Around the Universe: Universal Orlando News, Nov 8

There are exciting new things happening every day at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida!  Join us every week to read about what’s new “Around the Universe.”  This week’s Universal Orlando News update features: Veterans Day events, celebrity sightings, a FREE One Direction concert, the opening of The Cowfish restaurant and much more!

What’s New This Week?

Universal Orlando Resort celebrated Veterans Day with a special in-park parade featuring its Veteran Network

Universal Orlando Theme Parks

New! Veterans Day Activities at Universal Studios: In honor of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Universal Orlando Resort’s Veterans Network – comprised of more than 400 team members – will march in a special parade at Universal Studios Florida on Monday, Nov. 10.  UOR will also commemorate Veterans Day with a flag-raising ceremony and a private lunch for Veterans and their families.  Members of several local organizations will join Universal Orlando’s veterans to mark the occasion.  The parade will begin at 11 a.m. in front of Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue.  Flag-raising ceremony will take place in NY area (Gramercy Park).

Updated! One Direction Performance at Universal Orlando with FREE Public Viewing: One Direction is going to be at Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17 2014 for a special performance for NBC’s TODAY!  FREE public viewing will be available throughout Universal CityWalk and no admission is required to attend!  You read that correctly, One Direction free concert!  Designated viewing will be available throughout CityWalk on a first come basis as limited by capacity and no theme park admission is required. TODAY will be taping from 7:00am – 10:00am.  The Universal Orlando Resort parking garage will open at 3:00am;  CityWalk will open at 4:00am and regular parking charges will apply.

One-Direction
New! Celebrities Visited Universal Orlando Resort: Pop music sensation Ariana Grande bravely roamed the terrifying streets of Halloween Horror Nights 24 at Universal Orlando Resort with her family and friends on October 30, 2014.  During her visit, Grande’s worst nightmares became reality as she came face-to-face with the iconic masked vigilantes in the frightening street experience, “The Purge: Anarchy.”

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On Oct. 25, 2014, award-winning actor Richard Gere visited the all-new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Resort.  During his hosted visit, Gere boarded the iconic Hogwarts Express and enjoyed a unique journey as he traveled between King’s Cross Station and Hogsmeade Station.

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Mexican actress and singer, Eiza Gonzalez, and her “From Dusk Till Dawn” co-star, DJ Cotrona, got more than one good scare while experiencing Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 24 on October 26, 2014.  During their visit, Gonzalez and Cotrona roamed the remote biker bar and came face-to-face with an ancient race of blood thirsty vampires in the terrifying haunted house, “From Dusk Till Dawn,” based on the El Rey Network series.  Gonzalez is best known for her role as the primary Queen vampire, Santanico Pandemonium, in the hit television series in which Cotrona co-stars as suave anti-hero, Seth Gecko.

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Greg Nicotero, Co-Executive Producer and Director of Special Effects Make-Up for AMC’s The Walking Dead, found himself surrounded by a horde of walkers at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 24.  During his visit to the event on October 25, Nicotero experienced the real-life terror of his own undead creations inside AMC’s The Walking Dead: End of the Line haunted house.

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Reminder! Buy Two, Get third Day Free Offer: Universal Orlando Resort announced the return of the resort’s popular 3rd Day Free Offer for U.S. and Canada residents – giving them a third day FREE with the purchase of a 2-day park ticket.  This offer gives visitors even more time to enjoy the trip of a lifetime to Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.  Offer valid for purchase through June 7, 2015 and is valid for 14 days from the first use – must be used in full by June 20, 2015.  Current price of a 2-day, park-to-park ticket is $175.99 per adult, plus tax. Blockout dates apply Dec. 26, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015.

New! Universal Express Pass Now Available Online: Universal now sells “Universal Express Unlimited” tickets online and over the phone.  Previously, unlimited Express Passes sold as a separate ticket were only available for purchase on-site at Universal.  You can use this Express Pass an UNLIMITED NUMBER OF TIMES at participating rides and attractions each day that your pass is valid.

Universal CityWalk

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New! CowFish Sushi and Burger Bar Soft Opens: This weekend Cowfish unofficially opened its doors at CityWalk! The Cowfish is a one-of-a-kind dining experience, thriving on its ability to fuse two niche products seamlessly on the same menu.  Fresh, innovative and delicious, the sushi segment of the menu is far beyond what you’re accustomed to.  All natural, creative and hearty, the burgers entice with fresh, never frozen, ingredients and bold flavors.  Spiked hand-spun milkshakes, premium sakes, craft beers, wine and 10o’s of exotic martinis round out a huge bar menu that is sure to please.  The Cowfish aims to offer something for the entire family.  Scrumptious appetizers for sharing, entree-sized salads, homemade desserts and a fun kid’s menu.  If you can’t make up your mind, try a bento box to sample a mini-burger along with your choice of sushi roll and three tasty side items!

New! PRIMUS and The Chocolate Factory to Play Hard Rock Live Nov 9: American rock band PRIMUS will perform at 8:00 pm Nov 9th. Tickets are $49.50 for Lower Balcony, $44.50 for Upper Balcony and $39.50 GA Standing Floor.  Doors open at 7:00pm. More info: 407-351-LIVE (5483).

New! Phillip Phillips to Play Hard Rock Live Nov. 14: Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips will perform at 8:00 pm Nov 14th. Tickets are $65 for Balcony Tables, $55 for Lower Balcony, $45 for Upper Balcony and $35 GA Standing Floor.  Doors open at 7:00pm. More info: 407-351-LIVE (5483).

Hard-Rock-Live

Reminder! Classic Albums Live – The Beatles ‘Help’ to Play Hard Rock Live Nov 7: Classic Albums Live is a concert series based in Toronto, Ontario, in which musicians perform a classic rock album in its entirety. The performers are a group of studio musicians and vocalists that perform the albums LIVE using the instrumentation used on the original recording…cut for cut…note for note. The Beatles ‘Help’ will be performed at Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk on Nov 7 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of show. $15 in advance and $20 day of show for general admission standing perimeter. Doors open at 7:00pm. More info: 407-351-LIVE (5483).

Reminder! The Fresh Beat Band to Play Hard Rock Live Nov 8: The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon’s preschool music group and stars of the Emmy Award-winning TV series of the same name, head back on the road for a brand-new nationwide concert tour Nov. 5–Feb. 15.  The Fresh Beat Band will perform at Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk on Nov 8 at 6:30pm. Tickets are $59  First 2 Rows and Balcony Tables, $49 reserved upper balcony, $27.50 Reserved main floor and upper balcony. Meet and Greet packages also available. Doors open at 5:30pm. More info: 407-351-LIVE (5483).

Reminder! NASCAR Sports Grille Closed Nov 1: NASCAR Sports Grille permanently closed its doors November 1. No replacement has been announced yet.

Closures and Refurbishments

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

  • No current closures

Universal Studios

  • Fear Factor Live: Closed for seasonal maintenance

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About Siera Duiser

Hello, my name is Siera and I am a travel agent with Destinations to Explore. I have always loved to travel and have had the opportunity to travel to thirteen different countries so far. I have also been to many different parts of the United States. I love sharing about the places I have been and the places I would love to see as well as some tips and tricks I have learned along the way.