Art for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

There are plenty of reasons why Universal Orlando Resort's Diagon Alley is one of the best single Intellectual Property themed land in any park, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers or anywhere else. The mix of great design detail, unique shopping and dining and those thrilling attractions make it an area a guest can spend hours in. Still it is not the most popular Harry Potter themed attraction to be found.

Perhaps the most popular one is this little coaster named Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. (And you thought Disney was the only one who had claim to ridiculously long attraction names.) In order to get to Hagrid's, you have to leave the Studios park for Islands of Adventure, but it is worth it! Besides, Diagon Alley aside, the Studios park is not nearly as richly themed as the resort's second theme park. 

The concept art from Universal Creative captures the spirit of fun and discovery. It'd be foolish to think that those of you reading this have not been on the ride. But multiple launches, engaging show scenes with real animated characters, an unexpected surprise along the way and multiple ways to ride make this an adventure that is worth repeating. Disney wishes they could pull off something this terrific! 

Universal keeps upping its game with Epic Universe being the next shot at taking up more of those vacation days. What ultra creative, groundbreaking Potter attraction comes next? We'll have to wait and see. 

(Art copyright Universal Creative.)

Happy One Year Anniversary of Epic Universe Opening!

This can't be true! Can it? Florida's Epic Universe has been open one whole year? No way! Yes, it absolutely is true. The third full sized theme park at Universal Orlando Resort is a smash hit, and I can't wait to see it for myself. But I have agreed to let my youngest son and soon to be wife a first crack at it. 

As big Harry Potter fans, it's on the top of their list next to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Regardless, congratulations to Universal Creative. They knocked it out of the park!
 

Four Perfect Slow Travel Days in Walt Disney World- with a Universal Orlando Resort Stop Along the Way

Slow Travel. A brand new trend for the overburdened, stressed out, and frankly tired traveler. It's about time! Can I get an "AMEN!" Is it even possible to go to the theme park capital of the world- Orlando- and have a great time using the slow method? What about all that trip planning for Walt Disney World? Or that list of must-see brand new attractions at Universal Orlando Resort's stunning new Epic Universe? Can I still experience Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry using the slow travel method? I'd say "Yes!" to all the above- and here's how to do it.

1- Set Realistic Expectations- No, you're NOT going to be able to do everything you want on a trip of this duration and with Slow Travel being the emphasis. Once you have that firmly established in mind, it's time to proceed to step number 2.

2- Choose Your Two Must-Do Experiences- Limit your theme park priorities to just two individual experiences and then plan around them. Is it Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry or it is Harry Potter attractions in all three worlds? Perhaps you absolutely must experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or you have to have a day at the beach. Choose carefully. Is eating or drinking at Epcot's newer Space 220 a must? What about the Beak & Barrel bar in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland? The truth is, the leisurely way of visiting the parks where you could just go in and decide on the spot which restaurant or attraction you wanted to experience are over. (I miss that!) Unless you are willing to go having no preferences in mind. 

3- Determine What Will Your Downtime Will Look Like- A priority with slow travel is, well, slowing down and relaxing. Taking things at an easy pace. For me, time by the pool or even better, a day at the beach, works wonders in getting me to relax. A long lunch, touring the resorts, riding the waterways or just sleeping in are some options which will help you really enjoy your time when you tour this way.

Now it's time to begin planning by laying out your days before making reservations. 

Try the following if you need help sorting it all out:

1- Choose One of the Following: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom.

2- Choose One of the Following: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe

Option: Select SeaWorld or Busch Gardens as an alternative choice.

3- Select Two of the Following: Disney Springs, City Walk, Resort Touring, Recreation Day, Pool Day, Beach Day

What comes next? Placing your selections in a day by day schedule that will be most relaxing and enjoyable for your personal preferences,  When it comes to a theme park day, in order to make it the most enjoyable and relaxing, do a little preplanning from home and choose Lightning Lane for your theme park day at Disney. Now, is not the time to skip it and waste hours and energy when you're trying to relax. The same goes for if you are visiting Universal Orlando Resort. Take advantage of their Express Pass option. Bite the bullet. Pay for it up front. You'll be very glad you did when your park day happens.

If you have any Must-Do restaurants on your list, plan ahead to reserve them as soon as you can. Even if you cannot get your preferred time, take what you can get and use it as a starting point.

Other tips: 

Choose a resort closest to your preferred theme parks. 

If waiting for resort transportation is inconvenient, book an Uber or a similar transport. 

Should you want to avoid getting reservations for meals, choose now to be satisfied with walk up food booths or stands if you can't get into what seems good to you when you are there in person.

Consider the resort restaurants as choices for the most relaxing meals. Combine this with a walk around the resort for exploration and relaxation.

Do your souvenir shopping at the resorts or shopping districts but not at the parks. The parks offer very little if anything that cannot be purchased somewhere else. 

Did you do something that really brought you joy and a peaceful attitude? Consider repeating it later in the trip or choose something similar. 

 

Now that you've considered your options, here's my plan for the (hopefully) perfect slow travel getaway:

My Must-Do Experiences and Downtime Plan: A day at Epcot, my favorite Disney park in Florida. Time at the Beach. A day at Epic Universe. Relaxed time at Disney Springs. Explore the resort hotels.

My Schedule: 

Travel Day -Arrive in the early evening. Head off to Disney Springs or our hotel restaurant of choice.

Day One- Epic Universe. Why is this the first full day of our trip? Since I have been to the other Disney and Universal parks, this will be the one I am most likely to try and see everything. The pace will be more hectic and even frantic. We will still be in "busy mode" from the previous work days, so this is a good place to continue that before we truly wind down and take it slow. 

Day Two- Time to head to Disney after checking out. This is a tour the themed resorts and a Disney Springs kind of day. A nice change of pace from cramming in a very full day at Epic Universe. Not a full breakfast but a coffee at our hotel beginning,  so we can save our first meal for lunch. We'll finish it all off with some evening pool time.

Day Three-The Beach. Let's really relax now and take in a bit of what made Florida famous long before The Mouse ever showed up. Both the beaches of Tampa and Cocoa Beach are a fairly easy drive. There's nothing like the sound of the sea, toes in the sand, and a fresh seafood lunch to bring on the mellow vibe. No agenda, no time restraints other than returning to the hotel at a decent time.

Day Four- Epcot. I saved this for last because the memories of our time here last long after the vacation is over. For us, nothing says "Walt Disney World" like a great day at this once innovative theme park. We will bypass festival food booths for a sit-down lunch inside at one of our favorite World Showcase locations. After a day of exploring at a casual pace, we will end our time with the nighttime show and a walk around the beautifully lit countries surrounding World Showcase Lagoon. 

Travel Day- Back to our home turf. There's always a bit of negotiating to by done when choosing our return flight. Do we opt for a later flight and spend some time doing one last item on our list? (You can guess where I land on this compared to my wife.) Or do we head home and get some downtime before reality rushes back in?

Or do we come back home and begin planning the next trip?

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Goodbye to Countdown to Extinction / Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom

It's over and now in the past. The original Countdown to Extinction at Disney's Animal Kingdom was ambitious in some ways and lazy in others. Stealing the exact same track layout as the great Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland was the lazy part but helped contain expenses in a park that was built way over budget. But from there on out, it was a pretty clever and unique take on the dinosaur world. 

Imagineer Joe Rhode and his team brought a great respectful vibe by housing the attraction in a museum, only to counterbalance it with adding much humor to the preshow. OK, sometimes it was cheesy. Very cheesy. I mean, Dr. Grant Seeker? 

In the early years of the new park, it was a thrill ride in a whole new vein from Universal's Jurassic Park. The difference was necessary if Disney was going to stand out from its main dinosaur competitor. It was dark, scary, and exhilarating! When they renamed the attraction to match a new movie, it was a bad move and the beginning of the end. Letting effects go missing, toning down the scare factor, and seeing maintenance become less and less, it was clear Disney suits were planning a change.

I'm very sad to see Disney give up on dinosaurs, but I'm excited for the transition of the land to Tropical Americas. The new Indiana Jones Adventure will surely be a great one, and an Encanto attraction - does it really fit either?- should be charming. It's a kid friendly dark ride this park needs so badly. The land should be beautiful and fit in well with what's in Africa and Asia and Discovery Island- something Chester and Hester's Dinorama never did accomplish.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

An Epic (Universe) Decision

Ever since our visit to Universal Orlando Resort in 2021- the one where surprisingly I declared the Studios' incredible Diagon Alley to be the best themed land in any of the Florida parks- I have been staying on top of the construction of Epic Universe. Now, that it is open, my enthusiasm for seeing the park has only gotten stronger. A recent turn of events means I'll have to delay my trip even more. My son and his bride to be have decided to make Orlando the location of their honeymoon. I think it's only right that the man who introduced me to the worlds of Harry Potter gets first right to see Ministry of Magic in person. Don't you?

Islands of Adventure's Port of Entry Tops The List of Florida Theme Park's First Acts

Sorry, Walt Disney Imagineering, but even the beautiful Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom or the iconic Spaceship Earth at Epcot can't compare when it comes to the grandest, most intriguing "First Acts" of Florida theme parks. The winner of them all is found at Universal Orlando's powerful Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure. It's definitely not the biggest or even the one studded with attractions. It is, however, the one that best captures what kind of day is to come.

 

The art direction, the design detail as I call it, shows what the artists at Universal Creative can do to create the mood, the atmosphere,  of a park that is like no other. You can feel the sense of adventure and excitement in the air. The anticipation of thrills, wonder, and discovery to be found beyond the mix of exotic and whimsical buildings, lush plantings and fountains, all set to a soundtrack that amps up the suspense. 

Watch this video to get the vibe.

At Epcot, Spaceship Earth used to set the stage for what was to come, but the attractions found within the front half of the park no longer deliver a look at the future, belying iconic structure's promise. At the Magic Kingdom, the real "First Act" is better seen once guests reach the hub and can see Cinderella Castle with the other land's entrances around it. The closest Disney competitor is really the grand reveal of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. Even though the park's entrance gardens are beautiful, they hit one note.

Universal Creative did not hit a home run at all of their Florida parks. Sadly, Universal Studios' entrance area feels barren, flat and rather  unimpressive. Beyond the turnstiles, the front of Epic Universe is lovely but doesn't come close in what's presented at the resort's second park. 

The winding path through Port of Entry furthers the impact. Guests can help but be drawn into whatever comes next. Yet, not every piece of Islands of Adventure scores so high. Beyond the entrance, the two lands to the left are nominal in its effectiveness and appeal even if their attractions are some of the strongest (and definitely wettest) in the park.  No matter. More is coming, and these three parks will only get even better, giving Disney's biggest competitor in Orlando a winning hand.

(Top photo copyright Mark Taft. Other images and video copyright Universal Creative.)

Design Detail: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

This is certainly no surprise to anyone who is a theme park fan: When it comes to their newer attractions in the last decade or so, the men and women of Universal Creative are matching the design excellence that once belonged only to Disney Imagineering. The new Epic Universe park is the epitome of what they can accomplish so far. Dark Universe, in particular, stands out in this regard, but the grandaddy of their work seems to remain Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It's not my favorite Potter themed attraction- that'd be a tie between Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Escape from Gringotts- but the sheer attention to detail is unsurpassed. You're not just in the movie, you've been taken out your ordinary world into theirs. My only regret with this award winning attraction is how intense it is on my body! Even with dramamine to kill the effect of riding, I still pay a pretty high place to do so. Yet, the experience as a whole is worth it if not for the queue through the castle. It's that well done!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.) 

Not Our Dinosaur!

Forgive me for doing so. But to quote the infamous Dr. Grant Seeker from Countdown to Extinction aka the very generic but soon to be disappearing Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom,  "That's not our dinosaur"! Jurassic World Rebirth is a mediocre film. The big bad beast is out of place. The pacing lacks, there's too much backstory in an attempt to make viewers really care about the characters.

The talents of the cast are wasted. Under Gareth Edward's leading, the talented Scarlett Johansson just doesn't have much to do. But it is not her fault. The story just isn't there. The best of the cast performances come from Jonathan Bailey in one single moment: his sincere and slightly frightened Dr. Henry Loomis gets appropriately choked up when he touches his first prehistoric beast. 

Yes, plenty of dinosaurs eating both good and bad guys, but that's about all this movie has to offer besides the air conditioned theater it is shown in.
 

If You Can't Go to Tom Sawyer Island, Go Here Instead

The closure of Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom got you down? Does the removal of the Rivers of America bring a tear to your eye and make you wish for the days when Walt Disney ran Imagineering? Don't worry! We have you covered! There's a great place within reach that will remind you of the golden days of theme park design at its best.

Just head down the street from Walt Disney World and take a turn into Universal Orlando Resort. Head into Islands of Adventure. Walk past Hogsmeade and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and even go beyond Velocicoaster. Travel into Jurassic Park and stop. Take a deep breathe. Look around until you find Camp Jurassic. 

This place has all the charm and design detail you'd see on the soon to be demolished Disney island, just with a bit more thrill. Beautifully designed amber studded caves remind you this is not Huck Finn's playground. Is there something dangerous lurking around the bend?

Maybe there are flying dinosaurs overhead. Oh, no! It looks like the creature has a few victims that are being taken high above the island. I guess you could go up there for quite a ride and an incredible view.

But if you're inside those caves and hear a monstrous beast roaming them, hurry up! Get out of those caves, and take shelter up above! At least you'll get a better view of what is on the prowl. And you'll get to see how much there is to explore. 

This overlooked gem in a park stacked with thrills brings a different and immersive vibe on the world of prehistoric creatures. So, if you're missing Tom Sawyer Island and soon, the rest of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, this is the place to go! Yes, Universal now owns dinosaurs in the theme park world. But at least they do it well!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

My Favorite Universal Park Photos: An Evening at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Why didn't I think of this sooner? My Favorite Disney Park Photos has long been a staple of the Insight and Sounds blog. But now after three visits to Universal Orlando Resort- and more to come- it's time for me to do the same for our trips to this growing and fun-filled Disney competitor.

After a great day at Islands of Adventure, it was time for an evening out at City Walk. With so many great places, where would we go? Where else to continue the fun than Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.

When Ms. Penelope Toothsome and her steampunk robot Jacques stopped by to chat with our son, the results were hilarious and the photo opportunity great. The end result of the evening of good food, great desserts, and character interaction made for some terrific memories. And none of the exorbitant prices found at Walt Disney World's character meals. You have to check this place out!

Want to full review of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium? Jump over to this Dine or Ditch review.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Universal Orlando Update: Harry Potter's Empty Hogsmeade

An off week and a quick trip to Florida. First stop? Universal Orlando Resort and Islands of Adventure for a tour through Hogsmeade. With Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure down for an extended time, the must do next choice ride is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The short trip began with last night's dinner at Raglan Road at Disney Springs, but that would be the only stop on the Disney property. What will I do next, you might ask? Well, I'll wait for more photos. It's (sadly) not my trip, so I'm living vicariously through other family members. But it's still a great time. Even especially when its an empty park!

An EPIC Announcement

The game of chess changes for the Walt Disney World Resort on May 22, 2024. Today, Universal Orlando announced the grand opening sate of May 22 for the incredible looking Epic Universe! In this corner, we have the suits at Disney who are slow to build but have a rabid fan base. In the other corner, we have relative upstart Universal who has access to one of the most beloved franchises ever: Harry Potter. With two parks gaining a massive following and the Boy Who Lived soon to be present in three separate parks, Disney continues to lose days guests to their competition. Will Encanto and Indiana Jones sway the flow? Will a Cars themed Frontierland tip the scales? We will see. Let the real battle begin!

(Art copyright Universal Creative.)

Jurassic World: Dinosaurs are Never Extinct

If you've ever really wondered why the suits at Disney have given up on the Dinoland U.S. A. portion of Disney's Animal Kingdom and have plans to turn it into Tropical Americas, Jurassic Work Rebirth might be the answer you're looking for.

 

It's not beyond Disney to create compelling stories that demand sequels and raise subsequent generations knowing the characters and music. But they just can't do it when it comes to prehistoric creatures of any kind. The market is just cornered by Universal's Jurassic Park  / World. They own dinosaurs just like Disney owns mermaids and now snowmen. 

I'd venture to say their dinosaur franchise is every bit as powerful as anything in Marvel, maybe moreso. It's definitely a countdown to extinction for Dinoland U.S.A. another's nothing anyone can do about it. Dinosaurs rule- and they belong to Universal. 

My Single D23 Prediction

D23 arrives in Anaheim, California this weekend! The showcase of what's new and what's next for the Disney creative teams is always a highlight of that year. Except the last two conventions which were a bust from any imaginable angle. Robert Iger (and previously the short-lived Bob Chapek) along with Josh D'Amaro, gave us nothing but teasers. This year should be different, especially with Epic Universe looming in 2025.

Here's my singular prediction: The bulk of the biggest wow moments park expansions and additions will be for Florida's Magic Kingdom. Why? This one is pretty easy I think. In the USA for decades, Walt Disney World's first park has reigned supreme as the top attendance, most visited park. With Islands of Adventure and its star attractions- like Velocicoaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure,  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey- continuing to gain in popularity as a vacation choice, the suits and the Imagineers are not just going to give up the crown to the Mouse's most ferocious and successful competitor. It'd look pretty bad for Disney if a Universal park moved to number one in the States.

So... Beyond Big Thunder Mountain will be only the beginning. But expansion is coming, leaving major additions to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the California parks in the relative dust.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Concept Art

There's a reason for the rabid fan base for Universal Orlando Resort's incredible Harry Potter themed worlds, and Epic Universe is about to add to it in an incredible way! First we had Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, then it was Diagon Alley's thrilling Escape from Gringotts. Then, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure took the crown and rightfully so. Perhaps my favorite ride in the resort. What's next? The upcoming Battle for the Ministry at Epic Universe. The great thing about Universal I'm discovering is that the actual construction and attractions are far better than the concept art. I can't always so that's true of their biggest competitor. Can't wait for more Potter- or anything else Universal Creative chooses to dish up!

(Art copyright Universal Creative.)

Here's to Mothers Day... and Butterbeer!

A nice little shot from our recent trip to Universal Orlando Resort and of course, Walt Disney World. As I was looking for a photo of all four of our kids with their mother, I realized I only had old ones from years ago. That's ok- I have a recent one of our youngest son- the Harry Potter fan- sitting in Hog's Head enjoying a butter beer with his Mom, I mean Mum. 

Islands of Adventure is quickly becoming one of my favorite parks in Florida due to the great Jurassic Park thrill Velocicoaster and my love for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. 

More of our trip report to come. Next up? Universal Studios Florida park.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Our Latest Trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort

Returned a few days ago from a trip to Central Florida. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort were both on our to do list. This was the first time we stayed at a Universal hotel for the entire trip. I'm looking forward to sharing photos and full blown day by day reports, but I haven't even finished our trip to Italy and France. Maybe I'll do this trip in smaller chunks. Lots to tell both good and bad. That said, I have over 2,100 photos that will make for some great "Design Detail" posts in the future!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Walt Disney World: It's A LOT of Work to Have Fun! Universal? Not at All!

Want to ride the newest attractions at Walt Disney World? Get ready to work hard. Disney has made it a major pain- and we had it so much easier at the days we went to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. In fact, I was so frustrated by the experience, if I planned a similar trip for next month (or year), I'd eliminate one Disney park completely. Take a look at our successful Virtual Queue for Epcot's hot new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Notice the time. Notice the boarding group number. Notice the estimated wait. Was it worth just buying a Lightning Lane?  All this amounts to a cash grab, friends. Pure and simple greed. Stay tuned for the trip report.

 

Design Detail: Shanghai Disneyland's Treasure Cove

Design detail is what used to make the Disney parks unique. It's not exclusive to them anymore as Universal Creative has made huge strides to transform old spaces into highly detailed ones as well as create modern day theme park masterpieces. Their Diagon Alley at Islands of Adventure is the best single Intellectual Property themed land ever. (Proof is here.) But that is not to say Disney Imagineering has given up on delivering lands rich in artistry and hidden design gems to discover.

In spite of how large the park is and how this creates a lack of charm, Shanghai Disneyland holds a fair amount of design detail. When the lands feel sterile (surprisingly, Fantasyland for example), it's really bad. But when it's good, it's really good.

When it comes to Mainland China's Disney park - let's be clear here, it is not the other way around- it seems everyone is focusing on Zootopia right now. That's expected as it is brand new, but I'd like to look at a different area instead. The pirate themed Treasure Cove is also an example of great design. 

Yes, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure excels in this area. From entrance to queue to the incredible attraction itself, Imagineering hit a grand slam! 

But on the smaller side of the scale, take a look at the top photo of the almost hidden prison cel just above the waterline of the bay that straddles both Treasure Cove and Adventure Isle. There's a skeleton of the last prisoner peering out from behind the bars. You can only see if from the canoes, but it is something that they did not have to add. These thoughtful touches bring something to the park that most guests probably can't put their finger on, but when found all over, they add a depth and richness to the entire park.  Storytelling at its finest.

Here's one more to be found in Treasure Cove...

There's more design detail posts on the blog as these are part of what make great theme parks compelling. At least to me. And probably to you as well if you've read this far!

(Photographer unknown.)

Universal Orlando's Attraction Posters: Jurassic World River Adventure

Everyone loves theme park attraction posters! For a rather Disney-centric blog, when I share those for Universal Orlando Resort's great Jurassic Park attractions, they are among the most highly viewed of all blog articles. And why not! Islands of Adventure is now one of the world's most popular theme parks, eclipsing some of those found at Walt Disney World. And let's be honest: When Epic Universe opens, it will take another place in the Top Ten. Disney's off their game (as everyone knows) and Universal Creative is on a winning streak. 

On the Insights and Sounds blog, I've got one of the largest collection of beautiful attraction posters for all the other Jurassic Park / Jurassic World attractions as well as for the Disney Parks both domestic and international. If you love theme park concept art as much as I do, well, that's the backbone of the blog. There's are hundreds of pieces to be found here. Enjoy!

(Art copyright Universal Orlando Resort)