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Disney Parks Other

Getting to Know Universal – The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Today in Getting to Know Universal, we are covering the ins and outs of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Located in the heart of Marvel Super Hero Island, Spider-Man opened with the park in early 1999.

Photograph courtesy Hunter Underwood.

Spider-Man combines 3D projections, physical sets, practical effects, and a dynamic motion ride vehicle to put you inside a Spider-Man comic. Praised and voted on as one of the best attractions in the world, the lineage of many modern-day attractions such as Rise of the Resistance and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts can trace their roots back to Spider-Man.

The Experience

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man starts at the fictional newspaper The Daily Bugle. The owner, cigar aficionado J. Jonah Jameson (J.J.), runs a tight, frugal ship, often working his employees hard. One such employee is the freelance photographer Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man.


Our tour begins in the office lobby, where a grinning portrait of J.J. looms over us. As we make our way through the offices we learn of the evil Sinister Syndicate. Doctor Octopus and his minions (Electro, Hydro-man, Scream, and Hobgoblin) are terrorizing New York City as a distraction while they steal the Statue of Liberty. Their ransom? Surrender the city or the Statue is destroyed.

Not one to let a good story go unreported, J.J. enlists us as replacement reporters to get the scoop on the Syndicate and hopefully catch Spider-Man in the act. Guests are deployed into the city on prototype Daily Bugle vehicles, aptly named SCOOP (get it?). The ride vehicles are a moving motion simulator base that buck, pitch, spin, and vibrate through dark ride sets.

While patrolling the streets we catch the Spider signal and before long we are caught up in the fight between Spider-Man and Doc Ock. Guests will find themselves spinning through sewers, speeding through New York City, and even flying high in the air. In the end, Spider-Man saves us from near doom, captures the Sinister Syndicate, returns the statue, and even leaves J.J. with a parting present.

In 2012, Spider-man went through a facelift to bring the attraction up to modern standards. New 4K projectors were installed along with a new, high-definition ride film that brings the characters to life. A new soundtrack was recorded and new ride programming was created. Even the late Stan Lee was added as an Easter Egg throughout the attraction.

The Opinion

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is a “Best Dark Ride” Golden Ticket Awards winner for 12 years straight. Spider-Man continues to wow guests 20 years later with its engrossing characters, exhilarating ride system, immersive scenery, and humor. While many attractions attempt to copy Spider-Man, none come as close to greatness. All these years later Spider-Man remains one of the best attractions in Orlando or even the world.

Photograph copyright Universal Orlando 2020.

The influences of Spider-Man still echo through the themed entertainment industry. Parks like Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and even the Tokyo Dome created their own versions of the ride. Universal copied the ride system and some plot beats for the sister attraction Transformers: The Ride and used similar technology in Escape from Gringotts. Disney took inspiration when creating Toy Story Mania, Ratatouille, Pirates of the Caribbean in Shanghai, and Rise of the Resistance.

Restrictions & Accommodations

  • Guests riding The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man must be at least 40 inches tall to ride; guests under 48 inches tall must ride with a guardian.
  • Rider Swap is offered for parties with members under the height requirement; see a Team Member at the entrance for assistance.
  • Guests must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV to the ride vehicle.
  • This attraction features ride vehicles that spin; those who suffer from motion sickness could become sick.

When to Visit

Spider-Man is a co-headliner at Islands of Adventure with Harry Potter. It is also one of only four attractions in the park that remains open during inclimate weather. Queue wait times will increase throughout the day and spike during storms and hot weather. TouringPlans recommends riding Spider-Man after experiencing Hagird, Forbidden Journey, Skull Island, and The Hulk.

The attraction participates in Universal Express and sometimes offers a Single-Rider line; inquire at the attraction entrance if they are accepting single riders.

The post Getting to Know Universal – The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Universal Orlando Resort, amazing adventures of spider-man, Islands of Adventure, Spider-man

Categories
Disney Food Disney Parks Other

PHOTOS! Umm…Where’d All the People Go in Disney Springs?!

While several third-party restaurants and stores have reopened this week in Disney Springs, crowds have really thinned out since Wednesday.

No Traffic Around Disney Springs This Morning

When we arrived at 10AM to visit some of the restaurants we knew would be reopening today (although one of them didn’t) we were surprised to see what a literal ghost town Disney Springs has become.

Crowds were relatively light on May 20th when many retailers and restaurants opened their doors to the public after being shuttered since mid-March. But yesterday and today, we’ve noticed attendance has dropped off significantly.

Disney Springs

We did hear from several Cast Members on Wednesday that many guests showed up only to realize World of Disney wasn’t open yet. World of Disney along with other Disney-owned locations will reopen in Disney Springs on May 27th.

Disney Springs

Many of the employees we talked with feel like once World of Disney reopens, things might pick up again, but so far, business has really slowed down.

Disney Springs

Disney is also currently working on plans to reopen its theme parks (which could be submitted to the Orange County Mayor by as early as next week).

No Wait Joffrey’s This Morning

We did see pockets of people here and there and some businesses seemed to think things might pick up a little over the weekend, but they expect things to remain relatively calm until major anchor stores like World of Disney reopen.

Disney Springs

The most people we saw today were waiting in line while social distancing in front of Vera Bradley. This was the first store at Disney Springs we were able to confirm had face masks for sale.

Line Outside of Vera Bradley

We’ve also now confirmed American Threads and The Polite Pig also have face masks for purchase. We’ll continue to monitor the crowd levels here and let you know if anything changes once World of Disney reopens next Wednesday, but for now, we’ll enjoy all this extra elbow room at Disney Springs while it lasts.

What is your favorite shop or restaurant at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below.

Related posts:

  1. Updated! These Restaurants Will Be Reopening at Disney Springs in Disney World on May 20th
  2. PHOTOS and TIPS: Our FULL Experience From Reopening Day at Disney Springs
  3. News! Vivoli il Gelato Will NOT Be Reopening Today in Disney Springs

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney World, empty, Joffrey’s, no crowds, no people, phased reopening, restaurants, stores, Vera Bradley

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Disney Food Other

We Asked Our Readers: What Do You Hope Returns to the Next Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

We’re daydreaming of our next trip to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!

Duck Confit Poutine

When it comes to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, we’re constantly impressed by the awesome menu items Disney brings to the table — literally! Every year we put together our Best of the Fest List with all of our must-eat items from the Festival (c’mon Frothy Ramen!) but we wanted to know what eats our readers can’t stop thinking about! So, we asked our Instagram followers, “What menu items do you hope return to Epcot Food and Wine this year?” And here were the most popular responses!

As we were reading through the responses, we noticed a few things. First, lots of our readers have the same favorites as us — great minds really do think alike! And second, the majority of the most popular answers were savory menu items. Very interesting! Let’s hear it — what do the people want??

Teriyaki Chicken Bun

Let’s dive right in with the top choice from our readers — the Teriyaki Chicken Bun from the Japan Booth! This was the most popular menu item people requested in their responses!

Teriyaki Chicken Bun

And we definitely agree! This soft, steamed bun filled with chicken, bits of veggies, and mildly sweet teriyaki sauce made our Best of the Fest list last year!

Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese

Another top requested item was the Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese from The Alps Booth! Yup, this is another one we wholeheartedly agree with!

Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese

The Cast Members at this booth scrape the warm, melty cheese onto bread, potatoes, and gherkins as they serve it to you, so this one is VERY fresh and delicious!

Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup

Now, here’s a staple that our readers just can’t get enough of — the Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup at the Canada Booth!

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup with Pretzel Roll

This soup has been around for years and years, but we still keep coming back for more! It’s served with a pretzel roll for dipping which adds an extra salty kick to this fan-favorite.

Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon

And the Canada Booth is home to another one of our readers’ favorites — the Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce! 

Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce

So, as home to TWO of the top picks, no wonder the line at this booth is always so long. Here’s hoping the staples at the Canada Booth keep returning to future festivals!

Kalua Pork Slider

And lots of our readers are keeping their fingers crossed for the Kalua Pork Slider to return to the Hawai’i Booth!

Kalua Pork Slider

This festival favorite is served on a Hawaiian roll, with sweet-and-sour Dole pineapple chutney and spicy mayo!

Pão de Queijo

Here’s another cheesy item people raved about — the Pão de Queijo from the Brazil Booth! Are you wondering what exactly that is? Well, it’s the Brazilian Cheese Bread!

Pão de Queijo

As simple as this item may seem, it’s greater than the sum of its parts — it’s slightly crisp on the outside, and chewy, soft, and VERY cheesy on the inside! Our readers hope they’ll be able to snag it at the festival this year!

Spicy Hummus Fries

Another meatless option our readers hope to see return is the Spicy Hummus Fries at the Morocco Booth!

Spicy Hummus Fries

Yup, this is another item we find ourselves gravitating towards every year (and hopefully this year too!) The hummus fries are topped with cucumber, tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and chipotle sauce for a delicious mix of spicy and fresh flavors!

Smoked Corned Beef

Our readers are can’t stop thinking about the Smoked Corned Beef from Flavors from Fire — and neither can we (shoutout to yet another one of our 2019 Best of the Fest picks!)

Smoked Corned Beef

The super tender and delicious corned beef is served with crispy thick potato chips, cheese curds, pickled onions, and beer-cheese fondue. Yep, friends — beer cheese. The flavors in this are INCREDIBLE, so we’re hoping for its return right along with you guys!

Butternut Squash Ravioli

This is the perfect menu item to transition us from the savory to the sweet since it has a little bit of both! The Butternut Squash Ravioli was served at the Wine and Dine Studio last year.

Butternut Squash Ravioli

It’s served with brown butter vinaigrette, shaved parmesan cheese, and pumpkin seeds. The sweet and sour flavor of the vinaigrette mixed with the sharp flavor of the cheese and the creamy squash filling really elevates it to the next level!

Maple Bourbon Cheesecake

We were a little surprised to see that this was the only dessert item that cracked the top responses from our readers. But hey, we think they rallied behind a solid option! The Maple Bourbon Cheesecake was available at The Cheese Studio, Hosted by Boursin® Cheese. 

Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake

The super creamy cheesecake is topped with maple bourbon cream, caramel, and pecan crunch. We agree with our readers on this one too, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we see this amazing treat again!

Guinness Baileys Shake

So this one is a little bit dessert, a little bit beverage, and a little bit boozy. And according to our readers, it’s also a must-do if it returns this year! The Guinness Baileys Shake was served at the Ireland Booth, of course!

Guinness Baileys Shake

Nervous about what kind of flavor you’ll get from this concoction? Well, if it makes you feel better, the most pronounced flavors are chocolate and Baileys with just a little something extra. We agree, it’s an indulgence we would gladly wait in line for again!

Frozen Apple Pie

Rounding out our top reader responses is the Frozen Apple Pie from the Appleseed Orchard Cider Bar, a new location from the 2019 Food and Wine Festival!

Frozen Apple Pie

This frozen beverage is non-alcoholic, so the whole family can enjoy this one — that is, if our readers get their wish and it returns this year! It’s loaded with the great taste of apple pie and has a really yummy apple crumble topping!

We’re hungry just reading your responses to this one! And we think you have some solid requests for the next Food and Wine Festival. In fact, a lot of the top choices from our readers matched up with our picks for the Best of the Fest! Here’s hoping you get to enjoy all of your favorite eats at the next festival!

What menu item do you hope to see return to the Food and Wine Festival this year? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Best of the Fest: Here’s What To Get At The 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
  2. Best of the Fest: What to Eat (and Sip!) at the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
  3. The 12 Things You MUST Eat at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival This Year

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney parks, Epcot, Featured, Food and Wine Festival, Snacks, Walt Disney World, “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce, 2020 epcot food and wine festival, Appleseed Orchard Cider Bar, brazil booth, Brazilian Cheese Bread, butternut squash ravioli, Canada Booth, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, DFB Reader Questions, dfb readers response, Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Flavors From Fire, Food and Wine, Frozen Apple Pie, Guinness Baileys Milkshake, Hawaii Booth, Ireland booth, Japan Booth, Kalua Pork Slider, Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake, morocco booth, Pao de Queijo, reader questions, readers picks, Smoked Corned Beef, teriyaki chicken bun, The Alps, the cheese studio, Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese, we asked our readers, Wine and Dine Studio

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Disney Food Disney Parks Other

News! Vivoli il Gelato Will NOT Be Reopening Today in Disney Springs

Earlier we reported Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs would be among the second group of businesses to reopen on May 22nd (which is today!).

Vivoli il Gelato

But on our walk through Disney Springs this morning, it appears Vivoli il Gelato will NOT be reopening today.

When we stopped by Vivoli il Gelato shortly after 10AM (which was when they were supposed to open), the store was still locked up tightly and a “Sorry, we are closed” sign was posted on the door.

Vivoli il Gelato

We were able to speak with a Vivoli il Gelato employee who said he thinks they might be reopening next week, but he wasn’t 100% sure. He also didn’t know why the reopening had been delayed.

Since June 10th is Vivoli il Gelato’s five-year anniversary, the employee told us they are workings on some special menu items which may include a new shake, bombolato, and peanut butter cannoli! These specialty items haven’t been finalized yet, so things could change between now and when the store reopens, but we’ll definitely be on the lookout for them!

Vivoli il Gelato

Vivoli il Gelato is operated by the Patina Group, and so far, the other Disney Springs locations it owns are still on track to reopen today. We’ll be sure to let you know if anything changes, but so far, Morimoto Asia will be open from 4:30PM to 9PM, Morimoto Asia Street Food from 11:30AM to 9PM, and Pizza Ponte from 12PM to 8PM.

Were you planning on going to Vivoli il Gelato today? Let us know if this change affected your plans in the comments below.

Related posts:

  1. NEWS! Get CASH BACK On Disney Food With This Limited Time AmEx Deal!
  2. Confirmed: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company Will Be Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th
  3. We’re Adding Another Restaurant to the List! Blaze Pizza in Disney Springs Will Reopen May 20th

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, delayed, disney springs, Disney World, may 22nd, patina group, phased reopening, postponed, reopening, restaurant, temporary closure, third-party, Vivoli il Gelato

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Disney News Disney Parks

It’s official Legoland Florida reopening on June 1st

Legoland Florida Reopening

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort will officially reopen on June 1st. As the health and safety of guests and employees at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort continues to be paramount, the Resort’s extensive plan of enhanced health and safety measures includes reduced capacity, cashless payments, social distancing practices and enhanced cleaning regimes. The Resort will initially open with adjusted operating hours.

Along with the park and waterpark’s reopening, the all-new LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel will debut on June 1. Reservations are available for travel dates June 1 or later for both LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel and LEGOLAND® Hotel.

Here is a look at what guests can expect with the reopening of LEGOLAND Florida Resort on June 1.

PEACE OF MIND POLICY FOR NEW LEGOLAND® FLORIDA BOOKINGS & ANNUAL PASS PURCHASES

We want you to have the most vacation ever — starting with your LEGOLAND Florida vacation planning experience with us.  With the Peace of Mind planning, we hope to make it a little easier for your family to assemble the pieces of your next vacation so we can build those fun, exciting and special memories together. For that reason, we have launched our “Peace of Mind Policy” with timing flexibility for booking vacation packages and for our existing Annual Passholders and ticket holders.

You can continue to book your LEGOLAND Florida vacation with the peace of mind that there is the option to change your hotel or vacation package reservation date up to five (5) days before your trip without incurring a fee.

For our new Annual Passholders, we want you to join our passholder family with the opportunity to redeem and launch your year with us during an extended period of time. You can now visit our theme park up to 100 days after your purchase to activate your new annual pass.

For our existing Annual Passholders, we will be extending the validity of your pass based on the duration of our closure period or, in the case of our Annual Passholders using monthly pay, reinstating your pass payments starting June 1 as we welcome you and your families back to experience our parks.

For Guests who had a dated ticket that was valid during our closure dates, we will be extending the validity window of your ticket through the end of 2020 so that you have the flexibility to visit us later in the year.

The Peace of Mind Policy applies to new LEGOLAND® Florida Vacation Packages & new LEGOLAND Florida Annual Pass purchases from March 9:

For a limited time, all reservations can be rescheduled up to 4 P.M. Eastern Time five (5) days prior to scheduled arrival date free of charge. Any changes to your reservation are subject to availability and new room rates may apply. If you made your booking within five (5) days of arrival, no cancellations, changes or refunds are allowed. In the event of no-show, all monies are forfeited. Tickets and Extras are non-refundable once issued, but may be used up to one year from the original reservation date. Restrictions may apply.

This policy applies only to reservations made directly through LEGOLAND® Vacations.  If your travel plans were arranged by a third-party, including travel agents, travel-booking websites, or other businesses independent of LEGOLAND® Parks and Resorts or LEGOLAND® Vacations, please contact those suppliers directly to understand their policies and any applicable fees for changing or cancelling a reservation.

The extension of the redemption window for all new LEGOLAND Florida Annual Pass purchases (current pass purchases must be activated/redeemed at the LEGOLAND Florida Front Gate within 60 days of purchase) to 100 days from date of purchase is available to guests who purchase a valid Annual Pass product between March 11 and July 31, 2020. Regular Annual Pass terms & conditions apply per pass type as outlined in the terms & conditions specific to each pass type.

The Peace of Mind Policy applies to existing LEGOLAND Florida Annual Passholders and LEGOLAND Florida tickets purchased for closure dates through the duration of closure:

All active Annual Passholders, who are not currently enrolled in Monthly Pay, will receive an extension of one month for every month that the Park is closed based on the valid dates for their existing pass. All active Monthly Pay Passholder’s monthly payments were suspended starting April 1, 2020 and will be reinstated as of June 1, 2020 based on the park’s announced reopening date. Regular Annual Pass terms & conditions apply per pass type as outlined in the terms & conditions specific to each pass type.

Any unused tickets that were valid for specific dates during the announced closure period (excludes FLEX tickets) of March 16 – through the duration of closure will be valid to use as regular admission on any valid day (based on the ticket type purchased) for the rest of 2020, upon reopening, with no additional fee. Regular terms & conditions for tickets, as outlined during purchase, still apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

Are the hotels open? / What is LEGOLAND Hotel doing to ensure guest health and safety during coronavirus concerns?

Along with the park and waterpark’s reopening, the all-new LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel will debut on June 1. Reservations are available for travel dates June 1 or later for both LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel and LEGOLAND® Hotel.

For more information about our enhanced health & safety measures specific to our on-site hotels, please click here.

ANNUAL PASSES

How will the closure of LEGOLAND Florida Resort impact Annual Passes?

All active Annual Passholders, who are not currently enrolled in Monthly Pay, will receive an extension of one month for every month that the Theme Park was closed based on the valid dates for their existing pass (up to three (3) months). Blackout dates by Annual Pass type still apply.

All active Monthly Pay Pass Members in good standing will have their April and May monthly payments suspended. The number of suspended months will be deducted from the number of required contracted monthly payments. For example, the suspended months of April and May reduce the required payments from 12 to 10. Although the contract allows them to continue month-to-month after the revised required 10 monthly payments. Monthly payments will be reinstated as of June 1, 2020 with the announced reopening of the park. Billings will continue until they cancel.

Standard terms and conditions for annual passes still apply.

Are the Awesomer and Awesomest Annual Passes valid at Madame Tussauds and SeaLife Orlando since they have reopened before LEGOLAND Florida Resort?

Yes, these passes will be valid for use at both attractions for the rest of May 2020 preceding the LEGOLAND Florida Resort reopening on June 1, 2020.

TICKETS

What should I do with my unused tickets if I was planning to visit during the closure?

Any unused tickets that were valid for specific dates during the announced closure period (excludes FLEX tickets) will be valid to use any day for the rest of 2020 with no additional fee. You did not need to request a date change; this will be automatically applied to all valid tickets.

I had Parking, Souvenir bottles, or Fastrack add-ons to my tickets, will those be extended?

All of the above will be automatically extended with your tickets for use on the day when you choose to visit LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

I had a Water Park Cabana, VIP Tour, ECV, Stroller or Wheelchair rental for my visit, will those be extended?

Yes, these items will be extended for your visit but will need to be rebooked by our team due to availability. When you’ve decided to visit again, just email llf.experience@legoland.com and we will be happy to rebook them free of charge.

RESORTS

Questions about your upcoming reservation?  

If you have made a reservation through LEGOLAND Vacations with an arrival date through May 31, 2020, you will receive an email from our Reservations Team at least 5 days prior to your scheduled arrival. This email will provide details and instructions on your booking options (it will arrive in your email inbox or folder from LEGOLAND@legoland.com).

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing heavy call volume and prioritizing guests with arrivals within the next 5 days. We ask that you use the contact options in the above email for the most expedited service from our team. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

What if I booked my vacation from another seller/website?

If guests’ travel plans were arranged by a third-party, including travel agents, travel-booking websites, or other businesses independent of LEGOLAND® Parks and Resorts or LEGOLAND® Vacations, they will need to contact those suppliers directly to understand their policies and any applicable fees for changing or cancelling a reservation.

When will the new Pirate Island Hotel open? / What should I do if I have a vacation already booked for Pirate Island Hotel based on the previous opening date?

New reservations are now available for travel dates June 1 or later for the all-new LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel, as well as LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat. For the most recent updates, visit: legoland.com/operations-update

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Legoland, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, COVID-19, legoland Florida, Legoland Florida reopening, orlando