Universal’s Harry Potter Diagon Alley Park Picture Gallery

September 23, 2014 by

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

February 16, 2014 by

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

December 10, 2013 by

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

September 23, 2013 by

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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Skip the Line: The Seven Best Theme Park Attractions That Aren’t Rides

July 22, 2013 by

Latest news on Harry Potter park

There are more to theme parks than rides and rollercoasters. Theme parks want you to have the time of your life, and that means providing way more to do than just rides. There are shows and exhibits of all types: dancing, parades, musicals, parties, circuses, and more on offer at theme parks today. Whether your next trip is taking you to Orlando or L.A., you can skip the lines and check out these awesome attractions that aren’t rides.

• Kilmanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: This safari takes visitors through a tour of the African savanna in an open-air vehicle. Here, Disney guests can see real animals in their natural habitats as they wind through the lush natural preserve. It’s important to stay in the vehicle because in the Kilmanjaro Safari, over 34 species of African wildlife roam free! This attraction gives guests the unique opportunity to encounter animals like antelopes, elephants, lions, and okapis.
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Cabin in the woods will be at Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights

July 10, 2013 by

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

June 28, 2013 by

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!

June 22, 2013 by

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. :(

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Orlando Theme park water ride tips

June 15, 2013 by

Theme park water rides

Summer is here in Orlando, Florida, which means all the kids want to go on the theme park water rides! I’m always surprised to see parents acting shocked when they go on a water ride and get a lot more wet then they think they will.

I guess a lot of folks think that the theme parks would not dare to get them too wet. HA ha ha! Yes they will, and they do. Some water rides get you more wet than others of course. But basically if you go on a water ride, expect and dress as if someone is going to throw a 5 gallon bucket of water over you.

I’m not talking about water parks or kiddie water play areas. All the theme parks have at least one real ride that involves water, lots of it! The whole point is to get you wet, so expect to do so.
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New theme park attractions and rides for summer 2013

May 30, 2013 by

seaworld rides

Well everyone, it’s now the start of the summer season here in Orlando. That means lots of people packing the theme parks to wait several hours in line for a two minute ride. 😀

But at least this year you have new rides and attractions to see and enjoy in the hot Florida sun. All 3 major theme parks; Disney, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, have added or are adding new attractions for the summer.

Disney has most of the new Fantasyland open at the Magic Kingdom. In this area you can enjoy a new little mermaid ride geared toward little kids. There is a new Beauty and the Beast castle which looks pretty cool and sits on top of the new “Be Our Guest” restaurant.
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Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion news

May 17, 2013 by

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

April 10, 2013 by

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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