UniversalParksBlog News for January 24th, 2022
Universal Orlando Resort had plenty of action the past few weeks. Several guests misbehaved, one attraction closed, another underwent refurbishment, and park officials confirmed a concert series.
I’ll catch you up on everything in the latest UniversalParksBlog News update.
Goodbye, Shrek
Photo: Universal Orlando
Shrek 4-D debuted at Universal Studios Florida in 2003, only two years after the first Shrek movie stole the hearts of movie audiences. For nearly 20 years, the Shrek show entertained guests thanks to its clever story. This attraction proved the spiritual successor to Shrek in a literal sense. The spirit of Lord Farquaad returned to imperil Princess Fiona.
Lord Farquaad’s ghost spirited her away, forcing Shrek and Donkey to rescue her. And yes, this is also basically the plot of Super Mario World with Mario and Yoshi. Thankfully, Shrek’s princess wasn’t in another castle. After Dragon breathes fire on an apparition and somehow kills it (again), everyone lives happily ever after.
Photo: Spectrum News/Ashley Carter
Shrek 4-D proved quite popular with park guests during its first decade of existence. Of course, it helped that the franchise was doing extraordinarily well in movie theaters.
Lately, the Shrek franchise hasn’t done much by way of box office and isn’t even an oft-mentioned intellectual property.
Photo: Universal Orlando
While that could always change, Universal executives made the hard call and ended Shrek 4-D’s run at the park.
During its last day, Shrek 4-D proved as crowded as it has been in a long time. Devoted fans filled the pre-show area, waiting to experience it one last time. Here’s a video of Shrek 4-D’s final show:
Meanwhile, Universal followed its recent trend of teasing without speaking. As I’ve previously mentioned, rumors suggest that a Minions experience will replace Shrek 4-D at this building.
Well, the construction walls are up at the park, and they feature the Minions. So, yeah. We’re getting another Minions attraction here. Of course, I guess Universal could be playing a funny trick on us by leaning into our (incorrect) expectations.
If so, this tweet is mean:
Lots of layers here. pic.twitter.com/5AJmEqiFRU
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) January 10, 2022
Speaking of Yoshi…
Photo: Universal Japan
Let’s flip hemispheres for a moment to discuss happenings at Universal Studios Japan.
Remember a couple of months ago when a fire shut down Yoshi’s Adventure? At the time, the ride went offline and remained that way until recently. Thankfully, Yoshi’s Adventure reopened last week.
Photo:mynintendonews.com
We’re all holding our breath for the time being, as this ride has suffered through a brutal start.
Photo: Paste Magazine
Last year, soon after Yoshi’s Adventure opened to the public, life imitated art when a stack of Goombas fell onto the tracks. In Super Mario games, Goombas stack on top of each other and bounce around in hopes of taking one of Mario’s 99+ lives. A giant prop’s collapse at a theme park means unsafe work conditions and potential peril for guests.
Photo: Theme Park Insider
Thankfully, nobody suffered an injury. Still, it was an unexpected turn of events that the least thrilling ride at Universal Studios Japan proved the most dangerous that day. Then, in November, an after-hours fire led to a two-month closure.
Yoshi’s Adventure has experienced more mishaps than some rides that are 20+ years old.I’m actively afraid of a ride designed for four-year-olds.
Universal Health Policy Changes
Photo:worldnews.net
I’ve got great news on the Omicron front. The latest strain of the disease, which sounds like a Transformers villain, has petered out like Starscream’s run as leader of the Decepticons. New daily cases have collapsed by more than 80 percent since the start of 2022.
Notably, the Supreme Court also ruled on vaccine mandates. Therefore, the government can enforce these for healthcare workers. However, other businesses do not have the right to require workers to take their shots.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
As such, Universal’s previous request for employees to get vaccinated is no longer applicable. A Florida ruling had previously impacted Universal Orlando Resort. Now, it’s the law at Universal Studios Hollywood as well, and that won’t change.
Thankfully, Universal executives have indicated that the overwhelming majority of workers already got their shots. So, everyone is safe anyway.
Mardi Gras 2022 Updates
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Universal has firmly committed to a full-fledged version of Mardi Gras 2022. Last year’s event, while stellar, lacked the expected parades and concert series.
Universal execs made these decisions as a concession to the pandemic. But, as we just discussed, most workers and guests are vaccinated now. So, Universal feels confident that it can host parades safely once again. Even better, the concerts are back!
Universal just announced the complete list of performers at Music Plaza Stage.
Here’s the schedule:
- February 5 – Sugar Ray
- February 12 – Diana Ross
- February 19 – Barenaked Ladies
- February 20 – Styx
- February 26 – Jon Pardi
- March 5 – LL COOL J feat. DJ Z-Trip
- March 6 – Marshmello
- March 12 – Lee Brice
- March 13 – Becky G
- March 18 – Khalid
- March 19 – Seal
- March 20 – Gavin DeGraw
- March 25 – The Revivalists
- March 26 – Jimmie Allen
- March 27 – Jason Derulo
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Yes, members of Styx are alive and still touring! Who knew?Overall, this list is solid, though, and it’s even better when you realize the shows are free with park admission.
Universal opens Mardi Gras on February 5 and will keep it going through April 24, long after the beads have gone cold in New Orleans.
Other Universal Updates
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
The strangest story by far involves some gate crashers. A family from England tried to enter Universal Studios without paying. A London mother came up with the perfect crime: she’d have all her kids storm the gates, figuring that once they were inside, Universal couldn’t find them.
Guess what! In a huge, shocking twist, Universal easily tracked down the non-paying guests via security video.The police arrested the woman and charged her with the theft of property valued at less than $1,000, the cost of the tickets.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
Meanwhile, a different guest also went nuts during December. I guess the holidays break people. This individual, presumably drunk or stoned out of his gourd, decided that he could enter Universal Studios Store and take whatever he wanted. This dude stole more than $800 worth of property by shamelessly stuffing the items in his backpack. I’m not talking one or two, either. He took A LOT.
Once the cops busted him, the man confessed that he’d stolen some other items as well.Friends, security cameras are everywhere at theme parks. Don’t be stupid.
In renovation news, Jurassic Park River Adventure has nearly finished its refurbishment. Presuming everything goes according to plan, it’ll be back this week.
Meanwhile, we have a bit of a mystery unfolding at Hogwarts Express. This integral attraction connects guests between Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Something has gone wrong with some part of the attraction. As a result, Universal closed it for several days recently.
So, if you’re visiting anytime soon, you should pay attention to whether Hogwarts Express is up and running. If not, you must return to the front gate to switch theme parks.
Thanks for visiting UniversalParksBlog.com! Want to go to Universal? For a FREE quote on your next Universal vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from Let’s Adventure Travel will be in touch soon!
