Universal Archives - Disney Tourist Blog https://www.disneytouristblog.com/tag/universal/ Disney World News & Vacation Planning Tips Tue, 26 May 2026 22:00:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/cropped-favicon-e1298556486695-1-32x32.png Universal Archives - Disney Tourist Blog https://www.disneytouristblog.com/tag/universal/ 32 32 129400668 Universal Orlando Removing #1 Ride from Express Pass at Islands of Adventure https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-removing-1-ride-from-express-pass-at-islands-of-adventure/ https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-removing-1-ride-from-express-pass-at-islands-of-adventure/#comments Tue, 26 May 2026 20:56:47 +0000 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/?p=88074 Universal Orlando has announced that the most popular attraction in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in its Islands of Adventure park is being removed from Express Pass. This covers the change coming to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the #1 wait time in the two legacy parks, along with our commentary. Universal’s Express Pass...

The post Universal Orlando Removing #1 Ride from Express Pass at Islands of Adventure appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

]]> https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-removing-1-ride-from-express-pass-at-islands-of-adventure/feed/ 20 88074 Epic Universe Testing Free Celestial Park Access https://www.disneytouristblog.com/epic-universe-testing-effortless-entry-for-virtual-lines-to-lands-free-celestial-park-access-or-ticket-wildcard/ https://www.disneytouristblog.com/epic-universe-testing-effortless-entry-for-virtual-lines-to-lands-free-celestial-park-access-or-ticket-wildcard/#comments Sun, 17 May 2026 10:03:20 +0000 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/?p=86812 Universal Orlando has been testing its ‘Effortless Entry’ facial recognition technology, enabling Epic Universe to restrict access to specific lands. There are a number of explanations for this, but the big open is the ‘open hub’ finally becoming a reality and select guests gaining access to Celestial Park for free. Let’s start with the latest...

The post Epic Universe Testing Free Celestial Park Access appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

]]> https://www.disneytouristblog.com/epic-universe-testing-effortless-entry-for-virtual-lines-to-lands-free-celestial-park-access-or-ticket-wildcard/feed/ 8 86812 Universal Orlando Hotels Are Cheapest We’ve Seen in Years for Summer 2026. https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-hotels-are-cheapest-weve-seen-in-years-for-summer-2026/ https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-hotels-are-cheapest-weve-seen-in-years-for-summer-2026/#comments Wed, 13 May 2026 13:46:13 +0000 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/?p=87383 While pricing out an upcoming stay around the start of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, we were surprised to find the deepest discount room rates at Universal Orlando that we’ve seen in years. Here’s a rundown of hotel deals & nightly rates, along with commentary and how to take advantage....

The post Universal Orlando Hotels Are Cheapest We’ve Seen in Years for Summer 2026. appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

]]> https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-hotels-are-cheapest-weve-seen-in-years-for-summer-2026/feed/ 4 87383 Here’s Why You Need 2 Days at Epic Universe https://www.disneytouristblog.com/heres-why-you-need-2-days-at-epic-universe/ https://www.disneytouristblog.com/heres-why-you-need-2-days-at-epic-universe/#comments Sun, 10 May 2026 05:40:18 +0000 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/?p=72564 Epic Universe is not a 2-day park for the average tourist. Despite claims to the contrary by diehard Universal Orlando fans, this is absolutely untrue for the vast majority of guests. The title might sound like pure praise, with us saying this is the first multi-day park in Central Florida since Magic Kingdom. It’s not....

The post Here’s Why You Need 2 Days at Epic Universe appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

]]> https://www.disneytouristblog.com/heres-why-you-need-2-days-at-epic-universe/feed/ 38 72564 Universal Orlando Announces Closures & Changes to Jurassic Park, Horror Show, Fan-Favorite Mythos & More https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-lost-continent-closing-mythos-restaurant-jurassic-park-horror-show-changes/ https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-lost-continent-closing-mythos-restaurant-jurassic-park-horror-show-changes/#comments Thu, 07 May 2026 14:39:07 +0000 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/?p=87302 Universal Orlando has announced several closures and changes coming soon at Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and CityWalk. This stems partially from redevelopment of the Lost Continent land, but extends far beyond that and will include a reimagined live show, new signature restaurant, and more. As basic background, much of what was announced today...

The post Universal Orlando Announces Closures & Changes to Jurassic Park, Horror Show, Fan-Favorite Mythos & More appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

]]> https://www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-orlando-lost-continent-closing-mythos-restaurant-jurassic-park-horror-show-changes/feed/ 15 87302 Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Review https://www.disneytouristblog.com/endless-summer-resort-surfside-inn-review/ https://www.disneytouristblog.com/endless-summer-resort-surfside-inn-review/#comments Fri, 01 May 2026 04:12:26 +0000 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/?p=30666 This hotel review covers Surfside Inn & Suites, the newly-opened half of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort in Orlando at Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure. We’ll share room photos, amenities info, pros & cons, and how these budget accommodations stack up to Walt Disney World Values & Moderates. While we’ll refer to this as...

The post Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Review appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

]]> https://www.disneytouristblog.com/endless-summer-resort-surfside-inn-review/feed/ 20 30666