azza29

I'm surprised they haven't pushed the mobile browser version of the Q-Bot more. I used it at Dreamworld recently, worked really well and I didn't have to spend time buying one (or watching the training video... grr Six Flags) in the park. Seems like it would be a cheaper option for the parks as well, since they wouldn't have to buy the devices.

^Thanks. It's certainly very different from the Disney World hotels, where you can book 12+ months out!

^Enjoy - I thought the cast recording was great, but in person is even better! Such a brilliant show!

Trying to price an on-property hotel room for my pre-Scandi stopover in June next year, has anyone used their online booking system? The latest possible date it will accept is December 31, 2013, which seems odd. Am I better off just calling up?

I was checking everyone's boardwalk first before I tapped anything else last night, scored some decent XP from it too!

^They haven't produced one yet but I'll keep an eye out. They have put some content on Youtube though: this clip contains 'Full Moon Lullaby', which I found quite memorable (this is from the media event, so the staging etc is quite different from the actual show): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96CiYOy5M2g This video has a sample of various tracks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-agwxdEY6o And if you skip to about 1:20 in the following, there's some good shots of the gorilla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVGsR_1TzRQ

^I haven't heard anything further, it's got a few more months to run before they move out to make room for Wicked. I read that the plan was to use the Melbourne season as an out-of-town tryout and then go straight to Broadway. When I saw it shortly after opening the staging/puppetry was equal to or better than anything I've seen in New York, but some songs and dialogue needed work (especially the Ann/Jack romance - Disney princesses don't even fall in love that fast!). Should go check it out again to see what's improved/changed, although to be honest the King Kong animatronic is worth the price of admission alone!

Thunderbolt - Kennywood (One of the best older woodies anywhere!)

^Still waiting for it to come down here too. Australia doesn't really have a 'touring circuit', so most shows end up playing 3+ months at a time in the major cities. At the moment we seem to be getting a lot of re-runs of old favourites - Lion King, Wicked, Rocky Horror, Grease, Les Mis - rather than anything new. Can't complain too much though - King Kong was both original and quite spectacular, especially the big gorilla puppet/animatronic!

Lightning Racer - Hersheypark

Boomerang - Knotts, SFDK, etc.

That's the impression I got from the video, but I'm curious how the ghost-shooting element will work if it's not a seated dark ride. At any rate I'm excited to ride it, and great to see LEGO expanding on their Monster Fighters theme.

I liked the video, especially the inclusion of Vine clips with the photos. Given the choice I'd probably still read the traditional trip report style, but I think it's great that you're trying something new. My only feedback would be that when viewing on my iPhone, some of the longer captions were a little too small to read quickly.

^How awesome would it be if every ride cycle included fireworks and flames?! Also, well done to whoever was operating the follow spot - that can't have been easy!

SCANDI! Especially looking forward to Juvelen, Balder, Helix, Piraten, as well as the TPR Grand Prix. And if things pan out I might even work in my first trip to Orlando around this time next year!

I hear the coaster opened last night. Did any Perth folk get out there for a ride?

Not that Disney was ever a chore, but they are making everything super convenient with MyMagic+. I like the idea of being able to schedule my Fastpasses for the busier parts of the day, and around any dining or show plans. (As much fun as back-and-forthing across the park to pick up Fastpass tickets can be, I don't think that will be something I'll miss!)

Just saw Cool Runnings for the first time since I was a kid. Still great, and better than a lot of the junk dressed up as family films these days (maybe that's nostalgia talking though!). If Disney ever decide to retheme the Matterhorn they have some solid source material here.

I completely agree with this sentiment. Even with the Fastpass, I like World of Color but who wants to show up 45 minutes ahead of time just to get a decent viewing position?! Fantasmic is even worse, with people starting to stake out their spots at 6pm for a 9pm show! I've found that attending the second show of the night is the way to go, as there are way fewer people around and it's much easier to get a good view at the last minute.

Would be hilarious if they replace it with a Star Flyer.

Nice change. Flight Deck is pretty good for a suspended swinger, and 'The Bat' is a much much much better name!

^Thanks for posting the webcam link - I get a buzz out of watching a coaster being assembled that I'll get to ride in a few months. Earlier this year it was Gatekeeper, and now Helix!

Depends on the type of coaster - in general I'd prefer hills for the airtime, but on an invert or standup I'm more interested in inversions. Certain Arrows do wonderful things with inversions too...

I'm timing my next visit to coincide with the holiday season, even as an "occasional" visitor the seasonal offerings add a lot to the experience. But they probably don't give the same boost to attendance at WDW as DLR, where the APs will turn up in their thousands to experience a new sandwich!

Anyone else stuck with a stockpile of Gremlins they can't give away? Seems like 90% of towns I visit are full!