Universal Cabana Bay Resort permits show resort layout...

Universal this week filed some of the final permits for construction of its newest resort Cabana Bay. The resort will have a 60's motor lodge theme to it and will be in the moderate price range.

The permit below shows the area will be on the land that sits behind Jurassic Park and runs along Turkey Lake Road.  The resort will have two large themed pool areas (one in the center by the main building, and one between the zig-zag style buildings) and is going large 1800 rooms to be exact.

Permit copy showing resort layout

Here is concept art of the new resort as released by Universal a few months ago:

Main Entrance

Lobby area

Pool area

Disney Fantasyland Update...

Things are moving at a brisk pace at for the opening of the the new Fantasyland Forest at Disney's Magic Kingdom and today's update has a few pics from the new area as well as a nice little helicopter aerial photo of the area since it is so near to completion. Remember the grand opening date set by Disney is December the 6th, which is just in time for the holiday madness!!  Sneak preview and un-announced ride previews will be taking place very soon, so keep checking back and we will let you more as I get the info.

The newest schedule that we can get our hands on at this time has some events rumored as follows (as with any opening, dates and times are subject to change):

1- Storybook Circus final phase including Big Top Souvenirs and Character meet and greet area, is scheduled to open this Sunday. Things look to be great with this immersive circus theme as Dumbo the flying elephant comes to town with the circus and shows us that the little things that make you different are the things that make you strongest!!

New signs for the entrance area

Goofy's Barnstomer coaster 

Dueling Dumbos as seen from the Barstormer

Inside Big Top Souvenirs  

New merchandise  

Some of the new tees are really nice

2. - Passholder previews will be the first week of November and will give Disney's favorite fans the first look at the new area.  I have already been one of the lucky ones to see "Storytime with Belle" and some of the new land, and trust me this is going to be a great addition to the Magic Kingdom.  Detail is seen in every aspect of the new area from items surrounding the buildings, to the leaf and pine needle impression left in the streets you walk on. Look for registration to be live on the Disney passholder site later next week. Below are some pics from behind the construction walls of the new attractions.

The "snow covered" trees are now in place around Beast's Castle

The final touches for Prince Eric's castle at the Little Mermaid attraction

Finally I thought it would be cool to show the latest concept artwork for the area, along with a pic from one of the local helicopter tours here in Orlando.  I will say a helicopter tour of the parks in the area really gives you some perspective as to how large and I recommend you take one if you get a chance...they are really inexpensive (sometimes as low as $20 per person) and well worth the price.

Final concept art for the new Fantasyland Forest

Aerial view of the new land

You can see in the above photo that virtually everything is in place for the expansion. Sidewalks are done, landscaping is in, and the attractions, buildings, and support areas are all now defined.  The photo shows:

Top left : "Be our Guest Restaurant" in which you will dine in various rooms from the Beast's castle 

Bottom Left : "Storytime with Belle" 

Center Bottom ; Construction site for "Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster" (Opening early 2014)

Center Top ; "The Voyage of the Little Mermaid" and Prince Eric's castle

Top Right ; Part of "Storybook Circus" area which is now open.

Check back for new info on this addition to the Magic Kingdom, when we know, you will know!

HHN 2012!!

Thanks to everyone who made it out last night to the event.  I had one of the best times ever at Horror Nights and meet some amazing people that I look forward to being friends with for sometime!!  I look forward already to next years trip when we visit HHN 23 in an even bigger and better way!!

Posted some pics from the event and a new one of the rumored Potter construction area....they are moving so fast on the project it is amazing! Most of the pictures I took either last night or VIP preview night...a couple are promo shots...just to give you a feel for the event!  Cheers!

On the way!

Front Gate time

Map for this year

Crazy sky at sunset

Rumored Potter construction in full swing

Part of the crew for the night heading into the Penn and Teller 3D house

Goddesses of Beauty

Paulina, Robby, and Beth in the Zombie spirit outside of Walking Dead

Pumpkin spirits in the trees watching us

Damn doll in Dead End was alive...I swear

EVIL bunny was just freaky 

Mel's Drive In from American Graffiti...now Mel's DIE IN for HHN

Nice Promo pic of the gang waiting to greet you inside

Still one of my favorite houses this year

Uh Oh...i hear the sirens

The gang from Silent Hill

Sophia wait here...Walking Dead was awesome

Bring out your dead!!

HHN 2012 Local gathering tonight!!

LOCAL ALERT: Halloween Horror Nights 2012 trip is tonight.  Everyone that wants to join our group and be part of this yearly event should contact me via Facebook, Text Message, or Pigeon..lol..so I can provide you with details.  The weather is going to be perfect and the group a great mix of people.

Looks like we are going to meet in font of Hard Rock Cafe (level closest to the waterfront) around 5:30 PM and get our scare on from there. Look forward to seeing everyone!!!

The Top Ten Tastes from the 17th Food and Wine Festival.....

The 17th Annual Food and Wine Festival begins at Epcot this Friday, and I must admit this is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World.  The World Showcase side of Epcot is already a great experience for those that like to try culinary delights from around the world, and drinking around the World Showcase Lagoon is an activity that has an almost cult following.  The event runs for a record 46 days this year!

Disney each year adds themed pavilions, 29 this year, that serve tapas style dishes, drinks and wines from the native country that the pavilion represents. These marketplaces are sprinkled all along the World Showcase lagoon and allow guests to stroll at their own pace and enjoy foods and drinks that most people would never experience otherwise. 

The culinary event, named one of the Best Food and Wine Festivals by the Travel Channel, runs through Nov. 12 and includes daily Eat to the Beat pop concerts with top name acts.This year’s celebration introduces a new chocolate tasting experience, fresh Florida Local flavors and the first marketplace with vegan cuisine, named TERRA. New this year will be Food and Wine's first Watermelon Patch and back for a second year the popular “Discover the Cranberry” Bog experience. Food and Wine also hosts weekend HGTV celebrity home-design seminars making the event truly a one of a kind event.

Remember these are just a few of the amazing goodies that you can taste at the festival, so plan on visiting more than once. Weekends can get a little insane but I feel it just adds to the festival like atmosphere.  Cheers!!


Below is a post from the official Disney blog that talks about the top ten tastes from this years event:


Re-Posted from the Official Disney Blog:


The countdown has begun! The 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens Friday, and the chefs are putting last-minute touches on the tastes in the 29 Marketplaces around World Showcase Lagoon. We’ve been lucky enough to sneak in the kitchen for a few tastes, and here are our Top 10 “must tastes” for this year.

1. -The new Florida Local Marketplace shrimp ceviche. Pair with key lime wine for a taste of the Sunshine State.

2. -  Also at Florida Local, we can’t get enough of the white corn arepa with Mangalitsa pork rillette and Zellwood sweet corn salad. Doesn’t get any fresher than this.

3. - Trust us when we tell you, you won’t believe the chili Colorado is vegan at the new Terra Marketplace. You have to taste it just to say you’ve tried vegan chili with crunchy housemade chips and cashew cheese.

4. - The grilled lamb chop in Australia – it’s back, but this year the finish is a-mazing: salt & vinegar potato chip crumbles with a kicky mint pesto. Oh yeah.

5. -In Belgium, the steamed mussels are back, but they’ve ditched the cream for Hoegaarden Beer broth and a baguette for sopping up the juices. We like it better than the cream.

6. - We just might recommend starting at the Dessert and Champagne Marketplace and digging into the dark chocolate mousse with chili and salted caramel. It’s a small serving, so the guilt factor is low and it’s worth every calorie.

7. - Canada kicks it up with a favorite dish from Le Cellier Steakhouse brought out on the promenade just for Food & Wine – the buttery wild mushroom beef filet mignon with a splash of truffle butter sauce. You may want to go ahead and order two.

8. - Zapiekanki – Yes, it’s hard to pronounce, but step up at the Polish Marketplace and order this street food that most closely resembles pizza bread with cheese, mushrooms, onions and a drizzle of homemade ketchup. Comfort food.

9. - Frozen Strawberry Nesquik® – Childhood is calling at the Desserts and Champagne Marketplace. They added this just for kids, but we think adults will love this just as much as a glass of bubbly.

10. - Bacardi Torched Cherry Frozen Cherry Limeade – The finale, this slushy drink guarantees a brain freeze if you don’t slip it slow, which isn’t easy. Tart, icy and just right for a hot afternoon.

Remember these are just a few of the amazing goodies that you can taste at the festival, so plan on visiting more than once. Weekends can get a little insane but just add to the festival like atmosphere.  Cheers!!

Potter Construction Pics...

Progress on the new rumored Potter area is in "full steam ahead" mode, and after seeing the fence open the area is going to be massive....

EDITORIAL...Why is Mickey being so Mousey

This article is an editorial and should be treated as such.  Please feel free to respond and leave comments.

Why is Mickey being so Mousey?

One year ago last week Disney made a major announcement that James Cameron's AVATAR would be coming to the Walt Disney World resorts Animal Kingdom.  The news was meet with mixed reviews and even the most hardcore Disney fans took a step back and went "Wait...WHAT?".

Now here we are over a year later and Disney has not released one clue as to what we can expect or be excited about when it comes to AVATAR.  No details have been given, no concept artwork "leaked" and other than a promise at a recent stockholders meeting, Disney seems to be avoiding the topic.  Disney knows better than any that it's the fan base that keeps the theme parks running, and while Universal is moving forward leaps and bounds with their property here in Florida, Disney just seems kind of stale and stagnant.

Living in the Orlando area I have heard rumors that Cameron (who is known for being a OCD perfectionist) and Disney are at a stand off about the creative aspects of the new area as well as budgets, and that Imagineering has never really been "on-board" with the project.  Add to that the news released a couple of weeks ago from IGN that AVATAR 2 has been delayed (we will not see the second installment until 2015) and that the studios producing AVATAR  is getting cold feet about making the series as Cameron has envisioned. The Disney Avatarland project has just lacked that "WOW" factor from the start.

In Disney's defense they are opening a new expansion in the Magic Kingdom this year which, while very nice and much needed, really does not have the punch that Disney needs to move ahead in the theme park "buzz"  game.  Dumbo received a twin ride system and new queue area, Goofy's was simply re-themed, Storytime with Belle is cute (if you have small children), the Be Our Guest Restaurant is, well a restaurant,  and the Little Mermaid attraction (which I am excited about) is simply a copy of the one in California.  Disney will have a new Snow White themed family style coaster in place with the expansion but that is not on the slate until 2014.

Adding to this Disney recently announced huge capital cut backs for 2013, as it is investing most of its capital funds into the new Shanghai property with Disney fronting 43 percent of the 4.3 billion dollar project and the Chinese government supplying the rest. (Disney and the Chinese government...again i say "Wait...WHAT?").
Disney CFO Jay Rasulo speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference in New York, said that after Fantasyland in Florida is upgraded, "The next project of size in Florida will be Avatarland in Disney's Animal Kingdom." That is the only official announcement Disney has made on the project in some time.

Capital cutbacks mean that the rumored Cars Land/Pixar Land expansion at Disney Hollywood Studios has been placed on hold, which is a shame since the Cars Land expansion in California is making record profits.  A Cars/Pixar Land themed area could be the "Potter swatter" that Disney is looking for in the Orlando area. The fact projects of this nature are on hold is just another sign that Disney is fine with riding out it existing projects and not really into spending the extra capital to"step up their game" here in Orlando.

Disney will always be Disney.  I will always be a fan of basically anything that the company does with its parks and product.  I would however like to see the old Disney attitude back in the drivers seat, making huge park announcements, building excitement about future projects, and Mickey standing back and saying "Catch us if you can!"

Simpson's Mini-Land arriving at Universal Studios..

Universal filed more permits this week for destruction/construction of the International Festival food court that is located next to the wildly popular Simpsons attraction. The Qwik-E-Mart, adjacent food court and restrooms are to be closed in the next few weeks in order to undergo a major transformation. 

Universal continues to improve and adjust its product on a major scale, and this area will should be no exception.  Universal seems to be taking what it learned from the Wizarding World about adding food, merchandise, and drinks to this remodeled area.  The attraction is already getting its own themed games area and rumors are that a real life Krusty Burger and Moe's Tavern are on the blueprints!!  

Flaming Moe anyone?!?!

Rumored Potter Expansion Taking shape at Universal Studios...

Universal has made no official announcement regarding construction at it's Studio location in Orlando, but it is widely believed to be the highly anticipated expansion to the game changing Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. Since the closing of Jaws Universal has been working round the clock to add this new area to it's roster of attractions by late 2014/early 2015. The area is rumored to have more shops, elaborate dining experiences, and yes attractions!!

The streets of London including a rumored Big Ben will provide the street view as guests approach the new expansion. Remember however Diagon Alley, the main area for the new expansion,  is "hidden" from the eyes of "muggles" so expect Universal to use some movie magic to allow us to enter the Wizard play land.

Diagon Alley

Here is a Potter map of Diagon Alley (above)  and may provide details of what we can expect to see as we pass through the "secret" entrance. The rumored "E ticket" attraction for the new area is a roller coaster/motion based ride system themed to Gringott's Bank.  The next highly anticipated attraction will be the Hogwarts Express which will take you from the streets of London (Studio Side) to Hogwarts (Islands side).  The train will be highly themed and will have ultra high def video screens instead of windows which will allow for all kind of possibilities (Dementor attack anyone?).

Construction on the lagoon wall for the new area is complete and is a replica of the Victoria/Albert Embankment in London, and it looks amazing.  This new area will not only provide for a great look for the London facade but will be a perfect spot to watch Universal's new night time show Universal's Cinematic Spectacular! Construction is vertical and they have even started the roof on Gringott's Bank. (Photos below)

New Lagoon Front

Gringott's Bank??

A local talented artist has drawn a rendering of what the new area may looked like when completed.  The artwork is based on leaked existing blue prints and is probably pretty close to what we can expect to see. Remember this is all rumors and talk until Universal makes an official announcement but no matter what the final product is, I am sure we can all agree it will be outstanding!!

Universal offers online and in-park game for Horror Nights....

In Florida's distant past, thousands of years ago, Orlando was not the home of fresh citrus and family fun.  Orlando was inhabited by a group know as the Iniquitus, the bringers of death that you meet just before you die.  For thousands of years they have been encased in an ancient tomb far below the surface of what would in today's time is Universal Orlando. In doing construction for new projects Universal cracked the tomb, allowing the bringers of death to be awakened from their slumber and be freed from their centuries of captivity. Now what Universal has unleashed has turned into a race...a game...and its our charge to find out what is being unleashed and use that information to save us all!!

HORROR UNEARTHED is the new game and like past years is started online...but this time you play against the Iniquitus and each other in the park too!!!  The process is simple and is a must for anyone going to this years event, simply log into the HHN website (link below) and register, then when you get to the event (No you cannot do it before the event starts) look to the left as you enter the gates and you will see:

Here is where you will pick up your passcard which you use as you enter attractions, certain areas, and pass certain characters (you will see the evil scanner around their neck). You simply wave your card at the scanner, not scan, that's right these are RFID cards and will pick up locations with ease so you do not have to spend anytime standing around, which can allow things that go bump in the night to eat you!

The purpose of the game?  Universal has not said.. it could be for fun, could be for bragging rights, but in 2005 Universal held a special party at the end of Horror Nights for all that had participated in that years online event so you never know!! Happy hunting and remember Walkers move much faster than you think!!

HHN 22 home link: Halloween Horror Nights 22 @ Universal Orlando

(LOCAL UPDATE: On a side note a large group of us are going to HHN 22 this Thursday the 27th of September.  Leave a comment on here if you want to join us or e-mail me mail and I will provide you with the details. Look forward to seeing everyone there)

TEST TRACK CAR COLORS....

The new "Sim-Car" paint scheme at EPCOT Test Track is revealed !!  The colors are Tron blue and I dig the back to back T on the frame of the car.  Attraction is scheduled to re-open later this fall!

Big Thunder gets queue update....

In May of this year Disney completed refurb on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. It was hoped that Disney would add interactive features in the queue similar to those at the Haunted Mansion and Dumbo.  Interactive items,while you wait,  are just part of Disney's Next-Gen project and so far have been huge hits.

Big Thunder however did not have these items when it re-opened.  Disney has announced today that interactive elements are soon indeed to be part of the experience at this classic attraction. Disney did not release a timetable or really any detail, but according to a Disney blog guests will be able to participate in the story of the Big Thunder Mining Company like never before and that its guaranteed to be a BLAST!

EPCOT TURNS 30!!

EPCOT will be 30 on Monday October the first and I thought that it would be cool to show some of the old concept art that Disney released prior to the opening.  The above photo is one of the many sketches that were published in a pre-opening guide.  Spaceship Earth (the giant golf ball to some of us) had many design concepts, one of which was to be a geospheric dome vs. its "lifted" globe shape that it has now.Looking closer at the drawing you can see pavilions in the distance that never made it to the construction stage.

The photo below shows author Ray Bradbury, one of the original consultants on the park, in front of one of the full scale mock ups of the park.  You can see that the design of the park stayed the same with Future World in the front and World Showcase in the back, but the shape and design of many of the pavilions were altered prior to final product.

Disney has many events planned for October the 1st, 2012 including seminars with the original design team, models and artwork like are shown here, and of course a special showing of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth to close the night out.  I would expect crowds to be huge and for Disney to throw in a few other surprises as well.  Hope to see you there!!

Welcome!!

Hi guys and welcome to Theme Park Whispers...a daily roundup of all the rumors, news, and whispers, floating around the Orlando area about my favorite hobby...THEME PARKS!!

 I will be posting opinions and reviews of some the best (and worse) that Orlando has to offer.  The blog is for all to use,  and is intended to be for visitors to the area as well as all the locals.  Enjoy and let me know if there is something you would like to see added to the blog!