Theme Park Outsider

Busch Gardens Tampa has announced a new animal clinic where park guests can watch as the various animals are treated. I think it sounds like a great idea and am really looking forward to this.

Busch Gardens Tampa has started making runs with the new Cheetah Hunt coaster. They’ve posted a short video of it on their blog.

The disney blog was given a backstage tour of the grand reef recently and posted their footage from it. It’s nice to see how well it’s coming along.

Disney is adding interactivity to the hitchhiking ghosts at the end of the haunted mansion. It changes the flavor of the ride, but as long as it doesn’t get too goofy, I think it’s a pretty cool improvement. I’ll always remember the first time I rode it and the ghosts were in the car with me.

The Magic Kingdom is getting a new castle. It’s not nearly as large as the pictures make it look, though. All in all, though, I’m looking forward to seeing the new Fantasyland expansion when it opens.

For some pictures of it, check out the official Disney blog.

Seaworld has release a new behind the scenes video for their new whale show, ‘One Ocean’.  this show will replace ‘Believe’ at SeaWorld Orlando on Earth day, April 22rd.

I’ll be visiting Seaworld in May, so I’m looking forward to the new show.  The Shamu show has always been lots of fun.  More details about it are available on the SeaWorld blog.

I couldn’t help but laugh at this home movie from the Jedi training academy at Disney. Instead of fighting Vader at the end, this little girl kneels before him and asks to join him in the dark side.

Discovery Cove has released a short video update on the installation of the acrylic panels in their new section. It’s interesting to see how it all comes together. I’ll never forget the first time I swam over the shark at discovery cove because I didn’t realize that the panels went in at an angle. I just assumed you would be looking over at the sharks, not down at them.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Kings Island, but it looks like I’m going to have to make another trip to Ohio to see their new dinosaur exhibit.  The are adding the largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs in the world to the park as an exhibit to roam through, much like the dinosaur walk at Universal Studios before it lost part of the walk for the new Harry Potter section.  Below is a video overview of what they are doing.

Disney has also updateded the queue line for the Winnie the Pooh ride.  Lots of it appeals to kids, but I want to see the honey wall that you can write on.

For more details, visit the official disney parks blog.

I love this ride. this ride is one of my favorite childhood memories from going to DisneyWorld, so I’ve been looking forward to the improvements they are making to it. disney has released a short video as a sneak preview to the changes.

Busch Gardens Tampa finished laying the track for Cheetah Hunt.  It’s looking good for the opening date of May 27th.  For more details and pictures, visit the official Busch Gardens Tampa blog.

Cheetah Hunt is getting closer and closer to completion. The trains have arrived at the park, and they have posted a blog entry about it complete with video.

Discovery Cove has released a short video outlining the progress being made towards construction of the Grand Reef. I’m looking forward to this because this park has always been one of my favorites.  Between this and Cheetah hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa, it looks like Florida is going to be the place to be this June.

Disney is expanding their fastpass system, and park guests will be able to get one of these to meet Mickey for photos and autographs without having to stand in the normal line. More details about this new service are coverd on the official disney blog.