VIDEO - Opening Day of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure

You were not there yesterday for the opening of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure? This video brillantly filmed  and edited by grimmlifecollective is the one you were waiting for! It will show you everything from the amazing ten hours queue line to post-ride reactions, the attraction merchandise, and more. In bonus, new footage of the pre-show and ride itself and even of the Hogwarts Express ride going back to King's Cross station at Universal Studios!




Video: copyright grimmlifecollective

PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Opens at Universal Islands of Adventure Wizarding World - Now Including THREE Daylight On-Ride POV Videos!

At Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure's Wizarding World the awaited Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure coaster ride opens today and D&M has a selection of pictures and videos for you!

The first video filmed by The DIS will show you highlights of the Grand Opening ceremony during which Warwick Davis, Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, James and Oliver Phelps were all present to celebrate the latest attraction added to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!




The next video also filmed by The DIS will show you the walk-through in the entire queue decor including the pre-show, and up to the boarding room with the coaster train arriving, but not the ride itself as obviously it was not allowed to filmed it that day. You have, though, some footage showing the exit.

The ruins and pre-show decor were imagined and brought to life by Universal Creative in collaboration with the Harry Potter films’ Production Designer, Stuart Craig, and Art Director, Alan Gilmore. This is where your care of Magical Creatures class with Hagrid will begin and guests can see in the queue decor dragon eggs on the verge of hatching and a makeshift nursery where he kept his Blast-Ended Skrewts in a terrarium before they outgrew the chamber.





If you want to watch directly only the pre-show, have a look at this video from Behidn the Thrills. The pre-show features digital projection technology and special effects, where you’ll encounter Arthur Weasley, Hagrid, and his loyal dog, Fang.




Here are some additional thrilling fun facts about the experience and the innovative coaster technology: It has the most launches of any roller coaster in the world – with 7 total launches. You’ll launch up to 50 miles per hour through the Forbidden Forest, past the ruins and more.

It's the first coaster in the U.S. to feature a free-fall vertical drop – dropping you nearly 17 feet. Prepare yourself because you’ll be dropping quite a distance.

It's the longest roller coaster in Florida, measuring nearly a mile in length (5,053 feet).     Your adventure into the Forbidden Forest is bound to be an exciting one – so keep your eyes peeled for creatures and mischief around every turn.

Enchanted motorbikes will take you on an adventure through the Forbidden Forest – and you can ride the motorcycle like Hagrid or board the adjacent sidecar like Harry Potter.

The “story coaster” will catapult you 65 feet in the air at a more than 70-degree angle…then drop you backward in one movement!

Below, a few pictures showing the empty train moving inside the ruins decor.

Then we have the first pictures of the Unicorns and the 8 feet long Blast-Ended Skrewt appearing in Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure ride at IOA Wizarding World. The Unicorns appear during the last scene of the ride and the Blast-Ended Skrewt in the first scene, inside Hagrid's Hut, with the Hagrid Audio-Animatronic.


Described as a cross between scorpions and elongated crabs, Skrewts aren’t afraid to attack other Skrewts they encounter and have incredibly strong armor that can’t be penetrated by spells – proving to be a challenge for Hagrid since they hatched.
Blast-Ended Skrewts were first introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and also mentioned in Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Hagrid created these unique creatures by crossbreeding Fire Crabs and Manticores – fierce creatures in their own right Skrewts create actual fire from their ‘blasting-ends,’ igniting at random intervals – so be wary during your encounter. Even if you’re far enough to avoid their fire, watch out as you may still catch a whiff of their powerful scent… known to smell like rotting fish.

For more about all the creatures of the ride jump to the Universal Orlando article HERE.




That's it, we have the first DAYLIGHT video of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure full ride and front row POV! I've not done the ride because i'm miles away from Orlando but from what shows the video i'm sure it's absolutely great, not only because of the theming and Audio-Animatronics but also because of the constant high-speed of the train thanks to the seven launch during the ride! I can tell you that Disney isn't going to like this attraction, specially considering that when they will open Star Wars land in August Galaxy's Edge will have at opening day "only" the Millenium Falcon simulator ride. Universal has brillantly play the chess game...




I add two more videos of the new Hagrid's ride as these are interesting because they are not filmed from the first row like the above POV video, allowing to see riders on both the motorbike and in the sidecar. The first one below was shotby Rare Only from the third row...




...and the second video below was filmed by Theme Park Express from the back of the train.




A bit more of ride footage, including the instructions for guests for how to sit on the motorbike and side car in the video below.




Last but not least, the video from Big Fat Panda shwo you the coaster train in the load station, which in fact will apparently never have a complete stop - just liek in the Haunted Mansion guests will board by walking on a floor moving at the same speed than the train moving in the load station. If you don't get it watch the video.




Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

The Frozen 2 Official Trailer is here!

The Frozen 2 Official Trailer is here! Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough.

From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019.

Picture and video: copyright Disney

How Did They Do That ? Top 10 Secrets of Disney's Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror

Second article in D&M series "How did they do that?", and today we invite you to have a look at this video posted by TPMvids unveiling 10 of WDW Disney's Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror secrets!

Picture: copyright Disney

Authorized - or Not - Attire for Your Visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is all about living your own Star Wars story, but there is some rules, especially about how you can or cannot dress yourself. The Disney Parks blog released more infos about this important point:

Will you choose an affiliation with the rebellious Resistance, or the intimidating First Order? Will you accomplish your secret mission as a smuggler, or your routine duties as a villager? For off-worlders visiting Batuu and dressing in attire befitting their stories, the current Disneyland Resort costume policy remains in effect in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

While costumes may not be worn by guests 14 years of age or older, appropriate bounding—dressing in outfits inspired by Star Wars—is permitted. The following guidelines will help you arrive to Batuu in style. Proper footwear must be worn.



Permitted attire includes:
- Bounding: piecing together traditional clothing items that when worn together, serve as a recognizable tribute to Star Wars characters
- Batuuan attire: wearing outfits inspired by the villagers of Batuu—muted tones, vests, layers, etc.



Not permitted attire includes:
- All robes or military-style attire
- Masks, face paint, elaborate headwear, blasters or holsters (lightsabers are allowed) or hard items such as body armor, helmets or kneepads
- Full character suits

Please note some of the items sold in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge cannot be worn inside the land. We look forward to seeing you dressed in your Batuuan best!

Pictures: copyright Disney

It's Donald Duck 85th Anniversary !

It's the 85th Anniversary of Donald Duck! - who happen also to be my favourite character from the "gang". So let's wish a Happy 85th birthday to Donald and check this above vintage picture of Walt and the videos below!



The first video below talks about the evolution of Donald Duck during the last 85 years, since 1934, the year he was created.




Have fun with those great episodes of Donald with Chip and Dale from the golden era of animation! ( and not 2014 as indicated in the Youtube video title )




Picture and videos: copyright Disney

Disneyland Paris Release a Great 17 Min Documentary Telling the Story of Phantom Manor Renovation !

Disneyland Paris Phantom Manor attraction reopened last month and Disneyland Paris released today a great 17.33 min documentary about the beloved ride and its renovation. Have you always been intrigued by the special atmosphere that floats around Phantom Manor? In "Phantom Manor: A Spirited Attraction ...", you'll have a very private tour of this special place with WDI Imagineers who participated in the great refurbishment of the attraction.





The documentary also include the rare renderings below.









Mathias Dugoujon is the one who presents the Documentary and his team did a great job, so congrats to all of them as well as all Imaginers who did Phantom Manor renovation!

Pictures and video: copyright Disney