UniversalParksBlog News for July 7th, 2024
This week, we’ve got horror on the East Coast, horror on the West Coast, and a parade to keep everyone happy in between.
We’ve got the Halloween content you need to get you through July in the latest UniversalParksBlog update.
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Image: Sony
In 2016, Sony rebooted the Ghostbusters franchise, and…well, it just didn’t work.
Fans didn’t want a sneering take on the franchise but rather an authentic one featuring members of the original cast.
Image: Sony
That wasn’t the easiest thing to do since some of those cast members aren’t buddy/buddy.
Still, in 2021, everyone kissed and made up long enough for another reboot, this time with Paul Rudd.
Image: Sony
This production wasn’t even as successful as the 2016 outing, but it cost half as much to make. So, it was profitable.
The fact that a film turned a profit during the heart of the pandemic was noteworthy enough to justify a direct sequel.
Image: Universal
Earlier this year, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire debuted in theaters.
Again, this film wasn’t especially successful, and it cost 33 percent more to make.
Universal
Even so, we have an established baseline for the popularity of Ghostbusters as a brand…and it’s pretty good!
Now, Universal Orlando Resort will punctuate its 2024 Halloween Horror Nights celebration with a Ghostbusters House.
Make no mistake on the point. This House WILL do well because people like Ghostbusters.
In truth, we love the original so much that we’ve put up with four thoroughly mediocre sequels.
Halloween Horror Nights
And I’m saying that as someone who knows all the words to Bobby Brown’s On Our Own, the theme to Ghostbusters 2. I can even do the rap.
So, I’m someone inclined to love Ghostbusters who is acutely aware of the fact that the sequels are…just okay.
Still, the latest one’s concept of a frozen hellscape lends itself perfectly to an HHN House.
The Frozen House
No, Anna & Elsa won’t be at this House, although if I’m working at Universal, I’m adding an Easter egg of them.
Still, the ice concept will drive this theme. Universal will build an entire House based solely on Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
That won’t be the only Ghostbusters theming, though. You’ll also find elements throughout the HHN maze.
For example, Ray’s Occult Books will appear, and you can enter the containment facility from the film as well.
Universal promises “iconic ghosts, creatures and characters from the beloved classic series” throughout the HHN event.
So, we’ll keep our eyes open for what that means, but it’s exciting to hear.
As an aside, West Coast fans won’t get shut out here, as Universal Studios Hollywood will host Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire as well.
We can quibble about which is the bigger deal between this House and the A Quiet Place one, but both sound amazing.
Image: Paramount
Last year, The Last of Us and Stranger Things anchored the proceedings. Now we know the popular franchises for 2024, too.
Another House at Universal Studios Hollywood
Last month, I reported that
Image: Universal Studios Hollywood
: The Monsters of Latin America would make its debut at Universal Orlando Resort (UOR).
Hollywood fans weren’t impressed, as they’d received that House experience in 2023.
Credit: Universal
Interestingly, Universal has added a bit of unexpected news for Hollywood, though.
This year, the park will add a sequel House to the Monstruous story!
Image: Universal
Yes, for 2024, we’re getting Monstruous 2: The Nightmares of Latin America at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Universal describes the experience as: “You can try to flee the clutches of the rider El Charro, the devil dog El Cadejo and the boogeyman El Cucuy, but you can’t escape La Muerte.” Eep!
Image: Universal
I have no idea whether the continued Monstruous story will be an annual thing or not, but it raises a fascinating question.
Will the West Coast always be a year ahead of the East Coast when it comes to tales of Latin American monsters?
Image: Universal
At the moment, that answer appears to be yes, which is a fascinating approach.
For years now, Hollywood fans have vented that they feel behind the times on HHNs. Now, Universal has done something about it!
Universal Miscellany
Universal
We’ve got a couple of other major stories to cover this week.
The first is that the Universal Mega Movie Parade has finally opened at Universal Studios Florida.
This event is the last of the limited-time summer festivities at UOR, although hope remains that the parade may become semi-permanent.
Currently, this event runs several times a week through November 14th.
Alas, the opening day was so rough that Universal began referring to it as technical rehearsals, which wasn’t the original plan.
You can watch the full Universal Mega Movie Parade performance here.
By Universal standards, this is an incredibly ambitious presentation, highlighted by many of your favorites like Back to the Future.
I have high hopes that Universal will host some version of this each summer, as it’s a lot of fun.
The other big mystery at Universal Orlando Resort has been at least partially resolved.
Image: Amazon
Parrotheads and other Universal fanatics noticed the absence of the Hemisphere Dancer at Margaritaville.
According to my wife, a card-carrying member of a Parrothead fan club, his iconic plane plays a vital role in A Pirate Looks at 50.
Photo: Universal Orlando
That’s the memoir of the late Jimmy Buffett, the pop culture icon who lived much of his life at sea.
The Hemisphere Dancer, his private plane, transported him from exotic land to land.
So, when Universal got rid of it, people noticed. And we were angry.
Thankfully, this whole thing is a misunderstanding, as Universal officials are refurbishing the plane. It’ll return sometime next year.
JimmyBuffett.com
Memo to Universal management: it had better! Fans are watching you carefully on this one. Never mess with Buffett’s stuff!
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! Thank you!
Feature Photo: Sony
