Outside the Disney Bubble

Disney Fanatic shares news and experiences that unfold outside of the Disney bubble, including news of Disney’s competitors and beyond.

  • Mar- 2026 -
    4 March
    entrance to Epic Universe

    Universal Eyes Major Franchises for Future Epic Universe Expansions

    Epic Universe is still in that “new park” glow, but fans have already moved on to the next obsession. People love the lands and headliners, sure, yet the biggest question doesn’t sit inside the gates. It sits just beyond them. Every time someone spots movement near the perimeter, the same thought pops up again: something bigger is coming. Universal Orlando Resort hasn’t officially announced what t

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  • 4 March
    Frankenstein castle in Dark Universe inside Epic Universe theme park

    Epic Universe Sets Expansion Outside of Orlando: New Development Sparks Excitement

    For decades, theme parks have promised something few other experiences can offer: the chance to step directly into the worlds we’ve only seen on screens. Whether guests are wandering through the streets of Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort or stepping onto the Millennium Falcon in Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge, the modern theme park is increasingly about immersion. The Walt Disney Company and Univers

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  • 4 March
    The iconic Universal Studios globe in CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort

    Universal Removes Major DreamWorks Land Feature Before It Even Turns Two

    DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida was designed to be loud, colorful, and packed with energy. When the area opened in 2024, it offered something slightly different from many other sections of the park. Instead of focusing solely on rides, the land leaned into playground-style experiences where kids could run, climb, and get soaked. One of the most memorable features was located inside th

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  • 4 March
    Universal's iconic lighthouse with a sign that reads “Islands of Adventure”

    Free Souvenirs Are Now Available at Universal Orlando Resort

    Universal Orlando Resort is offering free commemorative wristbands for guests celebrating birthdays or special occasions. These wristbands feature unique designs with ride logos and match each attraction's branding, making them collectible souvenirs. This new guest experience enhancement was quietly introduced without major promotions. While many attractions at Universal Studios Florida currently

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  • 3 March
    Universal Orlando Resort guests in front of the globe near Universal Islands of Adventure, where Jurassic Park lives on.

    This Suspended Coaster at Universal Won’t Reopen Until Late Spring

    It only takes one line on a theme park website to send fans into speculation mode. Right now, that line reads: Pteranodon Flyers — closed through May 14, 2026. After months of construction walls and unanswered questions inside Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando has finally attached a date to the attraction’s absence. And it’s not a short one. The suspended coaster-style ride

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  • 3 March
    guest in front of entrance to Universal's Epic Universe theme park

    One Major Hurdle Stands Between Epic Universe and Annual Passes

    Epic Universe has now been open long enough that the “new park honeymoon phase” excuse no longer applies. The lands are operating. The crowds have settled into more predictable patterns. Vacation packages are flowing. And yet, one thing still hasn’t materialized: traditional Annual Pass access. For a resort that built a fiercely loyal Passholder base at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adv

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  • 3 March
    A crowd of people walk toward the large arched entrance of Universal Studios Florida

    Universal Makes Surprising Front Gate Cut as Crowds Swell

    There’s something different about the front entrance at Universal Orlando Resort — and if you’ve walked past the gates recently, you may have already felt it. The self-service ticket kiosks are gone. Not relocated. Not temporarily covered. Removed entirely from both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. The pavilion that once housed them now sits empty, creating a noticeabl

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  • 1 March
    Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

    A New Chapter Begins: Universal Expands the Wizarding World With Limited-Time Additions

    Every theme park land eventually reaches a point where it feels complete. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has long existed in that category — a fully realized environment where nearly every detail feels intentional and untouched by time. Guests know exactly what awaits them: Butterbeer carts, spell-casting windows, and shops packed with magical sweets. But starting today, Universal Orlando is

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  • Feb- 2026 -
    28 February
    Hagrid's Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure

    Universal Orlando Coaster’s Future in Question After Serious Concerns

    Universal Orlando Resort continues to deliver energy and spectacle. Coasters roar overhead. Guests can check wait times in the app. The skyline still promises speed and intensity. Yet beneath the excitement, a quiet concern has emerged. Is one of Universal’s newest roller coasters already struggling to maintain its footing? Universal has not announced a permanent shutdown. There is no formal decla

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  • 28 February
    A family of four walks past the Universal Studios Hollywood globe at the entrance to the Southern California theme park. Hogwarts Always Universal Studios Hollywood

    The Shadow Over the Rings: Why Universal Studios Workers Just Launched a Massive Protest to Keep ICE Out of the Parks

    The morning mist usually brings a sense of cinematic wonder to the Cahuenga Pass, but this past Thursday, February 26, 2026, the air was thick with a different kind of energy. Instead of the usual upbeat soundtrack of Jurassic World or the whimsical themes of Super Nintendo World, the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood was dominated by the rhythmic drumbeats of a picket line and the unified v

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