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Episode 009 - Blake and Damon take an Asteria Survey! Crackdown on DVC Rentals, Repainting the Castle, Dracula themed resort, and new ride coming to Universal Orlando
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In Episode 9 of The Rhubarbs Travelers, we ring in the new year by taking a Disney survey about the new Storyliving community Asteria located in Pittsboro, NC. In the news, Disney is cracking down on DVC point rentals, possibly using new AI monitoring to target commercial-scale operations. We also discuss the major 2026 refurbishment of Cinderella Castle, which includes a return to its classic original color scheme. Then, we dive into the latest aerial photos of the Villains Land expansion at Magic Kingdom and the technical wizardry behind the new free-roaming Olaf animatronic. Plus, we share essential tips for new DVC members on how to score spots for the highly coveted Moonlight Magic events.
The Aftershow heats up with Universal Orlando news as the Jurassic Park River Adventure begins a massive ten-month closure, sparking rumors of a Jurassic World re-theming. We analyze new permit filings suggesting an Intamin-designed flagship attraction is coming to the Lost Continent, with speculation swirling between a Harry Potter expansion or a Legend of Zelda debut. We also take a quick trip across the globe to look at the ambitious $1 billion Dracula-themed resort currently under construction in Romania. Join Blake and Damon as we break down what these massive investments mean for your 2026 travel plans!
This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com
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Transcript
Introduction and Setup
00:00:14
Speaker
Hey folks, welcome to episode number nine of the Rhubarb Travelers podcast. We are recording this show on Tuesday, December 30th, 2025. I am Blake. With me as always as Damon. We're dedicated.
00:00:29
Speaker
And I just want everyone to know that is here from the other podcast how dedicated I am when people are nice enough to coordinate with me.
00:00:40
Speaker
ah they just saying, Mantis. Yes. And so, folks, I'm actually not in my normal recording place. I am away at the Rhubarb Traveler retreat compound. I'm off.
00:00:53
Speaker
ah So if you hear some extraneous noise in the background, it's a little bit out of my control. so But we're going muscle through this. Yes, we are. All right. So as always, we want to always thank our Patreon subscribers before we start the show.
00:01:08
Speaker
Thank you so much for being a subscriber. If you are interested in becoming a subscriber, please go to patreon.com. Look up Rhubarb Travelers podcast. It is only $5 a month right now.
00:01:19
Speaker
And this, even though that's not a lot, it helps us out quite a bit in paying all of the expenses related to the show. So please consider becoming a Patreon
Disney's Asteria Community Discussion
00:01:30
Speaker
subscriber.
00:01:30
Speaker
All right, folks, it is time for Damon and I to actually take a survey that we both received from Disney. And this survey is about the new Disney story living community that is being built in North Carolina near Pittsburgh. It's called Asteria. And so Disney has sent out a survey questionnaire. And David and I are getting ready to take this. Now, to give you some background, ah this is going to be a story-living Disney community. It is like Catino. Yeah, just like Catino.
00:02:03
Speaker
Just out in California. So Disney is reaching out to people who have indicated that they're interested and Go ahead, David. Yeah, for me, so this is something that is of interest, right?
00:02:14
Speaker
Retirement interest, not necessarily pre-retirement interest. i have to kind of see what the community puts together because it also could be a nice secondary location to have if we decided we wanted to, right? You're a little bit closer to the mountains there than we are, right i feel like. So, yeah.
00:02:32
Speaker
Right. So, I forgot where I was going with this. oh I don't know. Yeah. So anyway, well we're going to take we are taking this survey live, by the way, folks. So we have not looked at the questions beforehand. Damon and I both have our own version of the survey. And so we're going to follow along with each other. And you're going to hear live what these questions are. So...
00:02:55
Speaker
With that being said. Yeah, that the first page already clicked. All right, well, you've jumped ahead. So I'm going click. Yeah, did. So it just kind of gives us a background of kind of what we gave you. And it's kind of helping. They want to know like what homeowners value most when you're in a community like this, which makes a lot of sense. So it looks like it's going to take a couple minutes to do. i think this will be fun. i am clicking the next button here.
00:03:17
Speaker
oh so we get an introduction so let's see if we can kind of piece some stuff out of here from this introduction so guided by the vision and expertise of walt disney imagineers so it's going to be kind of cool right central to this vision is a private members only club that's going to be integrated into community and include you know part of what's happening at hysteria there's going to be a health and well-being entertainment enrichment excursions that extend beyond the neighborhood, that's kind of cool. So curated adventures and volunteerism, which is also always nice to kind of give back.
00:03:48
Speaker
So the private club is going to kind of be, you know, i think that the club is what's going to make this really a Disney community. And I think that's what's going to be interesting. If you look at the artist's rendition, and again, just we want to make note, anything that we talk about can change and it's, you know, Disney's allowed to change. And will change. Yeah. So everything is, you know, just concept here and a subject to change. So when I look at the the pool, like, gosh, it looks like pretty darn cool, right? It looks like a couple pools together. Actually, it looks like multi-layer because it seems like there's some waterfalls in between them. Yeah. So this will this will be nice. All right. I am clicking next here.
00:04:29
Speaker
right i'm please All right. Which community is you most interested in today? And it is going to be hysteria. Which is which is your following describes your current household?
00:04:39
Speaker
Couple... Wait, where's single couple with children, youngest 12 or older? That's me. Boom, clicking through. Current employment status, employed full-time. How many people would typically live in your home full-time? And that's interesting, because again, I see this more as a retirement-y sort of place.
Disney Community Preferences and Lifestyle
00:05:01
Speaker
So I'm going to say full-time for me is only going to be two. Yeah, yeah and that's what I'm thinking here. So this this first set of questions, folks, are just general demographics questions, it looks like. so So what factors initially prompted your interest in storytime living? I would say, for me, it's the amenities.
00:05:18
Speaker
And, yeah, I would say community design and amenities. Now, interesting. All right, yeah. So you you chose community design amenities. I'm going to select reputation of Disney.
00:05:29
Speaker
ah See, my my my second one here, if I was going to be, would be lifestyle programming. um The reputation of Disney... Yeah, I mean, maybe. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I'm more about like the design. It's funny because I would say the community design amenities slash are already built into the reputation of Disney. But okay, so there we are. We're a little different here.
00:05:50
Speaker
right. Oof, this is a toughie. Rank the top five lifestyle elements in order of preference that are most important to you when considering your next community. Oh, wow. Okay, so here are the selections we can choose from. So again, the question is, rank the top five lifestyle elements. So we have to choose location, home design, active community lifestyle, accessibility, safety and security, schools, community amenities, outdoor space, sense of community, design quality, community events or social programming, and sustainability and green practices.
00:06:27
Speaker
so okay and And I'm pretty pretty fast on surveys, so let me give you what I got here. okay i Safety and security is number one. Always, if ands or buts. like That has to be top for me in terms of a community that I'm living in. right And then it's, it's, it's location, right? then They say real estate, location, location, location. it's Number two for me is location. yeah So those two things have to come top two for me. Then I go with community events or social programming. Four is active community lifestyle. And then five for me is home design.
00:07:00
Speaker
Okay. So I, I had home design at number three and I put community amenities after that. And then i can then I put design quality. as number five. So I think both- Yeah, that's theyre good as well. I mean, home design and design quality. Yeah, I agree with that.
00:07:17
Speaker
Yeah. But we both left schools out because we're not even looking at this. But yeah it goes to show you that Disney is looking at this as a place that families could stay at. Absolutely. So, all right, moving on.
00:07:29
Speaker
How well does the concept of a story living by Disney community have align with the lifestyle you are seeking? Hmm.
00:07:38
Speaker
I don't know the answer to that. Like, yeah, it's hard to understand that question. Like, what are they going for? Well, they're kind of I think what they're saying is like, so, hey, you have this community that has amenities that has this, has that. Is that what you're looking for in life?
00:07:52
Speaker
Like, am I looking for that stuff? I'm a neutral here. Like, I don't know if that's exactly what I'm looking for. It would be a second home. So, you know, it would be tough. All right, I'm going to choose somewhat well. So our choices are no influence all the way up to it. It aligns very well. So I chose somewhat well.
00:08:10
Speaker
What type of home are you primarily interested in? Ah, so we have all sorts of options here from single family detached one story all the way to
Disney Updates and Listener Questions
00:08:21
Speaker
a condominium. Yeah, and I'm going to have to do so. I'm going to do a not sure yet because I don't know if this is where I'd want to live as a primary or a secondary. And i think that makes a difference for me because if we're talking a primary, then I would go single family detached two story home.
00:08:36
Speaker
If it's a secondary, then I could be talked into a paired home or two story townhome or a condominium. ah Given the age that we might be looking at, I think I'm going stick with a one story.
00:08:48
Speaker
So as long as they're one level, Yeah. I mean, I get that, but I think like having the kids over that gives them the opportunity to to have a level of their own when you go to bed at six o'clock yeah like me.
00:09:01
Speaker
yeah I'm going to do a not sure yet. for Okay. You're going to miss all the amenities if you go to bed at six o'clock when you're in. Okay. What is your preferred price range you would consider for a home in this community?
00:09:17
Speaker
Let's see. For a second home. Interesting. I'm going to go. so so So our choices here, folks, are under $350,000, and then it goes in to increments all the way up to million or greater.
00:09:36
Speaker
definitely nine in that i'm at nine hundred thousand to one point two I was looking, all right. So I was, i was thinking like the 600 to 700 the 700 to 900. You do you?
00:09:47
Speaker
Yeah, man. What monthly homeowner association dues you consider Okay. What HOA dues are you comfortable with is what the... Man, I have nothing in my community and no pool, no absolutely nothing, and I pay $200 and something.
00:10:03
Speaker
Right. literally have nothing except a pond with a fountain in it somewhere. um I would say I'm probably at $450 to $600.
00:10:14
Speaker
Gosh, that would kind of depend on... Well, I guess they are letting you know what's coming, but... Yeah. Yeah. But I don't think that this is... Is this... I don't think this the amenities fees. think
Disney Park Developments
00:10:25
Speaker
this is just dues. Oh, you're right. This just dues. I'm going to go down to 350 to... Oh, we can choose all that apply. right. So I'm going to 350 to 450 or 450 to 600. Yeah, that seems... good with that. Was your... Okay. Next one, was your preferred home size range? I'm at 3,200 square foot of grade. So our choices are under 1,500 square feet and then it ranges all the way up to...
00:10:46
Speaker
3,200 square feet or greater. I do like a big home. I do, but you got to remember, we're going to be there later in life. So, gosh, that's a lot of home to clean, dude.
00:10:57
Speaker
Yeah, I'm not worried about that. have the kids come over and clean.
00:11:02
Speaker
oh let's see. What did you choose? I'm going to do, I think I did two to 2,400. I did 2,000. No, I did over 3,200. I want a big house. Oh, my gosh. You're crazy. All right.
00:11:13
Speaker
How influential is the Disney brand in your decision to consider this community? It is definitely one of the primary drivers. Yeah, so how influential is the Disney brand? It's the primary driver, yes. What does the Disney brand represent to you in the context of a residential community?
00:11:27
Speaker
Fun and entertainment.
00:11:32
Speaker
I'm going to say offering unique amenities not available at other general communities. I'm going to mention something about the Disney bubble. There we go.
00:11:45
Speaker
Ooh, yeah. We need to be unavailable. Yes. communities and also living the Disney bubble. There you go i like that.
00:11:56
Speaker
So this next set of questions is interesting. What premium do you believe homes in the Disney, in the story living by Disney community justifies compared to other communities? So like what's your premium on cost of house because you're in a Disney community? See, I don't think it should be that high.
00:12:13
Speaker
I think that the premium, I was going to say 10% here. I'm going to say 5%, really. i mean, if I'm paying for the amenities, why do my home costs have to be that much higher?
00:12:28
Speaker
So essentially, folks, this question is asking, if you had the same exact house in another community in in some other place, not Disney related, how much extra would you be willing to pay to just live in this Disney community? That's essentially what this question is asking.
00:12:44
Speaker
And then what is your anticipated timeframe for purchasing a new home? I mean, for me, it's three plus year because I don't even think we're going to see homes out of this place for three plus years, to be honest with you. because um But I think that that this will be this will be good. So I'm at three plus years there. yep With two kids in college, I'm definitely not doing it doing it within the next three years. Yeah.
00:13:09
Speaker
Oh, what adventure conditions would accelerate your decision to purchase? Lottery? What would happen? Yeah. What's going to happen in your life that you think? Me finding a gold bar on my property. um A lot of things could do it. um Let's see.
New Theme Park Announcements
00:13:25
Speaker
ah And our choices are a lifestyle fit confirmation, pricing or incentives, and interest rate change, or selling an existing home. so I'm just going with selling an existing home.
00:13:40
Speaker
And then this next one I like. What type of community would you prefer next? Multigenerational community with variety of ages, families, and retirees, age targeted with active mature singles and couples without children without any restrictions or a 55 and older restriction.
00:13:57
Speaker
um I'm multigenerational. That makes me feel more comfortable.
00:14:06
Speaker
Interesting. I'm looking at these last two here.
00:14:11
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, i I, yeah, I do multi-generational, but it it's interesting that Disney is considering essentially the villages, like their own version of the villages.
00:14:23
Speaker
It's not going to be this that big, but yeah. Yeah. all right, so I'm multi-generational there. oh okay. What remaining questions or concerns must be addressed before you would seriously consider parts the community? Okay, for me, it's need to know more?
00:14:42
Speaker
More about the amenities? Yes. Need to know more about the amenities.
00:14:50
Speaker
I would also... Any house pricing. I would i'll also be interested to know if they had any plans or any inside knowledge about what might be developing outside of the community. Like, what's going to be drawn there?
00:15:03
Speaker
m You know what mean? Yeah.
00:15:08
Speaker
I'd like this next one, though. Okay. Ooh. Would you be open to participating an online workshop? And then we'll give you a gift card. I don't even care about that. Of course I want to do workshop. Yeah, absolutely. I would participate in know a one-hour online workshop. that's That's basically a meeting yeah for work. So, hey.
00:15:29
Speaker
All right. And the next page is just confirming your contact information. And that's it. We're done. yeah I'm excited to for this place. So just so everyone's aware, Blake and myself will be visiting when visiting starts. Once we get a message that says, hey, come and look, we're there.
00:15:49
Speaker
Like we will cancel all their plans. We will, well, I'll cancel other plans. If I have to go solo, I will. if i have to go with my wife, Blake can come. That's great. He may be bell ringing. You know, again, if he's bell ringing, now and we got to go. And if Damon's actually awake, you know, if it's 11 and 2 p.m., he'll be awake. That seems about right.
00:16:11
Speaker
All right. So that's it for this part. Hopefully everyone is interested and will continue to update you on this as we can. All right, folks, it is time for a word from our sponsor.
Podcast Promotion and Listener Interaction
00:16:21
Speaker
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Speaker
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00:17:34
Speaker
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00:17:41
Speaker
So DVC Resort News and Tips. Disney is issuing an update on, and this update is regarding the rental of DVC points. So within the last couple of weeks, Disney put out some clarification on the new, it's not a new policy, but it's a policy that they are actually going to start enforcing now. And it deals with people who buy DVC contracts specifically for the exclusive purpose of renting them out and never really staying at a DVC resort on their own.
00:18:16
Speaker
And this update comes as a result of questions that were asked during the 2025 DVC Condo Association Owners Annual Meeting. And go ahead. Yeah, i think I think the big thing here for me is I kind of thought about this back and forth. I've always been against renting points. And then I was like, but does it affect me because people are going to buy or somebody else? But here's where the problem is, is that a lot of these places that don't use them for personal use will go out and pick the best weeks of the year.
00:18:48
Speaker
Exactly. And that's where I think the bigger problem is. If you have X amount of points and you're not using them for yourself, and then you go book you know Christmas, Thanksgiving, fourth of July, Halloween, like that's not really fair. And then you just your whole point is to rent those weeks. think that's where I'm happy that this is happening.
00:19:08
Speaker
So yeah that's really, for us, what what the big situation is. It's like, hey, let's make sure that people aren't putting those weeks up that they're actually using them. And again, I have no problem if people are going all four of those times and you can get them like good for you. Right. That works out great. So I think this is a good thing.
00:19:27
Speaker
and And again, this policy update is not to punish people who occasionally might rent out some points to some family members or some friends. This is absolutely this is just for people that have literally the only reason they bought it was so that they could rent out every single point every single year. Now, ah the interesting thing here is that Shannon Sakosky, and I hope I said that name right, she is the vice president of member experiences and club management, stated that the organization has increased staffing and resources to monitor point usage. And really, the translation there is, folks, they're going to be using AI to go through all of the data.
00:20:09
Speaker
That's Blake's guess here. Let's make sure that she did not say that. She didn't say that that. Again, I said, that's a translation for me. that They're going to be using AI to comb through all of that data to kind of highlight people that might be renting out more than they should. So, again, 98% of the people that own DVC probably... Another Blake made up number. Yes, it's absolutely. no but and We just have to make sure that we're not you know sticking it to yeah oh right specific numbers.
00:20:41
Speaker
Okay. Okay. All right. But yeah, I think this is a good thing. I think that makes a lot of sense and we'll see how it kind of pans out. I know some people are upset about it. know, their points, they do whatever they want, but hey, just make it better for everybody.
00:20:53
Speaker
Let me be able to book a holiday when I want to book a holiday. Okay. All right. Let's move on to a listener question. And this question is actually about DVC. So Angie C. Just became a first time DVC owner a couple of months ago. Congratulations. Yay. And so they have a restore a resort stay booked now that overlaps with one of the Moonlight Magic Nights that is occurring at Disney Hollywood Studio in April. So her question is...
00:21:21
Speaker
Are there any tips or tricks on registering for Moonlight Magic as a new dv system DVC member? Or are there any other perks that a new DVC member should take advantage of that aren't readily apparent I mean, yeah, so for for me, I think that if this is your first use of DVC points, then it's a little different. And maybe you could call your, you know, cast member up and see if they can just get you Moonlight Magic, right? any Anything's possible during that first original DVC points stay.
00:21:54
Speaker
Other than that, I mean, terms of registering, I've never had a problem. I just say whenever they tell you you should be logged in, log in, right? Like, and just wait it out. Like, I think that it's, I don't know. I've never had any problems. My parents have never had any problems. Just follow the instructions, and I think you'll be okay. I think the biggest perk that DVC members kind of forget about, especially if they've been going to the park previously, is the discounts on dining,
00:22:18
Speaker
And you kind of, for and and actually discounts on on a lot of stuff. Always ask. I think that's probably the biggest, you know, kind of first thing is always ask. You're a DVC member now, just ask, you know, do I get a discount? Do I get a discount? Right? and It never hurts to ask. I think that's ah a big thing that you have to kind of think about.
00:22:35
Speaker
And Angie, if this is your very first day, Damon, help me out here. She should let somebody know because there is a gift that they give out for your very first day. It's like the welcome home gift, I believe. that I don't remember ever getting anything, so I can't really speak on that.
00:22:52
Speaker
But I would ask your cast member, your DVC cast member, to benefit. I've heard of that. All right. right, let's move on to some Disney news. The repainting of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom is scheduled to start in January of 2026. They are taking the color scheme that will be it will be reminiscent of the classic and original look of the castle itself. I like OG. I like OG.
00:23:19
Speaker
It's a mean nostalgia, so yeah I'm good with this. It will take some of that coral pink hues that are in the castle now, and it's going to revert them back to the original look. Now, as part of that, they're going to obviously have to have some cranes out there, construction cranes to help with this. So they're going be draining the moat first thing to be able to put those cranes in place.
00:23:42
Speaker
Now, painting work, we're going start in the early mornings and they're going to be done every day by 12 noon. And that is specifically so that guests and members can take pictures during the day because no one wants a picture of Cinderella Castle with construction cranes around. it so That is true.
00:24:02
Speaker
They are thinking about that. And so those cranes will be lowered and out of the way during the second half of the day. That's really smart to be honest with you. so that you can get pictures and also so that it doesn't interfere with fireworks and get in the way of that.
00:24:16
Speaker
And they are saying that work is to be completed in later in 2026. So they are giving themselves a little bit of leeway by not giving an exact date. So that is for Cinderella Castle. Now let's move on to some new information about the new lands coming at Magic Kingdom. Villain's Land.
00:24:36
Speaker
is now starting to expand behind Small World. It's a Small World ride. So it is starting, you know, about where the end of the line is for Haunted Mansion.
00:24:49
Speaker
And it's going to curve around behind It's a Small World. And if you go online, the gentleman but that goes by the name of BioReconstruct, he is well known in the area. He flies around Disney World and takes aerial photos. And you can see all types of photos.
00:25:08
Speaker
from BioReconstruct. Yeah, I'm trying to look at what we're talking about here myself. Of course, going to be adjacent to Piston Peak, which is the new Cars Land. Again, yeah. It's taking over Tom Sawyer Island. Work is progressing on that. They have graded Tom Sawyer's Island now, and so now it is a little flatter getting ready for what is coming at Piston Peak.
00:25:29
Speaker
There is quite a chunk of real estate being taken up right now by this by the Yeah. shouldn so Absolutely. think it's good that we're getting getting some some updates here because Villain's Land is going to be and to be the big one here.
00:25:44
Speaker
Right. And it's good that they are working on these simultaneously, that they're not waiting on one to begin construction on the other. So yeah lots of new stuff. All right. Other park or other Disney news.
00:25:58
Speaker
they Disney Imagineering has released a new internal look at the new free-roaming Olaf that is appearing at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. So Disney Imagineering released a research paper detailing all of the work that they did on this animatronic that you can actually go read if you want some gentle nighttime reading. You can go read the actual. Yeah, I'm good. As long as it works, I don't need to know the the behind it.
00:26:25
Speaker
there are... all types of interesting things that, you know, one of the coolest things that I didn't realize, and that's why you have Disney Imagineering, is they actually have to write code in to take account for the servo actuator temperatures. So all that movement that Olaf does, that generates heat. And so you have to have sensors in place to you know determine how hot it's getting, and it will cause ol Olaf to do things that are not as strenuous if it if it detects that the temperature is getting up too high. So it will alter what Olaf does depending on what the the temperature of his servos are, which is really cool.
00:27:04
Speaker
so Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:14
Speaker
All right, folks, it is time for the after show. And first thing is a new Dracula themed resort is coming to Romania.
00:27:26
Speaker
Damon, this sounds like something you would be all about to be. lewis it's It's a resort and theme park, right? It's resort and theme park. It has six lands. Six lands.
00:27:38
Speaker
The artwork, gosh, it looks huge, to be honest with you. Like, I can't imagine them being able to that much out of one singular IP, for lack of a better term.
00:27:51
Speaker
Oh, no, no, no. I think that were when ah when you talk about, you know, a Dracula land, I think that there's a lot that you can do, right? You all the Dracula's friends. I think they're all um in public domain now, too, aren't they? I could be wrong now. I'm not sure. but If not, they're very close.
00:28:07
Speaker
Yeah, I think that there's a lot that you can do. So there's going to be... 40 attractions set to open between 26 and 27. I don't know how they make that happen, but you know there's going to be an entrance. There's going to be a railway, a double carousel projection and drone show. there's There's going to be all sorts of shows and entertainment as well.
00:28:30
Speaker
I think this is great. I'm really curious to see it how it kind of pans out. So what they're saying is kind of the e-ticket thing here is going to be a ride within Dracula's castle. There's going to be a maze, which I kind of dig.
00:28:46
Speaker
And, you know, some high-speed ride through the catacombs. Like, it sounds great. Like, it also, the the thing, though, that kind of scares me a little bit okay is that they talk about being able to host events and festivals, right? And it's kind of listed maybe they're going to... and Yeah, one of the one of the pieces ah of concept art does show a convention center type building that is going to be able to host that type of thing. Yeah, I just...
00:29:17
Speaker
It just seems very ambitious right from the get-go, especially with the the date. But, you know, it looks like it's gonna be in phases. It's gonna generate tourism jobs and they're looking at, like I said, a phased approach.
00:29:31
Speaker
I'm excited to see this. I think this will help us understand what a true honest to goodness villain park means and what you're going to get in terms of people because of that.
00:29:47
Speaker
I think it's going to be interesting to see how much they lean into the horror aspect of this because they're not, imagine, yeahnna imagine if Disney were doing this, right? Because they would have to soften it up quite a bit.
00:30:00
Speaker
I'm, I will be interested to see. Yeah. I don't know what we're going to get. Yeah. I don't know what we're going to get. I think that's what will be interesting about this. So so here're exciting though. so Yes, there are it's exciting. There's also, there is a $1 billion dollars price tag that they're saying they're going to invest in this. So this is not some mom and pop.
00:30:21
Speaker
And 1 billion euros. 1 billion euros. Yeah. Which is, i don't even know what the conversion rate is, but it's pretty close. So it's a lot of money regardless. Yes. All right.
00:30:33
Speaker
Moving on. Super excited for this. Yes. so Moving on. Go ahead. Yeah. So here's the thing. Blake thought that this was a shutdown, Velocicoaster, and I said there would be riots.
00:30:44
Speaker
Right. So really what this is, is Jurassic Park River Adventure. Right. It's going down for 10 months. Yeah. so over at Universal Orlando, the Jurassic Park River Adventure is going down for extensive refurbishment. And so there's some speculation going on about what this refurb is going to be. And the general feeling is that it could be that they're going to turn this river park, excuse me, not river park, the river adventure into more Jurassic World-style experience exit that is out in California. mean, they don't need to, but I wouldn't be mad.
00:31:18
Speaker
Yeah, like, don't know if they need to, but wouldn't be mad if it happened. So with the last time we went, When we took our 12-year-old, I don't even think we got on it on the the river the river adventure.
00:31:31
Speaker
Oh, it's fun. It's fun. Yeah, I like it. i like it. Okay. Definitely a go-to ride for us when we go to the parks. Sure. Okay. Staying over in Universal Orlando, a permit has been filed by them that indicates a new flagship ride is coming to the old Lost Continent area of the parks. Man, I miss out on some of the...
00:31:55
Speaker
theming, though, of The Lost Continent. I hope everyone at least got a chance to see it before it went away. Right. So this, the permit specifically mentions the company called Intamin, and they are the ride designer behind Hagrid's motorbike and Velocicoaster. So,
00:32:12
Speaker
You can probably expect a new ride coming to to this area. and there I think it almost have to be. Yeah. Yeah. Because why would you take it down? I mean, it was an area that was a little bit one and done-ish. I mean, even though it was, you know, really fun, it was a little bit one and done-ish.
00:32:31
Speaker
Right. So there are some rumors. There's rumors. Yeah, rumors that Harry Potter land could expand because this area kind of backs up to Hogsmeade. So there are rumors because, you know, Intimate has already done Hagrid's motorbike. They might do another Harry Potter themed ride. But there's also an even more interesting rumor, and I think this one would be cooler, honestly, is that this could be a new Legend of Zelda themed attraction coming.
00:33:01
Speaker
And the reason that rumor is alive is because they have started selling Legend of Zelda merch in Epic Universe stores. And if you don't know, there's an upcoming live action Legend of Zelda movie that is going to be released in March 2027. So this would line up perfectly with that movie release. this is so odd because i'm such a nintendo person but i'm not really a legend of zelda person oh i love like i played the games but like they were never it for me like if i'm going that route i want to go full in and i want to go full dnd right like i feel like legend of zelda was like dnd light and i just it was not my thing i mean i'd be happy to see that but i'd rather
00:33:44
Speaker
Harry Potter expand, especially with the HBO series coming. I think that would be fun as well. But either one of those would be of interest to me. I could be on board with either one of those. Right. Yeah.
00:33:56
Speaker
All right So some interesting things coming to Universal Orlando. All right, folks, that is going to do it for our show this week. We'd like to thank our sponsor, DontResistTheTravel.com. As always, please let them handle every detail in creating and planning your next extraordinary getaway. It does not have to be universal. doesn't have to be to Disney. It could be anywhere.
00:34:17
Speaker
Let the folks at DontResistTheTravel.com plan that out for you. Just make sure you listen to us on your favorite podcast streaming service. If we are not on your favorite service, please let us know and we will get on there. I feel like we're on pretty much all of them at this point. Yeah. I've been curious to what people listen to us on.
00:34:38
Speaker
I've been going more Spotify, to be honest with you, for a podcast myself, but. i i ah I'm a pocket cast ah person. I use that. okay so And make sure, regardless of whichever streaming service you listen to us on, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave us a five-star rating. And you should also do that on Spotify. Bye.
00:34:58
Speaker
by the way go leave Go leave us a five-star rating and leave us a review. It helps us out with the algorithms in getting the show out in front of people's eyeballs. And we are always wanting to do that. So if you have any questions or if you'd like to... And ear balls?
00:35:13
Speaker
No, I said eyeballs. No, and ear balls. You did. And I said and ear balls. Okay. All right. So if you have any questions, email us at rhubarbtravelerspodcast at gmail.com.
00:35:26
Speaker
And we are always looking for trip reports. So if you go on a trip, please let us know and we will, you know, maybe invite you on and you can tell us firsthand how that trip went. Again, we have a Patreon. Go subscribe to us over at Patreon and please consider becoming a subscriber.
00:35:41
Speaker
We are on all the socials. We are on Instagram. We're on Facebook. Please join the groups out there and become a part of our growing community.
00:35:52
Speaker
I don't like my Patreon picture, though. I didn't realize that was the picture. have to get an updated one. What did you put? I didn't put anything. You put that up there. Oh, did I put that up there? Yeah. I don't even remember what I put up there.
00:36:03
Speaker
I look like Ernie. Oh, okay. All right, folks. Well, that's going to do it. so well Also, make sure you check out the socials. Blake will be recording something as he always does, and we have fun with those. so That's right. Yeah, so go look for us on TikTok. We we are getting into the TikToks as the kids.
00:36:22
Speaker
All right, folks. Wait, hold on real quick, though. What did you get for Christmas? Oh, what did I get? You know what? I am really at the point in my life that... Oh, i I don't... You know what i want you know what i really wanted for Christmas?
00:36:36
Speaker
Uh-huh. It was to have two college tuitions paid off for my boys, but I still didn't get that. I've been asking for that for four years, but you know, I got some new shirts. I think I had to like go like switch out shirts.
00:36:50
Speaker
Like I just felt like I was wearing the same t-shirts all the time. So I got some, some shirts I got. um you know what? I take it back. I did get, I did get a new cordless drill. I needed that. Okay. There you go.
00:37:01
Speaker
There you go. So yeah. So hopefully everyone had a good holiday. Yep. And folks, we hope that you have a great and safe new year.
00:37:12
Speaker
Please and watch stranger things and then come to the group to talk about it with us. That's right. That's right. So watch stranger things, come to the group and talk about it. Please be safe during the, uh, the new year. And because we want you still be listening to us after.
00:37:24
Speaker
So until then, until the next show, Damon, I will talk to you later. All right. Have a good one. Folks, the Rhubarb Travelers podcast is for entertainment purposes only. We are not employed by the Walt Disney Company or NBC Universal, the parent company of Universal Studios. And as such, all opinions expressed on the show are exclusively our own.
00:37:45
Speaker
Please consult a DVC or Disney cast member or Universal team member for more information about anything we might have talked about today.