Around the Universe – Discounts and News for April 2023

HHN tickets are now on sale, a nighttime show has permanently closed, exciting news for those with dietary restrictions, and even more Minions. All that plus the best discounts and deals in this month’s Around the Universe.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Dates & Tickets Announced

Halloween Horror Nights returns September 1 through October 31, 2023, at Universal Studios Florida. After the park closes for day guests the ghouls come out with 10 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and 2 shows. Single-day tickets, Express Passes, and tours are on sale through Universal Orlando and Touring Plans Travel. Multi-day tickets and more event information will be announced in the coming months.

Universal’s Cinematic Celebration Nighttime Show Closed

Disney’s not the only company closing nighttime shows, Universal Studios Florida quietly closed its Cinematic Celebration nighttime earlier this month. Universal shared that a new show is coming soon, with insiders expecting a new show to debut in the summer of 2024. Do not worry HHN fans, rumors suggest the lagoon show will still be at the event. While USF’s nighttime show is closed for upgrades the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle is your only nighttime show at the resort.

Villain-Con Minion Blast Construction

Work continues on the new Minion Blast interactive attraction at the front of the park. The queue preshow video is testing, the attractions’ marquee is almost complete, and Team Member training has begun. Next door the Minions Cafe is progressing as the back face of the Transformers ride building is now an idyllic shade of sky blue to complement the new counter service venue.

Villain-Con Minion Blast will be open for the summer of 2023, but we are expecting previews to start before then.

This ‘n That

The Betty Boop Store in Toon Lagoon has closed to make way for the relocated Universal Orlando Annual Passholder Lounge. The store carried items easily found around the land already so we consider this an upgrade. No opening date for the lounge is announced.

Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees are once again singing You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me in Diagon Alley. This number is performed with an audience member and was cut due to COVID-19 when the parks reopened in the summer of 2020. We are happy to see this performance back and hope the alternate Beedle the Bard show returns, too.

Vegans rejoice, a new vegan Butterbeer topping is now available! While the base soda is vegan the special butterscotch whipped topping was not. Recently Universal started selling a vegan option without the foam topping, but it’s good to see the full experience is an option again. We hope Universal continues to add more food items that address dietary and health needs. Vegan Butterbeer is available at The Three Broomsticks and The Leaky Cauldron only.

Walls are down around the new New York snack stands, but they are not open yet. Love the tourism posters on the back of each stand. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/toqr1LZw6w

— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) March 30, 2023

The new outdoor snack stands and kitchens located in New York across from the Jimmy Fallon have reopened. Universal replaced the pavement and completely rebuilt the structures, we hope with a focus on food festivals.

Discounts

• FL Residents – Buy A Day, Get Two Days Free from now through September 29 (online only)
• FL Residents – 35% off hotels based on availability
• All Guests – 20% off Sapphire Falls rooms from February 4 through April 16, 2023
• All Guests – 20% off two-room suites at Endless Summer hotels
• All Guests – $650 off five-night vacation packages at Cabana Bay
• All Guests – Buy Three, Get Two Days Free Ticket starting at $302 per adult plus tax

For more deals, including discounts on vacation packages, visit the Universal Orlando website or book your Universal vacation with the TouringPlans Travel Agency.

Refurbishments

The following attractions are closed for refurbishment:

• Me Ship, The Olive – February 3 through April 21, 2023

Contact the travel agents at TouringPlans Travel Agency who can book you a Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Cruise Line vacation. All quotes are free, and if you decide to purchase through us, you will get a free year subscription to the TouringPlans Line app for Universal Orlando.