Big City Green The Movie: Spacecation debuted earlier this Summer, and is now set to premiere a sing-along version on Disney Channel and Disney+. What’s Happening: Big City Green The Movie: Spacecation debuted back in June, and is now set to premiere a sing-along version on Disney Channel and Disney+. Debuting September 7th at 7:00 PM on Disney […]
Due to a recent change in Florida legislation, the Disney time-share service will change the format and frequency of its board meetings to align with the new guidelines. What’s Happening: Disney Vacation Club shared new information with members regarding changes for their Florida-based properties. For DVC properties located in the state, board meetings will now […]
More props, set pieces, and themed elements arrive at Universal Studios Florida every day as crews continue preparing the park for Halloween Horror Nights 33.
Universal Music Plaza
Crews are clearing the Universal Music Plaza of anything and everything, so it can instead house a winding switchback queue.
New York
There are two sets of construction walls in the New York area of the park. These blue walls block the future exit of the HHN Tribute Store.
Behind the blue walls are a set of gray walls. This is across from the entrance to the “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” house.
There are now several pedals for actor activated triggers, including pedals leading under these burlap tarps.
Behind the stage is a set of three themed barricades.
As previously noted, one of the barricades is decorated with the Terra Cruentus symbol.
Another new addition to the stage is a small table between the two wooden thrones. A red velvet cloth is draped over the table. A golden bowl of flowers sits on the table.
The stage and other platforms now have “Do Not Climb” signs on their fronts, warning guests to stay on the ground.
Stairs have been installed behind the stage for scareactors. The chain hanging at the bottom of the stairs entrance is to dissuade guests from gaining access to the stage.
The first of several small platforms is The Breaking Wheel, outside of Revenge of the Mummy. Each stage features a red and brown-striped skirt. Many elements are covered with large tarps, but smaller props are visible.
Newly added to The Breaking Wheel is some bright red blood splatter on a wooden element just barely visible under the tarp. The blood appears to be dripping onto the platform below.
Props also include ropes, hay, and buckets.
There are a couple of black mice.
More ropes have been added to the wooden beams that hold up the display’s sign.
There are also some black birds atop the sign and other props.
This crow is ready to take flight.
Outside Sahara Traders is “Ye Olde’ Aim-n-Maim.” Something hangs below the sign but is wrapped in a dark green tarp. Another large element is covered.
There are apples and other fruits littered across the platform. Arrows are stuck into the fruits, hay barrels, buckets, and kegs. One bucket appears to be dripping with blood.
Some of the fruits are old and moldy.
There are pumpkins and pineapples.
The “Aim-n-Maim” seems an appropriate title for this exhibit.
Further down the scare zone is “Ye Olde’ Torture Goods.” The booth is surrounded by blue and white-striped tarps. Next to the booth is a small platform with a sign reading “The Blood Eagle.” The wooden supports are wrapped in green and brown tarp. There is a series of small red posts connected by rope at the edge of the platform.
Some of the themed barricades that were previously by the stage have been moved over here.
Across the street is The Brazen Bull. There are no tarps blocking the view of the main prop on this stage — a large metal bull figure.
There are now chains draped over the wooden beams over the bull.
Next to the platform is a bright green barrel labeled “Pickles.”
Under the bull is a bowl full of (fake) hot coals and a bucket.
On the platform is a pedal for scareactors to activate some kind of effect.
There are crates piled on one end of the platform.
More Mini-Pufts are now on the Ivan’s cash wrap next to the booths.
One is looking mischievous next to the (empty) menu board.
Another Mini-Puft seems to be stuck to the sign.
There are tables between the cash registers and the booths. Potted plants block some areas from guests.
‘A Quiet Place’ Food Booth
Sting Alley in New York will feature “A Quiet Place”-inspired food booth. The silhouettes of Death Angels, the franchise’s monsters, now appear in two windows. One window is in a barn-like structure.
Another Death Angel is in a window behind a drinks machine. The humanoid Death Angels walk on all fours thanks to long arms.
When we next visited the alley, the barn monster was silhouetted with red light. Two red lights atop the barn also created an eerie atmosphere.
At least during the lighting test, the second Death Angel was missing.
The painted posters on the brick walls of Sting Alley were also recently refreshed.
More foliage adorns the entrance to the alley, which consists of two barn-like structures. There are also burlap bags and boxes around the entryway. The decorative paneling on the cash wrap is labeled “Lennox Steel.”
Duality of Fear Scare Zone
There are two mysterious themed elements in the park’s Hollywood area — likely home to the Duality of Fear scare zone.
The platforms are blue and purple. They’re covered in vine-like tendrils and have large circular centerpieces.
This centerpiece was covered by a gray tarp.
The second centerpiece, however, was more visible.
It looks like these circles are swirling portals. They’re painted with dark shades of blue and purple, with touches of white in the center.
The puffy tendrils on the platform resemble veins.
Battery Park
There are now platforms in Battery Park, next to TV screens and light towers. This space is behind Transformers: The Ride 3D and will also house a food booth.
One platform features a “Pardon our dust” Halloween Horror Nights sign.
El Mercado Bar
Across the street is the El Mercado Bar outside Cafe La Bamba. A themed cash wrap has been installed at the back of the bar.
The bar was previously decorated with faux brick paneling, pig heads, and candles.
Swamp of the Undead Scare Zone
Swamp of the Undead is in Central Park. It’s one of the more expansive scare zones. Scaffolding towers wrapped in green scrim line the space.
The “swamp” is full of half-sunken ships. We previously noted a body was visible under the camouflage tarp on this boat.
The bloody face and arm can now be clearly seen behind some crates.
The props and set pieces include ferns, barrels, crates, buckets, and boating gear. A “Keep Out” sign sits atop this pile of props.
Some of the props are cut in half to look like they are partially underwater.
There are elevated docks or piers, so guests will feel like they’re walking through the swampy waters.
We spotted a small turtle next to a Rub-Lite washboard from Ohio, the iconic Halloween Horror Nights state.
The treehouse has more props, including a wind chime made of bones.
Some soiled shorts hang from a clothesline.
This appears to be a raft made of tree branches, rope, and tires.
Carey Drive-In
Outside Animal Actors on Location, a Carey Drive-In sign is visible on the back of the themed food booth. We previously shared a look at the drive-in theming inside.
Carey is another Ohio reference.
There are now red stands and silverware dispensers at the large food booth.
It looks like it’s pretty much ready to open.
Expo Circle Food Truck
There’s a new cash wrap accompanying a food truck in Expo Circle, in front of the “Back to the Future” train. The themed panels around the counter look like white and blue planks of wood.
The panels are lined in pink, as is the empty menu sign. There are bloody handprints on the front of the counter.
Fanta Booths
There are multiple Fanta “Wanta Haunt?” locations in the park. This one is on the other side of Springfield, next to the bridge. All of these locations are decorated with dark paneling reading “Wanta Haunt?” in block lettering. The panels also feature vibrant-colored skulls and splotches of color for a graffiti style.
The next Fanta booth is next to the Fear Factor stage, where “Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus” will be performed. These booths are white tents with faux brick columns.
Behind Richter’s Burger Co. are more counters with Fanta theming. This was the Peacock bar last year.
In front of this space is a small stage. The trusses over the stage are covered in black scrims. There are two trees framing the stage.
The trees are housed in planter boxes made of planks of wood.
The bar in the Transformers: The Ride 3D extended queue has also been transformed into a Fanta location.
Goblin’s Feast Food Booth
This stony food booth is inspired by the Goblin’s Feast house. During our Thursday trip, we noticed they were testing purple lights atop the towers and flickering orange lights in the lanterns.
The fake stones are decorated with moss and foliage.
Enter the Blumhouse Scare Zone
San Francisco has been turned into the “Enter the Blumhouse” scare zone where guests will encounter elements inspired by “Freaky,” “The Purge,” “The Black Phone,” and more.
New to the scare zone are fog machines. They’re housed in unassuming block boxes with wheels.
There are black metal barrels with blue-green staining throughout the zone.
Speakers are on the platforms where scareactors will presumably perform.
Two new Purge posters have been added. The first is on the back of a decrepit wall.
This one reads:
Reminder
Law enforcement services will be suspended
for a 12-hour period during The Purge
A silhouette of a police badge is crossed out with a black line.
A second poster is on the base surrounding a scaffolding column.
It reads:
Reminder
All emergency services will be suspended
for a 12-hour period during The Purge
A medical cross is crossed out.
San Francisco Candy Company
Major Sweets is taking over the San Francisco Candy Factory. The Major Sweets Candy Factory house is taking over the Fast and Furious: Supercharged queue nearby. Red panels on coolers feature the image of Major Sweets and “Major Sweets Candy Co.” This one reads “Ice cold ice cream.”
Lil’ Boo is one of the candies on Major Sweets’ hat as a fun Easter egg.
The panel on this cooler advertises “Ice cold drinks.”
One more Major Sweets decoration is on the heater full of fresh roasted nuts.
Portals and Wait Time Trusses
Scaffolding trusses act as the “portals” of each Halloween Horror Nights house and display wait times. Trusses have been installed throughout the park. They each feature a pair of black curtains and a screen. This portal is located outside Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
Another portal is located near the Insidious food booth outside the Universal Music Plaza. Its black curtains were closed during our most recent trip.
Further down the street is a portal outside Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.
One more portal at the end of the street will likely mark the entrance to the “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” house.
This portal is located at Battery Park, behind Transformers: The Ride 3D. This will be a general wait times display.
Over in Springfield, this portal’s curtains were also closed.
Next to the Men in Black: Alien Attack restrooms is another portal.
The last set of trusses is another wait times sign outside Animal Actors on Location!
Halloween Horror Nights 33 is on select nights from August 30 through November 3 at Universal Studios Florida.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.
Disney has shared the story of an incredible cast member who just received the Disney Heroes Award. What’s Happening: Disney shared the story about a DVC cast member, Nichole Shaw, who recently received the Disney Heroes Award. This award recognizes cast members who perform extraordinary life-saving acts on or off the clock. Nichole was working […]
Disney Vacation Club unveiled details for the Island Tower coming to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World Resort. The tower is under construction and projected to open in December 2024, although no exact opening date has been announced. This shares the booking dates as well as fresh concept art and renderings of […]
Passengers booked aboard select sailings on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream in November of 2025 have been notified that their voyage has been cancelled due to operational needs, according to CruiseHive. What’s Happening: Disney Cruise Line has reportedly cancelled a pair of sailings in November of 2025 aboard the Disney Dream, citing an operational need […]
At the end of next month, app users will have their subscriptions automatically canceled. What’s Happening: National Geographic has announced on their website that the National Geographic App for iOS and Android will be shutting down on September 26th, 2024. Users who have subscriptions to the Nat Geo application who would still like to access the […]
FX’s Say Nothing will premiere all nine episodes on Hulu on November 14th. What’s Happening: FX’s Say Nothing will premiere Thursday, November 14th exclusively on Hulu with all nine episodes available at premiere. The new limited series is based on the best-selling book by Patrick Radden Keefe. Internationally, Say Nothing will premiere November 14th exclusively on Disney+ in the UK, Ireland, […]
Hello hello, it’s Nana again. Yes, this photo report covers my second day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week.
Another Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Today, I got a “princess parking” spot, which made me super happy. (“Princess parking” is what I call a parking spot close to the courtesy tram or the entrance.) Also, did you know you can fit five people in one row on the tram?
I’m sure many of our readers know what to do when going through security, right?
Always take out your umbrella, portable battery, glasses case, and water bottle, and hold them in front of you, and walk through! This way, you can avoid a second screening for those items. (McDonald’s iced coffee is optional, but I love the $0.99 McDonald’s iced coffee.)
Okay, we finally made it to the entrance. Nice blue sky, huh? All reporters have their own ways of reporting… Mine starts with Mickey’s of Hollywood.
This Disney Wishable isn’t new, but whenever I see a Wishable, I remember the day I had to get ONE OF EACH for Tom. You can’t see what’s in the blind bag, so you must be a psychic or a professional toucher to guess the plush inside. If you don’t get one of each, you know what’s going to happen, right? Yeah… (You’re going to buy more.)
Anyway, I didn’t need to buy this Wishable collection, so I’m safe for today.
My AT-AT is still sick and not moving. I’m very concerned.
I noticed no change to Ice Cold Hydraulics. Have you ever watched the Ice Cold Hydraulic review? You should watch it. Maybe it will brighten your day for a bit!
After that, I entered Batuu East. (I WILL BE IN BATUU WEST THIS WEEKEND!!)
There was a line to fill your water bottles here. PLEASE STAY HYDRATED. Fill your water bottle, Yeti, Stanley cup, plastic bottles — anything that can hold water. It’s hot out there!
Oh, this pitmaster droid at Ronto Roasters is us at WDWNT (including Eric), working nonstop every day. I think he deserves a vacation or something…
Across the street, Dok-Ondar is still on vacation from his Den of Antiquities. I feel like he’s been absent for a while… At least a week or two now?
I didn’t see much in Batuu today. Jumping to Pixar Plaza, where you can meet characters from Pixar movies, like “The Incredibles” and “Inside Out.”
Frozone is usually roaming around the plaza, Joy has her own spot, and you can meet Edna Mode in the building behind Frozone.
Just a thought popped inside my head while standing here: “My memory walls will be filled with blue orbs. Riley must be super happy every day.”
Nothing new was spotted at the former Voyage of the Little Mermaid today, but I did see some construction workers’ footsteps going in and out of the theater. I assume they’re working hard on the new show right now…
Here’s a fun fact: I do not like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I can’t ride it, but I did ride it once. I’ve tried it at Tokyo DisneySea and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Disney California Adventure, but I’m not a big fan.
We got the whole new Tower of Terror merch collection from a previous park visit. Nothing new there. As I was wrapping up the loop at Hollywood Studios, the Florida rain started approaching.
This means, “Prepare your rain gear, the rain is coming…” Before I made it to my car, of course, it started raining. So please take my advice and bring your rain gear if you’re coming to Florida. This is our daily rain. If you didn’t get rained on, you might have done a good deed somewhere!
Thank you for joining me on this adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Have a magical day!
Earlier today at Gamescom, a new trailer was unveiled that gives players their first glimpse at the new Star Wars Outlaws open world game, full of familiar characters and new surprises. What’s Happening: Just days away from the official release of Star Wars Outlaws, and we get to see a new trailer for the first open […]