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.
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Sep- 2026 -14 September
Universal CityWalk Restaurant Replacement Sets Opening Date, Celebrity Appearance Confirmed
A new restaurant is about to make its official debut at Universal CityWalk Orlando, and the first guests through the door could walk away with more than just a new place to eat. Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice has set Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the date for its grand opening. The celebration starts at 10 a.m., with a special appearance from one of the people behind the brand: NSYNC member J
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14 September
Disney World Loses to Universal Again as 2026 Results Confirm Major Orlando Shift
For years, Walt Disney World had an attraction that seemed nearly impossible for its competitors to beat. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance became the standard for modern dark rides after opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It combined massive physical sets, multiple ride systems, Audio-Animatronics, and familiar characters into an experience that repeatedly earned industry recognition. Then Ep
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14 September
Universal Orlando Closes ‘King Kong’ Ride, Confirms It Does Not Have a Reopening Date
Universal Orlando Resort has finally acknowledged the extended closure of Skull Island: Reign of Kong, confirming damage to the ride's massive animatronic centerpiece while stopping short of offering guests any timeline for King Kong's return. Weeks of Unexplained Downtime Skull Island: Reign of Kong has been closed since August 26, a shutdown that took theme park guests by surprise, as the ride w
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13 September
Universal Orlando’s ‘Jurassic Park’ Ride Dismantled After Months-Long Shutdown
Fresh aerial images show just how far Universal Orlando Resort has taken apart Jurassic Park River Adventure, giving fans their most detailed look yet at a refurbishment that has kept the ride offline for months. Months of Speculation Surround the Closure The ride has remained closed since January 5, 2026, with a reopening currently planned for November 20, 2026. That extended timeline fueled earl
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13 September
Epic Universe’s Biggest 2027 Problem Could Cost Your Family $796
Two years after Epic Universe opened its gates, guests visiting in 2027 might expect some of the park’s early challenges to be firmly in the past. Some probably will be. Others could remain part of the experience. Epic Universe features some of Universal Orlando Resort’s most technologically ambitious attractions, but those rides also come with operational realities guests need to understand. Long
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13 September
Universal Shuts Down King Kong Ride, Full Replacement Could Be on the Table
Universal Orlando Resort has a major attraction sitting idle at Islands of Adventure, and its eventual return may not be as simple as reopening the doors. Skull Island: Reign of Kong has experienced an extended, unannounced closure, with Universal providing no official reopening date. Making matters more interesting, an unconfirmed report claims the enormous King Kong animatronic inside the attrac
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12 September
Chaos Breaks out During Universal HHN 35 as Security Threat Found
A physical fight broke out in the queue for the Hellraiser haunted house at Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights 35 on September 11, 2026, adding a real-world disturbance to one of the event’s crowded guest environments. Video posted by Aya Ventures on X shortly after 10 p.m. Eastern Time shows a physical altercation among guests in a queue area. The post identifies the location as t
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12 September
Major Police Response Forces Lockdown at Universal Orlando Hotel
A night at Universal Orlando Resort turned into something very different for guests this week. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort has been part of Universal Orlando since 2014, when it opened as the destination’s fourth onsite hotel. Its colorful, mid-century design was built around the look of classic Florida beach resorts from the 1950s and 1960s. The hotel has since expanded to 2,200 rooms. Gu
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12 September
Universal Orlando Confirms Major Operations Shift: 67% of Rides Off-Limits This Fall
A normal evening at Universal Studios Florida can include everything from Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts to E.T. Adventure. But guests arriving on select fall nights won’t find anything close to the usual selection. Instead, Universal cuts its operating ride lineup down to only four attractions. Eight rides become unavailable, meaning roughly 67% of the park’s regular lineup disappears
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12 September
Guests Face Extensive Universal Closure After Reported Destructive Fire
A reported fire may be behind one of Universal Orlando Resort’s ongoing attraction closures. Guests visiting Islands of Adventure have been unable to ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong for weeks, with Universal yet to announce when the attraction will reopen. The King Kong ride sits between Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park and has operated since July 2016. Unlike nearby thrill rides such as Jurassic Wo
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