This summer is a perfect time to head to Florida to check out the exciting changes at Disney and Universal!
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, Pandora - The World of Avatar, is officially opening on May 27.
Journey to a distant world where floating mountains defy gravity. Where creatures come alive in a brilliant bioluminescent glow and mystical rivers flow. Where you can fly on the back of a banshee and feel it breathing beneath you.
There are two new rides in this new land. The Na'vi River Journey is a gentle boat ride through the rainforest.
The Avatar Flight of Passage is a breathtaking, first-person flight over the moon’s incredible landscape.
Admittedly, I wasn't a huge fan of Avatar as a movie. It had amazing visual effects but the story just didn't interest me that much. But I can't wait to check out the new land. From everything I've read and seen of it, the visual effects Disney is using in the new land are unbelievable.
Animal Kingdom also has a started a new nighttime show with Rivers of Light. This park's first nighttime show celebrates the beauty of all living things and features water, sound, dramatic lighting and special effects.
While I didn't get to see Rivers of Light on my recent trip, I did get a chance to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris on a sunset safari. It was so cool to see nocturnal animals not normally seen on this ride. And even knowing the sunset was a "Disney sunset" rather than a real one, it was one of the best sunsets I've seen.
Over at Magic Kingdom on May 14, a new show will light up the night sky above Cinderella Castle. Happily Ever After Nighttime Spectacular uses projection mapping combined with Disney storytelling, pyrotechnics and classic Disney characters in a show that will inspire guests to find their own "Happily Ever After". Two unique parts of this show will be an original score and original, hand-drawn animation of characters like Ursula, Aladdin and Tiana.
I'll miss Wishes but can't wait to see Happily Ever After!
At Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Miss Adventure Falls is now open. Have a splashing good time aboard this family-style raft attraction. You'll slide down on a white water rafting adventure past the lost and glittering treasure of the fabled Captain Mary Oceaneer. With a ride time of two minutes, this is one of the longest water attractions at both Disney Water Parks.
Speaking of water parks, Universal Orlando is opening an entire brand new park on May 25 - Universal's Volcano Bay. Universal Orlando Resort's third theme park features Krakatau—the fire and water volcano—that looks over this water playground full of thrills and relaxation. The park will feature all kinds of water rides, from slides to wave pools and rafting adventures to smaller places for your little ones. Volcano Bay provides unique TapuTapu wearables. The TapuTapu devices will be used for everything from reserving your place in a virtual queue for the rides to activating special effects throughout the park.
At Universal Studios Orlando, the new ride Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon is now open. Visitors follow Jimmy Fallon—Host of NBC's The Tonight Show—on board a "flying theater" that zooms you around famous New York City landmarks. Pre-show activities let guests interact with Hashtag the Panda, listen to The Ragtime Gals and send their very own Thank You Note.