General News

Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” was honored recently for “Outstanding Achievement” in the “Attraction” category by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) during the recent 19th Annual Thea Awards.

The Thea Award follows the ride’s recognition for “Distinguished Achievement” from the International 3D Society as “Best Themed Attraction” earlier this year – the second consecutive year the honor was bestowed upon Universal Studios Hollywood and the first-ever multi-year win for a theme park.

Universal Studios has finally confirmed officially that ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. As part of this expansion, the Gibson Amphitheatre and the Curious George attraction will be closing to make way for the new area that will be based on its very popular Florida counter-part.

This new expansion is a $500 million dollar investment into the park and is being launched as the first component of the NBCUniversal Evolution Plan which is a 25-year blueprint for the 391-acre Universal City property. According to Universal PR, the plan includes "upgrades and improvements to production and post production facilities, a revitalized entertainment destination, and modern office space, all without expanding the current property. The plan also includes more than $100 million investment in transportation and transit improvements.

Building on the success of its women-focused events, runDisney is broadening the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort next year by adding a 10K and a new two-race challenge.

The Princess 10K gives runners of various levels more opportunities to run through Disney theme parks and receive a specially-designed finisher medal. And runners looking for an even bigger challenge can sign up for the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday (19.3 miles total) to earn the inaugural Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal to go along with medals from each individual race.

Universal CityWalk is looking to entice music fans this spring break to their new FREE Spring Music Spotlight Series at the “5 Towers” concert venue. MouseInfo was invited to check out the offerings for the event that ended up turning up quite a large crowd for a fun night of great live music and entertainment!

The opening night performance featured Dancing With the Stars and Disney’s "Shake it Up" star Ro Shon Fegan and street performer Chelsea Williams.

Over the span of the event entertains will include “American Idol” season nine winner, Lee DeWyze, “The Voice” contentstants Artist vs. Poet featuring Joe Kirkland and Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” star Leon Thomas III among many others.

The Music Spotlight Series takes place very Friday evening, from March 22 though April 20.

Find out more about Universal Citywalk Spring Music Spotlight Series.

Tiki. It was a phenomenon that swept the US in the 1950s and 1960s. It's the idealized visualization of a fruitful tropical paradise and a pop-culture theme that lent itself to many a pub, bar, tavern, and inn during that time. It's an idealistic theme that has since lost its mainstream popularity but continues to thrive in dwindling numbers within dark watering holes across the country.

These few remaining tropical relics of the past are what author James Tietelbaum is in search for in his book Tiki Road Trip - A Guide to Tiki Culture in North America. This handy guide is in its second edition and it highlights a wide variety of Tiki bars, dives, and restaurants across the US and Canada as well as notable locations internationally to offer reviews, tips, and even drink recipes.

The Walt Disney Company has become the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. By 2015, the company will require all food and beverage products advertised, sponsored, or promoted on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Radio Disney, and Disney-owned online destinations oriented to families with younger children to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and call for limiting calories and reducing saturated fat, sodium, and sugar.