robbalvey

While we aren't planning any TPR trips in the foreseeable future, you should be able to find all the past trip flyers as they were all posted to the forum. Those include all the costs, etc. For example, this thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1370442#p1370442 and this one: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1094397#p1094397

Black Mamba says hi. Black Mambr was not very forceful. Fun? Yes. Great theming? Yes. Forceful like the pre-2000 B&M inverts? Not at all.

You might want to try this site out: https://www.mousemingle.com/ Closest thing you'll get to a dating site for people into theme parks & roller coasters.

Great stuff!

As far as the question of it being "too much Six Flags" that really for you to decide. I do find both parks to be quite different, if that helps at all. I also don't know how busy it will be during Holiday in the Park, but I always recommend getting Flash Pass if you're coming in from out of down and this is going to be your one visit to this park in a very long time. Especially if you have younger kids that won't want to wait in line. As for the loose articles thing, to be honest, I always tell people "don't bring that much stuff in the park unless you are willing to pay for a locker." Lockers are usually a dollar, maybe two at the most. And when you think about just how much value you're going to get out of your ticket anyway, it's not that much additional. Especially if you already have a Six Flags pass, that's really not much of an upcharge. Going to theme parks, like movies, concerts, sports games, etc, are all expensive venues where everything is an inflated price. You're either going to inconvenience your wallet by having to pay an additional amount for the locker, or inconvenience yourself by not getting to ride something. You basically have to choose between one of those two options. Just being honest here.

Last week we were invited to come out to Disney's Hollywood Studios to check out the new "Star Wars Launch Bay" and we figured that with The Force Awakens opening on Friday, what a great time to post our report since everyone is in the height of Star Wars Hype right now! So what is "Launch Bay?" Well, it's sort of an all-around interactive display for Star Wars geeks! It has tons of models, props, costumes, etc, from all of the movies including the new one, as well as TONS of merchandise you can buy! (If you all thought we were flooded with Frozen stuff, just wait until the flood gates for Star Wars opens! We haven't seen anything yet!) But by far the most impressive part of Launch Bay was the character encounters with Darth Vader and Chewie, both who talk to you! (Well, Chewie just sort of growls...) The movie at Launch Bay is a lot of fun and gives you a behind the scenes look at the new movies. The Cantina is also there with Jawa's wandering around. While it's not a new attraction or land, it's certainly a fun addition to hold you over until the new lands open. Oh, and don't forget on the other side of the park is also a new section for Star Tours, an updated Jedi Academy show, and another Star Wars moving showing in the old "Monster Sound Stage" theater! On to some photos... Good morning Hollywood Studios! We love the look of the entrance area at 6am! Star Wars Launch Bay takes over the old Animation building and you wouldn't recognize it at all walking in here! They have done a GREAT job of completely changing over the building! In the queue area to get into Launch Bay you'll find lots of pictures and artwork from the films. Yay! BB-8! We haven't even met this droid yet and we already love him! The giant mural covering the entire Star Wars film universe was amazing! Inside the theater is a great film giving you a behind the scenes look at the new movies. ...yet somehow in the future. You'll find lots of models, props, and costumes from all of the movies. If you want to get an up close look at an X-Wing pilot costume, here ya go! Not sure what this is, but it looks cool! Yay! Return of the Jedi! The Darth Vader encounter was pretty cool. I wasn't exactly sure what to do in the presence of the Darth One, so a mean fist was in order. I'm pretty sure he choked me after this. Hey Chewie! It's impressive that both of these characters actually talk! (Well, Chewie just sort of growls...) The Cantina is here and you can hang out in this area... OMG! This Jawa just wanted me to trade my iPhone for some Droid parts! lol Silly Jawa, I'm an Apple user...not gonna trade for your crappy Droid...sorry! Oh, yes... you can play video games! Here you can "Try before you Buy" the latest Disney Infinity figures. It's sort of like when Blockbuster was still in business. New stormtrooper from the new movie! And yes, we all should know what this ship is. Tons of artwork everywhere! Just in case you always wanted an official Storm Trooper costume. For just 5 bucks, you too can be Han Solo and all the chicks will dig you! These light saber lamps were awesome! Which side are you? The Rebels... Or the Force? And ONLY at Launch Bay can you get this assortment of exclusive Magic Bands! The selection is awesome! Star Wars fans will want to make a lot of bands! More characters... More stuff to buy... And you can even buy your very own old guy Darth Vader life size bust. Path of the Jedi is being shown in the old Monster Sound Stage theater and if you've not seen any of the Star Wars movies, this is a great film to get you caught up on what's going on. Star Tours also has a new segment inspired by The Force Awakens! **LOVE** Star Tours! It's kind of the grand daddy of simulator rides and still the best! Yes, there are BB-8 cupcakes, and they are delicious! VIDEO! Check out the new Star Tours scene! Jedi Training Academy received some upgrades and now can accommodate even more Jedi Trainees! Some surprise characters show up... And everyone helps battle Darth Maul! The new section is great! Star Wars fans.. check it out!

Here's a sneak preview video of the "Lego Movie 4D Adventure" coming to both Legoland California & Legoland Florida early in 2016!

Here's a sneak preview video of the "Lego Movie 4D Adventure" coming to both Legoland California & Legoland Florida early in 2016!

This does happen every so often and it annoys me when people complain about it. I've seen Space Mountain down a good portion of the day, and when it comes back up standby will be two hours and FP will be 30-40 minutes. My feeling is "well, first of all you should be happy that it re-opened and whatever problem it was having didn't mean it was down for the whole day, and at least you have a FP so your wait it line is still less then half of the stand-by, so QUIT YOUR BITCHING!!!!" But most idiot people don't see things this way...

I'm not sure why people keep bringing up The Smiler. The accident was NOT the ride's fault and had nothing to do with the quality of the ride or the ride being a "mistake." The "mistake" was on the part of the operations. From what I understand, Smiler has been VERY popular up until that incident.

Well, you could leave Tokyo at 7am and be at the park pretty close to 10am! It's just a bit expensive.

I would almost recommend looking into how much time and money it would cost you to do Nagashima Spaland instead.

The park has become "tolerable" now that it has the fast pass tickets that you can buy. But if you aren't getting there until an hour after opening during a busy season period, you might not be able to get the fast passes and then you'll be stuck with typical horrible Fuji-Q operations. It's something i'd consider.

And that's the problem. 99% of the people using them are doing stupid things with them. I have watched, and SEVERAL occasions someone get on a ride like Big Thunder Mountain or Expedition Everest and wave around their selfie sticks like a golf club nearing hitting people having to duck out of the way. I'm so glad that Disney and so many other parks have banned them.

It's painfully obvious that you're trying to just get attention with all the threads you're bumping and creating. Well done. Actually, he's doing a GREAT job of helping the forum and contributing to the discussion. When was the last time you created a new topic to help the forums thrive?

One of our members in the Ask Alvey forum asked us if we had ever done a reverse POV but played it backwards? I had actually, several times just to see what it would look like, but never published a video like this until now, because someone asked us to. Let us know what you think! Obviously a video like this is "just for fun."

You mean something like this? What's funny is that I've done this before but never bothered to actually post anything because to me personally, it wasn't that interesting. But if you guys like funky stuff like this, sure, I can make a few videos! And it's actually not complicated at all. In fact, it took me about 45 seconds to put this video together! I just dropped the POV in my timeline, right clicked the footage and selected "Speed" > "Reverse Speed" > "Export" and BAM, it's done! Enjoy!

Since we are in town this Christmas season we will make sure to catch one of your shows!

....And?

I'd have to think that an RMC conversion like Storm Chaser has to be a pretty good deal!

It's the off-season now! Show us your collection of theme park stuff!

Such a fun little park that doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves! Glad to see it looks like it was pretty busy!

I have trouble sometimes remembering between the two also, but I'm pretty sure it was Matterhorn.

HOGWARTS IS COMING TO HOLLYWOOD ON APRIL 7, 2016! LUMOS MAXIMA! Universal Studios Hollywood Illuminates the Iconic Hogwarts Castle Announcing “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Will Officially Open on Thursday, April 7, 2016 Innovative Ad Campaign Heralds the Much-Anticipated Arrival of this Exciting New Immersive Land Universal City, California, December 8, 2015 – It’s official: “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” will open at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, April 7, 2016, marking the highly-anticipated arrival of the West Coast’s dynamic new immersive experience at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. This eagerly-awaited news coincides with the launch of the destination’s spellbinding campaign, which is stylistically designed to sweep guests into the land’s magical world through the lens of imagination. The campaign is anchored by a new television spot designed to build suspense and enthusiasm while evoking a sense of wonder and succinctly capture the magical appeal that “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” has for cross-generational consumers as it announces the April 7 opening date. In making the exciting announcement, Universal Studios Hollywood illuminated the land’s Hogwarts castle to signal the arrival of today’s momentous news. More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real-world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. The land will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point. From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen. Upon entering the land through the archway, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village: merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and a pub packed to the gills with hungry patrons, but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and the family outdoor coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™.” An achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in hyper-realistic 3D-HD designed to further immerse guests in an already engaging storyline. The multidimensional thrill ride features a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests will sport Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime. Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™” will open as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™, and Hog's Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts. A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™. Currently, Universal Studios Hollywood in-park guests can experience and purchase authentic merchandise, including wands, robes and other collectibles from "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," available within the Features Presentation shop, located just inside the theme park’s main entry. As the countdown to the April 7th opening date continues, the website invites guests to learn more by signing up for the latest news and information at http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/harrypotter/signup. Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Thanks to everyone who re-tweeted and played along today!