What happened around the parks in 2012 Part 2

2012 was a great year! Lots of new things around the parks, and also some great things lost. Part 2  (July-December)
*most pics will enlarge when clicked

In case you missed part 1 ~> What happened at the parks in 2012 Part 1

In July, Universal opens the new Despicable Me 3D attraction (old Jimmy Neutron) near the front of the park across Shrek. 
Outside the Despicable Me attraction:

---The summer brought new arrivals at SeaWorld, baby dolphins and sea lions (twins)
Baby dolphin swimming with it's mom at the Dolphin nursery SW:

SeaLion twin pups playing:


---Ever see the July 4th fireworks show at MK? One of my favs.


---After being closed for over a year, the underwater viewing for Shamu at SeaWorld re-opened. A quick rising floor was installed, in case of an emergency the floor can be raised in about a min. Dine With Shamu also opened with the underwater viewing area.

 ---Phineas and Ferb replaced the Kim Possible mission games around World Showcase at Epcot.

---At the Magic Kingdom Dumbo 2 and Casey Spalsh n Soak area joins the other opened areas in Storybook Circus. Disney also announced the opening date for the rest of the New Fantasyland which was set for Dec 6th

---In late August, Magic Kingdom transforms for Halloween.

 ---At Islands of Adventure, shops at the Lost Continent, near the front entrance of WWoHP were shuffled around in the summer to make more room. Today, a wall covers an area just to the right of the entrance to WWoHP and a large crane towers above. A wall poster indicates "Great things are on the way"

Crane at the entrance to WWOHP:


 ---At the end of August, Osborne lights start to go up at Hollywood Studios

---In September, SeaWorld added a new flamingo habitat just across the Nautilus theater by the lagoon.  Chilean Flamingos:

---Disney starts random previews for parts of New Fantasyland to park guests in Sept.
Enchanted Tales with Belle:

 ---Also in mid September, lights on Cinderella's castle starts going up.

---Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios:

HHN 22:
 ---October 1st marked Epcot's 30th anniversary. Several special D23 presentations were held at the old Millennium Village (between Canada and UK)

Epcot 30 ceremony finale:
Epcot 30 special fireworks finale:
---Universal added carnival games in-front of the Simpsons attraction. Carnival games used to be in the old Amity section of the park.

---Big Top souvenirs and Pete's Silly Sideshow (character meet and greet) opens in Storybook Circus.
At Pete's you can meet Minnie, Daisy Donald and Goofy.

---In mid Oct, over at Disney's Animal Kingdom zebras arrives at the Killimanjaro safari attraction, it replaced the poacher / little red scene.

---Disney installs cameras on some buses.

---In November, Universal makes another announcement, Transformers will come to Universal Studios opening in the summer of 2013 (old sound-stage 44)

---Over at Disney, Halloween decor go down and Christmas goes up.
Castle Dream Lights and Osborne lights open up for guest.

Osborne Lights opening night: New this year at DHS Osborne lights, a meet and greet with Santa Goofy:
---Celebrate the Magic debuts at the Magic Kingdom, it replaced The Magic The Memories and You (castle projection show) .

--- In mid November, official previews for the New Fantasyland begins. New MK maps came out with the new opened areas.

 Rapunzels tower emerges from behind the construction walls beyond Its A Small World:

Late November, filming for the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade:

Darth Vader Stormtroopers:
---Holiday celebration kicks off at Universal Orlando. Grinchmas at IOA and Macy Holiday Parade at Universal Studios.

 Who's in Whoville:

--- New Walls around the un-finished area in the New Fantasyland 7 dwarfs mine train. Take a peek at the construction progress through the walls:

---New Fantasyland Officially opens. The largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

Gaston's Tavern:
 Gaston meet and greet:

Under The Sea - Little Mermaid:
 Lefou's Brew, Pork Shanks, and Cinnamon bun at Gaston's Tavern:

Also new entertainment at the New Fantasyland:

Giggle Gang and Silly 4 Saxtet:
 On the same day, Test Track 2.0 re-opens after being updated. (same track layout)

Ride test track:
 ---Also on the same day, Legend's of Captain Jack Sparrow at Hollywood Studios opens... Have not done this attraction yet. One of those things im saving for a rainy day sometime soon.

---Finally, Disney starts using new RFID scanners. It replaces some of the turnstiles at all 4 Disney parks. They are also at certain stores, restaurants, resort room doors and elevators around WDW property. It is currently only for Resort guests with Key to the World cards. 

 What Happened in the parks in 2012 part 1

It's been a great year. Looking forward to what 2013 brings! Will not be spending NYE at the parks this year so wanted to be one of the first to greet you all a Happy New Year! Have fun, stay safe, and take care! 

Magic Kingdom Countdown New Year Eve: