jedimaster1227

SeaWorld Orlando has sent us a press release regarding this year's lineup for the Bands, Brew & BBQ Festival. SeaWorld Orlando has also sent us a press release regarding their first mobile game, Turtle Trek.

http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_stories/173002/ny1-exclusive--luna-park-operator-wins-bid-to-light-up-coney-island-s-parachute-jump http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/parachute_jump_getting_led_light_BbSRehhfcSKQ3tqF7JpGJM

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8011109/Rangatira-cashed-up-and-ready-to-invest

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323330604578141082379307840.html

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/discover-six-flags-extend-corporate-sponsorship-20121128-00378#.ULfRO6WXKfG

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-11-27/news/35385915_1_theme-park-manmohan-shetty-water-park

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/11/comedy-warehouse-cast-brings-the-gift-of-laughter-to-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Along with Buzz Lighyear, you've got Star Tours which isn't designed in the Jules Verne-style of the rest of Discoveryland.

I honestly didn't even notice that this coaster was capable of swinging. That adds one more element to this fun looking coaster. I'm honestly really interested in seeing how these family Vekoma coasters turn out (like Muntanya Russa at Tibidabo) in the hopes that they catch on here in the states. I love a good intense coaster just as much as the next, but I look at something like this and would love to see a sprawling coaster weaving in and out of a park's design. The closest things we have in Florida to that would be Cheetah Hunt or Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/11/imagineers-talk-working-with-johnny-depp-on-the-legend-of-captain-jack-sparrow-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/11/agent-p-expands-his-mission-through-world-showcase-at-epcot/

I'd be curious to see how long the unlimited alcohol package might run (or if they'd do a test launch before proceeding company-wide). Having traveled with plenty who can drink a seemingly unlimited amount (cough, Piers, cough), that package could do some damage.

Last week TPR was at IAAPA (if you haven't already, check out our huge coverage of the overall convention) to check out the latest happenings in the amusement park industry. Among those latest advancements was a special announcement from SeaWorld in regards to Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, their upcoming attraction for 2013 that will take riders into the realm of the penguin in a ride experience that combines several world's-first elements into one super attraction! Be sure to watch the video below to see the announcement as well as to hear our interview with Brian Morrow, Creative Director of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment parks (you'll recognize him from our coverage of Manta and TurtleTrek as well), and to see some adorable penguins soaking up the spotlight at IAAPA! [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Antarctica_Car_Reveal_q9vn[/coastertube] And here is the official press release to go along with the announcement event, including some exciting new details on the ride system and the experience to come! And if you haven't seen it already, here is some video of the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ride vehicle in motion! Today we're here for some kind of unveiling... Hosted at the Oceaneering booth, it was clear we'd be seeing the ride vehicle in person! Oceaneering also make the ride vehicle for Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Curse of DarKastle attraction. Park President Terry Prather started off the event by reminding us that SeaWorld Orlando is committed to making new waves in the industry, and Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is that new wave! Brian Morrow was on hand to share new details about the ride... And here is the ride vehicle! Totally trackless, this ride is also an EMV with full motion control (similar to DarKastle and Spiderman) which will allow for a ride experience that can feel extremely real. Wonder how you'll get it? Wonder no more! Note: The bottom step is there for evacuation purposes. During normal operation load and unload procedures will have guests entering and exit at level with the seats, not the step. Brian was happy to give us a closer look at this awesome new vehicle! How about going up? Looks pretty great! Okay, this is really awesome! A behind the scenes look at the making of our interview with Brian Morrow! Check it out for inside info about the ride, including Brian's favorite detail you can find inside! Special thanks to Brian Morrow for taking the time to share with us and to give us a special interview inside of the Antarctica ride vehicle! Drooling yet? Jake made a new friend on the show floor! We also got the chance to interview Mike Boos, VP of Zoological Operations for SeaWorld Orlando (you might recognize him from our coverage of Cheetah Hunt)! It wouldn't be an Antarctica event without a look at the stars of the attraction! Who doesn't love penguins? And to close, here's a look at the ride vehicles as they'll be used in the ride when it debuts later next year! Special thanks to SeaWorld Orlando, Terry Prather, Brian Morrow and Mike Boos for hosting us at this special event!

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/11/hershey_entertainments_new_ceo.html

Disney has officially revealed PhotoPass+, the premium version of its existing PhotoPass offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151135190153325 [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Photopass_plus_khjb[/coastertube]

Disney has officially revealed PhotoPass+, the premium version of its existing PhotoPass offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151135190153325 [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Photopass_plus_khjb[/coastertube] http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Disneyland-Worker-Injured-Space-Mountain-180464081.html

http://www.costaricantimes.com/new-roller-coaster-at-costa-ricas-parque-de-diversiones-amusement-park/8119

This is purely speculation and probably out there, but wouldn't it be neat if Wild Bill is saving the Mega Whirl from Coney Island? Considering the drawn out history that ride has and the fact that it won't likely ever be replicated, it seems like a perfect fit (although it doesn't have nostalgia on its side) for Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center!

That's actually about right. I have a list of online bookmarks and search tools that make up over 50 sites I visit daily, plus I handle the press releases the parks and ride development companies send us so that I can aggregate and post them here on Theme Park Review. The funny thing is, I've been doing all of that daily reading for years! It was only a few years ago that I started actually doing it officially for TPR as a moderator, so at least now my daily reading is more than just a hobby!

I'm guessing that the change in trains is more related to rider comfort than for theming. There had been whispers a while back of the ride getting the new Vekoma soft restraints that are found on Carolina Cobra at Carowinds. I wonder if it is possible to retrofit those restraints onto the existing vehicles rather than replacing the entire fleet of trains...

http://www.qt.com.au/news/thrills-and-spills-in-waterslide-proposal/1633234/

http://www.polin.com.tr/news/detail.aspx?SectionID=NG23wwtQxn2HyZzQGuHXnw%3d%3d&ContentID=0zdfeQivuCIFeT%2ffvHv1%2fQ%3d%3d

Polin has released some new information about their Surf Safari slide, debuting at Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas later next year! http://www.polin.com.tr/news/detail-surf-safari.aspx?SectionID=NG23wwtQxn2HyZzQGuHXnw%3d%3d&ContentID=XZHXVUymgjTYzlxbreeYKg%3d%3d

http://www.obj.ca/Local/Sports-and-entertainment/2012-11-22/article-3125872/ProSlide-sales-grow-abroad-Ottawa-water-park-%26lsquoimminent%26rsquo/1 http://www.alottawata.com/index_en.html

http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/1161004/merlin-hands-dungeons-relaunch-activity-inferno/