Florida Vacation Blog

Archive for the ‘Universal Studios’ Category

There’s sure to be plenty of excitement at Universal’s Islands of Adventure this weekend with the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But 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.

One of the nation’s longest-running and most popular game shows is coming to Orlando.

Family Feud, famous for the phrase, “survey says…” is moving its production studio from Las Angeles to a new home at Universal Orlando Resort this summer. In addition to the change in venue, the show will also welcome a new host in entertainer Steve Harvey.

The game show will tape 165 episodes from July thru September on Sound Stage 19 at Universal Orlando Resort. The episodes will be staged on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Family Feud will produce four to eight episodes a day.

You don’t have to be a theme park guest to watch the tapings. Currently, there are 22 taping dates scheduled between July and September, 2010. Access to the studio will be available through Universal CityWalk for those not visiting the theme park.

Family Feud is one of the most familiar game shows since Richard Dawson originally hosted it in the 1970s. The current version of the show has been running 11 years in syndication and airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET.

Universal Orlando will play up Family Feud in promotions to bring more guests to the resort, said Pamela Tuscany, vice president of production.

For more information on Family Feud, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For details on the Universal theme parks and discount Orlando vacation packages and tickets, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

The Original Wailers, featuring Al Anderson and Junior Marvin, will perform at Universal CityWalk during its annual reggae celebration Saturday, May 15 in Orlando, FL.

The late Bob Marley and the Wailers sold more than 250 million albums worldwide with such hit songs such as “Get Up, Stand Up” and “One Love.”

Saturday’s reggae party, A Tribute to Freedom, at Bob Marley’s within Universal Orlando CityWalk is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and includes live music and authentic Jamaican food.

Admission to Bob Marley’s is free before 6 p.m., but a $15 cover charge will be assessed after that point. There’s also a $25 VIP ticket available that includes upstairs access, drink specials, an appetizer buffet from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and free admission to other select CityWalk clubs.

Go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for details on Universal Orlando theme park, Universal CityWalk and discount Orlando vacation packages.

The Mardi Gras celebration at Mardi Gras is drawing to a close this weekend with musical guest Chicago coming to Orlando on Sat. April 17 at 8:30 pm.

One of the most popular and successful American rock bands of all time, Chicago is one of the top ten best-selling U.S. groups ever with Billboard chart albums in five consecutive decades.

Of course, while Chicago brings 30 years worth of hits to the Universal stage, the annual Mardi Gras party wraps up its 2010 run with one more big bead-filled parade and all the usual street performers, fantastic Cajun foods and more.

As Mardi Gras winds down, 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.

The day is set. June 18, 2010 is the official grand opening date for the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

The new $200 million addition that spans 20 acres will include a myriad of familiar sights from the best-selling book series written by J.K. Rowling. Some of the most prominent pieces of the Wizarding World include Hogsmeade Village, Hogwarts Castle and the Hogwarts Express Train.

A soft opening prior to the official launch could occur as early as May 28.

For more information on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Orlando discount vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com or www.WestgateReservations.com.

If you feel the need for beads, it’s not too late to head over to Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando!  The long-running event continues this weekend through April 17, 2010 with the usual Cajun food, street performers, and fun highlighted by an amazing parade and a concert.

This week’s musical guest is 3 Doors Down. The quintessential rock band has achieved huge mainstream success while maintaining its small town Mississippi roots. Best known for the breakthrough hit “Kryptonite,” 3 Doors Down continues the Mardi Gras tradition of great music by hitting the Orlando state at 9:30 pm on Sat., March 27.

The party goes on and on at Universal Studios Florida as the popular Mardi Gras celebration continues through mid-April. This week’s musical guest is Akon, the Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter and one of the music industry’s fastest-rising stars.

Akon’s special mix of hip-hop, R&B and rap includes a number of chart-topping hits like Lonely, I Wanna Love You, Don’t Matter and Dangerous. He’s the first artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.

A frequent guest on TV’s American Idol, Akon brings his act to Universal’s Mardi Gras at 8:30 pm on March 6, 2010.

Go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for information on Universal Studios, Mardi Gras and other Orlando area theme parks and attractions, as well as details on discount theme park tickets and Orlando vacation packages. Or visit www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm for information on discount Orlando resort and hotel lodging.

Universal Orlando is promoting 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 Harry Potter adventure should be open no later than late May.

The $200 million theme park expansion project is taking shape 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.

Get ready to celebrate. While the official Mardi Gras celebration kicks off in New Orleans, Mardi Gras Universal Studios style has already started in Orlando with a a long list of weekly concerts and parades plus fabulous food and plenty of beads.

The party really gets cranking tonight, Feb. 16, at Pat O’Brien’s within Universal CityWalk where the popular restaurant/club is hosting a Fat Tuesday celebration to kick off the Lenten season. From 4pm til close, you can enjoy a live party band, special drink discounts, New Orleans style food specials, stilt walkers, bead girls and plenty of other fun and entertainment.

Admission is free until 7 p.m.

After 7 p.m., admission is $8 per person or $20 for a VIP ticket offering private balcony access, light appetizers from 4-8 pm and free admission to select CityWalk clubs.

This week’s Mardi Gras concert features the music of Blondie and lead singer Deborah Harry. Ranging from disco and punk to new wave and hip hop, Blondie is best known for hits like Call Me, The Tide is High, One Way or Another, Heart of Glass and Rapture.

For additional information on Mardi Gras events at Universal Orlando or discount Orlando vacation packages and theme park tickets, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or to register for a free resort getaway sweepstakes, go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

The Mardi Gras celebration is in full swing at Universal Studios Orlando Resort. With weekly parades and concerts, lots of great food and plenty of beads, there’s a definite taste of New Orleans in the air.

The party amps up on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Pat O’Brien’s within Universal CityWalk. The restaurant/club will be hosting a Fat Tuesday celebration to kick off the Lenten season.

From 4pm til close, you can enjoy a live party band, special drink discounts, New Orleans style food specials, stilt walkers, bead girls and plenty of other fun and entertainment.

Admission is free until 7 pm. After 7, admission is $8 per person or $20 for a VIP ticket offering private balcony access, light appetizers from 4-8 pm and free admission to select CityWalk clubs.

For additional information on Mardi Gras events at Universal Orlando or discount Orlando vacation packages and theme park tickets, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or to register for a free resort getaway sweepstakes, go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.