TODAY Cafe’s Affordable Breakfast at $9.99

TODAY Cafe in the Hollywood section of the park feels like stepping into Studio 1A in New York City. 

While catching up on the latest headlines, you can grab affordable breakfast options like the Egg White Florentine ($9.99), which features cheddar cheese, oven-roasted tomato, and spinach on ciabatta bread with a side of fresh fruit. 

For a classic start to the day, the Ham, Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($9.99) includes shaved ham and cheddar on ciabatta with fruit. 

If you’re craving something heartier, the Breakfast Sandwich, Everything Croissant ($10.49) is a must-try. It’s packed with sausage, egg, cheese, smashed avocado, and Divina tomatoes on a flaky, everything bagel-seasoned croissant, complete with fresh fruit on the side.

Mel’s Drive-In: Budget-Friendly Meals Starting at $10.99

Take a step back in time at Mel’s Drive-In, a retro diner serving up classic comfort food.

For a hearty bite, the Chili Cheese Dog Platter ($10.99) features a juicy ¼ lb. beef hot dog topped with chili, chopped onions, and melted cheese on a poppyseed bun. 

Plant-based diners will love the Vegan Field Roast Chili Dog Platter ($10.99), which swaps the beef for a hearty three-bean chili with lentils, hominy, onions, and vegan cheddar cheese. 

If you’re after a theme park staple, the Crispy Chicken Finger Platter ($11.49) offers flash-fried chicken fingers with your choice of dipping sauce. 

The best part? Every platter at Mel’s Drive-In comes with a side of golden, crispy french fries!  

Jacket Potatoes at The London Taxi Hut: A Filling Option for $11.49

Across from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The London Taxi Hut serves one of my personal favorites: jacket potatoes—better known as baked potatoes in the U.S. 

These hearty, filling snacks come packed with toppings like Beans & Cheese, Broccoli & Cheese, Shepherd’s Pie, or Loaded. Perfect for a quick, satisfying bite as you explore the London waterfront, each jacket potato is priced at $11.49.

Tacos at The Bumblebee Man: Flavorful Eats for $11.99 Each

Springfield’s vibrant black-and-yellow taco truck, topped with a giant Bumblebee Man head, is hard to miss! This quirky spot offers three delicious taco options, each customizable with your choice of topping: pollo, carnitas, or carne asada. Each taco order comes with crispy tortilla chips and your choice of red or green salsa. 

Gluten-sensitive? Just ask for corn tortillas instead of flour. 

Exploring Universal Studios Florida doesn’t mean stretching your budget to enjoy tasty meals. From hearty jacket potatoes to diner classics, there’s something for everyone for under $12.

Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. Plus, purchase discounted theme park admission here! And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus

Halloween Nightmare Fuel has set the Fear Factor Live stage ablaze for the past three years, captivating audiences with its thrilling pyrotechnics, daring aerial performers, and mind-bending optical illusions. Each year, the saga of twisted dreams grows more elaborate, and this year promises to elevate the spectacle even further. Here’s what Universal is saying about this year’s iteration of night terrors:

Step right up to a dark circus, a new nightmare that carries with it a sinister curse. It’s a thrilling spectacle of pyro and aerialists.

The Nightmare Fuel story has taken control of the Fear Factor Live amphitheater since 2021. Before this fiery series of performances, the Academy of Villains dance troupe dazzled as they took the stage with various acrobatics and theatrics. 

Academy of Villains was preceded by a cornerstone of Halloween Horror Nights history, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, after its 26-year run. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure parodied the best in pop culture of the previous year, altering its storyline from one HHN season to the next. 

Watch nightmares come to life before your eyes during Halloween Horror Nights 2024, which runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here’s how Universal described the house: 

Two warlocks of great power were turned into dragons after trying to take Merlyn’s spell book. Now you and your friends are caught in their epic battle. You must choose a path and a victor.

What’s interesting about this dragon-filled house is that it is not only a nod to an archived attraction but appears to have four different endings in somewhat of a “choose your own adventure” style. 

Long before the land of Butterbeer lived Merlinwood, a fantastical land in Universal’s Islands of Adventure based on another mythical wizard – Merlin. This area’s main draw was the Dueling Dragons inverted coaster, an opening-day attraction, where we follow the battle between the Ice Dragon and the Fire Dragon. The ride featured dueling tracks based on each dragon where the trains originally simultaneously dispatched.   

In 2010, the attraction was renamed to Dragon Challenge and rethemed for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Instead of a battle between fire and ice, the two tracks were given the new names of Hungarian Horntail and Chinese Fireball. 

Dragon Challenge closed in 2017, releasing the land to a new resident – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. However, the original rides, like Dueling Dragons, that paved the way for today’s latest and greatest still hold a place in many hearts.

It’s exciting that we will watch the story of these two dragon foes develop and unfold after six years of cease-fire during Halloween Horror Nights, running September 1 through November 4. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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To get started, you’ll need to purchase a game card from any store that sells them. I purchased mine at Creations, near the front of the park. If you enter by boat or Skyliner, you’ll be able to purchase a game card at World Traveler too. They cost $9.99, and you’ll get a game card with stickers to mark your answers. The stickers are of different plants, and to solve the scavenger hunt, you’ll need to find Spike among the plants and put the appropriate sticker on its place on the board. 

The Festival Passport describes it this way: “Gardeners of all ages can follow Spike on his pollination trail, where he will “bee” busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT.”

This year, the different stops are labels with descriptions of where Spike is hidden, rather than just a country or attraction name. I’ve structured this post to help you and your family find Spike, but not give you all the answers. Where would bee the fun in that? Instead, you’ll find tips and helpful points to make your scavenger hunt super enjoyable, and even educational! Let’s get to it!

Tropical Rainforest

Perhaps the most tropical of the countries in World Showcase is Mexico. At this pavilion, you’ll find many plants native to a tropical rainforest environment. Hidden deep in the vegetation (beside the accommodations entrance to the Mexico pavilion), you’ll find our friend Spike the Bee with a lovely tropical flower that many people enjoy having in their homes. These are everywhere in home renovation shows!

Garden Italiano

For this one, keep your eyes peeled between China and Italy. Once you get close enough to smell the delicious marinara sauce that Italian eateries are so well known for, you’ll find Spike with a key ingredient. (Hint: It’ll be on the side closest to the water.)

Magnolia Terrace

At the American Adventure pavilion, look closely at the beautiful topiary garden of Chip, Dale, and Pluto with our pal Spike. From the ground up, this is a piece of artwork you won’t want to miss!

Kokedama Garden

You can enjoy all kinds of authentic Japanese treats and sights in the Japanese pavilion, including a tranquil zen garden. Behind this zen garden area, not far from the building, look out for our friend Spike with a flower that grows wild in Japan. 

Spice Garden

In the Morocco area, keep your eyes peeled for our friend in front of the bathrooms, across from Spice Road Table. He’ll be with a plant that always adds color and excitement to any dish. While you’re over here, check out the menu for Spice Road Table. It is a delicious, far under-appreciated restaurant in Epcot. (I personally recommend the tapas and drinks.) If you and your group are looking for something a little different, you’ll love this. 

French Gardens

On your way to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, stop to smell the flowers. You’ll find Spike hanging out with Remy and keeping this traditional romantic flower fragment and beautiful. 

English Tea Garden

As you head to the UK pavilion, consider stopping for a spot of tea or shortbread in the tea shop, and be sure to slow down and say hello to Mary Poppins or Alice. They often hang out where Spike is located. You’ll find him hanging out with a flower that is often known as the tea plant! How fitting!

The Honey Bee-stro

Around the Honey Bee-stro booth, you’ll find Spike hanging out with a flower that really attracts pollinators. When I spotted Spike, he was hanging out with these awesome plants that have brownish-colored leaves right now, but will certainly have those lovely orange blooms before too long.

Bambi’s Butterfly House

Head toward Journey Into Imagination With Figment, and you will soon spot the Bambi Butterfly House. To find Spike, you won’t even need to go inside (but you totally should). Here, you’ll see Spike with a member of the sage family. 

Prehistoric Plants

Near the splash pad outside of Mission: SPACE, you’ll find Spike with a seed plant that was around before dinosaurs even roamed the earth. It appeared during the Permian period, roughly 280 million years ago. (Hint: these plants are commonly confused with palms.)

World Discovery Playground

Not far from the Prehistoric plants, you’ll come across an awesome playground for little kids. Outside of this playground, you’ll find Spike with a plant that has petals that look like a sunset. These are commonly known as blanket flowers, and they are in the sunflower family.  

Donald and Daisy Topiaries

On the bridge that connects World Discovery to the World Showcase, you’ll see a topiary set up with Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. There, you will also spot Spike with the perfect flower for these sweet ducks to be hanging around. This is also a wonderful photo stop. As the festival continues, these flowers will become even more mature and beautiful.

After you place all of your stickers on your map, head to one of the redemption stations at Creations, Disney Traders, or World Traveler to pick up your prize. Unfortunately, on the first day of the festival, the prize had not arrived yet. (They were giving out plastic plates from the Holiday Festival scavenger hunt instead.) So, I opted to keep my map and bring it back another day to get the prize. After all, I have until July 5 to do so!

And there you have it! I hope you and your family enjoyed the scavenger hunt. I look forward to these with every festival, and I loved doing this one too. Do you and your family make a point to do the scavenger hunt? We’d love to know! Drop us a comment below about your favorite Spike hiding spot.

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, and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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1. Halloween Horror Nights fully announced

It’s on! Four houses were announced this week along with two live shows and all five scare zones. The Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin, SCarey: Horror in the Heartland, Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth, and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy were all released. Lots of new merchandise was also released throughout the parks as well. Halloween Horror Nights starts Friday, September 3.

Check out the full details here, and our guide to tickets here.

2. New Halloween store opened at Islands of Adventure

All Hallows Eve Boutique quietly opened in The Lost Continent, but it’s made an impact on us. This store provides a beautiful, quaint shopping experience for guests to get into the Halloween spirit with its immersive and aesthetic displays. Other developments in The Lost Continent this week are the walls now up around Poseidon’s Fury. No word yet on what is going on behind those walls.

Here’s a peek inside the boutique.

3. Passholder Appreciation Days

From August 16 – September 30, Universal Orlando celebrates their passholders. Members of the UOAP family can go pick up their commemorative magnets (while supplies last) at the UOAP Lounge or at Toon Extra in IOA. Passholders gets a number of perks and discounts over the next few weeks. But the best perk, as far as we are concerned, are the food options. Try the vegan pizza tots at Green Eggs & Ham Café, or the Coastal Refresher rum and Cointreau cocktail at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort.

4. Disney Updates

Lots of news out of Walt Disney World this week, so we will try to get through this as quickly as possible.

• The first round of 50^th Anniversary merchandise has been released. Items can be found at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom, Bay View Gifts at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and World of Disney at Disney Springs. You can also purchase items online.
• The long-awaited Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT finally has an opening date. Disney announced that the immersive dining experience will begin in mid-September ahead of the October 1^st 50^th anniversary kick off.  
• Further details on the 50^th anniversary “Beacon of Magic” moments have been revealed. The song “The Magic is Calling” will connect all the icons – Cinderella Castle, the Tree of Life, Spaceship Earth, and Tower of Terror – of each park as they illuminate the night.

5. Save and Sea

Ready for your next thrilling getaway? SeaWorld Orlando is running a deal – buy one ticket, get one half off that ends tonight. With everything going on this fall, it’s a deal you don’t want to miss out on. Electric Ocean, Beer Fest, and Halloween Spooktacular are all seasonal events that are included with park admission. In fact, every year, tens of thousands of guests utilize Orlando Informer to save time and money on their vacation.

Check out today’s deals on theme park tickets.

6. Details of Howl-O-Scream Orlando and Tampa Bay fully released

Trick, or treat? Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando and at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay released the rest of what to expect this fall. Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld has a total of four houses, four scare zones, four themed bar experiences, two live shows, and three roaming haunts. Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay promises five houses, a mammoth eight scare zones, a roaming haunt, and two live shows.

Don’t want to miss out? Click here for tickets.

That’s it for this week’s news. See you at the parks!

The post HHN Full Lineup Announced, Disney Prepares for the 50th, and SeaWorld Hosts Howl-O-Scream: Your weekly theme-park recap (August 9 – 15, 2021) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

1. Free beer at SeaWorld

Need we say more? Now through August 12, guests age 21 and up are welcome to enjoy a complimentary 12oz beer at The Patio Bar next to Mama’s Pretzel Kitchen at SeaWorld Orlando. The beer selection will rotate through the summer, so be sure to check in periodically to see if your favorite drink is on the menu. What’s on tap this week? Yuengling. One free beer, per 21+ guest, per day. Get your tickets here and enjoy your beer!

2. First Howl-O-Scream announcements for SeaWorld Orlando

This week, a Haunted House, Scare Zone, and Bar Experience were all announced for Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando. This year, the event will come to SeaWorld Orlando for the first time ever. Guests can go through the Dead Vines house and Witchcraft Bayou scare zone before getting a glass of liquid courage at Poison Grotto. Howl-O-Scream will run on select nights starting September 10 through October 31. Check out the details here.

3. Season’s Greetings from Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort will swing into the holiday season beginning November 12. This year’s special season (since it coincides with the 50th Anniversary) welcomes back the beautiful decorations and delicious confections that have come to characterize the Disney holiday spirit. From festive light shows in the parks to intricate gingerbread houses in hotel lobbies, this year is sure to bring Christmas cheer. Read our article here for everything we know.

4. Two houses announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2021

Two major names in the world of horror were announced for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida this week. Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Universal Monsters: Bride of Frankenstein Lives! will be at Halloween Horror Nights 2021. As these announcements were made, corresponding merchandise for Bride of Frankenstein also emerged at Five and Dime and are already available for purchase. Halloween Horror Nights will run on select nights starting September 3. See details here.

5. Haunted House announced for Busch Gardens Tampa

Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens Tampa Bay released the details of an all-new house to debut this year. In The Forgotten, guests will have to escape a swarm of starved vampires coming in for the kill. This year, the event promises a total of five haunted houses (three all-new mazes and two guest favorites). Howl-O-Scream runs select nights September 10 through October 31.

That’s it for this week’s news. See you at the parks!

Aryn

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1. “Happily Ever After,” after all

The long-awaited return of lights and fireworks shows is beginning to become reality. On Thursday, July 1, crowds gathered in anticipation at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT to watch the skies illuminate for the first time in over a year. Spotty forecasts didn’t impact crowds, as people were just happy for the shows to return. Magic Kingdom returned the “Happily Ever After” fireworks show, while EPCOT returned the “EPCOT Forever” nighttime spectacular. You can find our article covering this update here.

2. runDisney returns and Coco is added to Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Two big announcements came out of Walt Disney World this week. The first was confirmation that in-person runDisney races would return this fall. The first in-person event in over a year will be the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend, themed “Wickedly Delicious.” Perhaps in an effort to make up for lost distance, a 5k race was added to the weekend as well. General registration begins July 13 at 10 AM EST, and you can find a complete list of races and registration windows here. Another exciting addition this fall is the installment of a Coco scene to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. In keeping with the suite of 50^th anniversary celebrations, “Un Poco Loco” will be integrated into a new scene for Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a favorite among Disney die-hards and newcomers alike.

3. Sunny days on Sesame Street!

SeaWorld announced that their Sesame Street Party Parade will be returning on July 10. This comes as great news for those of us with little ones who have missed seeing characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster get the party going through song and dance. The parade will return for weekend performances.

Want to join in on the fun? Purchase your SeaWorld Orlando tickets here.

4. Nighttime Lights returns to Hogwarts

Universal’s Islands of Adventure returned their light show on July 1 as well, as Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle stunned and entranced audiences in its multiple showings on Thursday night. This impressive show utilizes light and projection technology to make magic reality in Hogsmeade, and has been sorely missed during the pandemic. You can catch up on all of the dazzling details here.

5. Christmas in July!

The countdown is on – in just a couple short months, the holidays will return to Universal Studios Florida. Universal announced their holiday season will officially take place between November 13 and January 2, although they have yet to release specific content or event information. Hopefully we will have those updates for you in a weekly roundup soon! In the meantime, check out our holiday guide page here to see what Universal Orlando has done in the past to spread Christmas and holiday cheer.

6. Team USA at USF

As a last little announcement, Universal revealed that they are bringing in and showcasing a set of Olympic Rings ahead of the games (which start on July 23). The rings will be put in front of the Universal Studios entrance for a very short window. Be sure to visit on July 16 or 17 to get the chance to take photos with these iconic items. And don’t forget, NBC Sports Grill & Brew in CityWalk will undoubtedly provide thorough and ample coverage of the games – with flatbreads and beers nearby!

That’s it for this week’s news. See you at the parks!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest info. And then be sure to discuss everything with 130,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

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The fluorescent fun will take place on select evenings from Friday, May 28 to Monday, September 6 and will be included with general admission to the theme park. A range of family-friendly offerings – from a children’s rock show to an energetic dance floor – will be available, encouraging guests of all ages to partake in the party. And to add to the excitement, two totally new experiences will be debuting this year, alongside fan-favorites brought back by popular demand.

Dive into all of the delightful details:

Electric Current

Kick off the evening with lively music and show off your finest dance moves at Electric Current, an all-new party that takes place each night of the event at The Waterfront. A live DJ will turn up the energy with popular hits for everyone to enjoy, and luminous lights will have you feeling like you’re at a rave beneath the waves.

Rescue Tails

This never-before-seen educational show features a variety of SeaWorld’s rescued wildlife, allowing visitors to meet exotic birds, reptiles, and, even, primates. Discover the stories behind each of these critters and learn about SeaWorld’s commitment to animal care on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Seaport Theater (on Electric Ocean dates).

Elmo Rocks

When Elmo’s favorite rock band cancels their concert, the little red monster takes it upon himself to create his own! Join some of your Sesame Street favorites – including Cookie Monster, Zoe, Abby Cadabby, Bert, Ernie, and, of course, Elmo – as they audition and rehearse their way to rock-‘n-roll stardom. This family-friendly adventure gives the little ones an opportunity to participate in Elmo’s journey and dance along, taking place every Electric Ocean night at Nautilus Theater.

Club Sea Glow

When the sun goes down and the stars come out, the party awakens at Bayside Stadium! Glowing dancers and entrancing acts will take the stage as a DJ spins dance-music hits to keep the energy flowing. This neon-lit nautical blast will have you moving and grooving until the night’s grand finale fireworks take place.

Ignite

Commemorate the end of an incredible day and night with central Florida’s only full-length theme-park nighttime fireworks, where the sky comes alive with the majestic and vibrant essence of the sea. This brilliant display of lights, lasers, dancing fountains, and booming fireworks can be viewed from all around the park, but may be best viewed from Bayside Stadium.

Don’t want to miss out on this electrifying experience? You can purchase your SeaWorld Orlando tickets here.

Which Electric Ocean offerings are you most excited about? Share your thoughts of and plans for SeaWorld’s popular annual event 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

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Just as a brief reminder, Universal had originally announced the temporary shutdown back on October 2, due to the ongoing consequences of COVID-19 on the tourism industry. (Don’t forget that, just a few weeks beforehand, Disney had made the same announcement regarding its two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach; since then, the Mouse House has said that it’s going to reopen the latter on Sunday, March 7.)

Want to know what Volcano Bay was like on its first day of reopening in 2021? Join us as we embark on a watery (or, shall we say, Waturi?) adventure through the rides, food, drinks, and interactive surprises that this park once again has to offer.

Universal’s Volcano Bay reopening: the atmosphere

To make the most of our day, we took advantage of Early Park Admission and arrived before the park opened at 10:00 am. Boarding the bus to take us to Volcano Bay was a simple and well-organized process – like before, each party is assigned a section of seats, and plexiglass sheets separate each row. Every team member we encountered upon entry was full of energy and enthusiasm, welcoming us with bright smiles and cheerful voices. It seemed as though they were just as excited to be back as we were!

Safety guidelines, such as face coverings in non-water areas and social distancing, were politely implemented along the way. Even our TapuTapus got in on the squeaky-clean action by sending us reminders every now and then to wash our hands.

As we ventured into the park and around the corner to Krakatau’s scenic reveal (as pictured above), we were met with the familiar vibrance and liveliness that Volcano Bay is known for – it was as if the park never took a day off. With carefree, tropical music floating through the air, warm sunshine beaming down on crystal blue water, and a majestic view of the volcano ahead, we knew we were about to have an awesome day.

Universal’s Volcano Bay reopening: the rides

If you couldn’t already tell from the photo above, we had an absolute blast making our way through the park’s many attractions. A few of the most exciting rides we conquered were Honu ika Moana, Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides, and – my personal favorite – Krakatau Aqua Coaster. What better way to wake yourself up than dropping, twisting, and splashing your way through a plethora of tropical thrill rides?

As always, these attractions upheld Universal’s current safety standards, requiring social distancing in queues and the sanitization of rafts between each use (except for Krakatau Aqua Coaster, which requires hand sanitization before boarding).

Of course, adrenaline-boosters weren’t the only thing we were after. One of Volcano Bay’s moods is pure relaxation, and we found a leisurely escape in Kopiko Wai Winding River. The variety of both thrill and chill rides was perfect for those of us who craved adventure and serenity during our time among the Waturi.

Utilizing our TapuTapus ensured that we never waited too long for any attraction, as it held our spot in Virtual Lines and alerted us when we could go ahead and hop on our next ride. This way, we were able to enjoy our favorite amusements with plenty of time to spare for another one of the Bay’s major highlights: the food.

Universal’s Volcano Bay reopening: the food

One of the things we missed the most about Volcano Bay was its delicious food and beverage offerings. In my opinion, it has the highest-quality food of any water park around, and our most recent meal there only further confirmed my beliefs.

We decided to have our lunch at Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club. Here, we used mobile ordering through the Official Universal Orlando App to order the Island Chicken Salad and the Quinoa Edamame Burger Platter (pictured above). Both meals received a 10/10 satisfaction rating from our team!

For dessert, we felt the urge to splurge a little and go for a Chocolate Lava Cake, which adorably resembles a tiny volcano oozing raspberry syrup. We love it when treats are as a yummy as they are photogenic!

Speaking of photogenic, we couldn’t fully celebrate our first day back without indulging in Volcano Bay’s most Instagram-worthy delicacy: the Waturi Fusion from Koka Poroka Ice Cream Kona. This colorful cone is layered with sweet swirls of orange, blue raspberry, strawberry, and banana, making it a treat for both your taste buds and your vacation pics.

Universal’s Volcano Bay reopening: the drinks

If you’re 21+ and looking to enhance your island-getaway state of mind, I’d highly recommend swinging by Dancing Dragons Boat Bar for some of the tastiest – and prettiest! – selection of drinks you can find at Volcano Bay. This was our next stop after lunch and dessert, where we were greeted by an energetic bar staff and gorgeous views of Waturi Beach.

We were in the mood for something fruity and refreshing, so we ended up ordering a Blue Hawaiian (Malibu, fresh pineapple juice, and Blue Curacao) and a Wai-Waitermelon (Three Olives Vodka, watermelon syrup, fresh raspberries, and watermelon). Each signature drink comes in a souvenir cup and is typically garnished with fruit or a flower.

Current safety guidelines did not allow us to sit at the bar; however, tables were available nearby, and we decided to find a spot on the beach and catch some rays while sipping away.

(Note: if you’re interested in a more private location to retreat to, cabana rentals are still available.)

Universal’s Volcano Bay reopening: the interactive experiences

To finish off the day, we decided to journey into the heart of the volcano to pay a visit to our old friend, Vol, the spirit of Krakatau. This chatty, ancient being was thrilled to welcome us back, springing to life with fountains, mist, and mystical lighting as soon as we walked in. Our conversation included an exchange of names and a few intriguing tales of the Waturi. I may have dodged a few streams of water shot at me, but it was all in good fun.

TapuTu Play points can still be discovered and interacted with throughout the park, and we found great amusement in stumbling across points that activated water jets, dazzling light displays, and a few other humorous surprises. Trekking about the lush scenery in search of these hidden gems was the perfect way to conclude an all-around awesome day.

It’s safe to say that our whole team considered Volcano Bay’s 2021 reopening to be a huge success. Between exhilarating rides, gorgeous views, and mouth-watering food and drinks, we already can’t wait to plan our next Waturi staycation.

Which of Volcano Bay’s offerings have you missed the most? Which are you most excited to try for the first time? Share and discuss your thoughts 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.

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We hope you had a good Christmas! Here’s what you need to know in the world of Orlando theme-park news for the week of December 21-27, 2020.

1. How would you like an in-depth tour of Super Nintendo World? We can’t set foot in the new Japanese theme-park land just yet, but we can offer our most detailed look at the amazing addition thus far. We’ll run down everything we know about Bowser, Jr. Shadow Showdown, the interactive activities, the food and exclusive merch, and who – and where – you can meet-‘n-greet in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Nab the 1-up Mushroom here.

2. Looking to add to your Wizarding World collection? Good news! Two new interactive wands – Gregorovitch’s and Peter Pettigrew’s – are now available for purchase at Universal Orlando. These wands can be found in various locations across the two theme parks, including Ollivanders, Wands by Gregorovitch, and the Islands of Adventure Trading Company.

Check them out here.

3. Everyone knows that Orlando is a great place to spend your money, but far fewer know that it’s also a great place to save your hard-earned cash (yes, really). We walk you through all of the bargain shopping the City Beautiful has to offer – what better way to start looking ahead to the new year and all of your new Central Florida adventures?

Go on that shopping spree here.

4. This talk of the new year makes us think of, well, New Year’s Eve! Universal surprised us recently with a couple of new announcements, increasing the number of ways you can bid this COVID-19 year farewell and welcome in a new, more optimistic 12 months. Learn how you can rock out to The Beatles’ classic album, Abbey Road, live on stage, or dig in with some delicious eats at either CityWalk or the Universal Orlando hotels.

Start your holiday planning 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 Nintendo World in-depth, new Harry Potter wands, and New Year’s Eve: Your weekly theme-park recap (Dec. 21-27, 2020) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

After originally being revealed by SeaWorld in September 2019 for a debut sometime in the spring of 2020, the roller coaster went dark alongside Busch Gardens Tampa, its mother park, when it closed on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And the timing couldn’t have been worse – the hyper hybrid coaster had just started testing on March 9 and was, of course, forced to stop when the theme park did (“testing,” in this case, meaning that empty ride vehicles were cycled through the track as trial runs). After spending some time deliberating on what to do, Busch Gardens management eventually opted to push the grand opening back by a full year, to spring ’21, when they hoped a (more or less) normal vacation season would be gearing back up.

(Busch Gardens Tampa, unfortunately, wasn’t the only location in SeaWorld Entertainment’s theme-park portfolio to have its headlining attraction for that year be delayed – Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando, Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Emperor at SeaWorld San Diego were also bumped to ‘21.)

All of which leads us to today. After recommencing testing on the formidable Iron Gwazi’s track back in August, fans have today been gifted something far bigger and far more exciting: the first-ever point-of-view video of the entire ride experience – and it really is something to be seen.

Just as a reminder – and just in case that POV wasn’t clear enough – Iron Gwazi will be, when it opens in the spring, the tallest hybrid coaster on the continent and the fastest and steepest both in the entire world. (Need a refresher on the terms “hyper” and “hybrid,” as well? No problem – hyper refers to the fact that it will be over 200 feet tall [a rarity in Florida], while hybrid means that it’ll be constituted of both wooden and steel components. Hybrids are something of a new trend in the coaster industry, and they’re certainly one of the most fun.)

Iron Gwazi debuts at Busch Gardens Tampa in spring 2021.

Are you excited to hop on Florida’s most intense coaster? Share your enthusiasm with 150,000+ other Central Florida die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

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A preview of the houses took place for Premier Passholders on September 18, and – as dedicated HHN enthusiasts – we were there at the scene of the scares to take it all in. Not only was this a unique Halloween event to experience at Universal Orlando Resort due to its occurring during regular park hours, but even the frights themselves differed from those of the past thanks to newly enhanced safety features. From pulsed parties to plexiglass sheets, we’ll dive into the details of what changed and what remained terrifyingly familiar.

If anything stayed the same, it was the frighteningly impressive level of detail and quality that we have come to expect from these mazes each year. What’s scarier, you may wonder – deranged dental demons or vengeful newlywed zombies? We can’t wait to spill our guts on what we saw, heard, and screamed at this year, so let’s get started!

Revenge of the Tooth Fairy

Taking a page from Scary Tales: Deadly Ever After, this haunted house turns a lighthearted children’s fantasy into a brutal, bloody nightmare. Revenge of the Tooth Fairy wields gruesome creatures and depictions of dental torture that could make a root canal look like a Swedish massage.

This haunt is certainly the more darkly themed and creepier of the two. The set design is impressive and unique from the start, quickly immersing you in a childlike storybook atmosphere with very sinister intentions. A strong throughline is established via both visual and audio narration before you even enter the house, and it echoes hauntingly through the various rooms as you wind through narrow halls and violent scenes.

Even though Tooth Fairy brings a more frightening experience than its neighbor, we found the scares themselves, while intense, to be somewhat on the generic side; you won’t discover any groundbreaking stunts or illusions, but you’ll still be caught off guard by traditional jumpscares. The “wow” moments are more in the innovative opening set and detailed makeup effects. If you can focus through your fear, take a good look at the mouths of the Tooth Fairy’s victims – you may never want to floss again. Likewise, the mix of children and gore add to the disturbing tone and kept us on edge the whole time. This maze did not seem to blend its protective plexiglass sheets into its set as smoothly as The Bride of Frankenstein Lives, which could sometimes take away from the otherwise-unnerving environment.

Overall, the unsettling imagery paired with the consistent scares made Revenge of the Tooth Fairy more thrilling than its rival house, and it was deemed the favorite among the majority of our team.

Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives

Derived from the success of Halloween Horror Nights 2019’s Universal Monsters, this maze focuses on a less-utilized character, the Bride of Frankenstein. She’s alive! And she’s furious.

After a powerful and cinematic opening facade, you may soon notice that the Bride is presented in a different style than you’ve ever seen her before. Dropping her classic look, this woeful wife goes full mad-scientist and takes on an original and chilling new persona; only her iconic, blood-curdling screams remain the same. While the change in appearance is interesting, it may take you a scare or two to actually recognize the Monster’s mate in her crazy new getup.

We found the storyline of this haunted house to be a bit less structured in comparison to Tooth Fairy’s, as there is a lot of action scattered between the Bride and her torturous experiments on vampires and other unsightly beasts. Though this haunt may not be the most fearsome in nature, we were impressed with how it found creative ways to blend current safety enhancements with the elaborate theming. The set of The Bride of Frankenstein Lives is designed to appear broad and grand, in contrast to Tooth Fairy’s tighter, more intimate feel – stony walls, crypts, and candles present an eerily ethereal ambience that, at points, reminded us of last year’s Graveyard Games. A couple of imaginative and multi-layered scenes are to be discovered along the way, utilizing tricky lighting and timing. Universal Monsters fans will want to keep an eye out for a few familiar faces, some of which are easy to miss in the electrifying chaos.

While we found this house to be less intense, Bride of Frankenstein boasts clever and beautiful design, and it truly captures the spirit (and smell!) of our dearly departed HHN.

Enhanced safety features

As we mentioned before, these haunted houses – while maintaining the iconic Horror Nights feel – present a slightly different experience from those of previous years. Universal was faced with the unexpected challenge of creating frightening, close-quartered encounters while continuing to uphold current safety standards, and we feel as though they’ve done a great job. Let’s take a closer look at which modifications were put in place and how the mazes were affected (and, in some cases, enhanced) by them.

The most notable change is the addition of clear plastic sheets throughout the houses, which serve as a shield between you and the scareactors. The main downside of these barriers is that they are typically only placed in areas where scareactors will appear, which reveal where they are located and, in some instances, spoil the scare. These sheets also mean that (understandably) actors are not able to be in extremely close proximity to you, as they have been in previous years; no more extra-personal, “in your face” scares. Despite this, we found the scareactors can still be surprisingly startling from behind the plastic, and we appreciated when the barriers were mixed into the set design so as to not reveal the scare ahead.

One of the updated safety features that we felt improved the experience was the pulsing and distancing of groups through the mazes; the conga line-esque movement of guests in previous years often made for a less personal and more predictable walkthrough of the haunts. With distanced parties, the scariness is ramped up, and the experience becomes much more intimate and intimidating.

Another result of new safety procedures that we enjoyed was a much slower pacing through the houses. Rather than being encouraged to move through quickly, this relaxed pace allows you more time to absorb all of the horrifying detail around you and catch every scene and scare. It also makes your overall time spent in the haunted house feel longer and more worth the wait. However, this speed can occasionally include being paused at certain intervals by team members who are holding glowing wands, which ensures spacing between parties – and which can, at times, take away from the immersion.

Some of the more standard changes include mandatory hand sanitizing upon entry of each house (as has been implemented for rides, as well) and face-covering requirements for both guests and most scareactors. We did not feel as though this majorly affected our experience, as many of the scareactors’ masks tied into their costumes, anyway.

Though certainly different from the haunts of prior years, both houses are still full of the sets, sights, smells, and scares from Universal that we have come to know and love each Halloween season.

How do you feel about the taste of Halloween horror Universal has bestowed upon us this year? Which freakish entity would you be more willing to face? Discuss it all with 100,000+ 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 Review: Revenge of the Tooth Fairy and Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives at Universal Orlando Resort appeared first on Orlando Informer.

But this is selling the first Wizarding World short – in fact, there are several pertinent (if, perhaps, a bit subtle) ways that the sleepy Scottish village still remains superior to the bustling slice of downtown London. As we continue to prepare for the arrival of the new Harry Potter roller coaster next summer, it might behoove us to either keep these items in mind or to rediscover the charm and magic that Hogsmeade provides.

Here, then, are the four main ways that Hogsmeade is superior to Diagon Alley. (And don’t worry your little muggle heart – we’ll soon be considering the other side of the equation, how Diagon Alley is better than Hogsmeade, in the very near future.)

4. The quaintness

There is a simple, rustic charm to Hogsmeade Village that is both minimalist (well, comparatively, at least) and abundant. The way the buildings lean in towards one another, the snow that freshly caps every structure, the more intimate storefront displays – it all combines to create a refreshing experience that is still every bit captivating and immersive.

Then there are the village’s stores themselves. Honeydukes may still very well be the best (not to mention the most delicious) gift shop out there, whether it be Potter-centric or not, particularly after its 2014 expansion; Dervish and Banges features exemplary theming, from the broomsticks perched overhead to the attention-grabbing Monster Book of Monsters sleeping in its case; and the Owl Post, where guests can get mail stamped with the official Hogsmeade Village postmark, remains a unique experience unto itself.

But towering over it all, both literally and figuratively, is Hogwarts Castle on its hill. It’s a cliché within theme-park circles to say that fans love their castles more than anything else, but that doesn’t make it any less true – and having one as iconic and beloved as Hogwarts providing that last picturesque element is the icing on the theming cake in more ways than one.

3. The Three Broomsticks

Yes, The Leaky Cauldron is big and beautiful and not without its own appeal, particularly with its (slightly) expanded menu. However, it’s extremely difficult to top The Three Broomsticks, and that fact can mostly be summed up in one word: theming. Nearly every inch of the restaurant is covered in some form of wizarding flourish or another, from the rows of antlers above its fireplace to the gorgeous light fixtures and chandeliers. The muffled conversations of those witches and wizards who are staying overnight in the inn’s fictitious second floor drift down, while the silhouettes of house-elves and other fleeting magical beings can occasionally be spotted on the walls. Three Broomsticks is more than just another quick-service eatery – it’s a window onto the Wizarding World itself.

(Of course, helping with this immersive feeling is the little fact that the movie series’s art designers were able to incorporate the theme-park land’s blueprints into the film set for The Three Broomsticks, meaning that guests can sit exactly where Harry, Ron, and Hermione do on the big screen. How can any other location possibly beat that?)

Hogsmeade’s flagship venue, we should point out, also brandishes a few other top-notch elements, such as the underappreciated backdoor patio, which provides some wonderful views of its own, and the attached Hog’s Head Pub, which may be small but which features the absolutely delightful titular hog’s head.

Nearly any way you turn at Three Broomsticks, you just can’t go wrong.

2. Hogwarts Castle

We may have already spoken about how the majestic Hogwarts Castle dominates Hogsmeade’s skyline – and does so splendidly – but there are still (true to its namesake) so many secrets left lingering inside it.

The main function of the legendary building is, of course, to house Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and it performs this job handily. The queue to the ride doubles as a tour of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an experience that is so filling and rewarding on its own that it can – and sometimes does, during certain swaths of the year – operate as its own standalone attraction. The incorporation of the Potter characters, the recreation of the films’ sets, the talking portraits’ exclusive conversations, and the infusion of details in even the greenhouse, which doubles as the overflow section of the line – it all adds up to something very nearly approaching immaculate.

But after all that comes the last of Hogsmeade’s shops, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, which is a veritable explosion of wizarding world Easter eggs and details (one of our favorite touches anywhere on Universal property is the fully-animated Marauder’s Map). And the coup de grace is the various projection-mapping shows that use the castle’s exterior as their canvas, painting the four houses’ mascots (in The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle) or winter-inspired scenes (in The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle) across the structure’s various curves and nooks and crannies. Both instances are rather clever usages of this previously-conceived space, working the realities and demands of a themed land seamlessly into author JK Rowling’s source material.

1. The rides

It is easy for us to declare Hogsmeade’s lineup of rides superior to Diagon Alley’s just on quantity alone – the former boasts three (or it will once the new coaster is up and running), whereas the latter only has one (well, we could technically give it two, as the Hogwarts Express only popped up when the new wizarding area did).

The quality of these rides, however, also bests Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (and, okay, the Express, too). No matter which side of the Forbidden Journey/Escape from Gringotts argument you come out on, there is still the quaint, surprisingly-fun experience delivered by Flight of the Hippogriff (which also manages to work in Hagrid’s hut into the proceedings, ticking yet another Harry Potter box) and the bigger, more thrilling ride that the still-unnamed roller coaster will deliver next year.

You’ll notice that there are two important points contained within that explanation. Both Hippogriff and the mystery attraction are (or will be) more family-friendly, allowing younger fans to get in on the magical action, and both are roller coasters, physical rides that physically move you through space instead of simply providing more screens in a theme-park resort that is increasingly known for its motion simulators (not that we dislike or otherwise find digital experiences invalid, mind you). The breadth and the depth here just can’t be beat, making the Orlando Hogsmeade arguably the definitive version of Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Definitive, that is, until we consider Diagon Alley’s case for thematic supremacy next time…

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Find out everything you ever wanted to know about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – plus more! – in our complete guide.

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Tomorrow, I will be arriving at Universal Orlando Resort for a quick two-and-a-half-day trip (you may or may not know the occasion why). While I do have an annual pass firmly in hand, I doubt I’ll be venturing into the theme parks during the day; our trusty crowd calendar says that this weekend will be the start of the busy summer season, when even my beloved Revenge of the Mummy can have higher wait times – a refreshing jaunt that does not sound like.

That means I’ll need to spend all of my attention (and money) at other on-site locations. Luckily for me, Universal offers enough to keep my interest piqued, my senses engaged, and my appetite primed – yes, even after several trips and some 25 years of going there. I thought I’d share my itinerary with you all to demonstrate some hopefully-exciting ways to fill up your non-park days while at the resort (if you haven’t scheduled any away-from-the-parks time, we strongly recommend that you do – everyone needs a chance to sit back, cool off, and recharge his battery before embarking on yet another trek to Gringotts Wizarding Bank or Jurassic Park).

Here’s what I’m going to be doing all day Friday and then during the mornings and afternoons of both Saturday and Sunday.

Hard Rock – music, food, and fun

Of Universal Orlando’s five (for now) on-site hotels, I’ve managed to stay at three (with the upcoming Aventura Hotel already booked for my Halloween Horror Nights trip this September) – and of those two remaining resorts, Hard Rock Hotel is at the top of the (short) list to check out next. Luckily enough, I’ll be able to cross it off after this weekend.

Exploring an on-site venue has always been one of the favorite parts of my Universal sojourns; Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s Starbucks and lazy river, Portofino Bay Hotel’s absolutely lovely piazza, and Sapphire Falls Resort’s beautiful vistas are all hidden gems just waiting to be discovered, and they always end up consuming more of my vacation hours than I think. Hard Rock looks like it will monopolize my time even more than usual – and I couldn’t be happier about it, actually.

The first reason why: there’s that 12,000-square-foot pool, with its 260-foot water slide, two hot tubs, and, of course, the underwater speakers that everyone always gushes about (hey – it’s the little things, right?). From swimming to relaxing to checking out the Beachclub (the New England Shrimp Salad Hoagie just might be calling my name…), I think there’s an entire afternoon gone right there.

Then there are the property’s two main restaurants: The Kitchen, which is supposed to have one of the best breakfast buffets anywhere in Orlando, and The Palm, where we’ll be having our biggest OI dinner yet (almost everyone’s coming in from all over the country, which should be all sorts of fun – and trouble). Both venues consistently poll at the very top of all Universal establishments, and being able to sink my teeth into one of those delicious steaks and checking out all the celebrity-provided miscellanea sounds like it just might be one of the better culinary experiences I’ll have had at the resort over the years – and that’s saying quite a lot.

(Oh, fine – I should also probably include here the Velvet Bar, which is something I’ve long wanted to check out, given its aesthetics, location [it opens up unto the Veranda!], and selection of refreshments. Sadly, I’ll be missing one of its fabled Velvet Sessions concerts that our Chuck Plagmann seems to enjoy so much, but there’s always next time, right?)

But the item that actually has me the most excited is Hard Rock’s unique music angle (and that’s coming from someone who isn’t the biggest music fan in the world). Beyond the general, upbeat vibe and the literally millions of dollars’ worth of rock-‘n-roll memorabilia strewn about, the hotel has a certain program called Sound of Your Stay, which is broken up into three possible components: Picks lets you play a real, live guitar (you get to choose from 20) to a selection of tunes; Tracks provides a 15-song playlist that you can stream while relaxing by the pool, rocking out in your room, or having a romantic evening; and, finally, Wax inserts a Crosley turntable into your room so you can play a “carefully curated collection of iconic records chosen by Hard Rock’s team of music experts” (you pick from a selection of 10).

If all that doesn’t sound positively divine, then I don’t know what does.

CityWalk – treats and entertainment

I love CityWalk – so much so, in fact, that I’ve eaten at every single full-service restaurant and a goodly number of the quick-service options, as well. But that doesn’t mean that I’ve yet to explore everything that the dining, shopping, and entertainment district has to offer – or that I don’t want to stop by and repeat some of my favorites, of course.

The first item on my agenda is a no-brainer: the brand-new Voodoo Doughnut, which I’ve been covering (and researching about) so much over the course of the past year, I feel like I’ve practically moved in (I’ve even talked to the guys over in one of the Portland locations on the phone). I’ll have a list of doughnuts that I want to try – ranked in order of importance, it goes without saying – in one metaphorical hand, and a list of all the store’s plentiful Easter eggs and references to check out in the other. Chowing down on some “sinfully delicious” treats is always a good complement to one’s Universal adventures, methinks.

Speaking of which, there’s the always-dependable Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. I’ve eaten there several times before, so I don’t think stopping by for a full-on meal will be on this weekend’s docket, but a quick stop at Toothsome’s bar, where I can grab that absolutely delectable Warm Chocolate Almond Bread appetizer without a massive wait, might be in the cards – and hitting up the milkshake counter for the Espresso Buzzzz shake is, obviously, a must.

CityWalk’s ultimate appeal to me this trip, however, lies in the “entertainment” part of its description – I have, sadly, never really had the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy those aspects that have nothing to do with either dining or shopping, so being able to partake in a round (or two) of Hollywood Drive-In Golf is desperately called for (I think the 18-hole Haunting of Ghostly Greens, the course devoted to horror B-films from the ‘50s, will take top dibs, just in case I won’t be able to get around to the also-18-hole Invaders from Planet Putt, the sci-fi section).

(Yes, I know that putt-putt isn’t the only entertainment option on hand at CityWalk, but it’s the only one that’s a viable possibility for me, personally: I’ve already seen the Blue Man Group [not that its show times are agreeable with my schedule this weekend, anyway], and I’m constitutionally incapable of hitting up a movie theater while thousands of miles away on vacation – although, maybe if I were staying on-site for more than just a couple of days, it might be a welcome respite.)

Finally, rounding out my non-park time at the resort is a little something called Rising Star. This karaoke bar infamously has a live back-up band playing for you while you belt out your favorite songs, much to the amusement of everyone else in the joint. While I couldn’t sing even the most rudimentary of tunes to save my life – just ask my poor sonically-afflicted children – I’d be more than happy to watch others live out their rocker fantasies and simply enjoy the atmosphere (this is literally the only place I’ve yet heard of that could possibly compare with doing karaoke in Japan, the birthplace of the cultural phenomenon).

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Now that you’ve sampled my itinerary, what’s yours? What are your preferred ways of spending some time away from Universal Orlando’s theme and water parks? Let me know in the comments below.

And I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend!

In the meantime, 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 Orlando: Where to have fun away from the parks appeared first on Orlando Informer.

So while you’re planning your Walt Disney World vacation, it might behoove you to watch a Disney movie (or two)… you know, for research purposes, and to best prepare yourself for your experience. Or something like that.

What should you be watching before your trip? Well, let’s break it down by park, selecting two films for each one.

Magic Kingdom

Without a doubt the toughest park to pick just two movies to watch before visiting, Walt Disney’s magnum opus is home to a ton of characters. So, how do you pick which ones matter the most? Do you go by intellectual property footprint? If so, you could make an argument for Beauty and the Beast (Enchanted Tales with Belle, Festival of Fantasy parade appearance, Be Our Guest restaurant, and the “Be Our Guest” scene in Mickey’s PhilharMagic). Do you go by what is most relevant in today’s pop culture? Moana, Anna, and Elsa spring to mind here.

Bottom line, to get this right, we did a lot of thinking and even more justifying.

Cinderella (1950)

Super-short film summary: girl with really bad luck turns it around with a fairy godmother and a killer set of heels.

Why watch? A classic Disney tale for a classic Disney park, Cinderella puts you in the right state of mind to experience Magic Kingdom while also threading parallels between the two. First, the big one: Cinderella’s Castle. The focal point of the park is one of the most recognizable icons in the world and features Cinderella’s Royal Table, arguably the most famous character dining experience at the entire resort. It is also home to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where parents can turn their children into princesses. And outside of the castle, Cinderella has a presence in both a meet-‘n-greet and in the Festival of Fantasy parade.

All of that said, its footprint wasn’t the entire reason we picked this movie. With classics like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan, and others fading into the backdrop of time while newer stories and franchises dominate the mainstream, it’s a strong representative of the past for a park that embodies nostalgia. Cinderella is about an ordinary person getting to experience something extraordinary, and, for most, that feeling comes alive when you first set foot onto Main Street, USA.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Super-short film summary: Romeo and Juliet without the tragic ending and with Johnny Depp on his way to a Jimmy Buffett concert.

Why watch? Over the years, Disney has tried a handful of times to work its magic on live-action stories based off of themed attractions from their parks – with very little success. In fact, in a world where Tomorrowland, The Haunted Mansion, and Tower of Terror exist, there’s only one live-action film based on a ride that breaks the curse of sub-par films: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Originally released without the trademark Walt Disney Pictures production logo, the original Pirates was a huge gamble Disney took to appeal to the male (and older) demographic. It wasn’t until the gamble paid off that Disney started attaching its logo to the sequels.

What makes Pirates a must-watch is that it allows younger (and, in some cases, older) generations to connect with more modern characters and, therefore, make the classic ride (and, ergo, perhaps others) more enticing to experience.

Epcot

Unlike Magic Kingdom, Epcot’s character integration is less heavy-handed (and for good reason). With science and international culture taking a front-row seat at Walt Disney World’s second theme park, characters and intellectual properties (for now) serve as a themed enhancer rather than the main show. With that said, there are still a few titles that can better prepare you for your day at the park.

Finding Nemo (2003)

Super-short film summary: a reinterpretation of every parent losing their kid at a mall in the 90’s.

Why watch? If you have to watch one film, this is it. The Seas with Nemo & Friends is part dark ride, part discovery center, part 5.7 million gallon aquarium, and part interactive show with a totally rad CGI turtle – all rolled into one giant experience. The dark ride is one of my personal favorites – a calming, fun, family-friendly attraction that minimizes the basic premise of the film and plays it out for guests. At the end of the attraction, guests exit into The Seas, where they can view dolphins, sharks, turtles, and fish in a simulated habitat meant to inspire and educate. Catching the movie beforehand will allow you the opportunity to call out to the characters that are sprinkled throughout the attraction.

Frozen (2013)

Super-short film summary: a tale of two sisters; one dealing with boy troubles, the other with ice powers.

Why watch? When Maelstrom in the Norway Pavilion of World Showcase closed in 2014 to make way for an all-new experience revolving around Disney’s blockbuster hit Frozen, guests and employees alike were apprehensive of the change. However, infusing a bit of the Norway-inspired Arendelle into the land helped generate new interest, and now those who fell in love with the Frozen characters can experience them in an environment that is both inspiring and educational.

Can’t deal with that? Then you know what you can do.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is in the middle of a re-envisioning, with a healthy chunk of the park currently closed for two giant projects set to debut over the next two years. When completed, the makeup of the park and the overall experience it provides will be drastically different than it is now. So, what should you watch to help get ready?

Toy Story (1995)

Super-short film summary: Disney-Pixar’s version of Child’s Play.

Why watch? With Toy Story Land opening this June, now is as good a time as any to (re)familiarize yourself with Buzz, Woody, and the gang before stepping into their world. With the future land serving as home to Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Pizza Planet, along with a slew of film characters and call-outs, it’s best to brush up on your toy knowledge before trekking through Andy’s backyard.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)

Super-short film summary: Episode IV: A New Hope for millennials.

Why watch? With the numerous projects that Walt Disney World has on-hand for the next five years, none are quite as anticipated as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This incredibly immersive land is rumored to raise an already-high bar on theme-park quality by providing guests a next-level experience. With two rides and new immersive dining and merchandise options, along with an all-new hotel experience, Galaxy’s Edge will make Disney’s Hollywood Studios one of the parks you have to visit in 2019. These rides, however, aren’t based on the original trilogy, like the first Star Tours attraction was (or, even, the attraction’s refurb that integrated the later-released prequels); this land will be firmly rooted in the newest, still-ongoing trilogy – so expect storylines and characters to call back to The Force Awakens, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (which came out last year), or the still-untitled Episode IX (which lands in December 2019).

Animal Kingdom

Moreso than Epcot, Animal Kingdom provides a number of experiences and areas that are connected to characters from popular movies. From Up to A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo to Dinosaur, several intellectual properties are featured throughout the park. However, there’s only two you really need to focus on:

The Lion King (1994)

Super-short film summary: Hamlet for kids!

Why watch? The Lion King is arguably one of the top three Disney animated classics of all time. Not to be outdone, Festival of the Lion King is arguably the best show on property. Performing songs from the classic film while infusing choreography and stunt work, a troupe of humans and animals wow guests of all ages. If you haven’t seen this show yet, definitely make this a must-do the next time you take a trip to the House of Mouse.

Avatar (2009)

Super-short film summary: Smurfs + Pocahontas = highest-grossing film ever.

Why watch? Avatar, although not a Disney film (yet), is a movie that has inspired the biggest change to the park in its 20-year existence. Pandora: The World of Avatar opened last year and is regarded as one of the most immersive theme-park environments yet. However, if you’re unaware of some of the story elements that goes into the land, you may not have as much fun or be confused by the bioluminescence, blue people, or the tree that squirts water on you (actually, that one still confuses me). The isolated area is home to two rides, a merchandise location, and quick-service dining, so study up.

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