Back when the NASCAR Sports Grille closed in November of last year, no one was sure what was going to replace it. Over time it became clear that a NBC Sports related restaurant and sports bar would be taking over the vacant space. In April we got our first glimpse of a possible name from a permit filed. Today, Universal Orlando has officially announced the first ever NBC Sports Grill & Brew is coming to Universal Citywalk, and it will be opening this fall! The venue will host 100 HD TV screens throughout the restaurant all showing NBC sports programming of all types. Read the full press release, see the video, and check out some of the construction progress pictures below.
Author Archives: Alicia Stella
Kongstruction Update: Facade Work Continues and Something Taking Shape on the Ground
Work never seems to let up on the facade for Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal's Islands of Adventure. I was able to grab some photos on my recent visit this week and it's looking just as amazing as ever. There seems to be something being constructed on the ground near the left-most side of the area. Not sure if it's going to stay there or be moved into place later. Check it out and let me know what you think it is. This will be just a small photo update since my last big update with video. If you haven't yet, please check out the video from my last update as it explains some of the concept art by comparing it to the construction site. Check out today's photos below!
Movie Review: Tomorrowland
I really wanted to love this movie. The film starts off with a bang, the first act sees us at the 1964 World's Fair, we hear the song from Carousel of Progress, and get to take a ride on It's a Small World. Overwhelming synergy overload aside, I loved the first half of this film. You really couldn't guess what was coming next, it did a great job of setting up the stakes, and the sequences were fun and clever. However, somewhere after George Clooney's character starts to reveal details about the real Tomorrowland, and his own childhood experiences with a child-shaped android, the film takes a nosedive for me. It becomes more and more clear that we're not going to get a satisfying conclusion and the film just sort of ends, because it wants to. The message is beautiful: to keep hope alive and to never give up on a bright future. But the movie tells us to be inspired, rather than actually inspiring us. They save the day at the end, but it doesn't feel organic, more like they do it because the film's running time was running out. Maybe there's thirty minutes on the cutting room floor that help square it away. I love Brad Bird. I love his directorial style and the messages he tries to convey. I just wish this film did a better job of that and had a better climax.
Seeing the movie opening weekend, they gave us a Tomorrowland pin and E-tickets for the film, reminiscent of the old style ride tickets from Disneyland when it first opened. While I absolutely adore the pin and everything it represents, it's the epitome of everything wrong with this film: They get the props, production design, and feeling right, but without a good and memorable story to hold it up.
3 Stars (out of 5)
Universal Orlando Announces Their New Water Park, Volcano Bay
As I've previously reported, Universal has been building a new water park their calling Volcano Bay. Today it was officially announced via their blog, as well as emails sent to Annual Passholders. The announcement says Volcano Bay will completely redefine the water park experience. Volcano Bay will open for guests in 2017, showing that the date released by the I-Drive District of Fall 2016 was incorrect. They've released one piece of concept art so far, which looks incredible, showing a massive volcano as the centerpiece of the park. Read the entire press release below and stay tuned here for more developments.
Raptor Encounter Full Experience Video Plus Jurassic World Shirts Now at Islands of Adventure
The Raptor Encounter at Universal's Islands of Adventure opened to long lines over Memorial Day weekend. Guests are lining up in the hot Florida sun for the chance to come face to face with one of the two "trained" raptors in the park: Lucy and Ethel. This new meet and greet is certainly a hit. The loud raptor noises ensure everyone walking by take notice. The photos and video you'll see do not do it justice as it is very impressive in person. It may be a guy in a suit, but for a few minutes it really has you questioning how they're pulling it off. There's a "trainer" there to help make the experience feel more authentic, and her interactions with the animal really sold it for me. It's a lot of fun and I'm glad I was able to get some video and photos to share with you. Check them out below!
In addition to the Raptor Encounter I was happy to see that many new Jurassic World shirts have arrived to the park as well! They're available at both gift shops in Jurassic Park, as well as the main gift shop in Port of Entry. Check them out, along with some more new Jurassic World merchandise below. ...continue reading
Movie Review: Mad Max: Fury Road
Having never seen any of the previous Mad Max films I was a bit hesitant to jump into this one, but after hearing such great things about Fury Road I had to see what the fuss was about. Fury Road is an amazing action movie, and the type of action movie you just don't see any more: One that isn't mindless mind-numbing CG nonsense. Even though this film is pretty much a two-hour chase scene, it still takes a few moments to let you catch your breath now and again. It has genuine character development. And it has a female character not just supporting the male lead, but actually holding her own. In fact, what is most monumental about the story is how the two main leads help each other, playing to each others' strengths, throughout the story. They use teamwork. Not a man saving a woman, or a woman saving the day despite the fact that she is a woman, but two people, working together, regardless of gender.
The film's world is fully realized, yet never clumsily explained. Things just are the way they are, and we can enjoy seeing it, without having it shoved down our throats. Many of the big action set-pieces utilize practical effects, real explosions, incredible specially made vehicles, and even dummies rather than CG humans when the story calls for someone to kick the bucket. Sure there are some CG flourishes here and there, and even a big sandstorm that's all effects, but it's always done with the weight and reality of an old-school movie before computers took over. I enjoyed the story, characters, and the entire ride. And you don't have to be familiar with the prior films to get into this one as it's perfect as a stand-alone film. Would watch again.
4 Stars (out of 5)
Raptor Meet and Greet News: Raptor Encounter Soft Open Today! UPDATED with Video
Rumor has it that the first couple "shows" for the new Raptor Encounter meet and greet at Universal's Islands of Adventure will be today! There's no guarantee that they'll go on as planned, but there has been talk of trying to get this open by Memorial Day weekend. Some images and videos have surfaced on the web as well! The puppet looks more like a full-size raptor suit, worn by a performer, and is very impressive. The suit is said to be created by Michael Curry Design, known for his work on the Transformers meet and greet costumes as well as many other theme park characters and puppets from around the world.
Check out the video and pictures below! Given that these folks have used the hashtag #raptorencounter, I'm guessing that's what the park will be calling the experience. I'll get some video and photos myself when I visit in a few days!
Kongstruction Update: Scaffolding Comes Down and Entrance Arch Takes Shape – With Video
Since it's my first visit back to the parks after the official announcement for Skull Island: Reign of Kong was made last week, I decided to get some video in addition to my usual construction photographs. All of the scaffolding has now shifted to the right, leaving a breathtaking view of the giant temple gate. They've also started work on the attraction entrance near the pathway. From the concept art we can see it will be an arch with Kong's head shaped into it. It's very exciting to see everything taking shape, and to have concept art to compare it to! See all the photos below and check out the video here as well!
Raptor Meet and Greet Announced as Jurassic World Merchandise Lands in the Parks – With Photo Update
As I've been reporting since it was just a small hole in the ground, a Velociraptor Meet & Greet is coming soon to the Jurassic Park area in Islands of Adventure, and it has been officially confirmed by Universal! Well, sort of. In the Annual Passholder newsletter there's a short paragraph about the Jurassic World movie opening next month and to look for photo opportunities with a raptor in IOA. So, we should expect the area to open within the next few weeks, just in time for the film's release! The previously filed permits did show that they had until the end of June to finish their work, but it sounds like they'll be ready before that. Rumors have it opening as soon as Memorial Day later this month!
While visiting the parks today I noticed the DinoStore gift shop in the Discovery Center has gotten lots of Jurassic World toys. You can also find some select Jurassic World candies in various gift shops throughout both parks. Check out the images below to see how construction is going and check out the merchandise pics as well! ...continue reading
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Closed for Refurbishment
The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad at Universal's Islands of Adventure is currently closed for refurbishment and has been since April 25th. It was originally scheduled to reopen after only a couple of weeks, but the official Universal Orlando website now lists the show being down until June 13th. We know from permits that they're making improvements to the sets and interior of the theater itself, but some have speculated about the show also being reworked. I enjoy the show's special effects and stunts, but the story could definitely be improved upon... Just as long as they don't get rid of the line, "Shhhhh, Kabob!" Recent photos of the area below.