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Lots of exciting things going down at Universal as always! Aside from the following news, HHN season is approaching with a quickness, anyone else hyped for that?

In this post you'll find:

• Mardi Gras dates have been announced

• A first look at Stardust Racers at epic universe

• New dining vacation package

🗞️ Recent News

Mardi Gras is coming, wooo!

Get ready to catch some beads! Universal has finally released the dates for Mardi Gras and I am SUPER pumped.

It’s one of my favorite events that Universal puts on (I always eat myself silly). The food is always awesome, the parades are 10/10, and the decorations all around the park really make it feel like a whole new park!

Mark your calendars for Feb 1 - Mar 30 as that is when it will be taking place. I’ll keep you updated when we know more details about the event!

First look at Stardust Racers

If you didn’t know, Stardust Racers is a coaster coming to Epic Universe and is a part of the Celestial Park area of the park (parkception).

I wasn’t initially that excited for this ride since it wasn’t themed to a specific IP, but after learning more information about all the little details they are including…This might be up there in my top 3 rides for EU. It looks like it is going to be pretty intense. It’s a dueling coaster so you are essentially competing with the other race track. There’s this one part that they call the “Celestial Spin” where you come out of a launch and spin over each other.

I’m just hoping it’s a smooth ride despite the intensity!

New Dining Vacation Package

If you’re someone who loves to just buy a vacation package deal instead of booking everything separately then this a need to know for you!

You can get a $1,000 dining card including with your hotel and ticket package that can be used to cover your food expenses. Note that you have to stay 5+ nights at one of the premier hotels to be eligible for the $1,000, but there are lower tiers that also earn you a dining card at a lower amount. There are a handful of exclusions where you can’t use it, so check Universal’s official website for all the fine print.

This is a great deal if you plan on staying 5+ nights at a premier hotel and if you see yourself spending $1,000 on food or beverages (which let’s be honest, with theme park pricing, is not hard to do haha)!

🚧 Upcoming Ride Closures

These are the same as last week, but do note that Fast & Furious is now currently closed as of August 19th (I know no one is shedding any tears about that one hah!)

Universal Studios Florida

• CURRENTLY CLOSED: Fast & Furious – Supercharged: Aug. 19 – Nov. 3, 2024

• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack: Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2024

• Hogwarts Express: November 4 – 7, 2024

Islands of Adventure

• The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle

• Pteranodon Flyers

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls: Oct. 1, 2024 – Jan. 2, 2025

• Me-Ship, The Olive: Oct. 21, 2024 – Dec. 4, 2024

• Hogwarts Express: November 4 – 7, 2024

• Jurassic Park River Adventure: Jan. 6, 2025 – Jan. 23, 2025

• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: Jan. 24, 2025 – Mar. 15, 2025

☀️ Weather

Oh boy, looks like rain this week!

But don’t worry! It doesn’t have to ruin your Universal vacation. It actually rains in Orlando quite often during the summer. Usually what happens is that it will rain heavily for 20-40 minutes at a time, then clear up. Be prepared to take some pit stops at an indoor restaurant or store to wait the rain out. Or if you follow the travel tip below, brave the rain!

👥 Crowds

Crowds are looking busy this week according to crowd calendars, but the parks do stay open until 9PM every day this week so you should have plenty of time to ride everything.

Having said that, I took a peek at the ride times currently and they don’t look bad at all, so you should be in good shape. The rain usually drives the locals away. You should be aware that there will likely be ride delays this week from the thunderstorms, so be prepared to get stuck in a delayed line or wait until they open the queue back up. Especially for the outdoor coasters.

🍗 Food Highlight

The Green Eggs and Ham Cafe is absolutely phenomenal. It has consistently been a “must-do” for every Universal trip we take.

Obviously I recommend the tots! My personal favorite are the buffalo chicken tots (protip: ask for extra ranch and buffalo sauce, sometimes they can be a bit dry). The pizza and carnitas tots are also very good and highly recommended. You can also buy a can of who hash and it comes with a complementary who hash can if you like those little collectibles.

There isn’t much of a choice when it comes to desserts here, but good news, there is a bakery and ice cream shop just around the corner!

That’s all for this week. I answer one reader question every email, hit that reply button and ask me a question!

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