UniversalParksBlog News for December 13th, 2021
This week, Universal’s Epic Universe comes into focus. Also, Earl the Squirrel debuts, and we sadly must talk about the pandemic again.
Here’s what you need to know in the latest UniversalParksBlog update.
The Massive Epic Universe Update
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort
When Coronavirus became a thing, Universal officials reached a sudden, shocking crossroads. With the parks closed, Universal’s parent company couldn’t spend any more money on expansion.
Comcast’s debts at the time were well over $100 billion, and a new theme park likely costs $5 billion at a minimum. So, Universal grudgingly put Epic Universe on hold for a while as everybody tried to survive the pandemic, literally and figuratively.
In the next section, I’ll describe how the worst is over, but COVID-19 remains a concern.
Still, Universal has finally moved Epic Universe to the front of its project list again after a brutal 18 months of turmoil. To wit, Universal just acquired nearly 13 acres of land from Lockheed Martin Corp. This land comes in two segments, one that’s 7.66 acres, and the other that’s 5.25 acres.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Universal doled out $3.26 million to buy this land. Sure, that’s couch cushion change in the greater scheme of building a theme park. However, the purchase reflects the fact that Universal has gained the green light to move forward with development and construction.
Along those lines, Alicia Stella of Theme Park Stop/Orlando Park Stop just tweeted this:
First permits related to the actual Epic Universe park in awhile filed with Orange County! These are related to work for Project 905, which is thought to be the Wizarding World land.
They are for Building 1620, which was listed in prior permits as "a ride combination building." pic.twitter.com/rzpBMXYfjl
— Alicia Stella Nova Resort (@AliciaStella) November 29, 2021
Those are park permits that the construction crew will need before breaking ground on various buildings and attractions. Stella describes this as another Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
My understanding is that Universal still hasn’t settled on that due to the J.K. Rowling problem.
Stella possesses much better sources than me, though. So, we should all assume another Harry Potter themed land at Universal Studios until park officials expressly state otherwise.
Between the land grab and the permits, Epic Universe just went from theoretical to tangible. So today’s a good day for Universal Studios fans!
The Omicron Blues
Photo: The Apopka Voice
Do you ever date someone who broke up with you like 17 times but kept getting back together with them? We call them toxic relationships now, but they were once known as…well, high school.
That sort of teen drama best describes the past two years with Coronavirus. Every time we think it’s over, COVID-19 comes crawling back. I’m using humor here because I think we’re all sick of being depressed about it. Even so, we’re talking about Coronavirus again due to the Omicron variant.
Roughly a week ago, Florida identified its first (thankfully mild) case of Omicron. Then, last Thursday, an Altamonte Springs wastewater facility found some bad news.
During routine testing, the kind they’ve done throughout the pandemic, health officials identified that the Omicron strain was in the water.Now, you shouldn’t freak out about that. Thanks to health and safety regulations in place, it’s not a big deal.
Photo: Facebook/ universal
Still, this facility resides about 20 miles away from the front gate at Universal Studios Florida. So, Omicron is here, and that’s not even the worst part.
The White House just declared that Orange County, Florida, is a COVID hotspot, meaning the risk is higher here than anywhere else in the country. Obviously, that happens a lot with tourist destinations, but you should still take extra precautions during your next park visit.
Florida recently switched back from the Moderate to the Substantial tier on the CDC’s COVID-19 scale. So, we’re trending in the wrong direction.
On the plus side, Pfizer/BioNTech recently declared that triple-boosted vaccine recipients shouldn’t be in danger due to Omicron. The vaccine is highly effective against this strain, at least so far. Please take care, though. I like you.
Miscellaneous Universal News
We’ve got several stories still to cover. The weirdest of them involves a person who decided to climb Mythos Restaurant. Yes, there’s video.
THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS!
STOP CLIMBING ON THINGS! YOU ARE AT A THEME PARK!!! pic.twitter.com/N7ntV8AqVP
— Patrick Dougall (@PatrickADougall) November 30, 2021
You made it. Congratulations? Hopefully, this person spent the rest of the day speaking with the authorities.
In better news, the updated bus loop is coming along nicely. You may recall that Universal Orlando Resort razed part of the old bus loop and started anew.
Photo: Discover Universal
Well, construction workers have already reached the pavement stage of the upcoming bus loop. So, it probably won’t take more than another couple of months here.
The big debut at the parks doesn’t involve bussing, though. Earl the Squirrel has finally arrived at Universal Orlando Resort!
No, you shouldn’t know Earl the Squirrel from anything. Universal has unveiled a new character as part of its holiday festivities.
Earl sports a thematic holiday cap plus a shirt that confirms his love of acorns. He’s not wearing any pants, which is definitely a choice for squirrels. The funny thing about Earl is that he’s been part of Universal’s Christmas celebrations for a decade now.
Alert guests would notice a squirrel hiding on one of the Christmas tree’s branches. Hilariously, Universal did this because of a real squirrel. Several years ago, one of these critters noticed the blue lights of the Christmas tree and started visiting it.
Afterward, the fictional version, Earl, paid homage to this adorable incident. So now, that one holiday-loving squirrel will live on forever at Universal. Here’s a look at the Earl the Squirrel meet and greet:
Finally, we should discuss another change at the top of Universal’s org chart. Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) President Bill Davis is retiring on January 1st.
Photo:ucf.edu
To replace him, current Universal Studios Hollywood President Karen Irwin will take over at UOR.
Photo: Universal Orlando
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Photo: Universal Orlando
