Becoming Epic 🌎

We know what all there is to find at Universal Epic Universe.

This week, it was a celebration of those who made it happen.

Hello, subscribers. It’s Haley, checking from the “Theme Park Capital of the World.”

On the eve of Epic’s grand opening, Universal Orlando rolled out the blue carpet for celebrities, Universal industry executives and special guests.

News 6 anchor Ginger Gadsden talked to several recognizable faces, and even saw double!

Representing the “Harry Potter” movie franchise, James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) have frequented Universal’s theme parks on several occasions, but they were very eager to step foot in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic.

“For me, the Ministry was always my favorite set to visit because it was just a beautiful, beautiful set,” James Phelps said. “So when I heard that’s what they were doing, I was so happy."

“It’s more immersive than a movie set. Like, size-wise it is but in terms of immersive-ness, in terms like the size and the height, it is beyond that. It’s like being in the books, I’d say,” Oliver Phelps said.

Two of my favorite “gingers” are captured in this photo above.

A master composer and a superfan of monsters, Danny Elfman was the obvious choice to write the original score for Dark Universe.

When asked what his favorite Universal Classic Monster is, Elfman replied, “It has to be Dracula, because he’s a relative.”

Ginger had a lot of great moments with talent, but it was her conversation with legendary makeup artist Rick Baker that had me asking her to tell a brief story.

“Rick Baker said he was a shy boy growing up. Once he discovered the power of transforming with makeup, it changed his life. He told me about how one day he put some makeup on his face and around his eyes, which changed how he looked. He suddenly didn’t feel shy because the person looking back at him in the mirror was someone else. Someone who wasn’t shy. It gave him courage. He expressed how he loves working with actors and then seeing them transform into the character because of his work.”

Ginger Gadsden

Baker has done makeup for “An American Werewolf in London,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video and the re-launch of “The Planet of the Apes” films.

He’s won seven Academy Awards for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We’ve put together a reel of Epic blue carpet interviews in this web story. You can also watch a wrap of grand opening festivities in a special that’s set to air at 12 p.m. Sunday on News 6+.

There was a lot of hard work put into Epic Universe over the last six years from a local standpoint, like Orange County’s involvement.

Walt Disney World

A wicked first look 🪞

Disney Villains know how to make a grand entrance, and it seems like that will be the case at a new stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney dropped photos of a colorful Sunset Showcase theater, the home of “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.”

There’s also a video showing a production exclusive to Disney cast members.

The new show will debut next week.

But wait, we want “more!” (Ariel voice)

Disney shared part of its “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” that will also debut the same day as “Villains.”

This show has been in the works for what seems like quite some time and will bring some new life to the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

For a video sneak peek, click here.

It’s basically the summer season at Central Florida’s theme parks.

If you head out to any attraction, be sure to share your photos on our PinIt! page.

Connect with me on X and Instagram as well.

See you next week!