Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit –
Spring of 2009

LIGHTS . . . CAMERA . . . COASTER!

Universal Orlando Resort Announces Brand-New Roller Coaster That Features Total Immersion Entertainment and Puts Guests In The Director’s Seat!

Adrenaline pumping and music thumping, you find yourself heading straight toward the sky. Suddenly, you are doing 65 mph, 17 stories over Universal Studios. Gasping with excitement, you rock out to a song you picked before strapping in. And, it’s all on video. Once the adventure is over, you edit the video to send to your friends via “YOUTUBE.”

This is true high-tech, customizable, multi-sensory entertainment. Scheduled to open in spring 2009, “Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit” will stake its claim as the most technologically advanced roller coaster in the world. The Universal Creative team is combining audio and special effects engineering, sophisticated on- and off-board video and one-of-a-kind guest personalization to create a roller coaster experience unlike any other.

“Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit” touts six near-miss moments and first-ever thrills including a record-breaking loop. Ride vehicles feature the brightest and most innovative color changing LEDs in the world. High-energy visual displays fill the queue line. With up to four ride vehicles on the tracks at any given time, and with concert lighting and special effects mixed in, “Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit” will be a true high-intensity, multi-sensory experience that is unmatched.

Guests can customize their ride experience by choosing what song will play while they’re on the roller coaster. LED boards in the queue lines will display song options from five genres (classic rock, rap, country, pop and soundtracks). Once on-board, guests can choose their song or let the coaster’s digital sound system choose for them. When the ride is over, guests will be able to customize footage from their experience and compile it into a take-home music video.

“Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit” will be located near the Jimmy Neutron attraction traveling the southern perimeter of the Universal Studios theme park, over to the CityWalk lagoon and back.

Tickets are available for Universal Orlando and other great attractions by going to http://www.kgstickets.com/

Source: Universal Orlando Resort
Posted and edited by: Michael Crandell

13th Annual EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival
September 26, 2008 – November 9, 2008


Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines, and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Savor the sizzling sounds of the Eat to the Beat (see below for schedule) concert series, presenting a stellar line-up of popular musical acts.

For more information, visit the hub at the Festival Welcome Center, where you'll also find the Festival Wine Shop, the Wonders Bar for champagne and wine, and the official book-signing location for celebrity chefs and authors. Venture inside the Stockpot shop and check out its marvelous merchandise, including the marketplace cookbook and a special festival edition of the Disney Gift Card, which provides a handy way to pay for so much fun at the Festival!

The 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival is included with your EPCOT admisson ticket. Don’t have your tickets yet? Go to http://www.kgstickets.com/ and purchase them now.

*EAT TO THE BEAT CONCERT SERIES SCHEDULE:

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Sept. 26 – 27, 2008

Sheena Easton
Sept. 28 – 30, 2008

Starship starring Mickey Thomas
October 1 – 4, 2008

En Vogue
October 5 – 7, 2008

Jonny Lang
October 8 – 9, 2008

The Smithereens
October 10 – 12, 2008

Sister Hazel
October 13 – 14, 2008

David Sanborn
October 15 – 16, 2008

Jon Secada
October 17 – 18, 2008

Spyro Gyra
October 19 – 21, 2008

Otis Day & the Knights
October 22 – 23, 2008

Expose′
October 24 – 26, 2008

Kool & the Gang
October 27 – 28, 2008

Boyz II Men
October 29 – 30, 2008

Atlanta Rhythm Section
October 31 – Nov. 2, 2008

David Cassidy
November 3 – 5, 2008

Night Ranger
November 6 – 7, 2008

Los Lobos
November 8 – 9, 2008

Showtimes are 5:15pm, 6:30pm and 7:45pm

*Entertainment is subject to change without notice.


Source: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida

Posted and edited by: Michael Crandell

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights 2008

MORE SCARE ZONES THEN EVER BEFORE

MORE SCAREACTORS THAN EVER BEFORE

THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSES EVER

ALL NEW LIVE SHOWS

September 26-27, October 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 22-26, 29-31, November 1, 2008

BLOODY MARY…BLOODY MARY…BLOODY MARY!!!

Come face to face with your deepest fears as Bloody Mary brings history’s most terrifying urban legends to life at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. Trapped inside or on the streets, there’s nowhere you’re safe. It’s the most immersive horror experience ever, with more Scare Zones than ever before, more Scareactors, and the most Haunted Houses ever.On select nights in September, October, and November, Universal Studios Florida® theme park is transformed into a nightmarish labyrinth of haunted houses, outrageous live shows, and electrifying scare zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.

Live shows this year feature Rocky Horror Picture Show – A Tribute, Magician Brian Bushwood and the always popular Bill and Ted in a totally awesome new stage show entitled “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure!” Righteous!!

Now in its 18th year, Halloween Horror Nights annually drawing hundreds of thousands of horror fans from around the globe to this one-of-a-kind event. Tony Timpone, Editor of Fangoria Magazine, said, “After visiting scream parks all across the US for the last 20 years, I can easily say that Universal’s is the best in the business… Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween experience.” It’s the greatest exhibition of pure terror ever unleashed anywhere, and you can experience it all, LIVE, only at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

This event WILL SELL OUT so go to http://www.kgstickets.com/ and get your tickets before it’s too late!

Please note that this event may be too frightening and intense for young children so please use caution when considering this venue.

Click here to see actual footage from Halloween Horror Nights and decide for yourself...can you face your fears?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KLntF63f4

Source: Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida

Posted by: Michael Crandell