A connoisseur's view of theme parks
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Space shuttle preparation
May 28th
This has absolutely nothing to do with theme parks, but it was such a cool video I had to share it. It’s a time lapse video of the six weeks it takes to get the space shuttle prepped for launch.
Myrtle Beach renames Hard Rock Parkway
Sep 14th
Horry county officials are changing the name of the road leading to the former hard rock park from the ‘Hard Rock Parkway’ to ‘Fantasy Harbour Boulevard. This actually makes a lot of sense since the area had been known as Fantasy harbour for years. Last time I drove through myrtle beach, I got a chuckle out of having to take the Hard Rock Parkway to get to Freestyle music park.
Best Amusement Park – 2009
Sep 13th
Amusement today named Cedar Point the best amusement park in the world for the 12th consecutive year. Several other Cedar Fair parks also won awards. Kings Island got an award for the best childrens’ area and Worlds of Fun got the best new ride of 2009 award for the Prowler.
I agree with Cedar Point as the best park for roller coasters, but my vote for the best new ride of 2009 would go to SeaWorld’s Manta.
Magic Kingdom upgrade
Sep 12th
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney is planning a major update for the Fantasyland portion of the Magic Kingdom at DisneyWorld. They are doubling the capacity of Dumbo by adding a second copy of it, which is great since that ride consistently has long lines. They are adding a ride based on the Little Mermaid, and they are finally going to update Star Tours with all new video in 3-D. The new & improved Star Tours is expected to be finished in 2011, with the Fantasyland update not being finished until 2013. Below are the concept pictures and blueprints that Disney released.
Concept art for the updated section
Blue prints for the new Fantasyland.
Now Hiring Disney Moms
Sep 10th
Disney is looking to hire 10 people to answer questions on their web forums. The drawback is no weekly paycheck. They do, however, send you to DisneyWorld for four days of training, so you essentially get a free vacation out of it. Not a bad deal at all, if I do say so myself.
Applications are being accepted beginning this morning at 10 AM and they stop taking applications when they hit 20,000. If you are interested, you would need to apply real quick.
http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/recruiting/about_the_program.aspx
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