Uni Orlando

Just like home... only with 350% more humidity

Mecca

This week I head to Orlando, where my passion (cough obsession cough) originated in oh so many trips to Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal.

This trip will be different though. For the first time I won't be going to Orlando to visit theme parks, I'll be going to Orlando to design one.

If a year ago at this time someone had told be I would have the responsibilities I actually have on this project I would have said they were crazy. I would've said that that's where I'd hope to be 5-10 years from now.

It's cool stuff.

Oh, and I'll definitely be hitting the parks one day... you know... "research"

NFL-gasm

Via text:

Shane-- So do you think the patriots are the best team ever, or the
best team that will ever be.

Me-- They are the greatest team to ever play, any game, that shall
ever be, on this or any other planet.

Shane-- I would agree except there might be another patriots team in
the future that surpasses this one

Counter

While everyone's eyes are focused on what the Marvel sale will mean to Universal's parks in Orlando a much larger story is developing.

Blackstone, co-owner of the Uni Orlando complex, is in talks with Busch Entertainment and InBev for a possible buyout. That purchase would give them control of Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica. That's 4 theme parks and 1 water park compared with Disney's 4 parks and 2 water parks.

Although they are not on one contiguous piece of property SeaWorld is only 5 miles from the Uni Orlando complex... closer than the distance from Disney's Animal Kingdom to the Magic Kingdom. Not to mention the fact that Blackstone would control the nearby coaster mecha of Busch Gardens Tampa which could also be included in their multi-day pass.

Things could get mighty interesting...

Tonight, Tonight

My first LA project opens-- at long, long, long last-- tonight at 8:15.

Can't wait for the fanboi freak-out.

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/fantasmic-disneyland-5250/

**That's a PR image released by the park this weekend.... my pics are have much more interesting composition ;-)