Author: waltdisneynews

It’s been a long time since Johnny Depp has starred in a major studio film that had Hollywood and fans buzzing again. For years, the man once known for bringing larger-than-life characters to the big screen found himself caught in a very different kind of spotlight — one that had nothing to do with acting, and everything to do with his personal life. The legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard dominated headlines, red carpets were replaced by courtrooms, and for a while, it seemed like the world had more or less closed the curtain on Johnny Depp. Credit: Walt Disney Pictures But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Depp, it’s that he’s not the type to disappear quietly. He’s always marched to the beat of his own drum — from his early days as a teen heartthrob on 21 Jump Street, to his decades of iconic, offbeat roles in films like Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, and, of course, Pirates of the Caribbean. So it should surprise no one that he’s stepping back into the spotlight on his own terms, and not with some safe, predictable comeback. For fans of Depp who’ve been waiting for the moment he’d return to the kind of project that could land in theaters around the globe, the wait is finally over. Not only is he back — but he’s teaming up with a familiar face from one of his most beloved franchises.

It’s confirmed! Guests visiting Epic Universe can take advantage of an incredible bonus during their trip. Credit: Universal Grand Helios Hotel Related: New Universal Epic Universe Entrance Fee Now Active; Some Guests To Pay up to $500 for Entry When planning any vacation, it’s crucial that travelers know where they will be laying their head at night. Resorts like Walt Disney World and Disneyland both offer a number of value-priced rooms and luxurious suites for guests to choose from, adding to the magic of visiting the theme parks themselves. The same is true for Universal Orlando, with the resort featuring its own selection of hotels. From Sapphire Falls and Portofino Bay to Hard Rock Hotel, it may be hard to choose which hotel to stay at during a trip to Universal Orlando. This selection grew significantly in 2025, with both Stella Nova and Helios Grand hotels opening as Universal Orlando gears up for the big opening of Epic Universe. While exciting enough, Universal has confirmed a huge new bonus for guests staying at these hotels. Universal Confirms Rides Will Be Open During Early Entry at Epic Universe Credit: Universal Related: All Travelers Impacted by These New Rules at Disneyland in 2025 Epic Universe previews are currently taking place daily between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. However, guests staying at Universal hotels like the new Helios Grand will receive early access to Epic Universe, being able to enter a full hour early at 10 a.m.

Universal Studios Hollywood reportedly canceled a guest’s pricey VIP tour because they were the only one to register. The disappointed theme park visitor shared their frustration on social media. A typical VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood can run guests thousands. But during Universal Fan Fest Nights, a hard-ticketed event designed for sci-fi, fantasy, video-gaming, and anime fanatics, guests can purchase a group VIP tour starting at $373, including admission. The after-hours event, which can be compared to a Comic-Con version of Halloween Horror Nights, includes exclusive entertainment, shorter attraction wait times, limited-release merchandise, and themed food and beverage offerings. Redditor u/stitchkingdom attended Universal Fan Fest Nights earlier this month and was disappointed to find that Universal Studios Hollywood canceled the premium VIP tour they paid for. Team Members told the guest that, because no one else had booked the tour, they couldn’t offer it. “Apparently I was the only one who did (for that time),” the Redditor wrote. “So they decided it wasn’t worth keeping the tour available so they canceled a bunch of times. I’m a bit disappointed because nothing beats an empty/small tour but so it goes.” Credit: Universal Universal Studios Hollywood didn’t refund the guest, but moved their VIP tour time slot to later in the evening when other groups were already registered. However, the guest also paid for early access, which Team Members reportedly “didn’t even offer to comp.” The guest wasn’t thrilled, but said they understood Universal Studios Hollywood’s decision.