Orlando Theme Park Ticket Increase

It seems life as a theme park lover is not that affordable anymore. The dream experiences that we all aspire only get costlier at the world’s most beloved parks today. Whether you are an annual pass holder or a multi-day ticket user, or just buying a single day of fun for that matter there is no respite from the steep price hikes. The highly inflated ticket prices have left many fans and vacationers worried. They feel that the new prices are beyond justification – an act of greed demystifying the values (the traditional family oriented business concept) with which Walt Disney might had founded the empire once. But for the park officials – the changes in price is a part of the business and the new rates are set so as to reflect the quality of experience the parks provide. They believe that the updated pricing aptly suites the value of their tickets.

Every year the parks come up with new and significant price changes that tend to break the hearts of many fans and visitors. This year also – first it was the Universal Studios Orlando Resort, which created history by lifting the base price above the $90 mark for a one day, one park ticket. And then hardly two weeks after the mighty Disney followed suit by setting a new high in the theme park inflation war. The company introduces two different rates of admission for the first time this year. With its new price plans Magic Kingdom becomes the most expensive of all Disney parks at a cost of $95 per day ticket, while Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will be available at a price of $90 per day.

At Disneyland too the price of a one day, one park base ticket rose from $87 to $92 and from $125 to $137 for a park hopper for both the California parks. The latest price hike also influences the rates of various other multi-day passes including the prices of annual passes. Even the Premiere Passport which allows entry at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort is priced at an additional cost of $130.

Despite the hikes there are few fans who believe that running and maintaining a dream place is always an expensive affair. A company like Disney is always a champion in keeping the place to perfection, and since it never compromises with the quality of its attractions the price-hike is a must. On the other hand there are vacationers who think it is ridiculous to visit the parks now. As even after paying such a huge amount you still have to face the never-ending ride queues and more. However, regardless of the hikes, people still visit in large numbers and the parks are doing great in attracting more and more visitors every year. Probably it must be the magic which is priceless and needs no justification.

Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios

For the fans of Star Wars nothing is so exciting than what Disney Star Wars Weekends have to offer. Started in 1997, this one of a kind exclusive Disney World event is a must anticipated fantasy-fest which celebrates and brings to life the favorite actions and scenes from the Iconic film saga of all times. Every year from May through June Disney Hollywood Studios theme park becomes the most happening place to look for. During the period the Park is at its best with plenty of special and unique Star Wars activities and attractions that every fan and guest loves to celebrate and enjoy.

The atmosphere at this famous Disney Event is simply electrifying. Whether it’s enjoying a fight with favorite characters from the film such as Darth Vader or meeting the stars and celebrities from the original movie; or enjoying a behind the scene tour or participating in spectacular parades and firework shows or more, the thrill and excitement of Star Wars can be felt everywhere in the Park. A visit to Disney Hollywood Studios during the Star Wars Weekends is a dream come true experience for many.

The special event has always been an integral part of the Walt Disney tradition. And now with the acquisition of “Lucusfilm” in October 2012 by the company there is more in the offing than one could have thought. It is expected that the Event will only get bigger and more promising than all its predecessors. There will be more fun, more parades and tours, including special souvenirs and memorabilia for fans and much more as the beloved Franchise embraces Disney as its new owner now.

Some of the major highlights of the mega event include the Star Tours – a not to be missed ride experience with plenty of new adventures and surprises. For the riders there is something new every time they board the fantasy ride and it is also considered as a center piece attraction of the event as it incorporates the thrills and tastes for both the nostalgic and young fans of the Iconic saga. Again the special Parade makes a favorite attraction for guests to celebrate and enjoy the awesome fantasies with several Star Wars characters in their impressive costumes and also not to forget the appearance of special celebrity guests from the original movie on each day during the Parade. The Jedi Training Academy is another busiest attraction during the event. And last but not the least it is worth a visit to the Darth’s Mall, where one can browse through a galaxy of Star Wars merchandise.

For WDW park attraction tickets and passes, including Sea World tickets and discount Universal Studios tickets you can consult authorized ticket Re-Seller The Official Ticket Center

Transformers Universal Studios Orlando

The greatest Intergalactic Battle Ride fantasy is joining the list of amazing ride attractions at Universal Studios Orlando soon. Come summer 2013 the Universal resort in Florida will have its newest and most thrilling action-packed ride ever. The blockbuster attraction Transformers: The Ride-3D is slated for a summertime opening and according to the Park officials everything is on track for the grand opening. The much anticipated attraction ride is based on the famous Transformers Brand and is expected to boost the level of adventure rides to newer heights.

It’s time for guests to prepare for the greatest battle ride experience now, where larger- than -life characters – the likes of Autobots and the Decepticons will put you right in the middle of a never ending battle of good and evil. Universal Studios Orlando fans will come face to face with Megatron for the first time and join Optimus Prime and the Autobots in the epic fight to save the World. However, the exact date for the opening still remains undisclosed. While the world awaits Universal’s official announcement for the opening, guests at the Park are already enjoying the sights of some of the famous characters from the movie outside the newly erected Transformers building. Two of the leading characters – Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are making their appearances, meeting and greeting guests at irregular intervals. Moreover, after entertaining visitors for months now, the two famous characters have a new rival in the form of Megatron of late.

The Transformers: The Ride-3D at the Orlando Park is the third of its kind that Universal is opening after it proves to be a big hit in the other Universal parks in Singapore and Hollywood. The thrilling battle ride is same in all the three parks, but Universal Studios Orlando being the latest one in adding the same enjoys the advantage of improvising the ride with superior technologies which others don’t. Park officials believed that the Orlando version will offer a more rich experience than the predecessors. With the use of high-definition 3D integration and 45 feet tall screens, including life-like HD CGI media and more, it is expected to bring the non-stop actions of the films to life.

It’s good to know that Universal is doing well in keeping the excitement alive for the upcoming Ride. The buzz had been around since March when the famous Transformers characters were rolled out for entertainment one after another. Also the Transformers gift shop- the Supply Vault which is officially opened up, welcoming guests for weeks now. With everything is on place and construction walls removed from the high-tech industrial looking Transformers building, fans will be excited to hear that much awaited official opening date for sure.

Disney to set new restrictions on new tickets

There is no doubt that fraudulent sale of attraction tickets and passes have been a major cause of concern for the leading theme parks in Florida. Over the years many such ticket scams were registered and illegal ticket brokers had been penalized. Also there were many innocent guests, who had to leave the parks disappointed for this, while the officials or administration bore the blame time and again. Yet the presence of this nefarious trade is very much active and for Disney and others, the practice has influenced the growth of so-called “criminal cottage Industries” in Florida today.

However, in an effort to discourage this illegal practice (buying & selling of used tickets), the parks have adopted strict measures like installing finger bio-metric scanners at the entrances and printing warning signs or messages on their tickets. But now Disney is on for a complete revolution. The $1 billion Next-Gen MyMagic+ system promises to take entire ticketing experience to the next level. And this has brought the necessity for Disney to ensure that the existing state ticket laws are revised to accommodate the upcoming advance systems.

According to company officials, change in the current laws is a must as ticketing systems have taken a big leap today. The use of advance technology has enabled guests to enjoy a more convenient ticketing experience far beyond the conventional printed tickets. The current state of law is not fit to support a more advanced and technologically inspired system like the magic bracelet that Disney is launching soon. As such, the company is urging the State lawmakers to rewrite the laws to include the upcoming changes in ticketing system.

For example Disney is eying for modifications in sections such as the use of the term “multiuse tickets.” Instead Disney wants to rephrase it as “any right designed for admission”. This will expand the meaning of tickets – beyond the regular printed versions and cover other forms of tickets like the new MagicBands bracelets as well. Also the Park is looking for a change in the way it exercises the power of the “non-transferable” warning (which usually come printed on plastic and paper tickets). Instead the company wants the legislation to say that the warning may be found in the company’s website from now on. For Disney it becomes impossible now to print the warning in their MagicBands from practical standpoint. Also the company is aiming to launch the band in many different and colorful versions as souvenirs for sale. Adding a warning sign to it won’t support its aesthetic objective as such.

Moreover, Walt Disney Parks had already started rolling out new plastic cards with radio-free ID chips, part of the MyMagic+ program. Annual pass holders can swap their paper passes with the advance plastic version and can avail the benefit of using the new Park Entrances for now. But eventually, the pass holders will also be able to enjoy other features such as the FastPass+ service, and the MagicBands, associated with the program once it is fully functional.

For WDW park attraction tickets and passes, including Sea World tickets and discount Universal Studios tickets you can consult authorized ticket Re-Seller The Official Ticket Center

Orlando Currency Exchange Center

Many traveler from around the world travel to Orlando, Florida and find themselves without American dollars shortly after arriving. There are two locations in Orlando worth mentioning, first is located inside the Mall at Millenia which is located off of I-4 at exit 58. This location can be time consuming due to the fact that it is located inside one of Central Florida’s busiest malls and parking can be a real challenge. The second is The Official Ticket Center, located at 3148 Vineland Rd. Kissimmee 34746. Both locations handle currency exchange, but The Official Ticket Center is the fastest and quickest location of the two. Located 2 miles east of the Disney Resort area, this location is a quick in and out for Currency Exchange Orlando stops. Most travelers need a little extra currency exchanged for outlets and for additional expenditures that were unforeseen, so these currency exchange centers are a great help to unexpected travel situations.

© Patrick Pulliam

A Timeless and Vibrant Future Awaits For Downtown Disney

After the recent announcement of Disney Springs by the theme-park execs, it seems the famous Downtown Disney complex couldn’t have a better future than what the upcoming mega transformation plan holds for now. The much anticipated Disney Springs project is intended to bring a complete change in both the look & feel, including the size of the existing Downtown Disney area in Lake Buena Vista.

Like the theme-parks, this most happening shopping, dining and entertainment district is also destined to change with a magical themed inspired by the turn-of-the century lakeside towns of Central Florida landscape. For the next three years fans will witness a great transformation of the area until it gets fully converted to the most exciting and imaginative setting by the waterfront which will be known as Disney Springs.

The new Disney Springs project, besides its unique and story-telling feature also promises huge expansions both in the size of the existing complex and the amount of attractions it offers. The area will be extended to encompass four outdoor neighborhoods all connected with a spring and lakefront. Disney Springs will start with the New Town Center, and from where it will spread to three additional neighborhoods – The landing, Marketplace and West Side (home of Cirque du Soleil). The new expansion will also encompass the current parking lot, and two new garages that will house a total of about 6,000 vehicles. It is also revealed that the number of shopping, dining and entertainment venues will be increased by two-fold once the project is completed. One could also expect the additions of some of the most iconic eating and entertaining brands of the world.

The upcoming expansion is no doubt the grandest expansion in the history of this ever-changing shopping, dining and entertaining destination. But for the Disney planners the ultimate objective is to provide a more vibrant and much bigger imaginative setting- where guests will have more options to shop, dine, relax and entertained without missing the homely feel.

Disney Springs is of course an imaginary re-invention of a magical Florida town which has its roots in the company’s own Sunshine State heritage. It is also believed that the new transformation will exposed visitors to a rather suburban kind of feel than the urban aura of the existing complex. Even the name Disney Springs is expected to be a fitting brand-identity to mark such a significant multi-year transformation. For me this new initiative by Disney is another out-of-the-box move in transforming a rather disjointed Downtown Disney area to a more in-depth, creative and well-connected shopping, dining and entertainment destination like never before.

For WDW park attraction tickets and passes, including Sea World tickets and discount Universal Studios tickets you can consult authorized ticket Re-Seller The Official Ticket Center