UniversalParksBlog News for February 18th, 2024
Universal Studios Hollywood just opened the restaurant of my dreams, and yours as well if you’re a gamer.
We’ll talk about that, Mardi Gras festivities, monster makeovers, and the theme park war entering new territories in UniversalParksBlog News.
The Power Up Café Debuts
Photo: Paul Terry/Tara Bennett care of NBC
Universal Studios has recently opened/reopened restaurants on both coasts.
As a video game fanatic, I’m more interested in the West Coast offering.
Last week, Super Nintendo World turned one year old at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Photo: Paul Terry/Tara Bennett care of NBC
Park officials prepped for this event by launching a new restaurant, the Power Up Café.
I don’t want to blow this place out of proportion by talking it up too much, as it’s kinda small. Still, Super Mario fans will adore it.
Highlights of Power Up Cafe
I say this because you’ll notice two mushrooms, a Fire Flower, and an Invincibility Star painted on the wall behind the restaurant.
Photo: Paul Terry/Tara Bennett care of NBC
All we need is one of Bowser’s useless kids to mash to complete the effect.
You’ll find this restaurant in the Lower Lot, and it works as a kind of preview center for the foods available at Super Nintendo World.
NBC News spoke to Erick Massmann, the Senior Manager for Universal Studios Food and Beverage, who explained the concept at Power Up Café.
Image: Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register
According to Massmann, “We were looking at what’s something that’s a big part of that world that we could turn into a really fun experience for our guests here in the park, to be able to enjoy.
The first thing that came to mind is the Power-Ups which you experience within the game itself.
Image: Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register
How do we bring those to life and allow you to experience those yourself?”
The menu here includes plenty of Power-Up-related goodies like 1-Up Mushroom Fizz, Superstar Fizz, Fire Flower Fizz, and Fire Flower Pretzels.
Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register
I won’t lie to you. Mushroom Fizz as a concept makes me want to throw up in my soul, but don’t let that fool you!
Here’s Magic Journeys expressing their delight over the many offerings here:
Isn’t the theming delightful? It’s like stepping into Super Mario World!
The Epic Universe Interactive Preview
Photo: Universal
Let’s call this the digital section of this week’s news, even though the first part is physical.
Universal Orlando Resort officials have confirmed that an Epic Universe interactive preview center will arrive this year.
Specifically, you’ll find the exhibition at Universal CityWalk.
Construction walls are already up around the former Universal Legacy Store.
Obviously, Universal won’t need the Epic Universe preview center for more than a year.
So, I think we can safely expect the Universal Legacy Store to return at a later date. We just don’t know when.
Photo: Universal
Universal is adding this preview center as its latest attempt to apply pressure on its chief competitor, Disney.
Comcast and NBCUniversal executives hope to siphon market share away from Disney, which currently dominates the industry.
Photo: Universal
Notably, the corporate struggle has entered a different space.
Universal just announced that new DLC content is coming to Minecraft. Here’s the trailer:
First of all, Minecraft has really come a long way since the early days when they handed you a shovel and told you to build whatever.
Second of all, did you notice that Minecraft x Universal title on the video?
Yeah, that’s a shot off the port bow at Disney, which recently announced a currently theoretical Fortnite experience. It’s this:
When pressed to name a timeline, Disney CEO Bob Iger indicated this project would take a couple of years.
Meanwhile, that Universal DLC is available on Minecraft NOW!
Photo: Universal
As theme park fans, we’re the beneficiaries of this corporate feud.
While Universal and Disney attempt to outdo one another, we get experiences like Epic Universe, the Minecraft DLC, and Disney’s Fortnite realm.
We eatin’ good!
Universal Miscellany
Image: Universal
The other big Universal news lately is the Monster Makeover Experience, an upsell option at Universal Studios Florida.
For $125 plus tax, a makeup experience will give you a 45-minute makeover that turns you into a horror show.
Image: Universal
You’ll look like you’ve come straight from Central Casting at a Universal Classic Monsters film. Here’s a video:
I should add that if you want to save money or adopt a slightly different look, you can.
Universal also offers what I call the Darby Allin/Thunder Rosa for $65 plus tax. They’ll paint half your face in 30 minutes.
Image: Universal
You can read the full details here, but you’ll need to hurry. This option goes away on April 7th.
Mardi Gras has also started at the park, which means that parades are ongoing, as are the concerts and other events.
Image: Universal
This year’s Mardi Gras Tribute Store has opened as well.
For 2024, the Tribute Store has a riverboat theme. Also, you’ll find connections to the Darkest Deal House from last year’s HHN.
In fact, the Cursed Coconut Club has reopened as well, and it references Darkest Deal a bit, too.
Image: Universal
I’m digging the interconnected Universal world we’re seeing more these days.
Here’s a clip of the P.S. Songbird (shoutout to Bioshock Infinite fans!) and all the goodness contained within it:
Universal Miscellany Part II
Photo: Universal
The other news this week is something I mentioned at the start. Universal Orlando has reopened a restaurant at Seuss Landing.
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous is back, and Universal officials hope the new version will make you forget about reviews for the old place.
Sadly, TripAdvisor knows all. The early reviews regarding the change have been largely positive, though.
Photo: Universal
Finally, circling back to Epic Universe, casting calls have already begun!
I have no idea what this indicates about a timeline, but at a minimum, Universal wants everyone fully prepared for the opening.
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Feature Photo: Photo: Paul Terry/Tara Bennett care of NBC
