Around the Universe October 2023 – Universal Orlando Discounts & News

Halloween Horror Nights vibes, Rock the Universe concert details, construction updates, new discounts, and more fall refurbishments are inside this month’s Around the Universe! So grab your Peanut Blooder Burger and a blinky cup, lets go.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023

If you notice some extra fog in the air this fall don’t worry, Halloween Horror Nights is back! This year bring ten all new haunted houses based on original concepts and pop culture like Stranger Things and The Last of Us plus five scare zones and an exclusive show. ViewFromTheCheapSeats created a great video that perfectly captures the fell, the mood, the vibes of HHN 32.

Follow  Touring Plans Blog and our social media channels for more Halloween Horror Nights 2023 coverage.

Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2023 Impressions

SATURDAY SIX Looks at HHN 32 – Part I: Inside this year’s TRIBUTE STORE (The Amazing Details, Snacks, Easter Eggs and more!)

SATURDAY SIX Looks at HHN 32: Part II – Across the Universal Orlando Resort (Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club in 3D, Cabana Bay, Toothsome and More!)

Rock the Universe 2024

Rock the Universe, Florida’s largest Christian rock festival returns in 2024 with three days of musical acts and worship. This specially ticketed event runs from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on January 26 and 27, 2024. RTU’s musical acts are spread across two stages – Music Plaza Stage between Minion Mayhem and Race Through New York and Hollywood Stage across from Mel’s Drive-In.

January 26, 2024 Acts

• We The Kingdom – Music Plaza Stage
• LECRAE – Music Plaza Stage
• Blessing Offor – Music Plaza Stage
• Cody Carnes – Hollywood Stage
• ELEVATION RHYTHM – Hollywood Stage
• Riley Clemmons – Hollywood Stage

January 27, 2024 Acts

• Casting Crowns – Music Plaza Stage
• Phil Wickham – Music Plaza Stage
• Brandon Lake – Music Plaza Stage
• CAIN – Hollywood Stage
• Andrew Ripp – Hollywood Stage
• Hulvey – Hollywood Stage

Rock the Universe tickets start at $79.99 per person plus tax for a one-day admission, including the concerts and attractions at Universal Studios Florida. Tickets are on sale now online and with a hotel room purchase at Touring Plans Travel.

Construction Updates

Rain or shine the construction crews at Universal Orlando are hard at work on attractions for 2024 and beyond. First up is the new lagoon show infrastructure.

New show platform under construction in the Universal Studios Florida lagoon. pic.twitter.com/SCXuqp4xZE

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 28, 2023

The prior lagoon show’s submerged infrastructure was damaged by Hurricane Ian. The new show is expected feature a similar fountain platform as the last show with a line of fountain jets off the left and right of the platform. Rumors also suggest the new show will feature the IPs from the new Epic Universe theme park and robotic drones in the sky.

Universal Orlando has yet to announce this new show, but we are expecting it to open for the summer of 2024.

Arrow at ground level exterior starting at Shrek's house in DreamWorks land. pic.twitter.com/X2RzkSPH3G

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 23, 2023

The new DreamWorks land is wasting no time finishing up Shrek’s house with framing added to the interior spaces. Universal remains mum on the experiences in this land, so we do not know if Shrek’s house will be for a meet and greet with him, Fiona, and Donkey or if guests will actually be able to explore inside.

Bright colors are starting to be seen over the fence line on Troller Coaster in DreamWorks land. Red track was painted white. Now has yellow and orange.
Lighting has been painted too. pic.twitter.com/TZHK200zNP

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 19, 2023

Trollercoaster, the repurposed Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster, is receiving its primer coat of paint. The new paint scheme and decorations will fit nicely in the Trolls section of the land. Additionally, characters from Kung Fu Panda, Gabby’s Playhouse, Puss & Boots, and more appear in the new land.

DreamWorks land will open the summer of 2024.

Our eye-in-the-sky reporter Bioreconstruct covers the construction of Epic Universe like the USA watching the Soviets build silos in Cuba, but Google just recently updated their Google Earth view of the land. Watch as the park grows from fields in November 2018 to dozens of buildings and rides in May 2023.

Thanks to ro on the Orlando Parkstop Discord for the gif!

It's time to wave through the window at Epic Universe and say goodbye with this overview of the construction. Go on another aerial tour another day. pic.twitter.com/y4B0YbALBq

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 17, 2023

Construction progress at Epic Universe continues in the large soundstages and buildings as the new attractions are installed. Outside the awnings for the new entry plaza are up which will house the park’s security scanners and entry points (with photo verification).

Epic Universe is expected to open the summer of 2025.

Discounts

Universal Orlando frequently offers discounts on multi-day tickets and hotel stays. These are the latest discounts available to guests:

Tickets

• All Guests – Buy Two Day Ticket, Get Three Days Free starting at $235 per adult plus tax
• All Guests – 3 Additional Months on Annual Passes

Hotels

• FL Residents – 35% off hotels based on availability
• All Guests – Save up to $444 on a 4-night stay or longer at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
• All Guests – Save 20% on Suites at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort and Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Packages

• All Guests – 30% off 3-park, 5-night Vacation Packages

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:

• High in the Sky Suess Trolly Ride (Green Side) – Now through January 15, 2024
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – October 2 – November 17, 2023
• Hogwarts Express – December 10 – 16, 2023
• Jurassic Park River Adventure – January 8 – February 1, 2024
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – February 5 – March 8, 2024
• The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle (Return TBA)

Contact the travel agents at TouringPlans Travel Agency to assist you with planning and booking your next Universal Orlando vacation. All quotes are free, and if you decide to book through us we throw in a free year subscription to Touring Plans.