Latest news with #UniversalOrlandoResort
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida man sues Universal over alleged malfunction of 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' ride
The Brief A Florida man alleges Universal Orlando's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride left him stranded midair, causing lasting injuries. The lawsuit claims the park ignored prior warnings and failed to act. Universal has not yet responded to the $50,000-plus complaint. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50,000 in damages against Universal Orlando Resort, alleging he was injured during a ride malfunction. What we know A St. Johns County man has filed a lawsuit against Universal Orlando Resort, seeking more than $50,000 in damages. The suit stems from a July 2, 2023, incident involving the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride. The plaintiff claims the ride came to a sudden halt, leaving him stranded in a tilted cart for approximately an hour before being repositioned. He alleges the malfunction resulted in injuries and emotional distress. What we don't know Universal Orlando has not yet issued a public response or comment on the allegations. It is unclear whether the park has conducted an internal investigation or made technical changes to the ride following the incident. There is also no information available about whether similar lawsuits have been filed or whether regulatory authorities were involved. The backstory According to the complaint, the ride was operating as intended when it unexpectedly stopped. The plaintiff argues that the ride has a history of issues and that Universal continued to run it despite known risks. The lawsuit alleges a failure to repair or warn about the potential for power-related stoppages, which the plaintiff claims were foreseeable and avoidable. Dig deeper Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an indoor thrill ride at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park and part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The attraction includes robotic arm technology, motion simulation and 3D/4D imagery. Guests ride in secure seats attached to the robotic arm which pivots, drops, spins, and twists above its track. "Enter through the towering castle gates and make your way down the familiar passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on a thrilling adventure," Universal explains. "Groundbreaking, state-of-the-art technology (and a little magic) creates a one-of-a-kind ride." Universal has an identical ride at its parks in California, Japan, and China. Timeline The incident occurred on July 2, 2023. The plaintiff was allegedly stuck in the ride for nearly an hour that day. The legal complaint was filed in Orange County, Florida, on May 28, 2025. What they're saying The suit includes two counts: premises liability and general negligence. It argues that Universal breached its duty of care by failing to implement proper safety protocols, conduct timely inspections, maintain backup systems, and communicate warnings about ongoing risks — including rolling power outages. The plaintiff argues that this created "unreasonable risk of harm." Universal was "aware that the rollercoaster had similar problems in the past and failed to take adequate or reasonable steps to remedy this known problem," the complaint alleges. It further claims the theme park acted "with wanton, willful, and reckless disregard for the safety and health of the plaintiff," citing a profit motive for continuing to operate the ride despite the risks. As a result, the plaintiff claims he suffered "bodily injury, resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, scarring, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money, damage to property, inconvenience, and aggravation of a previously existing condition. Such losses are either permanent or continuing in nature." As of Monday, June 2, 2025, Universal had not responded publicly. Read The Lawsuit Below is the full text of the lawsuit, which you can also find at this link (PDF). Click to open this PDF in a new window. What's next The complaint demands a jury trial and seeks damages, court costs, and additional relief as allowed by law. The plaintiff is represented by Rob Cook, Attorney at Law, P.A., based in St. Augustine. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information from documents filed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Orange County.
USA Today
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Can you stay at Epic Universe? These hotels put you closest to the action.
Can you stay at Epic Universe? These hotels put you closest to the action. Show Caption Hide Caption Dive into Universal's Epic Universe immersive worlds Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, is the first theme park to open in the area in 25 years with five different, immersive worlds. ORLANDO, Fla. – If money were no object, there'd be no question about where to stay while visiting Universal's new Epic Universe theme park. Hands down, it would be Universal Helios Grand Hotel because it's connected to the park and has an exclusive entrance. 'You can ... almost literally roll out of bed and into the theme park,' Dennis Quinn, senior vice president of Hotel Commercial Strategy at Universal Orlando Resort, told USA TODAY. 'It just brings a whole new level to the guest immersion into our entertainment environment.' The location not only puts guests at a huge advantage for being among the first to enter Epic Universe each morning, but also for midday breaks, when they can saunter back to their rooms or hotel pool to recharge. 'It's not like you have to have a dedicated pool day,' he added. 'You could hop in and out on any given day.' Alas for most travelers, money matters, and Helios Grand is one of the priciest hotels at Universal Orlando Resort. Starting prices vary widely depending on factors like time of year, length of stay and available promotions. Prospective guests can find pricing for their specific travel dates on Universal's website. With 11 hotels and 11,000 rooms on property, there's something for every budget. And some hotels, co-owned by Universal and Loews, have arguably better perks. Here's what you should know before booking an Epic Universe vacation. What hotels can you walk to Epic Universe from? Three hotels are within walking distance of Epic Universe. Helios Grand is adjacent. Universal Stella Nova sits across the street from the park, about a 12-minute walk away. Its twin, Universal Terra Luna, is a bit further, diagonal from the park. All three hotels opened this year and were inspired by Celestial Park, the heart of Epic Universe. 'With Stella and Terra, we liked the celestial aspect of Celestial Park within Epic Universe, so we took that field and tried to not capture space travel but tried to capture the aura and wonder of space,' explained Russ Dagon, senior vice president of Resort Development, Universal Creative. He said the same creatives who worked on the park drew early concept art for Stella Nova and Terra Luna. For Helios Grand, he said, they leaned into the look of historic world's fairs, which also influenced the architecture of Celestial Park. 'We knew when we were designing this hotel that this would be the backdrop to virtually every picture taken within the park, so it's highly integrated,' he said. Most of Universal's other hotels are not walkable from Epic, located on an entirely different campus along with Universal's two other theme parks, Volcano Bay water park and CityWalk shopping, dining and entertainment. CityWalk's transportation hub is about 15 minutes away from Epic Universe by resort shuttle. Universal's two Endless Summer hotels are exceptions. They're not connected to either park campus or within easy walking distance, but located between them. On the plus side, their rooms and suites are generally the cheapest at Universal. Free transportation is provided between Universal hotels and parks, but guests will consider where they plan to spend most of their vacation when choosing where to stay. What is the difference between Stella Nova and Terra Luna? These sleek, space-themed hotels are very similar, but there are a few slight differences. Outside, both are paneled in shiny, multicolored tiles, but Stella Nova's tiles extend all the way to the ground near its front entrance, while Terra Luna's do not. On the inside, they're mirror images, with Stella Nova's cafe and quick-service dining venue to the left side of its lobby, when entering from the front, and Terra Nova's to the right. The venues are also designed differently and have different menus. The predominant color in both hotels is white, but as their names imply, Stella Nova is accented with cooler tones and starry vibes while Terra Nova has warmer, more terrestrial theming. By and large, their spacious two-queen guest rooms look the same, but they have different artwork. Both hotels have a lobby bar and pool bar, gym, game room, hot tub and expansive pool with ample lounge seats. For families with young children, Stella Nova also has a splash pad. Terra Luna does not, but its pool offers zero-depth entry, unlike Stella Nova's. Is it worth staying off property? What Universal, Disney guests should know when visiting Orlando What are the benefits of staying at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel? Aside from its unparalleled proximity to Epic Universe and exclusive park entrance, Helios Grand is a beautiful hotel. 'One of our biggest challenges – and I think we did a great job of addressing this – was making it rich, making it sophisticated and making it approachable all at the same time,' Dagon said. 'We've all been in hotels where you felt it was too fancy for you ... It's all still very, very comfortable.' Half of the hotel faces the park, offering spectacular views that can be seen from its top-floor bar, Bar Helios, and guest rooms where curtains automatically open and close with the touch of a button. Like any Universal Orlando hotel, guests staying there enjoy early entry to select parks each day with paid admission, free resort transportation, free delivery of in-park purchases back to their hotel, room charging privileges – and the feeling of staying inside the Universal bubble. 'That's the big part of it, feeling like you're not really leaving the resort grounds, the fact that it's a continuous vacation experience,' Quinn said. One big difference, however, from other Universal hotels at similar price points is Helios Grand guests do not get free Universal Express Unlimited passes to cut waits at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Those passes typically cost between $149.99 and $349.99 per person, per day, but they're free with stays at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Travelers planning to visit Universal's other theme parks should consider if the perks of staying at Helios Grand outweigh the opportunity cost of the Universal Express passes and time saved in line. (Free Express passes can't be used at Epic Universe.) Alternately guests could split their stay between hotels for the best of both worlds. 'None of our hotels are designed to be all things to all people, and because of that, you can create a unique stay at each property and you can find something for everyone,' Dagon said. The reporter on this story received access from Universal. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘I visited Orlando's newest theme park and one new thing blew everyone away'
Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe in Florida has opened its doors – with five new worlds to explore within – so naturally I went along to sample the magical delights Universal Orlando Resort's newest theme park, Epic Universe, has changed the face of the landscape and what it means to enjoy a holiday full of thrills and spills. The £7 billion theme park is an immersive, multisensory experience with storytelling at its core. The resort's fourth theme park and the first to open in 25 years, it invites guests to 'explore vibrant worlds filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond their wildest imaginations" – and it really is magical. With 50 awe-inspiring attractions,entertainment, dining and shopping experiences in its new park, the Universal parks make up a 700-acre resort space. But it's not just the stunning scenery, experiences and rides that blew me away - my entire group were wowed by the culinary experiences inside the park. Forget burgers, hotdogs and popcorn - although readily available if you fancy - I dined on exquisite seafood from scallops to King Oysters at Atlantic and freshly made Dim Sum and Ramen noodles at The Blue Dragon, both in Celestial Park. I also found the best purple pizza called Pizza Lunare in Pizza Moon, complete with an Ube crust - the chunks of roasted garlic were to die for - and melt-in-the-mouth beef brisket at The Oak & Star Tavern. Let's explore the worlds a little closer for when you plan your first visit... Celestial Park Step through the Chronos – the impressive first portal tower and entrance to the park that when 'powered' will align to open up five magical portals for visitors to explore. I first enjoyed Celestial Park – the cosmic heart of Epic Universe and so much more than just a starting point. Local 'Celestians' who inhabit here tend to the lush, tree-lined walkways and I found myself whisked into a whimsical world of greenery, tropical flowers, fountains and ponds. Everything here is connected heavily to astrology, from the first sight of Luna, goddess of the moon, who oversees the night's luminescence by her Neptune Pools, to the far side of the park where Apollo, god of the sun, rests. Even the rides are well themed – I enjoyed a gentle sway on the Constellation Carousel and zipped at 62mph on Stardust Racers, a dual racing rollercoaster across 5,000ft of track, which is the park's top thrill ride for speed and height. Celestial Park interweaves the other worlds and acts as a calming decompression from the extremities of themes and music in each world. Grab a cocktail at Bar Zenith, watch the fountain show and marvel in the sheer beauty. MUST DO Visit North Star Wintry Wonders, an all-year Christmas store where it really snows outside – even under the hot Florida sun. Dark Universe The storytelling continues as you move through this spooky portal and into monstrous Darkmoor Village. It makes sense – Universal is the pioneer of horror, after all. Dr Victoria Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein's great great-granddaughter, is the proud owner of this world's central focus – Frankenstein Manor – and she has captured all the monsters but she's having some trouble with Dracula. Ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment as you navigate the catacombs of the manor to 'help' Victoria (you won't help – but you will scream). The ride's technology is phenomenal and the animatronics are creative masterpieces. Fear not, it's suitable for all ages. Take time to explore the details. Look out for a little girl statue of Maria (a character from the 1931 Frankenstein film, who accidentally drowns), listen to sounds from beneath the vampire well and head to the Blazing Blade Tavern for a fiery sight to behold. MUST DO Grab a bite to eat at Das Stakehouse. The theming is almost better than the food – and the food is delicious. Super Nintendo World Everything moves, spins, jumps and wobbles in Super Nintendo World. It's a gaming world for everyone – even the big kids who are young at heart. Providing one of the coolest portals (the walkway into each world), I entered via a Super Mario Warp Pipe and arrived inside Princess Peach's Castle before exiting into a world of jaw-dropping colour and musical joy. Glistening golden coins, stomping Koombas, sliding 1-Up mushrooms and snapping Piranha Plants were everywhere as I looked across to Bowser's Castle. This is where I gave Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge a go and my dismal points were made up for by the fun and laughter I had hurtling turtle shells and banana peels at my friends (virtually, of course – the race car game, where we're up against all the usual Super Mario bad guys, is played via a headset). The character meet and greets here are sweet for youngsters – Toad is a rotund delight for toddlers, Mario and Luigi are cool for pre-teens and even the too-cool-for-school teenagers won't be able to resist Donkey Kong. Don't miss the fabulous rollercoaster Minecart Madness – it's a bumpy ride but the jumps over 'missing' sections of the track are thrilling. MUST DO Buy a $45 Power-Up wristband. It's vital for playing the in-world mini games, collecting coins and banking some exclusive park stamps and badges, which connects to an app on your mobile phone and creates family friendly competition. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic This world makes the Wizarding Worlds at Universal Orlando Resort a trio – also made up of Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands Of Adventure. Step inside the magical streets of 1920s Paris, where the likes of Newt Scamander hangs out. Known as Place Cachée, this world is a fan delight, merging the magic of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them in Paris, with the wonders of Harry Potter. I hopped on the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry Of Magic for Dolores Umbridge's trial for her crimes against magic on the mesmerising dark ride, Battle At The Ministry. Expect magical creatures and spells galore – and make time for the show, Le Cirque Arcanus. The puppetry will leave you speechless. MUST DO Try a Gigglewater in Le Gobelet Noir – a bar owned by Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist who created the Philosopher's Stone. How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk The largest of all the worlds at Epic Universe,the Viking village of Berk is breathtaking. On entry, I was faced with two 40ft carved wooden statues, guarding the village. This world is set after the second film, where there's peace and harmony between man and dragon. Look out for The Untrainable Dragon live show, which has the most beautiful score, with singers and actors akin to the talent of a West End show. And be sure to try the mac and cheese cone at Hooligan's Grog & Gruel – it's the novelty dish I never knew I needed. MUST DO Look to the skies. Here you'll find actual flying dragons – drones to us adults (don't tell the kids), but they are very realistic. HOW TO BOOK Universal Orlando Resort All Parks tickets are available through British Airways Holidays from £439 per person. British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at Universal Stella Nova Resort from £829 per person, travelling on selected dates in January 2026. Book by 9 June. For reservations visit
NBC News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Universal opens a new park in Orlando
Take a look inside two of the five worlds at Universal's #EpicUniverse on opening day with NBC News' Jesse Kirsch. Universal Orlando Resort is owned by NBC News' parent company, NBCUniversal.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JoJo Siwa And Chris Hughes Seemingly Go Instagram Official, Nearly A Month After Her Ex Went Public About Their Breakup
Wait, did JoJo Siwa, 22, and Chris Hughes, 32, just hard launch their relationship on social media? Well, fans think so! Gerardo Mora / Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort, Dave Benett /for Longines Since participating in the latest season of Celebrity Big Brother UK, JoJo has garnered a lot of attention for her experience in the house. She dealt with inappropriate and offensive comments from Mickey Rourke, like when he said he wanted to "tie her up" to "make her straight." His actions towards JoJo and other castmates eventually got him kicked off the show. The former Dance Moms star also caught the attention of viewers when she formed a close friendship with former Love Island star, Chris Hughes. Viewers speculated the two were getting extremely close after an intimate scene showed Chris caressing JoJo's back, and soon relationship rumors began to spark, despite JoJo openly being in a relationship with someone else. In a very vulnerable and brave moment on the show, JoJo admitted that she was questioning her sexuality, revealing that staying in the Big Brother house made her realize she is "not a lesbian." Speculation surrounding her relationship with Chris escalated when JoJo's ex, Kath Ebbs, revealed that JoJo broke up with them at the CBB UK wrap party. In late April, Kath took to social media to vent their sadness and frustration about the breakup. "I flew across the world to support and be there and hold that person in whatever they would be experiencing, leaving such a wild experience, and instead, I was dumped at the afterparty, with Chris [Hughes] in the next room,' Kath said. 'I was told that there are confused feelings there…and that she had realized in the house that I wasn't the person that [she] wanted to spend the foreseeable future with, which has honestly been so shocking, that I feel kind of subhuman right now. I feel incredibly humiliated, and I feel a bit embarrassed." Related: 13 Celebs Who Opened Up Publicly About Their Sobriety But after JoJo confirmed the split herself, with Chris by her side, fans didn't know what to believe. Well, we might finally have the answer. On Wednesday, JoJo shared a string of photos and videos from her weeklong birthday celebration. The reality star and artist turned 22 on May 19. And to kick off the carousel, JoJo started with a photo of her resting her head on Chris's shoulder as he gazed down at her. Chris makes several appearances throughout her post. "This year's birthday week was more magical than anything," she wrote on Instagram. "Full of surprises, family time, performing, chilling, laughing, loving, smiling, and good meaningful cries." Yes, that is a mug with their faces on it. Related: 9 Celebrities Who Have Endorsed Donald Trump In The Past Month "Absolutely beautiful, wouldn't change a single thing a week I'll remember for the rest of my life." You can check out her full carousel below: On Tuesday, the day before JoJo shared hers on Instagram, Chris dedicated a special post to the time he spent with JoJo, with this caption: "The previous 7 days have been the prettiest.." Again, the majority of the photos were filled with JoJo... ...like this one: And JoJo even left a message in his comments: You can check out his full post below: Both posts were met with welcoming and celebratory comments about their relationship. Here are reactions from JoJo's post: JoJo Siwa / And here are the replies from Chris's post, including one from his father: Chris Hughes / The smiles don't lie! But what do you think? Is this a hard launch or just friends being friends? Also in Celebrity: 19 Celebrities Who Are Way Smarter Than You Thought They Were — Like, One Is A Neuroscientist Also in Celebrity: Cassie Finally Broke Her Silence After Kanye West Decided To Publicly Support Diddy, And Her Response Is Exactly What Everyone Has Been Saying Also in Celebrity: 23 Celebrity Couples Who Revealed Intimate Details About Their Lives That Literally No One Asked For
