thrillerman1
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Posts posted by thrillerman1
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It's nice to see these photos from a park rarely reviewed here. Thank you for sharing!
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This EPCOT Part 2 update brings us into more modern times circa 2005-6.
By the way and if you missed it earlier, I still have a few Disney's California Adventure brochures to give away, so PM me if interested.
2005
2006 compliments of thecoasterkid!
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Looking like a really fun time so far, Robb! I'd totally forgotten where Laser Loop ended up after Kennywood. Gotta love those old Schwarzys.Thanks for sharing all the photos!
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Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow: Part 1
Let's check out my collection of EPCOT nostalgia from the 1980's and beyond...
YAY EPCOT!
Jolly jolly!
EPCOT press release before the park was ever built!
Here's what Disney is planning to build. What kind of name is EPCOT CENTER? What do you think about the plans?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074559/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Maybe you have a favorite country you like to visit?
Ok enough with the facts...let's get on with the good stuff, and we may need this guidebook to get around the Community of Tomorrow in the 1980's.
Peter Fonda are you in here?
Let's park the car for 3 bucks.
Don't forget which section!
YAY Junior Ticket!
14 bucks...what a deal!
And a few years later as an adult...
but still a pretty good deal!
Don't miss out on the Skyleidoscope show!
Turn the wheel!
Turn the wheel!
Let's go with Mickey and Goofy to check out the Universe of Energy!
But first a crossword puzzle on an oil barrel...
Let's not be "fuel-ish".
Hyuck!
$1.27
Hey let's see what's inside the World of Motion.
We'll be stylin' in the Celebrity Eurosport Wagon for sure!
This Community of Tomorrow is pretty cool! Come back next time for more from EPCOT!
Here's a neat cardboard encased guide...
Watch out for Yul Brynner!
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Looks like we have a new shop in Craftsman's Valley replacing the wagon shop...Stone-Penland Pottery.
I always liked ducking in the wagon shop to see what they were hand building. I never could imagine they sold too much, but I could be wrong. I thought they did amazing craftsmanship and glad I got to see it in person. I will look forward to checking out the new shop in its place.
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^ & ^^ Yeah it's actually a bit surprising that we've not heard of a significant Olaf appearance here to my knowledge. It does seem like a perfect pairing. Maybe someone can fill us in if they've seen any Frozen tie-ins at Blizzard Beach.
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Nice Chuck. I feel like I would pick Blizzard Beach over TL if given the choice...the theme definitely appeals to me more. I have not heard, but is there any Frozen tie-in at Blizzard Beach?
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Hands down it is without a doubt the greatest theme park I've ever visited! Great TR! Ugh, has it already been 8 years since that TPR trip?
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This week I have some Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon material from 2005 for your viewing pleasure. I honestly don't see a lot of trip reports from either of these water parks and have never visited them myself. They sure do look fun!
Oh and I forgot to mention previously that I have extra Disney's California Adventure brochures up for grabs, so PM me if interested.
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Here is part 2 of DAK - this time from 2006 compliments of thecoasterkid. Thank you Shawn!
The brochure cover art is one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of mankind!
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I still would like to visit this park one day, but here's Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2005:
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https://t.e2ma.net/webview/5tbjf/ea985e53ca31838c4c399e112b4ae326
Air Race Has Arrived!
Not only has it arrived, but we got to take a test flight on it today. Our test pilots raved about Air Race. Air Race is a brand new ride experience that replicates the experiences and sensations of an acrobatic airplane flight. Banks, loops, dives and weightlessness will test even the most experienced thrill seekers. The action takes place up to 30 feet above the ground and “pilots” experience accelerations of almost 3G’s.
New Swing Ride is named Bluegrass Breeze
Beech Bend is also excited to introduce a beautiful carousel swing from Italian ride manufacturer, Bertazzon. “We had been thinking about a new swing ride for a couple of years. The swing we ordered is a gorgeous ride with very intricate, hand painted panels and beautiful lights", commented Park President, Dallas Jones. The Park asked for help from the public to name the new carousel swing and choose the name "Bluegrass Breeze". Congratulations to Angela Sanford for submitting the winning name. It was a tough choice as there were a lot of very clever names submitted.
Breaking News - Friday Night Lights Announced
For the first time ever, enjoy Beech Bend Park in the dark. You'll be amazed by the dazzling lights that create a whole new park experience. Conquer the unexpected twists and turns of the pitch black Kentucky Rumbler or be amazed at the spectacular light displays of Air Race or Vortex. "We have been purchasing rides with beautiful, LED light packages for the past few years, but we have not been open past dark to show them off. This year our guests will get to enjoy them on Friday nights in July as we celebrate "Friday Night Lights", commented Park President, Dallas Jones. Enjoy all the rides in Beech Bend Park for the family-friendly price of just $12 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm every Friday night in July.
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From Saturday:
http://www.timesdaily.com/news/tva-land-eyed/article_060d4c0c-ba58-11e4-90e0-af4c4ec13f63.html
Speculation about where a company proposing a massive theme park in the Shoals would build remains rampant, but it appears likely one target is the Tennessee Valley Authority's Muscle Shoals Reservation.TVA officials acknowledge there has been intense interest in the more than 1,000 acres declared surplus on the reservation, but they won't reveal who is expressing interest.
TN Valley Wheels Find It 2014 (300x250)
"We've received a lot of interest in the Muscle Shoals property, but we cannot name any specific parties," TVA spokeswoman Kristine Cooper said.
DreamVision, of Fort Worth, Texas, announced two weeks ago it plans to build a 1,400-acre music-themed park with an investment of an eye-popping $3.5 billion. A company spokesman said three tracts of land have been identified as potential building sites both north and south of the Tennessee River, but he would not provide specifics.
One of those sites is the reservation on the south side of the river in Colbert County, according to state Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville. As many as 1,400 acres have been identified by TVA as available for redevelopment.
TVA is devising a master plan to auction the property, Cooper said. That includes establishing fair market value for the land, based on the parcels auctioned, she said.
The market value "depends on what parcels are offered," Cooper said. "Each parcel would have to have fair market values established. That won't be a price per acre for all the property. It depends on the parcels, or whether the entire property is offered for auction."
Charles Rose, president of the Shoals Environmental Alliance, said he has closely followed TVA's decision to declare some of the 3,000-acre reservation surplus. His group is concerned that some of the surplus property is environmentally, ecologically and historically sensitive.
"In the meetings I have attended with TVA in the past about the redevelopment of the property, their first choice is to find a buyer who would buy all of the property," he said.
Wildlife, history issues
The portion of the reservation north of Reservation Road, which borders the river and includes walking trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is not included in the surplus property. But much of the land south of the road is included, and that concerns Rose.
"TVA's own reports mention over 50 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians that reside there. A TVA biologist has documented the sighting of 259 species of birds on the reservation," he said. "The final Environmental Impact Study provides for a wildlife corridor between the redevelopment tracts and the north side of the road."
But if the property south of the road is developed into a theme park, hundreds of acres of habitat would be lost, putting too much pressure on the property north of the road, he said.
Then there is the historic nature of the reservation. It was originally owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, which began construction of Wilson Dam in 1918. TVA took over the property when Congress created the agency in 1933 as part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal.
"The entire reservation is eligible to be on the National Historic Register, and a lot of the buildings are eligible, too," Rose said. "There are two historic cemeteries on the reservation, one near the TVA Credit Union building, and another in a kudzu patch known as Cuba Cemetery."
Governance questioned
Another part of the surplus process is establishing a governing authority once the property is auctioned. The North Alabama Cooperative District would include five governmental entities that would have some say over how the land is developed. Muscle Shoals and Sheffield would divide the property and establish city codes.
Rose questioned whether those codes and ordinances would be accepted by a single, large buyer. He has questioned whether the two cities would alter their zoning after they take control, weakening the environmentally friendly recommendations from TVA in the master plan.
"You could call it a sustainable concept, but it is a concept with no enforcement in it," he said.
The cooperative district is still in its formative stages, and there is no indication when rules will be finalized or when the property will be offered for auction.
Sheffield Mayor Ian Sanford said he was told DreamVision is talking to TVA about the land, but no details have emerged. He said something of the magnitude proposed by DreamVision might be better built outside the city limits on land that could be served by new and expanded highways.
"We all see what is outside Disney (World)," he said. "It would bring quite a few investors."
Sanford said if TVA sold the surplus property to a single entity, the agency likely would require a performance bond and benchmarks for development.
Cooper, the TVA spokeswoman, said potential buyers "must qualify as a bidder who can offer the minimum bid."
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I am really looking forward to checking out Beech Bend's Air Race this year!
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If you're into Disney, then you will probably enjoy today's kick-off of several weeks (months, years?) worth of Disney park nostalgia.
First up is DCA with postcards and brochure from my visit in 2006 before the recent extreme makeover.
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In four years, according to DreamVision Co. officials, the Shoals skyline will be transformed by roller coasters, a musical mountain and an indoor beach.
All are part of DreamVision Co. plans laid out Wednesday in a theatrical presentation to a standing-room-only crowd.
Many questions still remain — including where this giant attraction will be built — but, if these loose plans come to fruition, the look of the Shoals won't be the only thing changed.
The workforce and the jobs that would be open in the Shoals would be different, too. Driving in, out and through the area would be different.
And these changes are coming fast if you buy into the DreamVision plan.
Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford said planning for road projects typically takes years — five, 10 and 15 years depending on the scope of the project — and longer to pull off.
"We have to make sure it's a reality and that they have the finances to do it," Bradford said. "If that is the case, we are going to have to really start planning for larger infrastructure."
If a theme park is coming, traffic planning will have to kick into a higher gear, he said. But no one, he said, wants to pull a trigger on that planning until they are sure this development is legitimate.
"It's very interesting," Bradford said. "It is not like any project I've ever been a part of, but that doesn't mean it is not a project, especially if it is funded like they say it is."
Company officials said they want to be community friendly, and its founder and CEO, Rick Silanskas, said he knows the community will embrace it because "they've been a part of it since its embryonic state."
But right now, residents are more reserved than enthusiastic about whether the venture will occur, and some are concerned about possible negatives if it does become reality.
Muscle Shoals resident Barbara Linam said she lives near the Tennessee Valley Authority Reservation, which is considered a potential location for the park.
Linam said if it locates there, it would have a major traffic impact.
"I don't know if we can handle the traffic," she said. "It's bad enough now."
Linam said a great deal of money would have to be invested in the infrastructure if such a major attraction were to come here, so she wants to make sure those planning the attraction are above board.
"We'd have to invest a lot of money in it," she said. "Is it legitimate?"
She admits she also is worried about the Shoals' quality of life being hampered if it turns into a large tourist community. "I like a small town."
Colbert Heights resident Linda Byrd said she sees positives and negatives.
"My grandkids would love it, but I don't know about the traffic," Byrd said. "I'm sure the young people would like it, though."
Florence resident J.P. Burgess said he thinks it would be positive for the Shoals.
"I don't know whether it'll happen, but they say they've got financing, and it would be good for the area," Burgess said.
Muscle Shoals resident Joshua Guins said the park would provide not only a major tourism boost but also a permanent entertainment source for Shoals residents.
"I think it would be a good idea," Guins said. "There's nothing here anyway, so why not bring it? This would be good for the kids to have. It could keep them out of trouble."
Tourism likely would become the major industry if the venture is built and proven to be successful. Forrest Wright, president of the Shoals Economic Development Authority, said areas that are tourist-heavy typically don't have a large secondary industry such as manufacturing.
"An investment of that size, with that kind of demand, would change the way the community operates," he said. "That type of activity would not necessarily be useful in attracting a major manufacturing type employer.
"It would fundamentally change the community, and whether that is good or bad depends on the person asked."
The 15,000-20,000 jobs DreamVision claims would come with a 1,400-acre theme park and resort would swallow up the labor force.
"It's purely a labor force issue, not that the presence of a theme park would be negative in terms of utilities or education," he said. "The fact is theme parks use a lot of people and sometimes manufacturing facilities use a lot of people. The numbers they have thrown out — 15,000 people working at a theme park — would make it challenging not only for a new company, but, candidly, our existing industry.
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This week's spotlight is on Sea World's Discovery Cove from back in 2010...
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They announced two press events coming up on their website. Click here thedreamvisioncompany.com
2/9 @11am for the Texas Press Event
2/11 @11am for the Alabama Press Event
I wonder what will be said. Interesting.
Bump to remind of the Alabama press event this morning. Here's an interview with DreamVision leaders: http://whnt.com/2015/02/11/exclusive-dreamvision-company-executives-answer-questions-one-on-one-with-lee-marshall-ahead-of-announcement/
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You're probably right Chuck, although I can imagine outside the US there may be or might have been one over the years. I thought I recently heard about a zipline in a cave but can't remember where it's located.
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This might be an exclusive first on TPR - DeSoto Caverns Family Fun Park in Alabama...which brings me to wonder has a roller coaster ever been built in a natural cave or cavern?
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Muscle Shoals has been in the spotlight a little more recently with the release of the movie documenting all the music recorded there back in the 70's...Rolling Stones, Aretha, Skynyrd, etc. and more recently the revival with the Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, The Kills, and the Dr. Dre/Beats interest in Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. I'm suspicious of this development though.
NEWS: Guntown Mountain to become Funtown Mountain
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
I was only ever able to visit the gift shop at the bottom of the chairlift as the rest of the place was closed. The video is creepy but yet interesting. It's almost like a Pigeon Forge or Wisconsin Dells tourist area that just lives in an alternate universe. I can't wait to go check out the place once it opens.