Lots of tidbits from the last couple of days:
Universal to hire 3,000 for summer rushThere are available positions across the entire resort, including attractions, aquatics, food services, culinary, custodial, warehouse, entrance operations, sales, and more. There are also professional career opportunities available, including in Entertainment, Tech Services, Finance, Marketing and Sales, Human Resorces, and more. These specific openings offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages.
There will be several job fairs at Universal Orlando in the next several weeks. They are by appointment only. Interested candidates can apply online and then will be contacted to schedule an interview appointment.
Ticket prices going up Shocker!
It looks like prices have gone up $10 on multi-day tickets, whether one park per day or Park-to-Park, including admission to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. For one day tickets, prices have gone up at the regular and anytime levels, but remained the same at the lowest-priced value level.
One Park Per Day:
1 day: $115/125/135
2 day: $225
3 day: $245
4 day: $255
5 day: $265
And Park-to-Park:
1 day: $170/180/190
2 day: $285
3 day: $305
4 day: $320
5 day: $335
Guy in the comments said raise the prices more to get rid of F&F!
Hard Rock Cafe lease renewed for 20 yearsSuppose there'd be a gaping hole if it were ever knocked down. I don't really see it going anywhere anytime soon (and not for 20 years
)
Hard Rock International today announced a lease renewal with Universal Orlando Resort to maintain Hard Rock Cafe’s presence in the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex for another 20 years, keeping the venue open at its current location through 2039.
Hard Rock Cafe Orlando stands in Universal Orlando CityWalk and features a multi-level Cafe, expansive Rock Shop and 3,000-person concert venue. The “Coliseum of Rock” is home to more pieces of music memorabilia than any other Hard Rock Cafe in the world.
The Hard Rock Cafe has been a part of Universal CityWalk since it opened to the public in 1999 as part of the expansion of the Resort. Fans may also remember the original Hard Rock Cafe, known for its guitar-shaped building, that was connected to Universal Studios Florida in the early 90’s.
Where is Nintendo Land, 4 years later? So what about Orlando?
Nintendo isn’t giving many answers. Legendary Nintendo game producer Shigeru Miyamoto said in February that any announcement would have to come from Universal, but assured Nintendo investors the Japan project would open before the Tokyo Olympics open next year, followed by the U.S. parks.
“After the opening in Japan, Super Nintendo World areas will also be built in the parks in Hollywood and Orlando in the US for the enjoyment of everyone,” Miyamoto said. “We are in frequent contact with Universal Parks & Resorts, working closely together to develop the theme park from a creative standpoint.”
Universal is similarly tight-lipped, as it often is regarding new attractions. Universal Orlando representatives did not respond to Orlando Rising’s requests for comment on this story.
“Universal always keeps their plans close to the vest. In this case it worked out well for Universal, as they began to realize that the project was big enough to be in a new theme park rather than being added to one of the existing parks. Then the land purchase went through completely, and the designs changed to accommodate that,” said Bill Zanetti, a founding member of the University of Central Florida’s Entertainment Management Advisory Board.
Universal similarly hedged as it built The Wizarding World of Harry Potter a decade ago, reusing some existing attractions and restaurant spaces for Hogsmeade. Only when it became a massive phenomenon, with attendance at Islands of Adventure jumping by 30 percent from 2010 to 2011, did Universal go all-in with a Potter-themed expansion into Universal Studios Florida.
But hedging doesn’t seem necessary, considering the long-term strength of the Nintendo brand. Having been a cultural force in the U.S. for nearly 35 years, Nintendo hits a cross-generational sweet spot — popular with both adults who grew up playing Nintendo games in the ‘80s and ‘90s and their kids — that makes it perfect for theme park exploitation.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter solidified Universal Orlando as a true competitor to Walt Disney World. The immersion and attention to detail drew plaudits from every corner of the entertainment industry.
And it also woke up the Mouse.
Disney has since looked to one-up Universal on immersive theme park design, starting with Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal KIngdom. That evolution will truly be judged when the heavily-hyped Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens later this year, first in Disneyland in Anaheim on May 31 followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29.
Universal has its own additions to attract new or returning guests this year. The Potter-themed Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens on June 13, a “highly-themed coaster” that signals a change from the screen-based rides that have begun wearing on Universal guests.
But rather than fast-track its Nintendo attractions to keep pace with Disney, Universal can afford to sit back and see what the competition has to offer — and then respond in kind.
“It won’t hurt Universal,” Zanetti said. “They have plenty of other new attractions coming to the current parks between now and when the new theme park opens. Besides, with Disney adding more attractions, that’s a good thing too. Anything that brings more people to Orlando and Central Florida is good for the whole theme park neighborhood.”
