Universal’s Harry Potter Diagon Alley Park Picture Gallery

Harry Potter theme park

What’s up?! If anyone ever follows this site, you know it’s been a long time since I have added an update. Months in fact. Sorry but life happens, work gets busy and time flies by. Got to pay the bills ya know?

But I’ve got a special new update today for you all. I went to the new Harry Potter, Diagon Alley park they just made at the Universal Studios Orlando theme park. It’s the second Harry Potter park they have made; the first one is in the other park.

They now have a Hogwarts express train that connects the two Harry Potter parks. It’s a fun ride with some mild surprises. You have to have tickets to both parks or an annual pass for both to ride it between the two parks.
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Universal Studios Mardi Gras event 2014

Universal Studios Mardi Gras

Filled with parades, live music, and spectacular floats, Universal Studios Mardi Gras Grand Celebration is one of the greatest events of the year. Come join the party from February 8 to May 31! Special guests include Daughtry, Robin Thicke, Collective Soul, Prince Royce, and Thomas Rhett. This year, Mardi Gras Grand Celebration boasts 20 musical acts, towering stilt walkers, and brightly colored costumes.

Event’s Highlights

This fabulous event attracts visitors from all over the country. They get to see the Mardi Gras Parade, the live shows at the French Quarter Courtyard, the Mardi Gras After-Party at Universal Citywalk, and lots of concerts featuring some of the biggest names in rock, pop, and hip-hop.

Guests can taste authentic Cajun food, admire the colorful street performers, and enjoy the music. Unlike the New Orleans Mardi Gras, this annual event is suitable for the whole family. There’s even a special parade viewing area for kids. You can find it next to the Terminator 2: 3-D attraction.
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2013 Holiday Events at Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios holiday events

Ever year, Universal Studios Orlando is home to some of the world’s most amazing shows and parades. It’s a land of endless entertainment, family fun, and great food! Bring your holiday lights to life with the Grinchmas and Macy’s Holiday Parade!

Or you could celebrate the return of Mannheim Steamroller, go behind the scenes, and meet the Grinch! The holiday season is around the corner, so why not celebrate these wonderful moments at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure!?
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Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2013

Halloween horror nights

SOOOOOOO once again it’s time for Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights for 2013! And once again I’m late with the news, they go so well together don’t you think?

Now in it’s 23rd year, Halloween horror nights starts this weekend, Thursday, and goes until Nov. 2nd. For almost all weeks it takes place each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It starts each night at 6:30 PM and goes until midnight or 2 AM, depending on the date. This event takes place in the Universal Orlando theme park, NOT Islands of Adventure.
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Cabin in the woods will be at Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights

Cabin in the woods

Most people don’t know it, but Universal Studios has a full team of people that work all 12 months of the year on the next Halloween Horror Nights event. They come up with the themes of the new haunted houses, sets, costumes and so on.

One thing I found out recently is that one of the haunted houses is going to be modeled after “The cabin in the woods” movie. “Cabin” director and co-writer Drew Goddard is working with Universal on the house’s production.

If you saw the movie you know there are lots of creepy creatures in it. The haunted cabin at Universal Studios will have all of them in it, including the “merman” and the crazy unicorn.
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Welcome to Springfield in Orlando, Florida

Springfield from the Simpsons

Fans of The Simpsons can now enter the once fictional and animated world of Springfield at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The life-size home town of one of TV’s most loved families of all time, The Simpsons, will be serving up characters and previously only fictitious delights such as Duff Beer.

What is there to do?
Well as this is only the first stage of the developments for this attraction, visitors can get their thrills on the existing Simpson Ride. The ride involves a visit to Krusty the Clown’s low-budget take on a theme park called Krustyland. Guests experience his vision of theme park fun along with Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Maggie. They’re in for a Krusty time.

However, as The Simpsons attraction expands throughout the year, fans will also be able to experience a new ride based on the show’s aliens. The ride will be called Kang & Kodos Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, which gives a little insight into what to expect. Perhaps fans shouldn’t try this one on a full stomach.
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Universal Studios Transformers ride now open!

Transformers ride

If your heading to Universal Studios soon, you’ll be happy to know that the new Transformers ride is now open! At two stories high and sitting right in the middle of the park you can’t miss it.

The new Transformers ride is in the Universal Studios Florida park, not Islands of Adventure. They have had a soft opening for the last few weeks but yesterday was the official grand opening. That means they should have all the bugs worked out of it, hopefully.

You can expect very long lines to this ride all summer long. If your a local I would wait until this fall when the crowds thin out to check it out. A few hours wait time will be the norm all summer.

If you don’t want to wait you can purchase an express pass that will get you to the front of the lines, but they are expensive. Another option is to use the single rider line if you are alone or don’t mind your group being split up.

That is what I will do when I go, which hopefully will be soon. I’ve heard the ride is great, with a combination of 3D screens, simulator and real motion. I’m sure it will be a blast.

So if you like the transformers and can’t wait to do the ride, it’s now open! If you do decide to just get in the normal line, have some water with you and prepare for a long slow wait anytime this summer. :(

Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion news

Harry Potter

So by now most all Harry Potter fans knows about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion at Universal Studios. But not many know much details about it, since they are not saying much. Here’s what I can tell you as of now.

The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion will be in the “other” park, in the space that the “Jaws” ride was. It will be connected to the current Harry Potter land in Islands of Adventure via a Hogwarts Express train ride.

How detailed the train will be, if it even is a train, is not known. From what I have heard it will be a ride itself, where “things will happen”. It will transport guest from one park to the other for sure.
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The Rise of The Simulator: A guide to Simulator rides in Universal Orlando

Universal simulator rides

In recent years special effects technology has taken giant leaps forward. No big blockbuster is complete without its fair share of special effects. So it’s no wonder that this passion for a big effect has taken hold of the theme park world.

It seems now that no park is complete without rides that push the boundaries of technology deliver a ride experience that can truly take you into another world, or at least make it feel that way.

One of the earliest examples of this type of attraction is the recently revamped “Amazing Adventures of Spiderman” at Universal Islands of Adventure. Just pop on your 3D glasses and get transported into the world of the Marvel hero.
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Latest news on new Harry Potter park expansion!

Latest news on Harry Potter park

I have news for all you Harry Potter fans! As someone who lives in Orlando, has friends who work at Universal and go there a lot, I sometimes get some inside news on upcoming attractions.

Now I’ve said in here before what I thought they are building over at the “old” Universal Studios park, where the now closed “Jaws” ride was. Up until now it was only speculation and rumors.

But I just heard from an inside source that they have announced concrete plans to the ones who need to know. I assume the news is not widely known anyways, I have not heard it in the news.
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Universal Studios Mardi Gras parade 2013

Universal Studios Mardi Gras 2013

Very soon it will be time for Universal Studios Mardi Gras parade 2013! This year you can celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios with performances by Miami rapper Pitbull, pop star Demi Lovato, Sean Kingston, Lifehouse and other great artists!

This annual event will take place on select nights from February 9 to April 20. Guests can enjoy colorful street performances, dazzling parades, live concerts, and delicious food.

Are you ready to party? Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration brings 14 of music’s biggest names live in concert on the stage! The whole family will enjoy this fun filled event! You can dance along with dozens of street performers, watch the spectacular parade, and eat authentic Cajun food.
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Universal Studios Christmas holiday events 2012

Universal Studios Christmas events and shows 2012

It’s time to find out what’s going on for Universal Studios Christmas holiday events and shows for 2012! As always they have a lot going on at both of their parks. Here’s a summary of the shows and events.
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