Universal Joint Episode 11: A 2018 Year in Review for Universal Parks & Resorts

New Year's Eve Reflections

• 🎆 Both hosts share their preference for staying home on New Year's Eve over braving large crowds, citing past experiences with weather and logistics.
• 📺 Streaming New Year's Eve celebrations from Orlando and New York was a preferred alternative to attending in person.
• 🏰 A past experience of spending New Year's Eve at Universal Studios Florida in the 1990s is recalled, noting a more classic Times Square-style celebration.

Honoring Dr. Seuss's Widow and Film Performance

• 🕊️ The show's planned Christmas episode themed around The Grinch was postponed out of respect for Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss's widow, who passed away at 95.
• 📉 Universal Pictures experienced a holiday season hit with the underperformance of films like "Mortal Engines" and "Welcome to Marwin" at the box office.
• 🏆 In contrast, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" received critical acclaim, winning a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.

Theme Park Developments and IP Strategy

• 🏗️ Discussions touch on Universal's ongoing development of Universal's Fantastic Worlds, including the integration of Nintendo IP and potential Jurassic World attractions.
• 🎢 The closure and retheming of the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios Hollywood to Jurassic World is noted, with speculation about Orlando's plans.
• 🎬 The success of the "Universal Spectacle Night Parade" in Japan, featuring IPs like Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and Transformers, sparks a desire for similar parades in the US.
• ⚖️ A lawsuit against Universal is mentioned, filed by a family whose father died after riding Skull Island: Reign of Kong, citing insufficient safety warnings for non-English speakers.

Dining, Entertainment, and Seasonal Events

• 🍩 The closure of the Beverly Hills Boulangerie at Universal Studios Florida is discussed, with speculation about a new IP-based dining concept replacing it.
• 🎊 Universal Studios Japan's "Universal Cool Japan" event, featuring Sailor Moon, and the popular "Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle" show in Orlando are highlighted.
• 🎃 Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando expanded its run to 37 nights, an all-time high, indicating strong demand.
• 🎄 Holiday celebrations across Universal parks, including new LED trees in Orlando and a record-breaking Christmas tree in Japan, are reviewed.

Operational Changes and New Attractions

• 🎢 The "Eighth Voyage of Sinbad" show at Islands of Adventure closed, with anticipation for a new Harry Potter-themed attraction in its place.
• 🛍️ The opening of the Owl Post store in Diagon Alley, offering specialized packaging for Wizarding World purchases, is noted as a unique retail experience.
• 🏨 The Aventura hotel opened at Universal Orlando Resort, offering a modern, millennial-focused design with ample charging stations.
• 🔄 CityWalk saw changes with the closure and quick reopening of MC Universal as CineArk, and the closure of the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad.