Fantasyland Updates and Work On Main street USA
In case you didn’t realise, Magic Kingdom is seeing a major update to Fantasyland that should be open to the public in 2012 and already parts of the parks are being closed off to the public so people cannot see what the Disney imagineers are up too. However it would seem that a lot of the park is currently under renovation at the moment.
Main Street
Shops down Main Street are receiving updates at the moment and whilst they are all still open it just makes the place look a bit untidy. A couple of these have been like this since I was last in the park in late August of last year so I have no idea what the plans are for these shops. The fact that they are still open must mean that it is simply the exterior that is being changed rather than the type of shop on the inside but who knows when it comes to Disney.
Fantasyland
As any Disney fan will know, this is big, in fact, bigger than big, its Disney’s biggest project since the Animal Kingdom was announced and a whole new overhaul of Fantasyland is currently in the works. At the moment it would seem that nothing has closed within the section of the park but I am wondering how long this will last. Expect Toontown to be closing as well completely later this year to make way for the new plans on the park. There are going to be new rides, new attractions and new ways to interact with your favourite Disney characters, I will be blogging on the individual things to be going into the park so keep your eyes peeled for more information on this as it comes.
As it stands at the moment, Pooh’s Playful Spot (despite being quite new), Ariel’s Grotto and Scuttle’s Landing have all closed.
Other than this all of the main attractions are said to remain open during this massive update on the land.
London Mayor “Jealous” Over Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
It would seem that the Mayor Of London Boris Johnson is still getting rather annoyed with Warner Brothers in that Universal Studios in Orlando has gotten the very first Harry Potter entertainment section anywhere in the world. As a Brit I see where he is coming from on this, after all Harry Potter is largely based in London when not at Hogwarts and Florida just never has that gloomy feel that Harry Potter locations such as Kings Cross and the outside of the Ministry Of Magic has.
On the other hand do we have a successful theme park in this country, arguably not? Chessington is for kids that have nothing to do on their days off, Thorpe park can be done in a couple of hours on a quiet day and Alton Towers is a poor rip off of Universal Studios and Disney combined. It really is no wonder Warner Brothers chose the biggest location for theme parks in the world for Harry Potter as it is going to be getting much more attention and more importantly for WB, money.
Once again I see Johnson’s point in that loads of British people will have to save up just so they can go and see something that rightfully belongs in their own country but that’s life right? Better to be in Florida where it is half decent rather than London where you are more likely to get mugged than have a good time.
To end on a positive note I am sure it is going to be worth saving up and visiting, it is one o f the main reasons I am once again heading out to Florida this year. (although I was going to go anyways, I cant resist the place). With the opening just a couple of weeks away now you can enjoy this very cheesy trailer that was aired at superbowl this year.
Day Off/ Star Wars Weekends
Another quick one really today as it has been my day off and I think that I deserve a bit of a break from blogging as well! Although Florida is on my mind whenever I am out of work it would seem that today is no different as a mate of mine came round today to discuss which rides he should go on and what he should see. (It is his first time and he only has five days in the parks!).
We didn’t take too long discussing which things are worth waiting for and which things you should leave until last but it was good to talk about the place and I have to say that I am looking forward to my trip later this year even more now. The worst thing for him about all of this is that he is missing out on the last Star Wars weekend in Hollywood Studios. In case you do not know what he is missing out on here is just a taste of the things Disney have on offer during the weekends in May/July of every year. Note that I will be posting videos of this year’s events in the near future.
Harry Potter Stars Visit Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
In a break between explaining all of the details on what is going to be located within the land itself I thought it would be a good idea to put a video of the stars enjoying Hogsmeade before everyone else walks through the doors on June 18th.
In the video you will see a sneak peek of the Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey ride as well as a small look at some of the stores and restaurants around the village.
Restaurants To Dine For
It is safe to say that sometimes it is not possible for you to actually eat inside of the parks all of the time thanks to the high costs and the fact that you cannot be in there for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so why not try one of the many fantastic restaurants located outside of the theme parks.
Sizzler
Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jetalone/
Gorgeous food, upbeat atmosphere and friendly staff. All you can eat buffet or steak and chips (of course there are many other options too). Family of four, or table for two. Just off the plane or just coming back from the park. By the sounds of it you are sorted for a restaurant for the entire holiday, and why not it’s cheap! Sizzler was the first restaurant I went to on my first trip to Florida and the food was so good that it set up the challenge of finding a restaurant better than it, and although some came close, Sizzler was still the favourite and always my first choice if someone asked ‘Where shall we go?’
Although, at a close second came:
Golden Corral
credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboing/
Being honest, the first time I went to this restaurant I found it too busy, too loud and too exhausting, but when you look past all that Golden Corral is an all you can eat, cheap, buffet restaurant for the whole family. It was a good place to sit and have laugh, and when you finally got to it the food was lovely. There are chefs who freshly cook your steak to exactly how you want it while you stand and wait, and the main course isn’t even the best part. Make sure you save enough room for pudding as the unique to Golden Corral Chocolate Volcano Cake is the best thing that could ever pass your lips, and you will be going up for at least two or three bowlfuls.
Mexican Buffet
This restaurant is a difficult one to find as it is located inside a steak house, but if you do manage to find it, it is a nice romantic restaurant for the two of you to sit and enjoy a relaxing meal. You are free to choose what ever you like and fresh food is kept on coming so nothing goes cold or stale. It is a highly addictive restaurant and you will want to keep going back for more. However, the downsides to it are the lack of decent puddings ( the only good thing is a chocolate brownie (or 4))and the price (if you’ve got a spare $100 then go for it.)
So there you have it, just three of the restaurants located outside of the parks that are well worth visiting!
