universal studios Archives - Page 4 of 9 - Uncle Walt's Insider
The newly renamed VOLT-cano Bay at Universal Orlando. Photo by Paolo Guereta [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr.

Universal Orlando tests shock therapy, wiping guests’ memory of Disney

The Volcano Bay shocks were not an accident. ORLANDO, FL -- Guests visiting Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay were recently subjected to low-level electric shocks while visiting the various pools, water slides, and spas. Park officials first pointed their fingers to cost-cutting and not following code during construction of the park. But thanks to some real investigative reporting, Team UWI is bringing you the truth behind this shocking news. [Ed.: Heh, "shocking."] Universal is shocking its guests on purpose. First, the back story When Universal Orlando ...
June 15, 2019 by Walt in California, Florida
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Extremely deceptive concept art of the new Hagrid ride. Photo courtesy Universal Orlando.

Sad: Hagrid can’t ride his own attraction

The concept art is a LIE. ORLANDO, FL -- As fans of the Fantastic Beasts movies and their seven prequels excitedly await the June arrival of the new attraction at Universal Orlando Resort and Spa, some bad news. The very namesake of "Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure" will not be able to enjoy his own ride. "It's not for a lack of trying," says Universal (the company) spokesperson Junie Versal (no relation). "We really wanted to be able to give Hagrid a sneak preview ...
May 30, 2019 by Marty in Florida
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The new ground cover at Universal Parks. Photo [CC0] via Pixabay.

Universal announces new “Smoke ’em if you got ’em!” policy

They're hoping smokers will abandon Disney parks, where smoking will soon be banned. UNIVERSAL CITY, CA -- Universal is always looking for ways to set themselves apart from Disney. Even so, the company's response to Disney's new smoking ban is surprising, as officials from NBCUniversal have announced a shocking new policy effective May 1st at all of their theme parks. The so-called "Smoke em if you got em!" policy will allow guests and employees to "light up" whenever, and wherever, they would ...
April 17, 2019 by Walt in California, Florida
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A random building at Disneyland. Photo by Carterhawk [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons.

The 12 best amusement parks in Southern California, 2019 edition

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. UNCLE WALT'S INSIDER H.Q., SVALBARD -- Okay, yeah, just yesterday we were berating a certain newspaper for making a "best of" list that was actually just a list of everything. "We have integrity!" we cried out. "We would never do such a thing!" we said. But then we also cried out, "We have deadlines! We have one more article to write! We have parties to get to!" [Ed.: Christmas and New Years parties in Svalbard are off ...
December 29, 2018 by Marty in California
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The monorail goodwill tour visits the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Hollywood. Photo by Jeremy Thompson [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr.

Photo feature: Monorail goodwill tour resurfaces in California

And for some reason visits every non-Disney theme park. UNIVERSAL CITY, CA -- Fears that Monorail Blue was lost in a volcano after its goodwill tour reached Hawai'i were thankfully unfounded. The Monorail goodwill tour has resurfaced in southern California. The tour continues to raise controversy over its stop choices (not to mention the continued rate of highway accidents in its wake). Somehow, the monorail has been spotted visiting every major theme park in the area -- except Disneyland? Please enjoy these photos ...
December 13, 2018 by Marty in California, World
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