Universal Joint Podcast: Jurassic World Ride, Volcano Bay Issues, and Disney Price Hikes

Volcano Bay Electrical Incident

• ⚡ Volcano Bay experienced electrical issues on June 2nd, with guests reporting feeling "zaps" in the water and on pavement.
• ⚠️ Universal Orlando acknowledged the incident, stating that affected guests and lifeguards were offered medical attention, with some lifeguards briefly hospitalized but released.
• 🛠️ The resort closed the park out of caution, identified the source of the electrical problem, and performed repairs, assuring guests of safety.

Disney World Price Increases

• 📈 Disney World significantly increased annual pass prices, with the Platinum Pass for out-of-state visitors rising from $894 to $1119.
• 💰 This price hike has led to discussions about Universal's annual passes appearing more affordable in comparison.
• 🗺️ The price increases are speculated to be related to the upcoming opening of Galaxy's Edge and the park's strategy to manage demand and revenue.

Jurassic World: The Ride and Dining

• 🦖 Universal Studios Hollywood has opened the Isla Nu-Bar and Jurassic Cafe, offering Costa Rican-inspired cuisine and tropical cocktails.
• 📸 The Jurassic World: The Ride now features slow-motion video capture for social media sharing, similar to Disney's Test Track.
• 🗓️ A soft opening for Jurassic World: The Ride is anticipated around June 28th, with an official opening shortly after.

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

• 🏍️ Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal's Islands of Adventure has experienced extremely long wait times, with reports of 6-10 hour queues on opening days.
• ⚠️ The ride has faced weather delays and requires significant daily maintenance due to its sophisticated system, leading to midday openings for the next few weeks.
• 🤝 Universal is praised for its transparency in communicating these operational challenges to guests.

Other Park News and Podcasts

• 🎬 The film Secret Life of Pets 2 underperformed at the box office compared to its predecessor, raising questions about future franchise installments and related attractions.
• 🎧 The hosts mention their respective podcasts, "We Like Theme Parks" and various shows on the "Jim Hill Media Network," encouraging listeners to subscribe and rate them.
• 🏨 Universal's Endless Summer Resort, Surfside Inn Suites, is set to open on June 27th, with Dockside Inn Suites following in May 2020, offering new accommodation options.