Unleashing the Power of Chi

LEGOLAND® Florida's newest expansion World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network is opening July 3, 2013! Throughout the history of LEGO® and Merlin Entertainments Group, this is the first time a new attraction at a LEGOLAND park has been built the same year as a LEGO toy product launch.

Inside the World of Chima The Quest for Chi (pictured) is the centerpiece of the new World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network. Guests will enter a temple to board an interactive family water ride and battle with water cannons in a quest for the energy source, CHI.

The battle for CHI continues in the SpeedorzTM Arena where players compete to win the precious supply of CHI by racing their Speedorz through a series of obstacles. The LEGO Chima 4D Movie Xperience, will further immerse families into The World of Chima by bringing the characters to life on the big screen.

New SeaWorld-Themed Aircraft: Penguin One

SeaWorld and Southwest Celebrate Partnership with the

Unveiling of a New SeaWorld-Themed Aircraft: Penguin One

Yesterday SeaWorld and Southwest Airlines celebrated 25 years of partnership with the unveiling of the airline’s newest specialty aircraft, Penguin One – a Boeing 737-700 co-branded with images of one of our iconic animals, the penguin.

 

The aircraft was revealed at a ceremony yesterday morning at Orlando International Airport with their animal ambassadors Pete and Penny Penguin, SeaWorld and Southwest team members, community members and executives. SeaWorld's President and CEO Jim Atchison and Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly christened the aircraft.

  

The plane, filled with SeaWorld and Southwest team members, then departed for celebrations with our team members in San Antonio and San Diego.

 

SeaWorld is very proud of our partnership with Southwest which dates back to 1988 when SeaWorld opened in San Antonio. Even then they launched the partnership in a high-flying way—with the introduction of a new Boeing 737, Shamu One.

FALCON’S FURY RISES AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA IN 2014

New Attraction will be the First Drop Tower of its Kind in the World

Tampa, Fla. (June 11, 2013) – For more than five decades Busch Gardens® Tampa has delivered some of the world’s most exciting thrills.  Rides like Cheetah Hunt®, SheiKra®, Montu® and Kumba® have set the stage, and Busch Gardens is ready to drop big news. 

In spring 2014 Busch Gardens Tampa is taking guests’ experiences to new heights with Falcon’s Fury^TM, the first drop tower of its kind in the world.  Additionally, with no connecting structures, it will be the tallest freestanding drop tower in North America. 

Falcon’s Fury

No bird can match the speed of a falcon in its hunting dive. The falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds of 200 mph. Designers were inspired by this bird of prey during the development of the new attraction.

Falcon’s Fury will stand at 335 feet and take riders soaring 60 mph straight down. Located in the Timbuktu™ area, Falcon’s Fury will be visible from any location in the park and even across the Tampa Bay area. 

At the ride’s highest point Busch Gardens has added an element of surprise.  Like its bird of prey namesake, riders will pivot 90 degrees in midair to a face-down dive position. An instant later they'll plunge 60 mph at 3.5 Gs straight down with speed and power like they’ve likely never experienced before.

Construction in the Timbuktu area of the park has already begun, and Falcon’s Fury is scheduled for completion in spring 2014. 

SEAWORLD’S 50TH CELEBRATION WILL BE A SEA OF SURPRISES

Eighteen-month celebration kicks off on March 21, 2014 at all three SeaWorld parks

Orlando, Fla. (June 11, 2013) – SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ announces a multi-park celebration to commemorate a key event in the company’s history. The original SeaWorld® park opened its gates for the first time in March 1964 on Mission Bay in San Diego.

SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration will feature a Sea of Surprises™ starting March 21, 2014. SeaWorld parks in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio will share the excitement throughout an 18-month celebration that highlights some of the most memorable SeaWorld experiences. 

For nearly five decades, SeaWorld has surprised and amazed guests with unique entertainment, thrilling rides and up-close encounters with marine animals. During SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration visitors will be invited to take part in the celebration through new interactive experiences, shows and pathway performances, even more up-close animal encounters throughout the park and the SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” treating guests with prizes every day.

Just a few weeks ago, SeaWorld Orlando opened Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, an all-new realm that combines 30-degree temperatures, upclose encounters with more than 250 penguins and an all-family adventure ride to create the coldest theme park attraction in Orlando and a thrilling, chilling experience of a lifetime.   

SeaWorld Orlando will continue to make news later this year when the park announces what’s new for 2014.  Details will be shared this fall.

SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration Sea of Surprises™ Highlights

·         SeaWorld San Diego will celebrate 50 years with a new interactive entrance plaza. The area will be called Explorer’s Reef™ and will open in March for the celebration kick-off. The 16-month construction project will transform the existing front gate area through sculptural and design elements inspired by waves crashing over a reef, as well as up-close encounters with marine life. The new front gate concept will replace existing ticket booths with a beach-themed, concierge-style ticketing area that will provide guests with a single location to purchase admission, as well as sign up for tours, animal interactions and dining experiences.

From the moment they enter the park, guests can connect with the sea through multiple touch pools featuring shark pups, stingrays and cleaner fish. Explorer’s Reef encompasses more than three acres, including new and innovative retail and culinary opportunities for guests. The multi-million dollar renovation effort will not only make entering the park faster and more efficient, but will significantly enhance the arrival experience.

·         As part of SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration, there will be more surprise encounters with animal ambassadors throughout the day. A pair of Magellanic penguins, a lemur, or even a parade of flamingos could surprise guests at any moment at all three SeaWorld locations.

·         What’s a celebration without surprises? The SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” will roam the SeaWorld parks giving away prizes and special gifts. Guests could receive exclusive access to rides or behind-the-scenes experiences, celebration t-shirts or Shamu-themed merchandise, reserved show seating and more.

·         SeaWorld is known for amazing animal shows and each park will have something new for the 50^th celebration. Even park pathways will come to life with spontaneous entertainment at unexpected moments, including performers with sea-inspired costumes and props, a bubble brigade and splash mob.

·         To underscore SeaWorld’s commitment to the environment and passion for protecting the ocean, a series of giant sea life sculptures will be displayed throughout the parks. SeaWorld commissioned environmental art group Washed Ashore for the large-scale art created from ocean debris. The works serve as a reminder that our animal friends need healthy environments. 

·         As part of its continuing commitment to new technology that enhances the guest experience, SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration will include new ways for fans to connect to the parks and each other though digital devices. The parks will be launching a variety of enhancements, from interactive apps that provide fun new ways to experience the park to new games and video content. 

The Simpson's Hometown "Springfield" Comes to Life!

Enter the World of Springfield Like Never Before – Only at Universal Orlando Resort!

Woo Hoo! Springfield, hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons, comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort launching this summer.

The expansive, new area within Universal Studios will be anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, and will allow guests to enter the world of The Simpsons like never before.  It will be the only place in the world where guests can walk the streets of Springfield. It will include a brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show and two new Simpsons characters who will make their debut with the new area – Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob.

And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando.

For the first time ever – anywhere – fans will be able to walk down Fast Food Boulevard and visit the places that helped Springfield stake its claim as “Shelbyville by the Sea.”  They will be able to grab a Krusty-certified meat sandwich at Krusty Burger, snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman, get a slice at Luigi’s Pizza, go nuts for donuts at Lard Lad, enjoy a “Taco Fresho” with Bumblebee Man and imbibe at Moe’s Tavern.

The new attraction – called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin designed to send them into orbit.

“This will be a must-see experience for Simpsons fans all over the world,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative. “For the first time ever, they’re going to be able to enter a world that they’ve only seen on television – and we’re really excited to bring that world to life.”

“This new expansion will broaden and deepen the already incredible experience at Universal, by bringing to life the iconic landmarks of Springfield that fans have grown to love,” said Jeffrey Godsick, President, Fox Consumer Products. “Fans will literally be able to live and breathe Springfield as they visit the statue of Jebediah, enjoy a Krusty Burger, and have a seat at Moe’s Tavern, which are just a few of the great experiences awaiting at Universal.”

"It has been an honor to bring the world of the Simpsons to life in such a letter-perfect way,” said Denise Sirkot, President, Worldwide Brand, Gracie Films. “Truly this is the Krustyest place on earth."

May the 4th Be with You!

A short time from now, in a galaxy not so far away… Walt Disney World Resort is throwing a party for the greatest saga ever told!

In honor of Star Wars day, Disney's Hollywood Studios will be hosting "May the 4th Be with You!"—a one-of-a-kind Star Wars-themed celebration for both parents and kids alike.

From meeting classic characters to collecting limited-edition merchandise, it's sure to be an unforgettable extravaganza! Only a Sith would miss this magic event.

Entertainment and character experiences are subject to change.

Meet Iconic Characters
Kick the party off in style—experience a close encounter with some of the most popular characters from across the entire Star Wars saga.

Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Boba Fett and many more will be making appearances and posing for pictures, including a few faces you might not expect. Don't let this amazing meet 'n' greet moment pass you by!

Join Your Kids as a Jedi
Finally, all you parents can team up alongside your younglings and become fellow Padawans in a special edition of the Jedi Training Academy.

Get ready to throw on a Jedi robe and flip the switch on that lightsaber, because it's up to you and your kids to thwart the Sith and defeat Darth Vader, Darth Maul and the Dark Side of the Force once and for all!

Collect Cosmic Merchandise
A cargo hold of magic merchandise awaits collectors of all kinds, including limited-edition pins and special tees made just for the occasion!

With messages like "May the Fourth Be with You" and "Revenge of the Fifth", you can literally wear the hyperspace hilarity on your sleeve. Collect these celebratory pins and tees at Superstar Shop in Disney's Hollywood Studios while supplies last.

Dance the Dark Side Away
Get into the galactic groove, bounce to the Bespin beat and boogie your way over to a Star Wars-themed Dance Party!

Join DJ Lobot as he spins familiar tunes from the Star Wars saga, and then bust a move on the dance floor alongside some fellow fans and a few favorite characters too!

See a Symphony in the Stars
Cap off "May the 4th Be with You" under a sea of stars as a cosmic series of colorful explosions lights up the summer sky.

Come evening time, take a seat on Hollywood Boulevard and settle in for "Symphony in the Stars," a spectacular fireworks display set to close the celebration. Catch all the amazing sights and sounds, the likes of which haven't been seen since the fall of the Empire!

Post originated at http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/let-the-memories-begin/limited-time-magic/star-wars-4th-be-with-you-hollywood-studios/

The Decepticons Have Arrived in Orlando. The Battle Begins June 20!

Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Grand Opening Date for Blockbuster Attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D

Megatron and the Decepticons are closing in on Orlando…we must prepare for battle…

The highly anticipated blockbuster attraction TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D will officially open on Thursday, June 20, 2013, Universal Orlando announced today.

Universal also launched an all-new “Join the Resistance” Facebook experience to prepare fans for the battle they’ll experience on the mega-attraction.  “Recruits” can create their very own NEST IDs, train for battle, access exclusive photos and video and win prizes* – including a trip to the attraction’s grand opening celebration on June 20.  

TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is a mind-blowing, action-packed ride experience that pushes the limits of technology to place guests in the middle of a larger-than-life battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The ride was created under license from Hasbro, Inc. and is based on its iconic TRANSFORMERS brand.

The battle begins when guests enter the NEST facility – the headquarters for the government operation that partners with the Autobots to protect Earth from the Decepticons.  While inside, they are recruited to help protect the AllSpark – a powerful energy source that would allow the Decepticons to destroy the planet. Guests board EVAC – an Autobot created exclusively for the attraction – to transport the AllSpark to safety.  But beware…the Decepticons are in close pursuit…