Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express to open by mid-summer

800px-Universal_Orlando_(7323933374)Universal has recently announced new details for the highly anticipated expansions to the theme park in Orlando. A wildly ambitious project, unprecedentedly connecting two theme lands: the original Universal Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure and the new London-themed area at Universal Studios Florida. The Hogwarts Express train ride is set to connect them, offering an exciting journey, authentic to the one in the movie; with characters and magical creatures from the book: the Weasley twins on their brooms, the Knight Bus in London traffic, Hagrid on his flying motorbike. Continue reading “Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express to open by mid-summer”

Universal’s Cabana Bay is welcoming its first guests

cabana2aUniversal Orlando opened a brand new resort on March 31. Cabana Bay Beach Resort will be the fourth on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. The hotel features a retro Googie style and its look evokes the beach resorts from the late 1950s and 60s. The new pearl of Universal Orlando consists of five similar looking structures with their names inscribed on top of each. Continue reading “Universal’s Cabana Bay is welcoming its first guests”

SeaWorld killer whales released back to the ocean?

800px-Killerwhales_jumpingSeaWorld San Diego could be forced to stop its killer whale shows by a California bill that would ban using orcas in performances, keeping them in captivity, end breeding programs, as well as the import and export of the animals. Similar bills are proposed by activists in Florida and Texas where SeaWorld has theme parks. The bill was inspired by the documentary “Blackfish”, a Magnolia Pictures production. The film recalls the death of a SeaWorld trainer caused by a 12,000-pound killer whale in Orlando in February, 2010. Continue reading “SeaWorld killer whales released back to the ocean?”