Undercover Tourist

A Peek Inside Storybook Circus

by Nick LoCicero

The first section of the Magic Kingdom’s largest ever expansion is open to guests. The attractions currently open in Storybook Circus include a reimagined Goofy’s Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini, a new train station and one of the two Dumbo’s Flying Circus rides. First, let’s look at the retro-inspired posters on the walls.

Next up, a look at the reimagined Barnstormer.

Here is the cannon Goofy gets shot out of…

…and he lands… well, somewhere past his target…

The front of the entrance sign…

A look at the back of that sign shows this wood was recycled from “Wise Acres Farms”, the Toon Town home of the Barnstormer.

The Queue line offers some shade…

Here is the new train station and bathroom… so shiny and new!

And here is Dumbo

Other images

Old Amway Arena Demolished

This past Sunday a demolition crew dropped the old Amway Arena to the ground. The arena, also known previously as the Orlando Arena or O-rena, had been home to many concerts and events in Orlando over the past 23 years. And most notably to the Orlando Magic NBA team. Here are some pictures of the aftermath.

You can also view a video from ABC news of the demolition.

New Aerials of Everest, MK and Art of Animation

by Nick LoCicero

A Look at Jaws; Post Closing

by Nick LoCicero

As I told you in my farewell to Jaws last month, I was a bit terrified of those Jaws sharks at Universal. All jumping out of the water with their wide open mouths full of sharp teeth ready to chomp. Well, the water has been drained, and the sharks are left high and dry. I was able to check things out from above yesterday. (click photo for enlarged image)

Amity Island renovations

Some buildings have been torn down

Some boats still sit on the tracks

Around the first corner at the bottom you can see the “under water” holes

You can see the winding track

Looks strange with no water

That hole is where the boat house you went into used to be

Another great view of the under ground holes and track

Ariel view of a dried up Jaws

The mechanical sharks now sit dormant and exposed

That’s where the flames and pipe burst were

More sharks. The ones toward the end of the ride that got fried

Looking back at boat house and a great view of track

Boats still sit at the docks

That is where they took boats off the line for maintenance

Looking back toward the first turn

Another shark

Ariel view of the dry Jaws attraction

Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom

by Nick LoCicero

I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be sharing this with you. You see, I’m secretly a sorcerer. Yep. With the help of my Disney character friends I can actually cast spells that defeat some of the most notorious villains around. Don’t believe me? Why just yesterday I took down Scar and his Hyenas and even stopped Cruella Deville from stealing a valuable diamond. But, I do have one small problem, my powers only work inside the Magic Kingdom.

It all started when I showed up yesterday with my friend Austin just to take pictures of some Vinylmation around the park. When I was quickly whisked into the Main Street Fire house where they asked for my pass then swiped it through this machine. I thought they were onto us for sneaking behind the ropes inside the Pirates queue line to get some cool photos. But instead, I was handed 5 amazing playing cards, a Sorcerer’s Key Card and a Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom map. This is the newest attraction at MK and it is included with park admission… and you get to keep the cards! I’ll tell you all about the game itself, but these cards are fantastic and I’m calling it right now… they WILL become a collectible.

The cards have beautiful artwork depicting different Disney characters and they let you know what spell can be cast with that card. The cards also have attributes assigned to them. All this will make sense soon,… Continue reading →

Otronicon Fun!

by Nick LoCicero

Otronicon is a staple now every January at the Orlando Science Center. My friend MC and I had the chance to visit yesterday and had a blast. You still have time to go… It’s open on Monday from 10a – 7p. Check out this article for all the details.

Lazer Tag was a popular draw outside on the 4th floor Suntrust Terrace

How did we game before HD?

EA Sports demonstrates new technology

Video game consoles were set up to try games

Disney displayed Audio-Animatronics and demonstrated how math was at the core

Audio-Animatronic Head

Audio-Animatronic Hand

Who’s that handsome guy?

In the Channel 9 sponsored area, guests can step in front of a green screen…

…and be an Orlando weatherman during a freak snowstorm

It was a lot of fun

Video Game art was featured

Kid Icarus

Bubble Bobble

The Medical Sim Area

Here, you practice on Operation. In the real world, doctors use remote controlled arms on patients

The Military Sim area is always popular

Flight simulator

Virtual Reality Ball

And what would Otronicon be without robots?

Goodbye, Jaws

by Nick LoCicero

In 2012, guests to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure are in awe of the modern theme park marvel called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But two decades ago, guests where just as much in awe of the spectacular attractions at Universal Studios Florida. And today, Universal Orlando says goodbye to one of it’s original attractions. Guests to Amity Village are taking their last boat ride through the shark infested waters of Jaws.

Aerial of Jaws I took last week

My family and I made our first trip to this brand new Walt Disney World alternative in 1991, just one year after Universal opened it’s doors. I remember the wonder and magic of getting to “ride the movies.”

Early 90′s park ticket

But, an interesting thing happened when I began to dig through the LoCicero archives of our summer Florida vacations for this article. First I must say, I remember fondly riding Jaws, of that I have no doubt. Second, we made many trips to Universal in the 1990′s… and as you know, memories tend to blend together. So as to how many times or what trips I rode Jaws, I do not know. But a look at my park map and souvenir book from my early 90′s trips showed something peculiar.

Jaws is missing from the maps! It was also not to be found in the souvenir book. I know it was there! I rode it. Hesitantly at first, but I rode it. I was not as scared as I was of the… Continue reading →

Exclusive: Art of Animation Aerial Construction Photos

by Nick LoCicero

Construction on Disney’s new Art of Animation resort is well underway. We took a look from above this week to see just how far along it has progressed. The resort consists of four themed areas… Cars, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and The Lion King. (click the photo for larger image)

The Cars buildings are some of the most far along. You can see sally drawn along the side of this building. Here is some concept art to give you an idea of what the Cars buildings will look like:

All the different lands have buildings painted like sketch pads filled with drawings of characters from the movies. In some of the following pictures, you can spot different elements, such as the billboards, already in place.

Some of the sketch pads still sit empty.

Here is the unfinished courtyard.

Soon however, the courtyard will be filled with interactive elements like in the concept art above.

Another courtyard shot.

In this picture, you can see Luigi on the top building. The building in the foreground belongs to the Finding Nemo area.

Another sketchpad with Guido and one with Nemo in the background. The Sketch pads on the ends of the building will have full color characters coming to life.

Here you can see one of the Radiator Springs signs with a huge stack of tires on the end of the building.

The mural on the courtyard wall.

Overview of Cars area.

A peak from Cars into the Nemo area. The… Continue reading →

Air Orlando: Winter at the Water Parks

by Nick LoCicero

It’s December. What better place to visit than an Orlando Water Park! I just took an evening flight over Wet ‘n Wild and Aquatica when they were empty. They are both however in full operation year round and still busy while the sun is up.

Wet ‘n Wild… doesn’t that water look refreshing?

Do you have a favorite slide at Wet ‘n Wild?

I was a big wave pool fan when I was a kid.

Wet ‘n Wild against the O-Town skyline.

The colorful slide is Disco H20… I’ve never been on that one yet.

Wet n’ Wild is open during the winter months from 10a-5p daily.

Aquatica, Sea World’s water park, is also open daily from 10a-5p during the winter months.

Another view of Aquatica.

While in the area, I snapped some pics of Sea World all decorated for Christmas.

I’ve never been to Sea World at Christmas… I’ll have to change that. It looks beautiful.

Air Orlando: The Malls

by Nick LoCicero

What’s today? Why its the last shopping day before Christmas! Well ya, you can go Christmas Eve, but that’s just not right. So while I was flying around in the news chopper yesterday, it hit me to take some mall shots for you.

The big attraction is the Florida Mall located off Orange Blossom Trail near SR 528. It even has it’s own hotel!

You also have the Festival Bay Mall near I-Drive as an option.

Now I like the Altamonte Mall. It’s a bit north of Orlando, but it is a decent mall right off I-4 with a lot of stuff around it. But SR 436 is an insane road to drive on any day, never mind with Christmas traffic!