Photos by Marcus D’Amelio
Video by Jimmy Strater

The Magic Kingdom Philharmonic Band came marching down Main Street, U.S.A., this morning behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He was riding in a pewter convertible with Mickey Mouse, waving to cheering fans. But he’d earned the ride – and the adulation – Sunday night by marching the Saints to a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

Celebrating Super Bowl heroes in “I’m Going to Disney…� commercials and rides down Main Street, U.S.A., at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort has been a grand tradition since 1987 and Super Bowl XXI. But this one was unique, involving a team and a city overcoming so much adversity that its fan base goes by the nickname “Who Dat Nation.�

As confetti cannons sprinkled Brees with multi-colored paper, it symbolically showered away 42 seasons of “wait till next year.� The waiting had ended at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, thanks in a big way to a torrent of pinpoint passes by Brees, who earned the Super Bowl MVP honor with a 32-completion, 288-yard, two-touchdown, no-interception performance.

Joining Brees for his celebratory ride, along with Mickey Mouse in his football outfit, were Minnie Mouse (decked out as a cheerleader), Chip ‘n’ Dale in referee garb, and “football Goofy� plus players from a central Florida NFL Youth Football team.

Brees’ celebratory visit happened mere hours after he was featured in the 42nd “I’m Going To Disney…� commercial, a series that has featured a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have exclaimed the iconic line following milestone accomplishments.

Related Posts:

• Super Bowl MVP parades down Main Street with Mickey
• Go Magic: Disney World president bets Disneyland president that Magic will win
• Super Bowl ad to feature new footage from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• American Idol winner Kris Allen says he’s going to Disney World – Photos and Video
• Pleasure Island not the only Disney entertainment closing this weekend

IBM recently unveiled a new experiential exhibit at Innoventions at Epcot. SmarterPlanet offers visitors to the park a “behind-the-scenes� glimpse of how technology is helping solve the world’s most complex problems – from reducing road traffic and city crime to improving food safety and local water supplies.

“The new SmarterPlanet experience brings to life the many ways in which IBM technologies are invisibly woven into the way people live, work and play,� said Gary Cohen, IBM General Manager, Global Communications Sector. “The objective is for guests to walk away understanding how forward-thinking solutions can solve our greatest societal problems, and the increasing role technology will play in improving the quality of life for people across the world.�

The exhibit consists of three key areas which demonstrate IBM’s vision for creating a smarter planet:

SmarterPlanet Kiosks
The hands-on interactive kiosks offer guests a “match� game that reveal smarter planet solutions in action. From the same kiosks, guests can take a poll on smarter planet issues and see how their answers compare to those of other guests.

Runtime
Guests are invited to star in their own video game at Runtime. Their first stop is a photo capture station. Here, guests run, jump, and dance as their image is captured to create a personal avatar. Guests then get the chance to play their customized video game and compete against the clock as they journey through a timeline of the history of computing. Runtime players also get the chance to e-mail their customized game and avatar to family and friends. You may recognize this part of the exhibit, as it’s been in operation for just over a year.

Smarter Data Center
Through glass, guests can peek into a fully functioning and highly optimized IBM Smarter Data Center. The Data Center is responsible for running the SmarterPlanet exhibit and also uses less energy than a traditional Data Center. In addition, the Smarter Data Center donates unused computing resources to the World Community Grid to help in various types of medical, humanitarian and environmental research. This project joins together thousands of individual computers worldwide, establishing a large system with massive computational power equivalent to a supercomputer, thereby reducing research time from decades to months.

Related Posts:

• Concept art for The Sum of All Thrills, coming soon to Epcot’s Innoventions
• The Great Piggy Bank Adventure opens tomorrow at Epcot’s Innoventions
• The Sum of All Thrills design-your-own-ride opens in Innoventions at Epcot – Video, Photos
• Raytheon to Bring Robotic Arm Ride Simulator to Innoventions at Epcot
• The Great Piggy Bank Adventure grand opening at Epcot – Photos and Videos

He may have lost out on the Heisman Trophy this year, but Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow can claim an honor few others can – an image of him in action currently graces the walls of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in Orlando. But this is Ripley’s, so that means this is no ordinary portrait. Ripley’s has acquired a Tim Tebow mosaic made from more than 46,000 Airsoft BBs – the plastic balls used in a popular type of BB gun.

The artwork was created by Gainesville artist John O’Hearn. O’Hearn is primarily a sculptor, but has spent the last few years experimenting with Airsoft BBs as a medium. The BBs act as pixels in the mosaics he creates.

O’Hearn says he can recreate any picture or portrait from just five colors of BBs – red, green, blue, black and white – a challenge when your subject is wearing Gator orange. Red BBs are used in the helmet, but O’Hearn mixes them with green and white BBs to make the Florida orange.

The Tebow mosaic measures approximately four feet by six feet. It contains 227 tubes, and each tube contains 204 BBs – for a grand total of 46,308 tiny plastic balls.
O’Hearn is a grad student in the arts program at the University of Florida – a proud member of the Gator Nation and a big Tebow fan. “It’s a nice way to honor him for all he’s done for Gator fans,� said O’Hearn.

According to Edward Meyer, vice president of Exhibits and Archives, O’Hearn and other artists are putting a modern-day spin on the style of pointillism.

“What they are doing is related to French Impressionism from the 19th century,� said Meyer. “But they are utilizing computer technology and different media to create some amazing works of art. This example is remarkable because of the enormous number of balls used.�

Tebow joins an exclusive list of unique celebrity portraits now hanging in Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museums worldwide, including President Obama, Michael Jackson and Dean Cain all made from gumballs; Eminem made from M&Ms; Princess Diana made from dryer lint; and Madonna made from junk mail.

The Tebow portrait is currently available for public viewing in the lobby of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in Orlando. It may become a permanent exhibit. The portrait can be seen for free, but normal admission is required to tour the museum.

Ripley’s Orlando Museum is located at 8201 International Drive. The hours are 9:30 a.m. to midnight daily.

You can find out more about artist John O’Hearn at ballmosaics.com.

Related Posts:

• See Michael Jackson’s portrait in gum balls at Ripley’s
• Special Gator celebration Saturday at Universal
• Photo: Cinderella Castle lit blue in support of the Orlando Magic
• Go Magic: Disney World president bets Disneyland president that Magic will win
• Many ‘Get One Free’ offers available through mid-November

Holy movie props and costumes Batman, there’s a cool new exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando.

The “Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television” exhibit runs today through May 16, 2010. Organized by the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, Wash., the 3,500-square-foot exhibition highlights television and movie history through more than 40 costumes, props and models from some of the your favorites spanning 60 years. You’ll see costumes and props from “Star Wars,â€� “The Wizard of Oz,â€� “Ghostbusters,â€� “The Terminator,â€� “Indiana Jones,â€� “Star Trek,â€� “Batmanâ€� and many more.

There’s also a complementary exhibit called “Lights! Camera! Action! Filming in Paradise,” which showcases Florida’s history in film and television, featuring “Apollo 13,â€� “Meet the Fockers,â€� “Where the Boys Are,â€� “Lethal Weapon 3,â€� “Creature from the Black Lagoon,â€� and “Return of the Creature.â€� Visitors follow a Florida Walk of Fame into the exhibit and then visit a “setâ€� to see what’s behind the scenes.

In conjunction with Out of this World, the History Center will also host a series of special events and programs:

Out of this World Grand Opening
Saturday, Feb. 6
A festive day full of activities, surprises and refreshments celebrating the exhibition in Heritage Square in front of the History Center.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Museum admission required to see exhibition.

Out of this World Fashion Show
Saturday, March 6
Original Designs Based on Superheroes and Villains. A runway show featuring original creations by fashion design students.
6 p.m. reception; 7 p.m. show. Call (407) 836-7010 for tickets.

Brown Bag Lunch & Learn
Tuesday, March 16
The beauty from the 1954 classic horror movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon� and the sequel “Revenge of the Creature,� Ginger Stanley Hallowell was a renowned underwater performer, swimmer and film body double on TV and in the movies in the 1950s. A real pioneer in Florida underwater swimming, she is featured in many of the underwater shots from both Weeki Wachee and Silver Springs in the 1950s, and was stunt double for not only Julie Adams in the Creature movies, but also Esther Williams and others.
Noon to 1 p.m. Free. Call (407) 836-7010 for reservations.

Cosmic Comic Connection
Saturday, April 10
C3 celebrates animation, cartoons, anime, films, costuming, and comic books. The day is packed with special guests, panel discussions, contests, vendors, workshops, and more. Meet some of your favorite characters and comic book legends.
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included with museum admission.

Star Wars Day
Saturday, May 8
Stormtroopers take over the museum. Movie costume and make-up workshops, crafts, and other surprises immerse visitors in the world of science fiction.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included with museum admission.

Masters Go to the Movies
Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25
In conjunction with Out of this World, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park presents choral and orchestral works from favorite movies including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more.
April 24, 7:30 p.m.; April 25, 3 p.m. at the Bach Festival. For information or tickets, visit bachfestivalflorida.org.

During Out of this World, the Orange County Regional History Center will be open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General Admission Prices, Feb. 6 – May 16, 2010:
$12 adults
$9 seniors (60+), military and students with valid I.D.
$7 children ages 5 to 12
Children 4 and under are free.

The Orange County Regional History Center is located at 65 E. Central Blvd., in downtown Orlando. Covered parking is available at the Orlando Public Library garage adjacent to the museum. For more information, visit thehistorycenter.org or call (407) 836-8500.

Related Posts:

• Hollywood Studios Villains exhibit reopened
• Star Wars Weekends will offer exclusive peek at upcoming animated movie
• Celebrity and other fun photos from the FX Show
• Dust off your bell-bottoms for Retro Game Night
• Hilarious Dance-Off with the Star Wars Stars 2009 at Disney’s Star Wars Weekends – Video and Photos

Editor’s Note: 2:30 p.m. Feb. 5, 2010 – We’ve just been notified that LeeAnn Rimes has canceled. The Zac Brown Band will perform in her place at 3 p.m. at SeaWorld tomorrow.

It’s a musical weekend in Central Florida. You have your choice between three big name musical acts as three different theme parks kick off their concert series.

Mardi Gras starts tomorrow at Universal Studios with KC and the Sunshine Band, Bands, Brew & BBQ starts tomorrow at SeaWorld with LeAnn Rimes, and Busch Gardens will hold their Bands, Brew & BBQ on Sunday with Dennis DeYoung. If you time it right, you could catch all three.

Here’s the upcoming musical line-up:

Bands, Brew & BBQ at SeaWorld
Feb. 6 – LeAnn Rimes
Feb. 13 – Montgomery Gentry
Feb. 20 – John Rich of Big & Rich
Feb. 27 – Yes

The festival starts at 11 a.m. The concerts start at 4 p.m.

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios
Saturday, Feb. 6 – KC and the Sunshine Band
Saturday, Feb. 13 – Heart
Sunday, Feb. 14 – Kool & the Gang
Saturday, Feb. 20 – Blondie
Saturday, Feb. 27 – Dierks Bentley
Saturday, March 6 – Akon
Saturday, March 13 – Aretha Franklin
Saturday, March 20 – Miranda Lambert
Saturday, March 27 – 3 Doors Down
Saturday, April 3 – Beach Boys
Friday, April 9 – Sheryl Crow
Saturday, April 10 – Flo Rida
Saturday, April 17 – Chicago

The Feb. 6 to March 20 and April 17 concerts start at 8:30 p.m. The March 27 to April 10 concerts start at 9:30 p.m.
The Mardi Gras parade starts a half-hour before the concerts.

Bands, Brew & BBQ at Busch Gardens
Feb. 7 – Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx
Feb. 14 – Willie Nelson
Feb. 21 – Huey Lewis and the News
Feb. 28 – Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

The festival starts at 11:30 a.m. The concerts start at 4 p.m.

All three events also offer food and other entertainment in addition to the concerts. All of the concerts and festivities are included with theme park admission.

Busch Gardens is also in the middle of their Real Music Concert Series. Click Here for more information.

For more information:
Bands, Brew & BBQ at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios

Related Posts:

• Musical weekend at Universal, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
• Musical lineup announced for Bands, Brew & BBQ at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
• Many free concerts upcoming at the local theme parks
• Dates and concerts for Mardi Gras 2010 at Universal Studios announced
• Universal’s concert line-up for Mardi Gras

By Ricky Brigante
Photos by Jeremiah Daws

Readers of this blog are already quite familiar with the Universal Orlando Resort. Orlando Attractions Magazine regularly covers the latest happenings at Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure as well as Universal Orlando CityWalk. But this past weekend I took a trip to California and decided to check out Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time to see what it’s like to experience a “studios” theme park that’s actually connected to a real movie studio.

I only had general knowledge about the Universal Studios Hollywood before visiting, so I asked a few California locals for their opinions of the park in advance. The most common response I received was that I was going to be disappointed, so I went in with rather low expectations. But I came out with a completely different reaction. The park offered solid entertainment throughout the entire day and I had a genuinely great time.

So what can a past visitor to Universal Studios Orlando get out of visiting its Hollywood counterpart? Plenty. [Read more...]

Click here to continue reading Out of the Loop: A visit to Universal Studios Hollywood…

Related Posts:

• Video: Ride the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at night
• Universal Studios photo update for June 29, 2008
• Miss America 2010 contestants visit Universal Studios – Photos and Video
• New ‘Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit’ Coaster for Universal Orlando
• Google Street View now available for Universal Orlando

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the McDonalds at Downtown Disney will be closing on April 30.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Representatives for Disney World and McDonald’s said the exit stems from a 2004 decision to end a 10-year exclusive sponsorship agreement between McDonald’s Corp. and Walt Disney Co. The Downtown Disney restaurant was included in that agreement.

“Our alliance partners are ever-changing and this shift in our relationship with McDonald’s reflects the dynamic nature of the sponsorship business,� Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said.

McDonald’s said all of its employees at the Downtown Disney were offered transfers to other McDonald’s locations and that no one would lose their job as a result of the closure.

McDonald’s will continue to operate its restaurant near the entrance to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

A restaurant called Pollo Campero will be opening in its place.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Pollo Campero, an international Latin chicken quick-service restaurant chain, has partnered with Levy Campero to deliver a new restaurant concept in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort. The restaurant, which is scheduled to open in late 2010, will feature Pollo Campero’s signature Latin cusine, as well as fresh, and healthful foods. Menu items will include Latin chicken, yuca fries, sweet plantains, and Latin drinks including horchata and tamarindo.

Related Posts:

• New Downtown Disney restaurant, Paradiso 37, to open in May
• Concept Art For Downtown Disney Updates
• Wolfgang Puck Express completely redone at Downtown Disney
• Planet Hollywood’s On Location store closes at Downtown Disney
• Iron Chef Cat Cora Planning New Walt Disney World Restaurant

The official Web site for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure was updated today with some new features and details on the rides and experiences.

One new feature on the Web site is a low fly-through tour of the Hogsmeade Village and around the castle. New details found on various part of the Web site reveal …

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This brand new ride in Hogwarts Castle will allow guests to “soar above the castle grounds, joining Harry Potter and his friends on a thrilling adventure. Riders will come face to face with creatures from memorable moments in the films such as the Hungarian Horntail, a giant Acromantula, Dementors, and the gigantic Whomping Willow as they speed and swerve through iconic locations from Harry Potter’s world.”
The ride is rumored to be using robot arm technology with guests riding on broomsticks.

As you make your way to the ride you’ll pass by Dumbledore’s office, the Defense against the Dark Arts class, the Gryffindor common room, the Room of Requirement and more.

Dragon Challenge
This roller coaster ride is currently running as Dueling Dragons. But once made-over, “guests will pass the Goblet of Fire and Triwizard Cup on their way to choose their dragon.” You’ll choose between the Chinese Fireball and the Hungarian Horntail.

Flight of the Hippogriff
This family coaster used to be known as The Flying Unicorn. But when Wizarding World opens, “visitors will follow a path past Hagrid’s hut and will be instructed in the proper way to approach a Hippogriff. (A Hippogriff has the head of an eagle and the body of a horse.) Once on board, guests will then have a chance to bow to Buckbeak before the family-friendly coaster spirals and dives around the pumpkin patch, swooping past Hagrid’s hut. The coaster is described as “woven from wicker and decorated with fluttering leaves representing feathers.

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
This shop will be located at the exit of the Forbidden Journey ride and it’s where you’ll be able to buy your on-ride photo. In addition to Harry Potter souvenir clothing and stationary, you’ll also be able to buy authentic movie prop replicas here, including walking sticks and Death Eater masks.

Zonko’s Joke Shop
Some of the items for sale will include Sneakoscopes, Extendable Ears, Fanged Flyers, screaming yo-yos, boxing telescopes, Pygmy Puff and shrunken heads. You’ll also be able to try “magical” sweets such as Fainting Fancies, Fever Fudge, U-No-Poo and Nosebleed Nougat.

Dervish and Banges
This shop will offer The Monster Book of Monsters, Hogwarts clothing and Quidditch gear such as Quaffles and Golden Snitches. Brooms will also be for sale, including the Nimbus Two Thousand and the Firebolt. This shop is also listed as carrying Sneakoscopes, Spectrespecs and Omnioculars.

Honeydukes
This sweet shop will offer Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans, Cauldron Cakes, treacle fudge, chocolate frogs, acid pops, exploding bonbons and Fizzing Whizzbees.

Ollivanders – Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.
We previously wrote about Ollivanders here, but the updated Web site says that in addition to having a wand choose you, you’ll find character replica wands from the films and collectible wand sets.

Owl Post
This is where you’ll be able send mail with a Hogsmeade postmark using Wizarding World stamps. In the rafters of the building you’ll see nearly two dozen resting owls, turning their heads, hooting and ruffling their feathers. The site warns you to cover your ears as you pass the Howler displayed in the window. Listen for the Grand Owlery clock tower to hoot on the hour.

Three Broomsticks
This restaurant will offer Butterbeer and pumpkin juice, and meals such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, Cornish pasty and turkey legs. Kids meals and dessert are also available.

Contest may offer clues to an opening date
The only date that’s been released for the opening of Wizarding World is Spring 2010, but a new contest may offer some clues to a more exact date.

Information was released this morning on a new contest through the Today show. A school classroom will win a trip to the opening ceremonies by making a video telling “Why is my class extraordinary?�

The contest ends on March 19. The public will be allowed to vote online for the winning class through April 29. That tells us The Wizarding World of Harry Potter won’t have its opening ceremony until after that date. There’s also a section of the contest rules that says all travel arrangements must be made a minimum of 25 days prior to travel. That would put the opening sometime in late May. Of course the new land could soft-open before the official ceremonies, and the contest says all dates are subject to change.

• You can read more about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Winter 2010 issue of “Orlando Attractions Magazine.”

Related Posts:

• New details for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter Update – New Official Poll Asks What Scares You Most
• Win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Super Bowl ad to feature new footage from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• New video offers exclusive look at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Aol’s WalletPop.com is hosting the exclusive online premiere of the complete Super Bowl commercial for Universal’s new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area in Islands of Adventure.

The spot is also appearing on the home page of Aol, in advance of its CBS television broadcast on Sunday’s Super Bowl.

The ad shows two children riding on broomsticks through Hogsmeade. From that, many are guessing that broomsticks will be some part of one of the rides. You can briefly see the Dragon Challenge ride, and the riders aren’t on broomsticks. Plus at the end of the commerical, Harry Potter appears and tells the kids to follow him and they fly right into Hogwarts Castle. Since that’s where the brand new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is located, you could guess you’ll be riding on a broomstick during that ride.

Related Posts:

• Super Bowl ad to feature new footage from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• New photos and videos from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter construction
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter Update – New Official Poll Asks What Scares You Most
• Large photo released of Hogwarts Castle at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Video, Photos: Wizarding World of Harry Potter construction update for November 10, 2009

Planet Hollywood has closed one of their retail stores at Downtown Disney. The Planet Hollywood On Location store in Downtown Disney’s West Side is closed as of today.

The store was located next to the recently opened LittleMissmatched store. Even though it was their largest store in Disney World, they’re still selling Planet Hollywood merchandise at their store inside their restaurant and just outside of the restaurant at Downtown Disney. They also have a store on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

There’s no word yet on what will open in the now empty storefront.

Related Posts:

• Lefty’s, The Left Hand Store opens at Downtown Disney
• Starabilias memorabilia store at Downtown Disney closes
• Design-A-Tee store now open at Downtown Disney
• Latin chicken restaurant to replace McDonalds at Downtown Disney
• LittleMissMatched store opening at Downtown Disney on Monday