Universal Classic Monsters: The Untold Story of Dracula's Casting

Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay Closures

• 🌋 Volcano Bay is closing for four months starting November 2nd, a departure from Universal's previous practice of keeping it open year-round.
• 🌧️ This closure is attributed to a combination of seasonal weather patterns and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on tourism and business operations.
• 🏨 The decision is further supported by the reduced capacity and closure of on-site hotels, impacting the guaranteed guest flow to the water park.

Halloween Horror Nights Merchandise and Food

• 👕 Universal is offering a $40 combo deal for Halloween Horror Nights merchandise, including a Jack t-shirt, poster, and shot glass, with a free lanyard.
• 🎭 The merchandise focus includes icons from past Halloween Horror Nights, with new masks being released weekly, including Harry Potter-themed ones.
• 🌽 "Stolen Teeth," a corn-based snack, is available at food trucks outside the Halloween Horror Nights store, with a strawberry tart version also offered in the tribute store.

VelociCoaster and Universal Orlando News

• 🦖 A description on the Universal Orlando website briefly mentioned the Jurassic World VelociCoaster opening in September 2021, before being quickly removed.
• 🎟️ Universal is offering a "buy two days, get three days free" ticket deal for US visitors, valid through August 31, 2021.
• 🏡 Universal Orlando is initiating a nationwide search for a developer to create an affordable housing community on a 20-acre site in Orange County, with groundbreaking planned for 2022.

California Theme Park Reopening Standoff

• ⚖️ Disney and Universal Studios Hollywood are reportedly preparing legal action against California Governor Newsom over the slow pace of theme park reopening plans.
• 🏥 The state's argument centers on the urban environment of California parks, making social distancing more challenging compared to Florida parks.

The Genesis of Universal Classic Monsters

• 🎬 The podcast delves into the origins of the Universal Classic Monsters franchise, questioning whether Dracula (1931) or The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) truly launched it.
• 💰 Hunchback was a significant hit, grossing $3.5 million worldwide, leading to subsequent successes like Phantom of the Opera (1925).
• 🗣️ Carl Laemmle Jr. initially proposed a Dracula film to lure Lon Chaney back to Universal, envisioning Chaney playing both Dracula and Van Helsing.
• 💔 Tragically, Lon Chaney died of a throat hemorrhage on August 26, 1930, just five weeks before Dracula's production was set to begin, leading to Bela Lugosi being cast instead.
• 🔄 Universal's successful re-release of Phantom of the Opera in 1930 with added sound and a synchronized score demonstrated the viability of updating classic films.