Universal Studios

Universal Announces Hogwarts Castle Takeover, Effective in 11 Days

Hogwarts Castle is about to fall into the hands of some of the darkest characters in the Wizarding World. Universal Orlando Resort has officially announced the return of Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, bringing Lord Voldemort, Dementors, Death Eaters, and dark magic back to Universal Islands of Adventure. The nighttime experience begins September 5, meaning guests are now just 11 days away from seei

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Confirmed: Universal Orlando Slashes Theme Park Hours, Will Close as Early as 6:00 P.M.

Imagine spending the afternoon at Universal Studios Florida, watching the clock approach 5:00 p.m., and realizing your theme park day is about to get significantly more complicated. That's the reality during Halloween Horror Nights season. Universal Studios Florida routinely closes at 5:00 p.m. on Halloween Horror Nights dates so the park can prepare for its separately ticketed nighttime event. Re

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Universal Studios Florida’s Archways Disappear Behind Scrim

Something is happening at the front of Universal Studios Florida, and guests can't exactly miss it. Large sections of the park's famous entrance archways have disappeared behind scrim, temporarily changing one of Universal Orlando's most recognizable views. Universal hasn't revealed exactly what crews are preparing behind the coverings. But there's one major reason the timing makes sense: Hallowee

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Universal Orlando Restricts New Halloween Horror Nights Experience to Select Guests

There's going to be a lot competing for guests' attention when Halloween Horror Nights 35 takes over Universal Studios Florida, and Universal Orlando just added another experience to the list. This one comes with a restriction. Universal Orlando Annual and Seasonal Passholders will have access to The Keyholder Bar, an exclusive location operating during Halloween Horror Nights event nights. Unlike

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Popeye’s Final Splash? ‘SpongeBob’ and ‘Scooby-Doo’ Could Reshape Universal Orlando

Walk through Islands of Adventure today, and one section still looks back to a much earlier generation of cartoons. That's part of Toon Lagoon's charm. It's also what makes the land such an interesting candidate for a future overhaul. Universal Orlando Resort hasn't announced plans to close Toon Lagoon, and there is no confirmed project to replace Popeye, Dudley Do-Right, or the other characters f

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‘Harry Potter’ Star Publicly Calls Out JK Rowling: “Embarrassing”

The divide surrounding the Harry Potter franchise is showing no signs of disappearing. JK Rowling has spent years at the center of an increasingly public dispute over her views on sex and gender identity. The author has repeatedly denied accusations that she is transphobic, while continuing to make outspoken statements on social media. Her position has also created distance between Rowling and sev

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Universal Reveals New HHN 35 Process Just One Week Before Event Start

Universal Orlando Resort has put its 2026 Halloween Horror Nights Stay & Scream process into sharper focus with a new explainer video ahead of HHN 35 at Universal Studios Florida. The biggest change is already reshaping how guests plan the event: eligible visitors can begin entering three haunted houses at 2 p.m., four and a half hours before Halloween Horror Nights officially starts at 6:30 p.m.

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Another Heat Advisory Hits Orlando Theme Parks as August Grinds On

Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are staring down a heat index up to 112 today, followed by storms packing 55 mph gusts and lightning that could shut rides down. Some context. Look, another day in Orlando, another heat advisory. That has been the story for most of this month, and the repetition is exactly the danger. Something happens often enough and people quit reading it as a warning.

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Universal Studios Florida Archway Construction Raises HHN 35 Entry Concerns

Construction at the Universal Studios Florida archway is still changing less than two weeks before Halloween Horror Nights 35 begins its regular run. Photos shared Wednesday by HHNSpeculationMatt on X show scaffolding and work equipment around portions of the landmark entrance, keeping attention on a refurbishment that has been underway as Universal Orlando Resort prepares for its biggest fall eve

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After Nearly 4 Years, Universal Is Changing up the Hogwarts Castle, Effective in 17 Days

Universal Orlando Resort is bringing Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, restoring a seasonal nighttime experience that has been absent from Orlando since its 2022 run. Universal’s 2026 event calendar confirms that Dark Arts returns on select nights this fall, while the resort’s attraction page currently lists the

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