Universal Destinations & Experiences

Universal Orlando Resort shares a longstanding partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and is an active participant in its Culinary Training Program. Culinary team members from Universal recently led a class on cooking techniques, building on the program's culinary and life-skills training curriculum to help adults continue their education and pursue full-time, sustainable careers in the food industry. Executive chef Jens Dahlmann shares more about the program's impact below:

Wicked flies into theaters globally today! Congratulations to Universal Pictures on the thrillifying release! Celebrate the most magical event of the year with immersive Wicked experiences at our destinations, featuring photos ops, themed retail and dining opportunities.? #WickedMovie

Wicked: The Experience has arrived at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Guests can discover the Land of Oz like never before with an immersive experience including prop and costume replicas, photo opportunities, exclusive products, limited-time food and beverage offerings and more.?

At Universal Destinations & Experiences, we are committed to serving our communities, worldwide. And today, on National Philanthropy Day, the Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) recognized the Universal Orlando?Foundation with the 2024 Corporate & Foundation Impact Award. We thank Children's Home Society of Florida for the nomination?and look forward to our continued partnership. Here’s to all the organizations doing incredible work in our community.?We thank you!?

Recently, team member volunteers from Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan(USJ LLC) supported beautification efforts to give back to their communities. In Los Angeles, team members partnered with EnrichLA to build an organic garden at a local elementary school for students to learn about the importance of greenspaces and healthy living. Team members in Orlando transformed the Dream Village at Sunshine Foundation by painting cottages, remodeling the miniature golf course and refreshing the landscaping to enhance dream experiences for children with lifelong chronic illnesses and their families. Universal Studios Japan team members and their families organized a “cleanup challenge” at Shorenjigawa Park and removed vegetation overgrowth, ensuring the area remains relaxing and beautiful for residents.

The world’s first-ever Donkey Kong Country? opens on December 11, 2024 at Universal Studios Japan（ユー?エス?ジェイ ）! SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will expand by 70% its current size with an all-new area, based on the world of Donkey Kong. With the addition of this new area, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will provide new experiences full of innovation and creativity that take the guest experience to an even higher level. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3AD8JDE

Team Members like Ashlyn, Tim and Brandon are key leaders at Universal Epic Universe. Their teams are preparing new and innovative attractions that guests will soon experience. Join our universe as we near the opening of our newest theme park on May 22, 2025!

Meet Sydney Tong, an Associate Industrial Engineer at Universal Studios Hollywood whose work is a great example of how we use data to drive innovation. “For transportation,” she explains, “I translated large complex data into simple, accessible concepts to ensure our team could visualize that information in a way that leads to better decision-making.” Work like Sydney’s powers innovation in attractions, the VIP experience, transportation and more.

As part of University of Central Florida (UCF)'s Themed Experiences program and the UCF/Universal Creative Lab, Universal Creative gives students a behind-the-scenes look at creating world-class theme parks. Through this first-of-its-kind program, students learn what it takes to develop theme park attractions directly from company leaders.?? ?? “The students are learning from those who are creating the future of this rapidly growing industry. We try and show them everything that's involved in creating and building attractions, to get holistic exposure from ideation to completion,” said Chris Oliver, Vice President of Engineering & Safety, Universal Creative.? ?? Learn more here:?https://lnkd.in/ekZetnWf

When the gates open to Universal Epic Universe on May 22, 2025, the innovation and dedication of Universal Creative will come to life in a truly one-of-a-kind experience. We echo the words of Brian Robinson, Universal Destinations & Experiences Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer: Let’s Go Epic!