Swimace

I wonder if we might be looking at something on a similar scale to El Toro (the GCI one). That's like an 80 foot, more or less out and back/ L shaped design for a small park. It sort of seems like a similar to what we can maybe expect from this Fun Spot project.

Wow, that's terrible, my thoughts go out to that boy and his family. With that said, how could something like this happen on Tower of Terror? It's hard to believe that everything was perfectly normal and then he got off with a spinal injury. Maybe he was struck with a loose article while riding or something? Or perhaps there was a pre-existing condition that he didn't know about? P.S. I hate news outlets coverage of amusement ride incidents. They're just bad reporting.

^This. I don't understand how having staff there to scan tickets would be more expensive than operating Jaws. Jaws is really expensive to run and maintain. The explosion is expensive, the upkeep on the boats and scenery is expensive. Operating an outdoor water attraction in Florida requires a lot of maintenance work. When you say that Jaws has high operating costs, I don't think Universal is as concerned about paying the staff members for the ride as they are with the other costs.

There could be an "American Idol" style attraction, where park guests get pulled in to be actors. If they can pout as well as the Twilight girl, they get to go to Hollywood! On second thought, that would get WAY to expensive sending that many people to Hollywood. I'm sure Universal has thought about this and realized that the Potter expansion will be much cheaper.

I'm not trying to convince everybody of anything. I simply agree with what a lot of media outlets have already said. That Harry Potter is fading and is gradually being replaced by Twilight. Don't kill the messenger. Twilight will eventually fade and probably be replaced by Vampire Diaries -- who knows? BTTF is no longer relevant enough for Universal to keep it at their parks. I own the trilogy and love the films. But kids don't know them unless their parents force 'em to watch the DVD's. I think you are getting hung up on the semantics of the term fad. Just because something runs its course, doesn't mean it still isn't great to watch for nostalgia. Just like Generation Z won't know Harry Potter because there won't be any new books or films -- they will only know it when parents introduce them to "the classics" since it will fade from pop culture (without new offerings). I don't see people hanging posters of Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke) on their walls anymore, either. Time marches on. Right, but I think you're failing to take into account the staying power of a franchise like this in a theme park. Is Little Mermaid or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs coming out with any more movies? No? Someone tell Disney to stop construction on New Fantasyland! Does Splash Mountain draw huge crowds year after year? Who the hell has watched the Song of the South lately? Characters can stay recognizable loooong after they stop producing new books or movies, just look at pretty much everything Disney builds. Your Generation Z argument isn't very convincing. If the parks build quality attractions around a highly recognizable franchise, there's obviously potential for long term popularity. Star Wars still has a huge fan following, I don't see why Harry Potter won't. And while Twilight may be popular now, there characters aren't as easily recognizable and the story doesn't have the broad appeal that HP does.

I think this largely sums up a lot of my thoughts about IOA. I don't think Potter is totally to blame for the lackluster nature of IOA today, I think it more has to do with a decade of indifferent management and virtually zero investment. At least with Potter someone cares about the park again, and we can at least *hope* to see exciting things in the future. You're absolutely right, and I see what you're getting at with Forbidden Journey. And this is sort of my hope for the Jaws replacement. If the Gringots (or however you spell that) coaster rumor is true, I think that'll translate more to the general park guest. "Hey, it's a big coaster through a bunch of caves and treasure chambers... cool". Like Mummy is awesome no matter who you are, *hopefully* this will be the same way.

I've been going to the park since it's opening season, and here's my view on this. The park opened and it was great. I loved the original IOA, Dueling Dragons was my first major rollercoaster, Spiderman blew my mind, Mythos was omfg amazing, etc etc. But, between the parks first few years and the Potter period, the park just sort of fell into a slow decline. There were no major additions and the park slowly started looking worse and worse. Frankly, I think IOA a year before Potter came into the park was just bad. The rides looked like crap, the place was hardly ever packed, and the operations weren't any better than they were now. It was a half day park at best. Potter changed the park, and yeah it's not the awesome IoA we once had... but at least the company cares about the park again. And also, just to add... my first visit to IOA was what turned me into a theme park enthusiast. Yeah, it was simply one of the best theme park experiences you could ever have. But that theme park was long gone way before Potter came into the picture.

I honestly don't think it's ruining the parks as much as a lot of people say. Frankly, I think the Potter thing is such a big craze that it's polarizing enthusiast's opinions to "omg excited" to "Universal is dead to me". Am I the only one that doesn't think that IoA got drastically worse after Potter? Hulk, Poseidon, Dudley Do-Right, Jurassic Park, and Spiderman all got rehabs and now run better than before Potter came in. I mean, sure it's annoying that the GP now think of this as the "Harry Potter theme park".... and yeah I was bummed we lost the Lost Continent and Dueling Dragon's original queue line... but I don't think the loss of one queue line and a couple of huge statues "ruined the park" And for the record, I'm sad Jaws is going. But if we're going to get an indoor coaster with theming that's on par with Forbidden Journey? We may be getting another one of the best themed thrill rides ever created. Again, I don't really get how that's going to ruin the park. Honestly, I haven't read any of the HP books, I saw most of the movies and enjoyed them, but am far from fanatic about them. But if this is increases attendance and guest spending to the point that Universal wants to go ahead and add new $100 million+ attractions? Sure, go for it! Just my opinion at least...

Diamondback is great for Kings Island: it has a huge capacity, it's a huge signature ride, it's reliable and rerideable, and it's a huge hit with anyone who hasn't been on a ton of similar coasters. I feel like Leviathan is going to be the same thing... except that's not what Canada's Wonderland needs, because they already have that. I feel like the B&M mega coasters get worse the bigger they get. Personally, my two favorite B&M mega coasters are SFOG's Goliath and Hollywood Dream... after that, they just get... big, forceless, trimmed down, and bland. And it's probably gonna be the same thing with Leviathan. And honestly... the more construction I see of Verbolten, the more I think "hey, this could actually be a pretty cool ride". The more I see of Leviathan, I go... meh... I just want B&M to start making Kumba and Nemesis clones...Then I'll be excited for their projects!!

Hmm... let me think Obviously the Florida parks: Busch Gardens Epcot Hollywood Studios Magic Kingdom Animal Kingdom Universal IOA Old Town/Fun Spot I don't think I've been to SeaWorld this year for some reason. Non-Theme parks: Aquatica Blizzard Beach Discovery Cove Other US Parks: Six Flags Over Georgia (Deep South Bash) Wild Adventures Japan Parks: Tokyo Disneyland Universal Studios Japan Tobu Zoo Space World Kijima Wonder Rakutenchi Mitsui Greenland (Where I am immortalized forever!!) Kashiikaen Europe Parks: Disneyland Paris Walt Disney Studios Alton Towers

^As for the "hit or miss" thing, it's a huge help to pay attention to what parks have Extra Magic Hours on what days. The park that has evening EMH will usually be much busier than the other parks, especially later in the day. Given your example, I'd be willing to bet that the busy evening you went was an EMH day for the Magic Kingdom, and the next day you went was not. Word of advice for any WDW visitor who is not staying on property: if you want to have the shortest lines possible, plan your trip to avoid the parks that are having Extra Magic Hours, especially in the evenings. Also, Fantasmic days at Hollywood Studios can cause the lines to be double the length (or more) for all of the attractions in that park. If you want to get lots of rides on Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster, DON'T go on a Fantasmic day (plus Florida's Fantasmic is pretty lame IMO).

For anybody interested, Disneyland Paris is currently conducting an online survey for guests. Disney fans: check it out! http://survey12.toluna.com/wix/p86868155.aspx

I got to experience the new Toy Story Land on my recent version to the Disney Studios in Paris, and honestly I wasn't really a fan. It was essentially three low capacity rides with some Toy Story theming. Sure, it looked nice... but the lines were really long, the attractions themselves were pretty underwhelming, and I don't think it was enough the constitute its own "land". With that said, Hong Kong still looks like a nice little Disney Park, and I am very excited to see how the rest of their expansions turn out!

I arrived, it seems, just in time to correct a little misstatement

It's great to see a smaller park like Waldameer investing in higher capacity and better operations! Hopefully this means the park is growing!

Well I officially broke 20,and while I haven't been to as many parks as chadster, I'll keep adding reviews BECAUSE I WANT IAAPA CRAP!!!

Here's my list, I'll just keep updating it as I go... I want IAAPA crap!! 1) Alton Towers http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=215 2) Disneyland Paris http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=210 3) Walt Disney Studios Paris http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=234 4) Space World http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=64 5) Tokyo Disneyland http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=66 6) Parc Asterix http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=220 7) Kashiikaen http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=416 8) Aquatica http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=252 9) Kijima http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=225 10) SeaWorld of Texas http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=80 11) Discovery Cove http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=118 12) SeaWorld Orlando http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=204 13) Beech Bend http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=29 14) Epcot http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=50 15) Animal Kingdom http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=40 16) Magic Kingdom http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=116 17) Hollywood Studios http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=115 18) Busch Gardens Africa http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=53 19) Busch Garden Europe http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=42 20) Frontier City http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=159 21) Old Town http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=421 22) Wild Adventures http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=148 23) Wet n Wild http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=450 24) Boomers http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=74 25) Carowinds http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=224 26) Kings Island http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=1 27) Kings Dominion http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=199 28) Cedar Point http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=83 29) Worlds of Fun http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=82 30) Dorney http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=126 31) Kemah Boardwalk http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=334 32) Kennywood http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=93 33) Lake Winnie http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=157 34) Lake Compounce http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=84 35) Islands of Adventure http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=369 36) Waldameer http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=161 37) Disneyland http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=235 38) Disney's California Adventure http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=119 39) Universal Studios Florida http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=78 40) Knotts http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=345 And this one was just for fun, it doesn't meet TPR standards... (Come on, there's only so much to say about this one!) IT'Z Family Food & Fun http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=466

Could Florida actually become home to a decent wooden coaster again? We don't have one operating ever since DBH closed... I feel so bad for the Central Florida population, they think that all wooden coasters feel like Gwazi!

This looks pretty cool for a B&M floorless! I'm digging the little airtime hill they put between the dive loop and the zero-g roll!

^I agree, seeing Zeirer's working prototype in action got me pretty excited! To be fair though, Thirteen's drop was actually more suspenseful and intense than I thought it was gonna be, just the feeling of vertical movement like that on a coaster is a pretty weird sensation! I thought Thirteen was gonna feel more like a "frog hopper" drop, but it was more forceful than that... it was the rest of the ride that was really tame! I wish I could see what Thirteen's drop section looks like without the building around it, just to compare the nerdy stuff. I can't wait to see what Busch Gardens is gonna do with this!

^I hope they're not seriously considering putting flash pass on this attraction! This doesn't have the capacity for that!

I love that interview with Proslide! As a "water park person", I can't help but think that their huge capacity family water coaster would be a GREAT fit for perhaps a park in Orlando.... You know, since the two most highly attended water parks in the world are there, one of which is lacking a good family raft ride...

This is a good move for Tokyo, and hopefully Paris will eventually follow. I think the original Star Tours is at the point where it either needs to get upgraded to the new version, or just completely torn out and replaced with a new attraction. The "old and busted" Star Tours just doesn't look good by today's standards, and really didn't fit into the Disney parks anymore IMO. This will be good for Tokyo's Tomorrowland. The Star Tours building there is HUGE and is a prominent building in the area, so it'll be good to see it house a quality attraction.

Obviously you recreate all of the Orlando attractions in Roller Coaster Tycoon and whichever one has the highest "excitement" rating is the best. Duh.

This seems like it could be a really cool concept! I'm glad the resort is getting some improvements, although I was more hoping for some love for the Studios. I'm really liking the look of this nighttime show though! I wonder if it will run year-round or just peak season? This could be a bit of a challenge because during some points in the year it doesn't get dark in France until pretty late...