Tagged: universal-studios

Opening Dates for Orlando's Big Summer 2024 Attractions—and Should You Care?

This year, it's as if the USA's most popular tourist destination is holding its breath. Most summers, Orlando's theme parks construct a new blockbuster ride or two to attract families…

Minion Land Now Making Mischief at Universal Orlando Resort: Check Out the Videos

Minions, the animated yellow capsule creatures (think sentient Percocet pills, but adorable) from the Despicable Me cinematic universe, now have their own theme park area at Universal…

Universal's Super Nintendo World Changes the Game—In Both Delightful and Tricky Ways

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, which opened on February 17, 2023,  is the most exquisitely designed section of a theme park in the United States. It's a clear…

4 Signs That Disney Parks Are in a Lot More Trouble Than People Think

In November, the proverbial wishing star really came through for Disney fans. The company's boardroom power struggles culminated in the abrupt firing of former CEO Bob Chapek. Many…

Does Universal Orlando's Private VIP Experience Tour Deliver What It Promises?

How much would you pay to have a theme park all to yourself? Pretty much no one has the kind of cash it takes to buy out a theme park—no one you'd probably want to hang out with for…

Buyer Beware: Theme Parks Are Cutting Experiences but Not Prices

Despite headlines declaring that major theme parks have "reopened," that doesn't mean everything inside them has. We get it—some people would rather eat glass slippers than step foot…

12 Magical Harry Potter Experiences in England and Beyond

Updated September 24, 2019 From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks in California and Florida (pictured) to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, the Harry…

12 Theme Park Tips That Will Literally Save Your Life (Not Literally)

Working at a major theme park for years, you learn a few things. Like, if you happen to stumble upon an animal trainer with a chimpanzee, the chimp will consider you an attacker and…

Arthur Frommer: Universal Orlando Cuts Hotel Rates to Lure Visitors

For at least twenty years, Universal Orlando Resort has been on a hotel building spree. One after another, giant lodging has been squeezed onto its grounds, supplying close-at-hand…

Spectacular Holiday Show Added to Universal's Hogwarts Castle

Harry Potter is getting into the holiday spirit at Universal theme parks in Orlando and Southern California for the first time this year. In Central Florida, seasonal features at…

Though Harry Potter Has Garnered All the Raves, The True Hit Attraction of Orlando's Theme Parks is Disney's Soarin'

In the bitter competition between theme parks in Orlando, Florida, the Harry Potter exhibit at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure has recently scored a public relations…

Universal Orlando Announces Harry Potter Festival Event for January: Tickets on Sale Aug. 22

Universal Orlando has announced a three-day "Celebration of Harry Potter" fan event for January 24 to 26. Details are sketchy, but ticketholders are promised a few perks, including a…

Orlando Goes Over the Top: SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Also Break the $90 Barrier with Ticket Prices

We just got a dispatch from Florida, where SeaWorld Orlando confirms it has joined Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando in hiking ticket prices past the $90 mark.SeaWorld…

Harry Potter expansion confirmed for Universal Orlando

Well, it's true. Universal Orlando finally confirmed what has been an open secret for months: It is building a second section of its blockbuster Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The…

Travel Troubleshooter: A One-Night Penalty that Sticks

Although Anthony Braxton cancels his hotel more than 24 hours before he checks in, the property charges a one-night penalty, anyway. Can't Hotels.com help him get a refund?Q: I…

How to Find Travel Bargains Using Coupon Sites

The LivingSocial Escapes (http://livingsocial.com) deal that appeared in my e-mail inbox sounded appealing: A two-night stay for two people at Crystal Lodge in Whistler Village,…

Beatlemania and Green Living in Hamburg, Germany

"It's sometimes called London on the Baltic," said a German friend speaking of Hamburg. I couldn't tell for sure whether he was boasting or complaining. But commercial ties, dating…

How Parisians Work: 4 Productive Visits for Travelers

There are a number of things visitors can do to experience an insiderÂ?s view of Paris and foremost among them is watching Parisians at work. True, you can't visit the offices and…

Slope Specs: Why Adelboden is a Little-Known Swiss Treasure

Adelboden, Switzerland (tel. +41 (0) 33 673 80 80; www.adelboden.ch) is the kind of European ski resort that North Americans always say they hope they will find -- a charming, scenic…

Batter Up for a Sunny Spring Training and Tokyo Season Opener

Rejoice ladies. Football season is over and, for us sports widows, finally a chance to get our men folk back (for at least a couple of weeks anyway). Yes, hot on the heels of football…