The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is holding their annual expo in Orlando through tomorrow. We walked 8-something miles of isles yesterday and have the pictures to prove it. It took us all of six hours and I’m sure we missed a few spots. If you’d like to attend, it’s open to [...]

I’ve uploaded a video of tonight’s new Cinderella Castle lighting ceremony called, “Cinderella’s Holiday Wish”. It’s around seven minutes long and features Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the Fairy Godmother on the castle stage. It’s a fun little show with some spectacular lights on the castle.The video is 640×360 MP4 with HD [...]

Super Soap Weekend at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park has come and gone for 2007. Stars from ABC’s hit soap operas, One Life to Live, General Hospital, and All My Children, were there to greet fans and answer questions. Here are some highlights from today (Sunday, Nov. 12):

For the first time, Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World magically morphs into a shimmering, glimmering ice palace for the holidays – thanks to a new special effects spectacle bathing the castle in 200,000 twinkly white lights. Magic Kingdom guests will be treated nightly to the castle celebration, which also features cherished Disney characters. Similar [...]

Busch Entertainment Corporation family of adventure parks announced today they will now be known as Worlds of Discovery. “Guests will come to know that through the Worlds of Discovery parks, they will have the opportunity to come closer to the world we share,” says Jim Atchison, incoming president and chief operating officer of Busch Entertainment [...]

Universal Orlando Resort has released their plans for the holiday season. These include some new things and returning favorites. Most events run Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. Universal Studios: Macy’s Holiday Parade This seasonal favorite is full of authentic balloons and floats direct from America’s favorite parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You’ll also enjoy festive [...]

Universal Orlando will soon unveil a new attraction called “Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride . . . Starring You.” It will replace the current Earthquake attraction. Earthquake closed permanently today as work began on the new experience. Initial construction has already been underway inside the attraction for several weeks. Disaster is expected to …

Framed through the lens of renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, more stars are playing out their fantasies, living out their Disney dreams. Actress Rachel Weisz is Snow White, tennis star Roger Federer is King Arthur from “The Sword in the Stone” and actress Julie Andrews is the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio” with actress Abigail Breslin as [...]

From orlandosentinel.com: Moving toward the big name change coming up in January, Walt Disney World has unveiled the new logo for Disney’s Hollywood Studios — featuring Mickey Mouse holding a clapboard.The logo replaces the MGM lion logo that has graced Disney-MGM Studios since it opened in 1989.     Link According to the announcement made by Michael [...]

Universal Parks & Resorts has partnered with the Environmental Media Association to present the week-long “Green is Universal” events in Orlando and Hollywood Nov. 5 to 10. The program will include celebrity kick-off events at both parks, “Eco-Fairs” featuring related information, entertainment and displays, daily events for employees and guests and giveaways of recycled or [...]

Busch Entertainment Corporation, the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Companies, is planning on moving its corporate headquarters from St. Louis to Central Florida, home to four of the company’s nine theme parks. The transition to Orlando is scheduled for completion by July 2008. Busch Entertainment Corporation has 26,000 employees, $1.25 billion in revenue and …

Handy Manny, the popular Playhouse Disney character, is the newest member of the Disney-MGM Studios family. He will begin making regular meet-and-greet appearances in the Disney-MGM Studios theme park the week of Nov. 18. Also, coming in 2008 to the theme park, Handy Manny will debut as part of the cast in a new show [...]

It took longer than we expected, but subscriptions to Orlando Attractions Magazine are now available. To subscribe: http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/subscribe.php Or, if you’d prefer to purchase just a single issue, you can do so in our newly redesigned store: http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/store.php Remember… subscribing saves you more than $15 off of ordering each issue individually online! Our first issue [...]

I didn’t expect it to open so soon, but the new Kwik-E-Mart is open for business (no loitering). Located in the former Back To The Future building, the store carries all sorts of Simpsons merchandise such as T-shirts, DVDs, mugs, glasses, action figures, and lots more. Even though there’s a sign, you can’t buy Squishies, [...]

For eight Ukrainian children, dreams became reality on Oct. 12 as they entered Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park. The children, ages 9 to 20, were born with birth defects as a result of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. They spent the past couple of weeks in Central Florida meeting with physicians, receiving occupational [...]

It’s official: Kwik-E-Mart is coming to Universal Studios. While attending Halloween Horror Nights last night, I saw that the construction walls were down that were covering up the old Back To The Future store, next to the old ride. I was hoping they’d turn it into a Simpsons store, but they’ve done one better and [...]

Every evening this week we’ve been getting weird calls at the magazine.  The first night it was a chain saw and maniacle laughing, the next night it was creepy music and some other weird sounds, last night it was creepy music with kids singing a scary counting sound, “Five, Six Grab your Crucifix”. I’m telling you, [...]

How many Simpsons characters do you know? Would you buy a Duff beer at a theme park? How about a Krusty burger? Who’s you favorite Simpsons character? Would you take the time when you arrived at the park to set up your cell phone to receive text messages giving you updates to how long the [...]

I attended the first official screening of the new O Canada film at Epcot today and have uploaded a video for you to enjoy. It includes walking up to the attraction, the two cast member spiels including one calling it the first official screening and the full new O Canada film. You can download a [...]

From halloweenhorrornights.com Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando now has a theme: Carnival of Carnage. From their Web site: “The cold October winds are bringing the dark carnival to town. Join the new Ringmaster as he brings together the most diabolical combination of sinister sideshows, a midway of carnage, and the most maniacal movie madmen [...]