7.  Volcano Bay to close next month for at least four months 

Universal Orlando Resort has announced that Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park, which previously operated year round, will be closing on November 2, 2020 due to anticipated lower demand during the coming winter months. Though there is no reopening date set in stone yet, operations are expected to resume in Spring 2021, potentially on or around March 1st.

8. VelociCoaster officially confirmed for Islands of Adventure, Summer 2021 debut planned

Universal finally confirmed the Jurassic World VelociCoaster this week, revealing lots of new and exciting new details about this attraction. Like other recent "story" coasters, this new ride will feature an original story that is based on the Jurassic World family of films and will take fans on an amazing ride as Jurassic World unveils the next evolution of its “carnivore expansion”: the VelociCoaster, where riders embark on a high-speed chase and feel the rush of the hunt while racing alongside a nimble Velociraptor pack. The ride will feature the original cast of the film series, including Chris Pratt as Owen Grady, Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing and BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu. 

This new attraction will raise the bar in extreme roller coaster design, spanning more than 4,700 feet of track and reaching heights of up to 155 feet, with maneuvers that will have guests twisting and soaring above land, barrel rolling just inches above water, speeding through near-misses and launches within the raptor paddock, and more. 

For more on this attraction (and a video preview) click here. 

9. Universal announces several limited time deals on tickets and annual pass purchases 

Universal has announced several money-saving deals kicking off this week, including the following: 

• "Free" days: Guests who purchase a 2-Day, 2-Park ticket (as low as $243.99 per adult, one park per day) will receive three extra days free that can be used for visits now through August 31, 2021. This special 5-day ticket offer is available for purchase now through January 6, 2021, and is only available to US residents at this time.
• Annual passholders save $100: Florida residents who are interested in purchasing a new annual pass to the theme parks have the option of saving up to $100 on select Passes. This offer is available for purchase through December 17, 2020
• Buy a Day extension: Universal Orlando has extended the purchase date of the popular buy a day, visit until December 24, 2020  Florida resident ticket offer to November 3, 2020. With the purchase of a 2-Park, 1-Day, Park-to-Park ticket (starting at $164 per adult, plus tax), guests can access the parks every day now through December 24, 2020