UniversalParksBlog News for July 17th, 2026
This week in UniversalParksBlog News, we get itchy and tasty. IYKYK.
Also, we’ll all be relishing our Universal Nights one day soon. Allow me to explain…
Epic Nights Indeed
Universal
Halloween Horror Nights is just around the corner, and we all know the deal.
Universal Studios fans will pay hundreds of dollars to experience the parks after dark.
Epic
Well, someone at Universal Orlando Resort asked an excellent question.
“Why don’t we do that at Universal Epic Universe as well?” That’s the idea here.
And I’m thrilled to report that everyone quickly realized what a great idea it was.
So, we’re getting the first-ever after-hours event at Epic Universe this October.
Universal
Guests can enter the park after it officially closes to guests and enjoy the run of the place.
Basically, this is what everyone has been dreaming about since Universal announced Epic.
universal
We can finally hang out and avoid the massive lines for the most popular rides.
Epic will only host this event twice: on October 3rd and October 17th.
Attractions magazine
Presumably, should it prove popular – and it will – we’ll get more dates next year.
However, for the time being, guests enjoy a rare opportunity to say they were among the first.
Epic
Should you attend the inaugural event, you’ll gain access to Epic after dark!
As an important FYI, you’ll only get three hours of access during the event, though.
Attraction Insight
The event, officially called Universal Nights, will last from 9 p.m. to midnight on those two dates.
You can enter the park at 7 p.m. with your party tickets, though. So, it’s really five hours.
Universal
Unfortunately, you won’t be the only people in the park for the first two hours, though.
Tickets for Universal Nights will go on sale to the general public on August 13th.
Epic
You’ll pay $179 plus tax per person, although annual passholders receive a ten percent discount.
In fact, premium passholders get 15 percent off, plus a ten percent discount on food.
Epic
You can read more about the event here.
Resident Evil Every Day!
Image: Capcom
Sadly, we don’t have much additional information about Universal Nights yet.
Conversely, I can tell you a lot about Resident Evil! My wife would say too much.
Image: Capcom
Apparently, I practiced for this next story by spending dozens of hours playing Resident Evil: Requiem.
Oh, yes. I even beat it on Insanity Mode. Sure, I had infinite ammo, but it still counts.
Universal
Why am I mentioning this? Resident Evil is now a permanent part of Horror Unleashed lore.
Well, it’s semi-permanent, as the Las Vegas project cycles through installations.
Universal
Hmm, I’m all over the place here. Resident Evil does that to me. I’ll start from scratch.
Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas has added a new experience, Resident Evil Takeover!
Universal
For international fans, Resident Evil isn’t new to Halloween Horror Nights.
For Americans, this one’s been a long time coming, though.
Universal
Resident Evil fans haven’t had a House since 2013’s Resident Evil: Escape from Raccoon City.
About the Experience
The old version of the House looked like this:
We’re 13 years down the road now, so we can do a little bit better. Here’s the new experience:
For fans of the game, that Licker is such a nice touch. You better bring a shotgun.
Photo: Universal
Actually, Mr. X or some other Tyrant is there as well. So, a rocket launcher would be best.
And unlock infinite ammo if you have it. If none of this makes sense, just play Resident Evil: Requiem.
Photo: Universal
Capcom’s latest release will probably win Game of the Year for 2026.
Plus, it’ll prepare you for spending plenty of time interacting with Vegas zombies.
Photo: Universal
I presume they’re like regular zombies, just sleepier looking.
Seriously, this is a ten out of ten idea for Horror Unleashed and enough to tempt me to book a flight.
Photo: Universal
Resident Evil: Takeover runs through August 30th, making it a summer experience.
Should it prove popular enough – and it really should – it may get a Halloween extension.
Photo: Universal
At a minimum, I fully expect Horror Unleashed to bring back the experience at a later date.
Resident Evil has undergone a renaissance and a redemptive year to boot.
Photo: Universal
So, the timing of Resident Evil: Takeover is almost as good as that of Sinners House.
Universal Miscellany
Universal
The biggest other story this week is a bit unexpected and bad news for diehards.
Universal has “discontinued all Fear with Express Pass products.”
Universal
Until now, people with Frequent Fear or Rush of Fear season passes could add the Express Pass.
With this pass, they could skip the line for each House once per event.
Cybergoria
The process must have gummed up the lines too much for Universal to remove it.
Universal confirmed that other Express Passes will go on sale soon.
However, owners of Frequent Fear or Rush of Fear passes cannot add the current ones to their cart.
We’ll have to wait and see what options are available with these upcoming Express Passes.
WESH
Sorry about this one, as I know it bums out many of you HHN fanatics.
On the bright side, Netflix (!) just posted this press release on Wednesday.
As part of the announcement, we learned about a Stranger Things lagoon show!
Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins will celebrate the show’s tenth anniversary.
Photo: Netflix
This nighttime presentation will take “guests on an emotional journey through all five seasons.”
For the second time in this article, I encourage you to bring a shotgun.
Photo: Universal
Halloween requires the right kind of artillery, as these monsters aren’t fooling around.
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Feature Photo: Universal
