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.

Captain EO Returns

 
On July 2nd, Captain EO, the 17-minute 3-D space-fantasy film featuring Michael Jackson (and directed by Francis Ford Coppolla), is returning to WDW after 17 years.

It will replace "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" at the theatre in the Journey Into Imagination building (EPCOT).

Real Life Disney: Timon & Pumbaa

Confession # 12: I Like It

The WDW monorail train that travels between TTC and Epcot looks different  these days:

Photo:Orlando Sentinel

Although it's a giant advertisement for Disney's remake of TRON, I like it. The colors, anyway.

And as for the criticism (“Never thought I’d see the day that Disney would bus-wrap their monorails to advertise for a movie”, etc), well, hello, have you been in a Disney store lately? A majority of Disney merchandise relates directly to Disney movies or TV shows.

Story Here

Tired of Mickey and Shamu?

Try one of these:

10 Weirdest Theme Parks


Bob-Bon Land with its farting roller coaster does sound different (hahaha).


And if you're more literary-minded, Dickens World might be right up your Dickensian Courtyard (alley).

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.

Dollywood's Newest

celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and to celebrate, will open a brand-new attraction,  Adventure Mountain

Regarding the physically-challenging course(s), Dolly said, "It's not set up for high heels ... and the artificial nails ... I could lose so many things."

Gotta love Dolly.

Busch Gardens, Part II

We made our 2nd visit to BG a couple of weeks ago.

There were several school groups there so the park was a bit busier, but most of the kids went for the big coasters, which we weren't interested in, so no problem!


As we passed the alligator pool up front, one of the 'gators was swimming by with a turtle on its back! Crapola! I forgot my camera!!



After a short wait in line, we rode the Skyride back to the Jungala area which we missed on our 1st visit.

Loved the tigers. They were more active (and looked younger) than those at DAK. As we looked across the area at the 'Pop-up', one of the white tigers jumped up and laid down across the top of it.  Not only was it still there when we passed that way, another tiger had come up and they were nuzzling each other. Cool!  Dammitt, no camera!


We enjoyed the Treetop Trails; hubby more so than me (I was still recuperating from surgery, so only did the most basic one). We wanted to do the Jungle Flyers, but there is an age limit of 6-13 and the attendant just laughed when we assured him that our maturity level was 12, tops.  


This time we had lunch at the Crown Colony House. Definitely the place to eat! As we were the first ones there, we had our choice of seating - and chose a window seat overlooking the Serengeti Plain, of course. Being really hungry, we had the Family dinner which was very good, reasonably priced, and way too much food for the two of us! The service was very good, the white table cloths were a nice touch, as was the piano player, and it was overall a very pleasant lunch (no screaming kids, either!). Yes, we will dine there next visit, too.

We still have the shows - Katonga, Rock-a-Doo Wop, and Pirates 4-D - to see next time!

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?

Disney (not) Photo of the Day

H/T Comic Con