Right now many of us are dreaming of better days, and who doesn’t love the holidays? Blizzard Beach is the perfect example of enjoying the winter holiday spirit anytime of year. We can’t splash around right now, but to help you plan your next visit, let’s talk about some of the best things there are to see, do, and eat at Blizzard Beach – in quick top three lists.
These Top 3 lists are a combination of data from our TouringPlans system, data from our TouringPlans surveys, and a sprinkle of personal preference – but not too much, because science!
The Top 3 Attractions For Thrills at Blizzard Beach
Summit Plummet
Slush Gusher
Downhill Double Dipper
The Top 3 Attractions For Relaxing at Blizzard Beach
Cross Country Creek (lazy river – of course)
Teamboat Springs
The Chairlift
The Top 3 Attractions for Little Swimmers at Blizzard Beach
Ski Patrol Training Camp
Tike’s Peak
Cross Country Creek (lazy river)
Blizzard Beach has a play area specifically for elementary age kids
The Top 3 Savory Eats at Blizzard Beach
Barbecue Turkey Leg Crunch at Warming Hut
Blizzard Burger at Lottawatta Lodge
Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich at Warming Hut
The Top 3 Sweet Treats at Blizzard Beach
Mini donuts at kiosk near Lottawatta Lodge
Strawberry Shortcake Sundae at I.C. Expeditions
Milkshakes at Lottawatta Lodge
The Top 3 Adult Beverages at Blizzard Beach
Blue Blizzard at Polar Pub or Arctic Expeditions
Salted Caramel Bourbon Milkshake at Lottawatta Lodge
Grapefruit Margarita at Polar Pub or Arctic Expeditions
In creating these we consulted our TouringPlans Surveys, which are available for you to include your input anytime! Using this information and feedback helps us provide the best data and insight to save you time on your time vacation. You can learn more about the best strategies for enjoying a day at Blizzard Beach here.
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Trip Planning, Water Parks, Blizzard Beach Water Park, disney dining, disney drinks, Disney Water Parks
This week’s SATURDAY SIXtakes a look at theme park news via MEMES! With the recent announcement of the re-opening of the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks, we are getting close to the Florida theme parks we know and love about to embark into the “New Normal” going forward. What will that bring for us? We’ll see shortly, but before we get there, it’s time to take a quick look back at what has been happening over on DisTwitter over the past couple weeks…
# 6 – What did 2020 do to your plans?
It’s hard to believe that even though we are only in May, 2020 has officially been going on for 13 years. Many of us had a lot of big plans going into the year, but the coronavirus had other intentions for us. To play with that idea, a fun meme started with people putting a “before” and “after,” giving a much-needed humorous look at the theme park community.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorites, starting with a user reminding us all of the infamous 2018 Theme Park Turkey of the Year Awards, when Disney had a rough couple days of audio-animatronics losing their heads…
# 5 – Disney announces budget cuts are coming
To the surprise of no one, Disney announced some scary financial numbers during a shareholders’ conference call earlier this month. To help save money, the company said it would be reducing capital expenditures. What we don’t know is what projects will be affected by this new decree. Many feel that projects already well into construction – such as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster in EPCOT – will be completed, but others not as far along (or not even started) may be stopped. This news had one DisTwitter member creating a graphic that brought back memories of the “Thanos snap” in Avengers: Infinity War, with one proposed EPCOT project fading away…
# 4 – Midsommar Shock
Recently, a meme took off which used a moment from the film Midsommar. The picture in question uses a stunned reaction from a character in the movie.
DisTwitter than speculated what these characters could be so shocked by…
The coronavirus has unfortunately led to who-knows-how-many weddings being postponed, which has to be heartbreaking for the people who have put so much time into planning their special day. However, one popular meme trend showed that it’s not just brides and grooms who are looking forward to day when they can “walk down the aisle”…
# 2 – Disney Springs Re-Opens
When Disney Springs announced it would re-open on May 20th, becoming the first Disney location in America for guests to get their “Disney Fix” again, it was commonly assumed that no matter how soon this may be, the Orlando theme park bloggers hungry for content would descend on the dining and entertainment district like locusts. “The Child” of DisTwitter – @DisneyDweller – even brought back an appropriate old school meme to make his commentary…
One of the more popular “games” on social media platforms is people taking the concept of changing just one letter in a Broadway show, music band, or movie title, to make it into something worse. The theme park community had some fun with that idea as well….
So there you have it: The SATURDAY SIX Looks at Theme Park News via MEMES!See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles covering the latest from the Disney Outlet Stores. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).
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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.
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Universal Orlando Resort, amazing adventures of spider-man, Islands of Adventure, Spider-man
With all that is going on right now, don’t forget Father’s Day is coming up. If your dad is a Disney Dad, then head to shopDisney online for a look at their suggestions for Father’s Day gifts. Be prepared for lots of The Lion King and Mr. Incredible merchandise.
Mufasa Father’s Day T-ShirtSimba Father’s Day T-ShirtMufasa and Simba Father’s Day ShirtMr. Incredible MugYoda TieCaptain America Cufflinks
I’m have some thoughts about some of the t-shirts, but I will let our readers share their thoughts instead. What so you think of these potential gifts for dad? You can find the full selection of Disney Father’s Day gifts here.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I can’t believe we are officially here. Although, honestly, I don’t think this weekend is going to feel much different than the past few weekends. It’s not like I have any plans to do anything, besides sitting out on my back porch, maybe grilling up some hot dogs and s’mores. (I won’t be bitter that I was supposed to be on a cruise to Alaska…..) Anyway….what are your big plans for this socially distanced holiday weekend?
This week, see what shake ups have happened with the executive team within the Walt Disney Company, find out what new show is coming to Disney+ sooner rather than later, and more!
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
Well, that didn’t last long. Josh D’Amaro, who was only just recently named as President of Walt Disney World has a new role. But I can’t be too sad about him leaving for his new role as chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. I think it’s a great fit and I look forward to seeing what he does moving forward.
Speaking of new roles, taking the role of President of Walt Disney World is Jeff Vahle. You can now follow him on Instagram!
Also, leaving the company is Kevin Mayer, who was in charge of Disney+ and has now left for TikTok. Some very interesting changes this week, indeed!
According to reports, Walt Disney World is the clear front-runner location for the NBA season to return to so that they can finish up the season. What do you think about this plan? Good idea?
Now another one of Walt Disney’s family members is speaking out. Walt’s grandson, Brad Lund is upset about the massive bonuses for Disney execs while workers are furloughed.
