Latest news with #UniversalDestinations


Thrill Geek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
Universal Horror Unleashed Expands to Chicago with Year-Round Immersive Horror Experience
Universal Destinations & Experiences, the themed entertainment division of Comcast NBCUniversal, has officially announced its second Universal Horror Unleashed location—coming soon to Chicago, Illinois. This all-new, year-round indoor horror attraction will bring Universal's legacy of cinematic terror to the Midwest for the first time, reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering original, immersive horror experiences beyond the boundaries of its traditional theme parks. Strategically selected for its dynamic culture, strong tourism industry, and large population base, Chicago will serve as the next hub for Universal's growing portfolio of regional entertainment destinations. The venue will be located on Chicago Avenue, at the site of the former Tribune Distribution Center, nestled between the River North and West Town neighborhoods. 'Universal Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create highly immersive and terrifying horror experiences that connect with fans year-round,' said Page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Universal Destinations & Experiences. 'We're excited to bring this bold concept to life in Chicago, a city known for its vibrant culture. We're grateful for the city's support as we convert this dormant site into a unique attraction that showcases our storytelling expertise and ability to deliver mind-blowing experiences that shatter guest expectations.' The Chicago venue will bring Universal's iconic horror storytelling to life through terrifying environments, immersive attractions, and original scares designed for horror fans of all kinds. The experience will also include themed food and beverage offerings, such as specialty cocktails and creatively crafted bites, along with a dedicated retail space featuring exclusive merchandise and collectibles. The expansion of Universal Horror Unleashed is a key part of Universal's long-term strategy to introduce innovative, location-based experiences to new audiences in untapped markets. This announcement follows a wave of major developments for Universal Destinations & Experiences, including: The upcoming debut of Universal Horror Unleashed Las Vegas, opening August 14, 2025 The successful opening of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando The 2026 arrival of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas Plans for a new theme park and resort in the United Kingdom, slated for 2031 The Las Vegas location of Universal Horror Unleashed was first announced in January 2023 and marks the brand's initial step into year-round horror entertainment outside the theme park model. Tickets for the Las Vegas location are now on sale at Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83

Travel Weekly
19-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Epic Universe: An epic impact
While Epic Universe has already spurred increased business for travel agencies, they are far from the only ones benefitting: Throughout its construction, the park has produced economic impact to the tune of billions of dollars throughout the country, and it is expected to generate billions more now that it is fully operational. Much of that is in central Florida. 'When a major new park debuts, the entire region benefits,' said Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando. 'Visitors don't just go to one park — they stay in our hotels and resorts, dine in local restaurants, shop in our stores and explore our diverse attractions. It's truly a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats scenario, from global brands to our small businesses.' Universal Destinations & Experiences engaged economist Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Institute for Economic Forecasting, to perform an analysis of Epic's impact locally and nationally. The report found that Epic's five-year economic impact from 2019 to 2023 totaled $44 billion and that the construction of the park generated 65,000 jobs across the country. Further, in its first year of operation, Epic is expected to generate an economic impact of $2 billion in Florida. Visit Orlando's Matej called Epic's opening a 'landmark moment' for the region, the most visited in the U.S. with 75.3 million visitors in 2024. Stays this year are already trending positively: From April to June, hotel bookings were pacing 2.5% ahead of the same period last year, according to Matej. Short-term rental bookings were up 16%. 'For more than five decades, theme parks have played a key role in transforming Orlando from citrus groves into a global tourism destination — driving growth, expanding infrastructure and boosting the local economy,' she said. Jorge Ridderstaat, associate professor of finance, accounting and econometrics at UCF's Rosen College, said the park's overall economic impact expanded well beyond Florida in its planning and construction phase. Going forward, it will be felt more in Florida and the Orlando area, he said, with an estimated $1 billion in additional tax revenue and nearly 18,000 direct employees. 'The direct and indirect economic impacts are major.' Jorge Ridderstaat, UCF 'There's also an indirect effect, and that's coming from additional restaurants, hotels; and you can even think about banking activities,' Ridderstaat said. 'The direct and indirect impacts are major here.' Universal's other projects under development may be smaller in scale than Epic but will provide significant economic benefits. Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round attraction in Las Vegas, will open this year; the Universal Kids Resort is slated to open in Texas in 2026; and Universal's first theme park in England is set to debut in 2031. Ridderstaat said the new parks would impact local and national economies as well as motivate other operators to compete. 'Because these technologies being used are very sophisticated, that gives a run on Disney to increase the quality of their product,' he said. 'Because otherwise, you don't catch these types of people who are interested in innovative types of products. I think that's a challenge for the competition.'


Thrill Geek
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
Universal Horror Unleashed Reveals More Frightening Details Ahead of Grand Opening in Las Vegas
Universal Destinations & Experiences is set to redefine terror with the grand opening of Universal Horror Unleashed, a first-of-its-kind year-round horror attraction debuting August 14 at the AREA15 District in Las Vegas. New details have emerged about one of the cornerstone experiences—the Universal Monsters haunted house—along with two original themed areas: Dead Storage and The Boiler, an immersive cocktail bar experience like no other. In the Universal Monsters haunted house, the legends of classic horror cinema break free from their silver screen origins and come terrifyingly to life. Guests will journey through the ruins of famed monster hunter Van Helsing's mausoleum, only to be thrust into the cursed territories of Universal's most iconic creatures. From the echoing corridors of Castle Dracula to the ancient tombs of The Mummy, and the electrified laboratory where Frankenstein and The Bride still haunt the living, this fully immersive haunted experience unites the most legendary monsters ever imagined in one continuous, spine-chilling nightmare. Before entering Van Helsing's realm, guests will first brave Dead Storage, a hauntingly atmospheric themed zone set within a forgotten section of an abandoned production warehouse. Reminiscent of Universal's earliest horror sets, this gothic graveyard of film relics is alive with nocturnal terror. Guests may encounter vampires, a werewolf mid-transformation, and other dark creatures that lurk in the shadows, all while navigating an environment filled with eerie set pieces and props lost to time. At the heart of the experience lies The Boiler, a darkly industrial cocktail bar pulsing with mechanical energy and infernal ambiance. Here, multiple horror zones converge, offering guests a space to unwind without ever truly escaping the horror. Beneath a towering, flame-spewing machine, patrons can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and soak in the atmosphere of this uniquely twisted reprieve. Universal Horror Unleashed will feature four immersive themed areas and four major haunted house experiences, including: Universal Monsters Blumhouse's The Exorcist: Believer The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Scarecrow: The Reaping In addition to the frights, guests can explore horror-themed food and beverage offerings, specialty bars, and a retail location filled with exclusive merchandise and collectibles. Tickets are now available at For fans of fear, this is the next evolution in immersive horror entertainment—an experience that never sleeps, and never lets you forget what lurks in the dark. Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal Studios Hollywood Teases Massive, 72 mph Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Coaster
What's a theme park to do when it wants to expand and innovate, but is perched on a hilly lot in the middle of urban sprawl? Answer: Go with the flow. Universal Studios Hollywood today revealed new details about its in-the-works Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster. It's the park's first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster, and when it launches in 2026, it will be the fastest roller coaster in the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio, topping out at 72 mph. Dominic Toretto would be proud. More from Deadline Universal Studios Hollywood Introduces New After-Hours Fan Fest Nights First Look – New Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Coaster At Universal Studios Hollywood 'Fast & Furious' Star Vin Diesel Implores Universal To "Please Tell The Best Fans In The World When The Next Movie Is Coming Out" The coaster will also be the largest in the L.A. park, by far. In a lemons-to-lemonade decision, construction on the ride looks like it will take advantage of the steep terrain in the park to achieve the hair-on-fire speeds appropriate to Universal's Fast film franchise. Take a look in the first-look animatic video below. The innovative roller coaster features a groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles, which was previously announced but now can be seen (illustrated) in the video above. The ride will achieve its 72 mph by using 4,100 feet of elaborate track that begins in the upper level of the park across from the entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the area that previously hosted Universal Hollywood's special effects and animal shows. Riders will queue up in an expansive (and thankfully shady) warehouse structure that resembles garages seen in the films. The fully-rotational ride vehicles will create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at furiously fast speeds while being catapulted along an aerial track that picks up speed as it accelerates downhill toward a huge loop, which sits down below the new and improved Jurassic World attraction. Massive Fast & Furious ride being constructed from the top of Universal Studios Hollywood all the way to the bottom. — Tom T (@uluwatu70) June 13, 2025 'Watching the progress of this incredible roller coaster come to life is truly spectacular,' said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. '2026 is just around the corner and we are equally as excited as our guests to introduce such an inspiring new ride to our theme park portfolio. 'Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift' will be a powerful game changer for Universal Studios Hollywood that will not only transform the topography of our destination but will infuse an entirely new level of adrenaline to our already dynamic theme park. We look forward to riding it ourselves and to welcoming guests to experience it in the very near future.' Universal Hollywood also unveiled one of the four ride vehicles designed to look like the iconic cars from the films. The vehicle shown to media today is modeled after Toretto's 1970 Dodge Charger and is now on display at Universal Studios Hollywood. Best of Deadline Use The Schwartz!: 'Spaceballs' Movie Photos & Posters 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?


The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Inside the new Epic Universe theme park with 11 new rides
Universal Studios Orlando, since opening in 1990, has grown into a major entertainment hub, drawing 10 million visitors annually across its Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay parks. In 2019, Universal announced plans for a fourth park, promising an unprecedented level of immersion and innovation. Six years later, that vision has materialised. Epic Universe, the first major theme park in Orlando in 25 years, represents a $7.5 billion investment (£5.5 billion) and a significant leap forward in theme park design. During the opening week, Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations and Experiences, described the park as "the most technologically advanced park in the world". This is everything you need to know about the new Epic Universe theme park and what tourists can expect. What are the rides like? With 11 new rides, one of which has been deemed the best dark ride in the world, I was eager to get started. With five worlds to explore – How to Train Your Dragon; Isle of Berk; Super Nintendo World; Dark Universe; and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic (all centred around the main hub of Celestial Park) – I was lucky I had three days. Each world is entered through its own portal, backed-up with its own music and theming, making visitors feel like they have truly been transported into a different dimension. None more so, than the colourful Super Nintendo World with its sea of rainbow, sounds of coins being collected and Venus flytraps chomping away to that well-known theme tune. Rides range from family coasters, such as Hiccups Wing Gliders – a firm favourite with our group, to the high-speed, dual racing thrill ride of Stardust Racers. Fyre Drill is a water soaker perfect for cooling down in the humid Floridian heat, while airborne Dragon Racers Rally allows you to barrel-roll your own dragon, should you desire. If you're a fan of Mario Kart, then Bowser's Challenge is definitely one to try. This fully immersive version of the game puts riders behind the wheel of their very own moving kart. Donning a special Mario cap along with high-tech virtual reality glasses, I took my place in the kart and head out on my own mission to collect as many coins as possible while encountering Mario favourites. For me, Dark Universe was the real showstopper. I was lucky enough to visit this area during the day and at night, and I have to say, if you get the chance to go after dark, you won't leave disappointed. It has to be the most atmospheric and creepy park, EVER! Monsters Unchained is one of those rides you can go on time and time again, each time a different experience. I rode this four times and still felt like I had missed some elements of it. Sat on a row of chairs attached to a robotic arm, I entered the abyss of Dr Victoria Frankenstein's experiment, being tilted backwards and forwards, up and down, as a revolt of enraged monsters came at me. Despite Dark Universe being my particular favourite world, I would challenge anyone to not be impressed by the Ministry of Magic in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With anticipated queue times of up to five hours, its reputation certainly precedes it. The entrance is an exact replica of the one in the films. Bottle-green glossy tiles line the walls, along with posters with moving images. Even the entrance to the Ministry via the Metro-Floo makes riders disappear in a plume of green smoke. The ride itself is definitely worth the wait and is a lot longer than you would anticipate as you travel deep into the depths of the Ministry's many departments to the trial of Delores Umbridge, encountering uninvited guests along the way. The live shows you can't miss Aside from the rides, there are two notable live shows at Epic and you won't want to miss either. I'm not usually much of a fan of park shows, but both of these soon had me changing my mind. The Untrainable Dragon, within Isle of Berk, treats audiences to a spectacular, musical show, complete with dragons, amazing stage effects and a moving toothless dragon animatronic that soars above the audience. Even if you have never seen the films, you can't fail to be impressed, while Le Cirque Arcanus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter takes part in a small circus tent and combines a magical performance of illusions, puppetry and immersive effects, that has audiences captivated right from the preshow. The best dining options Whilst Celestial Park is the hub of Epic, with many dining options, there are plenty to be found in each world, with the theming spilling over into the menus. With an abundance of restaurants, cafes, pubs and street carts, I am spoilt for choice, with everything from Parisian street cafes in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the deathly dishes at Das Stakehaus in Dark Universe. During my visit I sampled the delights of Mead Hall in Isle of Berk – a one stop shop for Viking cuisine. Serving everything from sandwiches to meat platters and what seemed to be popular choice – Mac and Cheese cones. For the more discerning diner, the Atlantic restaurant in Celestial Park provides a fine under-the-sea dining experience, with a seafood-based menu. But for me, the Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World was a big hit, with its Mario and Luigi burgers and Bowser's Fireball Challenge. Where to stay Epic Universe brings three new hotels – The Helios Grand Hotel, Stella Nova and Terra Luna. If your budget allows, then staying at Helios is a no-brainer. This starry 500 room extravaganza has amazing views overlooking Epic and even has its own entrance to the park. For the more budget-minded, the Stella Nova and Terra Luna offer a more affordable option. I stayed at the Stella Nova resort, just a short shuttle ride away. For me, this was the perfect option. I had great views of the park and the onsite pool and bar area made for a relaxing afternoon in amongst what was a hectic few days. Staying onsite also gives guests early park admission. Overall verdict For me, Epic Universe is truly that. Everything from the theming to the rides, food to the park itself has raised the bar in the world of theme parks. No expense has been spared on taking each attraction to the next level. But with demand expected to be high, ticket sales only allow for one-day passes throughout 2025, so planning ahead is key. I've no doubt the celebrations will continue for many months to come, but for now, the memories will live on. So, until next time, Universal… you have been Epic! How to plan your trip British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3.5-star Universal Stella Nova Resort from £829pp, including flights and room only accommodation.