The moment that has been years in the making is finally here - Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is officially open. From now on, you can venture into the dark jungles of Skull Island. You’ll encounter hostile natives and fend off vicious predators. Finally, you’ll come face-to-face with the mythical beast himself: King Kong. Have a look at the Grand Opening celebration!
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If you’re keeping an eye on construction at Disney Springs, you may have noticed the 36-foot-tall building going up along the waterfront – it’s Morimoto Asia, set to open Sept. 30, a creative collaboration between world-famous Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Patina Restaurant Group. Disney has released some details about the new Restaurant coming to the re-imagined Downtown Disney. It’s the first “pan-Asian” dining experience for Chef Morimoto, and includes his eclectic take on his favorite Asian flavors including moo shu pork, Peking duck, lobster chow fun, sweet and sour crispy whole fish, and spicy kung pao chicken. Weekends, dim sum will be served during brunch, with dumplings, shumai, bao, spare ribs and more. (Don’t worry there’s plenty for kids, such as chicken ramen, kakuni pork bao, and karaage fried chicken.) The sushi bar, sculpted from hundreds of pieces of hand-selected ash wood that’s backed with a wall of hammered copper, has just 14 coveted seats, with global inspiration from toro, kanpachi, Japanese red snapper, uni, sea eel, hamachi, fluke, salmon and more – whatever is freshest. If you’re in the lounge or dining rooms, a selection of specialty rolls and sushi platters will be available. 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 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. 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. From Treasure Cove to Enchanted Storybook Castle, we’ve been showing you updates on the progress of Shanghai Disney Resort, and today I’m excited to tell you about another one-of-a-kind experience in development for the newest addition to the worldwide family of Disney Parks. Disney’s musical event, THE LION KING – the landmark Julie Taymor production, exactly as seen on Broadway and in productions around the world – will be presented at Shanghai Disney Resort in partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions. The world’s first production of Disney’s THE LION KING in Mandarin, this groundbreaking show will be performed in a new, world-class, 1,200-seat Broadway-style theater, located in the retail, dining and entertainment area currently under construction adjacent to Shanghai Disneyland park.
“We are thrilled to bring Disney’s THE LION KING to Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Mike Crawford, General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “Working with our partners at Disney Theatrical Productions to have the world’s most successful and popular stage musical in Mandarin for the first time, here at our ‘must-visit’ entertainment district, will provide a great centerpiece for the area and an amazing opportunity for the people living in and traveling to Shanghai.” “It is especially exciting for us to premiere THE LION KING at this brand new theatre at Shanghai Disney Resort, marking our first collaboration with our partners at Disney Parks and Resorts,” said Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions. “This uniquely Chinese production will be our most ambitious yet, featuring the very best of local talent, who will perform the show for the first time in Mandarin as they bring Julie Taymor’s singular theatrical vision to life.” At the time of its opening, the Mandarin production will mark the 10th concurrent worldwide production of Disney’s THE LION KING – the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show’s history. To date, Disney’s THE LION KING has played 18 countries on every continent except Antarctica. Universal orlando Resort revealed today on its Blog, the amazing entertainment and interactive experiences you’ll find when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley opens this summer at Universal Studios Florida.
Imagine catching a live performance by a popular singing sorceress; seeing The Tales of Beedle the Bard come to life with a goose bump-inducing show performed by a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts; seeing the banter between the Knight Bus Conductor and a shrunken head; and exchanging your Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes while meeting a Gringotts goblin. If all of that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will! It begins when you step through the archway in the brick wall into Diagon Alley, take a right at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and enter the bustling shopping area called Carkitt Market. That’s where you’ll find two live shows performed daily that will captivate fans of all ages. The first show will bring to life two fables from The Tales of Beedle the Bard – “The Fountain of Fair Fortune” and “The Tale of the Three Brothers” (which was featured in the seventh film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”). Performed by a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts, this trunk show uses scenic pieces, props and puppetry fabricated by Emmy-award-winning designer Michael Curry. By Jenn Parker Have a look at the goblins that will be featured in Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the groundbreaking main attraction that will be in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. The goblins are definitely one of my favorite things about the new ride. Once you’re inside Gringotts bank, you’ll actually walk through the main hall and see goblins hard at work counting money, writing notes — and even occasionally looking up to give you a not-so-friendly glance as you make your way through. By Tom Parker The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life – this time at Universal Studios Florida! Follow in Harry’s footsteps as you pass through the brick wall from London into the bustling, wizarding hub of Diagon Alley.
You can shop at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, enjoy a sweet treat at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour or even brave the dark corners of Knockturn Alley. You can find Puking Pastilles at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, find a new furry, feathered or scaly friend at Magical Menagerie or hop aboard the Hogwarts Express to continue your adventures in Hogsmeade village. |
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