chargersmichael

I can already see the amount of people in those shops based on those renderings. Especially Wizards Wheezes. That shop is going to be packed solid!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts!!! So excited for this opening! I can not wait for Diagon Alley!

I know not everyone likes Wicked the musical, but it does have a large number of fans following it. There have been many rumors to turn the musical into a movie for a few years and it is now in development as we speak. If they do the movie right, it can be a huge hit! What I would like to see Universal do is turn the rest of the Lost Continent into the Land of Oz. Poseidon would turn into a new family dark ride. Sinbad area will be transformed to hold a shorter version of Wicked the musical. Also, I think that a Broadway theatre should be added to CityWalk as Universal does have a lot of great Broadway shows including Billy Elliot, etc. Also, I think the Woody Woodpecker area needs a complete transformation into a new land.

The last piece of adjacent, cleared, land they own is directly next to Cabana Bay on the East side, on the south end of the resort complex. There is really no chance of them extending the water way out to here as there is a pretty major road between most of the complex and the Cabana Bay plot. They are combatting this by building a large pedestrian bridge over the road. This was highly contested when it was revealed they were getting mucho government funding for it. I would imagine they would make the guests from a fifth resort use this same walkway. I would love to see them add some sort of monorail system that would run to Cabana Bay and the fifth resort and into City Walk, but that seems like a pipe dream. Maybe they could have a tram instead. And as far as adding more hotels beyond that? They're gonna need to acquire some more land. Ya I was thinking they would need to buy more land because if they have around 4,000 when Cabana Bay opens and if they want 11,000 like the article says, they will really need to expand. It seems like it will be a pretty far walk from Cabana Bay, I know the waterway goes to the Portofino Bay. I didn't know if they would just add a bit and go under the small road that leads to I4 and connect it that way.

When the article mentions more hotel rooms, where will the be building these extra hotel rooms? I know Universal has some room but in some areas it seems like it will be a far walk from the hotel to CityWalk. Maybe they will invest in some buses soon? Or do they have buses already? Cabana Bay already seems it will be a little trek just to get to the parks and back. Will they connect the lake that connects to all of the hotel properties already to Cabana Bay?

I really feel bad for SeaWorld right now...if only Blackfish didn't exist. I'm sure the attendance has been dropping this year even though they spent millions on Antarctica. Ugh. Poor SeaWorld.

It's amazing how much Universal has transformed in the past couple of years. Looking forward to an "epic" 2014 year a Universal.

Name the coaster Space Spiral Then add the observation deck thing on the top

One thing I wish would happen is a pathway from Pantopia straight to Sheikra (perhaps in-between the Desert Grill and Scorpion and relocate Scorpion's entrance to the other side therefore there would be more room in the station). It would be really convenient for people so you don't have to walk all the way around just to get there.

^ I was also thinking of a ride like that. Maybe like a giant Volcano! If only they had a lot of money to do that.

Ok I might be just crazy but I don't want a Hyper Coaster as the replacement for Gwazi. It would be nice to have, but I think something else would be better. In my opinion, I feel like the park should make a complete overhaul to the entrance (something similar to what they're doing over at SeaWorld San Diego). Also, a family attraction of some sort (not Antarctica, but something a lot better) would be in the best interest for the park. I was at the park recently this summer and it was sad to see how this place has become. All of the cut backs, the upkeep of the park, and just the overall atmosphere seemed very boring and depressed. It seems that a family attraction would bring more families to this park which is what was in absence of what I saw. It was mostly a group of teenagers walking around the park that you would find at a Six Flags park. Also, it looked very empty. A good family dark ride would be terrific. Just a ride that could follow something that shows all of these scenes and places from Africa (a mix between Harry Potter and Soarin' type of ride) and ya!

I wonder what the tallest looping water slide is. Will the new slide be the tallest looping or just the tallest "drop" slide? Also is the record in just FL or...?

Halloween Horror Nights 23 Review! 10/10/13 I went to Orlando Thursday night for the annual Halloween Horror Nights. Got a hotel right next door to Universal this year and spent the night. This year, I watched the movies Cabin in the Woods, An American Werewolf in London, and Evil Dead days before going. I was prepared. We bought Express Passes, and our passholder discounted tickets. (HOUSE REVIEWS FURTHER DOWN) We arrived around 6:00 pm and headed straight for the park. We got there around 6:05 and people were already entering. I thought the start time was 6:30. We went straight for the first house there, Cabin in the Woods. I didn't like how every house you had to exit back into the park all the way around twister and to the back end of the turnaround of Rockit (btw was opened!). Then we hit up American Werewolf, then Evil Dead, Resident Evil, Transformers, Walking Dead, La Llorona, After Life, Men-in-Black, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Havoc, then Werewolf again, then Cabin again, then a finish of a front row ride on Rockit. It was a very fun night and probably was my favorite Halloween Horror Nights. Very good year, a lot better than last years. HOUSE REVIEWS (In my ranking of best to worst) 1) CABIN IN THE WOODS 10/10 Just before entering the house, you see things that happened from the movie such as the killing of that blonde haired girl. Then you enter the cabin and immediately people begin to jump at you. Every detail in the house felt as if I were in the movie. There were plenty of scares too, and really good ones. The elevator scenes were really good. The atmosphere and detail were phenomenal. The scares were great. It was overall, the first and the best house of the night for me. 2) AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON 10/10 This was my second house of the night. I heard how great it was and had high expectations of it. However, I was unlucky and didn't get any of the scares from the house. Later on in the night, I had to go back to it and I seemed to get every single scare in that house! It was by-far the scariest house at Halloween Horror Nights. Those werewolves were really scary. Overall though, Cabin beat it by the amount of detail in the house for me. Werewolf was more scarier though. 3) EVIL DEAD 9/10 This movie scared me the most out of the three I watched so I anticipated some good scares in this one. The scares were ok. I felt the actors didn't follow what the movie did and I thought they could have done a lot more with it. The parts in the woods were great with all of the scares. The house was really good overall but lacked in some scares to me. 4) HAVOC: DERAILED 9/10 Don't be mad at me. I had low expectations for this house seeing that everyone was saying that it was the worst one of the night. I actually really enjoyed this house and had a few really good scares. I liked the train part and thought it was a lot better than what the Walking Dead had in the same location last year. I loved the atmosphere, had a few really good scares, and was really good for being in the Disaster queue. I really liked this house but the Top 3 are just so good it is hard to compare. 5) THE WALKING DEAD: NO SAFE HAVEN 8/10 This house was better than last year's Walking Dead, but I didn't feel like there were too many scares. There were some really cool scenes from the actual show which is a plus, but just like last year they could have done a lot more to it. The prison ending, nothing happened. It is almost like they used the Walking Dead to make a house using all familiar scenes, not for actual scaring. It was still good don't get me wrong, but I thought it would have been better. 6) LA LLORONA 8/10 This was probably the best tent house I have ever encountered at HHN. The detail in the house was very good and the entrance façade was really good you couldn't tell that you were going into a giant bubble. Anyway, the house felt a little short to me probably because of the size. Also, some of the scares were lacking. Overall, it was really good for a tent house. 7) AFTER LIFE: DEATH'S VENGEANCE 3D 7/10 All I can really say about this is confusing. I wasn't sure what was going on the whole time, but this house was still good. More fun than scares too. A lot better than Penn & Teller's from last year. Just a little confusing. 8) RESIDENT EVIL: ESCAPE FROM RACOON CITY 6/10 Ok I don't play the video game at all but this house was just completely strange. People shooting these really strange monsters. The monsters didn't really scare at all. I came out of the house saying, "Really?" I expected a lot more with a soundstage house. Maybe if I played the video game I would have liked it more but it felt like last year's poor mazes. Shows: The Rocky Horror Picture Show I only have 2 words to describe it- "completely bizarre." Scare Zones: The Walking Dead scare zones were really good around the park. The walkers were really into their character and had a few really good scares. The group of chainsaws really went after me. Every single guy that had a chainsaw went after my group and it was one of the scariest moments of the night. I don't like chainsaws.

How great would it be to have a 300 foot coaster similar to Skyrush! Oh Intamin! I won't mind a B&M, but man a 300 ft Intamin would be the best!

I have a quick trip report from Busch Gardens today! Journalism Day 2013! Today, Friday the 13th, 6 kids from my school attended Journalism Day at Busch Gardens for Howl-O-Scream. We arrived at the park at 8:30 am with the event starting at 9:00 am. Scott Swenson, the Director of Production for events at Busch Gardens, was there with plenty of enthusiasm of this year's Howl-O-Scream. We got a lot of information. We first learned who all the "13" were through the video released by the park. Then we learned about the haunted houses for this year. They seemed really excited for Death Water Bayou as they mentioned that it probably is "the most visually impressive houses we have made." We learned a lot about the Experiment as well. Cockroaches will definitely be in the house! Also, they mentioned that it is the most interactive haunted attraction they have ever seem. You become part of the story. There is no safe word. You must "complete the experiment" and if you don't, you will be "terminated." After all of this Introduction, we were split into 4 groups of about 18 kids (three schools per group). We made VooDoo dolls first! We made a small one for ourselves and then, as a school, we made a larger doll that will be featured inside Death Water Bayou itself! Next on our tour, we went through Death Water Bayou. We walked through Death Water Bayou in theatrical mode but with no scare actors. Inside, it had the same music and atmosphere as you would experience on the night of Howl O Scream but with no scare actors. I have to say that it was in fact visually impressive. A lot of really neat effects were inside the house. The theming was outstanding and the detail was very creative. It really seemed like a swamp at some points in the house. Scott Swenson was our tour for the house. We weren't allowed for pictures or video inside because we don't want to give anything away. It was a really creative house that really stood out to me. It will house a total of 28 scare actors. Be careful, there will be a live snake, and the VooDoo Queen in the first room! Also, watch out for the tongue! After that, we did the Scare Actor behind the scenes with a small façade and a walk through of what the audition process is for Howl-O-Scream. Very fun. Then we had a tour of the Shop of Horrors as well! Things they mentioned about this year that you might not know: -Every night it ends, it ends at the 13th hour. -Fiends! It will be a completely new show. It will be themed around Freakenstein's University of his teachings. There will all new music, new sets, new elements and scripts, but they are keeping the nurses lol. -The Basement they mentioned is the same layout as one of there old retired houses but with new Basement theming. I was confused at this because isn't the Basement where Alone is this year? Is it the same layout as Alone or just a rebuilt part like from Nightshade or something. -The Taco Bus from Tampa will be a part of Club 13! -The 13 scare zone will have all the "doors." -The Boar's head that is in the shop was from Alone last year. -The Experiment, you will have to perform many different things and everything in the house for props has a purpose and need. After this event, I am really looking forward to this year's event! After the event, they let us have the rest of the day at the park...that's where things went down hill. Sheikra was running two trains only and the line was pretty long. There were only 5 people watching the show at the front of the park, can't remember the name but it was in the Marrakesh Theater. The park wasn't too clean. The staff was really unfriendly today. Cheetah Hunt had a 5 minute wait and was running 4 trains! That seemed like it was the only positive at the park. Gwazi was closed, everything at the park seemed to be closed. Montu was really ROUGH! I rode in the back and it was just brutal! Just hearing the ride come by you can hear the roughness. The park really has gone down hill and it was really sad today walking through the park. I can't believe what has become of Busch Gardens. Hopefully, life can be brought into the park again soon. It was just sad to see. Not much fun in the park.

Rockit just reopened and am in line right now!

It looks to be a great addition to the park and with this Florida heat, I can see this being very popular attraction.

Looks like HHN 23 has released a video for the event this year...does this tie into the Cabin in the Woods? I never saw that movie...

Shockwave at Kings Dominion! Rode once and will never ride again. When it does eventually close, I will be having the biggest party and celebration for its dismantling!

Ugh wish I was at the park today for the opening! Transformers looks like it will be a huge hit for Universal Orlando, even if people say that it is somewhat similar to Spiderman. I can't wait to ride this next week!!!

Is it just me or does this ride just remind you of Sheikra on how a bird dives? All it is is just taller than Sheikra, different bird, and not a coaster. It still "dives" down. I don't know...just my thinking...

Hersheypark Trip Report 6/9 + 6/10 This was my first time to Hershepark and the park really exceeded my expectations! My family and I didthe preview the night before and we bought our tickets at Giant Food Store who also gave us a free parking pass. We saved $15 a ticket and parking! We arrived at the park at 10:30 and one thing I didn't know about the park is how pretty it is. This park is landscaped beautifully and I enjoyed the atmosphere of it. Ok to the rides. We first headed to Skyrush to see what the line was and it was pretty long so we did the swings nearby haha. Then we rode Comet (about a 10 minute wait). This crew was fast at dispatching for Comet and they were moving fast at getting people in and out. Comet (rode the front) was pretty smooth and overall was a fun ride! After Comet we went to Skyrush and the line died down a lot, except for the front row. We went ahead and did the back row and only waited about 5 minutes! I rode the right wing seat and all I can say is WOW! It was my dirst time on this ride and I can't believe this ride went faster because it was just hauling! Airtime I never experienced on a coaster before. Yes the restraints tightened a bit and the bottom of the drop was a little rough but the rest of the ride was pretty smooth. This ride is very intense and very good. While we were waiting for the other train to dispatch, they released the restraints a bit which was nice after the tightness. People should not complain about this ride as it is just the most intense and airtime filled ride I have been on and is definitely my new number 1. After Skyrush, we walked on Great Bear (back row), Frontier Flyers, Storm Runner (front), The Claw, and Fahrenheit (front row). I feel that Storm Runner doesn't get enough credit imo. It hauls and is very thrilling. After that it was 10 and we went back to our hotel. The next day we wake up and it is pouring rain outside . We brought our ponchos just in case though. There was nobody at 10 am for the opening. We headed to Skyrush first and it was closed and they said it would only open if the rain stopped. I wish it sid stop as I wanted a front row ride but thats ok. We then went to Lightning Racer and nobody was on. We got to ride both Thunder and Lightning by ourselves! Great ride and fast in the rain . Then we did the music express and the whip in that area. Then we did Wildcat (front row). This ride isnt as rough as people make it out to be and this ride flew so fast prob due to the rain! I enjoyed this ride. Wild Mouse was just scary. They basically didnt use any brakes for the first part of the ride before the drop and it felt like the train was going to fall off for how fast it was going! This ride scared me a lot haha and I have been on about 5 of these. This was out of control. Storm Runner and Skyrush were closed the whole day . We did a few more rides on our way towards the entrance. Reeses Xtreme Cup was terrible. I couldn't see where I was shooting at all! Overall there was nobody at the park because of the rain though! After that we left around 12 because we did everything we wanted to. We then went to the Chocolate World and bought $45 dollars worth of candy and souvenirs haha! I had a great time at Hersheypark and hope to visit again in the future! Such a great park! Pics coming soon!

Thanks for the info! What roller coasters are somewhat a little rough besides Wildcat? What row(s) should I ride since I don't like any roughness on the roller coasters?

I am making a week trip with my family to visit in New York (have family up there). We are flying in Sunday and driving to a hotel near Hersheypark (then leaving on Tuesday to New York). My family and I have never been. We were planning on entering in early (2 1/2 hours before closing) on Sunday night for free and then spending all of the next day there. I had a couple questions regarding my trip: 1) What order should I do the rides in when I go? What plan should I make? 2) What rides to do? What rides not to do? 3) Restaurants? 4) Any other tips to prepare for the park?

This is just amazing and it is opening next year too! Step up your game disney...you are going to lose next year to univeral