BItezise Orlando August 2023 – Issue 26

I hope this new update finds you all well and welcome to another edition of your monthly Orlando news catchup, Bitesize Orlando August 2023. The summer crowds have dissipated in the theme parks. 2023’s summer season was marked with some attendance highs and suspicious lows perhaps helped by the rather active weather Florida has been experiencing this summer. The parks are now turning their attention to their next hard-ticketed event, Halloween. Magic Kingdom has already launched Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on certain evenings. Yes, it’s August but it’s an incredibly popular event! Onto the news and as usual please use the quick links below to jump to what interests you or feel free to read the whole thing over a cuppa.

Website Updates

I have once again been busy behind the scenes and as promised, my visual guide to Seaworld has been live for the last week on my Exposure channel. Now all the main theme parks in Orlando have accompanying visual guides that I hope will inspire you to grab the best photos to remember your Orlando trips by.

Last week I gave my blog page a much-needed refresh. It’s now even easier to find articles that are relevant to you using the park categories. My latest Bitesize Orlando articles are highlighted in their own section and each park chain has its own news section. I hope you like the refresh. Please let me know your thoughts on the usual channels or email me directly.

Last month I also mentioned I had started work on my first guide to Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest theme park opening in 2025. Construction has been going at a rapid pace and is mostly under the radar for such a big infrastructure project. I am almost ready to lift the lid on all the details you will need to enjoy your visit to Epic Universe. The article is 3/4 written, I just have photographs from my flyover of the construction site to work on so you can picture what will be where. Look out for my ultimate guide to Epic Universe hopefully, later in September.

Disney World News September 2023

New Alcohol Policy Now In Effect

A growing trend in recent years for guests staying on-resort is the option to order groceries to your hotel. With food prices in Disney World, and all other parks, at an all-time high, cost of living pressures are making visitors look for ways to cut their spending in the resort leading to an explosion in grocery orders.

As well as saving money on meals it is a great time-saving hack that many people now employ. Have a cheap breakfast in your room before you head to the park. Breakfast in the parks, generally, is overpriced and overrated anyway so you’re not really missing out on anything by having a bowl of cereal in your room to set you up for the day.

Disney is more than happy to hold grocery orders for you if they arrive before you or when you are out enjoying one of the parks but there was an issue with certain items that has always been a bit of a grey area.

Some vendors were able to deliver alcohol to be held at guest services while others flat-out refused or were turned away by Disney when they arrived. Different states in the U.S. have different minimum age limits in regards to alcohol consumption. In Florida, the legal minimum age to purchase and consume alcohol is 21 instead of 18 like in the UK. It’s a small issue that catches many first-time visitors off guard.

Effective immediately, Disney has updated their grocery delivery policy to now to exclude any alcoholic items. If your grocery order contains alcoholic items you will need to be present to sign for and prove your age, on delivery otherwise the whole order could be refused by Disney.

It’s frustrating but completely understandable given Florida’s stringent underage drinking penalties and now at least we know for sure that if you want to order alcohol to your hotel you need to be present at Bell Services when it arrives to accept it (and don’t forget your passport). If you are ordering items for your day of arrival make sure you leave at least 3 hours between the plane landing and the grocery order arriving to give you time to get through security and to your hotel before it arrives. For most UK flights this will mean booking an evening slot between 8 pm and 10 pm because most direct flights arrive mid afternoon through early evening.

Early 2025 Hotel Pool Refurbishment

Some of Disney’s on-site hotels are renowned for the recreational facilities they provide, particularly the pools. One of Disney’s most popular resorts has announced a multi-month closure of the busiest pool complex on Disney World property.

If you are in the early planning stages of your 2025 Disney World holiday and are looking at options you definitely need to make a note that the popular Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool in Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort will be closed from January through May 2025 for a routine refurbishment.

The 795,000-gallon water complex has 3 whirlpools and a 230-foot-long waterslide (one of the highest on Disney World property). It’s widely regarded as the best pool in Disney World so when it shuts for refurbishment it’s always a big deal.

Guests may also hear and see construction work during the day. You are welcome to use other leisure pools in the resort; Tidal, Admiarl and Dunes Cove but bear in mind they are not as popular as Stormalong Bay so you may want to change your accommodation plans or holiday dates to take this major refurbishment into account.

Parking Tram Service Reinstated At All 4 Parks

Disney World visitors rejoice, parking trams are returning to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios in September. Your legs can finally be saved from that final brutal walk back to the car!

This small but very welcome change will mean that parking trams are now being offered at all 4 parks for the first time since the service was withdrawn because of COVID in 2020. Parking trams were reinstated at the Magic Kingdom in 2021 and Animal Kingdom back in 2022. The official tweet is below.

Beep beep! This September, parking trams will return to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With this update, trams will once again be available at all @WaltDisneyWorld theme parks. pic.twitter.com/ISw6PZiNJT

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) August 20, 2023

Disney Releases First Promotional Video Of Journey Of Water

It’s been in technical rehearsal forever (OK, a few weeks) and we still don’t have the official release date but Disney has released some new promotional photos and the first video of Journey Of Water Inspired By Moana, which will be opening sometime later this year.

The short 30-second video gives us our first proper glimpse at some of the interactive elements debuting in the new area. Check out the video courtesy of News 6 below.

Universal Orlando News August 2023

All 10 Houses Announced For Halloween Horror Nights 2023

Universal has lifted the veil on all 10 houses that form part of the attraction lineup at Halloween Horror Nights 2023. The houses and scare zones for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 are:

A selection of attractions will also be running but there is no confirmation yet as to what they will be. Popular show Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream returns to thrill audiences with ariel acrobatics and hair-raising stunts set to a backdrop of electronic and metal music.

If you’re an on-site resort guest head over to Cabana Bay to get your photo taken at Chucky’s Twisted Playground a photo illusion experience based on the USA Network ScFy series featuring 5 uniqely scary photo opportunities. The experience is free, you just need your room key card to enter the experience.

Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 are on sale now via Universal Orlando or directly in the UK from the usual ticket vendors.

Check out the 2023 Halloween Horror Nights Scream Squad teaser video below.

Death Eaters To Apparate At Universal Studios For The First Time

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 will see the debut of Lord Voldemort’s loyal followers, the Death Eaters who will appear in an interactive live entertainment experience on the streets and in the dark corners of Knockturn Alley in the Wizarding World – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Will you accept the challenge to join the dark side?

Those who do can shop for Death Eater Merchandise in Diagon Alley. They will only be appearing on select nights between the 1st of September and the 4th of November during Halloween Horror Nights.

Minion Land Officially Opens At Universal Studios Florida

Universal has officially opened Minions Land and Illumination Avenue at Universal Studios Florida now that brand new headline attraction Villain-Con Minion Blast has finished its soft opening phase and is open for regular guests.

The opening of Villian-Con Minion Blast also heralds a new era in interactivity for Universal. Guests are able to sync up their blasters to their Universal Orlando App accounts to track scores and embark on special missions within the attraction as well as unlocking evil perks and powerful blasts to help boost their scores and earn digital collectables.

This kind of interaction between the App and physical attractions is expected to be a big part of Epic Universe, Universal’s brand new third gate when it opens in the Summer of 2025.

Speaking of Epic Universe, if you haven’t heard about all the Epic coming to Orlando in 2025, I got you later this month with one of my most comprehensive guides ever compiled just so you can get up to speed with all things Epic Universe. From the basics like where it is and how you can get there right through to all the attractions you can expect it’s one guide you will not want to miss if you’re starting to plan your 2025 holiday!

Hogwarts Express Refurbishment

A quick heads up to all the wizards (and Muggles) that love the Hogwarts Express, the attraction that transports you between Wizarding Worlds at Universal Orlando. It will be down for seasonal refurbishment from the 10th of December. It is expected to reopen on the 17th of December.

If not being able to ride Hogwarts Express is a dealbreaker for your trip you may want to alter your December dates to accommodate the refurbishment. Hogwarts Express isn’t integral to the Wizarding World experience. It is possible to walk between parks generally much quicker than waiting in line for the Hogwarts Express but it does add the the magic and immersion of the franchise so for some this shutdown could be a huge blow. If that is you and you can’t change your theme park dates to accommodate the closure then I am sorry but there are plenty of other experiences between both Wizarding Worlds for you to enjoy.

Hollywood Rip, Ride Rockit Gets Refreshed Playlist

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit has been at Universal Studios Florida since 2009. Players have a choice of music to listen to during their ride split over 5 genres:

• Classic Rock/Metal
• Rap/Hip-Hop
• Country
• Club/Electronica
• Pop/Disco

Each of these genres was historically represented by 6 different tracks. The tracks have remained the same since the coaster opened but Universal has now updated and simultaneously cut the song choice to one per genre which are now:

Classic Rock/Metal: “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance
Rap/Hip-Hop: “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar
Club/Electronica: “Sandstorm” by Darude
Pop/Disco: “Waterloo” by ABBA
Country: “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” By Shania Twain

If these song choices are not to your liking a popular “hack” on the ride reveals a hidden list of tracks which are still present after this update. To access the hidden list of tracks hold the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit logo at the top of the screen for 10 seconds. When you release your finger off the logo a number pad will appear allowing you to select a 3-digit number pertaining to your song choice.

The list of songs hasn’t been fully checked in quite a while but the tracks below have been successfully played in the past.

#101 – The Temples of Syrinx by Rush
#102 – Blues Before and After by The Smithereens
#103 – Break on Through by The Doors
#104 – Crocodile Rock by Elton John
#105 – Do it Again by Steely Dan
#106 – Don’t You by Candlebox
#107 – Drivin’ Rain by Gov’t Mule
#108 – 8 Miles High by The Byrds
#109 – Fantasy by Aldo Nova
#110 – Fool by Rollins Band
#111 – For The Love Of God by Steve Vai
#112 – Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
#113 – Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
#114 – Just Because by Jane’s Addiction
#115 – Live by Lenny Kravitz
#116 – Mexicola by Queens of The Stone Age
#121 – Runnin Down a Dream by Tom Petty
#122 – Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones
#123 – Stockholm Syndrom by Muse
#124 – Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin
#125 – The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd
#127 – Urgent by Foreigner
#128 – Vertigo by U2
#129 – Wheel in the Sky by Journey
#130 – Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who
#131 – Klein Mandelbrot remix by The Blue Man Group
#132 – Drumbone by Blue Man Group
#301 – Float On by Modest Mouse
#302 – I Want You Back by The Jackson Five
#303 – In My Pocket by The Cat Empire
#304 – It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me by Billy Joel
#305 – Brothers Gonna Work it Out by Public Enemy
#306 – Lose Yourself by Eminem
#307 – Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross
#308 – Run to You by Bryan Adams
#309 – Save Room by John Legend
#310 – Vogue by Madonna
#311 – You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
#312 – My Everything by Barry White
#504 – Smokin’ Gun by Robert Cray
#506 – The Thrill is Gone by BB King
#507 – Who Did You Think I Was by John Mayer Trio
#508 – Pivot by Dry
#701 – Cyanide by Metallica
#702 – Endangered Species by Flaw
#703 – For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica
#704 – Forever Down by Black Label Society
#705 – How Heavy This Axe by The Sword
#706 – Just One Fix by Ministry
#707 – Know your Enemy by Rage Against the Machine
#708 – Let’s Go by Ministry
#709 – Mouth for War by Pantera
#710 – Painkiller by Judas Priest
#711 – Paranoid by Black Sabbath
#712 – Temptation’s Wings by Down
#713 – The Wicker Man by Iron Maiden
#714 – Unreal by Ill Nino
#715 – Wake Up Dead by Megadeth
#716 – We Call This Mutha Revenge by Suicidal Tendencies
#718 – You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ by Judas Priest
#772 – Dance or Die by Family Force 5 (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#773 – Mess of Me by Switchfoot (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#774 – Until the Whole World Hears by Casting Crown (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#775 – Make Your Move by Third Day (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#776 – The One by Brandon Heath (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#777 – Eastern Hymn by David Crowder Band (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#778 – Faceless by RED (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#779 – House of Mirrors by Tenth Avenue North (active during Rock The Universe 2011)
#780 – Zombie by Family Force 5
#781 – Gods Not Dead by Newsboys
#782 – Monster by Skillet
#783 – Fine Fine Life by For King & Country
#784 – Freq Dat by Group 1 Crew
#785 – Song by Tenth Avenue North
#786 – Showstopper by Tobymac
#901 – Movin’ Right Along by Kermit The Frog and Fozzy Bear
#902 – Rainbow Connection by The Muppets
#903 – Your Attitude Towards Cuttlefish by Paper Moon
#904 – Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky

Seaworld Orlando News August 2023

Seaworld Announces Full Howl-O-Scream Lineup For 2023

SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream event is returning in 2023 on select nights from the 8th of September through to the 31st of October. Two haunted houses from last year have also been reimagined along with 3 brand-new houses to try.

The haunted houses are joined by 7 scare zones (3 new) that will expand the Siren’s eerie empire from previous years. SeaWorld’s popular rollercoasters will also be running during the event and there will be a range of refreshments served in a fiendishly interactive bar plus 3 electrifying live shows to take in. The haunted houses and scare zones for this year are:

Tickets for SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream are on sale now. They start off at $48.99 (plus tax) if you book direct, still some of the best value Halloween tickets in Orlando.

SeaWorld Parks Now 100% Cashless

In a move that mirrors a move to cashless-only payments in SeaWorld’s other parks in the US, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa have implemented cashless payments with immediate effect.

If you are visiting SeaWorld (or Busch Gardens in Tampa) you can no longer pay for tickets, merchandise, upcharge experiences or food and beverages in good old cash. If you don’t have a form of plastic to pay with SeaWorld has you covered.

Each park will have some Visa “cash-to-card” kiosks dotted throughout to convert cash onto a usable pre-paid Visa card. There is no charge to load or use the card. Unfortunately, they are not reloadable (and each card can only hold a maximum of $500) but as there are no charges, guests can pick up another card to load more cash on if needed.

“Cashless, contactless transactions are faster, safer, and more secure. It’s one more way we can help to provide a more streamlined and worry-free experience.”

SeaWorld on the new cashless only payments changes it has imposed at is Orlando Parks

If you still have some money on the card when you leave they are valid anywhere Visa is accepted (so pretty much everywhere!) You won’t be out of pocket if your day ends earlier or cheaper than expected. SeaWorld has a dedicated page regarding cashless payments on its website if you want more information.

SeaWorld Introduces New Bad Weather Policy

As the smallest theme park operator in Orlando, SeaWorld has to work extra hard to get visitors through the turnstiles. In another move that differentiates SeaWorld from its main competitors Universal and Disney, SeaWorld has introduced a new inclement weather policy at its parks.

The new inclement weather policy kicks in if rides have been closed for an hour or more due to the weather or the heat index reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

“In introducing Weather-or-Not Assurance, we are proud to note this is the most generous inclement weather policy in the industry.”

Marisa Thalberg, chief marketing and communications officer of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

It’s important to note that there are some exclusions, particularly as one ticket type is very popular in the UK:

• Pass Member admission
• Complimentary tickets (including Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets)
• 14-Day Length of Stay tickets and packages (such as those sold in ticket packages in the UK)
• Discovery Cove ticket packages (because the dates have to be pre-booked)
• Some promotional multi-day tickets

14-day tickets are quite popular in the UK because of the value they give not only for SeaWorld but usually with Universal bundled in as well. If the weather does dampen your day you can always amend your plans to go on another day whilst your 14-day ticket is valid.

Busch Gardens Tampa News August 2023

Busch Gardens Releases Full Howl-O-Scream 2023 Lineup

Along with SeaWorld dropping the details on their Howl-O-Scream lineup for 2023, sister park Busch Gardens in Tampa has also dished the dirt on their long-running Howl-O-Scream lineup for 2023. This year the park receives a brand new haunted house along with a reimagined one, 2 new scare zones and 4 elaborate entertainment productions.

The full lineup for Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2023 is:

Watch a teaser trailer for Howl-O-Scream’s brand-new haunted house D.H. Baggum’s Circus Of Fear in the video below.

Busch Gardens Tampa’s Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights from September the 8th until October the 31st. You can purchase tickets directly from the Howl-O-Scream website.

Orlando Area News August 2023

Brightline Delays Inaugural Miami-Orlando Route By 2 Weeks

Originally scheduled to start today, Brightline’s shiny new Miami-Orlando extension has suffered a delay to its opening while Brightline is still working through the final stages of certification and crew training.

Officially they haven’t announced an opening date but the official Brightline website is listing availability starting from September the 15th.

Once the service starts there are 2 classes of seats; Standard and Premium. One-way fares start at a reasonable $79 offering a comfortable business-class type experience for the price. The premium service has a complimentary pre-departure lounge, onboard drinks and snacks, priority boarding and a larger seat.

The service is only running to Orlando International Airport until a further extension towards Tampa is completed but we are still years away yet. I can’t wait to give Brightline a try for the first time on my next visit.

That’s it for this news update. I hope you have a great month and I will be back at the end of September with another news update.