ILLUMINATION’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MINION LAND, FEATURING THE ALL-NEW VILLAIN-CON MINION BLAST, MINION CAFE, BAKE MY DAY AND MORE IS NOW OPEN AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ORLANDO, Fla. (August 11, 2023) – Brace yourself, as Minion Land on Illumination Avenue officially opens today at Universal Orlando Resort. Guests of all ages can now step into the beloved world of the Minions franchise like never before at Universal Studios Florida. Developed in partnership between Universal’s award-winning creative team and the acclaimed filmmakers from Illumination, a whole new level of Minion mischief awaits in this vibrant new land. “We are thrilled to officially welcome our guests to the all-new Minion Land,” said Karen Irwin, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “This immersive and captivating new addition to our destination was brought to life in a partnership with our colleagues at Illumination and puts our guests into the heart, and villainous minds, of this diabolically fun franchise. This rich new environment has so much for all our guests to enjoy.” Chris Meledandri, Founder and CEO of Illumination, said, “After we visited Villain-Con in the first MINIONS, we all felt that there were many more stories to tell. I am thrilled for guests of all ages to discover our new Minion Land including the innovative gamified experience at Villain-Con Minion Blast where they can battle our favorite villains featured in the Despicable Me franchise, from the iconic Vector to the most recent supervillain, supergroup, The Vicious 6.” Guests are welcomed to the land with a fun, photo-worthy “Minion Land” marquee featuring 22 Minions before embarking on more mayhem that awaits along Illumination Ave., including the groundbreaking new attraction – Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast – where guests can blast their way to supervillain stardom. Guests can also savor tasty dishes at Minion Cafe, snack on banana-flavored popcorn at Pop-a-Nana, cool off with sweet treats at Freeze Ray Pops, shop exclusive Minion-inspired merchandise and goodies at Bake My Day and the Evil Stuff retail store, laugh alongside the Minions while experiencing absolute Mayhem at the beloved Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and meet lots of fan-favorite characters along the way at Illumination Theater. Here's a closer look at the collection of new experiences guests will find enjoyably despicable in Minion Land: VILLAIN-CON MINION BLAST Villain-Con Minion Blast blends immersive sets, interactive game-based technology, and an original storyline for a first-of-its-kind attraction that puts guests’ villainous skills to the test to see if they have what it takes to become a member of the Vicious 6 – a notorious group of supervillains from the hit film, “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” Villain-Con Minion Blast is also the first Universal Orlando attraction to feature a connected gameplay experience via The Official Universal Orlando Resort App. By syncing their blaster to the app with just a tap, contenders can take their game to an entirely new level and track their scores, embark on special missions within the attraction, unlock evil perks and extra powerful blasts to help them gain more points and earn digital collectibles. MINION CAFE At the new Illumination’s Minion Cafe, guests can expect an immersive new eatery that offers something for everyone in a highly entertaining dining experience that features three themed areas designed after beloved Minions Kevin, Stuart, Bob and Otto: the Kitchen, the Breakroom and the Dining Room. Guests can also enjoy their meal at the outdoor patio that overlooks the fun of Minion Land. Guests of all ages can enjoy inventive fare featuring nearly 20 items inspired by memorable characters and staples from the Minions franchise. Minion Cafe also features an express window with a limited menu for those looking to satisfy their mischievous cravings quickly and return to the mayhem in Minion Land. BAKE MY DAY Topped with a massive pink cupcake that’s visible from anywhere in Minion Land, Bake My Day is a whimsical retail location and bakery featuring a selection of Minion-themed sweet treats, including cupcakes, macarons, s’mores and more, along with exclusive Minion-inspired merchandise like apparel, plush, drinkware, accessories, keychains and more. EVIL STUFF At this unique retail store, guests can pick up all the items necessary to complete their villainous transformation. This new retail store offers a variety of Villain-Con and Minions merchandise, making it a one-stop destination for those seeking to embrace their “evil” side. ILLUMINATION THEATER Not only can guests discover murals and photo ops of popular characters from Illumination films throughout Minion Land, but now guests can meet, greet and interact with beloved characters like the Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith and Agnes, plus new additions from the hit film “Sing” – Rosita, Gunter and Johnny – at the Illumination Theater. POP-A-NANA This walkup location features sweet and savory popcorn, including a special banana flavor, inspired by the Minions’ love for bananas. Here, guests may also find an assortment of fun popcorn buckets, including the Disco Minion. FREEZE RAY POPS Guests can cool off with a visit to Freeze Ray Pops, a walk-up window serving refreshingly colorful frozen treats inspired by Gru, the Minions and Vector. DESPICABLE ME MINION MAYHEM One of the most comedic, heartwarming, and beloved theme park experiences ever created brings Minions, mayhem, and tons of laughter to a ride that turns guests into Minions. This simulator attraction is a fan favorite and must-see while experiencing all that Minion Land has to offer. You can experience all the mayhem Minion Land has to offer with special deals including the incredible – Three Extra Months Free – offer when purchasing or renewing any 2-Park or 3-Park Annual or Seasonal Pass for U.S. and Canada residents. The “3 Months Free on Any Pass” offer allows guests to save significantly on an extraordinary year of theme park perks that includes 15 months of admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, as well as Universal Volcano Bay for select Passes – three theme parks that boast some of the most innovative, immersive, and popular theme park experiences ever created. Blockout dates apply on select Passes. For more information about the “3 Months Free on Any Pass” offer and Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For more information about Minion Land, visit Illumination's Minion Land | Universal Studios Florida (universalorlando.com) ### About Universal Destinations & Experiences Universal Destinations & Experiences, a unit of Comcast NBCUniversal, offers guests around the world the most innovative, immersive and popular entertainment experiences. Our portfolio is comprised of world-class theme parks featuring the industry’s most thrilling and technologically advanced attractions, exceptional hotels and resorts, unique merchandise, games, virtual and live entertainment experiences. We use our rich collection of stories and franchises – from Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and more – to take people to places they couldn’t imagine while creating memorable and emotionally fulfilling moments for people of all ages. The company continues to raise the bar on immersive storytelling to wow even the youngest theme park goers. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to build a first-of-its-kind, original theme park for families with young children in Frisco, Texas. For more information, visit www.universaldestinationsandexperiences.com. About Universal Orlando Resort – Where It’s More Than Magic, It’s Real Universal Orlando Resort is an award-winning theme park destination that welcomes all to truly be themselves while enjoying world-class attractions that redefine theme park experiences. Here, a multitude of authentically thrilling, exciting and spontaneous adventures await – each inviting guests to embark on whatever vacation they crave while igniting their full range of emotions like never before – from the awe of walking the streets of Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the rush of adrenaline that takes over when coming face-to-face with a Velociraptor in Jurassic Park to the wide-eyed joy of seeing an entire slice of cake atop a delectable milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. The 700-acre resort is home to three exhilarating theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay – that boast some of the most innovative and immersive experiences ever created, with a fourth next-level theme park, Universal Epic Universe, on the way. Guests can also relish in exciting dining and entertainment at the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex and enjoy incredible accommodations and magnificent theming across eight hotels that offer something for every style and budget – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside and Dockside Inn and Suites. For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com. About Illumination Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is the entertainment industry’s leading producer of event-animated films, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the first film of 2023 to earn more than $1 billion worldwide, Despicable Me—the most successful animated franchise in cinematic history—as well as Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch and The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films. Illumination’s revered studio library includes three of the top 10 animated films of all time. In April 2023, Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie opened to a staggering $377.5 million worldwide—the biggest animated global film opening weekend of all time—and set new records as the biggest opening weekend in Illumination history, the biggest domestic, international and global opening of 2023 so far, the biggest Easter weekend opening ever and the biggest video-game adaptation opening ever. Illumination is now responsible for the two biggest animated opening weekends of the pandemic era, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie is currently the highest grossing film, in any genre, of 2023. Illumination’s iconic, beloved franchises—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures. Illumination’s upcoming films include Migration in December 2023 and Despicable Me 4 in summer 2024. SeaWorld Orlando Celebrating National Roller Coaster Day with the Coaster Capital Challenge8/15/2023
Experience the ultimate celebration of National Roller Coaster Day at SeaWorld Orlando, proudly crowned the Coaster Capital of Orlando, boasting an impressive collection of seven exhilarating roller coasters – the most of any park. To mark this thrilling "holiday," SeaWorld Orlando will be distributing exclusive "Coaster Capital Challenge" lanyards to the first 400 guests to accept the challenge, inviting them to conquer all seven coasters within the park. As a surprise and delight for those 400 lucky guests who accept the challenge to celebrate National Roller Coaster Day at the park, the commemorative lanyard will serve as a complimentary Quick Queue for each coaster, allowing them to bypass the lines. Guests can scream, laugh, and experience heart-pounding excitement as they ride the day away. From careening through the sky like a shark at speeds of up to 73 mph on Mako – voted the Best Roller Coaster by USA Today’s 10Best – to a never-before-felt experience of surfing the waves on Pipeline, the world's first surf coaster, thrill-seekers are in for quite the adventure. Additionally, Pass Members will have an opportunity to participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of Mako (limited availability) as an exclusive Pass Member perk. Rides included in the challenge:
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events, and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 40,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the SeaWorld Entertainment (NYSE:SEAS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com. Sizzling-hot offer includes year-long admission in 2024 and the rest of 2023 for free TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced the launch of the 2024 Fun Card, offering unlimited visits through all of 2024 and the rest of 2023 for FREE! Giving guests the chance to pay for a day and get more than 16 months of park admission, now is the best time to take advantage of this limited-time offer. Purchasing a 2024 Fun Card now allows guests to experience the park’s remaining 2023 seasonal events such as Bier Fest, Spooktacular and Christmas Town and enjoy thrilling attractions such as the new Serengeti Flyer and the award-winning hybrid coaster, Iron Gwazi. Pricing for the 2024 Fun Card starts at $134.99. Guests with a 2024 Busch Gardens Fun Card can explore so much more starting now through the end of 2023 with the following seasonal events and family-friendly activities:
Bier Fest offers the ultimate jaw-dropping combo, a delectable blend of Oktoberfest-inspired dishes and brews from around the world as well as local favorites.
At Busch Gardens Spooktacular, guests will step into a whimsical world of enchantment full of not-so-spooky Halloween fun. In this immersive Halloween experience ideal for the little ones, guests are transported into Kandy’s World where they can enjoy activities such as the traditional trick-or-treating and be part of a colorful costume parade as well as the popular story “Room on a Broom,” where everybody has a place, and everyone belongs.
A celebration of Yuletide traditions, Christmas Town is the holiday winter wonderland for guests to enjoy millions of lights, heart-warming treats, festive entertainment and the perfect set for a family photo. The perfect place for the holidays, additional activities include meeting Santa and the elves, memorable photo opportunities with Rudolph and his Friends, the fan-favorite Christmas on Ice skating show, and more. Guests can learn more about all the events, exceptional deals and future announcements by visiting BuschGardensTampa.com and following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with thousands of animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. LA’s Top Celebrity Destination and Annual Family Tradition Is Back with New Interactive Features such as AR Scavenger Hunt & Digital Carnival Games, Unparalleled New Lantern Art Installations & Much More Tickets on Sale August 14; 20% Off Until September 1 LOS ANGELES (August 8, 2023) – LA’s leading immersive event, Nights Of The Jack, the ultimate Halloween experience for the whole family, is back this year for the 6th year and again promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. Welcoming over 100,000 people every year, greater LA area residents and celebrity fans alike are expected to return to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas for the annual event, that includes thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, immersive scenes and walking trail, premium food, beverages and cocktails and much more. Tickets go on sale on August 14, 2023 at 6:00am PT at NightsOfTheJack.com, with a 20% off discount until September 1, 2023. Nights Of The Jack officially kicks off on Opening Night on Friday, September 29, 2023. Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. Guests are encouraged to follow the mile-long, immersive walking trail, glimmering at every turn with blazing gourds around every corner. This season, Nights of the Jack has created a lot of new attractions, including adding advanced technology throughout the experience with a first-time AR scavenger hunt to earn prizes, AR selfie moments and digital carnival games for prizes. They have also added entirely new scenes, like Día De Los Muertos and The Enchanted Forest, unparalleled lantern art activations and tons of new photo moments. Nights Of The Jack is Halloween fun for everyone. Adults, families and children alike are welcome and won’t want to miss this hair-raising feast for the senses. Spooky but never scary, kids will love the enchanted renditions of their favorite characters in pumpkin-form and have fun amongst the big multi-sensory scenes. Adults will appreciate the artistry and craftmanship of the elaborate sets and be able to enjoy alcohol from two full bars. Everyone can enjoy picking out Halloween gifts and light-up items from the souvenir shop. Nights Of The Jack offers a premium food and beverage experience, including some of LA’s best food trucks. The Spookeasy is a high-end full bar and will have ample Halloween treats for adults, including top shelf spirits, cocktails, craft beer and wine. There will also be sweet treats, coffee, hot cider and cocoa nightly, with special additional dessert trucks on Wednesdays. "We are thrilled to be celebrating another Nights Of The Jack this year in Calabasas," in a joint statement said by Nights of the Jack co-founders, Ben Biscotti and Tony Schubert. "We can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of the exciting new features this year, including interactive technology elements like digital carnival games, AR scavenger hunt and AR backgrounds to take your selfies to the next level. We look forward to entertaining everyone again for a bigger and brighter season!” Main Attractions:
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Nights Of The Jack is also available for private events and corporate sponsorships and features a private 100-person VIP bar that can be closed off for private parties. Guests can also celebrate a little bit of Calabasas’ history from this very location that inspired the event. According to legend dating back to 1824, a rancher from Oxnard spilled a wagonload of pumpkins in Calabasas while on the way to Los Angeles and later, hundreds of pumpkins sprouted alongside the road. For high-res logos, broll and photos of past celebrities, guests and atmosphere, please visit here. About Nights Of The Jack Nights Of The Jack is a Halloween jack-o'-lantern event tailored for all ages. The immersive experience showcases thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins, situated throughout the stunning property at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, CA. The team behind this Halloween happening is a partnership comprised of production and hospitality industry veterans Ben Biscotti, Co-Founder & President of 1iota Productions and Award-winning event producer & designer Tony Schubert of Event Eleven. To learn more and join the conversation, use the hashtag #NightsOfTheJack and follow Nights of the Jack on social media: Facebook: @NightsOfTheJack Instagram: @NightsOfTheJack TikTok: @NightsOfTheJack Click here to check out our coverage of Nights of the jack 2022!Universal CityWalk, Southern California’s Iconic Urban Destination that Redefined and Reimagined Today’s Vibrant Open-Air Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Experience, Celebrates 30 Years Highlights Include a Nostalgic Multi-Media Celebratory Moment Filled with Music and Colorful Laser Presentation at 5 Towers, Plus Limited Time Menu Specials at Select Dining Establishments and Retro Marquee Merchandise Universal City, CA, August 10, 2023 — Thirty years ago, Universal Studios collaborated with visionary architect Jon Jerde to mastermind the quintessential urban California street, set amid a theme park and a working production movie and television studio, and sandwiched between towering palm trees and asphalt. The result became globally known as Universal CityWalk Hollywood, a dynamic, open-air destination that redefined and reimagined contemporary shopping, dining and entertainment in Southern California.
When CityWalk debuted in 1993, it was hailed as revolutionary; a prototypical urban entertainment complex that boosted the city’s rhythm through a foundation built on immersive experiences. It was conceived as a multi-sensory experience designed to spectacularly stimulate the senses and evoke a whimsical environment reflective of Los Angeles’ eclectic landscape. Its conceptual architectural designpaid homage to the City of Angels through a myriad ofinnovative, eye-catching, three-dimensional sculptures and vibrant neon signs that embodied the essence of Los Angeles and the city’s diverse cultural fabric. Thirty years later, this lively entertainment enclave continues to resonate as a pop cultural mecca with a track record that proves reinvention is the catalyst to remaining current, hip and fresh. As part of this milestone celebration, CityWalk has created a special moment in time with a video presentation that captures its 30-year evolution, from the construction of the landmark destination to modern day and accompanied by a colorful laser projection and atmospheric smoke effects designed to emphasize key moments within the nostalgic multi-media overview. These moments can be experienced multiple times throughout the evening on the big screen at 5 Towers until August 31, 2023. A specially crafted menu with limited-time offerings of tasty fare and beverages has also been carefully curated and is available at the following locations through August 31. Guests must be 21+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase alcoholic beverages.
The Universal Studio Store on CityWalk joins in the celebration by featuring a selection of fun retrospective merchandise. Discounts on select items are available at this location. With CityWalk’s proximity to Universal Studios’ production lot and adjacency to the theme park, whose rides and attractions are inspired by today’s most compelling movie and television properties, it’s no surprise that Universal CityWalk Hollywood has consistently been the epicenter for film buffs and fans seeking an environment that matches the excitement of their favorite blockbuster movie. As part of if its bold revitalization that started with a major expansion in 2000, CityWalk has continuously elevated the movie-going experience. First, with the debut of its IMAX theatre, then followed by the multi-million dollar renovation of its 18-screen Universal Cinema, an AMC® Theater and Director’s Lounge cocktail venue, to create an exceptional experience featuring the most technologically advanced sight and sound achievements. In recent years, CityWalk has also expanded its culinary offerings, serving up locals and visitors alike with an array of 30 unique dining options, from full-service sit down to quick serve restaurants. Highlights include Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville; VIVO Italian Kitchen; Antojitos Cocina Mexicana; NBC Sports Grill & Bar; Chick Chick Chicken and most recently, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. With seasoned executive chefs at the helm, these establishments helped to underscore CityWalk’s continuous investment in creating exceptional dining opportunities for guests. The arrival of Voodoo Doughnut brought a new twist to Universal CityWalk as the only location in the Golden State to offer these decadent sweet treats fromPortland, Oregon’s pastry chef masters. High demand for these luscious doughnuts, packaged in signature pink boxes, continue to permeate the destination and are immediately recognizable when carried in the arms of guests as they walk along CityWalk. Other dining options include Buca di Beppo, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Firehouse Subs, Johnny Rockets and Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs as well as sweet treat and beverage venues, such as Ben & Jerry’s,Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Mini Monster, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice and Popcornopolis, to name a few. Eclectic shopping runs the gamut and includes such popular locations as Billabong, Francesa’s, Hot Topic, Dodger’s Clubhouse Store, The Raider Image, Nectar Bath Treats, Sephora, Shoe Palace, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Store, the recently opened Karma & Luck and UNIVERS pop culture store, as well as Things From Another World—the only retailer original to CityWalk when the destination opened in 1993. CityWalk is an ever-evolving destination that has continually kept its pulse on the here and now without ever losing sight of the future. As it invites guest to stroll down memory lane in celebration of the past 30 years, CityWalk is focused on its bright future…so stayed tuned! Valet Parking with validation is conveniently available to guests visiting Universal CityWalk’s full-service restaurants, which also includes The Dessert Foundry, part of The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Costs vary based on time spent at CityWalk, from $10 when visiting for up to 2.5 hours and $15 when visiting for 2.5-3.5 hours. The cost increases after 3.5 hours. Additionally, movie-goers can enjoy $5 move parking at Universal Cinema with the purchase of General Parking and a movie ticket; restrictions apply. More information about Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios Hollywood is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Regular updates can be found on Universal Studios Hollywood’s social channels Instagram, Twitter, Threads and Facebook. ### |
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