UniversalParksBlog News for June 15th, 2022
Universal Studios just experienced an eventful few days. One park reopened after the latest pandemic outbreak, while another planned its future.
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Meanwhile, Universal Orlando Resort raised its prices and hoped to distract away from this fact by announcing a new house for Halloween Horror Nights.
We’ve got some significant updates in the latest edition of UniversalParksBlog News.
Price Increases at the Parks
Let’s start with the one that could impact your wallet the most. Universal Orlando Resort has increased the prices for its annual and seasonal passes.
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Here are the new prices:
- Seasonal Pass — $424.99
- Power Pass — $474.99
- Preferred Pass — $539.99
- Premier Pass — $749.99
Overall, these updated prices reflect at least $25 increases across the board. Some have gone up by $40, and those are merely the two-park prices.
Photo: Volcano Bay
Here are the prices if you want to visit Volcano Bay as well:
- Seasonal Pass — $524.99
- Power Pass $584.99
- Preferred Pass — $649.99
- Premier Pass — $944.99
Photo: Universal Orlando
Universal’s official site lists the specifics of what each seasonal/annual pass includes.
The gist is that you can avoid blockout dates by paying the higher prices. Unfortunately, the cost of doing business has increased.
Photo:skillastics.com
Like every other business, Universal has faced rising operational expenses due to pandemic-related inflation.
So, the parks have passed along some of the expenses to customers, which isn’t great for you or me.
Still, Universal can do this because park officials know they’ll experience near-record attendance for the rest of the year.
Photo: Universal
Theme parks are among the hottest tourist destinations in America right now due to the pandemic’s end. We’re all ready to go out and play.
Universal is charging us up to $40 more for the privilege. Still, in the greater scheme, even the most expensive annual pass only costs about $2.60 a day. That’s a bargain, right?
I mean, Disney has stopped selling annual passes for the time being. Its executives believe the deal is too good for customers. Take advantage of Universal’s generosity while you can!
By the way, Universal Orlando Resort has also jacked up Prime Parking prices to $60 again. It seems to flip every two or three months.
Super Nintendo World Is Coming
Photo: Universal Studios Hollywood
I wrote about this extensively last week. In case you missed the update, Universal Studios Hollywood has confirmed the big news.
Early in 2023, Super Nintendo World will open at the park. At that point, Universal Studios Hollywood will become the hottest theme park in America.
The Universal Studios Japan version opened in March of 2021 and has quickly evolved into the anchor destination at the park.
Photo: geekvsfan.com
We’ll witness the same phenomenon in the United States, first at Universal Studios Hollywood and later at Orlando’s upcoming Epic Universe.
Park officials have banked the future on the Nintendo license, and they’re right to do so.
Remember that Universal loses its Simpsons/Springfield rights in 2028. Meanwhile, Marvel Super Hero Island isn’t drawing big crowds these days.
Photo: Universal
As for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, everybody loves the place but…JK Rowling.
Universal Studios needs to uncover the next big thing, or it’ll get left behind in the theme park industry.
Photo:gamingreinvented.com
Super Nintendo Island represents a smart bet for the next generation of theme park visitors, all of whom have grown up on the Nintendo Wii and Switch.
Universal Studios Hollywood is already selling exclusive video game merchandise, and it has promised to add a ton more this year.
Credit: Universal
So, nobody’s waiting around for the official opening of the new themed land. The park already possesses a strong Nintendo presence today!
Universal also revealed the first footage of Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. Here it is:
This is me right now:
I will absolutely whomp you at whatever Bowser’s Challenge is!
Other Universal Updates
Overseas, the biggest story BY FAR is the return of Universal Studios Beijing.
Photo: Universal Beijing
You may recall all the intrigue we discussed during 2021, as park officials couldn’t pin down an opening date.
In their defense, China approached the pandemic much differently than North America. It locked down entire cities after a handful of positive cases.
Photo: The Apopka Voice
So, Universal officials required the approval of the Chinese government before they could proceed. Gaining that consent proved challenging.
Eventually, the park opened in September of 2021 but has already closed twice due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
Well, I’m happy to report that it will reopen tomorrow, albeit with some modest concessions. Universal Studios Beijing will only operate at 75 percent capacity for the foreseeable future.
Photo: Universal Beijing
Guests must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours before entering the park. Seriously, China takes this stuff seriously.
Photo: County10.com
At Universal Orlando Resort, we just learned about another house coming to Halloween Horror Nights.
This one takes the “Halloween” part of that title seriously. Yes, we’re getting a Halloween house starring Michael Myers, the dude an entire town killed in 2021.
Photo: Universal
Somehow, Michael Myers lived. You really don’t want to mess with that dude.
Diehard Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) fans know that Universal has previously offered a Michael Myers house.
Photo: Universal
Park officials didn’t indicate whether this one will duplicate the previous iteration or contain an entirely new experience.
Honestly, I’d be thrilled with either one. Michael Myers qualifies as one of the greatest slasher villains ever. He’s an ideal subject for an HHN house.
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Feature Photo: Universal
