Universal Orlando to Introduce Multiple New Experiences

Universal Orlando will introduce a record number of new experiences this year, more than any year in its history.

Starting in February, The Blue Man Group show at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk takes its mix of high-energy music, comedy and audience participation to another level. Featuring a new show environment, new music, new technology and new experiences, the show will allow audiences to join the Blue Men as they explore the world’s obsession with cutting-edge technology. New show elements include the curious Blue Men interacting with enormous “GiPads,” a funny and insightful look at contemporary communication vehicles.

Also at Universal CityWalk, Hollywood Drive-In Golf, a 36-hole miniature golf experience inspired by the classic drive-in movie era, opens in February.

Universal Orlando is transforming The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man into what will feel like an all-new adventure. By March the Islands of Adventure attraction will feature all-new, 4K digital high-definition animation, new 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems. The re-animation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee.

Universal’s Superstar Parade, an all-new daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers, will debut this spring at Universal Studios Florida. Guests will sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.

Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories opens this spring at Universal Studios Florida. Narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, the new nighttime show will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics.

Universal Studios Florida’s newest attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, will take guests on a 3-D adventure with characters from the hit film – Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes – and the mischievous minions. The experience begins when guests enter Gru’s home, where they learn that they’re being recruited to become minions and undergo “minion training.” Things don’t go as planned, and guests find themselves on a wildly hysterical journey with Gru and his daughters. Once guests make it through training, they join an interactive, minion-inspired dance party where they can show off their best moves. The characters in the attraction will be voiced by the film’s original cast: Steve Carell (Gru), Miranda Cosgrove (Margo), Dana Gaier (Edith) and Elsie Fisher (Agnes).

Orlando Releases 2012 Reference Manual

Visit Orlando has just released its 2012 Official Tour & Travel Reference Manual. The manual, in its 26th year, serves as a quick desk reference for tour operators, group tour leaders, receptive tour operators and travel agents worldwide by providing up-to-date information on Orlando’s accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping, cultural and special interest events, leisure activities, and air and ground transportation.

The 2012 guide offers enhanced maps offering a more comprehensive and user-friendly look at the destination and is also available online for easier access at visitorlando.com/trade. The manual also contains details on Visit Orlando services available to travel professionals, including providing collateral, the Official Visitor Center, special programs and promotional materials.

The Travel Professional section of the Visit Orlando’s website, visitorlando.com/trade, complements the Tour & Travel Reference Manual. The site features information on what’s new in the Orlando area; special programs and discounts for travel professionals; group services, incentive offers and a group service request form; an itinerary planner designed to assist in planning daily vacation activities in Orlando and a section offering special themed itineraries and excursions.

Another tool provided by the Visit Orlando to assist travel professionals is the Orlando Travel Academy, an online agent education program that provides a series of lessons on all aspects of Orlando to help agents expand their knowledge of the destination.

Upon completion of the six-course program, agents receive the designation of Orlando Travel Expert, four continuing education units from The Travel Institute and a variety of exclusive benefits. For example, a benefit offered to agents that graduate the academy is the usage of the Visit Orlando Travel Agent Passport, which provides discounted offers on attractions, museums, dining and more while visiting the destination. The program is available at orlandotravelacademy.com.

To request a copy of the 2012 Tour & Travel Reference Manual, contact Visit Orlando at 800-215-221; e-mail domestic.travel@orlandocvb.com; or order online at the Travel Professional section of visitorlando.com/trade.

SeaWorld Orlando Announces New Additions

SeaWorld designers just announced new experiences to open in 2012 at SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove, and released a few details of a massive expansion set to debut at SeaWorld in 2013. Discovery Cove is a swim-with-dolphins resort across the street from SeaWorld in Orlando.
The new attractions represent the biggest attraction expansions in the history of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the parks’ parent company.

TurtleTrek
While creating TurtleTrek (opening at SeaWorld Orlando in spring 2012), designers stayed true to SeaWorld’s unique blend of nose-to-nose animal encounters and state-of-the art entertainment.
Guests first visit two massive naturalistic habitats, one filled with hundreds of freshwater fish and gentle manatees, the other home to more than 1,500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. Many of the manatees and sea turtles were rescued by the park’s animal team. Since SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue programs began, the team has cared for and returned to the wild nearly 240 manatees and more than 1,200 sea turtles.

Moving on from the habitat, guests enter a domed theater with a first-of-its-kind 3-D/360-degree dome theater film that is completely immersive. The dome allows a hyper-realistic 3-D movie to be shown all around guests and even above them – not just in front of them or on only one screen. It’s this unique and immersive way of showcasing a sea turtle’s epic and astounding journey that is the heart of TurtleTrek. And for the first time, SeaWorld guests are given a turtle’s eye view of the ocean’s wonders.

Freshwater Oasis
Just across the street from SeaWorld Orlando is Discovery Cove, a limited-admission, all-inclusive tropical resort where guests swim with dolphins, hand-feed tropical birds in a free-flight aviary, snorkel among thousands of colorful fish and rays and relax on pristine beaches.

Opening at Discovery Cove in spring 2012 is Freshwater Oasis, an all-new attraction featuring swimming and wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with playful otters and curious marmosets. Designed with a rainforest canopy above and sparkling-clear springs below, Freshwater Oasis is a natural fit within Discovery Cove’s tropical vibe.

Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin
Also announced was SeaWorld Orlando’s biggest-ever attraction expansion, Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin, opening spring 2013. It’s a voyage to the bottom of the world, to the coldest and windiest continent, to a place of ice more than 9,000 feet thick. The journey to Antarctica will combine closer-then-ever animal connections with state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies.

Universal Orlando Announces Mardi Gras Plans

Universal Orlando Resort is gearing up for its annual Mardi Gras celebration, which begins Feb. 12 and runs through April 23.

Nationally renowned musical acts combine with an authentic Mardi Gras parade, colorfully costumed performers, authentic Cajun cooking and hand-picked New Orleans bands to capture the look, feel and fun of New Orleans – all inside Universal Studios Florida theme park.

Universal Orlando has been creating its Mardi Gras celebration for more than 15 years. It is included in the price of admission.

“If you can’t be in New Orleans or if you can’t get enough of Mardi Gras, then Universal Orlando is the place to be,” said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. “We bring all of what makes Mardi Gras great together with national-level musical artists to create a family-friendly celebration that fills the entire theme park.”

Performers will include Pitbull, also known as “Mr. 305,” who will perform songs from his hit album, “Rebelution;” Neon Trees, who will perform their hit “Animal;” One Republic and country superstar Blake Shelton.  Also performing will be Ne-Yo, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, KC and the Sunshine Band, Foreigner and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Along with top-name talent comes the world-famous parade – straight from the streets of New Orleans. One dozen elaborate, hand-crafted floats designed and built by Blaine Kern Artists – the same company that creates floats for New Orleans Mardi Gras – will make their way through the streets of Universal Studios along with hundreds of float riders – all of whom throw beads to eager guests. The parade, with its Fire, Air, Water, Earth theme, also features music and a nightly King and Queen of Mardi Gras.

Universal Studios’ French Quarter Courtyard will feature New Orleans-inspired food creations by Universal’s chefs – including jambalaya and po boy sandwiches. Nearly a dozen New Orleans bands will perform the best of The Big Easy’s blues, jazz and zydeco. (www.universaltravelagents.com)

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