One of Orlando’s most popular and iconic rides is getting ready for a makeover.  The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure will temporarily close on Feb. 7 as the park upgrades the attraction. A newer, more vivid high definition version of the ride should be ready for guests in March. The original Spider-Man ride opened in 1999.  The new technology is designed to add even more exquisite detail to the scenes thanks to a new projector system, 4K digital high-def animated picture, new optical 3-D glasses and improved lighting. In addition, Universal will update some of the real life sets within the ride and along the queue.

Mannheim Steamroller is returning to Universal Studios for the holidays.

The Orlando theme park has announced its holiday plans and those plans include six concerts by the popular Mannheim Steamroller at Universal’s Music Plaza stage. The group, which also played at Universal last year, will host concerts on the first three Saturdays and Sundays of December - Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18.

Another holiday classic at Universal also returns and the park is set to present Macy’s Holiday Parade. This is the 10^th year that giant balloons from Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will make appearances in Orlando. Universal’s holiday celebrations begin Friday, Dec. 3 and will run through Jan. 1, 2012. The evening parade, which begins around 5 pm, will conclude with a special tree-lighting ceremony with Santa Clause.

In addition to extensive holiday decorations, Universal Studios will also present a number of special holiday themed stage shows and offer a Holiday Village with hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and more.

At Universal’s other major park - Islands of Adventure - the popular, live “Grinchmas” show returns, featuring the one and only Grinch and various Whos from Who-Ville. Multiple performances of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be offered daily.

Orlando’s theme parks have made the city one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. And this year’s Theme Park Insider Awards again provide a glimpse as to why Orlando remains a tourism hot spot.Orlando theme parks won three of the four categories in the Theme Park Insider Awards competition. The Theme Park Insider Awards were based on average reader ratings on http://www.themeparkinsider.com/ over the past 12 months.

Registered users of the site have the opportunity to rate attractions, restaurants and hotels on a scale from 0 to 10 and vote only once on each location. ThemeParkInsider.com tallies the ratings and computes averages for each location to determine the winners.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was voted the Best Theme Park for the second consecutive year.

Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and Disneyland) was named Best New Attraction.

Epcot’s Bistro de Paris was named the Best Theme Park Restaurant for the second year in a row.

The final category for Best On-Site Theme Park Hotel was won by Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

In the restaurant category, runners-up included two Orlando venues, Mythos at Islands of Adventure and Epcot’s Via Napoli.

Universal’s Portofino Bay and Disney World’s Beach Club Resort were voted runners-up in the hotel division.

For information on Orlando’s theme parks and discount Orlando theme park vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Universal Studios recently announced two new upcoming adventures for its Orlando, FL theme parks.

The first is an all-new 3-D ride experience based on the popular Universal Pictures’ film, Despicable Me. Opening in 2012, the ride features Gru, the world’s most lovable super-villain as his brings his high tech empire and three adopted daughters (Agnes, Edith, Margo) to Universal Studios for a new mission. After being transformed into fun-loving, mischievous minions, riders will set out on a fun-filled and comical 3-D experience.

Guests will have an opportunity to explore Gru’s lair and descend into his secret lab. And they’ll take the floor in a minion-inspired, interactive dance party!

The second new adventure is actually an enhancement of an old Universal favorite, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® at Universal’s Islands of Adventure®. The innovative attraction will be re-animated for 2012 to create a high-definition experience designed to give the attraction’s towering visual spaces even more larger-than-life proportions.

The new 4K High Definition digital animation will create an even more life-like sensation by allowing riders to experience even finer details, such as the electricity arching through Electro’s body and the stitching on Spider-Man’s gloves. New details will also be added to the film to take advantage of the new high definition clarity.

Thanks to the star power of Harry Potter, Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando is back on top of the theme park world. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter officially opened at Islands of Adventure on June 18, but even that limited amount of time has been enough to send the park to the title of “best theme park” in the 2010 ratings released by ThemeParkInsider.com.

Winners in the 9^th annual Theme Park Insider Awards are based on ratings submitted by the Web site’s visitors.  Runners-up for the award included Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

The 2010 honor represents the fourth time Islands of Adventure has been named the top theme park. IOA also claimed the honor from 2002-2004.

For more information on Universal Orlando Resort and Islands of Adventure as well as discount theme park tickets, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

With the recent opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal has unveiled its latest epic ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ^TM at Islands of Adventure.

The Harry Potter ride experience begins well before you actually reach the ride itself. The queue line takes you into Hogwarts castle where you’ll make your way through some of the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts^TM School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

You’ll visit a variety of iconic locations from the Harry Potter movies, such as Dumbledore’s office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor^TM common room, the Room of Requirement and more. Finally, you’ll reach the actual ride portion of the adventure. Uniqueand groundbreaking robotic benches will take you soaring above the castle grounds as you join Harry, Ron and Hermione on an unforgettably thrilling escapade.

Along the way, you’ll come face-to-face with an array of magical creatures and events. Riders will visit the Forbidden Forest, travel through the middle of a Quidditch match and even have all-to-close run-ins with dragons and Dementors.

For information on Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/. Or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for discount hotel and resort accommodations or discount Orlando vacation package deals.

Guests at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park holding special Universal Orlando Resort hotel package deals were allowed into the park’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area earlier today.

Those guests were among the first to enjoy the new and highly secretive ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The ride, housed inside the signature Hogwarts castle, takes passengers on a virtual fly-along with Potter characters through various adventures and includes encounters with Dementors, dragons and a Quidditch match.

The official Grand Opening of the $200 million Wizarding World is scheduled for June 18, 2010.

The big day is drawing near!

Universal Orlando is currently promoting special theme park vacation packages featuring the soon-to-open Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Islands of Adventure. Deals are valid for travel beginning May 28, 2010, meaning the long awaited and eagerly anticipated Harry Potter adventure should be open no later than late May.

The $200 million theme park expansion project is taking shape at the popular Orlando theme park with Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village as the central attractions.

For more information on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For details on discount theme park tickets, discount Orlando, Florida vacation packages and more, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com or www.westgatereservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

Universal’s Holiday Experience
Grinchmas & Macy’s Holiday Parade
December 12-15, 2010

This is your chance to see Universal’s Islands of Adventure like you never have before! Your day will start with a Character breakfast. You will be eating with The Grinch, Whovillians and the Cat in the Hat! Following breakfast you will be able to enjoy all that Islands of Adventure has to offer using an Express Pass that will allow you to cut the lines at most of the major attractions. Don’t forget, it is the Holidays, so on top of the parks regular attractions, there are some Holiday surprises! You don’t want to miss this opportunity to visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure like a star!

This amazing Orlando weekend getaway package features two tickets to this Universal’s Islands of Adventure Holiday Experience, transportation to and from the park, personal concierge, Welcome Party and three-night stay in a spacious two-bedroom villa at the luxurious Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa. Ideally located just minutes from Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort, Westgate Lakes is a lush tropical paradise that boasts a scenic lakefront setting, luxuriously appointed villas, full-service health spa, Smokehouse Grill, eight swimming pools and a full schedule of family activities.

As a valued Westgate owner, you have the opportunity to purchase this incredible vacation package for just $399 per couple! We will also extend this special price to any of your family and friends who might want to attend as well. This is an exclusive, limited-time offer, so call toll free 1-877-326-6003 today and prepare to enjoy your dream Orlando vacation getaway!

Voyage through five islands of fun and adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL. Experience an amazing place where myths, legends and cartoons come alive. Encounter rides, shows, dining, shops and attractions featuring your favorite characters including The Cat In The Hat, Hulk, Spider-Man, Dr. Seuss, E.T., Jurassic Park and more. Meet your favorite super heroes on Marvel Super Hero Island and revisit your favorite cartoons and comic strips within Toon Lagoon. Let dinosaurs chase you in Jurassic Park, then explore The Lost Continent for an adventure of timeless myths and epic legends. Finally, visit Seuss Landing for some highly entertaining and whimsical tales. Purchase an Island’s of Adventure vacation package for affordable fun the whole family can enjoy.