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| Saturday, 08 January 2011 04:01 |
Universal Studios Orlando ResortWelcome to our guide for Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Wizarding World of Harry Potter and CityWalk Orlando. Our site will be updated regularly to include restaurant reviews from the parks and CityWalk, tips & tricks for getting the most of your visit to Universal Studios Orlando, updates about resort events like Grinchmas,Mardis Gras and Halloween Horror Night.
Universal Studios OrlandoThis guide is rather large, so if you wish to skip directly to a section that you are most interested in, you can use the following quick links.
The first of the Universal Studios theme parks built in Orlando, Universal Studios Florida is the sibling of Universal Studios Hollywood and was constructed as both a theme park and a studio from the start. Universal Studios Orlando borrows many of its major components from the original park in Hollywood such as is its studio tour, which featured several special-effects exhibits and encounters built into the tour. For its Orlando park, Universal Studios took the concepts of the Hollywood tour scenes and developed them into larger, stand-alone attractions. The world's favorite films and film stars come to life here and 40 amazing and amusing rides, shows and attractions await. A virtual interactive Terminator 2:3-D adventure has its own set of thrills, as does an encounter with Jaws, a trip Back to the Future, and a voyage beyond the stars in an E.T. Adventure. It's newest attraction, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, is sure to thrill anyone that enjoys roller coasters. Universal Studios has done an amazing job of going right to the source for many of their attractions. They have collaborated with the actual creators of the films they were based on, and even feature the original stars as part of the experience. Steven Spielberg, a VIP for the park, helped create E.T. Adventure and was a creative consultant for Back to the Future: The Ride, Twister...Ride it Out, An American Tail Theatre, Jaws and Men in Black: Alien Attack. Many of the original stars reprise their film roles including Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt in Twister...Ride it Out, Will Smith in Men in Black: Alien Attack, Brendan Fraser for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Christopher Walken and Dwayne Johnson in Disaster!, the cast from Shrek returned for Shrek 4-D, various Nicktoons voice actors reprised their roles in Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong and Linda Hamilton reprised their roles for Terminator 2: 3-D. Universal Studios Florida has not limited itself to attractions based on its own vast film library. It has occasionally licensed popular characters from other rival studios, many of whom did not operate theme parks themselves. Some examples include the Ghostbusters and the Men in Black (from Sony's Columbia Pictures), Jimmy Neutron (from Viacom's Nickelodeon), The Simpsons (20th Century Fox), and Shrek (from DreamWorks Animation, now part of Paramount Pictures). They have been so successful with licensing and they recently landed their biggest yet with the rights to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter although it is housed inside the neighboring Islands of Adventure. As you view these and other fantastic attractions at the themepark, you will see why Universal Orlando Resort is one of the most popular theme parks in the world. Universal Studios Orlando AttractionsA Day in the Park with BarneyA Day in the Park with Barney is a show at Universal Studios Florida. It opened in 1995, on the former site of The Bates Motel Set used in Psycho IV: The Beginning. It is based on the children's television show, Barney & Friends. It also has a "Barney's Backyard" playground area with a chance to meet Barney in a meet and greet session before and/or after the main show in the Barney Theatre. It is one of the few places where Bob West's voice can still be heard and one of Universal Studios' attempts to appeal to the younger generation. Universal Studios Attraction DescriptionMeet Barney® and his friends Baby Bop™ and BJ® in a live sing-along, clap-along stage show. Then afterwards, have fun in Barney’s interactive playground. It’s Super-Dee-Duper™! ExteriorOutside of the attraction stands a very large sign that reads A Day in the Park with Barney. The back of the sign reads" Thanks for Coming to Play!" A bronze Barney statue stands on one foot inside of a fountain. ShowThe show is truly a recreation of the TV show mixing notable topics from the most popular episodes. QueueThe guests empty from the lines into a covered pre-show area with an odd-looking house facade, covered in pipes, knobs and doors. Pre-ShowThe show starts with Patrick/Patricia Alyosius Bartholomew (Mr./Mrs. Peek-A-Boo for short) and his/her parrot, Bartholomew, your pre-show hosts. Peek-A-Boo is a very close friend to Barney, Baby Bop and BJ. An elderly person, but soon proves to the audience that (s)he's only older in age since Peek-A-Boo's spirit is much like that of a child. Peek-A-Boo is a consistently forgetful character, but once (s)he is reminded what to do, Peek-A-Boo takes pride in reuniting the children with Barney. A song and dance routine comes with a few comedy gags in between. Trying to find the door to Barney's Park, Peek-A-Boo fails to realize that you have to use your imagination. Peek-A-Boo soon remembers and tells the audience to close their eyes and imagine a park (the show's theatre). The rain waterfall that blocks the door (decorated to look like a cave) stops dripping, which shows it worked. Peek-A-Boo tells everyone that (s)he will meet them inside. Main ShowInside is an air-conditioned theatre, designed to look like a park. In the center, there's an elevated, circular stage in the center where Barney, Baby-Bop and B.J. perform with three ramps equally positioned on each side. In various points of the show, the theatre's lights change the setting from a sunny day to a starry night. In addition, snow, leaves, and rain fall from the ceiling during certain songs. Peek-A-Boo greets the audience and tells them to use their imagination to make Barney appear. Peekaboo starts the show by asking everyone to chant "Barney" The lights dim and soft music plays as stars appear in the darkness. Barney appears via a trap door in the middle of the stage. Barney jumps in the air as the lights turn on and confetti cannons explode with glitter, recreating his transformation on the television series. Barney sings two songs before Baby Bop and B.J. make their appearances. After "Imagine a Place", Barney introduces Baby Bop. That's when she makes her appearance. Soon after that, B.J. announces his arrival with a distinctive whistle. They sing various songs and wrap the show the way they do on the children's television "Barney and Friends" with the song "I Love You". Baby Bop and B.J. make their exits on one of the ramps. Barney wraps up the show by saying "And remember, I love you" and gives a kiss goodbye as steamers shoot from confetti cannons behind the hills. Peek-A-Boo then escort the audience to Barney's Backyard, where everyone soon exits.
Post-ShowAfter the show, guests exit out into Barney's Backyard, an indoor activity center for small children, where they can also get their picture taken, if but briefly, with Barney himself. SongsRegular Show
Christmas Show ("A Holiday in the Park with Barney")
Show SummaryType: Live Stage Show Audience Participation Media:
Animal Actors On Location
Animal Actors on Location is an outrageous show featuring a humorous mix of live animal performances and audience interaction. Don’t be surprised if things don’t always go as scripted, because as anyone will tell you, the animals are running the show! Type: Live Animal & Bird Stage Show 1-Part: Stage Show Note: Involves Audience Participation Universal Express Available Media:
Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue
He's the ghost with the most. Beetlejuice™ cranks up Dracula®, Wolfman®, Frankenstein® and Bride of Frankenstein® for a Mega-Monster Rock Show filled with screamin’ demons and wailin’ guitars. This live stage show takes place in an open-air amphitheater located in the San Francisco backlot area, has a PG-13 Rating, and no height restrictions. Type: Live Musical Revue Note: Features Beetlejuice and other Universal Classic Monsters Media: Curious George Goes to Town
Follow the footsteps of that mischievous monkey Curious George® in this colorful play area with water-based fun, as well as a dry area with thousands of soft sponge balls. Type: Interactive Play Area Water Features Media: Disaster!
Take a harrowing trip into the world of disaster movies. Type: Special Effects Show & Earthquake Simulator 3-Parts: Movie Magic / Staged-Effects / Ride Involves Audience Participation Universal Express Available Media: E.T. Adventure
Can you help E.T.® (the extra terrestrial) make it back home? Bring the kids and board your flying bikes as you soar across the stars to help E.T. save his home planet. It’s an adventure that will touch your heart all over again. Type: Moving Ride through forest and E.T. Homeworld 3-Parts: Briefing / Forest Displays / Ride Universal Express Available Media: Fievel’s Playland
Get a mouse-eye view of the world in this one-of-a-kind outdoor playground featuring a 1,000-gallon cowboy hat, a 30-foot spider web to climb, and a twisting, turning 200-foot water slide. Type: Play Area Water Slide
Media: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a steel roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida. This custom-designed attraction features an on-board sound system to provide a soundtrack for the 3,800-foot (1,200 m) roller coaster track, as well as video cameras to record the experience. The attraction began a soft opening on August 16, 2009 after a series of technical difficulties delayed a Spring 2009 opening, and was officially opened by Universal on August 19, 2009. Type: Interactive Roller Coaster 1-Part: Roller Coaster Note: You can create your own custom sound track. Height Requirement - 42" Universal Express Available Media:
Horror Makeup ShowSee how top make-up artists create amazing special effects from some of Universal’s most popular movies. Before the show, check out authentic props, set pieces, and behind-the-scenes video from Universal’s film Van Helsing. Type: Live Horror Make Up Stage Show 2-Parts: Waiting Room / Live Show Universal Express Available Media: JawsJust when you thought it was safe to go back in- to the water… a giant fin slices through the waves and you’re suddenly face to face with three tons of Great White fury - JAWS®. Only this time you're riding a boat through the water where he's lurking just around the corner! Are you ready to withstand the all-out assault of JAWS®? Type: Water Ride 1-Part: Ride while JAWS attacks your boat Note: You may get wet Universal Express Available Media: Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon BlastThe evil Ooblar from the planet Yokian has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation...The Mark IV. Board your own rocket and follow Jimmy on a wild chase through your favorite Nicktoons, including SpongeBob SquarePants™, The Fairly OddParents, Hey Arnold!, and Rugrats™. Type: Simulator Ride 2-Parts: Pre-Show / Ride Height requirement - 40" Universal Express Available Lucy A Tribute
The Queen of Comedy lives at Universal Studios! This loving tribute is a walk through the dazzling career of America’s queen of comedy, Lucille Ball. Get a close-up look at the world’s favorite redhead on screen and off! See classic shows, costumes, scripts, and even rare home movies. You’re sure to fall in love with Lucy all over again! Type: Exhibit with Lucy Memorabilia Media: Men in Black – Alien Attack
As an agent trainee, you’ll zap aliens as you spin and careen through the streets of New York in this interactive ride based on the hit movie. With multiple endings, it’s never the same ride twice! Have you got what it takes to be the best of the best? Type: Interactive Shooting Motion Ride 1-Part: Ride with Shooting Note: Experience is different each time Height Requirement - 42" Universal Express Available Media: Revenge of the Mummy – The RidePlunge into total darkness as you face fireballs, scarab beetles and an army of warrior mummies on a psychological thrill ride totally unlike anything that's come along in the past 3,000 years. Type: Dark Ride, Indoor Rollercoaster 3-parts: Preshow / Queue / Ride Height Requirement - 48" Single Rider Lane Available Universal Express Available Media: Shrek 4-DJoin Princess Fiona™ and our heroes on an all new honeymoon adventure picking up where the Oscar®-winning movie "Shrek" left off. Featuring an original 3-D film, plus an extra dimension of special effects through the miracle of OgreVision, you see, hear and actually FEEL the action right from your seat! Type: 4-D Theater Show 2-Parts: Preshow / Show Universal Express Available Terminator 2 – 3D: Battle Across Time
The Future Is Coming...After You! Join forces with the TERMINATOR® in a battle to prevent mankind's extinction at the cold, steel hands of futuristic cyborgs. Live-action stunts, special effects, and amazing 3-D film come together in this TERMINATOR adventure that says "Hasta la vista, baby" to entertainment as you know it. Type: Mixture of Live Stage Show & 3D Movie 2-Parts: Briefing / 3D Show Universal Express Available Media:
The Simpsons
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson – stars of TV’s longest running series – will ride along with guests in a new mega-attraction. Type: Motion Simulator 1st Part: Small Animated Simpson Show 2nd Part: Simulator Ride Note: While in line, be sure to pay attention to all of the details leading up to the ride. Height Requirement - 42" Universal Express Available Media:
Twister…Ride It OutStep into one of the most action-packed movies of all time and feel what it’s like to be a storm chaser, looking a tornado right in the eye. Grab onto the railing and “Ride It Out,” as our special effects wizards re-create the explosive force of nature at its worst. Type: Standing theater show with many special effects 3-Parts: Introduction / Set / Ride Note: You can get wet during the show! Universal Express Available Media: Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
We have a roller coaster for your young kids too! Climb into your crate and take a fun-filled ride through Woody Woodpecker’s own nut factory on this family-style coaster. It’s the nuttiest ride you’ve ever seen! Type: Kiddie Roller Coaster Height Requirement: 36" Media: Universal Studios RestaurantsAmity Fried Chicken Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Fried Chicken, snacks Ben and Jerry's Type: Counter Service 11:00am - Park Close Of course, ice cream. Beverly Hills Boulangerie Type: Counter Service Menu Sandwiches served with potato salad and fresh fruit, on choice of Croissant or Baguette - $6.89 Sandwich & Salad - $7.89 Soup & Salad - $4.99 Sandwiches available:
Beverages Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite - regular/$2.29, large/$2.99 Souvenir Cup - $4.99 Bottled Water - $2.50 Cappuccino - $2.29 Espresso - $1.99 Coffee or Decaf - $1.89 Boardwalk Snacks Type: Counter Service General Snacks Cafe La Bamba Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Burgers, Wraps Buffet Style Dippin Dots Ice Cream Type: Counter Service Unique ice cream snack Finnegan's Bar & Grill Type: Full Service / Casual Full Service, Daily Happy Hour Serves traditional Irish-American cuisine, complete with live entertainment. Fish 'n Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Guinness Beef Stew, Sandwiches, Salads. Vegetarian / Healthy Options Available. Location: Located near Mummy's Revenge on Delancey St. Reservations Accepted - 407-224-3613 Lunch and Dinner daily
International Food and Film Festival
Type : Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Italian, American, Asian, Salads, Ice Cream Buffet Style KidZone Pizza Company Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Pizza, Chicken Fingers, Snacks Lombard's Seafood Grille Type: Full Service / Casual Full service Location: Lombard's Landing, along the Embarcadero (Across from DISASTER). Serves fresh fish, Pasta and Sandwiches. Vegetarian / Healthy Options Available. Louie's Italian Restaurant Type: Casual Lunch/Dinner Daily Pizza, Pasta, Espresso Bar and Italian Desserts, Starbucks. Mel's Drive In Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Burgers, Chicken, Salads, Shakes Midway Grill Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Nathan's Hot Dogs, Fries Monsters Cafe Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Chicken, Brick Ovenn Pizza, Pasta, Salads Richter's Burger Co. Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Home of "The After Shock" and "The Fault Line" - Fully Loaded Cheeseburger, Chicken Sandwichs San Francisco Pastry Company Type: Counter Service Lunch/Dinner Daily Fresh Pastries, Sandwichs, Specialty Coffee Schwab's Pharmacy Type: Counter Service Sandwiches, Ice Cream Starbuck's Coffee Type: Counter Service 8:30am - Park Close Coffee....No need for explanation. Islands of Adventure
Unive rsal's Islands of Adventure is a them e park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The park's overall theme is that of a journey of exploration, where guests depart from a main port to visit six islands, each having its own distinct theme, but all emphasizing adventure. On June 18, 2010, the seventh island, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (themed to the popular Harry Potter franchise) officially opened at the park, its largest investment since opening. In 2009, Islands of Adventure hosted approximately 4.5 million guests, ranking it #9 among United States parks. Like Universal Studios Orlando next door, Islands of Adventure has not limited itself to Universal's own library. The park has licenced other characters from rival studios, many of whom did not operate theme parks themselves. Some of these include The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss Enterprises), Harry Potter (Warner Bros.), Dudley Do-Right (Jay Ward Productions), Popeye the Sailor Man (Paramount Pictures) and Spider-Man (Marvel Comics, part of The Walt Disney Company). OpeningIslands of Adventure had a soft opening beginning March 27, 1999 during which visitors could preview the park at a discounted price while the staff conducted a technical rehearsal and worked on the "finishing touches." During this soft-opening, guests were informed that attractions might open and close throughout the day without notice and that some attractions might not be open at all. Initial plans were to open the park in mid-May, but this was ultimately delayed until May 28, 1999. After the enormous capital expenditure required to build Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, and the resort hotels, Universal sought to overtake nearby Walt Disney World in attendance. However, with the addition of the second park, new resorts, and entertainment district, the resort was named Universal Studios Escape. Essentially, it seemed that visitors were confused by the name, assuming that Islands of Adventure was a new area added to the already-existing Universal Studios Florida theme park. For the first two years, attendance did not rise as expected.[6] By 2001, the marketing was re-vamped, clarifying that Islands of Adventure was indeed a second, completely separate park with new rides and attractions. Universal Studios Escape was renamed Universal Orlando Resort, and ended up being the only resort in the Orlando area to actually have an increase in attendance after the September 11 attacks on the United States. Islands
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 12 February 2012 16:11 |
