Orlando Theme Parks Blog

New Videos Up on Youtube!

2014-06-09T17:13:00.002-04:00

-London Waterfront Diagon Harry Potter Expansion at Universal Orlando Opening Soon!

-Front Row POV of the New 7 Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom

- Festival Of Fantasy Parade Magic Kingdom

Merch. and Food at Universal's Mardi Gras

2014-02-15T17:31:00.001-05:00

Last week, Daughtry kicked off this years Mardi Gras Grand Celebration. The full list line-up for this years Mardi Gras is now up See the full list here

Here is a look at some of this years Mardi Gras merchandise.

French Quarter Courtyard opens at 4pm on Mardi Gras Nights. Located across The Mummy. Similar food selections from last years event. Muffaletta's, Shrimp PoBoy, Cheese steak, Andouille sausage, sweet potato chips, chicken tenders, red beans with rice king cake and beignets. All under $10 per platter.

This years parade kicks off and ends at Horror Make-up TM gate. The parade starts at 7:15 and concert follows the parade. (Check park map for parade route and correct parade time varies)

SeaWorld preps for 50th Anniversary Celebration

2014-02-14T22:29:00.001-05:00

An 18-month long celebration will kick-off at all 3 SeaWorld parks March 31st as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.

New entertainment for the whole family including animal encounters, new night time Shamu show, an all new festive fireworks show (during the summer) and other surprises throughout the park.

The SeaGarden located just passed the Nautilus theater has been sealed off with construction walls " to create a sea of surprises". More details on the event coming out soon!

SeaWorld Sea of Surprises Celebration

Need to charge your phone? SW has added another charging station in the park. A couple of months ago, one was added near the dolphin stadium, but it never worked. It has since been fixed and now another charging station can be found near the Nautilus theater.

Going to SW soon check out their app! Links to SW and info on Bands Brew And BBQ up on the links tab.

Epcot prepares for Flower and Garden Festival

2014-02-11T11:30:00.001-05:00

With just a couple weeks left, Epcot has started to get ready for the event starting with the flower beds between future world and world showcase. Flower and Garden Festival starts March 5th. Check the links tab for more info for the event.

7 Dwarfs Mine Train construction pics 2.11.14

2014-02-11T09:33:00.001-05:00

The area across Be Out Guest with walls down.

Diagon Alley construction pics 2.8.14 Mardi Gras Info

2014-02-08T09:40:00.001-05:00

Some photos of the Diagon Alley Harry Potter 2.0 taken 2.8.14 both cranes are now down.

From San Fran.

For those planning to head out to Universal for Mardi Gras the parade starts at 7:15 by Horror Make-Up(also where it ends), with the concert starting at 8pm.

For more info on Mardi Gras At Universal check out the links section.

French Quarter Coutyard opens at 4pm on Mardi Gras weekends only.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction pics

2014-01-25T07:12:00.001-05:00

Photos taken 1.24,14

Construction photos of the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom. It will open later this year.

Harry Potter Celebration weekend schedule

2014-01-24T11:03:00.001-05:00

For those attending this weekend.

Take a peek at Diagon Alley

2014-01-24T10:18:00.001-05:00

Universal has added 2 peek through phonebooths for guest to see the progress of the construction at Universal Studios for Harry Potter Expansion Diagon Alley.

Here is the current look of the site:

Blog Update!

2014-01-24T06:36:00.000-05:00

Probably noticed that I haven't been posting at all in the last couple of months, and if I have, it's been just posting pics. I just have so much going on right now and taking care of other things which means less time for the parks. Thanks for the nice emails I received while gone and those who visited the blog even if there was nothing new to read.

Anyway, exciting things are coming up at the parks! In case you are not already following me on Instagram (@milkdidmybodygood), I usually post when I have a new blog post.

Happening now at SeaWorld, the last week (sat-sun) Wild Days

Starting in February, Bands, Brew and BBQ returns. Check link below for details

Universal Studios Mardi Gras starts Feb. 8th

Check out the link below for info and the line-up for this years concert.

New this year at the parks:

A new parade to debut at the Magic Kingdom. It will replace "Celebrate A Dream Come True" (Pics from Disney Parks Blog)

The new afternoon parade " Festival of Fantasy" will include floats from Peter Pan, Maleficent, Rapunzel and more.

7 Dwarfs mine train, New Fantasyland MK to open later this year. Check for construction update pics sometime next week!

Harry Potter Expansion Diagon Alley to open this summer at Universal Studios. Yesterday, Universal released more details about the expansion which opens this summer. (Pics by Universal Orlando)

Links:

SeaWorld Wild Days:

http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/events/wild-days/?from=Front_Page_Main_Promo

SeaWorld Bands Brew And BBQ :

http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/events/bands-brew-and-bbq/?from=Top_Nav

Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Mardi-Gras

Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/

Harry Potter Expansion Diagon Alley:
https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Islands-of-Adventure/Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter-Hogsmeade.aspx

Videos:
Behind the scenes of the making od the new Magic Kingdom parade

Universal's Diagon Alley announcement webcast:

Shamu Up-close

2014-01-13T13:35:00.001-05:00

Open daily while Shamu stadium gets a face lift. Every hour or so the whales and trainers do little sessions. Under water viewing is open. Shamu stadium is set to open sometime in the spring (April?) Shamu Up close is where they do Dine with Shamu.

Shamu stadium:

Video:

Harry Potter 2.0 at Universal Orlando construction photos

2014-01-13T09:47:00.001-05:00

Photos taken 1.13.14

Grand Floridian Villas

2013-10-24T14:32:00.001-04:00

7 Dwarfs Mine train Construction pics

2013-10-17T17:20:00.000-04:00

Click to enlarge

Fantasmic! Glow With The Show

2013-10-17T13:22:00.002-04:00

Just a couple of pics and clips from the Nightime show at DHS. The hats are available for purchase at most stores soon. $25 and will work at Disney California and Paris as well.

Video:

Harry Potter Expansion Universal Orlando

2013-10-12T12:58:00.001-04:00

Halloween Horror Nights 23

2013-10-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

A couple of pics from HHN 23 at Universal Studios:

Videos:

Seaworld Spooktacular

2013-10-09T16:41:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics from 2013 Seaworld Spooktacular.

Penelope's dance party area at the bayside stadium

The dance party at the entrance of the park.

The event takes place at SW on weekends check the SW website on the links section for times and more information.

Video overview:

Talk Like. A Pirate Week Disney Limited Time Magic

2013-09-23T20:03:00.001-04:00

Sept. 23 - 29 at the Magic Kingdom meet with Pirate Goofy, Captain Hook and Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. This week, all three characters will also be on a pre-parade show for the 3 pm Parade

Pirate Goofy (meet to the right of the Pirates ride)

Captain Hook (meet at the side of the Peter Pan ride across the Rapunzel restrooms)

Jake ( meet at Adventureland Veranda near the Aloha Isle dole whip area)

Characters will not sign autographs during this week, instead each guest will be given an autograph card.

For more info for this LTM check out the Disney LTM link on the tab above.

Inside the new Princess Fairytale Hall at the Magic Kingdom

2013-09-23T08:29:00.001-04:00

Opened last Wednesday, here is a look inside the new PFTH at the MK. Fastpasses are available for the PFTH near the PeterPan area of Fantasyland. For now, nothing replaced the princesses at the previous meet and greet in town square at the front of the park. You can continue to meet Mickey at Town Square.

Inside are the portraits of the different princesses, along with Cinderellas glass slippers.

There are two queues, each queue you will be able to meet 2. I suggest getting there early, queue for one and fastpass the other if meeting princesses are on your list.

The new Princess Fairytale Hall is located just behind Cinderella's castle, to the right of the Carousel. It used to be the Snow White ride.

Halloween Horror Nights 23 Merchandise

2013-09-20T12:03:00.001-04:00

Merch. For HHN 23

They are also selling masks around $50. Cannot be worn in the park, guest may pick it up as they leave

What happened at Disney this summer

2013-09-13T09:21:00.001-04:00

The Starbucks at the Magic Kingdom which replaced the Main St Bakery opened this summer. The second Starbucks location at Epcot opened recently, previously was Edy's ice cream. Disney is the last of the 3 major theme park to serve Starbucks, Universal has had one for several years inside Universal Studios and in 2010 the Cypress Bakery inside Seaworld started serving Starbucks coffee. The Disney location serves breakfast items and also participates in the Disney Dining Plan.

Epcot Starbucks:

New restrooms at American Adventure behind the funnel cakes

The updated character spot at Epcot has re-opened, meet Mickey, Minnie and Pluto inside. Chip and Dale continue to meet guests just outside the character spot and Goofy at the front of the park

Construction continues for the new eatery at Morocco at Epcot.

At Animal Kingdom, the zebra watering hole, which replaced the Poacher scene at the end of the attraction has new animals. attics has now replaced the zebras.

Mickey and Minnie are no longer in Camp Minnie Mickey: meet both at their new location at the Adventurers Outpost located just before the Asia bridge. The character spot at Camp Minnie Mickey are still there, meet King Louie, Baloo, Chip, Dale, and Donald

Calling all Explorers: A new Wilderness Explorers activity has opened up at DAK for kids. Earn badges by completing challenges around kiosks throughout the park.

At DHS, lights have started to go up for the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Mike and Sully topiary was moved from Epcot's Flower and Garden festival to the front of DHS. It was also the park to meet both characters in their MU outfits.

New cameras mounted on the front of most of the monorails this summer, according to a monorail pilot, the cameras are for the pilots to monitor the back.

Testing for the MagicBands began this summer with resort guests. New machines where Fastpasses+ could be set-up have appeared in the parks. Disney has also started selling accessories for the new MagicBands at some resorts participating in the testing. (See Magic band accessories post)

New colors for the resort mugs came out this summer. The new mugs go with the new quick refill system which uses an RFID chip at the bottom of the mug to only refill the mugs during your stay

Construction continues for the mine train at the new Fantasyland. A small refreshment kiosk has opened up across the entrance of the meet and greet for Ariel and is also a stroller parking area for nearby attractions.

Princess Fairytale hall will be opening soon! This week, the walls for the area has been removed

More bus stops at Magic Kingdom

Going to Downtown Disney soon? The parking lot for DtD from Planet Hollywood to Disney Quest has been fenced off to go forward with the planned construction for the new a downtown Disney.

As summer wraps up, The Magic Kingdom prepared for the fall season by decorating Main St with fall wreaths and pumpkins for MNSSHP for select dates for Sept and October. A new trolley show for the fall has been showing and also a new segment for the Celebrate The Magic castle projection show.

What happened at Universal this summer

2013-09-06T18:36:00.000-04:00

After opening in June. The average wait time of the attraction was around 70 mins. The new meet and greet area for Optimus, Bumblebee and Megatron moved to it's new location across from the gift shop, next to the restrooms. This summer Optimus and Bumblebee were often spotted together meeting guests. The meet and greet times are not on the park maps, so ask the team member for times.

The new Springfield expansion also opened this summer near the Simpsons ride. It features food and drinks from the popular TV show. (Duff Beer, Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts and more.

Kang And Kodos Twirl & Hurl

You can now also meet Krusty and SideShow Bob at the new Springfield Expansion along with the Simpsons Family.

Construction continues for the Harry Potter expansion ( old Jaws ) this summer.

To see more pics of the new Springfield Expansion check out the previous blog post or click
SPRINGFIELD EXPANSION

See a Video of the new ride and the Sideshow Bob and Krusty meet and greet on the link above

Halloween Horror Nights just a few weeks away. Universal has begun preparing the park. Check out some of the parts of the park that have been set-up for the event.

Magic Band accessories

2013-09-03T12:48:00.001-04:00

Price range $7-$16. This display is at Disney's Art Of Animation and Pop Century Resort. It was just put up today 9.3.13 more resorts will have this display in the coming weeks. The Contemporary also has this display + the shirts. Resorts participating in the testing phase for the Magic Band will also get this display.

Magic Band Shirts:

What happened at SeaWorld this summer

2013-09-02T14:22:00.001-04:00

This summer the new Antarctica Empire of the Penguin attraction avg. about an 80 min wait time for most of the summer. New nets have been added to parts of the exhibit to prevent penguins from jumping out of their designated areas. SW also added the back stage tour of the penguin exhibit after opening. Check SW websit for details

SW now offers maps in Spanish

A new Bistro has opened up opposite of the exit to Sharks Encounter. It opens around 11 am for lunch. It sells Panini sandwiches, chips, sodas and salads.

A new cell phone charging station appeared near the Dolphin theater brought to you by Southwest Airlines. The several times I visited SW the chargers never worked. It now is mostly a shaded seating area.

SW also installed new biometric finger scan in the front turnstiles, didn't really read any faster than the old ones, but, does read most of the time on the first try.

Finally, seaworld Summer Nights ended a few weeks ago. Most of the nightime show did not change from last year.

See videos of the new Antarctica Empire of the Penguin on the "recently added videos" tab above.