Up until this week, we only saw park visuals of Universal Epic Universe via chopper aerials or concept art.
Universal Orlando dropped official photos of the completed worlds that basically say, “Wish you were here”.
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Greetings, In the Loop subscribers, it’s Haley.
Universal Team Member family previews are underway and I asked my friend and colleague Patricia Tolley to give a short summary about her first Epic experience.
“I was blessed to be invited by my sister to the friends and family preview and as soon as I entered the first portal into the park I started to tear up. The rides, food, and overall atmosphere live up to the name of the park — Epic. It is insane how much the park looks identical to the concept art we have been seeing for the past few years. I was not able to go on every attraction, but my favorite ride that I did go on was Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness. The animatronics are top tier, the music is perfect and the coaster provides the right amount of thrills for everyone to enjoy.”
Patricia Tolley, WKMG Content Gatherer
While there is a strict no-photo policy during these previews, Universal does have professional photographers stationed at portals to capture memories for Team Members.
Here’s a photo of Patricia and her group properly posing in front of Dark Universe.
Team Member family previews were actually extended by a week into April. Once they wrap up, I hope to provide you guys with Epic photos of my own. 😉
Gatorland
Welcome home, Lil’ Yachty 👋
Gatorland’s social media and YouTube channel is as good as its conservation work.
Speaking of which, there’s a new gator in the Gatorland swamp, as its conservation team took in its first rescue alligator of the 2025 breeding season.
The big guy, named Lil’ Yachty, was hanging out at the Mount Dora Yacht Club and deemed a nuisance alligator.
Gatorland shared the story of Lil’ Yachty’s rescue as well as footage of his relocation.
Walt Disney World
An adults-only lounge 🥂
Disney adults love a World Showcase wanderlust, and pretty soon they can cap off their day in the ultimate spot to toast to a trip around EPCOT.
We knew a lounge was coming in Spaceship Earth and now Disney confirmed that GEO-82 will be an adults-only lounge!
The lounge pays homage to the park’s famous icon and the history of EPCOT. As the name would suggest, “GEO” translates to earth, and “82″, I’m guessing, represents 1982, the year EPCOT opened.
A new Frontierland addition 🌵
Have you kept track of all the upgrades and additions happening at Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland?
We can now check off the new first-ever Disney Vacation Club member lounge at the park.
Taking over the former site of the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House – A Member Lounge invites eligible members and their guests to recharge during the day.
It’s a beautiful addition and all, but I reminisce about the arcade when walking by that area now.
ICON Park
Cowboy Carter meets Madame Tussauds 🤠
This ain’t Texas and this ain’t the first Beyoncé wax replica.
Merlin Entertainments’ Madame Tussauds Orlando created a wax figure inspired by “Cowboy Carter.” Not only can you pose with the new figure later this month, but ICON Park is hosting a special event prior to its museum unveiling.
SEA LIFE
A sneak sea peek
If you haven’t heard, Central Florida is getting another SEA LIFE Aquarium and it’s coming to a growing Legoland Florida Resort.
The aquarium gave a hard hat tour of what guests can expect. SEA LIFE Florida is located conveniently just steps away from the hotel and park entrance.
SeaWorld Orlando
Shark turns 10, doo, doo, doo, doo 🦈
In late 2015, a catchy little music video was released by South Korean educational content brand, Pinkfong.
Ten years and billions of views later, Baby Shark is going on a nationwide birthday tour to SeaWorld parks.
The immersive experience will have meet-and-greets where I’m sure the all-too-familiar dance will be encouraged.
Click here to see when Baby Shark is swimming into SeaWorld Orlando.
Spring is in bloom at Central Florida theme parks, which means great photo opportunities.
Don’t forget to post a photo to our PinIt! page. There is an In The Loop channel. I can’t wait to post my first Epic pin.
If you have any theme park news or rumors, connect to me by email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.
