UniversalParksBlog News for August 24th, 2025
Universal Studios has unleashed horror on Las Vegas. So, what do the fans think?
More importantly, what do the casuals think? That’s what we’ll discuss in UniversalParksBlog News.
On My Signal…
Universal
Unleash horror! Oh, wait. Universal Studios already beat me to the punch with its latest offering.
As our site has detailed over the past few years, Universal has pivoted to a new business model.
Universal
Comcast, the corporate owner of Universal, has gone small with some of its upcoming offerings.
I’d presumed that Horror Unleashed signifies a clever business model Disney has employed since the early 1980s.
Back then, the Oriental Land Company approached Disney with a can’t lose business proposition.
The OLC licensed the Disney theme park brand for a Japanese theme park. So, Disney got paid no matter what.
Universal
This licensing deal guaranteed that Disney didn’t need to worry about theme park attendance.
That was the OLC’s problem, and since Horror Unleashed will remain a permanent installation at AREA15, I’d expected the same.
Photo: Universal
To my surprise, no licensing agreement ever arose. Universal Destinations & Experiences owns and operates this facility.
That’s a risk because Las Vegas tourists have proven notoriously fickle over the years.
Photo: Universal
Friends of mine still rave about the group vacation they shared at Star Trek: The Experience.
They swore it would revolutionize immersive entertainment, just as Disney did with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
Photo: Universal
Both ventures proved shockingly unsuccessful, with the Star Wars Hotel closing in less than two years.
Meanwhile, Star Trek: The Experience lasted less than a decade. These projects are dicey.
Photo: Universal
I mention this because the early reviews for Horror Unleashed are…tepid.
What Do You Mean, Tepid???
Photo: Universal
I know, I know. That’s not what you want to hear, and I’m personally surprised by them.
I say this because, as a Halloween Horror Nights superfan, I was impressed by the early videos.
Photo: Universal
Honestly, I’ve never been to Vegas in my life and don’t plan to change that unless Def Leppard ever plays the Sphere.
Still, I’ve watched several videos of Horror Unleashed, and they appear to be better than the actual event.
Here are three different clips from influencers you may know:
Here’s the problem. All three make their living as theme park influencers. So, this is their wheelhouse.
Here are some theme park industry writers, none of whom I know, offering their thoughts.
Importantly, some of the influencers were invited to a media event. And that’s why I rarely do those.
When you accept someone’s generosity, you often feel compelled to provide a more positive spin.
Once reviews arrived from people who paid their own money, the tenor of the conversation changed.
Photo: Lynette Granger Rep/Facebook
That’s just from the theme park analysts. Media reviews from casuals keep circling back to the same points.
For whatever reason, even though the installation looks MUCH more permanent to me, an HHN aficionado, they find it transitory.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Critics deride Horror Unleashed for offering low-rent sets and special effects. They’d apparently expected more.
Then, there’s the price, with tickets costing $70-$100. So, the early perception centers on a lack of bang for the buck.
Photo: Universal Orlando
The Coca-Cola Cherry BBQ Beef Ribs dish is winning over some friends, though.
If something saves Horror Unleashed, it’ll be the menu, which seems to be earning universal praise.
Death to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
That quote absolutely does not apply to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the worst roller coaster in the south.
Image Credit: Universal Orlando
After 16 full years of disappointing guests, Universal Studios finally euthanized the thrill ride.
People will miss it the same way they miss food poisoning. Ask me how I feel about this ride.
Image: Universal
Seriously, since this site debuted, I’ve been (mostly) biting my tongue about Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
No more! I can finally say what I think of the attraction that embodies a decade at Universal Studios.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
While The Wizarding World of Harry Potter rightfully garnered massive praise, the other rides from this area…well, a lot were atrocious.
I’m looking at you, Fast & Furious: Supercharged and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon!
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
I hate the Trolls Trollercoaster, too, but that’s because of the name. Seriously, though, it was time.
We’d known the day was coming for a while, and it signals a new age at Universal Studios.
Rumors abound that park officials know which rides aren’t up to snuff.
So, the strong suspicion is that two I just mentioned – not the Trollercoaster – are living on borrowed time.
The question becomes whether a Fast & Furious roller coaster will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Honestly, even a Trollercoaster duplicate would be an upgrade. Yes, I hated the ride that much.
Universal
The music was good, though…well, until Universal cut the licensing budget.
Universal Miscellany
I realize I’m sounding a bit negative today, but don’t worry! Halloween Horror Nights is right around the corner.
Universal’s just in a bit of a lull at the moment with the summer winding down and Horror Unleashed not meeting expectations.
Universal
On the bright side, Team Members can finally use their complimentary tickets at Universal Epic Universe.
Now that we’re slowly moving into the off-season, Universal officials are doing right by their workers.
Attractions Magazine
Otherwise, this has been one of the slowest two-week periods in recent memory. It has been hot, though.
Universal Studios and Walt Disney World tourists alike – and there’s plenty of overlap – have felt the heat.
Attraction Insight
Hopefully, now that we’re reaching the end of August, the 110-degree Heat Index days are over.
If not, I’m just gonna hole up at The Burning Blade Tavern until winter.
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Feature Photo: Universal
