Universal Orlando Resort - What's New, Events, Refurbishments & Closures August 2023

Check out all the latest from Universal Orlando Resort, with the latest special events, closures and refurbishments.

Welcome to another month of special events, closures and refurbishments at Universal Orlando Resort.

We know it can be difficult to keep up to date with what's happening at the theme parks here in Orlando, and that's why we produce this monthly update, to help you enjoy all that's new and happening, together with keeping you updated on what rides and attractions are currently closed for refurbishment!

August is a busy month at Universal Orlando as the resort is getting ready to celebrate spooky season, and if you visit Universal Studios Florida you will see lots of props, lighting, and more being added for the scare zones.

August also sees the official opening of the new Minion Land including new attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, and more.

Plus, Universal Orlando are currently working on multiple new attractions, including a brand new Theme Park, Epic Universe which is due to open in Summer 2025.

Minion Land

For summer this year, the huge news at Universal Orlando is that a brand new land is now open, currently in soft opening Minion Land and its brand new attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast will have a grand opening on August 11.

Minion Land invites guests to step inside the world of the Minions, with unique dining experiences like Minion Cafe, Bake My Day and Pop-a-Nana, plus Minion Land will also be home to new Villain-Con Minion Blast Attraction which is not yet open.

Minion Land on Illumination Ave. is an immersive new area created in partnership between Universal’s award-winning creative team and the acclaimed filmmakers from Illumination.

The new land expands upon the wildly popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction and will debut a new collection of experiences for guests of all ages inspired by the beloved Minions franchise.

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast

Guests can put their villainous skills to the test in Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast – an all-new attraction where guests compete against each other in a fully interactive gaming experience that’s so much fun, it’s a crime. Afterward, guests exit through Evil Stuff, an all-new retail location where they can stock up on Villain-Con and Minions merchandise. More details about Villain-Con Minion Blast will be revealed soon.

Illumination’s Minion Cafe

It’s Minions in the kitchen, mischief in the dining room, and tons of tasty food at the new Illumination’s Minion Cafe – the marquee dining location within Minion Land. This immersive new eatery offers something for every palate in a highly-entertaining dining experience that features three themed areas designed after beloved Minions Kevin, Stuart, Bob and Otto: the Kitchen – where guests will get a glimpse of the equipment and gear the Minions have used to whip up the cafe’s menu; the Breakroom – where guests can dine in the Minions’ break space that includes everything from “Office Safety Tips” to a vending machine stocked with mischievous items; and the Dining Room – a vibrant space adorned with colorful artwork courtesy of the Minions and more. Guests can also enjoy their meal on an outdoor patio that overlooks the fun of Minion Land.

Bake My Day

Topped with a massive pink cupcake that’s visible from anywhere in the land, Bake My Day is a whimsical retail location and bakery featuring a selection of Minion-themed sweet treats, including cupcakes, macarons, s’mores and more, along with exclusive Minion-inspired merchandise like apparel, plush, drinkware, accessories, keychains and more.

Pop-A-Nnana

Banana-flavored popcorn, anyone? This walkup location features sweet and savory popcorn inspired by the Minions’ love for bananas. Here, guests may also find an assortment of cute popcorn buckets, including the Minion Selfie bucket.

Freeze Ray Pops

Guests can cool off with a visit to Freeze Ray Pops, featuring a variety of colorful popsicles inspired by Gru, the Minions and Vector – along with beverages.

Illumination Theater

Guests can meet, greet and interact with beloved characters like the Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith and Agnes, plus new additions from the hit film “Sing” – Rosita, Gunter and Johnny – at an outdoor Illumination Theater facade.

Guests can also discover murals, photo ops and more throughout Minion Land that celebrate additional characters from popular Illumination films.

Taste of Terror Dining Preview

A brand new Taste of Terror Dining preview for this years Halloween Horror Nights 32 is happening in August.

This brand new preview dining experience will take place on select night in August, ahead of this year's Halloween Horror Nights which kicks off September 1.

This will be an all-you-care-to-enjoy preview of select Halloween Horror Nights food and drink options in Soundstage #33 at Universal Studios Florida.

Taste of Terror Dining costs $159.99 per person. Theme park admission for the same day is also required and not included.

One Taste of Terror ticket (available to purchase here) is valid for one night on the following dates: Aug. 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, or 26.

The colourful world of DreamWorks Animation is coming to Universal Studios Florida in an Immersive and Interactive New Land in 2024.

Next year, Universal Orlando Resort will debut an all-new themed land featuring DreamWorks Animation’s beloved animated characters.

Universal Orlando have announced that the colourful world of DreamWorks Animation is replacing the already closed Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone at Universal Studios Florida.

As guests step into this new land, their imaginations will run wild as they take in the vibrant colors, sights and sounds that surround them.

They will share special moments with their favorite characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse and explore themed, interactive play spaces and attractions that bring popular franchises like Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda to life in the most imaginatively fun ways.

The concept art mainly shows the land’s marquee sign, which includes Shrek, Donkey, Po, and Trolls, but if you look a little more closely to the right hand side of the sign you can see a glimpse of what we can expect when the new land opens in 2024.

You can see a new swamp home for Shrek and Donkey, and a roller-coaster inspired by Trolls. In the concept art you can see one of the franchise's purple spiders, and a spider web above the coaster track.

With the new land taking over the previous home of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, the new Trolls coaster will probably be a re-theme of the Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster that wa sin the previous land.

Most of the old land has been cleared but the coaster is still standing, so it seems very likely this Troll coaster will indeed be a retheme.

The new DreamWorks land, coming to Universal Studios Florida, is already under construction at Universal Studios Florida, and will debut at Universal Orlando Resort in 2024.

Stay tuned – more details will be revealed in the future!

New UNIVRS Store

Universal UNIVRS, a first-of-its-kind retail destination, recently opened on Hollywood Boulevard inside Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort, and we love it!

This shop-in-shop brings favorite brands from across NBCUniversal to life through seasonal apparel offerings that lean into the "get it before it's gone" drop culture shopping mentality.

Launching with this new location, and now also available at Universal City Walk Hollywood, is a summer collection inspired by JAWS, Felix the Cat and the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park.

Tapping into entertainment and fashion tastemakers through their style-driven offerings, merchandise at UNIVRS marries popular brand designs with current fashion silhouettes and trending styles, driven by favorite characters and iconic on-screen moments.

Exclusive merchandise will be released in limited quantities, from tees and jackets, to tracksuits and skirts, to tote bags and hats, products will range in price from $30-$150 and in size from XS-2XL, across the mens, womens and unisex categories.

Jurassic Park Tribute Store

A new Jurassic Park Tribute Store: Jurassic Park takes over this summer in the Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida. The immersive retail location will invite guests to explore the history of the blockbuster movie as they venture through a series of themed rooms that highlight everything from pre-production elements like storyboards and blueprints to photo ops that recreate memorable scenes from the iconic film.

Guests can also shop exclusive 30th anniversary merchandise including apparel, hats, key chains, plush, collectibles, and more.

Passholder Appreciation Days at Universal Orlando Resort is happening from August 15 to September 30, 2023.

The highlight of the event is Passholder Night which will take place at Universal's Island Of Adventure on August 26 from 7 pm - 11 pm.

Registration opened earlier today but the event has already been FULLY BOOKED.

Now, Universal Orlando have revealed the perks that will be available during Passholder Appreciation Days, including exclusive UOAP merchandise, a free art print, dining offers, and more!

Current Universal Orlando Resort Closures & Refurbishments

Fortunately in August as the summer temperatures rise, the refurbishments and closures fall, with guests able to enjoy just about everything the Universal theme parks have to offer!

Universal Studios Florida

KidZone

Closed January 15, 2023

The majority of KidZone closed at Universal Studios Florida on January 15, with Fievel's Playland, Woody Woodpecker Family Coaster, Curious George, DreamWorks Destination and Shrek & Donkey Meet & Greet all now gone forever.

While no official announcement has been made what is replacing the closed attractions, the area will be transformed into Universal's DreamWorks Animation Land which is scheduled to open in 2024.

Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration

Dates: March 9 - Permanent

Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration night show which took place in Universal studios Florida lagoon featured fountains, pyrotechnics, lasers, water screens an more.

While the show has ended, it's known that Universal is working ion a new nighttime show and is set to feature drones.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Dates: August 14 - 18

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will be closed between August 14 and 18 for a brief refurbishment

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Poseidon's Fury at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Permanently Closed

Poseidon's Fury will permanently close at Universal's Islands of Adventure on May 9.

Universal Orlando have not announced a replacement for the attraction, only promising "exciting new experiences,".

Poseidon's Fury was an opening day attraction at Universal's Islands of Adventure when it opened back in 1999.

Dark Arts At Hogwarts Castle

November 1, 2022 - September ?

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle had its last show of the season on October 31 and will not return to Universal's Island's Of Adventure until September, 2023 where it should return until Halloween, October 31, 2023.

And that's everything, with no current closures, and it's no surprise at we head into the hot and very busy summer months.

Have a great month! Happy Summer!!

For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com.

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