Your favorite Horror Nights Icons band together in one terrifying maze – The Caretaker, The Director, The Usher, The Storyteller, Jack the Clown, and Chance are all together in this all-new, original house. Guests will have to evade the terrors that pursue them, escaping such traps as The Storyteller’s bed of nails and The Caretaker’s mortuary.

Doing an anniversary haunt has itself been a time-honored tradition of Horror Nights, with three previous years having been headlined by such an experience: 2006 (which was dubbed Sweet 16), 2010 (Twenty Years of Fear), and 2015 (which, sadly, features no fancy subtitle). How, exactly, to pull off these celebratory houses was solidified in the last two of these instances, in which a great number of environments and characters from the previous years’ mazes and scare zones were compiled together to fashion a sort of greatest-hits experience.

But, perhaps, the more interesting component of these two flagship haunted houses was the framing device that Universal had devised – the narrative that would draw guests into the scare-filled stroll down memory lane and which would itself borrow heavily from the event’s history. For 2010’s tribute experience, called Horror Nights: The Hallow’d Past, attendees entered the haunt under the guise of visiting the Halloween Horror Nights prop warehouse, seeing a collection of items from the annual event’s first through 19th years. It’s only when you reached the 2010 section that things went awry, and all the characters and creatures from years past came to life to suddenly torment you – topped off by none other than the icons themselves, those towering figures who have come to represent HHN and dominate its mythology over the decades (such as Jack the Clown and his deranged significant other, Chance). Meanwhile, the premise of 2015’s Jack Presents: 25 Years of Monsters & Mayhem saw Jack the Clown himself preside over all the flashbacks to all the previous years in a carnival-style setting, releasing the “catalog of creatures in one maze,” as Universal put it at the time.

Working hand-in-bloody-glove with these haunted houses was sister scare zones that – you guessed it – also acted as nostalgia-filled tributes. Called HHN: 20 Years of Fear and Icons: HHN, respectively, the main draw was in seeing characters and creatures that you may have encountered years earlier, but the 2015 zone threw in one extra wrinkle: as its name might imply, four of the biggest icons were trotted out once again and given their own stages from which they periodically performed a type of mini-show – the Director, the Usher, the Caretaker, and the Storyteller would, at specific times throughout the night, murder one victim or another in his or her own trademark style. Universal itself summed up the experience that year as the reunion of “the eeriest icons and most cadaverous characters of the last 25 years of Halloween Horror Nights.”

2006’s event, meanwhile, took this nostalgic approach and put something of a different spin on it, extending the anniversary proceedings from just one haunted house and scare zone to, essentially, all of them. Each of Sweet 16’s seven mazes was a revisitation of seven previous, “classic” ones, making them into either sequels or prequels (Dungeon of Terror: Retold, for example, was meant to be a follow-up to the very first HHN maze, Dungeon of Terror). And that year’s four scare zones took the idea even further, specifically looping back to the houses and zones from two years previously, adding on their own extensions to those experiences. The sole exception here, however, was Horror Comes Home, which operated in the same exact way as the anniversary zones of 2010 and 2015 but with one extra flourish: four fires were lit at night, with a face of an icon contained in each, illuminating the red fog that drenched the familiar sights and sounds of the area.

HHN Icons: Captured will join Beetlejuice, The Haunting of Hill House, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Universal Monsters: Bride of Frankenstein Lives! at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs for a record-breaking 42 select nights, from Friday, September 3 to Saturday, October 31.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 150,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post HHN Icons: Captured announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives debuted on September 18, 2020 for select daytime operation during Universal Orlando’s stripped-down Halloween festivities; together with an opened-earlier-than-ever-before Tribute Store and a sister maze in the form of Revenge of the Tooth Fairy (and, later on, for just one weekend, the Beetlejuice haunt, as well), the experience provided at least a slight taste of the resort’s most popular annual event during a year that was absolutely dominated by COVID-19. And, now, that experience will help headline a full-fledged Horror Nights outing (along with Beetlejuice, incidentally), finally delivering on The Bride of Frankenstein Lives’s promise.

At least, that’s the theory – Universal hasn’t officially commented on whether there will be any differences from last year’s showing. But here’s what we do definitely know thus far: this is a house filled with grand and beautiful sets, detailed costumes and scenery, and the presence of some other Classic Monsters spouses – namely, Dracula’s. These three characters, like the titular Bride of Frankenstein herself, have been around in the popular culture for quite some time but have never quite gotten their time in the narrative spotlight – they originally hailed from their source novel (in this case, Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1897) and then made their way to the movie screen, starting with 1931’s Dracula. They continued to make appearances in nearly every subsequent film and television adaptation of the classic book, usually taking on quite seductive (and, sometimes, explicit) forms, perhaps best exemplified by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the 1992 cinematic outing that was helmed by Francis Ford Coppola. They never managed, however, to make more than fleeting background appearances, essentially replicating the minor role that the three so-called “sisters” played in the original novel (and the author’s subsequent short story, 1914’s “Dracula’s Guest,” which seems to be a deleted chapter from Dracula).

Both (sets of) characters also have something else in common: troubled behind-the-scenes development cycles in Hollywood as of late. Frankenstein’s Bride was meant to receive her own remake, starring Angelina Jolie and placed within the Dark Universe shared cinematic universe; now, however, with that overriding storytelling framework having gone belly-up, the project is simply known as The Bride, it has been reimagined as a modern-day, female-empowerment picture, and it will star Scarlet Johansson in the main role. Dracula’s mates, meanwhile, were set to receive their own contemporary updating in the form of the similarly named The Brides, a “sexy” and horror-filled TV series that would’ve been a “vampire soap about empowered, immortal women, and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy – and their nontraditional family.” Unfortunately for the much-talked-about endeavor, ABC just recently passed on the pilot, leaving it – for the time being, at least – adrift.

Of course, fans will still be able to get their Monsters mix this fall at Universal Orlando. And as far as The Bride of Frankenstein Lives goes, here’s a recap of its premise once again:

“We belong dead” – the last words of Frankenstein’s Monster on that fateful night, when his Bride rejected him. But his end was her beginning. Now, the Bride is stepping out of the shadows to bring him back. And there’s nothing she won’t do as she sharpens her brilliance by experimenting on unsuspecting victims. The mate will have her monster – and the monster, his mate.

Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives will join Beetlejuice, Haunting of Hill House, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs for a record-breaking 42 select nights, from Friday, September 3 to Saturday, October 31. You can read our review of the 2020 version of the house here.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 125,000 other Halloween die-hard fans in our OI Community Facebook group.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

The post Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was released in 1974 and not only represented one of the very first times that an uber-independent production could make it big in Hollywood (and around the world), but it also went on to largely influence the horror scene for several decades to come: it’s largely credited with creating the slasher sub-genre, with coining the strong, silent killer that torments hapless youths, and with lacing socio-political commentary along with its scares (alongside the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, that is, which was also the product of an indie filmmaker working well outside of California). Indeed, in ways both large and small, direct and indirect, Texas Chain Saw Massacre has helped inform many other recent Horror Nights entries, including Halloween and House of 1,000 Corpses.

The cultural thunderclap that was Massacre would, in typical Hollywood fashion, eventually spawn an entire franchise, generating three sequels over the course of the next 23 years – and once this initial series petered out, it invited two further subseries from other studios, which attempted to recapture the original’s shock and societal impact. Actually, the property’s history over the past two decades reads suspiciously close to that of Halloween’s topsy, turvy franchise, with narrative sidebars and continuity overhauls around nearly every corner: a remake was ordered in 2003, which, in turn, got its own prequel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) in 2006. And when that cinematic take died on the commercial vine, a new series of follow-ups came along that went right back to the first entry and ignored all the subsequent installments – 2013’s Texas Chainsaw 3D, a sequel, and 2017’s Leatherface, a prequel.

(Today, Texas Chainsaw’s future looks much like it has ever since 1990: a new studio has come in with big plans to unleash a new film series. [In this case, it’s Legendary Pictures, which has already started work on a new continuation from the original, along with a possible tie-in television show, as well.])

Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s history at Halloween Horror Nights is only somewhat as convoluted as what we see on the big screen. In 2003, in a strictly unlicensed move, Universal united the four biggest “slashers” in filmdom – Michael Myers, Freddy Kreuger, Jason Voorhees, and, of course, Leatherface – for a haunted house called All-Nite Die-In (something which HHN, being the small event that it was, could get away with at the time). It wouldn’t be until four years later that the company would ink a deal with New Line Cinema to officially bring the classic figure to Universal Studios Florida, resulting in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Flesh Wounds, which was based off of the ’03 remake. A take on the original movie would follow in 2016 – “Experience every scene, every kill, every bone-chilling rev of the chainsaw from the original masterpiece,” Universal promised at the time. (For its incarnation at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Horror Nights that year, the company delivered The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Blood Brothers – being something of a sequel to the first film, it was set five years later and featured some of the characters that were introduced in 1986’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre will join Beetlejuice and Haunting of Hill House at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs for a record-breaking 42 select nights, from Friday, September 3 to Saturday, October 31.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 150,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post The Texas Chain Saw Massacre announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The Haunting of Hill House was a short book published in 1959 to instant success and abiding acclaim (including, eventually, by Stephen King himself, who has called it one of the most important horror novels of the 20th century). The fifth of six books that Shirley Jackson penned, it cemented her status as a major literary mover and shaker during the ‘50s and ‘60s – even if she’s since lost her status as a household name, which is, sadly, a common occurrence in the world of print fiction – and has proven to have a long shelf life in the world of adaptions: it has been translated into film twice (in 1963 and ‘99, both under the name of The Haunting), two stage plays (’64 and ’15), and, even, an audiodrama (’97).

But it is its television adaptation that has given Jackson’s most famous novel its current cultural cache. Filmmaker Mike Flanagan, who was the writer and director of Doctor Sleep (see how the King references keep on coming?), developed The Haunting of Hill House for Netflix in October 2018, using the source material as a jumping-off point and greatly expanding the narrative to fill a 10-episode run. This version centers around the Crain family and jumps primarily between the years 1992 and 2018, showing how the house-flipping parents move into the haunted Hill House with their five children and how the trauma that was inflicted upon them there then carries forward for the remainder of their lives, with a combination of spirits and hallucinations that won’t leave them be. Although largely reworked from Jackson’s conceptualization, there are still a number of similarities and parallels, and there is, underneath it all, a huge focus on character development, familial relationships, and – especially towards the end – some playing around with the plane of existence that we humans find ourselves trapped in.

While the TV show is light on jump scares, there are still several suspenseful elements or sequences that can more than translate well to the haunted-house format. Universal Orlando has confirmed that the so-called Tall Man (who really is some eight feet tall) will make an appearance, perhaps stalking six-year-old Luke by floating down the hallway. The Ghost in the Basement (the zombie-esque creature who menacingly crawls out from behind some Prohibition-era barrels) and The Bent-Neck Lady will also be featured in the house. Sure-fire scares could come in the form of suddenly-shattering windows (from a massive “hail” storm) or the absolutely mammoth amount of hidden ghosts spread throughout each and every episode. Some spirit or another lurks in the background of most camera shots (sometimes right out in plain sight, when two characters are having an otherwise-normal conversation), which would make for a fun throughline in the maze – as a great Easter egg hunt for repeat visits, if nothing else. As guests go through the house, they can expect to continuously see a mysterious red door that can’t be opened. Fans of the show know what that means. And, finally, Hill House’s underlying sense of dread that continues to build throughout its 10 installments, while perhaps difficult to achieve in a haunt, could be the atmospheric cherry on top of the Horror Nights experience.

The Netflix series went on to cement its phenomenon status with a follow-up season, called The Haunting of Bly Manor, in October 2020, recasting several of the actors from the initial outing in a story that was similarly based on another influential horror tale, this time the 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw. Flanagan has stated that there are no plans for a third production at the moment, though many are hoping this is only a temporary situation and that the anthology can continue to grace the streaming platform at some point in the future.

HHN fans will also want to be on the look out for Hill House-specific merchandise. There will, at the very least, be a t-shirt for you to remember your experience by. Still need even more reasons for Hill House to make its HHN debut? We have three additional ones, which we initially discussed all the way back in October 2018, when the TV show first premiered. You can find that article here.

The Haunting of Hill House will join Beetlejuice at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs for a record-breaking 42 select nights, from Friday, September 3 to Saturday, October 31. Tickets are on sale now!

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 130,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post The Haunting of Hill House announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

There are three additional celebratory items that Disney has just unveiled to us, elements that will join the previously announced experiences of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT, the makeover of the four theme-park icons, and the advent of sparkly new nametags for all of the resort’s cast members. The first of these is easily the most noteworthy: Disney Kite Tails, a new daytime show that will be held over at Animal Kingdom’s Discovery River Amphitheater. Various windcatchers and kites, some three-dimensional in construction and positioned out over the water, will represent various classic “animal friends” from Disney’s robust library of movies and television shows – such as Simba, Baloo, Zazu, and King Louie – as they soar to a familiar soundtrack comprised of timeless Disney tunes.

Although already discussed, Disney today gave us a fresh, expanded look at the birthday makeovers that Mickey and friends will brandish during the festivities. Officially dubbed “EARidescence,” this new fashion style will perfectly complement the icons’ and name tags’ new appearance – namely, sparkly and magical. The just-released photo shows the whole lineup of the new character processional, which will be called (of course) Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n Dale.

Bringing up the rear of this morning’s announcement trio is the Disney Fab 50, a collection of new golden character sculptures that will be arrayed across all four Disney World parks. These statues are meant to commemorate the figures’ legendary status as well as the big occasion, and Disney has even hinted that “you’ll be able to interact with these beautiful sculptures as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration.” The first eight of what will eventually be 50 total characters are the ones that we just listed as being part of Mickey’s cavalcade.

What do you think of these new experiential additions? Let us – and thousands of other Disney fans – know in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And then be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Disney World’s new 50th anniversary additions appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The first is actually a known property, but it’s nonetheless exciting to get a fresh look at it – and, even more importantly, to have an official start date. Harmonious, as a quick refresher, is being billed as one of the largest nighttime shows ever to be featured at a Disney park, using EPCOT’s World Showcase Lagoon as its aquatic stage and the various international pavilions as its thematic backdrop. The Mouse House elaborated on the production this morning, saying:

It’s a grand, powerful tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting, and media in new ways.

Some 240 artists from around the globe were involved in its creation, helping to craft a custom soundtrack that reimagines classic Disney songs in more than a dozen different languages. You can take in all this majestic splendor starting on Friday, October 1, 2021 – the first day of the 50th anniversary proceedings.

It is the second, just-revealed spectacular, of course, that has truly caught our attention this morning. Called Disney Enchantment, and also debuting on the same day as Harmonious, it’ll be held at Magic Kingdom (the epicenter of the world’s Most Magical Celebration) and it will, according to Disney, “take you on a journey filled with adventure, wonder, and empowerment.” More than simply being a new nighttime experience to sweep guests away with, and more than deploying music, fireworks, enhanced lighting, and projection-mapping to tell its story, this new production is extremely notable for one very specific reason: it’s the first show to apply its “immersive” projection effects beyond just Cinderella Castle, going down the length of Main Street, USA, as well. This really does turn the page on what a Disney nighttime experience can be, paving the way for a whole host of new possibilities all across Disney World’s four theme parks.

We guess you could say that Disney is celebrating its first 50 years in Orlando by hinting at what the next half-century could have in store.

What do you think of this possibly revolutionary new nighttime spectacular? Let us – and thousands of other Disney fans – know in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And then be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Disney’s major new nighttime spectacular REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of June 14-20, 2021.

1. It may still only be June, but this was definitely the week – by far – of Halloween Horror Nights. Last Thursday, Universal made two big announcements: first, it put at least certain types of tickets up for sale, including single-night and tours; then, it gave fans some idea of what to expect when its flagship annual event returns this September.

Although none of these updates, sadly, included a new haunted house reveal, the tidbits that were offered are nonetheless exciting. Jack the Clown, HHN’s very first original icon and host, is not only coming back for the 30th anniversary celebrations, he’s also going to be bigger than ever, showing up in “places guests would least expect” all around Universal Studios Florida. This also includes, interestingly enough, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, where the Jack’d Up experience will allow visitors to explore his twisted world and where the Horror Icons Bar will set up shop, offering exclusive drinks, snacks, and looks at memorabilia from Horror Nights past.

Find everything you could ever possibly want to know about Halloween Horror Nights here.

2. Universal Orlando has a brand-new Asian-fusion concept, and it’s pretty good! Called Bend the Bao – because the little venue bends what the traditional concept of bao buns can be (get it?) – it offers up such delicious bites as the Pork Belly Bao (pork belly, scallions, cucumber, honey-roasted peanuts, and cilantro) and the Crab Cake Bao (Maryland-style crab cake, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and mustard aioli).

We’ll offer up a video review of every dish in just a moment; for the time being, read up on CityWalk’s newest restaurant here.

3. Don’t forget about Epic Universe! It’s been a little while since the currently-under-construction theme park has been in the news, but when Universal wants to get people thinking about the future addition to its Orlando resort, it sure knows how to pique everyone’s interest. This past week, NBCUniversal’s CEO, Jeff Shell, dribbled some tasty little morsels in an investors’ call, saying:

• Epic Universe will be the largest Universal theme park in the country (and the second largest worldwide, coming in right behind Universal Studios Beijing, which opens later this year)
• Nintendo will anchor the theme park, but there’ll also be other intellectual properties populating it, including DreamWorks Animation and Illumination
• It’ll be located some 10 to 15 minutes from Universal Orlando’s north campus (which we already knew, but we still like hearing it from Jeff)

4. Disney made a spectacular announcement of its own this past week – literally. The company rescinded all fireworks shows at its Walt Disney World resort last year, to help prevent crowds from building during the height of the pandemic; now, however, with vaccination rates up and other positive signs continuing to accrue, the Mouse House has decided to throw its nightly spectaculars once again. You can expect to see them starting on Thursday, July 1 – just in time for Independence Day – at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, where Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever will be held once more, respectively.

5. For the first in over a year, all of Universal Orlando’s hotels are open again. All eight of them closed in March 2020, of course, due to COVID-19, and only certain ones have been up and running since, sometimes in fits and starts. The last property to permanently open its doors once more is Aventura Hotel, which marked the occasion on Wednesday, June 16.

Between this and Disney’s fireworks, it truly does feel like Central Florida’s theme parks and resorts are getting back to normal.

6. Now, it’s time to get back to that promise of ours and show you some food. Taylor, the owner of Orlando Informer, decided to make it out to Bend the Bao’s grand opening and – what else? – try every single bun on the menu.

See his reactions to all those delectable dishes here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Jack is back at HHN, fireworks are back at Disney, and Universal’s new buns: Your weekly theme-park recap (June 14-20, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Let’s put everything in a bit of historical context before diving into the latest, though, shall we? After first opening in 1999, Universal Orlando’s dining/shopping/entertainment complex more or less stuck with the status quo until ’14, when a massive makeover was unleashed, resulting in a whole cavalcade of new venue openings and updated aesthetics for the entire district (such as the mandate of open kitchens and al fresco dining). Now, all those new crowds that were descending on the resort due to the just-debuting Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and Cabana Bay Beach Resort had a smorgasbord of Universal originals (Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches) and national favorites (Cold Stone Creamery, a newly relocated and expanded Starbucks Coffee) to choose from and chow down on.

This mini-explosion of culinary goodness cooled off immediately afterward, but it contained enough residual heat to maintain a consistent opening schedule thereafter – from 2016 to ’19, one new restaurant premiered each and every year, consisting of The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Voodoo Doughnut, and, lastly, Bigfire. 2020 saw an abatement of all this activity – perhaps fittingly, given the sudden arrival of COVID-19 – and one could be forgiven if he assumed that Universal’s mini-vacation from new CityWalk activity would have continued on into 2021.

What has happened instead, however, is pretty much the polar opposite. In February and March, the site of the old Universal Studios Store – what is supposed to operate as the flagship retail location of the entre resort – transitioned over to its new Universal Legacy Store identity; the replacement Universal Studios Store opened up at its new and expanded digs across the way on April 1; and, finally, Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar unexpectedly closed its doors (er, serving window) on April 27. All this activity, in turn, has paved the way for yet another brand-new property to arrive at the area: Bend the Bao, which will take up residence at the former Fusion Bistro and which will serve up – what else? – bao buns.

Well, just calling them baos is a bit on the deceptive side. Here’s how Universal itself bills the new quick-service eatery:

[Bend the Bao features] a variety of delicious items that fuse popular Asian cuisine with diverse ingredients like crab cakes, pork belly, kimchee fried chicken, and more – creating an entirely new mash-up that “bends” the idea of a traditional bao.

Here’s the menu, replete with pictures:

Shrimp Bao – fried shrimp, shredded cabbage, avocado, pico de gallo, chipotle crema

Veggie Bao – roasted oyster mushrooms, spinach, sweet potato, caramelized onion, smoked ricotta cheese, tomatillo salsa

Crab Cake Bao – Maryland-style crab cake, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, mustard aioli

Beef Brisket Bao – beef brisket, fried jalapeno, pickled red onion, cilantro, avocado lime crema

Pork Belly Bao – pork belly, scallions, cucumber, honey-roasted peanuts, cilantro

Duck Bao – braised duck, kimchee slaw, XO sauce, cilantro, five-spice aioli

This is a notable development for two reasons. Firstly, having a presence at the back of CityWalk’s second floor, near the exit of Universal Cinemark, is an important addition that was only added about halfway through the complex’s lifespan; it wasn’t until January 2010 that Fusion Bistro first opened, adding a much-needed venue to an otherwise-empty space. (Just as with its attractions over at Universal Studios Florida, Universal has tended to multiply its experiences over the decades, continuing to expand its roster and making it a more attractive destination for more swaths of visitors.)

And, secondly, a key part of that expansion has been plugging in the culinary holes that CityWalk was suffering from – whether it be Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. with its seafood, Antojitos with its authentic tapas dining (and tequila), Red Oven Pizza Bakery with its Neapolitan-style pizza, or Toothsome and Voodoo with their crazy, over-the-top milkshakes and donuts, respectively. Bend the Bao obviously continues this historical trend, providing some much-needed Asian specialties – and making sure cuisine from that region of the world will continue being represented at Universal Orlando Resort.

Bend the Bao opens tomorrow, Tuesday, June 15. Its hours will be from 10:30 am to 11:00 pm daily.

Are you hyped for Universal baos? What’s your current favorite restaurant at CityWalk? Share your thoughts with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Bend the Bao at Universal CityWalk REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of June 7-13, 2021.

1. The big day that everyone had so patiently been waiting for finally arrived this past week: Jurassic World VelociCoaster is open! Universal’s massive – and massively fun – new attraction had a smooth first (official) day on Thursday, June 10, and we were there to thoroughly cover it:

• What the day looked like first thing in the morning (photos)
• The first train-full of guests (video)
• A mid-morning peek at wait times (photos)
• Our sharing dino facts while on the coaster (video)
• Free post-ride churros were handed out! (photos)
• Our livestream of the day (video)

2. Universal CityWalk is getting a whole new dining venue – and while we still don’t know what, exactly, it is, we got our first clues as to its ultimate identity last week. The former home of Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar, the little kiosk next to the exit of the Universal Cinemark, has received some fresh paint and a whole new aesthetic, going for a look that seems equal parts Chinese zodiac and The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar.

Scope out the first pictures below, and then read up for a refresher on Fusion Bistro here.

3. Orlando Informer is hiring! As our business continues to grow, and as our team continues to expand into new roles and responsibilities, four new opportunities have recently popped up (including the position of editor, which was formerly held by yours truly!).

If you have what it takes – and if you live in Central Florida – be sure to hit the “apply” button on:

• Website editor
• Guest experience manager
• Front-end developer
• YouTube strategist

4. VelociCoaster opening wasn’t the only big occasion last week – Universal Orlando turned 31 on June! (Well, if we’re being technical, Universal Studios Florida hit the big milestone; the rest of the resort – that is, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk – already became 22 earlier this year.)

In addition to going over to the still-brand-new Universal Legacy Store to check out a whole panoply of retro merchandise and set-pieces from extinct attractions – a fine way to celebrate the birthday – we can also ring in the 32nd year of Universal’s life in Orlando by recapping all the new experiences we’ll be receiving throughout 2021:

• DreamWorks Destination (read more here)
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster (read more here)
• The new Universal Studios Store (read more here)
• Universal Legacy Store (read more here)
• Mystery CityWalk venue (which you just read about)

(Not too shabby for a resort that is still returning to normal after the pandemic, eh?)

5. Taylor Strickland, our owner, keeps on making new YouTube videos, and this latest one is certainly timely enough: he recorded the opening morning of Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

Get a taste of that day’s over-the-top(hat) excitement here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post VelociCoaster’s opening, CityWalk’s new venue, and Universal’s birthday: Your weekly theme-park recap (June 7-13, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

And, now, the company is doing the same with its flagship Orlando park.

Howl-O-Scream first began 23 years ago at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and has slowly spread throughout the rest of SeaWorld’s nationwide portfolio of theme parks. Now, with its arrival at SeaWorld Orlando, the annual event is not only completing its national expansion (well, minus the various water parks and the kid-centric Sesame Place, of course), it’s also helping to provide the most robust seasonal landscape for Central Floridians in quite some time.

And this diversity certainly holds for youngsters as well as adults. Just like at the San Diego location, Orlando will continue to throw its children-friendly Spooktacular during the day, offering a trick-or-treat trail, character meet-‘n-greets, and shows. Then, come nighttime, the adult-oriented Howl-O-Scream will kick into gear, serving up haunted houses and scare zones with a PG-13 emphasis on violence, blood, and gore. Given this neat division between times of the day and audiences, the two experiences are almost perfectly complementary – in California, the park is even divided geographically between the two, with its eastern side given over to the former and the western half being devoted to the latter.

Given that the company has already said that its new West Cost Howl-O-Scream will be largely informed by the success of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s rendition (which dates back to 1999, almost to the event’s very beginnings), one can safely assume that this will also be the case in Orlando – especially given how SeaWorld described it:

Evade angry haunts as they rampage through scare zones. Seek shelter indoors, only to find you’ve entered a house of horrors. Deepen the thrill with a nighttime coaster ride. Quench your thirst for fear at a fiendishly interactive bar. Feel the monstrous electricity of a live show.

(Speaking of Tampa’s event, the one thing we know about it so far is that haunted houses will return – a big announcement, since last year’s outing saw them be completely cut.)

Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando will run for 27 nights, from September 10 to October 31, 2021.

Are you excited for SeaWorld’s Halloween expansion? Discuss Howl-O-Rama – or Spooktacular! – with other die-hard vacation-planners in our newly formed SeaWorld Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Howl-O-Scream coming to SeaWorld Orlando this Halloween appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of May 24-30, 2021.

1. You don’t have to wait until June 10 to visit Jurassic World – the Tribute Store is now open! Just as VelociCoaster is set within the fictitious theme park on the lovely Isla Nublar, so, too, is Universal Orlando’s newest retail experience, allowing you to explore VelociCoaster’s Control Room, the raptor paddock, Jurassic Park’s abandoned lab, and a “Gentle Giants” feeding area (which doubles as the store’s collection of sweet treats and drinks). It’s all highly themed and fully immersive, filled to the brim with Easter eggs and exclusive merchandise (including two brand-new collections only available at Universal).

Dive into the detailed experience here.

2. The Tribute Store wasn’t the only opening that Universal Studios Florida saw this past week – there was also DreamWorks Destination. The new character meet-‘n-greet sees two sets of three DreamWorks personalities come bounding out on a circular stage, where they do some dance routines with a couple of human counterparts and periodically pose for photos for the audience. In the background, pictures of the cinematic stars are hung, along with a small homage or two to the animation studio’s iconic logo, which involves a little boy fishing off of a crescent moon. It already seems to be a hit with younger guests, and it helps to fill the void that A Day in the Park with Barney left behind when it closed earlier this year.

Find more about DreamWorks Destination here.

3. The Olympics started to arrive a little early at Universal Orlando last week. First, on Wednesday, mysterious food tents popped up next to Universal Music Plaza with some Olympic décor nearby; the next day, giant banners celebrating the games appeared over the giant stage. Finally, on Friday, the food stands were open for business, serving up some delicious-looking Japanese dishes, including sushi, rice bowls, and takoyaki (a specialty from Osaka rather than Tokyo, where the Olympics will be held starting on July 23 – but we’ll take it, anyway!).

See the Olympic decorations here and the food offerings here.

4. Hot Butterbeer is now here year-round! This delectable version of the famous drink, which has become many guests’ preferred way to imbibe, originally debuted at Universal Orlando in January 2014. Unfortunately for witches and muggles alike, it would remain a seasonal offering exclusively for the next seven years, despite Universal occasionally teasing that it would attain permanent status (like it did pretty much instantly over at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter). All that doesn’t matter now, however, as – from here on out – it’ll be available whenever thirsty visitors want a hot sip.

Learn all about Butterbeer’s history, along with its many forms, here.

5. We’ve been talking a lot about Universal returning to normal these past few weeks, and this one will be no different. Starting yesterday, all guests who have been fully vaccinated (that means waiting two weeks after your last shot) will no longer be required to wear face coverings anywhere on Universal Orlando Resort property, from the hotels to inside the attractions.

We first shared the breaking news here.

6. Speaking of recovering from the pandemic, Universal has been on a hiring spree, looking to add thousands – yes, thousands – of full- and part-time team members all across its resort, from food services to aquatics (that means lifeguards). This is old news. What’s new as of last week is the fact that the company will give its biggest raise in its Orlando history, beginning with its starting rate, which will be bumped up from $13 an hour to $15 on June 27. (That makes the resort the first “major” one in Orlando to do so.) Some 18,000 pre-existing workers will also be getting an increase, based on “the new rates and their time with the company.”

See the news here.

7. Finally, a quick note: things around Orlando Informer HQ will be a bit on the hectic side next weekend, requiring us to step out of the office for a bit. As such, we’re sorry to say, there won’t be a weekly recap going out next Sunday. We apologize for the absence, but we’re looking forward to seeing you guys really soon.

Until then…

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Jurassic World Tribute Store and DreamWorks Destination open, no face masks at Universal, and the Olympics arrive in Orlando: Your weekly theme-park recap (May 24-30, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

There are so many reasons we were excited to plunge into this Jurassic World take on what is now a Universal Orlando institution, it’s hard to keep ‘em all straight: the previous Tribute iteration, which arrived alongside this spring’s Mardi Gras event, was the best one yet; this is the first time that the flagship retail experience was wholly devoted to just one intellectual property, as opposed to collecting a whole bunch together; and, quite simply, any opportunity to enjoy anything having to do with Jurassic World VelociCoaster – one of our all-time favorite rides now – instantly puts a smile on our faces.

We’re happy to say that the Jurassic World Tribute Store didn’t disappoint. While we can’t quite make up our collective minds just yet about where it ranks, exactly, with the Mardi Gras, Holidays, and most recent Halloween entries, we can easily say that it’s an immersive adventure well worth undertaking.

Come see why with us as we explore the new exclusive store’s theming, merchandise, and, most fun of all, Eater eggs.

Jurassic World Tribute Store – the entrance and Control Room

After walking through the iconic Jurassic World arch, which serves as the Tribute Store’s façade for this outing, you enter a space that has become very familiar to repeat visitors: the foyer. (That’s thanks to Tribute’s template having become standardized [and perfected] over just the past 10 months.) This new entry room may be small and completely devoid of any merchandise, but it is nonetheless always well-themed – not to mention always the home of at least a few expertly designed and placed Easter eggs.

In this case, guests will find what looks to be a rather sparse storage room for International Genetics Incorporated, better known as InGen in the overarching Jurassic Park franchise; it’s an industrial space filled with fluorescent lighting and various cases and containers. Even though this introductory area doesn’t typically contain much, the Jurassic World version is even emptier than normal – something which we’ll gladly overlook, as the room still adequately does its job of setting the tone for the whole experience that follows.

Just around the corner is the first room proper, which has now been given over to the Jurassic World VelociCoaster Control Room. This is really where Universal’s backstory for its latest roller coaster gets to shine: since the company has posited that the new attraction actually exists within the confines of the fictitious Jurassic World theme park, that has thus enabled Tribute’s designers to say that their store does, as well. And this Control Room immediately helps to seal that immersive deal – there are several monitors displaying all types of statistics about VelociCoaster and the pack of velociraptors that run alongside it, from showing the ride in action to the vitals of its resident dinos. There are fuse boxes and cables on the walls, a second floor filled with supplies, a screen displaying an active map of Isla Nublar (the equally fictitious island that the theme park is situated on), and Jurassic World team-member shirts and hard hats hanging off to the side. It really does feel like a command outpost at the heart of VelociCoaster’s operations.

And that’s to say nothing of the merchandise. While most of it is on the rather-standard-but-still-fun side – t-shirts and tank tops, bags, and prints – there are some notable inclusions. After being put on sale for the very first time in the Mardi Gras Tribute Store earlier this year, the Magic Candle Company is back once again, this time with such memorable scents as Hadrosaur Cove, Pack Hunt, Triceratops Trail, Stegosaurus Stream, and, of course, Churro Stand. Another popular carryover from previous store appearances is the now-ubiquitous Mold-a-Rama machines, which, for the Control Room, will produce your very own Tyrannosaurus rex. And what just might be our favorite confluence of theming and exclusive merch comes in the form of the U-Design phone case kiosk, which doubles as a VelociCoaster control panel.

Jurassic World Tribute Store – the raptor paddock

Jurassic World Tribute Store’s second room is a blast right out of the original Jurassic Park past, recreating the raptor paddock from that 1993 film. The instantly recognizable dinosaur fencing surrounds you, with some rather lush landscaping situated just beyond that – as you walk around this space, we wouldn’t blame you for momentarily feeling as if you’re outside over at Islands of Adventure’s Jurassic Park land at nighttime. Finishing off the theming are some well-positioned velociraptor statues, which come with their own occasional growls and snarls, and even more InGen branding, including on a containment vessel that’s been pulled all the way out. This truly lives up to the “tribute” part of the shop’s name (and we haven’t even gotten to the third environment yet!).

But the real star of the show here – for us, at least – was the rather clever usage of the raptor pens, which have been retrofitted to function as merchandise displays. And what can be found in those cases is also noteworthy, as it includes two brand-new merch lines that are exclusive to Universal Orlando Resort: Into the Wild, which comes with dino-theming and neutral colors on spirit jerseys and key chains, and the Tropical collection, with its bright colors, tie-dyes, and summer items, such as beach hats. Also present in the raptor paddock are shot glasses and dino bubble wands, which you certainly can’t go wrong with!

Jurassic World Tribute Store – the lab

The Jurassic lab is the place, of course, where the dinosaurs are created by InGen, but, for Universal’s Tribute purposes, it’s also where the company can collect some “rare, authentic props that were used in the original Jurassic Park films.” These include some screen-used raptor eggs (but of course) from Jurassic Park III, legal and financial documentation from the first Jurassic Park and The Lost World, respectively, and the infamous Barbasol “cryo can,” which needs no explanation. And taking up a place of honor in the very center of the room – the centerpiece of the laboratory, both literally and figuratively – is the incubator where a baby raptor hatched in the 1993 movie. It’s a nice inclusion and a nostalgic touchstone, we’re sure, for many who make their way through the Tribute Store.

There is also a fair bit of supplemental theming here that really helps to make this room more than just a repository of screen props. There is overgrown foliage, flickering lights, and age-distressed Jurassic Park uniforms, making it feel as if you truly are roaming through the old abandoned facility that started it all. And when the power periodically surges, a bright light quickly flashes on a wall covered with Jurassic Park promotional artwork, revealing the outline of a T-rex – a loving cameo, we assume, by the particular creature that helped save our characters in the inaugural chapters of both the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World trilogies.

In terms of souvenirs, you can find some retro-themed (or, at least, retro-tinged) apparel, coffee mugs, and dinosaur toys(!) stashed away in the lab, highlighted by the presence of a whole (mini) line of Mr. DNA paraphernalia that includes tumblers and stickers. There’s also another of the Mold-a-Rama machines here, with the words “Bingo! Dino DNA” and the adorable Mr. DNA once again emblazoned on it. (Hey – you can’t get enough of the lovable sort-of mascot; he’s one of our favorite Easter eggs in the VelociCoaster queue, too!)

Jurassic World Tribute Store – the Gentle Giants

The final room of the Tribute Store has quickly become, for many guests, their favorite part of the whole experience. And for the Jurassic World rendition, it’s no different – this is where all of the themed food and drinks can be found.

Before you can get to all the food stalls, however, you have to pass by a good helping of theming first. The “Gentle Giants” sign – once again lifted right out of the films, in this case Jurassic World – greets you and leads directly to a triceratops, who sits snuggly in her pen. Nearby is a whole host of “dino chow,” as the for-show-only food stand says, where visitors to the Jurassic World park can spend some money to feed the trike themselves (there’s even a gumball-esque dispenser, which is a nice touch).

Right next to that starts the little processional of real gastronomical stops. First up is the Treat Outpost, which brandishes a veritable explosion of delicious-looking sweets behind a giant display case – there’s Jurassic World Whoopie Pies, VelociCoaster Marshmallow Pops and Apples, Jumbo Oreo Cookies, and a whole bunch more. Next up is the Fossilized Amber stall, which sells a gummy version of the Jurassic Park mainstay (yes, this is the next evolutionary step in the fully-lit-and-animated Tribute Store gummies, coming after Halloween’s beating hearts, the Holidays’s Christmas lights, and Mardi Gras’s skulls). And bringing up the rear is the Egg Nursery, where chocolate eggs wait to hatch baby chocolate dinosaurs for you to devour.

Here’s the full list of prices for all of the above:

• VelociCoaster Apple – $12.00
• VelociCoaster Marshmallow Pop – $6.00
• VelociCoaster Cupcake – $6.00
• VelociCoaster S’more – $4.50
• Jurassic World Dig in Jar – $12.00
• Jurassic World Whoopie Pie – $4.50
• Pistachio and Egg with Chocolate Medallion – $6.00
• Jumbo Oreo Cookie – $6.00
• Vegan Brownie Bars – $4.50
• Blue Camo Fudge – $4.95
• Lava Flow Fudge – $4.95
• Chocolate Fudge – $4.95
• Chocolate PB Fudge – $4.95
• Salted Caramel Fudge – $4.95
• Birthday Cake Fudge – $4.95
• Fudge Promo – six for $20
• Amber Gummy – $7.00

And, finally, on your way out of the Jurassic World Tribute Store, be sure to pay your respects to Jurassic Park/InGen founder John Hammond, who’s been memorialized in statue form in the retail space’s little exit room.

What do you think of the Tribute Store? What would be your first food pick from Jurassic World? Compare notes with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Inside the Jurassic World Tribute Store appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Central Florida theme-park news for the week of May 17-23, 2021.

1. Universal surprised us this week by announcing a whole new attraction that’ll be coming to its resort this year. Called DreamWorks Destination, it’ll be a “first-of-its-kind interactive character experience,” which will see various familiar faces from the Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and, of course, Trolls properties posing for photos and dancing with guests. Look for it in the old show building that used to house A Day in the Park with Barney for over a quarter of a century – a location which has already seen the start of its transformation into the new experience, replete with three selfie backdrops themed to one DreamWorks franchise or another. (Indeed, it’s also seen the start of technical rehearsals, which began just yesterday.)

DreamWorks Destination’s opening sometime this spring will complement the June 10 arrival of Jurassic World VelociCoaster nicely – one massive coaster for the adults and a fun character meet-‘n-greet for the kids. It’s making 2021 a rather exciting year for Universal Orlando Resort overall.

Read more here.

2. SeaWorld Orlando is also shaping up to have a notable year, and it really picks up this summer. That’s when its award-winning nighttime event, Electric Ocean, comes roaring back – expect to find DJ-led dance parties, a Sesame Street-powered rock show, wildlife meet-‘n-greets, and Central Florida’s only full-length theme-park nighttime fireworks, among other experiences. The park will switch to extended operating hours for the seasonal shindig, which will allow all those neon lights to bathe everything in a fluorescent glow for even longer.

Electric Ocean runs from Friday, May 28 to Monday, September 6.

Find the full details here, and purchase your SeaWorld Orlando tickets here.

3. On the same day that SeaWorld let us know about its Orlando park’s exciting summer, it also did so for its Tampa location. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will similarly throw a large party for the season, unleashing a whole host of new goodies: live music and open-air DJ block parties, additional food venues (including the second-story Giraffe Bar, which will afford some pretty beautiful views), a cirque-esque stage show, a crazy nighttime spectacular, and a cookout-inspired menu (which incorporates a “walkable” version of grilling favorites and, most intriguingly, some glow-in-the-dark cocktails).

The new summer program, along with Busch Gardens’s extended hours, begins on Friday, May 28.

Find the full details here, and secure your Busch Gardens Tampa tickets here.

4. Disney, meanwhile, is gearing up for another type of big festivity this year. Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary will arrive this fall, and to ring it in, the company will unfurl its World’s Most Magical Celebration, an event which will last for the next 18 months – and which now will also include newly designed name tags for all of the resort’s many cast members. Printed with the same kind of iridescent (or “EARidescent,” as Disney would say) colors as Mickey and Minnie’s specially designed costumes for the big party, it also brandishes holographic foil and, for the employees’ names, the very same blue as can be seen on the turrets of Cinderella Castle.

They do look spiffy, if we say so ourselves, and we’re happy to see that The World’s Most Magical Celebration’s theming will run all throughout Disney World, even down to the smallest detail. Expect to see the name tags roll out more or less when the anniversary bash itself kicks off later this year.

5. Universal’s final hotel got its reopening date! Last week, we talked about how Aventura Hotel was the only property at Universal Orlando to not be on the docket as the whole resort inches ever more closely to normal, pre-pandemic operations; well, this week, the company rectified that omission. Expect the prime-value venue to be open for business again on Wednesday, June 16, following Sapphire Falls Resort’s reopening this past week (on May 18) and Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites’s on May 26.

See the news here, and then see everything there is to know about Aventura here.

6. Have you ever done a date night at Universal Orlando and let Rock, Paper, Scissors dictate what you did? Orlando Informer’s owner, Taylor, did exactly that, and he filmed the fallout – er, fun activities.

Watch his latest video here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Universal’s newest attraction, SeaWorld’s epic summer, and Disney World’s 50th anniversary: Your weekly theme-park recap (May 17-23, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

There is a whole umbrella of new experiences coming to Busch Gardens Tampa, and one can’t help but notice the recurring usage of the words “ignite,” “spark,” and “electrifying” all throughout their descriptions – language which isn’t too dissimilar from SeaWorld Orlando’s own summer initiative, actually, which also got revealed today. The descriptors are meant to convey a certain level of energy and a visual motif both, and it would seem that the company is – so far, at least – successful on both fronts.

Everything starts with the so-called Pre-Party on the Festival Pathway, which inundates the titular Festival Pathway with glowing lights that are strung throughout the trees. When combined with the live music that will be performed here, Busch Gardens promises that this “stunning visual journey […] will spark the spirit of summer in everyone.” And going hand-in-hand with this music will be DJ Block Parties, transforming the area into a giant dance party come nightfall. The company wants you to think of this as a type of pre-game, a warm-up to the big event that is to come later in the night.

Before we get there, however, we first need to eat. Luckily, Busch Gardens has us more than covered here – a new summer seasonal menu, inspired by backyard cookouts, is also set to descend during this period. Look for both old and new locations to pop up throughout the park, including the first-ever Giraffe Bar, which will be located on the second floor of Serengeti Overlook and which seems to be the perfect spot to take in the sunset and all those strung lights. Even better than the views, however, will be the food itself: the company will serve up snacks, desserts, a “walkable take” on grilled classics, and, of course, libations. (Speaking of which, one of the most intriguing new items at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this summer is a brand-new range of glow-in-the-dark cocktails, which sound like they just may become the de facto accessory to have for the nightly proceedings, helping guests to ignite their inner sparks.)

There’s one last feature to check out before we can send out the summer night in style. Called Cirque Electric, it’s an exclusive production, designed specifically for Busch Gardens, that will combine acrobatic stunts with a “fascinating act on wheels that cannot be missed.” It will debut on May 28 at the Stanleyville Theater, and amongst all this talk of death-defying feats of balance and strength, it sounds as if it will be one of the highlights of the theme park’s new seasonal proceedings.

Finally, we arrive at the crux of the summer fun-filled evening: an epic- and unique-sounding nighttime show that is the biggest in Busch Garden Tampa’s history. Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular will boast an “explosive” amount of fireworks and other pyrotechnics, along with a whole host of supplemental special effects, ranging from pulsating lasers to water elements. Expect this to run every weekend, and a few other select dates, at 9:15 pm.

Guests will be able to experience all this – along with a slew of returning favorites, including the Turn It Up! Ice-skating show and open-air block parties – for over 100 nights this summer, which come replete with extended hours. But in order to go, you’ll first need to secure your tickets – and we can help you with discounted admission right here.

Which new summer offering are you most excited for? Compare your electrifying thoughts with other die-hard vacation-planners in our newly formed SeaWorld Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attraction

The post Busch Gardens Tampa gets its biggest-ever nighttime spectacular for summer 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of May 10-16, 2021.

1. This past week, we saw big changes on the pandemic front. Universal and Disney recently took a huge step towards normalcy, stating that masks are no longer required when visitors are outside; however, they must still be worn indoors, in queues, and on all attractions (with the exception of certain water rides). SeaWorld took a slightly different approach – face coverings are now optional both outdoors and indoors for fully vaccinated guests. Proof of vaccination is not required, but the company asks guests to respectfully comply to the updated policy.

All of this has been spurred by the Centers for Disease Control’s recent change in national policy: those Americans who are fully vaccinated can forgo face coverings or physical distancing altogether in nearly all situations. (The exceptions include medical facilities and public transportation, including airplanes.)

See more here and here. And our owner, Taylor Strickland, shares his experience at Universal Orlando on the first day of these changes here.

2. In yet another sign of normalcy reemerging, Universal announced that one more of its hotels is reopening. As of this moment, three of the resort’s eight venues are closed, due to the lingering effects of COVID: Sapphire Falls Resort, a preferred hotel; Aventura Hotel, which is prime value; and Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, a value. Until recently, Sapphire Falls was the only one of these hotels with a reopening date (May 18); now, Surfside Inn and Suites can join the list, as it’s having its grand reopening on Wednesday, May 26 (just a few weeks before Jurassic World VelociCoaster officially debuts!).

Learn everything there is to know about Surfside, which originally opened (y’know, for the first time) on June 27, 2019, here.

3. It wouldn’t be Universal without celebratory treats, right? To commemorate the debut of the mammoth new attraction over in Jurassic Park, two new creations have arrived – the first can be found at Voodoo Doughnut, that crazy confectioner located in CityWalk. It’s called the Churro Stand doughnut (get it?), and it’s covered in cinnamon and sugar and filled with dulce de leche filling. It’s available until August 9, giving you plenty of time to enjoy it while riding VelociCoaster and staying at Surfside Inn and Suites.

The second specialty treat – a blue churro – is now available at Natural Selections in Islands of Adventure. This unique offering puts a tangy twist on the beloved theme-park snack, donning marshmallow icing and blue raspberry pop rocks atop classic cinnamon sugar. We recommend giving it a try!

Check out the Churro Stand doughnut here, and the blue churro here.

4. With everything reopening and getting (slowly) back up to speed, why not start planning your next Orlando trip? And why not, for your next expedition, try out something new? (There’s no better time to create new vacation traditions!) Going the vacation-home route may be a better fit for your family and its needs than sticking with the tried-and-true hotel approach, and it still allows for a great deal of flexibility, from traditional houses on the market to resorts full of condominiums and water slides.

Discover all the reasons why you should switch it up here.

5. It’s already an age-old question, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster doesn’t even officially open until next month: are day or night rides on the beast of a roller coaster better? That’s exactly what Orlando Informer’s owner, Taylor Strickland, tackles in his newest YouTube video – and you may be surprised by his answer(s).

Watch it here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post VelociCoaster day vs. night, changing COVID guidelines, and a Universal hotel reopening: Your weekly theme-park recap (May 10-16, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of May 3-9, 2021.

1. The moment that we all have been waiting for is, at long last, here: Jurassic World VelociCoaster has begun its soft openings! The momentous occasion began on the early afternoon of Friday, May 7, and it has opened every day since.

If you’re looking to try your luck at racing with the raptor pack, just keep this in mind: as with any technical rehearsal at Universal Orlando Resort, there is no guarantee on whether or when VelociCoaster may begin doing so – and no guarantee on how long it may last if it does.

Read all about the soft-opens here, and if you manage to land a ride on it, be sure to leave your review here.

2. As if to celebrate the day that VelociCoaster’s technical rehearsals began, we got another big surprise on Friday: the Jurassic World Tribute Store is arriving. Tribute is a seasonal operation, with rooms that are typically themed to one particular intellectual property or another and that are stocked with tons of merchandise, some of which is exclusive. Even better, in just the past few months, Universal has even begun selling baked goods at the Tribute Store, which just seals the immersive deal.

While we don’t have any specific details yet about this new Jurassic World iteration of the store, we walk you through the retail space’s history here.

3. This past week, both Disney and Universal announced some changes to their COVID-19 safety precautions, a move which comes from some revised recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and from recent guidance from the resorts’ local and state governments. In short, the changes boil down to two specific items: no more temperature screenings will be required when setting foot on either Disney World or Universal Orlando property, and social distancing has gone from a minimum of six feet to three. (Yes, face coverings are still mandatory, and both companies have insisted that their enhanced levels of cleaning will continue unabated.)

See more about how the resorts are “getting closer to normal” here, here, and here.

4. Universal announced the formal return of its Halloween event back in March, and now Disney is doing the same – well, kind of. While the time-honored Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party isn’t coming back this fall, there is another seasonal festivity arriving in its place: called Disney After Hours BOO BASH, it will still be festooned with costumes, decorations, “party music,” and, of course, candy. Instead of the traditional parade, however, it’ll brandish the character cavalcades that have become a mainstay since Walt Disney World reopened after its initial pandemic closure a year ago.

The event will last for three hours on select nights from August 10 through October 31 (which, of course, is Not-So-Scary’s traditional haunting time).

5. Disney isn’t the only one trying out a new seasonal undertaking: Universal is embracing the summer with a whole host of new food items and menus. The initiative comes hot on the heels of the uber-successful Mardi Gras festivities, which ended up getting extended for over a month (and which didn’t wrap up until just last weekend). Expect to find new offerings across Universal Studios Florida and Volcano Bay, including the extremely popular arepas and Cuban Sandwich from Mardi Gras, along with some unique takes on grilled-cheese sandwiches and mac ‘n’ cheese dishes.

Explore all the dishes and drinks we currently know about here. Then, read our review of these summer bites here.

6. Given all the other updates and developments that went on this past week, we’ll forgive you if you forgot about Star Wars Day, May the fourth. Fortunately, Disney didn’t and celebrated the unofficial holiday by providing some quick updates on Galactic Starcruiser, the Star Wars-themed luxury hotel coming to Walt Disney World: first, the opening date has been pushed back by a year, to 2022, and there is brand-new, next-generation lightsaber technology that’ll be deployed exclusively at the resort (you have to see it to believe it!).

Get the full rundown on everything Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser here.

7. Our owner, Taylor Strickland, has started a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing his personal perspective of the parks! You can watch his first video, where he answers your VelociCoaster questions, here. (Don’t forget to subscribe!)

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post VelociCoaster soft-opens, Disney’s new Halloween party, and Universal’s new summer food: Your weekly theme-park recap (May 3-9, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

And, today, Universal has done just that.

Soft openings have officially started at Islands of Adventure (including with the single-riders’ line being open!), providing the opportunity for a few lucky guests to be able to hop on and experience the “ultimate high-speed chase.” What, exactly, is a technical rehearsal? It’s when team members get practice operating the attraction in question, using random park attendees who just happen to be passing by (or, more likely, waiting outside in the hopes of being selected). There is never any guarantee that these rehearsals will happen on any given day, or for how long – or, sometimes, if they’ll occur for an impending ride at all.

In addition to the soft openings kicking off on Universal’s most thrilling experience yet in its entire history, today marks another special occasion for us here at Orlando Informer HQ: we’re turning on the guest reviews for VelociCoaster! If you managed to climb aboard the coaster and run wild with Jurassic World’s pack of raptors already (thanks to the team-member and passholder sessions), or will do so in the immediate future (thanks to these softs), be sure to leave your thoughts on what kind of experience you had – it’ll assist other visitors with planning their own upcoming trips. (It’ll also allow you to relive your own adventure, too!)

In the meantime, to help while away the time as you wait in a technical-rehearsal line or until you can come down for the grand opening date, we have plenty to keep you prehistorically occupied.  Here’s everything we’ve written about the mammoth ride thus far on the OI Blog:

• The coaster is first revealed
• Its construction walls come down!
• The first test-runs with real people
• Our first FULL look at the attraction
• The merchandise arrives
• 4 things we’re most excited about the ride
• Its opening date is announced
• Diving into its story
• Our full review

How long would you be willing to wait for your very first spin on Jurassic World VelociCoaster? Compare notes – and excitement levels – with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s soft-openings BEGIN appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Enter a new food initiative to fill that experiential void, one that’ll sweep through all three of Universal Orlando’s parks for the summer. Unsurprisingly, all these new menus draw heavily from the recent International Flavors of Carnaval (that was the first-ever subtitle for Mardi Gras), including incorporating some of that event’s most popular offerings – specifically, the Cuban Sandwich, arepas, and empanadas – and retaining some of its food trucks and tents. In fact, here’s where you can find all these additional venues at Universal Studios:

• A food kiosk in Battery Park (in the New York backlot)
• A food truck in San Francisco (in front of Fast & Furious – Supercharged)
• A food truck by Lombard’s Landing (not far from Chez Alcatraz)
• A food tent by the bridge that connects The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley with Springfield: Home of the Simpsons

But Mardi Gras is just the starting-off point for this summer program – whereas the former was more about sample sizes, the latter will be focused on full-fledged dishes. And the gastronomical authenticity that was broached earlier this year will be doubled down on for this summer, with a number of veteran chefs (some of whom have been at the resort for some two or three decades) even contributing their own family recipes for all the new contents.

What food and drinks can we expect for this summer? Universal shared with fans a brief overview of what to expect, and that was followed up with some of the full menus being posted around Universal Studios. Here’s what we know so far:

• Arepas
• Beef Empanadas – $12.99 – picadillo beef-filled pastries, cucumber, and tomato salad
• Bud Light – $8.50
• Cigar City Jai Alai – $8.50 – an IPA beer
• Cream of Tomato Soup – $5.99 – side dish
• Corona Extra – $9.00
• Coxinha
• Dogfish Head Seaquench – $10.00 – sour ale
• Elotes Asados – making its way out of Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food and into the parks for the very first time
• Fruit Cups – watermelon and pineapple
• Lumpiang Shanghai
• Mango White Claw – $9.00
• Mangonada
• Mac ‘n’ Cheese – $5.99-$11.99 – your choice of White Cheddar, Carnitas, or (as a side) White Cheddar
• Melts – $9.99-$11.99 – your choice of flavors melted together on a French load: 3-Cheese Classic, Smoky Brisket, Vegan
• Pork Adobo
• Pressed Cuban Sandwich – $14.99 – roast pork, Serrano ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles on Cuban bread
• Tripleta
• Yucca Frita

Over at Volcano Bay, meanwhile, the offerings will lean more into Filipino territory, in order to play up the water park’s tropical theming as much as possible.

Given that nearly all of Universal’s various annual events had been trending towards this more food-focused state of affairs long before Mardi Gras arrived in February – with Halloween Horror Nights highlighting exclusive drinks and intellectual property-enhanced eats and the Holidays adding on premium dessert parties – it’s not that hard to see this summer push become a new tradition, if not an actual, formal event itself. If it did, it would go a long way to plugging a hole that opened up nearly a decade ago, when the resort’s Summer Concert Series was halted (though it did manage to come back for a one-off anniversary celebration in 2015).

Universal Orlando’s new summer menus should be available sometime soon.

What do you think of all these new dishes and drinks coming to Universal Orlando? Share your thoughts with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Universal Orlando’s new summer food REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

While we have no official details as of yet, the apparent theming of the store is not only sure to make it instantly popular with guests who already have dinosaurs on the brain, but it also places this latest permutation in a very interesting position within Tribute’s overall evolution (no pun intended). We’ve already covered in great depth the Tribute Store’s origins and development over the years, but it doesn’t hurt to just quickly touch upon it here, too: the shop first debuted at Halloween Horror Nights 2015 as a lightly themed retail space dedicated to the previous 25 years of that hallowed event. It was so successful, Universal wasted no time in having it return – and expanding it, adding on more rooms that were each fully devoted to one particular intellectual property or another, whether that be Stranger Things or Universal Monsters. Mardi Gras and Holidays Tributes followed in short order, bringing their own additions to the now-magic formula, most especially in the form of a sweets-and-baked-goods shop. The end result, as we entered into 2021, was a fully immersive space that, at times, could be a type of walk-through attraction of its own, but one that would only exist for a handful of weeks before being relegated to the dust bins of theme-park history (not unlike a Horror Nights haunted house, actually, which brings the store full-circle).

The Jurassic World version of the space also adds another interesting spin on the concept: should it last through most of the summer, to help celebrate the arrival of Jurassic World VelociCoaster at the next-door Islands of Adventure, it would essentially make Tribute a year-round presence at the resort. As it is, we’ve already seen a trend of having the store stay up for a longer period of time, such as last year’s Halloween outing, which ran for a whopping three months (from the end of July to early November), or this year’s Mardi Gras showing, which lasted nearly as long (the beginning of February to the beginning of May). In fact, should Horror Nights 2021’s version of the retail space open up in July again (which is not at all a given, admittedly – especially if Jurassic World proves to be successful with the public), it isn’t that difficult to see a mere two weeks off between the summer and Halloween renditions, just as what occurred between HHN and Holidays in 2020. This might even necessitate Tribute being put permanently on the park map! With all due apologies to the brand-new Universal Studios Store, we may just have a new, de facto flagship retail experience at Universal.

While we’re waiting for the Jurassic World store to throw open its doors, you can peruse our collective tribute to Tribute:

• Halloween Horror Nights’s Tribute Store overview
• Mardi Gras’s Tribute Store overview
• Inside Universal Orlando’s first-ever Holiday Tribute Store
• Mardi Gras 2021: Inside the best Tribute Store yet

What’s been your favorite incarnation of the Tribute Store? What would you like to see in this new Jurassic World one? Share your thoughts with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Jurassic World Tribute Store at Universal Orlando REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Apr. 26-May 2, 2021.

1. We don’t ever get tired of saying this: this past week belonged to Jurassic World VelociCoaster. On Thursday, Universal opened up its eagerly anticipated attraction to its team members, which produced some great images of some pretty happy employees getting to experience the roller coaster for the very first time. This, in turn, lead to some other, equally compelling imagery coming out, officially detailing some elements of VelociCoaster’s queue that we hadn’t gotten the chance to see before.

Here’s where you can find everything:

• Team members captured in the wild (photos)
• Some close-up details of the employees’ new – and very cool! – uniforms (photo)
• A peek-a-boo raptor (photo)
• A muzzled raptor waiting to sniff you in the queue (photo)
• Our updated tour through the queue (article)

2. Of course, team members weren’t the only ones lucky enough to experience Universal’s newest attraction this week. Jurassic World VelociCoaster Passholder Previews began on Sunday, May 2, and the OI team arrived bright and early to join the hunt. This riveting ride launched itself straight to the top of our coaster rankings, exceeding our lofty expectations and proving itself to be an incredible addition to Universal Orlando’s collection of thrills.

Want to know every exhilarating detail we encountered? Check out our full review of Jurassic World VelociCoaster here.

3. CityWalk saw its second (abrupt) closure of the year in the form of Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar (the first item in the dining/shopping/entertainment district to go in 2021, in case you need a reminder, was Blue Man Group). Though small and often overlooked, Fusion Bistro was a great little place to catch a good meal at a fair (theme-park) price and to eat away from the crowds. We’re sorry to see it go, but, at the same time, we’re also eager to see what will replace it.

Find out everything there was to know about Universal’s little sushi place-that-could here, in our aptly named Prop Graveyard.

4. Universal Beijing Resort also managed to get in on the news last week, and in a rather big way. After starting to more fully detail the various attractions that will populate its theme park, Universal Studios Beijing, and the two hotels that will surround it, Universal had one last major piece of the pie to fill: CityWalk, along with all of its 24 tenants.

And what a list that turns out to be. Some of the most notable items include exclusive savory ice cream and dairy delicacies; a dining, entertainment, and merchandise venue developed by BMW(!); a restaurant with dining on a terrace, against the neon nightscape that is Universal CityWalk Beijing; a store devoted to mystery boxes and customized licensed merch; and a financial-services branch (but of course).

See the full roster here.

5. On a recent trip to Universal Orlando, we noticed a few small differences to the resort. For starters, the usual “unprecedented times” message that would play while traversing the (iconic) moving walkways from the parking structures to CityWalk has been removed – a small observation but something of a big deal, as that broadcast had been a constant refrain since the parks reopened after their initial COVID-19 closure. In its place has been a return to the pre-pandemic standard: music. And accompanying this development was a slight revision to the social-distancing markers that were also set up all across the resort after it had reopened last year; while they are still spaced six feet apart, the floor markings themselves are now much smaller.

View video and pictures of the twin changes here and here, respectively.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 120,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post VelociCoaster previews, CityWalk gets another closure, and unusual Universal Beijing eateries: Your weekly theme-park recap (April 26-May 2, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

That means the new Asian district’s various venues will be getting a lot of foot traffic passing them by, which means, in turn, that some pretty heady concepts will be needed in order to attract eyeballs – the same exact reason why, back here in Florida, Universal has been continually tinkering with its own CityWalk lineup, continually phasing out older concepts and introducing such crazy new ones as Voodoo Doughnut and, much more recently, the Universal Legacy Store. Indeed, when combined with the fact that Universal has been extremely willing to mix and match its various CityWalk occupants much more freely than it is, say, the attractions in its theme parks, guests would be wise to pay attention to what’s going to be landing at the company’s upcoming new resort. (Don’t believe us about the interchangeability of CityWalks all around the globe? Just look at Orlando, which received Voodoo Doughnut from Hollywood, while that location imported Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, and VIVO Italian Kitchen from us – with even more on the way soon.)

Just what is arriving at CityWalk Beijing, anyway? We only recently found out the full list, learning the full contents of all 24 gastronomical, retail, entertainment, and financial(!) categories. That breaks down to 15 restaurants, seven stores, a multiplex movie theater, and, most intriguingly, a financial services location (which isn’t to mention the “diverse range of retail and food and beverage kiosks,” whose exact identities are still unknown). Some look so beautiful and sound so appealing, one can only hope that they will eventually find their way to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Before we touch upon each of them, however, we need to quickly address another, even bigger question: when is Universal Beijing Resort opening, anyway? We’re almost to May, after all, which was the previously floated opening window. While there was no updated word on this front, Universal did let slip this little morsel: the Chinese CityWalk is currently undergoing final operational preparations, including team member training, so the area’s – and, hopefully, Universal Studios Beijing’s – grand debut seems to be just around the corner still.

Universal CityWalk Beijing’s restaurants – the familiar concepts

When going over the 15 restaurants that will soon call Universal CityWalk Beijing home, Universal divided up the roster into three main sub-groups. First up on the list are those entries that were first tested or otherwise implemented here in Orlando but which are now getting replicated overseas:

• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
• CityWalk Red Oven Pizza Bakery
• The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
• Universal CityWalk – The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

There are two general takeaways to be had from this grouping. First, you’ll notice that a few of these eateries have names that are similar to their original Floridian nomenclature but which are just slightly tweaked for their foreign debuts. This could be to do with some kind of marketing rationale in China, or it could stem from some sort of legal and/or copyright consideration – we’re not sure which, but we do like the bit of variety added to the Universal formula, regardless.

And the familiar gets even more reworked when it comes to The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar specifically, with its striking-looking building that’s decked out with neon lights and cowfish adornments both. It’s nifty to see what Universal’s designers can come up with when not hemmed in by preexisting infrastructure – and it’s also enjoyable to see how this new CityWalk’s neon aesthetic is being implemented all throughout its area (something which will come up again at least once more as we work our way through all these new tenants).

(Also noteworthy here is Bubba Gump’s inclusion, as this marks the first time that the international chain is landing on the Chinese mainland.)

Universal CityWalk Beijing’s restaurants – the Chinese brands

The second batch of CityWalk residents constitute those homegrown Asian concepts, which are flocking from all over the giant country to be represented in the new theme-park resort – just like how, say, Bubba Gump and Cowfish did the same here in America. What makes these various Chinese venues all the more interesting is their emphasis on fusion cuisine, to one degree or another:

• CityWalk WUBEI CRAFT FOOD AND BEER
• JUMBO Seafood Restaurant
• Neon Street Hawkers – Southeast Asian Food
• Phoenix House Superior Shop
• Peet’s Coffee

We’re not only particularly fond of the concept art for Wubei Craft Food and Beer – that building is nothing short of gorgeous – but also of its highlighted bullet point: the eatery will serve up the Wubei Flight, a “flight of flavorful [exclusive] craft beers […] inspired by [the] five traditional Chinese blessings.” (Oh, yeah – it also slings the East-West fusion bite called the Kungpao Nacho, which is another automatic must-try.)

Phoenix House Superior Shop, meanwhile, provides Hong Kong-style dim sum that’s made fresh on-site to “make sure your every bite is full of happiness,” while JUMBO Seafood Restaurant offers Singapore-style seafood. And lest you wonder why Peet’s Coffee, a Californian creation, would be listed under the domestic CityWalk tab, here’s your answer: the largest Peet’s in all of Asia will have some decidedly local flavors on-hand, such as Mango Sago, which, apparently, is just enough to fit the fusion bill.

Universal CityWalk Beijing’s restaurants – the reimagined oldies-but-goodies

Speaking of fusion, that brings us to our last mini-section of restaurants – those items that provide a “refreshing twist [or] rejuvenation” on older brands:

• BMW JOYCUBE
• Cutie Cones
• Dong Lai Shun
• KPRO
• Quan Ju De
• TIME TRAVEL GRANDMA’S HOME FLAGSHIP STORE

All of these concepts will need some kind of explanation or, at least, introduction to American audiences – but even through all of the unfamiliarity, the culinary benefits they offer to the overall Universal experience are evident.

BMW Joycube just may be our favorite one of this particular bunch – this “crossover experience store,” developed and sponsored by the car manufacturer BMW, will offer almost something for everyone, starting with dining, running through entertainment and merchandise, and ending with something called a “brand experience.” Cutie Cones, developed in conjunction with Mengniu, has an array of customized “savory ice cream and dairy delicacies.” Dong Lai Shun and Quan Ju De will both be located inside the Universal Studios Store; the latter will have a walk-up window, where it will dispense its legendary roast duck, while the former will offer its own renowned dish, mutton hot pot, out on a terrace. (Here’s where that beautiful neon-filled CityWalk nightscape comes into play again – imagine dining outside against that backdrop!)

KPRO is a Chinese take on Kentucky Fried Chicken, delivering a “global creative menu to a new generation of sophisticated diners with ‘fresh, tasty, and ready’ food.” We have no clue what Time Travel Grandma’s Home is, but we can’t deny wanting to eat there right away, regardless; something of a local legend in Hangzhou, where its flagship location resides, the restaurant will be coming to Beijing for the first time, where it will create a “new design concept that also opens great imagination for guests.”

Universal CityWalk Beijing’s stores

There really isn’t as much to say about CityWalk’s “trendy premium shopping,” but we’ll list all of these retail tenets, nonetheless:

• ADIDAS MBC Store
• HARMAY FLAGSHIP STORE
• KAKAO FRIENDS Beijing flagship store
• POP Mart Global Toy Factory Store
• SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL STUDIO
• Universal CityWalk – The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Candy Store
• Universal Studios Store

A more general observation that we can offer, though, about this roster is the obvious effort that both Universal and its local partners are putting into pushing the trendy label as much as possible, particularly towards the younger end of the consumer spectrum (which isn’t a big surprise, given that the Millennial and Gen-Z demographics make up almost a whopping 20% of the country’s overall [and very large] population). Take Harmay, for instance, which gets billed in the press release as a “new beauty and lifestyle retail brand popular among young, stylish consumers,” or Kakao Friends, which pursues the exact same shoppers with mystery boxes and licensed customizable merchandise.

The last two entries on this list, meanwhile, will certainly be much more familiar to Universal Orlando visitors – especially Toothsome’s gift shop, which really could stand on its own as a full-fledged venue. The last one, in particular, will be sure to invite some questions: could Beijing’s version of the Universal Studios Store be close to the brand-new one that we just received here in our version of CityWalk, with its sleek façade and spacious layout? The sole piece of concept art would seem to suggest so, and Universal’s creators could have designed both locations in conjunction with one another some time ago (remember that the demolition work to make way for the new Orlando shop started approximately a year-and-a-half ago) – but we’ll just need to simply wait and see for sure. Still, we do have this last clue to tide us over: the store is nearly 8,100 square feet in size, which is almost exactly the same footprint as the new Florida iteration.

Universal CityWalk Beijing’s entertainment and financial offerings

The last two items at Universal CityWalk Beijing may sound like the most pedestrian upon first blush, but they also hold a great deal of potential. Indeed, if part of the reason that we’re sifting through all of its occupants with such a fine-toothed comb is to discern what could possibly find its way over here, in one form or another, one would probably do well to look at this final category.

Let’s start with the rather generically named Universal CityWalk Cinema, which will come equipped with the next-generation IMAX format, called IMAX with Laser – the largest one, in fact, in the Beijing region. (What makes this the next step up in movie-theater experiences? It’s “true reality captured and projected,” according to IMAX.) The cinema will come with 10 other, standard auditoriums and a combined seat count of 2,000, offers a Party Room for birthday parties, and allows you to grab a slice of Red Oven pizza from next door and chow down on it inside – all of which seems to put it beyond what our Universal Cinemark currently offers.

And, finally, rounding out the very last of CityWalk Beijing’s offerings is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which is opening a branch in order to “provide guests with immersive and intelligent financial service with customized and intelligent ‘Black Tech.’” We’re actually not at all sure what that last trademarked moniker means, but it sounds suitably impressive, and if Universal already lets time-share companies hawk their wares at Universal Orlando, we have no difficulty at all seeing a big, fancy bank opening its doors just off the main CityWalk thoroughfare here.

If you were visiting Universal CityWalk Beijing, which stop would you eat or shop at first? And which would you want to see come to Orlando? Share your thoughts with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Universal CityWalk Beijing REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

While we’ve known that the two venues are called the Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort Hotel, and while we’ve known that they’ll be situated literally right next to the park, we haven’t yet had a chance to get a sneak peek inside or hear even a quick rundown of their amenities. A new press release from Universal changes all that, however, listing some of their on-site benefits and providing an overview of their delicious-sounding dining options, among other noteworthy contents.

But there’s something else that also stands out in these recent media materials: the language Universal is using to describe its Chinese resort, which is expected to open as soon as next month. We’re told that Universal Studios Beijing will “redefine the modern vacation,” while the two hotels will boast a “perfect blend of innovative theming, outstanding guest service, and attention to every detail.” It’s nothing short of grand, and it complements the new pictures of the properties’ interiors perfectly.

Just as we picked out the most exciting takeaways from the attractions, we’re now going to do the same for Universal Beijing’s two impressive hotels. It might make you start to look at Universal Orlando’s own resorts a little differently.

What’s the brief overview of Universal Beijing’s two hotels?

The first striking thing you’ll notice when looking at Universal’s two new Chinese venues is their location. As we’ve noted before, the Universal Studios Grand Hotel takes a page right out of Disneyland Paris’s book, setting up shop right on top of its attached theme park’s front gate; NUO Resort Hotel, meanwhile, is located just “steps away” from Universal Studios Beijing, nestled off to the side (which helps to deliver its theme of being a private retreat, but we’ll get there in just a moment). Both will share an exclusive entrance to the park, which will come in handy during Early Park Admission, the only confirmed benefit thus far for staying on-site.

The Grand Hotel is obviously meant to be the flagship property here, with its 800 rooms, family suites themed to Kung Fu Panda, and its “expansive” views of Universal Studios Beijing. (Just to put that 800 number into perspective for you, this new hotel is just 50 rooms larger than Portofino Bay Hotel.) That makes NUO Resort Hotel the luxury boutique option, with only 400 rooms that put a bigger emphasis on spaciousness and upscale offerings. (Are you looking for the Universal Orlando context again? NUO would be the smallest hotel here, by far.)

What are the themes of Universal Beijing’s two hotels?

This is where things start to get really interesting – and, if we’re being honest, possibly even majestic.

Let’s start with the Universal Studios Grand Hotel again. Being the first-ever hotel devoted to Universal Pictures, the 109-year-old filmmaking arm of NBCUniversal, the goal is to bring the Golden Age of Hollywood – “resplendent in [all its] classic and dazzling glory” – to life all around guests. This will be accomplished in a few different ways, beginning with the incorporation of California’s Spanish Revival movement; the lobby, for instance, will feature a “rippling” Spanish-style fountain. Then there’s the giant collection of movie memorabilia, from posters to behind-the-scenes photographs, spanning all of the major releases from 1912 onward, and the offsetting visual motif of contemporary graphic patterns, which are meant to add splashes of color to the mostly neutral-flavored surroundings.

(Our favorite detail of the Grand Hotel? Easy – apparently channeling Hard Rock Hotel with its signature fragrance as you walk into the lobby, this Asian destination will have the scent of orange blossoms waiting for you when you first enter.)

There is a completely different feel over at NUO Resort Hotel, the first such concept from the Chinese luxury resort chain. The point here is to turn back to the country’s past, parlaying the beauty of the ancient royal gardens into a present-day “serene oasis.” This can be found both in the property’s public spaces as well as its guest rooms, using natural materials and providing a traditional tea set in every room (there’s also a tearoom at The Lobby Lounge, which is similarly meant to feel grand and historical). And lest this emphasis on traditional design and cultural aesthetics seem too archaic to you, Universal is quick to point out that NUO will also come packed with “modern conveniences and luxury.”

What are the amenities at Universal Beijing’s two hotels?

We’ve waited a long while to receive the first word on what amenities Universal’s two newest resorts will come equipped with, and, unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a little while longer yet in order to get the full specs. However, the quick breakdown that we were just offered is more than enough to whet our appetite (no pun intended!) and to get us excited for a potential future hotel stay.

First on our plate: food. Universal Studios Grand Hotel comes loaded with three different themed dining options:

• Universal Studios Lotus Garden – serves both Asian dishes and “international favorites” family-style.
• Universal Studios Red Dragon Lounge –“refreshing great drinks and laid-back meals” are the order of the day here.
• Peet’s Coffee – the Californian institution is making its way into Beijing for grab-and-go offerings.

We would be remiss not to mention what could be an early gastronomical highlight – the Character Breakfast, which will offer movie-themed meals (and brunches) each and every day, along with the chance to meet with characters from either the Minions or Kung Fu Panda franchises.

NUO Resort Hotel also brandishes three restaurants or bars, but its offerings are – unsurprisingly – weighted more towards the luxurious end of the dining spectrum:

• JIA – enjoy upscale Cantonese cuisine within furnishings that are styled after yet another ancient Chinese royal garden.
• Café Royal – diners will be able to watch the chefs prepare their Mediterranean-inspired food.
• The Lobby Lounge – swing by for tea and pastries during the day and “well-crafted” cocktails at night.

(Universal also makes mention of the Executive Lounge, which will have “dedicated benefits” on-hand for executive-room guests, but no elaboration was offered.)

Rounding out the two resorts’ announced amenities are a few other items that only serve to reinforce their respective mission statements. With Grand Hotel’s focus on families, you can expect to find a movie theater, which comes stocked with director-style chairs and “adorable popcorn container-shaped stools,” and the Kids’ Club, where families can engage in some crafts and videogames together. And if there was any doubt left over at all about what NUO Resort’s clientele will be, wonder no further: a “pampering” spa will be on-site, along with the Magnolia Room, where special events and corporate events will be held.

Which Universal Beijing hotel would you be willing to stay at? Which would you want to see come to Orlando? Share your thoughts with 125,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post The amazing hotels of Universal Studios Beijing appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Apr. 5-11, 2021.

1. This was a huge week for Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and it started with one piece of long-awaited news: the new attraction’s opening date. Riders will be able to set foot in Jurassic World’s raptor paddock and race against the apex predators starting on Thursday, June 10, placing it towards the middle of Universal’s typically preferred opening “season” (yes, we went back over the past 11 years and double-checked).

But, it turns out, we don’t have to wait quite that long in order to start experiencing the roller coaster. The company dropped enough breadcrumbs alongside the big announcement to let us start piecing together VelociCoaster’s story, both in its fascinating-sounding queue and out on its twisty, turny track. Consider it the ultimate form of preview, and one that can help while away the next two months.

Read about the date reveal here and dive into the story here.

2. But wait, Jurassic friends – that’s not all! Arriving alongside this torrent of VelociCoaster information was a couple more little goodies, whetting our appetites even further (it’s an appropriate analogy, actually, as the velociraptors on the ride are said to be hungry). New pictures of the mammoth coaster’s queue were released, as was an update that inserted the attraction into the Universal Orlando app – not major or earth-shattering developments, to be sure, but nonetheless exciting ones, as they mean Jurassic World is almost here!

See the new pics here and Jurassic World VelociCoaster living in your smart phones here.

3. Disney has unveiled a brand-new “flagship” store for its currently-under-renovation EPCOT. Called Creations Shop, it’s an attempt by the company to harken back to the hallowed theme park’s glory days while instituting a new look and feel that’s right at home for its soon-to-arrive future: its “bold, sleek design” will feature huge glass walls that’ll allow light to come pouring in, along with renditions of/homages to Mickey Mouse that underscore his creative spark and his global reach both. In short, Disney has a rather bold mission statement for the new retail space: “We are using color, materials, and light in new ways with some unique EPCOT touches.”

Right next door to the shop will be a refurbished Club Cool, which will still allow guests to experience Coca-Cola drinks from around the world but which will do so in an updated (dare we say refreshed?) way. Both venues will debut sometime this summer, when this whole introductory section of the theme park will get rebranded as World Celebration.

Reread Disney’s original EPCOT makeover announcement, where World Celebration was first revealed, here.

4. Why stop a good thing? Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras got extended – again! This actually marks the second time that Universal decided to prolong the festivities; the popular annual event was originally meant to end on Sunday, March 28 but originally got extended to Sunday, April 11 and, now, will run all the way to Sunday, May 2. It would seem that the new food focus for this year, resulting in the “International Flavors of Carnaval” subtitle being added to the proceedings, has been a big hit with guests, and it would also seem that the lack of a parade, concerts, or other potentially crowded activities has only been beneficial in this regard, as well.

Find the most in-depth guide to Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando here.

5. Speaking of changes undertaken in the era of COVID-19, Disney is continuing to tweak its new safety protocols and guidelines. More specifically, this week the company announced that it has started to allow its guests to temporarily remove their face masks in order to snap a quick – and stationary – selfie outdoors anywhere at Walt Disney World Resort.

Say cheese with us right here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 125,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post VelociCoaster’s story and opening date and EPCOT’s new flagship store: Your weekly theme-park recap (April 5-11, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

During yesterday’s big announcement, revealing the opening date of Jurassic World VelociCoaster at long last, Universal did more than just give legions of excited fans the country over a date to circle on the calendar – it also lifted the curtain a bit more on the massive roller coaster’s story. These narrative tidbits, once lined up together in the right order, paint a pretty good – even if still incomplete – picture of what the overarching Jurassic World experience will consist of, starting with the ride’s queue and progressing to its rip-roaring adventure across its 4,700 feet of track.

Here’s everything we know, then, put in chronological order – and while it all has been provided by Universal itself, we understand that some might still consider the following account spoilery. If you’d prefer to hop into that “revolutionary” ride vehicle completely fresh, please make sure to duck out now.

For everyone else, strap in and hold on to your butts.

What happens in Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s queue?

You as a guest to Islands of Adventure, a real theme park, are being transformed into a guest of Jurassic World, the fictitious park, presumably as seen before the events of the Jurassic World trilogy kicks off (events which, of course, entail the utter destruction of the dinosaur preserve). Claire Dearing (played by Bryce Dallas Howard in the films [and in Universal’s themed attractions]) comes up with the idea of doing a completely safe and completely immersive attraction that’ll allow visitors to race right alongside a pack of velociraptors, much in the same way that a shark cage allows divers to swim alongside those beautiful-but-deadly creatures. VelociCoaster, as such, can be seen as a type of spiritual sister to the Indominus rex, the headline-grabbing genetically engineered dino – they’re both new additions that are meant to reinvigorate consumer (as well as investor) interest in the flailing park.

Once in the queue, you are actually greeted by Claire, Jurassic World’s operations manager, who lays out the experience that is about to unfold. Following her is none other than Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), the animal behavioral specialist who’s trained the pack of raptors that you’re about to race with – Echo, Delta, Charlie, and, of course, Blue. He admonishes you to adopt a state of constant vigilance, as he’s wont to do whenever humans and dinosaurs are about to intermingle, but then he’s replaced by yet another film alumnus: Dr. Henry Wu (BD Wong), the park’s chief genetic engineer, who dishes on the cutting-edge science behind the impending raptor romp.

Above and beyond the movie-star appearances, the queue also contains two unique-sounding moments. First up, in a move that is reminiscent of watching the ride vehicles trek by while waiting in line at Skull Island: Reign of Kong, you will get the opportunity to watch real-life riders shoot past you at 70 mph on the coaster, along with the raptors that they are racing against (who appear as a digital effect, chasing after the actual coaster car). This easily sounds like it’ll be a hallmark of the attraction.

Then, you’ll be able to enter the stables, where some themed scents – wet dirt and vegetation from the nearby raptor paddock – intermingle with two “hungry” velociraptor animatronics. More specifically, these two are Delta and Echo, who are muzzled and anxiously awaiting the big race against you, occasionally “testing the limits of the grooming stations currently restraining them.” It’s an encounter that looks like something truly special, with the dinosaurs’ lifelike movements and, even, blasts of breath.

Once the line ends and deposits you at the load station, you’ll get one last reassurance from Claire and one final warning from Owen – and then it’ll be your turn to climb aboard the coaster car and launch off into the dino duel, past all those waiting passengers back in line.

What happens during Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s ride experience?

Let’s ignore all the nuts-and-bolts mechanics of Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s actual ride experience – all those inversions and 80-degree drops and 12 seconds of airtime – and concentrate instead on the narrative that pins them all together. And in order to do this, let’s first invoke another Jurassic attraction at Universal Orlando: on Jurassic Park River Adventure, what starts off as a leisurely aquatic tour through that park quickly transforms into a dangerous trek through an off-limits section, one that has suddenly found itself positively crawling with rampaging dinosaurs. Guests are only just able to avoid a disastrous confrontation with Tyrannosaurus rex before plunging down an 85-foot watery escape.

That same general structure is being applied to VelociCoaster. The first portion of the ride is exactly as advertised, with guests zipping all throughout the raptor paddock in their race against its titular inhabitants. This section’s track is still filled with twists and turns, but they’re mostly down low by the ground, and they’re meant to give passengers the chance – well, in theory, at least – to appreciate the highly detailed theming of this area, the intricate rockwork and the watchtower with its searching spotlight at nighttime. (Yes, this means that Islands of Adventure will have yet another must-do-at-night ride, right alongside Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.)

But then, at some unknown point during the “extreme adventure,” the raptors manage to break free, and what was once a safe excursion alongside the animals becomes a desperate escape from them. There will be several near-misses with the critters within the paddock – which, in turn, leads to even more near-misses with that now-imposing rockwork – before you’re able to finally break free from the area, approximately halfway through the ride. That’s when the second, 70-mph launch comes into play, shooting you up the 150-foot-tall “top hat” hill – Universal has long been touting VelociCoaster as a “hybrid” of two different types of coasters, and this is why. From here on out, there will be a near-nonstop series of high-thrill experiences, which will perhaps be highlighted by the so-called mosasaurus roll, a 360-degree barrel-roll inversion just above the Islands of Adventure lagoon that’s named after the first Jurassic World’s iconic scene. Amplifying the death-defying nature of this second part of the experience is the ride vehicles themselves, which don’t feature over-the-shoulder restraints and which were purposely designed so that the vast majority of passengers’ feet won’t touch the floor. Vulnerability is the name of the game here, as if you truly were the prey on a sudden hunt.

Here’s to hoping you can dodge the raptors and survive the experience – so you can do it all over again, naturally.

What do you think of VelociCoaster’s story? Compare thoughts – and excitement levels – with 120,000+ other Universal fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s story REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster has been under development ever since January 2019, when activity suddenly sprung up in Islands of Adventure without any advance warning. And while word wouldn’t arrive as to what, exactly, was being built over in Jurassic Park until September 2020 – a delay which, if we’re being totally fair, almost certainly had something to do with the raging COVID-19 pandemic – progress has continued unabated ever since.

All of which has brought us to today’s long-awaited, much-hyped announcement: we now have an opening date for the mammoth coaster! Guests will be able to come face-to-face with Owen Grady and Claire Dearing, set foot in Jurassic World’s raptor paddock, and “feel the rush of the hunt” on Thursday, June 10.

June not only lands squarely within the vague “summer 2021” window that Universal had offered previously, but it also lands right in the middle of the time frame that the company has preferred over the past 11 years when debuting new attractions at its resort. To wit:

• April – Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon and Fast & Furious – Supercharged
• June – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride – 3D, and The Bourne Stuntacular
• July – Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• August – The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

While June 10 may not be that far away, there may still possibly be an item that’ll help keep us distracted until the big day arrives: technical rehearsals, when Universal will open up the ride for limited periods of time to help train the team members who will operate it. Of course, these soft openings aren’t guaranteed, and, even if they do pop up, there’s no certainty when or for how long they will last. (We should note that the situation with VelociCoaster is the exact opposite of what happened in 2020 with that year’s big attraction debut, The Bourne Stuntacular – it started rehearsals first, on June 14, before getting an official opening date on June 27.)

Do you need even more Jurassic goodies to help tide you over for the next two months? We’ve got you covered: you can check out the recently released mini on-ride video, showing us a POV perspective of VelociCoaster for the very first time, or get yourself even more psyched up by counting down our four most-anticipated elements of the roller coaster in our big feature.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster opens on June 10, 2021.

When will you first arrive at Universal Orlando Resort to ride VelociCoaster for the very first time? Compare notes – and excitement levels – with 120,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s opening date REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Mar. 29-Apr. 4, 2021.

1. After a very quick week of (mostly) finishing up construction, the new Universal Studios Store is open! This is the “premier retail experience” of Universal Orlando Resort, and it’s a massive, spacious, and modern-looking affair. (It better be spacious, given that four previous shops were closed down to make room for this new addition.)

The Studios Store has a sleek check-out area, subtle-but-chic theming (we love the blueprints-as-backdrops for a few of the displays), and a Wizarding World of Harry Potter-devoted section that carries some brand-new merchandise, including a line of kitchenware that is actually pretty impressive.

See the first shots of the construction walls going down here, our full tour of the premises here, and our new guide page here.

2. What happened to the old Universal Studios Store at CityWalk, the one located off to the side, right next to Hot Dog Hall of Fame? We’ve already reported on how it was undergoing a transformation into the Universal Legacy Store, but now that that metamorphosis is completed – and now that its replacement is fully up and running – we figured it was time to give you the complete rundown of its retro goodness. There is a plethora of props and maquettes to admire, (virtual) time capsules to open, and snippets of old attractions’ preshows and soundtracks to get swept away by. Oh, yeah – there’s also still a plethora of souvenirs available, dedicated to both former and current experiences at the resort.

Enjoy our deep-dive on the Legacy Store here.

3. We can’t forget about Jurassic World VelociCoaster in all this Universal news, can we? The mammoth new attraction may still not have an opening date beyond the rather vague window of “summer 2021,” but it nonetheless managed to work its way into our consciousness this week, even with the deluge of all the Studios and Legacy Store goodness. The two small-but-exciting tidbits include a sound bite of Chris Pratt talking to riders before the coaster’s first launch, and the first-ever in-person POV footage of VelociCoaster in action (all previous clips were animated).

Hear Owen Grady here and see that ride footage here.

4. SeaWorld Orlando’s Sesame Street Land is getting a new resident this month: Julia, an amazing four-year-old with autism, who is one of the Muppet characters on the television-show source material. She will be making appearances daily outdoors, where she’ll be available to take socially distanced photos with guests, starting this past Friday and going all the way through Friday, April 30. Julia is being brought to the park nominally to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, but she just as ably highlights the fact that the themed land is a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

Are you excited to discuss – or share your pics of – this development? (Or, for that matter, anything SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment-related, including the exciting roller coasters of Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando and Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?) Well, we have good news for you: Orlando Informer has created a brand-new Facebook community for SeaWorld, just as we already have for Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Resorts. Expect lots of fun, positive, and anticipatory conversations, all in a safe and well-regulated environment.

Find our post on Julia’s arrival here and our SeaWorld Community by Orlando Informer here.

5. Disney has announced the dates for its EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2021: it starts on July 15 (just 10 days after the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival ends) and runs all the way through November 20. Expect all of the delicious global marketplaces to return, along with a full slate of live entertainment (including the Jammin’ Gardeners) and Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt.

6. Another week, another Orlando Informer YouTube video. This time, Taylor and Michaela carry out one last reader-requested challenge: tasting every single doughnut on the menu at the famed Voodoo Doughnut. They may have complied because it was crazy (not to mention delicious), but, it turns out, it’s already started to help viewers out – now, you can zero in on which crazy concoctions you want to spend your hard-earned vacation dollars on.

Watch the OI dynamic duo devour (and describe!) each Voodoo doughnut here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 120,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Universal Studios Store opens, new VelociCoaster footage, and trying EVERY Voodoo Doughnut: Your weekly theme-park recap (Mar. 29-Apr. 4, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Now, we can safely say that we have all the answers in hand.

On Wednesday, March 24, Universal changed the signage of the original Universal Studios Store, replacing that middle word of its appellation with “Legacy” – a fitting name for a site that has been given over to former Universal Orlando attractions and classic Universal Pictures films. On the inside, meanwhile, the shop has finished up its evolution into this new Legacy Store status, with its contents being rearranged and its décor being completely switched out. The result is not only effective, it’s also a great deal of fun, making it into a must-do stop during your Universal day.

We figured that, since the new Universal Studios Store opened today, it would be the perfect occasion to head across the way to Legacy and give you a full tour of the new digs.

Universal Legacy Store’s retro theming

The Universal Legacy Store’s retro makeover begins, of course, with its exterior, where its storefronts now display the latest in early ‘90s fashion (against a backdrop of Universal Studios Florida’s original soundstage aesthetics) and its entrance is flanked by two gargoyle statues that used to stand guard over the theme park’s iconic archway way back when.

It’s an introduction that perfectly sets the stage for the experience within. A huge number of classic attractions, whether past or present, find some type of representation in the shop proper: Jaws and E.T. Adventure have mini-sections devoted to them; Terminator 2 3D: Battle across Time features some props and costumes from its filming; there’s a conceptual maquette of the Enchanted Oak Tavern, the restaurant that has since been renovated into The Three Broomsticks; and a Doombot from the queue of Doctor Doom’s Fearfall and Hagrid’s trusty magicked motorcycle that forms the basis of the ride vehicles in Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure are also present. It’s enough to get lost in for a spell or two (no pun intended).

But the superlative part of this stroll down memory lane actually comes in the form of the six big video columns that used to, back when the space was still the original Universal Studios Store, display various footage from or commercials of Universal Orlando Resort – now, they’re dedicated to a series of virtual crates that get opened right in front of your eyes. Inside of each is a collection of different mementos from throughout the past three decades, including everything from behind-the-scenes photos to contemporaneous newspaper clippings and advertisements to, even, snippets from Back to the Future: The Ride’s preshow. And on the back of each vertical monitor is a placard that displays the (more or less) complete Universal Orlando timeline, starting in 1986 when the swamp land the resort now sits on was first being cleared and running all the way up to this year, with its imminent opening of Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Such flourishes truly make the Universal Legacy Store feel like one giant time capsule.

Serving as the backdrop to the vintage theme-park experiences is a general vintage Hollywood vibe; film canisters, camera and lighting equipment, old monitors and radios, and, of course, ubiquitous wooden crates (that come stamped with such nomenclature as “Props” and “Scenic Dept.”) dot the whole landscape. It’s a nice complement to the theme, and, in several cases, it actually works to reinforce it, blurring the worlds of Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts; an old poster for Alfred Hitchcock’s famed The Birds, for instance, nods simultaneously to the classic film as well as to the Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies attraction in the earliest days of Universal Studios Florida, which featured a 3D sequence from that picture.

Universal Legacy Store’s merchandise

In what may be a small surprise, not all of Universal Legacy Store’s copious amounts of merchandise are dedicated solely to extinct Universal Orlando attractions; you’re still able to find items attached to the currently existing experiences, as well, such as Springfield: Home of the Simpsons, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, and, of course, the ever-popular (and ever-present) Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This may seem like the newly renovated store gives over a lot of floor space to the same standard souvenirs that you can pretty much scoop up anywhere else at the resort – it does, and they are – but the presentation is still given something of a Legacy twist: each section is topped by a little plaque that includes the relevant attraction’s name and its years of operation.

(Curious how the Universal Legacy Store and the new Universal Studios Store handle the merch overlap? It actually works out pretty nicely, with Legacy handling more of the usual items and Studios brandishing the newest – and, therefore, some of the most exclusive – pieces, including Harry Potter kitchenware.)

There are a couple of other items that are noteworthy in this regard, as well. First up, there’s the fairly large – and brand-new – personalization section, which has been set up in the middle of the shop and which allows various specific items to be engraved, embroidered, or heat-pressed to the individual’s specifications. (This area also is constituted by a whole bunch of wooden crates, serving to also extend the Legacy theme.) And then there’s a fairly robust collection of Universal Studios-branded apparel and sundries that straddle both sides of the Legacy Store divide: some are evergreen Universal goodies, while others are vintage throwbacks (a collection that got started last year for Universal Studios Florida’s 30th anniversary but which also got eclipsed by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic).

If we had to sum up the venue’s merchandise ethos, then, we’d say that it has a Universal Legacy Store focus but a Universal Studios Store shadow – and it makes for a satisfying retail excursion and time-travel experience both.

I need even more Universal yesteryear goodness!

What – you’re craving even more callback items to Universal Orlando Resort’s very earliest years? Don’t worry – we have you covered.

Following is a good selection of some of the great historical articles we’ve published over the years, which will definitely get you up to speed on all those Easter eggs and references you’ll spot when walking around the Universal Legacy Store:

• 7 lost Universal attractions from Production Central
• 8 lost Universal attractions from New York
• 6 lost attractions of San Francisco/Amity at Universal Studios Florida
• 20 changes across Islands of Adventure’s 20 years
• Hidden tributes to 9 lost attractions at Universal Orlando
• The long and surprising history of Hard Rock Café at Universal Studios Florida

What do you think of the new Universal Legacy Store? Share your thoughts (and pictures, once you go!) with 120,000+ other Universal Orlando die-hards in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Inside the new Universal Legacy Store appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Both developments were, of course, exciting, but it still left lots of unanswered questions – and, at any rate, nothing beats being able to explore a new addition ourselves. Which is why we made sure to be the first to arrive at the new Studios Store on its opening date (that’s today!), and much like the seasonal Tribute Store over in the theme parks, we were eager to explore and report back on the new space’s overall layout, its contents, and its aesthetics.

Let’s see how this new take on the flagship Universal Studios Store is far superior to its predecessor – and see how you’re going to end up spending a fair bit of time and coin in the new premises.

What’s the location of the new Universal Studios Store?

The new location of Universal Orlando’s “premier retail experience” is off to the right-hand side of CityWalk, along the path that ultimately leads to Universal Studios Florida. This gives it a prime spot, right next to the venerable Voodoo Doughnut, and it means that far fewer people are apt to walk right past it – but, just in case they still somehow manage to do so, all of the myriad signs and logos that are festooned on the outside of the Universal Studios Store are still likely to grab their attention.

Speaking of the new façade, it’s far grander than the previous iteration’s, more modern and sleek in appearance, with more entryways. It’s not only appropriate for what is the new flagship shop of the entire resort, but it also helps continue CityWalk’s evolution from its decidedly ‘90s roots – something which the big renovation of 2014 really accelerated, with the dining/shopping/entertainment district’s wave of new venues (including the previous Studios Store’s then-contemporary makeover) and all of the al-fresco dining that accompanied them.

A big part of the just-opened location’s impressive appearance is the various displays that line the storefront, deploying the standard mannequins against some pretty beautiful backgrounds that utilize blueprints of one Universal Orlando icon or another, from the Pharos Lighthouse to Hogwarts Castle. It’s simple and straightforward but undeniably elegant, and when combined with the new potted plants that have been strategically stationed around the windows, it makes for a more refined presence in the heart of the complex.

What’s the layout of the new Universal Studios Store?

On the one hand, the new Universal Studios Store is essentially set up the same way as its predecessor was: different mini-sections are devoted to one particular intellectual property or another, whether that be Despicable Me, Seuss, Marvel Comics, or Jurassic World (and, more specifically, Jurassic World VelociCoaster). Although largely sitting side-by-side with each other, the overall effect isn’t at all cluttered or claustrophobia-inducing – a by-product of the fact that this new premises takes up the space of four stores that had sat here previously (Fresh Produce, The Island Clothing Co., Fossil, and P!Q).

But, on the other hand, the Studios Store does feel a fair bit different and fresh, largely thanks to that unprecedented level of breathing room. Little alcoves have been etched along the back wall, offering a nice way to just slightly break things up – and, additionally, to insert a few small props up on the top shelves, reinforcing that “fancy department store” vibe that started with the building’s facade. Big, blue-trimmed doorways also serve to subtly differentiate the otherwise-open floor plan, essentially creating five different “rooms” to explore along the main stretch of the store, even if they still feel like a continuation of one another. (There’s one key exception here, which we’ll get to in just a moment.) And in what can be described as the main room, the check-out area sits in front of a large, modern, stylish rendition of the Universal Studios logo and under a curved screen that displays a long loop of resort footage, punctuated by the first-ever ride POV of VelociCoaster (a nice little Easter egg if ever we saw one!).

The only item that breaks this pattern revolves, unsurprisingly, around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Boy Wizard not only gets one, but two whole rooms dedicated solely to his wondrous world: a large one at the very end of the store, with an entrance that’s situated right next to Voodoo Doughnut, and a smaller add-on that’s nestled right beside it. The theming here is minimalist when compared to other, similar set-ups – like, say, the wizarding section of the Holiday Tribute Store last year – but it’s pronounced within the Studios Store itself, and it’s nonetheless impeccable; fake candles float just under the ceiling of the main area, for instance, and the secondary room has a back wall that is designed to look exactly like the tapestry that hangs in the Gryffindor common room, along with a ceiling that’s painted as the night sky (replete with constellations of the Hogwarts houses’ animal mascots).

The last element that distinguishes this new flagship shop is the Parcel Pick-Up counter, which wasn’t up and running on this first day of operation but which, if we had to guess, would seem to suggest a similar functionality to what one can already find at the front gift shops of both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: if you purchase a piece of merchandise in one of those theme parks, you can arrange to pick it up later on that day at those locations. Time will tell, however, if this is, indeed, what we can expect to find here, all the way out in CityWalk.

What merchandise is available at the new Universal Studios Store?

Perhaps the biggest question heading into the opening of this Universal Studios Store iteration was how its contents were going to differ from those of what is now called the Universal Legacy Store. Although the latter is still stocked with a pretty good collection of the standard Universal Orlando merchandise that can be found all across the resort (such as Minions-branded caps and lanyards or the various Wizarding World candies), it now also has a fairly healthy dose of nostalgic or retro items injected into the mix (like Jaws coffee mugs, E.T. plushies, or vintage Universal Studios Florida shirts), helping to live up to its new “legacy” name.

The Studios Store, meanwhile, is thoroughly shot through with brand-new wares, ranging from the focus on the soon-to-open VelociCoaster to, more notably, a whole swath of original Harry Potter souvenirs, including throw pillows, t-shirts, mugs, jackets, signs, and – our personal favorite – a new line of kitchenware, which even got its own little dining room mock-up to help show it off (hello once again, department store vibes). And while it does also feature a heaping helping of the more common products, this merch overlap is set off with the new presentation – with those more-subdued-but-elegant aesthetics and all that extra space between each kiosk – which almost literally showcases it in a whole new light.

The one thing you won’t find here, however, is Super Mario Bros. – or, indeed, any Nintendo-themed – merchandise, like what seemed to have been previously indicated in concept art. While a disappointment, it honestly isn’t that much of a surprise; there is a good four or so years before Super Nintendo World bows here in Orlando, and that leaves plenty of time for the videogame company’s miscellanea to arrive throughout the resort (yes, Universal sells Nintendo merchandise outside of its dedicated land over at Universal Studios Japan already).

Even with that said, you’ll probably find yourself gravitating towards the Universal Studios Store for most of your CityWalk (if not your Universal Orlando Resort) shopping, whether the item you’re on the hunt for is available in other locations or not. This transforms Universal’s premier shopping space, making it go from the stop of last resort – the place you go if you forgot to pick up that one knickknack while bouncing around in the parks – to, we think, the location of first choice.

What do you think of the new Universal Studios Store? Share your thoughts (and pictures, once you go!) with 120,000+ other Universal Orlando die-hards in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Inside the new Universal Studios Store appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Mar. 22-28, 2021.

1. We got a few new details about Walt Disney World Resort’s upcoming 50th anniversary this week – and while they were small morsels, they’re nonetheless tasty ones (excuse the pun). Let’s start with the fan-favorite Main Street Confectionery, which will be getting an expansion, an aesthetic upgrade, and some new “interactive opportunities” to customize your confections. This work begins on March 29, shutting both it and The Chapeau down for an undisclosed period of time (although their products will temporarily be shuffled to other Magic Kingdom locations).

And then there’s the tantalizing tidbit that certain attractions in the park’s Fantasyland area will be getting a mini-upgrade of their own, receiving “shimmering gold leaf paint.” If enough of these small details keep being implemented, they’ll add up to a beautiful new appearance for Disney World’s crown jewel for The World’s Most Magical Celebration, which starts on October 1.

Find more here.

2. Florida is about to get its tallest dueling racer waterslide. SeaWorld this week finally gave an opening date for Riptide Race, an attraction that was originally announced a good year-and-a-half ago but which got indefinitely delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic (much like everything else on the planet). Two groups of two riders will challenge each other along the 68-foot-tall, 650-foot-long track, splashing down at the finish line – an experience that the company says will be especially good for families, which the slide has been specifically built to accommodate (its height requirement is 42 inches).

Riptide Race debuts on April 3. In the meantime, you can view photos and videos of the dueling racer here.

Want to join in on the racing fun? You can purchase Aquatica and SeaWorld Orlando tickets here.

3. Universal CityWalk’s newest store is dedicated to the oldest stuff – extinct attractions and classic films, to be exact. The newly renamed Universal Legacy Store (what used to be the former Universal Studios Store, before a brand-new premises was revealed to be under construction for that particular moniker) got a massive makeover in addition to receiving its brand-new name this past week. Now, guests can wander through huge collections of memorabilia, behind-the-scenes photos, and contemporaneous advertisements while listening to snippets of the rides’ old soundtracks or watching clips from their former preshows.

See some of the new retro additions here and here.

4. Jurassic World VelociCoaster continues to inch more closely to completion. This week’s latest signs? To begin with, the ride’s soundtrack was turned on and played in the background, which has a bigger effect on the prehistoric area of the park than you might think – music might be one of the simplest methods of theming, but it’s also one of the most effective, immediately immersing you into a different (Jurassic) world.

We also got some of the new lockers that have gone up for the roller coaster, which have been positioned in the bottom floor of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. This development may not be as big as its sonic counterpart, but it’s still a really exciting one – opening date may be just around the corner now!

Soak up the Jurassic World music here and take in the VelociCoaster locker pics here.

5. You may or may not have noticed, but some of us here at OI HQ are a little on the crazy side. That’s the only possible explanation for our owner, Taylor, and our social-media guru, Michaela, allowing all of our readers, community members, and viewers to text them what to do with their day at Universal Orlando Resort. There were some pretty ridiculous suggestions, and the dynamic duo – of course – took ‘em all on.

Watch the shenanigans unfold here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 120,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Florida’s tallest racer slide, Magic Kingdom upgrades for the 50th anniversary, and VelociCoaster’s music: Your weekly theme-park recap (Mar. 22-28, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

(Before we plunge [get it?] into the news, don’t forget to get your SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Aquatica tickets here.)

Riptide Race is a dueling racer waterslide, meaning that two teams of two riders will, well, race against one another to the splashy finish line. This immediately puts it in the history books, not only becoming Florida’s first dueling slide, but also, for the time being, its sole one – all of which doesn’t mention the other record that it breaks, as well, becoming the tallest dueling racer in the word, at 68 feet. And here are a few other fun stats for you to chew on: Riptide will feature low walls on its two side-by-side tracks, which will allow the two groups of guests to eye each other on the way down, and it’ll feature some “high-speed tunnels, twists, and turns” along its 650 feet of slide. It also features the family-friendly height requirement of 42 inches, which means that children should be able to race against their parents – a set-up that, the company hopes, will act as a nice complement to its pre-existent roster of for-the-whole-family watery attractions.

Riptide Race was originally unveiled all the way back in November 2019, with a proposed opening date sometime in spring 2020, but COVID-19 sidelined those plans – an occurrence which has similarly afflicted the rest of SeaWorld’s Florida parks, such as Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando and Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa (not to mention all of the other theme and water parks all over the rest of the country, if not the world, of course). Getting Aquatica’s newest, headline-grabbing attraction back on track – and doing so in the immediate future! – is yet another sure sign of the amusement industry beginning to look past the pandemic, joining the likes of Universal kicking off its so-called announcement season for this fall’s Halloween Horror Nights or announcing the resumption of construction work on Epic Universe, its newest park.

But, it turns out, SeaWorld will be betting on Aquatica even more than just with the new water slide – joining Riptide will be two new dining venues, presenting the opportunity for guests to “refuel between races.” First up is Ke-Re’s Bar, an open-air sports bar that features some tropical theming and libations, headlined by this trio (with descriptions directly from the company):

• Pineapple Plunge – Malibu Coconut Rum and pineapple with a twist of Amaretto and butterscotch
• Orlando Vice – a flavorful fusion of two island classics: the Pina Colada and the strawberry daiquiri
• Ke-Re’s Riptide Margarita – Milagro Tequila, mixed with lemonade and the perfect balance of cranberry, strawberry, and lime

Joining it will soon be Papa’s Cantina, which provides the food portion of the new dining equation. Look for a “vibrant, one-of-a-kind” culinary experience here, serving up such comfort classics as empanadas and wings (along with some alcoholic flights, of course).

Aquatica Orlando’s Ke-Re’s Bar is already opened, Riptide Racers bows on Saturday, April 3, and Papa’s Cantina will follow suit “soon.”

Get your Aquatica tickets here, and then be sure to share your excitement for the new slide, drinks, and food with 120,000+ other die-hard vacation planners in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

You can also follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Riptide Race: Aquatica’s record-breaking racer slide opens next month! appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Mar. 15-21, 2021.

1. At long last, the day has arrived, and Super Nintendo World is open! The new Universal Studios Japan land formally debuted on Thursday, March 18, 2021, and we couldn’t be happier – now, we get to officially start the countdown until the Mushroom Kingdom add-on arrives here on both coasts of the United States (though, no, we still don’t have an exact opening date for either Universal Studios Hollywood or Epic Universe).

See our opening article here and our in-depth insider’s guide to the area here.

2. Disney released a fun little update on its Jungle Cruise revamp last week, centering on the new character of Alberta Falls and delivered via a fake newspaper article from 1938. In this way, we get to see a bit of backstory on the granddaughter of the world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls and learn how she became the owner, manager, bookkeeper, and head mechanic of Jungle Navigation Company, Ltd.

Read the fictitious interview with the equally fictitious character here.

3. SeaWorld is cooking up a number of little additions and changes of its own for 2021. The company’s Orlando theme park is overhauling its food game (including the brand-new venues of Altitude Burgers, Edy’s Ice Cream Parlor, and the soon-to-open Lakeside Grill), upgrading some of its experiences (the Key West area and the Shark Encounter attraction), and redoing its front-of-park (a freshly re-themed lighthouse icon and an eye-catching Instagram welcome wall).

Feast on all of the pics – and details – here.

Planning a trip? You can purchase SeaWorld Orlando tickets here.

4. It’s almost Easter, and Disney has given us the run-down on its holiday food offerings. In addition to the standard holiday buffets that Walt Disney World will be hosting, you can also expect to find a treasure trove of snacks and goodies all across the entire resort, from the theme parks to the hotels.

What are our favorites of the bunch? Why, we’re glad you asked:

Mini Bunny Cake – mini-carrot cake filled with cream-cheese icing and decorated with fondant and buttercream. (Available at Contempo Café at Contemporary Resort.)

EGGStraordinare Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with lemon filling, vanilla buttercream, and sugar eggs. (Available at multiple on-site hotels.)

Bunny Mini Dome Cake – coconut ice cream mouse with caramel cream cheese center and carrot cake. (Available at Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs.)

5. New pieces of Harry Potter merchandise usually get us excited, generally, but some of us here at OI HQ got really worked up over these latest releases, specifically. You can now pick up four different wizarding scrunchies, available in the four different Hogwarts house colors, at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They cost $12(!) each.

See our excited – and exciting – photo here.

6. Have you been checking out our YouTube channel? We’ve begun to upload new weekly videos, starting with an epic showdown between our owner, Taylor, and one of our writers, Xandra, to see who can get the most beads at Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras. The winner gets bragging rights and the loser gets, well, a chilling punishment.

View, like, and subscribe here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 120,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post New Jungle Cruise details, Nintendo World is open, and Mardi Gras bead battles: Your weekly theme-park recap (Mar. 15-21, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Cut to January 13, 2020, the day that Universal, as part of the “Super Nintendo World Global Kick-Off Presentation,” announced the first of what would ultimately prove to be a mini-procession of opening dates: sometime in summer 2020, shortly before the advent of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo (which, at the time, were expected to begin on July 24). That would get scuttled, of course, once COVID-19 arrived, pushing the themed area’s debut back indefinitely – it wouldn’t be all the way until November 30 that a new date of February 4, 2021 would get revealed. Then all of this, of course, would get repeated all over again: an up-surge in coronavirus cases in Osaka Prefecture led to a state of emergency being declared and a new delay being announced; then, just on March 8, after the emergency restrictions were rescinded, the new date of March 18 got revealed.

All of which is to illustrate just how monumental of an achievement today is. After almost exactly six years of waiting and anticipating and fantasizing, Super Nintendo World is here (well, in Japan, at least), and we’re able to race against King Koopa or battle against Bowser, Jr. to our hearts’ content.

But that doesn’t mean this is the very first time that we got the opportunity to poke our heads inside of Mario’s domain and experience all of the attractions – representatives of Orlando Informer were able to attend the themed land’s months-long soft-opening period and gather lots of photos, information, and general impressions. We have all that laid out for you in our reviews, our guide page, and our videos, which you can find below:

• Super Nintendo World overview
• King Boo in the Mario Kart queue
• The Mario Motors gift shop
• Mario and Luigi meet-‘n-greet
• The queue of Yoshi’s Adventure
• Nintendo World’s interactive features
• The queue of Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Nintendo-themed land in our complete guide, and then be sure to discuss it all with 120,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

You can also follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Super Nintendo World in Japan is NOW OPEN! appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Walt Disney World Resort has its giant 50th anniversary bash later this year. Universal Orlando Resort, meanwhile, has the mammoth Jurassic World VelociCoaster opening this summer. And SeaWorld Orlando, for its part, is expected to receive 2021’s other notable roller coaster, Ice Breaker, at some point – but, it turns out, that’s not all the park has cooking for guests this year.

Just this week, SeaWorld has detailed a mini-slew of experiences, both updated and wholly new, that will greet visitors starting this month (if, indeed, they haven’t debuted already). The timing ensures some welcome new elements for the currently ongoing Seven Seas Food Festival – which lasts from February 5 to May 9 – and it should serve to help keep repeat visitations high for the rest of ’21, as well, particularly among the local crowd.

Although there are several new elements to this refreshed lineup, all of them can be broken down into three general buckets, which is exactly what we’re going to do for you right now.

(Before we plunge in, however, first make sure you nab your SeaWorld tickets, and then, once you’re back home, be sure you tell everyone what you thought of it all.)

An updated front of the park

This first grouping is a small point, but it’s also a fun one – and one of the theme parks’ long-held secrets has been setting the appropriate welcome mat for attendees, prepping the stage for all of the experiences that are to be had that day.

To this end, SeaWorld has implemented two touch-ups to the front of its Orlando park, starting with its “iconic” entrance lighthouse. The 50-foot structure was recently given over to five different artists from the company, who painted a new, vibrant mural that covers the entire building – it features 16 different sea animals and a new color palette that is meant to be evocative, celebrating the arrival of spring.

It’s also meant to help carry over into the next addition, a brand-new Instagram wall that depicts a coral seascape. Showing a squid and dolphin working their way through the vivid surroundings, it’s just as brilliantly rendered as the matching lighthouse.

Even better, the company has worked one last surprise into the new proceedings: at nighttime, the theme park’s icon out front will be illuminated with blacklight, which will “reveal a new look you don’t want to miss.” Whether this is ultraviolet highlights that have been worked into the design or a hidden picture that isn’t revealed until dark, the company won’t say, but it’s a fun enough proposition either way.

SeaWorld’s new food venues

Clearly, the heart of SeaWorld Orlando’s 2021 mini-revamp is food – which isn’t surprising, given the huge focus the company has been putting on culinary events to keep both its annual passholders and Florida residents coming back most weekends of the year. And on this front, three new venues have already been or will shortly be added to the park’s roster, with each slightly focusing on a different type of experience.

First up is Altitude Burgers, a burger bar designed to complement the upcoming Ice Breaker in ways both literal and thematic; it’s located nearby the ride (and the Glacier Bar, which just bowed in October) and features light arctic theming, positioning itself as a base camp for snowy explorers (“The terrain may be frozen,” SeaWorld says, “but the food never is!”). This remodel of the former Mango Joe’s allows guests to build their own “ultimate” burgers or grilled chicken sandwiches – or to enjoy artisan pizzas and various beers on tap. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the flagship Altitude Burger, which is a pound of fresh beef topped with bacon, homemade chili, onion rings, and a specialty sauce.

Lakeside Grill – another remodeling, this time of the late Spice Mill – is the second on the list, and it features a fun gimmick: a “one of a kind” 600-gallon aquarium, populated with various species of reef fish and live coral, will sit in the dining room, surrounded by coastal-inspired decor. (Don’t worry – the popular waterfront seating, which provides some nice panoramic views, isn’t going anywhere, but it, too, will get freshened up with the new aesthetic.) The menu, meanwhile, will have a Mediterranean overhaul, brandishing turkey burgers, kabobs, falafel, and hummus. (Note: Lakeside Grill is currently expected to open in late March.)

And bringing up the rear of this trio of refreshed gastronomical destinations is Edy’s Ice Cream Parlor, which is snuggled up in the front of SeaWorld, next to Dolphin Nursery. Fourteen different flavors are on-hand, along with enormous brownie sundaes and “mega-monster” milkshakes that – most promisingly – can have shots of various liqueurs or cordials added into them (if you’re of age, of course).

SeaWorld’s renovated experiences

Rounding out this expanded theme-park lineup is a couple of reimagined or refurbished sections of SeaWorld Orlando which, just like its refreshed introductory area, may not be game-changing elements unto themselves but which, as parts of a greater whole, are certainly noteworthy.

That colorful sliver of the park that has been devoted to Key West, Florida, the southernmost part of the continental United States, has been “completely refreshed,” from its food offerings (Captain Pete’s Island Eats) to its retail locations (Coconut Bay Traders) to, most importantly, its attractions (Dolphin Cove, with its various animal presentations). And the long-lived Shark Encounter has similarly received a reimagining, seeing new flooring, lighting, and interpretive displays being installed – along with all-new habitats that feature the likes of lobsters, lionfish, moray eels, and Caribbean fish. Given the fondness guests have expressed over the years for both of these items, their upkeep and updating will be sure to help crowds while away the time until the bigger heavyhitters (we’re looking at you, Ice Breaker) can arrive.

Can’t wait to try out some of these new experiences for yourself? Get your tickets here, and then be sure to share your excitement with 120,000+ other die-hard vacation planners in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

You can also follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post 3 big changes for SeaWorld Orlando in 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Mar. 8-14, 2021.

1. We’re so excited for Jurassic World VelociCoaster, we just can’t hide it. In fact, we’re doing the opposite – we’re very publicly counting down our most anticipated elements of the new massive attraction, starting with the Jurassic World theming and ending with nighttime rides.

See all our reasons here, and then share your own here.

2. Speaking of VelociCoaster, we were able to snag some amazing views of it this weekend from a newly reopened bridge. Having been closed for a majority of the upcoming attraction’s construction, the pathway connecting Lost Continent to Jurassic Park reopened on Saturday, allowing guests to stand just beneath the coaster as it swoops, flips, and snakes it way around the bypass.

Check out the spectacular sights here, and watch VelociCoaster in action here.

3. Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary later this year is starting to come into even greater focus. First up: this past week, we got word that EPCOT’s newest attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, will debut on the big day itself, October 1 (that’s when Magic Kingdom turns 50 and EPCOT, 39). Even better, arriving alongside it will be La Crêperie de Paris, the new restaurant that’ll serve up crepes, both savory and sweet and both quick- and table-service-style.

We’re expecting to hear more about the 50th gala, which kicks off on October 1 and will last for the next 18 months(!), soon. Until then, check out the pictures of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure here and La Crêperie de Paris here.

4. Next on our Disney World anniversary warm-up: the most iconic icon of them all. Cinderella Castle received the very first piece of its new décor for The World’s Most Magical Celebration this October – it features a royal-blue jewel, gold detailing, “unique” pink finish, and shimmering drapery that’s made out of iridescent (or, as Disney itself likes to put it, “EARidescent”) material.

Feast your eyes on it for yourself here.

5. After several weeks’ delay, we finally have a new opening date for Super Nintendo World over at Universal Studios Japan: the very first theme-park land devoted to Super Mario Bros.’s Mushroom Kingdom will bow on Thursday, March 18. (The postponement from February 4 happened due to a state of COVID-induced emergency being declared in Osaka Prefecture, the region where the park and its new section are located.)

Get the full details here.

6. The good times will keep on rollin’ back here at Universal Studios Florida: Mardi Gras has been extended! Originally, Universal announced festivities that would’ve ended a bit sooner than usual – on Sunday, March 28; now, there’s been a two-week deferment, making the annual event wrap up on Sunday, April 11. (And the company even threw some delicious new food and drink photos our way for the occasion, to boot.)

Read about the development here and get hungry over the pictures here.

7. There’s a big change coming to Walt Disney World later this year – and, no, this time, it doesn’t have anything to do with the resort’s big birthday party. MagicBands, those wearable devices that allow guests to accomplish several theme-park activities, will begin to be phased out; in their place, visitors will be able to simply use their smart phones or watches. The name of the new service is MagicMobile, and it’ll still function as, say, your park ticket or your credit card. (Don’t worry – if you’d still prefer to use your colorful MagicBand, you’ll be more than welcome to do so.)

We actually predicted this very thing would happen last year – find out the reasons why here.

8. And we have one final item for you before we call it a week: a little sneak peek at the brand-new Universal Studios Store that’s currently under construction at CityWalk, which just got the first part of its shiny sign up.

Admire the fun new marquee here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 110,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Disney World’s 50th, Nintendo’s opening date, and MagicBands’ replacement: Your weekly theme-park recap (Mar. 8-14, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The original article follows:

When this year’s Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Orlando Resort was first announced, there were several COVID-19-related modifications that were put front and center: the cutting of concerts, the transmogrification of the parade into stationary floats all over the theme park, the expansion of food and beverage kiosks to include a variety of countries and new locations. But, perhaps, there was one additional item that didn’t get quite as much attention as all the others – the annual event was shortened slightly, ending on Sunday, March 28 as opposed to a date early in April (we’ll call it the difference of about a week).

Well, today, Universal rectified that situation, revealing that Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval will get an extension until well past that usual timeframe, going until Sunday, April 11.

Such a move can only come from a position of success – guests must be enjoying all those new dishes, and the newly expanded Tribute Store (it’s the best one of them all yet!), and the new culinary offerings in both CityWalk and the hotels. That they’ll be enjoying them even longer now is a testament to Universal’s ability to balance the safety needs of the moment with the perennial entertainment and theming desires of the populace.

It also is yet another indicator, in a month that’s already been filled with them, of the company and tourists both starting to look ahead to after the pandemic has mostly subsided; in addition to the longest-ever Mardi Gras, Universal has also revealed that work is starting up again on its newest theme park and, in addition, reconfirmed that its most popular event, Halloween Horror Nights, will, indeed, be happening this fall (which, again, will feature its own biggest-ever run).

Universal’s Mardi Gras 2021 will now last from February 6 to April 11.

What’s been your favorite part of Mardi Gras this year? Compare notes with 120,000+ other Universal fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

Finally, be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Mardi Gras 2021 gets extended by two weeks! appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The irony, of course, is that Universal was, right when the emergency declaration dropped, starting to ramp up the word of mouth for Nintendo World’s grand debut; technical rehearsals began on December 20, 2020, and a small-but-growing number of guests and team members were able to experience it. Even with the grand opening delay, however, Universal still allowed everyone to officially share their thoughts, feelings, and photographs on February 4 – something which we participated in, as well, giving our official reviews of the land’s three main attractions of Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Bowser, Jr.: Shadow Showdown.

But, now, we’ll have a lot more to go on than limited impressions from limited access to the immersive land. With Osaka’s coronavirus numbers having improved dramatically, the prefecture’s state of emergency was lifted early (by nearly a full week, back on March 1), and that, in turn, has caused Universal to announce a brand-new opening day for its version of the Mushroom Kingdom: Thursday, March 18.

At this point, it’s only natural to ask whether this date will be the final one for Universal Studios Japan’s newest addition; this is, after all, the third attempt at a debut, and COVID still continues to rage around the globe. But vaccinations continue to tick upward, including in Japan – healthcare workers are already receiving their injections, and they will be joined by the elderly beginning on April 12 – which means that this newest date is the one likeliest to stick. (All of which isn’t to mention the Tokyo Olympics, which were originally supposed to have been held in the summer of ’20 but which now will run from July 23 to August 8, 2021. Universal always wanted to capitalize on all the attention – and what was supposed to have been the tourism – of that international event, and that plan seems to still [mostly] be in effect now, as well.)

Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios Japan on March 18 (that’s next week!), kicking off the park’s year-long 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Nintendo-themed land in our complete guide, and then be sure to discuss it all with 120,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

You can also follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Super Nintendo World’s new opening date in Japan REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Central Florida theme-park news for the week of Mar. 1-7, 2021.

1. This has, unquestionably, been the week of Universal Orlando news, and it has to start with this exciting announcement: Halloween Horror Nights is coming back this fall! (Yes, Universal may have already announced this last year, but – in this day and age – we don’t take anything for granted.)

The first intellectual-property-based haunted house for 2021 is none other than Beetlejuice, that ghost with the most, who not only has had a very long-lived presence at the resort since its earliest days, but who also made an appearance with his maze during Halloween weekend last year. The experience was such a fun one, we’re happy to see the repeat performance.

We have so much Beetlejuice for you, you’ll be spinning on the sands of Saturn. Read the 2021 announcement here, our full accounting of the character’s history here, and the original, 2020 haunt reveal here. (You can also read our Halloween Horror Nights guide here, which has info about the only other house to be revealed thus far.)

2. What’s even bigger than the return of Horror Nights? The return of construction on Universal Orlando’s newest theme park. Epic Universe was originally announced in August 2019, had its plug temporarily pulled in July 2020 (thanks to COVID-19, of course), and, just this week, has seen the restart of its behind-the-scenes development. It’ll take Universal a few months to get everything back up to full speed, but then it’ll be off to the races, with construction crews working in order to open sometime around 2025.

(The new park, lest you have forgotten over the course of the past half-year, will be home to Florida’s version of Super Nintendo World and, it would seem, several restaurants, shops, and, even, hotels.)

Find the full info in both our write-up here and our Twitter thread here.

3. Given all this excitement, it seemed like a great time to reach out and interact even more with our community. In case you haven’t already heard, Orlando Informer’s owner, Taylor Strickland, recently gave out his phone number to make lots of new texting buddies, and we used the momentous Universal news this week to give away a Mario Kart popcorn bucket from Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World (if you did send him a message, that is). While that particular opportunity is over, we’re pretty sure that crazy Taylor cat has other sly surprises up his sleeve for the future.

Feeling chatty? You can send him a text here.

4. Meanwhile, over at Walt Disney World, Disney had a pretty nifty reveal of its own to make. A newly reimagined room from Polynesian Village Resort debuted, and it’s nothing short of stunning – the colors, designs, and little Easter eggs all hail from the 2016 film Moana, and they work seamlessly with all the new furnishings, fixtures, and details that can be found elsewhere in the luxurious room. You’ll be able to check everything out for yourself beginning in late July.

Peruse the gorgeous photos here.

5. We’re still not all the way through all the theme-park magic that happened this week in Central Florida. To round it out, we’ll need to head back to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where the popular Food & Wine Festival is going on – and where we fell in love with some great new bites and sips. The Lollipop Chicken Drum, the Iron Gwazi Gimlet, and the Drunk Bread Pudding were all to die for, and this doesn’t even begin to mention all the unique entertainment that the event has on-hand.

Run down everything the festival has to offer with us right here (warning: you will get hungry).

If you’re looking to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, you can purchase tickets here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 120,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post HHN IS BACK: Your weekly theme-park recap (Mar. 1-7, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Let’s tackle those two elements in order. The reason why Beetlejuice’s grand return to Universal Studios Florida doesn’t raise eyebrows is because, quite simply, we saw a lot of the long-lived character at the park last year – first as an add-on room to the Tribute Store, and then as a full-fledged haunted house (even if that maze was only up and running for just one weekend). In retrospect, those experiences were something of an appetizer for the main course this fall, and it’s clear, based upon the critical as well as the audience reactions last Halloween, that it will be a welcome feast, indeed.

Now, as for the “exciting” part of the equation, that’s an easy explanation – even though Beetlejuice doesn’t qualify as the very first announcement for Halloween Horror Nights 2021, it does reaffirm that Universal fully intends (at least, at this particular point in time) to continue on with the hallowed event (though, perhaps, with a lot more safety precautions in store than in years past). When coupled with the recent news that Epic Universe, the upcoming fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, has begun construction once again, it’s a clear sign that Universal, specifically – and, perhaps, the themed industry, generally – has begun to look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic to the future.

(It’s also exciting because, quite simply, the ghost with the most has had a notable cultural shelf life, particularly at Universal, ranging from street- and theatrical-shows to walkable meet-‘n-greets to, now, haunts. We have a full accounting of that involved history in our Tribute Store write-up from last year.)

But what, exactly, will 2021’s haunt have in store? Here’s what Universal itself has to say on the matter:

It’s time to turn up the juice and see what shakes loose as the original film comes to life, more twisted and terrifying than ever. Beetlejuice will haunt, taunt, and send you screaming out of the haunted house.

The company goes on to confirm that such classic scenes as the Lost Souls Room, the model graveyard (and Dante’s Inferno!), the haunted dinner party, and Beetlejuice’s wedding will all be visited in the maze – meaning that we’ll more or less be getting the same experience that we received for just that one weekend last year (a fact that the published photos confirm, which you can see for yourself below). It’ll be interesting to see whether any changes will be incorporated, particularly in regard to the health and safety equipment that was erected around and in front of the scareactors.

With the return appearance of one subject from 2020’s trio of haunted-house showings, it’s an easy jump to make that one or both of the others – Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy – will also make a comeback; however, that’s a conclusion that’s just too early to reach thus far. What we can say for sure, though, is that there has already been one other confirmation made for Horror Nights 2021: the original-concept Puppet Theatre: Captive Audience was announced all the way back in October of last year (by way of a behind-the-scenes special that aired on the new streaming service Peacock), which makes Beetlejuice the second revealed entry.

We can’t wait to see what else this grand return to Universal’s crown-jewel annual event will have in store for us (although, in the meantime, you can check out our full review of last year’s two headlining haunts).

Beetlejuice will join Puppet Theatre: Captive Audience at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs for 42 select nights, from Friday, September 3 to Saturday, October 31.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 120,000 other Halloween die-hard fans in our OI Community Facebook group.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando experiences.

The post Beetlejuice announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

UPDATE (8:35 am, 03.03.21): Universal followed Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts’s announcement with a formal press release, stating:

Work on Epic Universe paused in July 2020, as the company adjusted plans in the midst of the pandemic. The restart will begin immediately – but is expected to take several months before reaching full-speed, as Universal re-staffs for the project and reassembles its vendor and contractor teams.

The original article follows below:

On August 1, 2019, Universal officially announced that it was going to build a brand-new theme park on the hundreds of new acres of land that it had spent the previous few years purchasing. That new site was dubbed the south campus (with the pre-existing Universal Orlando Resort sitting on the north, and the only-recently-completed Endless Summer Resort occupying mid-campus), and that new park was named Epic Universe. The timeframe given for this giant new addition’s debut was just as impressive as it was aggressive: 2023.

Then, of course, the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, throwing everything into a giant lurch – what was supposed to bow in ’23 quickly became ’24, and then, not long after, TBA. All of Epic Universe seemed to enter a type of suspended hibernation, with no way of knowing when it might get reanimated.

Except for now, that is.

During a Morgan Stanley investor conference early this morning, Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast, let slip the little nugget that Universal Orlando’s fourth park was lumbering back to life again, even if slowly – the company is going to start construction on Epic Universe once again imminently. Noting that theme parks were the fastest-growing component of NBCUniversal, Roberts stated that he feels there is a “road to the resumption of business” here.

While it’s not much to go on, any word on this exciting new development is good news – something which is doubly true when it’s taken as an even broader indicator of the theme-park industry as a whole. When coupled with the headline from yesterday that President Joe Biden’s administration believes every adult in the country will be able to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine by early in the summer, we can finally begin to think about what life after the pandemic will look like.

(And if you just can’t wait to imagine what Epic Universe’s new rides may look like, as well, we can actually help you out a bit in this regard: Universal Studios Japan’s waiting-to-officially-open Super Nintendo World will be making its way over to Orlando’s new theming digs, and we have already reviewed all three of its attractions.)

Are you excited for the fourth park at Universal Orlando Resort? Can’t wait to ride Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge? Get all hyped with 150,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And then be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Construction resumes on Universal’s Epic Universe appeared first on Orlando Informer.

1. This has, unquestionably, been the week of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. So many developments were dropped on us the past seven days, in fact, that we don’t even know where to begin!

• The last construction wall came down, revealing the beautiful raptor paddock inside the attraction (article and pics, livestream)
• Our first glimpse of the ride testing against all that beautiful theming (pics, video)
• VelociCoaster merchandise arriving at Jurassic Park (article and pics)
• Its entrance flame effects being tested (pics)
• The coaster already appearing on Universal’s single attraction passes (pics)
• Its fancy new attraction sign going up in Islands of Adventure (pics)
• We even got a glimpse of the new garbage cans in the VelociCoaster area (Universal spared no expense) (pics)
• Our livestream look at the coaster and its pretty new sign (video)

2. Another really big news item coming out of Universal Orlando Resort this past week was the announcement of a brand-new “premier shopping experience” arriving soon in CityWalk. The dinning and shopping district’s Universal Studios Store is moving to a new location right next to Voodoo Doughnut, and while we don’t have much concrete info to go by just yet, we can absolutely say that the new shop’s façade is grand and impressive. (We can also say – if the concept art is any indication – that the new venue may sport a dedicated Nintendo section.)

As for the older Universal Studios Store, it’s already being transformed into something of a Tribute Store to Universal Orlando itself, featuring many retro items to buy and vintage props to peruse (such as photos of and memorabilia from the classic attractions Back to the Future: The Ride, Kongfrontation, Jaws, and Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies).

Find more information – and photographs – here.

3. Let’s not forget about Disney! One of the Orlando Informer team’s favorite annual events at the resort, EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival, is right around the corner, and to celebrate the March 3 kick-off, the Mouse House unveiled the complete menus for all of the festival’s various food kitchens.

Dive into the deliciousness here.

4. Here’s something that you didn’t see coming: Merlin Entertainments, the owner and operator of LEGOLAND Florida Resort, announced a brand-new theme park. That the little LEGO corner of the Sunshine State would be getting an expansion, or that the new gate would be dedicated to young children, isn’t the surprising part of the development, though – it’s its chosen theme of Peppa Pig, one of the most popular television series for preschoolers. Expect to find a collection of rides, shows, playgrounds, and water areas (replete with puddles to splash in, of course) once the new park opens in 2022.

See the concept art here.

5. It’s time to check in on Universal’s recently departed. Earlier this month, both Blue Man Group (in CityWalk) and A Day in the Park with Barney (over at Universal Studios Florida) were announced to not be returning (the duo was shut down previously, mostly due to COVID-19) – and, already, the company is erasing their presences from its resort.

You can see what Blue Man currently looks like here and Barney, here.

6. We need to hit up Universal Orlando one last time before we duck out for the week: just yesterday, the resort’s Volcano Bay water park reopened after a nearly-four-month closure! We had a great day soaking up the sun and all the thrills.

See what (re)opening day was like here.

The post Tons of VelociCoaster updates, Universal’s retail evolution, and the Peppa Pig theme park: Your weekly theme-park recap (Feb. 22-28, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

What these stores had in common was that they were all situated close to one another in the CityWalk topography, lining up on the main drag towards the waterfront and then taking a right, stretching out along the way to Voodoo Doughnut and NBC Sports Grill & Brew (and, beyond them, following the path to its ultimate terminus, Universal Studios Florida). And this geography helps to resolve the mystery of their closure and all the subsequent building that has gone on in their place: Universal has today announced, via a series of concept art that is displayed on the area’s construction walls, that all of these formerly separate lots will be combined into one large retail space, which will be home to a brand-new Universal Studios Store.

It’s a revelation that raises a couple of good questions, which we’re now going to tackle, one by one.

What is the Universal Studios Store?

The Universal Studios Store is the flagship retail space in CityWalk, brandishing many a Universal-branded item that, in part, come from the two theme parks of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure; more specifically, you can get Universal Studios apparel and tchotchkes, along with a heaping helping of character-specific merchandise (“take home a bit of movie magic,” as Universal itself is fond of saying).

Although this headlining store was a part of Universal Orlando’s entertainment district long before its 2014 makeover, that renovation really upgraded and modernized its retail experience – now sleek and stylish, with an emphasis on the then-new practice of curvy pathways dotted with enclaves and “story moments,” the Studios Store was ready to proudly welcome all those many guests who arrived for such brand-new additions as The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar and, more especially, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. And its influence can easily be seen elsewhere in the resort in the seven years since its (re)opening – its retail approach has been adopted, and taken to the nth degree, by the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, which has itself influenced the creation of such a retail/narrative space for Mardi Gras and the Holidays.

How will this new Universal Studios Store be different from the previous one?

For starters, this new Universal Studios Store iteration is itself a vast upgrade from its previous, 2014 form – at least, on the outside, which is mostly what we’ve gotten a look at so far. Grand, stylish, and impressive, the new facade promises a similar experience on its interior, where it will presumably carry all of the various merchandise that the old location previously housed (the only direct glimpse offered inside thus far shows a heaping helping of Minions items).

If, however, you’d like a possible hint of what else may be coming, we have you covered: if you look really closely at one of the pieces of concept art currently on display at CityWalk, you can see the rather familiar-looking Super Mario logo, replete with two plumber brothers flanking it. While this is in no way a confirmation – Universal sometimes has the tendency, like other companies in similar situations, to insert placeholder imagery or items in its pre-release artwork – it just may be that a little slice of Nintendo heaven will be coming to Universal Orlando Resort years before the theme-park land arrives at Epic Universe (which would actually kind of mirror what transpired at Universal Studios Japan, as well, which got the Mario Cafe & Store months before the dedicated area first welcomed guests).

We are waiting for further details from Universal, which we’ll hopefully have soon.

What will happen to the old Universal Studios Store at CityWalk?

It would, of course, be logical to assume that the old Universal Studios Store would close down, but, in point of fact, this isn’t happening – the old premises are actually seeing something of an overhaul, making them into a slightly different beast. (It’s unknown whether the shop will see a name change, helping to differentiate it from the new “premier retail experience” at Universal Orlando.)

This old location is currently in the process of becoming a haven of retro items and memorabilia from the resort’s past, stretching all the way back to Universal Studios Florida’s opening day in 1990, when it was a sole theme park surrounded by a giant, open parking lot. In fact, this callback to yesteryear starts with the display windows, which now boast replicas of what the park’s original soundstages used to look like (back when they were supposed to be filled with active film and television productions as opposed to Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses). Surrounding them are various props of crates and lighting equipment, creating a type of balance between historical artifacts and thematic place setting for the mannequins that show off the latest in vintage fashion.

This hybrid motif continues on into the interior, which sees clusters of merchandise embedded within various tableaus – think of it (ironically) as a light version of the Tribute Store, with items for sale that come partially from the 30th anniversary collection that initially hit last summer and partially from the Film Vault store located in Universal Studios Florida’s New York backlot (that is to say, souvenirs inspired by such classic attractions as Back to the Future: The Ride, Jaws, and Ghostbusters Spooktacular). Although still in the middle of its metamorphosis, there are already tons of pictures, both behind-the-scenes and during the opening days, of the now-extinct rides of E.T. Adventure, Kongfrontration, and Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, along with a model of the majestic Enchanted Oak Tavern, which was gutted and refurbished into Harry Potter’s Three Broomsticks a little over a decade ago.

It’ll be interesting to see just how different the former Universal Studios Store will look once this transformation is complete.

Discuss everything CityWalk – and Universal Orlando – with 120,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post CityWalk’s new Universal Studios Store REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The original article follows in its entirety below:

Today has been quite the day for Jurassic World VelociCoaster – first, its last remaining construction walls were taken down, revealing the velociraptor paddock in all of its beautiful glory for the very first time; now, we got the double-whammy surprise of seeing the first themed merchandise arrive, as well.

The slew of items include several shirts ($25-$30), tank tops ($23-$27), hoodies ($55), lanyards ($12) and pouches ($5), mugs ($15), toothpick holders ($9), keychains ($14), magnets ($12), pins ($12-$14), and, even, socks ($17), with designs that range from the titular velociraptors to – our personal favorite – a list of stats that the mammoth roller coaster boasts, such as the various twists and turns that it throws at its passengers along the length of its 4,700-foot track. (Okay, okay – there’s also that infamous “What could go wrong?” tagline, which is not only appropriate to the Jurassic Park and World franchises, specifically, but also to essentially every Universal Orlando attraction ever, generally.) While these aren’t the first pieces of Jurassic World merch to arrive at the resort – that honor, technically, goes all the way back to 2015, when Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville had food tie-ins with the first film’s release – they are the first to bear the VelociCoaster name, and that has us all the more excited.

Even more exciting still is the little blurb that is emblazoned on a select few of the souvenirs: “grand opening 2021.” While, obviously, we’ve known for quite some time that the attraction will be debuting sometime this summer, it nonetheless sent a little thrill down our theme-park-nerd spines to see the words. Here’s to hoping that an announcement of the opening date will be just around the prehistoric corner, whenever, exactly, that may be.

You can find all of these Jurassic World VelociCoaster items at Jurassic Outfitters, the main gift shop of Jurassic Park.

Which piece of VelociCoaster merchandise will you scoop up first? Share your thoughts – and excitement levels – with 120,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Jurassic World VelociCoaster’s merchandise arrives appeared first on Orlando Informer.

But, today, the soon-to-open attraction exploded in our collective consciousness in a whole new way: we got to see the insides of the experience for the very first time.

Let us explain. The whole story behind VelociCoaster, if you need a quick refresher, is that guests will set foot in the fictitious Jurassic World theme park and embark on its newest undertaking, a race with a pack of velociraptors through their paddock. (Don’t worry – much like divers who swim with sharks, there are precautions set in place to protect you from the beautiful-but-deadly creatures.) This raptor paddock has remained hidden from view over the past two years of the coaster’s construction, despite those previously mentioned walls having been taken down, thanks to other, conveniently placed barriers – until just this morning, that is.

The new, complete sight that has just been revealed is, not to put too fine of a point on it, a stunning one. We already knew, of course, that the rockwork in this particular section of the ride was detailed and lifelike, but the extent to which the whole panorama inside of the attraction is immersive is nothing short of unbelievable. Yes, you’ll be shooting through this portion of the track at speeds of up to 70 mph, but that doesn’t take away from the overall effect the landscape will still leave on you – nor does it even take into account the spectacular views that visitors in other parts of Islands of Adventure will be afforded when they stop for a moment and look out across the lagoon. VelociCoaster truly is going to leave quite the dramatic imprint on the park.

With this milestone having been hit, what’s next for the massive roller coaster? While we can’t be fully certain, it looks like most of its construction has been complete on the exterior, leaving behind, perhaps, some interior work – and, of course, even more testing, making sure the trains cycle through the track the requisite number of times (a necessary safety step before the ride is able to be open to the public). If this attraction should follow all of its recent predecessors at Universal Orlando, there’s also the possibility that we’ll see technical rehearsals, when the team members get practice operating VelociCoaster, using those guests who are lucky enough to be in the area during that particular period of time.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster is scheduled to open sometime this summer.

How much more excited are you to ride VelociCoaster after taking in these glorious views? Compare notes – and excitement levels – with 120,000+ other theme-park fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando destinations.

The post Our first FULL look at Jurassic World VelociCoaster appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Neither point, actually, is that much of a surprise. The resort’s 25th anniversary festivities lasted from October 1, 1996 all the way to January 31, 1998, making this fall’s “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” a pretty standard Disney-ized affair. That ‘90s milestone celebration was headlined by a remade Cinderella Castle, seeing the legendary building be converted into a giant pink birthday cake, replete with icing and gum drops; this year’s proceedings – at least, the ones that have been announced thus far – will take a similar approach.

All four icons at all four of the resort’s theme parks will see a celebratory makeover, transforming them into “Beacons of Magic.” Here are the full descriptions straight from the Mouse House itself:

• Magic Kingdom – Cinderella Castle illuminates the park with a dazzling glow that sparkles with pixie dust.
• EPCOT – lights shine from within Spaceship Earth’s reflective panels as stardust emerges to symbolize beacons of possibility and optimism.
• Hollywood Studios – the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel glitters with EARidescence, evoking the glimmer and shimmer of the golden age of imagination and adventure.
• Animal Kingdom – a warm and glorious light emanates from the Tree of Life, as enchanted fireflies gather to call forth the magic of nature.

(Note that Spaceship Earth’s new star-like lighting will continue on past The World’s Most Magical Celebration, making it a permanent addition.)

At this early stage in the announcement roll-out, there were only two further items revealed: Mickey and Minnie will be, of course, donning dapper new looks for the year-and-a-half long party, and that, furthermore, all of these new takes on all of these familiar characters and structures will have the new overarching name of “EARidescent excitement.” Disney is already promising that there will be even more to be filed under this category, though we will have to wait and see what, exactly, these “dazzling decorations” and “magical touches” at the parks will consist of.

What we didn’t receive any update on was the several new attractions that were supposed to have been opening up during this 50th anniversary period. These experiences, however, were unveiled before the COVID-19 pandemic hit; now, we’re not quite certain which projects still have the green light, which are put on hold, and which have been quietly cancelled (though we have some ideas). Time will also tell here, as well.

What do you think of The World’s Most Magical Celebration? Let us – and thousands of other Disney fans – know in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Disney World’s 50th anniversary REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of Feb. 8-14, 2021.

1. Want to try over 45 food and drink offerings from Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval? We did last week, and we rated each and every one of them. What were some of our favorites? The Brigadeiros from Brazil, the Arancini from Italy, and, of course, that Mardi Gras staple, beignets, all received a perfect 10 out of 10 score from our team. (Those were all on the food side of the culinary equation – for the libations, the tropical Coco Loco from Colombia really knocked our socks off.)

You can discover what we thought of nearly every other item available in our massive write-up here. If you prefer to have our thoughts be spoken to you, you can join us discussing all these on this week’s podcast or, even, have ‘em accompanied by images of everything over on YouTube.

2. Come explore the other international food festival that’s going on in Orlando right now with us. In case you missed it, we have our guide to the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts up, and it serves as a rather good primer on what is one of the more fun Walt Disney World Resort annual events, giving the basics of all the performance and gastronomical options.

You can find this nuts-and-bolts breakdown here.

3. Speaking of EPCOT, Disney World’s second theme park was in the news for another reason this week: Leave a Legacy has returned, in a brand-new spot just outside of the front gate – and in a brand-new form, as well, with brightly colored panels lined up alongside one another. The attraction was originally introduced in 1999 (as part of the resort’s Millennium Celebration), had tiles that could be purchased by guests (to have their photos and names etched onto them) until 2007, and then was taken down in 2019, as part of the preparations for EPCOT’s nearly-park-wide facelift.

You can find a pic of the striking-looking new Leave a Legacy here.

4. All of these developments are stimulating, but just in case you need to be even more awake, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This past week, we had one of our writers head out to a number of the coffee houses located throughout Orlando and come up with what he thought were the four best ones. From cozy atmospheres to creative blends to, yes, horror movie tie-ins, the results are nothing short of interesting – and should help to make your next sojourn to the City Beautiful all the more rewarding.

Find our best-of-the-best list here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 110,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Universal’s Mardi Gras deep dive, EPCOT’s returning Leave a Legacy, and Orlando’s best coffee: Your weekly theme-park recap (Feb. 8-14, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s what you need to know in the world of Central Florida theme-park news for the week of Feb. 1-7, 2021.

1. Super Nintendo World may not be open yet – and, in fact, it still doesn’t even have a (new) opening date lined up yet – but we’ve begun posting our thoughts on and impressions of the new theme-park land located at Universal Studios Japan. We already have our (very!) in-depth thoughts up on the three new attractions of Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown; expect to see even more on the immersive area’s various experiences in the coming days and weeks.

You can find our attraction reviews here and some of our photos and videos on Twitter starting here.

2. It’s always hard to say goodbye, but we had to do that twice this week at Universal Orlando. First, on Monday, word arrived that the 14-year-old Blue Man Group production at CityWalk was gone; Universal followed that up three days later with confirmation that the 26-year-old A Day in the Park with Barney, situated over at Universal Studios Florida, was similarly nixed. Neither show had been running for the past several months, thanks in part or in whole to the continuing complications of operating a resort in the midst of a global pandemic.

Say goodbye to Blue Man here and to Barney here; both write-ups contain histories of the attractions, individually, and their respective intellectual properties, more generally.

3. Here’s something to cheer you up, however: Mardi Gras at Universal has officially arrived! Reworked for COVID-19, the food kiosks are no longer clustered in the New York backlot and are now, rather, dispersed all throughout the park – along with parade floats and street performers.

We have tons of content for you to savor: take a tour of the very best Tribute Store yet here, see what’s new gastronomically at the park, the hotels, and CityWalk here, and live vicariously through us as we traverse Universal Studios Florida on the first day of Mardi Gras on Twitter starting here.

4. But that isn’t all that was happening in the world of Universal Orlando news: Volcano Bay’s reopening was announced for Saturday, February 27! The water theme park was initially closed on November 2, 2020 due to the reduced crowds during the coronavirus pandemic (which isn’t to mention the reduced temperatures of the season), and, at the time, Universal promised that it would welcome guests back to the home of the Waturi people by March 1. This latest announcement is, obviously, fully in keeping with that timeframe.

Read all about Volcano Bay’s closure here and celebrate the good news of its reopening here.

5. Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras wasn’t the only party to heat up the winter in Central Florida this week – SeaWorld got in on the celebratory action by kicking off its Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld Orlando, with the Food and Wine Festival over at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay getting announced for February 20. Both annual events feature more culinary options – that includes dishes and tasty drinks, of course – than ever before, and both also will have a steady stream of notable concerts to eat and imbibe to.

Find out what there is to know about the Seven Seas Food Festival here and the Food and Wine Festival here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 110,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post Super Nintendo World arrives in Japan, Universal attractions close in Orlando, and Mardi Gras is here: Your weekly theme-park recap (Feb. 1-7, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

And seeing how this latest iteration builds upon literally every advancement from all the previous showings, it’s easy to see why this has become the case. Four main rooms are filled to the brim with details, music, and food, and each pushes the theming barrier in ways both big and small. Indeed, if the 2021 Mardi Gras Tribute Store isn’t our favorite one since the shops first started appearing at Halloween Horror Nights 2015, then it easily sits towards the very top of that impressive list.

We’ll walk you through why.

Mardi Gras Tribute Store 2021 – the coat check and jazz parlor

Last year’s inaugural Mardi Gras Tribute Store laid down the marker in a big, bold way. A French Quarter jazz parlor was situated in the small entryway; just beyond it were two big additional rooms that were incredibly detailed and oozed all sorts of ambiance, from the beautiful melancholy of the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1-esque cemetery (with its Horror Nights-smelling fog) to the sounds and quiet menace of the bayou. Several guests went inside just to hang out and soak up the atmosphere instead of perusing its “aisles” for commemorative keepsakes, and we have to admit to not blaming them in the slightest. (It was so good, in fact, that it helped cast a long shadow over the first-ever Holiday Tribute Store, which landed just eight months later and which, while adequate in and of itself, couldn’t hold a thematic candle to its predecessor.)

Universal’s second take on the Mardi Gras premise results in a much more expanded, much more detailed form – no light praise and something which we may not have believed was even possible. The four rooms and assortment of baked goods from both Halloween and Christmas 2020 return here, but their contents and presentation are on a whole new level – it makes us not only eager to enjoy the Big Easy for the next two months or so, but also positively giddy to see how the future holidays will try and top even this outing.

The vestibule has been rendered into a 1920s coat check for Bolden Hall, Universal’s fictitious take on a jazz parlor. This room may seem relatively tame in comparison to the art design and production flourishes of everything that follows, but it’s deceptively well executed, and it’s filled to the brim with various little touches and Easter eggs (here’s just one to whet your appetite: Bolden Hall is named after Charles “Buddy” Bolden, one of the fathers of jazz and a New Orleans legend).

The jazz club itself follows in the next room, and while it largely continues its predecessor’s understated tendency, it also expounds upon the number of flourishes that are to be discovered seemingly around every corner. There is a small stage set up off to one side (part of the Bolden Hall Jazz Showcase), with a string bass and a drum set emblazoned with the Tributes logo, and two “dueling” pianos arrayed against opposite walls; above and around them are a collection of various brass instruments, flowers, and exquisite Mardi Gras masks, mostly hanging on the walls. (While this piano set-up may not quite be Pat O’Brien’s-caliber, the creativity and plethora of noteworthy merchandise arranged around them more than compensate for this.) Lively, upbeat music helps keep you buoyant as you glide from one merch stand to another, perusing collections of beads (buy two, get one free!), feather boas, the standard shirts and shot glasses, and light-up pirate masks (which illustrate this year’s new Mardi Gras theme).

But most noteworthy here are a few special items: scented candles that come in such varieties as Moonlit Garden and Voodoo and a customizable-phone-case kiosk (elsewhere in the store, one can also customize his own signs and record labels).

Mardi Gras Tribute Store 2021 – the nautical cemetery

The “flower-filled nautical cemetery,” Universal tells us, is “where many sea captains were laid to rest.” The room really delivers on this premise – it’s awash in eerie blue light and inundated with even creepier sounds of the bayou, of crickets chirping and crows cawing and owls hooting. There are pedestals and, even, angel statues that come straight out of the stereotypical New Orleans graveyard, and the flowers are, indeed, everywhere you look, hanging from the ceiling or climbing along railing. Our favorite thematic touches, however, just may have to be the central gravestone that’s emblazoned with “Garden of sailors lost at sea” in French, and a small mini-cemetery that’s walled off in the corner, populated by even more headstones, beads, purple lighting, and one well-placed Easter egg.

Among the stonework and occasional skull, you’ll discover one of the Instagram walls that have become so popular at the various Tribute Stores over the past year, along with another newfound perennial, a Mold-a-Rama machine, which is this time given over to making customizable wax skulls (for six dollars each). Strewn between them are light-up necklaces and gloves and more pirate-themed goodies, including matching couple’s shirts that read “Her pirate” and “His treasure.”

Mardi Gras Tribute Store 2021 – the waterfront warehouse

Yet again, we step into an almost-completely-different world, and yet again we’re able to admire just how well Universal’s designers have been able to pull off such immersiveness.

This smugglers’ hold, where “all manner […] of treasures and trinkets are stashed,” truly lives up to its name – if there ever was the living embodiment of sensory overload in a static theme-park location, this single room would be it. While there may be too many details and props and sounds to take in after just one pass-through, we are more than willing to point out just two of our favorites: the gold coins spilling out of their container and the wooden crate dangling from the ceiling in a rope net. They’re extremely evocative of the overarching gestalt that’s been created in this space, and one could just as easily name two or three others.

In terms of merch, expect to see phone cases, lanyards, salt-water taffy, and chocolate alligators sitting side-by-side with cutlasses and even more scented candles (this time pirate-themed, of course). And don’t forget the other wax machine, this one serving up pirate ships (though still at $6 a pop).

There is so much to see and explore in the waterfront warehouse, you could easily spend most of your Tribute time in here – if it weren’t for one additional room, that is.

Mardi Gras Tribute Store 2021 – Barataria Bayou

The crown jewel of the 2021 Mardi Gras Tribute Store is, without a doubt, Barataria Bayou, the secret location where Captain Lafitte and his crew transferred their illicit wares to smaller boats to be sent up the river to New Orleans. A giant shipwreck towers over the scene – the legacy of the good captain, if we had to guess – and helps set the mysterious, light-flickering mood for the culinary proceedings. Yes, that’s right – this little village, according to a plaque on the wall, rests “in the mossy shadows of a fallen pirate empire” but still celebrates “Cajun food and music and the many cultures that had to collide to create New Orleans.”

This final room does, indeed, do all that, and more. A food stand by the name of Sweet Treasures offers all sorts of sweet and savory dishes – Moon Pies, Mardi Gras Macarons, Masquerade Cookies, King Cake, and Banana Foster Cheesecake Pop chief among them – while the next-door Bayou Bites serves up the savory treats of the Andouille Puff Pastry with Creole Mustard, Crabmeat Hand Pie, and Spinach & Artichoke Vegetarian Hand Pie.

But the real star of the gastronomical show has to be the next evolution of the Beating Heart Gummy from last year’s Halloween Tribute Store: the Talking Skulls, which can be found at the Pirate Skulls stand. These mixed sour-berry delights are animated pneumatically while resting on their plate behind a glass case; once removed, of course, they become ordinary, stationary (though still delicious) gummies. (This time, Universal has provided a narrative explanation for the occurrence, stating that buying the skulls will release them from their curse – a nice touch and another great example of how much more in-depth this Tribute goes than any of its forebearers.)

There are a few other pieces of merchandise here, such as a Pirate Banana Rum-scented candle and some seemingly exclusive varieties of hot sauce, but we would completely understand if you were too busy already chowing down on your treats to walk right past them.

How blown away are you by the new Mardi Gras Tribute Store? Share your thoughts and impressions with 150,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Mardi Gras 2021: Inside the best Tribute Store yet appeared first on Orlando Informer.

After five-and-a-half years of waiting, we finally got the opportunity to slip inside Super Nintendo World over in Universal Studios Japan, the first manifestation of the global partnership between Universal and Nintendo. Even though the land’s grand opening has officially gotten delayed to an as-yet-unknown date in the (hopefully near) future, technical rehearsals actually started all the way back on December 20, 2020, giving us plenty of time to ride the warp pipe in and explore the fully detailed, fully animated Mushroom Kingdom.

And while there is, indeed, much to take in and absorb in this multi-sensory feast – such as delicious food, interactive activities, and exclusive merchandise – it is, of course, the new area’s three attractions that have most captivated our imaginations and tried our patience. As such, these are precisely the elements that we’re going to dive into right now, walking you through their queues, explaining their ride experiences, and otherwise letting you know what it’s like to walk in Mario’s world.

Now that the media embargo is officially over, you can find each of our in-depth thoughts below:

Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge

The headlining attraction of Super Nintendo World features a detailed queue, an augmented-reality ride experience, and a dedicated gift shop (the only one in the entire land!).

Yoshi’s Adventure

A smaller, simpler attraction, Yoshi’s Adventure is a page right out of the classic dark-ride book, using animated figures to tell small vignettes as you and your family ride around – and through – Super Nintendo World.

Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown

Accessible only to those who (a) purchase a Power Up Band and (b) complete three interactive challenges, this boss battle pits you and several other park-goers against Bowser, Jr. in a virtual experience that will have you ducking, jumping, and swatting your way to victory.

After you work your way through all three attractions, don’t forget to leave your thoughts and impressions with 110,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

(Photo credit to @Bee_my_honeyyy.)

The post Super Nintendo World: Reviewing all three attractions appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Adding to the intrigue factor is the descriptions that Universal has been using to promote the experience. “Players,” it turns out, will need to band together and use their whole bodies to successfully win the boss battle, promising a different kind of attraction than the company’s typical fare, whether that be, say, the newer Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or the classic The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man. All this mystique made us excited to rush into Super Nintendo World, slap on our very own Power Up Band, and dive into the Shadow Showdown ourselves. With the new theme-park land having been in soft openings since December 20, 2020 over in Universal Studios Japan, we’ve had the opportunity to do exactly that, and we’re happy to report back on every step of the process now that the media embargo’s been officially lifted.

(But before we do, you may want to first head on over to read about Bowser, Jr.’s two older, bigger, better-known brothers, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure.)

Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown: Getting to the boss battle

As noted above, before you can gather together with your party of fellow park-goers and engage in the boss encounter, you’ll first need to purchase your Power Up Band (which can be accomplished at any number of merchandise carts located all throughout the land – and, even, right before it, when you transition from Universal Studios Japan proper to Super Star Plaza and the giant green warp pipe behind it). Once the wristband’s been equipped, you need to complete any three of the five Key Challenges that are scattered throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, whether that be out in the open or snuggled within the Underground Level – and then, finally, make your way over to the mini-fortress-looking structure located right next to Bowser’s giant castle (which is the home, of course, of Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge).

In typical theme-park style, there is – naturally – a backstory explanation for this rather involved preamble: Bowser, Jr. has stolen the Golden Mushroom, hidden it away inside his little lair, and then distributed the keys that unlock it to five of his most trustworthy minions (a Goomba, Thwomp, Bomb-omb, Koopa Troopa, and Piranha Plant). Each baddie must be defeated in a different way, whether that be by knocking him out with a turtle shell or by solving a whack-a-mole-style puzzle (you can read all about the various Key Challenges in our complete guide). Although this whole process may sound tedious to some, we found it to be on the rather enjoyable side, and not all that different from engaging in those interactive spellcasting locations over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that we referenced just a moment ago. It also does invoke a sense of accomplishment and the feeling that one is progressing through a Super Mario-esque map – or, in other words, like one is in the middle of a living, breathing videogame.

Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown: The experience

With all the requisite legwork done, you’re now able to line up in front of little Bowser’s hideaway and wait your turn to enter inside.

Once you do, you’ll discover that the entire experience essentially consists of two rooms: a type of mini-queue, complete with a preshow video to explain the ins and outs of Koopa-stomping, and then the area where the battle actually takes place. Both are rather on the simple side, but, then again, both are also effective at the story they tell – and both, needless to say, are fun.

Take the waiting area, which is filled with all manner of Mario miscellanea, from a series of portraits of Junior (showing him with his imposing father or on vacation, being waited on hand and foot [and wing] by the Koopa henchmen) to statues (of 1-up Mushrooms, Mechakoopas, and the flying Koopa Clown Car) to graffiti on the chamber walls (including Goombas and Bullet Bills). This last item is actually a rather nice videogame call-out – the Koopaling often brandishes his Magic Paintbrush in the various titles and spinoffs, whose paint can create enemies or generate portals. (Yes, in another tried-and-true theme-park convention, at least a few of the elements guests encounter here will end up making their way in the awaiting attraction.)

At the end of the queue is a tantalizing glimpse of the Golden Mushroom, displayed on a screen built into the wall – which then doubles as the preshow video, giving attendees instructions on how to do combat once they step into the Super Mario Bros. arena. The experience works like this: when Bowser, Jr. flies overhead in his Clown Car and throws Bomb-ombs at you, you can swat them away using your hands. When Bullet Bills are unleashed upon you, duck to avoid being hit. You also need to jump to hit Question Blocks and, once you get a Fire Flower from them, swing your arms to throw fireballs.

In the room beyond, there is a brief opportunity to practice all these moves in a type of tutorial sequence, where harmless balloons double as the encroaching baddies, and then the Koopaling himself appears, and the boss encounter begins. Each player lines up and gets a certain portion of the larger screen to do battle in, which helps prevent the experience from being too chaotic (of course, it also prevents it from being anything other than a glorified PlayStation Eye or Microsoft Kinect game, but such is balance). At times, Junior creates shadow versions of himself – which is also in keeping with the source material – and sends one to menace each guest; at other times, he appears in his true form and is susceptible to attacks from all involved.

Once enough fireballs have been thrown and Bomb-ombs have been knocked back at him, Bowser, Jr. is defeated, and he blows open a hole in the rock wall behind him – your opportunity to (virtually) emerge back out into Super Nintendo World, jump (as a team) atop Mount Beanpole, and claim the elusive Golden Mushroom. Each player is awarded coins, depending upon how well – or not – she did, and these points not only go towards your overall totals, but they also allow your performance to be ranked against everyone else’s in Shadow Showdown for that day (just like with Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge).

Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown: Is it worth experiencing?

There can be no doubt that Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown is, in the grand scheme of Nintendo things, a smaller attraction, more like an add-on experience rather than a full-fledged ride. In this way, it makes us think once again of the Wizarding World’s interactive wand magic – beyond the certain, precise actions that guests have to perform in order to be successful, the mini-activities are clearly meant to function as additives to your time in the themed lands, acting like something of a cherry atop your experiential sundae. (We also kinda, sorta get some vibes from the classic Screen Test Home Video Adventure from the 1990s or today’s Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio back home at Universal Studios Florida, up-charge services that have you [and your family] posing in front of green screens for some great [or cheesy – or both] photo-ops. It’s a limited comparison, of course, but you get where we’re coming from.)

Put another way, Shadow Showdown will be worth it to some and probably deemed a skip-over for others, particularly if they don’t already feel like investing all the time and money into meeting the prerequisites in order to even access it. For our Mushroom Kingdom coins, it was a fun-but-limited activity, and worth doing at least once, but we have to turn back to the cherry metaphor one more time – it is more of a bite-sized dessert to be enjoyed once you’ve finished your Mario Kart main course (and your Yoshi’s Adventure side-dish).

Do you think Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown will be a hit or a miss for you (no pun intended) once it makes its way over Stateside? Share your thoughts with 110,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

(Photo credit to @Bee_my_honeyyy.)

The post Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown: Our first boss battle appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Well, recently, we got to learn all that we could ever hope to.

The inaugural version of the theme-park land, located at Universal Studios Japan, entered technical rehearsals back on December 20, 2020, which gave us the chance to hop on the mysterious Yoshi’s Adventure for ourselves. And while it is, indeed, that smaller, more laid-back experience that we assumed it was, we can also now say that it is filled to bursting with a certain amount of charm and character – not unlike a classic Nintendo game, come to think of it.

Here’s everything to know about Super Nintendo World’s smaller, gentler ride, from its queue and story to its outdoor portions and multi-colored egg buttons.

(But before we list everything out for you, you may also want to know that we have a similar in-depth piece about Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and the third of the main attractions, Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown.)

Yoshi’s Adventure: The queue

In many ways, the queue of Yoshi’s Adventure sets the stage for the ride experience that follows: it is a simple, straightforward affair, with its rather basic nature wrapped in a quaint, engaging veneer.

Instead of following the newer, more detailed approach to queues that has been employed by such attractions as Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts or, to a lesser extent, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi follows the old-fashioned model, having guests line up in switchbacks across a couple of different (but similar) rooms. But this approach is no less immersive than its brethren – as you wait, you’ll make your way past the rolling hills, fluffy clouds, and cartoony trees that come straight out of the videogame series that started with Yoshi’s Island all the way back in 1995. And just like those games, everything has something of a hand-drawn, 2½D feel, which is very obviously meant to be the star of the show here, as opposed to expansive spaces filled with grandiose touches. (The whole thing actually reminded us a bit of The Cat in the Hat back here in Universal Orlando Resort, if we’re being honest, although there are, obviously, some rather big differences between it and Yoshi’s Adventure.)

And there are still a few key details to be noticed and appreciated in the impressionistic queue, ranging from the clouds that double as the rooms’ lights to the lit berries that hang in the trees to the various objects that hail directly from the source material, such as the iconic Super Mario flowers or the Winged Clouds or – of course – the Yoshi eggs. Additionally, there is a Yoshi Block that will earn you a virtual character stamp or two for your collection in the Universal Studios Japan app (if you have purchased – and equipped – a Power Up Band, that is), and you’ll pass by Toadette’s house in the woods, with the character appearing in her doorway and explaining the journey that you’re about to embark upon.

Yoshi’s Adventure: The ride experience

Yoshi’s Adventure is a lot like a traditional Disney dark ride, with Omnimover-esque vehicles that take passengers through a slow-paced, relaxing experience. (Or, to put it in more traditionally Universal terms, the attraction feels a bit like the vintage E.T. Adventure back at Universal Studios Florida – just minus all of the alien weirdness, naturally).

The ostensible reason for climbing on the back of your very own Yoshi is to find Captain Toad, who had originally invited you on a type of Mushroom Kingdom safari to help him track down the Golden Egg but who has since gone missing (his treasure map can actually be spotted back in the queue, replete with a giant X to mark the spot). In actuality, however, this somewhat threadbare backstory is simply an excuse to leisurely take in a few different classic environments from the various Mario and Yoshi titles, experiencing them up-close and personal for the very first time (as opposed to doing so digitally on a screen). The biggest of these environs is the Mushroom Kingdom – which is to say, Super Nintendo World itself, as a goodly portion of the attraction actually takes place outside, crossing to and fro throughout the land. When this particular part was originally revealed in concept art a few years ago, one wouldn’t be blamed if the immediate conclusion he jumped to was the outdoor sections providing some sense of movement or dynamism to the theme-park area (something which Walt Disney himself was fond of doing with his baby, Disneyland) – but when on Yoshi’s Adventure, one instantly appreciates the views that the elevated track provides for the ride experience itself. It’s actually a rather clever move, rendering the complete land into an elaborate backdrop for just one experience – a script which gets flipped, of course, once you set foot back on the ground and are engrossed in tackling the interactive activities or running to Kinopio’s Café.

Along with the familiar sights also come a few familiar faces – as you progress through the Super Mario vistas, you’ll encounter Mario, Peach, and Yoshi all in baby form, along with Magikoopas, Pokeys, Shy Guys, and a few others that we’ll leave as pleasant surprises. These audio-animatronic figures are simple but colorful, telling little vignettes that once again seem to hail from the yesteryear of theme-park design. Along the way, you’ll also get the chance to slip through another warp pipe (which has another, complementary light effect to the introductory one that doubles as Nintendo World’s entrance), checking off yet another classic item on your videogame list.

Hidden amongst the friendly scenes are three different-colored eggs, which correspond with three different buttons on your ride vehicle. If you manage to press all three in time, you will be rewarded with yet another digital stamp – a small level of interactivity, yes, but also one needed to help flesh out the ride experience, even if it’s just a little bit more. Ultimately, however, the reason for Yoshi’s Adventure’s existence is to get the younger members of your family off their feet for a bit and to have the whole family join them in smiling, and this will be accomplished whether or not you take a Power Up Band along for the ride.

Will you climb aboard Yoshi’s back for this pleasant journey through the Mushroom Kingdom when it arrives here in America? Share your thoughts with 110,000+ other die-hard Universal fanatics in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and rumors at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

(Photo credit to @Bee_my_honeyyy.)

The post Yoshi’s Adventure: Our first time on the ride appeared first on Orlando Informer.