Universal Studios never really wanted to get into the theme park business. They wanted to be the anti-Disney. But when forced to do so, they did it in a big way. Despite the fits and starts of multiple owners, the parks have finally gained the momentum to mount a serious challenge to the Walt Disney Company. How did this happen? Who made it happen? What does this mean for the theme park industry? In Universal Versus Disney, his newest work to investigate the histories of America's favorite theme parks, seasoned Disney-author Sam Gennawey has thoroughly researched how Universal Studios shook up the multi-billion dollar theme park industry, one so long dominated by Walt Disney and his legacy.

Jay Stein Builds a Better Mousetrap. After years of sitting fat and happy atop the theme park totem pole, Mickey Mouse discovered a big cat in his backyard named Jay Stein. Against stiff odds, corporate politics, and fierce opposition from Michael Eisner's Disney, Jay Stein founded Universal Studios Florida. This is how he did it.

The definitive 1990s blockbuster, Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park met with almost universal critical and popular acclaim, broke new ground with its CGI recreation of dinosaurs, and started one of the most profitable of all movie franchises. To mark the film's 30th anniversary, this exciting illustrated collection of new essays interrogates the Jurassic Park phenomenon from a diverse range of critical, historical, and theoretical angles. The primary focus is on Jurassic Park itself but there is also discussion of the franchise and its numerous spin-offs. As well as leading international scholars of film studies and history, contributors include experts in special effects, science on screen, fan studies, and palaeontology. Comprehensive, up to date, and accessible, The Jurassic Park Book appeals not only to students and scholars of Hollywood and contemporary culture, but also to the global audience of fans of the greatest of all dinosaur movies.

THE Comprehensive Guide to Universal Orlando The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando by Seth Kubersky is packed with detailed, specific information on every ride, show, and restaurant in the resort, including insider details on Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, as well as the new waterpark Volcano Bay. Compiled and written by a former Universal Orlando employee and based upon decades of research from a team whose work has been cited by such diverse sources as USA Today and Operations Research Forum, The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando provides step-by-step, detailed touring plans that allow you to make the most of every minute and dollar during your Universal Orlando vacation. The guide includes info on where to find the cheapest Universal Orlando admission tickets, how to save big on Universal on-site hotel rooms and skip the regular lines in the parks, when to visit Universal Orlando for the lightest crowds, and everything else you need to know for a stress-free Universal Orlando experience.

Honest and Outspoken Advice from the Unofficial Experts The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2022 by Seth Kubersky is packed with detailed, specific information on every ride, show, and restaurant in the resort. The guide includes info on where to find the cheapest Universal Orlando admission tickets, how to save big on Universal on-site hotel rooms and skip the regular lines in the parks, when to visit Universal Orlando for the lightest crowds, and everything else you need to know for a stress-free Universal Orlando experience. What’s NEW in the 2022 edition of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando: The full scoop on the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster New advice on taking advantage of Virtual Line, Mobile Ordering, and other technological tricks An up-close look at each Universal resort hotel, including the new Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites Ratings and reviews of new menu options and dining venues in the parks and CityWalk, like Bend the Bao Updated tips for taking advantage of Early Park Admission at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and experiencing Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure The latest information on how Universal Orlando has recovered from COVID-19 Sneak peeks: Learn about the upcoming Epic Universe theme park

Honest and Outspoken Advice from the Unofficial Experts The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2021 by Seth Kubersky is packed with detailed, specific information on every ride, show, and restaurant in the resort. The guide includes info on where to find the cheapest Universal Orlando admission tickets, how to save big on Universal on-site hotel rooms and skip the regular lines in the parks, when to visit Universal Orlando for the lightest crowds, and everything else you need to know for a stress-free Universal Orlando experience. Comprehensive reviews: In-depth critical assessments of every attraction, including the new Bourne Stuntacular Touring plans: Patented, field-tested touring plans that literally save you hours in line Hotel recommendations: An up-close look at each Universal resort hotel and how to get the most out of on-site benefits such as Early Park Admission Dining guide: Ratings and reviews of more than 80 restaurants, including all full-service eateries at the parks and at CityWalk COVID-19 updates: Details on how social distancing measures have impacted the Universal Orlando Resort Invaluable advice: Best times of year to visit and how to get around the lines, with details on Universal’s exciting seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights and Mardi Gras The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Complete coverage of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, with updated tips for experiencing Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Sneak peeks: Learn about the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster More than 6 million Unofficial Guides have sold!

Save time and money with in-depth reviews, ratings, and details from the trusted source for a successful Universal Orlando vacation. How do some guests get on the big, new attraction in less than 20 minutes while others wait for longer than 2 hours—on the same day? Why do some guests pay full price for their visit when others can save hundreds of dollars? In a theme park, every minute and every dollar count. Your vacation is too important to be left to chance, so put the best-selling independent guide to Universal Orlando in your hands and take control of your trip. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2023 explains how the resort works and how to use that knowledge to stay ahead of the crowd. Author Seth Kubersky knows that you want your vacation to be anything but average, so he employed an expert team of researchers to find the secrets, the shortcuts, and the bargains that are sure to make your vacation exceptional! Find out what’s available in every category, ranked from best to worst, and get detailed plans to make the most of your time at Universal. Stay at a top-rated hotel, eat at the best restaurants, and experience all the most popular attractions at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Keep in the know on the latest updates and changes at Universal Orlando. Here’s what’s NEW in the 2023 book: Learn when to visit Universal to get lower crowds and bigger hotel discounts Find updated advice on how to take advantage of Early Park Admission, Universal Express, Virtual Line, and other time-saving tricks Get an up-close look at each Universal resort hotel, plus expanded coverage of nearby off-site hotels Read ratings and reviews of new dining options in the parks and CityWalk, including more plant-based menu items Take in new tips for experiencing Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure See sneak peeks of the interactive Minions attraction and movie-inspired escape rooms currently under construction Discover exciting details about the upcoming Epic Universe theme park and new hotels Make the right choices to give your family a vacation they’ll never forget. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2023 is your key to planning a perfect stay. Whether you’re putting together your annual trip or preparing for your first visit, this book gives you the insider scoop on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more.

Save time and money with in-depth reviews, ratings, and details from the trusted source for a successful Universal Orlando vacation. How do some guests get on the big, new attraction in less than 20 minutes while others wait for longer than 2 hours—on the same day? Why do some guests pay full price for their visit when others can save hundreds of dollars? In a theme park, every minute and every dollar count. Your vacation is too important to be left to chance, so put the best-selling independent guide to Universal Orlando in your hands and take control of your trip. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025 explains how the resort works and how to use that knowledge to stay ahead of the crowd. Seth Kubersky and debut author Alicia Stella know that you want your vacation to be anything but average, so they employed an expert team of researchers to find the secrets, the shortcuts, and the bargains that are sure to make your vacation exceptional! Find out what’s available in every category, ranked from best to worst, and get detailed plans to make the most of your time at Universal. Stay at a top-rated hotel, eat at the best restaurants, and experience all the most popular attractions at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Keep in the know on the latest updates and changes at Universal Orlando. Here’s what’s NEW in the 2025 book: Learn when to visit Universal to get lower crowds and bigger hotel discounts Find updated advice on taking advantage of Early Park Admission, Universal Express, and other time-saving tricks Get an up-close look at each Universal resort hotel, including the luxurious new Helios Grand Read ratings and reviews of fresh dining options throughout the parks and resorts, including plant-based menu items Take advantage of the most comprehensive guide available to Universal’s brand-new Epic Universe theme park, with detailed coverage of every ride, show, and restaurant Discover tips for experiencing Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure Enjoy reviews of the Trolls roller coaster and other kids’ attractions in Universal’s new DreamWorks Land Uncover information on the new character parade and nighttime fountain spectacular at Universal Studios Florida Make the right choices to give your family a vacation they’ll never forget. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025 is your key to planning a perfect stay. Whether you’re putting together your annual trip or preparing for your first visit, this book gives you the insider scoop on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more.

Since the 1997 publication of the first Harry Potter novel, the "Potterverse" has seen the addition of eight feature films (with a ninth in production), the creation of the interactive Pottermore© website, the release of myriad video games, the construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, several companion books (such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), critical essays and analyses, and the 2016 debut of the original stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This collection of new essays interprets the Wizarding World beyond the books and films through the lens of convergence culture. Contributors explore how online communities tackle Sorting and games like the Quidditch Cup and the Triwizard Tournament, and analyze how Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are changing fandom and the canon alike.

The Unofficial Guide to Mall of America is the first of its kind. Never before has a guidebook been written about the Mall of America. The Unofficial Guide to Mall of America enhances visitors' experiences by assisting them through the entire process, from finding the right hotel and making the decision whether or not to rent a car or use the hotel shuttle. The various attractions are laid out and analyzed so that Mall of America-goers can decide what activities will enhance their experiences and which are simply tourist traps. In addition to ranking and describing the stores and restaurants, The Unofficial Guide to Mall of America, by Beth Blair, offers insight and tips that will make the visit fun for those looking for a general Mall of America experience but also highlight things for people with special interests.