Around The UniverseUniversal Orlando Resort

Around the Universe – Discounts and News for November 2022

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We might be using the last gallon of fog machine liquid and “accidentally” buying too much Halloween candy, but the winter holidays are quickly approaching. This month we preview several of Universal’s upcoming holiday events, look at which attractions are now down for refurbishment, and several updates on new attractions coming in 2023 and beyond. Grab that Happy Meal Halloween pail and relax as it is time for this months Around the Universe.

Holidays at Universal Orlando 2022

With Halloween wrapping up it is almost time for the ho-ho-Holidays at Universal 2022. Experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Christmas shows and decorations. Walk through the all-new 2022 Holidays Tribute Store. See the massive Macy’s balloons float through the park in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. And take a trip to Whoville in the stage musical retelling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. All this, plus more, is included with park admission.

We will cover all the offerings, dining packages, and tours next week in a preview of this year’s festivities.

The Holidays at Universal Orlando take place daily from November 12, 2022, through January 1, 2023.

(photo by @bioreconstruct)

Universal’s Mardi Gras 2023

Returning in 2023 is Universal’s popular Mardi Gras festival. Featuring food, beads, and music, the festival takes place through the spring in Universal Studios Florida. Menu details and a full concert lineup will be released later. Book your spring vacation now through Touring Plans Travel to lock in low hotel rates and receive a free year subscription to TouringPlans.com.

Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnival take place on select days from February 4, 2023, through April 16, 2023.

Resort Updates

Universal Movie Escape

Coming soon to CityWalk, Universal’s Movie Escape is two highly themed, interactive escape rooms themed to Jurassic Park and Back to the Future. Work walls have come down around the building, banners are going up, and Universal has started hiring for the venue. An opening date has yet to be announced, stay tuned to Around the Universe and Touring Plans for more information.

New Minions Attraction

Exterior construction is shaping up at the new Minions interactive attraction replacing Shrek 4D. Framing for the entranceway signage has sprung up and interior work continues on the new attraction. Themed to VillainsCon from the Minions movies, this new stand-through attraction takes guests on a moving walkway through the convention testing out new gadgets. For more information view Alicia Stella’s Orlando Park Stop video on the topic.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

Dudley Do-Right has entered its yearly refurbishment early. Universal has not stated what is to be fixed or when it will reopen but we expect this to be a very comprehensive refurbishment. Touring Plans will keep you up-to-date on when this fan-favorite attraction will reopen.

Aerial look at fountains of Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Cinematic Celebration

Universal Studios Florida’s Cinematic Celebration, along with the season HHN show Ghoulish!, are temporarily closed due to Hurricane Ian’s damage. We will have more updates on the show’s reopening once it becomes available. Till then, enjoy this recording of Ghoulish! from this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Epic Update

Construction on Epic Universe continues after a slight pause due to the heavy rains from Hurricane Ian. Lets start off in Super Nintendo World where track work for the three main rides has begun.

Mario Kart’s foundation for the track has started and the ride path is now visible.

Donkey Kong is progressing with lots of real (and fake) tracks already installed. Universal Studios Japan’s own Donkey Kong land is also being built at this time with an expected 2024 opening.

Finally, Yoshi’s Adventure track is beginning the installation process. This attraction will be a slow-moving dark ride, mostly outdoors, with one indoor scene.

Across the central hub from Super Nintendo World will be an all-new land based on the How To Train Your Dragon series of books, movies, games, and TV shows. The land will include several rides, a show, a restaurant, and exploration areas.

The land will also feature a stage show, likely based on the Untrainable show that opened in Universal Studios Bejing. The show will combine live actors, puppets, large sets, a huge projection screen, and flying props. It looks really cool and you can see a preview of it here.

North of Dragon will be the latest Wizarding World Land. This new land will feature the Ministries of Magic (England and France) with streets inspired by the Fantastic Beasts movies.

The main headliner attraction is rumored to be a multimedia extravaganza combining the newest technologies, advanced ride vehicles, robotic figures, and more to explore the UK Ministry of Magic. Screamscape has a rumored ride outline.

The final land will be themed to Universal’s classic monsters and will feature a major e-ticket thrill dark ride, a family friendly coaster, a town village area, and several shopping and dining areas.

The headliner attraction is expected to involve many, many monsters in what insiders are calling a “mash”. They say it will be a graveyard smash.

I will let myself out.

Between the land and the hub fountain is a new lightly themed steak house rumored to be called…. drum roll please… the Stakehouse. It’s a good name.

Universal’s Epic Universe will open in the summer of 2025

Discounts

  • Annual Pass – Passholder rates for hotel rooms are now open through Fall 2022
  • Florida & Georgia Residents – Buy a 2-day, 2-park ticket and get one day free. Add on Volcano Bay for $25.
  • Florida Residents – $114 per night at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  • All Guests – Buy a 2-day, 2-park ticket and get two days free. Add on Volcano Bay for $35.
  • All Guests – 30% off 5-day vacation packages
  • All Guests – 20% off 2-bedroom suites at Endless Summer, minimum 4-night stay

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 for refurbishment:

  • Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls – Reopening TBA
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – November 13 – 17

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

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.

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Joseph Matt

Joe covers theme parks through the lens of his quality engineering day job. He has over five years of writing experience at Touring Plans and has gone on dozens of trips to Orlando over his life. When not at amusement parks you can find Joe at breweries, enjoying live theater, playing video games, and cooking.

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