A connoisseur's view of theme parks
Archive for August, 2009
Disney buys Marvel
Aug 31st
I guess Disney is following the old adage of ‘If you can’t beat them, buy them.’ They are buying Marvel comics in a 4 billion dollar deal. I must admit I wonder what this is going to do long term for Universal with the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man rides.
Carowinds coaster announced
Aug 27th
Carowinds has officially announced that their new coaster for 2010 will also be Dale Earnhardt themed. This one, however, won’t have the height designation in the ride name. I’m not entirely sure of the wisdom of naming two rides the same basic name, but who cares as long as the ride is fun. It is being made by Bolliger and Mabillard, who are my favorite roller coaster manufacturer, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. As a matter of fact, the first thing I did was look up the price of a Carowinds Platinum pass for next year to hit this and Kings Dominion.
Snow White Millionaire
Aug 25th
I guess Disney really is where dreams come true. At least for this particular park employee who played the part of Snow White. She won 5.2 million dollars and describes feeling more like Cinderella.
Nascar coaster at Carowinds?
Aug 21st
They just announced that Kings Dominion is getting a new Dale Earnhardt themed roller coaster, but in this article talking about that they state that carowinds will also be getting a Dale Earnhardt themed ride as well. Did the reporter just make a typo, or did someone say something they weren’t supposed to? The tracks that have shown up at Carowinds are red, which matches the concept drawings and videos of the Kings Dominion ride.
Intimidator 305
Aug 21st
Kings Dominion has announced their new coaster for 2010. It’s a Nascar themed ride named after Dale Earnhardt. The 305 is the height of the coaster and, of course, the number 3 was Dale’s number. It looks to be a serious competitor to Cedar Point’s Millenium Force.
More details and a webcam to view construction progress at their intimidator305.com
Lego Land gets the Google Street view treatment
Aug 19th
You can now wander the streets of Lego Land via the internet thanks to Google and their street view application.
They’ve even changed the normal icon to that of a little lego figure. Is that not cute, or what?
Rip Ride Rockit officially open
Aug 19th
That was a short soft opening.
Universal has officially declared the ride open, although several sites are reporting that all of the features like cameras to film you riding aren’t working yet. Still… I’m looking forward to my next visit to Universal.
Haunted Mansion celebrates 40 years.
Aug 19th
Disney has released a video about the haunted mansion in celebration of it’s 40th aniversay.
A definite must for fans of the ride.
Coaster tour at Busch Gardens Tampa
Aug 18th
Busch Gardens Tampa is now offering the same basic tour as Williamsburg, only it’s less expensive. It’s centered on Montu, and lets you see the mechanical maintenance side of the ride and climb one of the brake towers to see the ride zip by up close and personal.
Death at Indiana Jones stunt show
Aug 18th
A third disney castmember has died in the past month following an accident at the Indiana Jones stunt show.
Anislav Varbanov was fatally injured during a rehearsal while doing a tumbling roll.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/disney/orl-bk-disney-death-081709,0,6075527.story
Soft opening for Rip Ride Rockit
Aug 16th
Universal Studios Florida has started letting guests on Rip Ride Rockit. The hours are sporadic and if too long of a line begins to form, they shut it down to prevent guests from havin to wait hours to get on it.
Also, the on board video cameras aren’t working so no on board videos yet and the moving loading queue isn’t working, so it’s relatively slow to load. (That, and they are always more careful about checking restraints and things on a new ride.)
More details are at the Orlando Sentinel paper.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-universal-rip-ride-rockit-081609,0,7711462.story
TV show on Kings Dominion
Aug 13th
The DIY Network has done a show on the various roller coasters at Kings Dominion. I thought the maintenance car that creeps around the track at 1 MPH was especially interesting.
Check it out at their web site.
Disney castmember dies from fall
Aug 11th
A disney cast member who fell and broke his neck during a demonstration of how to be a pirate has died. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.
24 Passengers stuck on Roller Coaster
Aug 11th
24 people were trapped for hours on the invertigo roller coaster at the Great America theme park in California due to a mechanical failure.
CNN has the story here, but details are still scarce.
Man charged with Groping Minnie Mouse
Aug 10th
A 60 year old man is currently on trial for groping Minnie Mouse at Disney World. So much for the happiest place on earth.