Well, next year’s trip is all booked! So excited for this you will not believe it! Orlando will nave changed so much since our last visit it’s going to be like visiting for then 1st time….well…almost! We will do a separate and more detailed blog about how we booked our trip and who we used to book things etc. More of that later……
Transportation has vastly improved, newer and better road links were opening all the time last year, we had a hard time remembering where we were going?? All around Disney they have improved the road layouts and traffic filtering and the way you get into the parks in general. The main big change last year was the access to Hollywood Studios, the new road went around the back of Black Spire Outpost, and you could see all the building work going on, even then it looked so cool!! The new car park was a bit of a shocker, HWS was never the biggest car park, but boy oh boy that was a total shocker when we drove on last year, it has almost trebled in size just because Star Wars land was going to open. We are looking forward to finding our new way around these roads and parks.
The next big shock was the new Skyliner stations and bus stations that were being built. The sheer logistics that has gone into this is actually mind boggling. The Skyliner will connect “some” hotels and resorts to various parks and let me tell you WE WILL BE riding these for a whole day just to experience them! (Be warned, there will be LOADS of vids and pics of these when we get back!!) Disney are so good at the planning and implementation of works around parks and resorts – when you see the signs “magic at work, or pardon our dust” you just know something special is going to happen…
Not only is Disney working on improvements but the whole of the area is getting a much needed help with the infrastructure. The I-4 has always been a great road to travel on but its absolutely dire at peak times. So over the last few visits we’ve noticed lane widening and extra filter lanes popping up. (Think of the M6 between J11 and 9 at tea time and morning rush hour and you’ll know what I mean.) The main brunt of the work looks like it’s happening up towards Universal Parks area with major infrastructure being replaced and upgraded.. (at last!)
Parks. Now, where to begin?? What have we got new? Hagrids Magical Creature Ride at universal Studios looks absolutely fantastic and we cannot wait to ride this! (That was the old Duelling Dragons roller coaster). They’ve kept the tunnels on the entrance but its a whole new coaster based on Hagrid and his magic friends. You “ride” on a motorcycle and sidecar, and I’m going to say without a shadow of a doubt me and Mrs Oh! Orlando will be arguing about who drives and who’s in the sidecar! (I keep pointing out I’m the one with the Bike licence…but obviously Mrs Oh! Orlando is a control freak and is a terrible passenger!). There is another coaster being built at the moment as well over near Jurassic World and this one wraps around the lagoon in front of the Discovery Center. It’s not named as yet – (well, they say no name has been decided upon but several have been registered with the local authorities as Universal are quite good at keeping things quiet till they want you to know…). Talking of Universal, they have announced a brand new park opening in a couple of years, Universal Universe! This place will be absolutely massive. And its right on Disney’s doorstep the cheeky blighters.
Now Disney have not exactly been quiet. Oh no sir. New hotels. New Resorts. New rides. New transportation system. Star Wars!!!! And nearly redesigning the whole of Epcot ready for the big birthday bash in a couple of years. Let’s just say they do not rest on their laurels. As mentioned before the new Disney Skyliner system is nearly up and running (September 29th). The cars will not have A/C but will be equipped with a well-designed “cross ventilation system” (or windows as well call them). They will be coated in wrap around prints of various characters and the windows will have some sort of heat proof coating to help reflect the Floridian sun. Heaven knows they’ll need it. Can’t wait to try out the Skyliner system and Star Wars – obviously!
Getting around the parks has become so much easier now with the arrival of the ‘Minivans’. These are 6 seater taxis painted to look like Minnie Mouse (hence the term Minivan). They are a great alternative to use if you have to pop out for a meal or a show and you don’t wish to drive, or if you have a really early dining reservation and are up and about before the buses start running. Talking of the buses they are now rolling out brand new buses in new livery, comfy seats usb/plug sockets on board so you can charge up your blogging gear before hitting the parks!
Hotel/resorts. Lots has happened in Orlando in the last 18 months, Disney has opened new hotels and refurbished many others, the Gran Destino has had new towers added to it and it looks fantastic. Added to that is a new restaurant and bridges for access. Rooms in the resorts have been upgraded for a more comfortable feel.
Universal haven’t exactly been standing still, a new water park Volcano Bay, new hotels – The Aventura, the Lowes Sapphire Falls , Cabana Bay and the Endless Summer Resort. Your choice is endless!
One last few things, MCO or Orlando intl Airport has gone through some drastic changes. It has grown so much in the last few years that If you’ve not been in a few years you will not recognise it at all.. the new road system into it is quite mind blowing how much larger it is.
The few things I’m looking forward to (Mr Oh! Orlando here) is visiting some of the places I’ve not been to in years, the Boardwalk Resort looks fantastic as does the hotel the Grand Floridian and Port Orleans. We are going to re-explore all of these old haunts of ours as it’s been a while since we went resort hopping.
That’s it for this week’s mini blog – big blog for you all at the weekend. See ya soon!!
S
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