Universal’s Islands of Adventure

PHOTOS: Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-Pendous Reopens at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Shannen Michaelsen

Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at shannen@mail.hkdrnt.com.

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Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-Pendous has reopened today at 11:30 am at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. When the park reopened back in June, the famous big top in Seuss Landing was also reopened, but after a few short weeks, they closed their doors. We heard this was to give Team Members more room to take breaks … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Universal Orlando Resort 8/20/20 (Jack the Clown Merchandise, A New Scent Added to the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, Preparations for Weekend Crowds, and More)

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Annie Wilson

Annie can be contacted at annie@wdwnt.com

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photo report universal orlando resort 8 20 2020 23 scaled

If you’re still under the impression that it is summer, we have news for you. Over here at the Universal Orlando Resort, we’re in full Halloween-mode and ready for all the tricks and treats that await us inside the Tribute Store. The scent of pumpkins and Fall spices fills the air as soon as you … Read more

PHOTOS: Additional Track Installed, Raptor Transport Cage Details, and More from “Velocicoaster” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Annie Wilson

Annie can be contacted at annie@wdwnt.com

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VelociCoaster Construction Update Universals Islands of Adventure Jurassic Park August 20 2020 22 scaled

Spared no expense. Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure is getting a major upgrade with the addition of a new coaster that is quickly taking over. On our last visit, we watched workers assembling the start of what we think will be a “transfer gate” of some sorts. The structure has grown quickly and is … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Raptor “Transfer Gate” Erected at Velocicoaster Site Across from Raptor Encounter in Jurassic Park at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Shannen Michaelsen

Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at shannen@mail.hkdrnt.com.

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More elements of the “Velocicoaster” at Jurassic Park in Universal’s Islands of Adventure are taking shape. Just the other day, we noticed a raptor cage. Now new show elements of the roller coaster are being added as we watch. A new metal structure has been constructed directly across from the pre-existing Raptor Encounter. The pavement … Read more

REVIEW: Annual Passholder Margherita Pizza Fries Will Tide You Over Until the Next Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort

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Annie Wilson

Annie can be contacted at annie@wdwnt.com

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Annual Passholder Appreciation Days have begun here at the Universal Orlando Resort and among the perks are a variety of UOAP exclusive food items. Over at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Cafe 4 is serving up Margherita Pizza Fries, which is obviously a must-have for any Passholder—and one that will certainly help ease the pain of … Read more

PHOTOS: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Reopens Following Backstage Fire at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Matthew Soberman

Matthew has been a writer for WDWNT since June 2018. He probably should have realized he was a Disney Parks fan when he tried to make a model of the Horizons building in middle school shop class. (It didn't go well.) He is also a huge Muppet fan, and can also be found on ToughPigs.com. You can email Matthew at matthew@wdwnt.com.

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After a nearly week-long closure, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure has reopened to guests at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The attraction closed on August 12th due to a fire that broke out backstage. Back on Friday, we learned that the ride was expected to reopen today. Long lines greeted the attraction on its return, with … Read more

UPNT Weekly Recap: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Experiences Downtime at Islands of Adventure, Central Park Crepes Opens in Universal Studios Florida and More

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Alicia

Growing up a native Floridian, I've been visiting the parks since I was three months old. I love all things Winnie the Pooh, Hidden Mickey hunting, and dole whips. Questions or comments? Email me at alicia@wdwnt.com or find me on Instagram @aliciaj_13

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UPNTWeeklyRecap08162020 FEAT

Every week is a busy week when it comes to Universal Parks news. To help you keep up with all the updates coming out of Universal Orlando Resort and other Universal resorts around the world, here’s our Universal Parks News Today weekly recap from August 9-16, 2020. Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando has made some modifications … Read more

PHOTOS: Dinosaur Transport Cage Takes Shape on the “Velocicoaster” Construction Site at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Annie Wilson

Annie can be contacted at annie@wdwnt.com

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velocicoaster universal orlando islands of adventure jurassic park coaster raptor cage update 8 15 2020 12 scaled

We’re back at Universal’s Islands of Adventure to check out the latest updates to the unannounced Jurassic Park “Velocicoaster”. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the construction lately and today we noticed the installation of some new pieces that resemble a dinosaur transport cage. We had speculated that this gray structure might have been … Read more

Universal Orlando Resort Extends Park Hours on Saturdays in August at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure; Hours Reduced in September

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Jessica Figueroa

Jessica lives in South Florida with her 15-pound cat Gordo and a small army of Tsum Tsums. You can contact her, ideally with photos of your cats, at jessica@wdwnt.com.

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Universal Orlando Resort has once again quietly changed hours at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. With extremely high crowd levels so far this month on weekends, both parks are closing an extra hour later for the next two Saturdays in August. Hours remain the same on Sundays and throughout the week. Just this … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Universal Orlando Resort 8/12/20 (Amazing Bellatrix Lestrange Cosplay, Lunch at Green Eggs and Ham, Ice Cream in Hogsmeade, and More)

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Annie Wilson

Annie can be contacted at annie@wdwnt.com

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Universal Orlando Photo Report July 20 2020 13 scaled

We’re another day closer to the spookiest time of year, so we decided to start our day off by creeping around Universal Studios. We came across a guest with an amazing Bellatrix Lestrange cosplay in Diagon Alley. Just a quick stop at the Hopping Pot for a Peachtree Fizzing Tea. There are still plenty of … Read more

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Still Closed Following Backstage Fire at Universal’s Islands of Adventure; Expected to Reopen Monday

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Shannen Michaelsen

Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at shannen@mail.hkdrnt.com.

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Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is closed for the third day in a row today. Signs at both the front of the park and the entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter indicated it would not be operating. This closure began after a small fire broke out backstage earlier … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Life Finds A Way – “Raptor” Makes Nest on Tallest Point of Velocicoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Shannen Michaelsen

Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at shannen@mail.hkdrnt.com.

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Universal’s Islands of Adventure has a new kind of raptor encounter at the Velocicoaster! A bird of prey, also knowns as a raptor in zoological terms, seems to have made a nest at the highest point of the coaster, right above the Jurassic World flag. While Universal has not been officially announced the Velocicoaster, construction … Read more

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Not Operating for Second Day in a Row Following Backstage Fire at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Matthew Soberman

Matthew has been a writer for WDWNT since June 2018. He probably should have realized he was a Disney Parks fan when he tried to make a model of the Horizons building in middle school shop class. (It didn't go well.) He is also a huge Muppet fan, and can also be found on ToughPigs.com. You can email Matthew at matthew@wdwnt.com.

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Aspiring witches and wizards should be advised that visitations to Hagrid’s hut may be delayed today. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure currently remains closed at Universal’s Islands of Adventure after a small fire broke out backstage on Tuesday. The fire was extinguished quickly, with no injuries reported. The attraction didn’t operate at all yesterday, with … Read more

Universal Orlando Resort Offering One Free Theme Park Admission Ticket for Guests of Premier Pass Holders

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MissAlison

Miss Alison moved from New York to Florida in 2018 with her husband. She one day hopes to become a sign language interpreter for Walt Disney World and own a guinea pig. Contact her at MissAlison@wdwnt.com

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Universal Orlando Premier Resort Annual Passholders will now be able to invite a friend for free, thanks to a modified Passholder perk. Previously, Premier Annual Passholders would receive a free ticket to Halloween Horror Nights, but since that event has been cancelled, it looks like they are offering a complimentary park ticket instead. According to … Read more

Universal Orlando Premier Passholders Now Receive Complimentary Universal Express Pass Beginning at 2 PM

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Matthew Soberman

Matthew has been a writer for WDWNT since June 2018. He probably should have realized he was a Disney Parks fan when he tried to make a model of the Horizons building in middle school shop class. (It didn't go well.) He is also a huge Muppet fan, and can also be found on ToughPigs.com. You can email Matthew at matthew@wdwnt.com.

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universal orlando annual passholder tickets

Universal Orlando Annual Passholders with a Premier Pass now have even more time to skip the lines. While not officially announced, we’ve learned that Premier Passholders now have complimentary access to Universal Express Pass beginning daily at 2 PM, two hours earlier than the scheduled 4 PM start time. Guests may use the benefit to … Read more

Backstage Fire Shuts Down Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure; Attraction Remains Closed at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

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Jessica Figueroa

Jessica lives in South Florida with her 15-pound cat Gordo and a small army of Tsum Tsums. You can contact her, ideally with photos of your cats, at jessica@wdwnt.com.

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Dragon Fire’s got a kick. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is down today at Universal’s Islands of Adventure after a small fire erupted backstage. The fire took place yesterday, and with guests escorted away from the coaster, it was extinguished quickly. No injuries were reported. A-frame signs are up at the park and attraction entrance … Read more

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