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Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula to open at Universal Studios Hollywood
Mirroring the thrilling suspense of Stephen Sommers' highly-anticipated movie, "Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula" will transport guests to a world inhabited by the characters that plague man's deepest nightmares: Dracula, The Frankenstein Monster and The Wolf Man, the time-honored pantheon of classic Universal monsters who have been re-imagined by Stephen Sommers' as cutting edge creatures.Scores of spine-tingling special effects as well as hundreds of artifacts, original props and set pieces, created for the movie, will be experienced throughout the attraction. Guests walking through "Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula" will pass through a shadowy portal and into Dracula's Castle where they'll join legendary monster hunter Professor Van Helsing and Princess Anna Valerious on their crusade to rid the world of fiendish creatures engaged in a never-ending war upon the human race. Trapped within Dracula's eerie crypt, surrounded by clusters of flying pygmy bats, undulating pods and swarms of feeding rats, guests will plunge deep into the catacombs, assaulted on all sides by the sounds of howling werewolves and the moans of shuffling corpses. Along the way, guests must traverse an unstable 50-foot bridge overlooking a dark laboratory where Frankenstein's Monster, shaking violently, is suspended upon a slab and the hideous figure of Igor swings erratically from a giant rope. Within a structure incorporating the film's original Gothic fagade, "Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula" will also allow guests a close-up view of the movie's original costumes, sets, special effects, make-up prosthetics and monsters. Within a structure incorporating the film's original Gothic fagade, "Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula" will also allow guests a close-up view of the movie's original costumes, sets, special effects, make-up prosthetics and monsters. Universal Pictures' "Van Helsing" is directed and written by Stephen Sommers. The film is produced by Stephen Sommers and Bob Ducsay, executive produced by Sam Mercer and stars Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, David Weham, Will Kemp, Kevin J. O'Connor. "Van Helsing" opens nationwide on May 7. Innovative filmmaker Stephen Sommers -- who so imaginatively re-envisioned Universal's classic Mummy character in the worldwide blockbusters "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" -- now breathes new life into the most time-honored pantheon of classic Universal monsters, Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man, by re-imagining them as cutting edge creatures and setting them in a stunning new world of fantastical reality for his tale of ultimate evil against a lone force of good: "Van Helsing." Hugh Jackman stars as the legendary monster hunter Van Helsing, born in the pages of Bram Stoker's "Dracula," who, on order of a secret society, travels to Transylvania to bring down the lethally seductive, enigmatically powerful Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) and joins forces with the fearless Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), out to rid her family of a generations-old curse. Featuring such unique and groundbreaking attractions as "Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride" opening in June, "Shrek 4-D," "Terminator 2: 3D," "Jurassic Park -- The Ride" and the world-renowned behind-the-scenes "Studio Tour," Universal Studios Hollywood has matured into a full day, movie-based theme park. The introduction of "Revenge of the Mummy -- The Ride" coincides with Universal Studios Hollywood's 40th Anniversary. As the Hollywood landmark enters its fifth decade, the arrival of this ground-breaking thrill ride signals a milestone in the transformation of what was first conceived as a "behind the scenes look at Hollywood filmmaking" into a world-class entertainment destination. The movie-based theme park has fully evolved from its Studio Tour beginnings by adding rides and attractions that employ the latest in both movie and theme park technologies and offer both local and visiting guests a uniquely immersive entertainment experience. Universal Studios Hollywood offers print-at-home ticketing, available exclusively at www.universalstudioshollywood.com, designed to maximize guest convenience with immediately redeemable tickets that enable guests to print tickets at home, bypass the theme park ticket booths and proceed directly to the park's entrance upon arrival. Universal CityWalk is a unique dining and shopping promenade adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood featuring 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, clubs, shops and movie theaters. Universal Studios Hollywood (www.universalstudioshollywood.com) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
Firefly flits from Disney to Universal
ORLANDO -- Out of the still-warm ashes of Disney's defunct local animation unit comes a new venture: Project Firefly Animation Studios. Based on Universal Studios Florida's backlot, five former Disney animators-turned-entrepreneurs plan to produce animated features and shorts using both traditional hand-drawn and computer-generated animation. "The training we got from Disney was the best there is, the best in the world," says Firefly President Dominic Carola. "Now we look forward to using what we learned there to build our own creative success." Staying local, staying alive
Since the Disney Florida animation division officially closed its doors in early 2004, new companies have sprung up, much like the tech startup flurry in the late 1980s, as large defense companies faced contract slowdowns. Among Project Firefly's other new competitors on the local front: Legacy Animation, a new animation company launched by former Disney animators in Winter Garden, and Raven Animation, a subsidiary of Raven Moon Entertainment, which has hired a number of former Disney animators. "There's a lot of us who worked for Disney who would really like to stay in the area," says Gregg Azzopardi, co-founder and director of animation for Project Firefly. "The quality of life is good here, our kids are happy in their schools, and there seems to be plenty of work." The decision comes as no surprise to John Fremstad, vice president of technology business development for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. Fremstad says the beauty of animation and other digital media companies is that they are not businesses dependent on population growth. "These smaller companies have more flexibility and smaller payrolls," Fremstad says. "Many parts of the entertainment industry have gone to outsourcing, so it's no problem to stay in the area." Perhaps even more important is that keeping the animators in Central Florida helps reinforce the area's creative expertise, notes Pamela Tuscany-Warren, senior director of marketing and business development for Universal Studios' Florida Production Group. "These are animators with years of experience working on movies recognizable to people all over the world," Warren says. Making their own mark
That experience has trained the animators well, says Carola. Among the group's credits while with Disney: Lilo & Stitch, The Lion King, Mulan, Tarzan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocahontas, Hercules, Treasure Planet, Fantasia 2000 and Brother Bear. Four of the Project Firefly co-founders -- Carola, Azzopardi, Paulo Alvarado and John Webber -- are veteran animators, each with more than 10 years of animating experience. Glen Gagnon, a co-founder and director of business development and finance, brings with him more than 15 years. Project Firefly already has a number of original projects in development for theatrical and video release, says Gagnon. What those are exactly "can't be discussed just yet," he says with a smile, noting the entertainment industry's reluctance to do much preview on works in progress. Carola says work on other people's projects will help set the company on firm financial footing before launching into what the five partners are most excited about: producing original animation. "We definitely have ideas for our own projects," says Alvarado, director of story development. But, adds Creative Director Webber, "We'll be patient and build slowly to that point, even though it's something we are very anxious to do." For the time being, the partners say they are content to have the freedom to experiment and develop their own creative style. They expect to put their touch on everything from animated features and children's video games to, perhaps, a line of merchandise related to the company's icon: the firefly. And even though the company only has the five partners as full-time staff so far, expect to see growth within its first year, says Carola: "Like the firefly, we're just small right now. "But we believe we can bring a lot of creativity to the audiences out there who want well-told stories with a great animation touch."
Orlando's Twin Towers at the Entrance to Universal Orlando Join the Doubletree Hotels Collection
Business Editors/Travel Writers ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2004--Doubletree(R) Hotels (NYSE:HLT) has announced the addition of the Doubletree(R) Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando(R), representing another addition to the brand's portfolio of more than 160 fine properties across the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
Ideally located at the entrance to world-famous Universal Orlando featuring Universal Studios(R), Islands of Adventure(R) and CityWalk(R), this highly popular hotel offers complimentary scheduled shuttle to these three famed attractions, as well as Sea World(R) and the Wet n' Wild(R) theme parks.
Previously a Radisson(R) hotel, the Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is owned by MeriStar Hospitality Corp. and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts. The Doubletree is operated under a franchise agreement with Doubletree Hotel Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation.
"We are truly excited to welcome another great Doubletree hotel in one of the most visited leisure destinations in the world," said Dave Horton, senior vice president -- brand management for Doubletree Hotels. "The Doubletree Hotel At The Entrance To Universal Orlando already offers a fine tradition of casual and caring service, which is perfectly suited for family travelers. Additionally, the hotel's expansive meeting facilities offer an incredible gathering place for corporations, associations and members of the Orlando community."
The Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is one of the most comprehensive full-service lodging facilities in Central Florida. The hotel welcomes guests with 742 spacious rooms and suites all of which include high-speed Internet access; a writing desk; in-room coffee makers, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards; two-line phones with data ports, voice mail; televisions with in-room entertainment services and roomy closets. The hotel also features concierge and bellman services; a car rental desk; guest laundry services; a gift shop; and a 24-hour business center.
The meeting and convention center at the Doubletree, which can accommodate groups from 30 to 3,500, features a dedicated reception and registration area. A total of 60,000 square feet of flexible meeting space includes 22 breakout rooms with a 23,000 square foot multi-purpose hall, the 15,000 square foot Citrus Crown Ballroom and a pre-function area of 10,000 square feet. An on-site audiovisual company offers state-of-the-art equipment and prompt service.
For recreation, guests can choose to splish, splash and soak up the Florida sun in the hotel's junior Olympic-sized heated swimming pool, unwind from a long day in the fully equipped fitness center or test their skills at the hotel's video arcade.
At the end of a long day of fun, frolic, or business, guests can enjoy a tropical drink and lively conversation at Scuba Joe's Bar & Lounge, Orlando's only aquatic sports themed night spot, which provides late night excitement until two in the morning. The Palm Court Restaurant features breakfast buffets and Florida regional cuisine for lunch and dinner. Families also enjoy the option of grabbing a snack or a casual lunch in the hotel's unique Food Court which features Krispy Kreme(R) Donuts, Pizza Hut(R) and TCBY(R) Frozen Yogurt.
"With fabulous amenities and a central location, the Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is one of Orlando's most recognized hotels for service and guest satisfaction. Our hotel team is uniquely qualified to accommodate any special event -- from family reunions and weddings to business meetings and expansive conventions," said Jay Leonard, hotel general manager. "Orlando's enviable year-round tropical climate and wide variety of area attractions can ensure that whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, a visit to the Doubletree can truly bring out the kid in you."
Members of the Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program may earn Points & Miles(R) for every qualifying stay at the Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando(a). Hilton HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to reap Double Dip(R) earnings by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points with each qualifying stay at more than 2,500 hotels worldwide.
The Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is perfectly located just ten minutes away from downtown Orlando, 15 minutes from the Walt Disney World(R) Resort and the Orange County Convention Center and 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport. The hotel's address is 5780 Major Boulevard, Orlando, Fla. 32819.
For more information or to make reservations at the Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando, visit our website at www.doubletree.com, call l-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada or contact the hotel directly at 407-351-1000.
Universal Orlando raises admission prices
Universal Orlando raised prices for entry to its theme parks Saturday. A single-day adult ticket at Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios rose 80 cents to $54.75, before taxes. Universal's price now matches Disney's. Universal raised its ticket prices in January by $2, but it never had two price increases in one year. The earlier increase matched a similar move that month by SeaWorld Orlando, and brought both parks to $53.95.
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