Yesterday we posted a photo and video update for the ongoing construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Click Here to see it), so today we’ll take a look around the rest of the park.

To amusement park lovers, Orlando may be the mecca for dark attractions. In a recent survey of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE) (Yes, there’s a club just for fans of indoor attractions), members chose Magic Kingdom as their “Favorite Dark Attraction Park”. Members were also asked for their favorite dark attractions in the Orlando [...]

Many of the top theme park designers got together last night at the Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando for the Entertainment Designer’s Forum. In addition to some great talks and stories, everyone in attendance helped raise money for a great cause. Most of the panel members were from Universal, but Disney was also represented. [...]

If you’re interested in how the creative ideas for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Halloween Horror Nights and other theme park attractions are created, you’ll want to attend the Entertainment Designer Forum this Friday night. And you’ll be helping a good cause as well. Billed as an evening with top designers in the entertainment [...]

By Andy Guinigundo We’ve had a few beautiful spring days in Southern Ohio. The temperature has been close to 80 degrees. I cautiously embrace the coming summer and the coming theme park season. I say cautiously because, over the past week, I have awoken to frost and temperatures in the low 30s a few times. [...]

Beginning today, Busch Gardens is welcoming families to an all-new, Sesame Street-themed, sunny, funny play land featuring Elmo, Big Bird and all their friends. Located the former Land of the Dragons, Sesame Street Safari of Fun is twice as big and filled with kid-size rides, water fun, shows and adventures that celebrate the spirit of [...]

Universal Orlando announced today that the grand opening date of Harry Potter World is June 18, 2010. In addition, they released some more details about the attraction inside Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. According to the press release, the attraction will start with meeting Harry, Ron, and Hermione who convince riders to skip class [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio is my hometown amusement park. I grew up and still reside in the area. I believe all folks deserve a gas tank amusement park to tide them over until they can get to Orlando or other amusement destinations. A gas tank amusement park is a park that [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Anaheim, Calif. – It has been a long tradition that individuals who have made significant contributions to Disney are honored with a window on Main Street USA at Disneyland and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The Sherman brothers were so honored this past Thursday, March 11, 2010. The casual amusement park or Disney [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Louisville, Ky. – Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom located in Louisville, Ky., will not reopen for the 2010 season. In a statement, Six Flags states they were unable to come to an agreement with the Kentucky Fair Board for the lease of the land where the park was located. Six Flags felt that [...]

For this February 2010 update, we take a peek above the construction walls – way above. Come fly with us to check out the progress of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. No, we didn’t use a magical broomstick. Thanks go to Air Florida Helicopter Charters on International Drive. …

Photos by Marcus D’Amelio Video by Jimmy Strater The Magic Kingdom Philharmonic Band came marching down Main Street, U.S.A., this morning behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He was riding in a pewter convertible with Mickey Mouse, waving to cheering fans. But he’d earned the ride – and the adulation – Sunday night by [...]

The official Web site for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure was updated today with some new features and details on the rides and experiences. One new feature on the Web site is a low fly-through tour of the Hogsmeade Village and around the castle. New details found on various [...]

By Andy Guinigundo As I was scouring the Internet for stories for the recently released Winter issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine, I came across a press release announcing the closing of a fan favorite at Bush Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., the Big Bad Wolf. The press release was a few months old, July 24, 2009, [...]

What better way to get pumped up for the day than a roller coaster ride through the city to work. And after a hard day at work, wouldn’t it be great to water slide all the way home? That the premise behind these two ads for Barclaycard in the U.K. You may have seen the [...]

Harry Potter fans will want to buy the “USA Today” newspaper next Thursday, Jan. 28. An ad in the newspaper will seemingly come to life on your computer screen when you hold it up to a webcam. The first-ever augmented reality map of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will allow you to rotate the [...]

Today Merlin Entertainments announced a multi-million dollar investment for its biggest family tourist center in the world with the planned opening of Legoland Florida. Merlin purchased the historical Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fla. from property investment company Land South Group and will open Legoland Florida on the site at the end of 2011. The [...]

It seems the cat may have gotten out of the bag. The Lakeland Ledger has obtained an e-mail sent to Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson that says Legoland is coming to Cypress Gardens. All e-mails sent to public official’s business e-mail accounts are public record. But the e-mail wasn’t sent from Merlin Entertainments Group officials [...]

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Merlin Entertainments Group has purchased Cypress Gardens. From blogs.orlandosentinel.com: A spokeswoman for Merlin said the purchase includes the current Cypress Gardens theme park, the Splash Island water park and the adjacent botanical gardens. The company did not disclose the sales price. Merlin is the second busiest amusement operator in [...]

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 [...]