A couple months ago Screamscape reported that Universal Studios Japan will open a new coaster style ride in the Jurassic Park section of the park. Now Instagram user shichan14 has posted a photo from Universal Japan of construction walls with the words "The Greatest Dinosaur Ride in the World, Coming in 2016!" I'm not sure if this will be the roller coaster Screamscape mentioned or something else entirely. They already have the River Adventure, so it can't be that. And I do notice there is a pteranodon pictured on the wall in question. Read more below.
We recently got a chance to visit LEGOLAND Florida and stay at the new LEGOLAND Hotel. It was a blast! I just love everything LEGO. While there we checked out the construction for the new Heartlake City area coming to the park. It will be based on the highly successful LEGO Friends line of toys and is scheduled to open later this summer. The signs on the construction walls say it will be opening June 26th, but I find that hard to believe based on their current construction progress. Still, it looks like the new spotlight attraction for area, Mia's Riding Adventure, a crazy looking disc coaster, is just about ready. (See this video of the ride already open in LEGOLAND Windsor.) Nothing else for the area seems ready as of yet though. Check out the construction pics below.
“When it opens in summer of 2015, Heartlake City will be a colorful and vibrant new land offering adventures for all ages,” said Jones. “The centerpieces will include a fantastic horse-themed disc coaster called Mia’s Riding Adventure and an interactive show, ‘Friends to the Rescue’ as well as new shops inside Heartlake Mall."
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.
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!
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.
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 →
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!
Photo posted by Patrick Braillard on Facebook with the caption "Today, the gates open on a new entertainment experience 6 years in the making. I am very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to put actual DINOSAURS IN OUR DINOSAUR PARK!!!"...continue reading →
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!
Left: Recent construction of entry arch - Right: Concept Art of entry arch
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!
Short blurb in the Annual Passholder newsletter
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 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.
A couple months ago Screamscape reported that Universal Studios Japan will open a new coaster style ride in the Jurassic Park section of the park. Now Instagram user shichan14 has posted a photo from Universal Japan of construction walls with the words "The Greatest Dinosaur Ride in the World, Coming in 2016!" I'm not sure if this will be the roller coaster Screamscape mentioned or something else entirely. They already have the River Adventure, so it can't be that. And I do notice there is a pteranodon pictured on the wall in question. Read more below.
