Harambe Market, a new area that will serve-up African-inspired street food, is set to open May 23 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Today, we’re excited to share with you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at just how the Disney team is currently working to bring this new area to life. Check out the video below to hear how members of the project team traveled to Lamu, Kenya to study architecture, learn how African foods and spices inspired parts of the area’s storyline, and much more.
0 Comments
Over the past 25 years, Universal Orlando has created some of the world’s most incredible entertainment experiences by combining emotional storytelling, timeless characters and innovative ride technologies. Today, we honor one of the most monumental figures in movie history, King Kong, with the announcement of a groundbreaking attraction opening in the summer of 2016 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure – “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.” You’ll navigate perilous jungles, explore ancient temple structures and encounter hostile natives – and that’s only the beginning. Throughout the rest of your excursion, you’ll brave foreboding caves crawling with prehistoric creatures, fend off unspeakable terrors – and even come face-to-face with the colossal Kong himself. When Universal Creative began conceptualizing the next great attraction for Universal Orlando Resort, one prevailing thought rose to the top, Kong. How do we make the experience MASSIVE? The sets, the characters and even the story itself. All of it will be larger than life. The new attraction will open in the summer of 2016 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure – and will be an intense, all-new adventure brought to life in a dramatically themed environment. Skull Island: Reign of Kong will pull guests into a powerfully told story where they become part of the next generation of the Kong legend. It begins as guests are transported deep into a wild and mysterious world, where their mission is to discover creatures of unknown origin – but where they are soon fighting for their own survival. Their journey will take them through an ancient temple inhabited by hostile natives, a perilous jungle ruled by prehistoric creatures, a foreboding underworld of caves concealing unspeakable terrors – and face-to-face with the colossal Kong himself. Universal Creative is working closely with Peter Jackson, famed director of 2005’s blockbuster movie, “King Kong,” to immerse guests in this incredible adventure. "King Kong is a Hollywood movie legend and a huge part of both our history and our future," said Mike West, Executive Producer, Universal Creative. "He gives us the opportunity to tap into everything that makes our film history so special and everything that makes our theme park attractions so spectacular. We can’t wait to bring him to life in such an epic way." Known as "the eighth wonder of the world," Kong has been called "the experience for which movies were invented." Since first appearing on screen in 1933, "King Kong" has been re-made twice - each time on a tremendous scale – earning seven Oscar and three Golden Globe nominations. The challenge is also to tell the next generation of the Kong legend, all while delivering an unparalleled, revolutionary theme park experience guests have come to expect from Universal. The team has done exactly that with Reign of Kong – you’ll be pulled into a powerful, intense fight for survival as you discover a side of the iconic beast that has never been revealed…until now. What a year it has been for Universal CityWalk.
It’s incredible to think that only a year ago, Universal was launching the biggest renovation in CityWalk’s history. They had just opened the first new venue, Red Oven Pizza Bakery, and they were just days away from opening Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. February 1 is the last day for thrill seekers to ride Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa as the park prepares to permanently close the wooden rollercoaster. Gwazi opened in 1999 as Florida’s first dueling wooden rollercoaster, providing guests with thrilling and memorable experiences for more than 15 years.
“No decisions have been made about what lies ahead for Gwazi or for the future plans of that area of Busch Gardens,” said Park President Jim Dean. “But, we are always looking for ways to enhance guests’ experiences, so stay tuned for more news.” You’ve probably heard about the exciting re-imagining taking place at one of the original Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and today we have more news to share about Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows.
Check out this just-released rendering of the new Disney Vacation Club Bungalows, the first of their kind on any Disney property. The 20 Bungalows will sleep up to eight guests each in a home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. My favorite feature though has to be the plunge pool overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, and the view of the fireworks over Magic Kingdom Park. By Willy D. Disney's Hollywood Studios has been rumored to be completely renovated in the upcoming years. The Park opened 25 years ago and it's now taking some serious changes to re-imagined the amazing park that it used to be.
No official details have been revealed on where or how will the park will change but what we clearly know is that Disney is "revamping" the Studio-Style theme by removing (Early next year) the Sorcerer's hat. The giant blue and gold centerpiece that served for years as the park's logo. We just will have to wait and see how Disney surprises us. Maybe StarWars? CarsLand? Disney finally announced the returned of one of the most beloved attractions! Disney Parks Blog described the news as "We are excited to return to the big blue world once again when Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland park reopens September 27" - following an extended refurbishment. Quite a bit of work has been done over the course of this year to renew this favorite attraction. Many of the attraction’s scenes, rockwork and coral have been refreshed and repainted; as a result, guests will see a more colorful and vibrant underwater experience than ever before.
First Drop Tower of its Kind in the World Solidifies Park as Florida’s Thrill Ride Leader After weeks of thrilling lucky guests during a “soft open,” North America’s tallest freestanding drop tower, Falcon’s Fury™, is officially open, at Busch Gardens Tampa. “We know guests from around the world have been waiting to experience this one-of-a-kind thrill ride, and we are excited to officially invite those guests to ride Falcon’s Fury,” said Park President Jim Dean. Falcon’s Fury stands at 335 feet and takes riders soaring 60mph straight down. At the ride’s highest point Busch Gardens has added an element of surprise; like its bird of prey namesake, riders pivot 90 degrees in midair to a face-down dive position. An instant later, riders plunge with speed and power that they’ve never experienced before. 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. 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. |
News & InformationCategories
All
Archives
July 2016
|