It’s not difficult to get hyped up for Universal Epic Universe, but if you’re one who likes to do some proper prep, you’ve got movie franchises and video games to dive into.
Plus, monster lore.
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Greetings, friends. It’s Haley. Welcome to another edition of In The Loop: Theme Park Scoops.
During this soft opening period of Epic Universe, the queue line for Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment trickled outside the portal to Dark Universe, and the attraction is on the opposite side of the world.
Based on my interactions, Dark Universe has garnered the most excitement among fans who have yet to experience Epic Universe, and it’s also gotten praise.
My colleague Christie Zizo is a massive Classic Universal Monster fan, and there was no better person to put together a history lesson on Universal Classic Monsters.
My favorite fact about Monsters Unchained is that the monsters appear in a specific order throughout the ride related to their movie release.
When you see the way these monsters come alive at Dark Universe, it’s clear a proper home was overdue.
With magic comes a price 🤑
It’s no secret that people will throw money toward theme parks like tossing coins in a fountain.
Amid this theme park war between Disney and Universal, when one raises park admission prices, the other follows.
There are also add-on expenses like Lightning Lane Multi Passes at Disney or Express Passes at Universal. It allows riders to skip the standby line, but it’s also designed to help manage crowds and reduce wait times.
We spoke with tourists and a business expert about theme park costs these days. While you’re in the story, be sure to vote in our poll about cost-effective theme park strategies.
Walt Disney World
Avast! 🦜🏴☠️
Walt Disney World not only has exciting entertainment and attraction upgrades in the works, but also new dining!
This week, we found out the official name for its Pirates of the Caribbean tavern at Magic Kingdom.
The Beak and Barrel will open later this year, and you can expect a familiar swashbuckling ambience and a new storyline.
If the vibe at Beak and Barrel is anything like Oga’s Cantina, I’ll be ordering me a round of grog.
Mangia no more 🍝
There will be no dining with mom at Mama Melrose’s on Mother’s Day this year.
Tucked in the backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Italian eatery will serve its final diners on Saturday.
Mama Melrose marks the first wave of closures in the Grand Avenue area as Disney prepares its “Monsters Inc.” land transformation.
Time is also winding to experience one last Muppet*Vision 3D and a pizza slice at PizzeRizzo.
Celebrating moms of all species 🦦🐯🦒
It will be a Mother’s Day to remember at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as the theme park has had a lot of cute additions over the past year.
There’s Sohni and her tiger cub, Bakso, and giraffe mom Mara and her calf, Tucker.
Disney also just welcomed the birth of two critically endangered addax calves — Ginny and Henry.
SeaWorld Orlando
Happy, Happy SeaWorld 🐬
In March, SeaWorld announced its partnership with The Pinkfong Company to bring Baby Shark to its parks this summer.
Pinkfong just dropped a new animated music video to go along with the celebration.
Click here to meet the new animal friends.
Gatorland
Nonprofit status 🐊
It’s considered a local gem in Central Florida, and since 2018, Gatorland has made significant progress in educating the world about alligators, crocodiles, and other animals.
Recently, its conservation arm, Gatorland Global, became a nonprofit, and that means they can apply for grants, which only strengthens their cause all the more.
We caught up with International Ambassador for Gatorland Global and Gatorland celebrity Savannah Boan about this milestone.
Legoland Florida
Legooo fest! 🎸
Florida has officially launched the first-ever LEGO Festival, a global celebration of play.
There are five immersive zones to explore:
- 🎶 Music
- 💃 Dance
- 😌 Chill Out
- 🎨 Creative
- 🎮 Gaming
For more photos and a rundown of events, click here.
This little piggy🐽
The Pig family is growing.
With the expected arrival of a baby sister, Peppa Pig and her family are celebrating at Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida.
Beginning this summer, fans will have the opportunity to meet the newest little piggy in person.
No word on when exactly the meet-and-greets will begin, but it will be a lovely day no doubt.
Fin friends arrive 🦈
But wait...there’s more Legoland Florida news!
SEA LIFE Florida is counting down until its grand opening next month, and its finned residents are moving in.
The attraction shared photos of aquarists setting up habitats.
If you’re looking to treat mom this weekend, some Central Florida attractions have decent Mother’s Day offerings, like free admission.
If you have any theme park news or rumors, please reach out to me by email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.
See you next week!