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Steven Spielberg Keeps His Two Percent Of Universal Studios Ticket Sales

October 30, 2009 at 9:02 AM | by kjb | 0 Comments

We were pretty eager to see if Steven Spielberg and Mickey Mouse would actually come together to create some kind of super theme park. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen, and we’ll just have to settle for separate parks with separate rides. At the end of the summer it seemed that Spielberg might be getting out of his lucrative theme park consulting contract, but instead, he’s just extending it.

He agreed to delay a buyout option in his consulting contact with NBC Universal, which means he’ll be getting a fat paycheck until 2017. He’ll probably get to throw his two cents in when it comes to designing new attractions in Singapore and Dubai, so we might need to put those new parks on our theme park wish list. Maybe he’ll even tell Harry Potter how to do things the Spielberg way down in Florida. We kind of figured that his deal was too good to drop, especially because Disney probably wouldn’t have wanted to share that much cash with anyone.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Open at Universal Orlando in Spring 2010

September 15, 2009 at 11:45 AM | by juliana | 1 Comment

It's hard to believe anything good could come out of Draco Malfoy's mouth but today in a media webcast, Draco (aka actor Tom Felton) let us know that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a 20-acre "fully immersive" theme park attraction would be opening at the Universal Studios Orlando in Spring 2010. Muggles and Wizards rejoice!

Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts was joined by Harry Potter films production designer Stuart Craig and show producer Alan Gilmore to give out a special sneak peek of the most anticipated theme park attraction since...hmm...maybe since Disney World opened? You all know how nutty HP fans get over the newest books/films. But imagine what they'll do to experience riding a Hippogriff or sending owl mail or exploring forbidden rooms in Hogwarts Castle?

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Could Steven Spielberg Bounce From Universal Studios To Disney World?

August 27, 2009 at 12:24 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

We are already quite aware of the roller coaster delays at Universal Studios in Orlando, but at least we know it’s coming sooner than later. However, that might not be the case for those of us who love the rides from Steven Spielberg movies. See, the movie director extraordinaire is re-negotiating his contract with park officials—he’s got quite the lucrative consulting contract.

Right now, Spielberg gets a flat fee and a percentage of the cash brought in for attractions at the park. He signed the deal about 20 years ago, so you can imagine that his annual check has probably increased significantly. They never set an expiration date to the agreement, but as of June 2010, he does have the right to cut things off.

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Florida's Summer Is Sunny Skies With Chance Of Roller Coaster Delays

August 6, 2009 at 12:09 PM | by kjb | 1 Comment

We’ve been trying to plan a trip to check out Universal Studios' latest coaster at their Florida park for a while, but constant delays have left us less than thrilled. The summer is definitely approaching its end and we haven’t heard too much about this new roller coaster’s grand opening. Originally the thing was supposed to be thrilling folks around the Memorial Day weekend, but maybe Labor Day will be when we can welcome it into the world.

Apparently there’s been some issues with the lift, and the cars haven’t been making it all the way through the track. We love a little thrill, but we’d rather not be stuck upside down on a lift hill—so we say keep up the tests!

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Cindy Crawford Goes Skydiving in Hollywood

Where: Universal Studios City Walk [map], Universal City, CA, United States, 91608
July 30, 2009 at 9:40 AM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Ever wanted to go skydiving but didn't think you were up for the whole jumping out of a plane bit? Then make like Cindy Crawford and head to Universal Studios City Walk in Hollywood where you can try out indoor skydiving. No plane needed. Heck, you don't even have to jump off a bench or anything.

That's because iFly Hollywood is essentially a vertical wind tunnel. Here's how they describe it:

Simply put, iFLY is flying; you will soar on a column of air inside a vertical wind tunnel....iFLy uses superior technology and is unique; multiple fans located at the top of the flight chamber produce a wall-to-wall airflow that is smooth and fun to fly in.

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Universal Studios Is Already Prepping For A Horror Show Halloween

June 30, 2009 at 12:37 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

Although summer has just begun, the theme park-loving people are already looking forward to the next major holiday. To get the blood racing, Universal Studios has announced a few new details about this year’s Halloween festivities, and like usual, it looks to put other park’s offerings to shame.

The theme this year, Halloween Horror Nights, will be based on slasher films, horror flicks, and other scary movies. The parks on each coast will have similar offerings, but the park in Orlando has announced a few more details than its sibling out west.

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Summer Concerts An Added Bonus At Universal Orlando

May 28, 2009 at 3:32 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

If waiting in a long line for your shot to ride the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is not your idea of a good time at Universal Studios Orlando, then you might want to consider some of their summertime entertainment. The Summer Concert Series kicks off on June 13 with a concert by Jordin Sparks, and admission is included in your daily park pass—no need to shell out any additional cash.

Things continue with performances by LL Cool J on June 20 and Natasha Bedingfield on June 27. Even The O’Jays cruise into town over the Independence Day holiday weekend to help celebrate and kickoff the fireworks displays.

Apparently park officials aren’t too familiar with a calendar, as the concert series ends without anything else planned for July and nothing at all for August. Well, we guess it’s better than nothing.

Related Stories:
·Universal Orlando Summer Concert Series [Official Site]
·Theme Parks Are Cookin' Up Some Goods For Summer '09 [Jaunted]
·Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of another Universal Orlando concert: divemasterking2000]

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Universal Orlando's Newest Coaster Delayed Until 'Late Spring or Summer'

April 30, 2009 at 3:41 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

If you were planning to head to Universal Studios in Orlando soon, you may want to push your trip out a couple months. The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster has been delayed from its original launch date, and is now looking to thrill tourists starting in “late spring/early summer.” Um, isn't it already late spring? Anyways, at least they’ve finally revealed some details of the coaster.

Before riding this new steel beast you’ll pick your own soundtrack to listen to while you are trying to hang on for your life at up to 65 mph. Even fans of country will be able to listen to their favorite Toby Keith joint, as the song selection will encompass five different genres of music. At the end of your trip you can even purchase a video of your ride complete with the soundtrack you picked—sounds expensive.

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Theme Parks Are Cookin' Up Some Goods For Summer '09

March 20, 2009 at 11:31 AM | by kjb | 0 Comments

If traveling to Germany isn’t within your summer vacation budget, then you might want to check out the roller coaster offerings stateside. Park officials are betting big time that you’ll be spending what’s left of your money on entertainment close to home. So, they’ll be trying to lure your hard earned cash with five big coasters all across the country, and we’ve got the scoop on what they have to offer.

Of course Florida is in the mix for the 2009 season. We’ve discussed how the Hollywood Rip, Ride Rockit will be racing into Universal Studios Florida this summer, but we don’t know when or how. Exact specifications on this thing are sketchy at best, and it seems like they’ve been building it forever. They’ll be music, color changing effects, and other fancy newfangled technology. However, unless this thing is the second coming of coasters, we’re thinking it could be the flop of 2009.

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We Wish You A Merry Grinchmas

December 5, 2008 at 1:30 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

The holiday celebration gets underway tomorrow at the Universal Orlando Resort. Mannheim Steamroller comes to Universal Studios with performances at 6 pm and 8 pm, and surprisingly, the concerts are included with your daily admission. Besides the Christmas decorations and music that you’ll find throughout the parks, there are some special events to catch, too:

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Universal Studios Preparing For Optimus Prime

November 4, 2008 at 10:30 AM | by kjb | 0 Comments

Despite the continued economic worries, one theme park appears to be continuing business as usual. Universal Studios recently announced that their parks in Hollywood and Singapore would be getting a new ride based on the Transformers series.

The ride is still being planned and isn’t set to debut until 2011, but it will incorporate all of the latest bells and whistles--robotics, 3D and high-definition. Both director Michael Bay and producer Steven Spielberg have even signed on to advise in the ride’s production, so we can hope for a half-way decent experience.

No word yet on whether Megan Fox will make an appearance in full 3D.

Related Stories:
· Giant Robots Are Coming to Singapore, Hollywood [AP, via Google]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jquiz]

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Theme Parks Travel: Eating with the King

October 10, 2008 at 9:45 AM | by kjb | 0 Comments

Just when things got a little healthier at the nation's theme parks, Burger King announced that it plans to create its first Whopper Bar next spring at Universal Studios Orlando. The new concept located within CityWalk will be about half the size of a usual restaurant and will try its best to be trendy.

These restaurants will feature all the usual fast-food favorites as well as a more customizable approach to the traditional burger that they're calling the Whopper Topper area.

If things go well in Orlando, officials are planning to open several more burger bars in other high traffic locations--like your local airport.

Related Stories:
· BK to Debut Whopper Bar Next Year [NRN]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jurek d.]