Posted on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 07:19 AM
Win a Trip to Grand Opening of Harry Potter & The Wizarding World
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
The Universal Orlando Resort is running a contest in which you can win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.
The grand prize is a trip for four to Orlando to participate in the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sometime in Spring 2010. The official rules state that the specific grand opening dates are not yet determined. Trip package includes roundtrip plane tickets, three nights at a Universal Partner Hotel, and four 2-park Unlimited tickets.
Beyond the grand opening trip, other Potter-related prizes include magic wands, video games, DVDs, and other collectibles.
To enter, visit www.theroadtohogwarts.com and follow the instructions to fill out the registration form. In addition to the basic entry, completing various activities, like watching video clips or downloading wallpaper, will earn you additional entries into the contest.
Each participant can earn up to twenty-three entries throughout the course of the contest. The sweepstakes ends on Dec. 18, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET. with winners selected by the end of the year.
Remember, If you don't win, you can still be there for all the exciting action. Just check out all our Universal Studios Orlando Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Harry Potter needs.
Posted on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @ 07:36 AM
Disney World, Universal Studios & SeaWorld Orlando Holiday Season Events
We've recovered from the Halloween sugar rush just in time for the visions of sugar plums to kick in at our theme parks. Some events are under way already, some favorites are coming up, and there are even new offerings out there this year. There's plenty of time to pace yourself. No need to OD on pixie dust and poinsettias right away.
Walt Disney World
Some of the Disney yuletide events already are in place. At Magic Kingdom, guests can see Cinderella Castle undergo a nightly transformation into Castle Dreamlights! (now with exclamation point) mode, a white-light immersion. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back with its annual full-on assault of choreographed twinkling.
Also underway is the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party series of after-hours, separate ticket events at Magic Kingdom. New to the party this year is A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas! (again with the exclamation point!) featuring Stitch, Buzz Lightyear and Mike Wazowski. Very Merry includes a special holiday parade (toy soldier alert), themed fireworks, free hot cocoa and other shows. Remaining dates are today, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Nov. 20 and 29, Dec. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18.
Disney's Animal Kingdom shifts its afternoon parade to a holiday version on Nov. 27 when Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade kicks off. It appears daily through Jan. 3.
Epcot goes into holiday mode Nov. 27 with its Holidays Around the World presentation at World Showcase, which sports an international flair plus a special ending to the IllumiNations display. Candlelight Processional, a mass choir and orchestra backing a narration of the Christmas story, begins that night as well. The first celebrity speaker is scheduled to be Isabella Rossellini.
All Disney holiday events - with the exception of Very Merry - are included in regular park admission.
Universal Orlando
The bulk of Universal's holiday celebration takes place at Universal Studios theme park. New to the lineup this year is a three-weekend concert series at Music Plaza, which will kick off with a performance by holiday megagroup Mannheim Steamroller on Dec. 5. Other artists will be Chris Isaak (Wicked Game) on Dec. 12 and Natalie Cole ("Unforgettable") on Dec. 19.
Isaak and Cole will mix holiday songs into their usual playlist. Show times are 7 p.m.
Each concert is preceded by the Macy's Holiday Parade, a collection of balloons and floats imported from the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. There should be a Santa Claus sighting as well. The parades are daily from Dec. 5 to Jan. 1.
Three Universal shows get a holiday overlay: Blues Brothers Christmas Show (with snow on Delaney Street), Kidzone Holiday Show and Barney's Christmas Show. The Universal Cinesphere 360 show returns for a six-day stint beginning Dec. 26.
Next door at Islands of Adventure is the park's musical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which is performed several times a day, beginning Dec. 5. All of these Universal offerings are included in regular park admission.
SeaWorld Orlando
The Polar Express Experience, a pine-scented overlay of the park's Wild Arctic simulator, returns today for its third holiday season, and " Shamu Christmas ... Miracles," starring a killer whale and gospel music, comes back Nov. 27.
But SeaWorld also has three new holiday productions that will debut Nov. 27.
An ice rink will be built at Bayside Stadium, the location for Winter Wonderland on Ice, an ice-skating show. A Muppet-driven show called A Sesame Street Christmas, featuring Elmo and Big Bird, will be at Seaport Theater, and sea lions will continue their comedy antics in Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas. That duo has performed a holiday show before but this will be an all-new production, SeaWorld says.
These attractions are included in regular SeaWorld admission.
Still haven't got your tickets or Holiday Vacation Packages yet to Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld Orlando? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Orlando Vacation Packages needs!!!
Posted on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 @ 06:31 AM
Open casting calls for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
If you're looking forward to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010 and wish you could conjure up a way to be part of the magic, you will soon have your chance.
Thanks to a post on Orlando United, we've learned that Universal Orlando is holding open casting calls for atmosphere roles as part of the Wizarding World. They're looking for male and female actors who can speak with a British accent. More specifically, Universal is holding calls for male actors with strong improv and interaction skills who are able to portray an age range of mid-thiries to mid-forties. In addition, they're casting male and female actors who are youthful in appearance.
Casting is being held on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. in the Universal Orlando Human Resources Lobby at 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, FL 32819.
Full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions are available. All actors should prepare a one-minute monologue for audition and candidates must be available for callbacks on Monday, Nov. 16 and rehearsals beginning in January.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been announced to be opening in Spring 2010 so it's good news that Universal has finally begun its casting process.
Still haven't got tickets or your Universal Orlando Vacation Package yet? Then check out our website for all your Universal needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 @ 07:03 AM
Can't wait for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Open? Visit Harry Potter Landmarks
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure next spring. But if you just can't wait that long to see a bit of the Wizarding World in person, travel Web sites Skyscanner & Orlando Attractions Magazine has released these top 12 real life locations for experiencing a bit of the Wizarding World.
1. Kings Cross Station (London, England, UK)
Wizarding World: The famed Platform 9 ¾ is where Harry and his wizarding pals hop aboard the steaming Hogwarts Express at the start of each term on their way to their magical school.
Muggle World: The actual platform used for filming was Platform 4 in London Kings Cross station, but Network Rail have erected a Platform 9 ¾ sign and a luggage trolley magically disappearing into the wall to honour the story, which has made Kings Cross station a must see for fans on the Potter circuit.
2. Goathland, North Yorkshire, (England, UK)
Wizarding World: Hogsmeade Station is the place where Harry and friends disembark the Hogwarts Express before making the onward journey to Hogwarts School.
Muggle World: Goathland station is a real station in North Yorkshire, England, that was used as the film set for Hogsmeade and Potter fans still flock to get their pictures taken at this now famous landmark. Unfortunately you won't see Hogwarts in the distance - it was created using special effects.
3. Alnwick Castle (England, UK)
Wizarding World: The grounds outside Hogwarts where Harry and his classmates have their first ever broomstick flying lesson.
Muggle World: The second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle, it was used in the filming of the exterior of Hogwarts for the flying lesson scene as well as when Harry crash lands the flying car. Several other locations were also used to film parts of Hogwarts including: Christ Church, Oxford, Durham Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire.
4. London Zoo (England, UK)
Wizarding World: The place where Harry realizes he is a Parselmouth - i.e. fluent in snake speak - during "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone."
Muggle World: The reptile house in the London Zoo was used to film this slithery scene. Why not see if you can discuss the latest in reptilian fashion with a boa constrictor too?
5. Scotland (UK)
Wizarding World: Though never specifically mentioned in the books, JK Rowling has remarked in interviews that Scotland was the logical setting for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the place where the vast majority of Harry and company's adventures take place.
Muggle World: Scotland is well known for its castles, mansions and noble houses, all of which may have provided Rowling with inspiration for Hogwarts. Glen Nevis was used for some of the Quidditch scenes, and the West Highland Railway was used to film the journey of the Hogwarts Express which also takes in the incredible Glenfinnan Viaduct.
6. Bulgaria
Wizarding World: Bulgaria is home to Durmstrang Institute's wizarding student and international Quidditch champion, Viktor Krum.
Muggle World: Bulgaria's White Brotherhood - a group who believe in supernatural beings of great power, collect in the Seven Lakes region of the Rila Mountains to perform a spiritual dance every year. Here, over a thousand people dressed in white robes move slowly around in huge concentric circles. The spectacle is so impressive that Monty Python star and world traveler, Michael Palin, visited to area to film it for his BBC documentary series, New Europe.
7. Ireland
Wizarding World: The Emerald Isle is home to many magical creatures in the Potter Universe including Imps, (small mischievous creatures), Porlocks, (horse guardians from southern Ireland) and Kelpies (water demons). Ireland is also well known in the wizarding world for being the proud winners of the 1994 Quidditch World Cup.
Muggle World: Catch a hurling match, which is about as close as a Muggles can get to the sport of Quidditch. A hugely popular sport in Ireland, most towns have a hurling field and team.
8. Wales (UK)
Wizarding World: Home to the "Welsh Green" dragon, this species prefers to nest in high mountain regions. It mainly hunts sheep and small mammals but tends to avoid human contact.
Muggle World: Climb Wales' highest and most famous mountain, Snowdon. A typical climbing party takes around five to six hours to reach the summit and come down again, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you may just catch a glance of a Welsh Green. Pembrokeshire in Wales is also the film location for Shell Cottage, home of married couple Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour which will be featured in the "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows" film.
9. Norway
Wizarding World: Home to the native Norwegian Ridgeback dragon which inhabits the northern mountains, this beast has venomous fangs and feeds on large animals and sometimes aquatic mammals. Hagrid succeeds in hatching a Norwegian Ridgeback egg but eventually gives it to Charlie Weasley who takes the dragon to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary.
Muggle World: Norway's mountains and fjords are a paradise for wildlife; we don't know about dragons, but trolls are a strong part of Norse mythology, said to be devious and fearsome creatures living underground in hills, caves or mountains.
10. Romania
Wizarding World: this eastern European country is home to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, a preservation area created for the protection and study of dragons. The largest dragon sanctuary in the Potter universe, it was the preferred supplier of dragons for the Triwizard Tournament.
Muggle World: Transylvania in Romania is well known for its spooky, reputedly haunted castles. Ever since Bram Stoker used it as the setting for his Dracula novel, the region has been shrouded in supernatural folklore and associated with vampires, who also form part of the wizarding world in the Potter series.
11. Wollongong (Australia)
Wizarding World: Home to the Woollongong Warriors, one of the strongest Quidditch teams in the Harry Potter Universe and dominators of the Australian Quidditch league, their rivalry with the Thundelarra Thunderers is legendary amongst the Australian magical community as documented in JK's book: Quidditch Through the Ages.
Muggle World: Woollongong is an obvious reference to very similar sounding Wollongong, a city in New South Wales, Australia, noted for its numerous surfing beaches, scenery and botanic gardens, so no doubt an ideal place for wizards to obtain essential ingredients for their potions.
12. Edinburgh (Scotland, UK)
No Harry Potter fan can omit Edinburgh as part of their tour. It was in this fine city (which is also home of Skyscanner) that JK Rowling completed the first book in her series - "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - reputedly doing much of the writing in cafes around the city. To the dismay of Potter fans, one of her favourite spots, Nicolson's Café, has since turned into an all-you-can eat Chinese restaurant. However, another one of JK's haunts, The Elephant House still stands and a coffee with a bagel here is a must for any Potter Fan.
Other Venues in the Potter Universe
Numerous other buildings were used for film locations including Bodleian Library, Oxford (Hogwarts interiors), Australia House, The Strand London (Gringott's Bank), Martins Heron, Berkshire (Privet Drive) and Leadenhall Market, London (Diagon Alley).
Still haven't got tickets yet to visit Harry Potter and the Wizarding World or your Vacation Package for next year? Visit our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com to book your Universal Orlando Vacation Package.
Posted on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 @ 08:16 AM
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Construction Update at Universal's Islands of Adventure, Video and Photos
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
It's time again for an update on the construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. There's a lot more to see since our last update as Hogwart's Castle is starting to really look like a castle. The new area of the park is set to open next spring.
Let's start with our first video update, then some photos for a more detailed look, then we'll end with a video from the land's designers walking us through the whole area.
This building, seen from the bridge from The Lost Continent to Jurassic Park, will be the Three Broomsticks restaurant. To the right is Zonko's joke shop, which will be on your left as you enter the Wizarding World.
The best view of the castle is as you're leaving Dueling Dragons. But this view will eventually be going away when they close the ride to start converting it to Dragon Challenge.
You can also see the queue area for the already closed Flying Unicorn ride from the Dueling Dragons queue. Flying Unicorn will become Flight of the Hippogriff.
So, there you have it...The latest update for Harry Potter and the Wizarding World at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure set to open next year....
Still haven't got tickets yet or a vacation package to Universal Studios? Then check out our web site for all your Universal Studios Orlando needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Sat, Sep 26, 2009 @ 07:46 AM
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Kicked Off Last Night
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
Yesterday was the first night of Halloween Horror Nights 19 at Universal Studios. Below is a quick rundown of the haunted houses, scare zones, and shows you can expect to see at the event. We'll be posting photos and video during our trips to Halloween Horror Nights.
Haunted Houses
SAW - For years you have come to celebrate Halloween and to witness the weakness of others. The only way to gain redemption for this voyeuristic obsession is to truly know what it means to bleed, to feel weak; to experience pain. Jigsaw will give you this experience. Happy Halloween. Let the games begin.
The Wolfman - Pure. Animalistic. Rage. Take a journey through England's countryside and come face to fangs with one of the most terrifying creatures to ever explode from the silver screen. Forget everything you thought you knew, and prepare yourself for the sights and sounds of the newest addition to Universal Pictures' legacy of horror.
Chucky: Friends to the End - Ever wonder what happens when good toys go bad? Chucky has been hard at work, tinkering with your favorite childhood playthings. Nothing is what it seems as you step inside and experience what its like to live in Chucky's world. This is no Child's Play.
Dracula: Legacy of Blood - Welcome to Castle Dracula on the night of "The Calling." Vlad Dracul bids you welcome - be you one of the chosen women who has been called or merely a mortal man. Those who have been chosen must decide whether to join the Dark Prince in everlasting life as his brides, or reject his offer and suffer for all eternity. The blood must be renewed. The fate of the legacy hangs in the balance - Dracula's legacy of blood.
Frankenstein: Creation of the Damned - It has been a fortnight since his creation caused the castle to be engulfed in flames. Doctor Frankenstein now continues his work to perfect the art of resurrection and regeneration, surrounded by his creations. The Creature has also returned, to make the Doctor pay for the pain and suffering he has had to endure. The Creature will destroy everything in his path to gain redemption, and you are now caught in the middle of this epic battle.
The Spawning - Something "different" has moved in among the sewers of Wyandot County, Ohio. The locals claim that these creatures, these "Sculders," are two feet tall, with the body of a snake. As a volunteer member of the local water district, it is your civic duty to venture into these pipes and restore the flow. But beware, the locals are wrong about the "Sculders" and the only thing that will be flowing is your blood as it leaves your lifeless body.
Leave it to Cleaver - Samuel Meetz works for the people of Carey, Ohio as a butcher, bringing them the freshest meat possible. With a steady livestock of transients and town lawbreakers with which to serve, and a staff of volunteers who will preserve their towns deadly secret by any means necessary, there is truly no end in sight for Samuel or his family business. As Sam always says: Meet Me at Meetz...The Z stands for cannibal.
Silver Screams - Julian Browning has been the usher in the Universal Palace since it opened in 1922, of course, he's been dead since 1940, but he still commands respect for his most beloved films from every patron. Buy a ticket to the Universal Palace, and let Julian usher you into a realm where the horror on the screen is ripped away to reveal a world that is truly terrifying. Features "Shaun of the Dead," "The Phantom of the Opera," "My Bloody Valentine 3D" and other popular horror films.
Scare Zones
Lights, Camera, Hacktion!!! - Hollywood Boulevard is being used as a location for the filming of the next big horror movie to be released in October 2010: The CHAINSAW DRILL TEAM MASSACRE in 3-D. Lights, Camera, Hacktion! Our director, Mas Imair, noted horror film aficionado, is bringing the massacre to life in blood-red terrorcolor. But the actors seem to be taking their direction literally and are "hacking" through the cast and crew. It's a close encounter of the worst kind as the backlot becomes a hacklot and the streets run red with blood. Are you ready for your close-up?
Cirque Du Freak - Inspired by Universal Pictures' upcoming film "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," which tells the fantasy-adventure tale of a boy who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares. "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" will be in theaters on October 23.
Horrorwood Die-In - The Hollywood Drive-in has been closed for years, and some say the abandoned grounds are haunted, where late at night the dim flickering images of carnage and chaos, monsters and madmen leave the screen and enter the real world looking for fresh victims to star in their latest horrors.
Apocalypse: City of Cannibals - A whole civilization of war-like carnivorous humanoids emerges from the sewers and underground tunnels of New York, looking for fresh food. Half-humanoid, half-beast and ravenous, these tribal cannibals invade the streets of Manhattan. No one is safe!
Containment - When an experimental bio-nerve gas is accidentally released into the atmosphere, the streets are filled with a toxic green mist that turns anyone that comes in contact with it into an infected, melting glob of flesh and blood.
War of the Living Dead - On a remote island in the Pacific during the last days of World War II, German military attempted to create the unthinkable - a new breed of super-soldier made from the reanimated corpses of the dead. American forces quickly seized the island compound, but not before the reanimate agent was released. The island was quarantined and has remained a secret until now. Fifty years later, the two opposing dead forces are still locked in immortal combat with you caught in the cross hairs.
Live Shows
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute - Mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Rocky Horror and other famous Rocky Horror Picture Show characters return, bringing the musical mayhem of the classic horror spoof to life on-screen and on-stage with live performers singing and dancing in outrageous costumes. The tribute will be interactive with audience participation and on-stage guest involvement.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure - Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan return with an all new, especially excellent Halloween adventure featuring a who's who of notorious celebrity guests stars.
Still haven't got tickets yet to Halloween Horror Nights? Then check out our Universal's Halloween Horror Nights Vacation Package at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 @ 06:41 AM
Vacation Packages for Halloween Horror Nights-Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party-SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
Well the time is almost here in Orland, Florida where all the Theme Parks get geared up for their annual Halloween Events...
Disney World has Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party & SeaWorld Orlando gives you Halloween Spooktacular. Both of these Theme Park attractions are geared for the little ones with costume dress up, trick-or-treating, shows, parades...There is just so much for kids to do that you can't go wrong picking one..
But if you are the fear, gory, want to get the jeepers scared out of you, then Universal Studios annual event Halloween Horror Nights is the mega of all Halloween Spectacles..
Thats why Orlando Discount Tickets USA has put together a few Orlando Vacation Packages for you to choose from when you want to come to Orlando during Halloween...We have some that are just one day and some that are combo and multi-day for the real thrill seekers...
So whether you are coming to Orlando just for Halloween or wanting to visit Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld, make sure that you check out all our Orlando Vacation Packages..We are sure that we have the right Vacation Package for you and your family.
Posted on Tue, Sep 01, 2009 @ 08:16 AM
Disney World Is Purchasing Marvel But What Does Universal Have to Say
*The Following Article Courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine*
The Walt Disney Company announced yesterday they're acquiring Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in cash and stock. This means Disney will own rights to 5,000 Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, Hulk, Capt. America, The X-Men, Dr. Doom, Fantastic Four and more.
So what will this mean for the future of Universal Islands of Adventure and its Marvel Super Hero Island? This section of the park includes rides such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Dr. Doom's Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. In addition to the rides, there are many Marvel walk-around characters in the park.
Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. The boards of Disney and Marvel have both approved the transaction, but it requires an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.
There's no word from Universal yet on the future of the land.
Update:
Disney's President Bob Iger appeared on CNBC earlier today and had this to say, "Marvel characters have already proven to be strong in terms of theme park attraction and we believe there are a lot of opportunities around the world, not in every one of our parks because there are some existing agreements that we obviously have to honor, but in a number of places for us to use the Marvel characters to basically help us grow our theme park business and better entertain people."
Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said Marvel characters will remain a staple at its parks. "Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal's Islands of Adventure and the Marvel characters are a beloved and important part of the Universal Orlando experience. They will remain so. Our guests are going to get to meet Spider-Man and all our other Marvel characters. We believe our agreement with Marvel stands and that the Disney/Marvel deal will have no impact on our guest experience."
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Marvel has various deals with Universal Orlando. But the agreements governing The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride and The Incredible Hulk roller coaster, appear to be virtually perpetual deals. According to Universal's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Universal Orlando retains American rights east of the Mississippi River for as long as its attractions are in operation. Universal and Marvel also have various deals for everything from merchandise sales to the theming of many other portions of Islands of Adventure.
Still haven't got tickets yet to Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando, or your looking for an Orlando Vacation Package to either theme park? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Vacation Package needs.
Posted on Sat, Aug 15, 2009 @ 11:35 AM
Universal Studios Testing Rip Ride Rockit with Real People
The following article is courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
The new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios in Orlando may finally be opening soon after a long delay. The ride was open for all Universal employees to ride last night. And if all went well with that test, it may have a soft opening for park guests as soon as 2 p.m. today.
Orlando Attractions Magazine reader Mickey who works at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios City Walk and was able to ride it twice last night. Here's his report:
I pulled in to the Ikea parking lot at about 6:15 p.m. to buy some furnishing for my new place. Before I turned off my car, I received a text message from my sister, who works at Blue Man Group, that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit would be opened until 9:30 p.m. for Universal Orlando team members. At that time, I promptly headed towards Universal Orlando without a moment to lose.
They didn't let us enter using the normal queue entrance. They made all team members go through the backlot/soundstage area. The locker rentals were free for a three and a half hour window. They were strictly enforcing "NO LOOSE ARTICLES" on the ride. They even wanted me to put my ball cap in the locker!
I rode the first time by myself and waited about 25 minutes. While waiting, they show you videos on how to pick your music once you've finally boarded the vehicle. They also go through all the categories and show you some clips from the featured songs. There are a ton of fans and water misters in the staging area, and even though I was waiting in the evening time, it was "cooler" in the line.
I picked Sabotage by the Beastie Boys as my first song, and it really worked well with the ride. It was tall, it was fast and it wasn't too loud. Dare I say it ... I may like it more than the Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster!
There are kiosks at the ride exit where you can look up your own picture and video. The on-ride video wasn't functioning for the preview unfortunately. Also, several potential riders were turned away because the ride vehicles couldn't accommodate them. Hopefully Universal puts a sample car at the front of the attraction to avoid people waiting the entire line to get to the front and be turned away. Also, if you are too tall, you won't be able to ride! Lots of restrictions, but after riding it, I can see why. It is very intense, and I cant wait to ride it again and again!
Mikey was also Twittering (@justmikeyhrc) about his experience and described the ride as "More thrilling than Manta, but a different experience. Definitely more intense than Revenge of the Mummy."
Still haven't got tickets yet to visit Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida? Then check out our website for all your Universal Studios Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Fri, Aug 14, 2009 @ 08:44 AM
The Miss America Girls Visiting Universal Studios Orlando
*Article, Photo & Video courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine*
Contestants for the Miss America 2010 pageant got together for the first time for a few hours yesterday (Aug. 12, 2009) at the Universal Orlando Resort, enjoying the many rides and attractions found within the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks.
The girls were met just outside the entrance to Universal Studios for a quick photo shoot before heading into the park. While large groups of park goers wearing the same color shirt is not unusual to see in around any of Orlando's many attractions, it was definitely a uniquely head-turning sight for many guests (and ourselves) to spot such a group comprised entirely of attractive young women.
Following the shoot, the girls walked through the Universal Studios streets with the group as they began their day of riding the movies. With the pageant world of big hair, sashes, and evening wear temporarily put aside, the girls were ready to take on the arguably equally bizarre worlds of Jaws and The Mummy - though they still had plenty of big smiles and friendly waves to offer.
Below is a six-minute video that Orlando Attractions Magazine shot as they tagged along for the first couple of hours of the girls' day at Universal Studios. (And guys: I'm willing to bet you'll enjoy this video too, even if you're not a Miss America fan.)
This was the first time this group of Miss America contestants had all spent time together and it seemed like they were getting along very well. They were excited to be in the theme park capital of the world and enjoying the all of the sights and sounds around them.
When we left them, they were on their way to Men in Black: Alien Attack, removing dangling hoop earrings and loose sunglasses after being warned that the ride tends to spin. It seemed like the day at Universal was going to be filled with nothing but fun and friendship - but I imagine all that will change when January 2010 rolls around and it’s time for the girls to put their pageant faces on in their quests for the title of Miss America.
Still haven't got tickets yet to see Universal Studios Orlando? Check out our website for all your Universal Studios needs including Universal Studios Vacation Packages at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com