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Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s water park, will abandon its wearable technology called TapuTapu later this year, the company announced Tuesday.

The complimentary wristband devices, used since the park debuted in 2017, have been used to hold reservations — and alert when to get in the physical line — for Krakatau Aqua Coaster, one of the centerpiece rides of Volcano Bay, and to open rental lockers.  The attraction will no longer use TapuTapu as of October 1, according to a Universal Orlando news release.

The change will “allow guests to access attractions queues at their leisure,” the release says.

Universal also announced a multi-month closure for Volcano Bay that will start Oct. 26, 2026.  It said the down time will be used to conduct annual maintenance on several unnamed attractions and areas within the park.  The planned reopening is set for on or before March 24, 2027.

Universal expands Epic Universe previews to general public

“We are working with guests who have purchased tickets to visit Volcano Bay during this timeframe as well as Universal annual and seasonal passholders affected by this update,” the release said. read more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Kraft Heinz lowered its full-year sales and earnings guidance Tuesday, citing weaker customer spending in the U.S. and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

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It’s the latest big food company to sound the alarm over trade tensions and weak consumer demand. Last week, PepsiCo lowered its full-year earnings forecast, also citing tariffs. And earlier Tuesday, Coca-Cola noted a pullback in U.S. consumer spending due to economic uncertainty.

Kraft Heinz acknowledged that it’s in a tough spot. It needs to keep prices low to prevent consumers from migrating to cheaper store brands of products like ketchup, mayonnaise and macaroni and cheese. But tariffs – which impact imported ingredients like coffee – will add to its expenses. read more

By JAMIE STENGLE

There’s a new pour from Starbucks: Its first 3D printed store in the U.S.

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The Seattle-based coffee giant with more than 17,000 locations nationwide has never had a store quite like the one opening this week in the Texas city of Brownsville, along the U.S.-Mexico border, where a computer-controlled robotic arm did much of the work by pouring one layer of concrete atop another.

The location — which is drive-thru only — is set to open Friday and makes Starbucks one of the nation’s few big retailers that have tinkered with 3D printing for commercial construction. Builders have mostly used the technology in residential construction as they look to innovate to tackle an affordable housing crisis. read more

Universal Orlando has expanded its previews for Epic Universe theme park to the general public.  Tickets are now for sale for dates through May 19.

Previously, the official peeks at the attractions have been limited primarily to Universal employees, their invited guests, Universal Orlando hotel guests and the resort’s annual passholders ahead of Epic’s grand opening on May 22.

Epic continues to put “the final touches in place and rehearsing, so some attractions and experiences may not be available,” Universal’s website advises. There are a limited — although unspecified — number of preview tickets available.  Preview date prices vary with the date, ranging from $144 to $154 per day.

Universal also is selling multiday tickets that include a visit to Epic.  For tickets or more information, go to universalorlando.com.

SeaWorld’s parent company aims to fill 5,000 jobs in U.S. parks

Epic Universe includes themed lands named Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe (featuring classic monsters) and Celestial Park, a star-driven introductory land with restaurants, retail and a few rides.  The theme park has 11 rides, including four roller coasters, and two stage shows in its lineup. read more

By CORA LEWIS

NEW YORK (AP) — A Texas judge earlier this month threw out a federal rule that would have capped credit card late fees at $8.

Related Articles

• 
  Volcano Bay says ta-ta to TapuTapu, sets temporary closure for 2026

• 
  Kraft Heinz lowers sales outlook for the year, weighed down by consumer uncertainty and tariffs

• 
  Starbucks’ new drive-thru in Texas is the coffee giant’s first 3D printed store in the US

• 
  Universal expands Epic Universe previews to general public

• 
  Coca-Cola reports better-than-expected quarterly profit, says it can manage through tariffs

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau finalized the rule last year as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to do away with what it called junk fees. It was paused by the courts before it could take effect.

At the time, the CFPB estimated that American families would have saved more than $10 billion in late fees annually had the fees been capped at $8, significantly less than the $32 average. read more