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January 2010

Universal Orlando starts looking for its Wizards

Universal Orlando has opened up its search for employees to work in the soon to open “Wizarding World of Harry Potter”. A quick trip over to http://www.universalorlandojobs.com/ shows they’re hiring for food, merchandising, and attractions operations in the new land.

While the WWoHP is scheduled to open this spring. It will really just be phase one, with the two rethemed coasters and some shops and food locations opening. The big new attraction won’t be opening until a bit later.

(Via the OBJ.)

Follow below the jump for the attractions operations description:

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Magic Kingdom Construction Update

Wife took the kiddo to the Magic Kingdom for a haircut with Michal today and, of course, they snuck in a few attractions. While strolling around she snapped a few pics of some construction at the park.

The Crystal Palace is undergoing a major refurbishment. From the skylights to the sidewalk everything is getting a fresh coat of paint, at the very least. The facade was definitely showing some wear. So this is a good sign.

The castle moat and surrounding water ways have also been drained. Of note, the surveyors tool in the middle of the drained moat. I imagine they’re checking to make sure that everything is still level. I wonder if the Castle is sinking, not to start a rumor or anything.

There does appear to be some work around the drawbridge area of the castle. It’s behind those curtains, covered up so we can’t see what’s going on.

I’m just saying.

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Great Movie Ride Dinner

If you have enough money or are lucky enough to belong to a company with good taste, you can dine at one of the special ‘backstage’ areas Disney makes available for corporate events. Dinners between the dinosaurs at Universe of Energy or in the Haunted… Read More »Great Movie Ride Dinner

Animator loses home in fire, please consider helping out

CartoonBrew.com brings us the story of Chad Stewart a former Disney animator who lost his house to a fire while he was at church with his family. His family includes eight kids, four girls by birth and four adopted boys. The adopted children are biological… Read More »Animator loses home in fire, please consider helping out

Merlin buys Cypress Gardens. Can Legoland be far behind?

Merlin Entertainment Group, a division of Blackstone Group (owner of SeaWorld and co-owner of Universal Orlando), was just uncovered by Screamscape as the purchases of Cypress Gardens. Merlin Entertainment owns the Legoland theme park brand and it has been rumored to be considering the Winter Haven historical park for some time, even before it closed last year.

I really hope that this works out. The park’s location has a lot of problems. But Legoland has made stand alone theme parks work before and Cypress Gardens does have a lot going for it that makes it a good prospect for a Legoland.

Read more about the deal at the Orlando Sentinel and the Motley Fool.

Below the jump I’ve placed a few ideas on what sort of change I think the property needs to work going forward, no matter what is built there.

Read More »Merlin buys Cypress Gardens. Can Legoland be far behind?

Alice In Wonderland Inspired Fashion

sue wong mad hatter

“Alice in Wonderland” Tim Burton’s highly anticipated film, featuring favorite characters from the classic Lewis Carroll tales, hits the big screen on March 5, 2010. Fans of the movie can join in the magical fun with clothing and jewelry from designer Sue Wong whose Alice in Wonderland-Inspired fashion collection “Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature” line launches nationwide February 2010.

Sue Wong - The Red Queen - Alice in Wonderland - Tim Burton

The full press release is below the cut:

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Grandma becomes Jessica Rabbit

Annette Edwards, who breeds championship rabbits, decided that she wanted to go a step further and become a rabbit. Jessica Rabbit that is. Here’s a clip from “This Morning” a UK show interviewing Annette as well as showing some before and after photos. At age… Read More »Grandma becomes Jessica Rabbit

Disneyland Paris in the Snow, more photos

Matthew was kind enough to pass along even more photos from Disneyland Paris taken on a snowy morning in the park. I don’t think there is any doubt how magical this looks. Wish I was there.