Theme Park Outsider » Uncategorized

Space shuttle preparation

labman — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:24:10 +0000

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

labman — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:30:01 +0000

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

labman — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:04:37 +0000

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

labman — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:00:53 +0000

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

labman — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:43:52 +0000

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

labman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:49:12 +0000

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

labman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:25:44 +0000

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

labman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:37:15 +0000

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?

labman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:44:00 +0000

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

labman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:36:33 +0000

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

labman — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:30:36 +0000

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?

http://www.examiner.com/x-4902-San-Diego-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d19-LEGOLAND-California-is-first-US-theme-park-on-Google-Street-View

Rip Ride Rockit officially open

labman — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:30:56 +0000

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 … Continue reading →

Haunted Mansion celebrates 40 years.

labman — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:00:33 +0000

Disney has released a video about the haunted mansion in celebration of it’s 40th aniversay.

A definite must for fans of the ride.

Haunted Mansion

Coaster tour at Busch Gardens Tampa

labman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:30:35 +0000

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.

More details are at the BG website.

Death at Indiana Jones stunt show

labman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:27:18 +0000

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

labman — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:36:48 +0000

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

labman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:11:19 +0000

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

labman — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:00:14 +0000

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.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-disney-performer-dies-081009,0,7112500.story

24 Passengers stuck on Roller Coaster

labman — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:11:23 +0000

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

labman — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:59:50 +0000

A 60 year old man is currently on trial for groping Minnie Mouse at Disney World. So much for the happiest place on earth.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-disney-groped-minnie-mouse-081009,0,4837059.story