Uncle Walt's Insider Florida Archives - Page 54 of 114

A few of the non-Disney gondolas. Photo by DisneyTouristBlog.com, used by permission, modified.

Skyliner delayed; wrong characters put on gondolas

Walt Disney World's new gondola system has... too much character? WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL -- Just months from its projected opening, the Disney Skyliner and Spa gondola system has encountered a new snag. Rather than leave the vehicles wrapped as originally planned, they decided to decorate each ride vehicle with cartoon characters. One problem: no one told the designers that they were limited just to Disney characters. There's variety, at least Ride vehicles show characters from such non-Disney properties as Shrek, the Flintstones, H.R. Puff-n-stuff, Star ...

Extremely deceptive concept art of the new Hagrid ride. Photo courtesy Universal Orlando.

Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure – possessed?

Well, I guess that would explain it. ORLANDO, FL -- Shortly after it's grand opening, the new “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” at Universal Orlando Resort, Spa, and U-Pick Blueberry Farm continues to be plagued by various issues. We already reported that the ride's namesake, Rubeus Hagrid, won't fit into the ride's restraint system. We've also seen a lot of complaints on social media about even bigger [Ed.: Be sure to distinguish that we mean bigger as in the scope of the problem, ...

June 21, 2019 by X in Florida

Construction continues on the second-largest Ferris wheel in Central Florida. Photo by BrokenSphere [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikipedia Commons.

“Almost record-setting” Ferris wheel coming to Animal Kingdom

When completed, the new "Wheel of Life" will be the second-tallest in Central Florida. WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL -- Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Spa continues to expand. And now the Tree of Life will be complemented by a large Ferris wheel, to open in the Spring of next year! "We are tremendously excited about this new addition to the park," says Disney (the company) spokesperson Jun Disney (no relation). "The hat is coming down again, and the new 'Wheel of Life' ...

June 20, 2019 by Marty in Florida

Chaos at the first (and last) ever Magic Kingdom Balloon Festival. Photo by ErikAggie [CC0] via Pixabay & adventurejay.com

Chaos reigns at first Magic Kingdom Balloon Festival

It seemed like a good idea on paper. WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL --The so-called "First Annual Magic Kingdom Royal Balloon Festival" is likely to be the last. The Magic Kingdom is still recovering from yesterday's debacle, where over 500 hot air balloons and their crews were added to the already heavy June crowds. "Not pretty" "We really didn't think this one through," says Disney (the company) spokesperson Jun Disney (no relation). "It was not pretty. Someone in middle management had been to the Albuquerque Balloon ...

June 19, 2019 by Marty in Florida

The newly renamed VOLT-cano Bay at Universal Orlando. Photo by Paolo Guereta [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr.

Universal Orlando tests shock therapy, wiping guests’ memory of Disney

The Volcano Bay shocks were not an accident. ORLANDO, FL -- Guests visiting Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay were recently subjected to low-level electric shocks while visiting the various pools, water slides, and spas. Park officials first pointed their fingers to cost-cutting and not following code during construction of the park. But thanks to some real investigative reporting, Team UWI is bringing you the truth behind this shocking news. [Ed.: Heh, "shocking."] Universal is shocking its guests on purpose. First, the back story When Universal Orlando ...

June 15, 2019 by Walt in California, Florida