Archive for Scott

Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Never-Before-Released Details About The Magical Journey Guests Will Experience Aboard The Hogwarts Express

One of the most memorable and exciting experiences from the Harry Potter series will come to life at Universal Orlando Resort this summer.  Imagine:

  • Being transported from the Muggle world to the wizarding world as you pass through the brick wall at King’s Cross Station to arrive at Platform 9 ¾
  • Watching in amazement as the Hogwarts Express pulls into the station – its billowing steam and authentic whistle beckoning you to hop aboard
  • Sitting in one of the train’s cabins with your family and friends and actually riding the Hogwarts Express – just as your favorite characters did in the Harry Potter films
  • Looking outside your cabin window and enjoying a scenic, breathtaking journey through the British countryside as you encounter magical creatures, some of your favorite Harry Potter characters…and even Dementors…

Since the very first Harry Potter film, every fan has dreamed of taking the same classic journey Harry Potter did aboard the Hogwarts Express.  And this summer – they will get to live it.

Today, Universal Orlando revealed never-before-released details about the Hogwarts Express experience that will debut as part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley – the all-new, magnificently themed land opening this summer.  The train will connect the new land in Universal Studios Florida with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure – allowing guests with park-to-park admission to enjoy a real journey aboard the iconic locomotive.

Never before has this been done – creating an actual train ride experience to connect two spectacularly themed environments.  The Hogwarts Express experience combines powerful storytelling, live special effects, lifelike animation and state-of-the-art technology to take riders on the journey of a lifetime.   Guests will enjoy two completely different experiences depending on whether they’re traveling to Hogsmeade or London.

Once seated in the cabin, guests will be able to look out their windows as an incredibly authentic and magical adventure unfolds before them.  They’ll see Hagrid come alongside the train on his flying motorbike, Buckbeak the Hippogriff swoop gracefully over the black lake, the Weasley twins on brooms and up to their usual antics, the Knight Bus swerving through London traffic – and other special moments and surprises.

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Pressed Penny Magic by Kim Lawton

My last article was about Pressed or Elongated Coins.  The topic came up because I was searching for things to do with the few pressed coins I have collected over the years.  They represent memories that I want to hold on to and I just did not know how I wanted to do that….short of carrying them in my change purse as a lucky memento.   So I did an internet search and I found so much more, I think I have even become a pressed coin fan!

Did you know you can purchase Pressed Coin holders at many of the Gift Shops around the World?  Look for one that compliments your vacation memories.  I found many craft and storage ideas for Pressed Coins.  Pinterest had pictures of earrings, necklaces and bracelets all made with a little craftiness and cherished Pressed Coins.  Some were complicated and required a hole to be put in the coin.  It could be seen that one’s imagination would be the only requirement.  I did find one very interesting option that would not require very much creativity or skill on my part but was quite a creative invention.  Pennybandz!

 

Pennybandz hold the pressed coins in either a bracelet or necklace to shine for all to see!  The necklaces come in various colors, the bracelets in various colors and sizes.  The sopping site is http://pennybandz.com where the various colors and options can be seen.

The site explains the reason we all need a Pennybandz, we all have a pressed penny we want to show off and use to keep memories alive or just to use as a conversation started!  It explains their mission, they even give a portion of each sale to charity!  Gotta love that!  The colors are fun and the prices are reasonable with free shipping on purchases over $10.  Once I received my bracelet and necklace and cleaned my pennies, I found it very easy to insert the coins in the Pennybandz pendant and bracelet.  I cannot wait to wear them!  Please check the Pennybandz site and see if you can share some magic by pressing a penny and wearing it in a Pennybandz!

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Video – Whoopi Goldberg Visits Kinsey Collection

Have you seen the “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” exhibit at Epcot yet? Read more at the Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/1knKnvR

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Disney Unit Greenlights Disney Channel’s Largest U.K. Production To-Date

The Walt Disney Co.’s Disney Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) unit has greenlit what the company said is its largest-scale ever U.K. production in the form of four-part mystery adventure Evermoor.

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Vote For The Best Disney Attraction During Disney’s ‘March Magic Challenge’

32 teams based on your favorite Disney attractions will be competing in the next few weeks, and it’s up to you to decide who makes it to the next round! Here’s a look at this year’s roster:

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Behind the Brush: What It’s Like to Be a Disney Parks Painter

In this Behind the Scenes: Cast Member Profile, part of the Disneyland series “Every Role a Starring Role,” find out how painter Alan Smith keeps old world traditions and techniques alive in hand-painting ride vehicles.

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D23: The Official Disney Fan Club Celebrates 5 Years of Magic

To celebrate D23’s fifth anniversary this week, D23 has put together a video that captures just a few of the things that make D23 and Disney special: their publication, their website, their events, the D23 Expo, and of course, the members and fans. So sit back (for about 2.3 minutes… get it?) and enjoy this walk down D23 memory lane. D23 wants to thank you for being a part of Disney’s official fan club.

The Celebration Continues at D23.com: https://d23.com/

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Video – Supplied-Air Snorkeling at Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawai’i

In Rainbow Reef at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, you can get up-close to nearly 50 different types of sea life native to Hawai`i. And the resort recently added an enhanced experience, S.A.S. (Supplied-Air Snorkeling), which is perfect for novice snorkelers!

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Santino Fontana Discusses Potential ‘Frozen’ Ride

Santino Fontana, who plays Hans, in Disney’s ‘Frozen’ tells Broadway.com, “It’s going to be a ride at Disneyland—how cool is that? And I’m the villain!”

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Disney and Pixar Characters Sing ‘Let it Go’

With so many covers of Let it Go coming out, people may forget the original Disney magic that this song has, so what better way to preserve that magic with other Disney and Pixar characters singing the song! So enjoy this Disney and Pixar Mashup! Recorded and produced by Seth O’Neal.

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