There’s a new flavor of fun, in the little village of Hogsmeade and we were excited to find it!  While the press release was just distributed today, Butterbeer ice cream hit the streets of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) over the last week and guests have been ecstatic to find the new addition to the west coast Butterbeer offerings, at the park.

We were fortunate to get an early taste of the ice cream, while at USH for the recent Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle media event.  While the lights and music were the main course, the Butterbeer ice cream made a perfect dessert.  While not quite the treat that the soft serve version is, at Universal Studios Orlando (USO), it was still well worth the $6.25 price.  In our case, we split the cup while watching the light show one final time, from the outdoor section of Three Broomsticks, and it was an awesome finale to the event.  With John Williams’ score in the air, it was a magical finale, indeed.

For more on the addition, take a look at what has been shared by USH, in the recent press release:

Universal City, CA, Orlando, Fla., June 11, 2018 – Blue, one of the most popular dinosaurs from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster Jurassic World franchise, is now part of Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort’s exciting “Raptor Encounter” experiences inviting guests to brave the dangerous predator in daring face-to-face standoffs.

The imposing life-like creature is Owen’s beloved Velociraptor from Jurassic World and Jurassic World:  Fallen Kingdom and was brought to life for the “Raptor Encounter” employing the exact computer-generated model and images used to create her for the big screen.

Blue is a welcome new addition to the “Raptor Encounter,” allowing guests to come face-to-face with the clever carnivore. Velociraptors are intelligent and formidable hunters, and theme-park guests are advised to approach them with caution.

With their intimidating eye contact and ear-piercing screeches that reinforce predatory dominance, each Raptor bares 56 razor-sharp, bone-crushing teeth and lunges forward with curved talons that extend up to 12 inches from their 18-inch-long feet.  Towering 12 feet in height and 15 feet—from tail to snout—the aggressive carnivores will each succumb to highly skilled handlers who adeptly guide them to within feet of guests. 
 
“Countdown to Extinction of Jurassic Park—The Ride” at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood recently announced its “Countdown to the Extinction of Jurassic Park—The Ride” campaign designed to pay homage to the thrill ride that closes on September 3 to make way for the all-new Jurassic World ride, a technologically-advanced epic adventure inspired by Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film franchise, opening in 2019.

In 1996, Universal Studios Hollywood redefined theme park thrill rides with the unprecedented introduction of “Jurassic Park—The Ride,” based on three-time Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg’s epic film.  Hailed as a technological achievement of triumph and wizardry, the ride featured newly debuted principles of hydraulic physics, mechanics and space-age robotics.  Working in partnership with scientists, paleontologists and aerospace engineers, Universal Creative—the team that develops Universal theme park rides—brought to life one of the most compelling rides ever created. Life-sized and lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, some towering more than five-stories high, freely roamed the earth at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Twenty-two years later—and after sending millions of guests back to the Jurassic era for menacing encounters with such predators as Stegosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Dilophosaurus, Velociraptors and the Tyrannosaurus rex, “Jurassic Park—The Ride” will become extinct in preparation for a new, next-generation experience that’s even more immersive and technologically-advanced.
 
Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction and the DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.” The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.
 
More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
 
Universal Orlando Resort is a unique vacation destination that is part of the NBCUniversal Comcast family. For more than 25 years, Universal Orlando has been creating epic vacations for the entire family – incredible experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. 
 
Universal Orlando’s three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay, are home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative theme park experiences – including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels are destinations unto themselves and include Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and coming this August, Universal’s Aventura Hotel. Its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers immersive dining and entertainment for every member of the family.
 
Universal Orlando Resort continues to unveil all-new guest experiences, including powerful attractions, incredible dining options and dramatically-themed hotels. Now open is Fast & Furious – Supercharged, where guests can join the Fastfamily and step into the blockbuster Fast & Furious films at Universal Studios Florida. And at Universal CityWalk, Voodoo Doughnut is now serving more than 50 types of delightfully weird and sinfully delicious doughnuts.
 
Follow us on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Riverside, CA: June 1, 2018 – In the history of California’s Theme Parks, Bud Hurlbut is a name worth knowing. For years he gained renown as designer of creative and innovative rides such as the first “Dark Ride” in the 1960s, the Calico Mine Ride, and the still wildly popular flume ride, the Timber Mountain Log Ride, both of which can be found in Buena Park at Knott’s Berry Farm. Bud Hurlbut’s dream however, was always to build his own theme park. It is because of this dream that Castle Park came to be.

On June 13, 2018 Castle Park will be celebrating its own history, and the history of a true theme park pioneer, with “Honor the Past, Inspire the Future” at 4:30 pm in the Big Top. Wendell “Bud” Ray Hurlbut’s 100th Birthday will be honored with a show featuring the many stories and inspirations that made up his life and creative pursuits. Honored guest speakers include Gary Slate, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Amusement Today, Councilman Jim Perry, Mayor Rusty Bailey, and Garner Holt of Garner Holt Productions, known for their work in animatronics seen in many theme parks.

The celebration continues with a Bud Hurlbut Trivia Scavenger Hunt throughout the park, and a museum filled with mementos from Bud’s Life. The scavenger hunt and museum will continue to be available through Labor Day. Guests will learn more when they come see, celebrate, and experience the life’s work of Bud Hurlbut. Everyone is welcome and more information can be found at Castlepark.com

About Castle Park and Palace Entertainment:
Castle Park, located in the heart of Riverside, is the inland empire’s favorite destination for family fun. The park features over 25 family friendly rides and attractions, four championship miniature golf courses, a vast selection of carnival midway games, a water playground, and a video arcade. Castle Park is owned and operated by Palace Entertainment, one of the leading leisure park operators in the United States. Palace Entertainment owns and operates eight water parks, six theme parks, two animal parks, and five family entertainment centers across 10 different states. For more information, please visit www.castlepark.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.