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Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Japan

Harry Potter: What we want out of the wizarding Christmas

April 19, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

In case you missed the big news from last week – seriously, it’s one of the most popular stories we’ve ever run in Orlando Informer’s … Read more

4 things we just learned about Star Wars Land

April 17, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

It feels like we’ve been discussing Star Wars Land, Disney’s biggest single-property land in its 62-year theme-park history, forever now; in reality, however, The Walt … Read more

‘Happily Ever After’ Projection Mapping to be Disney’s most advanced yet

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Walt Disney World announced back in February that Magic Kingdom would be discontinuing their nightly “Wishes” fireworks show in return for an all-new show, called … Read more

Disney World to get its own version of Club 33

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Club 33, one of the most exclusive and hard-to-get-into establishments in Disney history, is coming to Walt Disney World in the very near future. You … Read more

SeaWorld’s 2017 attractions are intriguing

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

This morning, SeaWorld held a press event to unveil for the very first time Infinity Falls, a first-of-its-kind rapids raft ride that will anchor a … Read more

SeaWorld announces a revolutionary new water ride

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

This is the summer of the water park. Universal is, of course, leading the charge with Volcano Bay, which is being billed as a “water … Read more

Traveling from Universal to Miami in 26 minutes? Maybe soon

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One of the biggest problems facing tourists when they arrive in Central Florida is transportation; the last thing a number of visitors want to do … Read more

Universal’s next-gen ride concept is built for SPEED

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Everyone is keenly aware of this year’s big additions to Universal Orlando Resort – this month’s Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, next month’s … Read more

Tron Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland

RUMOR: TRON Lightcycle Power Run coming to Walt Disney World

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

This article has been tagged as a rumor. Please read our note from the editor to learn about rumors on Orlando Informer. Tron Lightcycle Power Run, … Read more

Big Hero 6 attraction coming to Tomorrowland

Tokyo Disney Resort breaks ground on massive expansion

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Tokyo Disney Resort and Oriental Land Company have officially broken ground on what they are calling their biggest expansion in history since the opening of Tokyo … Read more

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Should parents be allowed to pull kids from school for vacations?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One of the most perennial, most fundamental questions to tackle during vacation planning has always been: do I take my children out of school for … Read more

New features announced for the My Disney Experience app

Disney World adds new enhancements to the My Disney Experience app

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Walt Disney World announced today that they are pushing a big update to their My Disney Experience app for guests. The update brings a variety … Read more

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at Universal CityWalk Orlando – Full Menu, HD Photos, & Details

March 27, 2024 by Clint Gamache

Annual passes at Universal's Volcano Bay

REVEALED: How your annual pass works (or not) at Volcano Bay

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Ever since Volcano Bay was first announced years ago, there has been one overriding question that keeps inundating us here at OI HQ (and Universal’s … Read more

Red Oven Pizza Bakery at Universal CityWalk Orlando

November 11, 2024 by Clint Gamache

Skip to: Overview | Location | Hours | Menu | Guest reviews What is Red Oven Pizza Bakery? Not just your standard pizza place, Red … Read more

Disney World relocating some security checkpoints to Ticket & Transportation Center

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Walt Disney World announced today that they will be making their biggest change to security checkpoints and metal detectors located at the Magic Kingdom since … Read more

Dancing Dragons Boat Bar at Universal’s Volcano Bay (limited-service bar)

October 8, 2024 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Skip to: Overview | Location | Hours | Menu | Guest reviews What is Dancing Dragons Boat Bar? Dancing Dragons Boat Bar is the second of two themed bars that can be found … Read more

Kunuku Boat Bar at Universal’s Volcano Bay (limited-service bar)

March 14, 2023 by Taylor Strickland

Skip to: Overview | Location | Hours | Menu | Guest reviews What is Kunuku Boat Bar? This beached outrigger canoe, with its Chinese junk-rig sails, acts as a bar, serving up beer, specialty … Read more

Miss Adventure Falls at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Disney is beating Universal to the Virtual Queue punch

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Universal has been betting big on the idea of Virtual Queues as of late – Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, which officially opens … Read more

What if Apple bought Disney and turned it into Universal?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Bear with me for a moment here. Over the past several months, there have been various individuals or publications in the financial industry that have … Read more

Disney releases 2 NEW Pandora details

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

This has been a pretty big week for Universal, whether the company intended that or not: we’ve learned of its intention to build a massive … Read more

How Disney is beating Universal in the food war

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

As is well-known by now, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter redefined the way that theme park operators think about their food offerings and the … Read more

The surprising way that Jimmy Fallon connects with Avatar Land

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

A funny thing happened after experiencing Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon during its technical rehearsal period twice in one weekend: I went back … Read more

Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches at Universal CityWalk Orlando – Full Menu, HD Photos, & Details

July 1, 2024 by Clint Gamache

Skip to: Overview | Location | Hours | Menu | Guest reviews What is Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches? Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches was meant to be, in many ways, the superlative CityWalk quick-service restaurant … Read more

Marvel’s apex – and what it means for Universal

March 17, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

It may appear that Marvel Super Hero Island is isolated from all the rest of Marvel Entertainment – and its parent company, Disney – meaning … Read more

3 ways How to Train Your Dragon could come to Universal’s theme parks

March 17, 2017 by Clint Gamache

There is no doubt that How to Train Your Dragon is one of, if not the, best animated films that DreamWorks has ever made. The first … Read more

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium milkshakes at Universal Orlando CityWalk

I’ve eaten at every CityWalk table-service restaurant

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Yes, the theme parks – and, soon, the “theme water park” of Volcano Bay – are where all the action of Universal Orlando is at; … Read more

Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Does the new Harry Potter ride NEED Harry Potter?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One of the main, everlasting draws of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, in addition to its stellar queue and its faithfulness to the source … Read more

Did Disney just confirm a major Star Wars Land rumor?

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

With its grand debut just two short(ish) years away, we’re starting to get more and more information about Disney’s Star Wars Land, which is due … Read more

Wave Village and Krakatau at Universal's Volcano Bay conceptual art

Welcome to Lava Lagoon, the original Volcano Bay

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando Resort’s third park, is soon to open its watery doors to guests. While everyone continues to wait with baited breath – … Read more

Concept art for Star Gazers Cavern at Universal's Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay’s amazing backstory was just revealed

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

If it seems like Disney and Universal are in something of a marketing war, you’re right on the money: Pandora: The World of Avatar, an … Read more

Super Nintendo World coming to Universal Studios Japan

How Nintendo and the new Switch could be part of Nintendo Land

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

With Super Nintendo World coming to Universal Studios Japan by 2020 and other Universal theme parks in the near future, how could Universal and Nintendo … Read more

SeaWorld’s next frontier: Virtual reality

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

SeaWorld hasn’t been doing well recently, with most of its troubles originating from the 2013 documentary Blackfish and all the controversies emanating from it. But … Read more

Disney unveils a first-ever Ant-Man ride

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Hong Kong Disneyland is currently in the midst of its own Universal Orlando Resort-esque expansion and renovation plan – with a price tag of $1.4 … Read more

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon at Universal Studios Florida

How Jimmy Fallon is the future of theme park attractions

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One could make the argument that Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon has a lot going against it: its show building is small and … Read more

Disney World announces Miss Adventure Falls opening date

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

The latest water slide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Miss Adventure Falls, will officially be opening on March 12, just in time for the big Disney … Read more

Star Wars Land at Hollywood Studios early concept art

Disney World’s Star Wars Land is already shaping up!

July 18, 2022 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

One of the biggest developments to come out of The Walt Disney Company’s purchasing of Lucasfilm back in October 2012 – besides getting two new … Read more

New ‘Quest to LEGOLAND’ game will entertain your kids on the road

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

One of the biggest frustrations of a road trip is trying to entertain the kids so you and your kids don’t go crazy. LEGOLAND Florida … Read more

4 secrets of Minion Park, the new Despicable Me land coming to Japan

April 24, 2018 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

Despicable Me – which is now intertwined with its spinoff franchise, Minions – has been a growing cinematic phenomenon, with its most recent release grossing … Read more

Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde explains how ‘Avatar’ will continue Animal Kingdom’s legacy

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

When Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened back in 1998, one of the biggest aspects of the park was the focus on the conservation and preservation of … Read more

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Single-riders’ line, and how it can help you on your vacation

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

One of the biggest secrets at the Orlando-area theme parks is the single-riders’ line for certain attractions. Not all of the rides have them, but … Read more

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Expansion

Walt Disney World announces massive expansion to Coronado Springs and updates to Caribbean Beach Resort

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Walt Disney World announced massive changes coming to both Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach Resorts today. The changes include new additions and upgrades to both resorts. … Read more

RUMOR: New gondola transportation system could be coming to Walt Disney World

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Update 4/18/17: According to the Orlando Sentinel, new documents have been discovered via the Reedy Creek Improvement District that give us even more information on the … Read more

3 beginner tips to get the most out of MyMagic+ and FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

Walt Disney World’s MyMagic+ can sometimes be a little confusing for first time guests to embrace on their first vacation to Walt Disney World. Between … Read more

Research suggests changes to Universal Citywalk

July 18, 2022 by Clint Gamache

With all of the changes going on at Universal Orlando Resort, it looks like we could be seeing some big changes coming to CityWalk. A … Read more

4 ways Harry Potter influenced Avatar Land

February 1, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

There’s been so much hype for this summer’s Pandora: The World of Avatar – most of it from Disney’s Imagineers and Avatar’s filmmakers themselves – … Read more

Krakatau Aqua Coaster at Universal's Volcano Bay

11 future attractions coming to Universal in 2017 and beyond

July 25, 2017 by Marc N. Kleinhenz

UPDATE (10:43 am 07.25.17): given yesterday’s Dragon Challenge closure announcement – and, well, given the fact that we’re now firmly in the back half of … Read more

$Last week’s big Harry Potter news – that a nightly show involving projection-mapping on Hogwarts Castle is coming later this year – was not only incredibly popular amongst the Universal faithful, it also underlined the company’s approach to keeping its two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter fresh and exciting without having to build new rides. Keeping our purview strictly to Hogsmeade, other manifestations of this mentality include adding in new flavors of Butterbeer, whether they be hot drinks or potted cream or fudge; replacing Jonko’s Joke Shop with an expanded Honeydukes; and inserting new interactive wand experiences throughout the area. This is a strategy that, actually, is a sheer stroke of genius – it keeps providing a new reason for guests to come back year after year, while costing Universal only a small fraction of the cost that designing a brand-new ride system or constructing an entirely new show building would entail. It is, in fact, something that has already begun to spread to other areas of the resort (Raptor Encounter, which opened over in Jurassic Park in 2015, replaced the long-closed Triceratops Encounter without involving any bulldozers) and, even, to Disney itself (that same year, Frozen Summer Fun Live took over Hollywood Studios, involving a slew of shows, meet-‘n-greets, and, of course, merchandise). The next logical step, therefore, would be to expand this program even further, to have it touch more lands across all of Universal Orlando Resort. What other updates or new experiences can be slipped into both of the theme parks’ pre-existing infrastructure? We’ve got a few ideas, as it turns out, and we’re happy to share them with you below. 1. Skull Island Universal Orlando Resort’s newest land may also be its smallest, but that doesn’t stop it from having a great deal of room for future growth. Currently, the tiny sliver of real estate that used to be part of next-door Jurassic Park has just three stops for eager adventurers: Reign of Kong, that beautifully-realized (and highly controversial) ride, and two kiosks – Base Camp Provisions, which is dedicated to merch, and The Mess Tent, which carries food. It’s the latter that first concerns us, as it can easily have its rather generic offerings of standard, boring hot dogs and pretzels be expanded – or, preferably, replaced – by exclusive culinary items. Obviously, going the route of Harry Potter’s Butterbeer or The Simpsons’ Duff Beer isn’t feasible, but why not include banana-centric concoctions – including ice cream, alcohol, or both – or, say, an 8th Wonder Expedition Company meal kit for newly-arrived explorers, appropriately themed to the 1930s setting? Food cart or not, there’s no reason for The Mess Tent to be utterly forgettable. Even better, though, would be something of the spectacle variety. When Skull Island first opened, Universal put on a brief performance that saw actors representing the four audio-animatronic drivers that “operate” Reign of Kong’s ride vehicles inadvertently summon the big guy with a smattering of fog and pyrotechnics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgQKRaaeSZY Now, of course, there are severe restrictions on everything from physical space to the usage of flame effects, but there’s still plenty of options left. The tribal witch who summons Kong in both the queue and the show above can periodically come out at nights in a ritual that bids the king good night (something to help siphon crowds away from the Hogwarts show), or the flesh-and-blood counterparts of the drivers could come out during busier seasons to meet-and-greet with the crowds, including swapping other mythological stories. 2. Springfield, USA The home of the Simpsons is already a wonderfully fun and detailed area, filled to the brim with everything from photo-ops to Flaming Moe’s. The idea here, then, is to simply continue to expand Springfield’s already-robust attractions rather than attempt to fill in any gaping holes, and the best place to start is none other than Fast Food Blvd – if the Wizarding Worlds can receive new varieties of Butterbeer, why can’t Duff get a new flavor, even if it’s just a seasonal holiday offering? Or how about that hot dog idea the television series’s writers came up with that had a name that was some dozen words long? But what should really get guests’ blood flowing is the possibility of certain celebrations throughout the year – think of it like what Disney has transformed Epcot into, but on a much smaller (and, hopefully, more humorous) level. Oktoberfest seems ripe for a Springfield street fair, replete with all-new and seasonally-exclusive drinks (for both children and adults), but it’s still not as perfect as the always-rumored Treehouse of Horror event, which could be thrown during the already-incredibly-popular Halloween Horror Nights – think of it as the daytime, kid-friendly portion of the Halloween festivities, something more akin to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party over at Magic Kingdom. Still not convinced? Well, there’s more – Camp Krusty for the dog days of summer, or some sort of Christmas event (to go along with that also-always-rumored Yule Ball across the park), or Whacking Day, when all the Springfield citizens drag out snakes and whack them to death in the town square. …on second thought, we’ll scratch that last one. 3. Marvel Super Hero Island Marvel Super Hero Island is, unsurprisingly, in something of a weird state of play: although Universal does own – in perpetuity – the theme park rights for a number of Marvel Comics characters, Disney is the company’s corporate parent and probably would see it in its best interest to try and derail any new developments at its competitor’s park (though there are many in the themed online community who contend that the Mouse is now fully resigned to the fact that it’ll never be allowed to fully implement Marvel characters in Walt Disney World and has, as such, become much more cooperative with Universal, on the basis that increased ticket and merchandise sales still end up in its coffers). So we’re going to limit all talk of tearing down Doctor Doom’s Fearfall and Storm Force Accelatron for a new Avengers-themed dark ride and instead focus on a couple of smaller, more distinct possibilities. First up: with both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley already the recipients of interactive wands and Volcano Bay getting its TapuTapu bracelets when it opens this summer, it’s time for other areas at Universal Orlando to get similarly interactive elements, and there are few locations that would benefit from such an addition as well as Marvel Super Hero Island would. Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s gauntlet (not unlike what we saw in that recent Universal patent), Wolverine’s claws, and Spider-Man’s web-slingers would all prove to be ideal interactive gadgets, and, what’s more, each could be made to provide a slightly different experience, making different parts of the comic-book land respond to your commands. Now let’s throw projection-mapping into the mix. Already used during Halloween Horror Nights to simulate buildings collapsing or to make the different house emblems and mascots slide around Hogwarts Castle during Wizarding World grand openings, such projectors could be used to similar effect here – the Avengers could be seen fighting against, say, Ultron or Loki, with the action unfolding from building to building all throughout the area. But an even cooler (and, probably, more feasible) effect would be to combine them with the interactive props and create something of mini videogames; in this way, the Avengers could assemble in the form of teams of guests coming together, and they would be forced to work together like their comic book counterparts do in order to win the game – a guest using Spidey’s web goo, for instance, could momentarily incapacitate one of Dr. Doom’s robotic henchmen who has just come around the corner, while another player wearing Wolvie’s claws could then finish him off. That’s what I would do, at least, if I ran the (Universal) zoo. What other areas of the resort deserve this type of sprucing up? What other types of experiences would you want to see installed? Let us know in the comments below.$

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