We spent a couple of days at Universal Orlando this past week and saw many new and interesting things at both parks and in CityWalk. Here’s what caught our eye. As you enter CityWalk, you’ll notice construction of the mini-golf courses is coming along well. Check out our full miniature golf photo update here. In [...]

Television and film actress Ginnifer Goodwin explored The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with friends earlier today. During her visit, Ginnifer showed off her affinity for the Harry Potter books and films by dressing up in a Hogwarts school robe and a Gryffindor scarf. Ginnifer has previously appeared in successful [...]

By Kevin Yee The SeaWorld Orlando penguin exhibit will be replaced by a ride in the coming months and years, so we swung by to document the building and exhibit as it exists now (the puffin exhibit is already closed). We did the same for Jaws at Universal, which is rumored to be replaced by [...]

The last time to ride Jaws, and walk through the town of Amity at Universal Studios will be 9 p.m. Jan. 2, 2012. Universal has stated new attraction experience will replace it. While they haven’t said what that will be, rumors suggest it may be more Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal team members who [...]

Universal Orlando will be celebrating the holidays from Dec. 3 until Jan. 1, 2012 with special events and activities inside both theme parks as well as all three on-site hotels. At Islands of Adventure, families can enjoy different Grinch-themed shows and activities. “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular” is a daily show starring The Grinch and the Whos [...]

After a couple of incidents, the Dragon Challenge “dueling” coaster (formerly known as Dueling Dragons) located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park will no longer duel. The Orlando Sentinel newspaper has been following the story of a change on the way the Dragon Challenge roller coaster is [...]

By Nick Lepa, photos by Evan Decarmine and Nick Lepa. With the busy summer season ending, we decided to take a trip to Islands of Adventure on a recent weekend. Although the crowds weren’t to be found, the fun still was.

Since their start in 2004, HP Fan Trips has taken Harry Potter fans to Britain and Scotland, offering unique opportunities such as private parties at Edinburgh Castle, exclusive rides on the cars from the Hogwarts Express used in the movies and more. Next year, they’re bringing fans to Orlando to experience Universal’s Wizarding World of [...]

Selena Gomez, singer and actress on the Disney Channel show, The Wizards of Wavery Place visited a different Wizarding World today – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Selena (second from left) and her backup singers (from left) Ashley Cook, Lindsey Harper and Katelyn Clampett stopped at the Hogwarts Express [...]

Universal Orlando is planning “A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films” for three days this November. Fans who buy special vacation packages will get to hobnob with cast and filmmakers from the Harry Potter films. Special vacation packages, which start at $369 per person and are extremely limited, will go on sale at noon EDT [...]

Irish actresses Scarlett Byrne and Evanna Lynch, known for their roles as Pansy Parkinson and Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series, stopped to try on a pair of Spectrespecs at Dervish & Banges, a magical supplies and equipment shop in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Scarlett and [...]

Screenwriter, film director and producer M. Night Shyamalan visited Olivanders Wand Shop today to check out the wands and other merchandise in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Best known for films such as The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, The Last Airbender and Signs, he also soared above Hogwarts on the [...]

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve visited CityWalk, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios a couple of times. Here are some new and different things I noticed. As you can see in the above two photos, land in CityWalk has been cleared for the construction of a 36-hole miniature golf course called Hollywood Drive-In [...]

Universal Orlando’s has released a free mobile app for Apple and Android phones, joining SeaWorld, which also released a free app earlier this year and Disney World, which offers a paid app for Verizon customers. Busch Gardens officials say their mobile app is in the works. Both the SeaWorld and Universal apps offer some of [...]

By Darcie Vance Today, Universal Orlando Resort celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at 9:23 a.m. – the exact time The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on June 18, 2010. The celebration was not announced ahead of time. The only hint that something different was going on was a [...]

By Darcie Vance A super hero is defined by their trademark costume. The garment must be able to protect its owner and look good on the front page of a newspaper. The updated costumes introduced this month on Marvel Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure provide all the heroes (and villains) with a new, [...]

Oliver and James Phelps, who portray the Weasley brothers, George and Fred, in the Harry Potter films – stopped to greet fans and take photos with guests in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while visiting Universal Orlando yesterday. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter celebrated its grand opening in Islands of Adventure nearly one [...]

By Don Gworek The Universal Orlando resort is beautiful from the air, as well as the ground. Join us as we closely examine the elements of the two theme parks from above. Starting at the top is CityWalk. Then going clockwise are the Colleseum at Hard Rock Live, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, the [...]

Guests attending the Harry Potter LeakyCon gathering in Orlando this summer will get a chance to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter after close for a special event. The convention runs from July 13 to 17 and is hosted by the popular Potter fansite, The Leaky Cauldron. The special event in the Wizarding World [...]

It’s a great week and a not-so-great week to visit Universal Orlando’s two theme parks. It’s not-so-great because with Easter and spring break, it’s one of the busiest weeks of the year. But it’s a great time to visit if you’d like to see some extra entertainment and attractions that aren’t usually in operation. Here’s [...]