Tag: seaworld

Universal Announces Twister Reboot Potentially Lead by Director from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Post author By chipandco.com
Post date June 28, 2020

Universal Announces Twister Reboot Potentially Lead by Director from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Universal Announces Twister Reboot Potentially Lead by Director from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. According to an exclusive report from Variety, Universal Pictures is looking to reboot the 1996 hit film, Twister. Sources close to Variety shared that Universal’s top choice to direct the film is Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Tron: Legacy). Frank Marshall is currently producing the project and working to get a writing team going for the film.

The original film starred Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt and followed the events that take place in Oklahoma during one of the most powerful storms in decades. “University professor Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and an underfunded team of students prepare the prototype for Dorothy, a ground-breaking tornado data-gathering device conceived by her estranged husband, Bill (Bill Paxton). When Harding tells Bill that Dorothy is ready for testing — and that their privately funded rival Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes) has stolen the idea and built his own — Bill rejoins the storm chasing team for one last mission.”

Universal Announces Twister Reboot Potentially Lead by Director from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Photo Credit: Universal

The film was a massive success, earning $494 million at the global box office in 96, and broke major ground in CGI technology for special effects in film. Senior Vice President, Sara Scott will oversee the project for Universal. It is currently unknown when the film will premiere in theaters and no formal casting choices have been designated at the time fo writing. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Entertainments!

Featured Photo Credit: Universal

Source: Variety

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Movies, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Top Gun: Maverick, Twister, Universal

Tags Legoland and More, movies, news, seaworld, Top Gun: Maverick, Twister, Universal

Disney News Disney Parks Other

Trump proposes Explore America Tax Credit which includes Theme Parks

Post author By chipandco.com
Post date June 11, 2020

Trump proposes Explore America Tax Credit which includes Theme Parks Explore America

The U.S. tourism industry wants people to resume traveling. Soon, a proposed “Explore America” tax credit might help the industry recover. The travel industry has lost 8.1 million jobs so far and is projected to lose $519 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lobbyists are currently circulating a proposed plan in Congress that would offer $4,000 tax breaks for U.S. vacationers. The intent is to get Americans to begin traveling and spending money at hotels, theme parks and other tourism businesses.

The “Explore America” tax credit is one of several proposed subsidies that tourism industry lobbyists are pitching to policymakers as the early contours of a new economic stimulus package begin to take shape in Washington. President Trump is in favor of the “Explore America” tax credit.

The tax credit would be a great benefit even though the federal government committed trillions of dollars to stop the economic damage caused by the pandemic. However, they will have to spend even more to help pull the tourism industry back to its feet. Tori Emerson Barnes, a lobbyist for the U.S. Travel Association, went on to say:

“We are grateful to the president for hearing our call for a national effort to get Americans traveling again as the country shifts into the recovery phase.”

Some of the members of the U.S. Travel Association include the Walt Disney Co. and Comcast Corp.’s Universal Parks & Resorts. Also, Roger Dow, CEO and President of the U.S. Travel Association, issued the following statement in regards to the proposed tax credit:

“An ‘Explore America’ tax credit and campaign will do wonders to put America back on the path to prosperity. We applaud the president’s support, and with our industry’s health and safety guidance for the reopening of travel businesses in place, we are very prepared to work with the administration to push the effort forward at the right time.”

Source: www.ustravel.org

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Planning, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Walt Disney World, Travel, Traveling 2020, Universal Orlando, vacation

Tags Legoland and More, Parks & Resorts, planning, seaworld, travel, Traveling 2020, Universal, Universal Orlando, vacation, Walt Disney World

Disney News Disney Parks Other

We’re LIVE From the Grand Reopening of SeaWorld Orlando

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 11, 2020

We’re LIVE from the grand reopening of SeaWorld Orlando to see how crowds, entertainment, health and safety procedures are looking.

SeaWorld

SeaWorld, like Disney World, is requiring an advance reservation in order to enter the parks. Therefore, guests knew prior to entering that they’d be spending the day at the park. Now, let’s head inside together!

While we don’t usually report from SeaWorld, we want to see all of the processes so we can give you even more insight into what your Disney World theme park experience might be like.

We will continue to update this post throughout the day, so be sure to check back!

Parking

When we arrived around 9:55AM this morning, there was a pretty hefty line of cars waiting to enter.

Parking SeaWorld

But, the traffic moved rather quickly.

Once we parked, things moved even more smoothly in terms of speed. Team members were parking guests in every other space and cones were placed in the spots that were to remain empty.

Parking

Entering the Park

Like Disney World and Universal, SeaWorld is requiring that guests undergo a temperature screening prior to entering the park. The line was very long this morning, but it did move quickly.

Temp line

SeaWorld is using contactless forehead thermometers like Disney and Universal.

Temp check

Masks are required and we spotted a team member with disposable masks at the temp check. These were being offered to guests who did not have a mask. There are also masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer for sale.

Mask, gloves, and sanitizer for sale

The gloves are on sale for $2.99. The masks start at $9.99 and they were also offering a buy-3-get-1-free deal.

Gloves

SeaWorld’s entrance is divided into three zones.

Zones

And there was a bit of a wait to enter the park.

SeaWorld entrance

SeaWorld had signs out informing guests that their park maps were now digital.

We’ve gone digital sign

The entrance line was marked with physical distancing stickers to give guests their distance. The opening seemed a little more crowded than it did at Universal, but that may have just been the way the crowd was arranged.

Entrance Line

Merchandise and New Shopping Protocols

We stepped into one of the stores to see how they were managing. You can see that the stores had distancing stickers on the ground, too.

SeaWorld Store

Interestingly enough, SeaWorld was actually selling shirts themed around the health measures and the reopening.

Physical Distance shirt

There were a few different options in men’s and women’s sizes.

Physical Distance shirt

They even had a particularly PUNny one with this “Whalecome Back” shirt.

Physical Distance shirt

Animal Exhibits and Viewing Areas

Most of the animal viewing areas were available, so we got to wave a flipper at the dolphins and the flamingoes.

Dolphin

Some exhibits had distancing stickers to make sure that guests were viewing the animals safely.

Flamingo Exhibit

Just a reminder, we will be actively updating this post throughout the day! So be sure to check back for all the SeaWorld details!

Are you planning to head to SeaWorld soon? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, seaworld, seaworld news, seaworld reopening

Tags Featured, news, seaworld, seaworld news, seaworld reopening

Disney News Disney Parks Other

Universal CityWalk Hollywood is Open for Business Starting Today

Post author By chipandco.com
Post date June 10, 2020

Starting today, Universal CityWalk begins a thoughtful phased reopening of select venues welcoming guests back to enjoy the iconic destination as it resumes operations with enhanced health and safety measures.

CityWalk is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Following is a partial list of select venues that are now open; individual venue hours may vary. Additional venues will be added as the phased opening continues and hours of operation are subject to change. Complimentary self-parking is available during this initial reopening period, subject to change.

Please visit the Universal CityWalk website or the Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app for updated information.

Dining & Eateries: Voodoo Doughnut, Johnny Rockets, Blaze Pizza, Starbucks,

Crepe Café, Pizza Hut & KFC, Taco Bell, and Buca di Beppo.

Retail: Shoe Palace, Skechers, and Guess Accessories

Universal CityWalk is implementing new health and safety measures that focus on Screening, Spacing and Sanitization. A single point of entry now welcomes guests to the destination along with temperature checks and required face coverings. Click here for a video highlight of CityWalk’s new protocol.

While working closely with local health officials and the company’s own health and safety experts, Universal CityWalk will continue to monitor conditions and make adjustments as conditions evolve. Specific health and safety measures include:

Temperature checks for all Guests upon arrival. If they have a temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit / 38° Celsius or greater, the Guest will not be permitted to enter.
Face coverings required for all Guests throughout their visit. Face coverings also will be available for purchase.
Limited occupancy at all venues to help enforce social distancing.
Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting at all high touch points, including chairs and tables.

Universal Studios Hollywood remains temporarily closed. Universal Orlando’s theme parks, CityWalk and hotels are now open.

More information about Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios Hollywood is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

Regular updates can be found on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Twitter @UniStudios, Facebook-Universal Studios Hollywood and Instagram @UniStudios.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Universal CityWalk, Universal CityWalk Hollywood, Universal Studios

Tags Legoland and More, news, seaworld, Universal, Universal CityWalk, Universal CityWalk Hollywood, universal studios, universal studios hollywood

Disney Parks Other

Meet The New Baby Velociraptor Now At Univeral’s Raptor Encounter

Post author By chipandco.com
Post date June 9, 2020

Meet The New Baby Velociraptor Now At Univeral’s Raptor Encounter

Universal Orlando recently opened back up to the public last week and they had a fun new surprise. There’s not only an upgraded Raptor Encounter area to meet Blue (the scary full grown raptor) but there’s a new a new 6 month old raptor as well!

Meet The New Baby Velociraptor Now At Univeral’s Raptor Encounter

The brand new Raptor Encounter is located inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They have an entire area dedicated to Jurassic Park including a new roller coaster being built. You can’t miss the new meet and greet area. It’s on the way to Hogwarts.

There’s a brand new baby Raptor @universalorlando Right now Sierra meets opposite Blue and is so cute!! Check her out at the brand new Raptor Encounter at Islands of Adventure. #universalmoments #universalstudios #universalorlandoresort #universalorlando #uoap #letyourselfwoah #readyforuniversal #jurrasicpark #jurassicworld #raptorencounter

A post shared by Chip and Co (@chipandco) on Jun 8, 2020 at 5:31pm PDT

The Raptor Encounter starts at 10 AM and runs until 5:30 (weather permitting). While the location is on the official Universal app it doesn’t state which times will be Blue or Sierra the new baby. Since she’s so new hopefully they will add that soon.

We had so much fun meeting the new velociraptor Sierra. Make sure to go and visit the next time you’re at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Baby Raptor, Islands of Adventure, Raptor Encounter, Universal Orlando, Universal Studios

Tags Baby Raptor, Islands of Adventure, Legoland and More, Raptor Encounter, seaworld, Universal, Universal Orlando, universal studios, Universal Studios Orlando