Star Wars Coming Soon to Disney Parks

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Disney has recently unveiled its plans to build two enormous Star Wars lands in Florida’s Disney World and Anaheim, California’s Disneyland, marking the biggest expansion in the theme park’s history. The announcement was made by Disney chief executive and chairman Bob Iger at the annual D23 Exposition in Anaheim, California before 7,500 Star War fans.

Each park will be 14 acres and will include sensor features to give visitors an ‘immersive’ experience. The lands will be populated with actors playing aliens, droids and many other creatures from the Star Wars world.

The authentic Star War’s lands will feature a new planet from George Lucas’ sci-fi intergalactic universe.  Two new rides will be introduced, including one where participants will be able to board and take control of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy- Millennium Falcon Continue reading “Star Wars Coming Soon to Disney Parks”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

New Water Park Coming to Orlando

800px-Magic_mountain_water_park_monctonCompetition among Orlando’s water parks will get a little tougher. Universal Orlando Resort is planning a construction of a water park that will be named Volcano Bay.

On February 13, Universal filed plans with South Florida Water Management for a proposed water park to be built on vacant land east of Turkey Lake and south of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The parcel of land for the planned water park at Universal Orlando Resort is more than 50 acres. Previously, Universal has filed for trade marks for the names Volcano Bay and Wondersea Island, according to the details released on the theme park blogs. Continue reading “New Water Park Coming to Orlando”

The Fury 325 Giga Coaster in North Carolina Hits Speeds Up to 95 mph

Banshee_(roller_coaster)Are you seeking for new adrenaline fuels? If you are brave enough, then book a trip to Charlotte to take a ride on the brand new Fury 325 at Carowinds Amusement Park in North Carolina. Once the giga coaster opens on March 28, it will be one of the tallest, fastest and longest roller coasters in the world.

The new attraction began construction on September 2014 as a part of a planned $50 million multi-year expansion at Carowinds amusement park. The coaster was officially announced by Carowinds on August 21, 2014 at an event that was held at the parks Harmony Hall Marketplace. Only a few days ago, Carowinds released a video showing off a stomach-turning virtual ride on the brand new Fury 325. Continue reading “The Fury 325 Giga Coaster in North Carolina Hits Speeds Up to 95 mph”