Universal's New Mini-Golf to Affect Valet Parking?

Just yesterday, Universal Orlando announced that they would build a new mini-golf course just near the entrance of Universal's CityWalk. It will be done by the beginning of 2012. Here you are some more info:

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UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW HOLLYWOOD DRIVE-IN MINIATURE GOLF EXPERIENCE COMING TO CITYWALK

Guests Can “Hit the Links” by Early 2012 With Two 18-Hole Courses Based on the Classic Drive-In Movie Era

Orlando, Fla.  (May 11, 2011) – Universal Orlando Resort today announced plans to premier an all-new, 36-hole miniature golf experience – Hollywood Drive-In Golf – at CityWalk by early 2012. The experience is being designed by Universal’s creative team to do for miniature golf what a blockbuster theme park attraction does for a movie:  bring it alive in an entirely new way. The two state-of-the art 18-hole courses will be unlike any other mini golf experience...

     The new experience is being developed to complement Universal CityWalk’s role as an entertainment hub with something for everyone.

     “We created Hollywood Drive-In to be fun and different and something everyone can enjoy,” said Ric Florell, senior vice president and general manager of resort revenue operations. “We used creative theming and state-of-the-art technology to take the experience to the next level. It’s perfect for Universal CityWalk – whether you are playing at 11am or 11pm.”

     Situated just below the first level of CityWalk and next to the AMC Cineplex, guests will see the miniature golf courses as they are entering CityWalk from the parking garages. Construction on Hollywood Drive-In Golf is scheduled to begin this summer and the venue will open by early 2012.

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Now, two things come to our mind:

1. First of all, why didn't they wait to announce this new mini-golf on May 19, when they will make some more exciting announcement? What do they have in store for us? Will they announce something more than just the replacement of Jimmy Neutron and the rehab of one of their rides? Will they finally announce the eagerly-awaited "WonderSea Island waterpark, that everybody wants to see realized?
2. Another issue that comes to mind is: What will happen to the Valet parking?

Indeed, let's take a look at the location of the new mini-golf:

As you can see, they will have to remove the valet parking, to make way to this new mini-golf. Have they really decided to get rid of it? We don't think so. A lot of people use the valet parking, including people that just want to get a drink or eat a bite at one of the restaurants, and choose to stay only two hours; in addition to those, many who have the "Premier Pass", like us, have the opportunity to have free valet parking, a really valuable perk that should not be taken away from passholders (unless they give us more free water and free Universal Express all day...). Anyway, where are they going to put it?

If you were to have a Premier Pass, and knew you had that perk, would you not be upset?

Islands of Adventure Update - Jurassic Park & More

After our new Universal Studios Florida update, we present you a new Islands of Adventure update, with a look at the closed Jurassic Park River Adventure and a general view of the park, to see what's new. Let's start:

Jurassic Park River Adventure is closed for refurbishment:

The wait times for the day:

NEW! - Some new, seasonal entertainment:

Grad Bash stuff still around:

Green Eggs and Ham is closed:

Mythos is a bit moldy, but not as much as in other days:

NEW! - Over in Jurassic Park, it looks like they've been installing a new covering for the fence:

Near Jurassic Park River Adventure, they're still working on the fences:

Triceratops Discovery Trail is closed. It will return this summer:

Wow! Was it that busy?:

NEW! - Jurassic Park River Adventure is currently closed for refurbishment, as we said earlier. Take a look:

Themed sign on the wall, that's how I like it. Maintain the story, even though the attraction may be closed::

Inside the shop:

I never noticed these before:

Behind the walls:

More walls:

Time to repaint the whole rock formation:

NEW! - Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls was closed for technical difficulties. Two water rides closed in one day, in Orlando, in May! Better not do that...

You can get a good view of the very powerful water cannons, though:

In front of Dudley, you could meet...

Popeye and Olive Oyl!:

Grad Bash, yet again:

The seats under Spike's house are still gone. We wonder if they will ever return, or if this will remain as a simple photo-op:

No Aggro Circus:

This scary-looking fence wanted to prevent me from going to the other side:

Spiderman:

The Hulk, greener than ever!:

The bottom of the launch tunnel has been repainted as well:

The Preview Center was open:

We can't participate, since we live in Florida:

Look what we have found here!:

I never noticed this nice, little detail!:

Just outside the park, we wanted to catch the names of the boats that take guests to the resort hotels.

One of them is the "Take Two":

The other tow are the "Star Struck"...

... And the Reel Thrill:

That is all, for now.

Thank you very much as usual for viewing!

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