As we recently blogged, May 28th had been discussed as a soft opening date for the attraction. The June 18th firm opening date now gives Universal the opportunity to work out any operational issues. This fits together to get all the elements of the $200 million attraction ready on time.

Vacation homes in Orlando present the ultimate lodging opportunity for families and travellers wishing to enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This site is one of the largest informational references on the net for Orlando vacation rentals. You’ll find over 80 detailed community profiles including reviews, distances to theme parks and details for each subdivision. Consult our home page for these individual community reviews.

New Roller Coaster Universal Studios Orlando

Orlando, Fla. – We just got back from previewing the state of the art roller coaster now under construction at Universal Studios Orlando. We also took some photos of the new roller coaster at Universal Studios Orlando.

The new Universal Studios rollercoaster is called – The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster.

The Roller Coaster is unique for several reasons. First, it actually goes through the theme park above the heads of tourists. Second, it has a record breaking loop. Third, the coaster has a staggering climb and drop of 17 stories with speeds up to 65 miles an hour.. Fourth, the ride is totally customizable to the rider – riders will be able to program their own music on the coaster and edit a video of their ride once they disembark to take home.

The ride will be an intense sensory experience with color changing LED/s and high energy visual displays.

Clearly, as the new roller coaster in Universal Studios Orlando, The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster will be the rollercoaster ride for 2009-2010 in Orlando.

See our new rollercoaster Universal Studios Orlando video preview below as well as a map of Universal Studios Orlando.

View Larger Map

Universal Studios Florida® , Universal Orlando®, Orlando, Florida

407-363-8000, 1-800-837-2273

Bands for Mardis Gras 2009 Include:

02/07/2009 KC & The Sunshine Band

02/14/2009 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

02/15/2009 Village People

02/21/2009 NE-YO

02/28/2009 Pat Benatar

03/07/2009 Barenaked Ladies

03/14/2009 Montgomery Gentry

03/21/2009 Collective Soul

03/27/2009 Boys Like Girls

03/28/2009 Kelly Clarkson

04/04/2009 MC Hammer

04/11/2009 Trace Adkins

04/18/2009 Nelly

For the biggest party East of the Bayou, New Orleans comes to life in Orlando at Universal Studios. Guests can catch beads, listen to real New Orleans musicians, see the Mardi Gras parade with hundreds of costumed characters, stilt walkers and Mardi Gras Floats.

Mardi Gras has been held at Universal Orlando® for many years, and as with age, has become a well prepared and matured Orlando event.

Various concerts are held throughout the park. As you explore, experience some real New Orleans cooking and drinks.

You can enjoy all this with a regular Universal Studios Florida® ticket

Visit the Mardi Gras website to learn more or play our preview below.

Halloween Horror Nights ® at Unversal Studios ® started out as a means to attract residents and tourists during a relatively slow time in the Orlando tourist calendar of October and November. The Universal Orlando® Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights® 2009 has since become a global phenomenon attracting people from all over the world.

For certain nights in September, October and November, one of Orlando’s most popular parks, Universal Studios Florida ®, is transformed into a massive haunted house.

The event is now in its 19^th year. The Horror Nights experience has been modified and continuously improved into what many consider to be the best Halloween experience in the world.

Hotels around Universal Studios ® fill up fast for this event and are indicative of how popular the event has become. For those who are looking to make a long weekend or week out of it, and perhaps visit Walt Disney World ® or Sea World ®, you may want to consider renting an Orlando vacation home. The homes are great economical alternatives, and can typically sleep from four to sixteen people, boasting private pools, garages and fully equipped kitchens.

HHN 2009 Dates

Sept 25 & 26

Oct 1-4

Oct 8-11

Oct 15-18

Oct 21-25

Oct 28-31

Halloween Horror Nights Theme is ” Ripped From The Silver Screen” based on the movies Chucky, Saw and The Wolf

HHN Ticket prices are $69.00 for the Universal Orlando® Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights® 2009 if you are a subscriber to our feed above.

The Universal Orlando® Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights® 2009 is definitely not for young children.

For more information on Universal Orlando® Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights® 2009, click HERE to visit their site directly