Last week, Universal Studios announced a few new additions to both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando in Florida. Universal Studios Hollywood will get a year-round The Walking Dead attraction and Universal Orlando will get a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory inspired restaurant. Both upcoming attractions have sent fans into a frenzy. Let’s take a deeper look into the new additions.
The zombies from The Walking Dead are usually just a part of the Halloween Horror Nights maze at Universal Studios Hollywood but beginning this summer, the flesh-eating walkers will be a permanent part of the new The Walking Dead maze attraction.
The news was revealed on TWD’s talk show, Talking Dead. The attraction, almost like how it is during HHN, is still a walk-through maze and due to scary features, only people older than 13 will be able to experience this frightful new addition.
Universal Studios revealed to USA Today that the attraction will outdo its previous Halloween efforts stating, “Authentic walker makeup effects, sophisticated animatronic walkers, substantially more detailed set design and costuming, and highly recognizable props replicated from the series” will be added. Even though some people may be expecting characters to be involved, it will mainly focus on the zombies.
Executive producer of TWD, Greg Nicotero, also told USA Today that, “There are moments from the television show that we’ll get a chance to recreate much more faithfully than we would in a maze, you’ll get some great opportunities to see things from Season 1 and some stuff from Seasons 3 and 4”. The attraction will take the place of Universal’s House of Horrors. The official opening date has yet to be released.
Every chocoholics dream is about to come true with the opening of Toothsome Chocolate Factory & Savory Feast Emporium on the CityWalk at Universal Orlando. This is a full-service, 19th century Steampunk/industrial-styled restaurant that resembles that of a factory.
Even though it seems that there is no licensing or connection with the two films, the restaurant seems to resemble the 2005 Johnny Depp version. The restaurant features some décor like smoke stacks, pipes, different gadgets and all of the staff will be dressed in unique Steampunk fashion.
The menu features many delicious treats including different milkshakes, sundaes and many other tasty treats. Some of the specific menu item names have been released by the official Universal Orlando’s blog and they include:
Milkshakes:
Bacon Brittle – A fun twist on a breakfast favorite with bacon ice cream, bacon brittle and chocolate covered bacon and bacon caramel.
Espresso Buzzzz – A coffee lover’s dream with coffee ice cream and chocolate covered beans.
Chocolate x5 – An explosion of chocolate with chocolate spirals, chunks, ice cream and whipped cream.
Red Velvet – A milkshake topped with a red velvet cupcake.
Key Lime Pie – A classic Florida favorite turned into a milkshake.
Sundaes:
Salted Caramel Flan
Chocolate Brownie Bark
S’mores
No descriptions were given for the sundaes but surely they are Scrumdiddlyumptious. Pictures of the desserts can be found on the blogs website. Take a look at them at your own risk, your mouth will probably start watering instantly.
Although this is a “chocolate factory”, delectable desserts are not the only things on the menu. The restaurant also offers unique twists on classic foods like gourmet burgers, steaks, seafood, pasta entrees, sandwiches, salads, an all-day brunch and much more.
There is also a part of the restaurant where you can watch chocolate creations being made and you can purchase some to take with you from the restaurants retail shop.
Since the restaurant is located in the CityWalk shopping district located outside the park’s gates, guests will not have to pay an admission fee for a chance to eat there. This restaurant will take the place of the now-closed NBA City restaurant. The restaurant has not been given an opening date but it was revealed that it will be open later this year.
Overall, these new additions to their respective parks are sure to draw big crowds. Who wouldn’t want an attraction based on a popular T.V. series and a restaurant with all things chocolate? Will you be visiting either of these upcoming additions when they open?
Elizabeth Granato
Senior Features Editor
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