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Universal Orlando Resort Gets Super Bowl Commercial

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Universal Orlando Resort Sign
Universal Orlando Resort Sign

One of the highlights of the Super Bowl for many are the commercials. This year’s game was televised by NBC (owned by Comcast), so there were many nods to the Comcast group of businesses including Xfinity web service, the new Minions & Monsters movie and the Universal theme parks! The ad centers specifically around the Universal Orlando Resort and although every park was shown in some way, including Volcano Bay, the majority of the park shots were centered around Epic Universe and Stardust Racers.

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Pokémon is Coming to Universal Theme Parks!

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Pokémon Universal Studios Japan No Limits! logo
Combined Universal and Pokémon No Limits! Logo (Courtesy of Universal)

After years of rumors,  Pokémon is finally coming to Universal theme parks. It was announced on January 22, 2026 that the Pokémon IP will debut in Japan, but is then “Universal Destinations & Experiences will deliver unique Pokémon experiences across the company’s global footprint”. There were no dates, rides or attractions announced and this is probably a couple years out in Japan and probably 2029 or later in the United States. The release was very simple and vague, but it got the point across that Pokémon is coming!

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Beast Land Theme Park in Riyadh is Open Now Until December 27th with 3 Traveling Roller Coasters

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Beast Land image
Beast Land (image from riyadhseason.com)

MrBeast now has his own theme park, or more of a high quality traveling carnival, called Beast Land in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I’ll call this a theme park as it is themed to him! Beast Land really has two elements, the Beast Land amusement/theme park and Beast Arena where you can compete in games and events to win money. The park launch video is below and is highly focused on the game aspect of the park and less on the rides. There are also complex issues related to Saudi Arabian investment which enables this much of this wild stuff. However, we cover theme parks here, so we’ll focus on the rides including a massive inverted coaster you can see in the video.

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Universal Orlando Announces 2026 Military Freedom Pass Offering a $220 Annual Pass!

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Universal CityWalk Orlando

If you are active duty or retired military or a department of defense civilian employee you can get a Universal Orlando Resort Annual Pass incredibly cheaply. The pass is called the Military Freedom Pass and it starts at just $220 (compared to the cheapest standard pass at $425). You can choose From 2-Park or 3-Park options where Volcano Bay is added as the 3rd park. Keep in mind that no Universal annual pass currently gets you into Epic Universe, but more on that later. This is quite the bargain when a single day ticket starts at $119, so for less than the cost of 2 days you get the whole year.

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The TEA Rankings are Out of for the Top 25 Theme Parks Worldwide and Almost Half are in Asia

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Super Nintendo World Sign at Universal Studios Japan
Super Nintendo World Sign at Universal Studios Japan

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is a international non-profitwho releases a free annual report about the leisure and travel sectors including the theme park industry. The 2024 TEA Global Experience Index™ is out and the results show that Asia is a growing theme park powerhouse with 12 of the top 25 theme parks by attendance. It’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to travel internationally these days, but most seem to travel to Europe, not Asia. Most of the Asian parks in the top 10 are in Japan including #3 Universal Studios Japan, #4 Tokyo Disneyland and #7 Tokyo DisneySea, but you’ll also find several parks in China and two in South Korea. However, this report shows that if you’ve never visited a park in Asia you’re missing almost half of the top 25 parks in the world.

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Fort Collins Old Town was the Inspiration for Disney Main Street USA

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Did you know that a town in Colorado served as the model for Disneyland’s (and the Magic Kingdom’s) Main Street USA? Fort Collins proudly embraces this heritage and it’s all because of Imagineer Harper Goff who was born in Fort Collins. Main Street USA also draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s hometown, Marceline, Missouri but the similarities to Fort Collins are uncanny. In fact records show that Goff went back to Fort Collins in the 1950’s explicitly for the purpose of building Main Street USA in the future Disneyland park. You can see in the pictures above many commonalities from the trolley all the way down to the look of the street lights.

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SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep Suspended Dark Ride Coming to SeaWorld Orlando in 2026

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Vekoma suspended dark ride concept art
Vekoma suspended dark ride concept art (courtesy of Vekoma)

SeaWorld has announced a new indoor ride for the second consecutive year with the suspended dark ride, SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep. This is not a suspended coaster, but a powered suspended dark ride. Based on permits and activity at the park it appears to be headed to a parking lot behind the Ports of Call ballroom near Expedition Odyssey. The ride will be themed to a submarine taking an underwater voyage.

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Drinking Around the Universe at Universal Epic Universe

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Epic Universe entrance
Epic Universe Chronos Tower

Universal Epic Universe has quickly established itself as a prime destination for thrill-seekers and, as it turns out, for those seeking unique and sophisticated adult beverages. The park, which opened on May 22, 2025, has made a name for itself not just with its incredible rides and themed worlds, but also with a diverse and creative lineup of cocktails, beers, and other alcoholic libations. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing spritz in Celestial Park or a potent potion in the Ministry of Magic, here’s a guide to some of the top spots to find alcoholic drinks at Epic Universe.

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The Fascinating World of Disney Balloons

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Getting a balloon at a theme park can be an iconic experience for a child and some of the balloons at Disney are amazing. Balloons can be found for sale, on parade floats and even as part of attractions. Much of the Disney balloon magic can be traced back to one man, Treb Heining who elevated balloons to an an art form. Mr. Heining was part inventor, part artist and part salesman who helped make balloons an integral part of Disney.

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New “Beak and Barrel” Tavern is Magic Kingdom’s First Public Bar and One of the Few Ways for the General Public to Drink at the Park

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The Beak and Barrel sign

Getting an adult beverage at Magic Kingdom is not easy, and that’s thought to be somewhat intentional. While the other Walt Disney World Parks more openly sell alcohol at bars and kiosks (think “Drinking Around the World” at EPCOT) alcohol has generally been hard to come by at the Magic Kingdom. You can generally get it at table service restaurants, but otherwise it was as part of an upcharge event like the “Fireworks and Dessert Parties“. This has now changed with the opening of The Beak and Barrel Tavern Magic Kingdom’s first bar.

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