Inside Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin as SeaWorld Orlando unveils icy new realm with ‘cool’ new attractions – literally

Inside Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin as SeaWorld Orlando unveils icy new realm with ‘cool’ new attractions – literally

Orlando’s summer just got a whole lot cooler as SeaWorld Orlando showed off its highly-anticipated new realm called Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. It doesn’t officially open to the public until tomorrow, May 25, 2013, but the immersive new area was fully previewed today, revealing its most impressive features.

Located near the back of the park, Antarctica towers over its surrounding area with icy peaks that don’t melt, even in the hottest of Florida days. With iceberg-inspired rock work towering over 50 feet tall, once guests step inside, they are removed from a tropical climate and transported to what SeaWorld likes to call “the bottom of the world.”

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando

In the video below, SeaWorld’s Brian Morrow, Mike Denninger, and Corey Oxman bring you on an exclusive tour through all areas of Antarctica, including the Empire of the Penguin ride and penguin habitat, Expedition Cafe restaurant, and Glacial Collections gift shop.


Video - Complete tour of Antarctica at SeaWorld Orlando


There are two entrances to Antarctica, with the north side the more impressive way to enter through a grand archway.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando

At the realm’s center is a spot that mark the south pole, an excellent photo opportunity for all who visit. From there, guests may explore the beautiful environment.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando

Embedded within the glistening hand-crafted ice are sculptures of penguins, the animal this area pays tribute to. All of SeaWorld’s attractions focus on the environment and nature and in the case of Antarctica, the penguin is the center of attention, particularly so in the new realm’s signature new ride, Empire of the Penguin.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando


Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ride

At the heart of Antarctica is Empire of the Penguin, a unique ride featuring a wildly spinning and bouncing trip on trackless vehicles through colorful ice caverns. This attraction sends riders on a memorable journey following a penguin named Puck, seeing the icy area as he does through his imagination until reality sets in encountering a few natural enemies. It’s a surprisingly brief family-friendly adventure that’s part dark ride, part motion simulator, and certainly unlike anything else in any Orlando theme park.

Take a spin on Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin in the video below, followed by further exploration and explanatio of the new ride and area.


Video - Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin full ride, queue, pre-shows, and penguin habitat


Video - Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ride only


Riders may choose between “wild” and “mild” versions of the attraction. Both versions glide through the same scenes side-by-side, but the “wild” version utilizes the attraction’s high-tech vehicles to spin, bump, and even waddle along with the visuals while the “mild” version just smoothly slides through. The videos above were shot while riding the “mild” version, but show a nearby “wild” vehicle in action. The thrill level is fairly low no matter which version is taken.


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“The Simpsons” theme park expansion announced for Universal Orlando with Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, Duff Beer

“The Simpsons” theme park expansion announced for Universal Orlando with Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, Duff Beer

Ay, Caramba! The Simpsons are set to take over more of Universal Studios Florida this summer.

Today Universal Orlando announced a major makeover and expansion over the area surrounding The Simpsons Ride that will feature several iconic establishments straight out of Springfield. Among locations fans of the long-running Fox TV show will be clamoring to step into are Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, and The Android’s Dungeon - better known as the home of the famous Comic Book Guy. Best. News. Ever.


(Click to enlarge.)


Video: The Simpsons Springfield street announced for Universal Orlando


The expansive area within Universal Studios Florida will now not only feature the existing attraction, The Simpsons Ride, but also the streets of Springfield with brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show.

And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando.

Two new Simpsons characters will also begin appearing in the park: Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob.

Fast Food Boulevard, as it will be known, will feature Krusty Burger, the Frying Dutchman, Luigi’s Pizza, Lard Lad, Moe’s Tavern, and more.

The new attraction is called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, something straight out of the Treehouse of Horrors.

Today the restaurants and stores in the new row of buildings look a whole lot like the animated versions from “The Simpsons,” matching their vibrant colors, storefronts, and signs.

Pictured below are artwork revealed by Universal Orlando along with pictures taken earlier today by @OrlandoInformer of a few of the main locations Universal is building and, for comparison, images of how they have appeared in the “The Simpsons.”

Moe’s Tavern

Arguably the most famous of “The Simpsons” locations, Moe’s Tavern is the regular home of Homer Simpsons and Barney Gumble, along with its namesake Moe Szyslak. Recreated at Universal Orlando, fans will finally have a chance to step inside and order a drink.

Moe’s Tavern (Universal Orlando artwork)

Moe’s Tavern (Photo by @OrlandoInformer)

Moe’s Tavern (“The Simpsons”)

Krusty Burger

In “The Simpsons,” Krusty the Clown’s fast food restaurant Krusty Burger is known to feature unusual offerings including zoo animals, road kill and insects. Though Universal (thankfully) won’t be serving those, guests will surely be excited to finally have a chance to order there.

Krusty Burger (Universal Orlando artwork)

Krusty Burger (Photo by @OrlandoInformer)

Krusty Burger (“The Simpsons”)

The Android’s Dungeon and Lard Lad

The Comic Book Guy’s famous store, The Android’s Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop, is where Bart drooled over the Radioactive Man comic book’s first issue and now Universal Orlando will offer guests a chance to step inside. And at Lard Lad, those famous Springfield-made donuts will be served to every Homer-wannabe.

Android’s Dungeon and Lard Lad (Universal Orlando artwork)

The Android’s Dungeon (Photo by @OrlandoInformer)

The Android’s Dungeon (“The Simpsons”)

Lard Lad (“The Simpsons”)

Cletus’ Chicken Shack

Cletus Spuckler, sometimes known as Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel, has a farm in Springfield that Universal Orlando has now turned into a “Chicken Shack” restaurant.

Cletus’ Chicken Shack (Photo by @Orlando Informer)

Cletus and his farm house (“The Simpsons”)

Cletus’ House (“The Simpsons: Tapped Out”)

Duff area

A smaller version of the Duff brewery will be featured at Universal Orlando, serving up this famous drink, made especially for the park.

Duff area (Universal Orlando artwork)

Duff Brewery (“The Simpsons”)


It hasn’t exactly been a secret that Universal is building Springfield, as construction already began several months ago replacing the International Food and Film Festival restaurant located directly next to the Kwik-E-Mart store, which is next to The Simpsons Ride.

Moe’s Tavern construction, as seen in March 2013.

The former restaurant location can be seen in the aerial photo below, now replaced by the future home of Springfield.

Aerial photo of Universal Studios Florida, pre-Springfield

Universal has already expanded the area around The Simpsons Ride once before, adding themed carnival games in October 2012.

The Springfield expansion follows the successful thought process behind the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, giving guests a chance to truly step into the world of a famous franchise instead of only riding a ride or two. Visitors to Universal Studios Florida will be able to pull up a stool and order a drink in one of the world’s most famous bars or proudly eat at the “unhealthiest restaurant in the world,” loving every minute of it.

Of course, The Simpsons Ride has been open in the park since June 2008, after it replaced the beloved Back to the Future: The Ride. Since then, Universal Orlando visitors have been meeting with Bart, Lisa, Homer, Marge, and occasionally Maggie but will soon have a chance to explore even more of this piece of pop culture.


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Disney Legends Richard Sherman and Alan Menken to perform together in “The Disney Songbook” concert at 2013 D23 Expo

Disney Legends Richard Sherman and Alan Menken to perform together in “The Disney Songbook” concert at 2013 D23 Expo

For one night only, two of the Disney’s most celebrated songwriters and composers will take to the stage at the D23 Expo 2013. Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken will perform together in “The Disney Songbook,†a concert in the D23 Expo Arena on Saturday, August 10.

Admission to the concert will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to the D23 Expo. In addition to the 4,000-seat D23 Expo Arena, the concert will be simulcast into a 2,000-seat overflow theater inside the Convention Center.

Together Sherman and Menken have won a combined 10 Academy Awards for their work with Disney, and have composed music and songs for more than three dozen Disney feature films, over two dozen Disney Park attractions and half a dozen Disney musicals on Broadway. They have each performed at D23 events in the past, Richard Sherman at Destination D: Walt Disney World and Alan Menken at Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animated Features at Disneyland, but never together.

Richard Sherman performs at Walt Disney World

Alan Menken performs at Disneyland

“I can’t express how excited I am that my esteemed friend Alan Menken and I will be sharing the same bill for the very first time,†said Sherman. “Alan is an incredible talent, and I know we’re both thrilled to be performing for Disney’s most ardent fans—they’re the best and I can’t wait to be a part of what promises to be a very special night for all of us.â€

“Richard Sherman and I share so many things; our cherished association with The Walt Disney Company, the blessing of having the opportunity to share our musical talents with “children of all ages” and a genuine mutual admiration—but one thing we’ve never gotten to share is a concert stage,†said Menken. “This summer at the D23 Expo 2013, we will do just that. And I can’t think of anyone I’d prefer to share that stage with. Richard, along with his brother Robert, wrote songs that filled my formative years with joy and fantasy. And, all these years later, I can say with complete honesty that there is no one I’ve met in our business who is more warm and generous than my friend and fellow songwriter, Richard Sherman.â€

Richard M. Sherman and his brother Robert B. Sherman composed some of the most beloved songs in the Disney canon. The Disney Legends won two Oscars for their work on Mary Poppins, and during their decades–long association with Disney they wrote more than 200 songs for 27 films and two dozen television productions. They made unforgettable contributions to such Disney films as The Parent Trap, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the entire Winnie the Pooh series, as well as the family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They also penned beloved songs for Disney Parks including the theme songs for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, it’s a small world, and Carousel of Progress. Richard wrote the song “Make Way for Tomorrow Today†for the blockbuster film Iron Man 2, and is working on a new stage musical based on Walt Disney’s 1967 animated film classic The Jungle Book, premiering this June at the Goodman Theater in Chicago.

With eight Academy Awards, Alan Menken has received more Oscars than any living person. He has written songs and scores for some of the world’s most beloved films: Tangled (Oscar nominee), Enchanted (three Oscar nominations) The Little Mermaid (two Oscar wins), Beauty and the Beast (two Oscar wins), Aladdin (two Oscar wins), Pocahontas (two Oscar wins), Hercules (Oscar nominee), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Oscar nominee), Little Shop of Horrors (Oscar nominee), Home on the Range and Newsies. His song “Star Spangled Man,†was the patriotic anthem of the 2011 hit film Captain America: The First Avenger.

Tickets for the D23 Expo are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Though June 15, tickets are $52 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $45 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children. For more information visit D23Expo.com.


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Imagineer previews the “Up”-inspired Wilderness Explorers experience headed to Walt Disney World this summer

Imagineer previews the “Up”-inspired Wilderness Explorers experience headed to Walt Disney World this summer

Set to debut within the next few weeks, the Wilderness Explorers experience is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, inviting guests to experience the park in engaging and challenging ways. After taking the official pledge, guests explore the park at their leisure armed with field guides, earning sticker badges along the way as they complete challenges, all inspired by Disney/Pixar’s film “Up.”

The Wilderness Explorers experience is aimed at ages 7-10, but kids of all ages can participate, offering a chance to get up close with animal within the park, included with admission. The goal is to deepen the understanding of animals and the natural world.

More than 30 badges will be available to earn throughout the park’s Discovery Island, Asia, Dinoland U.S.A., Africa, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch, as shown on the map below.

Explaining more about the what the Wilderness Explorers is and how it will work in the video below is the experience’s field art director, Imagineer Alex Wright.


Wilderness Explorers preview with Imagineer Alex Wright (and cast member Colleen)


Colleen is seen here dressed in the official costume for the new experience, featuring the “WE” logo that guests will need to keep an eye out for in the park to identify opportunities to earn badges.

Unlike the Wilderness Explorer Camp in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at the Disney California Adventure Park, which features “Up” characters Russell and Dug, the Wilderness Explorers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not a character experience, instead simply offering a chance for guests to take a closer look at their surroundings while exploring the theme park.

No specific debut date has been announced yet for the Wilderness Explorers experience, but it is said to be open in time for summer.


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Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress completes $54 million renovation drawing Walt Disney World travelers with close-by amenities

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress completes $54 million renovation drawing Walt Disney World travelers with close-by amenities

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress can easily be seen towering nearby Downtown Disney, but many Walt Disney World visitors don’t even realize this decades-old hotel is even there. Tucked away from the hustle of Walt Disney World, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress now offers Orlando visitors a chance to stay close by all the theme park excitement while enjoying newly-upgraded rooms, amenities, and activities.

Located only one mile from Walt Disney World the 1,500 acre Grand Cypress resort features sprawling golf courses and a surprisingly large amount of greenery, preserved from being taken over by nearby strip malls. And within the grounds sits the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, having just wrapped up a $54 million renovation.

From upscale, but reasonably priced rooms with contemporary decor to elaborate new poolside experiences to a variety of dining opportunities, the whole hotel is just begging for a visit.

At its recent grand re-opening, hotel staff showed off their many upgrades, presenting a nice escape from the colorful, character-filled adventures of Walt Disney World into a more relaxed, serene, and modern environment, from the updated grand foyer to the exceptional balcony views from every room.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando

Rooms are equipped with modern technologies, like flat screen TVs, rain showers, and RFID locks along with comfortable bedding and furniture.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando


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Mystic Manor grand opening interview with Imagineer Mark Schirmer, a hilariously good time with voice actor Jim Cummings, and a monstrous amount of news from Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and beyond.
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