Today on the UOFanatic podcast we will be talking about Revenge of the Mummy and the Today Café. Two things very different. What they have in common is both things I hold very close to my heart.
News
We officially got that announcement for Fast and Furious Hollywood drift. Let me summarize the drama surrounding it. The attraction’s queue is expected to be in New York so a lot of people seem frustrated that the attraction has the same name as its Hollywood counterparts. Completely staying neutral, I would point out the previous attraction with an almost identical footprint was called Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Maybe we should all relax just a little bit. The drama also seems to be centered around the fact it has the same name as is in Hollywood. I’ve heard people saying, why cant we keep things different on the coasts, but I’d also mention, the ride is going to be very different here than in Hollywood.
Mardi Gras 2026 Begins This Saturday (Feb 7) How exciting, and if all goes well, I will be there next week to see it for myself. The even will run through April 2nd this year. We also had our first look at the Tribute Store, from Inside Universal .
Orlando hit 24°F on Feb 1st.
There will be a Super Bowl 60 Watch Party at Hard Rock Cafe Orlando hosting an official watch party with beer specials and shareable apps. NBC Sports Grill & Brew expected to participate, but details not yet released. I’m a little surprised here because last year there was a lot of drama around this. So stay tuned if this was your plan.
Revenge of the Mummy
Locations
Revenge of the Mummy opened in Universal Studios Florida in 2004, replacing a beloved attraction, Kongfrontation.
Revenge of the Mummy opened in Universal Studios Hollywood in 2004.
Revenge of the Mummy opened in Universal Studios Singapore in 2010.
The Revenge of the Mummy, can best be described as a story coaster. It is half dark ride and half roller coaster. It was best in breed, in my opinion, and really paved the way for later attractions like 7 Dwarves Mine Train and the Escape from Gringott’s at Diagon Alley.
Statistics and guest requirements
- All lose articles and bags must be stowed in a locker which is provided to all riders at no charge
- The attraction has a 48 inch height requirement for all riders
- You must be able to transfer to a wheelchair and be able to step onto the attraction in order to ride the attraction
- The attraction lasts for 2 minutes and 57 seconds
- The track layout is 2200 feet
- The ride uses a sophisticated Linear Induction Motor propulsion system to achieve its high-speed launch lasting 1.5 seconds and getting to its top speed of 45 miles per hour
- Each ride vehicle is designed to carry 16 passengers, seated in four rows of four. There are typically 11 vehicles in operation at any time and an estimation of serving 2000 guests per hour
- The biggest drop in the attraction is 39 feet
Queue and Features
The Museum of Antiquities serves as the facade for Revenge of the Mummy in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida. Styled after an early‑20th‑century museum or excavation headquarters. The façade has Architectural details mimicking Egyptian Revival design with tall rectangular shapes, heavy stone textures, and symmetrical layout. The building intentionally looks aged and sand‑worn, as if exposed to decades of desert winds. As you approach the attraction there can often be found stilt walking performers as Egyptian guards. Generally, muscle bound men and women.
The queue has 3 different entrances: stand by, express pass and single riders queues. Riders not choosing the stand by line will miss a lot of the story narrative as a result of just not going through all of the areas. The line begins among film production trappings—cameras, storyboards, and molds—before transitioning at the halfway point into the dimly lit, ancient burial chamber of Imhotep. Universal Creative included several interactive artifacts that react to guest input, but beware they are often broken because, well, guests.
- Touching an ornate brass hand symbol on the burial vault causes lights to pulsate and the soundtrack to change.
- The viewing glass, A dark glass frame that, when a jewel-like scarab is touched, shows the path ahead and lets guests trigger an air jet blast on others crossing a wooden bridge.
- A hole in the wall containing a gleaming object that vanishes when guests reach for it, accompanied by a startling air blast.
The attraction pays homage to both the 1999 film and the ride’s predecessor, Kongfrontation.
- The large ancient door near the entrance is an authentic prop physically used in the filming of the 1999 Mummy movie
- References to King Kong are hidden throughout, including banana hieroglyphics, old ride tokens on a workstation desk, and a golden King Kong statue in the treasure room. Additionally, the original suspended track from Kongfrontation still hangs from the ceiling above the ride.
Story Line
The museum acts as a “hot set” for a fictional Mummy sequel where guests are invited to participate as “extras”. The walls are constructed from over 60,000 pounds of gypsum and feature real Egyptian hieroglyphics spelling out warnings such as “Death will come on swift wings to whoever violates this tomb”. As you walk through the line, you see set pieces like cameras, storyboards, and props, including an authentic ancient door used in the 1999 film. Monitors play a fake documentary where the crew expresses fear that a real Egyptian curse is haunting the set. Brendan Fraser, is the skeptic who is more concerned about getting a cup of coffee than the supernatural danger. You are also introduced to Reggie, a distressed production assistant who believes the curse is real.
Halfway through the queue, the modern movie set transitions into a 1920s-style excavation site and a dimly lit burial chamber filled with hieroglyphic warnings and those interactive artifacts I covered a few minutes ago. After boarding the 16-passenger mine cart, you enter the tomb and find that the movie set illusion has been shattered. A mummified Reggie appears and warns you to turn back, screaming, “The curse—it’s real!”. Suddenly, Imhotep bursts from a sarcophagus, sucks the soul out of Reggie, and threatens to rule for all eternity with your souls as well. Imhotep leads you into a treasure room filled with more than 3,000 sheets of gold foil, offering you riches if you serve him. When you refuse, mummy warriors appear and you are chased into a room where scarab beetles appear to pour out of the walls.
Your vehicle slams to a stop, falls backward, and rotates 180 degrees as Imhotep taunts, “There is no escape”. You are then launched at high speed through a cloud of green fog and into a dark, intense coaster section filled with fluorescent apparitions. The ride seem to be over, The vehicle stops at a secondary station where a silhouetted ride attendant welcomes you back. Imhotep suddenly reappears, “vaporizes” the attendant, and ignites the ceiling with fire before dropping the vehicle 39 feet into a second coaster section. Here is the part you will find the ride photo, during that dive.
You eventually return to the real loading dock, where a video screen shows Brendan Fraser back on the set. He complains that he would have enjoyed the experience more if he’d had his cup of coffee; just as a mummy’s hand reaches into the frame and hands him one. Upon exiting the ride, you step out to the Sahara Traders gift shop. Here, you can view your on-ride photo, purchase “missing” posters of Reggie, and find apparel featuring the Medjai symbol.
2022 Refurbishment
The 2022 refurbishment of Revenge of the Mummy was an extensive, seven-month project (January to late August) primarily focused on modernizing the ride’s technical infrastructure while preserving its iconic narrative elements. While many upgrades were internal, such as an overhauled ride control system, visible improvements included enhanced show effects and a refreshed gift shop.
- Universal Creative utilized the downtime to spruce up the attraction’s physical and digital components.
- Permit records and guest reports indicate the ride control system was upgraded. Additionally, the coaster launch and braking systems were made smoother.
- New animation projections were added to the scarab beetle scene, and new lighting effects were installed in the launch tunnel.
- The sophisticated Imhotep animatronic received internal upgrades intended to improve their movement and reliability.
- The load area received newly recorded safety spiel messages.
- The courtyard was repaved, and Sahara Traders was redesigned with a darker tone and new Easter eggs referencing King Kong and classic Universal Monsters.
- Despite rumors that the 19-year-old footage might be replaced, Universal opted to keep the “meta” movie set theme entirely intact.
- All pre-show videos and the famous “cup of coffee” finale featuring Brendan Fraser were preserved and remained a central part of the experience.
I, personally, would put Revenge of the Mummy as an S tier attraction, it was another of those revolutionary moments in Universal’s theme park history. Another attraction that felt way ahead of its time, and still holds up today.
TODAY Cafe
The TODAY Cafe at Universal Studios Florida is a quick-service restaurant designed to be a physical extension of NBC’s long-running morning show. It replaced the 29-year-old Beverly Hills Boulangerie with a high-tech, media-integrated environment that replicates the Studio 1A set in New York City. The Beverly Hills Boulangerie was a staple of the park for nearly three decades, characterized by its traditional French-bakery aesthetic. It was an opening-day eatery for Universal Studios Florida, first welcoming guests in 1990. The restaurant remained in operation for 29 years before it was eventually closed to make way for the new NBC-themed concept. Like its successor, it served as a casual dining spot often used by early-morning arrivals. The decision to replace the Boulangerie was part of a strategic shift to prioritize brand relevance and corporate synergy over nostalgic continuity. The Beverly Hills Boulangerie officially closed its doors on January 7, 2019.
Concept and atmosphere
Studio 1A is the iconic New York City television studio located at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center where the TODAY show broadcasts live daily. In the context of Universal Studios Florida, it serves as the architectural and thematic blueprint for the TODAY Cafe, which is a meticulously designed replica of the actual set. The cafe’s primary goal is to bridge the gap between television spectator ship and physical immersion, making guests feel like they have wandered directly onto the NBC set. The venue features a “fresh-and-modern” aesthetic that prioritizes brand relevance over the nostalgic French-bakery style of its predecessor. This location is a key example of NBC Universal leveraging its intellectual properties for sensory guest experiences, similar to the nearby Jimmy Fallon-themed attraction. The concept is reinforced by the involvement of show personalities; for instance, Al Roker and other anchors participated in the grand opening and have a recurring influence through seasonal recipes and broadcast clips.
The interior includes floor-to-ceiling windows, vibrant orange awnings, and lighting designed to mimic television stage lighting. Note: some really great people watching if you happen to be facing up against a window. Television screens are omnipresent, playing a continuous feed of TODAY clips, live headlines, and even the live broadcast of the show in the mornings. The atmosphere acts as a curated version of the New York experience, optimized for a theme park setting. The outdoor seating area is designed to resemble the Rockefeller Plaza exterior, minus the chaotic signs and crowds. The exterior marquee can be described as “Instagram-worthy,” serving as a popular backdrop for social media content. The cafe’s location just inside the park’s entrance arches makes it a primary destination for the “rope drop” crowd. While the morning environment can be congested with lines sometimes wrapping outside, the atmosphere typically shifts to a more relaxed “urban bistro” or informal lounge in the afternoon, especially when paired with the venue’s wine and beer offerings.
Guest experience
The cafe’s location just inside the park gates significantly dictates the guest flow and overall convenience. Because it is a primary stop for coffee and breakfast, the cafe experiences extreme congestion between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, with lines occasionally wrapping outside the building. I would recommend anytime after that morning rush should be fine, but it typically is really calm between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM for a calmer “grab-and-go” experience or a mid-day “reset”.
The restaurant does have Mobile Ordering, and the kitchen only begins preparation once the guest selects “Prepare My Order” upon arrival. I haven’t personally had any bad experiences using the mobile ordering and even at busy times, as long as I can get a table, it has worked out well for me.
For many visitors, the primary draw is the departure from standard theme park staples like burgers and fries. The menu emphasizes lighter options, including gourmet salads that guests note exceed the quality typical of quick-service venues. Sandwiches like The Carnegie Platter or the 30 Rock Midtowner, provide filling meals that feel like an upscale deli experience rather than “fried greasy food”. Guests can enjoy seasonal and staple dishes based on Al Roker’s personal recipes, most notably the Park Avenue Avocado Toast, which features smashed avocado, toasted cashews, and lemon vinaigrette.
The TODAY Cafe is a favorite for guests with specific dietary needs, such as those with Celiac disease or vegan lifestyles. The cafe is highly accommodating, offering gluten-free bread or buns upon request and featuring naturally gluten-sensitive items like the Chicken Pesto Flatbread on a cauliflower crust.
Unlike restaurants that offer meat substitutes as an afterthought, this venue features dishes designed from the ground up to be plant-based, such as the “I Heart Vegan” sandwich.
Staff are allergy-trained, and for mobile orders involving allergies, a member of the venue’s leadership team will personally meet with the guest to discuss safe options.
Menu options
The TODAY Cafe at Universal Studios Florida organizes its menu into categories that emphasize freshness, health-conscious options, and “real-life” flavors as an alternative to traditional, greasy theme park fare. Its categories include protein-dense breakfast staples, NYC-themed lunch platters, gourmet salads, artisan flatbreads, and a rotating selection of pastries, all supported by a robust beverage program.
- Breakfast Sandwiches, include the Egg White Florentine on ciabatta, the Everything Croissant (featuring sausage, smashed avocado, and divina tomatoes), and the Smoked Salmon Lox Bagel.
- Bowls and Lighter Bites, For guests seeking non-fried options, the menu offers Acai Bowls topped with organic granola, Overnight Oats (made with agave and almond milk to remain vegan-friendly), and Tropical Chia Pudding.
- The Park Avenue Avocado Toast, inspired by co-anchor Al Roker, has become a menu staple for its “bright and fresh” profile, featuring toasted cashews, shaved fennel, and lemon vinaigrette.
The cafe transitions at midday to hearty “platters” named after New York City landmarks and culture, reinforcing its brand identity.
The Carnegie: Hot pastrami, Swiss, and deli mustard on rye.
- The Bulls & The Bears: Smoky beef brisket, cheddar, and horseradish cream.
- 30 Rock Midtowner: Shaved roasted turkey, smoked gouda, and tomato aioli.
- I Heart Vegan: Portobello, peppers, vegan jalapeño cheese, and tomato pesto.
Signature Salads include the Chinatown Chicken Salad (with daikon sprouts and wasabi cashews) and the SOHO Salad (featuring farro, roasted cauliflower, and prosciutto).
The Chicken Pesto artisan Flatbread. is built on a cauliflower crust, making it naturally gluten-sensitive.
The cafe features a prominent dessert display case in which items change frequently no doubt to encourage repeat visits.
Daily Baked Goods: A rotating selection of kruffins, éclairs, tarts, and cheesecakes on a stick are baked daily at the resort’s central bakery. During the events like Mardi Gras, HHN and the holidays, there are always limited edition sweets and baked goods themed special for those events.
The Today Cafe serves a unique TODAY Cafe Blend (locally roasted Peruvian and Ethiopian beans) and Nitro Cold Brew, but its worth mentioning again because it definitely is popular. They also have Wine and Beer on Tap.
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