Are you ready for the most parkhoppy update ever from Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Gatorland, SeaWorld, and more? After two weeks of blockbuster numbers, you'd expect to see Avengers Merchandise popping up in the parks, but what about at CityWalk? Speaking of Universal, the brand new Despicable Me attraction is getting ready to open to guests and the first activities related to the ride are beginning to open. Next up, we take a look at the latest in the Magic Kingdom expansion and explore other little tid bits in the park. Finally we round things out with a way for you to take part in a live taping of Communicore Weekly on September 29th. And did we mention free tickets to Gatorland! You won't want to miss out on your chance to win!



SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:
Rock out this summer at Universal Studios! Select nights June 9-July 14, you can catch 7 OF MUSIC'S BIGGEST STARS performing live in the Summer Concert Series, right next to Orlando's most exciting, cutting-edge rides and attractions.

The Summer Concert Series performances are included with your admission to Universal Studios Florida.

Artists confirmed so far:
June 9: The Cast of Nickelodeon's "Victorious"
June 16: ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down
June 23: Josh Turner
June 30: Al Green
July 7: Lupe Fiasco

For more information, please visit:
http://www.universalorlando.com/Even...er/Lineup.aspx

AVENGERS IN CITYWALK:
The Avengers have invaded Universal's CityWalk.

Sadly, it's just a merchandise cart

NICK STORE:
Near ET, the old Sponge Bob store is being rethemed.






DESPICABLE ME:
More walls have come down, and more signs have gone up! And Universal has been hosting a Despicable Me dance party in front of Gru's house. The characters are already meeting guest! We can't wait to see more.


The walls came down around the queue giving us a peak into the "minion training."











































Store:
Universal has already opened up the gift shop that guests pass through as they exit the attraction. It is full of great new merchandise all themed to Despicable Me.












































GATORLAND GIVEAWAY:
Our friends at Gatorland want YOU to see their unique brand of WILD Orlando fun. They've given the Orlando Parkhopper two tickets to give away. Just answer the question below in the comments section. If you answer correctly, you will be entered to win one set of TWO TICKETS into Gatorland!

Q. WHO FOUNDED GATORLAND, and IN WHAT YEAR?

Here's a hint... GATORLAND WEBSITE:


GATORLAND SLASHES PRICES FOR LOCALS:

Summer Florida Resident Special
Adults - $9.99 per Person
Children (3-12) - $9.99 per Person
Seniors (55 yrs. and older) - $9.99 per person
Offer Valid: May 5 -June 30, 2012

visit Gatorland online HERE or call 1-800-393-JAWS.



Summer Nights June 23 through August 12!


For more information, visit:
Summer Nights | SeaWorld Orlando



FANTASYLAND CONSTRUCTION:
The progress on the Fantasyland construction is moving along.






You can see here that they merely skinned the existing temporary structure for the circus tents.




More work is going on near the carousel


HAUNTED MANSION:
Magic Kingdom park has been conducting a test of a new Disney's Fastpass System for the past two weeks (May 1-15). Guests have been randomly selected to participate prior to their arrival at the Magic Kingdom. Participants were asked to select a FastPass itinerary based on their preferences of attractions and time of day.

Participants were given an RFID FastPass keycard that could be used based on their itinerary at the following Magic Kingdom Park attractions:



Guests could only use the card on the date, times and attractions listed on their itinerary.

When the Guest arrives at the attraction at their predetermined time, the FastPass keycard would be scanned on the Mickey Head at the Fastpass entrance.


IT'S THE BEACON!

If the card is currently valid, the Mickey Head will light up green and the guest will be admitted. If there was an issue (wrong date/time, invalid) the Mickey Head will turn blue. The Cast Member at the entrance would then check their Tablet computer and will be able to see the issue at hand.

Also available to the Cast Member on the tablet is the Guest Name, and other minor information (if it is their Birthday/anniversary, First Visit Etc).

If the Guest needs to review their itinerary, they may check their email confirmation or visit a Fastpass Kiosk located at Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Stitch's Great Escape! or Guest Relations at City Hall.










The same process would be repeated at the
merge location as well.

Do you think that this new FastPass system is a good thing? Is there too much planning already involved or would this simply add to the magic once you had arrived. What does this mean for the local, day guests?


MAIN STREET U.S.A.:
We Close with a night time look at Main Street and the refurbishments there:






The Bakery really seems to stick out with the work going on.

Weekend 2 (May 25- 27)

Weekend 3 (June 1 -3)

Weekend 4 (June 8- 10)
Activities & entertainment (subject to change)
That is all that we have so far. The weekend events and appearances can change at any time so please check back for more updated info as the events get closer.




GRAND FLORIDIAN:
We see that the vertical construction on the DVC units has begun here.














Summer Nights Returns June 9th!
Summer Nights | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay


Epcot will be turning 30 years old this fall and MiceChat will be holding a gala event in World Showcase on September 29th. Proudly announcing . . .

EPCOT 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!



Come celebrate EPCOT's 30th Anniversary in style with a live taping of MiceChat's Communicore Weekly! Join co-hosts Jeff Heimbuch & George Taylor, along with Kevin Yee, Dusty Sage and the Communicore Weekly Orchestra, for a fun-filled night of fandom and frivolity as they tape a special hour long episode of the hit show, Communicore Weekly. The show will be filled with Epcot history, trivia, and special guests.

Join us on the evening of Saturday, September 29th 2012 in the Norway Pavilion Special Events Lounge in EPCOT's World Showcase for this one of a kind event!

Your ticket includes:

  1. Admission into the live taping of CW in the Norway Pavilion of EPCOT (note: admission into the park is NOT included)
  2. Meet special guest, Ron Schneider, the original Dreamfinder
  3. Decadent dessert reception
  4. Short scavenger hunt event hosted by Kevin Yee before the show will be available to those who would like to participate (prizes will be awarded)
  5. Prizes, giveaways and more
  6. The chance to be a part of EPCOT and Communicore Weekly history
  7. Endless Five Legged Goat stories and perhaps even a real life Bathroom Break
  8. Illuminations viewing
  9. Exclusive late night ride after park closing on a selected EPCOT attraction to cap off the evening


Fun, games, Epcot history, celebrities, and live performances of the catchy Communicore Weekly theme songs. This is an event you won't want to miss, but you'll want to act fast, there are a maximum 75 seats available.

For assistance planning your travel to this event, please contact [email protected]<wbr>com. You'll receive one free admission to this event with every room you book (minimum 3 night stay) through Fairy Godmother Travel (purchase your event ticket now and you will receive a gift card from Fairy Godmother Travel for for any free event tickets you earn).
<wbr>
Come early and stay late. We are also planning an early Halloween event for Friday, September 28th and a Sip and Nibble around Epcot's World Showcase for Food and Wine festival on Sunday, September 30th. More information about these two additional events will be available soon.<wbr>

For more tickets and more information, be sure to visit MiceChat.com/store

Congratulations go to BrianFuchs for guessing last week's Hidden Parkhopper by posting..."Parkhopper is the costume of the baby chick character from Hop float."




Good job! Let's try this again. Look into the magnifying glass below and see if you can figure out where the park hoppers are this week. Post your guess in the comments area below. If you are the first to answer correctly, you will be featured in next week's update. GOOD LUCK!



Want to meet up with other Disney fans while at Disney World?

Several of the Orlando Parkhopper team members are part of a group that meets every weekend. Find out more about the weekly meets (often hosted by Kevin Yee) on Facebook HERE
Please join us in thanking the fantastic and talented crew of writers, photographers and news contributors who worked so hard this week to bring you the latest information from the parks.

This week's update was brought to you by Eric M. Davis (King Eric), Spark In The Dark, Aimster, Fishbulb & Dustysage

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS AND NEWS FROM THE ORLANDO PARKS - Contact [email protected]

Thank you for reading, we hope you have a wonderful week and are inspired to explore the amazing variety of attractions on your next visit to central Florida. We'd love to hear your comments below.



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