robbalvey

It's odd because I can see the picture too... And it loads immediately for me too. I can't see the first one you originally posted though, just the new one. *edit* I can't see the new one you just uploaded though. Weird. Sorry, I'm terrible with posting pictures. lol It's working for me now but we'll see if others can see it. I just uploaded it to TPR for you. I'm not sure why you just didn't do this in the first place as it's the quickest, easiest way to upload an image here and guarantee 100% that it will appear with no problems.

What are you talking about?!?!? Kumba and Kraken are two totally and completely different layouts!!! Kumba has a curved drop, Kraken has a straight drop. Kraken features two vertical loops, Kumba has one. Kumba's lift hill goes through the loop, Kraken's lift hill does not. Kumba has two interlocking corkscrews, Kraken has one. Kraken has floorless trains, Kumba has floored trains. I could go on... The two rides are so completely different and not at all clones of each other.

No but if you're lucky you might get given a TV remote so it feels like your on a real couch! "Couch Potato: The Ride." Why would we want a ride themed to Jeff Johnson? I don't get it.

Ready to boost profits with a low-cost, low-maintenance American-made kids' ride? Skyline Attractions enhances company's portfolio with Crazy Couch 19 October 2015 Orlando, FL - Another year means another new product from Skyline Attractions. The company excitedly announced today a new kids' ride, lending its quality American design and manufacturing expertise to a market desperately in need of something new. "We've been hearing from operators how rare it is to find something new and reliable for kids that is American-made and supported," the Skyline team said. Accepting that challenge, Skyline applied its clever design techniques to achieve fun new motions unique to the industry in a simple and easy-to-maintain package. The result: Kids and adults tilt side-to-side and up-and-down in the zany experience of Crazy Couch! Interest has been crazy big, resulting in a purchase of Crazy Couch even before it rolled off the production line! The ride seats up to 10 kids per cycle, or up to eight kids with two adults. Mobile and fixed-site models are available, which are both crazy simple to operate and ridiculously easy to maintain. With fixed-site models under $99,000, operators would be crazy not to take a look. The release of Crazy Couch comes a year after Skyline's introduction of the revolutionary GamesURide product line. "Our two debut GamesURide - Strike-U-Up and Spin-U-Win - have been operating all summer, making money for parks. We have the data to show that they are fun additions to facilities - with crowds of onlookers and queues forming - and, most importantly, can generate serious profit, too." Crazy Couch will be at the IAAPA Expo next month in Orlando, and Strike-U-Up will be making a return alongside. Come ride and play at booth 3873!

Yes! More videos of the log flume song!!! LOVE IT!!!!

I absolutely LOVE these videos they keep posting!!!

THIS! I know there have been quite a few coasters that have replaced sections of track over the years (California Screamin' loop for example), but parks don't make a big deal out of it, because it's just part of routine upkeep, and a lot of times it's done while the park is closed, so there isn't any real media around it. This one just happens to be VERY visible and the park itself has issued press releases about the improved version of the ride so of course it's getting a lot of attention.

I'm normally not into online petitions, but the Skyplex company has reached out to me to ask our readers to help them out by signing this one: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/let-skyplex-become-a-symbol-of-orlando-let

This. I'm happy to have a discussion with someone if the discussion is based around logic and actual REAL information about rides. But if you're going throw out some made-up "facts" in an effort to prove me wrong when all you're doing is showing everyone how you know absolutely NOTHING about what you're talking about, yes, I'm going to be snide with you in my response to show you just how stupid you're being. And if you don't like that, there are other forums to post to and we won't miss you at all.

Name one. Sure, I can name a lot more than one... SNIPPED a bunch of made up stuff that shows he knows nothing about the operations of roller coasters. You said it yourself this ride has fewer ride cycles, which is correct. So why would you even list it??? #dumb Not even to mention this ride got a HUGE rehab when the original Potter land was built! Kumba has received SEVERAL lengthy maintenance rehabs over the years. It also does not run anywhere NEAR the ride cycles that Hulk does, and I've been to the park when it's so empty, they are only running one train on it. These parks are closed during the winter where these rides get an extensive rehab if needed. The parks are open 6 and 5 months out of the year, respectively, and daily for only 3 months out of the year. So even though these rides are 40 years old, 24 years older than Hulk, they have actually cycled LESS times than Hulk! This park is closed during the winter where the ride can get an extensive rehab if needed. This park is closed 5 months out of the year and only open daily for 3 months out of the year. This park is closed during the winter where the ride can get an extensive rehab if needed. This park is closed 3 months out of the year and only open daily for 2 1/2 months out of the year. This ride has not only received extensive rehabs, including having all the track from it's loops and first drop replaced, but also is closed Mon-Fri during the off-season where additional work can be done if needed. No, actually there are not. There are NOT many more rides that have had the same amount of ride cycles in the same amount of time as Hulk WITHOUT getting any annual rehab. Your attempt at making a point is impressive. It's just a shame it's all totally incorrect. Nice try, though! SNIPPED a bunch more embarrassing stuff that shows you don't know how coasters work... I love how someone in Chicago is trying to tell me what the operating practices of coasters in Orlando are. Like, how do you even know??? It's clear that you don't.

Name one. I can't really think of many other coasters of this size that have had this many cycles. B&M has actually said themselves that Hulk is the most cycled coaster they have ever made. Hulk has not had any sort of significant re-hab since it opened in 1999. Other than maybe a week or so to get painted a few years ago before the original Potter land opened, I can't think of a time where the ride has been closed at all. It has run continuously, almost always running three trains, usually fully loaded, 365 days a year, open every private event the park has, since 1999. Outside of some of the coasters at Disney parks, which are less aggressive rides, and which usually get some sort of annual rehab, I don't think there has been another steel coaster of this size that's ran as much as Hulk has.

It's probably not what they're going for, but the B&M of today is different than the B&M of old. If they're re-shaping track sections...I'm not an engineer, but I would imagine that the difference between a forceful ride and a fluff ride are not too radical in terms of track profile. It would probably only take a tweak here or there to turn Kumba into Kraken. From what I understand this is exactly what is happening. Should be interesting to see just how much the ride feels different, even though the track layout will remain the same.

You know absolutely NOTHING about how construction projects work, do you? If you had any sort of actual knowledge with any of this, you would know just how absurd your entire response was. I will only tell you this "zoning gets changed ALL.THE.TIME. in construction projects." Beyond that, it's not even worth my time explaining or responding any more to you.

FYI - Fright Fest is open until 1am tonight and the park is not affected by any of the SoCal Freeway Closures!

The layout won't be changing from what we were told, however there is a possibility that some sections could be reshaped. There will be something different about the launch system and the trains are getting some modernization. Was back there again today. Not sure if this has been posted but this piece is clearly marked as scrap. Looks like there are red and blue dots now marking other sections. Image is not showing up. Can you upload the image so this doesn't happen? Thanks.

For one, the developer has been presenting this to the I-Drive committees for well over a year, maybe two years now. They initially wanted to start construction on Skyplex after Mango's opened, which looks like it's opening next month, so I can see why they are getting a bit anxious. You make it sound as though the developer is being obnoxious, but in reality they aren't, they have been very patient for a long time. The thing is, Universal wasn't even really a part of this until just recently when they announced that Wet N Wild was closing and the assumption was made that someone else would be built on that property. I agree with you that they all should be working together, and I feel that they all have UNTIL Universal got involved. I've been to some of the I-Drive meetings (I think there might be reports in this thread about it) where it was clear the I-Drive people were really on board with this whole project...until recently. I'm hopeful they still are, but it really does seem that Universal, out of the blue, has done some serious lobbying against the project, which is kind of a dick move, IMO.

Show me where you have proof of any of this. I've been to some of the I-Drive meetings myself, had several one-on-one conversations with Joshua Wallack and I have seen zero evidence of what you are implying. So unless you can back up your statement, I think this is you just making some assumptions that aren't factual at all where on the other hand, you can easily point to articles written and eyewitness reports from other people have been at these meetings that Universal has been very vocal about trying to shut down this project.

And even Wet n Wild, while closer than Universal, is still 1.3 miles away at the other end of I-Drive with a LOT of stuff in between.

These two came to mind: To be fair, though, the Landmark was torn down years ago and it's not uncommon for World's Fair buildings to be left to rot after the event has ended.

While you can see it from some places at Universal (parking garage, top of a roller coaster, etc), it is almost 3 miles away from Universal's property. You can also see the Orlando Eye, Fun Spot's Skycoaster and Magic Midway's Starflyer. I don't think that should be too much of an issue nor should Universal have a say. Personally, I think they are being kind of jerks to oppose it and I hope it goes through! It's 2.5 miles from the edge of Universal's property. Closer to three miles away from anywhere inside the park where you could maybe see it. Sorry, but The argument of "it shouldn't be built because you might be able to see the structure from inside of another property miles away" is insanely stupid.

Let me post the entire twitter thread. You can read it here: Waiting for P&Z meeting to discuss @SKYPLEXOrlando. It will essentially be Team Skyplex vs. Universal. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 6h6 hours ago Skyplex discussions pushed to last item (next in line) since it will be longest. I'm having flashbacks of the Orlando venues vote night. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 6h6 hours ago The @SKYPLEXOrlando item begins P&Z discussions ... Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 6h6 hours ago Interesting. @SKYPLEXOrlando's Joshua Wallack said the climb up the Skyscraper will be straight vertical not wrapping around tower. Word? Watching Universal team in the last row of this @SKYPLEXOrlando meeting. They just smirked at Skyplex demo video ending in fireworks. The @SKYPLEXOrlando legal speaker called Universal's lawsuit over a lake "whohaa" (Did I spell that right?) Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 6h6 hours ago The numbers are thrown around but the highest point of the Skyscraper coaster is 501 ft. The core structure goes higher. The topic of that I-Drive/Sand Lake Rd. pedestrian bridge is coming up now in these @SKYPLEXOrlando talk. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 6h6 hours ago The Skyplex team taking QnA from P&Z board on dealing with traffic. The Universal people look ready to go. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago And Universal is on to give their concerns on @SKYPLEXOrlando Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Universal legal speaker saying not enough study has been done on @SKYPLEXOrlando project to determine true impact. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Universal legal speaker also said they don't think the project is "compatible" with the size and magnitude. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Next Team Universal speaker questioning lack of traffic study and how smooth traffic will actually be when it opens. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Universal's heavy-hitter John McReynolds park supports but not at the height. Disney, Uni and Seaworld are "world class" without being 500ft Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago McReynolds also took shot at County for talking about @SKYPLEXOrlando before I-Drive vision plan complete. Says his time must freed up. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Universal's McReynolds also said @SKYPLEXOrlando can have the "tallest" moniker. And that this isn't about competition. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Head of the I-Drive ETC (represents some biz) said she support project but also at a height restriction. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Confusing part was ETC rep asked who was on board and it included prominent people who I believe weren't against @SKYPLEXOrlando. #hmm Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Clarification: ETC member was asked who was on her board. Not sure it was clarified who on that board had a problem. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago First slide in @SKYPLEXOrlando rebuttal! Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago .@SKYPLEXOrlando legal rep asking after all the success, "why us?" "They know we can't build" with a lower height. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago I'm still laughing about that Universal bully pic. That was gold. Sorry ... serious face. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago .@SKYPLEXOrlando legal rep says Universal has special land use process where they don't have to worry about notice or compatibility. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago I have no other way to describe this other than @SKYPLEXOrlando is going all out to punch Universal in the mouth. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago The last slide from @SKYPLEXOrlando rep saying THIS IS about competition with Universal. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago P&Z member said he didn't know I-Drive ETC were against this. @SKYPLEXOrlando rep says that board lost way and peeps leaving that board. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago P&Z member asked why not wait for I-Drive vision plan? @SKYPLEXOrlando's Wallack says they have already & this will revolutionize I-Drive. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Will the lack of a traffic study and not height push this vote back? Looks like that's the bigger issue here. @SKYPLEXOrlando Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago So far I'm counting 2 members that won't go for this. One seems in support the other 4 I can't get q read on yet. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago Holy heck! This discussion has gone into preventing light pollution?! @SKYPLEXOrlando Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago .@SKYPLEXOrlando rep says fireworks impact night skies and this wasn't a concern when it comes to tourist area. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 5h5 hours ago OK another P&Z member says she is uneasy on "giant pole" glowing in sky. My feeling is she's starting to lean against. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago I can't help but sense personal opinion in play here. I've seen it happening in many of the boards in play with this @SKYPLEXOrlando project Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago To update: The concerns of height (we expected to be the issue) has evolved into traffic, light pollution and glowing. @SKYPLEXOrlando Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago This may get pushed into the I-Drive vision study. P&Z is trying to catch county planner flat-footed on if this fits in the vision. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago OK so far one P&Z member says he would deny based on new info of people against the project. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago P&Z member calls out Universal for coming up with a residential letter against the project that was sent law last night. Gives his support Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago Member with glow issue says that's her issue. Another says there's still too many question. Score so far is 3 against and 2 for. 2 left. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago Vote taken and the motion failed 4-3 against @SKYPLEXOrlando. This means they DO NOT recommend the county leaders to approve it. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 4h4 hours ago Note this isn't the end of @SKYPLEXOrlando because the Orange County commission has their say later. However, this isn't good. Richard Bilbao ‏@RichOBJ 3h3 hours ago .@SKYPLEXOrlando update: Speaking with people after meeting and I hear O.C. staff supports project and that weighs more than the P&Z board.

Here's a few photos out of the drone...

It wasn't that bad before, in no way did the ride make me want to kill myself. Before when? 2004? Yeah, it wasn't that bad before then. After that, though, it was terrible. So far from these photos I'm seeing that the ride just looks like it's getting a re-tracking. I really hope that does actually help it out, although I'm worried for "how long" will it stay good for?

Jack, Chad, Ryan, Garbles and I have spent the last few days filming the park's B-Roll package for their media day. Here's a few photos and the video of what we got! More coming soon!

Today was day one of a three-day film shoot out at ZDT's and not only is the ride FANTASTIC, we got some great footage! I'll have more to report soon, but for now, here's a few shots we took today...