Florida Thrills: News, Updates, Reports, and More

Big Thunder Mountain is a staple at the magic kingdom, famous for being a great stepping stone for children who graduated the Great Goofini Barnstormer and not yet ready for Space Mountain. As a result this attraction has suffered a lot of wear and tear without a major refurbishment in recent years.

On January 09 it went down for a multi month refurbishment that will make the ride feel and run like new when it returns. Until then the attraction is hard to see, except on the railroad where track work is going on.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently ...

We have been covering the Hollywood Drive-In Miniature Golf Course being construction at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk for quite some time. Today we are trying something different with our coverage. Included in this update is a video showing how it looks in real time. We’ve also included photographs showing better detail of what’s going on at the construction site. We appreciate your input on the forums if you enjoy or dislike the video update, Click here to discuss.

The construction site appears to be almost finished with today’s announcement of a grand ...

Last night Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS) featured a rare opportunity to see Mulch Sweat N' Shears performing Live. Ok so while that isn't rare the fact they had an explosive stage with a Fireworks Finale was rare indeed. Usually reserved for New Years and Fourth of July the fireworks show was to help entice crowds away from the Magic Kingdom that day, which had a speech by President Obama.
The whole event at DHS took place at the Icon Stage where throughout the evening Mulch Sweat N' Sheers performed sets to audiences that included low level fireworks, Liquid Nitrogen Fog, and even Flame effects depending on the song.
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Actress/model Uma Thurman poses Jan. 14, 2012 with Donald Duck in a 1900s-inspired fire engine while visiting the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Thurman, star of films including "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill," will be seen in the upcoming film "Bel Ami," which also stars "Twilight" actor Robert Pattinson.

(Preston Mack, photographer) ...

Amity may be gone forever (click here for a tribute to amity, Click here for a Tribute to Jaws) but that doesn't stop park guests from taking photos with the Jaws photo op: "Bruce the Shark". On Tuesday January 10 a crane was spotted removing a large back of house equipment. During our visit on January 16 some signs were missing including the Captain Jake's Amity Boat Tours sign.

The images were taken on January 10 and January 16, As always you can click on them to make them larger:

Photos of the walls, and posters on the walls:

Crane lifting out a backstage water compnent: ...

Ever since Universal Orlando announced Despicable Me people have been clamoring for updates but the truth is, not much is happening in view of the park guests. Well there is a little more than people realize but it’s not easy to see. Recently what will become the Marquee has begun to go vertical but nearby the walls block the view of some major work going on to the exterior of the building. We can get a quick look if you stand in the right spot though.

The following photos were taken throughout the month of January,
Remember to click on any image, including thumbnails, to get a larger view: ...