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What Will Universal Do With The 60 Acres They Own Behind Islands Of Adventure

Hi Thrill Seekers,

We’ve all pretty much been caught up in the Wizarding World of UniversalThemeParksHarry Potter Diagon Alley hype and who can blame us! The thought of a new ride at Gringotts or eating at the Leaky Cauldron has got us all eager to book a trip to Orlando.

Thinking back to the furore that surrounded the initial opening back in 2010 we’re predicting the next phase will even surpass that!  Universal have invested heavily in the Potter franchise and will reap the rewards for many years to come, possible next projects include an upgrade for the Jurassic Park land but then what?

Universal have approximately 60 acres worth of land just behind Islands of Adventure, we’ve been hearing rumours all year that perhaps their next big project could be a new theme park in today’s post we’ll be discussing what they might do.

Water Park

This rumour doesn’t seem to want to go away, even though Universal now own Wet N’ Wild out right the feeling out there is that Universal may well build a water park in the spare 60 acres. A water park does seem to fit in nicely and would offer something different than the 2 other parks on the Universal lot.

Kiddies Park

Universal has the image of being aimed at teenagers and this leaves a large market devoted to Disney, could Universal be looking to build a kiddie friendly theme park to compete for that age bracket (3-9)?

Lord of the Rings

Early this year we reported on the idea of Middle Earth being turned into a Land rumour has it that both Universal and Disney are interested in taking advantage of the very popular Tolkien World however as the story goes J.R. Tolkien and Walt Disney didn’t get on so perhaps Universal are in the driving seat to obtain the rights from the Tolkien family to build a theme park?

More Potter

If its working why not invest more!? Although we don’t really think this is a viable project we thought we better include it. Potter brings in so much business to Universal I think we’d be stupid not to.

In reality it doesn’t really make sense though, as Universal have already invested Millions of Dollars on Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios what other parts of the Wizarding World are left that would fill up an entire park?

Whatever they decide we’ve been told on the “hush hush” that Universal are looking at a 2018 launch….

What would you like to see Universal add?

Smiles included…

Jamie

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Follow us on Instagram and win 2GB penguin shaped flash drive!

 

Afternoon thrill seekers!

How would you like to win a 2GB SeaWorld Penguin shaped flash drive?

One of the great things about working with Orlando theme parks and attractions is that everything just looks so cool in a photo!

Orlando Attraction Tickets have launched our Instagram account and will be doing our best to post as much theme park eye candy as possible.

To mark the launch of the account we are running a little ‘FREE give a way’ – How would you like to get your hands on a SeaWorld Penguin shaped Flash Drive?

Its simple, here’s what you have to do;

1) Follow us on Instagram (search ‘orlandoattractiontickets on Instagram, click ‘follow’)
2) Become a Insta-star; simply email or ‘@’ us your favourite holiday snap from one of the  theme parks in Florida – we will then re-post it on our account.

(email@ karlh@orlandoattractiontickets.co.uk)

Be A Winner!

The first 15 people will win 2GB SeaWorld ‘Antacrtica’ Penguin Flash Drive. You can use them to store all your future holiday pics or videos on! cool eh?

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Naturally there are a few rules. Please note that stocks are very limited so get in quick to win. We can only send them within the UK. By sending us your holiday snap you give us permission to post that image online. You need to have the Instagram app on your smart phone to enter.

So what are you waiting for – Follow Orlando Attraction Tickets on Instagram for your Orlando theme park eye candy 🙂

Good luck!

Karl

PS.  You will need to have Instagram on your smartphone to enter. You can download Instagram for free at the Apple App Store for Iphone or via Google Play for Andriod phones.

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Is Middle Earth Moving To Orlando?

Hi Thrill Seekers,

Today the theme park community is a wash with rumour which in turn is fuelling excitement…

As reported on a number of sites, it is said, depending on which you read, that either Universal Studios has purchased or is in the process of securing the rights to Tolkien’s works based around the fantasy World of Middle Earth, you may have heard of his books… The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 😉

Now the Tolkien estate in previous years has been very negative towards the idea of a Lord of the Rings style theme park and was even critical of the films directed by Peter Jackson. However insiders are stating that they may well have been impressed by how true to the books Universal stuck with the Harry Potter series.

Remember this is just rumour and has nothing concrete supporting it, personally I’m thinking does it make sense for Universal to open another Fantasy “land” so similar to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, would the similarities cause cross over problems?

Its pretty much confirmed without actually being confirmed that Universal Orlando are looking to extend the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in to Universal Studios, where would a Middle Earth “land” sit?

The reasons it might happen are obvious, Tolkien’s books are legendary and have and will continue to live on. There is definitely money to be made by Universal with such a product which they would of course feature in all their major parks, starting with Orlando.

It would be interesting to see what rides the Universal creative team could come up with here’s our guesses…

Gandalf’s Drop 

A roller coaster culminating in a massive drop, similar to SheiKra, representing Gandalf’s fight and fall in Lord of the Rings.

Dam Breaker

You know the big battle scene, where the dam is broken that helps wash away the armies, a water ride based on this would be great. Imagine all the great imagery you could include!

Twin Towers

2 “towers” facing each other one starts at the top, the other at the bottom, you are then shot up or down depending on your ride, similar to Dr Doom at Islands of Adventure however at certain parts the ride stops so you are looking at the tower opposite… you’ll see some cracking facial expressions 🙂

What would you like to see?

regards

Jamie

 

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Universal’s Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Serves It’s 5 Millionth Butterbeer

It’s almost bedtime Thrill Seekers but I just heard the news that Universal Orlando has confirmed they have just served their 5 Millionth Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Butterbeer for all you muggles out there, is the popular non alcholic drink favoured by Wizards in J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series. When Universal Orlando first got cracking on building the Wizarding World of Harry Potter they put together a creative team purely to design and replicate Butterbeer, J.K. Rowling herself had final say on the taste which is reminiscent of shortbread and sweet butterscotch.

The recipe is a closely guarded secret although some of us have had a go at replicating it and has proved so successful that recently Universal Orlando had to open a 4th Butterbeer serving location to meet demand!

To mark this special occasion Universal treated a 1000 guests to the wizards drink while at the same time perhaps setting a new Guinness World record for “Butterbeer moustaches”. 🙂

Rick Florell, senior vice president of revenue sales and the man who oversaw the making of Butterbeer said

We created an authentic taste experience for our guests to complement all of the immersive experiences The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would offer them. We new we had created something that tasted great and would be popular but have been surprised by just how popular.

Mmmm I can almost taste one now…

good night,

Jamie

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SeaWorld’s Bands, Brew and BBQ

Good evening Thrill Seekers,

I know we haven’t even got past Christmas yet but SeaWorld have today announced the majority of their line up for the 2013 Bands. Brew & BBQ event.

For those of you unfamiliar, SeaWorld partners with local restaurants to bring not only a sizzling, mouth watering BBQ but also an array of thirst-quenching beer in an amazing atmosphere created by incredible musicians from classic rock and country music.

Bands, Brew & BBQ is included with park admission. Enjoy Bands, Brew & BBQ February 9th -March 17th, 2013.

Saturday, February 9              Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann

Sunday, February 10              Merle Haggard

Saturday, February 16            The Beach Boys

Sunday, February 17              Styx

Saturday, February 23            Big & Rich

Sunday, February 24              Third Eye Blind

Saturday, March 2                  Daryl Hall and John Oates

Sunday, March 3                    TBD

Saturday, March 9                  TBD

Sunday, March 10                  Josh Turner

Saturday, March 16                TBD

Sunday, March 17                  TBD

Remember SeaWorld tickets can be purchased online via Orlando Attraction Tickets.

Regards

Jamie

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Universal Studio’s Orlando Confirms Transformers Ride For Summer 2013

It’s just coming up to midnight Thrill Seekers and I’ve just finished listening to Universal Studio Orlando’s big announcement….

What was actually one of the worlds worse kept secrets was confirmed; Universal are building the Transformers Ride in Orlando for release in the summer of 2013… And we are guessing July!

Here’s Universals video announcement

So with despicable me!, the extension of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and now the arrival of Transformers the Ride, Universal Orlando are looking pretty healthy…

Regards

Jamie

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Universal Orlando’s Big Reveal Will Happen On The 1st November

 

Hi Thrill Seekers,

A lot of building work has been going on at Universal Orlando this year with not a lot of explanation… obviously the internet has been a wash with rumours regarding what’s actually been going on  but Universal have finally sent out media invites for a press conference due to happen on the 1st November at 19:30.

So what do we think will be announced….

Well here at Orlando Attraction Tickets we don’t like to get involved in ideal chitter chatter…… Pah! of course we do!!!

Back in 2011 we reported on the percieved extension of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and from what we’ve seen and heard we think this is pretty much a no brainer… The closure of Jaws pretty much sealed this exciting deal.

The second announcement that we believe Universal Orlando will make is the introduction of Universal Studios Hollywood’s flagship ride; Transformers The Ride 3D.

The Transformer themed thrill ride has been getting rave reviews in California, and with Universal keen to encourage footfall not just at Islands of Adventure but at Universal Studios as well, the Transformers ride could definitely provide that spark.

Here’s a look at the video for Transformers the Ride 3d at Universal Studio’s Hollywood to wet your appetite.

You can gain access to Universal Orlando with the following tickets.

So stay tuned on the 1st November to see which rumours Universal announce.

regards,

Jamie

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7th February – Last chance to catch ‘old’ Spider-Man ride

For all you old school’ers out there that still get dizzy on the nostalgia when you think about that awesome time when you rode The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride at Universals Island’s of Adventure, I have some sad news…it’s closing! But dont panic, no need to do anything silly…relax…it will be opening up again in March! and the good news is it will be even more awesome – Hurrah!

According to Universal, Tuesday the 7th of February will be the last day of the current edition of the ride which has been thrilling visitors to Marvels Super Hero Island since 1999.

The new version of the ride will of course maintain its original story line where Spidey battles with a variety of super-villains, however its the technology that is getting a re-boot. The new version will add fresh details right down to the threads of Spidey’s costume to greatly enhance the visual experience. Plus the new version will also feature a cameo from Marvel comics legend and Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee.

Among the incoming additions are a new projection system, 4K digital high-def animated picture, new optical glass 3-D glasses and improved lighting.

Some work to the real-life sets that the ride travels through and the queue also will be updated or enhanced, Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, said last week.

“Because it’s a very seamless experience between the film and the surrounding sets, a lot of the surrounding sets had to be redone in order to match the new light qualities of the picture,” he said.

So, Spider-Man fans there is no need to freak out…its all going to be OK! in fact its going to be more than OK, its going to be better with even more Spideyness! Oh and before you say anything…I know,  ‘Spideyness’ isn’t really a word 🙂

For more details of other updates at Universal see our recent post: Universal Updates for 2012

For those of you lucky enough to be travelling when the upgrade has been opened please get in touch and let us know what you thought!

Cheers

Frank

 

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NextGen Technology To Hit Disney In 2012

Disney has been critised in the past for being slow to embrace modern technology so critics will be pleased to know that Disney are looking at 2012 to launch its new “Next Generation” projects.

Disney plan to allow customers the opportunity to plan their day at the theme park including ride times and reservations from the comfort of their hotel and will use this data to provide suggestions for more activities in the hope of extending revisits while at the same time reducing queuing times.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs said

“…we are currently developing an innovative system that will, in essence, create a version of FASTPASS for their entire Disney vacations. Now we define the guest experience as beginning from the time a potential guest sits down at a computer or picks up a phone to make a reservation. Our new tools will help them better understand all that we have to offer and better plan their time with us. They’ll be able to create a personalized itinerary that gives them the exact Disney vacation they want.

Guests will be able to reserve times for their favorite attractions and character interactions… secure seats at our shows and spectaculars… make dining reservations… and pre-book many other favorite guest experiences – all before even leaving their house.”

How to book Disney Tickets

You can book Disney Tickets by visiting Orlando Attraction Tickets and viewing on theDisneyland tickets or for even more fun check out the Orlando PassPort.

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Can you ever have too much Disney?

Although it had been rumoured and a few had commented on i, Disney finally confirmed on the 01/01/12 the following

As you may have just heard on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, we’re kicking off 2012 with a special announcement – an extra day of magic for you called “One More Disney Day.” For the first time ever, both Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland park will stay open for 24 hours straight. That’s right, from 6 a.m., February 29 to 6 a.m., March 1, 2012, local time, you can fill the extra day of leap year with a marathon of Disney Parks fun.

Yep that’s right you read it correctly, Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park will be staying open for 24hrs on 29/02/12…

Are you  a marathon Disney visitor?

How to book

You can book Disney Tickets by visiting Orlando Attraction Tickets and viewing on the Disneyland tickets or for even more fun check out the Orlando PassPort.