Theme park and attraction news, rumors and videos.
Universal Orlando has quietly added a fun new holiday activity. The Holiday Tree Hunt has you visiting both theme parks and CityWalk in search of some cool Christmas trees. Find them all and you’ll get a free ornament.
With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening at Disneyland park on May 31, the Disney Parks Blog has shared the first look at the new guide map for the park featuring the new land.
By Matt Roseboom
A newly released version of a Walt Disney World brochure features a map of all of their theme parks. But there’s something missing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios map – something big. The giant Sorcerer’s Hat, which has served as the park’s icon since it was added in 2001, is missing. [Read more…]
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Guests visiting Universal Orlando have a new way to plan their day on their mobile devices and can do so using new Wi-Fi service in the parks. [Read more…]
Hosts Banks Lee and JeniLynn Knopp bring you this week’s theme park and attraction news. On this week’s episode: [Read more…]
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. [Read more…]
Column by Dan Hatfield
I am planning a trip to Orlando. We are not quite sure whether we want to stay on Disney property, on International Drive by Universal Orlando, or by SeaWorld. But my question isn’t about accommodations – it’s about shopping. Since I don’t know the area, can you help me locate the closest grocery stores and non-Disney shopping malls to the attractions? [Read more…]
Legoland Florida officials held a media presentation and hard hat tour yesterday to answer the three questions they are most often asked.
What’s going to be in the park?
When will it open?
How much will tickets cost? [Read more…]
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 inches, which is expected because when the ride was known as The Flying Unicorn, it was also 36 inches. And Dragon Challenge is also the same as it was when it was Dueling Dragons at 54 inches.
But the brand new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is set at 48 inches. While this doesn’t confirm Forbidden Journey will be a roller coaster, it’s a good bet it will be a very thrilling ride. The ongoing rumor is that guests will ride on the end of a robot arm. The whole arm could also move along a track, similar to a roller coaster.
Also of note is that the Three Broomsticks restaurant is listed as counter, not table service.
Today’s “USA Today” features a story on Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure and a map of the land. When you visit harrypotter3d.com and hold the map up to your webcam, it will appear 3D using a process called augmented reality.
But you don’t need to run out and buy the newspaper, Click Here to view/download a PDF version of the map, which you can print out.
Once the 3D map is loaded, you can turn it to see the “World” from all sides. Our top photo shows a top-down view of Hogsmeade. Notice how the Owlery is open in the middle.
You can also move the map closer to your webcam to get a better look. Below is the entrance to Hogwart’s Castle. Notice the pillars and statues on either side. Unfortunately the Dragon’s Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff rides are only represented by icons on the map.
