The excitement just keeps on building at Orlando’s world famous theme parks. It seems you never have to wait long for one of Orlando’s top parks to announce something new. This time it’s Universal Orlando that’s ready to make its next big splash.

The theme park announced a variety of new attractions set to open in 2012, including a new parade, an after-dark show, a new Blue Man Group show and more.

The new attractions should help Universal Studios regain some of the traffic it lost to sister park Islands of Adventure when it opened up the highly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010.

The new “Universal’s Superstar Parade” becomes the park’s first daily parade event. The interactive parade will stop to allow characters, dancers and performers a chance to engage with spectators. Highlights include large floats, street performers and characters from “Dispicable Me,” “Dora the Explorer,” “SpongeBob Squarepants” and “Hop.”

Universal is also expanding its nighttime fun by adding “Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Moments.” The end of the night event on the theme park’s lagoon offers a salute to Universal Pictures based on a movie history projected on both sides of a series of 30-foot by 30-foot waterfall curtains. The show also includes lasers, pyrotechnics, fountains and a special narration by actor Morgan Freeman.

Other new attractions at Universal include a revised Blue Man Group show and two new miniature golf courses at Universal CityWalk. Later this summer, the park will open a new attraction based on the film “Dispicable Me” called Dispicable Me Minion Mayhem. The park is also introducing new high tech adjustments to its popular Spider-Man ride such as some re-animation and a more vivid high definition projection system.

For information on discount Orlando theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

The Themed Entertainment Association has honored Universal Orlando with four of its annual THEA Awards for the theme park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.

The awards for Wizarding World, which opened in 2010, were announced during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) convention held in Orlando.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was recognized for two awards. One was for outstanding achievement in a “new theme park land” and another was for “thematic integration of retail, food and beverage experiences.”

The Wizarding World’s new state-of-the-art ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, also received two awards. One was given for outstanding achievement for a “featured attraction” and the other for “technical achievement.”

Universal was praised for the overall magnificence of the new theme park area and for the level of detail involved in the creation of the Wizarding World.

Universal is still enjoying the fruits of its recent grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at its Islands of Adventure theme park. Now the wildly popular attraction is getting an added boost with the upcoming release of the next Potter movie: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1,” starring Daniel Radcliffe as the world’s most famous boy wizard.

Universal Cineplex at Universal Orlando CityWalk is celebrating by reserving all 20 screens, including the IMAX screen, for the “Deathly Hallows” movie premiere. At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, all 20 screens will show the new movie.

Tickets for the “Deathly Hallows” showings are available at the box office or through www.fandango.com. In addition, there will be a second IMAX showing at 3:15 a.m.

For those who want even more Potter, you can also purchase a special combination ticket that includes Thursday evening showings of the two most recent movies in the iconic Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” You can watch those shows prior to seeing the new 12:01 a.m. showing of “Deathly Hallows.” The special ticket for all three Harry Potter films is just $20.

For more information on Universal vacations or discount Universal tickets and Orlando vacation packages, visit www.WestgateReservations.com or www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Visiting Orlando to check out the all new Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park? Why not stay just steps away from the magic and excitement by booking a room at one of the three luxurious Universal Orlando® on-site hotels.

When you stay at an onsite hotel, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter such as early park admission to the Wizarding World, one hour before the park opens. You’ll also have to option to skip the regular lines at participating attractions in both Universal Orlando theme parks - a free benefit worth up to $87 per person, per day.

All of the Universal hotels are within walking distance of both theme parks and CityWalk® and all provide a one-of-a-kind themed setting. You can enjoy the Italian elegance of the luxurious Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. You can live like a rock star at the Hard Rock Hotel®. Or you can relax in the tropical paradise that is the Loews Royal Pacific Resort!

Each uniquely themed hotel offers the utmost in comfort and convenience with exceptional amenities, first-rate dining options and spectacular themed pools.

For more information, go to http://www.universalorlando.com/ or visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for additional Orlando resort options.

While most of the excitement at Universal Studios Orlando currently centers around the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure, there is still plenty of magic to be found at Universal Studios theme park, as well.

Almost lost in the immense shadow of Hogwarts castle, Universal Studios offers up the still new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. The state-of-the-art roller coaster provides an unique ride every time as riders create their very own coaster experience by choosing their own musical soundtrack.

Riders can select from 30 songs and the varied genres include country, pop/disco, club/electronia, rap/hip-hop and classic rock/metal. To date, the most popular selections include Glamorous by Fergie, Bring Me to Live by Evanescence, Rollin by Limp Bizkit, Pump It by Black Eyed Peas and Stonger by Kanye West.

But other options include The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels Band, That’s the Way (I Like It) by KC and the Sunshine Band, U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer, Intergalactic by Beastie Boys, and Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue, to name just a few.

While the masses are jamming into the Wizarding World, now’s a great time to experience Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and the many other popular rides and attractions at Universal Studios Florida.

Visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ for details on the two Universal theme parks and for discount ticket and hotel options. Or go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/ for resort accommodations like the luxurious Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa.

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.

If you can’t be part of the fun in person at Universal Orlando on June 18 for the official Grand Opening of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can still witness the excitement.Universal Orlando is providing live streaming of the grand opening ceremonies at Islands of Adventure theme park from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

To watch the live coverage at Wizarding World, go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotterNews and click on the “Live feed” link.

For additional details on the Wizarding World and Universal Orlando tickets and discount vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Meanwhile, for those who prefer music over magic, it’s also a great time to head over to Universal Studios for the continuation of the Summer Concert Series on Saturday night.

The featured musical guest for June 19 is Pitbull who takes the Universal stage at 9 pm. The live concert is included with regular theme park admission.

The Summer Concert Series continues through July 17. Next week’s featured musical guest is Earth, Wind & Fire.

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.

Chicago… Welcome to Orlando!

Universal Orlando’s 2010 Mardi Gras celebration wraps up this weekend with special musical guest Chicago coming to Orlando on Sat. April 17 at 8:30 pm. Chicago remains one of the most popular and successful American rock bands of all time and one of the top ten best-selling U.S. groups ever. In fact, Chicago has hit the Billboard chart with hit albums in five consecutive decades. 

While Chicago brings 30 years worth of hits to the Universal stage, the annual Mardi Gras party wraps up another successful season in 2010 with its famous bead-filled parade, street performers, fantastic Cajun foods and more. And it’s all part of your regular Universal Studios admission.

 Meanwhile, the excitement continues to build toward the June official grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s sister park, Islands of Adventure. For more information on all of Orlando’s fun-filled theme parks and attractions, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com or check out www.WestgateReservations.com for discount Orlando hotel and resort packages.