SIX FLAGS DELAYS OPENING OF 2020 SEASON

 BY GABRIELLE

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New York, alongside its Hurricane Harbour waterpark, have delayed opening for the 2020 season.

Six Flags plans to open Great Adventure on May 21, 2020, almost seven weeks later than the original opening date of April 4.  The Hurricane Harbor waterpark is also due to open in mid-May or soon afterwards.

In a press statement, Six Flags said: While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at the property, the safety of our guests, team members, and animals is always our highest priority. We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and follow the most current guidance from federal, state, and local officials.”

A number of other theme parks have closed across the United States due to the coronavirus outbreak, including Disneyland, Universal Studios Florida Theme Park, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios Hollywood, and many more.

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS: OFF THE LEASH! TO FEATURE 64 ANIMATRONICS

BY GABRIELLE

Universal Studios Hollywood has disclosed that its upcoming attraction The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! is to feature 64 animatronics.

The 64 animated figures will be converted into living beings through real-life movements, such as the tilting and nodding of the head, blinking of the eyes, smiling and other mouth movement, as well as walking and twists of the torso.

The high-tech attraction will also feature state-of-the-art optical enhanced gesture-tracking technology, which will identify visitors as one of 15 stray puppies.

A Virtual Line will enable guests to reserve a time to go on the ride to avoid the need for queuing. The Virtual Line feature can be accessed via the Universal Studio app, or by the Virtual Line Kiosk in the New York City subway station next to the ride.

The ride is themed on Illumination’s ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ franchise and will feature the well-known voices of the actors from the iconic films, including Kevin Hart as Snowball, Patton Oswalt as Max and Eric Stonestreet as Duke.

The highly-awaited attraction will open at Universal Studios Hollywood on March 27, 2020.

CAST OF SECRET LIFE OF PETS TO REPRISE ROLES AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

BY GABRIELLE

Cast members who have starred in the Secret Life of Pets are to reprise their roles at Universal Studios Hollywood’s new attraction – ‘The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!’

The attraction is to open in the spring of 2020 and will feature the cast that starred in Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets and The Secret Life of Pets 2.

Patton Oswalt is to play Max, Kevin Hart as Snowball, Eric Stonestreet as Duke, Jenny Slate will play Gidget, Tiffany Haddish as Daisy, Lake Bell as Chloe and Dana Carvey as Pops.

Other cast members include Steve Coogan playing Ozone, Chris Renaud as Norman, Hannibal Buress as Buddy, Bobby Moynihan as Mel, Jessica DiCicco will play Princess and Tara Strong as Pickles.

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is set in New York and takes guests on an immersive journey with live, dimensional and animated characters performing alongside projection mapping and hyper-realistic media.

Guests are encouraged to take on the role of stray puppies in the search for their forever homes during a pet adoption event. The state-of-the-art ride combines facial recognition with enhanced gesture tracking.

The new attraction will be situated on Pets Place, formerly known as Baker Street, next door to ‘Super Silly Fun Land’ and ‘Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.’

Karen Irwin, president of Universal Studios Hollywood, commented that the attraction will “capture the essence of the popular film and invite our guests to live vicariously through some of their favourite characters.”

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD AND BRAVO TEAM UP TO HOST TOP CHEF FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

 BY GABRIELLE

Universal Studios Hollywood is teaming up with TV channel Bravo to launch the first-ever Top Chef Food & Wine Festival. The festival will be held on March 19 – 20, 2020.

Visitors at Universal Studios during the weekend of the festival will be able to tuck into an all-inclusive menu comprising of food inspired by the popular TV series. Guests will also have the opportunity to watch and participate in live challenges, food and wine pairing activities and listen to panels with ‘Top Chef’ alums present at the festival.

There will also be a host of stations selling wine, craft beer and spirits, as well as a diverse range of food.

Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Studios Hollywood commented on the forthcoming Top Chef Food & Wine Festival: “We are thrilled to partner with Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ to introduce this exclusive Food & Wine Festival.

“As an industry leader, we take as much pride in our culinary offerings as we do with our innovative rides and we’re excited that our Executive Chef will have the opportunity to collaborate with these acclaimed ‘Top Chef’ alums to create this unique food and wine event, and we look forward to toasting the occasion with our guests.

Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival is being held at Universal Studios Hollywood on March 19-20, 2020, to coincide with the Season 17 premiere of “Top Chef,” which returns on Thursday, March 19.

DREAMWORKS’ ‘TROLLS’ TO TAKE PART IN UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD’S RUNNING UNIVERSAL RACE

BY GABRIELLE

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Running Universal Race in 2020 is to have some rather colourful and unusual looking participants joining the runners.

DreamWorks’ ‘Trolls’ are to take part in the 10K, 5K and Kids 1K races in the Running Universal Race.

Runners and their supporters will be entertained by the much-loved characters from the animated film from 2016, ahead of its sequel “Trolls World Tour.”

Amongst the crowds of runners will be Branch, Poppy, Guy Diamond, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Princess Fiona, Alex and King Julien, as well as Po and Tigress.

Participants in the races will receive a “Trolls” drawstring backpack, with a Running Universal t-shirt, and a finisher’s medal.

The race will finish at Universal CityWalk and a celebration ceremony will take place on the 5 Towers Stage.

The Running Universal Race is being held on Sunday April 26, 2020 at Universal Studios Hollywood.