A little-known bit of fun each December is looking for a sign at the Universal cast entrance. The sign says: Tent Sale, Public Welcome. All you can do is drive by each weekend, hoping to spot the sign. When you spot the sign, you immediate turn into cast parking eager to shop for deals. …

The last time to ride Jaws, and walk through the town of Amity at Universal Studios will be 9 p.m. Jan. 2, 2012. Universal has stated new attraction experience will replace it. While they haven’t said what that will be, rumors suggest it may be more Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal team members who [...]

New Year’s Eve at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk will combine live music, all-you-can-eat cuisine and access into the seven CityWalk nightclubs. This ticketed event allows party-goers to enjoy live music by Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy as well as a pub crawl through seven clubs. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s swing music will kick off [...]

“The Serious Art of Make-Believe” is a limited-time exhibition at The Orange County Regional History Center, which goes behind the scenes in Universal’s Art and Design Department. The exhibit runs until April 29, 2012. More than 200 original detailed drawings, architectural plans and models are among the 1,000 pieces of artwork and artifacts from the [...]

Universal Orlando will be celebrating the holidays from Dec. 3 until Jan. 1, 2012 with special events and activities inside both theme parks as well as all three on-site hotels. At Islands of Adventure, families can enjoy different Grinch-themed shows and activities. “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular” is a daily show starring The Grinch and the Whos [...]

This aerial photo from April 2011 shows four spheres in the Universal Studios Florida lagoon. These spheres were removed a few weeks ago and have not returned. The four-story-tall, 360-degree projection “cinespheres” were featured in the seasonal “Universal 360″ closing fireworks show. The spheres also were used some years in Halloween Horror Nights, and were [...]

After a couple of incidents, the Dragon Challenge “dueling” coaster (formerly known as Dueling Dragons) located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park will no longer duel. The Orlando Sentinel newspaper has been following the story of a change on the way the Dragon Challenge roller coaster is [...]

By Nick Lepa, photos by Evan Decarmine and Nick Lepa. With the busy summer season ending, we decided to take a trip to Islands of Adventure on a recent weekend. Although the crowds weren’t to be found, the fun still was.

I attended Universal’s first ever Halloween Horror Nights Tweet-up last week and was lucky enough to win a ticket to their Team Member Advance Screaming last night. Here are some photos and video from the preview to give you a taste of the event this year.

Universal Orlando has released their first-ever official mobile app to help fans enhance their experience at Halloween Horror Nights 21. Available as a free download for iPhone and Android users, the app offers an array of features. The all-new Halloween Horror Nights 21 mobile app will allow guests to: • Pinpoint their exact location and [...]

On Oct. 6. Steve Tango and Dave Gonsalves, from SYFY’s Ghost Hunters show, will host a Q&A and autograph session at Halloween Horror Nights in Universal Studios. This event is included with admission to Halloween Horror Nights. Both events will take place at the Pantages Theatre inside Universal Studios. The question and answer session will [...]

Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando are now offering packages from both the East Coast and the West Coast of Florida. The land and sea vacation packages combine a three- or four-night stay at Universal Orlando Resort with a three- or four-night Bahamas cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas, a four- or five-night Western Caribbean [...]

Before heading out on her five city Modelland book tour, Tyra Banks spent some down time at Universal Orlando with her family on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. While there, Tyra came face-to-face with Lady Luck, the blood-thirsty seductress and icon of Halloween Horror Nights 21. Halloween Horror Nights runs 25 nights at Universal Studios beginning [...]

All has been revealed with this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 21 at Universal Studios. Watch below (If you dare) as Lady luck forces Universal Show Director Patrick Braillard to spill the details on eight new haunted houses and six new scare zones. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAAPmjKrols Here are more details on each of the houses and scare zones: [...]

On the weekend of Sept. 9 and 10, Christian music artists will be taking over two Orlando theme parks for special-ticket events. Rock the Universe returns to Universal Studios, featuring performances by 17 Christian music artists, guest speakers, candlelight ceremonies, and all-new fan zone, and Night of Joy returns to the Magic Kingdom with live performances by [...]

During her visit to Universal Orlando, Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson and her son Cy, age 8, encountered mysterious Egyptian guards at the entrance to the Revenge of the Mummy attraction in Universal Studios. Elle has been in the United States filming and executive producing her upcoming, all-new NBC show, Fashion Star. Universal hosted the star [...]

Since their start in 2004, HP Fan Trips has taken Harry Potter fans to Britain and Scotland, offering unique opportunities such as private parties at Edinburgh Castle, exclusive rides on the cars from the Hogwarts Express used in the movies and more. Next year, they’re bringing fans to Orlando to experience Universal’s Wizarding World of [...]

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 21, running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, will be offering special RIP tours and Behind the Screams tours for dedicated fans. RIP Tours There will be two RIP tours offered – one for private parties of groups up to 10, and one for non-private parties. The Private RIP Tour starts [...]

On Aug. 20, if you have more than 85 pounds to lose and are at least 18 years old, you can audition for a chance to win $250,000 on season 13 of The Biggest Loser right here in Orlando.  From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., individuals and partners can apply at The Groove at Universal [...]

Universal has kicked their Halloween Horror Nights marketing into high gear. They’ve opened an official twitter account, beefed up their Facebook page, started a new game on their website and sent their first package to the media. Since it’s the 21st Halloween Horror Nights, the theme seems to play off the game of blackjack, or [...]