This week learn how to watch the 2016 Rio Olympics at Universal CityWalk and about the rebirth of The Hulk at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Learn more in this weeks’ video by clicking here. 

 

The Horror Continues In All-New Haunted Maze Inspired by the Second Film in Iconic Slasher Series, “Halloween”

Fans may have thought it was over, but he’s still out there. This fall, Michael Myers will make his return to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights in an all-new maze inspired by the second film in the classic horror series, “Halloween.”

The iconic horror film sequel continues the story of masked killer, Michael Myers, as he stalks an entire town and relentlessly pursues his victims. Now, his focus turns to guests as Universal joins forces with Compass International Pictures to bring the haunting film’s most suspenseful and terrifying moments to life at Halloween Horror Nights.

At both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, Michael Myers returns in Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield – a maze that’s bigger and filled with more menacing scare-actors than the original, top-rated “Halloween” maze. It will begin with the final scene from “Halloween,” where Michael Myers is presumed dead after falling from a bedroom window – only to disappear from the ground. Guests will dodge Myers’ lethal knife at every turn as they step into iconic scenes from the film – all culminating in a horrifying finale.

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 20 years, guests from around the world have visited Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood to become victims inside their own horror film. The streets of each coast’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing “scare-actors” lunge from every darkened corner. Multiple movie-quality haunted houses are erected throughout the event, based on anything from iconic slasher films to hit horror television series to haunting original stories.

Additional details about Halloween Horror Nights will be revealed soon. To purchase tickets and find out more about Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 26, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando. For information about Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Hollywood.

Dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom

Did you ever imagine you could have French-inspired cuisine in a quick service restaurant in a theme park? Well, you can do just that at Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. Step inside the Beast’s enchanted castle for a delicious quick-service breakfast or lunch—or an unforgettable sit-down dinner.

Dine in elaborately themed dining rooms that are straight out of the beloved Disney classic animated film Beauty and the Beast.

Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom is an expansive and elegant 550-seat dining destination located at the foot of Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland. Whether you are enjoying a quick-service breakfast or lunch, or the stately elegance of a table-service dinner, you can select from 1 of 3 dining rooms.

Royal Rooms for Loyal Subjects
Be Our Guest offers 3 meticulously imagineered dining areas, each designed to immerse our Guests in the heartwarming mystery and romance of Beauty and the Beast:

• The Grand Ballroom – Go for baroque in this magnificent ballroom with its high, domed ceiling, chandeliers and snow-laced Gothic arches.
• The West Wing – Dine in the Beast’s mysterious West Wing study—if you dare—and perhaps you’ll even spy his enchanted rose.
• The Castle Gallery – Get swept up in the romance of Belle’s private library, and inspired by the larger-than-life figures of Belle and Beast dancing.

Each room is exquisite—but which best befits your royal visit? All 3 venues share the same menu, so whichever you choose, you cannot lose!

Reserve Your Table Now
Reservations are strongly recommended for all meals—especially dinner—and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Please make your dining reservations as early as possible!

Visiting Universal Orlando is one the BEST places you can visit.  With so much to do in the Harry Potter World, the last thing you want to worry about is choosing the RIGHT restaurant to eat.  Here are my Top 5 choices, in no particular order.  Check them out and see what you think

#5 Mythos Restaurant:  Located inside an impressive cavern on the shore of the park’s lagoon, Mythos serves salads, burgers, steak, fish, pasta, and a risotto of the day on its seasonally changing menu.  This restaurant has received the Theme Park Insider Award 6 times for the world’s Best Theme Park Restaurant.

#4 Finnegan’s Bar and Grill:  Many Theme Park Insiders adore Finnegan’s, a table-service restaurant that served much of the same fare you’ll find on The Leaky Cauldron’s menu.    Muggles from all over enjoy their Irish food and drink.  This is a family friendly restaurant complete with a Children’s menu.

#3 The Three Broomsticks:  This restaurant is located at Islands of Adventure. Here you will find some of your favorites such as fish & chips, roasted chicken, Cornish pasties, corn on the cob, and of course Butterbeer.

#2 The Leaky Cauldron:  This British Pub offers Bangers and Mash, Toad in the Hole, Cottage Pie, Fisherman’s Pie and Fish & Chips.  Breakfast is also served and would include Apple oatmeal with yogurt and fruit, and an egg, leek, and mushroom pasty.   Specialty drinks are served, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

#1 Confisco Grille:  Located in Islands of Adventure, this table service restaurant serves salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, fish, pasta, and fajitas, for lunch and dinner. Also has Gluten free items, just ask!

Although I did not highlight all the other places to eat at Universal, my experience with this restaurant in particular were great.  If I had a favorite, it would be Mythos. 

Written by JoAnne Traczek:  I am a retired Veteran who is enjoying helping people travel all over the world!  I enjoy planning all your travel needs, no matter what you need or where you go.  I have seen a great part of the world and love to share my knowledge with people who enjoy traveling.  Contact me when you want to see the world.  I will help you, one destination at a time.  You can reach me at joanne@destinationsinflorida.com.

This week learn about The Muppets coming to The Magic Kingdom and the new food at Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Boardwalk.

All these and so much more in this week’s episode of the Around the Mouse. You can watch the video by clicking on this link and even downloading a copy for your computer or phone.

“The Muppets Present…Great Moments in American History” at Walt Disney World

Beginning in October 2016, the Muppets will star in an all-new live show at Magic Kingdom Park, called “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.”

Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, will join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical Muppets fashion. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets will appear throughout the day to share their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America.

“The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” will be presented multiple times daily and will feature an original song and wacky Muppets humor.

 

This week learn how to meet Kubo, Beetle, and Monkey from the upcoming movie Kubo and the Two Strings and more about Rock the Universe

Learn more in this weeks’ video by clicking here. 

 

 

This is no ordinary restaurant!

The food is American, but the atmosphere is what makes it all taste so good. It is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The theme is based on Mom’s Kitchen back in the 1950’s. There are TVs throughout the Cafe that are broadcasting black and white sitcoms. From “Father Knows Best” to the original “Mickey Mouse Club,” you can’t help but smile when you see these blasts from the past.

To make it even more authentic, the thought throughout the restaurant is that everyone is “family.” Your server will introduce you to your “cousins” while giving you stern warnings to keep your elbows off of the table and to eat your vegetables. It’s all in good fun and adds to the unique experience. There are lots of 50’s knick knacks, and the dessert menu is on a Viewmaster! Who remembers using one of those?

The food is “down home cooking”. From Fried Chicken to homemade apple pie, you will find something on the menu for everyone. Desserts for the little ones can be an ice cream sundae or a milkshake. There’s something for the Adults too, a full service bar, with a wine list available. Specialty drinks include milkshakes with and without alcohol. The Café does take the Disney Dining Plan, so make sure you get those reservations in.

Visiting the 50’s Prime Time Cafe made me appreciate what my grandparents and parents lives were like. It was really neat to see what they saw and experience a time so long ago. The Cafe gives you the authentic feeling of being back in the 50’s. A real treat.

Written by JoAnne Traczek: I am a retired Veteran who is enjoying helping people travel all over the world! I enjoy planning all your travel needs, no matter what you need or where you go. I have seen a great part of the world and love to share my knowledge with people who enjoy traveling. Contact me when you want to see the world. I will be happy to help you, one destination at a time. You can reach me at joanne@destinationsinflorida.com.

If you are looking to experience the best thrill rides in Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort is the ultimate place to go. You will have plenty of chances to scream on their incredible thrill rides at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Here is our list of the top five thrill rides at Universal Orlando Resort:

5. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida: This is the ultimate thrill ride for any Harry Potter fan! You will head down below Gringotts bank on this multi-dimensional 3-D attraction that puts you right in the middle of the action with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Voldemort, and Bellatrix.

4. Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida: You will surely feel the wrath of the awakened mummy on this indoor dark ride when you come face to face with him after racing past fireballs, beetles, and warrior mummies on this thrilling adventure.

3. Dragon Challenge at Universal’s Islands of Adventure: This unique roller coaster is two different roller coasters, each with a unique experience! You can ride an aggressive Chinese Fireball dragon or a ferocious Hungarian Horntail dragon as you twist and loop across the sky.

2. Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt at Universal Studios Florida: You can rock and roll to your favorite song on this one of a kind ride and even take home your music video as a souvenir. This attraction is not only Orlando’s tallest roller coaster but also features the world’s first non-inverting loop.

1. The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure: This is one of the best roller coasters in the country. You will be transformed into the Incredible Hulk as you go from 0 to 40 miles per hour in just two seconds. You will experience thrilling speeds and seven upside down turns on this incredible ride. The Hulk is currently being reborn and will open in summer of 2016 even better than before.

What is your favorite thrill ride at Universal Orlando Resort?

Written by Siera Duiser: Siera Duiser is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an authorized Disney vacation planner and Universal Orlando Travel Agency of the Year. She loves helping plan incredible vacations at no cost to you. Contact Siera to book your next vacation at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or 734-771-1290. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Highly-Anticipated Details Revealed About Innovative Enhancements To The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Look to Universal’s Islands of Adventure in late summer for an updated The Incredible Hulk Coaster, set to return with thrilling enhancements that will make one of the world’s best roller coasters even better.  Once the coaster reopens, it will feature a totally new ride vehicle with a sleek, modern design and powerful audio system that blares an exclusive, original ride score by Patrick Stump, front man for internationally-renowned rock band, Fall Out Boy. It will also include a new, original storyline, a completely redesigned queue experience and an immense new attraction entrance featuring The Hulk himself.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster is roaring back to life in late summer with thrilling enhancements that will make one of the world’s best roller coasters even better. For the first time ever, we’re revealing details about what guests will experience, including:

• A totally new ride vehicle that features a sleek, modern design and powerful audio system that blares an exclusive, original ride score by Patrick Stump, front man for internationally-renowned rock band, Fall Out Boy
• A new, original storyline and completely redesigned queue experience that places guests inside a perilous scientific experiment led by the nefarious villain, General Thaddeus Ross
• An immense new attraction entrance featuring The Hulk himself