The Universal Orlando Resort announced today that Skull Island: Reign of Kong will be opening up in its Islands of Adventure theme park in Summer 2016.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong Entrance
The new attraction is incredibly intense and massive, and this all-new attraction brings the Kong Legend to new heights through detailed and amazingly scaled environments.
Skull Island: Reign Of Kong Ride Vehicle
It begins as guests are transported deep into a wild and mysterious world, where their mission is to discover creatures of unknown origin – but where they are soon fighting for their own survival. Their journey will take them through an ancient temple inhabited by hostile natives, a perilous jungle ruled by prehistoric creatures, a foreboding underworld of caves concealing unspeakable terrors – and face-to-face with the colossal Kong himself.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong is well under construction adjacent to the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure, and I can’t wait to watch as this attraction continues to take shape over the upcoming year.
The Second Annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Begins tomorrow at Universal Orlando Resort
Beginning tomorrow, fans from around the world will come together to celebrate Harry Potter’s adventures at the second annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter.”
Hosted by Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros., this three-day event will allow fans to enjoy incredible experiences from Q&A sessions with some of their favorite Harry Potter film talent to exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and more.
A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort will include unforgettable experiences, such as:
·Q&A sessions with film talent and other special guests, including Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Michael Gambon (AlbusDumbledore), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
·A special opening event on Friday evening starring the Harry Potter film talent, MinaLima, and award-winning artist KazuKibuishi and more.
·A live duelling demonstration and wand combat masterclass hosted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, featuring the world’s only Wand Combat choreographer, Paul Harris
·Alive demonstration with award-winning illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, who will be drawing some of the Harry Potter characters on stage in this interactive panel hosted by Scholastic.
·Alook behind the scenes of the graphic props of the Harry Potter films with graphic designers, MinaLima
·A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo with unique and interactive exhibits from Warner Bros., Pottermore, Scholastic, MinaLima, Harry Potter: The Exhibition and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, including the opportunity to try on the Sorting Hat
·Special kids’ discussions and interactive experiences such as an exciting duelling demonstration and wand combat masterclasswith Paul Harris, an interactive ‘Dance Like a Beauxbatons and Battle Like a Durmstrang’ experience, as well as Harry Potter film trivia
·Park guests can enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and TheWizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida plus the iconic Hogwarts Express that transports guests between the two lands if they have a park-to-park ticket
·Andmore!
Access to select events within “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included in regular admission to Universal Studios. Admission to panel events will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
‘Tis the Season to Create Lasting Family Memories at Universal Orlando Resort’s 2014 Holidays Celebration
Universal Orlando’s Holiday Offerings to include Grinchmas, Macy’s Holiday Parade and Electrifying Holiday Concerts by Mannheim Steamroller
Hotel Rates Now Available Featuring Savings of up to 30 Percent at Universal Orlando’s On-Site Hotels
Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect place for families to spend the holiday season. In addition to the pulse-pounding attractions and unforgettable experiences found at the theme parks, families can build lifelong memories together at Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration.
Beginning Dec. 6 and running daily through Jan. 3, the Holidays at Universal Orlando features one-of-a-kind traditions for guests from one to 92 throughout the destination. At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, families will light up with holiday cheer as Grinchmas comes to life throughout Seuss Landing. Guests can enjoy a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday tale, “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” featuring the Whos from Who-ville, accompanied by an original musical score by Mannheim Steamroller. Guests can also meet The Grinch and the Whos and on select dates, enjoy a special breakfast with the characters.
At Universal Studios Florida, the Macy’s Holiday Parade will fill the streets every evening with the same larger-than-life balloons seen in Macy’s famous Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. This year, you won’t want to miss the Chloe The Clown “Balloonicle,” a new addition to the parade that combines a towering balloon with a self-powered vehicle that roams the streets of Universal Studios. Guests will also enjoy colorful holiday characters, fantasy-filled floats and a tree-lighting ceremony by Santa Claus.
This year, the masters of modern Christmas music—Mannheim Steamroller—will return to the stage to spread Christmas cheer. With more than 40 million albums sold worldwide, the acclaimed musical group will take to the Music Plaza stage in Universal Studios on select nights to perform their memorable holiday hits. Performance nights are Dec. 6, 7, 14, 15, 20 and 21.
All theme park holiday entertainment—including Mannheim Steamroller—is included with Park-to-Park admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
During their holiday experience, guests can also enjoy the extraordinary attractions and exhilarating entertainment that can only be found at Universal Orlando’s two theme parks – including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure and TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the all-new, spectacularly-themed environment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. This incredibly immersive area features shops, dining experiences and the next generation thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and expands upon The Wizarding of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, found at Islands of Adventure. Guests with Park-to-Park admission can journey between both lands aboard the Hogwarts Express, the iconic steam locomotive from the Harry Potter books and films.
New Year’s Eve at Universal CityWalk
It’s never too early to plan how you’ll ring in the New Year. At Universal’s CityWalk, guests can experience a dynamic New Year’s Eve celebration which includes non-stop entertainment, unique party zones—each with their own entertainment and signature drinks—along with six different clubs with live music, unlimited gourmet cuisine, and Orlando’s largest dance floor. Information about New Year’s Eve event tickets will be released at a later date.
For a memorable getaway, guests can take advantage of the following Universal Orlando Holiday Resort offer:
Offer
Details
SAVE up to 30% at one of our Spectacular On-Site Hotels**
**Minimum 3-night stay
Stay more nights and save up to 30% at on-site hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Average Nightly Rates as low as $106 per adult, per night
Deluxe on-site hotel guests enjoy even more benefits, including Free Universal Express Unlimited ride access so you can SKIP THE REGULAR THEME PARK LINES in both parks– a value of up to $89 per person, per day!
On-site hotel guests receive Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme parks open and complimentary on-site transportation to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk
For more information on the Holidays at Universal Orlando, vacation packages and ticket offers, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/holidays
About Universal Orlando Resort Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts. It is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family. Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D. And now, you can step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Universal Orlando Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure; four magnificently themed on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the newest addition, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort; and Universal CityWalk – a unique dining and entertainment complex featuring one-of-a-kind restaurants, shops and nightclubs. And located just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort is Wet n’ Wild, Orlando’s premier waterpark.
Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
A Celebration of Harry Potter event will be returning to Universal Orlando Resort January 30 – February 1, 2015
The Universal Orlando Resort is again partnering with Warner Bros. to host the second annual A Celebration of Harry Potter event from January 30 to February 1, 2015.
Harry Potter fans from around the world will once again come together to spend three days celebrating the Boy That Lived’s story!
While All general admission park guests will have the chance to experience the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo, attend Q&A sessions with Harry Potter film talent, and visit the all-new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley you will have to wait in lines for the presentations and manage your time at the Expo. However the Team Members at the Universal Orlando Resort were super helpful!!!
If you want to make sure that you get the opportunity to attend all the presentations and want the chance to attend exclusive events, a limited number of exclusive event vacation packages—including annual passholder packages—will go on sale at noon (EST) on August 21.
These packages offer hotel accommodations, theme park tickets, and exclusive benefits including:
An exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade (one per person)
Reserved seating for select Celebration events
A specially themed Welcome Parcel
Complimentary commemorative merchandise item
Packages for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort
On Sale at Noon EST on August 21, 2014
On-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $219 per adult per night, tax inclusive
3-night on-site hotel accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Orlando Resort’s all-new retro-themed moderate & value priced hotel
3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (includes access to the Hogwarts Express)
Exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, including light desserts and Butterbeer
Specially themed Welcome Parcel and complimentary commemorative merchandise item
Special Guest access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
Reserved seating or viewing area for select Celebration events
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one per person
Complimentary on-site transportation to and from both theme parks and Universal CityWalk
Note: This package does not include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access
On-Site Deluxe Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $285 per adult per night, tax inclusive
3-night on-site hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s spectacular deluxe on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort
3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (includes access to the Hogwarts Express)
Complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines in both theme parks for all three days – a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day
Exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, including light desserts and Butterbeer
Specially themed Welcome Parcel and complimentary commemorative merchandise item
Special Guest access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
Reserved seating or viewing area for select Celebration events
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one per person
Complimentary on-site transportation to and from both theme parks and Universal CityWalk
Universal Partner Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $185 per adult per night, tax inclusive
3-night accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel near Universal Orlando
3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (includes access to the Hogwarts Express)
Exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, including light desserts and Butterbeer
Specially themed Welcome Parcel and complimentary commemorative merchandise item
Special Guest access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
Reserved seating or viewing area for select Celebration events
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open
Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one per person
Free scheduled transportation between the hotel and Universal Orlando Resort
Note: This package does not include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access
To book special annual passholder event vacation packages, please call
Last year, these packages sold out within days!!! So if you want to be in the center of this celebration, make sure to set your alarms for noon (EST) on August 21, or buy your general admission theme park tickets for those dates now!
For the next few days the Universal Orlando Resort is hosting a Media Event, and if you haven’t been following along you should!!! The # to follow is #DiagonAlleyPreview.
Diagon Alley is home to two great attractions, new merchandise locations, and new restaurants.
Enter Gringotts bank beneath the massive fire-breathing dragon at the far end of Diagon Alley. Inside Gringotts you’ll walk through the bank’s grand marble lobby and see goblins hard at work. Then, get ready to take a journey through cavernous passageways that lead deep underground as you climb aboard Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
This new, multi-dimensional 3D thrill ride puts you right in the middle of the action as you face the bank’s stringent security measures while navigating the perilous underground vaults. You’ll encounter Harry, Ron, and Hermione along the way, but you’ll have to evade the wrath of malicious villains Voldemort™ and Bellatrix as well as trolls and other creatures who stand between you and a safe return to Diagon Alley.
The Hogwarts Express will take guests between the two parks of the Universal Orlando Resort (admission to both parks is required to ride on the Hogwarts Express) in a way that you had never imagined.
This will be the first time that Muggles are allowed to board the famous train that’s such an important part of the Harry Potter™ stories. Guests will travel on the iconic steam engine through the urban outskirts of London to the charming village of Hogsmeade, replicating one of the memorable elements of Harry Potter’s school life. The Hogwarts Express connects the two locations in the two theme parks.
There is a menagerie of shops coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley! I don’t know which one I am the most excited about!
See a wand choose a wizard at Ollivanders wand shop. Pick up magical jokes and novelty items at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Find all your wizardwear needs at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. Bring home a furry, feathered, or scaly creature from the Magical Menagerie™. Search for supplies at Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment. And gather all your gaming gear at Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort
Practitioners of the Dark Arts will find everything they need down the gloomy Knockturn Alley, featuring the infamous shop, Borgin and Burkes.
New Vacation Package Available Now for Travel Beginning June 29 –
Giving Guests the Opportunity to Experience the Incredible New Land
Universal Orlando Resort is announcing an all-new exclusive vacation package giving guests the opportunity to enjoy this year’s most anticipated theme park experience: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Travel for the vacation package begins June 29.
The new travel offer starts at $135 per adult, per night, tax inclusive for a four-night stay on-site at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and includes multi-day Park-to-Park tickets to experience both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. As part of the vacation package, guests will enjoy access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, plus exclusive benefits like Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. They will also receive a specially themed Welcome Parcel delivered to their doorstep.
Additional vacation package details can be found below.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package
The Wizarding World of
Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package
Summer Package
~ Starts at $155 per adult, per night, tax inclusive for travelJune 29 to Aug. 16
Fall Package
~ Starts at $135 per adult, per night, tax inclusive for travelAug. 17 to Oct. 2 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 18
– 4-night on-site hotel accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – an all-new hotel inspired by the iconic beach resorts of the 1950s and 1960s
– 3-day Park-to-Park tickets
– One breakfast per person at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and the all-new Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley
– Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme parks open
– Special themed Welcome Parcel
– Complimentary on-site transportation to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk
– Book by July 31
– Upgrade to one of three AAA Four-Diamond deluxe on-site hotels at Universal Orlando Resort to receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines at select attractions in both theme parks all day (a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day)
– Vacation package also available at Universal Partner Hotels
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida will double the size of the Harry Potter experience offered at Universal Orlando Resort – expanding it across both of Universal’s theme parks. Guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city. The new land will offer one-of-a-kind adventures where guests can:
Experience the next generation thrill ride – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – where guests are propelled into a pivotal scene from the final Harry Potter book and film
Stroll along the streets of Diagon Alley and stop inside well-known shops like Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Magical Menagerie and Quality Quidditch Supplies
Experience the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley
Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC
And more!
And, just like in the books and films, guests can ride the iconic Hogwarts Express to travel between King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure. The scenic, breathtaking journey will transport guests through the British countryside as they encounter magical creatures and familiar Harry Potter characters.
In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which opened in 2010 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, guests can experience Hogsmeade village and Hogwarts castle – which houses the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Details, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Construction, and Today Show Sweepstakes Details
It is really imagine that the London Embankment of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley will soon welcome guests as they prepared to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
Earlier today the Universal Orlando Resort revealed some photos and video that shared some details about Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts that are amazing.
In Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts riders join Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they break into one of the most guarded places in the wizarding world, Gringotts Bank, to retrieve a magical object that will help defeat Lord Voldemort. It is going to be like jumping into the movie, and I have goosbumps just thinking about it!!!
During the attraction you will be able to tour Gringotts bank and pass through the marble hall where you’ll see goblins hard at work, race through a labyrinth of underground Gringotts vaults, and encounter the villainous Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, as she attempts to send you to your doom
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a multi-dimensional, multi-sensory attraction that has thrills integrated with revolutionary technology.
The attraction utilizes 360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems, and live special effects with appearances by beloved characters to create breathtaking moments from the Harry Potter books and films.
“Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts will change the way you think about theme park attractions,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “We’ve created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before, and guests will remember it long after their visit to Diagon Alley.”
Working closely with Stuart Craig and his production team, Universal’s Creative Team has built an attraction that looks beyond amazing.
The things that I am most excited about seeing are the 60 foot, firebreathing Unkranian Ironbelly dragon that will sit atop Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley, the goblin animatronics, and coming face-to-face with He Who Must Not Be Named.
No opening date has been set for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, but we will definitely let you know as soon as we do!!!
Until then make sure you are tuning into the the Today Show from today until May 18, 2014, because they are giving away 25 trips to be at the Grand Opening! You can find all the information you need about the contest here!
And if that’s not enough to keep you excited, here are a few pictures that I snapped yesterday of the London Embankment construction. The work that they are doing is gorgeous!!!
Building the Berm around Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley Harry Potter
Charing Cross Road
London Embankment Lights
A close up view of the detail that is going into the London Embankment light posts
Universal’s Islands of Adventure Toon Lagoon is full of interactive spots, and as I was strolling the shops of Comic Book Lane I found some really fun Toon Lagoon shirts!
I love Toon Lagoon so much, because it takes me back to when I was a little girl who scooped up the funny pages before my Papa could get to them on Sunday mornings!
These shirts can be found in the Toon Extra shop, and while they are a little tongue-in-cheek and even a tad bit racy they cracked me up.
All of the shirts are made of 100% cotton and are really thick shirts that are a nice quality!
Also at $21.95, I felt like they were a good value for theme park shirts.
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