Universal moves to build rail stop in Orlando’s tourism hub
Universal Orlando Resort on Thursday filed paperwork and pledged 13 acres for a commuter rail station that could link the seventh busiest airport in the U.S. with the heart of the tourism district in one of the top travel destinations in the world.
Movies love a comeback story. This summer, it's their turn.
Hollywood is bringing out some of its biggest and most reliable players for the 2022 summer movie season, which unofficially kicks off this weekend with the help of Marvel and Disney’s “Doctor Strange and the Multitverse of Madness” and runs through the end of August.
‘It’s showtime’ Beetlejuice will headline Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights will be back this year and the “ghost with the most” will get his very own haunted house. A “Beetlejuice” themed haunted house will be part of the 30-year anniversary celebration of the fright nights. There’s no word if Lydia or the rest of the Deetz family will be there, but there may be a chance that if you say “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” the popular ghost may make an appearance. The fright nights begin on September 3 and will run through October 31.
Victim of brutal attack on Metromover seeks damages from security contractor Allied Universal
Fernandez and his wife, Maria Vechio, blame Allied Universal, a security contractor for Miami-Dade Transit, for not doing enough to protect him from Ribbs. Fernandez and Vechio are demanding judgment against Allied Universal for compensatory damages in excess of $30,000. Man charged in Metromover attack to undergo mental evaluationsAllied Universal was also in charge of security when Joshua King attacked three Metromover passengers on Sept. 4. Goldfarb claims this should have been enough for Allied Universal to implement effective preventive measures. According to Goldfarb, Fernandez injuries included skull fractures and brain hemorrhage.
James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’ pushed again, to 2021
The release of the James Bond film “No Time To Die” has been delayed again, this time to 2021, because of the effects of COVID-19 on the theatrical business. “No Time To Die” was originally supposed to open in April 2020 but was pushed back to Nov. 12 in the U.K. and Nov. 20 in the U.S. The Walt Disney Co. last week delayed the planned 2020 releases of a handful of major movies until 2021. They include Marvel’s “Black Widow” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” Universal delayed “Candyman” to next year. Some major releases are still planned for 2020.
Universal canceling Halloween Horror Nights because of virus
ORLANDO, Fla. It's hard to scare the bejesus out of someone in a haunted house while socially distancing, which may explain the decision by Universal to cancel its Halloween Horror Nights this year at its U.S. theme parks. The company said Friday it wouldn't be hosting the celebration of all things scary at its Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood so that it could focus on operating its theme parks for daytime guests under pandemic restrictions. Halloween Horror Nights typically lasts more than a month starting in September, but its planned for more than a year. Last month, Walt Disney World canceled its annual after-hours Halloween party at Magic Kingdom that typically begins in mid-August. Universal Orlando reopened last month, and Disney World started welcoming back visitors two weeks ago.
Movie theaters implore studios: Release the blockbusters
FILE - Posters for upcoming movies are displayed in an empty corridor at the currently closed AMC Burbank Town Center 8 movie theaters complex on April 29, 2020, in Burbank, Calif. After several false starts, the film industry is hoping to bring new releases back into movie theaters in late August. While the beleaguered restaurant industry still has takeout and airlines continue to operate with masked flyers, the vast majority of U.S. movie theaters havent punched a single ticket since March. The largest studios the Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros., Universal now all have streaming services of their own now, along with television operations. Theaters in China, the worlds second largest movie market, this week reopened with theaters limited to 30% capacity. If they dont do something, if they just keeping holding the films back, the theaters are going to die.
Things you should definitely know before visiting Universal Orlando Resort
Editor's note: Our theme park writer, Tom Metevia, recently visited Universal Studios Orlando Resort for the first time, so we asked him to share some insight. Universal has its version of a FastPass called Universal Express. Staying at a select Universal Resort Hotel will get you free Universal Express Unlimited for participating rides. Universal Studios has two separate theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. I already knew that Universal Studios used a lot of simulators; however, I didn't really know what that meant.
Universal Orlando unveils Fall deals for Florida residents
ORLANDO – Florida residents can now make the most of their holiday season and beyond at Universal Orlando Resort with two special offers. You can purchase a 1-Day, Park-to-Park ticket to experience Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure - and get a second day free to use anytime now through January 31, 2020, with limited blockout dates. For only $25 more, Florida residents can add a third day at Universal's Volcano Bay water theme park. Florida residents can also save up to $75 on Florida Resident Passes when purchasing now through January 6, 2020. Florida Resident Passes begin at less than $13 per month and include a variety of 2-Park and 3-Park pass options.
'Good Boys' wins weekend at box office
Seth Rogen's "Good Boys" topped the US box office with a $21 million opening weekend, according to estimates by Box Office Mojo. (CNN) - Seth Rogen's "Good Boys" topped the US box office with a $21 million opening weekend, according to estimates by Box Office Mojo. "Good Boys" had been expected to topple under "Hobbs & Shaw" in North America with an opening in the $12 million-$15 million range. Nearly 70% of the "Good Boys" audience was between ages 18 and 34, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Universal has also been having a great August box office with "Hobbs & Shaw," which placed second in its third weekend at theaters with an estimated $14.1 million.
Volcano Bay water park opens at Universal Orlando resort
ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal's water park Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando is now open to the public. The thrill ride features canoes traveling among the peaks and through the valleys surrounding the 200-foot Krakatau volcano. The man-made volcano will also erupt into the sky, which is sure to cause some head turns on I-4. When guests enter the Universal park they will receive a wristband-style wearable technology called TapuTapu. The band will allow guests “to virtually wait in line while they play in other areas of the park,” Universal said.