Universal Studios Hits Play on Summer and Horror Nights Reveals in This Week’s Theme Park News
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It’s a mega-movie summer at Universal Studios Orlando with the East Coast resort punching up cinematic nostalgia and the opening of DreamWorks Land. With nighttime shows themed around the likes of Back to the Future, E.T., Ghostbusters, Jaws, Trolls, and Shrek, movie fans of all ages can get into vacation mode like in the movies.
Meanwhile, Halloween Horror Nights is bubbling beneath hot summer concrete at Universal too, as a few non-IP houses have been revealed for this fall’s scares. Fingers and toes crossed the first IP is Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice)—we said it thrice, so it’s sure to come true!
There’s no doubt we’ll get more spooky info from theme parks all around at Midsummer Scream, which has announced that Universal Studios, Knott’s Scary Farm, and Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (they’re baaaack) will be announcing more about their haunt slate at the annual convention. Additionally, Disneyland’s Fantasmic! returns sans epic dragon and Furiosa gets its own Wasteland-inspired food menu at Alamo Drafthouse.
For this and more theme park news, read on!
Visit a swamp far, far, away in DreamWorks Land
Opening on June 14, DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios is a new family friendly area inspired by the animated worlds seen in Shrek, Trolls, and Kung-Fu Panda. There’s themed rides and experiences where you can meet Shrek in his swamp, ride a gentle Trollercoaster, and learn kung fu moves with Po. Don’t forget to try the Shrek face pretzel complete with green cheese slime dip!
Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, E.T., Jaws, and Shrek Merch at Universal Studios
Debuting at Universal Orlando Resort’ new Summer Tribute Store will be a new collection of products inspired by the films featured in the upcoming mega-movie experiences opening this summer: Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Jaws, Jurassic World, and Shrek. Guests will be invited to hit up a 1980s-themed Tribute Store Plaza at Universal Studios Orlando, with three highly immersive “mega” rooms: the nostalgic Mega Video Rental video store, a retro Mega Castle Arcade, and the majestic Tribute Theatre. Inside each space will be Instagram-able photo-ops with movie nerd Easter eggs for each film.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Houses
Before we see which major movie, TV, or game IP manages to be unleashed as a house at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando has revealed six non-IP haunted houses for their east coast fall event.
Slaughter Sinema 2: “If you’re dying for a B-movie horror marathon, head to the Carey Drive-in. Scream through scenes from creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti westerns, and more.” A sequel to one of Halloween Horror Nights Orlando’s all-time great houses.
Goblin’s Feast: “Welcome to the Goblin’s Feast Tavern and visit the goblin village where a lavish feast is being prepared for goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, and witches. And you’re the main course.” New for this year!
Major Sweets Candy Factory: “You’ve been invited to chaperone a field trip to a candy factory. But this sweet tour is about to turn sour when free samples transform the kids into candy-coated killers wielding sharpened candies.” Based on the fan-fave scare zone!
The Museum: Deadly Exhibit: “You’re going to check out the Rotting Stone, the local folklore museum’s infamous new exhibit. An evil spirit escapes from within, possessing the other displays and decaying everything in its path.” Also new for this year.
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America: “¡Ten cuídado! With La Muerte as your guide, you’ll be asking for piedad from these three terrifying monsters: the blood-sucking Tlahuelpuchi, owl-faced witch La Lechuza, and bone-ripping El Silbón.” This house was originated at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood and was hands down one of the best in recent history; we’re excited for East Coast haunters to get to experience it.
Triplets of Terror: “You’re invited to the Barmy triplets’ birthday bash. But beware, they celebrate by recreating their family’s murders. Prepare for a gory gathering.”
Disneyland’s Fantasmic! returns, minus epic Maleficent dragon
But the nighttime waterside show has resurrected the classic Peter Pan sequence on the sailing ship Columbia! Watch the updated show without Maleficent’s dragon, which at least went out in a blaze of glory, starting Friday at the Disneyland Resort.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure pays homage to her father
More of Tiana’s family backstory is set to be explored in the queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with nods to Tiana’s dad, a World War I veteran, as seen in the image above.
Fast food a la Furiosa
There are four new limited-time Mad Max universe meals and drinks inspired by Furiosa at Alamo Drafthouse screenings, starting today through June 10.
Midsummer Scream Theme Park Haunt Panel
In just two months Halloween convention Midsummer Scream will kick off spooky season—and theme park haunt creatives will be on hand to discuss this year’s attractions, including Universal Studios Hollywood: Halloween Horror Nights. The convention run July 26-28 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. If you’re going, the Midsumme Scream app is now available for download.
Turning Red at the Academy Museum
On Saturday, May 25, there will be a screening of Pixar’s Turning Red at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, CA. At part of its Calm Morning program. It will feature a sensory-friendly gallery exploration and a family workshop inspired by the film; according to the museum, “during the workshop, families can try out voice acting paired with clips of Turning Red that depict different strong emotions in our Shirley Temple Education Studio Foley room and sound booth!” You can reserve tickets here.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
