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Mardi Gras Coming to Universal Studios Orlando

Hedy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:32:52 +0000

Mardi Gras is a huge celebration which comes round each year on the day before Ash Wednesday. It’s renowned for its eccentricity, music and socializing, perhaps the most well-known location of this celebration taking place in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Although, in the UK we celebrate this event as Shrove Tuesday, by eating loads of pancakes, it is essentially a Christian celebration. It’s no wonder why Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday’, being the day before confession, where people eat lots of fatty, rich foods.
The US celebrate Mardi Gras with a bit more noise however and has been a bit of cultural heritage over there, so much so that it has spread, from the South, to the whole country, which now includes Universal Orlando Resort joining in with the party.
2012 sees the first ever Mardi Gras carnival being hosted by Universal Studios in Orlando and they are sparing no expense. Taking place on Saturdays starting from February 11 running right through to April 14 2012 and we can expect all the glitz and glamour for every one of them.
The Line-up
The concerts will have a whole host of famous bands playing in their carnival starting with the B-52’s rocking their 1989 classic ‘Love Shack’. Then it’s Kelly Clarkson and R&B group Boyz II Men taking the lime light for the other remaining dates for February. Let’s not forget Diana Ross, who is sure to be a huge hit for Mardi Gras, will be performing on the 25th February singing classics such as ‘Ain’t no Mountain High Enough’ and ‘Love Hangover’
March will feature just as many stars and celebrities with the Goo Goo Dolls om the 3rd and Big Time Rush on the 10th. Finally J Cole will perform on the 16th, Sugar Ray on the 17th, Hot Chelle Rae on the 23rd and B.o.B on the 24th. That month will be rounded off with the Plain White T’s on the 30th and Prince Royce on the 31st.
Phew, that’s a lot of entertainment, but we’ve still got one more month to go! Universal Orlando Resort will be inviting Cyndi Lauper and KC & The Sunshine Band to perform for April. That’s a lot of music artists for one big carnival.
The Costumes
There’s no doubt Universal will use their very own designed floats for the carnival and they’re going to be as outrageous as the atmosphere, but that’s not all they will be showing off. Universal Orlando Resort has hundreds of cast members taking part in the celebrations, each donning a spectacular costume. The theme this year is exotic places, so many of the outfits will reflect this with dancers dressed as humming birds from the rainforest and more traditional costumes such as kings and queens.
Winding through the streets of the Universal Studios sets, guests will get front row seats to a fantastic new display of eccentricity and fun.

Farrah Hedwat
FloridaTix
Farrah is the copywriter at FloridaTix, a UK based website providing tickets for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Seaworld and other Orlando attractions. From offers and promotions to the latest news on the parks, FloridaTix is everything and anything about Florida and Orlando attractions.

Photo Credit: Scott R Smith on Flickr

Universal Orlando Newsflash!

Hedy — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:06:30 +0000

Universal Orlando recently made some really cool announcements…that had nothing to do with Harry Potter (which ought to be an accomplishment in and of itself, if you ask me. Blue Man Group is getting an improved show. For whatever it’s worth, I saw the GIpads in the show in Boston and they were really cool. If you get a chance to see Blue Man Group (even if it’s not in Orlando), I highly recommend it. I had been saying for years that I needed to see the one in Boston, and I finally saw it last Summer-it was great.

A lot of the updates seem to be plussing: for example, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (AKA the best ride in Orlando) will be in HD and have a hidden Stan Lee, and the pathetic nighttime show will be redone as “Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories” with Morgan Freeman.

As you know, Jimmy Neutron will be going away and replaced with a Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction. And ladies visiting the Orlando area are grateful that their girls will never have to do the Chicken Dance again.

Universal has clearly not given up on trying to be Disney: they are opening a mini-golf course and adding to their waterpark. Hollywood Drive-In Golf will be a 36 hole golf course that will be located at Citywalk. Wet and Wild will be adding a sandcastle area.

What’s your favorite bit of news? Let me know in a comment, Twitter , Facebook, or Google Plus. Come get pinned with me on Pinterest. Find and book Orlando tours and activities on Viator.com. Book ahead to save time and money!

Wordless Wednesday: January 2, 2012

Hedy — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:52:36 +0000

Amity sign at Universal Studios, August 2009. Now a piece of Theme Park history

For this week, I have a reminder of what was: Here’s what Amity looks like today.

WDW vs. Universal: Jaws vs. Jungle Cruise-Updated 12/2.11

Hedy — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:38:48 +0000

For this week’s comparison, we are going on a boat ride. The captain narrates the tour, and it’s kind of dated0eeling. It was an opening day attraction.

I’m talking about Jaws at Universal Orlando. Much like the Jungle Cruise, while I find the ride itself pretty dull, the theming around it is pretty cool. See the sign over to the left? That’s from “Amity” at Universal Orlando. It is a dead ringer for the signs on Martha’s Vineyard, where Jaws takes place.

The premise of the ride is that you are taking tour of Amity after the Jaws incidents. You have a tour guide. Ever think that a skipper or safari guide was a little dull? I swear, Universal Team Members are on the verge of falling asleep. Or maybe they’re just failed actors? The effects in Jaws are cheesy, dated, and pretty pathetic.

Update: The cheesy, dated, and pathetic Jaws will roar no more after January 2, 2012 (1/2/12-kind of a cool date). Universal is closing it (and the Amity area) to make way for a new attraction. I’m kind of sorry to see it go-Amity always made me homesick for Martha’s Vineyard, and my dad loved Jaws. But Universal’s new rides (The Mummy, The Simpsons) have been pretty awesome.

That is one thing which Universal does that Disney does not to as much-completely kill not just rides, but whole areas of the park.

I saw Hop last week…

Hedy — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:02:32 +0000

It was ok. There were definitely some funny parts (and some adult-fan extras I’ll get to), but I’d say it’s RedBox-worthy. Some plot points squicked me a little (both the adult with whom I saw the movie and myself were bugged that Carlos the Underling has a Spanish accent, although TVTropes points out that it does take place on Easter Island, which is in Chile). It was rife with adult humor (in the “non-dirty vein”), so that’s a plus if you’re taking your nieces or nephews or other kids in your life to see it. David Hasselhoff, as apparently now he appears as himself on kids’ films, told the talking bunny E. B. that “My best friend is a talking car.” Carlos the underling at one point sings “Everything’s Coming up Carlos!” And of course, the bunny has to try to stay where the bunnies stay. Hershey’s also did some hard-core product placement in the movie.

Photo from Lorenjavier on Flickr. Taken at Universal Studios Hollywood.

WWoHP Trip report-Downtown Disney

Hedy — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:19:07 +0000

I woke up early the next morning. I headed back down to the Orchid Court Lounge to grab a cinnamon bun. My package from WWoHP was in, so I picked it up-you pick it up at the front desk at Loews resorts, which
I find weird. I hopped into a cab to get to the premium outlets. I thought is was a little weird that the cab was going the same way as to the Prime Outlets, as they are in opposite directions. Sure enough, dude took me to the Prime Outlets. He did then take me to the Premium Outlets, but my fare had been increased by about $15. I WAS NOT A HAPPY Hedy. Do NOT MESS WITH THE Hedy, especially when shopping or Disney is concerned. By the time we reached my destination, I had assembled my army of important information: His cab number, his cab’s telephone number, the Orlando City Taxi division and the relevant number. I handed him my credit card to pay-he informed me that if I paid in cash, he would knock $10 off the fare. He then told me that if I paid by credit card, he couldn’t do that. I knew what I wanted-to let his taxi company know about this event in addition to the correct fare, so I said I’d just pay by credit card (I wanted back up documentation of the amount I paid). The cabbie informed me that if I reported him, he would get in trouble. Golly, and he seemed so upstanding (eyeroll)). I said “That’s ok” and left the cab. I called the cab company, and left a message for his supervisor detailing the events. I said I wanted a full cash refund, while I did not think I would get it, it was a good starting point. Cash refund requests get attention because cash can be spent at a competitor’s service. I made a beeline for the Disney Parks outlet. I was really looking for Christmas stuff (for that upcoming cruise I should start a PTR on). I bought some tote bags that would have been my fish extender had I not kind of bought a stocking last week, and a bracelet. I stopped in Crocs and LeSportsac, both of which were meh, and CCO. I think the Florida sun had gotten to my brain, because finding the taxi stand was hard. I ended up with a tax driver who was awesome.
The second I step on Disney Property, I go all gooey inside. I kept on staring up at the WoD, thinking that this is what I day dream about when I’m at home. I had an 11:30am reservation for Paradiso 37. My meal was almost free thanks to an Opentable Cheque. The food was awesome-I got the crazy corn, and I was pretty much licking my plate. I had an aqua fresca and a frozen sangria as well. However, my menu was dirty. Ew. So it gets a meh.
I headed onto browse around the WoD. I headed over to Pleasure Island-I had seen a phot of one of the last vestiges of old Pleasure Island on Imaginerding, and I wanted to find it. I found it.
Characters in Flight was down, as is customary when I want to ride it. I had a great DIS meet with Marvaid-I’ve been reading her TR’s for three years, so it was nice to meet her. I then went to Goody’s Candy Co for dessert. It was actually too hot for a dipped (although now it’s a topped) fudge cookie, so I just got a fudge cookie (I felt vindicated when the CM told me he thought it was an Oreo). However, I have to admit that I was a little disappointed at some changes I saw. Of the make your own snacks, the only one which is able to be a Dining Plan credit are the marshmallows; also, they no longer have the Make Your Own frozen drink cups. That said, if you can bottle eau de Goofy’s Candy Company scent, please send it to me. I may or may not have hopped on Disney Food Blog to see if I was missing anything important.

By that afternoon, I had not heard back from the cab. I probably would have let it go if I wasn’t going home the next day. I called the manager, spoke to him, and got my discounted fare. I grabbed dinner to go at Earl of Sandwich, and headed back to RPR.
At RPR, I ate my salad, and went over to Universal Studios. It was PACKED. I saw T-3, and then I headed to buy Ferdie his birthday shirt-it has all four Hogwarts houses on it.

Universal Orlando Trip report Day 2

Hedy — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:10:19 +0000

I woke up early, and headed to ride the Mummy. Even with my earplugs in, it’s a little loud for me. I then had my fortune told by someone in the New York area. I then headed onto the Horror Makeup Show, which was great as always. I was hungry-I quickly learned that 10am-ish there is really not anything open for food at Universal. I headed onto Shrek. It was cool. However, I think that Universa needs to a)be playing some of the Shrek the Musical soundtrack, and b)be cashing in on the fact that they produce both Wicked and Billy Elliot on Broadway. But I’m no businesswoman.
I headed over to drool at the new Veras at Fresh Produce. I had lunch at Pastamore’s counter service, it was meh. I had lost an earring at the Hyatt, so I wanted to stop being a unicorn. I hopped over to the RPR to grab a cab. I was not terribly impressed with the Disney Outlet at the Prime Outlets-I was hoping for more Christmas merchandise than there was. However, I was able to pick up a pirate princess knife and eye patch for $.50 each (for whatever it’s worth, I later saw the knife at Mickey’s Mart in Downtown Disney on the 4/$10 wall). I also got a pirate princess keychain. Some stuff was stuff they had last year-plastic ID bracelets, Pooh ID bracelets, and Tinkerbell personalized earrings. I bought all three items last year-the Pooh bracelet is freakishly big-it was falling off my wrist. I also saw the Tinkerbell earrings at the World of Disney on sale. I stopped in the Victoria’s Secret outlet-I didn’t get anything, but I was much more impressed with the setup this year than last. The entire store is laid out by size. They had panties for 5 for $10, and padded bras 2 for $20. For what it’s worth, my bra size is a little hard to find, and they had a decent selection. I also stopped in Forever 21, which was utterly trashed.
I headed headed back to the RPR. What was my plan for dinner?

Wordless Wednesday August 4, 2010

Hedy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:46 +0000

Amity sign at Universal Studios, August 2009

Actual Martha's Vineyard Street Sign June 2010

Find all Wordless Wednesday posts here

WDW Not Just For Kids review: The Unofficial Guide to Beyond Disney

Hedy — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:42:47 +0000

I’ve gotten this this guide for my past two Universal trips, but with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening, I thought a touring plan might be a good idea. The guide to Beyond Disney comes from the folks at The Unofficial Guide and Touring Plans. As I’ve said before, I have grown weary of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, but was willing to give Beyond Disney a shot. On the whole-I wish I had not bought this book.It had some good stuff, some bad stuff that wasn’t their fault, and some meh stuff that is their problem.

Good things about this book. Firstly, it did have Touring Plans. They are not great, as the book was written in 2009, but they do have a few suggestions. What bugged me was that they redirected you to Touring Plans.com for a Disney Hollywood Studios plan, but they did not have something similar for Universal Orlando. If they had said that once The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens, an updated touring plan would be available on their site, I might have had a different reaction to the book. However, the touring plan for Universal Studios does include guidelines for shows that only start later on in the day-I appreciated this, as on my first trip I was having a hard time fitting in all the shows I wanted to see. The book did introduce me to a new food option, Orlando Take Out Express. The deliver to non-Disney hotels from many local restaurants. Their minimum is a $15 order, plus a $4.99 delivery fee. If I’m going to be carless at Universal again on August, I may check them out-Indian or Chinese food sounds tastier than many Universal options.

The Universal Orlando section is pretty slim, but I knew when I bought it it was not a guidebook dedicated to Universal alone.

They list a number of travel deal and hotel related websites, but they do not list Hotwire as a suggested site (although they did mention Priceline). I personally think this was a large error, as Hotwire is very user-friendly to use even if you’re not a huge deal researcher, and it’s fairly easy to get a decent hotel, such as the Hyatt MCO, for a decent amount. As I said above, it bugged me that for their “best days” to visit included a Touring Plans link for DHS, but not for Universal Orlando. I’m sure in 2009 Saturday was a good day to see Islands of Adventure, but I don’t think it will be once the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens.

My review of my personal Universal Orlando guidebook of choice, Universal Orlando, 2010 Edition: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure, will be forthcoming.

WDW vs. Universal-Shrek 4-D

Hedy — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:29:37 +0000

As Shrek: The Final Chapter is opening Friday, May 21, I thought I’d be topical and go to Production Central to visit the main green guy himself. Now, let us be honest here: if you’re walking into Universal Studios with a case of the “Not Disneys”, Production Central is not going to help. It’s studio-themed, but without a Mann Chinese Theatre or even a Sorcerer’s Hat; in fact you will see Rip, Ride, Rocket in the distance. However, it house a great attraction. Production Central is also home to Jimmy Neuron’s Nicktoon Blast. I’m sorry, I’m not a Nicktoon fan, so while I’m sure there are some great things for adults (or you may just be thrilled to meet SpongeBob), I can happily go all of my Universal trips from here on not riding it again.

Shrek 4-D was among the attractions which were new to me on my trip in 2008. The last time I had been there it was an Alfred Hitchcock attraction, and being the utter goody-goody I was, I did not see it as it was 13 and up. However, I like Shrek, The queue has the wonderful attribute of being covered, with misting fans* to keep you cool. There are funny Shrek parody posters, as well as monitors giving you the setting of the story. It’s after Shrek, and features Lord Farquaad. When you enter the (blissfully air-conditioned) pre-show, you discover it is a dungeon. There are torture objects on the wall, ad you see boxed up versions of the three little pigs. The Team Members are dressed in dungeon garb, and are stern-looking. You’re not in Disney anymore. However, as soon as the Team Member opened his mouth, I relaxed. Anypace where the guards can say “Please turn off all cell phones, violators will be tortured. And if you have a beeper, it’s 2008, get a cell phone,” is a place where I can be. You’re given the standard warning about how to behave in the theater, then you go into the showroom. It opens with Tinkerbell, but then she gets shot into the wall. The rest of the show is great, but you might want to avoid it if you’re arachnophobic.

I’d say that Shrek 4-D is comparable to Muppet Vision 3-D, just darker. And let’s face it, if it weren’t for Disney, the Shrek franchise would fall a bit flat. Remember the “if I had to hug one more princess….” ads? The Shrek gift shop has bunch of tiaras and “princess” stuff. There is a nearby Donkey and Fiona meet. Donkey is hysterical, but Fiona seemed less than interested in interacting with me.

*One thing that Disney wins at, hands down, is having a/c in queues; whereas Universal mainly has misting fan.