The Terminator 2: 3-D
won’t be back at Universal Studios. The venerable attraction is closing and its final day will be Oct. 8.
It won’t be back. The Terminator 2: 3-D attraction at Universal Studios is closing, and its final day will be Oct. 8, according to Universal Orlando’s website.
The closing will “make way for an all-new live action experience based on a high-energy Universal franchise,” the site says. The unidentified attraction is scheduled to open in 2019.
Terminator 2: 3-D opened in the theme park in 1996. It’s behind a facade along the star-lined Hollywood Boulevard.
Inside, the attraction includes elements and characters from 1990’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” directed by James Cameron. On screen, visitors see stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong.
In real-life, via the magic of fog, costuming and casting, flesh-and-blood versions of their characters appear.
It introduced a set of giant T-70 Terminators, flanking the screen, and on-screen, the T-1000000, a large spider-like unit that takes a 3-D swipe at audiences.
The attraction’s special effects also include seats that rumble and lurch during battle scenes.
Other future attractions in the works at Universal Orlando include Fast & Furious: Supercharged, which is set to open next year in the former Disaster attraction spot at Universal Studios, and a new Harry Potter-inspired ride taking the place of the Dragon Challenge roller coaster at Islands of Adventure.
Legoland makes ticket donations
Legoland Florida Resort is donating 20,000 tickets to two charities that will distribute them to children affected by Hurricane Irma.
The Winter Haven attraction will give 18,000 theme-park tickets to the UNICEF Kid Power Schools program and 2,000 tickets to Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs.
“As a resort built for kids, we felt compelled to do something special for Florida’s children after Hurricane Irma, which left so many households facing months of recovery,” said Rex Jackson, general manager of Legoland Florida.
Legoland says the value of the gift is more than $1.8 million and it’s the largest ticket giveaway since the resort opened in 2011.
The donation is made in conjunction with Merlin’s Magic Wand, the global charity of Legoland’s parent company, the UKbased Merlin Entertainbies ments Group. Merlin also operates the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sea Life Aquarium on International Drive.
Gatorland loans out some reptiles
Gatorland announced it is loaning 60 American alligators for the next year to Gator Country Adventure Park and Sanctuary in Beaumont, Texas, which was severely flooded by Hurricane Harvey. About a quarter of their alligators were washed away over the fence and lost, according to Gatorland.
“When I heard reports that Gator Country was flooding and possibly losing their alligators, I contacted them through their website, and offered to give them some gators to stock their park and get themselves back on their feet,” said Mark McHugh, Gatorland president and CEO, in a statement.
The hope is that Gatorland’s animals will breed and produce up to 100 ba- within the next year.
Gator Country owners Gary and Shannon Saurage were expected to travel to the Florida park soon for the swap.
Canadian airline is adding flights
For Canadians looking to make the trip to Florida, a regional airline has added new seasonal service to Orlando Melbourne International Airport.
Porter Airlines will add weekly nonstop flights from Ottawa and Windsor to Melbourne from Dec. 16 until March 31, according to a company news release. One-way fares start at $253 from Ottawa and $247 from Windsor.
“This is Porter’s third year flying to OrlandoMelbourne,” said Robert Deluce, Porter Airlines president and CEO, in the release. “Adding Ottawa and Windsor to the popular Toronto route means that more people can visit this area of Florida by leaving directly from their own communities.”
Porter’s main hub is at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline advertises that is offers a “premium experience for all passengers” with leather seats, complimentary wine and beer onboard and access to an airport lounge.
Disney gives $4M to local groups
Disney announced it has donated more than about $4 million to nonprofits that help people in the Central Florida region during a ceremony Friday at the Orlando Museum of Art.
“Our grants give us an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of the nonprofit organizations who help change lives each and every day,” said George Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort.