 Christmas
at Universal's Island of Adventure:
 
A
VacationEARS guided tour of Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Towering above the Wizarding
World of Harry Potter is Hogwarts, the signature structure of the new
Universal attraction at Islands of Adventure. As your kids know, in the
Potter books and films, the castle is home to the Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, but the Orlando version houses the new ride called
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Even if you don't want to get
on board, you really should wait in line.
The line for
Forbidden Journey winds through the castle and is filled with Potter relics
set in rooms that resemble scenes from the movies, and, for the first time
in history, muggles — that's the term for non-magical folk — are being
allowed to tour Hogwarts school! The queue (waiting line) is both dark and
picturesque so watch out or you might bump into another muggle while you are
absorbed in the surroundings.
Here's what to expect on a
walk-through.
You’ll enter the castle
through the dungeon, appropriately but really dark after being in the bright
sunshine. The line begins to the left. If the single-rider line is
available, there will be a wool-vested team member to guide you, but be
aware that with this shortcut you miss about 90 percent of the Hogwarts
queue experience! Be sure to take the regular castle tour. The line is
more than half of the experience and not to be missed.
When you take the regular
castle tour, you’ll spend a little time on the ground level before
encountering the first bits of Potter pieces, the Mirror of Erised and a
statue of the one-eyed witch. Soon, you are back in the sunlight, under the
cover of the castle greenhouse. (There's a drink cart stationed here and
while handy, remember tiny-bladdered visitors should keep in mind that the
public restrooms are way over near the middle of the Hogsmeade village.)
The greenhouse is open-air, a bit humid and decorated with hanging greenery
and a few mandrakes, none of which give off a deadly shriek. This stretch
has ramps that lift the queue up to the next level.
Entering the castle proper
again, you’ll find a long hall which showcases statues of Hogwarts'
architect and its first headmaster. A curved room houses a golden statue of
a hippogriff (half eagle, half horse) and portraits dominate the next rooms
and corridors. The "living" paintings of the founders of Hogwarts' four
houses discuss matters ranging from a lost dragon to disdain for a certain
boy wizard. (That Salazer Slytherin has a bad attitude about Harry.)
The portraits hush up as you
enter the office of headmaster Albus Dumbledore, who welcomes us muggles.
It's a faithful re-creation of the space as seen in the Potter films. He
stands high above his audience and although he has a glow about him, the
look is mystifyingly three-dimensional.
From here, you’re ushered into
the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Harry and his pals Ron
and Hermione conspire to rescue us from a deadly dull lesson on the history
of Hogwarts. In this room, you see the cloak of invisibility in action, a
giant skeleton and, sometimes, inclement weather.
On your way
to the Gryffindor common room, you’ll pass by the Fat Lady portrait and
assorted relics, including an edition of the Daily Prophet. In the common
room, four never-before-seen characters explain safety precautions before
you enter a hallway that ends with the Sorting Hat, which spiels off more
rules.
Just one more turn and stop
before entering the loading station, which has a moving sidewalk below and
floating candles above. Time for a final decision: Keep feet on the ground
or go for a flight on an enchanted bench alongside Harry Potter? Don't let
those spiders, dragons, Dementors and a rugged match of Quidditch scare you
away. Go for it!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal
Orlando :
More
Harry Potter Theme Park!
The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal opened June 18 within
the 'Islands of Adventure' park. This new
attraction, based around the books and movies, offers fans the chance to visit Hogwarts
Castle and Hogsmeade village amongst other famous 'Harry Potter' landmarks. Based inside Hogwarts Castle, the Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter is a
one-of-a-kind 'totally immersive, dark' simulator robo-coaster ride. This amazing
new attraction uses groundbreaking giant robotic arms to loft riders into the air, and
take them on a journey around the castle grounds. Inside
Hogwarts, you can visit Dumbledore's office, the 'Defense Against the Dark Arts'
classroom, the Gryffindor common room and more. The
Flight of the Hippogriff is a Harry
Potter re-themed 'Flying Unicorn' coaster; which seems to be a family oriented
rollercoaster ride. For the braver (not Paulette and Lee), Dragon Challenge is a re-themed 'Duelling
Dragons' ride. This is a faster rollercoaster with two trains, twists and loops
which almost come together - only now with Chinese fireballs and Hungarian
Horntail! You can take a walk through Hogsmeade
village in winter. For all those budding wizards and witches, the Wizarding
World seems to offer an array of gift shops (imagine that!) to purchase those essentials -
wand, broom stick, latest spells, etc. Wands even “come alive” when selected by
their rightful wizards! Expect to see Ollivander's,
Dervish and Banges and Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods, as well as
themed family restaurants (where non-alcholic shortbread cookie with butterscotch
flavoured Butterbeer is available).
Wizarding World of Harry Potter sells one millionth
butterbeer:
·
UNIVERSAL’S
HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS (Removed- a little too much for family fun!)
·
UNIVERSAL’S “THE HIGH IN THE SKY SEUSS
TROLLEY TRAIN RIDE:”
You can really look up in
the sky and see what your eyes spy! It’s
a brand new ride giving you a whole new perspective of Seuss Landing. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride”
takes you on a journey throughout Seuss landing on one of two different tracks where
you’ll follow the story of the “Sneetches” as you GENTLY ride high above
the colorful rides and attractions below. You’ll
enjoy an unforgettable view of all of Dr. Seuss’s whimsical creations.
  
 
Universal Orlando Gets the Blues
 We did this and, well,
we sure don't recommend it! But......Fire up the paint guns and pop open the bag of
marshmallows. The PVC pipe-thumping characters known as Blue Man Group have brought their
unusual mix of idiot-savant-garde theater and infectious rock music to Universal beginning
next June. The show incorporates elements from the troupe's permanent productions in
cities including Las Vegas and Boston, its wild touring concert, and new material
developed exclusively for the Florida performance. Universal has transformed the former
Nickelodeon Studios building into a 1000-seat theater that guests can access from either
the Universal Studios theme park or the CityWalk entertainment zone. Tickets are offered a
la carte or as a package with theme park passes. Blue Man Group is Universal's answer to
Walt Disney World's Cirque du Soleil production of "La Nouba." As with many
comparisons between the squeaky-clean Disney and the edgier Universal (case in point:
Disney just completed its annual International Food and Wine Festival; Universal countered
with its annual Beer Festival), the blue guys will undoubtedly be wackier, louder, and
more in your face than Cirque's sanguine clowns. We
agree...it was wacky!
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO'S FEAR FACTOR:
Guests at
Universal Studios' theme parks are testing their courage and strength as they perform
pulse-pounding stunts in new "Fear Factor Live" shows now at Universal Orlando. Based upon the award-winning NBC program "Fear
Factor," Fear Factor Live marks the first time a reality television show is
transformed into a theme park experience.
Audience members experience the thrill of the blockbuster series in a way they could not
before: live. In each show, park guests compete against each other in a progression of
extreme stunts. The stunts have been developed with help from Fear Factor's creators and
are designed to test the physical and emotional limits of each contestant. Members of the audience play an interactive role by
blasting contestants with water and air and controlling obstacles on stage.
Put yourself
to the test at the most extreme audience participation show ever! Perform gravity-defying stunts live in front of
thousands as you compete head to head against other guests.
Come eye-to-eye with creatures from your nightmares as they creep and crawl
across your skink. Or, pulverize contestants
from your seat with unexpected audience-induced mayhem.
It’s unscripted, unpredictable, and unlike anything you’ve ever
seen before.
In addition,
audience members can spin the "Wheel of Fear" and confront their own phobias.
With Fear Factor Live, people now have the chance to participate in the same stunts done
on TV. "Fear Factor" is produced the
leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres
for network and cable television.
UNIVERSAL
CITYWALK – ONE-OF-A-KIND:
Guests at CityWalk are able to choose from an extraordinary and eclectic collection
of themed restaurants, nightclubs, movie theaters, and specialty shops. CityWalk is a two-tiered promenade of individually
themed entertainment adventures that capture everything from the birthplace of Motown
sound to the heat-throbbing world of NASCAR auto racing to the world’s largest Hard
Rock Café. Included in CityWalk are: Hard
Rock Café, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, EMERIL’S RESTURANT, Bob Marley-a
Tribute to Freedom, Universal Cineplex (20 screens), NBA City, Pastamore, CityJazz, Motwon
Café, NASCAR café, Latin Quarter, The Groove, and specialty shops.
UNIVERSAL’S
REVENGE OF THE MUMMY:
The new ride at Universal Studios
Florida will wrap you in suspense and intrigue. Part coaster, part dark ride, it is a
revolutionary ride experience. You enter the movie set where you are cast as an extra in a
mine car chase scene for an upcoming Mummy sequel. In the sometimes humorous videos that
run in the queue area, you start feeling that nothing is going as planned. There's talk of
the set being cursed. Star Brendan Fraser can't get the catering company to pony up a cup
of Joe -- much less respect. Then the line gets deliciously creepy as you enter the tomb
set. Lights flicker. A mummy tomb in the middle will react if you lay your hand on a
handprint. You see a video monitor of folks walking a bridge and if you press a button and
they will react. The next walkway features a hologram that will also give you a good scare
if you try to touch it. Then, yes, you find yourself on that very bridge -- suddenly at
the mercy of those behind you in the queue. It's a beautifully themed line area which
leads to a set of stairs that will take you to the boarding area.
Has the evil Imhotep really come back?
What became of Reggie, a hyperactive member of the film crew? Well, it's time for your
scene so you hop into your mine car, four rows, four seats in each row. You then realize
what happened to Reggie. It's a trap! Imhotep wants your soul. You must find the Med-jai
symbol to save yourself. Will you find it in time? Battling a horde of scarab beetles and
Imhotep's brutal rage where even a ride unloading dock is not safe, is death only the
beginning or will you see to Imhotep's end?
While we are not fans of ANY coaster
type ride (too old!), this 4-minute ride will thrill you for sure! While the
linear-inducted propulsion isn't as powerful as other launched rides like Hulk or Rock
& Roller Coaster you will be pleasantly surprised at the exciting elements -- like a
car that goes backwards or rotates on a turntable in a brilliant 180 degree escape from a
dead end. Housed in the same building that once gave Kongfrontation life on the Roosevelt Island tramway -- meaning that while there
wasn't enough room for loops or huge drops you still get a bit of air time. Enjoy, but don't
cry for your mummy.You must be 48 inches to ride.
Take a
Bathing Suit: While the teens are enjoying the thrill rides, put a bathing suit on
the little ones (and you too) and don't forget "Curious George Goes to Town," a
playground with enough water fountains and hoses to douse a 10 - alarm fire! |
