SeaWorld, Universal Studios Featured In Frommers 'Most Exciting Amusement Park Additions'

Expert travel website Frommers.com has listed two local theme park attractions as two of  'The 8 Most Exciting Amusment Park Additions in 2013.'  

SeaWorld's new Antarctica- Empire of the Penguin makes the list.  The new land features a first of its kind trackless navigation ride along with animal habitat, a gift shop, and a restaurant.  The attraction officially opens May 24, 2013.  SeaWorld Entertainment made news earlier this month when it became a publicly traded company (SEAS) on the NYSE.

The other local attraction featured in the Frommers list is Universal Studios new Transformers: The Ride 3D.  The new ride uses a system similar to that of Spider-man found next door at Islands of Adventure but with huge new 45 foot tall screens and elevators to make the ride path larger within a smaller footprint.  Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have already begun making daily appearances at Universal Studios.  The gift shop located at the exit of the ride has also already opened.  While no official opening date has been given rumors point to team member previews in May with a soft opening for the general public sometime around end of May before the official opening rumored to be sometime in mid to late June with June 20 or 21st being the most likely dates for the grand opening. 

The Frommers article also references the yet to be announced despite major construction new London themed Harry Potter expansion. That addition is expected to open sometime next year.  Some point to mysterious markings on the side of the new Transformers building as a hint to when the new Harry Potter land will open.  While rumors have the new London themed area opening in June, 2014 the markings seem to possibly point to May, 2014.  

Also on the Frommers list is the new Legoland Hotel in California.  Legoland Florida is also rumored to be getting its own lake front, Lego themed hotel in the next few years.