Orlando Theme Parks Blog: February 2013

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Limited Time Magic / Universal Update.

Limited Time Magic this week is back at the Magic Kingdom. The Dapper Dans " The Original Boy Band" presents an all new medley of music they discovered while " strolling in the park one day" The Quartet can be seen on Main Street starting at park opening. (See times guide)

VIDEO: Dapper Dans NSYNC Backstreet Boys One Direction.

Jumping over to Universal, Donkey and Shrek meet and greet has -re-opened after closing to remove the old Sound-stage building which is now Transformers. The meet and greet is at it's old location.

What the area looked like a few months ago:

Video Shrek and Donkey meet and greet:

Who's coming out to Mardi Gras this weekend?! Mar2 Demi Lavato, Mar 9 Montgomery Gentry, Mar15 Sean Kingston.
Check out some of the stilt walkers at this years Mardi Gras Parade:

Find a construction video update for:
Transformers, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and SeaWorlds Antarctica on the previous post.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Picture & Video Updates 2.20.13

A quick pic update around Epcot and Magic Kingdom...

Late last year, new RFID scanners replaced some of the turnstiles at the front of each park. Earlier this year more construction walls went up to add more RFID entrances to all parks. Today, the entire right section of Epcot and MK are no longer turnstiles but the new scanners. Only guest with Key to the World cards currently will be able to use the new RFID entrances.

A quick look at Splash Mountain. The bridge just in front of the ride has been closed off to get some work done. Work continues, Splash Mountain is scheduled to re open March 19th

Meanwhile, next door at Big thunder Mountain RR an interactive queue is being set-up. Video below shows imagineers talk about the new interactive experience coming soon at BTMRR

A look at the Rapunzel area beyond It's a Small World.

Work also continues on the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train at the New Fantasyland. The pathway in between Under the Sea with Ariel and Dumbo opens when the area get's too busy.

VIDEO:

At Epcot, more prep for the Flower and Garden Festival. Booths have been placed around World Showcase, topiaries placed and butterfly garden being set-up. Flower and Garden Festival starts. March 6th.

Open now, the small play area for kids at Rose Garden in Epcot. The Land of Oz Garden.

Other work being done around Epcot: Mission Space. The ride is open.

Disney's Limited Time Magic hits Epcot again. This whole week celebrate Presidents with the Voices of Liberty. Check out the short clip of the capella presentation, bringing to life inspirational moments from our nations history.

Some St Patrick's Day Pins

A look at last year's Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

Disney also changing the look of their buses. Very few of them at the moment, but they are around Disney property. They are to match the bus driver's uniforms.

Over at Universal, Transformers is looking good on the outside.
Video: Construction Update

At Seaworld, work continues on the Antarctica attraction. Seaworld recently announced the official opening date for the new attraction and is set for May 24th. A look at the construction progress from thrillgeek.com:

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Live with Kelly and Micheal at Disney

On February 18th and 19th Live with Kelly and Micheal was live at the Magic Kingdom. Tickets could be requested on the shows website a couple of weeks ago. Two shows were taped on each day. 9am was a live show (Mon, Tues.) and the 11am were taped to air this week Wed and Thurs. Celebrity appearances for this week include, John Cryer Howie Mandel, John Galecki, Gary Allen, Kat Graham, Ne-Yo, Chris Wallace, and Zach Braff.

Howie Mandel

Gelman

Video:

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

True Love Week at Disney

Now through February 17th visit the Magic Kingdom park for Limited Time Magic True Love Week! This special week you are able to meet most Disney Princesses with their Prince at different meet and greet locations.

Front Banner at the Entrance of the Magic Kingdom:

Meet and Greet locations True Love wreaths

Get your photo taken in-front of Cinderellas coach ( New Fantasyland walls)

Most meet and greet hours are on the parks times guide. Character attendants (wearing blue) has a schedule of times the characters come in and out.

-Mickey and Minnie are in Town Square Theater (Fastpass)
--Rapunzel & Flynn / Aurora & Phillip / Cinderella and Prince Charming are also in Town Square Theater. (Fastpass)
---Princess Jasmine & Aladdin are in Adventureland
----Marry and Bert around the carousel
-----Tiana and Naveen are behind the Christmas shop in Liberty Square
------Snow White & her Prince are next to CityHall on Main St

Characters will not be signing autograph books, character attendants hand out Valentine cards with the characters signature already on it. Similar to the Long Long Friends Week cards.

At dusk castle lights change, pink, red, and lavender.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Mardi Gras 2013 at Universal Studios

Universal Studios kicks off it's annual Mardi Gras event, this year Universal's Mardi Gras parade celebrates “Colorful Cultures Around the World” with some new floats. Mexican Day of the Dead, Elegance of India, and Chinese New Year. Parade starts at 7:45 and the concert at 8:30(check guide-map) . The parade starts by Horror Make-up and ends at BeetleJuice. Around 4pm, some of the stilt walkers and entertainers from the parade walk around for photo-op.

Parade float pics by Universal.

Mexican Day of the Dead, Elegance of India, and Chinese New Year Parade Stilt walkers/entertainers

Other than the concert there is also live bands direct from New Orleans performing blues and Zydeco across the Twister attraction. Yesterday, John Lisi & Delta Funk!

Around 5pm, the French Quarter Courtyard opens which serves Authentic Cajun cuisine.
Andouie Sausage, Red Beans and rice, Jambalaya, Gumbo ($5-$9) they also sell turkey legs