UniversalParksBlog News for March 12th, 2023
Universal Studios has changed its name and mission statement.
Meanwhile, Frisco, Texas, has gained governmental approval, and Japan has ended its face-covering requirements.
This is a memorable week for UniversalParksBlog News!
Universal Rebrands
The "Globe up" is real. 🤩
Say hello to Universal Destinations & Experiences! pic.twitter.com/O0YZfHJ2ef
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) March 8, 2023
A few weeks ago, Universal Parks & Resorts offered buyouts to many of its most senior executives.
At the time, many questioned the move, myself included. After all, why would Universal make such a decision just as it constructs Epic Universe?
Similarly, Universal had just announced two other upcoming experiences, one in Texas and the other in Las Vegas.
Photo: Universal Blog
Well, Universal turns out to have a really good reason to overhaul its leadership team.
The parks division is rebranding with a new name and evolving identity. From now, Universal Parks & Resorts will go by Universal Destinations & Experiences.
What does this change mean for fans? Honestly, very little in the short term.
Image: Universal
However, Universal’s new emphasis on experiences bodes well for what’s coming to Las Vegas.
As a reminder, that endeavor signifies the first so-called Universal experience. It won’t be a theme park per se.
Instead, Area15 in Las Vegas will host the daily equivalent of Halloween Horror Nights.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Meanwhile, the Frisco, Texas, park (more about it in a moment) won’t comprise anywhere near as much space as other Universal offerings.
This mini-park will also be experiential, as Universal has advertised the character encounters as a selling point.
Universal will lean hard on those as opposed to E-ticket theme park attractions. At most, the family-friendly park will host two or three of those.
Photo: Lynette Granger Rep/Facebook
So, Universal executives have just shown their hand regarding the future of the parks division.
Oh, I’m sorry! That’s the Universal Destinations & Experiences division!
Welcome to Universal’s future, everyone. It’s smaller and more intimate.
The Frisco Park Is a Go!
Photo: Universal
During the past few weeks, I’ve detailed Universal’s plans for the Frisco, Texas, mini-Universal Studios theme park.
Simultaneously, I’ve warned that you shouldn’t get your hopes up because the project had some hurdles to clear.
Well, the local Frisco government just provided Universal with a boost in clearing one of the primary hurdles.
Photo: The Business Journals
Frisco’s City Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission authorized a zoning proposal necessary for the park’s creation.
You may recall that citizens grew combative over the thought of a Universal Studios theme park opening in their backyard.
Residents rightfully worried about more traffic congestion, increased crime, and rising housing costs with such a move.
Photo: WFAA
Jonathan Hubbard, Frisco’s Planning and Zoning manager, performed a presentation that addressed these various concerns.
Realistically, Frisco’s elected officials had every reason to sign off on the project, though. They look like geniuses if tourism soars in the area.
Photo: friscotexas.gov
Please note that several other challenges remain before the park becomes official, though.
So, this one significant step doesn’t assure the park of coming to fruition. The odds just increased dramatically, though.
We’ve Come to the End of the Road
Photo:yahoo.com
You know that thing we’re doing as a society? Well, Japan can finally do that thing, too.
I’m referencing the way that Americans are largely going about our business today while pretending that the pandemic never happened.
Remarkably, we’re barely 12 months past one of the worst outbreaks ever. We keep telling ourselves this must have been many years ago, though.
WDW News Today
Well, Japan can get started with its societal process of trying to forget. I say this because face-covering mandates have finally ended.
Guests at Universal Studios Japan can choose for themselves whether to wear masks as of tomorrow, March 13th.
Japan had previously declared that it will change the classification of COVID-19 to the “level of least concern,” which I think is a Twenty One Pilots song.
In short, Japan joins the United States in having survived the worst of what is historically a once-a-century type of nightmare health outbreak.
We’ve made it, everyone. I sincerely hope that no one you love suffered during the only pandemic of our lifetimes.
Universal Studios Miscellany
Image: Universal
We have a few more items to cover this week. First, Universal is ending something in anticipation of something else.
While we don’t know what the something else is yet, Universal has ended Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration at Universal Studios Florida.
At some point, another nighttime presentation will replace it. The when and what remain mysteries for the time being, though.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
Whatever the next show is, it’ll still face the same problem.
Universal must operate quiet nighttime exhibitions because it resides in a metropolitan area, a problem Walt Disney World sidesteps.
So, something quiet but probably shiny is coming!
Image: Universal
On the plus side, Universal Studios Hollywood will bring back The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter some point soon.
We’re just waiting on the park to confirm an exact return date for the popular, gorgeous exhibition.
In other news, many parts of the country celebrate Spring Break from now through the end of March.
Photo: Universal
Not coincidentally, most of Universal’s refurbishment projects have been completed for 2023. Anything else that happens now probably wasn’t planned.
Finally, Universal Pictures has released the final trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
You can expect a heavy tie-in between the movie and events happening at Super Nintendo World, both now and in the future…presuming it’s not poorly received.
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