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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Jul- 2026 -29 July
SeaWorld Property Discovery Cove Ordered to Admit Violation
There is a federal order in effect on one of Orlando's most beloved attractions, and almost nobody visiting it knows about it. Let us set the scene first, because the contrast is the story here. Look, by day four of an Orlando vacation, people are cooked. The parks are phenomenal, and they are also a grind. Up before dawn, twelve hours vertical, wall-to-wall crowds, and Florida heat that does not
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28 July
Universal Orlando Extends Cheaper Epic Universe Access Into 2027—but Something Major Is Missing
Universal Orlando Passholders can now look farther into 2027 when planning a visit to Epic Universe—and pay less than the general public to get through the gate. The latest Passholder ticket calendar displays dated Epic Universe admission through July 2027. That is welcome news for guests hoping to return next year without paying the standard one-day price. However, it also extends Universal Orlan
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28 July
Universal Crowds to Swell in Coming Weeks Thanks to the Latest Passholder Announcement
Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are getting six weeks of new discounts, exclusive food, merchandise offers, and extended lounge access beginning August 15. What they are not getting—at least not yet—is repeat admission to Epic Universe. Universal has now detailed its 2026 Passholder Appreciation Days, running through September 30 across Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano
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28 July
Farewell to Jurassic Park: Universal Permanently Erases Another Classic Experience
Universal Orlando has spent years adding new attractions and experiences, but some of its oldest areas are heading in the opposite direction. At Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park has gradually lost several areas of land that guests explored when the park opened in 1999. Interactive activities have disappeared, entertainment has ended, and other longtime locations are now being reworked. The late
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27 July
Confirmed: Universal Epic Universe Will Close Early Beginning September
The days of long summer nights at Universal Epic Universe are about to come to an end. Universal Orlando Resort has posted operating hours for September, and guests planning fall trips should prepare for earlier evenings. Epic Universe will close at 8:00 p.m. throughout the month, reducing the amount of time visitors can spend inside Universal's newest theme park after sunset. It's a noteworthy ch
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26 July
Universal Closes Original Epic Universe Attraction for Good, New Experience Takes Over
A nighttime tradition that began with Epic Universe itself has already come to an end. The Cosmos Fountain, located in the heart of Celestial Park, officially held its final performance on July 6, 2026. The attraction had entertained guests with choreographed fountains, lighting, and music, typically providing one final experience around the time the park closed. Its retirement comes barely a year
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25 July
Universal Orlando Prices Could Lead to Less Families Vacationing
Universal Orlando Resort has encountered a warning sign that even its newest theme park cannot completely erase. Attendance across the broader Orlando resort softened beginning in June, according to Comcast executives discussing the company’s second-quarter results. Epic Universe remains a strong performer, but higher fuel costs and weaker consumer sentiment reportedly weighed on the destination o
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25 July
Epic Universe Permit Points to a New Dark Universe Ride—but Its Monster Remains Hidden
Universal Orlando still is not ready to reveal what will fill Dark Universe’s reserved expansion plot. Orange County’s permit reviewers, however, may have revealed what kind of attraction is being designed for it. Newly updated records for Project 680 describe a three-story structure containing a “Ride Maintenance Bay on the first floor.” That reference offers the strongest documentary evidence ye
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25 July
Universal Orlando ‘Shuts Out’ Guests: 4 Banned Items You Might Accidentally Pack
Planning a day at Universal Orlando usually means deciding which attractions to ride first, where to eat, and how to fit everything into a single visit. It's easy to overlook one detail that can affect your day before it even begins: what you're bringing through security. Several common items that many people pack without a second thought aren't allowed inside Universal Orlando Resort's theme park
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24 July
Universal Orlando Pushes Harry Potter Across Three Parks as Lost Continent Disappears
Universal Orlando Resort is turning the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film into a three-park celebration beginning August 1, complete with a collectible Butterbeer mug, themed treats, merchandise, and the return of Hogwarts Always at Islands of Adventure. It is a limited-time event, not a new land or attraction. Still, its scale illustrates just how thoroughly Harry Potter now runs th
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