Monday, December 23, 2013

Rumor: Planet Hollywood Hotel to I-Drive..PHABULOUS!!

2010 was the year that Planet Hollywood announced that it would be opening more (the first and only one is in LasVegas), Planet Hollywood Hotels. The end of 2014 is here and no hotels have opened or have even been rumored heavily until now.

Filing for new trademarks to be used in the city of Orlando, Planet Hollywood Int. has now made it un-official that it is looking to do something in the Resort and Resort services realm of the hospitality industry here in O-Town! The words phabulous and phamous are both used at the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas location and now are being trademarked for use here in connection with a new project.

Phabulous!!
The owner of the trademark is listed as Planet Hollywood Orlando and not Caesars Entertainment which operates and owns the property in Vegas. The filing sounds promising and this combined with the Wyndham Hotel announcement of plans to renovate the Wyndham Orlando Resort connected to the new Orlando Eye project (the new name for I-Drive Live) it looks as if the rumor we posted last year may be finally working toward a solid project.  The Orlando Business Journal quoted a well-known developer earlier this year as stating a new PH Hotel would be going up on the I-Drive area, and the statement seems to be true.

Wyndham Orlando Resort on I-Drive
Wyndham has announced that it will be turning an area of the resort rooms into shops, renovating all the guest rooms, and building a new high rise tower, all centered around a central theme.  I also have been told by inside sources that the current Planet Hollywood's future at the new Disney Springs location has still not been finalized.  So that being said I think that Planet Hollywood's move to the I-Drive location would be a logical one and a nice addition to the Orlando Eye line up!

Once again this is just rumor and until the official announcement but I would say paperwork and moves by Orlando's Planet Hollywood International seem to indicate we could be seeing that type of announcement soon!


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Rumor: Jekyll and Hyde soon to be at CityWalk?

Universal may be soon adding one of the hottest concepts from Times Square in New York to its CityWalk line up.  The word on the street is the new club/restaurant that is taking the place of the Latin Quarters old stomping grounds is going to be a new Jekyll and Hyde Club location!!

I for one am looking forward to this, and hope that the rumor mill is true.  This would be a perfect addition to the Orlando themed restaurant scene, providing a more adult oriented environment for eating and drinking during the evening hours, yet be a new lunch venue for the entire family.

The tarp covering the old Latin Quarter location started coming down this week revealing a very Gothic looking structure that would be perfect for The Jekyll and Hyde Clubs second location here in the U.S.

Twitter Photo
Details should be released this week,  but all indications are we are about to get a great new themed club to the CityWalk scene....Check out the link below for more information on the Times Square location.

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Are you Naughty or Nice?

Universal Orlando has the answer to that age old question we get asked at this time of year: Are you Naughty or Nice? Starting the weekend of December 6th 2013 Universal will help us celebrate the most festive time of year by allowing us to be both!!

Universals holiday happenings include floats from the Macy's Day Parade direct from New York, the tale of a heartless Grinch that is changed by finding the true meaning of Christmas, and free concerts by the number one selling Christmas group of all time Manhiem Steamroller!!

Be sure to head over to Universal and see these amazing events. Crowds will be large so plan accordingly, but hey its the Holidays, enjoy the cheer with your family and a few thousand of your closest friends!!

+UOR Orlando

Happy Birthday Mr. Disney!!

On this day 112 years ago, December 5th 1901 to be exact, a little boy was born in Chicago and was named Walter Elias Disney.

The small child's greatness would not be seen for years to come, but in the end Walt Disney would change forever the way we are entertained. He would form many of our ideas of right and wrong, warm our hearts, and make us smile through animated characters that would stay with us for a lifetime.

Walt would grow into adulthood by joining the military at 16, and after his service to his country would pack up all of his belongings in a suitcase and with 40 dollars in his pocket head to a town known as Hollywood.

Walter Elias Disney
He was a man that was driven by perfection, demanded only the best from his team, worked many long hours and was generous sometimes to a fault.  He created a lucky rabbit named Oswald to which he lost the rights, and then on a train ride home created a cartoon mouse named Mortimer who, at the request of his wife, would later be renamed to a little mouse known to the world as Mickey.

Walt Disney driving his children to school
He was a man that drove his children to school every day, cherished the family dog and loved the meals his wife would cook for him. Once while sitting on a park bench watching his children and other families reactions to different rides at a small dirty carnival, Walt envisioned a place that would exist where parents and children could enjoy time together,  a place that was always clean and the staff was always smiling, this place would be called Disneyland.

Disneyland 1957 Park Map



Mr. Disney would start an entertainment mammoth that would change the face of one city called Anaheim, and on the other side of the country be the backbone to make another city, Orlando, the number one tourist destination on planet Earth.

Disney comes to Florida

Walt Disney would continue in life winning more academy awards and nominations than any other person in history, walking home 22 Academy Awards and 59 nominations. He was a die hard American, creating most of the animated war propaganda films for the U.S. Government during his career, and he aided a small government operation known as NASA develop documentaries about space programs.

Walt Disney was a visionary, an innovator, and a catalyst for virtually all projects of the Disney company even to this day. His legacy is one that still brings joy, amazement, and memories to this little rock we call home.

Happy Birthday Walt!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Arabian Nights Dinner Show to Close

The owners of Arabian Nights Dinner show have announced that the last performance of their long running dinner show will take place on December 31st of 2013. The show is one of the longest running in Orlando having reached the 25 year mark in 2013.

Arabian Nights 


Mark Miller stated that changes in business are the reason for the closure adding, "the marketplace is demanding a cheaper product than we can provide".

I feel it is important to note that the growth of the major parks, and their ability to keep guests on property at night, probably means we can expect to see a decline in nighttime dinner shows that are not part of the resort experience provided by Disney and Universal.

The show was a wonderful display of talent, acrobatics, and some of the most beautiful equine to ever be displayed in a show of this nature. Best of luck to the staff and team that helped to put on this production through the years, you will be missed.

During the month of December Florida Residents receive half price admission.


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Disney World Holiday Event Guide..

Annual Passholders recently received the Mickey Monitor, which included a listing of all the amazing events that families can enjoy around the Walt Disney World Resort during this holiday time period!

2013 Holiday Events Guide

EPCOT will be hosting the annual Candlelight Processional with a bevy of celebrity guests, who with the backing of a full orchestra and choir, read the story of a baby found in a manger that would change the world!  Dinner at one of the World Showcase pavilions makes this the perfect date night holiday event.

Festival of the Lion King will be closing on January 5th so be sure to catch this amazing show this holiday season.  The show will be relocating to a new location to allow development to begin on AVATAR: The World of Pandora.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is sold out for most nights but tickets are still available for select evenings.  One of the most memorable things you can do at Disney is attend this party with the family sip hot cocoa, eat gingerbread cookies and watch the snow fall on Main Street U.S.A. The evening is finished with a special version of Disney's Wishes fireworks show which provides the perfect backdrop for Cinderella's Castle which is adorned in over 200,000 Dream lights.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is a massively popular event and one not to be missed. Please be advised that crowds on the weekends can be very heavy so plan accordingly.

The holidays and time with family is one of the many joys of life, and when you add Disney into the mix you truly get an unforgettable experience that will provide memories for years to come.

Please feel free to post any questions that you may have and I will respond as soon as possible.

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Orlando to get World's Tallest Coaster by 2016!

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, better known as IAAPA, is in Orlando this week and is a theme park fans dreamworld.  The major players from all around the globe converge on Orlando to show off new ideas, new foods, and new technology that all go into making the rides we all know and love.

A major announcement was made, in part, yesterday during an interview with S&S coaster and US Thrill Rides, Orlando will soon be home to the worlds tallest Poler Coaster!  Standing at a little over 520 feet tall this new concept design coaster will be one of three built in the United States and promises not only spectacular views from the top, but a high speed thrill ride to get back down.

The concept is simple yet ingenious, riders are seated in ride cars which then will wind their way up the tower giving amazing views all the way up, then at the top the Orlando coaster will then invert riders before starting its 520 foot descent. The top of the tower is reached by two glass elevators and can be used for dining and merchandise locations.  The tower is also designed to provide a spectacular light show at night making it a 520 foot magnet for thrill seeking guests.

Details and who exactly is building it will be revealed later this week but should be an exciting announcement for the area.

Enjoy!
Poler Coaster

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Despicable Me takes over select rooms at the Portifino Bay Resort!!

The amazing minds at Universal creative have helped make many children's (and adults) dreams come true. So I am pleased to announce that the newest rooms on property will help to make many a child's nights be filled with Minion Madness.

Portifino Bay Resort hotel has finally opened the Despicable Me kids suites and they are amazing.  Based on the massively successful films, the rooms are filled from floor to ceiling with the little yellow pranksters making the family style suites a huge hit with kids of all ages.

Reservations are being accepted now and are booking fast. Portifino is the crown jewel of Universal Orlando Resorts and is a definite must see during your visit to the property. Italian in theme, amazing food, and spectacular views make this resort an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy!

Minion Madness!!

The harbor at night

Bob Iger Announces Star Wars Lands


It's Official : Bob Iger Announces Star Wars Lands Coming at Disneyland AND Walt Disney World!!




Bob Iger in an interview with Bloomberg confirmed that "there is a fair amount of development going on at Disney Imagineering right now to expand the Star Wars presence in  Disneyland AND Walt Disney World. 

This is the first official confirmation that we have received that the recently purchased Star Wars franchise is heading to the parks. I for one am very excited about the prospect of the new expansion here at the Florida complex and feel that it will give a much needed boost to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

No other details were released but I have the feeling that now the project has been announced we should start seeing some solid info about new attractions and the new area.  I will post more information as it becomes available.

Enjoy!!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Disney Update: Disney Springs gets new artwork and Disney posts record revenue.

Record revenue and profits:

The Walt Disney Company posted a record setting revenue for the company this year clocking in at just a little over 45 billion with over 6 billion in profit.  The increase is credited mainly to record setting attendance numbers in the theme parks and a solid increase in guest spending inside its parks.

Pleasure Island Bi-Pass Bridge open and new Disney Springs Artwork:

The new bridge that will allow guests to bi-pass the old Pleasure Island complex is now complete and open for guest use.  The bridge, which is temporary, feels solid with a great lighting package and fantastic views of the water and Disneys Saratoga Springs Resort. In addition the bridge is lined with new concept art for Disney Springs!

The new concept art shows that Disney Springs is in a heavy evolve stage with ideas changing all the time. The artwork also shows the elaborate springs area that will provide a waterfront feel to almost every location at this new project.

New Springs area concept art
The next two photos show how the concept for the main lake shopping area has changed.  Disney has changed the former two story idea, to a more relaxed waterfront pier look with some stores having open store fronts.
New concept art

Original Concept art
I should also note that Valet parking is now open in full force at Downtown Disney as the first of two massive parking structures is under construction.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2013:

Cinderellas Castle dressed in Dream Lights

The most magical time of the year is about to get started at the most magical park on the planet. Get ready for "snow", hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies as Mickey and crew usher in the Christmas season at the Magic Kingdom.

The event this year is expected to see record attendance with some nights being sold out as of this post, so get your tickets early and do not miss what is one of the most amazing holiday traditions in the world!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special hard ticket event held in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. For 2013, the party will be held on November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, & 22, and December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, & 20.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

WE'RE BACK!!



I started doing this little blog last year, but due to events with work and life in general I found the time spent on it to be consuming.  However my love for the Orlando area and its plethora of parks, events, dining experiences, and other offerings is my passion.

I am pleased to announce that I will be doing a Bi-Weekly post (more often for big news) to help feed the addiction of everyone that loves the playground of the world, known to we locals as ORLANDO!!

Orlando is experiencing an amazing period of growth, not only in its theme parks but in every facet that this beautiful city has to offer. I hope to be able to cover some of the information each week with you the readers.

Please feel free to post any questions, comments, suggestions, and your opinion on anything that you see on here.  The more active the board the more value it has as a source for information and fun.

Enjoy!!