3/4/11) I’m not sure how true this is, but according to one insider, IOA was going to attempt to reopen Ripsaw Falls earlier. I don’t know if they did or not, but even if they were unable to do it, it’s a good sign that the ride will reopen very soon.
(3/1/11) I’ve heard is said that Ripsaw Falls has started testing boats again, and if the rumors are true, the ride could reopen again in the very near future. Anyone have a more solid date?
(2/25/11) Don’t look now, but I’m told that Universal has signed a contract with a company to come in and finally repaint the Incredible Hulk. According to the new permit files sent my way, they have hired Baynum Painting to do it, a company well known for their ride painting at the Six Flags theme parks. They even have a special section on their website to list the over 135 roller coasters they have painted throughout the nation… though according to the list, they have never worked for Universal before.
The paperwork was just filed with the county on Feb. 23rd, and according to the description, it will include the Hulk’s”Track, Buildings and Launch Tube”.
(2/17/11) I’ve heard an interesting rumors this week, claiming that at some point in the next 8-10 months we will likely see Spiderman close for an extensive rehab. I’m told that the plan is to replace the projection systems with new current digital projection systems, which may also result in the new of an improved 3-D system. Of course the switch to an all digital system will only make any future possible transformations of the attraction (if they give up the rights to Spiderman) a little easier to handle.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
orlando attractions info
- Star sighting: Jennette McCurdy (of ?iCarly?) at Islands of Adventure
- Star sighting: Jon Stewart at Islands of Adventure
- Welcome to February: Time for exploration, elbow room at theme parks
- Flight of Hippogriff at Wizarding World of Harry Potter for adults, too
- Star sighting: Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) at Universal?s Islands of Adventure
- Yearly attendance, sales and profits soar at Universal thanks to Potter
- Disney Parks chief says Wizarding World hasn?t been a ?dramatic negative? for Disney World
- Universal tweaks Harry Potter ride for fuller-figured fans
- Disney parks chief: Fantasyland expansion plans being redrawn
- Harry Potter beats Mickey Mouse ? but he also helps him
Star sighting: Jon Stewart at Islands of Adventure
Star sighting: Jon Stewart at Islands of Adventure
Talk-show host and comedian Jon Stewart visited Zonkos joke shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure on Tuesday. Clowning around with “The Daily Show” personality were his son Nate (front) and nephews Gavin (left) and Colin. (Photo by Roberto Gonzalez/Universal Orlando)
Talk-show host and comedian Jon Stewart visited Zonkos joke shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure on Tuesday. Clowning around with “The Daily Show” personality were his son Nate (front) and nephews Gavin (left) and Colin. (Photo by Roberto Gonzalez/Universal Orlando)
Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam on Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly,’ visited Honeydukes,
sighting: Willie Nelson at SeaWorld Orlando »
Star sighting: Jennette McCurdy (of ‘iCarly’) at Islands of Adventure
Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam on Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly,’ visited Honeydukes, the candy store at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the newest section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this week. McCurdy was visiting Orlando with family and friends. (Photo by Kevin Kolczynski/Universal Orlando)
Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam on Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly,’ visited Honeydukes, the candy store at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the newest section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this week. McCurdy was visiting Orlando with family and friends. (Photo by Kevin Kolczynski/Universal Orlando)
Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam on Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly,’ visited Honeydukes,
sighting: Willie Nelson at SeaWorld Orlando »
Star sighting: Jennette McCurdy (of ‘iCarly’) at Islands of Adventure
Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam on Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly,’ visited Honeydukes, the candy store at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the newest section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this week. McCurdy was visiting Orlando with family and friends. (Photo by Kevin Kolczynski/Universal Orlando)
Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam on Nickelodeon series ‘iCarly,’ visited Honeydukes, the candy store at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the newest section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this week. McCurdy was visiting Orlando with family and friends. (Photo by Kevin Kolczynski/Universal Orlando)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Painting the Incredible Hulk at Universal Orlando!
Painting the Incredible Hulk at Universal Orlando!
February 26, 2011
Due to the Hulk’s unique layout (partially above water) and it’s proximity to surrounding attractions, the repaint will be completed entirely via brush and roll application. A combination of products from industrial paint manufacturers PPG and Color Wheel by Comex will be used on the ride and station house.
Though Baynum Painting has been coating roller coasters for over 25 years, this is their first project for Universal Studios. “We’re incredibly happy to be able to showcase our work on such a marquis coaster like Hulk, in a park that sees over 5 million visitors annually” says owner Chris Baynum.
While the color concept isn’t changing, the new coats of Hulk Green in an incredibly durable urethane from PPG are sure to WOW park visitors for years to come. Stop by Islands of Adventure soon to see our work in progress, and be sure to take Hulk for a ride – it takes off so fast you won’t see much more than a blur of green around you, but rest assured Baynum Painting is making sure that the blur will be bright and shiny!
Check back soon for regular work-in-progress photos and updates.
Photo: It takes a 135 ft boom lift, a pressure washer, and tons of nerve to prep this ride!
Photo: painters Darin and Doug spend the night prepping the station house outside of the launch tube.
Visit Baynum Painting online for more info about the company.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Universal Orlando saw it’s attendance rise 20% in 2010, just by having the Wizarding World of Harry Potter open
(2/16/11) According to the Orlando Sentinel, Universal Orlando saw it’s attendance rise 20% in 2010, just by having the Wizarding World of Harry Potter open for the last six months. All said and done, Universal Orlando had 11.2 million visitors in 2010.
(2/2/11) Now that Comcast has taken over NBC Universal it seems this change of ownership triggers a contract clause that would give Blackstone the rights to sell their 50% stake in Universal Orlando. Of course, according to this other article, Blackstone has raised $15 billion in funds, ripe for use as “a war chest for acquisitions”. After successfully spinning off the former Anheuser Busch owned theme parks into their own company, I do have to wonder if they are thinking about offering to take the rest of Universal Orlando off Comcast’s hands, as the theme park business is unknown territory for Comcast.
(1/21/11) Quick update for the Mardi Gras schedule… the Thirty Seconds to Mars concert has been moved to April 23.
(1/18/11) I forgot to mention that Universal Orlando has confirmed their concert lineup for Mardi Gras. I’ve posted the lineup here (see sidebar) or you can see it over at the official site.
(1/13/11) According to the official Frankie Valli website, a tour date has been set at “Universal Studios Orlando” on February 12th. Could this be the opening act for Mardi Gras 2011?
(1/6/11) Universal Orlando has raised prices and added new blackout dates to their annual passes for 2011. The changes do include a ton of summertime blackout dates for Islands of Adventure due to the popularity of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Read more here.
(12/30/10) If your staying at the Universal Orlando Resort keep and eye open for a brand new ship sailing the waterways between the resorts and Citywalk. I’ve been told that Santa delivered a brand new water taxi to the resort this year dubbed, “Take Two”. I’m told that this is to help replace two other vessels that were retired earlier this year.
(12/28/10) I’m not sure if there is anything to this or not, but one reader claims to have heard about a mystery new slide project that may have been in development for Wet ‘n Wild, somewhere near the lake. Anyone know more?
(12/20/10) It’s just an estimate, but near the end of this article, an analyst with Moody’s Investors Service predicts that Universal Orlando will spend about $80 million on construction in 2011, down from the $105 million average it was pulling in from 2007 to 2010 when they built The Simpsons, Hollywood Rockit and the Wizarding World.
Of course to someone like me who tries to follow and predict the future of the parks, the next few years are somewhat cloudy right now. After finally coming to the end of an intense period of expansion, we see Universal taking a break for 2011. This is much like what happened 10 years ago, when Universal had finished up Islands of Adventure, Men In Black and some other minor additions and tweaks in 2001, Universal just kind of shut itself down from adding anything new for a couple of years until Shrek 4-D opened in 2003 and Revenge of the Mummy in 2004.
So if Universal Orlando is going dark for 2011, do they really have an $80 million project waiting in the wings for 2012, or was that purely blind speculation on the park of Moody’s?
(11/30/10) Few details are given, but it seems a Universal Orlando VP (Jan Stratton) died from a self inflicted gunshot wound over the holiday weekend. The death has been ruled as a suicide from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Jan was the VP of Community and Diversity Relations, responsible for many charitable programs and community events.
(10/21/10) Orlando Parks News has info on an interesting survey Universal was giving to passholders this week, asking how they feel about the idea of adding any number of special new benefits to the annual passes, such as Ride It Again options, free hotel suite upgrades, after-hours park access, free tickets to HHN or Rock The Universe and many other options.
(2/2/11) Now that Comcast has taken over NBC Universal it seems this change of ownership triggers a contract clause that would give Blackstone the rights to sell their 50% stake in Universal Orlando. Of course, according to this other article, Blackstone has raised $15 billion in funds, ripe for use as “a war chest for acquisitions”. After successfully spinning off the former Anheuser Busch owned theme parks into their own company, I do have to wonder if they are thinking about offering to take the rest of Universal Orlando off Comcast’s hands, as the theme park business is unknown territory for Comcast.
(1/21/11) Quick update for the Mardi Gras schedule… the Thirty Seconds to Mars concert has been moved to April 23.
(1/18/11) I forgot to mention that Universal Orlando has confirmed their concert lineup for Mardi Gras. I’ve posted the lineup here (see sidebar) or you can see it over at the official site.
(1/13/11) According to the official Frankie Valli website, a tour date has been set at “Universal Studios Orlando” on February 12th. Could this be the opening act for Mardi Gras 2011?
(1/6/11) Universal Orlando has raised prices and added new blackout dates to their annual passes for 2011. The changes do include a ton of summertime blackout dates for Islands of Adventure due to the popularity of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Read more here.
(12/30/10) If your staying at the Universal Orlando Resort keep and eye open for a brand new ship sailing the waterways between the resorts and Citywalk. I’ve been told that Santa delivered a brand new water taxi to the resort this year dubbed, “Take Two”. I’m told that this is to help replace two other vessels that were retired earlier this year.
(12/28/10) I’m not sure if there is anything to this or not, but one reader claims to have heard about a mystery new slide project that may have been in development for Wet ‘n Wild, somewhere near the lake. Anyone know more?
(12/20/10) It’s just an estimate, but near the end of this article, an analyst with Moody’s Investors Service predicts that Universal Orlando will spend about $80 million on construction in 2011, down from the $105 million average it was pulling in from 2007 to 2010 when they built The Simpsons, Hollywood Rockit and the Wizarding World.
Of course to someone like me who tries to follow and predict the future of the parks, the next few years are somewhat cloudy right now. After finally coming to the end of an intense period of expansion, we see Universal taking a break for 2011. This is much like what happened 10 years ago, when Universal had finished up Islands of Adventure, Men In Black and some other minor additions and tweaks in 2001, Universal just kind of shut itself down from adding anything new for a couple of years until Shrek 4-D opened in 2003 and Revenge of the Mummy in 2004.
So if Universal Orlando is going dark for 2011, do they really have an $80 million project waiting in the wings for 2012, or was that purely blind speculation on the park of Moody’s?
(11/30/10) Few details are given, but it seems a Universal Orlando VP (Jan Stratton) died from a self inflicted gunshot wound over the holiday weekend. The death has been ruled as a suicide from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Jan was the VP of Community and Diversity Relations, responsible for many charitable programs and community events.
(10/21/10) Orlando Parks News has info on an interesting survey Universal was giving to passholders this week, asking how they feel about the idea of adding any number of special new benefits to the annual passes, such as Ride It Again options, free hotel suite upgrades, after-hours park access, free tickets to HHN or Rock The Universe and many other options.
The Incredible Hulk’ Smashes Other Movie Standees
‘The Incredible Hulk’ Smashes Other Movie Standees
on May 13th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Theater lobbies littered with cardboard standees promoting Indiana Jones, Dark Knight, Hellboy II and other movies may be a familiar sight these days, but to paraphrase the Hulk, they’re just "puny banners!"
Selected theaters across the country recently received life-size maquettes to promote the release of The Incredible Hulk on June 13. And when we say "life-size," we mean it!
Measuring over 8-feet tall and as wide as a truck, simply standing next to one of the maquettes is enough to understand why that anonymous soldier in the classic Stan Lee/Jack Kirby origin issue called him a "hulking monster."
You have to wonder which movie theater employee gets to take this home.
Universal Studios Florida
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Universal Studios Florida
Orlando, FL
NBC Universal / Blackstone Group
Click to buy Universal Studios Tickets
Park News - (2/23/11) Over the past several days, many different reports regarding the use and status of the old original Hard Rock Café building at Universal Studios Florida have come in. These included several eye-witness reports of the building itself from over the years, most of which seem to confirm that while the building was never really used as office-space, it does seem like it was used as long-term storage for a period of time as well… though it seems it is no longer used for this purpose either.You may be wondering why, and the one common thread I’ve been told over and over is that the inside of the building is a disaster area. In fact some believe that the damage to the structure itself (possibly from Hurricane damage over the years) may have been significant enough that Universal may have lost their occupancy permit to use the building for anything at all. This story isn’t completely unheard of, as the long closed Murder She Wrote / Herc & Xena theater next to Shrek 4-D has also been closed for many years for a variety of reasons.
That said, the chances of the site being used for a new Haunt for HHN are slim to none at this point.
(2/21/11) There is an interesting rumor found here, claiming that Universal could be eyeballing the old original Hard Rock Café building behind the Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster as a site for a new haunt for HHN 2011. They even go so far as to suggest that it could be transformed a year-round haunt of some kind, possibly similar in concept to the one they have at the Hollywood park.
ORLANDO ATTRACTIONS
(2/17/11) I’m told that Old Town has removed another ride this week, the Pharoh’s Fury swing ship, which has apparently been sold to a new owner. (You can see a few pictures of the ride being removed over at Orlando Parks News.) No word on what might replace it, but this ride was next to the Wave Swinger which is also leaving, so I wonder if they have something larger in mind to fill the combined space? If they would also remove the somewhat pathetic go-kart track nearby as well, they would have a very large space to use for a future expansion.
And who wants to ride those Go-Karts anyway with Fun Spot USA next door now? Speaking of Fun Spot USA, there is a good construction update posted to Orlando Park News this week too.
(2/9/11) It seems that a new arcade / game room attraction has opened just in front of Fun Spot USA called Boomtown. Check it out here.
(2/2/11) The wave swing at the front of Old Town appears to have been listed as being for sale at the UsedRides.com website. That’s a prime location for a new very visible new ride if they plan it out right, so I’ve got to wonder what they may have planned.
(1/31/11) The local county is looking into the possibility of taking control of Florida’s Silver Springs Nature Park, a long time classic location off the beaten path in the Central Florida area. It would come with a large pricetag however to the local taxpayers but with a vision to turn the site into a large eco-tourism attraction that would offer biking, hiking, swimming, diving and more… in addition to the classic glass bottom boat tours Silver Springs is known for. A public hearing took place a few days ago and you can read about some of the comments and reactions here as well.
(1/3/11) Fun Spot’s original location on the north end of International Drive has announced plans to triple the attractions size. The current 5 acre site will be expanded with the purchase of a new 10 acre empty site directly behind it where they will add moe rides, more go-karts and “other attractions.” It’s worth mentioning that long before Fun Spot purchased the Skycoaster site for their second location, they were long rumored to be planning a land purchase just like this one to make room for a large wooden coaster. I’ve got to wonder if they’ve kept those old plans close all these years and have now decided to act upon them. The timing is interesting as well with the threat of the Orlando Thrill Park project set to drop in just down the street from Fun Spot.
(12/17/10) Kennedy Space Center is promising to add a $100 million exhibit to the site if NASA were to award one of the retired space shuttle orbiters to the attraction. The shuttle would be put on display in a 64,000 sqft interactive exhibit space, telling the story of the Space Shuttles like no other site really can.
In other news, I've got a video link embedded below showing off the new lights on the Orlando Skycoaster now. As you can see in the fly-by footage, the lighting package is quite spectacular and eye catching.
And who wants to ride those Go-Karts anyway with Fun Spot USA next door now? Speaking of Fun Spot USA, there is a good construction update posted to Orlando Park News this week too.
(2/9/11) It seems that a new arcade / game room attraction has opened just in front of Fun Spot USA called Boomtown. Check it out here.
(2/2/11) The wave swing at the front of Old Town appears to have been listed as being for sale at the UsedRides.com website. That’s a prime location for a new very visible new ride if they plan it out right, so I’ve got to wonder what they may have planned.
(1/31/11) The local county is looking into the possibility of taking control of Florida’s Silver Springs Nature Park, a long time classic location off the beaten path in the Central Florida area. It would come with a large pricetag however to the local taxpayers but with a vision to turn the site into a large eco-tourism attraction that would offer biking, hiking, swimming, diving and more… in addition to the classic glass bottom boat tours Silver Springs is known for. A public hearing took place a few days ago and you can read about some of the comments and reactions here as well.
(1/3/11) Fun Spot’s original location on the north end of International Drive has announced plans to triple the attractions size. The current 5 acre site will be expanded with the purchase of a new 10 acre empty site directly behind it where they will add moe rides, more go-karts and “other attractions.” It’s worth mentioning that long before Fun Spot purchased the Skycoaster site for their second location, they were long rumored to be planning a land purchase just like this one to make room for a large wooden coaster. I’ve got to wonder if they’ve kept those old plans close all these years and have now decided to act upon them. The timing is interesting as well with the threat of the Orlando Thrill Park project set to drop in just down the street from Fun Spot.
(12/17/10) Kennedy Space Center is promising to add a $100 million exhibit to the site if NASA were to award one of the retired space shuttle orbiters to the attraction. The shuttle would be put on display in a 64,000 sqft interactive exhibit space, telling the story of the Space Shuttles like no other site really can.
In other news, I've got a video link embedded below showing off the new lights on the Orlando Skycoaster now. As you can see in the fly-by footage, the lighting package is quite spectacular and eye catching.
disney news
(2/24/11) In a somewhat surprising move that I feel is somewhat of a sad reflection of the more clueless nature of the Walt Disney World management team, they have now decided that the new Mickey Mouse Meet ‘n Greet area going into Main Street’s Town Square Theater will need to be put onto the FastPass system. Yep… if you want to avoid an extreme and painfully long wait in the stand-by line, you’ll need a Fastpass ticket from now on just to see the main Mouse.
Getting to see the main characters anymore is getting to be as difficult as getting a doctor appointment at a time that is convenient for you. So now we have a reservation system for Mickey… so what’s next? Tipping the bouncer to get into Mickey’s VIP Lounge?
(2/23/11) The big news from the Magic Kingdom today was all about a big change in place at the very end of the ride. I’ve been sent several reports about how the final hallway of mirrors where “The ghosts will follow you home” has been changed. From the description, the normal effect has been replaced with a series of visible projectors shooting images of ghosts onto screens. (In fact, you can see yourself in the video clip embedded below posted by Inside the Magic. Click here to see their own update about the new ghost projections.)
Now before everyone grabs the pitchforks and torches, I’m heard several times that this is just a new temporary effect while they work to install something much better for the ride’s finale. More when we find out…
(2/7/11) I’m told that the Tiki Room will reopen on March 27th, once they’ve had time to repair all the damage from the fire back on January 12th.
(1/31/11) According to a reader, Splash Mountain was seen testing empty logs with the new lap bars in place all day long over the weekend to get ready to reopen this week.
Meanwhile MouseSteps has posted pictures from the Magic Kingdom this week, where a new temporary bridge to Adventureland has been put in place while they work on the main bridge. Then it’s over to Fantasyland to look at all the new concept artwork posted to all the walls.
(1/27/11) Orlando Parks News has a huge update from the Magic Kingdom this week, with a look at all the projects around Fantasyland and rehabs in Adventureland and beyond. They have also posted a closer look at the new Lap Bars on Splash Mountain as well, so check it out.
(1/22/11) If you subscribe to the official Screamscape Twitter, you already know this (and if not... what’s a matter with you?). The rumors are 100% true... Splash Mountain is currently adding a large single lap bar to each and every row on the logs. As outraged as I am about the very concept of this, unfortunately we as guests, have only ourselves to blame. Apparently there are a large number of morons out there who think it’s funny / cool / xtreme to either stand-up during portions of the ride, combined with an equal number of stupid tourists who think that at the first time of a ride stoppage, they are free to jump out of the log and go wanderi
ng about inside the mountain. Then the real fun begins as CMs are sent out to search every nook and cranny inside the gigantic structure for these lost guests before they can turn the ride back on. (So maybe we should all agree, as a theme park loving community, that if we’ve in a park and see someone doing something stupid... say something and stop them.)
Adding insult to injury, this will cut down on the capacity of the ride as well in two ways. Previous policy allowed for groups of three that could fit (3 kids, 2 adult & 1 small child) to sit in one row, for a maximum of 12 riders per log. Now I know this didn’t happen all the time, but with the new lap bars two riders per row is all that will be allowed. Secondly, the ride’s capacity will be cut again as the dispatch time between logs has been raised from 12.5 seconds to an estimated 15-20 seconds per log to allow for increased loading time to deal with guests loading more slowly due to the lap bars and time for the ride crew to give each bar a quick tug.
Now for the good news... the lap bars are nothing like what Universal put on Ripsaw Falls. Instead they are very similar in style to what is used on Big Thunder Mountain. I’ve also been sent a pictures showing off the new restraints. Thanks to everyone who responded about this... I must have had between 20-25 different people contact me today to confirm this unfortunate news.
(1/21/11) While Splash Mountain is currently undergoing rehab, I was sent a strange rumor today claiming that there are whispers going around the park that when Splash reopens later this month, the cars could have new lap bars installed.
I would certainly hope this is completely false… but after seeing the crazy logs they have on Ripsaw Falls at Universal and what a mess Disney has made the logs over at Disneyland, I’m unsure. Anyone with contacts “in the know” able to clear this up for us?
(1/17/11) FloridaThrills dropped by the Magic Kingdom to get a peek at the new “Let the Memories Begin” promotional decorations that are now covering up the main entrance area. There is also a new Fantasyland photo update below as well.
Speaking of the Magic Kingdom, the Tiki Room is still closed while they work to repair the fire damage. According to a Screamscape source, it could be closed for awhile as the fire is rumored to have caused severe damaged the Iago animatronic figure that comes down from the ceiling. With no replacement figure on hand, the show could be closed until a replacement is made.
(1/15/11) According to the latest passholder mailer, Mickey’s Toontown Fair will close down on February 12th. So visit now, while you can. If not… you can always check out MousePlanet’s final Tribute.
(1/13/11) According to the local news, a small fire started in the attic of the Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom earlier today, but was quickly put out by the automated sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.
In other news, a nice general photo update of the various rehab projects going on in the park this week has been posted to Orlando Parks News Finally MouseSteps takes one last tour through Mickey’s Toontown Fair before it vanishes forever, as well as dropping by the Haunted Mansion to try and get a peek at what is going on in the Graveyard. The Tomorrowland Speedway is now also down to just 2 of the 4 lanes, as it looks like they are preparing to alter the course of the speedway a bit along with the closure of Toontown Fair..
(1/3/11) Check out the NYE fireworks that took place at the Magic Kingdom over at Amusement Insider this week.
(12/29/10) Take a peek inside the new Disney Operational Command Center bunker, under Cinderella Castle, to see how Disney is now attempting to fine tune and tweak how the park runs and lessen the stress of waiting in line. Inside this giant command center, covered with wall to wall monitors, Disney follows the flow of the crowds around the parks. Too many people in Fantasyland? They’ll dispatch a mini parade style show to draw some of those crowds over towards Tomorrowland. If the lines are too long at Pirates, they may dispatch Captain Jack Sparrow into the queue to entertain the masses. If this all sounds a bit too familiar somehow, then you’ve probably seen the 1973 film Westworld, directed by Michael Crichton. Yes, the same Crichton who went on to create the Jurassic Park novels, based on the similar idea of yet another theme park gone crazy.
In Westworld, the story revolved around an ultra premier theme park experience called Delos, divided into several themed lands such as MedievalWorld, RomanWorld and WestWorld, inhabitated by lifelike robots to simulate the local population. Guests arrive, and are taken down into a Utilidor style network of underground hallways for orientation and to get into costume and then taken to their respective worlds. Pulling all the strings from a deep underground bunker was the Central Control Room. If a guest was having a bad time, they would manipulate the experience (and actions of the bots) to enhance that guests experience. Having a bad time in MedievalWorld? Then next thing you know you’ve just defeated the Black Knight in a duel and gained the attention of the princess, all under the ever watching eyes and ears of the command center crew.
For a great look at the daily start-up of the resort from the Control Room, check out the video clip embedded below, but jump ahead to the 2:45 mark, followed by an early morning wake up call from the resort’s evil gunslinger played by Yul Brynner. If you haven’t seen it before, it’s really worth watching and gives you all kinds of interesting ideas of just what other plans Disney may have up their Next Gen sleeve. Next time you see a child lose a Balloon in a Disney park and see a CM come up and give away a new one to the crying child, it will make you think a little harder about just who was really watching.
Ride Rehabs - The following information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.
Tiki Room - NOW CLOSED through 3/26/11
Toontown Fair – Closes For Good 2/12/11
2011 - Haunted Mansion Queue Rehab - In Progress - (2/14/11) Some all new pictures of the new Haunted Mansion queue section have been posted to MyTravelingMouse this week. You can see a metal frame going around the other edge that I imagine may be for a new covered pathway perhaps.
(2/10/11) Want to see what’s new in the Haunted Mansion queue area this week? Make the jump over to JeffLangeDvd.com and scroll down past the football player nonsense to see the latest pictures and even a video.
From the look of things, they are creating a nice little addition into the graveyard area soon to be full of new tombstones, columbarium and crypts… of the interactive nature. There is also a staircase up that goes up into a turnaround that perhaps will head back towards the old entrance doorway into the Mansion’s foyer.
If we take ideas that Disney has been playing with for their test queue events into consideration here (like the one at Rock ‘n Roller Coaster) I have to wonder if groups of guests will be released into this new graveyard area for some free roaming playtime for 5-10 minutes before their groups are called up the steps and into the mansion proper.
(1/27/11) One of our readers sent in a small batch of new pictures showing off the latest changes to
the Haunted Mansion’s graveyard scene in the queue, as the renovation continues. Anyone know when they are expecting this to be finished?
(1/11/11) Orlando United has posted some new pictures of the former Haunted Mansion queue-side graveyard area. While we don’t have much in the way of new themeing in yet, there is a ton of conduit sticking up out of the ground, which means there may be lots of fun new interactive items coming our way very soon.
(10/20/10) Orlando United has posted a few new pictures showing off the hillside outside the Haunted Mansion where the tombstones used to be. Yes… used to be. Currently it looks like they have all been removed.
(10/16/10) Disney seems to have begun the rumored upgrade work to the Haunted Mansion queue graveyard at the Magic Kingdom. The view of the graveyard is now blocked off by a construction barrier.
(10/8/10) A posting over at Orlando United claims that the queue area for the Haunted Mansion will soon be replaced with a “Next Gen” style interactive queue, which will include the replacement of the tomb stones in the graveyard with new “interactive” tombstones. I’m not so hot on the idea of removing the old tombstones myself, but I wouldn’t mind seeing some fun new ones added, much like the one added a few years ago that has the eyes that look around.
Getting to see the main characters anymore is getting to be as difficult as getting a doctor appointment at a time that is convenient for you. So now we have a reservation system for Mickey… so what’s next? Tipping the bouncer to get into Mickey’s VIP Lounge?
(2/23/11) The big news from the Magic Kingdom today was all about a big change in place at the very end of the ride. I’ve been sent several reports about how the final hallway of mirrors where “The ghosts will follow you home” has been changed. From the description, the normal effect has been replaced with a series of visible projectors shooting images of ghosts onto screens. (In fact, you can see yourself in the video clip embedded below posted by Inside the Magic. Click here to see their own update about the new ghost projections.)
Now before everyone grabs the pitchforks and torches, I’m heard several times that this is just a new temporary effect while they work to install something much better for the ride’s finale. More when we find out…
(2/7/11) I’m told that the Tiki Room will reopen on March 27th, once they’ve had time to repair all the damage from the fire back on January 12th.
(1/31/11) According to a reader, Splash Mountain was seen testing empty logs with the new lap bars in place all day long over the weekend to get ready to reopen this week.
Meanwhile MouseSteps has posted pictures from the Magic Kingdom this week, where a new temporary bridge to Adventureland has been put in place while they work on the main bridge. Then it’s over to Fantasyland to look at all the new concept artwork posted to all the walls.
(1/27/11) Orlando Parks News has a huge update from the Magic Kingdom this week, with a look at all the projects around Fantasyland and rehabs in Adventureland and beyond. They have also posted a closer look at the new Lap Bars on Splash Mountain as well, so check it out.
(1/22/11) If you subscribe to the official Screamscape Twitter, you already know this (and if not... what’s a matter with you?). The rumors are 100% true... Splash Mountain is currently adding a large single lap bar to each and every row on the logs. As outraged as I am about the very concept of this, unfortunately we as guests, have only ourselves to blame. Apparently there are a large number of morons out there who think it’s funny / cool / xtreme to either stand-up during portions of the ride, combined with an equal number of stupid tourists who think that at the first time of a ride stoppage, they are free to jump out of the log and go wanderi
ng about inside the mountain. Then the real fun begins as CMs are sent out to search every nook and cranny inside the gigantic structure for these lost guests before they can turn the ride back on. (So maybe we should all agree, as a theme park loving community, that if we’ve in a park and see someone doing something stupid... say something and stop them.)Adding insult to injury, this will cut down on the capacity of the ride as well in two ways. Previous policy allowed for groups of three that could fit (3 kids, 2 adult & 1 small child) to sit in one row, for a maximum of 12 riders per log. Now I know this didn’t happen all the time, but with the new lap bars two riders per row is all that will be allowed. Secondly, the ride’s capacity will be cut again as the dispatch time between logs has been raised from 12.5 seconds to an estimated 15-20 seconds per log to allow for increased loading time to deal with guests loading more slowly due to the lap bars and time for the ride crew to give each bar a quick tug.
Now for the good news... the lap bars are nothing like what Universal put on Ripsaw Falls. Instead they are very similar in style to what is used on Big Thunder Mountain. I’ve also been sent a pictures showing off the new restraints. Thanks to everyone who responded about this... I must have had between 20-25 different people contact me today to confirm this unfortunate news.
(1/21/11) While Splash Mountain is currently undergoing rehab, I was sent a strange rumor today claiming that there are whispers going around the park that when Splash reopens later this month, the cars could have new lap bars installed.
I would certainly hope this is completely false… but after seeing the crazy logs they have on Ripsaw Falls at Universal and what a mess Disney has made the logs over at Disneyland, I’m unsure. Anyone with contacts “in the know” able to clear this up for us?
(1/17/11) FloridaThrills dropped by the Magic Kingdom to get a peek at the new “Let the Memories Begin” promotional decorations that are now covering up the main entrance area. There is also a new Fantasyland photo update below as well.
Speaking of the Magic Kingdom, the Tiki Room is still closed while they work to repair the fire damage. According to a Screamscape source, it could be closed for awhile as the fire is rumored to have caused severe damaged the Iago animatronic figure that comes down from the ceiling. With no replacement figure on hand, the show could be closed until a replacement is made.
(1/15/11) According to the latest passholder mailer, Mickey’s Toontown Fair will close down on February 12th. So visit now, while you can. If not… you can always check out MousePlanet’s final Tribute.
(1/13/11) According to the local news, a small fire started in the attic of the Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom earlier today, but was quickly put out by the automated sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.
In other news, a nice general photo update of the various rehab projects going on in the park this week has been posted to Orlando Parks News Finally MouseSteps takes one last tour through Mickey’s Toontown Fair before it vanishes forever, as well as dropping by the Haunted Mansion to try and get a peek at what is going on in the Graveyard. The Tomorrowland Speedway is now also down to just 2 of the 4 lanes, as it looks like they are preparing to alter the course of the speedway a bit along with the closure of Toontown Fair..
(1/3/11) Check out the NYE fireworks that took place at the Magic Kingdom over at Amusement Insider this week.
(12/29/10) Take a peek inside the new Disney Operational Command Center bunker, under Cinderella Castle, to see how Disney is now attempting to fine tune and tweak how the park runs and lessen the stress of waiting in line. Inside this giant command center, covered with wall to wall monitors, Disney follows the flow of the crowds around the parks. Too many people in Fantasyland? They’ll dispatch a mini parade style show to draw some of those crowds over towards Tomorrowland. If the lines are too long at Pirates, they may dispatch Captain Jack Sparrow into the queue to entertain the masses. If this all sounds a bit too familiar somehow, then you’ve probably seen the 1973 film Westworld, directed by Michael Crichton. Yes, the same Crichton who went on to create the Jurassic Park novels, based on the similar idea of yet another theme park gone crazy.
In Westworld, the story revolved around an ultra premier theme park experience called Delos, divided into several themed lands such as MedievalWorld, RomanWorld and WestWorld, inhabitated by lifelike robots to simulate the local population. Guests arrive, and are taken down into a Utilidor style network of underground hallways for orientation and to get into costume and then taken to their respective worlds. Pulling all the strings from a deep underground bunker was the Central Control Room. If a guest was having a bad time, they would manipulate the experience (and actions of the bots) to enhance that guests experience. Having a bad time in MedievalWorld? Then next thing you know you’ve just defeated the Black Knight in a duel and gained the attention of the princess, all under the ever watching eyes and ears of the command center crew.
For a great look at the daily start-up of the resort from the Control Room, check out the video clip embedded below, but jump ahead to the 2:45 mark, followed by an early morning wake up call from the resort’s evil gunslinger played by Yul Brynner. If you haven’t seen it before, it’s really worth watching and gives you all kinds of interesting ideas of just what other plans Disney may have up their Next Gen sleeve. Next time you see a child lose a Balloon in a Disney park and see a CM come up and give away a new one to the crying child, it will make you think a little harder about just who was really watching.
Ride Rehabs - The following information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.
Tiki Room - NOW CLOSED through 3/26/11
Toontown Fair – Closes For Good 2/12/11
2011 - Haunted Mansion Queue Rehab - In Progress - (2/14/11) Some all new pictures of the new Haunted Mansion queue section have been posted to MyTravelingMouse this week. You can see a metal frame going around the other edge that I imagine may be for a new covered pathway perhaps. (2/10/11) Want to see what’s new in the Haunted Mansion queue area this week? Make the jump over to JeffLangeDvd.com and scroll down past the football player nonsense to see the latest pictures and even a video.
From the look of things, they are creating a nice little addition into the graveyard area soon to be full of new tombstones, columbarium and crypts… of the interactive nature. There is also a staircase up that goes up into a turnaround that perhaps will head back towards the old entrance doorway into the Mansion’s foyer.
If we take ideas that Disney has been playing with for their test queue events into consideration here (like the one at Rock ‘n Roller Coaster) I have to wonder if groups of guests will be released into this new graveyard area for some free roaming playtime for 5-10 minutes before their groups are called up the steps and into the mansion proper.
(1/27/11) One of our readers sent in a small batch of new pictures showing off the latest changes to
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(1/11/11) Orlando United has posted some new pictures of the former Haunted Mansion queue-side graveyard area. While we don’t have much in the way of new themeing in yet, there is a ton of conduit sticking up out of the ground, which means there may be lots of fun new interactive items coming our way very soon.
(10/20/10) Orlando United has posted a few new pictures showing off the hillside outside the Haunted Mansion where the tombstones used to be. Yes… used to be. Currently it looks like they have all been removed.
(10/16/10) Disney seems to have begun the rumored upgrade work to the Haunted Mansion queue graveyard at the Magic Kingdom. The view of the graveyard is now blocked off by a construction barrier.
(10/8/10) A posting over at Orlando United claims that the queue area for the Haunted Mansion will soon be replaced with a “Next Gen” style interactive queue, which will include the replacement of the tomb stones in the graveyard with new “interactive” tombstones. I’m not so hot on the idea of removing the old tombstones myself, but I wouldn’t mind seeing some fun new ones added, much like the one added a few years ago that has the eyes that look around.
Friday, January 14, 2011
small fire started in the attic of the Tiki Room
Park News - (1/13/11) According to the local news, a small fire started in the attic of the Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom earlier today, but was quickly put out by the automated sprinkler system. No injuries were reported. In other news, a nice general photo update of the various rehab projects going on in the park this week has been posted to Orlando Parks News Finally MouseSteps takes one last tour through Mickey’s Toontown Fair before it vanishes forever, as well as dropping by the Haunted Mansion to try and get a peek at what is going on in the Graveyard. The Tomorrowland Speedway is now also down to just 2 of the 4 lanes, as it looks like they are preparing to alter the course of the speedway a bit along with the closure of Toontown Fair..
(1/10/11) MouseSteps wanders around the Magic Kingdom this week taking a look at all the little things being worked on, including sections of Main Street as well as a look at Splash Mountain’s current rehab in progress.
(1/3/11) Check out the NYE fireworks that took place at the Magic Kingdom over at Amusement Insider this week.
(12/29/10) Take a peek inside the new Disney Operational Command Center bunker, under Cinderella Castle, to see how Disney is now attempting to fine tune and tweak how the park runs and lessen the stress of waiting in line. Inside this giant command center, covered with wall to wall monitors, Disney follows the flow of the crowds around the parks. Too many people in Fantasyland? They’ll dispatch a mini parade style show to draw some of those crowds over towards Tomorrowland. If the lines are too long at Pirates, they may dispatch Captain Jack Sparrow into the queue to entertain the masses. If this all sounds a bit too familiar somehow, then you’ve probably seen the 1973 film Westworld, directed by Michael Crichton. Yes, the same Crichton who went on to create the Jurassic Park novels, based on the similar idea of yet another theme park gone crazy.
In Westworld, the story revolved around an ultra premier theme park experience called Delos, divided into several themed lands such as MedievalWorld, RomanWorld and WestWorld, inhabitated by lifelike robots to simulate the local population. Guests arrive, and are taken down into a Utilidor style network of underground hallways for orientation and to get into costume and then taken to their respective worlds. Pulling all the strings from a deep underground bunker was the Central Control Room. If a guest was having a bad time, they would manipulate the experience (and actions of the bots) to enhance that guests experience. Having a bad time in MedievalWorld? Then next thing you know you’ve just defeated the Black Knight in a duel and gained the attention of the princess, all under the ever watching eyes and ears of the command center crew.
For a great look at the daily start-up of the resort from the Control Room, check out the video clip embedded below, but jump ahead to the 2:45 mark, followed by an early morning wake up call from the resort’s evil gunslinger played by Yul Brynner. If you haven’t seen it before, it’s really worth watching and gives you all kinds of interesting ideas of just what other plans Disney may have up their Next Gen sleeve. Next time you see a child lose a Balloon in a Disney park and see a CM come up and give away a new one to the crying child, it will make you think a little harder about just who was really watching.
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