Orlando Theme Park News

Fantasyland Update: Goodbye, Snow White! (PART 1)

2012-05-27T20:31:00.000-04:00

The Fantasyland Expansion project is really turning out to be one of the best things the Walt Disney Company has ever done. The amount of details in these new areas is absolutely great. Today we have a new update that covers all the areas that are receiving some work, so let's start to take a look around (due to the large amount of photos, our comments will be more limited and brief). Enjoy:

Let's start by taking a look at the new "Brave" meet-and-greet, which looks really nice:

Let us now take a tour around the future Tangled-themed restroom area/pathway:

A look from above:

It's almost time to say goodbye to the old Peter Pan restrooms:

now, let's take a look at the recently refurbished facade of the Pinocchio Village Haus:

It looks great:

The Fantasy Faire Shop was recently refurbished:

The only change was the addition of a cash register...

...and the change of location of one of the characters:

Yes, the Mickey Mouse figure (from the former Mickey Mouse Review attraction) now faces Donald Duck:

CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO PART 2 OF THIS NEW FANTASYLAND UPDATE >

Menu: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3

Fantasyland Update: Goodbye, Snow White! (PART 2)

2012-05-27T20:30:00.004-04:00

Here we are on part 2 of this latest Fantasyland update (PART 1 | PART 3).

Work on the It's A Small World continues as well:

Snow White's Scary Adventures will close down in just four days! Can you believe that?:

Goodbye, and thank you for being a part of Magic Kingdom's legacy!:

Time to check out the work being done on the new castle walls:

A quick glimpse of the Beauty and the Beast's area:

Really beautiful!:

The seven Dwarfs Mine Ride is taking shape (so exciting!):

CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO PART 3 OF THIS NEW FANTASYLAND UPDATE >

Menu: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3

Fantasyland Update: Goodbye, Snow White! (PART 3)

2012-05-27T20:30:00.003-04:00

Welcome to part 3 of this great New Fantasyland update (PART 1 | PART 2).

A very quick taste of the very elaborate Little Mermaid's area:

We are now moving over to "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" attraction, where work on the new meet-and-greet continues:

More new themed concrete has been poured nearby:

We are now venturing into Storybook Circus, where the second Dumbo spinner was again testing:

You can find a video of the testing HERE...

More new trees:

The second Dumbo spinner looks just as beautiful as the first one:

The blue tent is looking good:

The Casey Jr. Area:

Some new thematic elements have been added in the loading area of the new Fantasyland Station:

Notice the new logos above the doors:

The third tent is taking shape:

And we'll close with a panoramic view of Storybook Circus (FULL SIZE):

Goodnight, Magic Kingdom!

This concludes our Fantasyland update. Make sure to check out the other parts of this update! Thank you very much for reading, and have a good rest of your evening.

Menu: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Soft-Opens

2012-05-27T16:46:00.000-04:00

Good news, folks! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has finally re-opened to the public after having been closed for more than 5 months due to an extensive refurbishment. For today, though, it will be in soft-opening mode:

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Magic Kingdom - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Soft Opens

As the wildest ride in the wilderness wraps up its refurbishment, it is now available to Guests in a soft opening capacity (this means that, although the attraction is currently operating, it may close without notice). FASTPASS will not be available during the soft opening period, and the attraction will not be included in evening Extra Magic Hours for Sunday, May 27. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be in standard daily operation beginning Monday, May 28, including availability of FASTPASS.

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The attraction will officially re-open tomorrow (May 28, 2012). We will soon head back to the park to check out all the work that has been done on the queue and on the ride itself. Stay tuned!

LEGOLAND's New Water Park: Grand Opening Video

2012-05-27T15:05:00.000-04:00

LEGOLAND Florida's new water park opened to the general public just yesterday, May 26, 2012. The Orlando Theme Park News Team was there to cover the event, and brought back a nice video of the grand opening celebration, which includes a nice surprise... Take a look:

Wasn't that great? But we're not done yet. We will post a lot of pictures of the water park very soon.

"Princess Fairytale Hall" Opening in Late 2013

2012-05-25T15:50:00.000-04:00

One of the latest Fantasyland updates on the official Disney Parks Blog revealed that the new "Princess Fairytale Hall" - the themed meet-and-greet that will replace Snow White's Scary Adventures - will open in late 2013. Here you are a few more information regarding this new addition:

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The New Fantasyland expansion is continuing, and work is about to begin on Princess Fairytale Hall, a royal meet-and-greet area that will replace the existing Snow White’s Scary Adventures attraction. Since our readers are some of the biggest Disney fans out there, we wanted to share that the attraction’s final day of operation will be May 31, to make way for this new character experience.

Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows. The entrance will open into a large gallery – an airy space with a high ceiling and portraits of Disney Princesses. When it’s time for their audience with a princess, guests will proceed to an elegantly finished room to meet her. Princess Fairytale Hall is set to debut in late 2013.

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This certainly seems to suggest that it will be a really great meet-and-greet, and while this is a good news for some, other Disney fans are a bit sad to know this because it means that we will not see a new dark-ride in that space any time soon. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us.

LEGOLAND Water Park's Guinness World Record

2012-05-25T15:22:00.000-04:00

The new LEGOLAND Florida Water Park will officially open to the public tomorrow (Saturday, May 26, 2012), but it may have already been awarded a Guinness World Record! Take a look:

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Guinness World Record at All-New LEGOLAND® Florida Water Park

Winter Haven, Fla. (May 24, 2012) Early estimates show the Guinness World Record for the most people bouncing beach balls was obliterated today by guests at LEGOLAND® Florida’s new water park. The final total reached 1,355 volunteers which smashed the previous record of 401 beach balls. Guinness auditors will evaluate the attempt for authentication over the next several weeks. The colorful event celebrated the addition of the water park attraction, which opens to the public Saturday, May 26.

A “park within a park,” the attraction includes Build-A-Raft River, where guests can build their own LEGO inner tubes and float down a 1,000-foot lazy river. For the little ones, the DUPLO® Splash Safari is a toddler haven with perfectly sized slides a zero-depth wading pool. Guests of all ages can play for hours at the Joker Soaker water playground, a riot of brightly colored ladders, levers, pumps and slides of every length and type. And a 583,000-gallon, crystal-clear wave pool and five slippery-fast water slides will thrill families all day long.

Admission to the water park requires a LEGOLAND Florida theme park ticket plus a $12 water park upgrade. Guests may also purchase a 12-month Premium Annual Pass, which offers unlimited access to both parks, for just $179 for adults and $149 for children ages 3-12 and seniors.

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The Orlando Theme Park News Team will be at LEGOLAND Florida tomorrow to attend the Grand Opening Celebration of this great attraction! See you soon with a lot of photos and videos of the event!

Fort Wilderness Campground: Parking Restrictions

2012-05-25T15:00:00.000-04:00

Please, be aware of the following advisory, which will last until May 28, 2012:

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Fort Wilderness: Parking Restrictions - May 25-28

Due to the busy holiday weekend, the Guest parking lot at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be restricted from May 25 through May 28.

The parking lot will be restricted to only those staying at the resort or with dining or recreation reservations.

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We will continue to keep you-up-to-date. Thank you for your attention.

"The Highland Games Tournament" Coming to Epcot

2012-05-25T14:29:00.000-04:00

Starting from June 1, 2012, a new (temporary) area including Brave-themed games will be available for guests at Epcot. Here you are some additional information, released by the official Disney Parks Blog:

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Brave – The Highland Games Tournament Runs June 1-July 8 at Epcot

Last week, Disney Parks Blog Author Shawn Slater shared a look at the new Merida meet-and-greet experience that’s already begun at Magic Kingdom Park. But I’m happy to announce that Magic Kingdom is not the only one of the Disney Parks that’s getting in on the fun of the new Disney•Pixar film, “Brave.”

From June 1-July 8, Epcot will serve as the setting for Brave – The Highland Games Tournament, a kid-focused offering that will include games like Mini Caber Toss, Cake Toss, Haggis Flip and archery. There will also be a kids’ playground with free enhanced wireless – which is great for us parents who can’t share cute photos of their kids on Twitter and Facebook fast enough!

Brave – The Highland Games Tournament will take place on the Rose Walk (right where Future World blends into World Showcase), from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., daily. Park admission is required.

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We will soon go back to Epcot to check out this new, temporary addition. Stay tuned.

Kennedy Space Center Introduces New Offers, Tours

2012-05-24T23:30:00.000-04:00

Kennedy Space Center Welcomes Visitors with Special Tours & Offers

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (May 18, 2012) – NASA is offering visitors rare access to several key areas of Kennedy Space Center during its 50th anniversary year to enhance a popular destination that already features an array of authentic attractions showcasing the space program and opportunities for up-close viewing of ongoing rocket launches.

A special Kennedy Space Center Up-Close Tour has been extended through the end of 2012 to provide visitors a look inside the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where the Apollo rockets and space shuttles were assembled. One of the largest buildings in the world, the VAB had been off limits to visitors for more than 30 years until the tour was added in November.

The space agency is also working with Delaware North Companies, which operates Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on final details of new tours featuring operational areas that visitors have also rarely had the opportunity to see. Announcements regarding the new tours are expected in the coming weeks.

Ongoing Rocket Launches

The visitor complex remains one of the best vantage points to see rocket launches taking place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. More than 10 launches have been scheduled for 2012 to carry NASA science missions and government satellites, as well as to test commercial space programs. An Atlas V rocket carrying a satellite was launched May 4, and next is a demonstration launch of a Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX, the first mission by a commercial company to travel to and dock with the International Space Station.

“There’s an opportunity to see fascinating aspects of the space program that few people have seen, and a chance your visit can coincide with a rocket launch,” said Bill Moore, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

“We want people to know that a visit to Kennedy Space Center remains a visit to an operating facility where a lot of exciting things are happening. It’s a world-class destination that offers a truly authentic and memorable visitor experience, and this year is an ideal time for Florida residents and vacationers to visit,” Moore said.

50th Anniversary of Kennedy Space Center

The 50th anniversary year features several events, including a celebration July 1 to mark the anniversary of the space center being officially acknowledged as an operating spaceflight center under the name Launch Operations Center. It was later changed to John F. Kennedy Space Center in honor of the president and his vision of Americans landing on the moon.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering guests two special offers that can save up to 30 percent on admission, food and merchandise, as well as secure access to view rocket launches. Details of Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Gold Admission Package and a $50 Annual Pass are available at http://kennedyspacecenter.com/annual-pass-offer.aspx.

New Home for Space Shuttle Atlantis

Events are also planned to mark milestones in the creation of the future home of the space shuttle Atlantis, expected to open in July 2013. Ground was broken in January on the exhibit, and this fall Atlantis will “roll over” from its processing facility inside the Kennedy Space Center to the visitor complex for permanent display. The 65,000-square-foot Atlantis exhibit will provide guests a unique vantage point to view Atlantis up close, while telling the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program through a number of hands-on, interactive and immersive mediums.

Humankind’s Greatest Adventure

From the earliest days of America’s storied space program, Kennedy Space Center has captured the world’s attention and fed its imagination as the epicenter of mankind’s greatest adventure. Nestled on a placid barrier island on Florida’s “Space Coast,” the endlessly bustling Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features attractions and interactive programs unfolding year-round, making it a must-see for every Florida visitor.

Kennedy Space Center’s remarkable collection of rockets, launch pads, NASA aerospace technology components and launch viewing opportunities offer an authenticity and behind-the-scenes access unlike any other Central Florida destination. The visitor complex offers visitors numerous activities and interactive programs, including meeting real astronauts, that will leave them with a new-found understanding of the U.S. space program. Highlights are provided below:

KSC Tours: Short of becoming an astronaut, there’s no better way to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Kennedy Space Center than on a NASA Tour.

The Kennedy Space Center Up-Close Tour is led by a trained space expert, giving visitors an insider’s view of the space program from launch preparation to liftoff. The tour includes up-close views of rocket and space shuttle launch pads, the interior of the VAB, and the 6 million-pound crawler-transporters, which moved the space shuttle from the VAB to its launch pad. For the first time since 1978, guests have the chance to tour inside the VAB to see firsthand where monstrous vehicles were assembled for launch, from the very first Saturn V rocket in the late 1960s to the very last space shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis. The opportunity to visit the VAB is offered for a limited time, to a limited number of guests. The tour culminates at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-11 plus tax, in addition to admission.

Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Guided Tour is a narrated, in-depth journey guiding visitors through the Cape’s 50-year history of space exploration. Highlights include Launch Complex 5/6, site of the first two Mercury launches and the birthplace of NASA’s manned space program; the Air Force Space and Missile Museum; the Mercury Memorial; and Launch Complex 19, site of 10 manned missions in two years. The tour stops at Launch Complex 34, site of the 1967 Apollo 1 tragedy in which astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee perished in a fire during a launch test. The tour culminates at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Photo ID is required for guests age 18 and older. International guests must present a valid passport to participate. Photography and video are limited to designated tour stops. Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-11 plus tax, in addition to admission.

Included with admission is the regular bus tour, which explores the history of the Apollo moon and space shuttle programs. It includes panoramic views of launch pads and stops at the LC-39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Apollo/Saturn V Center
A fully restored, massive Saturn V moon rocket serves as the centerpiece of the Apollo/Saturn V Center. In addition to viewing all 363 feet of the most powerful rocket ever built, visitors can relive the historic launch of Apollo 8 in the Firing Room Theater and catch the harrowing final moments before man landed on the moon in the Lunar Theater. Visitors can experience the Apollo/Saturn V Center along with the LC-39 Observation Gantry on Kennedy Space Center tours.

Shuttle Launch Experience
The Shuttle Launch Experience is an incredible journey of vertically launching into space and orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle. Guest “crew members” strap in for this launch replication, which immerses visitors in the sights, sounds and feelings of a space shuttle launch, designed under the guidance of NASA and veteran space shuttle astronauts.

IMAX® Theaters
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is home to not one, but two five-and-a-half-story-tall IMAX screens – the only back-to-back 3D IMAX theaters in the world. Now playing are two films featuring ongoing NASA missions: Space Station 3D and Hubble 3D. Space Station 3D, filmed by 25 astronauts and cosmonauts and narrated by Tom Cruise, takes audiences on an incredible cinematic journey of discovery from planet Earth to the newest star in the sky – the International Space Station. Hubble 3D, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, brings the furthest depths of the universe to life, transporting audiences to distant galaxies to explore the mysteries of deep space. Hubble 3D offers an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space Telescope’s legacy and its profound impact on the way we view the universe and ourselves.

Astronaut Training Experience ® (ATX®)
Participants can take one giant leap toward the dream of being an astronaut or a crew member through an exciting program of training and preparation for the rigors of spaceflight. The hands-on program includes true-to-training simulator exercises and a space shuttle mission simulation aboard a full-scale orbiter mock-up. Reservations are required for the half-day adult ATX Core program or Family ATX program.

Live Space Launches
The noise, the vibrations – and the view! From countdown to blast off, there’s nothing quite like an authentic rocket launch into space. An on-going schedule of launches keeps eyes glued to the skies above Kennedy Space Center throughout the year.

Rocket Garden
Visitors can marvel at seven vintage rockets from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs at the Rocket Garden. The Apollo 11 gantry arm and Apollo capsule model allow visitors to reenact the heart-pumping moments of countdown and launch, while the Mercury and Gemini capsules let guests experience firsthand just how small early spacecraft were.

Astronaut Encounter
Visitors can come face-to-face with one of the distinct few who have experienced space travel and hear firsthand what it is like to live in space at Astronaut Encounter. Held daily at the Astronaut Encounter Theater, the half-hour interactive program features a question and answer session and an opportunity to take a picture with the astronaut.

Lunch With an Astronaut
Lunch With an Astronaut offers guests a unique opportunity to dine with a true space hero and learn about the daily life of an astronaut, ask questions and have a photo taken with the astronaut.

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®
Although much of the story at Kennedy Space Center is about state-of-the-future technology, the Astronaut Hall of Fame is about the brave men and women who have flown in space. The Hall of Fame features the world’s largest collection of astronaut memorabilia, plus stimulating displays, exhibits and tributes to the heroes of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs. A historic collection of spacecrafts includes the Mercury Sigma 7 capsule and a Gemini training capsule. The newest addition is Science On a Sphere, a global display that takes visitors on a three-dimensional journey around the world and throughout the solar system via dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere, oceans and planets. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is open daily from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is included with admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Kennedy Space Center is an ecological sanctuary encompassed by the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to more state- and federally-protected wildlife than any other national refuge. Throughout 140,000 acres of estuaries, marshes and coastal dunes are seven distinct habitat types and more than 500 species, from manatees to alligators, bald eagles to ospreys, and butterflies to sea turtles. Look for five hiking trails from ¼ mile to five miles long, a seven-mile driving tour and countless photo opportunities.

Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted
Step into the center of space travel and become part of the future of exciting possibilities at Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted. The 10,000-square-foot exhibit immerses visitors into an environment of discovery and exploration beyond our home planet. Live theater, interactive experiences and large-scale multimedia presentations display what the future of space travel may look like, emphasizing that space exploration is not just about the hardware, but about the people behind the technology that make it all possible. The main show, Explorers Wanted, runs twice an hour. New destinations for space travel are introduced as space pioneers of tomorrow are invited to embark on new missions and embrace the challenges of future space exploration.

Epcot Photo-Report: Future World Update (PART 1)

2012-05-24T22:08:00.000-04:00

Good evening, and welcome to this latest Epcot update. This time we will only take a look around Future World, but don't worry, there is a lot to report! Let's start right away:

Welcome to the World of Wonders:

The Seas pavilion was closing at 6 p.m. during our visit:

The first of a series of results of having Test Track down:

Let's go inside Innoventions East:

Kim Possible is moving away:

Habit Heroes is now part of Epcot's legacy:

Let's now take a look around the new Vision House:

It looks very nice from outside:

We haven't had the chance to take a tour yet, but we will soon (and we'll bring you videos and photos):

Enjoy these few pictures:

This is a huge AC unit:

The exit area:

The former "Environmental Corner" now hosts a Chevrolet Car:

At least it is an electric car (which we approve):

A look back at the entire new facade:

Leaving Innoventions East we noticed that there were still some Kim Possible logos left on the wall:

There's also the logo of the new Vision House (difficult to see due to the lack of a white background):

Kim Possible is also leaving from Innoventions West...

The walls have finally come down for a second time in the former location of "Rockin' Robots," revealing...

...this:

...showing that Disney is going out of these...

So sad:

Nothing to see here either:

More seating areas:

But let's move on to other areas.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO PART 2 OF THIS NEW EPCOT PHOTO-REPORT >

Epcot Photo-Report: Future World Update (PART 2)

2012-05-24T22:07:00.001-04:00

Thank you for staying with us (PART 1 of this update can be found here).

Let's now continue our tour of Future World by checking out the work currently being done on Test Track:

Hopefully the hideous metal structure will be removed (but we are losing our hope...):

Behind the walls:

New temporary cart:

We never noticed this AED location. It must be newer than the other ones:

The Universe of Energy:

Work continues on the Seas pavilion, as construction of the new Turtle Talk entrance proceeds:

New pavement:

"New" path:

You cannot see it from this photo, but a new set of sliding doors has been installed. We were able to see them:

The water-less reverse fountain. But, it's easy... use your imagination:

Nope, it didn't work for me:

Another result of a Test Track-less Epcot:

The principal Kim Possible sign-up location was walled-off as well:

A view of the back:

The new look of the Odyssey pavilion is really nice:

Let's now take a look inside the great Mouse Gear store:

The giant rotating wand was not working:

Phineas & Ferb mania:

A nice, new Epcot t-shirt:

This may not be a new t-shirt, but it is nice:

See you soon, Epcot!:

And this is all. We will soon also post a new Fantasyland photo-update, as well as a World Showcase picture-report. As always, we recommend you check back often to avoid missing all these great news!

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO PART 1 OF THIS NEW EPCOT PHOTO-UPDATE >

Discovery Cove Guests Now Can Enjoy Aquatica Too

2012-05-22T15:50:00.000-04:00

As you may know, every guest visiting Discovery Cove (the all-inclusive natural theme park) has always been able to enjoy a 14-day pass to SeaWorld Orlando. Well, starting from now, Discovery Cove guests will not only be able to visit SeaWorld Orlando, but will also receive a complementary 14-day ticket to check out Aquatica!:

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A Day at Discovery Cove Now Includes Admission to Both SeaWorld Orlando AND Aquatica Water Park

Orlando, Fla. (May 22, 2012) – Discovery Cove is offering the ultimate vacation for Orlando visitors with the introduction of a new, all-inclusive package: A day at Discovery Cove now includes unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark.

These three parks -- Discovery Cove, SeaWorld and Aquatica -- are now known collectively as SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando, the only place in the world that features unique adventures that connect families with animals, the sea and each other. It’s the one destination in Orlando where animals are the highlight and includes preferred hotel stays and exclusive benefits.

“This new offer is incredible for guests because it allows them to explore Discovery Cove for the day and also enjoy SeaWorld and Aquatica during their Orlando vacation, so they can experience the amazing animal connections that all of our parks deliver in their own way.” said Toni Caracciolo, Marketing Vice President for SeaWorld Parks & Resorts. “It also solidifies the Discovery Cove reservation as a true, all-inclusive package,” she added.

At Discovery Cove, guests can enjoy a perfect day swimming with dolphins, snorkeling with rays and tropical fish, hand-feeding exotic birds, and relaxing on pristine beaches … and that’s just the beginning.

Opening later this summer at Discovery Cove is Freshwater Oasis, where guests can wade, relax and come face-to-face with new animals -- playful otters and curious marmosets. Plus, with unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica for 14 consecutive days, guests have the ultimate flexibility to live the 3D 360 journey at TurtleTrek, SeaWorld’s newest attraction, and then cool off at Aquatica, a one-of-a-kind waterpark that immerses them in the playfulness of the sea.

Starting at $229, Dolphin Swim Day Resort Packages at Discovery Cove now include:

Reserved dolphin experience
Unlimited access to signature experiences including: The Grand Reef, free-flight Explorer’s Aviary, Serenity Bay, Wind-Away River and coming soon Freshwater Oasis
Freshly prepared breakfast and lunch plus snacks throughout the day
Beverages all day long, including sodas, water and alcoholic drinks
All swim gear (mask, snorkel, and swim vest or wetsuit), towels, locker, sunscreen and other first-class amenities
All day self-parking at Discovery Cove
A complimentary photo portrait of guest and their party upon entry to park
A pass for 14 consecutive days of unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica in Orlando before, during or after Discovery Cove visit.

Guests that have already booked Discovery Cove reservations on or after May 22 and who have selected SeaWorld Orlando or Aquatica with their reservation will automatically have access to both parks during their vacation. For reservations and to learn more, visit DiscoveryCove.com or call 1-877-434-7268.

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This is a great addition that makes the already fantastic Discovery Cove an even more valuable experience.

Second Dumbo Spinner Starting Pre-Opening Tests

2012-05-22T15:06:00.000-04:00

The Orlando Theme Park News Team was at the Magic Kingdom just two days ago, and something very interesting was noticed. Indeed, the second Dumbo spinner - which will soon join the other spinner later this summer - was testing... right in front of our eyes (yes, we get excited for minor things as well...). Take a look:

Looking great! We will continue to keep you up-to-date. make sure you check back here for a major Fantasyland update, coming very soon!

LEGOLANDphotos.com - LEGO Water Park Preview

2012-05-22T13:55:00.000-04:00

We have a few new information to share with you today regarding LEGOLAND's Water Park:

Our friends over at LEGOLANDphotos.com have a couple of interesting pictures of LEGOLAND Florida's new Water Park. The first picture (which can be found at this link) shows the renovated Joker Soaker attraction, which will soon soak guests with hundreds of gallons of water spilling out of a huge overhead bucket. The site also has a photos of the repainted Wave Pool (link to the photo).

In addition to that, the official LEGOLAND Florida website now includes some Frequently Asked Question regarding the new Water Park. Below you will find some of them:

When is the Water Park open? Please visit http://florida.legoland.com/en/Plan/hours/ for complete details.
Do Toddlers (ages 1-2) have to pay admission to the Water Park? Toddlers (ages 1-2 years) are required to have an admission ticket for Water Park entry ($3). Premium Pass Members may bring their toddler into the Water Park for FREE!
When is the best time to visit? During the summer, we recommend that you plan your visit to the Water Park between 10:00am -1:00pm or 3:00 - 7:00pm to avoid the peak visit time between 1:00pm - 3:00 pm.
Is the water heated? No, the water is not heated.
Does a Water Park ticket need to be used the same day as LEGOLAND? Yes. The Water Park is only accessible through LEGOLAND, so it must be used on the same day.
Can we visit just the Water Park without going into LEGOLAND? No, the Water Park is only accessible through LEGOLAND. Therefore, you must also purchase an admission to LEGOLAND in order to access the Water Park.
Can we bring outside food and beverage? You may bring any outside food and beverage that has been purchased inside LEGOLAND. You may not bring food from outside of the Park.

To read more answers to any question you may have regarding LEGOLAND's new Water Park, make sure to visit the official FAQ's page. By the way, the Water Park officially opens to the public on May 26, 2012.

Epcot's New Park Map Welcomes Agent P & Friends

2012-05-21T22:31:00.001-04:00

As you have seen from the post's title, Epcot has got a newer park map that includes some new information and logos referring ti new experiences coming soon to the park. Here's the new park map (FULL-SIZE)

A closer look at the recent additions to the map:

First of all, the new map continues to list Test Track as coming back this Fall.

In addition to that, the map also confirms that the new Agent P World Showcase Adventure will definitely debut at the end of June 2012. We certainly can't wait to see it ourselves. Also, take a look at the new costumes that "Agent P's Secret Agents" will wear, thanks to this artwork that we saw not too long ago:

Looking good, secret agents! We will see you all in a little while.

More Rumors on Shanghai Disneyland's Pirates Ride

2012-05-21T22:15:00.001-04:00

Our friends over at Screamscape have reported a very interesting rumor regarding the Shanghai Disneyland version of the familiar Pirates of the Caribbeans ride. If these rumors will actually realize, it looks like this version of this iconic ride will be one of the best ever built. Why? Well, take a look:

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Shanghai Disneyland Park News - (5/21/12) Remember that last rumor about the all new version of Pirates of the Caribbean being planned for Shanghai Disneyland? You know… the one where they would use of magnetic LIMs underwater to not only control the speed of the boats, but give them the ability to make the boats move backwards as if pushed by an otherworldly force?
Well, that rumor just took another big step towards reality this week, with the discovery of a new Disney technology patent filed just last year for an “Amusement Park Ride With Underwater-Controlled Boats”. According to the patent, the technology would allow for “a boat ride with precise speed and orientation control.” The technology gets even more interesting than I had imagined, as describes the boats having two independent bogies (front and back) that are “operable to independently propel, with linear motors, the front and rear bogies at the same or differing first and second velocities by applying a magnetic force to reaction plates on the bogies. The track assembly includes a joined section and a divided section, which includes a primary track on which the front bogie travels and a secondary track, spaced apart from the primary track, on which the rear bogie travels. The boat may be rotated to any orientation in the divided track section.”
Translation: Not only can the boats move forward and back, but the back of the boat will be on a second “track”, allowing for the back to speed up faster than the front, thus spinning the boat AROUND. Even better… the patent exposes another interesting use for this technology on the 4th page where it shows the boat turning sideways to rotate around a central “show scene” like the hands on a clock. If this looks familiar, this very same concept was used in a few rides at Epcot, such as the original Journey Into Imagination dark ride (where you were introduced to Dreamfinder) and is still in use today at the summit of Spaceship Earth where all the cars rotate to view the projection on the domed ceiling.
This actually ties into another common and generally assumed fact… that this new version of Pirates will be themed entirely to the film series and not themed around the concepts and scenes from the previous rides. The Chinese culture was not raised over the last few decades to have a general knowledge of what to expect from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean rides, but is aware of the new feature film series. This brings to light another popular rumor claiming that this new version of the ride may heavily favor projection based show scenes rather than rely on animatronics. After all, why spend the money to make a Captain Jack animatronic figure try to lip sync to a soundtrack when you can just film Johnny Depp himself performing as Captain Jack?
While this new concept is not the same as the more action oriented flume ride version envisioned for Hong Kong Disneyland, I’m hearing that they may opt to keep the same iconic finale scene, which would involve an outdoor Splash Mountain style plunge, with the boats exiting out of the mouth of “Skull Rock” and plunging down through the wreckage of a doomed pirate ship impaled upon the rocky shoreline (standing in for the same visual effect as the Briar Patch on Splash Mountain.) Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Now how can we get one of these here in the US somehow?

READ THE RUMOR ON SCREAMSCAPE >

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While we are a bit skeptic regarding the fact that more "projections" may be used in the ride, we have to admit that it does sound like it is going to be a groundbreaking ride. What do you think? Would you like to see a similar version coming to Florida (even though this may never happen...)? Feel free to share your thoughts.

The Disney Look... to the Past! (May 18-24)

2012-05-21T13:30:00.000-04:00

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the weekly feature known as "The Disney Look... to the Past!"
Enjoy reading all of the following interesting facts about the Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Movies, and more:
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This week in Disney history: May 18-24

May 23, 1983 – A renovated Fantasyland opens at Disneyland Park

Fantasy reigned throughout Disneyland Park this year, as a whole new version of “the happiest kingdom of them all” was unveiled after an extensive refurbishment. The new land cast aside its old, Renaissance-themed façades of tournament tents and banners, and became the Fantasyland of Walt Disney’s imagination: a quaint, Bavarian fairy-tale village, where the denizens of Disney’s classic animated features lived and thrived. Old classics like Snow White’s Adventures and Peter Pan Flight remained, but with new technology, slightly altered names (they were now Snow White’s Scary Adventures and Peter Pan’s Flight), and brand-new facades that stressed the distinct cultural origins of each characters’ story. A new adventure fresh from Tokyo Disneyland, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, also joined the group. The whole park celebrated the new Fantasyland with the aptly titled “Flights of Fantasy” parade. Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing its own transformation, with New Fantasyland opening in phases this year.

May 19, 2000 – Walt Disney Pictures releases “Dinosaur”
Orphaned before birth because of a vicious Carnotaurus attack, Aladar was raised by a family of lemurs and grew to become a friendly, compassionate 3 ton Iguanadon. After surviving the destruction of his island home by a meteor shower, he swims to safety and meets members of his own kind for the first time. Meteor showers continue to threaten their existence, and Aladar gets unexpectedly thrust into bravely leading his friends in a race against time to the safety of their nesting grounds. Along the way, they must overcome obstacles and defend themselves against predators. Combining computer animation with live backgrounds, shot in exotic locales such as Angel Falls in Venezuela, “Dinosaur” was the 39th animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Shortly after the film’s opening, Dinosaur became the new name of the Countdown to Extinction attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, starring Aladar as the friendly dino Guests try to find on a wild off-road journey back in time.

Also this week in Disney history:

May 18

1951 – “Plutopia” (Pluto cartoon short) debuts

1995 – Disney acquires a 25 percent interest in the California Angels Major League Baseball team

2003 – Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” premieres at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles

2009 – Wayne Allwine, Disney Legend and voice of Mickey Mouse, dies at age 62

May 19

1934 – “Gulliver Mickey” (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts

1960 – “Pollyanna,” Hayley Mills’ first film for the Walt Disney Studios, is released

1971 – Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes open at Disneyland Park

1984 – Pvt. Donald Duck received an honorable discharge from the United States Army (after being drafted in a 1942 short)

2007 – The world premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” is held at Disneyland Park

May 20

1973 – Tom Sawyer Island, the Plaza Swan Boats and the Richard F. Irvine riverboat open at Magic Kingdom Park

1996 – Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

2011 – Star Tours – The Adventures Continue opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

May 21

1948 – The animated short “Donald’s Dream Voice” debuts

2001 – The world premiere of Touchstone Pictures’ “Pearl Harbor” is held in Hawaii

May 22

1998 – DisneyQuest soft opens to Guests at the Downtown Disney Area at the Walt Disney World Resort

1998 – Rocket Rods, “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience,” Astro Orbitor and Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port open as part of a renovated Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park

May 23

1922 – Walt Disney incorporates Laugh-O-Gram Films, his first cartoon company, in Kansas City

1997 – Light Magic debuts at Disneyland Park

2001 – The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opens at Magic Kingdom Park

May 24

1968 – President Lyndon B. Johnson presents a Congressional Gold Medal to Lillian Disney, commemorating Walt Disney’s “distinguished public service and outstanding contributions to the United States and to the world”

2004 – Toontown Online, a new Internet multiplayer game from Disney Interactive, debuts

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Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your week!

All photos and information subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.

Off-Topic: D23 Special Event at Disneyland Resort

2012-05-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

The Disneyland Resort will host a special Cars Land/Buena Vista Street preview weekend for D23 members in early June 2012. Here you are all the information you may want to know:

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D23 Members Ticketed Event Offering June 9 - 10

The Disneyland Resort has opened up a limited number of tickets for D23 Members to experience the re-imagined and expanded Disney California Adventure Park, including a preview of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. While these extraordinary additions open on June 15 to the general public, D23 Members have the chance to attend one of two special days of previews on June 9 or 10. Each date offers three windows of time to experience Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. Plus D23 has obtained a very limited number of tickets to enjoy dinner during the evening experience at the Carthay Circle Restaurant.

To celebrate these previews and the grand reopening of Disney California Adventure, the Disneyland Resort is spreading the happiness by donating a total of $500,000 to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and the Anaheim Community Foundation.

Saturday, June 9
Price Time Experience
$50 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Cars Land and Buena Vista Street
$50 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Cars Land and Buena Vista Street
$75 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, followed by a private World of Color viewing

OR

Sunday, June 10
Price Time Experience
$50 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Cars Land and Buena Vista Street
$50 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Cars Land and Buena Vista Street
$75 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, with a private World of Color viewing afterward
$500 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, Dinner in Carthay Circle Restaurant, and private World of Color viewing, Carthay Circle Restaurant

NOTE: Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest for one of the experiences listed on June 9 OR June 10. There are a limited number of tickets available. Theme park admission is required and not included in the preview event ticket; if you are a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder attending this event and are blocked out, your block will be lifted for this one day. Parking is not included with the price of the ticket, unless otherwise indicated. Guests who purchase tickets for the Carthay Circle Restaurant dining experience will receive one complimentary one-day ticket to Disney California Adventure Park (valid only on day of event) as well as complimentary valet parking in Downtown Disney; tickets for the dining experience include tax and gratuity. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event. If you wish to request sign language interpreting services for this event, please submit your request to GuestRelations@D23.com at least two weeks prior to the event date. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and tickets are not transferable.

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Considering that Disneyland will donate most of these money to the Hospital, I think this would be worth attending this special event. What do you think? If you were to be a D23 member, which package would you choose, if any?

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Goodbye Drew Carey (?)

2012-05-20T20:10:00.000-04:00

Disney's Hollywood Studios has recently released a new park map which looks almost exactly as the previous one... even though it does include a small - but important - detail. Indeed, the seasonal attraction known as "Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey" is completely gone, replaced by a more generic "ABC Sound Studios." Here's the park map (right-click on it and open in a new window to view the full-size photo):

A closer view for those who can't see the full-size park map:

That Drew Carey's attraction was going to leave the park is not something unexpected, as we reported this news a few months ago. The question that comes up at this point is: "Will Disney leave that Soundstage empty, or will there be something new in the near future?" In addition to that, why does the park map still refer to the ABC Sound Studios as being a seasonal attraction? Does that mean that Drew Carey may occasionally still come back to haunt us? We will let you draw any possible conclusion.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: Last Show Cancelled

2012-05-19T23:15:00.000-04:00

As usual, the last Hoop-Dee-Doo show will not happen on Monday:

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Hoop-Dee-Doo 9:30 p.m. Show Cancelled for Monday, May 21

Please be advised that the 9:30 p.m. show of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review has been cancelled for Monday, May 21, 2012. The 5:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. shows will go on as usual.

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We will continue to keep you up-to-date on this subject, which keeps coming up every week...

The Magic, the Memories, and You! - Summer Edition

2012-05-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

The Disney Company just shared a few new artworks regarding the summer edition of the great "The Magic, the Memories, and You!" nighttime show that takes place nightly both in Florida and California. Take a look:

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Summer Update of "The Magic, The Memories and You!" Show

Beginning May 25, “The Magic, The Memories and You!” will feature a new summer sequence that visits the beach, the jungle and goes under the sea with favorite Disney characters and music.

“Producers storyboarded the show as if it were a short animated film,” said Alan Bruun, Creative director for the Disneyland Resort. “They weaved music, story, photography, video and animation into a new kind of nighttime entertainment.”

During the new sequence, “it’s a small world” at the Disneyland Resort becomes everything from a sand castle to an ancient, vine-covered ruin. Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park undergoes similar transformations, “dancing” along to the beat at one point in the show and becoming finger-painted in the style of artist Peter Max during another.

The romance sequence, which was introduced in February, also is slated to continue running as part of the show throughout the summer.

The Magic, The Memories and You! features photographs of Guests taken earlier in the day. It was introduced as part of Let the Memories Begin and is updated throughout the year with various seasonal enhancements.

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We certainly cannot wait to see these new segments of the show! What do you think?

Disney Premier Passport Price Change (May 2012)

2012-05-19T21:19:00.002-04:00

Please, take note of this important advisory regarding the Disney Premier Passport:

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Disney Premier Passport Price Change

Introduced in March 2010, the Disney Premier Passport provides a full year of admission to both Disneyland Resort theme parks in California and the four theme parks and two water parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, with no blockout dates. As of May 20, 2012, the price of the Disney Premier Passport will increase to $849.00, plus applicable sales tax.

Disney Premier Passports are available for purchase only at select Disney Parks locations:

Walt Disney World Resort - Guest Relations windows at theme parks and the Downtown Disney Area
Disneyland Resort - Theme park ticket booths

Full details for Guests about the Disney Premier Passport are available online at this LINK.

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Thank you for your attention. Feel free to share your comments about the subject, if you have any.

New Party Pavilion Coming to Fun Spot U.S.A.

2012-05-19T12:36:00.000-04:00

A brand-new party pavilion is currently under construction at Fun Spot U.S.A. It is being built in the area formerly occupied by the kiddie coaster (which has recently being moved). Here you are some photos of the construction, taken from the official Fun Spot U.S.A. Facebook page:

A few weeks back:

Now:

We will soon head to the park to check out the pavilion and the rest of the park.

Reminder: Kim Possible's Game Now Closed

2012-05-18T13:15:00.000-04:00

Please, be aware of the following reminder:

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Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure Now Closed

The last day of operation for Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure was yesterday (May 17, 2012) in preparation for Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.

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We will head to Epcot in the next few hours to check out the park. Stay tuned.