Discover the amazing true story behind the world's most thrilling theme park resort! In the late 1980s, Universal decided to construct its first real theme park - right in Disney's backyard of Orlando, Florida. At the time, the company had never built a single theme park ride. Many predicted that it would be a disaster. It very nearly was. On Universal Studios Florida's opening day in 1990, all three of its major rides malfunctioned. Thousands of guests demanded refunds. And it got worse from there - eventually, the $30 million Jaws ride was closed permanently. It was three years and a further $40 million before it would reopen. Through a combination of outrageous risk-taking, technical ingenuity and sheer persistence, Universal eventually carved out its own niche in Orlando. For the first time, "Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story" reveals how the resort's incredible, ground-breaking rides were created, from Kongfrontation to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Go behind the scenes at Universal Orlando! How was King Kong's banana breath generated? How hot are the flames in Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride? How does the The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man's "falling" effect work? What are the rocks underneath Hogwarts Castle made of? Does filming really take place on the streets of Universal Studios Florida? Whatever your questions about Universal Orlando, this book has the answers! Enhance your Universal Orlando visit As well as detailing the amazing special effects that are employed by the rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, "Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story" is also packed with hidden secrets that you can look out for during your next visit. Want to know where you can rent a time machine, or how to boost your score on Men in Black: Alien Attack? Look no further! What reviewers say about "Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story" "Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story is the only book currently available that covers the complete history and creation of the resort, from the onset to the present day. I was a bit skeptical because it is a self-published book but I was blown away with how good it was." - Amusement Authority "Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story is the ultimate book about the creation and development of the Universal Orlando Resort. Relive the history of the resort from conception through the present day including all the bumps in the road along the way." - Coaster101.com Grab your copy now! "Universal Orlando: The Unofficial Story" is available in paperback format, or you can download it instantly to your Amazon Kindle or a Kindle app on your tablet or smartphone. You can even start reading right away for FREE by clicking the "Look Inside" button above or by downloading a sample to your Kindle. What are you waiting for? Start reading now and enjoy an adventure through time as you discover how Universal Orlando developed into a place that has entertained tens of millions of people over more than two decades.

Save time and money with in-depth reviews, ratings, and details from the trusted source for a successful Universal Orlando vacation. How do some guests get on the big, new attraction in less than 20 minutes while others wait for longer than 2 hours—on the same day? Why do some guests pay full price for their visit when others can save hundreds of dollars? In a theme park, every minute and every dollar count. Your vacation is too important to be left to chance, so put the best-selling independent guide to Universal Orlando in your hands and take control of your trip. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2024 explains how the resort works and how to use that knowledge to stay ahead of the crowd. Author Seth Kubersky knows that you want your vacation to be anything but average, so he employed an expert team of researchers to find the secrets, the shortcuts, and the bargains that are sure to make your vacation exceptional! Find out what’s available in every category, ranked from best to worst, and get detailed plans to make the most of your time at Universal. Stay at a top-rated hotel, eat at the best restaurants, and experience all the most popular attractions at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Keep in the know on the latest updates and changes at Universal Orlando. Here’s what’s NEW in the 2024 book: Learn when to visit Universal to get lower crowds and bigger hotel discounts Find updated advice on taking advantage of Early Park Admission, Universal Express, and other time-saving tricks Get an up-close look at each Universal resort hotel, plus expanded coverage of nearby off-site hotels Read ratings and reviews of new dining options in the parks and resorts, including more plant-based menu items Take in tips for experiencing Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure Uncover details on Universal Studios Florida’s new Minion Land on Illumination Avenue, including the Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction and Minion Cafe See a sneak peek at the new DreamWorks Animation experiences coming to Universal’s reimagined KidZone in 2024 Discover an in-depth preview of Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe theme park and new hotels Make the right choices to give your family a vacation they’ll never forget. The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2024 is your key to planning a perfect stay. Whether you’re putting together your annual trip or preparing for your first visit, this book gives you the insider scoop on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more.

Compiled and written by a former Universal Orlando employee, and based upon decades of research from a team whose work has been cited by such diverse sources as USA Today and Operations Research Forum, The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando is packed with detailed, specific information on every ride, show, and restaurant in the resort, including insider insight on Harry Potter's Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley attractions. Step-by-step detailed touring plans allow you to make the most of every minute and dollar during your Universal Orlando vacation. Where to find the cheapest Universal Orlando admission tickets, how to save big on Universal on-site hotel rooms and skip the regular lines in the parks, when to visit Universal Orlando for the lightest crowds, and everything else you need to know for a stress-free Universal Orlando experience.

Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, SeaWorld, and the Best of Central Florida, by Bob Sehlinger and Seth Kubersky is a guide to non-Disney theme parks, attractions, restaurants, outdoor recreation, and nightlife in Orlando and central Florida. Features include the latest information on the new Harry Potter attractions at Universal Studios as well as step-by-step touring plans that save four hours of waiting in line at Universal Studios and Universal's Island of Adventure. Complete chapters are devoted to the Universal parks, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland, and the NASA Kennedy Space Center among others. Leading you step-by-step, it's the guide that puts you ahead of the crowd and keeps you there.

Universal Studios never really wanted to get into the theme park business. They wanted to be the anti-Disney. But when forced to do so, they did it in a big way. Despite the fits and starts of multiple owners, the parks have finally gained the momentum to mount a serious challenge to the Walt Disney Company. How did this happen? Who made it happen? What does this mean for the theme park industry? In Universal Versus Disney, his newest work to investigate the histories of America's favorite theme parks, seasoned Disney-author Sam Gennawey has thoroughly researched how Universal Studios shook up the multi-billion dollar theme park industry, one so long dominated by Walt Disney and his legacy.

Honest and Outspoken Advice from the Unofficial Experts The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2022 by Seth Kubersky is packed with detailed, specific information on every ride, show, and restaurant in the resort. The guide includes info on where to find the cheapest Universal Orlando admission tickets, how to save big on Universal on-site hotel rooms and skip the regular lines in the parks, when to visit Universal Orlando for the lightest crowds, and everything else you need to know for a stress-free Universal Orlando experience. What’s NEW in the 2022 edition of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando: The full scoop on the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster New advice on taking advantage of Virtual Line, Mobile Ordering, and other technological tricks An up-close look at each Universal resort hotel, including the new Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites Ratings and reviews of new menu options and dining venues in the parks and CityWalk, like Bend the Bao Updated tips for taking advantage of Early Park Admission at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and experiencing Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure The latest information on how Universal Orlando has recovered from COVID-19 Sneak peeks: Learn about the upcoming Epic Universe theme park

Jay Stein Builds a Better Mousetrap. After years of sitting fat and happy atop the theme park totem pole, Mickey Mouse discovered a big cat in his backyard named Jay Stein. Against stiff odds, corporate politics, and fierce opposition from Michael Eisner's Disney, Jay Stein founded Universal Studios Florida. This is how he did it.