By Robert Niles: Get ready for the Battle of the Bars in Southern California's theme parks this summer. Just a couple weeks after Disneyland opened its Star Wars-themed Oga's Cantina, Universal Studios Hollywood has announced plans for a Jurassic World-themed Isla Nu-Bar, to open this summer. The new, open-air, thatched-roof bar will serve tropical drinks next to the refurbished Jurassic World - The Ride and an also-refreshed Jurassic Cafe. The Isla Nu-Bar menu will include tropical-themed cocktails such as Tiki Tai, Bird of Paradise, Ti Peach, Rum Runner, Mai Tai, Tropical Margarita, and Piña Colada. Drinks will be available in three models of souvenir tiki mugs (shown above). The revamped Jurassic Cafe now will serve Costa Rican-themed cuisine, including Slow Roasted Mojo Pork or Spicy Mojo Jackfruit, Citrus Glazed Chicken, Fresh Roasted Red Snapper (above), Gallo Pinto (traditional rice and beans)... and an Isla Burger, because Universal knows that people will complain if they don't.But the rest of the menu hits some notes not often found in theme parks and that should appeal to the Los Angeles area's diverse and adventurous food community. Isla Nu-Bar also gives theme park fans in Los Angeles County a tiki bar to match Disneyland's Trader Sam's, as well as an IP-driven bar to compete with Oga's. Still no official word on an opening date for any of this, including the ride, other than "this summer." Buy Tickets: For discount tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, visit our officially authorized Universal Studios Hollywood tickets page.Reader ratings and reviews for Universal Studios Hollywood […]

The Oga’s Cantina wait list could be allocated daily in just under 48 minutes once the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation-only period ends on June 24. […]

Main Street Cinema celebrates some of Walt Disney’s earliest animated films starring Mickey Mouse and other beloved Disney characters. […]

By Robert Niles: If you're thinking about a trip to Florida's theme parks this summer, Universal Orlando is the place to be with its hit of the summer — Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.The only downside? The wait times as epic as the ride itself. But the pattern here — like with the Harry Potter-themed rides that came before it — seems to be that the wait times are coming down as Universal's crews work to increase the ride' capacity after its hard opening last week. So the best time to visit might be later in the summer or fall, after the initial surge of fans passes and operations hits its stride. Even if you are sold on a later visit, that doesn't mean you should put off planning your trip. Buying your Universal Orlando tickets now can get you the best deal of the year, which might not be available when the Hagrid's coaster lines are shorter.Our travel partner is offer three additional days free at the Universal Orlando theme parks with the purchase of a two-day ticket. This deal is now available with no blockout dates, allowing you to visit at any time between now and December 20, 2019.All five days must be used within seven days of the ticket's first use and you must buy this deal before July 31. You can read the details and book the ticket package you want on our Universal Orlando tickets page. The deal is available for both Universal's one-park-per-day base ticket as well as its Park-to-Park ticket, which are required to ride the Hogwarts Express, which runs both directions between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.And, hey, if you want to buy these tickets and visit right away, those three extra free days will give you plenty of extra time in the park to wait in that Hagrid queue!Reviews and planning tips for all Universal theme parks […]

The new pedestrian bridge passing over Magic Way connects to a 6,500-space Pixar Pals garage under construction next to the Mickey & Friends parking structure. […]

By Robert Niles: Nighttime visitors to Disneyland's new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land have discovered an unintended attraction in the land — it's an amazing place to watch Disneyland's nightly fireworks show.Disneyland actually changed the location from which it shoots its fireworks to accommodate its new Star Wars land, which was built over a former backstage area that was off limits during the performances, due to fire fallout risk. The change allows Disney to keep Galaxy's Edge open during the fireworks. But the new land remains close enough to the launch point that it provides what might be the most impressive viewing location in the park.From the Black Spire Outpost, the fireworks explode just behind the Millennium Falcon, evoking either the celebration at the end of Return of the Jedi or an epic space battle above the planet of Batuu. Yet, amazing as the sight of those blasting fireworks might be, there's an additional element missing that could make the display ever better.Reader Robert P. offered a suggestion: What if Disney commissioned John Williams to expand his Galaxy's Edge theme and compose a new soundtrack for Disneyland's fireworks show, to be played only in Galaxy's Edge?Obviously, Disney does not need to be doing anything to add attractions to Galaxy's Edge right now. The land's still in its reservation-only period, and fans likely will crowd the land throughout the summer and into fall, when Disneyland's legions of Southern California Select annual passholders return from their summer blockout. The land's biggest attraction — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — hasn't opened yet, either. That surely will keep the land filled for many months after its debut, too.But what about next year, when that new Marvel-themed land opens at Disney California Adventure, across the way? This year, Disney has bee rolling out one enticement after another at DCA to remind people that there are two theme parks at Disneyland worth visiting. With Marvel hogging the spotlight next year for DCA, will Disney feel the need to throw something new into the mix over at Disneyland to provide balance in its Force?A Star Wars soundtrack for the nightly fireworks could do that... and probably without huge expense. (John Williams' time ain't cheap, but still doesn't cost as much as a from-scratch new attraction.) Yet this isn't a slam-dunk easy decision. Disney chose not to introduce background music throughout Galaxy's Edge, opting instead to play music only where it would be heard naturally within the Black Spire Outpost, such as in the marketplace and cantina. A soundtrack for the fireworks show would violate that sound design principle.But would anyone care? Disney already found a way to retcon Coca-Cola products into the Star Wars universe. If it thinks fans would want a Star Wars soundtrack for the Disneyland fireworks, Disney will do what it wants and commission it.So what do you think about this suggestion?Since we've opened this door, let's walk through it. We are taking all your suggestions for Galaxy's Edge expansions and improvements, in the comments.Full coverage of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edg […]

By Robert Niles: Today marks the 60th birthday of three iconic Disneyland attractions: Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Disneyland Monorail and the Disneyland submarine ride.All three have changed a bit over the years, but they retain their amazing historic significance. Arrow Dynamics' Matterhorn was the world's first tubular steel roller coaster, kicking off the modern era of roller coaster design. The Alweg monorail was the first monorail to operate daily in the western hemisphere. And the Submarine Voyage (rethemed to Finding Nemo in 2007) was Disneyland's largest attraction, with an immense (and mostly hidden) show building that duplicates its show scenes so that riders on each side of the subs can enjoy the same views.All three opened with the dedication of the (first) New Tomorrowland on June 14, 1959.If you can't be at Disneyland to celebrate in person today, enjoy our POV ride-through of Matterhorn Bobsleds, featuring the most recent installation of its famous Yeti. Buy Tickets: For discount tickets to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, visit our officially authorized Disneyland tickets page.Reader ratings and reviews for Disneyland […]

By Robert Niles: Universal Orlando opened Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure to the public this morning, and fans turned out, with queues overflowing out of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter three hours before the park's scheduled opening. By the time the park opened officially at 9am, the Universal Orlando app reported a wait time for the ride of 10 hours.Just woke up in LA. Looking on the UOR app, 15 min after scheduled park opening, and the wait for #HagridsMagicalCreaturesMotorbikeAdventure is 10 HOURS?!? pic.twitter.com/7lTuXKTuAL— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) June 13, 2019Theme Park Insider reader Matt arrived at the park at 6:30 and found the back of the line already at Mythos restaurant, several hundred feet short of the entrance to Hogsmeade. Other readers reported that the line eventually expanded through Seuss Landing and into Marvel Super Hero Island. To get into the actual Hagrid's queue at park opening, you needed to arrive before 6am.got here at 5:45 pic.twitter.com/mSBnkkkFWj— Josh Berkowitz (@joshberkowitz_) June 13, 2019For those who did arrive that early, Universal offered an encore of the ride's opening moment with Warwick Davis, Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton, James Phelps and Oliver Phelps for fans this morning.Love that @UniversalORL redid the opening moment with some of the #WizardingWorld stars for fans this morning. https://t.co/AUiMV2wCDN— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) June 13, 2019Once the ride opened, the line did not always move swiftly. The capacity issues that we reported during the ride's media preview appear to have persisted through its public opening, with fans reporting several downtimes during its first morning. (By 2pm the reported wait time was down to five hours.)Those who did get through the wait have been raving about the detail in the queue as well as the ride itself, which features Florida's longest-roller coaster and a world-record seven launches, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour on its twisting, banked track, which also features a 17-foot drop track element and a backward segment, in addition to several show scenes and on-ride audio from Rubeus Hagrid himself.Universal Orlando will implement a virtual queue for the Hagrid coaster starting tomorrow, allowing fans to enjoy other attractions in the parks while they await their ride time. But for today, the resort played it old school, with some of the longest wait time seen since the original opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter nine years ago this month.If you want to ride Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, we are extending the sale on Universal Orlando tickets that offer five days for the price of two. Tickets are valid for five days within seven days of first use, expiring December 20, with no blockout dates. But you must buy before July 31. So if you want to lock in some great prices for the Universal parks, but wait to go until the queues calm down a bit and the ride gets up to full capacity, you can go ahead and grab those tickets now. Buy Tickets: For discount tickets to Universal Orlando's theme parks, visit our officially authorized Universal Orlando tickets page.Ride review: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventur […]

Star Wars Celebration was last held in Anaheim in 2015. […]

By Robert Niles: Many theme parks fans likely remember the devastating 2008 fire on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot, which destroyed the original Kongfrontation encounter as well as many iconic film sets. Universal worked quickly to rebuild, reopening the backlot to tram tours the next year and opened the new King Kong 360/3-D in 2010. But looking at the fire from the perspective of theme park fans reveals only part of the story of that tragedy. In the New York Times Magazine, reporter Jody Rosen writes that the Universal fire destroyed much more than anyone reported at the time.Amazing long read from @jodyrosen on the 2008 USH fire that cost us the original Kong encounter... and apparently, much, much more. This graf made me more nauseous than any roller coaster. Read it at https://t.co/v5OMPOCFQs pic.twitter.com/bf64DElrKh— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) June 12, 2019The fire consumed the west coast archives of Universal Music Group, which included thousands of original master recordings, including those of some of the most famous records in music history. Obviously, copies exist, but as the story details, the masters are invaluable in preserving the audio quality of these songs. It's a great read for anyone interested in popular music, entertainment, or the history of one of the world's most popular theme parks. And it further illustrates the unique history of Universal Studios Hollywood, which has long existed in an at-times uneasy balance between multiple purposes: as a film production studio, location sets, post-production facilities, an entertainment company headquarters, a tourist attraction... and, perhaps inappropriately, as an archive for filmed and recorded entertainment.Those multiple roles give Universal Studios Hollywood an authenticity that other movie-themed parks lack. This isn't a pretend movie studio. It's the real thing. But the tasks of making movies and entertaining theme parks fans don't always align well, if at all. And neither mix well with the sensitive task of preserving what can be fragile original film and tape recordings, which need to be kept in strictly controlled environments, well away from the pyro of theme parks and the chaos of film production.Go read the piece for the full story, which also addresses the challenges of music preservation in a digital age when many recordings never exist in any physical form. In recent years, the theme park has taken over more of the Universal Studios property as ever-growing crowds — now approaching 10 million visitors a year — prompt Universal to tear down sound stages to clear space for new attraction sites. Ultimately, economics pushes Universal to convert specific properties to their most valuable use, which in Hollywood appears to be as a theme park resort. But part of USH's value as a theme park attraction lies in its authenticity as a working studio. Universal must never allow Universal City to become a homogenized facility. (Even if I would be perfectly happy if it shipped every master recording, negative, and original media far away to more secure facilities.)Yet no matter what the future holds for Universal City, it always will retain its history — with its tragedies as well as triumphs.Reader ratings and reviews for Universal Studios Hollywood […]

By Robert Niles: The Disneyland Resort keeps piling on the reasons to come over and visit Disney California Adventure, too, during the opening season for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge over at Disneyland. The park recently added a new Lion King musical, brought back Soarin' Over California, and has added Mickey's Philharmagic. Now, DCA is hoping to entice your appetite with a new brunch, too.Pixar Pier's Lamplight Lounge is serving brunch now on Saturdays and Sundays from just after park opening until noon. And yes, it's legit, 'cause there are new cocktails and avocado toast. ;^) Here is the menu, with prices and Disney's descriptions of each entree:Potato Flautas [$17] — Plant-based Chorizo, Vegan Piquillo Crema, Serrano-Tomatillo Salsa, Arugula Salad, and EscabècheIndulgent French Toast [$19] — Cinnamon-Brown Sugar Challah Bread, Irish Cream Whip, Maple Syrup, Macerated Berries, and House-made Almond BrittleLamplight Chilaquiles [$19] — House-made Tortilla Chips, Cheddar Jack, two Eggs-Up, Queso Fresco, Red Onions, Cilantro-Serrano Sour Cream, and Sliced Avocado, topped with 3-Chile Red Sauce and PepitasEgg White Frittata Bake [$21] — Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Spinach, Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers and Onions, Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese Sour Cream, and Avocado, served with Confit PotatoesBrunch Burger [$22] — Grilled Custom Burger Blend with American Cheese, one Egg-Up, Roasted Green Chile, Lettuce, and Paprika Aïoli on a Toasted Amish Bun served with fresh FruitCrab & Potato Cake Benedict [$22] — Sautéed Spinach, Soft-poached Eggs, Chipotle Hollandaise, and fresh FruitNew York Avocado Toast [$28] — Sourdough, Avocado Mash, New York Steak, one Egg-Up, Piquillo Butter Sauce, Arugula Salad, Pickled Red Onions, and Confit PotatoesAnd the cocktails are:Beermosa [$10] — Blood Orange IPA topped with fresh Orange JuiceCinnamon Toast Cocktail [$13.50] — Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Frangelico, Rumchata, and Cinnamon Cereal-infused MilkMorning Glory [$14] — Tito's Handmade Vodka with Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, Dill Pickle Brine, and a dash of Celery Bitters Mimosa Flight [$21] — Seasonal flavors Buy Tickets: For discount tickets to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, visit our officially authorized Disneyland tickets page.Reader ratings and reviews for Disney California Adventur […]

When summer heats up, you know it time for Disney California Adventure to fire up a host of new hot and spicy menu items that crank up the temperature on the Scoville Heat Index and bring tears to the eyes of fiery food lovers. If you like it hot, you’ll find plenty flame-thrower foods available […]

Plus: Who would pay $25,000 for a droid at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? […]

By Robert Niles: Think an Orlando theme park vacation costs too much? Universal has a new hotel for you.Just before we took our first trip on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Universal Orlando showed off its seventh (and lowest priced) hotel, which opens June 27. Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites will offer standard rooms starting as low as $73 a night on a seven-night stay — an absolutely ridiculous rate for a Loews hotel offering on-site amenities for the Universal Orlando Resort.Rates slide with the length of stay, but even a short stay at Universal's first official "value" resort (Cabana Bay is now "prime value" in Universal's lingo) runs for far less — and with higher resort quality — that you could find in any of Disney's on-site Value hotels.We took a tour of the 750-room hotel, which occupies the former site of the Wet 'n Wild water park. Surfside's companion, Dockside, is the larger resort going up on the former Wet 'n Wild parking lot and will open in two phases next year.A two-bedroom, three-queen-bed suite also is available, starting at $131 a night. Surfside offers a surfboard-shaped pool, the "Sand Bar" poolside bar, and Beach Break Cafe food court. Note that Universal Orlando Resort hotel guests enjoy access to the pools at all the other Universal hotels, too. Theme Park Tickets: For discount tickets to Universal Orlando's theme parks, visit our officially authorized Universal Orlando tickets page.Universal Orlando hotel, restaurant ratings and reviews […]

This retail therapy is all about hunting for the hidden finds in Galaxy’s Edge marketplace shops. […]