Not necessarily for the amount of thrilling attractions that this park has offer (if you know anything about this park, you’ll get that), but for the immersive experience that this entire park provides to you as a guest. My only issue with visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom more frequently would have to be the Florida weather.

Because a majority of this park and its attractions are located outdoors, I usually spend a good part of the day sweating in the Florida heat with my camera bag on my back. It can really take a toll on the amount of energy that I have in a day. Because of this, I prefer to visit Animal Kingdom towards its closing time. Not only does the temperature begin to settle down a bit, but because I prefer to take empty park photos anyway. I feel as though my trip out to this park is well worth the couple of hours spent walking around and snapping away.

Additionally, there seems to be a peace that comes over this entire park as guests begin to exit. Couple the emptiness of a theme park devoted to wildlife with the sounds of Disney’s incredible soundtrack for this park, and you get a wonderful chance to live in the moment and enjoy what you have been given. All this while you grab some photos of a spectacularly detailed theme park!

1. Lighting the Tree of Life

One privilege that a friend and I were given a couple of months ago was the chance to photograph the Tree of Life while it cycled through its many lighting schemes.

2. Avatar

Whether or not these colors are specifically meant for Avatar is unimportant, one thing is for sure: this lighting scheme makes the Tree of Life look beautiful.

3. Animal Kingdom’s hub

Granted, I walk this way whenever I am leaving Animal Kingdom. However I have never taken the time to look around and enjoy this angle that is not often admired inside of the park.

4. Dinoland U.S.A

Though I am not a fan of Dinoland U.S.A, it still holds one of my favorite rides inside of the park: Dinosaur.

5. Thank you for Visiting

And as you walk underneath this sign, you ask yourself, “Where to next?”

6. Moon over the Trees

I could not have asked for better placement of the moon when I set up to take this photo. Unfortunately, I was escorted away from this section of the park shortly after snapping this photo.

7. Connecting Asia and Discovery Island

The bridge that runs between Asia and Discovery Island has to be my favorite bridge out of the four to photograph in the entire park. The masonry work is incredible to me.

8. Leaving Disney’s Animal Kingdom

After a good night of shooting inside of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I like to close out with a photo of the ticket booths right outside of the gates to the park. These have to be the most detailed ticket booths out of all four Walt Disney World theme park ticket booths.

What is your favorite photo of Disney’s Animal Kingdom featured here? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 8 Unique Photos of an Empty Animal Kingdom at Night appeared first on Orlando Informer.

I was two years old at the time (or so I’ve been told) and I was headed down Main Street, towards Cinderella castle in a stroller. I do not remember much else from that day, only that the tram at the Transportation and Ticket Center startled me from my beauty sleep after a long day at the park. However, that is not nearly as exciting as laying eyes on the castle for the very first time. I am reminiscing on this memory of mine because for many individuals that visit the park from out of town, they get to experience that unforgettable moment of laying eyes on Cinderella castle for the first time at a more mature age.

For frequent park goers such as myself, I struggle to remember any sort of physical or emotional feeling that I experienced from that little stroller at two years old. If anything, I remember how hot it was, and how tired I felt. And yet, at twenty years old, I may now lay eyes upon this one-of-a-kind castle two to three times a week! Granted, I will never know what it’s like to have that “first time” feeling that many others are able to experience every day, but for me, I have a special privilege and a unique opportunity to see something that takes me back to my two-year-old self. I never take that for granted. In fact, a part of my mission when snapping photos of this castle is not to capture something in a photo that nobody else has ever seen before, but rather, to capture those “first time” feelings that many individuals may have felt upon first laying eyes on Cinderella Castle. Thereby taking that individual back to the parks and reliving a special moment/memory in their mind.

1. Right up Main Street (U.S.A.)

In this photo, I was really looking to capture the scope of Main Street U.S.A., especially in regards to the distance from the beginning of the street to Cinderella Castle.

2. A Close-up

I took this photo as I headed towards the exit of the Magic Kingdom with some of my good friends. Shortly after snapping this, the lights along Main Street U.S.A. were shut off. If only I had grabbed a photo of that!

3. Partners

I can only imagine what Walt would think of his Florida project if he could see it now.

4. Between the Arch

Shortly after the expansion of the Castle hub came to a close, I shot this photo from underneath the right turret. It provided me with some unique framing.

5. Merry Christmas

I really do enjoy the icicle lights that are hung from Cinderella Castle during the holiday season. Sometimes I wish that they were a year round addition, but then I wonder, “Would I appreciate them as much as I do now that they are a seasonal feature to the Magic Kingdom?”

6. The Backside of Royalty

Unfortunately, about half of the of the castle (primarily the backside) now lies bare during the holiday season, as opposed to a couple of years ago, when the entire castle was lit with icicle lights.

What is your favorite angle of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 6 beautiful photos of Cinderella Castle at Disney World appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Orlando Informer’s Owner & Editor, Taylor Strickland, also attended the InstaMeet and shared some of his favorite shots last month. This month, I wanted to share some of my favorites and focus in on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter specifically.

Upon arrival to our event, the skies were looking less than ideal. As we checked in just before the arches that in front of Universal Studios Florida, black clouds filled the sky and thunder rolled all around us. I was praying that the rain just held off for a few more hours and allowed us to take some photos. Though, the closer it got to our starting time, the closer and louder the thunder storms seemed to get.

Sure enough, right as this Instagram event was set to kick off, the skies opened up. I would say that it rained for a solid thirty minutes without end, but luckily for us, Florida thunderstorms tend to come and go. So was the case with this storm, allowing all of those in attendance that night ample time to capture many photos inside of the empty parks.

The main topic for this instagram event was foliage, in keeping with the Earth Day theme. However, I found myself spending the majority of my time in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. What can I say? These two lands inside of Universal Orlando Resort are incredible to me, and deserve all of the lens time that they can get!

1. Hogwarts after the Storm

As the rain subsided, many of us made our way over to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade to get some photos of the castle with darker clouds setting behind it.

2. The Desk of Dumbledore

Here is a closer look at Professor Albus Dumbledore’s desk. This desk is a part of the queue inside of Hogwarts Castle for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

3. Watching over Hogwarts

Oh, what this scarecrow must see and hear as young Wizards and Witches come and go from Hogwarts.

4. Hogsmeade under a blue light

As night began to fall over Hogsmeade, the blue hour lit its streets, allowing for a blue cast to appear over this section of the Wizarding World as we left and headed for Diagon Alley.

5. London

Usually I am so busy rushing to the next photo inside of Diagon Alley that I forget to photograph what is on the outside of it. Luckily, plenty of time was given to us this evening. This allowed for me to capture the beauty of London.

6. The Classic

No matter how many times I stay after hours inside of Diagon Alley, I must grab a photo similar to the one seen here, showing off the view as I approach Gringotts Bank.

7. Looking in the Opposite Direction

This is a photo of Diagon Alley that I had never had the opportunity to capture until this Instagram meetup occurred. During normal park hours, security usually sweeps me to the end of this street, allowing me only one empty view, seen in my previous photo.

8. The side of the Dragon

Again, this angle is usually a struggle to photograph with an empty street during normal park hours due to security. (Understandable. They are simply doing their job.) Lucky for us, we were given a good forty-five minutes inside of Diagon Alley, allowing for some unique photos of Gringotts and Diagon Alley as a whole.

9. Hard at Work

Another privilege that we were given inside of Gringotts was the green-light to photograph the queue. Here we see one of the goblins near the start of the queue reviewing what looks to be some important numbers.

Overall, Universal’s InstaMeet was a success and I hope to see more in the future! If you haven’t already, make sure to hop over to our other article and see 9 more extraordinary pictures from Universal’s InstaMeet. Follow Orlando Informer and OrlandoBrothas on Instagram to see even more pictures from the UO InstaMeet in the coming months.

We’ve shown you around the Wizarding World after hours and shared with you some of our favorite photo locations during this Instagram meetup, now it’s time to plan your own trip to see these lands in-person. You can visit our Diagon Alley  and Hogsmeade vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com.

Which is your favorite picture inside of the Wizarding World? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 9 remarkable photos of the Wizarding World after hours appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Of all of the themed lands inside of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, my absolute favorite section to shoot is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. The detail is simply stunning throughout this section of the park, whether it be in the architecture, the different shops, or Escape from Gringotts queue itself. But perhaps what is most impressive to me about this section of the Wizarding World is just how well they sectioned off Diagon Alley from the rest of Universal Studios Florida.

When approaching Diagon Alley, you notice a waterfront façade of London, complete with King’s Cross Station and the Knight Bus. The detail on the façade alone is impressive to me, but upon stepping foot inside of Diagon Alley the outside world ceases to exist, just as if you are stepping foot inside of movie set. You see the dragon perched high atop Gringotts Bank as well as the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes’ store, among other shops. Additionally, Knockturn Alley, home to ‘Borgin and Burkes’ and various interactive wand locations, sits tucked away next to the Leaky Cauldron.

The entire land is photo-ready, and really provides for a dramatic look when the sun sets and the lights inside of this world flicker on. Here are a few of my favorite locations to photograph at night inside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.

1. The Knight Bus

It is hard to miss the knight bus upon approaching the London façade. Complete with a bus driver and a talking head, this bus constantly has a meet-and-greet line to the left of this photo.

2. Elf at the Exit

Next time you are making your way out of Diagon Alley, look for this elf standing guard over the exit for Diagon Alley, in between Sugarplum’s and the Owl post. He is a little hidden detail inside of this Wizarding World.

3. Blacksmith Tools

Inside of the Bowman E. Wright interactive Blacksmith Shop sits various bits of armor and tools. Though they are scattered throughout the shop beyond a gate, the detail is still enjoyable to admire. I notice something new every time I stop by this building!

4. Architectural Details

I cannot help but admire the Architectural detail that went into the various buildings inside of Diagon Alley. Whether it be the Hopping Pot or the Leaky Cauldron, the attention to detail once again, is stunning.

5. Carkitt Market

Carkitt Market clears rather quickly at night, allowing for plenty of empty night shots without muggles wondering about. Then again, there are two located in this photo; can you spot them?

6. Interactive Corner of Knockturn Alley

This section of Knockturn Alley provides two interactive wand locations both at ‘Tackleshanks Locksmith’ and ‘Arione Spinners pet shop.’ Warning: watch out for a surprise.

7. The Second Section of Knockturn

Fun fact: Knockturn Alley was based off of the word “nocturnally” meaning ‘at night,’ hinting to its dark nature. The more you know!

8. Leaving Diagon Alley

This is always the last shot that I grab upon exiting Diagon Alley. Looking right down the Wizarding World’s main street as you head toward the exit is the only way that I will walk out of the Wizarding World after closing time.

We’ve shown you around Diagon Alley and shared with you some of our favorite photo locations inside of this Wizarding World, now it’s time to plan your own trip to see this land in-person. You can visit our Diagon Alley vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting Travel.OrlandoInformer.com.

What’s your favorite picture of Diagon Alley? Sound off in the comments below.

The post 8 breathtaking pictures of Diagon Alley at night appeared first on Orlando Informer.

This is the island that taught me all about the comic strips and the cartoon shows of yesterday, including: Popeye the Sailorman, Beetle Bailey, and Heathcliff just to name a few. They were all great shows (particularly Popeye the Sailorman) and I fell in love with their characters as easily as I did with my generation’s cartoons. Fast forward to 2016 and as I’ve grown a bit, I have come to appreciate the detail inside of Toon Lagoon and its references to the older shows/comic strips that I used to take for granted.

From the colors on the buildings to the water flowing all around you, this has easily become one of my favorite lands to photograph. There are lights everywhere and moving objects located above, below, behind, and on both your left and right side. All these factors make it a challenge to photograph once the sun begins to set and the shutter speed begins to get slower and slower.

Still, who doesn’t enjoy a good challenge? So I set out to photograph this section of the park with a couple of very good friends to keep me company. Here are my results:

1. Ripsaw Falls

Water everywhere equals a ton of fun with long exposure photography. I simply love the smoky look that is achieved when water is shot for an extended period of time.

2. Mt. Rushmore

Well, it isn’t quite Mt. Rushmore, but this looks like a great group of individuals that deserved to have their heads molded into the side of an attraction.

3. Gasoline Alley

This is a great, little store that sells anything from beach towels to license plates. Don’t worry, they’re fake plates, of course.

4. Popeye’s Pose

Granted, Popeye seems to be stuck in a rather uncomfortable position and facing away from his attraction, but as you are about to see from the next photo he doesn’t have a bad view of Toon Lagoon.

5. Right Down Main Street

I severely doubt that Popeye ever gets tired of this view inside of Toon Lagoon. Just remember, he’s always watching.

6. A Blue Toon Lagoon

This is probably the hardest photo to get during the blue hour inside of Toon Lagoon because of the amount of people walking up and down this street at a time, but with some patience, you can really get a good look at the detail that went into this Island.

7. Boop Oop a Doop

What else can you say about Betty Boop other than the fact that she is a timeless cartoon character with two stores inside of Universal Orlando Resort?

We’ve shown you some empty photos of Toon Lagoon that you may have never seen before, now it’s time to plan your own trip to Universal Orlando Resort to see this section of the park after the sun begins to set in person. You can visit our Toon Lagoon vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com.

Which is your favorite photo of Toon Lagoon? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 7 empty photos of Toon Lagoon after the sun sets appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Granted, I was only fourteen at the time. I had never read the Harry Potter series or seen the movies, but I knew that this area of the park was something special. The detail of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts was just incredible; something that I had not seen at a Universal theme park yet. From the music to the stores, this section of the park just amazed me! In fact, to this day, this is still one of my favorite lands inside of Islands of Adventure.

I have spent multiple hours inside of this land trying to gather as many photos as possible with my DSLR, whether it be during the day or at night. Here are just a few of my favorite photos that I have taken at night from inside of the Wizarding World  of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.

1. All Aboard!

The Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade station.

A recent addition to the Wizarding World is an actual Hogwarts Express, introduced back in the summer of 2014 with the opening of Diagon Alley and King’s Cross Station. This allows guests to easily transfer between the two worlds without walking park-to-park. You’ll even find air conditioning and comfortable seats once boarding the Hogwarts Express!

Remember, you’ll need a park-to-park ticket in order to experience The Hogwarts Express during your visit.

2. Hogsmeade’s Main Hub

Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

We all know this specific location inside of Hogsmeade all too well. To the left, you have Dragon Challenge and its lockers. To the right is The Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes, and restrooms. I even hear Moaning Myrtle may visit these restrooms from time to time.

3. This way to Hogwarts

Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Finding the nearest wizard, I asked, “Excuse me, sir. Where may I find Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?”

“Ah yes, just ‘round the corner, past the Owl Post and Ollivanders. Just look for the big castle!”

4. Approaching Hogwarts

Hogwarts Castle at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

This is my favorite view of Hogwarts. The overwhelming view of the castle as you approach Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey reminds you that you are inside of the Wizarding World, a place unlike any other.

5. Standing Guard

Hogwarts Castle at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

I mean, technically wizards are on staff to guard the entrance to Hogwarts after hours. However if there were to be a problem, I’m sure these flying pigs could handle themselves pretty well.

6. Moon Over Hogwarts

Hogwarts Castle at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

I know that many people have taken this shot of the castle, so I added my own twist and made sure that I got as much of a burst from the moon as possible. While it’s no sun burst, a moon burst is always something different!

We’ve shown you some empty, nighttime photos of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that you may have never seen before, now it’s time to plan your own trip to Universal Orlando Resort to see this section of the park at night and in person. You can visit our Hogsmeade vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com.

Which is your favorite picture of the Wizarding World? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 6 photos of an empty Wizarding World at night appeared first on Orlando Informer.

In fact, just about every land (excluding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) has a direct viewing point over the water that is easily accessible for guests during any time of the day. Not only do these viewing areas provide beautiful views of each land at Islands of Adventure, but they also provide an escape away from the crazy crowds on some of the busier days of the year. To showcase some of the beautiful views and reflections that the lands and the water give off at night, here are nine of my favorite photos around Islands.

1. The call to Adventure

Taken from the front of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center back in December of 2015. The sky was just right and the Islands of Adventure Lighthouse was shining bright!

2. Hulk Smashed

At the moment, this is the current vision of the Incredible Hulk from across the water at Jurassic Park. It will be interesting to look back at this photo in the summer and see just how far Universal has come with this attraction.

3. Seuss Landing, Port of Entry, Marvel Superhero Island, and Toon Lagoon

Personally, I love being able to capture multiple islands in one photo. It really shows off the diversity of this theme park. To others, it can be a bit of an overwhelming view and I completely understand!

4. A Sunset for the Superheroes

One benefit of shooting over water at night is catching the reflections of both the land and the sunset. Here, Florida was blessed with a crazy color palette in the sky.

5. Multiple Landings

Again, there are quite a few lands in this photo. In the distance you can see the S.S. Olive Oyl and Jurassic Park River Adventure. Plus, a familiar green ride is just off to the left; can you see it?

6. The Old Hulk

I know that there were many reasons it was time for Hulk to be refurbished and reconstructed with brand new elements, but man do I miss the roar of this beast when wandering Islands of Adventure!

7. Hogsmeade

Aside from Hogwarts being visible above the Jurassic Park tree-line and from Marvel Superhero Island (seen here), The Wizarding World is pretty much tucked away from the water around Islands of Adventure.

8. Views from Superhero Island

Marvel Superhero Island provides a great view of Hogwarts Castle above the Jurassic Park jungle. Oh, and Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, and Lost Continent don’t look too bad either!

9. The Discovery Center

This view of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center from the Port of Entry has to be my favorite scene in all of Islands of Adventure. Then again, I am a Jurassic Park fan!

We’ve taken you on a tour around the lagoon centerpiece of Islands of Adventure. Now it’s time to plan your own trip to Universal Orlando Resort to see these beautiful views and all of the nighttime colors of the lands in person. Check out the over 200 pages of Universal Planning information Universal planning information or let Orlando Informer Travel help plan and book your vacation by calling visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com or calling (844) ORL-INFO.

What was your favorite photo of Islands of Adventure around the water? Let us know in the comments below.

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Can you remember the first time that you ever witnessed one of Walt Disney World’s magical fireworks displays in person? Did you not cry when you first heard the soundtrack to ‘Wishes’ while watching each and every firework explode into the night sky?

Maybe that second question is only a yes from me, but despite how many times I have seen ‘Wishes’ or ‘Illuminations’ inside of the parks in my lifetime I simply cannot get enough of each and every show. In fact, fireworks are what inspired me to purchase my first DSLR camera back in February of 2015! I was dying to capture some of that Disney magic that was shot into the night sky with my own camera.

I purchased a Nikon D5300, borrowed a Velbon tripod from the 1970s, did as much research as I could on firework photography, and ventured into the parks to practice. Thinking that I knew exactly where I wanted to shoot first, I headed for the Partner’s Statue in front of the Magic Kingdom for some nine o’clock Wishes, and claimed my spot at six o’clock. At first everything was alright, with everybody standing around me, we all seemed to have a mutual understanding that I would be shooting the fireworks and that they would stay out of the way. Well, that all changed as soon as the Main Street Electrical Parade began.

Phones went up, people started standing on that ledge around the statue, and well, the rest is history; three hours of my life were wasted, and I was crushed. However, it didn’t end at the Magic Kingdom. At EPCOT, I tried shooting ‘Illuminations’ near a railing in between the Mexico and Norway pavilion, and though I did get a spot up front, people would not stop bumping into my tripod and ruining my long exposures.

As for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I chose to shoot some Frozen Fireworks from the front of the park, near ‘The Crossroads’ building for my first time. Surprisingly, the crowds were not bad at all. However, the fireworks were obscured by some of the buildings, blocking the full view of the show that I was hoping for at the time.

It was a very frustrating process trying to locate photographable areas of the parks where people would not affect my photos, but I have finally mapped out some of my favorite spots around the parks, and I am here to pass on some of my these viewing locations to all of you!

1. TTC Ferry Dock

Fireworks at TTC Ferry Dock

Many people do not think to look outside of the theme parks to view Wishes, and I totally understand. It definitely takes away from the magic of the show. With that said, there are virtually no crowds at the Transportation and Ticket Center ferry dock, and the music is still audible via speakers located around the TTC.

2. The Liberty Belle

Fireworks at The Liberty Belle

There is a bridge that runs along the water, separating Tom Sawyer’s Island from land, that is less traveled as ‘Wishes’ begin. This location gives you a great foreground and a great view of the higher fireworks. However, you do miss the lower fireworks that fire off around Cinderella Castle.

3. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

Fireworks at Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

Directly out front of ‘Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid’ is a great view of the higher flying fireworks from the ‘Wishes’ fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. Once again, you do not see the fireworks launched around the castle, but it is crowd-free!

4. Main Street Station

Fireworks at Main Street Station

This is a great location to view both the Main Street Electrical Parade and the Wishes Fireworks from, but this location comes with a price. Starting three hours in advance people begin to camp out, holding their spot for the fireworks that they may never see again. This is a great location because you have a higher view and are not necessarily disturbed by the Main Street crowds. Though, it does get a little crazy right before the fireworks begin, it definitely beats the ground crowds!

5. Frozen Topiaries

Fireworks at Frozen Topiaries

It just seemed right to view the Frozen Fireworks in front of the Anna and Elsa topiaries at the time, and with a majority of the crowds inside of the park, this location was virtually empty. The music was still audible, there were no crowds, and I was a few feet from the tram stop back to my car; it doesn’t get better than that!

6. Star Wars from Inside the Osborne Lights

Star Wars from Inside the Osborne Lights

I’m not sure if this was allowed at any other point throughout the Osborne Lights’ final year, but for the last two days of this light display, people were allowed to stand, view, and photograph the ‘Symphony in the Stars’ fireworks show on the Streets of America. This was taken on the final night of the display, along with every other Disney photographer on the planet where the San Diego section intersects with the New York section.

7. Symphony in the Stars across the Water

Symphony in the Stars across the Water

For this location, I had to travel down the path that connects Disney’s Boardwalk to Hollywood Studios. Just before we reached the overpass for guests on Buena Vista Drive, we turned around, stopped, and enjoyed this display with no guests around us. Though the music wasn’t as audible as it would’ve been if we were inside of the parks, you could still make out the music in each scene.

8. Illuminations from the Yacht club

Illuminations fireworks from the Yacht club

Located at Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Yacht Club and its lighthouse offer the perfect view of Illuminations inside of EPCOT. You do miss the fire barge scene, the globe in the lagoon, and the lower fireworks display, but the music is audible, and the crowds cease to exist from this area.

9. Illuminations from the Second Floor of Japan

Illuminations fireworks from the Second Floor of Japan

Right outside of ‘Teppan Edo’ on the second floor of the Japan pavilion is a balcony that overlooks the pavilion and the lagoon. From here, you set yourself away from the crowds around the railings of the lagoon, while still being able to see every scene of Illuminations at an elevated location.

What is your favorite location to view Disney fireworks from? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 9 epic locations to view Disney fireworks appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Seeing real life dinosaurs wander around sections of a park would be absolutely incredible, and probably something that I would visit multiple times just for photos. I know: that is not a good idea, but in theory, it seems to be crazy enough that it might work! Alas, no such island exists at the moment, but the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure seems to satisfy my photographic needs at the moment. With so many colors going on throughout Jurassic Park at night, I cannot help but share with you all some of my favorite nighttime shots throughout this “island.”

1. Front side of the Discovery Center

One of my favorite locations to escape the crowds would have to be the front side of the Discovery Center. You have a great view of the park and the Discovery Center sign (as mentioned above), as well as a moment of peace and quiet.

2. Empty Pathway

This is a path less traveled during non-peak times in the park, due to its dead end at the water. However, you do get a great view of the Discovery Center and Islands of Adventure should you decide to explore this empty pathway.

3. Discovery Center and The Burger Digs

At night, the Discovery Center may close its doors to guests, but its lights remain on, casting a beautiful glow in the shadows of Jurassic Park.

4. Entrance to the Raptor Encounter

I only have one question for all of you veterans of Islands of Adventure: Who remembers the old triceratops encounter that used to be stationed at this location of Jurassic Park?

5. Fire at Camp Jurassic

Aside from the colors cast throughout Camp Jurassic during the night, my favorite thing about this section of Jurassic Park is hands-down the fire surrounding the playground.

6. A full Moon over River Adventure

What’s a visit to Jurassic Park without a full moon over the Raptor Containment Area? And with the clouds, colors, and waterfall to the right, it really did make for the perfect night.

We’ve taken you on a journey through Jurassic Park at night, now it’s time to plan your own trip to Universal Orlando Resort to see this section of the park, and all of its colors, in person. You can visit our Jurassic Park vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal Planning information Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com.

Which is your favorite picture of the Jurassic Park at night? Let us know in the comments below.

Want more? Check out the rest of Trevor’s articles on Orlando Informer here.

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My favorite location for decorations this year? I would definitely have to go with the New York section of Universal Studios, next to the Blues Brothers stage, a side street that was lit to perfection. Scroll down to see my favorite section of the parks this year, as well as how other sections of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure were decorated for this holiday season!

1. New York at Night

This was my favorite section of the parks this year, and I believe that it was due to the snowflakes on either sides of the street. I know that they hang there every year, but this was my first time actually capturing this street empty and lit at night.

2. Oh, Christmas Tree!

This Christmas tree is set to rival the one at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Although it may not be as big as its “clone,” it’s definitely a sight-to-see!

3. Garland in Seuss’ Landing

If there’s one thing that Islands of Adventure, in particular Seuss Landing, is not lacking in Christmas decorations, it is Christmas garland. Everywhere that you look, garland can be seen hanging in this section of the park, whether it be on attraction signs or light poles.

4. Holiday Parade Meet-and-Greet

Here are a few of the many faces that you may see during the Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios Florida.

5. Gift Shop at Marvel Superhero Island

Just about every gift shop in the parks has Christmas decorations of some sort in their store. Here, we see Thor next to a couple of Christmas trees at the entrance to this shop.

6. Grover

One thing that I love about Universal Studios Florida during the holidays is the many inflatable characters scattered throughout the different sections of the park. For instance, this year Grover is located down the street from Transformers the Ride: 3D.

7. A Christmas tree and Popcorn

Because what’s better some popcorn and a Christmas tree under the stars?

8. Hogsmeade Décor

Even the Wizarding World is getting into the spirit of the Holidays this year. Sure, they only have a bit of garland here and there, and a wreath of some sort on every shop door, but it’s still better than years past. Besides, there somehow always seems to be snow in the roof!

9. Christmas in Hollywood

Of all of the days to get to the theme parks early for Hollywood photos, it rains! Luckily, I was able to grab this photo in just before the storm started, showcasing a bit of decoration hanging from a building, as well as the Santa hats placed on top of the light poles.

10. Seuss’ Landing from Mythos

This side of the entrance to Seuss Landing may not be AS decorated as the side from the Port of Entry, but it definitely lets you know what time of the year it is when entering this land.

11. Macy’s Holiday Parade

The Holidays would not be complete at Universal Studios without Macy’s Holiday Parade. Who doesn’t love a giant turkey float?

We’ve taken you on a tour of the Holidays at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, now it’s time to plan your own trip to Universal Orlando Resort to see the parks in person. You can visit our Holiday vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal Planning information Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com.

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1. Heading Towards the Entrance

Arriving inside of the parks earlier than most people means some time to grab this quiet moment that is nearly impossible to capture during the day.

2. Sunrise on the Arch

Catching that little bit of sun on the top of this arch was something that I had been wanting to do for a long time, especially with no people underneath.

3. Stationary Hogwarts Express

Yes, I know; this train doesn’t move, but there are always people waiting in line to get a photo with the conductor. That still means that a photo like this, with nobody in frame, is quite the challenge during the day.

4. Golden Tops of Hogsmeade Village

This has to be my favorite photo from that morning inside of Hogsmeade. Witnessing the sun just kissing the tops of the village, and being able to catch a clear, empty shot inside of this section of the park made this entire visit worth it, for me!

5. Bridge to the Wizarding World

Entering from the bridge that connects Jurassic Park to Hogsmeade may not be as impressive when looking straight ahead, but there is plenty of castle to see just to the left of where this photo was taken from.

6. Hogwarts at Sunrise

At this point, the sun was making its way over the horizon, and not providing much color on whatever could be hit by its rays, but once again, seeing nobody in front of the castle was a treat in itself.

We’ve shown you some photos of the WWoHP that you may have never seen before, now it’s time to plan your own trip to Universal Orlando Resort to see this section of the park in person. You can visit our Hogsmeade vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal Planning information Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting travel.orlandoinformer.com.

Which is your favorite picture of the Wizarding World? Let us know in the comments below.

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In this group of photos, I will show you 9 different angles at which I have photographed this dragon that you may not have yet seen before. Some pictures do involve fire, while others simply involve capturing the beauty of this dragon at a time when she is in a more relaxed state.

1. Atop of the throne

I have to admit, I am a bit jealous of the Gringotts Dragon protecting the Bank. Her view of Diagon Alley must be incredible from the top of this building.

2. Attracting a Crowd

Anytime the Gringotts Dragon decides to breathe its fire, a crowd seems to gather and admire her in action.

3. Emphasis on the Fire

Most photos are a bust when it comes to a cloudy sky. In this case, the clouds seem to add the perfect mood to an already angry-looking dragon, showing off her fire-breathing.

4. Breathing Fire During the Blue Hour

 As the sun sets and night approaches, low shots inside of the alley with people around becomes no problem. It not only adds a sense of reality to the photo, but it additionally shows that even with lower crowd numbers, this dragon draws quite the glance with her fire.

5. In Range of Ollivanders

I’m sure that, if need be, the dragon could singe anybody attempting to steal a wand from Ollivander’s. (Not that wand theft is common inside of Diagon Alley.)

6. Midday Crowds

It may get crowded inside of Diagon Alley, but even so, this dragon stands watch over the bank that she loves most.

7. Underneath the Flames

Looking up from underneath the dragon really gives you a different perspective of her, especially during one of her “fire-breathing episodes.” (Warning: Things may get a little heated.)

8. Surrounding Architecture

The Buildings surrounding the dragon really provide for some great drama in any photo involving the her. They truly set the mood of a photo, with their dark shadows and odd colors.

9. A Look at the Details

Upon closer inspection of the dragon, I can definitely say that she looks like she has seen some action in her day. Those cuts and scars say a lot about her time and experience at Gringotts.

We’ve shown you every angle of the Gringotts Dragon, now it’s time to plan your own trip to see her in-person. You can visit our Diagon Alley vacation planning pages or check out the other over 200 pages of Universal planning information!

If you don’t have the time to plan every detail yourself, Orlando Informer Travel can help! They can assist you with your trips to Universal, Disney, and more. Best of all, their services are free to you. Seriously. To get in touch, simply call (844) ORL-INFO or email them, or learn more by visiting Travel.OrlandoInformer.com.

What’s your favorite picture of the dragon? Sound off in the comments below.

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