It’s been brought.

Part travelogue, part modern retelling of A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, this tour de force of cinematic power features both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as well as most of the on-site resorts. The fourth in the series, In It To Win It serves as a reminded of just how much this resort has changed in the last decade. Since being filmed, Universal has created two Harry Potter expansions, two on-site resorts, ten new rides (including Disaster! which has opened and closed since the film’s release.) It is a shocking amount of change to a resort that has only just passed its 25th anniversary.

So looking back at this testament to a Universal Studios before it became the park it is today, here are the top five moments from Bring It On: In It To Win It.

5. Enchanted Oak Tavern

The iconic former restaurant that was a staple of The Lost Continent provides the location where, at the start of the film, two of the leads first meet. Pen, a self-proclaimed “military brat” and new cheerleader for the Jets cheer squad meets Sharks cheer squad captain Carson out front. She is practicing a dance routine in the middle of a crowded pedestrian path (as one usually does while on vacation). Pen, on a light 5k in the park then stumbles across her. Wouldn’t you know it but they hit it off and are able exchange phone numbers on their flip phones. It’s really quite eye opening to think that not ten years ago, smart phones utilizing Orlando Informer predictive wait times were not common place.

4. Hard Rock Hotel

This movie absolutely loves the Hard Rock Hotel. It is seemingly the only hotel that the cheer squads stay at but in truth, the film uses all three on-site hotels at the time to create their film version of the Hard Rock. We see the exterior used frequently as the grounds for practices and the lobby and sink area of the rooms from Hard Rock make up the guest rooms. Portofino Bay Hotel is used for exterior shots of room balconies while the Royal Pacific is used to showcase brunch. Using slick editing, it all appears as one super hotel. Throughout the film, we see interior shots of both the rooms and hallways of the Hard Rock. Both have received refurbishments in the time since the film was shot, so much so that they almost seem like a new hotel. Hard Rock Hotel now boasts a very modern and warm design which replaced the flat, more traditional style seen in the film.

3. Universal 360

Large spheres once covered the lagoon in Universal Studios and were part of a nighttime show where film clips were displayed upon them while pyrotechnics accompanied. The film utilizes them to project the same two characters who met out front the Enchanted Oak Tavern. To the dismay of both the cheer squads, the 360 globes show them something they wish they had not scene, and they cause a rift amongst the teams.

2. Jaws Ride

Creative liberties can be taken and often forgiven in most movies. Bring It On: In It To Win It might take it too far however. In a scene set IN the Jaws ride, we see a Skipper of Captain Jake’s Amity Boat Tours defeating Jaws and driving his tourists to safety only to have Carson and Pen walk OUT OF THE BUSHES built into the attractions environment and sit on the gas dock. That’s right. They just come out of the bushes. The film doesn’t present this in a way that makes it seem like they snuck in but rather a typical occurrence. “Oh, that’s cool. The Jaws Ride! Let’s go walk around the attraction! That’s very normal”. They sit on the dock right by the final scene of Jaws and guess what, the shark attacks them. Kudos to the Shark for still working in this scene. We miss you.

1. Dueling Dragons

Believe it or not, I believe that this film was pitched around the former ride Dueling Dragons. It is so incredibly integral to the plot that to remove it from the film’s story line would make the ending not work. As mind blowing as that may seem, it’s true. In many ways, this film is ABOUT Dueling Dragons both in a thematic and literal sense. When the team is down and out, they decide to take to hanging out in the parks. While contemplating the team’s own existence, Carson watches the Dueling Dragons ride and has an epiphany – what if they were to model their much needed, competition winning move on the ride? It’s just so crazy it might work. The team then gets hard at work recreating a cheer move that mimics rides signature moment – when the two rides speed towards another, twisting and flipping out of the way at the last second. I definitely won’t spoil if this is how the team wins their competition set in CityWalk, so I will leave it up to you to decide if they master the move or end up much like the statues out front this attraction did.

If you haven’t been to Universal since around the time this film was made, then now is the perfect opportunity to visit. With the opening of Skull Island: Reign of Kong, there hasn’t been a better time to use travel.orlandoinformer.com to book that next trip to ride the movies.

Bring It On: In It To Win It is available now from amazon.com and if you are an Orlando resident you can take advantage of the newly announced same day delivery.

All images and screen captures taken from the Universal Studios film Bring It On: In It To Win It 2007 All rights reserved.

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So it’s the last day of your big Universal Orlando vacation. Whether you have been there a week or been there a month, the last day is always bitter sweet. With a resort as expansive as Universal, it can be tricky deciding just where to spend the dreaded final day. This is your guide to getting the most of your time.

By now you have (hopefully) either packed your bags in your car or checked them with luggage services of your on site hotel and are ready to take on the day. Checking your bags with luggage services is a complementary feature to on-site hotel guests. It is available at all on-site hotels including Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort and Cabana Bay.

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

HOUR 1

You will start by going right when you leave Port Of Entry and cut through Seuss Landing. Make your way through Seuss landing by cutting through the path to the left of If I Ran The Zoo. Hardly anyone knows this path is here, and it will help you avoid the crowds as well as cut off a little distance.

You will cross through the bridge and into Lost Continent. In Lost Continent there is a glorious full service restaurant called Mythos. If you have eaten here, then I need not explain its magnificence. If you have not eaten here, then you need to make this a priority. The rosemary bread, interior design and menu are near perfection. Make a reservation for around 12:30 as you pass through. This place will be packed so a reservation is a must to make sure you get yourself a table.

Onwards to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade. Make your way into the Hog’s Head and order yourself a butterbeer. Try a new style if you’ve already had one and if you haven’t, start with a frozen butterbeer.

Ride Forbidden Journey by taking the single riders line. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 15-20 minutes and of all the rides on property, this one is particularly isolating. The ride vehicle doesn’t really allow for much interaction with your friends and family, so single riders won’t rob you from an experience.

HOUR 2

From Hogsmeade and into the lush jungle of Isla Aventura in Jurassic Park: River Adventure. If it’s hot, you’ll want to ride it. If it isn’t, you’ll still want to ride it. The final moments of this ride are enough to suffer through a few moments of cold when you get off your tour boat.

After your tour through the jungle with the dinosaurs in their natural habitat (which hopefully didn’t go off course into the Raptor Containment Area) you are going to want to keep that Dinosaur momentum going. Back track your way to Raptor Encounter. For veterans, this might be a new experience as it has only been operational for under a year. It is a clever and engaging meet & greet with a fantastic photo op at the end.

HOUR 3

Once you have posed for the photo that will ultimately become your Facebook profile picture, it’s time for lunch. Return to Mythos and dine with the gods. The design of this building is one of the most unique on the property. From the exterior to the interior it’s fantastic to look at while you enjoy their fantastic menu.

HOUR 4

With lunch taken care of, slowly meander back through Lost Continent and Seuss Landing and on to Marvel Superhero Island. This will be your grand finale at Islands of Adventure. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is such an incredibly well done ride it’s enjoyable no matter how many times you’ve gone on it. This is the perfect way to end your time with Universal and a good send off to remember on your journey home.

With that, the walk back to your hotel or car should bring you to around 4 hours in the park, hitting all the rides you need to have just one more go on and an amazing lunch to boot.

Islands of Adventure “must-do” list:

• Dine with the gods at Mythos
• Enjoy one final Butterbeer
• Join Harry, Hermione, and Ron on a special adventure
• Tour through the lush jungle and see dinosaurs in their natural habitat
• Come face to face with a velociraptor
• Swing from web to web with Spider-Man

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

HOUR 1

Right out of the gate you want to get in the single rider line at the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This line can become grueling, especially during peak season, so you will want to own that single riders line.

After you endure hearing the word “hasta” several dozen times in the queue for Rockit, you will want to make your way over to Revenge of the Mummy. If the posted wait time is 15 minutes, go through the regular line. If it is anything over 20, hit single riders.

HOUR 2

Exit through the gift shop at Mummy and get a drink from one of the lovely bartenders at Finnegan’s. The Onion Web is a great, shareable food item and the Snake Bite is the perfect drink companion.

Next up is Diagon Alley. There is a lot to see here so take your time going through the shops but you’ll want to make Gringotts your priority. This ride will rack up extensive wait times and can affect the remaining amount of your time in the park, but it’s worth it.

HOUR 3

Now it’s time to defend the Galaxy. Single riders for Men In Black: Alien Attack moves incredibly fast and can allow a couple go-rounds to improve upon your all time record. Remember to shoot for the windows, that’s where to shoot if you want to be top scorer in your ride vehicle. (Read more tips here.)

Steven Spielberg and E.T. have a special message for you at the E.T. Adventure, but first you must get your intergalactic passport. Once you have that you will take to the skies in a nostalgic trip to the Green Planet. You remember the Green Planet right? From E.T.? Right? Despite being a more seasoned ride, it still packs the charm of an era not so long ago when Universal was a completely different type of theme park.

HOUR 4

Last but certainly not least is Transformers. Unless you are by yourself, avoid the single riders line. It doesn’t move as fast here as it does elsewhere on property. Join Optimus Prime for a battle against evil and he will send you on your way home, victorious.

All that and the journey to your mode of transportation should round you out at about 4 hours. No matter how you decide to spend your time, there is somewhere in the Universe for you to fit in. If you follow these tips, you should be able to hit all the hits and be on your merry way with time to spare in I-4 traffic.

Universal Studios Florida “must-do” list:

• Strap in for a wild ride and make music video history on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Catapult in complete darkness at 45 mph on Revenge of the Mummy
• Visit Finnegan’s, an authentic Irish pub
• Run through the brick walls and into Diagon Alley for a tour of the bank vaults on Escape from Gringotts
• Zap aliens and save the planet on Men in Black: Alien Attack
• Ride your bike across the stars and save the Green Planet on E.T. Adventure
• Join the battle against Decepticons on Transformers: The Ride 3D

To fully take advantage of all that Universal Orlando has to offer make sure you stay on site! The best place to get assistance with travel information? Orlando Informer Travel. Making travel plans can be stressful, so why not ease the burden as much as possible? With such a wealth of information at your fingertips you will have your vacation planned faster than you can say “Diagonally”. (Chamber of Secrets, anyone?)

The post Here’s what to do with a half day at Universal Orlando appeared first on Orlando Informer.