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NEW ROLLER COASTERS “IRON QWAZI” AND “ICE BREAKER” AMPLIFY THRILLS AT SEAWORLD AND BUSCH GARDENS

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Orlando, Fla. (September 12, 2019) – Today, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay revealed details regarding NEW attractions coming to the parks in 2020. This marks the first time in four years that both parks have launched new coasters in the same year, in addition to a new water slide in Tampa. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Pass Members will be among the first to experience the new attractions.

 

Iron Gwazi – Opening Spring 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

A NEW legend is surfacing in 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with the evolution of Iron GwaziTM, North America’s tallest, and the fastest, and steepest hybrid coaster in the world. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, Iron Gwazi will be 206 feet tall, feature a 91-degree drop, and reach top speeds of 76 miles per hour. The journey will include three inversions and 12 airtime hills as it races along more than 4,075 feet of purple steel track. With a 48” height requirement, Iron Gwazi will be an exciting thrill attraction that families can take on together.

 

“Iron Gwazi is the evolution of a classic wooden coaster into a modern icon,” said Stewart Clark, Park President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “From the bones of the original Gwazi, a new legend rises, reaching taller heights and faster speeds, delivering the next-level thrills that our coaster fans crave and expect from Busch Gardens.”

 

While elements of the former wooden attraction will be integrated into the new ride, the steel track and reimagined layout of Iron Gwazi present an entirely unique experience that tells a different story. Iron Gwazi will highlight the best of both worlds — the classic nostalgia of a wooden coaster and the bold innovation of a steel coaster. Thriving and adapting over millions of years, this evolutionary crossroad is perfectly represented in the crocodile, the largest living reptile and the animal inspiration for Iron Gwazi.

Solar Vortex – Opening Spring 2020 at Adventure Island

Spin and splash at Adventure Island on Solar VortexTM — America’s first dual-tailspin water slide.  This thrilling family raft slide combines high-banking rotations and rapid descents, sending sliders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features. Manufactured by Whitewater, Solar Vortex will also include three dynamic AquaLucent™ elements — harnessing the power of the Florida sun into colorful patterns that shine through the slide as riders reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. Solar Vortex will be an electrifying new ride for families next year when it opens with the 2020 Adventure Island season.

 

Ice Breaker – Opening Spring 2020 at SeaWorld Orlando

Making its debut in spring 2020, riders will shiver through family friendly adventures on SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster: Ice Breaker™. Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will feature four launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida — a 93-foot tall spike with 100-degree angle.

 

Located near the Wild Arctic Attraction, the ride’s theme is reflective of this area with a nod to Ice Breaker’s conservation partner, Alaska SeaLife Center. Primarily dedicated to marine research, education and wildlife response, the Alaska SeaLife Center mission matches closely to SeaWorld Orlando’s, making them a perfect partner to help educate riders about the Artic and its inhabitants.

 

“The Alaska SeaLife Center is excited to grow our partnership with SeaWorld.  For many years, SeaWorld has been a stalwart supporter of the Center, and particularly our Wildlife Response program,” said Tara L. Riemer, President and CEO of Alaska SeaLife Center. “We are grateful for SeaWorld’s contributions of funding and staff over the years to further our mission. This new collaboration will continue efforts to highlight Arctic rescue and conservation stories.”

 

The opening of Ice Breaker is the perfect addition to SeaWorld’s ever-growing ride portfolio. From the roller coaster thrills of Mako, Manta and Kraken, to the water rapids of Infinity Falls and the flume fun of Journey to Atlantis, Ice Breaker joins the park’s famed attractions as a must-do experience in Orlando.

 

Best value for Floridians – Enjoy all NEW rides with an Annual Pass!

With three ALL-NEW attractions to enjoy, there has never been a better time to be a SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Annual Pass Member. Upon the launch of each attraction, Pass Members will enjoy EXCLUSIVE RIDE TIME on Iron Gwazi, Ice Breaker and Solar Vortex.

For 2020, the best value for Floridians is the FOUR PARK PASS, which includes admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando. In addition to exciting NEW rides coming next spring, guests who purchase an annual pass today can enjoy fan-favorite events included with their park admission in Orlando and Tampa. In the fall, there’s Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends and Halloween Spooktacular. Then, as the holidays draw near, visitors can experience the magic of Christmas Town and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. And for culinary connoisseurs, the spring brings the Food &Wine Festival and the Seven Seas Food Festival to the parks. For pass holders, there’s something for everyone all year at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

If you are planning a trip to Florida and plan on visiting either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, please contact local discount theme park ticket vendor, The Official Ticket Center for the best rates on discount SeaWorld tickets or discount Busch Gardens tickets. They are locally owned and operated and have been in business of over 20 years and are even able to email your tickets to you.

Do I really Want to Spend Multiple Days at Universal Orlando Instead of Disney?

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Diagon Alley Hogwarts Express

You know if you had asked me this question a few years ago I might have sad no just because Universal had not yet filled their parks with attraction rides to the level of what Disney had in its arsenal. But this is definitely not the case in point now a days! Today’s Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are like no other parks in Orlando and now that they have created what I consider the Best water park in Florida, Volcano Bay, it looks like this once small side attraction to Disney has found it’s footing and the future looks very promising to say the least.

There was a time when you could go over to Universal for as little as $45 a day back in 2000 but that about what it was worth in ride currency. There wasn’t much to do and it was a park that you could pretty much do justice within three quarters of the day. As time and profits rose and a acquisition here and there the park began to transform as well as it’s footprint on the Orlando real estate map. Talks of expansion and new theme parks were the buzz and sure enough, a new sister park was born, Islands of Adventure. This was going to be their throwing of the gauntlet at Disney’s front door step and Disney heard it very clear the Universal was here to stay!

The one thing Universal needed was something to call their own and many ideas were thrown around until a deal was struck with a new and upcoming little writer,  J. K. Rowling who wrote a little fiction book called, “Harry Potter”. This would be the biggest thing to hit the Orlando area since, well Disney came to town. Disney was pretty stagnant during this time so this woke a lot of people up there and listening intently. Universal was in it to win it and Disney was left to come up with something of their own i.e. Avatar.

To have the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at their Islands of Adventure park, Universal came up with a brilliant idea, why have one when you can have two. This would be the beginning of something wonderful, especially as the Harry Potter movie franchise became the new Star Wars of a younger generation and is still continuing to grow to this day with all of the other off shoot movies. Each time a new book or movie comes out, they are incorporated in these magical worlds and shared with the fans who love and adore the characters created within.

So to end my praises of what has been created by Universal Orlando compared to what was and what has become, yes I would say that spending multiple days at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios is and should be on your planning books. I would even go so far as spending 3 days there to include their newest and best water park in Orlando, Volcano Bay. I love Disney and will always be a true fan, but fun is to be had all around this town and Universal is here to stay with their world class parks and attractions.

If you are in the planning stages of booking your vacation and need assistance purchasing your discount Islands of Adventure tickets or Universal Studios tickets, please contact us by calling toll free at 1-877-406-4836 to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members.

5 tips for your first trip to Orlando

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Serving up an irresistible combo of good times and warm sunshine, Orlando is the perfect place for a family vacation. But with so much fun stuff to see and do near Disney, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are five tips to make sure your first trip to Orlando runs without a hitch!

 

Plan ahead – but don’t try to see it all!

 

Should you spend your whole vacation at Disney, visiting each of the different parks? Or should you focus on trying to see a few key attractions, with days off for shopping and water parks in between? There’s no right or wrong way to tackle a trip to Orlando, but whichever approach you decide to go for, it’s important to plan ahead.

 

Try to draw up a rough plan before you go, with the whole family’s ‘must-see’ attractions high up on the list. To make sure you have enough time (and cash!) for these, you might want to buy your attraction tickets in advance. It’s also a good idea to look at one of the many crowd calendars available online, so you can see which days tend to be busiest at each theme park.

 

Once you’ve ticked off the top sights, you can then work some of your second-choice attractions and activities into the time you have left. Walking around the theme parks and waiting in line can be surprisingly tiring, so it’s worth leaving some time over for chilling by the pool. You’ll be thankful for it when you come home feeling rested and relaxed!

 

Stay somewhere special


Not thrilled by the idea of staying at a dreary motel on International Drive? Well how about something completely different? The Disney area is packed with fun and unusual places to stay, including private villas that come with their own outdoor swimming pools.

 

At some of the best vacation rentals, like those offered by local experts Top Villas, you’ll have the chance to enjoy incredible private amenities. Guests can test their skills in zany game rooms, spend the night in beautiful themed bedrooms, and kick back in front of Hollywood blockbusters in their very own multi-seater movie theaters.

 

Staying at one of these high-end mansions isn’t just for the super rich; if you’re sharing with a few others, the per-person rates are often better than you’d get at a run-of-the-mill motel!

 

Get off the tourist trail

 

It’s famous for its tourist attractions, but you shouldn’t forget that Orlando is a living, breathing city. And there are loads of opportunities for getting off the tourist trail in and around the City Beautiful, without needing to break the bank.

 

Fans of golf will want to make a beeline for TopGolf Orlando, a local hangout that combines a high-tech driving range with an arcade, a restaurant and full-service bar. If you’re more into music and the arts, and you fancy getting a glimpse of Orlando’s creative underbelly, time your visit to coincide with the annual Immerse festival (mid October). Alternatively, for breweries, offbeat shops and independent restaurants, head to Downtown DeLand Historic District  – it’s a 45-minute drive north of downtown Orlando.

Take a couple of day trips


To get a feel for Florida life beyond the theme parks, make time for a couple of day trips. If you base yourself near Disney and have your own vehicle, you’ll be within easy reach of some of the state’s best beaches and state parks. You’ll also be within striking distance of some quirky coastal towns, many of them perfect for surfing, seafood and sunset cocktails.

 

One of the best day trips you can make from Orlando is to the Blue Spring State Park, where you have the chance to go kayaking, snorkeling or tubing in the crystal clear springs. You might also spot some of the manatees that congregate here from November to mid-March. It’s around an hour’s drive northeast from the Magic Kingdom.

 

If you’re up for a longer excursion, try the 100-mile round trip to the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast. Time your trip just right and you might get the chance to meet a real astronaut – or even catch a rocket launch!

 

Pack carefully – but don’t bring too much!

 

The Sunshine State is usually warm and err… sunny, but sometimes it can rain. Even though these downpours tend to be short-lived (unless you arrive during hurricane season) it still pays to pack a poncho or two. These can also be handy if you’re planning to check out some splash rides but don’t fancy staying wet for an hour or two afterwards.

 

And just because it’s usually hot in the daytime, that doesn’t mean you might not get a little cold at night. This is especially true during the winter months, so pack a couple of sweaters just in case. Remember that you can bring too much, though! And who knows? Forgetting something might just give you the perfect excuse to check out some of the awesome outlets in Orlando…

SeaWorld Orlando Adds All-New Locations to Inside Look Weekends

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SeaWorld Orlando Inside Look 2019

 

At SeaWorld Orlando’s Inside Look, guests that visit on May 11, 12, 18 and 19 can go behind the scenes, hear and see firsthand what goes into providing world-class animal care from the people who do it every day.  This special event will feature 6 unique, entirely behind-the-scenes locations, 5 of which have never been accessible to guests– not even through our exclusive VIP tour programs or our incredible week-long SeaWorld Camps – before this event.  Guests are invited to visit all 6 locations, collecting stamps to earn an exclusive Expert Explorer’s Pin.  Inside Look tours are available at each location at various times throughout the day.

 

May Inside Look Special Presentations:

 

A Conversation with Jon Peterson, SeaWorld Orlando’s Senior Leader of Zoological and Curator of Rescue Operations (May 11-12)

 

Join SeaWorld’s Jon Peterson for an in-depth conversation about field-based rescue operations and the care of countless rescued animals.  Jon’s leadership expertise in animal care, transport and rescue is highly regarded worldwide in the animal rescue and rehabilitation community. To date, SeaWorld’s across the country have rescued a combined total of over 34,000 animals.

 

Collaborative White Shark Science, Presentation by Chris Fischer, OCEARCH Founding Chairman and Expedition Leader (May 18-19)

 

A recognized world leader in generating critical scientific data related to tracking (telemetry) and biological studies of keystone marine species such as great white sharks, OCEARCH shares real-time data through its OCEARCH Tracker, inspires current and future generations of explorers, scientists, and stewards of the ocean, and enables leading researchers and institutions to generate previously unattainable data.

 

OCEARCH captivates followers and has brought the conservation of important apex predators to the forefront. The global reach of OCEARCH and regional collaboration with researchers is changing the conversation about sharks for the better. Education initiatives by OCEARCH allow students to utilize tracking data to learn STEM skills while increasing awareness of the need for conservation of our oceanic resources. Chris will highlight key factors for their success, including a multi-disciplined data-driven approach, inclusion, collaboration and most importantly – the means to engage future generations of scientists.

 

May Inside Look Locations:

 

SeaWorld Rescue Center

This is your chance to dive deep into SeaWorld’s animal rescue, health and rehabilitation programs as you tour with our team of animal care specialists. This diverse group of specialists ensures our animal residents lead their healthiest lives and provides critical and temporary care for injured wildlife, including endangered manatees and sea turtles. Sneak a peek inside our specialty rescue vehicles, visit our veterinary hospital and meet the animal care specialists, technicians and veterinary staff at the heart of SeaWorld.

 

Dolphin Theater

Join our animal care specialists as they introduce you to the backstage area of Dolphin Theater and share their unique perspectives on working side-by-side with bottlenose dolphins every day. This Inside Look brings you poolside to habitats not seen from guest areas and you will learn how the dolphins are cared for beyond the show experience.

 

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin

Venture beyond the ice and snow of SeaWorld’s penguin habitat and learn what goes into caring for these beloved birds who hail from some of the coldest environments in the world. Explore the penguin support areas and learn how we feed an entire colony of penguins, incubate eggs and, when necessary, care for and rear chicks. Then step out into the attraction and “chill-out” with our animal care specialists.

 

Shark Encounter

Get a topside view at Shark Encounter and unlock the mysteries of caring for the sharks and sawfish in SeaWorld’s 700,000-gallon shark habitat. Observe the moving walkway used to temporarily divide the exhibit for cleaning and understand how we feed our sharks. Experience SeaWorld’s sharks from a vantage very different from the guest view and hear directly from the dedicated people who care for these fascinating creatures.

 

Birds of Prey Rescue Center

Meet SeaWorld’s Ambassador Animal team and the majestic bald eagles and falcons in their care. Watch and learn how these fascinating birds interact and train with animal care specialists every day and hear extraordinary stories of care and connection from the experts about visits to schools, events and media outlets.

 

Shamu Stadium

Go behind the scenes at Shamu Stadium during this first-of-its-kind backstage opportunity. Meet and hear from the dedicated animal care specialists dedicated to the health and well-being of our killer whales and rescued pilot whales.

 

If you are planning a vacation to Orlando and are in need of discount SeaWorld tickets, call us toll free at 1-877-406-4836 today and save.

NBA Experience Will Open Next Summer at Disney Springs

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NBA Experience at Disney Springs

We’re excited to share that the NBA Experience will officially open Aug. 12, 2019! This all-new destination coming to Disney Springs® will invite your Guests to feel what it’s like to be a basketball superstar. This one-of-a-kind environment will be packed with 13 interactive elements and hands-on activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.

In this new video, Walt Disney Imagineer Stan Dodd shares more insight into what you can expect at NBA Experience, plus hear what has NBA players excited for this all-new destination:

Click Here to Take a Look!

And here are some new details about NBA Experience we’re sharing for the first time:

  • When your Guests enter NBA Experience, they’ll feel like they’re walking through the players’ tunnel out onto the court at an NBA or WNBA arena.
  • A ticket to NBA Experience grants your Guests access to every activity in any order they choose, and they can return to stations multiple times to try and improve their performance or learn more about the game, the players and the teams they love.
  • In an activity that tests shooting skills, spots will light up on the court as your Guests move from one location to another attempting to sink as many shots as possible in 15 seconds.
  • In a slam dunk challenge, your Guests can change the height of a standard 10-foot-tall rim to as low as seven feet so they can perform their own superstar moves – captured by burst photography.
  • Your Guests can see how they stack up to some of the world’s best basketball players by measuring vertical leap, wingspan, and shooting and dribbling skills.
  • Various activities can be personalized with your Guest’s name and associated with their favorite NBA or WNBA teams, and their stats will be tracked just like a real pro game.
  • Real-time technology will aggregate stats of NBA and WNBA games and players for continuous updates, while leaderboards will show top NBA Experience performers throughout the day.

We’ll have more details on NBA Experience leading up to its grand opening, so stay tuned for updates.

If you are planning a vacation to Walt Disney World and need tickets, look at local ticket broker The Official Ticket Center for all of your discount Disney tickets and more.

Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando All Ready To Go

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Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando

Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando, which brings all of the fun, laughter and learning of Sesame Street to the Orlando park in a highly interactive and immersive way, officially opens today. The land features the iconic Sesame Street neighborhood including Abby Cadabby’s Garden, Big Bird’s Nest, Mr. Hooper’s Store and the famous 123 Stoop, as well as everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends.

Sesame Street’s Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Rosita kicked off the opening at a special preview event earlier this week. The debut of this highly-anticipated, six-acre world class attraction is the largest Sesame Street land inside of any of the SeaWorld parks and an exciting part of Sesame Street’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome guests to walk down Sesame Street for the very first time in the theme park capital of the world,” said Mark Pauls, President of SeaWorld Orlando. “This highly-anticipated, immersive new land is the largest Sesame Street land inside of any of our SeaWorld parks. With over 30 new ways to play and an award-winning parade, this is a new land that guests of all ages will love, and we are excited to share it with the world.”

“Theme parks represent one of the most powerful ways for families to engage with and delight in the Sesame Street characters,” said Scott Chambers, Senior Vice President/General Manager, North America Media and Licensing, Sesame Workshop (the nonprofit educational organization behind the iconic brand). “Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando will enable us to establish deeper connections with even more families while helping the Workshop sustain its nonprofit and educational mission.”

Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando brings together fun and learning through several educational interactive experiences. Elmo’s Window invites guests to play, dance, and sing with everybody’s favorite furry red monster and his friends. In Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck Challenge, guests follow video instructions to whip up some delicious meals with Cookie Monster and Gonger.

In addition, Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando includes six colorful, themed rides: Abby’s Flower Tower, Cookie Drop!, Slimey’s Slider, Big Bird’s Twirl ‘n’ Whirl, Elmo’s Choo Choo Train and Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. Another favorite of the new land is the Rubber Duckie Water Works wet play area. Scheduled daily highlights in the neighborhood include Storytime with Big Bird at his nest and the award-winning Sesame Street Party Parade. This celebration features Elmo, Big Bird and all of their friends, colorful floats, and special surprises along the way.

No visit is complete without a bite to eat! Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando serves up fun favorites at Eats on the Street, where food trucks and a specialty drink stand offer guests a delicious variety of healthy choices and sweet treats.

Guests can take home a little bit of the street from Mr. Hooper’s Store, which features plush characters, apparel, collectible pins, and more available only at Sesame Street at SeaWorld. For even more fun, Elmo’s Interactive Light-Up Bubble Wand unlocks hidden surprises, special effects and exclusive content throughout the street. A visit to Photos with Elmo and Friends provides backstage access to Sesame Street friends with meet and greet opportunities.

SeaWorld has been Sesame Workshop’s exclusive theme park partner in the United States for almost 40 years.

If you are in the process of booking your SeaWorld vacation and are in need of discount tickets, please visit local authorized ticket agent, The Official Ticket Center for the best discounts on all SeaWorld tickets.

It’s Time to Celebrate Mardi Gras and Carnevale at Disney Springs!

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Feast of Carnevale

The end of February and beginning of March marks the time to get together with friends and celebrate Mardi Gras.

The end of February and beginning of March marks the time to get together with friends and celebrate Mardi Gras. While famously celebrated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Disney Springs® is offering up its own spin on this favorite holiday complete with food and entertainment that will have your Guests “jazzed” to celebrate!

No celebration is complete without a pair of ears and Mardi Gras-inspired Minnie Mouse ears make for the perfect party accessory! They feature all the fun colors and patterns of Mardi Gras. Your Guests can find these ears in the newly renovated World of Disney store at Disney Springs Marketplace.

And for foodies, there’s no shortage of specialty and limited-time eats on the menu at favorite restaurants. Look no further than House of Blues Restaurant & Bar for classic New Orleans favorites such as Steak Po’Boy (made special for this event!), Jambalaya, Gumbo and Bourbon Bread Pudding. Your Guests can grab all of these dishes at the Smokehouse grab and go window now through March 5, 2019. In addition to delicious bites, there will be live music, drink specials and prizes March 1-5 in the House of Blues Courtyard. With no cover or reservations required, this is a celebration Guests won’t want to miss.

Over in The Landing, Carnevale is back at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante! This annual festival began in Venice, Italy and commemorates the joyous gathering of family and friends to eat, drink, dance and celebrate life together. If booked by March 5, 2019, you’ll get a front-row seat to live entertainment including singers, stilt walkers, jugglers, mimes, face painters, folk dancers and more all while indulging in signature Italian cuisine. During this limited-time engagement, your Guests can enjoy the prix fixe “Feast of Carnevale” selections or order a la carte from the regular menu. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling (407) 560-8466.

If you are planning a trip and are in need of discount Disney tickets, please contact local authorized ticket agent at www.officialticketcenter.com for current prices and discounts to the parks.

Building Batuu: New Details Released about 

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be the largest single-themed land expansion at both Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios when they open this summer and fall, respectively. While the land is epic in size, every detail in the land has been designed to have an authentic Star Wars feel. We have previously shared teasers of our two anchor attractions – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where your Guests will find themselves in the middle of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which allows your Guests and their flight crew to take the controls of the fastest ship in the galaxy on a special mission. We’ve also previously announced that Oga’s Cantina will be a great place for your Guests to grab a beverage, catch up on the latest gossip while R-3X, formerly the Starspeeder pilot on the original Star Tours, DJ’s a collection of new music.

Today we’d like to introduce a new series called “Building Batuu.” Batuu is the home of Black Spire Outpost, the location your Guests will visit when they arrive at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Over the next several months, we will be sharing more details about this entire new land, the offerings and attractions and how your Guests can live their own Star Wars adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

Your Guests can dive deeper into Star Wars storytelling by engaging with the land through the Play Disney Parks app, if they desire a deeper level of immersion. But there is also plenty to see and do (and taste!) throughout Black Spire Outpost that we haven’t previously shared.

While we’re on the subject of taste, there will be several locations in the land to satisfy the appetites of most rogue adventurers:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has traveled throughout the galaxy following his longtime gig as the chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana and brings exotic flavors and unusual dishes to his traveling diner “Tuggs’ Grub.”

Ronto Roasters – A recycled podracing engine fires up a spit of exotic meats, meticulously turned by a former smelter droid, 8D-J8. Guests can even sample some of the tasty Ronto fare.

Milk Stand – The place to go to get your farm-fresh blue milk or green milk, direct from Bubo Wamba Family Farms.

Kat Saka’s Kettle – One of the many street market stalls, this grain vendor sells the ever-popular Outpost Mix (blend of sweet, savory and spicy popcorn).

For those looking to purchase in-story Star Wars merchandise and rare finds from across the galaxy, look no further than our many different Outpost stores and market stalls.

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – For those in the know, Dok-Ondar is the Ithorian you seek for selling and buying rare and uniquely-valued items from across the galaxy and spanning all eras.

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers – Guests come to the workshop to meet with the Gatherers – a secretive group of people who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of Jedi lore and the Force. The workshop Master guides guests to customize and build their own unique lightsabers, and instructs them on the ways of the Jedi.

Droid Depot – Visitors to Mubo’s workshop can choose parts and construct their own individual astromech droids to accompany them on their journey, and then take them home with them.

First Order Cargo – A spaceport hangar bay serves as the temporary base and landing spot for the First Order. First Order officers have brought in crates of gear, uniforms and other supplies to win the hearts and minds of locals and visitors to Black Spire Outpost. 

Resistance Supply – Resistance members and local sympathizers oversee a makeshift stall that supplies Resistance uniforms, pins, badges, hats, helmets, jackets, maps, tools, training supplies, food rations and other items.

There are also several market stalls which sell a variety of merchandise such as:

  • Toydarian Toymaker (toys)
  • Creature Stall (interesting critters that you can take home with you)
  • Black Spire Outfitters (clothing)
  • The Jewels of Bith (accessories and other trinkets to treasure)

We look forward to sharing additional details about these and much more through our “Building Batuu” series, with some additional news coming later on some of the food and beverage offerings that will be served in Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and how the Disney Cast Members’ costumes will play a big part in bringing the inhabitants of this outpost to life.

If you are planning a vacation and need Disney World tickets, please visit our website at www.officialticketcenter.com to book your adventure today.

Ron Jon Surf Shop to Open New Location at Disney Springs

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COCOA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2019) – Ron Jon Surf Shop is proud to announce plans for a new store that will open late 2019 at Disney Springs.  The 10,000-square-foot Ron Jon location will be situated in Town Center at Disney Springs, the shopping, dining and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort.

Ron Jon Surf Shop currently operates stores throughout Florida and in other locations along the eastern seaboard including Ocean City, Md., Orange Beach, Ala., two locations in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and its original location in Ship Bottom, N.J.  Ron Jon Surf Shop carries all of the beach essentials needed to have fun in the sun and features a wide assortment of surfwear, swimwear, sunglasses, hats, footwear and many other items perfectly suited for the casual beach lifestyle.

According to Debbie Harvey, president and COO of Ron Jon Surf Shop, the company selected Disney Springs as a location for its new store because of the shopping destination’s immense popularity with visitors as well as locals in the Orlando market, many of whom are familiar with the Ron Jon brand.

“We are thrilled to be planning a new Ron Jon store located at Disney Springs,” Harvey said.  “This is an extremely popular shopping destination for local residents and the millions of visitors coming to the Orlando area, and we feel it’s the perfect location for a new Ron Jon Surf Shop.”

About Ron Jon Surf Shop

Ron Jon Surf Shop was founded in 1959 on the New Jersey shore out of an appreciation for the sport of surfing.  Two years later, “The Original” Ron Jon Surf Shop opened in Long Beach Island, N.J.  The lifestyle-apparel and board-sports-equipment retailer has since opened stores in Cocoa Beach, Orlando, Fort Myers, Key West, Panama City Beach, Clearwater Beach, Fla., as well as in Ocean City, Md., Orange Beach, Ala. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.  The flagship store in Cocoa Beach is the world’s largest surf shop.  It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

About Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a one-of-a-kind retail, dining and entertainment district located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With its namesake springs, beautiful open-air promenades and lakefront setting, Disney Springs evokes the charm of Florida waterfront towns at the turn of the 20th century. It’s also home to a collection of more than 150 shops and restaurants, including top-name retail brands, specialty boutiques and dining experiences created by celebrity and award-winning chefs.  Located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disney Springs is open daily.

Initial Testing Underway for Disney Skyliner Gondolas – More Details Revealed!

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Disney Skyliner Gondolas rendering
Sharp-eyed visitors to Walt Disney World Resort this week may have spotted something new up in the sky while Disney Skyliner began its initial testing.

Scheduled to open this fall, Disney Skyliner will be a new, state-of-the-art gondola system that will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the proposed Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is now accepting guest reservations for stays beginning December 2019. The official Resort opening date will be announced at a later time.

The Skyliner’s towers have been under construction for about a year, so to have a gondola up on its cables is an exciting milestone! Check out this video to hear more about the project from Jordan Matthews at Walt Disney Imagineering:

Several gondolas will be adorned with graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters. So for example, you may jump into a gondola where from the ground it will look like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto or Chip & Dale are riding along with you. Several Disney animated films will be represented, including “Beauty & the Beast,” “Frozen,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Moana,” “Peter Pan,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Zootopia.”

Here’s a sneak peek at what a few of these special gondolas will look like:

Disney Skyliner Gondolas rendering

The other themed gondolas that will be part of the system include:

  • “Coco”
  • Goofy, Pete, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow
  • “Finding Dory”
  • The Haunted Mansion
  • “Monsters, Inc.”
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • “Ratatouille”

These gorgeous gondolas will be gliding across Walt Disney World before we know it. If you are looking for discount Disney World tickets, make sure to check out The Official Ticket Center for the best prices and specials.

 

Article written by by Jeremy Schoolfield, Managing Editor, Walt Disney World Resort Public Relations