jedimaster1227

Disneyland Paris has released an awesome, in-depth look at Villages Nature, set to open in 2016!

^I'm working on that as we speak!

The Ride Entertainment Group has sent us a press release regarding the Skycoaster coming to Wet'n'Wild Sydney!

Canobie Lake Park has sent us a press release regarding their unique SCREEEMFEST flash mob held last Friday.

^Don't worry, he didn't take the hint, so he won't be posting here anymore.

^While we appreciate your passion for this topic, we need to ask you to use proper capitalization and punctuation when posting on the forums, as per our Terms of Service.

^You could always do both!

^If you are planning around Avatar, you may need to wait a little longer. New Fantasyland and Potter should both be ready by then though!

^^I don't see how that could hurt. Considering the turnaround not only in attendance but in the quality of the offerings at Coney Island, I think Zamperla's influence has certainly helped to revitalize the entire area. I'm honestly disappointed that they weren't chosen for the Rye Playland project, because if their work at Coney Island is any indication of their understanding of this kind of market, then Rye just missed out on a major opportunity. Plus, the fact that they are tapping Great Coaster International to refurbish the Cyclone is another sign of their wisdom. Leave the woodwork to the pros and manage well...

This looks like a great replacement for the former slide complex! Great to see this park continuing to add new offerings, as it really looks like a must-visit when in Dubai.

It is a shame to see such a decent coaster go to waste, let alone not finding a way to operate again, but it was poorly managed, poorly operated and in its last few years, poorly maintained. I saw some of the worst operations I've ever seen during my last visit where the ops had headphones in and were watching DVDs on laptops, even during safety checks and pre-dispatch.

(Continued) Over in Sir Mickey's (in the original Fantasyland) you can find Little Mermaid themed merchandise like this Dinglehopper. Another look at the the area surrounding Journey of the Little Mermaid reveals some really neat details, like this larger starfish holding up a piece of the wrecked ship to protect the smaller starfish. The final part of Scuttle's Scavenger Hunt includes the animatronic Scuttle and three blue crabs performing several onscreen gags. More tiny details in the queue! Point to the mug and the crab will take it away! The Scuttle animatronic has people entertained while they queued. It looks so great! It is rare to see another offering's building appear in the view of an alternately themed attraction, but the Bonjour Gifts shop seems to blend in quite well with the view from the queue at Journey of the Little Mermaid. The lighting geek in me just couldn't stop staring at the shadow this fixture cast in the queue. The cast members of New Fantasyland have a unique selection of wardrobes to match the specific locations they are in. The iconic gargoyles of the entryway to the Be Our Guest Restaurant can be yours when you buy these items at Bonjour Gifts. It wouldn't have been a proper visit to New Fantasyland without lunch... And that meant Le Fou's Brew and a pork shank! It's huge! No really, this is caveman meat. Some more details to be found inside of the interior queue for Journey of the Little Mermaid. Awesome! Doesn't this look great? More details... Our ride mural is different from the one found in California... I should've chosen to go to Mesa Verde! Some amazing lighting going on in here! Sebastien is still one of the coolest animatronic figures I've ever seen! They're not calling this a soft opening... It is officially a dress rehearsal. A permanent wall has been completed near the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster despite the conditions around it. While I didn't take any restroom photos, I did find the restroom sign characters to be fantastic! Theme a water fountain to a water pump? Brilliant! And while we didn't get to experience Enchanted Tales with Belle today, we loved seeing it earlier! Did you notice this Lumiere lamp? The wait time sign is meant to be a bird house modeled after the actual Maurice's Cottage seen ahead... See what we mean? On the other side you can see that progress continues on the construction of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster. Construction workers hard at work... These pieces are likely the start of rock work supports for the eventual creation and installation of the attraction's signature terrain. It looks so fantastic! As you can see, New Fantasyland is currently in dress rehearsals, so if you can do so, come on down to Pinocchio's Village House to see if it is open to explore and enjoy. We highly recommend it! Don't fret, we'll be back with more coverage of New Fantasyland soon!

Last Friday I along with Robb had the chance to visit New Fantasyland for its first day of "dress rehearsals." Rounding off the near-completion of the entire Magic Kingdom expansion, the soft openings included full access to Enchanted Tales with Belle ( though you've already seen TPR's earlier coverage of that here ) Journey of the Little Mermaid, Ariel's Grotto, Gaston's Tavern, Bonjour Gifts, the entryway to the Be Our Guest Restaurant and all of the themed surrounding areas. This leaves the Princess Fairytale Hall (2013) and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster (2014) before the entire project is finished, but what we previewed was a great indicator of the quality still to come. So before we get into the photo-intensive trip report, here's a brief rundown of the new experiences as we saw them. Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid: Much like its California counterpart, it is a great dark ride addition to the park and plays upon the popularity of the Little Mermaid brand. Since the development costs and processes were shared between Magic Kingdom and Disney California Adventure, the rides are nearly identical in design save for a couple of tweaks and alterations. While this ride lacks the hidden Mr. Limpet from the DCA version, it does have an enhanced lighting and fog package for the Ursula scene, as well as small set upgrades that help to tell the story. But the real stand out of this already great attraction is the queue. Originally announced as a separate offering known as Scuttle's Scavenger Hunt, this interactive queue is filled with detail (as you'll see below) along with several opportunities to help some blue crabs clear the wreckage of a recently destroyed ship. There is even an extra Scuttle animatronic figure in the queue that allows for his comedic contributions to begin even earlier in the experience. The interior queue is expansive and extremely well themed and sets the scene for a much better introduction for the ride than the one in California. Overall, a great addition to Florida's Magic Kingdom and well worth the visit. Ariel's Grotto: A character meet and greet with Ariel. Typically holding a 25 minute wait, it is a traditional meet and greet that moves guests through fairly quickly in a neat, themed environment. Gaston's Tavern: Disney's answer to the Hogs Head Tavern and more specifically Butterbeer comes in the form of Gaston's Tavern. And while there are no alcoholic beverages available, Red's Apple Freeze from Cars Land has been reincarnated as the signature drink, Le Fou's Brew here in Florida. A frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow topped with a mango foam, it is likely to please most tastes. The drink can be bought in souvenir mugs or on its own. The location also offers chocolate croissants, cinnamon rolls (fresh from the Mainstreet Bakery), vegetables and hummus and most notably, a pork shank. The shank is a huge food offering and a great deal for the price you pay. Tastier than a turkey leg by far, the pork shank is fatty on the outside with a great layer of skin but tender and moist on the inside. Definitely worth a meal here, or at least a drink! Bonjour Gifts: It's a nice looking gift shop with New Fantasyland merchandise... And a portrait of Phil Holmes. And while we couldn't go into Be Our Guest yet as it was not ready to give tours, the exterior looks great in person as you'll see! And if you haven't seen it already, here is Theme Park Review's video coverage of both Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid and Enchanted Tales with Belle, both found in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom! This was a much anticipated moment to be walking through a nearly complete New Fantasyland, and it was certainly a welcome surprise for it to all be happening at once! Let's start by taking a look at the Be Our Guest Restaurant... At least the entryway. While the gates weren't open for tours yet, the outside looks stunning in person and the forced perspective works especially well from farther away. Many were looking forward to Gaston's Tavern, and the end product has turned out to be well worth the wait... According to Gaston! A last minute addition to the menu at Gaston's Tavern is the roasted pork shank. The two house specialities! They used horns in all of their decorating! The antler chandelier looks fantastic! There's even antlers in the stained glass window design! Le Fou's Brew, the signature drink of the expansion is the same drink as Red's Apple Freeze from Cars Land and can be bought in this stylish Gaston mug or in a princess goblet. In Bonjour Gifts guests can purchase themed merchandise including Be Our Guest-themed plate and stemware. But the gem of Bonjour Gifts has to be this portrait of the Magic Kingdom's longtime vice president, Phil Holmes. The true standout of the Fantasyland Expansion so far has to be Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. It is insanely well themed on the outside and the inside and sets the tone for a fantastic ride. The attraction's marquee... Let's roam into the queue. Any 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea fans out there? This tribute along with the inclusion of 'Whale of a Tail' in the background music loop should satisfy you. Inside of the covered section of the queue is Scuttle's Scavenger Hunt, a heavily themed interactive experience that focuses on the wreckage of a sailing ship found here in the grotto. This could be the most helpful night of my life, AND YOURS! Once inside you are let to believe that you are beneath Prince Eric's castle (as seen outside). The vaulted queue area holds tales of monsters at sea... The effect is similar to that found in the genie lamp booth for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. You point at the wreckage and the crab carries it away. Oh the stories you'll hear... Bruce! Let's take a ride. Scuttle plays the role of narrator in the ride's opening and closing scenes. Ariel's animatronics are incredible (especially her water-flowing hair), especially the one in this scene! The 'Under the Sea' scene is huge and feels just like the party number as depicted in the film. Everybody Conga! Everyone has a role in the party! Just as in California, the 'Under the Sea' Ariel features the updated hair. Flotsam and Jetsam beckon you into Ursula's Lair... Ursula seriously is one of the best looking animatronics around! Walt Disney World's version of the ride received a newer lighting and fog package that makes the scene even more ominous! Custom animation in the style of the original film was created for this and the California version of the ride. The famous 'Kiss the Girl' sequence. The ending is the same as the one in California... King Triton's beard looks a little different in Florida. The happy couple! And Scuttle wraps up the ride with some more witty commentary. Time to go visit Ariel in person! This will likely be a very different view in about a year, as seen from the queue of Ariel's Grotto. Sea Cucumber Lighting Sconces! The meet and greet experience in Ariel's Grotto is well worth it! It looks like a lot of progress has been made on the backside of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster. Back over at Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, the facade still looks incredible! From here you can see both "zones" of New Fantasyland as are open now with Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid in frame. Why not? The water features around Journey of the Little Mermaid help to tie the area together.

^It depends on if it is a private RIP tour or not, as well as what time the tour starts. If it starts at the beginning of the event you normally have time for a ride or two but if it is a delayed start it may not work out as well. I've done RIPs where we've gotten rides on Rockit and Mummy but I've also done some that have given us enough time to do the houses (and this year both shows) and nothing else.

^All of those rides are open during the event. That's actually all of the rides that are open for the event and no more. But honestly, the RIP tour should cover HHN for you and the day tickets should help you to get all of the normal attractions done during your visit.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/10/seaworld-to-get-a-whole-new-beach-themed-entry/?page=1#article Once completed in early 2014, the new entry to SeaWorld will give visitors the sensation of being under a wave. Explorer's Reef will feature four 24,000-gallon touch pools that will be shallow enough for children to be able to touch the fish.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121011/OPINION02/310110010/Goal-Saturday-s-rally-Reopen-Kentucky-Kingdom?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/SeaWorld-Orlando-goes-gluten-free-with-new-menu/-/1637132/16932678/-/x8ir0k/-/index.html

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/11/astorino-to-make-announcement-on-future-of-rye-playland-today/

^I think this might be the first year they've offered beer flights (at least at the Hops & Barley Market booth). That being said, I honestly never looked that closely before this year.

^We've already got a discussion going about the Las Vegas park here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1230692#p1230692

On Friday I was fortunate enough to win two tickets courtesy of BabyCakes NYC to "3D" Disney's Dessert Discovery, a special event only offered four times this year at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. An upcharge event held in the World Showplace venue (formerly the Millennium Village Pavilion during the Millennium Celebration), it is comparable to the Party for the Senses, just a little bit less on the menu and a bit more affordable at $55 per person (park admission not included). Interestingly enough, the menu changes completely for each of the four nights, so no two evenings at this event will be the same. As you'll see in the photos below, there was a huge amount of food and drink to indulge in and it is definitely something I would pay to go to again! I'd like to give special thanks to BabyCakes NYC again for giving us the tickets to attend this awesome event. I might not have ever tried to check it out beforehand but it is definitely on my radar for next year (as the remainder of this year's "3D" offerings are sold out)! Before the event we spent the day in the park enjoying the Food & Wine Festival... This year's updated lamb chop recipe is definitely my favorite out of those offered over the last few years. The potato chips combined with the pesto went perfectly with the lamb! Another favorite of mine from last year was the Jerk Chicken Drumstick from the Caribbean booth, and it was just as great this year! The Dragonberry Colada (also from the Caribbean booth) is great on a hot day and cuts the heat from the jerk chicken very well! This is the first item in years that I've actually really loved from the Germany booth. Schinken Nudel for the win! Poland's new flatbread (more like a garlic toast with mushroom, cheese and homemade ketchup) and the pirogies were both great as well. The Hops & Barley Market is a personal favorite of mine. I had a lobster roll, a pumpkin mousse (probably my favorite "value item" offered at the F&W Festival) a Samuel Adams beer flight including the Chocolate Bock, Cherry Wheat, Boston Lager and the Sam Adams Seasonal. In all of the five years I had seen Starship starring Mickey Thomas (in passing) at the Food & Wine Festival, this was the first time I heard them sing 'We Built This City." Time to escape the rain... Let's go inside! When I say that the menu for the evening was huge, I mean it. This was handed to us at the beginning of the night and while I'm almost positive that we sampled a ton of it, I'm sure we didn't get to everything. There was no shortage of food items at this event! Each station had a theme, like this one, which I stayed away from. The event also had a live band singing candy and sweets-themed songs to pair with the theme for the evening. Cruzan Rum had a tasting station and was also making spiked Ginger Beer for anyone interested. A favorite of mine for the evening was the Red Stag-carmelized doughnut... Everything tastes better with a little fire! The doughnut was served with a scoop of either rum ice cream or whiskey ice cream. Both were incredibly strong (and tasty) but I opted for the rum since the doughnut already was glazed in whiskey. I'm in heaven! Some more indulgent desserts! Another favorite for the evening was the Hot Spiced Cider with Red Stag. While I'm not normally one for flavored waters, I figured I should get with the "Discovery" theme of the event and try with an open mind. The one on the left was Cranberry Bog Water, which tasted slightly sweeter than normal water thanks to the cranberries. The one on the right is Ghirardelli chocolate water, which was really interesting. Again, not my normal thing, but I did enjoy trying it out. So much food! Oh, and there was a Savory station too! The Fruit Station's menu is evidence that this isn't the standard fruit dessert spread... Singing in Candyland... I had to go back for more! BabyCakes NYC also had a great spread of desserts including their fantastic gluten free cookies and cupcakes. I loved their stuff before but this event made them even sweeter in my eyes! Serrano ham muffins, sliced meats and more filled the Savory station (and my stomach). What's so peculiar about this chocolate? Well it is at the Savory Station for one... This is chocolate covered bacon! They also had the cheese-lover in me satisfied! At the end of the evening the event moves from the venue out into a fantastic (dead-center) exclusive viewing location for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth... So it was time to head out... Time to wrap this up! I'll definitely be looking into returning to the "3D" Disney's Dessert Discovery event next year! It was a tremendous value with so much to enjoy! Thanks again to BabyCakes NYC for getting us into this incredible experience!

On Friday I had the chance to stop by the Magic Kingdom for a few hours to check out the latest progress going on at New Fantasyland. As December 6th rapidly approaches, the land nears completion excluding the Seven Dwarves Mine Train Coaster and the Princess Fairytale Hall which will open over the next two years. Seven Dwarves has received a good deal of additional progress since my last visit. The show or queue building beneath the main structure is mostly sealed and more work has been accomplished on building the structure that will support the outdoor terrain for the new mountain. Initial supports for the eventual installation of rock work framing have begun to appear. Over at Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, the addition of faux grass to the top of the attraction's facade is nearly complete. Believe it or not, Storybook Circus is now completely open to guests! It is hard to believe that this was Mickey's ToonTown Fair a little over a year ago, but the new area looks great! The new area has no shortage of character! Big Top Souvenirs has two entrances/exits to allow for easy access from within the "land." Some of the character banners honor some lesser-remembered characters like Salty the Seal and Humphrey the Bear. The third tent ended up as a covered seating area that also plays host to the FastPass machines for Dumbo and the Barnstormer. The tent's interior is spacious and a great place to escape the Florida rain. The new FastPass machines feature the new LED time displays found throughout Storybook Circus (the same ones that have slowly been installed elsewhere in the park as well). This artwork wasn't just designed for the construction walls! Between the third tent and the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak attraction is a huge seating area complete with new hot dog and pretzel carts. Pete's Silly Sideshow is a new attraction taking up the tent formerly used in ToonTown for meet & greets. It is split in two with one line leading to a meet with Minnie Daisy and the other to Goofy & Donald. Both meets exit out into the Big Top Souvenirs tent using the former entrance path for the meet and greet originally used by the ToonTown meet & greets. The Melody Time Brass Horn Band Calliope was actually taken from Disneyland Paris to be added to the Storybook Circus. If there's one thing that I found most impressive about the new aspects of Storybook Circus, it would definitely be the level of detail and aging work that went into making the story believable and immersive. This is one touch that I really love for the area. Let's start with Daisy and Minnie... A bit of story for the duo... This looks fantastic! Popcorn lights are awesome. Minnie's set features pirouetting parisian poodles... Sadly theirs names aren't Collette, Susette, Mimi, Gigi, Fifi and Josephine. Since the meet & greets are linear in style with a family moving from the first character to the next, there are often delays between families getting to the next characters, so it isn't uncommon to see the second character interacting with guests in line in between families, which is awesome. Here's Daisy... These mannequins scare me. Big Top Souvenirs definitely feels bigger than its predecessor, but that additional space is filled with extra merchandise and retail operations. Some of the newest merchandising trends have found their place underneath the Big Top. Speaking of Under the Big Top... The entire tent is carpeted but the center of the ring has a different design to make it look like the canvas performance ring (still carpet though). Be sure to look up for some more subtle circus details. Canvas carpet! Big Top Treats is located at the center of Big Top Souvenirs and features an on-stage kitchen to allow guests to watch their sweet treats being made. And there are tons of sweet treats to be had! Back outside the detail continues... Mickey pretzels! There's a banner for each of the meet & greets on the side of the entrance to each queue. Here's the other one... There's more story for the other side of Pete's Silly Sideshow... And here it is! The Great Goofini has a neat background set including a smoking motorcycle from one of his botched stunts. And here's Donald's location. A look at the whole complex... Some more circus ads on the outside. Progress on the Seven Dwarves Mine Train is still speeding along. I can't wait to see this sign lit up! At the end of Fantasyland work continues on the construction of the new restrooms and rumored Rapunzel meet and greet. Honey, we've got track! It's just a lift hill right now, but that's definitely progress! FastPass+ entrances continue to spring up at existing attractions in the park...

Clearly that person thinks living under a rock is comfortable... Because that's about the only way you'd think Son of Beast was too.

http://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2012/10/Th25c-10-2012.pdf It is also extremely interesting to look at this excerpt as it makes reference to a splashdown ride (like Journey to Atlantis) and more: