Universal Orlando Resort has released a sneak peek video of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, an attraction that will be part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Universal Studios Orlando theme park.

Watch the one-minute sneak peek video here below.

The grand opening date for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be revealed on March 25 at noon EST, along with details about the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction. So far, its only been announced that the area, which is part of the Resort’s Islands of Adventure theme park, will be open this Spring.

The video shows the Harry Potter film stars — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and many more — shooting scenes for the upcoming attraction, along with other behind-the-scenes clips.

Tip: Pause the video at the 33-second mark for a glimpse at group cast shot [...]

Universal has released a new image from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Harry Potter-themed section of Islands of Adventure, a theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort.

See the image here at right (click for larger, full view).

The new image, which was taken today, is of the Hogwarts Express as it arrives at Hogsmeade Station. In the Harry Potter universe, the special train, which departs from King’s Cross railway station’s Platform 9 3/4, is what’s used to transport the young wizarding students to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The steam engine train will be what greets guests as they enter Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World area of the theme park, which is set to open this Spring.

Back in January, a tiny sneak peek was given of the top of the Hogwarts Castle at the park [read Geek Peek: Hogwarts Castle At Universal’s ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’] [...]

Since a devastating fire destroyed much of the Universal Studios in June of 2008, the damage has slowly-but-surely been restored. Over this time period, many exciting announcements have also been made — namely, that the legendary King Kong ride would not be rebuilt, but re-imagined as a brand new and amazing attraction for visitors to check out.

A few details for this new ride — which was to be based not on the classic 1933 film, but Peter Jackson’s latest epic film — were shared in June of 2009, but they only described what the ride would be. Now, almost two years later, we’re starting to get a really strong idea of what to expect if we find ourselves visiting Kong this Summer when the ride opens.

Jackson got together with a team of both theme park ride experts and film making talents inside of a giant hangar cloaked in green screen to put it all together and create one of the wildest cinematic adventure rides ever conceived.

Continue on down below to read more about how insane this ride will be, and also to check out the ride’s short teaser trailer. [...]

Since we first learned of the return of Captain EO to Disneyland, I’ve been going crazy trying to figure out when the attraction would be back. Disney Parks Blog reported it would be in February 2010 but no specific day was given. Rest easy MJ fans because we only have to wait one more day before, the classic Captain EO attraction featuring the gloved one will reopen.

On Tuesday, February 23, the 3D musical adventure is returning to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland theater in which it debuted. Disney said it will not be able to replicate some of the special effects elements from the original presentation, but it will feature a new 70mm print of the film, and it will sound better than ever thanks to acoustic enhancements made to the theater since the film last played there in 1997.

I’m the biggest Michael Jackson fan you will ever meet and I remember going to Disneyland every year just to see Captain EO. I had the shirt MJ wore in the film, I had the Bad album which featured one of the songs from Captain EO (Another Part Of Me), and I even had a little plush version of the “Fuzzball” character. Speaking of merchandise, I will definitely be picking up some Captain EO products when I visit Disneyland this year [...]

I’ve been lucky enough to get to visit the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in California several times in my life. Each time I’ve gone had been an amazing, fun experience that always leaves me looking forward to my next visit. Since I’ve been attending Comic-Con in San Diego for the last few years, I make it a point to unwind from my five-day hectic Con coverage with a few days of fun at Los Angeles-area theme parks, my first stop always being USH.

When I talk about visiting theme parks, a lot of people get confused, not knowing the difference between Disney and Universal. Let me straighten all that out before I get into my USH trip report.

There’s Disney World in Orlando, FL, which had four main theme park areas: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. It’s the MGM park that typically gets confused with Universal Studios — but they are totally separate parks owned by different companies.

Disneyland is in Anaheim, CA, and had two theme park — Magic Kingdom and Californialand — along with Downtown Disney (there’s also a Downtown Disney area at Disney World).

Universal Studios also has cross-country counterparts: Universal Studios Orlando in Florida has two theme parks — Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure — and Universal Studios Hollywood in California, which only has one Universal Studios park. Both locations have a Citywalk area.

Ok, now that I’ve gotten out of the way, I’ll move on to my trip report for Universal Studios Hollywood [...]

The Super Bowl broadcast is known for having some really great commercials, as well as debut movie, TV, and game footage.

During tonight’s game (yay Saints!), as I was watching for the new TV spot for Alice In Wonderland, the first television commercial for Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter came on, and I squealed. I did, I really did.

For those of you wondering what this is, it’s the new Harry Potter-themed section of Islands of Adventure, a theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort, that’s opening this Spring.

Watch the commercial, which includes an appearance by the boy wizard himself Daniel Radcliffe, here [...]

I’m not big on this whole 3D craze, as those who read the site might have been able to tell. It works for some movies — like James Cameron’s Avatar, of course — but there is absolutely no need for every movie made to have so many dimensions.

But as 3D is taking over your movie theaters, do not think for one moment that it ends there. No, no — there is indeed a fourth dimension out there in the great beyond, and the technology is well on its way as we speak!

Reports out of Seoul, South Korea share that 4D is no new thing to Koreans. Last year, they set up a special theater in one of their largest chains that would allow them to offer the perfect movie/ride experience, and began with movies like Journey to the Center of the Earth. Since then, they’ve added a few more of these specialty screens, and have been been preparing for Avatar since last summer. While these movies play, over THIRTY special effects are set to add this new dimension to your experience, including light water spraying, lights and lasers, smells such as explosions/gunfire, gusts of wind, and even moving seats! [...]

Back in 2007, Universal Studios Orlando announced plans to add a Harry Potter-themed land to their Islands of Adventure theme park.

Since then, we’ve only seen a bunch of concept art for Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now, finally, is the first glimpse of an actual structure at the park: the top of the Hogwarts Castle!

Check out the image here at right (click for larger, full view); or for a super hi-res version, visit The Leaky Caudron site.

Also, below, check out the update on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2010 [...]

I love it when Disney meets Star Wars, and if you do too, then here’s some cool news for you!

This Spring, Hasbro will be releasing a brand new Disney-related astromech R2 unit styled with a Mickey Mouse theme.

The new R2-MK will have the classic Mickey Mouse colors (red, white, black, and yellow) and is topped with the famous “Mouse” ears.

The new R2 unit will be sold exclusively at Disney’s theme parks in Florida (Disney World) and California (Disneyland) in April 2010 and will be packaged as a Hasbro action figure 2-pack along with Jedi Mickey. The pack will retail for $18.95.

R2-MK made a stop at Skywalker Ranch for a photo-op before heading on to the Disney theme parks. Check out the photo here below, along with a few promo stills [...]

Fans of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, will be thrilled to know that his posthumous reign is not yet over. The Walt Disney Company’s Disney Parks Blog announced recently that Jackson’s Captain EO will be making its valiant return to Tomorrowland locations at various Disney resorts. The Honey, I Shrunk the Audience attraction is being closed today in order to set up for the EO comeback.

The 17-minute short film was released in the mid-’80s and lasted well into the ’90s before its run ended. It was incredibly popular due to both the fact that it featured Michael Jackson and also due to its 3D format — sometimes even called 4D due to interactive elements such as smoke and lights being used within the theater.

Click on over to the other side, where you can watch Captain EO in full YouTube style right this very moment if you have never seen it. It looks to be quite the trippy little flick. [...]

In conjunction with Monty Python’s 40th anniversary, Universal CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood will become “SillyWalks” tomorrow night for a live event that will attempt to set the world record for the most people ever to do “silly walks” at one time in one place.

The event, which is the first-ever SillyWalks for Hunger, will go to benefit the hunger relief organizations Feeding America, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, and the Global FoodBanking Network. Check in for participants begins at 5:30pm, with the event is scheduled to begin promptly at 7pm, and will be broadcast worldwide across television, radio and the Internet.

“SillyWalks” derives from the classic skit from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, called “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” about a government agency dedicated to the development of new ways to walk silly. In the sketch, John Cleese played the head of the agency. (Watch the skit here below.)

Comedian and SNL alumni Jon Lovitz, who is producing the event with MashCast and choreographers Rich & Tone, will serve as the the Minister of SillyWalks for the day [...]

Grab your tiaras Princesses and hold onto your Princes! Princess Tiana made her inaugural appearance today at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL! The lovely Princess Tiana is the star of Walt Disney Pictures’ animated feature film, The Princess and the Frog, which is set to debut in limited release in NY and LA on November 25, 2009, and expanding nationwide beginning December 11, 2009.

Check out the official images from the event, as well as video from the good folks at AllEarsNet, here below.

Today through January 3, 2010 in Walt Disney World and November 6 to January 3, 2010 in Disneyland park in California, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and their bayou friends will be appearing three times a day in an exciting new show on board the Liberty Belle Riverboat in Liberty Square called “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” The 15-minute celebration begins with a Disneyfied Mardi Gras parade leading up to the Liberty Belle dock, before guests board the beautiful paddleboat for her journey up the river. A great time will be had by all as you float along the Rivers of America and enjoy Disney cast members singing and dancing to jazz music, including original songs from the The Princess and The Frog soundtrack, which contains original songs from composer Randy Newman. Some lucky guests will even be chosen to be part of the show! [...]

If you got the reference in the title, you’re awesome and we’re putting you right up on the fridge.

Many of us cool kids are children of the ’80s, and as such, one of the greatest forms of entertainment ever to be created, is the Muppets. The Muppets are a creation of the late genius Jim Henson, who built an army of funny and lovable puppet characters who appeared in a countless amount of TV shows, specials, movies, music videos, cartoons, and everything in between. As life moved on and new generations of kids showed up, the Muppets faded off slowly, but never completely disappeared, making delightful cameo appearances on shows and events from time to time. But now, thanks to the massive Disney D23 Expo, we’ve learned that the Muppets are coming back in a big way, and their ready to take over the world again!

Back in March of 2008, we learned that we would finally be getting a brand new Muppet movie, with Forgetting Sarah Marshall team Jason Segel and Nick Stoller joining the Jim Henson Company to write and direct a new movie. [...]

In memory of Michael Jackson, CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood will be transformed into Universal Moonwalk, a massive outdoor celebration of the performer and his legendary career, on July 9, starting at 7PM.

The free event will include screenings of Jackson’s Thriller music video/short movie and his The Wizard of Oz remake, The Wiz. Along with the screenings, a special live dance retrospective will be performed. This dance retrospective will showcase the many years and styles of Michael Jackson’s musical offerings and dancing styles.

As we all know, Michael Jackson died last month after suffering cardiac arrest at the age of 50 after years of incredible stress and unfathomable amounts of medications were just far too much for his body to handle anymore [...]

Universal Studios Hollywood has officially re-opened one of the more famous areas of their lot: Courthouse Square.

If you’re not familiar with the incredibly long past year that Universal has had: last June a massive fire destroyed four acres of the studio property (Read: Fire Raging At Universal Studios Hollywood). Since then they have been hard at work not only rebuilding the famous studio, lots, and visitor tour — but also on making everything bigger and better than ever before with new, state-of-the-art technologies and attractions. First came the announcement of their initial re-opening and their tram tour with insane new audio and video capabilities (Read: Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Set To Return To Action After Fire). Next came word of the colossal return of one of their main attractions: King Kong. Only this time he would be so much more realistic than the famous giant animatronic beast they once had (Read: Universal Studios To Unveil New ‘King Kong’ Attraction In 2010). [...]

One of the most legendary movie attractions ever to exist was the King Kong movie ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. Sadly, the attraction and much, much more property was lost in that devastating backlot fire in June of last year. Now that the fire is a distant memory and Universal has made huge plans to completely makeover the experience for tourists, including the recently-announced Creature From the Black Lagoon stage show (Read: ‘Creature From The Black Lagoon’ Gets A Rockin’ Stage Show At Universal Studios Hollywood) — they’re ready to bring the mighty Kong back to the fans.

While the King Kong attraction is making a return, it will not be that classic robotic ape we know so well. Kong is embracing the technologies of today and getting the complete makeover treatment. This time around, the experience will be based on Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong and it will present fans with a groundbreaking 4-D (yeah, 4-D!), multi-sensory experience with mind-blowing effects and Earth’s largest Surround Digital projection system. This already sounds like something that has to be added to my bucket list. [...]

The Creature From the Black Lagoon is a 1954 film by Jack Arnold about an archeological expedition in the Amazon that finds a mysterious skeletal hand which appeared to have been webbed. This leads the expedition to find a creature that is half man, half fish, which they call the Gill-man. They try and capture the Gill-man, but he escapes and attacks many of the team members.

Creature is one of the classic horror movies from the days of old, and remains loved to this day, and because of this, Universal Studios Hollywood has decided to bring the Gill-man back to the spotlight. The revival will be in the form of a 25-minute musical stage show called Creature From The Black Lagoon – A Raging Rockin’ Show, in which audiences will be whisked away to the Amazon jungle for a tale of horror, romance, and even comedy.

Expect extravagant stagecraft with special effects, advanced puppetry, and acrobatic choreography, combined with a contemporary, original musical score — oh, yeah, and a massive 25-foot Creature on the stage — when this attraction arrives at the California theme park on July 1, 2009.

Click over to the other side to check out all the juicy details of this new attraction — the characters, songs, props, special effects, and much more! Be warned though, there’s lots of info, so don’t read too far down if you don’t want to be “spoiled” by knowing all about the stage show beforehand [...]

This past summer a huge fire broke out at Universal Studios Hollywood and destroyed a large chunk of the property (see Fire Raging At Universal Studios Hollywood). Now comes word that things are going very well in the efforts to rebuild the backlot and that productions will resume this summer.

While rebuilding what they lost in the blaze, Universal also went further and added a whole lot of new attractions and sets to their lot so that filmmakers have even more options to work with and so that people who take the Universal backlot tour will have more features to look out for.

Check out the image here to see the construction underway at USH [...]

I’m a big fan of all things Disney and one of my favorite places to vacation is at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It looks like Disney has some great offers coming up in 2009 that I thought I’d pass along to our readers. Below are full details of these offers, along with a promo video.

Celebration Vacation 2009

The first cool offering is the “Celebration Vacation,” where in 2009, if you visit the World Disney World Resort in Orlando or the Disneyland Resort in California on your exact birthday, you get entry into one of the theme parks for free! On your birthday, present a valid ID that includes proof of birth date and gain entry to that particular park (so, if you go to the Magic Kingdom, you gain entrance there). Guests who already hold a valid multi-day ticket that they’ll use on their birthday may choose from other birthday treats instead. To register your birthday and find out more details, visit www.disneyparks.com.

Walt Disney World Vacation Package Savings in 2009 – Buy 4 Nights and Get 3 Nights Free

Another offer for select dates in 2009 is a discounted vacation package where guests can purchase a 4-night stay at Disney World in Orlando and get 3 nights for free, which includes theme park tickets – see full list of dates, prices, and details [...]

On September 1, Star Trek: The Experience, a featured attraction at the Las Vegas Hilton, sadly closed its doors after a 10-year run.

The Las Vegas hotel, which is located off the famed Vegas strip, claimed that the attraction wasn’t bringing in enough visitors or even the amount of Star Trek fans that it originally did a decade ago.

But Star Trek: The Experience, which contained two simulator rides and a Trek museum, along with themed shops and restaurants, might have a new home in downtown Las Vegas at the Neonopolis, a retail and entertainment center on Fremont Street. Sources say a “deal is close to completion.”

Let’s hope the deal goes through and that the Star Trek: The Experience finds great success at its new home. For anyone who’s a Trek fan, this was the ultimate in themed fun for the franchise. I’ve been to Las Vegas several times — beginning with my first in 1999 when I stay at the Las Vegas Hilton — and each time, I’ve visited the Star Trek: The Experience [...]