robbalvey

This is more of a family coaster - a "Big Dipper" model.

Just got some construction photos in! If there is one thing Arizona could use is more coasters! The new expansion at the zoo will include a few different family rides with the coaster being a main draw. Sounds like an exciting project for the park! Here is the info they sent me: Please be sure to like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WWZAq

I'm still a little confused on the whole "Free Spin" vs "Free Fly" thing. Six Flags markets it as a "Free Fly" but I had thought that S&S considered the rides like Tranan to be a "Free Fly" And the plaque on the coaster says "Free Spin" Which is what S&S referred to it as at IAAPA (along with Free Ride, just to make things even more confusing!) lol So I'm really not sure how to classify this coaster!

Just added the video to Chadster's update:

THIS! THIS! THIS! THIS! THIS! THIS! THIS! I honestly do not understand the mentality shared by so many people that "if new coaster is not automatically your OMFG #1 blow me away ride, it means you HATE it and want it burned to the ground." I get this so often and it's so insanely stupid and annoying. There are a TON of coasters that I *like* and would go out of my way to travel for that do not appear on my top ten list. Hell, Tokyo Disney, Europa Park, and Grona Lund are some of my favorite parks in the world that I would spend thousands of dollars to travel to, and not a single one of their coasters appear in my "top ten" list. But to some coaster nerds, if you're not violently ejaculating milk cartons over the newest coaster, you're the most evil, vile person on the planet. And this sort of thinking really needs to stop. It's a cancer that infects this hobby. FFS people, just enjoy the rides for what they are regardless where they fall in yours or someone else's ranking list. I can't say this enough and I know for some people it will never sink in.

Ignorant posts like this are really annoying. For one, I assume you're talking about i305. Secondly, do you have any idea just how many rides have had to replace pieces of track over the years? You say that as though i305 is the only ride that's ever had to do this! And finally, if you *actually believe* that B&M's layout had anything to do with i305 then this is the dumbest comment I'm going to read all day! (I hope!) Please, people, I beg of you...if you don't know what you are talking about, please don't post. You just make everyone else dumber by thinking you might actually have some insight on the subject matter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkodTydUR0E

Gee, that's so strange! I'll bet it has nothing to do with the mystery construction going on.

And with that obnoxious comment, Slem can go find another theme park forum to post his crusade at. Goodbye! His avatar was beyond annoying anyway.

^ While I appreciate your efforts, you can't fix stupid. If Slem wants to continue whatever drama crusade he's on, let him. He'll soon find out he'll be continuing his efforts on some other forum. I mean, after all, studying urban planning for 5 years automatically makes you a theme park development expert, right?

^ And we even just spent a week at Ft. Wilderness last month and didn't have a problem there, either!

We go down to that area of Poly all the time and we've never encountered any problems with mosquitos.

^ It is called Sunset Point and it's exactly where I took this photo yesterday! Looking towards the park on Sunset Point now looks like this:

The only thing April Fools has taught me is how incredibly un-funny people are. Please leave the comedy writing to the professionals.

If you had that kind of money, you'd be able to afford something for someone who needs it AND stay in the bungalows!

^ Yeah, it's all mostly still there and was even during the construction. It's still a cool place we like to go and watch the fireworks. We actually watched HalloWishes twice from there last October.

I would be shocked if they aren't already booked solid for the first year!

Doing the math it comes to about $1,800 - $2,200 a night. But here's the thing... we looked it up. To stay in actual Bora Bora at one of the equivalent quality bungalow hotels, it's about $3,000 - $3,500 for the two-bedroom with pool bungalow pictured below. Looks like Disney is once again right on the money with a correct price point. Plus it wouldn't involve a 12 hour flight to Tahiti, a 50min domestic flight, and a 15 minute boat ride to get to the Orlando Polynesian Resort!

When the wait isn't 2-3 hours to get in...

Tonight was the grand opening media event at Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort for the new Vacation Club bungalows, DVC Studios, and of course Trader Sam's! The bungalows were just absolutely fantastic! Quite possibly the new "coolest rooms" on property! They were just so insanely impressive in every way. Here's the official press release on the new expansion with some information for you: The first phase of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the newest resort in the growing Disney Vacation Club portfolio, opened today. Offering 360 Deluxe Studio accommodations (opening in phases through summer 2015) and 20 over-the-water Bungalows, the new resort delivers the spirit of the South Pacific along with fun Disney touches to create a vacation experience that only Disney can provide. Nestled along the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the resort is a quick monorail ride from the enchanting Magic Kingdom Park and steps away from the world-class amenities of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, one of the original Walt Disney World Resort hotels. 
 “This is truly a stunning addition to the Disney Vacation Club portfolio,” said Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club. “Research has told us that Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of our most beloved Walt Disney World Resort hotels. As a result, we integrated a new Disney Vacation Club resort that stays true to the original character of this spectacular and iconic property.” The Deluxe Studios at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are the largest at Walt Disney World Resort, sleeping five guests each. Each features tropical décor complete with striking prints, bamboo-style fixtures, a whimsical hidden pull-down bed and a split bathroom perfect for families. The Deluxe Studios also offer the flexibility of connecting to an adjacent room. The resort’s Bora Bora Bungalows are the first such accommodations ever created by Disney. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom Bungalows transport guests to a tropical haven filled with Disney touches. Each Bungalow sleeps eight guests and offers a view of the Magic Kingdom Resort area. Inside the Bungalows, modern luxuries with an island touch add life to the already exquisite design. Amenities include a full kitchen, two bedrooms complete with flat panel televisions, split bathrooms, washer and dryer, two hidden pull-down beds featuring playful artwork, a private plunge pool on the back deck, and many other special touches. Premiering with Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is its newly re-imagined sister resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which now offers more dining and recreation experiences with signature touches for guests to enjoy. Arriving guests are greeted in the Great Ceremonial House, with its dramatic new décor and signature chandelier. Also new is a large Tiki statue that welcomes guests with his outstretched arms. The resort’s newly redesigned Lava Pool will feature a highly themed children’s water play area, Kiki Tiki Splash Play Area, and an enlarged deck for poolside seating. An enhanced supervised childcare option, Lilo’s Playhouse, allows parents to enjoy an evening date night together. Guests in search of tropical snacks and libations will find them at new dining locations, including Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a tiki bar that features exotic cocktails and Polynesian small plates. The nearby Pineapple Lanai serves the world-famous Dole Whip soft serve ice cream and floats. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was one of the original Walt Disney World resorts that opened in 1971. It has provided guests with superior accommodations, entertainment and dining experiences for more than 40 years. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is the latest addition to the newly reimagined Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Located off the Great Ceremonial House, the themed lounge will serve exotic drinks and small plates, while offering scenic views of the marina and Seven Seas Lagoon. Founded by Adventureland’s famous “head” salesman, Trader Sam, the Walt Disney World Resort version will have some similarities to the original Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Resort. But magical theming will reflect its new resort location. Guests are welcomed to Trader Sam’s, a South Seas hideaway, to explore a menu full of “magical tropical drinks and food,” and while the Walt Disney World version will share a few exotic cocktails and small plates from the Disneyland location, it will have its own menu, according to Chef Lenny DeGeorge. The famous Trader Sam cocktails, available in Disney collectible Tiki mugs, are a mix of old and new. Only at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto: • Polynesian Pearl • Nautilus • Castaway Crush • Tahitian Torch • Dark & Tropical Stormy Favorites imported from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar: • Krakatoa Punch • Uh-Oa! • HippopotoMai-Tai • Shrunken Zombie Head Sam’s No-Booze Brews: • Schweitzer Fall • Skipper Sipper Small bites at Trader Sam’s Grotto include chicken lettuce cups with hoisin ginger sauce; Hawaiian poke with Sriracha aioli and wonton chips; kalua pork tacos with shredded cabbage and pickled vegetables; pan-fried dumplings with soy-sesame dipping sauce; roasted chicken and pork pâté bánh mì sliders with pickled vegetables; salmon oshizushi (pressed sushi); corn-battered Portuguese sausages with curry ketchup, and a Headhunter Sushi Roll. The lounge has 50 seats inside and 82 on the patio. No reservations are required. Check out this video: And onto some photos... Tonight TPR is at the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World for the grand opening of the new additions! I absolutely LOVE the new lobby! Gone is the musty-smelling fountains and bulky water features and now you have a more spacious modernized entrance that still keeps the Hawaiian feel! These are some really nice credentials! (Aren't they, Jack?) Yup, it's the grand opening! Not only am I covering the event, I'm also part of the entertainment! This map will direct us to the new sections of the resort! The pool area is the one section that is not quite finished, but it looks like it will be a great make-over the pool that was once there. First we are going to check out the Bora Bora Bungalows, which are really the highlight of the new expansion. The bungalows sit out over the water... There are 20 of them... Each one is a two bedroom apartment with amazing features! Welcome to Bora Bora! Here we have one of the bedrooms. Love the surf board decor! The main living room area. Modern furniture that retains a bit of that 1970s feel to it! The entire room was just fantastic! I *loved* the Electrical Water Pageant backdrop on the fold out bed! The view is breathtaking! From your patio, you can watch the Magic Kingdom Wishes fireworks at night! We are told that the bungalows have been sound-proofed with double-pane glass to keep out some of the water craft noises. (Although, they are part of the ambiance of the resort!) There is even a small foot pool so you can sit in here at night and watch the fireworks from your patio! The deck chairs and wicker swinging chairs are such an awesome feature! Even from inside the room, you can have an spectacular view of Magic Kingdom and the fireworks! (oh, and they DO pipe in the Wishes soundtrack for you to listen to!) Tiki statues and a Hawaiian feel everywhere you turn. The backdrop for the other pull out bed is Lilo & Stitch! More of the decor in the bedrooms. I want one of these tiki lamps! It's cool to see the lobby mascot being used around the resort. State-of-the-art bathroom that even includes a "TV-in-mirror" feature! When you gotta go... The new bungalows are just stunning. This does not feel like anything in Orlando! Please take my money! I want to stay here! Next we check out Trader Sam's, a sister location to the one that opened at Disneyland a few years ago. This one features a different storyline with a different time setting. When you walk into Trader Sam's you know this is not going to be your typical bar. Head chef's of the Walt Disney World resort explain some of the food items and the specialty drinks. The "windows" inside Trader Sam's will change depending on what is happening inside the location. As you can see this a highly themed lounge and may very well be the most technically advanced tiki bar in the world! This is one of the specialty drinks that comes in a collectable mug. It's called the "Uh-Oa!" and if you order this, you have to appease the tiki gods! (Watch the video above) Everything is better with fire! The tiki gods have been angered and you can see the outside view has now changed. Someone quick! Appease the tiki gods!!! Different drinks will trigger different effects to happen inside the location. Check out some of the detail inside Trader Sam's. Here are the collectable mugs you can get at Trader Sam's. They are available either inside the location or out on the patio. More details... More cool tiki things. We are told there are items in here that have come from attractions at Magic Kingdom. Keep in mind there are only 50 seats inside this lounge so you might expect a wait, especially early on. (It was a 2-3 hour wait to get in tonight after the media event!) Beer lovers can get a Kona Brewing beer flight at Trader Sam's. The "Shrunken Zombie Head" is one of the specialty drinks with a collectable mug. Here is what the different beers are. These corn-dog-like sausages were great! So were the lettuce wraps! If you were a fan of the location at Disneyland in California, you'll probably want to check this place out! It opens at 4pm every day and it's 21 and over ONLY after 8pm. No Hawaii themed resort would be complete without.... DOLE WHIP!!!! Which you can get at the Pineapple Lanai just around the corner from the main pool area. Let's go check out the newly renovated DVC studios... All of the exterior has been re-painted and refurbished. Love the hallways! We are there! (And there is the lobby mascot again!) The newly updated rooms look great! Again, here you see the Lilo & Stitch backdrop. The artwork around the room is very cool! And I just LOVE this view with the new bungalows! You also have an amazing view of Magic Kingdom and the fireworks from these buildings. Yes! Tiki lamp is here, too! It's no April Fools to be one of the first residents in these new rooms! Here is the welcome letter than guests will receive tomorrow when they check in! Mini-bar area. Bathroom... ...with the rainfall shower head! (love these!) Heading back out for the official grand opening ceremony. The sunset here at the Polynesian Village Resort is amazing tonight! First this topless dude comes and blows his horn.... the drums play... and then crazy fire guy comes out! He puts on an amazing show for us! He LOVES that fire! lol The torches are lit... And the newly renovated Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is officially OPEN! Check out how amazing the bungalows look all lit up! BUCKET LIST!!! They look fantastic over the water right on the beach! On the patio of Trader Sam's we are greeted by more tikis. And we end our night by watching a double-whammy of Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant at the same time! Huge thanks to Walt Disney World and congrats on the opening of another fantastic looking resort addition! Have a look at the Trader Sam's Drink Menu!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/lionsgate-partners-dubai-parks-resorts-110000008.html LIONSGATE PARTNERS WITH DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS FOR THE HUNGER GAMES-INSPIRED THEME PARK ATTRACTIONS AT MOTIONGATE™ DUBAI Hollywood-themed Park will also incorporate a Step Up-inspired live stage show and additional Lionsgate branded entertainment concepts SANTA MONICA, Calif. and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its roll-out of location-based entertainment venues around the world, Lionsgate (LGF) is partnering with Dubai Parks and Resorts to bring a Lionsgate zone to motiongate™ Dubai, the Hollywood-themed park opening in Dubai in October 2016. The Lionsgate zone will feature state-of-the-art theme park attractions and a retail facility inspired by Lionsgate's global blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise. It will also incorporate a live stage show based on Step Up: All In and Step Up: Revolution, the two most recent films in the Company's worldwide Step Up franchise. "Our franchises are continuing to drive location-based entertainment opportunities around the world," said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. "We're proud to partner with the team at Dubai Parks and Resorts to create a thrilling total entertainment experience designed to attract millions of new fans and continue the global expansion of our brands." The four million square foot motiongate™ Dubai is anticipated to attract over three million visits a year and will take visitors on an immersive cinematic journey through their favorite films via 27 different latest-in-technology rides and attractions. Dubai Parks and Resorts Chief Executive Officer Raed Al Nuaimi said, "We are thrilled to be working with a Hollywood studio whose creative resources, spirit of innovation and vision of the entertainment experience are so closely aligned with our own. Lionsgate's Hunger Games, Step Up and other signature properties are the perfect centerpiece for one of the most visionary new theme parks in the world. Through this partnership we are offering even more for the whole family to enjoy on their visit and are confident that motiongate™ Dubai will set a global benchmark as the ultimate movie themed destination." "motiongate™ Dubai is poised to become one of the most exciting new entertainment destinations in the world, and we're thrilled that many of our biggest franchises will be an integral part of it," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Management and Strategic Partnerships Kerry Phelan and Senior Vice President of Branded Attractions Jenefer Brown. "The Lionsgate section of motiongate™ Dubai is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to extend the longevity, broaden the global fan base and enrich the vitality of our most exciting entertainment properties." Alongside motiongate™ Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts will include LEGOLAND® Dubai, the first LEGOLAND® theme park in the Middle East; and Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, a first-of-its-kind entertainment destination that will showcase the authentic Bollywood movie experience. These will be connected by Riverland, a retail, dining and entertainment walkway. The development will also feature Lapita, a Polynesian-themed resort catering to families. ABOUT DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS PJSC Dubai Parks and Resorts PJSC (DFM:DUBAIPARKS), will become the Middle East's largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination comprising three separate theme parks: motiongate™ Dubai, a Hollywood movie inspired theme park concept; LEGOLAND® Dubai, the first LEGOLAND® Dubai theme park in the Middle East; and Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, a first-of-its-kind entertainment destination that will showcase the authentic Bollywood movie experience. The development will also host Hotel Lapita, a four star themed hotel which will be managed by the Marriott Group, and Riverland a 220,000 square feet complementary and centrally located retail, dining and entertainment district connecting the three theme parks and hotel. Set to open in October 2016, the large-scale AED 10.5 billion project is spread across 25 million square feet of land strategically located on Sheikh Zayed Road close to the Palm Jebel Ali between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 6.7 million visits are expected in 2017, the first full year of operation.

^ Yeah, that's kind of the idea. The majority of our forum members are lurkers and the #1 request we've heard over the years is having some sort of top-line weekly update that just gives people the most important stories to read. So that's kind of the idea behind the emails. It's not really for the active forum members, more for the passive ones.

^ LOL! I loved that we found all her buttons!

I wouldn't be too sure about it, especially since: 1. They have been fined around 100,000 USD because they started building without a permit. 2. If everything would be totally fine their CEO wouldn't go out in the media and do remarks like "we'll close down the park if we don't get a permit" Source Simply put, they're not in the best of situations right now. Oh, ok. I get it. You know more than the park owners are telling me. Right. Please....continue making your comments and quoting source material. Myself? I'll just chat with the park owners themselves.

I updated the requirements: - Must have been an active member on the TPR Forums for at least one year

You can almost even add Disney to that list. Think about Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. There are 13 trains at any one time zipping around the tight turns over and under each other on that track with riders that are allowed to carry pretty much anything they want to on that ride.