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Harry Potter Ride Goes 3D in Japan

400px-Universal-Islands-of-Adventure-Harry-Potter-Castle-9188 (1)Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios Japan is clearly one of most popular rides and it is getting even more popular after the ride has been turned into a 3D attraction.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios Japan not even one year ago and it is already seeing changes. The ride that opened last summer has drawn in record crowds to the park since then and with 11 million visitors a year, it got Universal’s most popular by attendance.

The theme park in Osaka unveiled its upgraded Harry Potter ride with three-dimensional effects at a special ceremony only two months ago, making it the first of the two existing Hogwarts Castle ride in 3D. The other is at Universal Orlando and there is no information if its version will see the 3D conversion as well. Continue reading “Harry Potter Ride Goes 3D in Japan”

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Receive $3B Expansion and New Name

Rock_n_Roller_Coaster,_Disney's_Hollywood_StudiosDisney’s Hollywood Studios may receive the largest renovation in the company’s history. The $3 billion expansion at Walt Disney World Resort has recently been approved by Disney’s board. However, a lot of speculation and nothing official has been announced yet.

Rumors behind the park’s massive overhaul have reached critical mass and the truth may soon be revealed. Official announcement is expected to be made at this year’s D23 Expo in Anaheim in August and this will end months of speculation about the awaited massive overhaul.

The upcoming 10 year expansion will include farewells to some attractions, welcome new lands and long-awaited changes that will make the park dominated by Star Wars, Pixar and Indiana Jones. Attractions like the American Idol Experience and Magic of Disney Aniation, Muppet Vision 3d and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular have closed to make room for the new ones. Continue reading “Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Receive $3B Expansion and New Name”

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Orlando Eye Riders Stuck at 400 Feet

OrlandoNightSkyline66 riders were stranded on the Orlando Eye and had to be evacuated from the 400-foot attraction last Friday afternoon.

At about 3:45 p.m. the operating systems that monitor the position of Ferris wheel indicated a technical default. The wheel had initially stopped for 45 minutes. Andrea Alava, a public relations manager for the Orlando Eye said in a statement that as a safety precaution, the wheel is designed to automatically shut down when communication with the system is interrupted. Continue reading “Orlando Eye Riders Stuck at 400 Feet”

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Disney World Bans Selfie Sticks from Its Theme Parks

Selfie_Stick_in_Rom_(16454073048)Are you thinking of visiting Walt Disney World next month? You’d better keep your selfie stick at home.

Disney World is banning selfie sticks from its theme parks as they have become “a growing safety concern” for both its guests and cast, Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty said Friday morning. After June 30 selfie sticks will no longer be allowed in any of Walt Disney World’s four Florida parks and two Disneyland parks, California and DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive, Orlando. The sticks will be banned from Disneyland in Paris and Hong Kong on July 1. Disney hotels and resorts will still allow the selfie devices. Continue reading “Disney World Bans Selfie Sticks from Its Theme Parks”

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Wet ‘n Wild Orlando to Close in 2016

Wet_n_Wild_Orlando_-_The_Storm_2Universal Orlando is closing Wet ‘n Wild for good on December 31, 2016, the theme park officials announced via its blog Wednesday.

The International Drive water park opened in 1977 and has been owned by Universal since 1998. The company was leasing the 52 acres land on the corner of I-Drive and Universal Boulevard until 2013 when it purchased it for $30 million. That included the water park, a parcel under its adjacent lagoon and the parking lot across Universal Boulevard.

Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder wrote on Universal’s official blog that it was too soon to discuss what would happen next with the land. However, the land will reportedly be used for hotel development. Continue reading “Wet ‘n Wild Orlando to Close in 2016”

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The Next Orlando’s Tallest, Longest and Fastest Roller Coaster is Coming

450px-Kraken_at_SeaWorld_Orlando_21SeaWorld Orlando has recently announced that it is building a new hypercoaster that will be the tallest, fastest and longest ever in Florida.

Named Mako, the new attraction is inspired by mako sharks, also called “blue pointers”, the fastest of all species of sharks in the world and known for making extreme jumps and the ability of quickly change course when they are hunting for food.

The new hypercoaster will feature Continue reading “The Next Orlando’s Tallest, Longest and Fastest Roller Coaster is Coming”

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Orlando Crashes LA Galaxy 4-0 for First Home Win

Football_Pallo_valmiina-croppedOrlando City SC scored its first home win at the Orlando Citrus Bowl in commanding fashion in front of a crowd of 40,122 fans on Sunday night, defeating the reigning Major League Soccer Cup Champions LA Galaxy 4-0.

It took them three tries until the Lions finally registered their first MLS home win. After a long wait, their fans had finally something to celebrate. The win launched Orlando up to 5th in the Eastern Conference, while the champion LA Galaxy ended a six game-run without victory in the process.

The Lions went in front in the 12th minute through Eric Avila after a fantastic combination from the Lions deep in Galaxy’s half. Orlando City was dynamic in the attack, supported by the wings Rafael Ramos and Brek Shea providing outlets and service. The Lions went into the halftime break leading 2-0. Rookie Cyle scored on a set-up from Kaka in the 34th minute. Continue reading “Orlando Crashes LA Galaxy 4-0 for First Home Win”

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Avatar Land is Taking Shape at Animal Kingdom in Orlando

800px-Rainforest_-_Liffey_Falls_2008_-_aSlated to be Animal Kingdom’s largest expansion in history, Avatar Land which is currently under construction, is scheduled to open in 2017. The massive project that is a collaborative partnership between Disney and Lightstorm Entertainment was announced in 2011 and the construction works started in 2014.

Walt Disney Imagineering has recently revealed details of the design of the new attraction, called Pandora, the mythical land based on the wildly popular movie Avatar. Continue reading “Avatar Land is Taking Shape at Animal Kingdom in Orlando”

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A Farewell to Mickyard: Walt Disney World Speedway Closing in June

800px-California_Speedway,_NEXTEL_CupThe Orlando motor sports track, Walt Disney World Speedway, will close in late June, officially confirmed Petty Holdings, operator of Richard Petty Driving Experience and Exotic Driving Experience. Walt Disney World is planning to use the land to make “transportation improvements”. Further details on what happens from there were not provided and exactly what Disney plans to do with the land remains unclear. Rumours say a new parking lot for the area south of the Magic Kingdom would be built there.

The track opened in Orlando Continue reading “A Farewell to Mickyard: Walt Disney World Speedway Closing in June”