By Will D. After a long delay due to technical difficulties, Busch Gardens Tampa's first drop tower of its kind is now taking guests on soft openings, preparing them for an incredible experience. Falcon’s Fury, the newest attraction at Busch Gardens in Tampa has begun soft openings, which are unscheduled openings that may end at any time. The structure stands 335 feet above the park, and is the final element to open in the new land of Pantopia. At the ride’s highest point, Busch Gardens added an element of surprise. Riders turn 90 degrees in mid-air to a face-down dive position. An instant later they plunge 60 mph at 3.5 Gs straight down with speed and power like they’ve likely never experienced before.
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By Meredith Bandy Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. will be hosting the second annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter” event from January 30 to February 1, 2015.
Park guests were so thrilled by “A Celebration of Harry Potter” last year that Universal has decided to host another fun-filled opportunity for fans. This special event celebrates the global phenomenon that is Harry Potter as fans from around the world join together at Universal Orlando Resort for three days of everything Potter. 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, visit the all-new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and much more! For all the super fans out there, 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: “Guardians of the Galaxy” has become a blockbuster hit with audiences all over the world enthralled by the thrilling cosmic adventure’s cast of characters and chart-topping soundtrack. “Awesome Mix Vol. 1,” a mix tape of retro-1970s gems given to Peter Quill by his mother, plays a key role in the story of “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Now a mysterious gang of villains has stolen that prized cassette, and Peter Quill – you may know him as the legendary Star-Lord – is on his way back to Earth on a mission to retrieve it.
Meanwhile, we’ve learned that a “Guardians of the Galaxy” Awesome Mix Tape Dance Party is being planned as part of the “Villains Unleashed” event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 23. Coincidence? Perhaps not. The Walt Disney Imagineering team will be transforming the 40-year-old area known as Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, a destination that will include more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. In true Disney fashion, look for a big wow at the new Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – the menu makeover brings island-style cuisine to the popular quick-service spot that’s open around the clock. Start with the classic lobster roll served on a buttered bun. They’ve added blackened fish tacos, a noodle bowl (beef or shrimp) and delectable coconut curry meatballs. A new gourmet hot dog is slathered with garlic ketchup and mango relish. And our favorite – crispy fried chicken and waffles, a hearty breakfast favorite that stays on the menu all day. No worries, the favorite hot beef ‘n blue sandwich stays, says Chef Pete Bruenen. Ditto for the pizzas, grilled chicken sandwich and house-made sushi, delivered from Kona Island upstairs. The grab ‘n go case stays filled with drinks, salads, sandwiches and the popular cold noodle salad and turkey club, says Chef Pete.
Fans of the breakfast Tonga Toast will still find it on the menu, along with a new breakfast burrito with egg, bacon, potatoes and Cheddar cheese. Bridget Sherren, operations manager for Food & Beverage at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, shared a little news about Pineapple Lanai, opening the end of August. “Dole Whip gets its own dedicated spot,” she says, a new window in the courtyard for Dole Whip soft serve and floats (pineapple or vanilla Dole Whip). “It’s a great spot for families,” says Bridget. Another new treat is Hawaiian shaved ice at Kona Island on the resort’s second floor. Located just off the monorail, Kona Island serves specialty coffee and pastries all day, and now shaved ice joins the lineup, along with takeout sushi. Hours are 6:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 – 10 p.m. And watch for Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto to open in spring 2015 next door to Captain Cook’s. Details soon! That’s right, fans—in just about five weeks, Halloween Horror Nights will be back taking over the streets of Universal Studios Florida. And, tonight, as another sneak-peek at Halloween Horror Nights 24, we are revealing the first scare zone.
For six seasons now, you’ve seen the most talented up-and-coming makeup artists create gruesome and fantastical characters on Syfy’s hit television series Face Off. And now the most nightmarish creatures they have created will surround you in this year’s Face Off Scare Zone. This new scare zone will feature ten different character creations inspired by the Syfyhit show, including a look designed by Season 5 Face Off winner, and Universal Orlando make-up artist, Laura Tyler. By Matt Korn You know it’s going to be a good day when you get to spend it in Diagon Alley with the Weasleys.
James and Oliver Phelps, along with Bonnie Wright, were given a special tour of Diagon Alley by Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President of Universal Creative, and Alan Gilmore, Art Director of the Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Seeing the looks on their faces as they walked through the brick wall into Diagon Alley was awesome. Despite the fact that they have grown up surrounded by the magic of the films, it was plain to see they were awestruck. “I was amazed when I walked into Diagon Alley,” Bonnie said. “The attention to detail is just above and beyond.” Thierry and Alan shared a few of their favorite areas of Diagon Alley, including Gringotts Bank and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. |
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