UniversalParksBlog News for March 7th, 2022
We can officially declare the pandemic over at Universal Studios, at least in North America. I’ll explain why in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
Photo:Universal Studios Hollywood
Another Pandemic Change
Per government guidelines, as of March 4, 2022, Universal Studios Hollywood will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to visit. Everyone is strongly recommended to wear a face covering indoors. Visit https://t.co/0OD9RpMTi8 for details.
— Universal Studios Hollywood (@UniStudios) March 4, 2022
Here’s the Tweet that impacts your next visit to Universal Studios Hollywood! The headline tells the story here. On March 4th, Los Angeles County dropped its indoor mask requirement for residents.
Soon afterward, Universal Studios Hollywood updated its safety requirements to follow LA County’s guidelines. For the first time in almost exactly two years, no American Universal Studios theme park requires indoor face covering.
Photo:Orlandoweekly.com
Yes, that means the worst is over, barring something unforeseen. Unless another pandemic outbreak occurs, we’ll spend the body of 2022 not wearing masks.
Obviously, the same logic applies as in the past. You CAN wear one if you want. It’s simply not a requirement. In fact, park officials explicitly stated that they strongly encourage guests to wear masks indoors. That’s Universal saying one thing but recognizing it’ll play out much differently.
Based on what I’ve seen at the parks thus far, fewer than one in five guests is wearing a mask. That’s not a peer pressure stat. I’m alerting you to what to expect.
Photo: County10.com
For its part, Universal stated that it no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test, either.In other words, we have mostly reset park guidelines to pre-pandemic standards.
This change already applied to Universal Orlando Resort, but that state has acted less stringently with COVID-19 prevention. So, the changes at Universal Studios Hollywood feel like a sudden turn of events that should please many guests.
If you haven’t planned a Universal Studios trip yet, you should speak with a Let’s Adventure Travel agent immediately to get one set up!
An Annual Price Increase
Photo: Universal Orlando
Here’s a case where Universal Studios executives made a deliberate choice. They knew that the mask change policy was in the offing. So, they casually snuck in a price increase for annual passes at Universal Orlando Resort.
The timing on this is brilliant in that most people will overlook it due to their excitement about the mask policy change.
Still, you’ll notice more when you pay your bills. Universal Studios currently sells four tiers of annual passes. They are:
- Seasonal Pass
- Power Pass
- Preferred Pass
- Premier Pass
All four of these passes available to out-of-state guests increased in price by $50. Universal knew that people had been cooped up in their homes too long.
Photo:skillastics.com
We’re heading to Florida! For this reason, Universal is aware that guests will pay more to visit a theme park.
Here are the new prices:
- Seasonal Pass — $399.99
- Power Pass — $449.99
- Preferred Pass — $499.99
- Premier Pass — $714.99
Florida residents still save $100 on the first three options and $115 on the Premier Pass.
I strongly suspect that when Epic Universe opens in 2025, these prices will look ridiculously low by comparison.
We’ve entered a growth period for the theme park industry. But unfortunately, park guests will pay the price (literally) for that.
Park News and Notes
Photo: Universal Orlando
We’ve got several updates this week about park changes of note. For starters, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls has reopened after its annual refurbishment. The beloved log flume ride reopened on schedule. With its return, Universal switched to its next refurb.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges closed last week and will remain offline until March 19th, give or take a few days.
After that, the only significant renovation at the parks will be Revenge of the Mummy. That one will stay offline into August. Still, by the time that Spring Break rolls around, Universal will have all its wet rides up and running again!
Elsewhere at the parks, I’ve got terrific news for annual passholders and some Universal hotel guests.
Photo: Universal
Park officials have brought back Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure as a participant in Early Park Admission.
If you’re unfamiliar with this benefit, it entitles you to exclusive access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and (sometimes) other parts of the parks. You may ride the various attractions there for up to 60 minutes before regular guests. It’s not always available, and the window of opportunity changes.
IG: @thejourneyduo
Universal currently lists the options as:
March 2-April 17, 2022
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
- Flight of the Hippogriff™
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Ollivanders™
March 5-6; 12-19, 2022
Available Attractions:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™
April 11-17, 2022
Available Attractions:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™
Photo: Universal Orlando
I shouldn’t need to tell you what a massive opportunity this is for park guests. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure almost always requires a 60-minute wait and sometimes surpasses 90 minutes.
You can and should knock it out before the park even opens to regular guests!
More Park Notes
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Universal’s movie history is inexorably linked with its classic monsters. The modern version of Universal Studios is planning to celebrate this connection even more.
The Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida has introduced a character photo with the Wolfman. This one doesn’t require standing in line, though.
Photo:laughing place.com
You won’t even see the character until after you take the picture! Universal is experimenting with the “Remote Selfie,” a new concept.
You can even look at the process at RemoteSelfie.com. Once you’ve finished scanning a QR code and taking a picture, the Wolfman will appear!
I suspect we’ll receive many of these interactive selfie opportunities in the coming months and years. They’re easy for Universal to implement and enormous fun for fans.
Photo: Universal
Speaking of the Monsters, pictures have popped up online that show early construction for Epic Universe.
One of those images reveals potential walls for the Monsters themed land at the park. This tweet depicts the premise:
Early concepts for the Universal Monsters land for Epic Universe by Gerard Howland pic.twitter.com/GQGVxsJjWB
— Mario Graciotti (@MarioGraciotti) December 6, 2021
Now we’re seeing the first attempts at building the walls.
Aerial look at exterior testing for Universal's Epic Universe. Common in theme park construction. Mock ups to see how materials look in different kinds of light, how well they weather. They are also references later for artistic teams when making actual exteriors. pic.twitter.com/RAeGJA89EA
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 4, 2022
Here’s how the village will eventually look, presuming all goes well:
Photo: Twitter
@MarioGraciotti
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Photo: Instagram/Universal
