Recent content by Bob Harlem

Some more rumors about this popping up. With comcast perhaps looking at acquiring Carnival. (With it's recent add of Celebration Key that contains "portals"). From here: ymmv, on this.

Epic Universe Opening Drives Record Month for Tourist Tax Collections in Orange County https://centralflorida.substack.com/p/florida-school-grades-epic-universe-tax-collections?open=false#%C2%A7epic-universe-opening-drives-record-month-for-tourist-tax-collections

All the universal hotels get early entry. And yeah Epic parking is included for annual passholders, including the prime & valet on the premier (gold card) tier. The prime spots are covered (solar panels above) and closer up.

Orlando SNW does have an expansion opening wall on the north side that's there close to the Donkey Kong tunnel and restrooms. (Right now it's where they have some coke freestyle machines).

So far they have announced closures of rip-ride rockit in September (Now August 17th), and shutting down Volcano Bay for 6 months starting in Fall 2026. That's about the most detail you'll get until much closer to the opening of what they are doing. Universal didn't announce velicoaster even...

This is a pretty strong signal that at least two new portals coming eventually. (Positioning relative to the others is a clue where)

Monsters Unchained and Battle were down a bit earlier, but everything is running now today, it's much heavier than the last several days were. (Chart is from thrilldata, but matches the UO app)

Crowds are definitely here today Battle at Ministry: 240

Yep. Highest day so far and tickets are still limited.

Mario's creator Shigeru Miyamoto was in epic today.

SunRail extension to Orlando airport, theme parks moves ahead Should work without a paywall: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/04/29/sunrail-extension-to-orlando-airport-theme-parks-moves-ahead/?share=omedu0hssakrsitoehdt

The Battle At The Ministry inside Ministry of Magic is finally running today. Yeah it definitely feels like Universal's response to rise. (Andi it worked) Kubersky's reaction below:

VIP Tours for Epic are around $650 per person late may into June, and not much lower most of the summer, get down into the $400s in September though . Before the site went blargh, most all of June was sold out in express and most of July. Express does not include Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness...