Transformers Officially Opens at Universal Studios

Some pics of the Grand Opening of the new Transformers The Ride 3D at Universal. Special Guest included, Steven Spielberg, General Morshower, different branches of the Armed Forces, Universal executives, and of course, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. Also there, Frank Welker ( voice of Megatron) and Peter Cullen ( voice of Optimus Prime) <both not pictured below>

Optimus and Bumblebee walking the red carpet.

Optimus and Bumblebee red carpet entrance intro:

Guest were able to enter the park around 8:15am. The only rides open: Shrek, Rip Ride Rockit and Despicable Me near the front of the park. Guest wanting to see the opening festivities were held just before the Terminator attraction till 9am. Around 9, Universal team members walked the crowd to the different viewing areas, none of them near the front of the attraction which was reserved for the news media. Red carpet was rolled out for the special guest near the attraction.

New Maps with Optimus and NEST building updated inside. A note on the inside fold about opening activities and that the actual Transformers Ride would not open till early afternoon.

Other vehicles:

The show itself was action packed, with explosions,  fighter jets flying overhead and fireworks to officially open the ride. Short video of the fighter jets and explosions above NEST.

A queue for the ride was started near the Mummy attraction even prior to the opening ceremonies. The ride did open as soon as the front entrance of the attraction was cleared around 1 pm

Walk-through of the Transformers Queue:
Watch the Full opening show :

Antarctica : Empire of the Penguin now open!

On Friday, SeaWorld opened its newest attraction. Antarctica : Empire of The Penguins. Guest were let in prior to the parks 9 am opening to attend grand opening show located just across the Journey to Atlantis attraction, it is one of the two ways you can get to the new attraction. SeaWorld Orlando president greeted guest and introduced Lauren Alaina who performed the attractions theme song.

The first couple hundred guests received a sticker and an Antarctica bracelet.

The new Antarctica area includes a new eatery, ( Expedition Cafe ) and a gift shop ( Glacial Collections ). Expedition Cafe serves breakfast in the morning. During lunch and dinner, food selections include American, Italian and Asian foods. For all my Disney fans it is similar set-up to the Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion at Epcot.

Outside the attraction is where you can find the South Pole photo-op and the penguin wall which has the different kinds of penguins.

As said on a previous post, the ride exits into the penguin exhibit. All must queue to get into the attraction even if you do not want to ride. Once you get past the pre-show, and before selecting mild or wild expedition is where you can break off from the line and see the penguins. (See a team member) Mild expedition is a smoother ride which twirls and glides while wild spins a little more and rocks back and forth depending on the scene. Guest under 48 must ride mild. See video of the mild ride below. Each ride vehicle seats 8, 4 front and 4 back. 

Part of the inside queue and pre-show room:

Queue outside 

Penguin exhibit 30 degrees F. A 2 - 4ft glass in between you and penguin. The ride ends and docks by the penguins. The ride itself does not go through the penguin exhibit.

Underwater viewing:

More Coke freestyle machines in the new area, also new souvenir cups available. 

The ride is currently not included with quick queue. The restaurant also does not participate in the all-day dining deal. In the future, SW hopes to add a backstage tour for the new penguin exhibit.

Video on ride mild expedition Antarctica Empire of the Penguin:

 

Opening ceremony SWO President and Lauren Alaina (thrillgeek.com):

Who's ready for StarWars Weekends at Hollywood Studios?

StarWars weekend begins this weekend, May17 to June 9 at Hollywood Studios. Star Wars characters, special shows, meet Star Wars celebrities, special star wars merch. and much more.

Quick overview of what you might see around DHS during SWW

Mickey Minnie Goofy and Donald at Star Wars Weekends

StarWars weekend processional.

Some of the Stars from the celebrity motorcade Star Wars Weekends 2012

Chewbacca " Sexy and I know it " Hyperspace Hoopla

Star Wars weekend is included with paid admission to Hollywood Studios check the link below for more info.

STAR WARS WEEKEND DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD TUDIOS

Universal Announces Harry Potter Expansion

A few days ago, Universal announced details for the Harry Potter expansion that will take over what used to be the Jaws/Amity area at Universal. Jaws was removed in Jan of 2012 to make room for new exciting things.  The new area at Universal Studios will feature scenes from Diagon Alley and London from the Harry Potter series. 

Video Update:

Transformers Update 5.1013

New warning sings have been placed at front entrance of the Transformers attraction:

Testing out the fan and misters for the overflow queue.