Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: May 26 – June 2, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: May 26 – June 2, 2013 Greetings, vacation planners! Prepare to UPGRADE YOUR ADVENTURE to Universal Orlando with our Weekly Dispatch. … Read more
Search Results for: big 5
Food & drink theming: The Simpsons expansion is the final sign your meal is now at the center of your theme park experience
One could argue that Universal’s official announcement last week of its Simpsons expansion isn’t that big of a news story. In addition to the pre-existing … Read more
Rumor round-up for May 24, 2013: Cars Land with Radiator Springs Racers, changes to Be Our Guest restaurant, timing for the Diagon Alley reveal
Say it ain’t so – Cars Land without Radiator Springs Racers? We start with a scorching rumor out of Screamscape this week about what may … Read more
SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin – an immersive & chilling attraction like no other in Orlando
Today SeaWorld’s biggest and most expansive attraction in its history — Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin — opens to the public. I was invited by … Read more
Rumor round-up for May 17, 2013: Themed hotel rooms at Universal, rare character appearances at Disney, ticketing headache at Diagon Alley
More themed rooms coming to Universal’s on-site hotels Last week Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios announced that it will be converting all 18 of … Read more
SeaWorld introduces ‘Cup that Cares’ Coke Freestyle refillable program, new South Pole Chill flavor
This penguin-shaped cup may look cute and cuddly, but it has a noble purpose: encourage guests to help the planet, one refill at a time. … Read more
LEGOLAND Florida announces ‘The World of Chima’ park expansion opening July 3, 2013
A powerful new energy source is coming to Central Florida. Already the largest LEGOLAND park in the world, LEGOLAND Florida is thrilled to announce another … Read more
2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival set for Sept 27 – Nov 11; Scotland debuts, more first-look details
Disney guests can sip and savor fresh flavors from six continents during the 18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival September 27 through November 11, … Read more
Rumor round-up for May 3, 2013: Hogwarts Express tracks revealed, MagicBands delayed, Tangled charging stations closed, Captain EO quits
Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird…it’s a plane…wait, it’s a train?! This week an incredible picture showed up at Screamscape showing the Hogwarts … Read more
This week’s Harry Potter expansion news is all about Hollywood — still waiting for Orlando details to be announced
This week government officials gave their a-okay to NBCUniversal’s $1.6 billion expansion plan for Universal Studios Hollywood. This 25-year project includes the building of Hogwarts … Read more
Universal Orlando – a special place with extraordinary people
My husband and I have so many stories of Universal team members who have just thrilled us with their hospitality and care while visiting Universal … Read more
Rumor round-up for April 20, 2013: USF’s London waterfront concept, Harry Potter expansion announcement, Epcot technology festival
Are we looking at the London waterfront in Universal Studios Florida? In the March 30th Rumor Round Up we discussed the rumors buzzing around how … Read more
Universal Studios Florida trip report – April 2013 (construction updates, Megatron, Sledge Homer & free wifi)
I was able to visit Universal Studios Florida this past weekend. The weather was almost perfect with temperatures in the 80’s. The crowds were moderate … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Privileges for broken bones, more thoughts on guests requesting Assistance Passes
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
Kings Bowl Orlando: I-Drive has a new hot spot for drinking, dining & bowling in style
Kings Bowl Orlando is a retro-style bowling alley, full-service lounge and restaurant, swanky bar and entertainment center all rolled into one 30,000 square foot building. … Read more
Orlando Informer has transformed – learn about our changes!
Earlier this year I began a transformation of our website as we, along with the Autobots, prepare to do battle with the Decepticons this summer … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: March 31 – April 6, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: March 31 – April 6, 2013 Greetings, vacation planners! Prepare to UPGRADE YOUR ADVENTURE to Universal Orlando with our Weekly Dispatch. … Read more
How to make the most of your Orlando vacation with your teenager
A vacation in Orlando is truly unique compared to any other vacation you can take. For every type of person, there are tons of different … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 30, 2013: Harry Potter expansion details, Pixie Hollow in Adventureland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios rebranding
The latest on the Wizarding World expansion In surprisingly quiet fashion, Theme Park Insider posted a story this week that seemed to confirm many rumors … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Guests with food allergies visiting Universal Orlando
Welcome to our next Special Needs Are Universal article. The purpose of this OI Blog series is to answer your theme park disability questions and … Read more
Islands of Adventure trip report – March 2013 (an auditory exploration of the park, Spring Break excitement)
Every time I enter Islands of Adventure (IOA), I can’t help but notice the sound of the Incredible Hulk Coaster as it roars nearby. It’s … Read more
Life is sweet at the Florida Strawberry Festival: My review, tips & photo gallery
The Florida Strawberry Festival draws a crowd of thousands and seems to get bigger every year. It’s good ol’ Southern fun, filled with hundreds of … Read more
Orbitz names Orlando as the nation’s top Spring Break destination for 2013 – are you prepared?
According to the Orbitz, Spring Break travelers should move quickly to finalize plans and take advantage of lower airfares in many major markets, coupled with … Read more
Transformers gift shop now open at Universal Studios Florida (includes 48 images & HD video)
Yesterday afternoon we heard several reports online that Supply Vault, the gift shop tucked into a corner of the new Transformers building, was open to … Read more
Rumor round-up for March 1, 2013: Springfield gets new residents at Universal, MyMagic+ losing some sparkle, Marvel goes Downtown Disney
Moe & Jebediah moving into Universal’s Springfield expansion The Simpsons expansion is chugging right along, and long time fans of the television show will recognize … Read more
Magic Kingdom trip report – February 2013 (construction updates, New Fantasyland & Dapper Day)
This past weekend was a fun one for my family. Even with a forecast of rain and my son wanting to stay home, my husband … Read more
Giordano’s Pizza: The search for Orlando’s best pie ends here
When I was on my first trip to Orlando, I recall begging my mother for pizza. We did the traditional asking around, and we happily … Read more
Orlando Informer Weekly Dispatch: February 3 – 9, 2013
OI Universal Center updates: February 3 – 9, 2013 Welcome, Vacation Heroes, to your weekly dispatch from headquarters. Please note that the updates are … Read more
Rumor round-up for Feb 8, 2013: Harry Potter gets free ice cream, Oz pushes Wicked into the limelight, TNA’s departure opens the door for WWE
Another day, another Harry Potter expansion rumor Thanks to the boys over on the forum at OrlandoUnited.com, we’ve got a couple juicy rumors about a … Read more
Orlando Chili Cook-off: Taste the spice, cheer on competitive eating & raise money for Special Olympics Florida
On Saturday February 9, “The City Beautiful” will host the 4th Annual Orlando Chili Cook-off, produced by Events for Change, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that … Read more
Orlando’s parks warm up for spring 2013: SeaWorld’s Bands, Brew & BBQ, Universal’s Mardi Gras, Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival
Spring is definitely in the air as Orlando’s theme parks prepare for their first major events of 2013… Bands, Brew & BBQ 2013 at … Read more
Rumor round-up for Feb 1, 2013: Middle Earth, Sundance Films, Six Flags & SeaWorld, MyMagic+, Downtown Disney
The latest on Middle Earth coming to Orlando Rumors were ablaze this week with many people more convinced than ever that JRR Tolkien’s Lord of … Read more
New report: Orlando International Airport ranked best airport for kids
An article published on CNN.com yesterday reported that Orlando’s International Airport ranked as the top selection for families traveling with kids. Traveling with a child? … Read more
Rumor round-up for Jan 4, 2013: Middle Earth in Orlando and Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley
Middle Earth in the middle of Universal Orlando Back in August our column introduced the possibility of an island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure dedicated … Read more
Public Service Announcement: This is how you walk through a crowded theme park
As a theme park family, we have been to both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World during some of the busiest times of the year. … Read more
Rebuilding Universal Studios Florida: A look at 2013 and beyond
To say that Universal Studios Florida has been busy this past year is something of a profound understatement. In addition to opening Despicable Me: Minion … Read more
Top 10 new experiences coming to Orlando in 2013 – part two
Welcome to part 2 of my top 10 new experiences opening up here in Orlando in 2013. If you didn’t get a chance to read … Read more
Top 10 new experiences coming to Orlando in 2013 – part one
With Disney holding the grand opening for its New Fantasyland on December 6, as well as opening other completed projects on this date (Test Track, … Read more
Rumor round-up for Dec 28, 2012: More Harry Potter expansion speculation, developments at Downtown Disney, FastPass Plus
Something wicked this way comes… We’ve talked about the rumors swirling around what’s coming to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Phase 2 and this … Read more
Rumor round-up for Dec 21, 2012: Lagoon show at Islands of Adventure, HHN 2013 haunted houses, Disney’s Hollywood Studios card game
A Nighttime Spectacular for Islands of Adventure My favorite rumor in a while started catching fire this week as word got out that Universal has … Read more
Universal Orlando holiday decorations 2012 – a photo tour
It is that time of year again at Universal Orlando — time for Mannheim Steamroller, time for the Macy’s Holiday Parade, and time for Grinchmas! … Read more
Disney strikes back: “Star Wars” and the theme park menace — an analysis of the Lucasfilm purchase
Last week, of course, was the occasion of much shock and (occasional) awe: George Lucas is retiring, Disney has purchased all three of his remaining … Read more
Exiting through narrative: How theme parks can improve an attraction’s final moments
The modern-day theme park attraction is a multi-faceted entity. There’s the queue, which, at the present moment, is undergoing a transformation from decorated-but-passive waiting room … Read more
20 years of changes at Universal Orlando: A pictorial history – part three
Editor’s note: This is part three of debi’s pictorial history series. If you haven’t already, you can view part one or part two before reading … Read more
Design and test your own concept car in the reimagined Test Track at Epcot opening this fall
Who can say they were entirely surprised when they first heard the news of Test Track being closed for a complete refurbishment? Not me; after … Read more
New Vegan Marketplace, ‘Florida Local’ flavors, Chocolate Experience at the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept 28 – Nov 12
For a record 46 days beginning Sept. 28, Disney guests can taste their way around the world during the 17th annual Epcot International Food & … Read more
Rumor round-up for Sept 14, 2012: WWoHP expansion, Epcot Lagoon, Avatar, Pirates at Legoland
We’ll need to see your wand as identification… Visitors to Universal Studios Florida are seeing a lot of construction, all of it moving at a … Read more
20 years of changes at Universal Orlando: A pictorial history – part one
The first time we visited Universal Studios Florida was in 1992. Our daughter was 10 and so little for her age but she was tall … Read more
Rumor round-up for Sept 7, 2012: Streetmosphere, Tinker Bell & Periwinkle, USF character dining
More ‘streetmosphere’ characters coming to Universal and Disney One thing that both Universal and Disney seem to believe will help the parks is the addition … Read more
Disney’s Hollywood Studios trip report – September 2012 (Pirates, Muppets, merchandise & menu changes)
A few changes have been made since my last visit to the park. Fall is definitely in the air. Well, the thermometer may actually indicate … Read more