Orlando attractions: More new to view and preview
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We are inching toward grand openings of a couple of major attractions — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando. But there several additional limited-time offerings to check out this summer.
Among the options are the preview center for Epic Universe, the Universal Orlando theme park slated to open next year; “Portraits of Courage,” a selection of paintings by George W. Bush at Epcot; and “Ripley’s Movie Magic” display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction on Orlando’s International Drive.
Epic + peek = epique?
What: Universal Epic Universe Preview Center.
Where: Universal CityWalk, main level between Bigfire and Vivo Italian Kitchen restaurants.
What you’ll see: A scale model of the theme park, including rides and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel. It’s more architectural than cartoonish, complete with nondescript show buildings and many trees although not many tiny people.
What pops out: Augmented-reality effects are available through an app, which brings coasters to life and lets users peek inside some of those nondescript show buildings. There also are fiery effects and flying objects looming over AR Epic.
What else: The preview center also has Epic souvenir merchandise for sale, generally divided by the park’s lands.
When it ends: We have no end date, but a good guess might be around the time Epic debuts sometime in 2025.
Brush with fame
What: “Portraits of Courage: A Commander-in-Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors.”
Where: Inside American Adventure at Epcot, Walt Disney World.
What you’ll see: Dozens of larger-than-life paintings of post-9/11 veterans created by President George W. Bush. The subjects are people Bush has met over the years.
What pops out: He creates the portraits by going from photographs, so many concentrate on the faces of the vets. A few full-body looks — one with the former president himself in the frame — stand out.
What else: After Bush left office, “he started inviting service members to his ranch down by Waco,” said Jason Galui, director for veterans and military families at the George W. Bush Institute. “He loves bike riding, and he played golf. He saw those as ways to show resilience of veterans overcoming their injuries.”
When it ends: The grand opening of the year-long exhibition was June 9. The gallery is included with regular Epcot admission.
Film foray
What: “Ripley’s Movie Magic” display.
Where: The Ripley attraction on I-Drive, the falling-into-sinkhole illusion building that’s immediately north of Icon Park.
What you’ll see: It’s a mix of film-related items from the Ripley vault (Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, a Robin Williams life mask made for “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates) and interactives that scan visitors and insert them in movie roles.
What pops out: Christopher Reeve’s Superman cape. (Tugging not recommended.)
What else: In another section of the attraction, an iron lung is now on display. No, folks aren’t allowed inside it. (Side note: Paul Alexander, a man who lived in an iron lung for 70 years, died at age 78 in March.)
When it ends: The content of this display area rotates about once a year. Previously, sideshow-related items were seen here.
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