By Andy Guinigundo Anaheim, Calif. – In preparation of the grand opening of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, there are three new characters gracing the Highway in the Sky across the way at Disneyland. The Monorails at Disneyland have undergone a transformation and now rather than Monorail Blue, Orange, and Red, meet Mandy Monorail [...]

In celebration of Lego Group’s 80th birthday, Lego Korea has built a tower to beat the previous 103-foot, eight-inch record set in France. Last Sunday night, the Crown Prince of Denmark placed the last record breaking brick on the tower that reached 104-feet and seven inches. Armed with over 500,000 bricks, 4,000 children contest winners [...]

Universal recently announced they will be bringing the magic of Harry Potter to Japan by building their own version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan. Scheduled to open in 2014, the Harry Potter themed area will be similar to the original in Orlando including the Hogwarts Castle and multiple themed attractions. [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Simi Valley, Calif. – July 6, 2012 will mark the opening of the largest-ever exhibit of iconic props, artwork and artifacts from the Walt Disney Archives. Likewise, it will be the largest temporary exhibit ever on display at the Reagan Library. D23, Disney’s official fan club, will present the exhibit at the [...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the first of many guest columns highlighting theme park memories. This column started out as Retro Orlando by Audrey Brown, but we’ve renamed it and expanded it to include theme park and attraction memories outside the Orlando area. This first Amusement Musings is by Audrey’s sister and her experiences with little [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Paris, France – Yes, it was in April 1992, 20 years ago, that Disneyland Paris opened as “Euro Disney Resort”. The name was changed to Disneyland Paris Resort in 1994. After initially falling below projected attendance numbers, the park and resort saw its first quarterly profit in 1995. A second theme park, [...]

Disney’s D23 fan club will hold “Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animated Features” at the Disneyland Resort on Aug. 11 and 12, 2012. The two-day event features concerts, screenings and special guests celebrating decades of Disney films and characters.  The event will showcase films dating back to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the [...]

The Disneyland Resort has just released a very cool video which is an homage to the classic Goofy “Art of” and “How To” shorts. Only this one stars the live action Goofy as he presents his version of “The Art of Vacationing”. This new short showcases “the common traveler” experiencing all there is to see [...]

The Shanghai Daily newspaper reported today that Shanghai Disney Resort is hiring its first 100 cast members. The roles range from 3D Designer to Waterworks Plumbing Piping Engineer, and are roles for helping to develop the new resort, which opens in 2015. Visit the Shanghai Disney website to apply for a role. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apXAzSCVPkI Here’s a [...]

The D23 Expo is returning for the third time to the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. next year from Aug. 9 through 11. The first Expo was held in 2009 followed by a second in 2011. Each event played host to thousands of Disney fans from every corner of the globe. In 2011, more [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Nashville, Tenn. – Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company and Gaylord Entertainment have entered into what is referred to as a “memorandum of understanding”. This initial formal agreement discusses the intent of Dollywood and Gaylord to enter into a 50/50 partnership to develop a 105-acre family entertainment zone adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort [...]

By Andy Guinigundo With a month of 2012 under our belts, I can’t help but be excited for the coming attractions season. There are several high profile, high-dollar attractions opening. Additionally, there are many new coasters being introduced this year including a new-to-North America coaster. Here are some of the attractions I am most anticipating [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Carlsbad, Calif. – Last year marked the eighth straight year of increased attendance at Legoland California and a double digit increase at that over 2010. On the strength of those numbers, Legoland California has decided to put a multi-million dollar investment into the park. Legoland California General Manager Pete Ronchetti attributes the [...]

By Andy Guinigundo My “true love” in the world of attractions emanates from all things Central Florida. I love the sun and weather. I love Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the wizards and witches that reside there. I love Shamu, Clyde and Seymour. I love the “four parks, one world” of Disney. In a way, [...]

By Andy Guinigundo The days following Thanksgiving each year mark the time when the Christmas season begins full-force. The Monday following Thanksgiving, Legoland California had its annual first lighting ceremony for the largest Lego Christmas Tree in the world. While Legoland Florida celebrates its first Christmas, Legoland California wraps up 12 seasons with its 9th [...]

Not many details have been announced yet, but Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts have announced a ‘Significant expansion’ for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. The Universal Studios Hollywood park in California will also be getting its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter. “We are thrilled to be able [...]

By Jackie Roseboom The new Disney Fantasy cruise ship will have upper decks to please everyone in the family when it debuts in March 2012. Whether you want to relax without the kids or are looking for some splashing family fun, you’ll find it. The Satellite Sun Deck, located on Deck 13 forward, will feature [...]

There’s a great tour option available at the Universal Studios park in Hollywood, Calif. called the VIP Tour Experience. It includes elements of their normal tram tour, but also includes walking tours of sets, stages and production buildings, plus gourmet food and Front of the Line privileges to the park’s shows and rides. Each day’s [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo To bolster my claim that the wing rider coaster will be the next big thing in coaster construction (check out my previous story Here), Dollywood announced Sunday that it would open the first wing rider roller coaster in the United States. The third announced Bolliger & Mabillard wing rider coaster this [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo This week, Six Flags Great America near Chicago announced that the X Flight roller coaster would be built with an expected debut date of 2012. This announcement marked the third major announcement of a wing rider coaster being constructed for next year. With the opening of Furius Baco (Intamin) at PortAventura [...]