditional piers have called for. All of this to say that years of anticipation had built up for me to see and experience this new port of call. We loaded up on breakfast knowing that we had an active day ahead of us... I just love it. The walk from the ship to the end of the open-trestle pier is roughly equivalent to the walk from the ship to the family beach on Disney Castaway Cay. The entrance plaza from the pier features a few small kiosks and counters to allow for early shopping and snack purchases. Not unlike on Disney Castaway Cay, you take a shuttle from the main arrival spot to the beach area. Disney T'ings carry a good variety of just that. Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point features the Rush Out Gush Out water play area with slides, tipping buckets, spray nozzles and fountains. Some signature art from the island, created by a local Bahamian artist who consulted on much of the art styles found across Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. A look at everything offered within this island destination. The red path is the tram route which crosses the island to bring you from the arrival location to the beach area. It was a little gloomy out during our visit, plus it was surprisngly cold during our cruise, but the beach was beautiful. RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration takes place at the Goombay Cultural Center, a covered, elevated pavilion in the middle of the island's beach area. The pavilion is used for activities and crafts between performances and the beachfront serves doubly as the seating area for the start of the show. RUSH! continues out into the main street of the beach area for more musical fun. True-True BBQ is the island destination's main buffet dining option with a great variety of flavors, both accessible and more unique to the region. I tried a little bit of everything and I loved a bit of all of it. In preservation of the natural environment of Eleuthera, much of the guest-accessible pathways and areas are elevated so as to not disturb the wildlife and vegetation below. Sebastian's Cove is the youth activities space on the island, where younger guests can check in (as an extension of Disney's Oceaneer's Club onboard) in a youth-exclusive space for water and dry play. A look at the water play area at Scuttle's Cove. A look at the family cabanas set up along one of the island's beautiful beachfronts. Quite a view! Looking back at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point from the Disney Treasure... And a look at the family cabanas within view. We pulled away from the pier with a send off from the locals who help to support the island operation each day that a ship is in port. Second lunch (the first taking place on the island) featured some fresh steak tacos from Donald's Cantina on the upper deck! Our first dinner in Worlds of Marvel for the cruise--one of my favorites across the fleet, as a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of my favorite design elements in the restaurant. The venue feels very distinctly Marvel. Flavors of the world area featured across the first Worlds of Marvel dinner's menu. Disneyland fans should appreciate this nod. Ultron is one of my favorite (underutilized) Marvel villains, so I love that he serves as Avengers: Quantum Encounter's main protagonist. Here's the beef. You had me at key lime pie. Ant-Man and The Wasp are not the only MCU heroes to make an appearance during the show. The show has even been updated since it originally debuted on the Disney Wish (before The Marvels was released). Now, Ms. Marvel interacts with Captain Marvel where before, the show featured a number of comedic near-miss moments between the two. The parade of Pym Particle-enlarged desserts at the end of the meal has also been replaced with a surprise appearance by Spider-Man! Look at him--he is the captain now! Back in the atrium storytellers Sage and Coriander were regaling guests with a retelling of Aladdin. The storytellers' caravan includes many recognizable books... Sage and Coriander play multiple characters during each story. There's an entertaining take on "A Whole New World..." And a surprise appearance during the finale. Love. I was able to play charades with Donald, which was a blast. We were greeted in our stateroom by a new towel animal and something else... We received an awesome lithograph to commemorate our visit to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point during its inaugural season! A great end to a fantastic day!

Universal Orlando has announced several original houses coming to this year's Halloween Horror Nights! Haunted House Announcement: Gálkn: Monsters of the North In a remote northern village, a wicked being rises from the dead with a horde of monsters. Try to escape the belly of the beast. Tickets are now on sale: http://spr.ly/60114gThB Haunted House Announcement: Grave of the Flesh Welcome to your funeral, where it’s about to go from bad to worse. You’ll enter the underworld and be hunted by flesh-eaters for eternity. Haunted House Announcement: Dolls: Let’s Play Dead You’re about to become doll-sized and be hunted by toys that have been burnt, melded and stitched together by a twisted little girl. Haunted House Announcement: Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters. In this Old West town, all hell is breaking loose. Red-hot lava demons are trying to possess everyone, melting everything in their path. Haunted House Announcement: El Artista: A Spanish Haunting In 19th century Spain, a tortured artist moves into an isolated country manor for inspiration, but the art comes alive and possesses him.

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced a new house for this year's Halloween Horror Nights, Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America. https://x.com/horrornights/status/1938628392963739903?s=46&t=TK-FUKECKXMmu4-XNc2oyg Haunted House Announcement: One wails. One bites. One beguiles. La Llorona, La Muelona and La Siguanaba await in the dark. Three legends La Muerte wants you to meet, but you’ll wish you never did.

Royal Caribbean has announced they are amplifying the Ovation, Harmony and Liberty of the seas in time for the Spring 2026 season with new and enhanced venues and features for each of these ships! https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1798/royal-caribbean-will-amp-up-memory-making-on-ovation-harmony-and-liberty-of-the-seas-in-2026/ Royal Caribbean is tripling the adventure in 2026 when it debuts three newly amplified vacations on Ovation, Harmony and Liberty of the Seas. The fan-favorite ships are set to be reimagined with bold new experiences while visiting must-see destinations across Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. Vacationers have more choices than ever before for all-out adventures starting spring 2026 and can book the vacations now on Royal Caribbean’s website. “Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on delivering the best of every vacation with revolutionary ships and top-rated exclusive destinations. The Royal Amplified program gives our guests the best of Royal Caribbean with new-to-class culinary options and experiences, entertainment and thrilling adventures, paired with the hospitality and service Royal Caribbean is known for,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean. “After seeing incredible success and guest satisfaction with the amplification of Allure of the Seas, we’re excited to bring three new amplifications to our fleet in 2026.” With new thrills and laidback chill, bolder ways to dine and drink, leveled-up nightlife, and more ways to stay, families and adventurers can max out memories on a lineup of unmatched experiences: Ovation of the Seas Vacationers can go all out with amplified experiences on Ovation, including a revamped pool deck with private casitas and a new whirlpool. To refuel, there’s a variety of international cuisine to indulge in from Tuscan favorites at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen to hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki. The celebrations continue with tropical cocktails at the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, making its Quantum Class debut; dancing at the brand-new Sound Cellar; and more slots and games at the expanded Casino Royale. Along with new accommodations like the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite, the upcoming experiences join a lineup of returning Quantum Class favorites like the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. Ovation will take adventure to the next level at sea and on land with getaways to Alaska, where vacationers can take in the wonders of the Last Frontier on 7- to 13-night Alaskan adventures starting spring 2026. Plus, Ovation returns to the region as the first in the action-packed Quantum Class lineup to deliver immersive adventures on land with multi-night Cruisetour experiences. Harmony of the Seas Making its way to Harmony is a new Caribbean-inspired pool deck with tropical sips at the new The Lime & Coconut, as well as a refreshed adults-only Solarium. Adventurers can dive into bold bites at more than 20 venues, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for gameday favorites, El Loco Fresh for Mexican delights and the new Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. Plus, new ways to stay like the Ultimate Family Suite and even bigger nightlife at the largest Casino Royale in Royal Caribbean’s fleet create more ways for all kinds of vacationers to make memories. Harmony will kick off its summer glow-up in Europe before the Oasis Class vacation calls Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, home. Starting winter 2026, vacationers can get away to the Caribbean on 5- and 7-night vacations to locations like Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Falmouth, Jamaica. Adventurers can also visit the vacation brand’s top-rated Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and purchase their day passes to the all-inclusive Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, debuting December 2025. Liberty of the Seas Families are in for all-new experiences for all ages with unmatched chill at the completely reimagined pool deck with The Lime & Coconut and new casitas, and thrills at an all-new Royal Escape Room concept coming to Liberty. There are flavors for all tastebuds from Japanese cuisine and hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki to tacos and more at El Loco Fresh, along with a new-to-ship Starbucks. It’s all combined with returning favorites on deck, like The Perfect Storm waterslides, crave-worthy restaurants and show-stopping entertainment. Sailing from Southampton in summer 2026, vacationers on Liberty can explore European hot spots with 7-night adventures to places like the awe-inspiring Norwegian fjords, the medieval streets of Bruges, Belgium, and the rich culture of Copenhagen, Denmark. Then, Liberty will head to Galveston, Texas, for the winter season, unlocking more ways for vacationers to explore the Western Caribbean at spots like the vacation brand’s Royal Beach Club Cozumel, delivering the ultimate beach day in Mexico when it opens in 2026. Following the newly reimagined Allure of the Seas, the three soon-to-be-amplified vacations are the latest in the award-winning fleet to be transformed as part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program, first introduced in 2018. Royal Caribbean continues to deliver the best vacations to more than seven million people annually with visits to 300-plus destinations across 28 ships, with four more on order. Plus, the vacation brand will continue to expand its destination lineup in the next three years with the addition of four exclusive experiences, including the next bold adventure in Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027. Joining the lineup are Royal Caribbean’s new Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island in The Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico, along with exclusive beach destinations in Labadee, Haiti, and Lelepa in the South Pacific to deliver more ways to bask in paradise. More information about Royal Caribbean’s leading vacations and growing lineup of ships and destinations can be found on Royal Caribbean’s website.

Bellewaerde has announced 10 million Euro in investments planned for the 2026 season! Bellewaerde announces a new €10 million investment! This will allow for the expansion and renovation of the Canadian zone, with: - Wild Swing XL, a mega-swing promised to be the largest of its kind in the world - A renovation of the Canadian Burger, doubling its capacity - A 300m adventure course! Opening in spring 2026!

While not officially announced, local media has revealed through state filings that SeaWorld San Antonio is preparing to add a new roller coaster in the area where the Currents shopping center and the Dolphin Dive attraction are today. Official details are expected to be released in the Fall. https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/seaworld-new-roller-coaster-20379372.php A multimillion dollar project slated for SeaWorld San Antonio (SWSA) is no longer under wraps. While a few details about the venture remain limited, a recent state filing has revealed hints about what the Texas amusement park is planning. Governor Greg Abbott vetos Senate Bill 3, total ban on THC productsGovernor Greg Abbott vetos Senate Bill 3, total ban on THC products The company registered a new report through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, often used to file architectural barriers projects, on Monday, June 16. Unsurprisingly, the park kept the project name vague, labeling it as "SWSA 2026." Regardless, there's still a few elements about the $8.9 million attraction that can be confirmed, including that it will take up nearly 4,000 square-feet of the park. The type of work is also filed as "new construction," meaning it is not simply a renovation of an already-existing structure. According to the TDLR, the project includes the addition of a new roller coaster for park guests that will be installed between the Steel Eel and Wavebreaker rides. Both attractions are located on the Northeast side of the park, relatively close to Sea World Rescue Jr., the newly built kids play area that opened this year. Guests may be able to try out the new roller coaster sooner than they think. Last year, MySA reported on the project, SeaWorld Rescue Jr., once its TDLR was filed, explaining how its completion date was listed as March 1. The area ended up opening to the public just a week after then, on Saturday, March 8. Currently, two larger buildings are located within the space the new roller coaster will soon anchor: the Currents shopping center and the Dolphin Dive—a kid-friendly vertical drop ride. What type of roller coaster is coming to SeaWorld San Antonio? The new attraction will be a family-style, inverted coaster, according to the TDLR filing. The ride's foundations will be mostly drilled concrete pier type, the report adds. When will the new roller coaster be finished? Construction on the coaster is scheduled to start on Tuesday, July 1, according to the TDLR, which is subject to change. Guests can expect to see it be complete by June 1, 2026, according to the report. MySA reached out to SeaWorld San Antonio for comment but the park said they wait to announce new projects in the fall season. For now, a majority of the details only remain available through public records such as these.

Universal Destination & Experiences has announced that it will open a second location for Universal Horror Unleashed. The indoor, year-round horror experience will be the first Universal-branded attraction in the Midwest and is part of the company's ongoing efforts to expand their footprint across the world. https://corporate.universaldestinationsandexperiences.com/universal-destinations-experiences-expands-universal-horror-unleashed-concept-with-second-location-planned-for-chicago/ Universal Destinations & Experiences, the themed entertainment division of Comcast NBCUniversal, announces its second location for Universal Horror Unleashed, the company’s year-round, immersive horror entertainment experience. The new, indoor venue will open in Chicago, chosen for its large population and reputation as one of the country’s leading destinations for tourism and entertainment. Expanding the Universal Horror Unleashed brand is a key part of Universal’s broader growth strategy to reach new audiences, in new markets, through new and original concepts. The upcoming venue will be located on Chicago Avenue at the former Tribune Distribution Center, situated between the River North and West Town districts. This marks Universal’s first branded experience in the Midwest. “Universal Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create highly immersive and terrifying horror experiences that connect with fans year-round,” said Page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Universal Destinations & Experiences. “We’re excited to bring this bold concept to life in Chicago, a city known for its vibrant culture. We’re grateful for the city’s support as we convert this dormant site into a unique attraction that showcases our storytelling expertise and ability to deliver mind blowing experiences that shatter guest expectations.” This original concept combines Universal’s deep expertise in the horror genre with next-level storytelling to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. The year-round concept will deliver immersive, horror-centric entertainment that goes beyond the theme parks, bringing spine-chilling thrills, terrifying environments, and unforgettable scares to guests. The horror will also extend to the food and beverage offerings, with themed craft cocktails and bites, as well as a retail location with unique collectible merchandise and more. The announcement comes on the heels of other key developments for Universal Destinations & Experiences, including the recent opening of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, the first Universal Horror Unleashed Las Vegas, opening August 2025, the 2026 launch of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, and plans for a new theme park and resort in the United Kingdom — Universal’s first in Europe, slated to open in 2031.   The first Universal Horror Unleashed location was announced in January 2023 and is set to open later this year in Las Vegas on August 14, 2025. Tickets for Universal Horror Unleashed Las Vegas are now on sale now at UniversalHorrorUnleashed.com.

Universal Destinations and Experiences has announced that Jason Voorhees will return to Halloween Horror Nights in 2025 with a new house at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, Jason Universe. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2025/06/13/jason-voorhees-slays-at-universal-studios-halloween-horror-nights/ Titan of terror Jason Voorhees rises again at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, and he is going to slay. Jason Universe sees the iconic killer from the infamous Friday the 13th films get his own haunted house at the seasonal event at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time. The all-original immersive nightmare will take brave guests back to the summer camp where the gruesome legend was born. Jason Universe is being described as "a vengeance tour through the summer camp to see where it all began, from the creaking floorboards of Jason's ramshackle cabin to the decaying main lodge and the eerie forest that offers no refuge for his victims." Fans are being promised recreations of classic kills from the multimillion-dollar franchise that launched 45 years ago with the theatrical release of the first film. Expect Jason, decked out in his legendary hockey mask, to "taunt and stalk" his victims who learn too late that everything they heard about him and his reign of terror is true. Described as an "homage to the machete-wielding slasher" who is considered one of the most notorious villains in cinematic history, Jason Universe sounds like a classic execution of an enduring and ever-popular 12-film horror franchise. Jason Voorhees Has A History Of Killing It At Halloween Horror Nights Jason Universe isn’t the first time Jason has appeared at Halloween Horror Nights, a mecca for fans of the genre. Most recently, at Universal Studios Hollywood, he was joined by Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, and Chucky on the Titans of Terror Tram on the Studio Tour Backlot in 2017. It has been nine years since he last featured in a haunted house there. The last one was 2016's Freddy Vs. Jason. In Orlando, his last appearance was in 2015 when he appeared in both a Freddy Vs. Jason attraction and the All Nite Die-In: Double Feature scarezone. Created by Victor Miller, the first Friday the 13th movie, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, arrived in theaters in May 1980. The most recent film was 2009’s identically titled reboot, Friday the 13th, directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Michael Bay. The most successful film in the franchise was the 2003 A Nightmare on Elm Street crossover, Freddy vs. Jason, which grossed $82.62 million worldwide. Although it has been a while since a new Friday the 13th movie has dropped, Crystal Lake, described as "an origin story for Jason and a prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise," is on the way. It will stream exclusively on Peacock debuting in October 2025. Confirmed cast members include franchise mainstay Adrienne King, Dead to Me’s Linda Cardellini and Abigail's William Catlett. It's not known how or if the Halloween Horror Nights haunted house will integrate the new show. Jason Universe isn’t the first of this year's attractions to be announced. Fallout, inspired by Prime Video's acclaimed smash hit show, was recently confirmed. Similarly to the horror homage, it will also appear at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Fallout will place fans in iconic scenes and face-to-face with their characters on a journey from Vault 33 to the Wasteland. Both parks have also recently teased that Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy's, based on another widely popular videogame IP that inspired a hit movie and an upcoming sequel, will be featured in some form at Halloween Horror Nights. The blood red carpet gets rolled out for horror fans at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Universal Orlando Resort kicks off the festivities a little earlier on Friday, August 29, 2025. Tickets are now on sale. More news on additional Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses, scarezones, and live shows is expected in the coming weeks.

Universal Destinations and Experiences has announced that Jason Voorhees will return to Halloween Horror Nights in 2025 with a new house at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, Jason Universe. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2025/06/13/jason-voorhees-slays-at-universal-studios-halloween-horror-nights/ Titan of terror Jason Voorhees rises again at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, and he is going to slay. Jason Universe sees the iconic killer from the infamous Friday the 13th films get his own haunted house at the seasonal event at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time. The all-original immersive nightmare will take brave guests back to the summer camp where the gruesome legend was born. Jason Universe is being described as "a vengeance tour through the summer camp to see where it all began, from the creaking floorboards of Jason's ramshackle cabin to the decaying main lodge and the eerie forest that offers no refuge for his victims." Fans are being promised recreations of classic kills from the multimillion-dollar franchise that launched 45 years ago with the theatrical release of the first film. Expect Jason, decked out in his legendary hockey mask, to "taunt and stalk" his victims who learn too late that everything they heard about him and his reign of terror is true. Described as an "homage to the machete-wielding slasher" who is considered one of the most notorious villains in cinematic history, Jason Universe sounds like a classic execution of an enduring and ever-popular 12-film horror franchise. Jason Voorhees Has A History Of Killing It At Halloween Horror Nights Jason Universe isn’t the first time Jason has appeared at Halloween Horror Nights, a mecca for fans of the genre. Most recently, at Universal Studios Hollywood, he was joined by Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, and Chucky on the Titans of Terror Tram on the Studio Tour Backlot in 2017. It has been nine years since he last featured in a haunted house there. The last one was 2016's Freddy Vs. Jason. In Orlando, his last appearance was in 2015 when he appeared in both a Freddy Vs. Jason attraction and the All Nite Die-In: Double Feature scarezone. Created by Victor Miller, the first Friday the 13th movie, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, arrived in theaters in May 1980. The most recent film was 2009’s identically titled reboot, Friday the 13th, directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Michael Bay. The most successful film in the franchise was the 2003 A Nightmare on Elm Street crossover, Freddy vs. Jason, which grossed $82.62 million worldwide. Although it has been a while since a new Friday the 13th movie has dropped, Crystal Lake, described as "an origin story for Jason and a prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise," is on the way. It will stream exclusively on Peacock debuting in October 2025. Confirmed cast members include franchise mainstay Adrienne King, Dead to Me’s Linda Cardellini and Abigail's William Catlett. It's not known how or if the Halloween Horror Nights haunted house will integrate the new show. Jason Universe isn’t the first of this year's attractions to be announced. Fallout, inspired by Prime Video's acclaimed smash hit show, was recently confirmed. Similarly to the horror homage, it will also appear at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Fallout will place fans in iconic scenes and face-to-face with their characters on a journey from Vault 33 to the Wasteland. Both parks have also recently teased that Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy's, based on another widely popular videogame IP that inspired a hit movie and an upcoming sequel, will be featured in some form at Halloween Horror Nights. The blood red carpet gets rolled out for horror fans at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Universal Orlando Resort kicks off the festivities a little earlier on Friday, August 29, 2025. Tickets are now on sale. More news on additional Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses, scarezones, and live shows is expected in the coming weeks.

^I can’t imagine the owner of a high performance race car being satisfied with said vehicle not being able to complete more than a few laps per race.

^Give it time. It’ll close unexpectedly again…

The Universal Orlando Resort has quietly confirmed that the end is near for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit to make way for a new experience. The coaster will close on August 18th, 2025, so guests have only a few months left to take in the thrills of this unique attraction. https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-attractions/hollywood-rip-ride-rockit Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close on August 18, 2025 to make way for a new experience. More details will be available at a later date.

As the Halloween Horror Nights season approaches, Universal Destinations and Experiences has started to release news on some of the offerings which will be found at this year's event... https://www.ign.com/articles/universal-studios-halloween-horror-nights-2025-to-feature-the-first-ever-fallout-haunted-house IGN can exclusively reveal that Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood will be getting a new haunted house based on Prime Video’s Fallout series and that HHN’s Five Night’s at Freddy’s experience will be based on the movie, the latter of which will be brought to life with the help of the legendary Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, who also did the animatronics for the film. While we don’t know much more about the Five Nights at Freddy’s experience, Fallout’s haunted house will open on August 29 at Universal Orlando Resort and on September 4 at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it will allow fans to relive the greatest moments from Fallout’s first season and more. Guests will first enter Vault 33 and follow Lucy LacLean as she tries to escape a bloody massacre while also learning of an “evil hidden secret.” The journey will then take guests outside the vault and into the Wasteland, where they will need to dodge attacks from both Scavengers, Raiders, and even mutated cockroaches known as RAD Roaches. Throughout the trek through the Wasteland, guests will visit the Super Duper Mart, encounter the Ghoul, and even meet Maximus and his massive T-60 armor. To learn more about this exciting and terrifying trip to the nuclear wasteland, we had the chance to speak to John Murdy, Creative Director / Executive Producer at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Matthew Flood, Senior Show Director at Universal Orlando Resort, for IGN Live. Among other things, these big fans of Fallout shared how they and the team are doing all they can to make this the best Fallout experience ever. “As you go through these environments, we want fans to say, ‘I recognize this, I'm in a Fallout vault. How cool is that?!’ Flood said. “Where else are you going to get to say that you walked through a Fallout vault and then into the Wasteland and saw ghouls? “And you can see and understand what the world is just by what you pass, including the bodies when Lucy first exits the vault. That type of thing is really good for us in Halloween Horror Nights and… yes, it’s gruesome, which is what our fans want at Halloween Horror Nights. It’s also scary and provides great characters, good monsters, all the mutated creatures, and the ghouls. That’s ripe for the picking when it comes to Halloween Horror Nights.” Fallout also offers the team a chance to do something they’ve never done before. “Fallout is kind of retro futuristic, and a lot of the aesthetics of it are very 1950s,” Murdy said. “The fact that we get to deal with the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust is very exciting for us since we've never done anything like that at HHN before. It’s like tapping into a whole different realm of horror.” What’s also interesting is that Hollywood and Orlando will each have unique aspects to their Fallout experience, including for the T-60 armor. “It's massive,” Murdy said of the T-60 Armor. “We work really closely with the people who are producing Fallout, and they've shared an incredible number of assets with us. We've done a lot of really big stuff over the years with Horror Nights, but this has got to be, I think, one of the biggest things we've ever had to do. We also thought it’d be cool if each park had a lot in common but also some differences. So, for Hollywood, the Power Armor is a full animatronic; we’re doing it as a fully animated figure.” “In Orlando, we do have kind of a final battle moment,” Flood added. “I’m not going to reveal too much, but yes, T-60s will be part of that battle. We also got a chance to fit in Filly, and I think having a moment to get a real-life Fallout battle happening there is pretty cool.” Murdy also teased that each Fallout house will have its own “creature takes,” and Hollywood’s will be the horrifying Yao Guai Bear. With ghouls and mutated bears and murderous scavengers abound, this haunted house is meant to be a chaotic thing, but Flood, Murdy, and the team have taken great care to have it be more than just non-stop terror. Murdy told us that his writing treatments for this Fallout experience averaged 100 pages, which feature both a narrative guide and a technical breakdown from start to finish. “It's that detailed because we need to spell it all out for our team so they know exactly what to create,” Murdy said. “And what Horror Nights is known for is our attention to detail. And what we're aiming for alongside the casual guest is the uber fan. We want to have so many different Easter Eggs that certain people won't particularly notice, but that the real hardcore fans of the video game and the series will.” Flood teased that there is a Pip-Boy they’ve been working on that will be a treat to find, and he teased that guests should look in all the windows of the storefronts or sides of buildings, as there will be “little things scattered around.” “If you're here for a second or third time through the house, and you get a chance to glance down when you're not totally terrified, you can see a lot of those Easter eggs existing throughout the house,” Flood said. Lastly, we asked what the pair what they were most excited about bringing to life for Hollywood Horror Nights. “For me, it was obviously the Wasteland,” Murdy said. “It is fun to go from the vaults where you're in a claustrophobic environment to then kind of open it up into the Wasteland. However, when I think of it purely from what Horror Nights delivers, it’s Super Duper Mart.” Speaking of exciting fictional businesses, we were able to get one more exciting quote for the Five Nights at Freddy’s experience at this year’s Hollywood Horror Nights, and it’s making the wait for more details even worse! “When you experience this, it is literally like living in the movie,” Murdy said. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/universal-halloween-horror-nights-five-nights-at-freddys-2025 Every year, horror fans from around the world flock to Hollywood and Orlando for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, a fall festival of fear that always features some of your favorite monsters from across pop culture. Every year the attractions pack in tons of new horror fun, and every year fans have their own special wish list of which properties will get haunted houses this time around. Well, Five Nights at Freddy's fans, this one's for you. Universal announced over the weekend, via the official Halloween Horror Nights account on X (formerly Twitter), that FNaF will get its own haunted house during this year's festivities, and the attraction will be coming to both Hollywood and Orlando versions of the Horror Nights experience. So whichever coast you visit, Freddy Fazbear and all his friends will be waiting. Sadly, we don't have any more details yet, but the post does promise that Five Nights at Freddy's will be presented in "a whole new way" at this year's Halloween Horror Nights, so fans of the franchise will definitely want to keep their eyes out for more news, especially since there's a new movie on the horizon. Beginning with the original video game from Scott Cawthon, which released in the summer of 2014, Five Nights at Freddy's has spent the last decade expanding into a mega-popular horror brand that features everything from numerous video game sequels and spinoffs to a series of books to loads of merch. In 2023, the franchise reached a whole new fandom when the first Five Nights at Freddy's movie, starring Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard, landed in theaters and on Peacock. And the mayhem continues in 2025. Universal and Blumhouse Productions announced last year that Five Nights at Freddy's 2 would hit theaters December 5, just weeks after Halloween, and back in April we got a first look at the teaser trailer for the new film, which features returning cast members Hutcherson, Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, and Piper Rubio, along with new cast members like Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, and Mckenna Grace. Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Parks this fall.

As the Halloween Horror Nights season approaches, Universal Destinations and Experiences has started to release news on some of the offerings which will be found at this year's event... https://www.ign.com/articles/universal-studios-halloween-horror-nights-2025-to-feature-the-first-ever-fallout-haunted-house IGN can exclusively reveal that Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood will be getting a new haunted house based on Prime Video’s Fallout series and that HHN’s Five Night’s at Freddy’s experience will be based on the movie, the latter of which will be brought to life with the help of the legendary Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, who also did the animatronics for the film. While we don’t know much more about the Five Nights at Freddy’s experience, Fallout’s haunted house will open on August 29 at Universal Orlando Resort and on September 4 at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it will allow fans to relive the greatest moments from Fallout’s first season and more. Guests will first enter Vault 33 and follow Lucy LacLean as she tries to escape a bloody massacre while also learning of an “evil hidden secret.” The journey will then take guests outside the vault and into the Wasteland, where they will need to dodge attacks from both Scavengers, Raiders, and even mutated cockroaches known as RAD Roaches. Throughout the trek through the Wasteland, guests will visit the Super Duper Mart, encounter the Ghoul, and even meet Maximus and his massive T-60 armor. To learn more about this exciting and terrifying trip to the nuclear wasteland, we had the chance to speak to John Murdy, Creative Director / Executive Producer at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Matthew Flood, Senior Show Director at Universal Orlando Resort, for IGN Live. Among other things, these big fans of Fallout shared how they and the team are doing all they can to make this the best Fallout experience ever. “As you go through these environments, we want fans to say, ‘I recognize this, I'm in a Fallout vault. How cool is that?!’ Flood said. “Where else are you going to get to say that you walked through a Fallout vault and then into the Wasteland and saw ghouls? “And you can see and understand what the world is just by what you pass, including the bodies when Lucy first exits the vault. That type of thing is really good for us in Halloween Horror Nights and… yes, it’s gruesome, which is what our fans want at Halloween Horror Nights. It’s also scary and provides great characters, good monsters, all the mutated creatures, and the ghouls. That’s ripe for the picking when it comes to Halloween Horror Nights.” Fallout also offers the team a chance to do something they’ve never done before. “Fallout is kind of retro futuristic, and a lot of the aesthetics of it are very 1950s,” Murdy said. “The fact that we get to deal with the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust is very exciting for us since we've never done anything like that at HHN before. It’s like tapping into a whole different realm of horror.” What’s also interesting is that Hollywood and Orlando will each have unique aspects to their Fallout experience, including for the T-60 armor. “It's massive,” Murdy said of the T-60 Armor. “We work really closely with the people who are producing Fallout, and they've shared an incredible number of assets with us. We've done a lot of really big stuff over the years with Horror Nights, but this has got to be, I think, one of the biggest things we've ever had to do. We also thought it’d be cool if each park had a lot in common but also some differences. So, for Hollywood, the Power Armor is a full animatronic; we’re doing it as a fully animated figure.” “In Orlando, we do have kind of a final battle moment,” Flood added. “I’m not going to reveal too much, but yes, T-60s will be part of that battle. We also got a chance to fit in Filly, and I think having a moment to get a real-life Fallout battle happening there is pretty cool.” Murdy also teased that each Fallout house will have its own “creature takes,” and Hollywood’s will be the horrifying Yao Guai Bear. With ghouls and mutated bears and murderous scavengers abound, this haunted house is meant to be a chaotic thing, but Flood, Murdy, and the team have taken great care to have it be more than just non-stop terror. Murdy told us that his writing treatments for this Fallout experience averaged 100 pages, which feature both a narrative guide and a technical breakdown from start to finish. “It's that detailed because we need to spell it all out for our team so they know exactly what to create,” Murdy said. “And what Horror Nights is known for is our attention to detail. And what we're aiming for alongside the casual guest is the uber fan. We want to have so many different Easter Eggs that certain people won't particularly notice, but that the real hardcore fans of the video game and the series will.” Flood teased that there is a Pip-Boy they’ve been working on that will be a treat to find, and he teased that guests should look in all the windows of the storefronts or sides of buildings, as there will be “little things scattered around.” “If you're here for a second or third time through the house, and you get a chance to glance down when you're not totally terrified, you can see a lot of those Easter eggs existing throughout the house,” Flood said. Lastly, we asked what the pair what they were most excited about bringing to life for Hollywood Horror Nights. “For me, it was obviously the Wasteland,” Murdy said. “It is fun to go from the vaults where you're in a claustrophobic environment to then kind of open it up into the Wasteland. However, when I think of it purely from what Horror Nights delivers, it’s Super Duper Mart.” Speaking of exciting fictional businesses, we were able to get one more exciting quote for the Five Nights at Freddy’s experience at this year’s Hollywood Horror Nights, and it’s making the wait for more details even worse! “When you experience this, it is literally like living in the movie,” Murdy said. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/universal-halloween-horror-nights-five-nights-at-freddys-2025 Every year, horror fans from around the world flock to Hollywood and Orlando for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, a fall festival of fear that always features some of your favorite monsters from across pop culture. Every year the attractions pack in tons of new horror fun, and every year fans have their own special wish list of which properties will get haunted houses this time around. Well, Five Nights at Freddy's fans, this one's for you. Universal announced over the weekend, via the official Halloween Horror Nights account on X (formerly Twitter), that FNaF will get its own haunted house during this year's festivities, and the attraction will be coming to both Hollywood and Orlando versions of the Horror Nights experience. So whichever coast you visit, Freddy Fazbear and all his friends will be waiting. Sadly, we don't have any more details yet, but the post does promise that Five Nights at Freddy's will be presented in "a whole new way" at this year's Halloween Horror Nights, so fans of the franchise will definitely want to keep their eyes out for more news, especially since there's a new movie on the horizon. Beginning with the original video game from Scott Cawthon, which released in the summer of 2014, Five Nights at Freddy's has spent the last decade expanding into a mega-popular horror brand that features everything from numerous video game sequels and spinoffs to a series of books to loads of merch. In 2023, the franchise reached a whole new fandom when the first Five Nights at Freddy's movie, starring Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard, landed in theaters and on Peacock. And the mayhem continues in 2025. Universal and Blumhouse Productions announced last year that Five Nights at Freddy's 2 would hit theaters December 5, just weeks after Halloween, and back in April we got a first look at the teaser trailer for the new film, which features returning cast members Hutcherson, Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, and Piper Rubio, along with new cast members like Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, and Mckenna Grace. Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Parks this fall.

After a great first day aboard, it was time for our first day at sea... A leisurely opportunity to enjoy more of the ship's venues, food and fun! It's never a bad day when your morning starts at Marceline Market! How could you go wrong with a breakfast like this? A fun piece of art found near the entrance of Hero Zone aboard the Disney Treasure. The Rose acts both as its own venue as well as the pre-show lounge for Palo Steakhouse and Enchante. It is inspired by the live action version of Beauty and the Beast. And the lounge offers a fantastic view! Today was a great day to enjoy the ship's many pools. I love capturing a variation of this funnel photo with each Disney Cruise I take. Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue at Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods is one of my go-to places for quick and tasty food. Any chance to meet Stitch is one that I'm going to take! That night we had dinner in 1923, home to some of my favorite dishes, like this fantastic Hyperion Four-Cheese Tri-Color Tortelloni. The Kingswell Duck Confit Pastilla is another favorite of ours we repeat every time we can. The Alameda Porcini Spiced Ahi Tuna is always a refreshing choice, and the black sesame brittle is a unique accompaniment I love. The Flourless Orange Almond Cake was a great dessert option. But the Burbank Blueberry-Lemon Bavarian Cream takes the cake! Yes, I went back to Haunted Mansion Parlor. And yes, I sat in the chair! I might have ordered this piece of art from Art of Disney On Demand onboard... I might have. Next up was another new lounge for me, the Skipper Society. Inspired by the Jungle Cruise and its associated lore, I was in heaven taking in all of the detail found within. The menu is also quite nifty... Another interactive tablet menu... Some unique choices on tap... And they have waffles! And for the Trader Sam's fans in the house. A Typhoon Lagoon connection via S.E.A.! A "Soaring: Fantastic Flight" (Tokyo DisneySea) reference via S.E.A.! You can bet this skipper boat tiki bowl made its way home with me! Awesome details on the bar back! Neat tap too! A telegram from Walt himself! Disneyland fans may recognize this copy of The Daily Gnus which was given out as a part of the short-lived Adventureland Trading Company game. Love it. Hi Donald! Disney Seas the Adventure was our first show in the Walt Disney Theatre and a great way to kick off the cruise's main stage entertainment. I love the interior of the theater. Never a bad time to enjoy Funnelvision onboard... Did I go back to Haunted Mansion Parlor again at the end of the night? Sure did! There are tons of hidden details throughout the Parlor... You simply have to look closely. Deadpool & Wolverine was playing onboard in the ship's movie theaters during our sailing. I adore this view. Love it! Our second towel animal of the cruise, marking the end of another day...

^I wouldn’t bet on a B&M Wingrider considering they already have Wild Eagle. My money is on a flying theater like Soarin’ or SkyFly: Soar America.

Pleasure Beach Resort has revealed the name of Project 2026, their gyro swing. The new attraction will be known as Aviktas and is slated to open during the 2026 season. https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/2025/05/20/pleasure-beach-resort-reveals-name-of-new-tallest-of-its-kind-ride/ Pleasure Beach Resort has teased fans with what’s to come by revealing the first details of its new £8.72m ride. The Blackpool attraction announced ‘Project 2026’ back in March, and has now confirmed the ride’s name: Aviktas. Aviktas has been coined by Pleasure Beach’s creative team, leaving fans scratching their heads about how the ride and its theme will come to life. However, they’ll need to wait a little longer as Pleasure Beach bosses are keeping tight-lipped on further details for now. What fans do know is that Aviktas will be the tallest of its kind in the UK, dwarfing similar rides across the country by almost double. CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We’re incredibly excited to reveal the name of our next major attraction, Aviktas. This is a ride like nothing we’ve ever created before, and while we’re keeping the full experience under wraps for now, I can promise it will be truly extraordinary. “We’ll be revealing pieces of information about Aviktas over the next few months, including its theming, colours and design, and we’ve added a dedicated section to our website where fans can follow its journey. “After all, what’s a new ride launch without a little bit of mystery?” Project 2026 was first announced at the beginning of Pleasure Beach’s 2026 season, and work has already begun on its delivery. The former Bowl-A-Drome building has been demolished, with Aviktas set to take its place. A Gyro Swing is a giant spinning pendulum. Aviktas will swing 120 degrees and reach 138 feet at its highest point. It can seat 40 riders who face outwards with their legs dangling, and will experience an exhilarating feeling of flying. Although other swinging pendulum rides exist in the UK, none come close to the Pleasure Beach model in terms of height. For example, Drayton Manor’s Maelstrom reaches approximately 74 feet, with the new ride almost double that in size. Aviktas is due to open in 2026. Pleasure Beach Resort is open for the 2025 season. Unlimited riding wristbands can be booked online at www.pleasurebeachresort.com, and the earlier tickets are booked, the better the value.