Theme Park Rangers Radar: Disney trams, Universal Minion meeting, Gatorland cover girl

This week we’re meeting characters at Universal Studios’ Minion Land, welcoming parking lot trams back to two Walt Disney World theme parks and congratulating an unusual cover girl at Gatorland.

Theme Park Rangers Radar is a weekly roundup of news and nuggets from Central Florida attractions. It is posted on OrlandoSentinel.com on Wednesdays.

Meet a Minion

There’s a little life hack at Illumination Theater, the meet-and-greet area at Minion Land at Universal Studios theme park.

When facing the theater’s facade, look to the right. Digital posters indicate what characters are appearing there, and which ones are on deck to come out next.

“Guests can get an idea if they want to wait around for the next set,” Michael Aiello, senior director of creative development, said.

“We designed this to be able to house any character both now in our currently library and – knowing that Illumination will continue to make amazing animated films – be able to incorporate any new character,” Aiello said.

Currently, Universal guests can encounter minions and other “Despicable Me” types there as well as characters from “Sing.”

At the beginning of each shift, characters emerge from the theater doors, and there’s music and a burst of choreography.

“They have their own curated red carpet premiere moments,” Aiello said.

Universal Studios: Death Eaters are on their way

Although the art-deco theater looks inviting, it’s not a place the public can see a film or even enter. It’s merely a faux front like many sets at Universal, including the place next door that pretends to sell overalls (“Genuine minion quality,” the door says. “One size fits all.”)

Minion Land, which officially debuted in early August, includes the meet-and-greet, Bake My Day bakery, Freeze Pops and banana-popcorn stands, Illumination’s Minion Cafe and Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast.

(Side note: Copy editors rejoice at Universal’s naming consistency on Minion attractions. Minion is always singular in titles: Minion Blast, Minion Cafe, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Minion Land.)

Tram time

Walt Disney World’s parking lot trams are scheduled to return to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme parks this month after a three-year absence. The transportation system disappeared from all four parks after the pandemic shutdowns of 2020, although it eventually returned to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

On one hand, we should be happy, obviously. It’s a foot-saving service that visitors expect, and the trams get folks out of the sun at least for a bit.

On the other hand, we usually skip the tram except at the Magic Kingdom lot, which has a more complicated walking route to the Ticket & Transportation Center, home of the monorail station and ferryboats that connect with the park.

Rare Cinderella Castle sleepover will be prize for contest

But back on that first hand, we feel blessed if the tram is sitting there waiting when we need to go back to the car at the end of the day.

But on the other hand, is there a longer-feeling wait than when we’re seated on the tram, ready to go, but other visitors are lollygagging or puzzled by how to fold up their strollers or dashing onto the vehicle despite stern (by cast member standards) warnings of “no further boarding”?

And finally, the all-clear designation and the gentle toot-toot from the driver, signaling departure is a simple please. Welcome back, trams. (Toot-toot.)

Gatorland in gear

A Gatorland gator named Tamale helped Florida Highway Patrol win a national contest.

Every year, state troopers submit photos of their vehicles in a “best looking cruiser” contest held by the American Association of State Troopers. Jeff Frost, a retired lieutenant, photographed Tamale with a 2019 Dodge Chrysler at the South Orange Blossom Trail attraction.

FHP and 15-year-old Tamale, who is 8.5 feet long and weighs 180 pounds, were voted the winners and will be the cover subjects of the 2024 AAST calendar.

“We are thrilled that FHP wanted to partner with Gatorland to showcase Florida’s natural wildlife and our magnificent Tamale,” Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland, said in a news release.

Gatorland’s Halloween event stars midway monsters, cursed cowboys

Weekend outlook

• The next Lunch & Learn session at Orange County Regional History Center is titled “Echoes of Eternity: Unveiling the History of Greenwood Cemetery.” The graveyard talk is set for noon Friday.

• Halloween Horror Nights, the after-hours fright fest, starts Friday at Universal Studios and continues Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club in 3D, the latest pop-up incarnation of Universal CityWalk’s Red Coconut Club, also debuts Friday.

• SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular runs through Monday, when it’s also last call for the park’s Craft Beer Festival.

• The Garden Rocks concert series, part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, features Baha Men (“Who Let the Dogs Out”) on Friday and Saturday with MercyMe (“I Can Only Imagine”) on stage Sunday and Monday.

• The Great Irish Hooley, featuring traditional singers, musicians and dancers, is set for Disney Springs’ Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant from Friday afternoon through late Monday.

• The final day of “Dogs: A Science Tail” at Orlando Science Center is Monday.

What’s on your radar? Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com.