denning

Fact is everyone is going to just call it Gringgotts anyways.

Robb there is a subtle yet important distinction between the Toy Story rides at different parks and the Hogswart Express. You can buy single park tickets and go on different days to Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom and ride both attractions. Often times it does not make sense to purchase the upgrade to the parkhopper if your plans allow you enough time to do a park a day. You get the same experience. I think you hit the nail on the head with referencing "seperate ticket" attractions. This is the best marketed and likely most impressive "seperate" single attraction I have seen. Because it is subtle in that isn't marketing like a true pay-pre-ride add-on like a skycoaster. I know that even if I did not intend to parkhop that I will have to now buy the upgrade so that my kid can go on the hogswart express. If Disney builds a special Frozen ride that only resort guests or those with parkhoppers can ride. Guess what - my wallet is going to open. And with fastpass+ disney has the technology to subtly segregate exclusive attractions without neccesarily building expensive infrastructure. I can easily imagine that Disney could make a special Fastpass+ times for 'premium' guests to ride an exclusive film or a unique Monsters Inc. show or a bonus Philharmagic scene. The possibilities are endless.

I know this is your site and I don't want to bite the hand that feeds but that is a valid comment that does not warrant mocking on multiple forms. This is - and correct me if I am wrong - the first time there has been an exclusive expensive premiere attraction only available to parkhoppers. If it is a big hit and the public reacts well to it so that a large percentage of people who previously bought only single day tickets now upgrade to parkhoppers in order to see the exclusive attaction. How is dumb to speculate as to nature and timing of whether Disney is going to counter with their own parkhopping exclusives. No one is accusing Disney of doing anything on the fly. Universal's plan has not exactly been a secret. I am sure there have been many discussions about whether such parkhopper, or on-resort guest, exclusive attractions make sense for Disney's model. It would not suprise me at all if such concepts were even considered back at the time of building Epcot. I am sure there has even been some WDI work done and financial modeling. The real question is how the public reacts and how the investment community views the reaction. If senior management believes that the shareholders would be receptive I could very much see Disney greenlighting their own exclusive attractions. This could be a great development for the industry.

This is actually not true for their long term plans. Don't be fooled into thinking that the way FastPass+ is right NOW is the way it will be forever. Remember, the system is still in "testing." I think is pretty clear that Fastpass+ today will be very different from what it becomes five years from now. My point is more than in the summer of 2014 the two companies seem to be taking very different paths. For Universal which needs to break the reputation of being a one day escape from disney it is a brilliant move. Can't wait to see how Disney reacts if this works.

As expected Park-To-Park admission required for the Hogswart express. Well played Universal. Interesting benefit to encourage upgrading to the parkhopper at a time whne Disney is going the other way with Fastpass+ discouraging park hopping.

I noticed that Shane hasn't posted in months. Not since late September. I hope he comes back soon.

The movie is certainly not telling the whole story. It is biased for sure. Going for the first time in two weeks. Sad part is we can't enjoy the Shamu show for what it was many like me will never have the chance to see it with the trainers doing the tricks in the water.

I don't get why this is a big deal. Aren't most dogs and cats that live in people's homes taken from their mothers? That may be true but... I believe most puppies and kittens are taken from the mothers early. Watching the movie it seems like the split happened several years after a real connection was made. And the video footage of the mother's grieving is pretty intense. My point was more that aside from this singular issue. I really think it is difficult to attack Seaworld if you aren't going to attack all zoos, pet stores and frankly any domestication of animals. Maybe I am naive but a simple fix would be to keep the mothers and kids together. And if you need move them. Move both.

I recently watched Blackfish. It was very well made and obviously slanted. However the interesting part is that you clearly see the animals loved, were loved by, the trainers. As well you see the facilities are very clean and well-kept. Basically the critique against Seaworld is no different than against any Zoo or aquarium. The only truly sad parts were the stories of the babies being sent to other parks away from their mothers. And the grieve that the mothers felt. No explanation is given for the policy - and based on the slant of the film - one would believe that they should be kept together. Perhaps there is a safety reason for doing it. The film never explains seaworld's side. The other negative is some of Seaworld's PR about the death of Dawn being her fault and the age that whales live when compared to in the wild. Once more info is known that spin looks bad but honestly no different than any other organzation. Long story short Dawn loved her job. Loved the whales. It is a high risk - high reward job - like car racing. She died doing what she loved. Watching the whales made me want go to Seaworld even more. We are going for the first time in two weeks.

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the quick help. We are going during high season. We are flying out of Orlando on Jan 7th. Have Nick Hotel booked for four nights 3-7th. Not ideal but what can you do. Couple of more questions. We are staying with family in West Palm Beach for a bit before. Would you recommend instead doing two separate trips? We could hit up BGT stay one night hit LEGOLAND and then go back to West Palm for a few days and then go back the second week for the Orlando parks and have some more dedicated time at the Nick Hotel waterpark. The only downside is the four hours of extra driving. We could do that the Christmas Day and the 26th if you think the crowds will be better than Jan 2nd/3rd Generally agree with you comments about epcot being great but we will save it for next. Doing a surgical strike on Hollywood. Toy Story, Jedi Show (one of his first words is darth vader) and the mickey mouse clubhouse show. Hoping we can selflessly sneak in a Star Tours 2 ride through the child swap and maybe a tower but I doubt it. Rest of the time will be MK for him for sure. In terms of Uni - the tickets (with express) were comped - so it would be a shame to skip it. Figure even if just for suess and meeting spider-man in person it would be worth it. Of course the selfish parents would have to try Forbidden Journey. Speaking of selfish parenting - any tips on how to best do the kiddie swaps?

Doing a blitz to Orlando with free tickets but we only have 5 days and a toddler who will be 22 months old - loves rides - and may just hit 36 inches He has survived full days at Canada's Wonderland without complaint and Kennywood in the summer until midnight. Naps in stroller when needed. He has been initiated. Did his first ride ever at LEVIATHAN Bash He has insane parents who love rides even more and want to best take advantage of child swap for big rides Would love tips on how to attack each park. First for us with a plus one. Staying at Nick Hotel for Friday-Tuesday. But would love tips on where to stay between BGT and legoland? Clean and good value are really needs it is just one night. The plan right now is Thursay - BGT Friday Legoland - late show at Nick Hotel Saturday - Universal/Islands Sunday seaworld Monday - Hollywood Studios in morning, MK for rest of day/night It sounds crazy

I didn't get to ride Superman, but I did get to experience this! I thought it was hilariously cheesy but also great fun. I had no idea what I was getting into when I got on the ride, but I ended up being ...what transported through Bugg's rabbit hole from Brisbane to LA? Classic. ExtraTerror Alien Encounter scared the sh!t out of me as a kid - because it was so believable! The ground thumping, darkness, animatronics, ...everything worked to be a perfect scare. Shame it couldn't be mimic'd at a different park. The Gremlins ride was even better. Like a sarcastic version of the great movie ride.

The kinetics of the ride flying through the building above you must be awesome.

You're absolutely right. When I saw the amount, I was shocked. They are getting him CHEAP! Especially when you look at this list: http://www.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/CEO-Pay-and-You/100-Highest-Paid-CEOs EDIT: Yeah, check this out... As Chairman of the Board & CEO at CARNIVAL CORP/PLC (GBR) in 2012, Micky Arison made $6,348,335 in total compensation. Of this total $906,400 was received as a salary, $1,524,907 was received as a bonus, $0 was received in stock options, $3,501,074 was awarded as stock and $415,954 came from other types of compensation. This information is according to proxy statements filed for the 2012 fiscal year. True but compensation for an external CEO like Matt can not be objectively compared with Arison. His family owns 47% of all Carnival stock. And likely has half of the seats on the board. It is not apples to apples at all.

Unless they're running all three trains that day, in which case, you can't. Considering how demanding the ADA revisions were that came into effect in 2011 on pretty much everything are, I'd be shocked if this was an acceptable loophole. I've literally never seen another business with a similar sign. I'd love to hear a real lawyer take a look at this and give an opinion (and with that; off to message lawyer friends on facebook).... I am a real lawery, but as one, I will do what we do - qualify my comments. I will not opine in detail about legislation I am not an expert on, or how the Court will intrpret the legislaiton and facts in a jurisdiction in which I am not they are not experts. Having said that I guess the likely real question will be whether the park in good faith intends to truly have a policy where guests with special needs can ride upon request ? For example, if the park says we cannot accomdate disabilities due to three train operation and we need to operate 3 trains for praticial reasons at most times that would be acceptable if the park had a clear policy for when those guests could ride. Ie. they will run 2 train operation during certain posted times (maybe first hour of the day) or once a week on Sunday mornings. For if you are disabled and go to the ride opps and then give you a time to return with a committement that the ride will be doing two train operations. That way those who have that issue can plan around the timing and get on the ride. I don't think there is an obligation that the ride must at all times be in two train operation to meet the needs of a small portion of the public. But if that language is there with no actual intention to ever running just two trains to allow disabled guests to enjoy the ride than it would I could see an argument that the policy is in there in sign only and is in bad faifth and against the spirit of the ADA.

Let's look at it another way. Is there a better coaster available to a park in terms of cost, ease of maintence, visual look, thrills and size. There is a reason they have been so successful. Honestly if you had a small patch of land and a limted budget for your park of course you would put in a boomerang. They look great, have a nice kinetic energry, and the general public loves them. Look at Canada's Wonderland even if two B&Ms, their boomerang still has hour plus lines (albiet largely due to low throughput). Now that I know better I don't like waiting in line for boomerang's at the expense of other larger more unique coasters but I have to give the ride credit where credit is due. It's like Mcdonalds, a good not great, dependable consistant and cost effective ride. Now if only park management considered the Intatim Mega-Lite using the same criteria.

Don't recommedn Lick's to Americans. They overcook the burgers which are dry and tasteless. They will never respect us again.

St. Louis wings across from Canada's Wonderland. Good local chain of wing joints. Wings are small but marinated for extra tastiness. Great dill sauce and awesome fries. Their suicide is tasty and the right level of hot - not a gimmick. Opened up a location right across the street from Wonderland not even a five minute walk from the gate. Has a patio that offers a great view of Leviathan and cold beer.

Actually still close to 6 million. $4.7 budgeted for steel coaster for first year. $1.2 for "balance" in second year. They have arranged some sort of financing.

I have Canada's Wonderland. Funny thing is six years ago you asked this question and the answer would be it's my least favourite. Large park with clones and below average operations. Since Cedar Fair took over it's quickly moving up the rankings. It's amazing what much improved operations and two B&Ms will do. Kinda hard to justify travelling to Cedar Point when got Leviathan and Behemoth. It's no Disney but it really isn't that bad for a "home park".

Soarin' - apology wrote this rant thinking topic was ride not coaster. I don't get it. It's a simulator with no attempt whatsoever to protend it is not a simulator. You start in front of a giant movie screen. When you compare it to star tours or even back to the future/simpson which try and put you in a proper themed car it just seems amateur but people love it. i mean the orange smell is nice and there is wind but seriously? It is the type of ride you expect at a local park not at Disney and with the lines it generates. How is it considered an E-Ticket?

Intimidator 305's downtime has nothing to do with it. The new coaster has most likely been in the pipeline for years. Maybe this year's downtime but the first year's? The reprofiling? The trim on the hill. The brown-outs. Coupled with the removal of the barrel roll on Maverick and the issues with the flume at CP. Plus the capacity is less. If you were corporate you would likely play it safe and go B&M

At Universal we were late for our flight home but really wanted to go on Earthquake (pre-Disaster). We asked at the exit if there was anyway we could ride it without going througth the lengthy pre-show that we simply didn't have time for. My then GF and I offerred to spilt up as single riders wereever they were was as spot. Staff was very kind and said yes but were kinda being weird and laughing about it. Then we found why. They put us right in the middle of the massive train. Ran an entire cycle just for us. All while cracking some jokes over the PA about the exclusive nature of the ride. "We hope that BOTH of surive. We are glad that BOTH of you enjoyed the ride." etc, etc. Very surreal and memerable experience. A bit awkward because all eyes were on us. But long story short: an amazing way to end an Orlando trip.

So meta looking at a picture of you took of my ofice from my office. Glad you like the city.

It's a slow Friday so why not. Pros - reference to coaster track, climbng up side of mountain, plummeting down Cons - no reference to being the parks' 17th coaster. I would think that marketing's defination of a credit would be quite low and they would be all over it. Fact that they downplay the coaster part has me wondering. Apparently someone asked the park whether Thunder Run, the other coaster in the mountain for families themed to a red dragon, was being removed and they said no. So would be kinda weird to have two rides so similar but at least the theme is consistant. My issue is that for years the Thunder Run dragon nicknamed "Herman" was said to be a happy peaceful dragon. They sold plushies. He never hurt anyone and was just misunderstood. Now Cedar Fair wants us to go hunting for him with guns. They really should be calling this Lynch Mob: The Ride.