VTPM267: Summer at Universal Opening Weekend + Magic Kingdom Early Close Day

In Episode 267 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to talk through a busy week of theme park updates, food reviews, and in-park testing.We start with some “old breaking news,” including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure no longer being included with Universal Express beginning July 1, plus the news that Bad Bunny will voice a pizza character named Pizza with Sunglasses in Toy Story 5.Then we head into Universal Orlando Resort’s opening weekend of Summer at Universal. We discuss the overall event atmosphere, the noticeable lack of a parade, and some of the featured summer food offerings. We also review a newer menu item that is not tied to the summer event but absolutely got our attention: the S’mores Cookie at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure.Food discussed in this episode:S’mores Cookie at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure — $6.29We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat Platter at Richter’s Burger Co. in Universal Studios Florida — $22.99Irene’s Creamsicle Cheesecake Calzone at Minion Cafe in Universal Studios Florida — $11.99Finally, we talk about our Magic Kingdom visit on Wednesday, May 13, when the park closed early at 5:30 PM for a private event. Early close days are often rumored to have lighter crowds, so we rope-dropped the park to see if attraction wait times were actually lower.Magic Kingdom ride timing discussed:Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — delayedHaunted Mansion — Posted 13 minutes / Actual 2 minutesJungle Cruise — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minutePirates of the Caribbean — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minuteTiana’s Bayou Adventure — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minuteSeven Dwarfs Mine Train — Posted 25 minutes / Actual 24 minutesBuzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — Posted 25 minutesSpace Mountain — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 13 minutesListen to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/Merch:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/Follow Tom:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tomTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeersPodcastX / Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertomSo until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.