Confession # 13: Not Me

As much as I've looked forward to the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter over at IOA/Universal Orlando, I did NOT go on Opening Day.

Nope. No way.

It had been announced that the parking lots (Universal Orlando has 2 huge multi-story lots) would open at 5:30 am even tho the WWoHP wouldn't open until 10:30 am (not counting the earlier entry for special guests).

And people started lining up the day before, standing on the I-4 overpass ALL night because U/O wouldn't let them stay on property.

I turned on the tv at 5 am and there was already coverage on local stations which continued until, get this, 9 am, just about when Bill Davis, U/O prez started to open the envelope (see below).  Our local ABC channel switched over to The PTL Club! So I switched over to the local all-news station.

From someone who was there:

The Harry Potter Morning-After Report

I am definitely gonna go, later, tho, like about November.

And I'm already saving up $$ for all the HarryPotterCrap I want ... definitely a wand, both kinds of butterbeer (frozen and not frozen), cauldron cakes, chocolate frogs (seeing a trend here...)



(Line photos: Orlando Sentinel)

Harry Potter Actors Tour the Wizarding World

James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid),  Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) get a sneak peek at Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

They visited Ollivander's where a wand chose Emma, the Three Broomsticks where they sampled butterbeer, and got a ride on HP and the Forbidden Journey.

photo: Matt / Orlando Attractions Magazine

Spilling the (Bertie Botts) Beans

Sandy Klim, writer for "Going Places", AAA members' magazine, reveals some very cool secrets about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I guess you could say she spilled the (Bertie Botts Every Flavor) Beans!

In the village of Hogsmeade, be sure to check out Gringott's bank and its ATM. "No one protects money like a Goblin!"

You can buy a Firebolt at Dervish and Banges.
Also check out the 'Monster Book of Monsters' (grrrr) on display.

At Honeydukes, try the licorice clippings, a candy "dispensed in a very unique and unusual manner".


You can choose from 13 kinds of wands at Ollivander's shop.
But remember, the wand chooses the wizard.
"A mismatched wand creates havoc". and the right one ... you'll know".
(Hint: the wandkeeper will ask specific questions to determine the correctness of your wand).

While in the queue for the big ride, 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey', you'll meet the never-before-seen founders of Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw.

And ... something about Moaning Myrtle, but that's still a secret.

Wizarding World opens June 18th.

Confession # 11: I Miss the Great Fright Way

The Ghostbusters vs Beetlejuice was my favorite street show over at Universal Studios until February 19, 2005, when it was closed after a 15-year run.

In every on-line survey I've taken for Universal Orlando, I've mentioned how much I miss these guys.

I'm not the only one. There is an on-line petition   to bring this show back.

June 18, 2010

What: The Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Where: Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando

Click on the map to see full view:

Disney World what?

What in the (Wizarding) World ??

In case you've been unconscious, under a rock, or in outer space for the past year...

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando.
     JUNE 18, 2010

What you can expect to see:


The Hogwarts Express,
which whistles and billows steam to signal its arrival;

Hogsmeade Village 
    with Wizard shops....

Zonko's:
a joke shop where you can purchase Extendable Ears and Sneakoscopes;


Honeydukes:
which features treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans  (take 'THAT' Ghirardellis);

The Three Broomsticks and the adjacent Hog's Head pub, offering traditional British food and drinks ... and the definitely non-traditional Butterbeer (non-alcoholic) and pumpkin juice;

The Owlery and The Owl Post:
where you can send letters with a  Hogsmeade postmark and buy official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter;

Ollivander's:
the wand shop where the 'wand chooses the wizard' in an interactive experience (I wonder if the Wand of Destiny will be available? );

Dervish and Banges:
the magical instruments shop selling Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

The attractions:

Dragon Challenge:
a twin high-speed roller coaster with many elements from the Triwizard Tournament (the former "Dueling Dragons");

Flight of the Hippogriff:
a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle (the former "Flying Unicorn");


Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey:
the big, huge, new ride located in Hogwarts Castle: a state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced;

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade:
Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods
(get your Omnioculars here!)

I'm saving my Galleons and Knuts for HarryPotterstuff and butterbeer!!

WWWD?

The Disney Company just spent about $4 Billion to acquire 5,000 Marvel characters.

Some of them (Spider-Man, The Hulk, Dr. Doom) can already be seen as rides / attractions up the road at Marvel Super Hero Island, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando.
I have two problems with this.

#1 That $4 billion could have been spent upgrading ALL of WDW's parks, building a new moderate resort and upgrading the others, re-opening River Country and Discovery Island (both of which are just moldering away), creating a new land at DAK (how about Australia!), adding a new country to Epcot's World Showcase, keeping the parks cleaner, or how about this: extending the monorail to run all over WDW and get rid of the buses.


#2 Marvel characters are NOT Disney characters. I admit to being somewhat of a 'traditionalist'; I just can't see Captain America (for example) and Mickey together.

So, What Would Walt Do?
Well, I'm pretty sure he'd be spinning at about Warp 6.

Update: WWoHP

Thanks to Ricky at Orlando Attractions Magazine:

Possible Names for WWoHP Rides, Restaurants & More:

A search on the website for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals that back in May, Warner Bros. filed for several trademarks that are likely related to the new “theme park within a theme park”.

Some of the trademarked names are familiar: Three Broomsticks, Butterbeer, Ollivanders, Honeydukes, and Zonko’s.

Beyond those, six more trademarks may point to other areas of the Wizarding World and could even be the names of the attractions within it:

- Most notably, the name “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is filed under “Entertainment services in the nature of an amusement park ride.” It may be safe to assume that this will be the name of the large new ride that is being constructed in the back of the park.

- Likewise, listed under the same category are “Flight of the Hippogriff” and “Dragon Challenge,” which are likely going to be the new names for the existing Flying Unicorn and Dueling Dragons rides.

- Four other trademark names are also listed:

“Owl Post” and “Dervish and Banges” are categorized as retail stores.

“Hogsmeade Village” is listed as “Entertainment services in the nature of an amusement park attraction, namely, a themed area.”

“Magic Neep” is categorized under “Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption.”

- Finally, on the same day that all of these were filed, a mark intended for use on clothing was filed featuring an Harry Potter “HP” logo along with a “stylized wing ball” better known to Potter fans as a Golden Snitch. While “Golden Snitch” has had many trademarks filed for in the past few years, this is one appears to be related to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter simply because its filing date is the same as the rest of the words. Perhaps we’ll see this graphic appearing on apparel inside the theme park.

It must be noted that while all of these words have been filed as trademarks, it doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily going to be used inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There is no reason why further marks could not be filed for in the future. But it is certainly possible that next year we will have a chance to ride something called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

(Credit to Orlando United for first posting the word list)

Image: Universal Studios Orlando

Progress, Bah

They say that progress is a good thing.
But with progress comes change.

And here are some things I wish would not have changed.

At Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Then: Tarzan Rocks
Now: Finding Nemo, the Musical.

Nemo is a great show, but I sure do miss Tarzan's Phil Collins' tunes and the skaters.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Then: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Play It
Now: Toy Story Mania

TSM is a great attraction! I just wish they had put it elsewhere and kept WWTBAM, my co-favorite thing at DHS and one of the very few adult-oriented attractions at WDW.

Then: Residential Street
Now: Lights! Motors! Action!

Residential Street was bulldozed to make way for the Stunt car stadium. When it comes time for the Osborne Lights, you really miss it. Now those millions of light are crammed into the Streets of America. It's a bit over-whelming.

Toy Story's Green Army Men
The guys used to do a really cute street show.
Now the guys only show up in the Block Party Bash and to sign autographs.

Over at Universal Studios:

Then: Kongfrontation
Now: The Mummy.

I have to admit that I missed Kong all together. We moved back to Florida when this attraction was just closing. But from what I have read about it, I'm pretty sure that I would have liked it better than the Mummy.

Beetlejuice vs The Ghostbusters.
This was my favorite street show and I never missed seeing it when we were at US.
Please, please bring them back!!!

Confession # 9: I Like Apples AND Oranges

Someone posted a rant against Universal Studios in one of the on-line Disney newsgroups I read.

Was there last week....What a rip off ... Disney World was much better, it did have a lot more class...

It's a bit like comparing apples and oranges.

Disney World and Universal Studios ARE different.

Disney World's operating theme is "The Happiest Place on Earth".

Universal Studios' operating theme is "We are not Disney".
Okay, okay, it's really "Where Blockbusters Come to Life".

Universal is not shy about making fun of themselves and the place down the road.

Disney pretty much ignores the place up the road.

Disney is more kid-oriented, but Universal does have lots of kid-stuff too.
In fact, over in IOA there is one ride that you HAVE to be with a kid to ride!
And when 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' opens next year, well, that will blur the line even more.

I have to confess that there are shows, rides, characters, etc that I really prefer about one place or the other.

For example: I'll ride Expedition Everest (WDW) but not The Hulk (US-IOA);

I much prefer Jurassic Park River Adventure (US-IOA) to Splash Mountain (WDW);

I'll stand in line to see "It's Tough to Be a Bug" (WDW) but not "Shrek 4-D (US);

The Tower of Terror (WDW) has it all over Dr Doom's Fearfall (US-IOA).

I like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (WDW), but Men in Black (US) is better, and Toy Story Mania (WDW) is even better yet!

I have to admit that (most) Disney Cast Members are much more personable than (most) Universal employees.

Not counting Beetlejuice (US), who is in a class all his own.

And I'll take Pluto (WDW) over Scooby Doo (US) any day.

But overall ... Viva la Difference!

The Three Broomsticks

The Three Broomsticks is coming to Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

This will be a table service restaurant featuring regional Scottish and British-inspired cuisine.

Will there be butterbeer?

Steve Jayson, Universal Orlando's executive chef, who oversees all the resort's food operations:

"Pumpkin juice, butterbeer. All those great beverages, we are working on a lot of different things."

NOTE: In case you're not a Harry Potter fan, the Three Broomsticks, located in the wizards' village of Hogsmeade, is the favorite hangout of Hogwarts students.

If you don't know what Hogwarts and Hogsmeade are, Google will return 8,940,000 results for Hogwarts, and 1,010,000 results for Hogsmeade.

H/T: Theme Park Insider

Rip, Ride, Rockit

This is Universal's new interactive Outdoor roller coaster debuting in 2009.

It will be located near Jimmy Neutron and travel out and over the City Walk lagoon at a top speed of 65 mph.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit touts six near-miss moments and first-ever thrills including a record-breaking loop. Ride vehicles feature the brightest and most innovative color changing LEDs in the world. High-energy visual displays fill the queue line. With up to four ride vehicles on the tracks at any given time, and with concert lighting and special effects mixed in, 'Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit' will be a true high-intensity, multi-sensory experience that is unmatched.

Riders get to choose the song they will listen to while Riding the Rockit.

I took part in a Universal survey to determine which songs might be on the lists, and since I'm an old fogey and have no knowledge of _nor interest in_ what passes for Top 40 music these days, my list was rather lop-sided with Bryan Adams and Huey Lewis. So, HAH.

Let 'er Rip!

Confession # 6: Things I've Seen

that aren't listed in any Orlando guide book ...

... Like the crowd gathered around the Lion King topiary at Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival ... watching a squirrel! The furface, sitting on Rafiki's head, was as still as, er, a statue, and the (otherwise normal) people were confused as to its origins - was it real (biological) or Disney (botanical) ? Even when it scampered down the topiary figure and into the bushes (animatronic ?), some folks were unsure.
Too funny!

... Like the lady in an EVC (electric cart) loading onto a Disney watercraft. She revved that thing up and leaped the ramp. And was actually briefly airborne. We thought she just might keep going off the other side.
Too exciting!

... Like the 3 Japanese girls singing "It's a Small World" in Japanese while waiting for the boat at Port Orleans.
Too sweet!

... Like Fireman Mickey at the Oogie Boogie dance party at Mickey's-Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party. He was a little fellow of about 2 dressed up as a fireman, complete with a Mickey-eared helmet. He was dancing so earnestly, and his costume must've been very warm, so he barfs on himself, mom cleans him up, and he's back to dancing.
Too Oogie Boogie!

... Like the Disney Cast Member at the Whispering Canyon Cafe having the kids swear an oath: "I promise ... to stay up really late and get up really early ... and to ask for EVERYTHING I see ... and to NEVER, no matter what mom says, go to Universal Studios".
Too hilarious!

... Like the Scooby-Doo at Universal Studios whose costume was so tight that it was obvious it was a boy dog.
Too XXX!

... Like the little girl sitting behind us for lunch at the Crystal Palace trying to get the characters' attention. Instead of whistling (which I can't do either), she would go, "Wheee-uuu-whittt, Pooh Bear / Tigger / Piglet / Eeyore!!
Too funny and sweet!

BurgerQuest

Several years ago there was a discussion in a Disney newsgroup regarding where the best hamburger in WDW was to be found.

IMHO the best burger was (see note) to be found at FoodQuest (5th floor, DisneyQuest).

Photo:allears.net

The general consensus of the group was that Beaches and Cream at The Beach Club had the best burger.

Photo: wdwinfo.com

So we tried it. We were disappointed. Definitely not the best burger and the fries were not particularly good either. 

eithereither. We gave it another try just recently, and, I'm sorry to say, the burger & fries (and a cheese steak sandwich) were tasteless and blah.
We decided to try the Hard Rock Cafe over at Universal Studios.

We had bypassed HRC for years because they do not publish prices on the menus posted outside, which is usually an indication that you'll be paying lots.

The burgers were slightly more $$ than say, those at Le Cellier (Canada's restaurant at Epcot 's World Showcase), but they were very, very tasty and came with a plateful of crispy, spicy fries.

And yes, we will certainly go there again.

Note: Alas, FoodQuest is no longer run by the Cheesecake factory and we haven't been to DQ since the change.

Mickey -vs- (Bloody) Mary

Halloween Horror Nights are Universal Studios' annual paean to scary things.

And I do mean scary.

This year's theme is
Reflections of Fear

Featuring Bloody Mary and a host of scarifying Urban Legends.

Nope. Not for wussy me. Nuh-uh.

Although .... I would love to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute. Maybe Time Warp with Frank 'n Friends.

And Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure sounds like fun.

But. You have to go through the Scare Zones to see the shows.

So. Nope.

I'll be over at Mickey's place, front row at the Boo To You Parade.

Photo: Jack Spence / Allears.net

Theme Park Karma

If there is such a thing as karma, the hubby and I are loaded with it - at least as far as theme park going goes.

Over the years, the Hubby and I have been:
*the "Disney Family of the Day" at the All-Star Sports Resort,
*guest conductors on the Magic Kingdom train,
*the Prince & Princess of Pleasure Island,
*Grand Marshals of the 'Share A Dream' parade at the Magic Kingdom.

What a hoot that was!
We not only got to ride in Walt's electric car, we were given our own personalized Mouse Ears!

About a year later we were asked a 2nd time, but declined so that someone else would have that wonderful experience.

(You may wonder how the Grand Marshals are chosen. I don't know what the exact criteria might be except for one thing: don't ask.)

Then, when our son and his bride came for a delayed honeymoon, we visited Disney Studios on the 1st day. We all received special Fast Passes from the Disney Dream Team.

While waiting in line for a photo op with Mike and Sully, my hubby got a phone call from Disney - the kids received a surprise resort upgrade from a Value Resort (All-Star Sports) to a Deluxe resort (Contemporary).

On the Magic Kingdom day, we received another round of Dream Team Fast Passes.

And apparently the karma isn't only at the Mouse House.

I have been chosen by the man, err, thing-him-it-self, to dance with Beetlejuice at Universal's Graveyard Rock 'n Roll Review. (Yo, B.J., you never called like you said you would)

And then during the same afore-mentioned honeymoon trip, the four of us happened to be at Universal Orlando the day "Disaster" opened. Guess who was asked to help open the new ride?


Not only did we get to stand on the same stage with Bill Davis, the President of Universal Orlando, and The Rock, Dwayne Johnson (a mighty fine-lookin' young fella!), we got golden ride passes for the day.

I can't wait to find out what's next!

In Hog(warts) Heaven

How exciting is THIS:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to the Islands of Adventure in late 2009-or early 2010.

For a theme park junkie and a Harry Potter fan this is no less than heaven on earth.

Hogwarts Castle

Hogwarts Castle, the village of Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest have been announced as featured attractions.

Universal recently closed the Flying Unicorn ride, the Enchanted Oak Tavern, the Dragon's Keep store and the Alchemy Bar (all in the Lost Continent area). They will be re-themed for Harry and friends.

Hogsmeade Village

I can just imagine, as part of Hogsmeade: the Three Broomsticks, Madame Puddifoots, Zonko's Joke Shop, Honeyduke's, Gladrag's Wizardwear, maybe even the Shrieking Shack!

One rumor is that a flight through the Forbidden Forest in the Weasley's flying Ford Anglia will be one of the ride experiences!

Another rumor is that one of the big rides will involve a Quidditch match theme.

Hopefully the place will be filled with Blibbering Humdingers and a crumpled-horn snorkack or two.

Towers of Terror, Timber and Doom

I admit to not being a coaster fan, Expedition Everest excluded, but I love those Towers that thrill and chill.

Disney's Studios' Hollywood Tower of Terror is the BEST.


The best theming: from the entrance walkway, to the hotel's 'shabby' interior, back through the 'maintenance' area, 'til you reach the elevator shaft and load the ride.

The best ride: from the anticipation when the elevator doors close right up until the end, when the doors open again at the bottom of the shaft.

And the ride is never the same, thanks to the ride programming.

Ride at night, too, for a different feel!


Over at Universal Orlando-Islands of Adventure are the twin vertical towers of Dr. Doom's Fear Fall.

The Fear Fall differs greatly from T of T.
First it is outdoors. Pretty cool!

And you sit with legs dangling, facing away from the structure. Pretty cool!

And you zoom UP, rather than down.

And it's pretty much the same ride each time.

I haven't done this at night, but I bet that would be pretty cool!

What would be really cool is if Dr. Doom would spin you around as you sit at the top of the tower.

So that brings me to the Timber Tower at Dollywood.

I haven't ridden this one (yet), nor even been to Dollywood (yet), but you can bet the Timber Tower is at the top of the things-to-do-list.

While Timber Tower doesn't drop, you are lifted up and then you spin around while tilting from side -to- side.

Yowza!

And the folks at Dollywood don't consider this a Thrill Ride!

Theme Park Basics

Yes, there is a difference between a theme park and an amusement park.

Merriam-Webster On-line defines the two thusly:

Amusement park: "a commercially operated park having various devices for entertainment (as a merry-go-round and roller coaster) and usually booths for the sale of food and drink"

Theme park: "an amusement park in which the structures and settings are based on a central theme"

Think Universal Studios' "Ride the Movies".
Think Dollywood's Great Smoky Mountains & Dolly Parton.
Think Disney's, well, all things Disney.

A good theme park will fulfill 5 basic needs:

Rides, Attractions, Live Entertainment, Dining, and Shopping

A great theme park will make each of those an exceptional, memorable experience.