A new frozen drink fun spot, Fat Tuesday, debuts at Universal CityWalk tonight, offering guests a party atmosphere along with some of the coolest concoctions east of the Mississippi. Channeling Bourbon Street, where the original concept began more than 20 years ago, the venue will offer a wide variety of colorful frozen daiquiri drinks.

Situated on the upper level between Pat O’Brien’s and The Groove, Fat Tuesday guests can enjoy unique concoctions like the venue’s signature cocktail, the “190 Octane,” known for its orange punch, and “Peachy Senorita,” made with peach nectars and purees, as well as frozen favorites, such as creamy pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris.

“Fat Tuesday’s brings the exciting, dynamic sprit of New Orleans straight to Universal Citywalk,” said Ric Florell, senior vice president and general manager of resort revenue operations. “It adds an entirely new level of fun for our nighttime entertainment guests.”

This new addition began in 1984 and is a sister concept of New Orleans Original Daiquiris. Fat Tuesday’s has more than 20 locations in nine states with stores in Key West, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Miami. Universal CityWalk’s location is the only one in Orlando.

Talk show host, comedian and American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres is coming back to Universal Orlando’s CityWalk to record “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on March 28.

Ellen last recorded her show at Universal in March 2008. She can be seen above with Kelli Pickler, who was one of the musical guests during that visit. More photos can be seen in our Photo Gallery.

She’ll be taping two shows at Universal, which will air on April 1 and 2. Her guests are scheduled to be Sharon Osbourne and Usher. The shows will be recorded in the main plaza area of CityWalk. She usually also records many skits inside the theme parks. If you’re around, who knows? Maybe you’ll get to ride the Hulk coaster with Ellen.

“I love going to the Universal Orlando Resort,” Ellen said. “I always have so much fun. The last time I was there, I rode the Hulk and the Mummy. You know what? It was so much fun, we’re going to go back there this year.”

Click Here to apply for free tickets. But you’ll want to do so soon since they’ve gone very quickly in past years. Not everyone who applies will get tickets.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” can be seen at 3 p.m. weekdays on WESH Channel 2.

By Ricky Brigante
Photos by Jeremiah Daws

Readers of this blog are already quite familiar with the Universal Orlando Resort. Orlando Attractions Magazine regularly covers the latest happenings at Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure as well as Universal Orlando CityWalk. But this past weekend I took a trip to California and decided to check out Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time to see what it’s like to experience a “studios” theme park that’s actually connected to a real movie studio.

I only had general knowledge about the Universal Studios Hollywood before visiting, so I asked a few California locals for their opinions of the park in advance. The most common response I received was that I was going to be disappointed, so I went in with rather low expectations. But I came out with a completely different reaction. The park offered solid entertainment throughout the entire day and I had a genuinely great time.

So what can a past visitor to Universal Studios Orlando get out of visiting its Hollywood counterpart? Plenty.

Before I get to all the wonderfully unique experiences to be found in the Hollywood theme park, I’ll mention the obviously similar ones to Orlando’s park. You’ll find The Simpsons Ride and Terminator 2: 3-D, which are nearly the same in both parks. Like in Orlando, The Simpsons Ride took the place of Back to the Future: The Ride, with the surrounding area turned into a slice of Springfield. Not only does Hollywood’s Simpsons area have a Kwik-E-Mart like in Orlando, it also features a facade of Moe’s Tavern, which is a nice touch. Terminator 2: 3-D is nearly identical in California as in Florida.

Shrek 4-D also exists on both coasts, but where Orlando’s version is shown in a somewhat small theater, the Hollywood version is displayed in a massive theater, holding what I’d say is at least four times as many people. As with The Simpsons Ride, there is more space devoted to Lord Farquad’s Duloc castle offering a wonderfully immersive experience.

In Hollywood, you’ll also find The Blues Brothers, Revenge of the Mummy, and Jurassic Park: The Ride. The Blues Brothers act is on an outdoor stage with seats rather than in the street like in Orlando. Revenge of the Mummy is an entirely different ride that emphasizes the roller coaster aspect more than the dark ride (though the opening dark ride-style scenes are still fantastic). Unfortunately, Jurassic Park: The Ride was closed for refurbishment when I visited, but I’ve been told it’s very similar to the Orlando version at Islands of Adventure.

And that’s where the major comparisons between Universal Studios in Hollywood and in Orlando end. Beyond a few of the same (or similar) attractions, it’s an entirely new and different experience visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, beginning with its location.

The drive to Universal City, where Universal Studios Hollywood is located, is unlike anything you’ll find in Orlando. Surrounded by mountainous scenery and movie-making history, Universal Studios Hollywood lives up to its Hollywood namesake. While you won’t catch a glimpse of the Hollywood hills from the park, which is closer to Burbank and Glendale than Los Angeles, you do get incredible scenic views that Orlando visitors can only dream of. From one vantage point, park guests can see the nearby movie studios of Warner Brothers, Disney and several others. The park also spans multiple levels, connected by an unusual series of escalators, allowing for a wide assortment of views.

Like in Orlando, guests walk through CityWalk to reach the park’s entrance. CityWalk in Hollywood has the same vibe as Orlando’s version, but with mostly different restaurants and stores. Of particular note for me was the Dark Horse Comics store, where I would spend entirely too much money on collectibles if it were located in in Orlando.

After passing through CityWalk, the famous Universal Studios globe is spotted followed by the entrance archway, complete with a red carpet leading guests to the entrance. I arrived to the park just as it opened and as I passed through the turnstiles, I found an abundance of fun characters inside, including Beetlejuice, Shrek, SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer. Throughout the day, characters were present quite often, as I saw Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, Groucho Marx, a couple of animals from Madagascar and a few others.

But my favorite use of recognizable characters was in an attraction called Universal’s House of Horrors. As a huge fan of Universal Orlando’s annual Halloween Horror Nights, this attraction was an unexpected treat. This roughly 10-minute walk-through experience offers a taste of horror movie history integrated into dark corridors that contain plenty of scares. Characters currently featured in the attraction include the Mummy, Norman Bates from Psycho, Chucky from Child’s Play, the Wolfman, Dr. Frankenstein and his monster (who gave me a good startle). While the overall experience isn’t nearly as detailed as a Halloween Horror Nights house, it is still very impressive for a daily theme park haunted attraction and I am rather jealous that there isn’t a House of Horrors at Universal Orlando.

Outside the haunted walls, the biggest highlight of visiting Universal Studios Hollywood is the famous Studio Tour. This tram tour of the Universal Studios backlot lasts nearly an hour and is packed from beginning to end with incredible glimpses into movie and television history. The tour passes by rows of giant sound stages that are currently home to television shows like the original CSI and The Ghost Whisperer. Unfortunately, you can’t peak inside any of these soundstages while on this tour; you have to pay an additional $70 or so for the special two-hour version of the tour to do that. But there’s still plenty more to see on the one-hour version, including the endless acres of movie facades that include the Hill Valley courtyard from Back to the Future, a Roman area used in Stanley Kubrick’s Sparticus, the original Bates Motel and house from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and streets of “foreign” sets that can be made up to look like almost any European country. In addition to all of the movie history, the tram tour also features special theme park-style encounters with Jaws and an earthquake (both similar to the Universal Orlando attractions) as well as a few additional surprises that I won’t ruin here. All in all, the Studio Tour is nearly worth the price of admission to the park alone, especially if you’re a huge movie fan like I am.

The remainder of the attractions unique to Universal Studios Hollywood were entertaining, but not as memorable. Backdraft offers a similar experience to Twister in Orlando, replacing the tornado with a room full of huge fireballs and explosive effects. The WaterWorld stage show is Universal Studios Hollywood’s version of your standard theme park stunt show, though the water adds a unique element, as do the actors who have each appeared in a number of popular television shows and movies. The Adventures of Curious George play area allows children to get completely drenched and is comparable to the Woody Woodpecker play area at Universal Studios Orlando. And if you’re short on time, the Special Effects and Animal Actors shows can be skipped without missing much.

To ensure you don’t run out of time, Universal Studios Hollywood has a front of the line pass available for purchase. It’s not like Disney’s Fastpass that basically lets you cut ahead in line. Universal’s front of the line pass treats you like a VIP, allowing to skip lines entirely and enjoy first access to all of its attractions. On a slow day, it’s not necessary to have the front of the line pass, but it did help to ensure I saw everything.

I ended up spending the entire day at Universal Studios Hollywood, from its opening at 10 a.m. to closing at 6 p.m. and never once found myself without something to do or see. Even walking the streets offered entertainment, as different areas of the park transport guests to different places and time periods, from the old west and early 1900s Los Angeles to Great Britain and Paris.

But not everything was completely pleasant throughout the day. Most of the employees didn’t seem particularly interested in their jobs or in being particularly friendly. There were notable exceptions, of course, but most just seemed to be going through the motions.

Food in the park is mainly your standard theme park fare, including burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and french fries. I ate only one meal there and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to dine at Doc Brown’s Chicken, which is something akin to taking a Kentucky Fried Chicken and replacing Colonal sanders with Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future. If I had a Delorean time machine, I likely would go back and choose a different place to eat. For those looking for an atypical theme park dining experience, there’s also a Panda Express located within the park and plenty of other chain restaurants throughout CityWalk.

And if it’s thrill rides you’re looking for, Universal Studios Hollywood may not be the park for you. Revenge of the Mummy is the only fast-moving ride in the park. Jurassic Park is a slow-moving boat ride with a large drop at the end and The Simpsons Ride is a motion simulator. The Studios Tour, of course, is technically a “ride” but it’s certainly a slow-moving one.

In the end, I highly recommend a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood to any fan of Universal Orlando or of movies in general. The unique attractions coupled with the one-of-a-kind glimpses into movie history make for an unforgettable experience. If you’re planning a trip to the Hollywood park, make sure you wait a few months for the King Kong addition to the Studio Tour to be finished. It’s due to open this summer. It’s replacing the old King Kong portion of the tour that fell victim to a major fire that swept across the backlot more than a year ago. And if you can wait a couple of years, you’ll also get to experience a brand new Transformers attraction. I’ll definitely make another trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Wrestling fans will be able to be part of a rally/party celebrating wrestling legend Hulk Hogan’s new partnership with TNA Wrestling. Starting at 5 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, the Hulkster, along with syndicated radio talk show host Bubba the Love Sponge, will be meeting fans at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in Universal CityWalk.

Hulk Hogan recently joined TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling and this will be his first TNA appearance in Orlando. TNA records their weekly Spike TV “Impact!” wrestling show in one of the soundstages at Universal Studios. Hogan’s first live appearance on “Impact!” will be a special live, three-hour episode airing at 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The show will also feature many special guests.

There’s a lot going on for New Year’s Eve, but not all of the parks will be having special events or fireworks at midnight. Here’s a list of the special New Year’s Eve events. But be warned that it’s the busiest day of the year and many of the parks may close when they reach capacity. All of the events are included with your park admission except for the party at CityWalk.

Magic Kingdom
“Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks (11:50 p.m.)
Park hours: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Epcot
Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.)
Park hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.)
A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 p.m.)
Park hours: 8 a.m.-midnight

SeaWorld
Michael Andrew and his Atomic Big Band will perform the best in pop, Latin and swing music. At the stroke of midnight, a vibrant fireworks show will celebrate the New Year.
Park hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Universal CityWalk
The Temptations and The Four Tops will perform along with a street-wide celebration, with live entertainment and DJ’s in CityWalk’s nightclubs. An all-you-can-eat gourmet menu will also be available, featuring filet mignon, jumbo shrimp, desserts and more. When the clock strikes midnight, guests will welcome the new year with party favors, confetti bursts and a champagne toast.
Tickets are $129.99 plus tax per person. Special discounts are available for annual passholders.

Busch Gardens
Fireworks will help ring in the new year at Gwazi Park.
Park hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

CityWalk movie-goers will soon have a new option with the addition of IMAX at AMC Universal Cineplex 20. The new theatre will open at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 18, with the James Cameron film, “Avatar” in 3D.

In order to maximize the field of view in the new IMAX theater, the screen was replaced with a special, larger IMAX screen that is positioned closer to the audience. The new theatre will also feature IMAX’s digital projection system as well as its latest sound system. IMAX’s digital projection system combines two digital projectors with IMAX’s proprietary image enhancer and custom lenses to create an image with greater clarity, brightness and contrast.

Two new quick-serve concepts will also be coming to CityWalk – Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar and Fat Tuesday frozen daiquiris.

Fusion Bistro Sushi, a walk-up sushi bar, is scheduled to open in January 2010 and will be located on the upper level of CityWalk, near the Cineplex. It will be open to guests for lunch, dinner and late night dining. Wireless “sushi cameras” and a robotic sushi-roll making machine will create a rock’n’roll Asian-fanfare attitude.

Fat Tuesday, best known for its signature frozen daiquiris, will open in February 2010 and will also be located on the upper level, between Pat O’Brien’s and the groove. Guests will be able to walk up and enjoy a number of frozen favorites such as pina coladas and margaritas, along with signature concoctions like the 190 Octane, Crawgator and Banana Banshee, in a laid back Big Easy-style atmosphere. It will be open to guests from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

“Emeril 20-40-60″ includes simple techniques and quick-tips to create healthy meals for the family on-the-go. Just in time for the holidays, this book also features quick and delicious dishes perfect for entertaining.

Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of 13 restaurants including Emeril’s Orlando, Emeril’s Tchoup Chop and Emeril’s Miami Beach. He is the author of 14 best-selling cookbooks, and has hosted more than 1,500 TV episodes on the Food Network. He is the food correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America, and the host for Emeril Green, an original series on Discovery’s Planet Green.

Since opening in 1999, Emeril’s Orlando features Lagasse’s signature “New New Orleans” style cuisine. The open-action kitchen, chef’s food bar and a 12,000-bottle wine cellar on the second floor allow guests to experience his creative cooking up close.

Emeril’s second restaurant at Universal Orlando, Tchoup Chop, features Polynesian-Asian cuisine with Chef Emeril’s bold flavors, a lush tropical setting and creative tiki-inspired concoctions at the nearby Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Feature articles in this issue include:

• COVER STORY: Rock ‘n’ Ride
Blast off with Orlando’s newest, most high-tech roller coaster, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios.

• Filling Florida with Fright
Busch Gardens & Universal Studios give Central Florida some of the best scares in the United States with Howl-O-Scream and Halloween Horror Nights.

• A Pirate To Go With My Princess
Disney opens the Pirates League.

• Q&A with Author Cory Doctorow

• Skipper Ben’s Top 10 Scariest Attraction Scenes

• Dive In to the Drive-In
at Disney’s Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant.

• Mini Golfing
For family fun away from the parks, swing by one of the area’s themed mini golf courses.

• A Contemporary “Welcome Home”
Bay Lake Tower is Disney’s newest Vacation Club addition.

If you subscribe now, you’ll be among the first to receive the new Fall 2009 issue when it begins to be mailed in mid-September.

So preview and pre-order the Fall 2009 issue here and pre-order a copy or subscribe today.

Don’t be surprised if a “Thriller” dance breaks out the next time you’re dining at the Hard Rock Cafe in Universal CityWalk.

Dustin, an engineer at the Hard Rock, started dancing around whenever Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” would play in the restaurant, attracting a lot of attention as he emulated Michael’s moves. Some of the wait staff were interested in learning the dance, so Dustin started giving lessons. So if the song happens to play, the next time you’re dining at the restaurant, you’ll be in for a show.

Marketing and Promotions Manager Jeff Jones said there are no scheduled performances, the song just plays on random days and random times. But if you’d like to guarantee seeing the staff dance in person, they’re still practicing for an upcoming special performance. “The only guaranteed performance will be Oct. 2,” said Jones, “when we present Classic Albums Live featuring Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. The staff will join the Classic Albums Live band on the title track.”

One of Hard Rocks managers has posted a couple of videos showing the staff and Dustin doing the dance. The first shows the wait staff dancing without Dustin’s help and the other shows Dustin all decked out and dancing with the staff.

Element Skateboard Team members (from left) Chad Muska, Chad Tim Tim, Bam Margera, Collin Provost and Mike Vallely signed autographs for fans on Aug. 3, 2009, at Element’s newest store located at CityWalk.

They also had a chance to ride on The Incredible Hulk coaster at Islands of Adventure.

Photos by Kevin Kolczynski, Universal Orlando Resort