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 [...]

Universal’s official Wizarding World of Harry Potter website has a new feature. From the main page, if you click on Hogsmeade, you’ll be taken to an eye-level view just inside the entrance. From here when you move the mouse pointer left, right, up or down, your view will change, letting you virtually look around. You [...]

We were able to talk with Alan Gilmore, the art director for two Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, during the Entertainment Designers Forum last night. As you’ll hear in our video below, he tells a few tidbits about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure that [...]

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. [...]

We previously reported that SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica were offering free admission to European travelers stranded in Orlando because of the Icelandic volcanic ash in the air. Now the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Walt Disney World and Universal are also offering free admission today and tomorrow. Disney is offering one-day park hoppers which [...]

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 [...]

An article by Lisa Oppenheimer in the May edition of AAA Car & Travel reveals some new information about the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure. The story gives the length of the ride (four minutes) and tells other details such the [...]

Universal just released a new video in which the film makers and actors discuss the challenges and attention to detail needed to bring Harry Potter’s world to life at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. In the video below you’ll hear from Production Designer Stuart Craig, actress Emma Watson, Producer David Heyman, Producer David Barron and actor [...]

Universal has released a new video featuring Mark Woodbury, president of Universal creative, talking about and showing off parts of the queue for the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. You’ll see the Portrait Gallery room with the first ever look [...]

Singer and actress Mariah Carey looks calm and confident in front of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios. Carey spent vacation time this week at both of Universal Orlando’s theme parks while her husband, actor and comedian Nick Cannon, filmed season five of the NBC television show, “America’s Got Talent” at [...]

An authentic replica from the Harry Potter films, guests will pass by Hagrid’s hut on their way to the Flight of the Hippogriff family-friendly roller coaster. Just before they board, Hagrid instructs guests on how to properly approach and fly on a Hippogriff. Hagrid’s hut will be seen as part of a feature about The [...]

The Hard Rock Cafe in Universal CityWalk has a cool new high-tech way to check out their rock and roll memorabilia. The new interactive touch-screen Rock Wall not only lets you inspect some of the archives at the Hard Rock in Orlando, but you can view more than 1,300 pieces from the company’s 162 venues [...]

It was an interesting weekend at Universal Orlando. The highlight was the filming of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen was in Orlando to tape two episodes of her show, which will air on April 1 and 2, 2010. Above Ellen is shooting some T-shirts out to the crowd. On Saturday Ellen was spotted all around [...]

Universal not only release the public grand opening date of June 18, 2010 today, they also released new details on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride and the queue for it inside Hogwarts Castle. Universal says the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will let guests feel things no one has ever [...]

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 [...]

The Spring 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is available now. Subscribers should receive their copies within in the next few weeks. It’s another 64-page issue packed with all the latest news and information about Orlando. The photo packed large feature stories include: • Helicopter tours offer a unique view of Orlando. • Celebrating 10 [...]

Does your family have what it takes to play the Feud? If five of you are in Orlando between April 7 and 11, you may be able to find out. Tryouts are being held for the long-running game show at noon and 5 p.m. on those dates at Universal Orlando and are only available by [...]

A lot has been happening this week at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It’s a scurry of activity all around as they’re putting the final touches and getting ready for opening. As you can see above, they’ve taken down the old construction walls and have added these “prettier” walls [...]

By Chris Ollendorf I have had the luck to be able to travel to many wonderful cities in America but one place I have not been to is New Orleans. I had no reason to go. I never really knew anybody who lived there until recently and now they always invite me to come during [...]

A new 2010 Universal Orlando brochure found at universalorlandovacations.com features a map of both their theme parks and a listing of the rides and dining locations. What’s most interesting are the previously unreleased height requirements for the rides in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Flight of the Hippogriff ride is set at 36 [...]