Orlando Travel Guide

/ / / /

Spider-Man Gets a Facelift and is Back in Business at Universal Orlando

March 9, 2012 at 10:20 AM | by | Comments (0)

We didn’t even know that the Spider-Man ride at Universal Orlando was closed for refurbishment, but no need to worry as it’s already back open. Apparently the ride was in need of a little TLC, but engineers and designers did way more than just dusting things off and spaying a little Lysol on the seating surfaces.

According to park officials the new ride is “Mind-blowingly better,” and if we recall it was pretty darn awesome before. It sounds like they ripped out all kinds of the former wires, screens, this, and that and replaced it all with more high tech gadgetry. Park officials are quick to brag about new 4K digital high-definition animation, a new fancy pants 3-D projection system, and even new and improved 3-D glasses to take advantage of all the improvements and upgrades. There’s also a whole new soundtrack and music score to keep your heart pounding as you venture through the world of Spider-Man and his comic book friends.

more ›

/ / / / / / /

Mickey Mouse Drives a Ferrari (and Some Lamborghinis, Too)

November 22, 2011 at 9:36 AM | by | Comments (0)

For those looking for something a little more intense and riveting than Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, there’s a new option at Walt Disney World to fulfill the need for speed.

The "Exotic Driving Experience" is set to debut at the Walt Disney World Speedway in January 2012, and it looks to connect tourists with the machines of their dreams. Leave the minivan back at home, because it’s all about exotic super cars here. In total there are six different automobiles from which to choose, including options from Audi, Porsche, and a few different beasts from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

more ›

/ / / / /

SeaWorld Plans to Get Chilly in 2013 with Interactive Penguin Attraction

November 17, 2011 at 12:51 PM | by | Comments (0)

SeaWorld Orlando is located right in the middle of a theme park battleground, and they’re not going to just sit back and let Universal Studios and Walt Disney World have all the fun. They’ve already built new coasters and other attractions, but another round of upgrades and improvements might just keep Shamu ahead of Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse.

For one of the park’s largest expansion ever the place is going back to its roots, and they’re doing even more stuff with the animals. SeaWorld is planning to add a new penguin exhibit, but it’s going to be a little bit different than visiting the zoo. Arriving towards the beginning of 2013—Antarctica — Empire of the Penguin—will bring a whole new array of shops and restaurants to the park along with plenty of penguins.

Of course the centerpiece will be a brand new attraction, but one of the many highlights is the plan to introduce some frigid temperatures to park visitors—like Antarctica cold. They’re still finalizing what exactly the new ride will feature, but they’re promising “closer-then-ever animal connections” with “state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies.”

more ›

/ / / / / / /

Celebrate the Harry Potter Films One More Time at Universal Orlando's Wizarding World

November 11, 2011 at 12:24 PM | by | Comments (0)

As the final Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 makes its way to the DVD today, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is hosting “A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films” this weekend.

Special vacation packages (which were sold out an hour after going on sale this summer) will give fans a chance to attend Q&A sessions and autograph signing events with Harry Potter cast members, including everyone's favorite ginger Rupert Grint. There will also be red carpet arrivals, galas and screenings of all eight movies at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20 at Universal CityWalk.

more ›

/ / / / / / /

Inside and All Around Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights 2011

Where: 1000 Universal Studios Plaza [map], Orlando, FL, United States, 32819
October 19, 2011 at 10:08 AM | by | Comments (0)

Universal Studios Orlando is in the midst of its annual spooky-fest, Halloween Horror Nights. Each fall crowds converge on the park to experience the transformation; during the day the park welcomes guests of all ages to experience Shrek 4D, ride ET's bike, and hug Curious George while at night—for 15 nights every fall—the park turns itself into a big screen-like horror movie.

Eight writers work year round to come up with the themes and schemes that inhabit Universal's annual Halloween Horror Nights. While the details, both cinematic and thematic, are incredible, you have to wonder if maybe the eight writers got a little too intricate with some of these ideas (Spanish fort run by a mutinous undead crew of Columbus' missing fourth ship—we are looking at you). After all this isn't Lost. However, despite some of the themes being a bit convoluted, some are just downright scary (Saws n' Steam), some are incredibly visually compelling (Nevermore), and some just might be the future of fright (The In Between house).

We toured all eight haunted houses and here's what we think, in order from scariest to not so scary:

more ›

/ / / / / /

What You Need to Know as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Celebrates One Year

June 20, 2011 at 5:27 PM | by | Comments (0)

Has it already been a year then? Universal Studios' The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park just celebrated its first anniversary, after opening last June to much fan fare and continuting right through the winter and spring with crazy crowds. We were there on opening day, and although we're adults who travel around the world all year, being in the midst of that excitement still counts as one of the coolest things we did in 2010. The Wizarding World absolutely has the Jaunted seal of approval.

So, if you're heading down this summer for an icey mug of Butterbeer, a ride on the Chinese Fireball Dragon and maybe even a chocolate frog, there's a few things you need to know one year in:

more ›

/ / / / / /

And the Next Movie Universal Studios is Turning into an Attraction is...

May 19, 2011 at 11:22 AM | by | Comments (0)

It was almost this time last year that Universal Studios Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, and we're not ashamed to say our time at the park created some of our most memorable and fun moments from 2010.

Instead of resting on their laurels, Universal just announced more improvements and new things coming to their Orlando park, although these won't be ready until next year. The biggest deal is that the movie Despicable Me will become a 3D "experience" ride to replace the Jimmy Neutron one already in place. Here's the lowdown on that:

more ›

/ / / / / /

Celebrate with Aaron Rodgers Today at Disney's Magic Kingdom

February 7, 2011 at 12:59 PM | by | Comments (0)

Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers won't have much downtime today. He's already on his way to Orlando for the ticker-tape parade down Main Street U.S.A at Disney's Magic Kingdom, which he'll squeeze in before heading to New York City for Late Night with David Letterman tonight.

After helping the Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLV&3151;in a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers&3151;in Dallas last night, Aaron stepped in front of the TV cameras and shouted the words every athlete dreams of: “I’m going to Disney World!”

more ›

/ / / / / /

Star Tours 2.0 Opens May 20th at Disney's Hollywood Studios

January 24, 2011 at 2:32 PM | by | Comment (1)

As we first reported last year, Disney has been giving their Star Wars attractions a facelift and now they've finally announced that Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will open at its Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World resort on May 20th 2011.

The Star Wars-themed ride at Disneyland in Anaheim (which is also getting a makeover) previously hadn't been updated since it opened in 1987 so fans were delighted last year when the rumors of a revamp were confirmed.

more ›

/ / / / / / /

World's 'Merriest' Coasters: Manta During SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration

December 21, 2010 at 9:09 AM | by | Comments (0)

Sea creatures and aquariums might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to the holiday season, but SeaWorld Orlando is looking to change that. Since the weather stays warmer in Florida there is still plenty of fun to be had this month, and there’s no better roller coaster ride to experience during the holidays than Manta.

The people over at SeaWorld think that the Manta coaster does a great job of simulating what it’s like to sail through the water like a ray, but we’re thinking that this coaster does a great job of scaring the bejesus out of you. The coaster is shaped liked a creature from the deep and once strapped in, you’ll be swooping and soaring at speeds of close to 60mph. It’s not all up and down either, as this coaster goes through four inversions while you try to hold onto your seat as you navigate around 3,500 feet of track.

more ›

/ / / / / / /

World's 'Merriest' Coasters: The Incredible Hulk During Grinchmas at Universal Orlando

December 2, 2010 at 9:07 AM | by | Comments (0)

Even though Florida is hardly known for its winter weather, it hasn’t stopped theme parks like Universal Studios Orlando from getting into the holiday spirit. In addition to their lineup of rides and attractions, there’s plenty of trees, lights, as well as red and green versions of everything. While it’s a little difficult to string lights from a booming steel roller coaster, the surroundings still make one of its coasters one of the best this holiday season.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster sits around the corner from Harry Potter and his friends at the Islands of Adventure Park, and there’s really no way to miss it as it’s got to be one of the largest structures present within the park. In line for the coaster you think that all is going well, except that once you pass through an unattended science experiment, things get a little crazy—Santa needs to remember not to bring this kid a chemistry set next year. Buckle in and the coaster accelerates up to 40mph in just two seconds—while going up hill—and that’s when you’re turned into the Hulk.

more ›

/ / / / / /

World's Scariest Roller Coasters: Universal Orlando's Revenge of the Mummy Over Halloween

October 19, 2010 at 12:32 PM | by | Comments (0)

Vampires may be the cool kids now when it comes to the scary stuff, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve totally forgot about creatures like werewolves or mummies. Universal Studios in Orlando is an equal opps provider when it comes to giving attention to all kinds of creatures from beyond, but their main focus is their indoor coaster dedicated to The Mummy movie series.

The Revenge of the Mummy has been freaking out tourists for several years now, but its unique ride technology still puts it at the top of our list when it comes to scary coasters around the world. There’s quick turns, sudden stops, and of course plenty of creatures from the afterlife lurking around each turn and twist—not to mention plenty of beetles ready to attack!

more ›

Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices