Universal Preps for tomorrows Transformers Grand Opening

Universal busy getting the area ready for the grand opening for Transformers. If you are going there Thursday, get there early! 

Time Lapse Video of NEST being built start to finish.

Transformers and Simpsons Springfield Update

Soft openings has begun!

Optimus Prime added on top of the Transformers Ride Entrance:


Simpsons Springfield Expansion construction Update:

Opening June 1st most of everything on the Simpsons ride side. Area closer to lagoon will open later.

What's happening in the parks this summer.

With summer fast approaching all three Orlando theme parks will have something going on..

~!> At Universal, on Saturdays this summer from June 1 to July 6 check out the Summer Concert Series (Included with paid admission to Universal Studios.)

June 1 - NEYO
June 8 -- Nickelodeon's BIG TIME RUSH
June 15 --- GAVIN DEGRAW
June 22 ---- EARTH WIND & FIRE
June 29 ----- ADAM LAMBERT
July 6 ------ KIP MOORE
Concerts located in Music Plaza stage between Despicable Me and Twister.
*New Transformers Attraction opening June 20

~!> At Epcot, from June 9- July 27 there is, Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

• June 9-15: Stayin' Alive - A Tribute to the Bee Gees

• June 16-22: Hotel California - A Salute to the Eagles

• June 23-29: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot - The Ultimate Billy Joel Show

• June 30-July 6: Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon JoviTribute

• July 7-13: SouthBound and Company - A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd

• July 14-20: The Police Experience - A Tribute to the Police

• July 21-27: 2U - The World's 2nd Best U2 Show

Concert located at American Gardens Theater World Showcase

~!>Start the Summer with a MmMonstrous 24 hours All Nighter as The Magic Kingdom park will be open from 6 am to 6am the next day on  May 24 

~!> Over at SeaWorld. Summer Nights will return with summer shows including Shamu Rocks, SeaLions Tonite, and Reflections ( fireworks finale ) Event is included with paid admission to SWO.  Dates: June 22- August 11.

* New Antarctica Empire of the Penguin opening May 24

SeaLions Tonite At SeaWorld
Shamu Rocks

4th of July fireworks Magic Kingdom

Transformers meet and greet / Supply Vault.

On Monday the Transformers store located on one end of the Transformers building was opened and also a meet and greet with Bumblebee and Optimus Prime near the store entrance (Supply Vault). According to a team member they will be out meeting guests from 10-4 daily but, there is no guarantee. The ride is set to open this summer.

Video Meet and Greet:

The store offers more Transformers merch... from chocolate chards, gummies, toys, backpacks, mugs, shirts, shot glasses, and more. Here are a few of them.

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

Beignets,Cake sticks, fried Oreo, Twisted Taters, King Cake. ($3-$5) They also serve funnel cakes

Some of this year's Mardi Gras merch. shirts, pins, beads, masks, rice crispy treats, mugs...

Finally, a quick look at the construction progress of Transformers. 

The line-up for this years live concerts at the Music Plaza stage:

• FEB  9  -  LIFEHOUSE
• FEB  16  -  STEVE MILLER BAND
• FEB  17  -  BOYS LIKE GIRLS
• FEB  23  -  TREY SONGZ
• MARCH  2  -  DEMI LOVATO
• MARCH  9  -  MONTGOMERY GENTRY
• MARCH  15  -  SEAN KINGSTON
• MARCH  16  -  MATCHBOX TWENTY
• MARCH  22  -  AUSTIN MAHONE
• MARCH  23  -  PHILLIP PHILLIPS
• MARCH  30  -  PAT BENATAR & NEIL GERALDO
• APR  6  -  KOOL & THE GANG
• APR  13  -  PITBULL
• APR  20  -  THE ALL - AMERICAN REJECTS

Ready for Mardi Gras 2013?

Universal Mardi Gras starts in just a few weeks! Saturdays and select nights starting Feb 9th. Mardi Gras parade, live concert, musicians direct from New Orleans, authentic cajun cuisine, street performers and beads! 

The line-up for this years live concerts at the Music Plaza stage:

• FEB  9  -  LIFEHOUSE
• FEB  16  -  STEVE MILLER BAND
• FEB  17  -  BOYS LIKE GIRLS
• FEB  23  -  TREY SONGZ
• MARCH  2  -  DEMI LOVATO
• MARCH  9  -  MONTGOMERY GENTRY
• MARCH  15  -  SEAN KINGSTON
• MARCH  16  -  MATCHBOX TWENTY
• MARCH  22  -  AUSTIN MAHONE
• MARCH  23  -  PHILLIP PHILLIPS
• MARCH  30  -  PAT BENATAR & NEIL GERALDO
• APR  6  -  KOOL & THE GANG
• APR  13  -  PITBULL
• APR  20  -  THE ALL - AMERICAN REJECTS

Last year's Mardi Gras Parade:

Parade and Concert is included with paid admission to Universal Studios.

More details on this event in the links tab above.

Other blog post you might have missed:
--Limited Time Magic Long Lost Friends at Disney
----Pic Update 1.12.13

Pic Updates 1.12.13

Some pics of what's happening around the parks.

At Universal Studios a quick look at the Transformers ride construction:

New Transformers merch. just arrived Monday check some of them out below.

Former Jaws area:

Work being done over near the Simpsons and International Food and Film Festival.

Late last year, the front entrance to the Mummy attraction got a quick make-over:

And, a quick look at the construction wall at the entrance of WWoHP at Islands of Adventure

 ET celebrating 30

Glad to see the video screens at CityWalk back again.

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At Disney, Epcot preparing  for the Flower and Garden Festival (march 6th) The playground for kids in the Rose Garden is being set-up.

A new THINK exhibit near the front entrance of Innoventions west opened just a few days ago.

New bakery opened up at the France pavilion. The new bakery is larger with more seating and is located just behind the old one.  It is open for breakfast when the park opens at 9. The rest of World showcase will continue to open at 11.

This whole week through Sat. meet Donald Daisy Chip and Dale at Canada as part of the Limited Time Magic. Can't tell from this pic but the vid shows the snow falling.

Video meet and greet:

Looks like Disney is continuing to add more of the scanners to the front of the parks

 At DHS. lights are slowly coming down as most of the WDW resorts and other theme parks have been for the last week.

Splash Mountain closed for refurb

Disney replaced guidemaps with new ones in the New Year. MK maps have Belle at the front and DHS of the Star Tours attraction. Kodak has been replaced with Disney Photo pass on the back of the maps and My Disney Experience app details on the inside fold.

A quick look at the Rapunzel area beyond Small World.... Looking good

Finally, the Main St Bakery has now closed to be transformed into a Starbucks opening later this year. A sign posted on the windows pointing guest to the Terrace for breakfast which offers a small selection of breakfast items.

Calendar Tab above has been updated with upcoming events. Heading to the parks soon? Double check ride closures/hours on each parks website ( links tab above)