Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: March 24 – 30, 2014
OI Universal Center updates Greetings, vacation planners! Prepare to UPGRADE YOUR ADVENTURE to Universal Orlando with our Weekly Dispatch. This is a summary of all … Read more
Reader poll: FastPass+ versus Express Pass
We talked about FastPass+ last week, running the gamut of guest feedback from the good to the bad to plain old meh. Now it’s time … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 28, 2014: Sharpening our thoughts on Diagon Alley’s opening, first glimpses of King Kong & Jurassic World, Universal’s water park
Let’s figure out Diagon Alley’s opening date, shall we? A new source has dropped off an owl to us here at Orlando Informer, and the … Read more
THE BIG 5: Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s top five attractions & amenities
The first phase of Cabana Bay Beach Resort opens next Monday, and to celebrate, we’re throwing a party, BIG 5-style! Read what gets us the … Read more
Delving into the Sea of Surprises: Celebrating SeaWorld’s 50th anniversary with unexpected fun & style
The lighthouse has been repainted and the Sky Tower has been redecorated for SeaWorld’s Sea of Surprises celebration of its 50th birthday. Terry Prather, president … Read more
Embassy Suites Orlando South on I-Drive: Vacation the way it should be
At the Embassy Suites Orlando, you’ll find a friendly staff; spacious, clean rooms; and some really wonderful amenities. These are the things that all add … Read more
Accessible fun for all ages: Enjoying Universal Orlando with my grandparents
Universal Orlando prides itself in being a family-orientated theme park for all ages. You see their dedication to this mission by hosting attractions and shows … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: March 16 – 23, 2014
OI Universal Center updates Greetings, vacation planners! Prepare to UPGRADE YOUR ADVENTURE to Universal Orlando with our Weekly Dispatch. This is a summary of all … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 22, 2014: Disney’s FastPass+ controversy – the good, the bad & the indifferent
Rumor FastPass+ round-up All four of Walt Disney World’s theme parks have been switched over to the new FastPass+ ride reservation system for the past … Read more
Celebrate Mardi Gras like you mean it: Our favorite ways to party before the parade & headlining concert
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is definitely the most kicking “Nawlins” party outside of Bourbon Street. No doubt you’ve heard all about the big parade … Read more
We predict the four biggest complaints about Diagon Alley
As we get closer and closer to the grand opening, and as Universal continues to reveal more and more of the new land’s contents, we … Read more
Outdoor kitchens at the 2014 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Try the returning dishes and all the new flavors
The big news for this year’s Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot is the return of the delightful food and beverage booths, which are now … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Guest’s visit ruined by poor planning – how it could have easily been prevented
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
SeaWorld trip report – March 2014 (Sea of Surprises construction, Pets Ahoy, restaurant reviews, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls & Just for Kids Festival)
As we arrived at SeaWorld this past weekend, we could tell they had done a lot of renovations for the 50th anniversary celebration that starts … Read more
Reader poll: How long will you wait for your first rides at Diagon Alley?
This week saw a flurry of activity thanks to Universal’s latest announcement regarding the Hogwarts Express – first-ever details on its queue and ride experience, … Read more
Rumor SPOTLIGHT for March 14, 2014: Hogwarts Express ride details reveal the world’s most authentic theme park attraction
At the beginning of this week, Universal teased that it was going to be sharing some new details today about the Hogwarts Express train ride … Read more
THE BIG 5: Five more of our favorite Orlando “hot spots” for drinks & dinner
A while back, I highlighted my top five favorite hot spots on I-Drive, and I enjoyed sharing those exciting places so much that I decided … Read more
A guide to loyalty programs at Universal Orlando: Earn free meals, movies & hotel amenities
One of the advantages that Universal Orlando has over Walt Disney World is the number of establishments on property that are popular national and worldwide … Read more
Epcot trip report – March 2014 (more FastPass+ benefits & problems, Flower & Garden Festival in full bloom)
Have you ever partaken in the beauty of Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival? Have you navigated the new, although very limiting, tiered FastPass+ system … Read more
Reader poll: What is the best and worst land at Universal Orlando Resort?
With all the recent changes hitting the various Universal parks all around the world – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter coming to both Universal … Read more
Disney’s all-new Festival of Fantasy parade pours on the whimsy at Magic Kingdom
A fire-breathing dragon… a pirate ship with smoking cannon… a music box that’s a seashell… sassy Bubble Girls with cotton-candy hair… a mega-sized bagpipe. Classic … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 7, 2014: King Kong construction begins, Shrek at Orlando Eye, Cabana Bay’s fitness & Energon’s finale
The first proof of an Islands of Adventure expansion The goodly folks over at Parkscope have uncovered yet another permit, filed by Universal just yesterday. … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Traveling with two disabled children – how to best prepare for Universal Orlando?
Welcome to Special Needs Are Universal, a column devoted to helping those with disabilities or who have disabled family or friends. There are many sites … Read more
Islands of Adventure trip report – March 2014 (Harry Potter construction woes, Me Ship the Olive + CityWalk’s new Starbucks & Cold Stone)
On Sunday, I visited Islands of Adventure (IOA) at Universal Orlando and spent a beautiful spring day walking around the park. But before I entered … Read more
Universal Studios Florida trip report – March 2014 (price increases, Mardi Gras, Beetlejuice & Horror Makeup Show)
Editor’s note: 2014 price increase Last Wednesday, Universal raised its prices uncharacteristically early, mostly to answer Disney’s rate hike from the weekend before. And while … Read more
Dick’s Last Resort now open in Lake Buena Vista: Eat, drink & laugh at a restaurant like no other
When you hear the name Dick’s Last Resort, your imagination is left to wander. If you are familiar with the brand, then you know you … Read more
Our top tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando trip for the best vacation possible
An Orlando vacation is pretty incredible in itself, but there’s a way to take it to uncharted territory. With Orlando’s ideal location in the middle … Read more
Rumor round-up for February 28, 2014: Universal price increase, Star Wars Weekends, Leaky Cauldron’s food & Transformers-themed rooms
Save money on Universal Orlando tickets – for this weekend only Did you hear about Universal Orlando Resort’s price increases earlier this week, which were … Read more
Universal raises its ticket prices: What you need to know (and how to save a lot of money right now!)
Your vacation to Universal Orlando Resort – particularly if you’re visiting the Wizarding World(s) of Harry Potter! – just got a little more expensive yesterday. … Read more
Disney’s Hollywood Studios trip report – February 2014 (more FastPass+ observations & problems, Beauty and the Beast)
My family and I recently visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) on a pleasant day with temperatures in the low 70s – perfect for visiting one … Read more
Rumor SPOTLIGHT for February 22, 2014: Will Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade Station be delayed until August?
Note from the editor: it’s the 100th installment(!) of our popular series, Rumor Round-Up, and, to celebrate, we’ve got some very special news regarding the … Read more
THE BIG 5: Universal’s top five desserts that will delight your taste buds
One of the many joys of visiting theme parks is indulging in sweet treats you might otherwise resist. In this edition of THE BIG 5, … Read more
SeaWorld Orlando trip report – February 2014 (Bands, Brew & BBQ, Larry the Cable Guy, Shamu Up Close)
When SeaWorld announced that Larry the Cable Guy would be the headline event at Bands, Brew & BBQ this past Sunday, we knew we had … Read more
Rumor SPOTLIGHT for February 14, 2014: Staying at Universal’s FIFTH on-site hotel
Exponentially increasing construction? Eh – business as usual Last month, word broke on Orlando United that a fifth hotel would start construction later this year; … Read more
Busch Gardens Tampa trip report – February 2014 (Bands, Brew & BBQ, Falcon’s Fury construction & Rhino Rally reopening)
This past weekend was the start of Bands, Brew & BBQ at Busch Gardens. With the chance to drink unlimited beer, I grabbed my husband … Read more
Walt Disney World for lovers: Best ideas for romance on Valentine’s Day or any other day
Couples who’ve been bitten by the love bug don’t need a fairy godmother to find romance at Walt Disney World. This is, after all, home to … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Are the “horror stories” about disabled families visiting Universal Orlando true?
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Islands of Adventure trip report – February 2014 (Hogwarts Express inside Hogsmeade Station, Starbucks, Cat in the Hat + CityWalk updates)
My family and I visited Islands of Adventure (IOA) this past weekend. It was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the lower 70s. … Read more
Universal Studios Florida trip report – February 2014 (Mardi Gras parade, Daughtry in concert, construction updates)
The holidays are long over and the Celebration of Harry Potter is a fond memory. What’s next at Universal Studios? Mardi Gras! I visited Universal … Read more
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food opens at Universal CityWalk: First impressions, photo tour & tips for your visit
Editor’s note: the grand opening of Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, which replaced Latin Quarter, was February 5, but our super-fan Chuck was able to dine … Read more
THE BIG 5: Top five best ways to find romance at Universal Orlando on Valentine’s Day
When thinking about Universal Orlando and its theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, one might not think of much in the way … Read more
Rumor round-up for February 7, 2014: Gringotts’ full story, riding Avatar Land’s boat ride, Diagon Alley signs & Seven Dwarfs Mine
Ready to visit your Gringotts vault? Breaking the story of Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts has been a long and laborious process – … Read more
Talking Slime Time Live with Jonah Travick: Sliming, pieing & Gak-filled laughs at Universal’s Nickelodeon Studios
Nickelodeon’s Slime Time Live is fondly remembered by many of us as one of the shows taped live at Nickelodeon Studios, part of Universal Studios … Read more
Site news: Changes coming to Orlando Informer as we prepare for Diagon Alley
A letter from Dan Hatfield, Owner & Editor of OrlandoInformer.com: Greetings, my friends. As you likely know, we’ve had incredible growth since the start of … Read more
Super Awesome Super Bowl contest: Win a set of customized t-shirts [UPDATE – winners anounced!]
Update This contest is now closed, and the lucky winners are Ashley Merrett for the closest guess to the halftime score and Olivia Smith for … Read more
Rumor round-up for January 31, 2014: Previewing King Kong at Universal, touring Orlando Eye & delaying the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
King Kong and the Raiders of the Lost Ark In last week’s episode of Orlando United’s podcast, rumormonger HateToFly shared a bit about the King … Read more
A new spin on Chevy’s Fresh Mex gets its start in Orlando
The Crossroad Shopping Plaza in Lake Buena Vista, near Walt Disney World, is a popular place to find affordable, quality dining. Over the years many … Read more
My magical experience at A Celebration of Harry Potter: Day 3 (and two additional stories from guests critical of how Universal handled the event)
We now pick up Maureen’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter” trip report at the beginning of Day 3. If you missed our post covering Day … Read more
My magical experience at A Celebration of Harry Potter: Day 1 & Day 2
This past weekend I enthusiastically participated in “A Celebration of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando. To understand my perspective on this weekend, I think I … Read more
LEGOLAND Florida: DUPLO Valley toddler area to open May 23, military personnel receive free admission in 2014
The DUPLO-sized fun starts May 23 A herd of cows, goats, chickens, and sheep arrived at LEGOLAND Florida to graze about in their new homes … Read more