January 8, 2010

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF BEADS, BANDS AND GOOD TIMES WITH MARDI GRAS 2010

Flo-Rida	Heart
Kool and the Gang

Celebration Includes Authentic Mardi Gras Parade and Cuisine, Along with Live Performances by Acts Such as Aretha Franklin, 3 Doors Down and Miranda Lambert

Florida Residents Can Maximize Their Mardi Gras Experience with a Variety of Special Offers

Orlando, Fla. (January 7, 2010) – On February 6, Universal Orlando Resort will kick off its 15th year of Mardi Gras – the biggest and most authentic Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. Guests will experience the spirit of Bourbon St. in the heart of Universal Studios, with festivities including live concerts by artists like Flo Rida, Sheryl Crow and Chicago, authentic Cajun cuisine, a spectacular parade and tons of beads.

With a combined total of more than half a billion records sold worldwide, this year’s Mardi Gras lineup features an eclectic mix of 13 of the biggest names in music. From hip-hop to pop, country to rock, and R&B to disco, there will be something for everyone. Along with Flo Rida, Sheryl Crow and Chicago, Mardi Gras guests will enjoy live performances by headliners like “The Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, country sensation Dierks Bentley, hip-hop artist Akon, multi-platinum selling rock band 3 Doors Down and the No. 1 selling American band of all time, Beach Boys.

In addition to seeing top-name talent perform on the main stage, guests can also visit Universal’s very own “French Quarter” – a replica of the New Orleans’ famed district – and groove to the authentic bayou sounds of bands directly from New Orleans.

To commemorate this special year, guests will enjoy a heritage-themed Mardi Gras parade featuring new colorful renditions of floats from past year’s events. Universal worked with New Orleans-based Blaine Kern Artists, Inc. to incorporate new elements into some of the most memorable floats in the event’s history. The twelve vibrant floats will cruise the streets of Universal Studios during the festivities, filled with riders tossing beads by the handful to excited park guests.

Guests will also enjoy the aroma and taste of authentic Cajun cuisine – such as jambalaya, gumbo, beignets and king cake – along with hundreds of costumed characters and stilt walkers dancing and mingling in the streets. Party-goers will also enjoy Universal Studios’ most popular attractions, including the all-new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – a radically-innovative roller coaster that combines hit music, first-ever maneuvers and highly-sophisticated audio and video for a one-of-a-kind ride experience.

Check out the below fact sheet for complete details about Mardi Gras 2010 – including the complete talent lineup and Florida resident offers.

# # #

MARDI GRAS 2010 AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
Event Overview
• Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is the biggest and most authentic celebration outside of The Big Easy, featuring hundreds of costumed characters, tons of souvenir beads, Cajun cuisine and an elaborate parade featuring floats designed by Blaine Kern Artists, Inc – the same company that designs floats for the New Orleans parade.

• Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2010 Mardi Gras celebration kicks off on February 6 and runs every Saturday night through April 17, with additional dates on Sunday, February 14 and Friday, April 9.

• Mardi Gras is included in admission to Universal Studios.

• More information is available at http://www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

MARDI GRAS TALENT LINEUP
Saturday, February 6 KC and the Sunshine Band
Saturday, February 13 Heart
Sunday, February 14 Kool & the Gang
Saturday, February 20 Blondie
Saturday, February 27 Dierks Bentley
Saturday, March 6 Akon
Saturday, March 13 Aretha Franklin
Saturday, March 20 Miranda Lambert
Saturday, March 27 3 Doors Down
Saturday, April 3 Beach Boys
Friday, April 9 Sheryl Crow
Saturday, April 10 Flo Rida
Saturday, April 17 Chicago

FLORIDA RESIDENT MARDI GRAS OFFERS

- Save $25 on Universal Orlando Annual Passes
• For a limited time, save $25 on a Power, Premier or Preferred annual pass and enjoy an entire year of thrills:
• Power Pass - $114.99 after savings
• Preferred Pass - $194.99 after savings
• Premier Pass - $264.99 after savings
• Must be purchased by April 18, 2010 with specially-marked Coca-Cola and Wendy’s products
• Visit Universal Orlando’s website (www.universalorlando.com) for full details and the benefits of each annual pass

- Florida Resident Mardi Gras Getaway ~ Starts at $79 per person, per night
• 2-night accommodations at a hotel near Universal
• 2-day/2-park ticket to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
• Early park admission to select attractions in Islands of Adventure
• Complimentary transportation to Universal Orlando Resort
• Upgrade to an on-site hotel for as low as $147 per person per night and receive complimentary Universal Express access to rides and attractions; and a reserved Mardi Gras parade viewing area at the event

- Mardi Gras After-5 Ticket ~ $49.99 plus tax
• Admission to Universal Studios after 5 p.m. on any one Mardi Gras event date

Top of the page

HOLLYWOOD RIP RIDE ROCKIT: WHERE HIGH TECH MEETS HARD ROCK

New Universal Coaster Uses Extreme Technology to Create Extreme Ride Experience Universal Also Releases New Ride Animation and Vehicle Preview

ORLANDO, FL (June 2009) – Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a high-speed rush of first-ever maneuvers, hit music and specially created take-home videos starring each rider. These experiences have never been brought together on a coaster before – and rely on extreme technologies being used in entirely new ways.

“This is where high-speed coaster meets outdoor mega-concert meets user-generated content – all shot on production-quality video,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “No one has ever created such a sophisticated ride experience. And no one has ever used technology the way we have to pull it all together.”

The ride vehicle is a high-performance hot rod that features a revolutionary new restraint system designed to put riders closer to the experience than ever. They pick their own music using industrial-grade touchpads that operate with the sophistication of an iPod. Songs from five genres of music will be pumped through individual sound systems that rely on all-weather speakers typically reserved for high-performance sports boats. And the network of cameras that will create the guest videos are used on high-speed trains and engineered to work in the toughest conditions.

Here is how it all comes together:

Ride Vehicle
Guests begin their adventure when they slide into the bucket seat of the specially designed X-CAR. The X-CAR’s wheelbase is short enough to allow for the tight, intricate maneuvers that only Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will deliver. The vehicle features stadium-style seating so that everyone has an unobstructed view. And there is no over-head/pull-down restraint system. Instead, a revolutionary lap bar allows for unprecedented freedom of movement.

Guest Interface Panel
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the country’s only coaster where guests can choose the soundtrack to their ride from songs representing five different genres of music. They will use a personal touchpad – or guest interface panel – mounted on the lap bar to make their selection. The panel is designed for ease of use and visibility. It is military-grade durable and waterproof. And it uses wireless servers to upload each rider’s music pick.

Audio
Each seat is outfitted with Polk Audio marine-grade stereo speakers that can push out 165 watts. Guests will rock to 90 decibels of music – and yet never hear the songs playing for other riders. This sound system - typically installed on wakeboard boats – gives riders an entirely new way to experience music.

Cameras and Video
There are 14 cameras that will capture the guest experience: six on-board each ride vehicle and eight along the track. They are designed to provide production-quality footage under intense conditions. Used on high-speed trains, the digital cameras will perform at ultra-high data capture rates for up to 14 hours a day – all at variable Gs and high-speeds.

A series of lasers will trigger timing devices and computers to ensure that the rider’s music and video are in sync. After the ride, each guest video is downloaded wirelessly from the ride vehicle to a viewing kiosk in 25 seconds. Guests will be able to purchase a specially edited take-home version of their experience and share it with their family and friends.

Lighting
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the only coaster in the world with daytime LED color-changing lights. Each ride vehicle has 36 different lights that will be programmed to change color and to either be steady, strobe, twinkle, race or pulse. That means the coaster will be an ever-changing light show for those on the ground.

Ride System
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit features the country’s only operating moving roller coaster load platform – meaning it uses a people-mover-style conveyer belt to get people to their vehicles so that riders and vehicles never come to a complete stop. This allows vehicles to leave the station every 23 seconds.

Power gets to each vehicle’s cameras and computers via on-board capacitors that get freshly charged each time the vehicle passes through the load station – similar to how an electric subway train is powered. And finally – the brains of the system is a network of self-checking computers called Programmable Logic Controllers which constantly check the entire system and synchronize wirelessly.

Now go check out two new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit videos
First, for a 3D interactive preview of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s revolutionary ride vehicle, click here. Enter rockitpreview as your username and preview as your password.

Then, for a sneak-peak at a new animated video that showcases the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit ride experience – plus additional images and information – go to http://media.universalorlando.com/ripriderockit. This is a Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit-dedicated media site complete with news releases, video and RSS feeds.

About Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park destination that places you and your family in the heart of pop culture’s most incredible and timeless stories – making you the superstar in a world-class adventure story and allowing you to discover your own inner hero. Guests experience two exciting theme parks – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as well as Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre restaurant, shopping and nighttime entertainment complex; and three magnificently themed on-site hotels – the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and the Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Flagship experiences featured in the theme parks include “The Simpsons Ride,” “Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride,” “The Incredible Hulk Coaster” and “The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.” More information is available at www.universalorlando.com.

Top of the page

DISASTER! A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE RIDE…STARRING YOU! OPENS TODAY AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

Orlando, Fla. (January 17, 2008) – Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring You! opens today at Universal Studios Florida. The new attraction features the first-ever use by a theme park of a high-tech virtual imagery technology called “Musion” and a special appearance by Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson.

Disaster! replaces Earthquake and combines the best, most dramatic elements of Earthquake with an all-new storyline, top name celebrities, new “Musion” technology and all-new interactive elements. Park guests enter “Disaster Studios” and become part of the production action surrounding a “major motion picture.”

Johnson was at Universal Studios Thursday for the opening of the new attraction. In the attraction, Johnson plays a film hero who helps “save the day.”

Musion technology is a unique high-definition video projection system that transforms two-dimensional images into what seem to be live three-dimensional images. The Musion set in place at Disaster! is the first-ever use of the technology by a theme park and the largest permanent installation of that technology ever. Universal uses Musion technology to bring Disaster Studio Director “Frank Kincaid” to life as he explains the passion behind his work and recruits guests to take part in his next picture.

“The use of Musion technology in this attraction allows us to blend illusion with reality to surprise and entertain our guests,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative for Universal Parks and Resorts. “They are amazed by the effects we have created.”

Throughout the 15-minute attraction experience, guests are filmed as extras for different elements of Disaster Studios’ newest blockbuster film, “Mutha Nature,” taking direction from Frank Kinkaid and his production assistants. In the end, they are able to see the results of their work in a tongue-in-cheek trailer for the film, starring Johnson. Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring You! is located in the San Francisco area of Universal Studios Florida.

Dwayne Johnson is best known for his roles in Universal Pictures’ The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King and, most recently, The Game Plan. Now a firmly established presence in Hollywood, he can be seen in the upcoming Warner Brother’s comedy GET SMART opening in theaters June 20, 2008. Johnson is currently filming the family comedy Witch Mountain scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009.

Universal Orlando Resort (www.universalorlando.com). With Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal Orlando has created some of the world’s most innovative theme park attractions based on pop culture’s most compelling films and stories.
Families will experience two world-class theme parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - a nighttime entertainment complex and magnificently themed on-site hotels. Universal Studios is a working film and TV production studio as well as a highly acclaimed motion picture and television theme park featuring attractions such as “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” and “Shrek 4-D.” Islands of Adventure is the world’s most technologically advanced theme park and features five uniquely themed islands that include Seuss Landing, Marvel Super Hero Island and Jurassic Park. Its marquee attractions include “Jurassic Park River Adventure” and “The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.”

In addition to its theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre nighttime entertainment complex that features restaurants, shops, clubs, a 20-screen cineplex and live-entertainment. The destination’s three on-site Loews hotels include the Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort.

Top of the page

Harry Potter “Theme Park within a Theme Park” Scheduled to Debut in 2009 -- Fans to be Immersed in the Adventures of the World’s Most Popular Wizard

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Envisioned as a “theme park within a theme park” and titled “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the new environment will become part of the experience within Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.

“Over the years we’ve received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories,” said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Entertainment. “Working with Universal Orlando Resort, we are confident that we’ll be able to provide Harry Potter fans with an incredible experience that upholds the richness of J.K. Rowling’s books and delivers on the authentic detail portrayed in our films.”

“We will rely on our company’s rich movie heritage and expertise in transforming film concepts into theme park entertainment experiences,” said Ron Meyer, president and COO, Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are among the most compelling of our time. The millions of people who have read the books and seen the movies will now be able to experience the world of Harry Potter in person.”

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters – and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films – “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself. "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," said J.K. Rowling.

“We have a profound sense of responsibility for the Harry Potter franchise at Warner Bros. Bringing the magic of J.K. Rowling’s written word to the motion picture screen was the first step in expanding this amazing and imaginative world. Working with Universal Orlando Resort to bring it to life in a physical environment that you can walk through, relax in and ride on is the natural next step for fans to experience and enjoy,” said Alan Horn, president and COO, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Expected to open in late 2009, the new environment will feature immersive rides and interactive attractions, as well as experiential shops and restaurants that will enable guests to sample fare from the wizarding world’s best known establishments. Also debuting will be a state-of-the-art attraction that will bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in an exciting way that guests have never before experienced.

“We are going to devote more time, more money, more expertise and more executive talent from throughout our entire organization and creative team – as well as from Warner Bros., our partners – to ensure that
this entire environment is second-to-none,” said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks
and Resorts.

Brad Globe, president of Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products, added: “In Universal, we found the right partner whose unparalleled commitment will ensure that this is a world class destination. Their track record of success and the consistently high level of entertainment at all of their parks gave us the confidence to know that they will meet—or exceed— the extremely high expectations we all have for this project.”

The Academy Award-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked to bring the world of Harry Potter to life in all of the feature films to date, leads the creative design for the area to ensure it remains faithful to the look and feel of the films.

“Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter’s world as it is portrayed in the books and films,” said Craig. “I am very excited to be working closely with the Universal Orlando team to bring the area to life.”

The Universal Orlando resort destination (www.universalorlando.com) includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, the Universal Studios motion picture and television theme park and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando's most thrilling and exhilarating theme park. Universal Orlando also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue as well as premier on-site Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.

Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. The series of books by author J.K. Rowling has been translated into 65 languages with more than 325 million copies sold in over 200 territories around the world. The films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $3.5 billion at the box office worldwide. Each of the four Harry Potter films produced to date has the distinction of making it into the all time top 20 grossing films worldwide. The fifth film in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™, will be released in theatres on July 11, 2007.

# # #

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
(s07)

Top of the page

THE SIMPSONS RIDE” OPENS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO IN ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED ATTRACTION LAUNCHES IN HISTORY

Orlando, FL – You’ve seen the show, played The Game, watched The Movie. And now, yes, it’s finally here. You can ride – The Ride.

America’s favorite animated family has arrived in Orlando – with their very own mega-attraction. The Simpsons Ride officially opened today at Universal Orlando Resort. The new attraction plants guests smack in the middle of a brand-new Simpsons adventure – a ride adventure so big, so funny and so thrilling it’s no surprise it took years to make.

In an unprecedented collaboration, Executive Producer James L. Brooks, Creator Matt Groening and Executive Producer Al Jean in association with 20th Century Fox Television and the creative teams of Gracie Films and Universal Theme Parks have accomplished what has never been done before – the launch of the world’s first authentic mega-attraction of The Simpsons.

“The Simpsons Ride” showcases everything the hugely popular television series has made famous and that Simpsons fans love . . . a great story, humor and irreverence that are pure Simpsons, with original animation starring cast members Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and guest star Kelsey Grammer.

Guests are swept into Krustyland, a theme park created by the show’s cash hungry clown. Meanwhile, maniacal Sideshow Bob has escaped from prison and has taken control of the park to get his revenge on Krusty and the Simpson family. Hand-picked by Krusty to be the first to ride his newest attraction, you are thrust into the middle of the action.

The attraction is larger than life – from the 28-foot-tall Krusty the Clown at the entrance (guests walk through Krusty’s mouth on his extended tongue) to the giant wrap-around cinematic experience created for this great new adventure. Guests soar through Krustyland and Springfield on a ride that features the world’s first-ever cork screw that’s animated!

“I take with all due sense of mission and humility the opportunity to spray water and spritz baby
powder at Universal patrons,” says James L. Brooks.

“For twenty years I've been dreaming about this, and here it is -- a wild, thrilling Simpsons Ride put together by a huge number of talented artists and amusement-park maniacs,” says Matt Groening.

“The Simpsons Ride is Universal at its best: bringing blockbusters to life in entirely new ways,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts. “And with its unique sense of humor and enormous popularity, it is the perfect complement to our brand of entertainment.”

“We have created the ultimate Simpsons experience,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “It’s a wild ride through the world of the Simpsons – up close and with the whole family, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie – like you’ve never seen her before.”

“We’re bringing the fun and joy of The Simpsons to millions of fans in the most immersive way possible. The Simpsons Ride is a blast!”, said Elie Dekel, Fox’s Executive Vice President of Licensing.

As the longest running animated series and the longest running primetime comedy series ever, The Simpsons has aired more than 400 episodes. The critically acclaimed show features Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson, who take traditional family life and turn it upside down. Exploding into a cultural phenomenon in 1990, The Simpsons has remained one of the most visible and marketable properties domestically and internationally. The Simpsons is noted for famous celebrity guest voices (such as Kelsey Grammer, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Kiefer Sutherland, Natalie Portman, Simon Cowell, Gore Vidal, U2, Mick Jagger and Aerosmith) and received a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in January of 2000. The Simpsons Movie was released on July 27, 2007, has earned more then 500 million dollars worldwide and is now available on DVD.

This twenty-three time Emmy-Award-winning series is currently airing its 19th season. The Simpsons is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the current Executive Producers. Film Roman is the animation studio.

Top of the page