Theme Park Outsider

Busch Gardens arrests employee

labman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:30:14 +0000

You can tell it’s slow newsday, but I’m amazed that this worker managed to steal 25,000 from them by voiding transactions and pocketing the cash. You’d think their systems would notice that a ticket was sold and used to enter the park, but the money wasn’t ever deposited.

Topiary construction

labman — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:34:28 +0000

Ever wonder what goes into putting those topiaries up in Epcot? Wonder no more, here’s a time lapse video of them being set up overnight.

Intimidator 305 shaping up nicely

labman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:15:58 +0000

The coast critic has posted a short article about Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. I’m really looking forward to this one since it’s essentially Millenium Force without having to drive all the way to Ohio. That, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg is near that too, so I can hit multiple parks in one relatively short trip. The most interesting photo to me was the shot of it next to rebel yell. It makes that coaster look like a childs’ toy by comparison.

Intimidator now running with riders

labman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:00:30 +0000

Carowinds connection has posted a photo of Intimidator running with people riding it. This is a good sign that the testing with water dummies went well.

Also… Carowinds.com was updated this week with an all new design. I haven’t really browsed it much, but it looks cleaner than the old one and the rides seem organized better.

Believe show returns to SeaWorld Orlando

labman — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:00:41 +0000

Seaworld Orlando had their first Believe show since Trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by the orca Tilikum. None of the people were allowed into the water with the whales as SeaWorld is still reviewing their policies and procedures related to the handling of the whales. The females all had their hair pulled up into buns, which is to be expected since Dawn was grabbed by her hair and pulled under the water.

The attitude of the crowd was respectful with most people thinking it is a good thing that they get back to the shows. PETA, of course, had a small protest at the park entrance, but only about a dozen people showed for that.

Animal Trainer killed at SeaWorld

labman — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:15:36 +0000

Park officials haven’t released any information yet, but a witness said they saw the whale thrash the trainer from a view area.

Carowinds intimitador first test run

labman — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:03:01 +0000

Intimidator gets it’s first trial run. Video courtesy of youtube user Wormy2010

Disneyland Opening Day videos

labman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:30:39 +0000

Disney has released a short video of various opening day celebrations hosted by Walt himself.

This is from the Disney official blog

Busch Gardens Tampa gets Googled

labman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:41:04 +0000

Busch Gardens Tampa has received the Google Street View treatment, so you can now explore the park virtually.

It’s not the same as being there, but it’s as close as you’re going to get on the computer.

Legoland Florida

labman — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:49:25 +0000

It looks like Merlin Entertainment Group, the owner of LegoLand in California, will be turning the recently purchased Cypress Gardens Theme park into another Lego Land. The may of Winter Haven said that it is a two year plan to turn the park into Lego Land, and more details will be released at a press conference on Thursday.

Sesame Street Safari takes shape

labman — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:20:40 +0000

The orlando Sentinel was invidted to preview the construction of the new Sesame Street Safari in Busch Gardens and posted pictures of it’s progress. While I will miss the land of the dragons, which this section replaces, it looks like they are giving the kids something to look forward to with their own kiddie coaster and lots of things to do in a space more than twice as large as the previous land of the dragons.

Auction to be first to ride Intimidator

labman — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:00:39 +0000

Carowinds is having a charity auction to be among the first members of the public to ride the new Intimidator coaster. Bids start at $50 and the highest bid gets choice of seat with the next choice going to the second highest, and so on and so forth. This auction will run through March 24th, so you have plenty of time to get your bid in.

Abandoned Disney

labman — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:00:21 +0000

Ever wonder what would happen if a park were just left in place? That’s exactly what happened to River Country along Bay Lake. Someone recently visited this water park that was closed in 2001 and posted side by side photos of what it looks like now compared to then.

It’s really interesting to see how little has changed in some ways. Here’s the second from this series.

Universal Studios Florida raises prices

labman — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:45:55 +0000

In a move to profit from the popularity of the Harry Potter section being added, Universal is raising the price of a 7 day ticket from $99 to $170. While that price is high, the reality is that there isn’t enough at the two parks to support 7 days in the park, so most people will be purchasing the two or the three day tickets. The three day ticket is $125, so for most people the price increase isn’t that bad, although I do worry that Universal is building up expectations too much for Harry potter by their advertising it as a park within a park.

Intimidator opens March 27, 2010

labman — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:45:23 +0000

Carowinds has announced that Intimidator will open with the park on March 27, 2010.

They also have received the first of three cars for it and will be putting them on the tracks as they come in.

Tilt Shift video of Epcot

labman — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:00:41 +0000

I don’t know how I missed this when it was first posted on Disney Parks Blog, but it’s really cool to see.

Orlando parks end year with huge crowds

labman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:30:30 +0000

I’m glad I knew better than plan a Christmas trip to any of the theme parks in Orlando. Universal had lines up to three hours long for the new Rip Ride Rockit coaster, and the Magic Kingdom had to close their gates to new guests after hitting capacity several times that week.

More information about the crowds from the Orlando Sentinel

New killer whale at Sea World

labman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:19:11 +0000

An 18 year old killer whaled named Takara at SeaWorld San Antonio had a baby this morning at 7:15 AM. Both mother and baby are doing well.

Seaworld San Diego adds pilot Whale

labman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:30:26 +0000

Sully is the newest addition to the Sea World San Diego animal park.

Disney cited in death of park employee

labman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:30:11 +0000

Disney was fined 44,000 in penalties for violations that resulted in the death of a park employee caused by two monorails colliding.