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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Fringe Fest 2013 reviews Arts & Culture: Our top seven picks By Jessica Bryce Young 5/22/2013
Food & Drink - Staff Picks BOO 2012: Best attention-grabber beverage Beet & green apple juice from Café 118 7/18/2012
The Survivors Project News: Excerpts from ebook that gives sexual-abuse survivors a chance to tell their stories 5/22/2013
Tip Jar: local food news Food & Drink: This week: HUE closes, Vespr Craft Coffee opens, and look forward to Scotland at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival By Faiyaz Kara 5/22/2013
Album Review: Daft Punk's 'Random Access Memories' Daft Punk ascends to new heights of what-the-fuck on arguably the year's most anticipated release. By M.T. Richards 5/22/2013
Downtown Orlando Annual Manual 2013: Culture and cocktails – lots of cocktails 4/12/2013