Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[djmadmanray]

Looks great, and a perfect addition. Looking forward to going down there and seeing it this week!

[AUWent]

...

Edited September 8, 2020 by AUWent

[DBJ]

That nighttime show is pretty well done. If a park is going to knock off WOC, this is the way to do it. My only mild wish list with the show in later years is that they do seasonal overlays. I figure Grinchmas and Potter are a lock for a holiday version eventually. For a Halloween version for example a pg-13/R version would be something new for this type of show. Universal's horror movie library is pretty deep, maybe skip the latest Mummy movie however.

 

Their horror nights announcemetns are right on target. Impressive so far, like how the carnival works with the Klowns scarezone, will make a great transition.

[CaptainUnknown]

My only mild wish list with the show in later years is that they do seasonal overlays. For a Halloween version for example a pg-13/R version would be something new for this type of show. Universal's horror movie library is pretty deep

 

I know it's not technically a Universal property, but they've used the IP before so all I can think of right now is the sleeping bag kill from Friday the 13th projected onto a wall of water.

[jedimaster1227]

The Universal Orlando Resort has sent us a press release announcing the next original house coming to Halloween Horror Nights this year!

 

What would it be like to live in a post-apocalyptic wasteland overgrown with invasive vegetation, and the human race wiped from existence? You’ll find out in the Seeds of Extinction haunted house at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

 

 

In this original story, a cataclysmic meteor has struck Earth, causing humans to become extinct, and something monstrous to take root. The virulent growth has swept across the planet, covering everything and choking out civilization within moments, creating a tableau of what once was. What appears to be a lush and green graveyard hides the most terrifying and hungry meat eaters. Predatory plants of all species use strangling vines, razor-sharp thorns, and poisonous pollens to encroach from all sides as you invade this new world.

 

 

And keep an eye out for hidden hints and nods to past Halloween Horror Nights event years. Here are a few to wet your appetite.

 

 

We’re about a month away from the start of Halloween Horror Nights, running on select nights Sept. 14 – Nov. 3 and featuring more houses than ever. Start planning your trip by clicking here for details on tickets and savings, vacation packages, scary upgrades and more.

[jedimaster1227]

The Universal Orlando Resort has sent us a press release announcing another exciting house for this year's Halloween Horror Nights!

 

 

They’re Here. Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will bring guests “into the light” as part of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights events featuring terrifying new mazes inspired by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures’ (MGM) iconic supernatural horror film, Poltergeist, beginning September 14.

 

Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, Poltergeist garnered critical and consumer success when it first premiered in 1982. Characterized as one of the scariest films of all time, this groundbreaking movie paved the way for a new era of supernatural ghost stories that will come to life for the first time ever at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. This living representation of the film will take guests into some of its most iconic scenes and encounter memorable characters that spawned their first true nightmares.

 

The mazes will lure guests to the Freeling family house built atop a cemetery where malicious ghosts threaten the lives within. From the underground graveyard to ghostly apparitions, guests will come face to face with infamous scenes from the film including the iconic flickering TV screen, menacing Beast from beyond and pool filled with floating corpses. As guests cross into the ‘light,’ they will find themselves surrounded by a surreal landscape of vanishing walls, floating furniture and a creepy clown with a menacing smile. In a rush against time, guests will be forced to make it back to the world of the living or forever be trapped…

 

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood and Orlando to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season. And, the streets of each coast’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing scare-actors lunge from every darkened corner.

 

Additional details about Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights will be revealed soon. All tickets and vacation packages are on sale now. For more information about Halloween Horror Nights at either Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando Resort, visit http://www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

[jedimaster1227]

Over the last two days the Universal Orlando Resort hosted media outlets for a preview of the new Universal's Aventura Hotel opening later this week, along with some of the most delicious and exciting offerings currently found at the resort. Our preview event started on Monday night with an evening enjoying the flavors of Universal Orlando Resort's many hotel restaurants. After that we moved to Universal Studios Florida to watch the recently-launched Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration, a new nighttime spectacular in the park's lagoon.

 

On Tuesday we had the chance to visit Universal's Aventura Hotel, seeing the three different room types available along with several of the resort amenities including the pool area, the casual dining venue Urban Pantry and the rooftop bar, bar17.

 

Universal's Aventura Resort is considered a "Prime Value" resort, meaning that it is one of the most economical options for guests to stay on property while visiting Universal Orlando. Despite its value pricing, the resort comes with high end features and is being touted as the most technologically advanced hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort. It has walk-up access to Volcano Bay, panoramic views of the rest of the resort (and much of the Orlando skyline beyond) and convenient shuttle access to CityWalk and the parks. The food at Urban Pantry was really fantastic for a quick service venue and it is obvious when you visit that they aren't trying to offer *just* hamburgers and pizza (though they do have both)--the picky eater will be happy with those fallbacks but the more adventurous will go for the noodle bar, sushi and some of the more unique items available inside. The property also features a Starbucks, a nice pool area and a sprawling lobby that will make you want to spend extra time in the hotel just to take it all in.

 

Overall, Universal's Aventura Resort looks like another great option for guests to consider when staying on-property. The prices are incredibly reasonable for all that you'll find packed into these guest rooms, and the convenient access to the rest of the resort coupled with the fantastic onsite offerings makes this one of the best values you'll find at Universal!

 

We started our evening at Universal Orlando with a taste of the flavors of the many resorts’ restaurants on property!

There was no shortage of food here!

Do you want to try this Braised Short Rib Pretzel Bao? It was FANTASTIC!

Our preview took place inside of the former Tchoup Chop venue, now used for special events.

Jake’s American Bar brought a great selection of beers for tonight’s event!

The Fountain of Youth is a delicious signature beverage from Strong Water Tavern at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort!

Universal's Aventura Hotel will be the most technologically advanced hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort and that technology will carry over in the development of future hotels for the resort.

Jake’s American Bar served Jake’s Steak & Frites for tonight’s event!

We’re in position for tonight’s showing of Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration!

[fbvideonew]

[/fbvideonew]

We're back to preview the new Universal's Aventura Resort.

Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Williams and John Tish of Loews Hotels were both on hand to kick off the evening's festivities.

[twitter]

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It wouldn't be a new Universal Resort without a Starbucks!

Chicken & Pork Dumplings and Tuna Poke are just a few of the Asian flavors guests can enjoy at Urban Pantry!

This is for you Elissa!

Not just burgers and pizza!

Though burgers are available...

And they are delicious here!

This paella was phenomenal (and quite spicy)!

More options at Urban Pantry.

How does a bagel pizza sound to you? It was delicious!

The pool area is very trendy and comes complete with a bar!

Bar Sol is the resort's pool bar...

Would you choose the Mule de Sol (frozen) or the Devil’s Umbrella (on the rocks) while at Bar Sol?

Quite a nice pool!

I love that the resort has a fire pit!

There's even a splash pad at the resort for the younger guests to enjoy.

Taking the elevator up to check out the guest rooms!

Interestingly enough, it was confirmed that the Aventura name was a nod to Universal's former involvement in PortAventura in Spain.

The guest rooms look great inside!

All of the guest rooms at the Aventura Hotel come with incredible views of Orlando including some of the major attractions at Universal!

Quite the view!

The Kids Suites in the Aventura Hotel can sleep up to five guests and feature a panoramic view in their unique wrap-around layout!

The Aventura Hotel is the most technologically advanced hotel at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Every guest room features a tablet that controls the lights, TV, room service and much more!

Guests can even stream content from their own devices to their rooms TVs. And the room features a large number of wall outlets and USB ports to make sure everyone in the room is able to charge their electronics!

A huge part of bar17, Aventura Hotel's rooftop bar is the large space available to dance, drink, dine and take in the view from all sides.

Look at Volcano Bay!

Care for a drink from bar17?

bar17 at #AventuraHotel is the first rooftop bar @UniversalORL and the experience includes live entertainment!

Pork Belly Bao...

Or Fish Bao. Which would you choose?

We had an excellent time checking out the Aventura Hotel at Universal Orlando! This will be another great option for guests looking to stay on property when visiting Universal!

It was another great set of days at the Universal Orlando Resort and I can't wait to get back to Universal's Aventura Hotel to experience more once it is open!

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Wow, this looks fantastic! I haven't been following closely, but when they announced another lower priced hotel, I was expecting similar to Cabana Bay. This is so much more.

[Hilltopper39]

This resort looks great, I've personally never stayed at a Universal Resort but from the way this report looks I might prefer Aventura to anything else on property.

 

Interesting that so many places have bao buns these days, I remember getting bao buns and ramen in new York like 5 years ago (I realize these aren't new dishes or anything just the first time I'd really had them) and thinking man why don't more places outside big cities serve this stuff, and now they're everywhere haha.

[jarmor]

I am starting to wonder if they will ever build another luxury resort like Portofino and Hardrock ever again . . .

[jedimaster1227]

The Universal Orlando Resort has sent us a press release announcing the new Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers house coming to Halloween Horror Nights this year!

 

 

Beginning on Friday, September 14, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, from Trancas International Films, takes a stab at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, bringing the notorious slasher to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort in all-new mazes inspired by the iconic horror film.

 

Based on the fourth installment in the classic slasher series created by John Carpenter, the mazes will transport guests to the suburban town of Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night where Myers has escaped Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and is hungry for revenge. This time, he relentlessly stalks his niece Jamie as his next victim, stopping at nothing to kill her.

 

Guests will follow Myers as he escapes the mental hospital, encounters his first victims at Penney’s Gas Station and Diner, and wreaks terror on Haddonfield, all set to Alan Howarth’s ominous score. The maze will include horrifying scares by Myers in his classic featureless white mask and navy jumpsuit, with guests dodging his bloody knife at every turn. Halloween fanatics can expect a cameo by Myer’s psychiatrist Dr. Loomis and other famous characters from the film as they try to escape the bloodbath.

 

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood and Orlando to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season. And, the streets of each coast’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing scare-actors lunge from every darkened corner.

 

Additional details about Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights will be revealed soon. For more information about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, visit http://www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com. All tickets and vacation packages are on sale now.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I am starting to wonder if they will ever build another luxury resort like Portofino and Hardrock ever again . . .

 

I think building the lower priced ones is a smart move for the moment. These hotels are designed to draw in those people who were previously staying offsite. They're not super cheap either; the Kids Suite is comparable to what we stayed in at Dollywood's DreamMore, for a comparable price. Maybe the Endless Summer resort will be different, since they're pricing that more in line with Comfort Inn, but I don't see anything wrong with building hotels that are merely upscale and not luxury.

[jedimaster1227]

The Universal Orlando Resort has let us know this year's Mardi Gras begins on February 9th, 2019! Concert dates and performers will be announced at a later date, but you can start planning your trip now!

 

It's Florida's Biggest Party.

Every Night From Feb. 9–Apr. 4, 2019

Universal Studios Florida™

 

It's unforgettable springtime fun for everyone. Enjoy nightly parades with outrageous street performers, colorful costumes and countless beads flying through the air. Catch some of the biggest names in music live in concert on select nights. Plus you’ll enjoy authentic New Orleans bands each night and mouthwatering Cajun food available for purchase.

 

Best of all, the festivities are included with your theme park admission or Annual Pass. Seasonal Passholders can also experience the event on select nights.

 

Seasonal Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida™ the entire day on Mardi Gras concert dates.

[VegasBaby]

Aventura looks like another great hotel for Universal. I really like how they are balancing out their portfolio between the different properties. We stayed at Cabana Bay for a week last summer and absolutely loved it. I think we payed about $180 a night for the family suite which had two queen beds, a sleeper sofa, and a small kitchen area. It slept the five of us (two adults and kids 14, 10, 8) very comfortably. Plus the amenities at the resort were so amazing (two pool areas, water slides, lazy river, bowling alley, etc) that we took a day off from the parks and just hung out at the resort. The cafeteria-style restaurant was also great as everyone could grab what they wanted to eat with so many choices available. I could see us possibly staying at one of the more upscale resorts if we go back in a few years, but I thought Cabana Bay was the perfect family resort.

[BarryH]

Breaking news!

 

The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad show at Islands of Adventure is set to close on September 15, 2018. No word yet on its replacement.

 

I think the time has come for this show to close. It has been getting long in the tooth over the past few years.

 

Check this out:

 

http://themeparkuniversity.com/universal/breaking-eighth-voyage-of-sinbad-closing-at-islands-of-adventure-sep-15-2018/

[robbalvey]

I am starting to wonder if they will ever build another luxury resort like Portofino and Hardrock ever again . . .

Let's be honest here... I don't think the clientele they have been going after the past few years are really the "luxury resort" type. If anything, I could totally see them taking a hotel like Royal Pacific and "downgrading" it to match the other lower-cost hotels along that stretch of their property.

[SharkTums]

^The one luxury resort they could do would be a Potter themed hotel and it would print money.

[Hilltopper39]

^The one luxury resort they could do would be a Potter themed hotel and it would print money.

 

Yup, and oh look the Sinbad show is closing, perfect spot for a potter hotel haha.

[Satans Hockey]

^The one luxury resort they could do would be a Potter themed hotel and it would print money.

 

Yup, and oh look the Sinbad show is closing, perfect spot for a potter hotel haha.

 

Curious to see how long Poseidon's Fury lasts now, that takes up a lot of space between the building and the whole water area in front of it.

[Hilltopper39]

^The one luxury resort they could do would be a Potter themed hotel and it would print money.

 

Yup, and oh look the Sinbad show is closing, perfect spot for a potter hotel haha.

 

Curious to see how long Poseidon's Fury lasts now, that takes up a lot of space between the building and the whole water area in front of it.

 

Yeah, if I had I guess I'd say the whole Lost Continent section is nearing the end of it's life cycle (unfortunately) but then again with this rumored third gate and new resort area who knows what the future holds.

[coasterbill]

Breaking news!

 

The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad show at Islands of Adventure is set to close on September 15, 2018. No word yet on its replacement.

 

I’ve never heard of the source but assuming it’s true:

 

It's a huge spot where they could put something awesome and (hopefully) Potter related. I know a lot of people are tired of Potter and I see why people complained when they replaced Dragons but in this case, I mean... it's the Sinbad show. Bring it on.

[cfc]

I've never seen the Sinbad show, but I wouldn't be bothered it they replaced it with a good new attraction.

 

^The one luxury resort they could do would be a Potter themed hotel and it would print money.

 

Like it or not, this is correct. But would they be allowed to serve Coke products there?

Edited August 17, 2018 by cfc

[SharkTums]

^Funny story about the Sinbad show!

 

When Robb and I were narrowing down wedding locations (a long time ago!) we had it down to Universal or Disney. We did a great tour of Universal with their events people and were really close to booking the wedding/reception in Lost Continent with the main meal at Mythos, would have been awesome! The point of contention that ruined the deal was that they insisted we *HAD* to include one showing of the Sinbad show at a cost of $5k. Nope. Dealbreaker.

[Hilltopper39]

^That's hilarious! The only way I'm paying $5000 for a showing of Sinbad is if I get to use the rope swings and be the guy they light on fire and jump into the pool.

 

(even then I'm probably not paying $5k)

[tuxedomask5432]

Hotel Aventura looks amazing, and I can't believe it's considered one of their "value" properties. Floor to ceiling windows really look amazing. And for some reason, this hotel looks more expensive than it's sister hotels on property. Way to go Universal!