HSM3 Fans Join the Show

Source: Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group

Monday November 3, 11:37 am ET

Singalong Version of "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" Debuts Nov. 7, 2008, in 125 Digital Theaters

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the biggest opening for a musical ever, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” invites HSM fans to join in the fun with a singalong version of the film premiering Nov. 7, 2008, in 125 theaters nationwide. Employing digital captioning technology, the singalong version of “High School Musical 3” will be available in top markets nationwide, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

“This is the first time Walt Disney Pictures has ever released a singalong version of a movie in theaters nationwide,” said Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. “’High School Musical 3’ has already received a tremendous response from audiences everywhere and we felt that the movie’s huge base of enthusiastic fans would really embrace a singalong version.”

Fans can find their nearest singalong showing by logging onto Disney.com/HSM3 and entering their zip code or city/state into the available ticketing application. A listing of area theaters and show times, including singalong showings, will be provided.

About the Movie

Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR, in which America’s favorite high school students (ZAC EFRON, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, LUCAS GRABEEL, CORBIN BLEU and MONIQUE COLEMAN) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (MATT PROKOP, JUSTIN MARTIN, JEMMA MCKENZIE-BROWN) joins in the fun as the film’s incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen. Directed by Kenny Ortega from a screenplay written by Peter Barsocchini, the film opens in theaters Oct. 24.

Nov 01 – News from Magic Kingdom and Epcot ...

Source: http://www.doingflorida.com

The Hall of Presidents, Magic Kingdom, closes today for an eight month refurbishment. It’s not just to install the new President figure but also to make improvements to the lighting, sound, projection and show systems. The film projectors will be replaced with digital-video projection systems and new LED lighting will make it easier for the audience to see the figures during the show. The Hall of Presidents first made an appearance in 1971 and hasn’t really changed much since then. It features a speech by the Lincoln figure and also has a speech made by the current President. Disney hopes the new President will be providing the speech again this time. When the show re-opens there will also be a third speech to listen to, this time from George Washington.

There have been rumours that Disneyland’s Parade of Dreams would be coming to Magic Kingdom. It appears these plans have now been cancelled and the current parade will be updated instead. The new “Disney Dreams Come True” parade is thought to be making its first appearance early next year. Cast members are rumoured to be in rehearsals from the New Year. The main changes are thought to be to the "It Was All Started with a Mouse" and the "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" floats.

The new Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure game at Epcot will begin a limited test run with guests after a successful test by cast members. The official opening date for the game is rumoured to be November 12th.

On October 1st all FastPass distribution for show attractions was suspended. The affected shows are Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Stitch’s Great Escape, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lights, Motors, Action!, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, and It’s Tough to be a Bug. The reason for the suspension has not been given but will carry on until at least September 30th next year.

Universal Orlando Resort Announces Brand New Roller Coaster

Source: http://www.themeparks.com

That Features Total Immersion Entertainment and Puts Guests In The Director’s Seat

ORLANDO, FL – Adrenaline pumping and music thumping, you find yourself heading straight toward the sky. Suddenly, you are doing 65 mph, 17 stories over Universal Studios. Gasping with excitement, you rock out to a song you picked before strapping in. And, it’s all on video. Once the adventure is over, you edit the video to send to your friends.

This is true high-tech, customizable, multi-sensory entertainment. Scheduled to open in spring 2009, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will stake its claim as the most technologically advanced roller coaster in the world. The Universal Creative team is combining audio and special effects engineering, sophisticated on- and off-board video and one-of-a-kind guest personalization to create a roller coaster experience unlike any other.

“This is the perfect intersection of the digital age and theme park entertainment,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Creative for Universal Parks & Resorts. “Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit blends roller coaster intensity and guest interaction in a way where no two experiences will be the same.”

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit touts six near-miss moments and first-ever thrills including a record-breaking loop. Ride vehicles feature the brightest and most innovative color changing LEDs in the world. High-energy visual displays fill the queue line. With up to four ride vehicles on the tracks at any given time, and with concert lighting and special effects mixed in, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will be a true high-intensity, multi-sensory experience that is unmatched.

Guests can customize their ride experience by choosing what song will play while they’re on the roller coaster. LED boards in the queue lines will display song options from five genres (classic rock, rap, country, pop and disco). Once on-board, guests can choose their song or let the coaster’s digital sound system choose for them. When the ride is over, guests will be able to customize footage from their experience and compile it into a take-home music video.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will be located near the Jimmy Neutron attraction traveling the southern perimeter of the Universal Studios theme park, over to the CityWalk lagoon and back.

Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando

Nowhere to turn. Nowhere to hide.

Come face to face with your deepest fears as Bloody Mary brings her realm of terror crashing into this world. In the haunted houses or on the darkened streets, there’s nowhere you’re safe in the most immersive horror experience ever—Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

On select nights in September, October, and November, Universal Studios Florida^® theme park is transformed into a nightmarish labyrinth of haunted houses, outrageous live shows, and electrifying scare zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.

Now in its 18th year, Halloween Horror Nights annually drawing hundreds of thousands of horror fans from around the globe to this one-of-a-kind event. Tony Timpone, Editor of Fangoria Magazine, said, “After visiting scream parks all across the US for the last 20 years, I can easily say that Universal’s is the best in the business… Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween experience.”

It’s the greatest exhibition of pure terror ever unleashed anywhere, and you can experience it all, LIVE, only at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Click Here For Ticket Information

THIS EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. SORRY, NO COSTUMES OR MASKS ALLOWED.

Watch a Preview of This Years Event

Use Your Pleasure island Annual Passes at Universal CityWalk

The clubs at Universal CityWalk will honor annual passes from Disney's Pleasure Island through March 31, 2009. Pleasure Island clubs closed on September 27th. If you're a Disney premium passholder -- the kind that includes Pleasure Island, water parks and theme parks, Universal will honor those for CityWalk as well.

How does it works? Present your PI pass with valid photo ID at CityWalk guest services before Dec. 31, 2008. In return, you'll receive a CityWalk pass that's good through March 31, 2009, for select venues. They are Red Coconut Club, Bob Marley's, Pat O'Brien's, Citywalk's Rising Star, the groove, Latin Quarter and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. (It excludes VIP admission and special-ticket events like New Year's Eve.)

For more info, call CityWalk guest services at 407-224-2690.

Check out the Universal Night Life in this video

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party SOLD OUT October 31

Bewitching Fun All Season Long as Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Reigns at Magic Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – When the Disney characters dress up for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this September and October, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be debuting a whole new look. Mickey has traded his scarecrow costume for stunning purple and orange eveningwear fit for a Halloween ball. Not to be outdone, Mickey’s best girl, Minnie Mouse, exchanged her witch costume for a party dress to complement Mickey’s attire.

For Mickey, it’s a top hat and purple tails. For Minnie, it’s a party dress with a purple hat with an orange ribbon – bright and colorful, befitting the fun on 26 evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31 when Magic Kingdom hosts the popular after-hours party.

Guests are invited to dress up as well for the 7 p.m.-midnight party which features two scheduled entertainment extravaganzas guests can see at no other time: the “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and the bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular. There’s trick-or-treating galore and also a chance to experience popular attractions throughout the evening.

2008 Parties are slated for Sept. 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30 and Oct. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31. To purchase advance tickets, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit www.disneyworld.com/halloween.

Ticket Prices
Advance Purchase Price*
$42.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9)
$48.95 + tax (Ages 10+)

Day-of Event Price
$49.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9)
$55.95 + tax (Ages 10+)
Buy tickets online* now or call (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639)†

*Advance purchase price available on the following event nights when purchased prior to day of event: 9/5/08, 9/9/08, 9/12/08, 9/16/08, 9/23/08, 9/28/08, 9/30/08, 10/2/08, 10/4/08, 10/5/08, 10/7/08, 10/9/08, 10/13/08, 10/19/08, 10/21/08, 10/28/08.

SOLD OUT: October 31

Additional Information
Admission to this event requires a separate ticket.
Tickets valid only during specific dates and hours.
Entertainment is subject to change without notice.
For safety, please choose costumes that are not obstructive or offensive.
Some parade routes or show areas have designated viewing areas for Guests with disabilities. These areas are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Guest Relations can provide information on show times and other special events on the day of each visit.

Check out this video of last years Halloween Party

Saving Money & Having Fun on International Drive in Orlando

Excerpt from the ebook "A Mom's Miserly Guide To Orlando & Disney" by Kelly Goode.

For a vacation that is going to include, Disney, Universal, Sea World, the beaches, etc. the most centrally located and ideal place to stay is on International Drive. This area has everything a tourist could want. You can find any type of hotel room possible, from a kid-oriented hotel to an exclusive and decadent (only in the good way) hotel like the Orlando Peabody Resort.

International Drive is actually a strip, like Las Vegas, packed with affordable eats, sights, shops, and hotels. At I-Drive’s north end is Universal Orlando ® Resort, which includes Universal Studios ® (the original, movie-themed park), Islands of Adventure ® (a theme park featuring five action-packed islands), several hotels, and City Walk ® (a shopping-dining-nightclub complex). Wet ’n Wild water park is nearby. (Only go to Wet ‘n Wild if you aren’t going to the Disney Water Parks. It is cheaper, so if you are saving money and doing the Universal parks, then you may want to consider this. All kids seem to love those water slides and wave pools!

International Drive has two different sections, one that is tropical with lush greens and medians, and the other is more like the Las Vegas strip. You will see giant colored buildings in various shapes and colors, huge outdoor mini-golf attractions with animal Second Choice to shapes and pirate ships, and even live alligators are all around. On one building you can see a full mock up of the space shuttle.

You can walk the entire length of International drive if you wish, but it is long, especially if you have little ones. There are plenty of sidewalks, restaurants, shops, and activities.

Getting Around International Drive

I-RIDE–I-RIDE Trolleys are the fun way to get around the International Drive Resort Area. The route stretches from Belz Factory Outlets on the north end to Orlando Premium Outlets on the south end. Fully enclosed and air-conditioned, the I-RIDE trolley operates year-round and includes stops at shops, restaurants, attractions and hotels. Fares: adults 75 cents; senior (65 +) 25 cents; children (12 and under) free. Area hotels sell passes: one-day pass $2, three-day $3, five-day $5 and week pass $7. 407-248-9590. Limousine Services–For business and personal needs, there are several limousine companies ready to serve you. Exotic Limousines, 407-240-6010; Luxury Rides, 407-493-9477, 1-800-581-8436;Superior Transportation, 407-816-8606.

International Drive Hotels We Suggest

With our experience in this area, we chose three hotels that offer you a lot of value for your money in this area. They are basic, with pools, and right in the I-Drive action.

Find over 200 pages of Orlando money saving tips in Kelly's book at: www.momsmiserlyguide.com

Check out this video on Orlando's International Drive