Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex 10 Year Master Plan

NASA officials announced on 4/12/11 that Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been selected to permanently display space shuttle Atlantis upon retirement of the Space Shuttle Program. Atlantis, one of three orbiters in the space shuttle fleet, will fly the last scheduled space shuttle mission before being retired in 2011. 

 

The $100 million exhibit for Atlantis will be the marquee element of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s 10-year master plan. Initial design concepts for the 65,000 square-foot home for the space-flown orbiter include viewing the space shuttle “in flight,” showing how the spacecraft worked in space and providing a unique vantage point for guests to look at the complex vehicle up close. Complementing the orbiter display will be interactive features reflecting major accomplishments of the Space Shuttle Program, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station.

 

Officials with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex plan to break ground on Atlantis’ new home in 2012 with a grand opening planned for 2013. The orbiter home will be located in the Shuttle Plaza at the main Visitor Complex; incorporating the Shuttle Launch Experience attraction. To purchase your Kennedy Space Center Tickets, please call our office toll free at 1-877-406-4836 TODAY.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Reaches 1 Million Riders!

Actor Brendan Fraser was one of 1 Million riders to experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Actor Brendan Fraser was one of 1 Million riders to experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

According to the Universal Orlando Resort Facebook page, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has reached 1 million riders in record time.  The newest attraction at Islands of Adventure’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter introduces new robotic arm technology and has guests flying with Harry through elaborate life-like scenes from the famous book series.

Check out this video released by Universal: Continue reading

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Review!

Enjoying some Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice at WWoHP!

Enjoying some Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice at WWoHP!

For months, Potterheads and theme park enthusiasts have been following the development of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter closely, as various construction photos and videos have been leaked and as rumors flew around like Golden Snitches.  Universal employees and hotel guests got early sneak peeks a few weeks ago, and for the past couple of weeks, guests lucky enough to be present at Islands of Adventure were able to experience the WWoHP during its soft opening.  I was one of those lucky guests! Continue reading

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Soft Opens at Islands of Adventure

Guests get their first up-close sight of Hogwarts Castle.  Photo Courtesy of Attractions Magazine.

Guests get their first up-close sight of Hogwarts Castle. Photo Courtesy of Attractions Magazine.

Universal Orlando Resort has begun allowing regular park guests, or Muggles, to venture into the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located at Islands of Adventure.  Last week, only Universal hotel guests were let in to the WWoHP, but starting on Tuesday, general IoA park guests have been admitted into the new addition each morning for a couple hours.

With less than two weeks to go before the Grand Opening on June 18th, the soft openings and continued release of photos and videos are truly amping up the anticipation!  (The new WWoHP billboards on Interstate 4 are awesome!)  In fact, our Wizarding World of Harry Potter page on our website went live yesterday, and we are extrememly excited to be the discount ticket provider for Muggles all over the world! Continue reading

Orlando Attractions Magazine – Tons of Wizarding World Videos!

Attractions Magazine has posted a ton of videos from within Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is opening for Universal Orlando Hotel guests this week.  WWoHP is set to open at Islands of Adventure on June 18th and will be included with general park admission and with your purchase of Discount Islands of Adventure Tickets.

Check out this video of a boy being chosen by a wand at Ollivanders, and many more on the Attractions Magazine YouTube Channel!

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Opens for Hotel Package Guests

Photo Courtesy of Chris Nash and Attractions Magazine

Photo Courtesy of Chris Nash and Attractions Magazine

Universal Orlando Resort hotel package holders lined up outside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this morning, awaiting the chance to be some of the first Muggles (non-magical folk) to walk the streets of Hogsmeade Village.  Guests who booked the WWoHP Vacation Package received early admission into the highly anticipated addition at Islands of Adventure – guests who did not book the package will have to wait for the grand opening on June 18th. 

Tons of photos and videos have been taken and posted on Twitter and Facebook fan pages, as well as on our affiliate site – Orlando Attractions Magazine.  Check out some of my favorites below: Continue reading

Harry Potter Stars Visit Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Harry Potter Stars Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis, Emma Watson, and  James & Oliver Phelps in Hogsmeade Village

Harry Potter Stars Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis, Emma Watson, and James & Oliver Phelps in Hogsmeade Village

Universal Orlando Resort welcomed some of the Harry Potter film stars yesterday to preview the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Matt Lewis (Neville), Emma Watson (Hermione), and James & Oliver Phelps (Fred & George) were invited to walk the streets of Hogsmeade Village, check out the shops and restaurants, and taste Butterbeer for the first time! 

Check out these photos and video, courtesy of our pals over at Attractions Magazine. Continue reading

Universal Studios Singapore – Video Preview

Universal Studios Singapore Grand Opening Celebration

Universal Studios Singapore Grand Opening Celebration

Universal Studios Singapore (USS) recently celebrated its Grand Opening this past March.  The park boasts some of the more popular elements from Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Islands of Adventure.  The new Universal theme park also includes never-before seen lands and attractions

Orlando Sentinel occasional correspondent Don has posted a video that he took during the soft opening of the Universal Studios Singapore theme park. It’s fun to see almost-familiar attractions in different settings, from as small as Finnegans to as large as Revenge of the Mummy or Jurassic Park. Take a look: Continue reading

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Construction Update

Construction is still very much underway at Hogsmeade Village

Construction is still very much underway at Hogsmeade Village

Attractions Magazine has posted their final (probably) construction update of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, set to open June 18th at Islands of Adventure.  The theme park blog has posted numerous photos, taken from the current Lost Continent area and the Dueling Dragons queue line and ride.  They’ve also posted a video of the construction update, posted below. Continue reading

Universal Studios Summer Concert Series

Summer Concert Series Logo

Fire up your summer at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida! On Saturday nights, you can catch some of music’s biggest stars in the Summer Concert Series (June 12–July 17). Only here will you find Train, Pitbull, Rob Thomas, and more performing live!

The Summer Concert Series is included with general park admission and with your purchase of Discount Universal Studios Tickets. Continue reading