Oct 08 – What’s happened to Dueling Dragons? …

The building of Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure is having a big impact on the theme park around that area. The ride Flying Unicorn closed months ago, the Enchanted Oak has gone and now Dueling Dragons has been drastically affected. Officials are desperate to keep the attraction open even though it means changing the entrance to the ride and even removing the famous Duelling Dragons heads. There are now lots of constructions walls and paths roped off guiding guests around the area, not really a very attractive sight.

Here’s a link*to recent photographs including some of the new buildings in the Hogwart’s area.


Oct 08 – New eatery coming to Universal CityWalk …

Burger King Corp has unveiled plans for the first Whopper Bar at CityWalk, Universal Studios (see DoingFlorida Forums*for an artists impression of how the new restaurant will look), here’s the official statement from Burger King:

Burger King Corp. (NYSE:BKC) announced today plans to introduce the world's first WHOPPER BAR(TM) at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Fla., in Spring 2009. The new concept, a condensed and more contemporary version of the typical BURGER KING(R) restaurant, was initially announced in March 2008. Universal CityWalk is Universal Orlando Resort's 30-acre restaurant, shopping and nighttime entertainment complex.

The company-owned and operated WHOPPER BAR(TM) at Universal CityWalk is the first of several such sites launching over the next six to 12 months. It boasts a smaller footprint, a modern look and feel and a WHOPPER(R) topper area to encourage customers to customize their orders. The menu will focus on the WHOPPER(R) sandwich and offer special renditions of the signature sandwich, such as the Angry WHOPPER(R), the Western WHOPPER(R) and the Ultimate Double WHOPPER(R).

"The WHOPPER BAR(TM) concept is ground-breaking for Burger King Corp. because it allows us to tap into new channels and reach customers in places where we traditionally found it difficult to operate," said Chuck Fallon, president, North America, Burger King Corp. "By signing the agreement to open the first WHOPPER BAR(TM) we are blazing a new path for the company."

"This striking concept is a new generation of BURGER KING(R) restaurants," said Russ Klein, president, global marketing, strategy and innovation, Burger King Corp. "It's focused on serving the original HAVE IT YOUR WAY(R) burger in a forward-looking format designed for today's on-the-go burger lover."
*


DoingFlorida - Daily Florida Theme Park News

Wow. That is ugly. I'd like to ride it though and I'm not a Harry groupie by any means. But what the heck I love ET.

City Walks, Burger Bar??? Not very creative, but WDW has McD's Fry stands for years. I ate at a burger hole in the wall at City a few years ago, starving and staying on site, it was late I was desperate. It was awful.

Thanks for the link to the pics of construction at IOA. Boy, it's really an ugly mess, isn't it? But it's good that the pics included the tracks for the Flying Unicorn, because that better illustrates just where the construction is taking place.

Thanks for the link.
I didn't realize hte Harry Potter section is not opening until 2010, two more years of construction walls, I sure hope the end result is worth all of the inconvenience.

Burger King at City Walk? Not my idea of exciting, but I guess it will be good for the picky eaters in every group. I'm not a Burger King fan, so that is probably contributing to my lack of excitement, but I wish they would have come up with something new and unique... I like "different" on vacation, not something I can get less than a mile from my house.

Wow, that "Burger King bar" idea is just plain stupid.

Possible stupid idea, yes, but I do think this could be a smart move to fill in a small space. Would you rather this to be just a soda fountain, or a quick fast food grab and go place? I think this'll come in handy while you're either heading to the parks and wanting a quick bite, or leaving home and don't have time or money for a sit down place. Not to mention, what about the TM's that work there at the parks, more specifically City Walk, where would they get their lunch/dinner on the go?

Beth would like the burger bar since she likes Burger King after Steak and Shake out of all the fast food jints. Since we rarley stop in City Walk for anything we probably wont go to the bar unless its on the way out from Island of Adventure. If I want a burger I go to mels Drive In. Otherwise its pizza all the for me baby! Cafe4 or Louies Italian Restaurant.

The dragons were cool but I can live without them as long as Potter World Island is cool. I havent read a Harry Potter book or seen a complete movie yet. ho ho ho