Around the Universe – Discounts and News for January 2022

Ring in the New Year with an $89 per night hotel and ticket deal at Cabana Bay! This deal plus the latest news and refurbishments at Universal Orlando in this month’s Around the Universe.

Rock the Universe

Florida’s biggest Christian rock festival returns January 28 and 29, 2022 at Universal Studios Florida. The festival features nearly a dozen musical artists, a slate of Universal Studios attractions, and religious services. The event runs from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Current musical line-up, subject to change:

Friday, January 28

• for KING & COUNTRY
• Matthew West
• Rhett Walker
• Jordan Feliz
• Riley Clemmons

Saturday, January 29

• Casting Crowns
• Zach Williams
• We the Kingdom
• Big Daddy Weave
• Cory Asbury of Bethel Music
• Social Club Misfits

Admission starts at $73.99 per person plus tax, guests are permitted into the park starting at 4:00 pm.

For more information visit Universal Orlando’s website.

The Groove Construction

The Groove signage has been taken down as work begins on the unannounced replacement. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/3EU4gzytrR

— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) December 14, 2021

CityWalk’s The Groove closed in March 2020 due to the COVID resort shut down and had yet to re-open. Construction walls are now up around the dance club and the venue’s sign has been removed. Universal has yet to comment on the future of The Groove but we believe this location will be transformed into a new escape room concept sometime in 2022. Stay tuned to Touring Plans for more news and information as the project develops.

Volcano Bay Seasonal Closures

Volcano Bay is closing every Tuesday and Thursday this winter for refurbishments. We expect daily operations to return in March 2022. The water park also closes when daily temperatures reach the 50s, stay tuned to Universal’s social media for updates.

For the latest operating days visit the Universal Orlando park hours webpage.

Universal Orlando Management Changes

Several high-profile management changes are happening at Universal Parks and Resorts that will reshape the parks for decades to come.

Tom Williams, the Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts, has announced he is stepping down at the end of the year and retiring in March 2022. Tom opened Universal Studios Florida in the early 90s and oversaw the opening of three additional theme parks around the world. He will be replaced by the current President of Universal Creative, Mark Woodbury, who lead Creative during the Harry Potter additions. Michael Hightower will become the President of Universal Creative.

Bill Davis, President of Univeral Orlando Resort, is also retiring at the beginning of the year. Bill joined Universal Orlando 15 years ago, prior to the construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Since then he’s overseen a major expansion of the resort with four new resorts, dozens of new attractions, and a new water park. He will be replaced by Kim Irwin, current President of Universal Studios Hollywood.

We wish everyone a happy retirement and good luck with their new roles.

Discounts

Ring in 2022 with a unique travel package at a great price – $89 per night! Packages are for five nights, five-day park-to-park admission at either Universal’s Cabana Bay Resort or Universal’s Adventura Hotel. Guests must book by February 9, 2022, for travel January 4 -through April 7, 2022, and April 24 through May 27, 2022. Packages can be booked through Touring Plans Travel Agency which will include a free year-long Universal Orlando Touring Plan subscription!

• Florida & Georgia Residents – Buy One Day, Get Second Day Free
• Florida Residents – Save $65 on Two-Park, Three-Day theme park admission
• Florida Residents – Endless Summer Dockside starting at $84 plus tax a night
• All Guests – Endless Summer Dockside starting at $91 plus tax a night

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

Refurbishments and Closures

The following attractions are closed due to COVID-19. At this time there are no dates for reopening unless otherwise listed.

• Poseidon’s Fury

The following attractions are closed for refurbishment:

• Caro-Seuss-el
• Kala Ti Nui Serpentine Slides – January 3 through February 24
• Runnamuka Reef – January 3 through February 16
• Tot Tiki Reef – January 3 through February 16
• Revenge of the Mummy – January 7 through late summer 2022
• Jurassic Park River Adventure – January 10 through January 28
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – January 31 through February 25
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – February 25 through March 15

For the most up-to-date listing of refurbishments refer to the Universal Orlando website.

Get away from the holiday bustle with our travel agents at Touring Plans Travel Agency! They can book you on a vacation to Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and way way more. Receive your free quote today!