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 Tue, Oct 27, 2009 @ 06:56 AM
Princess Tiana makes her official Magic Kingdom debut at Disney World with a special welcome and Showboat Jubilee
The following article & video's ar courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
A host of Disney characters welcomed Princess Tiana this morning following her horse-drawn carriage ride to Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Tiana is featured in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film "The Princess and the Frog" which marks Disney's return to traditional 2-D hand-drawn animation.
Today's special welcome was a one-time event in honor of Disney's newest princess making her way to Walt Disney World's most magical theme park. Here's a video of the welcome ceremony:
Shortly thereafter, the official premiere performance of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee took place. Following a jazz-filled procession through Frontierland and Liberty Square, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Dr. Facilier, and Louis the alligator performed with dancers, musicians, and even park guests in a live musical production that takes place on board the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Belle riverboat.
Here's video of a complete show of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee, including the processional beforehand:
The processional leads characters onto the Liberty Belle which then paddlewheels her way from the dock in Liberty Square toward Frontierland, stopping by the bridge in front of Splash Mountain where a song-filled performance is delivered to watching guests. Nearly two dozen Disney dancers join 30 randomly-chosen park guests to be part of each show. Guests are not necessarily chosen near the riverboat but throughout the park.
Still haven't got tickets yet for Magic Kingdom or haven't got your Disney Vacation Package? Then check out our website for all your Disney Vacations needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Sat, Oct 24, 2009 @ 06:43 AM
Sign up to attend the 2009 Disney World Christmas Day Parade
Following article courtesy of
Orlando Attractions MagazineIt's a well-known "secret" that Disney's annual Christmas Day Parade is actually taped a few weeks before Christmas Day. This year, it's being taped at the Magic Kingdom on Dec. 3, 4, and 5 (Thursday - Saturday).
Registration is now open for anyone who wants to sign up to be part of the crowd and watch the taping. You can register by following this link.
On Dec. 3 and 4, guest star performances will be shot on Cinderella's Castle Stage and Main Street USA for the show. On Dec. 5, the parade itself will be shot featuring Disney Characters and guest star performances along Main Street USA. In the past, stars performing have included the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, Katherine McPhee, the cast of "Dancing with the Stars," and many more. The whole event has been hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, though they are generally only present while shooting the parade down Main Street USA.
Here are a few more details about the taping:
Cost: Registration is free.
Online Registration Ends: December 2, 2009 12:00 AM Pacific Time
There is no age restriction on who can attend the taping. Up to 8 people are allowed to attend per family.Children 2 and under will not need a ticket and do not need to be included in the count.
The shoot will start as early as 7:30 a.m. but generally lasts throughout most of the day. Space is available on a first-come basis. If you arrive late on the day of the taping, you will not be guaranteed admission into the park. Word of warning: It can get very cramped in the reserved spaces.
If you decide to visit the Magic Kingdom that day without signing up for the taping, it is still possible to watch the show, but you will not be allowed into the special reserved areas and will be required to keep moving along the sidewalks.
Here's a brief video we shot during the 2007 Christmas Day parade taping:
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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 Thu, Oct 15, 2009 @ 06:50 AM
New Attraction & Ride Opened Yesterday at Disney's Epcot "The Sum of all Thrills"
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine.
The Sum of all Thrills, a new attraction and ride sponsored by Raytheon, opened today at Disney World's Innoventions East at Epcot.
The Sum of all Thrills lets guests create their own ride experience by choosing a ride theme: a roller coaster, bobsled or jet plane. Using multi-touch object recognition tables, guests use math and engineering-based tools to design and customize their ride by adding corkscrews, inversions or steep hills. In the process, guests can learn a little bit about mathematical and engineering principles to determine how much energy is needed for a jet to take off or for a roller coaster or bobsled to make it up its first climb.
When the design of the ride is complete, it is saved on a personal card with a unique bar code. The card is then used to allow each guest to experience his or her custom ride from beginning to end on the robotic KUKA RoboSim 4-D simulator.
Disney previously utilized KUKA robotic arms in their "Rockin' Robots" exhibit also within Innoventions. This particular KUKA RoboSim arm is currently in use in one other United States theme park, this is the first installation combining the robot arm technology with the video simulator and hood. It has also been widely-rumored that Universal Orlando will be using a KUKA robotic arm in its upcoming Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction, though KUKA representatives would not comment on that today.
Inside the simulator, guests experience their ride on high definition video with stereo sound and a fan to simulate wind.
Before reading thoughts on the Sum of All Thrills experience, learn more about the new attraction and the KUKA RoboSim ride system in the following video featuring show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering Eric Goodman, concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering Brent Strong, director of new market development for KUKA Robotics Michael Beaupre, and vice president of corporate communications for Raytheon Pam Wickham:
There are eight design tables and four robotic arms which each hold two people. Up to three people can experience the same designed ride (utilizing two arms simultaneously). If you're happy with your design, you can keep your card and return to reride the same ride for up to six months.
The ride experience and viewing screen graphics are similar to CyberSpace Mountain at DisneyQuest. Don't expect photo-realism here. Instead, the graphics are more cartoon-like, as shown in the image above.
We rode the Sum of All Thrills five times this morning with varying thrill levels. At the end of each ride, you are literally presented with a "sum of all thrills" in numerical form, rating the various elements you rode. If you don't select any inversions and pick the most basic track elements, your "sum" will likely be in the 200s and your ride will be rather tame, though still somewhat entertaining. The maximum "sum" we received was in the 1,200s for a jet plane ride that included six inversions and a number of thrilling maneuvers. A ride in the 200s feels less thrilling than Big Thunder Mountain, so almost anyone meeting the height and safety requirements should be able to enjoy this experience.Guests must be 48 inches or taller to ride, 54 inches or taller if the designed ride includes inversions. The seats don't fit all body types. Outside of the attraction are two sample seats for guests to try. The hood and screen must come down to a certain point before guests will be able to ride so larger guests may not be able to experience The Sum of All Thrills.
Since the ride system's visually separates riders from the world around them, the feeling of being moved around on the end of a giant robot arm is minimal. Instead, you feel like you're safely seated in a chair that's rolling, pitching, and flipping you upside down. The ride looks more intense from the outside than it feels once you're experiencing it. But that's not to say that six inversions won't make the blood rush to your head.
Overall, The Sum of All Thrills is better than most (if not all) Innoventions exhibits but not quite up there with Epcot's best rides and attractions. The screen inside the hood is smaller than we would have liked. It seems to only be somewhere around a 15-20″ screen, which isn't large enough for a totally immersive experience. But as Innoventions' first ride, it serves its purpose of being entertaining, exciting, and even teaches guests a little something about math. And given the popularity of DisneyQuest's CyberSpace Mountain, The Sum of All Thrills will likely prove to be a winner, especially with the teenage crowd.
In addition to the attraction at Epcot, Raytheon also unveiled a virtual Sum of all Thrills experience online at MathMovesU.com. The Sum of all Thrills world, aimed at middle school students, combines the three ride elements of the theme park experience into one multidimensional ride. Students answer math-related questions to unlock elements that enable them to build their own ride online.
"Sum of all Thrills is an example of how Raytheon is using innovation to encourage students to develop and sustain an interest in math and science," said William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. "By experiencing the ‘thrill' of math in this environment, students have the opportunity first hand to feel the excitement and possibilities of careers that are possible with math and science. We hope young people and adults alike will enjoy this innovative experience."
Still haven't got tickets or a Disney Vacation Package to Epcot yet? Then check out our website for all your Disney World needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
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 Thu, Oct 08, 2009 @ 07:24 AM
Blackstone Group to Purchase SeaWorld Orlando for up to $2.7 Billion
The Following Article courtesy of
Orlando Attractions MagazineAnheuser-Busch InBev and The Blackstone Group announced today that Anheuser-Busch InBev will sell its entertainment business to Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P. for up to $2.7 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will acquire Anheuser-Busch InBev's wholly owned subsidiary, Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the second largest entertainment park operator in the United States with approximately 25 million annual visitors
The purchase includes:
* SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida
* Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in Tampa Bay, Florida
* Two more SeaWorld parks in San Antonio, Texas and San Diego, California
* Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia
* Other Busch/InBev-owned family entertainment attractions in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
In addition to the new purchase, Blackstone also currently owns 50 percent of the Universal Orlando theme parks. The firm also owns Merlin Entertainments Group, which owns Legoland theme parks, Madame Tussauds Wax Museums, The London Eye and more.
Worlds of Discovery President Jim Atchison made this statement:
"A short time ago, Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., an investor fund advised by The Blackstone Group, announced that it had reached agreement with Anheuser-Busch InBev to purchase the company's entertainment park division, Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC). While you may have never heard of BEC, if you are reading these words you know who we are.
"BEC operates 10 Worlds of Discovery - SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Sesame Place, Adventure Island and Water Country USA - some of the best-known and most-loved entertainment parks in the world today. More than 25,000 men and women make up our team. Each is dedicated to providing you the very finest family entertainment experiences and service anywhere.
"For all of us at Worlds of Discovery, this is an exciting development. This new phase in our history is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the principles that have guided us for the last 50 years. This is also our opportunity to make a promise to you. We pledge to deliver an experience that exceeds your expectations; an experience that brings you closer to those you love; an experience that is as enriching as it is thrilling and fun.
"Visit a Worlds of Discovery park. If it isn't everything you hoped it would be, contact us. We'll refund your admission. On behalf of the Worlds of Discovery team, thank you for your interest in our great parks. We hope to see you soon in one of our Worlds of Discovery."
Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev, said:
"Busch Entertainment Corporation is a high performing asset with a world-class management team, but not a core business for Anheuser-Busch InBev. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with a buyer who understands the industry and has a strategic vision for the business. The sale of BEC represents another important milestone in our commitment to de-leverage the company and will also allow us to continue to focus on our core brewing business. "The Blackstone Group is a preeminent private equity firm and we are very happy to have reached an agreement with Blackstone. We have great respect for BEC's management and employees and know they will continue to prosper under Blackstone's ownership."
Joseph Baratta, Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group, said:
"We have long admired the Busch Entertainment Corporation parks. They are the premier collection of entertainment parks in the United States and offer a unique family experience. We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire this business. We have deep sector experience and look forward to working with the excellent BEC management team to continue to invest in and grow the company."
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