Guiding Light at Universal Studios This Week

If you love daytime soaps, yearn to be part of some Hollywood magic, or simply need an excuse to go to an Orlando theme park, you’ll be interested to know that CBS daytime drama Guiding Light will be filming at Universal Orlando all week long. Our fair city is no stranger to the spotlights of TV – SeaWorld Orlando recently played host to tapings of Wheel of Fortune – and the Universal parks will join the queue of parks that have held tapings this year with TV shoots running through Friday, March 20.

Guiding Light, which is the longest-running drama on television with an eight-decade run, will be shooting at various spots at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Universal CityWalk, and other spots within the park. Fans will be able to see the footage in multiple episodes airing from April 24 through May 4, but they’ll also be able to watch from behind the set at Universal while shooting is underway this week. Crew members, of course, will prevent anyone from getting too close, but park guests will be seen in the background of various shots. So if you’re well-placed and oblivious enough, you could be on the show!

The taping begins each day before the park opens, and shooting is fast-paced, with the cast and crew moving from location to location quite a few times in one day. Many residents of Orlando were cast as extras for the episodes in an open casting call that took place earlier in the month at CityWalk’s Groove nightclub.

Universal Orlando stars as itself in the episodes’ scripts, which mainly involve Bill (played by Daniel Cosgrove) whisking Lizzie (played by Marcy Rylan) away to the park to rekindle their love. Bill wants to give Lizzie the childhood she never had as a Spaulding, but Lizzie’s family and friends are never far behind.

If you can’t stop by Universal this week to watch the shoots, don’t fret – when filming wraps on Friday, the cast of Guiding Light will continue to stick around for Mardi Gras and a day of autograph sessions with fans in front of Fear Factor Live. On Saturday, March 21, the cast will be signing autographs from 10 am to 5 pm, starting with a full cast session and Q&A exclusive to annual passholders from 10 am to 11 am and followed by one hour sessions with select cast members through the rest of the day.

Then at Mardi Gras on Saturday night, the entire cast will appear in the evening’s parade at 8 pm. Several actors will be throwing beads to fans, and Kim Zimmer and Robert Newman (who play Reva and Josh, respectively), will be the king and queen of the parade.

There’s no extra cost to watch the filming, attend a signing, or catch the Mardi Gras fun at Universal; only regular admission is needed. So if you’re an avid fan of the show, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to meet the cast and watch them in action. Score your Universal Orlando tickets here at DWTickets.com and you’ll be ready for your close-up with Guiding Light.

Holiday Cheer You Can Only Hear at Universal Studios

In the past few weeks, our readers have had the chance to find out all about the various holiday attractions at Orlando theme parks. A lot of the coverage has been centering on Walt Disney World, we admit, due to the sheer number of parks and activities it has going during the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about Orlando’s other gem, Universal Studios. Famous as the home of the Grinch, that mean, green anti-Christmas fiend, the Studios offers lots of fun holiday entertainment that will warm the Grinch’s heart and yours during "Holiday Cheer You Can Only Hear Here." This festive celebration from December 6th through January 1st features the sounds and sights of the season along with all the classic Universal fun you love year-round.

The fun starts at Universal Islands of Adventure as Seuss Landing is transformed into the wintry land of Grinchmas. You’ll love strolling around the Whoville Wonky Tree Lot and taking in all the whimsical Wholiday decorations. The highlight of Grinchmas, however, is definitely the popular, live musical performance of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Starring the Grinch and featuring music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller, this hilarious and heart-warming show will have you singing along with a whole town of singing and dancing Whos.

And while you’re in Grinchmas, don’t miss out on a chance to meet the man himself – not Santa Claus, the Grinch! The green one will be available for autographs and photographs, and you and the family can even have breakfast with him. The Grinchmas Character Breakfast is available on select dates and includes an all-inclusive buffet at Confisco Grille, where you’ll nosh with the Grinch and many more Seuss characters, including the happy Whos.

Over at Universal Studios proper, be sure to catch the popular Macy’s Holiday Parade at dusk every evening. This annual favorite brings balloons and floats straight from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and features marching bands, colorful street performers, and more. After every parade, you’ll see the Studios’ spectacular tree being lit with festive music and an incredible display of lights.

Universal will also feature fun holiday shows such as the KidZone Holiday Show, Barney’s Christmas Show, and the Blues Brothers Christmas Show, all featuring your favorite seasonal characters singing and dancing along to festive holiday music. And at the end of every night from December 26th through December 31st, wrap up your day at the Studios with the Universal 360 – A Cinesphere Spectacular. This Hollywood finale projects sights and sounds from your favorite films onto huge spheres in the Universal Studios lagoon, along with a spectacular laser and pyrotechnic display.

All the fun kicks off on December 6th, when Mannheim Steamroller will perform live at the park for the first time ever. You’ll groove along as the band performs original songs from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and puts their modern twist on some of your favorite holiday tunes with songs from their newest album Christmasville.

Best yet, all the fun and festivities are included with your admission, so there’s no excuse not to enjoy all the holiday cheer at Universal Studios. And with the big savings you’ll get from buying your discount Universal Studios tickets here at DWTickets.com, you’ll be hearing the Whos and Mannheim Steamroller in no time. And who knows? At Universal Studios, your heart just might even grow a couple sizes.

Merry Grinchmas! Now Eat Your Breakfast

There is so much going on in Orlando during the holiday season, it is next to impossible to keep track of everything. Luckily, at DWTickets.com we keep track of it for you, and that means giving you the best deals on cheap theme park tickets. Whether it’s Disney, Sea World or the Universal Orlando Resort, we are always your number one source for the best discounts in town. We also keep you up to date on the latest goings on in the theme parks and beyond with our own weekly parade of blogs. We are dedicated to providing you with the cheapest tickets and latest scoop every day.

Some of the more obvious holiday happenings around town have taken the spotlight in earlier weeks. At the Universal Orlando Resort, though, there are some other great yuletide events that deserve some attention too.

The biggie at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is the return of Grinchmas, but you can take that Green Christmas one step further and enjoy “Breakfast With The Grinch” at the Confisco Grill. This all-inclusive buffet features breakfast favorites along with visits from the Grinch, the Whos and other characters. This special holiday dining option is only available from December 13-16 and again from December 20-30, and reservations are recommended.

Guests can enjoy “Christmas in the City” as they stroll among the popular shops and restaurants at Universal’s CityWalk from December 14-28. Each day features a live band on the plaza stage, and visitors will be treated to appearances by Santa’s elves and reindeer, and the entertaining and unique powerskip performers.

The hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort are getting into the holiday fun too. The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is celebrating “Festa Musica Della Notte” (Holiday Music of the Night) through Christmas Eve. This Italian festivity features the “Grand Illumination” of the Christmas tree at 6:30 each night with opera singers setting the holiday mood once it’s lit.

The Loews Royal Pacific Hotel is having a “North Pole Celebration” with strolling carolers and a gingerbread Christmas tree display. They will also have eggnog, apple cider and cookies to help ring in the spirit of the season, along with special demonstrations by the hotel’s executive pastry chef.

So, this holiday season, get your cheap theme park tickets right here at DWTickets.com. Share in some Grinchmas cheer and then enjoy some less well known, but still spectacular holiday events throughout the Universal Orlando Resort!