http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog Orlando area attractions and theme park information and news Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:12:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/03/theme-park-connection-warehouse-opens-a-look-around/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/03/theme-park-connection-warehouse-opens-a-look-around/#comments Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:36:54 +0000 Don Gworek http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10813 The Theme Park Connection Warehouse held its grand opening this morning, and collectors flooded the aisles finding both long-sought treasures and great deals. The 4,000-sq.-ft. space is filled floor to ceiling with memorabilia.]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/03/theme-park-connection-warehouse-opens-a-look-around/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/03/yearly-tent-sale-at-universal-orlando-public-welcome/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/03/yearly-tent-sale-at-universal-orlando-public-welcome/#comments Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:03:17 +0000 Don Gworek http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10801 A little-known bit of fun each December is looking for a sign at the Universal cast entrance. The sign says: Tent Sale, Public Welcome. All you can do is drive by each weekend, hoping to spot the sign. When you spot the sign, you immediate turn into cast parking eager to shop for deals. The [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/03/yearly-tent-sale-at-universal-orlando-public-welcome/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/01/orlando-attractions-show-episode-52/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/01/orlando-attractions-show-episode-52/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:13:54 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10780 This week’s theme park and attraction news is brought to you by hosts Lulu Picart and Amanda Powell from the Gaylord Palms Resort. On this week’s episode: • Shrek the Halls Ice! at Gaylord Palms • News in the Queue: D23 events for 2012; Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens; New Year’s Eve at Universal CityWalk [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/12/01/orlando-attractions-show-episode-52/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/29/theme-park-connection-holding-their-grand-opening-this-saturday-many-one-of-a-kind-disney-world-items-available/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/29/theme-park-connection-holding-their-grand-opening-this-saturday-many-one-of-a-kind-disney-world-items-available/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:31:10 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10774 A new store is opening its doors this Saturday in Winter Garden, Fla., just down the street from Walt Disney World. But it’s not just down the road from Disney for no reason. Theme Park Connection’s warehouse store features thousands of Disney and theme park collectibles, props, costumes, signs, trading pins and more. All are [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/29/theme-park-connection-holding-their-grand-opening-this-saturday-many-one-of-a-kind-disney-world-items-available/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/25/orlando-attractions-show-51/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/25/orlando-attractions-show-51/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:22:01 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10714 Join hosts Banks Lee and Lulu Picart at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for this week’s theme park and attraction news. On this week’s episode: • A look at Busch Gardens Christmas decorations • News in the Queue: History Center’s Universal exhibit; Sum of All Thrills; Legoland and SeaWorld Christmas; Drip • Busch Gardens’ Christmas Celebration [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/25/orlando-attractions-show-51/feed/ 6 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/23/character-cavalcade-and-fireworks-show-planned-to-celebrate-walt-disney-worlds-40th-anniversary/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/23/character-cavalcade-and-fireworks-show-planned-to-celebrate-walt-disney-worlds-40th-anniversary/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:38:17 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9973 Walt Disney World will be celebrating their 40th year on Oct. 1, 2011 at the Magic Kingdom with a character parade and sing-along in the morning, 40th branded merchandise and artist signings all day, and a special edition of the Wishes fireworks at night. The celebration will start just before 10 a.m. as Mickey, Minnie [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/23/character-cavalcade-and-fireworks-show-planned-to-celebrate-walt-disney-worlds-40th-anniversary/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/18/first-look-at-legoland-floridas-park-map-and-logo-merchandise/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/18/first-look-at-legoland-floridas-park-map-and-logo-merchandise/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:17:45 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9935 Legoland Florida started welcoming guests to their front gate this weekend to pick up their annual passes. Although the gates to get in Florida’s newest theme park are not yet open, those picking up their passes had the opportunity to buy some Lego merchandise, get a park map and meet a couple of Lego characters. [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/18/first-look-at-legoland-floridas-park-map-and-logo-merchandise/feed/ 3 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/08/24/reimagined-disney-store-opens-in-the-florida-mall/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/08/24/reimagined-disney-store-opens-in-the-florida-mall/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:43:27 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9720 The Disney Store in the Florida Mall reopened this morning after being closed for conversion into a redesigned, interactive store. This Orlando store joins the growing list of newly-designed stores already opened around the world. By the end of the year, the specialty retailer will have 60 new concept stores in 16 major cities in [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/08/24/reimagined-disney-store-opens-in-the-florida-mall/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/20/room-for-one-more-special-ticket-event-to-celebrate-disneys-haunted-mansion/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/20/room-for-one-more-special-ticket-event-to-celebrate-disneys-haunted-mansion/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:47:08 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9541 On Friday, Sept. 30, Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be transformed into an underworld party celebrating the Haunted Mansion ride at the Magic Kingdom. This limited-ticket special event costs $285 and will offer special guests, food, gifts and an auction. The event will include a recreation of the Haunted Mansion cemetery inside the Contemporary Resort, a [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/20/room-for-one-more-special-ticket-event-to-celebrate-disneys-haunted-mansion/feed/ 3 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/01/harley-davidson-store-moves-into-the-west-side-of-downtown-disney/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/01/harley-davidson-store-moves-into-the-west-side-of-downtown-disney/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:57:42 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9444 The Harley-Davidson store at Downtown Disney has some new digs. The store has moved into the West Side in the spaces formerly occupied by LittleMissMatched and Mickey’s Grove. In addition to still selling all the items they have always carried, the new location brings some new features. This is just one half of the 3,635-square-foot [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/01/harley-davidson-store-moves-into-the-west-side-of-downtown-disney/feed/ 4 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/20/d23-expo-the-official-convention-for-disney-fans-returns-to-anaheim-this-august/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/20/d23-expo-the-official-convention-for-disney-fans-returns-to-anaheim-this-august/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:19:38 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9334 No one knew what to expect when the first D23 Expo was held in 2009. Most fans who attended left amazed and wondering when the next Expo would be held. Now, two years later, the second D23 Expo returns to the Anaheim Convention Center in California from Aug. 19 to 21, 2011. D23 is the [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/20/d23-expo-the-official-convention-for-disney-fans-returns-to-anaheim-this-august/feed/ 4 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/02/the-show-episode-27/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/02/the-show-episode-27/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:48:44 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9175 June 2, 2011 – Join hosts JD Trussell and Samantha Sanders as they bring you the latest Orlando theme park and attraction news and more on this week’s episode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LGf21uqArA In this week’s episode: • Grand Opening of Cheetah Hunt Coaster at Busch Gardens • Interviews with Busch Gardens’ Jim Dean, Mark Rose, Mike Boos [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/02/the-show-episode-27/feed/ 9 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/12/24/parksaver-top-three-least-wanted-theme-park-gifts/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/12/24/parksaver-top-three-least-wanted-theme-park-gifts/#comments Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:55:19 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7902 Satirical column by Derek Burgan Everyone has their favorite souvenirs when they visit the parks. For some it’s a pair of Mickey ears. For others its a Harry Potter wand. While some may love Vinylmation, many others head towards the newest pins. For this special version of PARKsaver, we take a lighthearted look at the [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/12/24/parksaver-top-three-least-wanted-theme-park-gifts/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/09/a-look-at-downtown-disneys-first-ever-benefit-sale-photosvideo/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/09/a-look-at-downtown-disneys-first-ever-benefit-sale-photosvideo/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:21:23 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7576 Article, photos and video by Don Gworek Disney held their first ever fund raising sale throughout Downtown Disney early Saturday morning to benefit the United Way. Entitled The Benefit Sale, shoppers purchased entrance vouchers for $5 in advance and exchanged them for wristbands on arrival. The event began at 5:30 a.m. and hundreds were line [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/09/a-look-at-downtown-disneys-first-ever-benefit-sale-photosvideo/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/10/14/duffy-the-disney-bear-debuts-at-epcot-photosvideo/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/10/14/duffy-the-disney-bear-debuts-at-epcot-photosvideo/#comments Fri, 15 Oct 2010 02:29:24 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7437 Duffy the Disney Bear made his debut at Walt Disney World today. You can meet Duffy, buy a Duffy and color a Duffy at his new home, Epcot. But what’s Duffy’s story? Read on. As you walk through Epcot, you’ll first see Duffy near the left of World Showcase Plaza. The store here carries a [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/10/14/duffy-the-disney-bear-debuts-at-epcot-photosvideo/feed/ 2 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/08/13/new-disney-merchandise-revealed-at-star-wars-celebration/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/08/13/new-disney-merchandise-revealed-at-star-wars-celebration/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:12:15 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7025 Disney Parks held a collector panel discussion today during the Star Wars Celebration V convention at the Orange County Convention Center. Some brand new merchandise featuring the Muppets, Indiana Jones and Star Tours was shown – including some new information about Star Tours 2. Graphic Designer Quynh Kimball (above, from left) and Product Developers Cody [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/08/13/new-disney-merchandise-revealed-at-star-wars-celebration/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/07/19/new-wizarding-world-merchandise-available-at-the-park-and-online/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/07/19/new-wizarding-world-merchandise-available-at-the-park-and-online/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:17:03 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=6910 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal's Islands of Adventure is still very busy. Most mornings guests are lined up just to get into the new area. So it comes as no surprise that Universal has run out of some of their exclusive Wizarding World merchandise. But don't despair, some brand new merchandise has shown up onsite.]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/07/19/new-wizarding-world-merchandise-available-at-the-park-and-online/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/05/20/what-you-need-to-know-for-star-wars-weekends-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/05/20/what-you-need-to-know-for-star-wars-weekends-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 14:20:55 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=6253 Star Wars Weekends is starting and some of the most popular Star Wars characters are headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Star Wars weekends runs each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 13, 2010. More than 50 Star Wars characters will roam the streets for meet and greets and photo opportunities. Here’s where you’ll be able [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/05/20/what-you-need-to-know-for-star-wars-weekends-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/feed/ 3 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/04/29/epcot-photo-update-whats-new-interesting-and-different/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/04/29/epcot-photo-update-whats-new-interesting-and-different/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:00:20 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=5966 My family and I took advantage of Orange county schools letting out an hour earlier on Wednesdays to visit Epcot yesterday. It had been a few weeks since we’d last visited. If you followed @Attractions on Twitter last night, you may have already seen some of these in our Tweets. But there’s some new pictures [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/04/29/epcot-photo-update-whats-new-interesting-and-different/feed/ 2 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/02/01/planet-hollywoods-on-location-store-closes-at-downtown-disney/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/02/01/planet-hollywoods-on-location-store-closes-at-downtown-disney/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:33:50 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=5146 Planet Hollywood has closed one of their retail stores at Downtown Disney. The Planet Hollywood On Location store in Downtown Disney’s West Side is closed as of today. The store was located next to the recently opened LittleMissmatched store. Even though it was their largest store in Disney World, they’re still selling Planet Hollywood merchandise [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/02/01/planet-hollywoods-on-location-store-closes-at-downtown-disney/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/12/23/leftys-the-left-hand-store-opens-at-downtown-disney/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/12/23/leftys-the-left-hand-store-opens-at-downtown-disney/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:45:21 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=4804 Last week we told you about a new hand art vendor that opened in one of the stands at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. We also mentioned that a wood carving store had closed down, with its stand remaining empty. Well it’s no longer empty. Lefty’s has opened in a stand near the lake, just down [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/12/23/leftys-the-left-hand-store-opens-at-downtown-disney/feed/ 5 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/10/13/attractions-magazine-covers-now-available-as-posters-postcards-t-shirts-and-mugs/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/10/13/attractions-magazine-covers-now-available-as-posters-postcards-t-shirts-and-mugs/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:28:16 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=3965 Thanks to the suggestion of a reader, our magazine covers are now available for purchase in a variety of ways. A reader wrote in wanting to buy one of our covers as a poster for her son and we had one of those “Why didn’t we think of that?” moments. All of the photos in [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/10/13/attractions-magazine-covers-now-available-as-posters-postcards-t-shirts-and-mugs/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/07/24/epcot-photo-update-2/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/07/24/epcot-photo-update-2/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:08:20 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=2756 Some friends were in town this week so we made a full day trip to Epcot. Here are some things that caught my eye. We start at the front of the park where the line for Spaceship Earth was very long early in the day. A tip for those who don’t know: wait and ride [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/07/24/epcot-photo-update-2/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/05/13/select-disney-parks-merchandise-now-available-online/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/05/13/select-disney-parks-merchandise-now-available-online/#comments Wed, 13 May 2009 16:29:09 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=2044 Disney launched a new section of their online store (DisneyStore.com) today featuring merchandise from Disney theme parks. Selections include the famous Mickey Mouse ear hats, working monorail sets, and other collectibles, apparel, toys, and home decorations. Each section is currently fairly limited in selection, with only a handful of items to choose from. With hundreds of stores scattered throughout [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/05/13/select-disney-parks-merchandise-now-available-online/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/04/20/new-disneystar-wars-merchandise-announced-for-star-wars-weekends-2009-and-beyond/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/04/20/new-disneystar-wars-merchandise-announced-for-star-wars-weekends-2009-and-beyond/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:29:22 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=1769 At this past weekend’s FX! International Show, a Disney products panel was held, hosted by Disney product developer Brad Schoeneberg, in which new merchandise was revealed for the upcoming Star Wars Weekends event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are some of the highlights (click the images to enlarge them): New to this year’s Star Wars [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/04/20/new-disneystar-wars-merchandise-announced-for-star-wars-weekends-2009-and-beyond/feed/ 15