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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The only things you’ll recognize when The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure re-opens in late summer are the world-famous twists and turns of the ride track. This fan favorite is undergoing thrilling, new enhancements that will make it feel more immersive and high-tech – but it will still have the same “Incredible” personality that makes it one of America’s most popular coasters. Massive New MarqueeFrom the moment you walk up to the beloved coaster, you’ll see the huge changes that were made to the attraction. As you enter the ride, you’ll pass underneath a towering figure of The Hulk, using his colossal strength to hold up pieces of the coaster’s track. And fun fact, these track pieces were salvaged from the original ride.
Universal Orlanod residents, the Blue Man Group show is doing something incredible, and we’d like to invite you to be part of it. To support Autism Speaks, Blue Man Group is hosting a sensory-friendly performance this Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Slight modifications will be made to the show including reducing sound and light levels at various moments during the performance and making earplugs available upon request. The Blue Men will limit the amount of direct audience interaction and keep their approach to the audience more subdued. Blue Man Group will also create calming area in the theater’s lobby for families seeking a break from the excitement. Child tickets (ages 3-9) are just $29 plus tax and adult tickets start at $49 plus tax. A portion of proceeds from the event will go directly to Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization.
This show is part of Blue Man Group’s nationwide effort to support autism programs, and they are donating a minimum of $25,000 to the cause. It's such a great opportunity, Click here to buy tickets or get more information. Universal Creative just announced the new attraction coming to the park in 2017, "Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon". Universal Creative Director Jason Surrell posted on the UOR blog: So, what’s the attraction going to be like? I can’t tell you everything, but I can tell you our team found inspiration in the outrageous celebrity races that have become one of the most popular segments of Jimmy’s Tonight Show. Twister!…Ride It Out closed on November 2 to make way for this new experience.
The successful Cabana Bay Resort at Universal Orlando has been so popular with the incoming tourists in Orlando that they are now planning on opening a 400 new rooms expansion in 2017. See more details in the press release below. ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2015) - Universal Orlando Resort and Loews Hotels & Resorts are excited to announce an expansion of Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Four-hundred new rooms will be added to the retro-themed hotel due to its tremendous success and positive guest response since opening in March 2014.
Opening in 2017, the expansion will consist of two additional towers that will be located at the south end of the property, adjacent to the Continental and Americana guest towers. In addition to the remarkable amenities and on-site benefits, select rooms in the new towers will offer spectacular views of Universal's Volcano Bay - the resort's third incredibly immersive park that will forever change the perception of water theme parks when it opens in 2017. The retro-inspired Cabana Bay is a destination within itself - featuring a stunning design with bold colors and sweeping vistas that transport guests back to a time of relaxation and endless family fun. Cabana Bay guests can experience remarkable amenities, including two zero-entry pools, a waterslide, a lazy river, a 10-lane bowling alley and more. With 900 existing standard guest rooms and 900 existing family suites, guests can choose between two incredible room options. The family suite is a unique room option that sleeps up to six people and includes two queen size beds, a full-size pull-out sofa, a kitchenette area, a sliding partition for privacy, two flat-screen TVs and a compartmentalized bathroom with preparation spaces for three people at once. Cabana Bay guests also get exclusive benefits only available to on-site hotel guests at Universal Orlando, including Early Park Admission one hour before the theme parks open and complimentary transportation to and from Universal Orlando's two incredible theme parks and Universal CityWalk. One of the most successful movie franchises in the United States, already present in Universal Studios Hollywood as part of the famous Tram-Tour will be coming to Universal Orlando Resort in 2017! Buckle your seatbelts, because in 2017, Fast & Furious: Supercharged is coming to Universal Studios Florida. You’ll feel like part of the “Fast family” as you embark on a thrilling new Fast & Furious adventure that will put you right in the middle of the action. This ride is going to fuse everything you love about the films with an original storyline and incredible ride technology. You’ll get to check out some of the high-speed, supercharged cars you’ve seen on the big screen. You’ll be immersed in the underground racing world made famous in the films and explore the headquarters of Toretto and his team. Then, you’ll board specially-designed vehicles for an adrenaline-pumping ride with your favorite stars from the films.
To make way for Fast & Furious: Supercharged, Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Starring You! will close permanently on September 8, 2015, with Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue closing later this year. The Incredible Hulk Coaster will be getting some great, new enhancements to its storyline, ride vehicles and overall experience.
That work means the attraction will be close beginning Sept. 8. It will roar back to life next summer and we’ll keep you posted on the details. In the meantime, Universal recommends to check out the other great, thrilling, experiences at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, including Dr. Doom’s FearFall, Dragon Challenge, Jurassic Park River Adventure and more. As of what are the specific details on this lengthy refurbish process, Universal says the overall experience is going to feel more immersive and high-tech. But don’t worry—the attraction will still have the same “Incredible” personality that makes it one of America’s most popular coasters. 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. By Tom Parker Before CityWalk and Island of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida was one of the most amazing and up to date parks in Orlando. Stunning sets and Facades, mixing reality with fiction, and creating one amazing atmosphere loved by guests and visitors.
We have a complete look back at Universal Studios Florida before the 2000 expansion in our Time Traveling Series, Click here for part 1 and here for part 2. Our main focus of this article will be the Guitar-shaped Hard Rock Café restaurant, which was the second "entrance" to the park. |
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