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Universal slipped a new 15% passholder discount on single-day Epic Universe tickets onto its website with no press release, no social push, and no announcement. Inside the Magic spotted the change late on April 25 — pushing some passholder rates as low as $126 after tax.
The ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show is back for year two at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fan Fest Nights, with a new 20-minute WaterWorld stage spectacular. We look at the show’s reception, what an Orlando version might look like, and the precedents that suggest a Hollywood-only IP rarely stays Hollywood-only for long.
Those mysterious camera-topped stanchions fans spotted at Epic Universe's portal entrances finally have an official explanation. Universal quietly updated its Effortless Entry page to confirm Photo Validation, its preferred term for facial recognition, will gate entry into each of the park's four portal lands whenever Virtual Lines are active.
Cosmos Fountain drained for show-lighting upgrades, multiple fireworks-tech job postings, a "Universal Celestial Goodnight" trademark filed in December, and a new launch pad behind Helios Grand. Universal won't confirm the show — but the receipts are piling up.
One of the only big non-ride kid zones inside Epic Universe goes dark from May 4 to May 22, with the reopening landing neatly on the park's one-year anniversary. It's the second Isle of Berk refurb of 2026, and it lands right before peak summer family travel.
Universal's Epic Universe is welcoming Yoshi to Super Nintendo World starting March 10 as part of a limited-time celebration tied to the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie — featuring exclusive food, interactive merch, and free photo spots.
