This morning, Universal Orlando revealed the worst-kept secret in the theme park industry, and finally admitted that an expansion of their uber-popular Harry Potter attraction is being built inside Universal Studios Florida. Massive construction has been going on in full view of guests since shortly after the iconic Jaws ride was shuttered in early...
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Tags: construction, harry potter, J.K. Rowling, Seth Kubersky, universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios florida, usf, wizarding world, Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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On Saturday 2/9, Universal Orlando kicked off their annual Mardi Gras celebration with an inaugural parade and concert by the rock group Lifehouse. Media were invited to check out the parade floats backstage with show director Lora Wallace, who showed of the 4 brand new floats (including my new favorite, a fire-belching Day of...
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Tags: mardi gras, parade, photos, Seth Kubersky, universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios, universal studios florida
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Last night, Universal Studios Florida let the least uncertain cat since Schroedeger's out of the bag, and finally admitted that the massive structure under construction in the middle of the park is indeed the future home of Transformers: The Ride. Theme park industry insiders have been predicting for months that the rapidly advancing (but...
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Tags: 3-D, Seth Kubersky, theme park, theme parks, Transformers, universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios florida
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The start of this year's Halloween Horror Nights is still a week away, but yesterday Universal Studios Florida gave the media a unique preview of this year's event. Check out this video of my lights-on walk through a haunted house based on Konami's Silent Hill video game franchise. Then read next week's Live Active...
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Tags: Halloween, haunted house, horror, Seth Kubersky, silent hill, universal, Universal Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando, universal studios, universal studios florida, video games
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A few weeks ago in Live Active Cultures, I commented on the rapid and unexpected demolition of Universal Studios Florida's long-dormant Soundstage 44 (once home to Murder, She Wrote and Hercules & Xena special effects demonstrations), and quipped that I'd lay coin on a year-round haunted house being constructed on the spot. Luckily, I...
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Tags: 3-D, islands of adventure, ride, simulator, Spider-Man, Transformers, universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios, universal studios florida
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Yesterday morning (Monday 7/2/2012) Universal Studios Florida celebrated the debut of their new 3-D simulator ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem with a “yellow carpet” grand opening ceremony. Yellow Minions pranced, local schoolchildren danced, and disco music blared as journalists and fans wilted watching under the blazing sun. You can read my take on the...
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Tags: 3-D, attractions, despicable me, Miranda Cosgrove, ride, Seth Kubersky, simulator, theme park, universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios, universal studios florida
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On the evening of May 8th, invited press and VIP guests braved stormy weather to walk the red carpet down Universal Studios Florida’s Hollywood Boulevard to witness the official premiere of the park’s newest entertainment offerings. As I shared in a recent edition of Live Active Cultures, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular has been in previews...
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Tags: aiello, Jim Timon, Lora Wallace, parade, spongebob, theme park, universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios, universal studios florida
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When you are inside the hermetically-sealed entertainment bubbles that are Orlando’s theme parks, it’s easy forget that there’s a real world outside, where American troops are still at war. Universal Orlando did it’s part to pierce that reality distortion field late last week, at least for a few minutes, with a brief but touching...
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Tags: 11/11/11, beetle bailey, jones high school, marching band, parade, popeye, Seth Kubersky, Universal Orlando, universal studios florida, veterans day
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