Whats new for 2010 ?

August 2010

 


Photo of Universal's Islands of Adventure The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter - all I can say is "AMAZING"

We have just come back from 3 wonderful weeks in Florida. Our first stop was Universals Island of Adventure and into  Harry Potter, there are 4 rides/attractions here : Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, Ollivander's Wand Shop and The Flight of the Hippogriff. Our personal favourite was Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Although the wait in the queue was about 120 minutes, we all agreed once inside Hogwarts Castle, the queue was far more enjoyable as you feel like you have entered into the magical world of Harry Potter with talking pictures and visits from Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore. As for the ride, well all I can say is both my husband and son are still laughing at the picture they bought at the end of the ride - lets just say I looked rather frightened when 'Arogog' - a huge spider appeared!!! (and no that picture will not be appearing on this site!!!)  Butter-beer is must, and well deserved afterwards, we also had lunch in The Three Broomsticks - food was ok, but nothing exciting and rather expensive! 

 

We also visited Aquatica - Sea Worlds Water Park. We had a lovely day here, where you can choose to ride on several water rides from the slow Lazy River to Taumata's Race - a  high-speed competitive mat ride where eight racers rip down a staggeringly steep hill, head first. There are also two Wave Pools (side by side) which lead back onto a sandy beach, with plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas. We chose to buy the 'Banana Beach Cook Out' (Eat all Day) option for $19.99 for over 9's and $11.99 for under 9's. This was well worth the money, as you can eat and drink as much as you like for the whole day and there was something for everyone!  So whether you want to lay back and relax whilst the older children run about and enjoy all the rides or be a 'Big Kid' yourself this park is well worth a visit!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

March 2nd 2010

 
Cape Canaveral

 

Sometime next month, if all goes well, a 154-foot-tall white rocket will rise from a aunchpad at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station in a crucial test of the ambitions of upstart space company paceX —- and of President Barack Obama's new policy
for NASA.

 

Feb - May 16th 2010

Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television

 

Pay a visit to Orlando's History Centre and discover new ways of seeing characters as defined by their costumes in this exhibition featuring more than 40 costumes, props, and models spanning 60 years from "Star Wars," "Blade Runner," "Terminator 2," "Indiana Jones," "Star Trek," "Ghostbusters II," "Batman," and many more of the most popular films and television shows of all time. Out of this World examines how costume design incorporates color, style, scale, materials, historical traditions, and cultural cues to help performers and audiences engage, in new or accepted ways, with the characters being portrayed. 

 

May 2010

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has arrived at Universal Studios Florida
 
You’ll walk past the Hogwarts Express and enter into the streets of Hogsmeade™, where you can visit the shops and sample fare from the wizarding world’s best-known establishments. Dine at the Three Broomsticks™ and enjoy a refreshing Butterbeer or a pint of pumpkin juice at the Hog’s Head pub. Pick up some wizarding supplies at Dervish and Banges™. Then be sure to stop at Honeydukes™ where you’ll find sweets ranging from Chocolate Frogs™ and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans™ to Cauldron Cakes and treacle fudge. Enter Zonko’s™ Joke Shop and purchase an array of tricks and jokes including Extendable Ears and Sneakoscopes. Visit the Owl Post and send a letter with a Hogsmeade postmark. Then visit Ollivanders™ wand shop for an incredible interactive experience where a wand chooses YOU.

You’ll experience exciting rides like Dragon Challenge™, twin roller coasters that engage in a high-speed chase across the sky. The Flight of the Hippogriff™ is a smaller, family coaster that takes you on a fun ride over the Hogwarts™ grounds. Join Harry and his friends on a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters, and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways you’ve never before experienced.
 

 

 

 

 

WARNING! You must 'apply' online BEFORE travelling to the USA

The days of filling out a green I-94 piece of paper - commonly thought of as the Visa Waiver form - on a plane for entry into the US have ended. You now need to fill in an online request (called the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation form, or ESTA for short) to enter the States, at least three days before travelling; otherwise you'll be turned away at US immigration.

The application form is available right now on the ESTA website (see the link below). It's completely free, so beware of other sites implying there's a fee to pay. Sadly, and rather outrageously, you can only apply online; so those without the internet have to go to a library or ask someone with access for help. CAUTION - THE ESTA SITE HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE AT TIMES. PLEASE BE PATIENT OR TRY ACCESSING IT VIA THE US EMBASSY SITE.

Even if you're only considering going to the States at some point in the future, it's worth filling in the application before buying tickets...just on the off chance you're rejected and can't get your flight/hotel money back.

The application lasts two years (or until your passport expires), and only takes five minutes to complete, so after that you're covered in case you forget, plus the three day rule could be a problem for emergency travel. Once the ESTA is out of date you simply reapply.

(ESTA) click here to register now