Frozen Ever After, now open at the Norway pavilion in Epcot, is not a bad attraction. It is bland, pointless, safe, and completely forgettable. It is completely mediocre, and for me that is the most disappointing thing of all.

Why talk about it then? Well, I want to start a discussion about Frozen Ever After, but also about attractions in general. So read the piece, and then find me in the parks (or on social media) and let’s talk. If you think I’m totally off base, convince me. Seriously, all I want to do is love this attraction. I want my mind changed. Let’s talk.

Norway and the Royal Sommerhus

Before I even get to the attraction building I need to talk about the Norway pavilion. I’m not opposed to Frozen going into Epcot, or even the World Showcase for that matter, but there should be some delineation of what is what. The Royal Sommerhus, Anna and Elsa’s new meet-n-greet digs, is the most vaguely located thing ever. Is it in Norway? Is it in Arendelle? I have no idea, and I haven’t been able to get a solid answer out of any of the Cast Members I ask, including the one who was standing right outside the entrance itself. I realize it’s a small thing, but solid world building is one of the things that Disney is king at, and when your biggest new franchise doesn’t get that treatment all I see is red flags.

The queue

Speaking of Arendelle, the queue for Frozen Ever After makes it abundantly clear you’ve crossed borders the moment you step under the marquee and inside the building of the attraction. The first sign you see is for the royal ice master and deliverer of Arendelle, otherwise known as our pal Kristoff. So we’re in the kingdom of Arendelle and I didn’t even have to go through customs. I’m all about that.

The rest of the queue looks like a town square in kingdom where the queen can declare a snow day in the middle of summer. It’s pretty, but there’s nothing going on, which for 21st century attraction design is weird. In the last few years Disney has been adding interactive games and elements to its queues. These active queues range from smartphone knockoff games (Journey of the Little Mermaid, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, old Soarin’) to interactive world building (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, The Haunted Mansion) to full-blown playgrounds (Dumbo, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh). These experience help to alleviate the pains of long waits and stop people from whipping their smartphones out and reconnecting with the real world.

When Disney decides to bring the one franchise people haven’t stopped clamoring for to a ride system with a notoriously low 1000 riders per hour average you would think the company would craft some really cool experiences to help set the stage for the boat ride to come. You would think that, and you would be wrong.

There is one piece of active storytelling in the queue. It consists of Oaken occasionally drawing lines in the steamy window of the sauna in his new location inside the kingdom proper. He draws some lines, brings his head to the glass, and sings some songs from the film that he had nothing to do with in a cross between a reluctant dad and Weird Al Yankovic.

That’s all the active you get. The rest of the queue is a passive switchback in the outdoor plaza of Arendelle with no way for people to pass the time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more bored, unaccompanied children sitting on the barrels lining the queue than I did with Frozen.

So the queue isn’t particularly great, but it’s not like they had much time, right? And who cares about the experience in the queue anyway? Wrong and wrong.

For one thing, the transition from Maelstrom to Frozen Ever After took 20 months. That’s almost two years. E-tickets get built in that time. Lands get built in that time. Whole water parks get built in that time. That’s a lot of time.

As for the second point, I think that the queue is the next great bastion for theme parks. There’s no better way to start your story off right then with a queue that helps to tell the first act for your tale. It’s something Universal has been bullish with since Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and something Disney seemed to be dipping its toes into doing before this attraction opened. For whatever reason (*cough* FastPass+ *cough*) Disney has backed off from this and the result is a sea of people glued down to their phones and tablets completely ignoring the carefully crafted world around them. It’s a real shame, because if you look at the queue, they have some cute gags and do some really cool things with forced perspective. But enough about the queue. Let’s get to the main attraction, shall we?

The ride

I’m going to get this out of the way first: the animatronics for Frozen Ever After, when they work, are some of the most impressive things Disney has ever done stateside. The humans (and trolls) use a near-perfected version of the rear-projected faces that the dwarves on the mine train attraction had. Sven and Olaf are more traditional animatronics with rear-projected eyes (think Sebastian in the Little Mermaid attraction before they cut all of them in the Florida version), but stopping there with Olaf shorts what they did with him.

In his three appearances on the ride, Olaf walks around, ice skates, and tap dances, which is an incredible achievement in itself. His mouth also articulates his words which is one of those small, amazing things that once you notice you’ll never unsee, and every animatronic that doesn’t do that looks terrible in comparison.

These figures are true engineering marvels, and every time I’ve seen Olaf walk to my boat my heart melts. They’re also pretty inconsistent. This is one of those problems that’ll be ironed out soon, but for a twenty month downtime I expect my ride-throughs to be perfect, especially when there are as few animatronics as there are in the attraction and I have yet to have one in my three ride-throughs, which is disappointing.

On the topic of few animatronic, each scene except for the finale only has one or two figures in it. This weird spacing makes these scenes feel barren and simple. These figures are always on one side of the boat, which means looking anywhere else is either met with a black or dark blue wall (sometimes with a projection of some snow or ice). Where the old dark rides tried to impress you with storytelling or spectacle, Frozen Ever After doesn’t.

Speaking of storytelling, Frozen Ever After’s is a bit… muddled. The basics of the story is that to honor the act of true love that Anna performed in sacrificing herself to save her sister, Queen Elsa has declared today a Summer Snow Day and you’re invited to take part in the festivities in Arendelle. Except that’s not what happens. The attraction is actually you getting on a boat, leaving Arendelle and going to Queen Elsa’s ice palace (because on this day of celebration she took herself, her sister, her sister’s boyfriend, and their magical snowman on the day she made to celebrate them to a place outside her kingdom to hide from the all the plebeians celebrating her, duh) only to be sent away from the ice palace (as she decides to build a new wing from the path you just took away from her) and back down to Arendelle where they launch some fireworks. You end with the sisters (in new outfits, of course) and Olaf singing about Summer, because the whole ride took place in summer, didn’t you remember?

Got all of that? If you did that was better than me the first time I went on it. But a weak story has never stopped a Disney dark ride from being great (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion), and besides, Disney seems to think that the reason people like the movie is entirely based on the music anyway (at least that’s the lesson I’ve learned from the Frozen Sing Along) so the ride is full of the music you love.

Except it isn’t. Other than Let It Go, all of the songs in the ride (and there are three others) are rewritten and rerecorded versions of the classics you probably sung in the queue out of boredom. On top of that the songs (once again outside of Let It Go) are taken entirely out of context of when they were sung in the film, and therefore lose any actual meaning they had.

The expectations game

The last thing I want to touch on is the idea of expectations. You may think mine are too high, but I think my expectations are exactly the expectations that most Guests will have when they come to Walt Disney World for their once-in-a-lifetime vacation. When a normal Guest goes through Frozen Ever After, they won’t be thinking about how complex the animatronics are and how they did such a good job making them forget that the space they’re currently cruising through used to have some vikings and scary trolls in it. They’re going to wait in a line that has no entertainment for their children, forcing them to kill battery on their other electronic devices to keep them entertained to go on a five minute experience that makes no sense and they could only barely sing along with.

That sounds miserable. Worse, it sounds like a sure-fire way to erode your fanbase. And if we as the passionate fans continue to allow Walt Disney World to get away with these shenanigans sooner rather than later we’ll be the only ones left.

Blogs everywhere in their Frozen Ever After reviews are calling the attraction the future of Disney dark rides. I hope not, because if the future of Disney attractions is all tech and no substance then Imagineering has truly lost their way.

Frozen Ever After is a mediocre attraction that you will probably wait hours for and ride (I know because I have), and that’s a damn shame. You deserve better.

What did you think about Frozen Ever After? What do you think the future of dark rides should look like? Seriously, let’s talk.

The post Frozen Ever After: you deserve better appeared first on Orlando Informer.

What’s old is new again, or vice versa

With this new area comes a new parking garage. The new Lime Garage exits to this sparkling fountain, welcoming you to the Town Center. Behind this piece is everyone’s favorite sports apparel store, Under Armour, and next to that is the soon-to-open UNIQLO (think Japanese H&M). Zara is down the path as well with other higher end concepts like Alex and Ani, Kate Spade, Kipling, and L’Occitane en Provence taking up residence in Town Square. And those names are just the tip of the iceberg on what Town Square has to offer.

You can feel all the influences from classic Florida architecture in each crevice of Town Center. It feels both high-class, and homey at the same time. Disney has clearly taken the idea of a quaint town in Florida to heart, and created a place I want to spend all my free time at. With Town Center, window shopping seems like a much better way to spend my time now.

Location, location, location

If you’re wondering where this whole Town Center concept geographically fits in to the rest of Disney Springs, allow me to shed some light on that for you. Town Center runs almost entirely parallel to the Landing area of Disney Springs, and connects to the Marketplace and West Side areas as well. So no matter which way you’re coming from, you should eventually be able to find your way over to Town Center.

Also moving over to Town Square is the new Guest Relations building. Whether you have a bad experience you need to share, or a glowing story you can’t stop talking about the new Guest Relations is the place to go. Located in what looks like an old stable, this new Guest Relations uses a virtual queue instead of one you’ll have to stand in, so while you wait to be helped you can pull up a chair and relax in the glory of air conditioning.

Spring into some good eats

Shopping isn’t the only thing going on around Town Center. There’s also new dining around Disney Springs featuring some delectable burgers and desserts to die for.

D-LUXE Burger is Disney’s answer to fast-casual burger restaurants like Burger-Fi and (my personal kryptonite) Shake Shack. With giant, juicy patties with all kinds of fixings to french fries that take three days to prepare, this place is not to miss. The burgers are insanely good and the decor is homey and quaint; this is the place to be for all your Disney burger needs.

Amorette’s Patisserie is Disney’s new in-house specialty bakery. Focusing on hand-crafted cakes and pastries, this little shop right by World of Disney is sure to enchant the senses in every way. Featuring a finishing kitchen inside, you can actually see the pastry chefs put the finishing touches on the delectable treats you’ll soon be eating!

Disney Springs is also home to the Orlando area’s first Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery and ATM. I personally cannot wait to make my first withdrawal from that ATM!

Disney Springs rejuvenated

It’s no secret that Disney has had its fair share of troubles with the Downtown Disney area. From the initial closure of Pleasure Island so many years ago to the concepts and rebrands that have been proposed for the area time and time again (Hyperion Warf, anyone?), there was a time that Disney Springs felt like more of the same we’d heard before. But seeing the area now, so close to completion has truly made me a believer.

Town Center is the jewel pin that holds the entire Disney Springs concept together. It is impeccably themed and will soon be wonderfully stocked with some fantastic retail. It’s not just an outdoor mall, it’s an experience that can only be found here in Central Florida. Disney Springs feels classic, it feels high-end, but most importantly, it feels Disney. I can’t wait to go back.

What do you think about Town Center and Disney Springs as a whole? Let us know in the comments below!

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Magic Kingdom

Space Mountain

It is only appropriate to start this list with the ride that started the thrills at Walt Disney World: Space Mountain. Located inside Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, this indoor roller coaster is beloved by virtually all Disney fans.  The ride takes guests on a treacherous voyage into space, quickly turning new galaxy explorers up and down and back and forth on an unknown path.  The blackness of the cosmos is broken up only by the lights of comets and distant shooting stars.

Space Mountain may lack some of the dazzling theming we find at newer attractions such as Expedition Everest.  Yet, it is a coaster that successfully lands itself as both classic and futuristic–and that’s quite an accomplishment when you think about it.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Admittedly this attraction, located inside Frontierland, is designed to appeal to younger kids with a little bit of courage.  Nevertheless, it is a part-indoor-part-outdoor roller coaster that makes up for its straightforward approach with engaging themes and a happy-go-lucky ride experience.

Legend says that Big Thunder Mountain was over-mined by settlers digging for gold, and nature responded with a flood that drove everyone from the area.  The runaway mining trains now operate mysteriously on their own, and we have an opportunity to get on board.  What do we have to lose?

Epcot

Test Track

Test Track, found inside Epcot’s Future World, has always perplexed me.  On paper, what is the appeal?  Wait for 20 to 60 minutes to ride in a car?  Didn’t we just get out of a car in the parking lot?

So I am perplexed.  How can a seemingly dead-on-arrival ride concept be so much fun?  Because it is. Even though I can stick my head out of the window any time I want, there is a electrifying thrill when the ride vehicle shoots through the power test rings and zooms outside and around the track.

So while the concept of the ride may be a bit odd, it is impossible to deny the thrill factor of hitting the open road in the middle of Epcot. Plus, I always get a high score.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

From start to finish Tower of Terror is an extraordinary experience.  It looms over Hollywood Studios, seen from your approach on West Buena Vista Drive, daring you to learn what devilish tales lie behind those elevator doors.

The climb up the walking path and into the Hollywood Hotel presents impeccable set design and attention to detail.  The storyline, authentic to its namesake, creates eeriness without too much camp.  Even the queue through the hotel’s basement, a simple staging area to board the ride vehicles, is convincingly decrepit and creepy.

Of course the ride itself is like nothing else in Orlando.  The consistent chorus of screams echoing from the hotel’s tower are evidence of that!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Did you know that Steven Tyler is a gracious fellow who offers backstage passes to thousands of Central Florida visitors each day? Its true.

You just have to visit G-Force Records at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to get the invite.  And as long as you’re not completely grossed out by two adults licking their thumbs and rubbing them together, the backstage passes are easy to get.  Just enter Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, the single most thrilling ride at Walt Disney World.

Get your pass, get in your stretch limo, and prepare to be launched from 0 to 60 miles an hour in 2.8 seconds.

As superb as this attraction is from strictly a “thrill ride” perspective, it is also tremendously entertaining.  Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster excels by combining the glitz of the Hollywood rock star lifestyle with a timeless old school soundtrack.

Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest

Around 200 people have died trying to scale the actual Mount Everest, the highest point on planet Earth.  If that isn’t enough to let you know that this is a serious ride, than I don’t know what is.  Even so, we’re not here just to summit some silly mountain; we are looking for the legendary Yeti.

The adventure begins as we wind our way through a museum dedicated to proving the existence of the mythical creature and an outfitters office and supply shop.  A train is our mode of transportation for the first leg of the journey, and eager explorers load in two by two.

What follows is a fun ride, perhaps a bit short on electrifying thrills, but with enough tricks to keep us engaged and trying to guess at what’s next.

When you combine the extremely impressive theming throughout the attraction with the innovative ride experience, Expedition Everest does a good job selling its services to thrill ride fans. Plus, who doesn’t love that dance party with the yeti at the end?

Did we miss your favorite thrilling attraction? Let us know in the comments!

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1. Disney’s Animal Kingdom awakens at night

Starting this Memorial Day weekend, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut their new nighttime offerings to guests, along with very extended park hours (11:00 PM!). From the celebrations on the street with the Harambe Wildlife Parti and the Discovery Island Carnivale, the park should feel even more alive than it already does during the day.

The Tree of Life will also awaken at night with a special projection show that makes it appear that the animal spirits carved into the tree come to life with the help of magical fireflies. There are multiple scenes that will be shown all evening long that will enchant and educate guests of all ages about the fascinating creatures we share our planet with.

Animal Kingdom’s attractions will also take on new life at night. There’s already nothing like riding Expedition Everest when the sun goes down, but Kilimanjaro Safaris will also begin running late into the night with a fantastic effect that brings the magic of sunset to the savannah at any time after dark. Added to the safari are new hyena and painted dog areas that should provide a bit of thrill and mystery to the whole affair.

Disney is also opening their new signature restaurant at Animal Kingdom this Memorial Day weekend. Called Tiffins, the restaurant will focus on globe-trotting cuisine and a wine list that focuses on sustainability, organic wines, and bio-dynamic viticulture. I personally can’t wait to try the scrumptious looking Berber-spiced lamb chop with mustard greens, lentil stew and mint chutney.

Finally, even though Rivers of Light isn’t quite ready to make a debut at the park, a new show based on Disney’s new hit film, The Jungle Book. Not much is known about The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, but we do know it will be shown at the new space on the Discovery River where Rivers of Light will eventually end up.

2. Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire to premiere in June

Not just content to announce things for one park, Disney also revealed that their new show at the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire will premiere in June. Located in front of Cinderella Castle at the Forecourt Stage, this show will include appearances from some of everyone’s favorite characters from The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen.

This new show should be a welcome bit of energy for the Magic Kingdom and will inject the front of the park with some cool bayou vibes. I can’t wait to see what Mickey and his troupe of merry makers have in store for us!

3. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular debuts in June

Also in June, prepare for Disney’s newest Star Wars adventure as Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular makes its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This new nightly show features fantastic pyrotechnics, stunning special effects, and projection technology that will make you feel like you’re truly inside the Star Wars universe. What a great way to get us ready for the Star Wars expansion coming soon.

4. Finding Dory characters to join Turtle Talk with Crush this May

Early May, some of Dory’s new friends from Finding Dory will make their way over to Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot for some fun times with the human tank. Joining Crush will be Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the seven-legged octopus, or septopus. Also coming along will be Crush’s son Squirt. Nemo and his dad Marlin may also make a few appearances to. This is a great way to breathe some fresh life into an attraction that’s a hoot for everyone. Totally.

5. Soarin’ Around the World takes off June 17

Disney has also let it be known that fan favorite attraction Soarin’ will be reopening with a new film and a third theater in Epcot on June 17. Now known as Soarin’ Around the World, you’ll be taken to some of the wonders of the world like the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Harbor in Australia, and even Switzerland’s Matterhorn!

Disney also announced that the interactive queue experience for Soarin’ in Epcot has also been upgraded. Fastpass+ selections for Soarin’ Around the World are available now, so go get ’em!

6. Frozen Ever After to open in June

Finally, also coming over to Epcot in June is Disney’s newest attraction, Frozen Ever After. Taking the space of the beloved Maelstrom in the Norway pavilion, Frozen Ever After takes place after the events of the hit film.

Once on your boat, you will be taken through the kingdom of Arendelle to join in on the Winter in Summer Celebration, where Queen Elsa uses her icy powers to bring some relief to what would normally be the hottest day of the year. You’ll visit places like Troll Valley, Queen Elsa’s Ice Palace, and finally return to the Bay of Arendelle.

After the attraction, you’ll also be able to meet the royal sisters Anna and Elsa at their new Royal Sommerhus. This new area was inspired by the Norwegian countryside cabins the Imagineers stayed in to research the attraction.

This summer sure is busy for the entire Walt Disney World Resort. With new experiences at all four parks, Disney seems to be firing at all cylinders.

What do you think about all of Disney’s announcements? Sound off in the comments below!

The post Disney awakens with six massive announcements appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The show is a great way to quickly introduce newcomers to the series to some of the fan-favorite characters Star Wars has created throughout the years. It lasts about 15 minutes and plays multiple times a day on the stage in front of the Great Movie Ride’s Chinese Theater.

The other new Star Wars experience is Captain Phasma’s Stormtrooper March, and it really helps bring The Force Awakens to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in a tangible way. If you’ve ever wanted to join the First Order, there is no better recruiting tool.

The march starts from the Star Wars Launch Bay, where Captain Phasma and her army of Stormtroopers begin their march, heading all the way to the new stage where A Galaxy Far, Far Away plays. Once at the stage, the Stormtroopers form a line on the ground floor while Phasma makes her way to the stage proper, and begins her recruitment.

The show includes a few close calls with Stormtroopers, and it ends with a bang. If you like Star Wars, Phasma’s march is not to be missed. Phasma and her Stormtroopers march regularly throughout the day, usually on the hour mark, and this display of the First Order’s power doesn’t last more than about 10 minutes.

With all these new experiences opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s only getting me more excited for their new fireworks show, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, opening later this summer. We’ll have more information on that show as we get closer to its opening, but I’m preparing to have my mind blown.

Until then, check out some pictures from this week’s new shows below, and may the force be with you!

Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away & Captain Phasma’s Stormtrooper March – HD Photo Gallery

What do you think about these new shows? Let us know in the comments below!

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But is this mish-mash of concepts any good? Your intrepid reporter visited the club to answer this question for you to answer this question.

The Front of the Welcome Packet for Club Villain

In a word, yes. Club Villain is an experience like no other anywhere on Disney property, and it all starts the moment you check-in.

After making my way past the gate that leads into the private courtyard for Sunset Showcase, I arrived at a simple podium that beared the Club Villain logo. After checking in with the hostess out front, I went to go thank her by using the name on her nametag. That’s when I noticed: her nametag wasn’t the typical Walt Disney World nametag we’ve all seen countless times everywhere else at the resort. This nametag was a simple black tag with the Club Villain logo and a strange-sounding name. (I would later learn all the tags have names from the bayou. Apparently the Shadow Man likes to create jobs for his hometown folk.) Immediately I felt like Disney wanted to get me out of the pixie dust mindset and slip into something a little more… sinister. That idea was immediately reinforced when I received our welcome packet.

Inside this was our menu for the evening and signatures from Doctor Facilier and the four guests of honor. On the back was my table assignment and our assigned times to meet Cruella de Vil, the Queen of Hearts, the Evil Queen, and Maleficent herself. After checking in, some of the waitstaff came around with flutes of champagne for anyone who wished to indulge.

After some light drinking and waiting, we were let into the Sunset Showcase about 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the event. Once inside, you are surrounded by a massive amount of delicious food, two bars, a stage with a great DJ spinning some pretty great tracks, and a giant dance floor with a mirror poisoned apple hung above. In every corner was a special area set up for the four evils, each with their own themed space including an elaborate throne. Somehow this massive space felt intimate, electric, and very cool.

The Mirror Ball and Stage for Club Villain

So, with a few minutes to spare before the festivities officially kicked off, my friends and I did what any normal person would do: find our table, put our stuff down, and rush to take pictures of us sitting in all of the thrones. We had a blast going from throne to throne, having these spaces almost all to ourselves (everyone else was in line to get either their food or drinks), and essentially doing mini photo shoots in them.

I’m particularly proud of my time spent in Cruella’s swanky pad. Now, the villainous divas won’t always be by their thrones during the night, so if you want to get some of these pictures for yourself you can also get them during the event proper, but we found with all the eating and dancing and actually taking pictures with these villains, we were really glad to have gotten a few minutes before everything wound up to go around doing this when we did.

Me lounging on Cruella de Vil’s Sofa

Just as we had finished our little jaunt around the club, the main festivities were about to start. We get introduced to Kanzo, an entertainer like no other, and then the Shadow Man himself arrives to bring in the other villains. After an incredible number, the villains take their place on their thrones, and guests are free to go and grab some more food and drink, and at their appointed time go meet the divas themselves.

Kanzo at Club Villain

And when I say diva, I mean it. These women seem to have been given almost free reign to be as deliciously evil in their interactions. Cruella is obsessed, the Evil Queen is a masterclass in passive-aggressiveness, Maleficent is regal and cold, and the Queen of Hearts takes crazy to a whole new level. Each interaction feels so unique and intimate and special, and each villain had a completely different conversation with every member of my group (and there were five of us, so that’s saying something). These women know they’re the star of the show, and they put on a hell of a performance.

The Queen of Hearts Posing with a Guest

Even though these mistresses of mayhem may be the main draw of the evening, Kanzo absolutely steals the show. The quality of vocals is Broadway-caliber and his charisma is electrifying. Once he starts performing, you can’t take your eyes off of him, and his numbers will have you speechless. Honestly, my biggest negative of the night was not seeing Kanzo out mingling with guests after his performances. I really wanted a picture with him.

As for the food, if you like New Orleans style chow, you’re gonna love what Club Villain has to offer. From scrumptious sticky pig wings to a bourbon bread pudding “beignet” that can only be described as sinful, the food here is absolutely top notch, and worth going back for seconds, and thirds, and maybe even more. That doesn’t even begin to take into account the desserts, where each evil has a table set by their area with two themed desserts each. They also each have their own specialty alcoholic beverage that can be acquired at the bar closest to them.

On top of all of this, between the numbers by Kanzo and Doctor Facilier, the DJ is spinning some great tracks to dance to. I’d love to tell you how much fun I had hitting that dance floor, but my group honestly didn’t have time to dance with everything else there was to do. Maybe if the club was open just a bit longer, we could have found the time.

Overall, Club Villain was an amazing time that I can’t stop talking about, and that means I would wholeheartedly recommend it, but only for adults. The price is $130 per person no matter how small you are, and the content as a whole is presented in an incredibly adult fashion, and is probably the closest Disney has come to PG-13 in the parks since Alien Encounter all those years ago. Kids will have fun meeting the villains, but the younger they are, the less likely they’re going to enjoy the event for what it is.

Over 21, though? Run to the Sunset Showcase as fast as you can, you won’t regret it.

Club Disney is currently scheduled through select dates through Summer 2016 and reservations can be made online and through the phone through Disney’s reservation network.

Disney’s Club Villain – HD Photo Gallery

Are you planning to experience Club Villain? Comment below.

The post Disney puts the D in Diva with Club Villain appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Once we arrived at the site of the event we were immediately handed construction helmets and placed around a wooden box.  Finally, the moment we were all gathered for. After a brief introduction, the crate was lifted, and the car was revealed.

Mako construction hard hats at SeaWorld.

Mako ride vehicle reveal at SeaWorld.

After SeaWorld did such a great job with Manta’s cars I didn’t know how they could do any better, but I think they absolutely knocked this car out of the park. The nose of the vehicle looks aerodynamically sleek and it oozes attitude and charisma. The two-toned purple and blue color scheme really pops, and the details of the shark’s eyes and gills instantly sets a great expectation for the wild ride to follow.

Mako at SeaWorld ride vehicle.

Technically, Mako’s ride vehicle includes a custom fiberglass lead car, state of the art magnetic brakes, and ninety six individual polyurethane wheels that help to reduce friction and craft a smooth, speedy ride. Each of the three trains includes seven cars per train with four riders per row. The train also includes a single lap bar for safety, letting the upper body experience almost total freedom  to really feel the air time and g-forces of this coaster.

Mako at SeaWorld ride vehicle

Mike Denninger, Vice President of Theme Park Development for SeaWorld Parks, is especially excited about the “relentless air-time” Mako will dish out to guests. The SeaWorld team believes this coaster will overdeliver on height and speed as well, especially here in Orlando where Mako will truly shine.

SeaWorld’s Mike Denninger with Mako ride vehicle

The SeaWorld team is also incredibly excited to integrate the Shark Encounter experience with Mako as well. By aweing guests with the power and speed of Mako, the park hopes that their guests will also learn more about the real-life sharks that will surround the rest of the Mako Reef area.

Mako will start providing SeaWorld Orlando’s guests great non-stop thrills later this year, and I personally can’t wait to experience this chomper of a ride.

Learn more about Mako.

SeaWorld’s Mako ride vehicle reveal – HD Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0bjJ9n-eIs

SeaWorld’s Mako ride vehicle reveal – HD photo gallery

Are you excited for Mako? Let us know in the comments below.

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