Disney Chronicles

Families from across the country have been visiting the sunshine state this summer. It has also been busier in the fall months so I thought this would be a great way to do a roundup of the latest happenings at the theme parks.

Has it been a while since  you’ve been or will you be visiting soon? Here’s some things you may not want to miss.

I love the fact that there is always something new opening or something is being upgraded.

Never a dull moment but it can also be seriously overwhelming.

(so I apologize this is so long but it is good info) 🙂

Here is all you need to know…(well the main stuff anyway)

Starting with Legoland, and we are talking just months after opening they have unveiled the Legoland water park. To upgrade your Legoland ticket to include the water park it is ($12) totally worth it! The water park features the Lego Wave pool, Joker Soaker, an interactive playground with slides of various lengths and heights.  Build-A- Raft, river which is a 1000 ft lazy river. (I do love those lazy rivers!) Here you can set afloat aboard your own LEGO vessel, which you design yourself!

Seaworld is opening a number of new attractions.  The New Turtle Trek features the first and only 3-D, 360 degree dome theatre experience in the world. The film showcases a sea turtles journey from a turtle’s perspective.  In 2013 Seaworld will open its biggest ever attraction expansion. The Antarctica Empire of the Penguin.  The Journey to the world’s most remote continent will feature an interactive ride, a restaurant and a colony of penguins. Seaworld calls it the “coldest theme park attraction in the world” since the penguins habitat must stay at 30 degrees F.

Discovery Cove will soon open the Freshwater Oasis with swimming and wading adventures and face to face encounters with otters and marmosets. (whats a marmoset you ask…a cute little monkey)

Busch Gardens in Tampa has a new attraction called the Cheetah hunt, a coaster that launches you three times from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of seconds and climbs more than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet! (No thank you! Not for me!) I will watch from below 🙂

Accompanying the new coaster is the Cheetah run, a new habitat that allows visitors to watch the cheetahs from elevated, glass paneled  viewing areas. The trainers conduct daily sprints with the cheetahs so guests can see the world’s fastest land animal in action. The park has also launched the biggest ice show ever Iceploration.

Universal Orlando is introducing more new entertainment experiences in 2012 then during any other year in history.  They have announced that they will significantly expand the Wizarding World of Harry Potter but a time frame has not been announced yet.  A new nighttime show debuted in May for the 100^th Anniversary of Universal Studios.

Universals Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories presents highlights from about 200 of the worlds most popular films shown on waterfall screens within the Universal lagoon. The Superstar Parade was also launched in May, featuring larger than life floats, state of the art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers.

The biggest attraction (In my eyes anyway) is the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.  This motion simulator ride with 3-D technology takes riders through “minion training” and ends with an interactive dance party. This attraction replaced Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast.

Earlier this year they also relaunched the Amazing attractions of spider man.  It now features 4K digitalhigh-definition animation, new high tech 3-D glasses and a new level of details for the guests to discover.

Now last but not least it’s a Huge year for Walt Disney World!

They had the debut of the Art of  Animation resort and of course the eagerly awaited new Fantasyland. This is the largest expansion in history for the Magic Kingdom.  The first phase of storybook circus has opened. It includes the Double Dumbo the Flying Elephant rides,  the rethemed Barnstormer, Goofy as the Great Goofini and Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station.

This fall many more attractions will open in Fantasy Forest, this will be an area inspired by Disney’s Princess films.  It will feature castles, a quaint village and waterfalls. More will debut in time for the holidays.

The Art of Animation Resort is located next to POP Century .  It will feature 4 wings each themed after a Disney Animated theme.  The Finding Nemo Suite opened first followed by Cars, The Lion King and the Little Mermaid.  This resort also features the largest swimming pool at Disney World. (now that’s a MUST see).

Disney’s Port Orlean’s Riverside now features 512 Royal Guest Rooms.  The new accommodations immerse families in Disney Fairytales including Alladin, Beauty and the Beast and Princess and the Frog.  These rooms include fiber optic effects that create a magical surprise on the head-boards.

In June at Epcot, Agent P’s World showcase replaced the Kim Possible showcase adventure.  The New Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is also open.  The cards that are included in this game are a New Disney Collectible.

PHEW! (Big Breath!….ok thats all I got) 🙂

I’m sure I missed something but that may have to be another post! HAHA!