SoCalCoasters

This whole Verbolten crash situation has been blown out of proportion beyond belief. While an official statement from the park regarding all the rumors would be nice, if they were COMPLETELY false I think they would have said something by now. It seems like with all the information we've heard and/or seen so far, something happened. What, and how severe? I have no clue. That said the ride is still looking very cool, and I hope all goes well in the next few weeks before the ride opens to the public in a little less than a month. If we see the yellow train with, or without the purported damage, that doesn't mean some catastrophic happened. If it did sustain cosmetic damage (which seems rather odd) it shouldn't be too hard for Zierer to rush order a new Fiberglass part or patch to get the train ready for opening day. All this being said I really think BGW fans blew it a bit out of proportion. Whenever a rumor is posted, you should only post the basics of it, because most of the time, detailed rumors turn out to be mostly false. A more professional way to report it, rather than just parroting exact "testimonies" would be to give the basics. Example: An incident may have occured during Verbolten's testing this past week inside the ride's event building. According to current sources, one of the ride's trains and a worker possibly sustained injuries as a result. The use of the words incident, possibly and may make the statement seem much more vague and wouldn't allow people to majorly freak out as a result. Reporting such a bold claim with such "juicy" details makes it seem much more like an overblown press story used to attract attention to the site where the story is "breaking". Professionalism really should have been used here. I'm sure the site was in a hurry to get the info up, but that's excuse not to look before you leap. BGW fans aren't exactly making friends with the park by sending them to the headlines over and event we know very little about. Just my 2¢

I don't think so. Lego tends to make their surrounds using conventional materials, then once the basics are there, they add on the Lego flare. A good example of this is the Lost Kingdom area at Legoland California. The area could have the Lego models removed (Egytpian Statue, Airplane Pilot, Monkeys, Caravan, Scarab Beetles), and it could easily pass as another park's Egyptian Area. However, it's the Lego Flare they add that make the parks so unique and original. They've combined a normal theme park with Legos while managing to avoid breaking the bank. I've heard this is the largest expansion the Billund park has ever undergone. While I've heard a variety of numbers being thrown around regarding how the area has cost, I can assure you that the money has been well spent. I suspect Blackstone will probably kick money for Zierer coasters to several other parks if they do well at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Legoland Billund. Legoland is known for adapting successful attractions to each of their parks. I could easily see these coasters adapted to a variety of themes. Perhaps Merlin will integrate one of these drop coasters into the new London Dungeon location over by the London Eye similar to Reaper: Drop Ride to Doom coaster. It could fit theme and ride system wise.

Fountain doesn't look good in it's current spot. Not really a great spot to observe it. Should be centralized in some kind of a plaza or placed in a location when it's grandeur can be obsevered from every angle. It's wasted where it currently is. The current food court uses the atrocious in game stalls. The Wild! Expansion comes with custom stalls that can be place in you own scenery made stalls and contribute to the surroundings rather than bring you out of them. The foliage needs drastic improvement. Using the "spam trees = realistic forest" excuse is obnoxious. If you're placing a forest and using many of the same tree type, you need to vary the different heights. And even with the three seperate heights offered, you should shift the trees 1-2 notches under ground for even more variation. Currently it just looks like you spammed the trees with no thought and it looks poor. Used terrain shading more. The ground isn't just one color. Keep a clearance of 1-2 tiles around your coast tracks to make them look better. The breaks in the forest will look much better if it's 3 tiles wide as compared to 1 tile wide. The station either needs to be larger with more details (contrary to SF) or smaller with a more cohesive atmosphere. Put more time into crafting your park before you update it.

Guilty

Carrabbas is an Italian eatery that serves pizza. I keep running into this with all the hints...

Does the hidden "thing" involve Klassieness?

Yes

Will the location of the secret item be in a trip report with the exact quote from above?

Does it have to do with TPR's NorthEast Tour?

Yes! I'm wondering...Cars?... Does it involve cars BESIDES the movie?

Opening day... next year??~Matt One thing is for sure. It'll be open before Flying Turns.

The exact same spot it used to be. Talked with a couple guys from the Sea World Team at the Scout Fair down in San Diego. They said Manta was scheduled to start testing last week, but the storms delayed the process. It sounds like they plan on starting testing tomorrow at the earliest! If you're heading to Sea World this week, keep your eye out!

You can't judge land based on park maps. They aren't drawn to scale. The area behind Dune Raiders is a Pathway that leads into Miniland and some backstage equipment for Aquazone. They could put one over by Pirate Shores & Pirate Reef, but for now I think they'll be focusing on the ?water park? for the Hotel's opening. Speaking of Aquazone, I realized I never uploaded my footage I had of the ride until yesterday:

^Eh, not really that much to go on. Doesn't really look very impressive.

I've mentioned before in this thread that they could be getting a SkyFlyer. However...it's not looking too hopeful. Legoland Deutschland already opened their SkyFlyer last month and I had the pleasure of viewing several in depth videos of the attraction. There are two main issues that make an installation less likely: Height: At it's peak, Ninjago is around 70 feet tall...it would the tallest of any attraction at Legoland CA is it were built here. There's a very low height variance the park has to work with due to the Palomar Airport less than a mile away. Space: The other issue with the ride system is that in addition to the space needed for the base of the ride, there also needs to be clearance all around the ride because of the spinning arm's length. Both of these issues would affect where they could place this ride in the park, however the location I think would work best would be in the hardly traveled area across the Lion's Gate Bridge where the entrance to Sky Cruiser used to be. The issue with this location would be whether or not it would conflict with the Sky Cruiser or Kid Power Tower. That area has been dead for years and really needs something, I think the height will be fine as it would be only 20' higher than the Technic Coaster. For space, the ride's footprint is only 44' x 31' and the "flight path diameter" is 98'. I think that the ride can be squeezed in somewhere as it is only a flat ride, it doesn't take much space. I think if they moved Flight Squadron to the Lion's Gate Bridge area that you mentioned and to place the Sky Fly there. I don't think Flying Ninjago would be a suitable theme in that location as the only area of the park I can see it suited in is near Techic Coaster. There's no space left readily accessible over by Technic. Most of that is backstage stuff that's there to stay. The issue is more finding a place without disturbing the flow of the park. Yes, the SkyFlyer could be placed in a several locations. The location I suggested is the most logical if they were to apply a Ninjago Theme. Seeing as it is the most popular Lego Brand at the moment, an attraction based on it makes sense. It wouldn't fit in the atmosphere of Fun Town. Fun Town has a small, quaint feel to it that would be disturbed by a Sky flyer. In terms of minimal park impact during construction and space constraints to the rather large nature of the ride, the location above the waterfall and Lion's Gate Bridge makes sense. In all honesty I can see theme doing a similar expansion as Legoland Germany and expand Miniland over the Lion's Gate Bridge and create a mini Ninjago area with the Sky Flyer and a Miniland area. A while back, right around the time Nemisis Sub Terra was opening I had the idea of theming an indoor drop tower to Ninjago and calling it "Dojo Drop". Riders would enter a "Dojo" and learn to "master the four elements" (the ride itself). Not sure if Legoland has that kind of cash to spend on their next big park expansion (which SHOULD happen once the hotel opens?). Still having a Ninjago area is not that far fetched.

One of my more recent show filmings.

The GP eat up marketing like this. Gotta love Merlin's Marketing Crew

The only picture that was from the Master Builder competition was the one picture at the end. That was the model I made of the Death Star Detonation scene from episode 4. All of those models were fan made creations on display for the Lego Star Wars weekend. I've mentioned before in this thread that they could be getting a SkyFlyer. However...it's not looking too hopeful. Legoland Deutschland already opened their SkyFlyer last month and I had the pleasure of viewing several in depth videos of the attraction. There are two main issues that make an installation less likely: Height: At it's peak, Ninjago is around 70 feet tall...it would the tallest of any attraction at Legoland CA is it were built here. There's a very low height variance the park has to work with due to the Palomar Airport less than a mile away. Space: The other issue with the ride system is that in addition to the space needed for the base of the ride, there also needs to be clearance all around the ride because of the spinning arm's length. Both of these issues would affect where they could place this ride in the park, however the location I think would work best would be in the hardly traveled area across the Lion's Gate Bridge where the entrance to Sky Cruiser used to be. The issue with this location would be whether or not it would conflict with the Sky Cruiser or Kid Power Tower. That area has been dead for years and really needs something, That was one of my personal favorite touches. It was quite similar to the one they had on the opening day of the Star Wars Miniland Last Year: (it can be seen at 0:16) Mmm...by the looks of it I'm not quite sure they'll fully make it by opening day. There's still a heck of a lot of work they have to do.... I'd rather they delayed it a week or two and have it full quality than have them rush it open with numerous issues. I really don't want another "Pirate Shores Opening". Although...if they want to catch the Memorial Day Crowds... They'll be going up against Manta as they are both set to open the same weekend. It'd be better off at this point if they're running behind to just let Sea World have Memorial Day, then open Pirate Reef once all the schools get out.

That is a very professional and sleek looking model. I really love it! Will Coaster Dynamix actually sell these models? Or is this just sort a prototype test for fun? Either way you have an awesome looking model here!

Lego Star Wars Weekend Hey guys! Late last month Legoland held their annual Lego Star Wars weekend and celebrated the opening of the brand new and improved Lego Star Wars miniland! I have tons of video and footage: Here's a construction update from around the Resort: And here's a full walkthrough of the brand new Star Wars Miniland! I think we're in the right place! For Larry for the Pirate Reef Attraction. They had this huge sign set up to the right of the main plaza. It was hard to miss! And also for Larry, here's a picture of the Pirate Reef ride model that is currently sitting in the Master Builder's viewing room. these are not the additions you are looking for They had a few Star Wars figures on display... Here we are! This is the roof of the Master Builder Building and today it house some amazing models created out of Legos by Star Wars fans! Let's star out with this awesome retro looking lego mural! Glad I'm not down there in that huge crowd! This needs to be real. Mos Eisley represent! Gungan Ship I want this. And so does probably every other Disney nerd. Speeder Episode 1? More episode 1 Opee Sea Killer Even MORE episode 1. Seemed to be a Lego creation favorite. R2D2 Podracers So Clever More podracers Episode 1 again Jedi Council Chamber Naboo Starfighters This was the enormous Endor scene that had been built over the course a year by one guy! Some other lego Art on display full size walker Ewok village in the trees Enlord of the Rings The model had a lot of great and funny details! Emperor's Shuttle More Podracing Sebulba's Pod Racer Anakin's podracer Another custom podracer Tie Bomber A custom drop ship custom display Here's the model I built for the master builder competition. hope you enjoyed!

Alrighty then. Shot0833 (Copy).bmp Every Citadel...Needs power.

^^ Hmm...I wonder where the bush fence path lining came from. Looks good for NCS CJ, but if you're still trying to surpass Bell Gardens... You're going to have to go even more in depth.

Relax, I never said I was done with updates, I just said that I'm coming relatively close to completing the park. Shot0807 (Copy).bmp Shot0809 (Copy).bmp Shot0810 (Copy).bmp

There is no worse way to start Easter than to find out a friend of yours broke his neck and is currently paralyzed. keep him in your prayers.

I'd say the playground. It's much more astetically pleasing.