Universal Orlando Update – Dinosaurs, Crêpes & Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

The last days of summer sure are bittersweet. While glimpses of a normal feeling are returning for those in Orlando, it’s clearly not business as usual by any stretch of the imagination. My trip to Universal Orlando this week has me ready to pack away my summer outfits and start celebrating Halloween. Uni Orlando’s wildly popular Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store has doubled its offerings, we’ve also got an exciting look at the upcoming Veloci-Coaster. Let’s see what’s new this week!

A Visit to Universal Orlando Resort

Are you ready to return to the parks? Since there is no park reservation system at Universal Orlando Resort, it’s difficult to gauge just how busy the parks may be. I plan my Universal visits for mid-week days since the weekends are much busier.  If you’re thinking about visiting, I recommend Monday-Thursday to avoid potentially heavier crowds and longer wait times. 

CineMark theater in CityWalk has reopened, and check out that retro lineup: 6 Harry Potter films, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future… sounds like a good time! But are you ready to go back into a movie theater?

A wide range of safety guidelines are in place. You can find out more about their new procedures HERE. 

And certain films are just $5 for adults with reduced concession prices as well. For a hot or rainy day, this might be a good option. 

Here are a few snapshots of what the typical weekday “crowds” look like…

    

Even with masks and social distancing, fewer guests makes the experience quite enjoyable. 

   

 

Volcano Bay Cutback

Over the weekend, Universal announced Volcano Bay will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning September 8th.

This update is based on “operational needs and fall travel trends”, but comes soon after the resort’s announcement of closing less popular attractions, such as Fast & Furious: Supercharged and Poseidon’s Fury. While the open theme parks are in a better financial position rather than remaining closed due to the pandemic, attendance is still much lower than anticipated. If you’re planning a visit, always double-check official park hours. 

HHN Tribute Store Additions

The Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store doubled in size over the weekend – now serving up creepy vibes and special merchandise throughout four themed rooms. The Tribute Store opened earlier this month with the first two rooms themed to Frankenstein’s lab and a circus sideshow featuring HHN icons. Though there are no scare actors present, the shop itself has become a sort of attraction – hitting all the Halloween notes we’re just dying to see!

To see the first two rooms (they’re pretty great!), be sure to check out the article below.

Universal Orlando Update – Horror Hack, Ride Cuts & Lonely Anniversaries

Once you’ve made your way through the autumnal circus sideshow room, continue on for more! All sorts of scary things ahead…

Before entering the third room, a transitional hallway features a pictorial history of HHN’s past:

Just like the previous rooms, the new room draws from classic HHN themes. This time, it’s centered around a haunted attic. The area is mostly black-lit and really captures the feeling of being in a maze. I kept half-expecting a scare actor to pop out. But there was something in particular that really stood out…

Aaaand the thing that caught my attention was a collection of specially-created baked goods! In this room you’ll find scary doll houses and freakishly cute Halloween treats:

Moving onto the next room… “it’s showtime!”

Since Beetlejuice helped kick off the very first “Fright Nights” circa 1990, this throwback room fittingly joins the Tribute Store lineup for the event’s 30th anniversary.

This room is filled with photo ops themed to the “ghost with the most”!

Plus, there’s plenty of new Beetlejuice merchandise! (And don’t forget, most of the items from the HHN Tribute Store are also available online!)

  

HHN-themed masks can also be found at the Universal Studios Store. They had clearly ordered lots of event merchandise before the decision was made to cancel for the year:

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From Creeps to Crêpes

Central Park Crêpes opened earlier last week. While this is a smaller food location, it seems like they are still working out the kinks. There was a long wait, even with fewer people lined up (and minding social-distancing). I noticed several ingredient-laden chefs walking back and forth between the kiosk and Café La Bamba several times throughout the 30 minutes of waiting.

 

I will say though, this was definitely worth the wait! I opted for the Chicken & Goat Cheese, but subbed Gardein Sausage for the chicken and added balsamic glaze. De-lish!

This new kiosk offers delicious variety to the typical theme park fare at Universal. Central Park Crêpes has landed on my must-visit list for all future Universal trips . . . but they need to figure out how to speed things up a bit. 

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Veloci-Close-Ups

An announcement for the upcoming Jurassic Park coaster is imminent, especially with Universal’s recent vague-tweeting:

Everyone: What are you building over there?
Us: Don’t be suspicious, don’t be suspicious.

— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) August 25, 2020

So, if we told you not to look up, would you guys even listen? ?

— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) August 25, 2020

In the meantime, let’s check in on the “Velocicoaster” from a few vantage points – Jurassic Park, Hogsmeade and the shores of Toon Lagoon:

 

Exterior details are taking shape! Could this be the ride’s entrance? It looks similar to the Raptor Encounter sign just across the pathway:

 

More dino-enclosure framework, and rockwork around the track are starting to fill in:

 

From Toon Lagoon, we can get a peek at one of the coaster’s show buildings:

 

This track is sprawling and impressive!

 

 Over in Hogsmeade, the coaster will pass right behind Three Broomsticks:

And *just* after we left for the day, the first raptor arrived! Orlando Informer caught the dino statue making its way onto the construction site:

“Think this will scare the kids?”
“The kids? This will give the *parents* nightmares.”

Here’s our firsthand look at what appears to be a raptor flying high via crane over the unannounced coaster in Jurassic Park… ? pic.twitter.com/2MhS0bQn0B

— Orlando Informer (@OrlandoInformer) August 24, 2020

How many ways can I say it— I’m SO HYPED FOR THIS COASTER!!

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Remnants of Dueling Dragons

I don’t recall seeing these on previous trips, but these are fun throwbacks to the days of Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge! Found at one of the outdoor marketplaces within the Lost Continent:

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Let’s Hear From You

That’s a wrap for today! Have you visited Univeral Orlando since it has reopened? What do you think of the two new rooms at the HHN Tribute Store? Are you looking forward to riding the Velocicaoster in the hopefully not-so-distant future? Let us know in the comments below!