Rumoured Test Track Refurbishment

Test Track ride at Disney’s Epcot look like updating their excellent ride. They are planning it will be closed from April 15 to September 21, 2012 for a complete rework.

As part of the refurbishment, the pavilion will be sponsored by Chevrolet rather than General Motors as a whole and the existing Test Track vehicles will be replaced by Chevrolet inspired models. Back in August 2011 a few new sleeker cars were spotted on the tracks wearing Chevrolet badges and Tron inspired graphics. Our Grandchildren love this ride or should we say the experience, so any changes can only make it even more awesome.

Mary

The latest news from The Parks is that yet again, Florida’s main theme parks reached saturation point.

Most of Florida’s major theme parks reached capacity crowds in the period between Christmas and the New Year with wait times of several hours on the more popular rides. Even Legoland Florida reported capacity crowds in its first ever Christmas season. With our school holidays dictating our choice of dates, it is really hard to avoid these queues and is something we all have to try to live with.

Change of Soft Drinks at The Parks have even had newspapers calling it The Soft Drink Wars.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi brands have always fought for the exclusive rights to sell their brands in the major Florida theme parks. Up until recently Coca-Cola have been at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios and Pepsi have been the choice at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

On January 1 that all changed when SeaWorld and Busch Gardens both switched allegiance and replaced Pepsi by Coca-Cola. Legoland Florida is now one of the few parks where you will find the Pepsi brand in Florida. It is such a shame (for us) as we do genuinely prefer Pepsi!!!

Hogwarts Rumours

Following the announcement that the classic Jaws ride along with the surrounding Amity themed area are closed at Universal Studios, rumours are already beginning to spread about what will take its place. The Jaws ride was one of the parks original rides when it first opened.

Universal confirmed that they would be opening a Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Hollywood, they also stated that they will “significantly expand” the Wizarding World in Orlando in the next couple of years but they have given no further details at this time.

The launch of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter within Universal’s Islands of Adventure has seen attendance records soar by 30% compared to only 6% at Universal Studios so there is a possibility that part of Harry Potter might come to Universal Studios as well.

The Potter rumours include the construction of the Ministry of Magic, the Diagon Alley and using the Hogwarts Express train to transport guests between the two parks.

Splitting Harry Potter between the two parks would split the attraction of one park over the other and some guests might resent having to buy tickets to both parks, but it could result in increased multi-day ticket sales, particularly for Universal Studios. They are as good as Disney for new ideas, making us ‘Guests’ pay more!!

Rather than spill over into Universal Studios, they might simply replace one of the other lands within Islands of Adventure such as the remainder of the Lost Continent in much the same way as they did to create the Wizarding World in the first place. This would leave the Jaws attraction available for another possibility such as the Transformers ride that is currently being built in both Hollywood and Singapore. We can’t wait to hear more.

One thing that is certain and NOT A Rumour is that Despicable Me will open at Universal Studios in 2012

Best Wishes for 2012 & Happy Holidays.

Mary & Larry

This is a NEW alternative for Fun and certainly a new experience to be had for us, hope it appeals to more holiday makers. It just may do to add some adrenalin to your day out, away from the usual Parks, it sounds real COOL. A lot different to Old Town, with all of the Flashing Lights, Music & Exhaust Fumes.

Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida is upgrading and will be, bigger, faster and more exciting with its new Zipline Safari.

This Ecotourism attraction has been reimagined and has raised the bar, (literally), now taking guests up to the 68-foot mark, about 20 feet above the treetops. The new course has seven Zipwires, two extended and upgraded bridges (twice as long as before, evidently) and 10 observation platforms. A dramatic stretch takes Zippers from high in the sky, down a 30-foot descent into the trees and skimming above bushes of the Pine Flatwoods ecosystem.(The Real Soarin Experience!!) With greater height comes greater views. For the first time, guests will be able to see all 4,700 acres of Forever Florida’s conservation and ranchlands. There is upto 10 miles of visibility. The new course is a dual-line one, which Florida EcoSafaris says is the only one of that kind in Central Florida.

The attraction’s first course opened in 2008 and was the first full zip course in Florida. This summer, Florida EcoSafaris added the Cypress Canopy Cycle, a more leisurely ride over the wetlands.

Cost for the Zipline Safari is $85 per person. Cypress Canopy Cycle tickets are $45 per person. A combo ticket for both is $120. Thirty percent of the Florida EcoSafaris revenue is donated to the nonprofit Allen Broussard Conservancy, which works to preserve and protect lands at the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area.

Zipline participants must be at least 10 years old, and they must weigh no more than 275 pounds. (Keep off the McDonalds!!!) You have to Pre Book. I have added a link to check out all of the rides and facilities.

For more information for this Attraction, go to www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.

It sounds a really good day out for the more adventurous, maybe anyone who has already tried it could let us know how it compares before we Old Pensioners try it!!! or maybe watch our Grandchidlren!!!

Happy Holidays,

Mary & Larry

Hi Everyone,

In response to Universal’s Harry Potter taking over as the busiest Park in Orlando, Disney plans to build a multi-attraction “land” based on the movie “Avatar” in Animal Kingdom as the first step to regain the Top Spot.

Avatar is a set of worlds that is really exciting and offers them a chance to expand their themes with so much to explore in the different Lands.

They will begin construction of Animal Kingdom’s Avatar land in 2013 and expects to open it to guests about five years from now. It may seem a long time but believe me, it will be well worth waiting for, as Disney will never be Second Best!!! It is estimated to costing approximately $500 million.

The deal announced Tuesday gives Disney exclusive theme-park rights to use elements from the 2009 film and from sequels due out in 2014 and 2015. They plan to build multiple-attraction lands based on the film’s fictional world of “Pandora,” including themed shops and restaurants and entertainment. It’s the same approach Universal Orlando has taken with its Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Avatar land will provide a huge uplift for the Animal Kingdom theme park. It has been criticized by some park fans for lacking attractions and not amounting to a full-day experience on par with the Magic Kingdom or Epcot. The last major new ride added to Animal Kingdom was the Expedition Everest roller coaster, which opened in 2006. That ride cost more than $100 million.

A precise date hasn’t been set for completion of the Avatar attractions in Animal Kingdom, but an opening sometime in 2016 is the target. With the planned release of sequal Avater films due in 2013 & 2015 you can bet that Disney will be up and ready to open on time!!!

We think this is great news for all of us holidaymakers, just hope the cost to us is not over the top!!!

Happy Holiday,

Mary & Larry

Hi,

Just to add to our last article, we have just received the following news regarding Legoland. It should be a great help for anyone not wanting the 45 minutes Drive down to the Park.

Legoland Shuttle

To entice people to make the journey from Orlando out to Winter Haven, Legoland Florida are offering a Legoland Shuttle service, similar to that operated between SeaWorld in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa.

The Legoland Shuttle will run from Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Avenue and depart each day at 9 o’clock sharp returning after the park closes. The trip will take about 45 minutes each way and guests should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

The shuttle will not be free however. The introductory price will be $5 per person round trip with children under 3 travelling for free. The normal price is expected to be $10 but no date has been set for the end of the preview period.

Reservations are recommended including all children, even those who would travel free.

Happy Holidays,

Mary & Larry

Great news for all visitors to Florida both old and new is that Legoland Florida is 90 per cent complete and the  October grand opening is close to being officially announced. With only weeks left to get everything ready, as many as 500 workers a day are working round the clock getting the park ready for visitors.  As part of the transformation over 700 trees and plants have been re-sited and if you have visited the Old Cypress Gardens in the past, you will know how beautiful it looked. Some of the trees are over 100 years old.

Some of the rides like the Royal Joust and Island in the Sky have been passed and already have their safety certificates and are ready to go.

October 15th is the Target day, they say they are  definitely going to open on time. There is some landscaping to finish, some interior design and general tidying to complete but nothing is going to stand in the way.  The members of the press were given a two hour tour of the park and seem to agree on the successful transformation.

The 150-acre park will feature 50 different rides, shows and attractions with the target audience being kids aged 2 to 12. We think it is well overdue there was a Park for this age group as at the established Parks the rides are more for Teenages and adults. We have experienced the cry’s ’Why can I not go on Nan/Grandad’ from our Grandchilden on many occassions.  One of the Press said the kids eyes are going to get big. I think they are going to go absolutely bonkers in here when they see it for the first time.

Among the main attractions will be four roller coasters and Island in the Sky, which will take guests up 150 feet for a 360-degree view of the park.

General admission tickets will be $75 each for adults and $65 for kids aged 3-to-12. However, a $10 discount is being offered for all tickets purchased before the park opens in October. Parking at Legoland will be $12. We are not sure if the tickets are available any cheaper in other packages, it may be worth checking out.

Happy Holidays,

Mary & Larry

We just wanted to bring to everyones atttention regarding the Disney Ticket scams which are taking place all along Highway 192 and International Drive. Our friend who works in Disney has just sent us an  E Mail to warn all of our guests of the latest events at Magic Kingdom.

”Hello Mary,  - I would just like to pass along the latest news regarding the resale of Disney tickets so that you may pass the information onto your guests.

Disney are finally wiseing up to the crooks that resell tickets and many tourists are quite angry that the have been taken by these less than scrupulous people.

Disney no longer does what is called level 3 entry so each and every person now must have a ticket that matches their finger and ID is benificial for at least the adults.

Orange County Sheriffs are on stand by to arrest the people selling the tickets, a lot of them come right into the park after they have sold them at kiosks on Hwy 192 & International Drive so they can then get the tickets back from the guests and sell them again.

Today we saw and caught one of these people and after watching her for awhile and seeing how many times she tried to get the family bunch of people in the officers arrested her and counted the tickets she had in her possession. She was then charged with 20 misdemeanors. She also got charged with tresspass and if she came back on Disney property she will be arreseted and taken to jail.

Now as for family coming to Florida - IF they happen to buy from these people there is likely nothing that can be done for them and they will never see their money again nor will they get into the Park. Something to think about before they purchase their bargain tickets”

This really points out the chance you are taking when buying these tickets. We have forwarded the E Mail to all of our coming guests. So our advice is to makes sure you get all of your Park Tickets from a Reputable source or Outlet. It seems to us that the packages for Park tickets here in the UK appear to be the best value in any case???

Hope this saves a family the cost, embarassment, anger and having to explain the the children that they can not get in when they visit Disney.

Regards,

Mary & Larry

As you will have seen by our past posts, the Gaylords Palms Hotel is our favourite Dining place. We recommend it to all of our guests for that ‘Special Occassion’ while they are on holiday in Orlando. They have just announced that they are teaming up in a partnership with DreamWorks Animation. They will be bringing some of the well known characters from the animated movies including, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters vs. Aliens and Madagascar to the four Gaylord Palms Resort Hotels, including the Gaylord Palms Resort near Disney World in Kissimmee.

Called “The DreamWorks Experience, the new attraction opens in November 2011 in the run up to Christmas. Tickets are already on sale. Guests can expect character breakfasts, private birthday parties, meet-and-greet sessions, parades, shows and special themed Christmas events.

Gaylord Resorts have decided to go into direct competition with Disney, Universal and Nickelodeon who all already have themed dining experiences. Our visits during the Christmas Season to see the Ice Creations have been amazing, so this will make the whole visit even better as all of the original restaraunts are still there.

Following up on our last post, Legoland have finally announced their opening dates as SATURDAY 15TH. OCTOBER 2011. Idealy suited for the young ones aged 2-12

Happy Holidays

Mary & Larry

As we come to the end of our latest (last minute) visit to our villa in Florida, we have a few updates on what is going on at the Parks.

The Disney price increase has certainly not stopped the visitors as the Parks were busy, so it is still best to get to the Fast Track Stations in the Parks to make sure you have less waiting times on your favourite rides. For the other rides you want to make, try to plan them when the big Show Events are on, it makes a real difference with the queues.

Legoland at Cypress Gardens is ahead of scheudule and hope to open in October. It is about 45 minutes drive down the I4 from the Disney area, which makes it an easy choice to get to. Legoland  planners say 50 million of the iconic plastic building bricks will be incorporated into rides, statues and attractions geared toward children ages 2 to 12 and their families. The lineup will include four gentle roller coasters, but the park retains its famous botanical gardens and water ski show from Cypress Gardens, which was one of Florida’s first theme parks.

At Seaworld, the new environmentally themed Shamu show called One Ocean is now open, replacing the well-worn Believe show. The show features majestic killer whales as ambassadors of the sea, and the ocean as the center of the universe. The theme of the show is the message that both animals and humans are part of one world, with one ocean, and its future is in our hands to cherish and protect.

One of the Orcas back at the Park exhibiting his talents in the new show is Tilikum, the whale that sadly and tragically killed drowned 40-year-old trainer Dawn Brancheau last year. Tilikum spent more than a year away from the exhibits but has recently returned.

Trainers have not been in the pools with the whales since the accident in February 2010, but they are now upgrading facilities with safety equipment and readying the animals for trainers to get back into the water. A firm date for that has not been announced, but SeaWorld officials said the new show is planned to incorporate “water work” with the trainers when the time is appropriate.

Back in the car for a 60 minutes drive to Busch Gardens in Tampa where the new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from zero to 60 mph in a matter of seconds, three different times during the ride is due to open very soon. Opening this summer, (Summertime) here was officially 21st. June.

Cheetah Hunt will be the longest of the park’s coasters with 4,429 feet (1,350 meters) of track. It is the centerpiece of a new animal habitat area called Cheetah Run that will allow visitors to get up close to the lithe cats living there. You will be able to witness the world’s fastest land animal in action during daily sprints conducted by trainers. It is a must do for our next visit to Florida, hopefully with the Grandchildren

Hope you all get to try it before us, have a great holiday everyone.

Mary & Larry

The story lines are set between the third and fourth movies but the big differences from the old Star Tours ride are firstly it is in 3D and secondly there are multiple destinations.

When you board the Starspeeder 1000 spacecraft you will not know which of the six destinations you are bound for; Naboo, a Death Star, Tattooine, Coruscant, Kashyyyk or Hoth.

In total there are 54 different story combinations involving multiple planets so you can take the ride many times and experience a different story each time. It sounds awesome!!

The original pilot is an AC-38 droid called Ace but owning to a mishap, the Starspeeder is eventually piloted by C-3PO (aided by R2-D2), again voiced by Anthony Daniels who has appeared in every Star Wars film to date.

Along the way you may encounter both friends and foes including a galactic bounty hunter who is after you, Darth Vader, legions of Imperial Stormtroopers, Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and Boba Fett. Amongst the story lines you may join in a podrace on Tattooine, meet Wookiees in the forests of Kashyyyk, race through a partially completed Death Star, visit Coruscant the busiest planet in the Universe, battle blizzards and AT-ATs on snow covered Hoth or dive underwater on Naboo.

As part of the run up to the official opening, Disney have been promoting the new ride at various malls in Florida so you will be able to pick up full details while shopping. (to keep Mum Happy!!)

There is an extra plus factor as you can also print out a personalised Star Tours Galactic Passport to take with you and get stamped as you leave the ride, just visit startourspassport.com and choose from four different characters; a rebel pilot, a pod racer, a Jedi or a princess. Upload your own photo and print out your passport.

It all seems Out of this World so Beam yourselves along to Holllywood Studios & enjoy the ride.

Happy Trekking

Mary & Larry