WDW Clicks #7: Diagon Alley Update, Disney Springs Progress, BGT Christmas Town

This week in WDW Clicks, we zoom in on the exterior walls of Diagon Alley at Universal, still under construction, watch the first stages of demolition of Cap'n Jack's restaurant in Marketplace, and look around the finer details of Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa.





Direct link: http://youtu.be/OnZtbEGgpNg

---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: July 4th offerings at Busch Gardens Tampa

Celebrate Fourth of July at Busch Gardens Tampa

 

Extended Hours and Nightly Fireworks Lets Guests Celebrate All Week Long!

 

Tampa, Fla. (June 26, 2013) – Don’t wait until July Fourth to celebrate Independence Day.  Get a head start on the Fourth of July festivities at Busch Gardens® Tampa. 

 

Summer Nights lets guests celebrate the red, white and blue all day, and even after dark, all summer long with an energetic acrobatics show, live entertainment and much more.  And test your courage as you take on Busch Gardens’ world-class roller coasters in the dark, including Florida’s first triple-launch coaster Cheetah Hunt®. 

 

Plus, Busch Gardens lights up the sky during Summer Nights, including July Fourth, with an incredible nightly fireworks display.  The best views are in Gwazi Park, right after the nightly Kinetix show, but the fireworks are visible from all over the park.

 

Additionally, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is honoring the men and women of the U.S. armed services through its Waves of Honor™ military salute program. Waves of Honor provides one complimentary admission per year to one of the SeaWorld® or Busch Gardens® Parks, Sesame Place®, Adventure Island® ,Water Country USA® or Aquatica® San Diego (weekdays only) for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents through 2013. 

 

Any active duty military, activated or drilling reservists, or National Guardsman representing any of the five service branches is entitled to one complimentary admission to one of the participating parks under the program. For more information and to register for the program, visit wavesofhonor.com.

 

While you’re at Busch Gardens, take in all the excitement of brand-new shows and animal encounters, including:

 

Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation

Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation is Busch Gardens’ newest live musical featuring DreamWorks Animation’s beloved characters Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien, Mort and everyone’s favorite cohort of penguins. Located in the newly-renovated and air-conditioned Stanleyville Theater, the original musical showcases singers, dancers and a live band that will join the Madagascar characters on their full-throttle Busch Gardens adventure.

 

Lion Cubs

Busch Gardens roars with excitement this summer with its newest additions.  Three lion cubs, two females and one male, arrived at the park in May, and guests can see them at various times throughout the summer in the Edge of Africa area.  Busch Gardens’ Facebook fans recently voted to name the sisters Shaba, meaning “brazen”, and Shtuko, meaning “twitch”. 

 

Park hours for Summer Nights are extended until 9 p.m., and Summer Nights is included with daily admission or any annual pass. For more information on Summer Nights and Busch Gardens, visit buschgardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

 

The hottest ticket this summer is the 3-Park Summer Sizzler.  This new, limited-time offer lets guests enjoy unlimited admission to Busch Gardens Tampa and unlimited weekday (Monday – Friday) admission to Adventure Island™ and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™ Orlando, now through Labor Day for only $99.  Florida’s best resident summer value is valid from the date of purchase through Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2013. Valid for Florida residents only (photo ID required); price is $99 plus tax.  Take advantage of the Summer Sizzler online at Buschgardens.com, by calling (888) 800-5447, or at the front gates at Busch Gardens, Adventure Island™ and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™. 

---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

St. Patrick's Day menu at Busch Gardens this weekend

Press Release:

All weekend long (March 16-17), guests can indulge in classic Irish fare such as corned beef & cabbage. And if you want to make your friends “green with envy”, try one of Busch Gardens’ Irish beer selections, and even sample some green beer to mark the occasion. 

All of this and more will be available at the Dessert Grill and Crown Colony House^® Restaurant.  For more dining options and ways to explore the park, visit buschgardens.com. 

Want a reason celebrate all year long?  Buy a 2013 Fun Card so you can pay for a day and come back all year! It’s the best value for again-and-again access to all of the exciting events, entertainment, amazing animal encounters and world-class thrill rides Busch Gardens has to offer, including Cheetah Hunt, the Animal Care Center and Iceploration – Busch Gardens’ biggest ice show ever.

The 2013 Fun Card is valid from the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2013 and is available online, at the Busch Gardens’ front gate or by calling (888) 800-5447.  

---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Madagascar show coming to Busch Gardens Tampa

Orlando, Fla. (February 12, 2013) – SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment today announced it will premiere “Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation,” an original live musical show featuring the characters from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) beloved Madagascar franchise, at two of the company’s parks this summer.

Celebrating the box office success of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, which has grossed more than $740 million at the worldwide box office, Alex the Lion and friends will party while on vacation with guests at Busch Gardens Tampa^® and SeaWorld^® throughout 2013.

The 20-minute musical show follows the antics of Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien, Mort and the Penguins during a vacation adventure. The show will feature rock/pop music performed by a live band and include both classic and original songs. The characters also will conduct meet and greets with park guests. Additionally, special co-branded merchandise exclusive to the parks, will be available.

These two locations will be the only theme parks in the U.S. where fans can see the characters of Madagascar live. The new show “Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation” premieres in the following locations:

·        Busch Gardens Tampa^® May 18, 2013.

·        SeaWorld San Diego June 15, 2013.

The company also has the opportunity to expand the show to other parks in the SeaWorld family in the future.

“Audiences around the world have embraced the characters of Madagascar, and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks are the ideal places for families to enjoy this immersive live entertainment experience,” said DreamWorks Animation’s Head of Worldwide Licensing & Consumer Products, Kerry Phelan.  “The entire creative team behind this uniquely original version of “Madagascar Live!” has done an impressive job of translating the beloved world from screen to stage, bringing it to life for young park guests and family audiences alike.”

“Our parks both entertain and inspire guests to care about animals,” said Scott Helmstedter, Chief Creative Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Likewise, the Madagascar movies also inspire animal lovers, but in a different way with their inimitable charm and humor. We welcome these characters to our family with open arms and look forward to working with DreamWorks Animation on this incredibly funny and engaging new show.”

Madagascar is one of the most successful CG animated movie franchises of all time, grossing more than $1.8 billion at the worldwide box office. In 2012 “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” grossed over $740 million at the global box office, becoming the highest grossing film of the series.

---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Bands, Brew, BBQ at Busch Gardens Tampa

BANDS, BREW & BBQ BRINGS ROCK TO BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

 

Guests Eat, Drink and Get Rockin’ With 100+ Beers to Sample, Big-Name Barbecue and Live Music

 

TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2013) – Bands, Brew & BBQ is back for its sixth straight year, and it’s bigger than ever! Busch Gardens Tampa’s^® smokin’ hot festival is filling every Sunday, Feb. 10 – March 3, with an unlimited sampling of more than 100 specialty and craft beers, saucy barbeque from the bay area’s most popular restaurants and live concerts from some of the biggest names in rock music.

With more options than ever before, the expanded Beer Festival will feature more than 100 imported, domestic and craft beers. Select brews are available at each of the tents along the Bands, Brew and BBQ pathway, as well as in Gwazi Park.

 

For those looking to sample several of the specialty brews, unlimited sampling is available from noon to 5:30 p.m. every Sunday with a Beer Festival Wristband. Wristbands are $30 per person (ages 21+), or two for $50 for Busch Gardens Pass Members, and also include sampling privileges at the Desert Grill restaurant, Crown Colony pub and Zambia Smokehouse.

 

The festival also serves up a savory series of food tents, with Outback Steakhouse, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill and local favorite Kojak’s House of Ribs, as well as a selection of Busch Gardens’ own barbeque favorites. Whether hungry for a sampler plate or a hearty platter, guests will have their choice of perfectly prepared chicken, beef, ribs, sides and more!

 

On Sundays, the Gwazi Park stage sizzles with some of the biggest names in classic rock. Concerts start at 5 p.m., with the field opening to guests at 3 p.m. The full concert area is free to guests and located just behind Gwazi rollercoaster. This year’s lineup includes:

 

                February 10 - John Kay & Steppenwolf

                February 17 - Barenaked Ladies       

                February 24 - The Doobie Brothers

                March 3 - Goo Goo Dolls

 

Guests can reserve the best seat in house for their favorite acts with the Bands, Brew & BBQ VIP Ticket. The VIP Ticket is $34.99 per person and includes priority reserved seating at center stage plus an entrée platter and non-alcoholic beverage at any festival tent location OR an entrée, one side salad, side dish or dessert, and a regular-sized non-alcoholic beverage from any of Busch Gardens’ restaurants. The VIP ticket is available for sale at BuschGardens.com and in park at the Adventure Outpost store, located at the front gate.

Can’t decide which performance to attend?  Buy a 2013 Fun Card so you can pay for a day and come back all year to catch them all! It’s the best value for again-and-again access to all of the exciting, big-name entertainment, amazing animal encounters, and world-class thrill rides Busch Gardens has to offer, including Cheetah Hunt, the Animal Care Center and Iceploration – Busch Gardens’ biggest ice show ever. The 2013 Fun Card is valid from the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2013 and is available at the Busch Gardens’ front gate, online or by calling (888) 800-5447. 

---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Buccaneers Cheerleaders at Howl-O-Scream (pics)

Press Release:

BUSCH GARDENS TERRIFIES THE BUCCANEERS CHEERLEADERS AT HOWL-O-SCREAM

Tampa, FL (Oct. 11, 2012) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders challenged their fears inside the Dark Side of the Gardens at Howl-O-Scream last weekend. The cheerleaders toured the new houses Blood Asylum and Circus of Superstition 3-D.

In Blood Asylum, the cheerleaders ran from “The Creature” in a high-security asylum for the criminally insane. Then, in Circus of Superstition 3-D, the 14 cheerleaders faced 13 superstitions and crazed circus clowns in a 3-D tent of terror.

This is the fourth year that Buccaneers cheerleaders have braved through their scream at Howl-O-Scream. The tradition began in 2008, when they toured Death Row Vengeance. Since then, members of the team have toured a dozen haunted houses and scare zones at the top-rated haunt event.

 

The Bucs cheerleaders that came to Howl-O-Scream this year included: Karen, Kara, Miwa, Katrice, Jessica B., Sydney, Samantha, Amanda, Taylor, Jacqueline, Julianne, Kasey, Tricia and Jessica J.

Thrill seekers only have three weekends left to experience Howl-O-Scream 2012. The event runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, now through Oct. 27, operating hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday nights and 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

General admission to Howl-O-Scream is $79.99 plus tax. Reduced advance-purchase rates and special offers are available for Busch Gardens pass members at TheDarkSideOfTheGardens.com. A $35 savings on general admission tickets is available in advance at participating Publix Supermarkets and AAA locations or with promotional codes found at participating Taco Bell and Applebee's locations in Central Florida.

For guest information, visit TheDarkSideofTheGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447. For media information, call Busch Gardens Public Relations at (813) 987-5097.

Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This year's event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood.

 

 

Busch Gardens Unwraps New Christmastown Holiday Offerings

Today's post is brought to you from our correspondent Christina, who represented us at the Busch Gardens Press Event earlier this week.

It did not feel like a July morning in Florida at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Snow fell, carolers sung, and penguins waddled across the stage to announce the new Christmastown Event. The first ever event of its kind, Christmastown will be a separately ticketed night time extravaganza taking place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings November 30th through December 23rd. Regular theme park admission is not required, and tickets are $39.99 for adults, and $14.99 for children ages 3-9, there are a multitude of discounts currently available for early purchasers, as well as Annual Passholders.

The Christmastown preview center is now open in the Timbuktu area of the park, and it offers a glimpse into what will be an amazing holiday transformation.  The entire park will be shining with over one million lights, which would span a distance of 50 miles laid end to end. There will be 300 Christmas trees, 600 glowing lanterns, and 4,000 arranged poinsettia.


The true meaning of the season is front and center at Christmastown along Miracle Way, where glowing lanterns illuminate the path to the topiary Nativity scene, and local choirs sing heartfelt music to welcome you to the event through Celebration Village. Jimmy Osmond and his family will share holiday memories and song during Jimmy Osmond's Holiday Jukebox, and Busch Gardens will join him in his donation to The Children's Miracle Network. During each night of the event, Gwazi Park will come alive with the sounds of contemporary Christian band Jars of Clay.

At Sesame Street Seasons of Fun, all your favorite characters will be out in their holiday best showing off for pictures. Jingle Bell Junction will offer a special train ride for children, and the parks popular Steam Train The Serengheti Express will be transformed into a moving party of lights and Christmas Caroling called The Christmastown Express. There will be a new Ice Skating show at the Moroccan Palace theater for all guests. Gwazi Park will feature REAL snow with slides, tunnels, and plenty of opportunity for play and pictures. Throughout this area cabins will be scattered offering holiday gifts and seasonal treats like Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels for $2.99. Also on the menu is Mrs. Claus Holiday Feast, a separately ticketed dinner event featuring Mrs. Claus, her playful elves, a traditional Holiday Buffet, and a retelling of the night before Christmas. This dinner is $20.00 for adults, and $14.00 for ages 3-9.

The Carol of the Bells light show decorates The Crown Colony House with an electric symphony of over 3,000 lights all choreographed to your holiday favorites. At Jungle Jubilee see how Christmas and the Jungle meet, with illuminated topiaries of your favorite animals, themed Christmas Trees, and The Flamingo Habitat a swath of over 4,000 twinkling pink lights. In Nairobi, Candy Cane Lanes illuminated pathways wind you to the newest members of the park, penguins, available only to Christmastown guests (the penguins are on vacation from SeaWorld in Orlando).

At The North Pole, the entire Claus family welcomes you into their home, full of holiday spirit and memories to be made. Tour the North Pole before getting a picture with Santa Claus himself. If all that was not enough for you to start looking for your holiday sweaters, during Christmastown most of your favorite attractions will also be in operation, including Cheetah Hunt, Gwazi, and Shiekra. Christmastown promises to be an event with something for everyone, and remember there are discounts if you buy your tickets now.

---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.