universal studios Archives - Page 7 of 9 - Uncle Walt's Insider
Hamilton: An American Musical on Broadway. Inset photo by Travis Wise via Flikr [CC BY 2.0].

Confirmed: Universal will add Hamilton land

Harry Potter will have a new neighbor from the colonies. UNIVERSAL CITY, CA & ORLANDO, FL -- The rumors first reported here in December are apparently true: Universal Parks and Resorts has secured rights to build lands and attractions based on Broadway's smash musical Hamilton. In 2007, the Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood scored a coup over their Disney rivals when they obtained rights to the popular Harry Potter books and movies. The resulting "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" has been an unqualified success. ...
March 17, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida
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Mickey and Minnie wave to the crowds. Photo source Depositphotos_69250695_original.jpg.

Update: characters, parks changing under “radical” Disney plans

Turns out the previously-announced changes were just the beginning. The winds of change continue to blow at The Walt Disney Company. After the controversial measures were first reported by Uncle Walt's Insider last November, Disney fans and detractors alike have been lighting up the internet arguing the pros and cons of the moves. In spite of the response, the company forged ahead with making the modifications permanent in January. And now, Uncle Walt's has learned, more radical changes are on their way that ...
March 16, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida, Other, World
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The real Hogwarts Express makes an unscheduled stop for repairs at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Hogwarts Express — the real one — diverts to Magic Kingdom

Fans of Universal's Wizarding World are stunned at the train's choice of park. Future wizards who gathered this weekend at London's King Cross station to board Hogwarts Express from Platform 9-3/4 for their journey to the Hogsmeade Station were in for a surprise. Their journey was short lived, as Hogwarts Express experienced a series of magical malfunctions and was forced to divert for repairs. More surprising, however, was the train's new destination: not the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, but ...
March 7, 2018 by Walt in Florida
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News Brief: Wizarding World of Harry Potter

News Brief: Visit to Wizarding World ‘outs’ Potter fan as a Muggle

Local fan club leader and self-described "Potterhead" has no magical abilities. ORLANDO, FL -- Roland Fleestrom of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, was greatly disappointed to learn this week that he was a Muggle [Ed.: or "No-Maj" in the U.S; that is, having no magical ability] on his first visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. Fleestrom, 16, who heads the Dane County (Wisconsin) Harry Potter Society, describes himself as "the greatest Harry Potter fan ever" on social media accounts, and has ...
February 27, 2018 by Marty in Florida
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News Brief: Cast members can smack guests asking directions to Universal Studios

The Disney policy announced in November is now fully in effect. BURBANK, CALIFORNIA -- As reported in November, Disney cast members are now authorized to use "limited physical force" if a guest asks directions to a competitor's property. Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek, who first announced the policy, confirmed today that all cast members have received additional training for handling those guests who either don't realize that Disney and Universal are two different companies, or worse, don't care. According to ...
February 10, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida
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