jedimaster1227

Today we took advantage of the surprise, cooler weather in Central Florida and ventured somewhere new... Sanford, FL. About a 40 minute drive away from the more notable Central Florida attractions, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been around for quite some time... But if I've ever been, it had to be when I was really young, because it was pretty new to me. Over the years, my wife and I have made it a point to check out zoos and aquariums throughout our travels to mix in with our theme park, culture and food focuses... And for this reason, we've seen a lot of zoos. The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is fairly middle of the road in terms of the experience. The zoo has a surprisingly solid collection of animals including some neat reptiles, a few giraffes and a rhino. The exhibits themselves are fairly straightforward for an older-style outdoor zoo. The enclosures aren't hyper-themed but they're not devoid of a more animal-native environment, which makes it feel a little more comfortable to observe... The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is also host to a series of paid add-ons including animal encounters, a "aerial adventure" attraction, a carousel and a splash pad. The grounds themselves are the Botanical Gardens, not a separate section within the park, so what you're seeing around the enclosures is the botanical part of the experience. Nothing special in that area, but fitting for what they're going for in terms of filling the space between exhibits with flora. Overall the experience is probably best summed up as, "if Fun Spot ran a zoo." I leave that open to interpretation because like Fun Spot, this could either meet your mark or deter you greatly, depending on your tastes. Let's head in... At the entrance of the park is a pay-to-ride carousel... The Seminole Aerial Adventures upcharge attraction includes "rope bridges, zips, suspended disks, and a variety of unique elements." I was a little surprised at how low to the ground it all was compared to similar attractions in town. There are some neat paintings on the way into the park that change with your shifting perspective as you walk by. The Discovery Center seems to be where the park's educational programs are offered. Not too many live animals inside but it looks like a nice facility. The park map for those that are interested... The entrance experience is pretty simple. Always cool to see an old fashioned Mold-O-Matic machine still in use. Two beautiful hornbills on display. Say hi to this charming llama... You can feed him if you wish. I'm having PTSD from watching The Witch. TPR does love donkeys after all. Putting the botanical in the Botanical Gardens... Cougar. Mildly confusing how this is supposed to work. They have an add-on encounter where you feed the giraffes... Pretty leopard. The zoo's one rhino... Otterly adorable. Get your mind out of the gutter. It's KAA! Very cool! I hear onions prevent these from biting you... Sploosh. Nature can be a pretty impressive thing... Terrifyingly impressive. Growing up sailing and canooing in the waters of Florida, I was always warned to look out for these skimming the top of the water. You do not want to be bit by one of these. Would you believe me if I told you that this isn't a painting, but really two live snakes in the exhibit? The Central Florida Zoo has its own collection of gators and crocodiles... This narrow snouted creature is an Orinoco Crocodile. The zoo has bald eagles as well. There's a black bear in here, but this was the best view we could get. The grounds are definitely pretty on a nice day. Testing out how the forum handles panoramic photos... Kookaburras sit in the old gum tree... Dippin' Dots and Bud Light... A classic combo. The Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground was not really splashing today. The Bungee Bounce is available for younger guests for an additional cost. There's at least a few jokes to be made from this photo, but I leave it to you to figure them out. It really was a nice day to try something new by visiting the park. It looks like the Little Florida Coast Line train may not be in operation anymore, as it isn't listed on the park map or website... A bonus for driving to/from Sanford? You get to see the famous I-4 Eyesore. Look it up.

Hong Kong Disneyland reopened as of February 19th, 2021! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/02/hong-kong-disneyland-announces-reopening-on-february-19/ We’re pleased to share that today Hong Kong Disneyland announced that its park will officially reopen on February 19, 2021! In honor of Hong Kong Disneyland’s 15th Anniversary, guests will be able to experience the new Castle of Magical Dreams, the re-imagined centerpiece of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and attend the special celebration of the resort’s anniversary. During these celebrations, guests can enjoy new exhibits and audio tours to learn more about the castle’s transformation as well as enjoy exclusive merchandise and food and beverage offerings. In alignment with the latest guidance from government and health authorities, the resort will continue to implement enhanced health and safety measures, including requiring face coverings and physical distancing. These measures will continue to be reviewed and adjusted based on the latest government regulations. “I’m very proud of our Cast Members for their dedicated efforts in preparation for our reopening, especially during this trying time for all of us,” said Michael Moriarty, managing director for Hong Kong Disneyland. “Our recovery will be an important part of revitalizing the tourism industry in Hong Kong – serving as a beacon of hope, courage and possibility, much like our Castle of Magical Dreams.”

New details have been released about the upcoming 18-month Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary, "The World's Most Magical Celebration," beginning on October 1st, 2021. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/02/the-worlds-most-magical-celebration-begins-oct-1-at-walt-disney-world-resort/ It’s an event five decades in the making! Beginning Oct. 1, Walt Disney World Resort will throw “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of our 50th anniversary, bringing new experiences to our four theme parks and beyond. This milestone is such a big deal, we’ve even coined a new word – “EARidescence” – to describe what you’ll see when you visit. Our Disney teams are creating all sorts of new decorations that will shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night. As part of the celebration, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park will add to its royal makeover from last year. As you can see in this new artist rendering, the castle will feature golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest as part of its festive new look. The castle will add even more magic at night, joined by icons at each of the other three theme parks as they transform into Beacons of Magic. In the video above, you can get a feel for what they’ll look like, with pixie dust on Cinderella Castle, magical fireflies inhabiting the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and special new touches coming to life on the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And at EPCOT, new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another and resembling stars in a nighttime sky. This permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who will have sparkling new looks for the celebration. As hosts of the event, they’ll be dressed for the occasion in custom-made fashions of EARidescent fabric with gold highlights. In anticipation of this exciting time, we recently went out across Walt Disney World to talk with guests and Disney cast members about what a magical celebration would mean to them and why they love being here so much. This new video captures a lot of the emotions we’re feeling right now as we prepare for our 50th anniversary: Speaking for my fellow Walt Disney World cast members, we’re looking forward to welcoming you during this special time in our history. We’ll have more to share about our plans for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in the future as we ramp up to the big day on Oct. 1, and then will be chronicling all the magic to be found during the 18-month-long event. So keep checking back here on the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates on what promises to be something to remember for the next 50 years.

Six Flags Magic Mountain has sent us a press release announcing "The West Coast Customs Cruis’n the Park Car Show" event, offered for a limited time on Fridays through Sundays between February 26th and March 14th! For the first time ever, world-famous West Coast Customs and the Thrill Capital of the World, Six Flags Magic Mountain, will showcase a drive-thru car show that winds along the park midways. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will include 100 of the world’s best automotive displays from muscle cars and hot rods to low riders and mini trucks. Themed music and entertainment will be integrated into each featured section providing many jaw-dropping vehicle art displays. The 30-minute cruise through the park will be presented and narrated by Ryan Friedlinghaus, CEO of West Coast Customs, via a specially designed app available for free download. There will be something for every auto enthusiast along the event route, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and watercraft, all to be viewed from the safety of guests’ own cars. “It has been a dream of mine for over 10 years to put together a family event like this!” said West Coast Customs Founder & CEO, Ryan Friedlinghaus. “I’m excited to say it is official as we are about to make some new history together with Six Flags Magic Mountain. It’s the first ever drive-thru car show in a theme park where LA’s top vehicles from all different categories, mini trucks to low riders and everything in between, will be displayed. This event will take you on a trip down memory lane and also make new memories for families to share together.” Six Flags Park President, Don McCoy, continues in saying, “We’re thrilled to host this event with West Coast Customs. We know that people are searching for fun and safe activities to do with their families. This is a really innovative concept that is sure to offer a fun experience for car lovers of all ages”. The West Coast Customs Cruis’n the Park Car Show will run for a limited time – every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from February 26 – March 14. To control and manage capacity, limited reservations will be available each date and will be required by all guests in advance using Six Flags’ new online reservation system. Special event admission tickets for this first-ever event will be available on a first come, first served basis and will be sold per car. Admission discounts are available for active Memberships and Season Passes, and reservations will be required. Ticket sales will not be available at the gate. For more information on West Coast Customs Cruis’n the Park Car Show, visit our website at www.sixflags.com/magicmountain The safety of guests and team members is always Six Flags’ top priority. The new West Coast Customs Cruis’n the Park Car Show at Six Flags Magic Mountain will offer a contactless experience that follows CDC, state, and county health and safety guidelines. To prevent overcrowding and provide proper social distancing, a limited number of cars will be allowed each date. A full list of safety requirements for the event is available on the park’s website at www.sixflags.com/magicmountain, including LA County’s guidelines for vehicle-based events. Event requirements include use of masks if windows are down, no smoking, littering, stopping, or exiting vehicles. Due to the limited size of certain areas and terrain within the park, only cars, SUVs, vans, and pick-up trucks are permitted. No convertibles, busses, RVs, commercial vehicles, dually pick-up trucks, trailers, or motorcycles will be allowed. A maximum speed of three mph and maintaining a safe distance between cars will be strictly enforced. As part of Six Flags’ comprehensive safety procedures, all employees are required to wear masks and are temperature-checked and health-screened each day. Gloves are worn as appropriate, per guidelines. As directed by current state regulations, no additional services will be available. Six Flags encourages guests to plan accordingly for restroom breaks, gasoline, and food. Only portable toilets will be available at the entrance and exit.

Chessington World of Adventure has announced their 2021 addition, Croc Drop! https://www.chessington.com/explore/theme-park-zoo/whats-new/ BRAVE THE DROP, RELEASE THE CURSE Set to ‘drop’ in spring, those daring will plunge 25m into the giant jaws of a crocodile, Sobek, the ancient Egyptian Crocodile God and protector of the Nile, who has been possessed by evil spirits, transforming him into a cruel deity. With the once fertile Nile laying stagnant, riders must take part in a ceremony to banish the evil spirits from Sobek, plunging into the crocodile’s soul and freeing the waters back into the Nile. Those between 1.2m and 1.3m must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 16, while those a minimum height of 1.3m can ‘drop’ alone.

This weekend we ventured out to Clermont (only about 15 minutes from Central Florida's major tourist attractions) for some fresh strawberry picking at Southern Hill Farms. We'd heard about this experience from friends but despite being Orlando natives, had not had the chance to go out before. Keep in mind, that strawberries are not available year-round in Florida, and Southern Hill Farms rotates their pickable crops throughout the year to match the season. Given the fact that we missed the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2020 due to COVID, this was a nice multi-hour diversion where we could experience something unique and indulge in some delicious Florida strawberries! I was also surprised to find that Southern Hill Farms has a few rides and attractions for the younger guests and a few food and beverage venues for those looking to stay for a little longer! Southern Hill Farms is a very open property, so social distancing is a little easier to do. In case you were wondering what kind of equipment goes into moving large quantities of crops here on the farm. While we didn't participate during this visit, Sunflower Picking was another activity available for guests at Southern Hill Farms. When ready, you pick up a box and wander out on the giant strawberry fields to begin picking. The basic rules are, don't eat any that you pick until you've checked out and don't put anything back down that you've picked, so pick wisely. It is strongly recommended that only the most red strawberries are picked, with the advisement that in a week, those not yet ready will be ripened and primed for the next pick. You get a sense of just how many strawberries each bush can produce... You start off with a few picks but before you know it, your box starts to fill up! It is strongly recommended that you plan to get to Southern Hill Farms just at (if not right before) opening. There are a limited number of strawberries available to pick and there aren't spares somewhere else for those that missed out. We arrived 10 minutes after opening and an hour later, the farm's social media accounts announced that the day's crop had already been entirely picked. Walking back towards the main pavilions, my attention was caught by these bounce pads because, outside of videos from Toverland, I hadn't seen these kind of offerings anywhere, especially not in Florida... Sadly they are meant for guests that are shorter than I... There are a few other offerings for the younger guests to enjoy while at the farm. They have rides, so it fits on Theme Park Review. They have a tractor ride too! It was cool to see a food truck on site offering a few unique bites. Under the pavilion are a series of food and beverage venues... The Beer Shed is aptly named. I'm a sucker for a good baked treat... Especially one using fresh-from-the-farm ingredients! There was no scenario in which I didn't walk out with these when I found out that they had fresh Strawberry Bread Pudding (left) and Blueberry Cobbler (right). Both were delicious! Another stand offered fresh donuts that appeared to be quite popular! Live entertainment was a nice touch on this cool January morning. Just in case you need anything in a jar... They've got you covered. Needless to say, it was a successful visit for us... And we've been indulging in these amazing strawberries every day since!

I dislike them mostly because of where they rest in proximity to my neck. A few sharp turns or maneuvers and my neck jams into them, which isn’t particularly fun. I think my bigger issue is that coasters with more numerous and/or intense maneuvers have managed to have Premier deliver them without any restraint other than a lap bar.

That’s a really unique inverted coaster! I can’t wait to see what I looks like when construction is complete!

Kondaa looks absolutely fantastic! I can’t believe how much speed it maintains throughout its course! There’s going to be a ton of airtime!

Many thanks to William, Elissa and Robb! The trivia was really fun (and very well organized) and it was great to see so many familiar faces. Plus I’m oddly at ease with not coming close to winning... It makes me feel slightly less nerdy than I used to be!

The Disneyland Resort has released a sneak peek at the upcoming "WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure" attraction coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure! Tom Holland will reprise his role as Peter Parker from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films for this new experience! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/01/first-look-at-actor-tom-holland-as-peter-parker-in-web-slingers-a-spider-man-adventure-coming-to-avengers-campus-at-disneyland-resort/ When Avengers Campus opens at the Disneyland Resort at a future top secret date, you will see a very familiar face inside the Worldwide Engineering Brigade – or WEB as the kids call it. As we shared before, Tom Holland reprises his role as Peter Parker for WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. We previously caught up with Tom who shared more details about his role in the attraction and his excitement for working with Walt Disney Imagineering on this new adventure. Check out this first look below! In the WEB workshop, young engineers specialize in developing innovative technologies to equip and empower a new generation of Super Heroes. This workshop showcases the inventions of Peter Parker and the rest of the WEB Tech team, including their adorable Spider-Bots, which are designed to be robotic sidekicks capable of building anything a Super Hero might need. When Peter’s demonstration goes awry, the Spider-Bots are stuck in a replication loop, creating even more Spider-Bots! Donning 3D glasses, your mission will be to test-drive the aspiring inventor’s latest invention, the WEB Slinger vehicle, and discover your web-slinging super powers! Through specially designed, innovative technology that recognizes body movements and gestures, you will reach out your hands and sling webs from your wrists, just like Spider-Man. As the WEB Slinger vehicles progress, you will virtually pass through several other Campus addresses, including Pym Test Kitchen, Avengers Headquarters and the Collector’s Fortress, also home to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! As the mission continues, Spider-Bots will become harder and harder to beat as they continue to multiply. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure is just one of the many addresses found inside Avengers Campus, an entirely new land dedicated to discovering, recruiting and training the next generation of heroes at Disney California Adventure park. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on #AvengersCampus!

It has been announced that the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom and at Disneyland Park will be updated with new scenes and a new storyline. Check out all of the details below! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/01/new-adventures-to-cast-off-soon-along-world-famous-jungle-cruise-at-disneyland-park-and-magic-kingdom-park/ At Disney Parks, we continue to look for ways to enhance classic attractions and elevate the experience for all of our guests. Today, we’re excited to share that we are building on the story of the Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort to include new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love – more humor, wildlife and skipper heart – and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us. There are no bigger fans of this attraction than our Imagineers so I’ve invited Kevin Lively – former Jungle Cruise skipper – to share a transmission from the world’s most remote tropical rivers! Continuing a tradition that Walt Disney started more than six decades ago when he first enhanced the Jungle Cruise, the new creative concept for our river’s journey will be original to Walt Disney Imagineering, just like the attraction itself. Here’s a first look at some of the “gnu” magic we’re adding: Imagineers are excited to invite current Jungle Cruise skippers at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom park to a Jungle Navigation Company Roll Call, where they will be among the first to hear more about the new adventures and wonders coming down the river. Recently, Imagineers had the chance to provide a sneak peek to a few skippers at Magic Kingdom park – check out the Walt Disney World Ambassador team on Instagram, @WDW.Ambassador, to see additional reactions, and stay tuned for more details about the enhancements in store for the Jungle Cruise, coming later this year. https://d23.com/enhancements-coming-to-the-jungle-cruise/ Since its debut on opening day of Disneyland in 1955, Jungle Cruise has continued to grow and evolve—much like a few of the attraction’s skippers’ favorite plants they point out on the route (“this one… and this one”). What was once a “serious” adventure through tropical waters soon made way for a more humorous expedition with a signature “spiel” given by said talented skippers and hilarious scenes added by future Disney Legend Marc Davis. Changes and enhancements were continually made throughout the years to keep the attraction (and the spiel) fresh. And today, the Disney Parks Blog announced fantastic updates to the ride, coming to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, that give this expedition its first continuous story, fantastic updated scenes, colorful new characters, and more. We sat down with Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Portfolio Executive Chris Beatty to get all the details on everything coming to the Nile. And if you don’t believe us… well, you know the rest. The Jungle Cruise has evolved over the years—maybe more than any Disney Parks attraction. I think the Jungle Cruise everybody remembers now is the Marc Davis version, which has a little, well, a lot more humor when the skippers really get going. That attraction is really all about the skippers, if you think about it. They bring that attraction to life; they are the heart and soul of it. So you couple that with Marc Davis’s renderings and the characters he brought to life along the river’s edge, and it’s really just a win-win. That’s what gives the attraction its DNA. It’s what makes it a classic in so many ways. And you’re right: over the years, it has changed. Think about the piranhas we added at Disneyland into the Amazon or the exploding barrels as you enter Africa. We’ve added some really great moments that bring new magic to that attraction through the years. So we’re excited about this update—bringing new magic to our guests and giving it a fresh take. Can you talk about why you decided to make these new updates? We are constantly evaluating ways to enhance attractions and experiences in our parks. We want to make sure everybody has the best time—that guests from all over the world can connect with the stories we share and that how we bring those to life are respectful of the diverse world we live in. And when they get off the attraction, they know that we have done our homework because these are the details that matter. When you look at the Jungle Cruise, as it is today, there are just a couple of scenes that don’t do that and needed a refresh. But I want to make sure people know we are not changing the whole Jungle Cruise. This is not a re-envisioning of the entire attraction. It’s the Jungle Cruise you know and love, with the skippers still leading the way, and at the same time, we’re addressing the negative depictions of “natives.” So that’s one of the scenes we’re going to go in and change. So let’s talk about some of these changes… We want to make sure that we take this as an opportunity, right? So as we look to clean up a lot of the challenges that we have in the attraction, we want to make sure we go in and add all the humor that Marc Davis gave it, all those years ago. Anything new we add will be in that tone. And for the first time, we are actually linking scenes together. So if you think of the famous rhino pole scene, with the team of explorers who have somehow camped that night and then been run up the pole by the rhino and a group of other animals… that will really kick off the storyline. Did you ever wonder who those explorers were or where they came from? What’s their backstory? As part of the enhanced storyline, each one of them will have their own story and cultural heritage. There’s a birdwatcher, an entomologist, a wildlife painter, and a photographer, and each one will have a different reason for being on the expedition. And, of course, they did one of the things you’re never supposed to do, which is leave the boat. And one of the things we’re adding to the attraction is an animatronic skipper, who’s been chased up the pole by the rhino, along with the other explorers. They each have great personality, and I think our guests will connect with these characters in new ways. So we’re not really re-envisioning that scene, we’re just adding a narrative and storytelling to bring things to life and connect that moment with other happenings along the river. And you may ask yourself, Wait, what happened to their boat? And we find out that the front of the boat has been beached upon these rocks. We wanted to put something here that feels like Marc Davis had a hand in it, that has a bit of humor in it. And we wanted the animals to have the last laugh. So you’ll see that the family of chimpanzees has moved in. And we don’t currently have chimps on this attraction—all of these amazing animals have been brought to life through the years on the Jungle Cruise and yet we’ve never had chimpanzees. The family of chimpanzees jumps on the wreckage of the boat and they are almost making fun of us. One is wearing the skipper’s hat and is on the microphone. The mother chimp has opened up all the maps and it looks like she’s reading them. A little chimp has gotten into the wildlife painter’s supplies and has made a mess with paint everywhere. It’s the animals really getting the last laugh in this cute scene—these silly explorers really came in and invaded their world. I almost feel like Jingle Cruise is a link between these experiences because with the Jingle Cruise you have the presents that were mistakenly dropped, and throughout the cruise we get to see what happened to them. I agree. Jingle Cruise is great, and it probably was the first time we went in and from a narrative standpoint threaded a storyline through all the rivers. I feel like there is sometimes, perhaps, misplaced concern that when an attraction is reimagined that it is somehow not going to be as great as it was before. How do you address that? First off, we love our fans. You could ask any Imagineer why we do what we do, and it really is to bring a smile to our fans’ faces. And we’re cautious, because we know that any time we go in to make changes, especially to a classic attraction, some may worry it’s going to lose its magic. To make sure it doesn’t, we do our homework. First, we are really leaning into our skippers. Kevin Lively, who is a writer at Imagineering, is actually a former skipper and is the writer for our show. So any changes that we are making are actually being written by a former skipper. The role the skippers play is a significant part of this attraction experience—their performance and how they bring it to life is something we all love. They are deeply passionate about this attraction, too. We want to make sure we get the skippers on board, no pun intended, and that they feel like they have some ownership in this. So that was step one. Second was to bring together a diverse project team. We wanted to make sure that any changes we made from a relevancy standpoint were done right. So we’ve been working with Carmen Smith [executive for Creative Development and Inclusive Strategies] and her team within Imagineering to make sure that any time we show something culturally significant, that is done in the proper light. It’s done in a way that celebrates diverse backgrounds and interests—that’s part of the rich storytelling, not something you poke fun at it. When introducing new elements—even animals—we make sure they’re done in a respectful way. We reached out to Dr. Mark Penning and his team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and said, “Look, we have these chimpanzees that are coming into this new world and we want to have fun with them. How do we make sure it’s done in an authentic way for the chimpanzees?” We want to have fun, but we’re not making fun of the animals. His team had great insights and it really elevated that new scene. And the last part is really looking back to the source material. We went back and looked at original Marc Davis sketches. We pulled out his work and looked at what makes this scene funny, and what are some of the scenes that Marc developed that didn’t make it? It’s really important to go back—especially on a classic attraction—and look at the DNA and what really makes the attraction work. What makes it funny? What makes it fun for our guests? And part of that is going back to Marc’s humor and his storytelling. And Kevin is brilliant at that. Kevin does an amazing job finding that right tone that has that Marc Davis quality to it. What’s the reaction been from the skippers? I was nervous the first time we brought some of the skippers in, just to sit with them and say, “Here’s why we’re making the changes and here’s what some of the changes are going to be.” You could see, at first, some concern, because obviously there’s a lot of love around this attraction. But a few minutes into the presentation, the smiles came onto their faces. They loved it. The feedback from them was that it feels like classic Jungle Cruise, like something that has always been there. Obviously, this means the skippers’ spiels need to change? We’re keeping a lot of the classic jokes that the fans know and love, like the backside of water. But it will give our skipper some new material to play off of. So that’s exciting for them. They were really excited about having some new source material. With the Jungle Cruise movie opening this year, will that be incorporated, as well? I’m excited about the movie, and having Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt be a part of that film. But these adjustments are really focused on enhancing the existing attraction storyline and addressing some areas that needed refreshing along the way. I’m sure the film is fantastic and we’re very excited about it, but integrating the film into our classic Jungle Cruise is not part of this effort. Does that mean that as Imagineers we won’t put Easter eggs in there? We’ll definitely do that. But we are not adding a major storyline or character from that film. The attractions are somewhat different at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Will there be different changes based on location? We’re telling the same story on both coasts. What you see at Walt Disney World at the Magic Kingdom will be exactly what you see at Disneyland Resort. We really do want to tell a very cohesive story on both coasts. It’s been fun to look at the nuances between the two attractions and what makes them slightly different, but the scenes that we’re adjusting are the same. Is there a timeline for the enhancements? We haven’t announced a date yet. We’re working hard to make sure we can get everything in this year. Thank you so much for your time. Anything else you’d like to say before we go? Any time we make an adjustment or a change to a classic attraction, I think back to [Disney Legend] Marty Sklar and even back to Walt and the idea that none of these stories were meant to be frozen in time. As new technology came out, as new stories came out, as characters evolved, these attractions could grow and flex. I think we’ve seen that with Pirates of the Caribbean when we updated the role of the redhead. Changes are always taking place. I think it is always important to look at these classic attractions and make sure we don’t disrupt the DNA of what makes that attraction resonate with our guests. It’s important to us. I love these opportunities to make adjustments and bring in new magic. And we will continue to respect the magic that makes it exciting for all of our guests.

It has been announced that the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom and at Disneyland Park will be updated with new scenes and a new storyline. Check out all of the details below! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/01/new-adventures-to-cast-off-soon-along-world-famous-jungle-cruise-at-disneyland-park-and-magic-kingdom-park/ At Disney Parks, we continue to look for ways to enhance classic attractions and elevate the experience for all of our guests. Today, we’re excited to share that we are building on the story of the Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort to include new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love – more humor, wildlife and skipper heart – and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us. There are no bigger fans of this attraction than our Imagineers so I’ve invited Kevin Lively – former Jungle Cruise skipper – to share a transmission from the world’s most remote tropical rivers! Continuing a tradition that Walt Disney started more than six decades ago when he first enhanced the Jungle Cruise, the new creative concept for our river’s journey will be original to Walt Disney Imagineering, just like the attraction itself. Here’s a first look at some of the “gnu” magic we’re adding: Imagineers are excited to invite current Jungle Cruise skippers at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom park to a Jungle Navigation Company Roll Call, where they will be among the first to hear more about the new adventures and wonders coming down the river. Recently, Imagineers had the chance to provide a sneak peek to a few skippers at Magic Kingdom park – check out the Walt Disney World Ambassador team on Instagram, @WDW.Ambassador, to see additional reactions, and stay tuned for more details about the enhancements in store for the Jungle Cruise, coming later this year. https://d23.com/enhancements-coming-to-the-jungle-cruise/ Since its debut on opening day of Disneyland in 1955, Jungle Cruise has continued to grow and evolve—much like a few of the attraction’s skippers’ favorite plants they point out on the route (“this one… and this one”). What was once a “serious” adventure through tropical waters soon made way for a more humorous expedition with a signature “spiel” given by said talented skippers and hilarious scenes added by future Disney Legend Marc Davis. Changes and enhancements were continually made throughout the years to keep the attraction (and the spiel) fresh. And today, the Disney Parks Blog announced fantastic updates to the ride, coming to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, that give this expedition its first continuous story, fantastic updated scenes, colorful new characters, and more. We sat down with Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Portfolio Executive Chris Beatty to get all the details on everything coming to the Nile. And if you don’t believe us… well, you know the rest. The Jungle Cruise has evolved over the years—maybe more than any Disney Parks attraction. I think the Jungle Cruise everybody remembers now is the Marc Davis version, which has a little, well, a lot more humor when the skippers really get going. That attraction is really all about the skippers, if you think about it. They bring that attraction to life; they are the heart and soul of it. So you couple that with Marc Davis’s renderings and the characters he brought to life along the river’s edge, and it’s really just a win-win. That’s what gives the attraction its DNA. It’s what makes it a classic in so many ways. And you’re right: over the years, it has changed. Think about the piranhas we added at Disneyland into the Amazon or the exploding barrels as you enter Africa. We’ve added some really great moments that bring new magic to that attraction through the years. So we’re excited about this update—bringing new magic to our guests and giving it a fresh take. Can you talk about why you decided to make these new updates? We are constantly evaluating ways to enhance attractions and experiences in our parks. We want to make sure everybody has the best time—that guests from all over the world can connect with the stories we share and that how we bring those to life are respectful of the diverse world we live in. And when they get off the attraction, they know that we have done our homework because these are the details that matter. When you look at the Jungle Cruise, as it is today, there are just a couple of scenes that don’t do that and needed a refresh. But I want to make sure people know we are not changing the whole Jungle Cruise. This is not a re-envisioning of the entire attraction. It’s the Jungle Cruise you know and love, with the skippers still leading the way, and at the same time, we’re addressing the negative depictions of “natives.” So that’s one of the scenes we’re going to go in and change. So let’s talk about some of these changes… We want to make sure that we take this as an opportunity, right? So as we look to clean up a lot of the challenges that we have in the attraction, we want to make sure we go in and add all the humor that Marc Davis gave it, all those years ago. Anything new we add will be in that tone. And for the first time, we are actually linking scenes together. So if you think of the famous rhino pole scene, with the team of explorers who have somehow camped that night and then been run up the pole by the rhino and a group of other animals… that will really kick off the storyline. Did you ever wonder who those explorers were or where they came from? What’s their backstory? As part of the enhanced storyline, each one of them will have their own story and cultural heritage. There’s a birdwatcher, an entomologist, a wildlife painter, and a photographer, and each one will have a different reason for being on the expedition. And, of course, they did one of the things you’re never supposed to do, which is leave the boat. And one of the things we’re adding to the attraction is an animatronic skipper, who’s been chased up the pole by the rhino, along with the other explorers. They each have great personality, and I think our guests will connect with these characters in new ways. So we’re not really re-envisioning that scene, we’re just adding a narrative and storytelling to bring things to life and connect that moment with other happenings along the river. And you may ask yourself, Wait, what happened to their boat? And we find out that the front of the boat has been beached upon these rocks. We wanted to put something here that feels like Marc Davis had a hand in it, that has a bit of humor in it. And we wanted the animals to have the last laugh. So you’ll see that the family of chimpanzees has moved in. And we don’t currently have chimps on this attraction—all of these amazing animals have been brought to life through the years on the Jungle Cruise and yet we’ve never had chimpanzees. The family of chimpanzees jumps on the wreckage of the boat and they are almost making fun of us. One is wearing the skipper’s hat and is on the microphone. The mother chimp has opened up all the maps and it looks like she’s reading them. A little chimp has gotten into the wildlife painter’s supplies and has made a mess with paint everywhere. It’s the animals really getting the last laugh in this cute scene—these silly explorers really came in and invaded their world. I almost feel like Jingle Cruise is a link between these experiences because with the Jingle Cruise you have the presents that were mistakenly dropped, and throughout the cruise we get to see what happened to them. I agree. Jingle Cruise is great, and it probably was the first time we went in and from a narrative standpoint threaded a storyline through all the rivers. I feel like there is sometimes, perhaps, misplaced concern that when an attraction is reimagined that it is somehow not going to be as great as it was before. How do you address that? First off, we love our fans. You could ask any Imagineer why we do what we do, and it really is to bring a smile to our fans’ faces. And we’re cautious, because we know that any time we go in to make changes, especially to a classic attraction, some may worry it’s going to lose its magic. To make sure it doesn’t, we do our homework. First, we are really leaning into our skippers. Kevin Lively, who is a writer at Imagineering, is actually a former skipper and is the writer for our show. So any changes that we are making are actually being written by a former skipper. The role the skippers play is a significant part of this attraction experience—their performance and how they bring it to life is something we all love. They are deeply passionate about this attraction, too. We want to make sure we get the skippers on board, no pun intended, and that they feel like they have some ownership in this. So that was step one. Second was to bring together a diverse project team. We wanted to make sure that any changes we made from a relevancy standpoint were done right. So we’ve been working with Carmen Smith [executive for Creative Development and Inclusive Strategies] and her team within Imagineering to make sure that any time we show something culturally significant, that is done in the proper light. It’s done in a way that celebrates diverse backgrounds and interests—that’s part of the rich storytelling, not something you poke fun at it. When introducing new elements—even animals—we make sure they’re done in a respectful way. We reached out to Dr. Mark Penning and his team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and said, “Look, we have these chimpanzees that are coming into this new world and we want to have fun with them. How do we make sure it’s done in an authentic way for the chimpanzees?” We want to have fun, but we’re not making fun of the animals. His team had great insights and it really elevated that new scene. And the last part is really looking back to the source material. We went back and looked at original Marc Davis sketches. We pulled out his work and looked at what makes this scene funny, and what are some of the scenes that Marc developed that didn’t make it? It’s really important to go back—especially on a classic attraction—and look at the DNA and what really makes the attraction work. What makes it funny? What makes it fun for our guests? And part of that is going back to Marc’s humor and his storytelling. And Kevin is brilliant at that. Kevin does an amazing job finding that right tone that has that Marc Davis quality to it. What’s the reaction been from the skippers? I was nervous the first time we brought some of the skippers in, just to sit with them and say, “Here’s why we’re making the changes and here’s what some of the changes are going to be.” You could see, at first, some concern, because obviously there’s a lot of love around this attraction. But a few minutes into the presentation, the smiles came onto their faces. They loved it. The feedback from them was that it feels like classic Jungle Cruise, like something that has always been there. Obviously, this means the skippers’ spiels need to change? We’re keeping a lot of the classic jokes that the fans know and love, like the backside of water. But it will give our skipper some new material to play off of. So that’s exciting for them. They were really excited about having some new source material. With the Jungle Cruise movie opening this year, will that be incorporated, as well? I’m excited about the movie, and having Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt be a part of that film. But these adjustments are really focused on enhancing the existing attraction storyline and addressing some areas that needed refreshing along the way. I’m sure the film is fantastic and we’re very excited about it, but integrating the film into our classic Jungle Cruise is not part of this effort. Does that mean that as Imagineers we won’t put Easter eggs in there? We’ll definitely do that. But we are not adding a major storyline or character from that film. The attractions are somewhat different at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Will there be different changes based on location? We’re telling the same story on both coasts. What you see at Walt Disney World at the Magic Kingdom will be exactly what you see at Disneyland Resort. We really do want to tell a very cohesive story on both coasts. It’s been fun to look at the nuances between the two attractions and what makes them slightly different, but the scenes that we’re adjusting are the same. Is there a timeline for the enhancements? We haven’t announced a date yet. We’re working hard to make sure we can get everything in this year. Thank you so much for your time. Anything else you’d like to say before we go? Any time we make an adjustment or a change to a classic attraction, I think back to [Disney Legend] Marty Sklar and even back to Walt and the idea that none of these stories were meant to be frozen in time. As new technology came out, as new stories came out, as characters evolved, these attractions could grow and flex. I think we’ve seen that with Pirates of the Caribbean when we updated the role of the redhead. Changes are always taking place. I think it is always important to look at these classic attractions and make sure we don’t disrupt the DNA of what makes that attraction resonate with our guests. It’s important to us. I love these opportunities to make adjustments and bring in new magic. And we will continue to respect the magic that makes it exciting for all of our guests.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas has sent us a press release about the return of the annual Mardi Gras Festival at Six Flags Fiesta Texas including several new experiences that will debut this year! The 5th Annual Mardi Gras Festival returns to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Stroll through different Mardi Gras villages and experience a new voodoo-themed walk-through, live music, an extensive menu of the French Quarter’s favorite foods and drinks, and of course, beads galore. The theme park will continue its extra focus on health and safety in 2021 with the addition of spontaneous pop-up cavalcades in lieu of traditional parades. “Over the past five years, we’ve created the premier Mardi Gras Festival in South Texas, and this year’s event offers our guests more than ever,” said Park President Jeffrey Siebert. “Guests of all ages can enjoy all the ambiance and energy of The Big Easy while celebrating together safely.” Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Mardi Gras Festival will be open on weekend and select days through February 28, 2021 and the event is included with all active Memberships and Season Passes. Visit www.sixflags.com for specific operating hours. Mardi Gras Festival highlights: The Houngan House of Voodoo – New for 2021 – The Mardi Gras Festival expands into the Spassburg area of the park with the addition of The Houngan House of Voodoo. A voodoo priest lures inquisitive guests through room-after-room of his cursed French Quarter home filled with magical dolls, potions, charms and gris-gris in this voodoo-themed walk-thru attraction. Social distancing will be strictly enforced. This mysterious new addition to the Mardi Gras Festival is included with park admission (reservation required) Mardi Gras Pop-Up Cavalcades – New for 2021 – Guests will be delighted by spontaneous pop-up cavalcades featuring Bugs & Lola or the park’s Mardi Gras brass band in a bead-dazzled vehicle. These colorful, spontaneous, one-vehicle processions will appear four times a day Mardi Gras Beads – What is Mardi Gras without beads? The Mardi Gras bead colors of purple, green, and gold symbolize justice (purple), faith (green) and power (gold). Guests are provided complimentary traditional Mardi Gras beads at various locations Live Music – The street sounds of The Big Easy fill the air with live music by the Dixieland Band, The King Williams Brass Band, and other musical entertainment throughout the park Street Entertainment – The party continues with street shows and performances along the midways in Rockville, Spassburg, and Texas State Square Colorful Décor – The Mardi Gras Festival is a vibrant celebration when Six Flags Fiesta Texas is blanketed with colorful decorations that capture the spirit of this world-famous New Orleans party Taste of Mardi Gras – Back by popular demand are the delicious and authentic food and drinks of Mardi Gras, including gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, bacon-wrapped boudin balls, beignets, hurricanes, and a wide variety of beer. This year’s event also features a long list of new treats for 2021 including gator bites, bacon wrapped Cajun pork ribs, and praline cheesecake. Six Flags Fiesta Texas 2021 Season Passes and Memberships are currently on sale. Members enjoy priority park entry and tremendous discounts of up to 50% on nearly all food and merchandise purchases all season long. Members also receive skip-the-line passes, sneak previews, and extended ride times on some of their favorite rides and attractions. To purchase a ticket for the Mardi Gras Festival, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas. Six Flags worked in partnership with its epidemiologist consultants to create a safe experience that meets or exceeds federal, state, and local guidelines. Park attendance will be carefully monitored to avoid overcrowding and all Members, Season Pass Holders, and guests with single-day tickets will be required to make a reservation to attend the Mardi Gras Festival. In addition: All team members and all guests two years and up will be required to wear masks covering the nose and mouth while in the parks; Props, rides, restraints, handrails, and dining and restroom facilities will be cleaned and sanitized regularly; and Multiple alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the parks for guest and team member usage. For more information on Mardi Gras Festival and Six Flags’ comprehensive safety guidelines, visit www.sixflags.com.

Ocean Park has announced that they will be shifting their business model from all-inclusive ticketing (rides and attractions included at one cost) to a per-experience ticketing cost. Some older rides will also be retired with third party operators expected to install replacements and collect revenue from their operation. A portion of the park will be opened up for public access to become a retail, dining and entertainment area, not requiring ticketed admission to enter. https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/en/press-release/government-unveils-future-plan-for-ocean-park-hong-kong-with-conservation-and The Government and Ocean Park Corporation have completed a rethink exercise to chart the way forward and reimagine new opportunities for the Park, leveraging on its unique geographical location, and its expertise and proven track record in conservation and education. The proposed plan breaks through existing frameworks, with a revamped operating model, a new pricing model and a wide array of enhanced visitor experiences to help the Park achieve business sustainability. “Ocean Park is grateful for the invaluable support from the public and the Government. The new operating model enables us to improve, innovate, and invigorate the Park in the exciting years ahead,” said Lau Ming-wai, Chairman of Ocean Park. “We are excited to have this all-new approach to pave the way forward for the Park. We look forward to working out the details and bringing the next stage of Ocean Park to Hong Kong as soon as possible.” Under the latest plan, Ocean Park will amplify its efforts in local wildlife conservation and education, creating Hong Kong’s biggest and best nature classroom to accompany our next generations on their conservation and learning journeys . The Park will also introduce an admission-free Retail, Dining and Entertainment Zone, along with whole-new Wellness-themed Zones and an Adventure Zone to provide truly unique and diversified dining and entertainment experiences. Together with the soon-to-be-launched Water World and two piers to be built, visitors are set to immerse themselves in the extraordinary experiences and stunning natural beauty of the Park. Driving Conservation and Education inside and outside the Park: The Park aims to better integrate conservation and education with the overall park experience; and deepen the engagement and interaction with the public. It will work closely with schools to enhance and complement the school curriculum, opening up conservation and education possibilities for interactive, hands-on learning. The Park will take advantage of the latest technologies to provide unprecedented experiences to visitors. In addition, it will collaborate with the Government, corporations and NGOs to take conservation work in Hong Kong to the next level. Free entry to new Retail, Dining and Entertainment Zone: The Park’s lower park area will be open to the public for free. Visitors can enjoy world-class performances with gourmet dining, capture highly Instagrammable photo moments, relax at the multipurpose areas and have a great time with their children at the dedicated kids’ zone. All visitors, no matter families or friends, will have countless memories and enjoyment at the Park. Leverage our stunning shoreline: Ocean Park Water World, the highly anticipated world-class attraction, will open this year. With two brand-new piers, Hongkongers can cruise around the Southern District that starts with Ocean Park, and take in the stunning views of Hong Kong’s southern shorelines while participating in meaningful eco and cultural tours. Build upon the natural beauty of our topography: The whole new Wellness-themed Zones will combine conservation and education with the beautiful natural scenery of the Park and its surroundings to provide an exciting array of wellness-themed outdoor activities, while the Adventure Zone promises elevated thrilling guest experiences with new rides embedding elements of nature. Lau concluded, “Our renewed direction embodies our vision of advancing Ocean Park into Hong Kong’s leading education platform, with a strong mission to promote wildlife conservation and environmental protection. Leveraging on our exceptional location and with the launch of Water World soon, we are confident that Ocean Park will play a pivotal role in the ‘Invigorating Island South’ initiative. We remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving business sustainability and to serving the community of Hong Kong.” (Ocean Park photos from the TPR Park Index)

^An act of mercy?

Plopsaland de Panne has announced the theme of the new coaster... The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland. https://plopsanews.com/en/press-releases/video-tomorrowland-en-plopsa-kondigen-meest-spectaculaire-rollercoaster-van-europa-aan-the-ride-to-happiness-by-tomorrowland Tomorrowland and Plopsa announce Europe's most spectacular rollercoaster: 'The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland' From this summer, fans of breathtaking roller coasters and Tomorrowland fans will be able to experience 'The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland' at Plopsaland De Panne, a brand new and sensational attraction that is unique in Europe and among the most spectacular in the world. The extreme spinning coaster will be built entirely within the magic of Tomorrowland. The festival's creative team is working with the Plopsa Group to translate the unique atmosphere that prevails in Boom every summer into this unique partnership. The investment amounts to 17.5 million euros. ‘The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland' is the very first extreme spinning coaster in Europe and the second of this kind worldwide - there is currently only one in the United States. Visitors are catapulted twice to a speed of no less than 90 km/h and go upside down five times in the process. The cars can rotate freely, giving visitors a different ride experience every time. The attraction has a total length of almost one kilometre and stands 35 metres above the ground at its highest point, providing an exceptional view of the park and the spacious surroundings. In addition to the unique thematic content, Tomorrowland is also creating an exclusive soundtrack based on the Tomorrowland Hymn composed by Hans Zimmer, which will be heard during the ride, making the experience even more sensational for every visitor. "The coaster can be seen from afar on the motorway and changes the entire skyline of the park, which provides a whole new dimension. The fact that we can do this together with Tomorrowland is like a dream come true. Through this collaboration, we will both be able to entertain an even bigger audience, which will only make us stronger," says Plopsa Group CEO Steve Van den Kerkhof. The renowned German roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides is responsible for the technical design, engineering and construction of the structure. The creative team from Tomorrowland and the Plopsa Group will be responsible for the theming and overall experience. The aim is to translate the unique atmosphere that prevails in Boom every summer into this spectacular coaster. A separate area within Plopsaland De Panne will be set aside for this attraction, which will become a magnet for visitors from home and abroad from this summer onwards. The cooperation between Tomorrowland and the Plopsa Group is the first step in a far-reaching ambition to make long-term investments in various theme park projects in Europe. The two Belgian companies are known around the world for their far-reaching innovation, creative approach and attention to detail, so this cooperation has come about in a very organic way. The 'Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland' coaster has a price tag of 17.5 million euros.

The Universal Orlando Resort has put out a press release announcing this year's modified Mardi Gras event, Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval. Universal Orlando Resort celebrates Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval featuring authentic cuisine inspired by the most iconic Carnaval festivities across the globe. This first-ever, dynamic celebration of flavor and entertainment will take place daily at Universal Studios Florida from Saturday, February 6 and continue through Sunday, March 28. Guests will enjoy an eclectic global food fest with more than 70 delectable dishes and beverages from 13 locations around the globe. Plus, Universal Studios Florida will be decked out in vibrant décor and guests will have the first-ever opportunity to get up close with spectacular and intricately-detailed Mardi Gras floats stationed throughout the theme park. They’ll also enjoy a Big Easy bash in the streets with energetic dancers and stilt performers in extraordinary costumes, brass band musicians, countless beads and a newly-themed Mardi Gras Tribute Store stocked with new merchandise that will give guests the perfect look for this epic celebration. This culinary journey will feature iconic Cajun fare and traditional Carnaval flavors from across the globe, including: Fan-favorite Cajun cuisine from New Orleans, such as a Crawfish Boil, Jambalaya, Beignets and other Big Easy delights Classic Carnaval dishes from the islands, such as Pernil & Mofongo from Puerto Rico, a vegan Pholourie from Trinidad and Tobago and Jerk Chicken from the Bahamas Pork Schnitzel Sliders and Bavarian Pretzels from Germany, iconic Paella Mixta and Leche Frita from Spain and Belgium Liege Waffles from Belgium Other famous flavors from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Italy, France and more And that’s just a sampling of what Universal Orlando’s culinary team has created for this year’s epic celebration of savory delights. There will also be Carnaval-themed menu options at Universal CityWalk and at the Universal Orlando Resort hotels. To learn more about Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/MardiGras. Universal Orlando continues to implement its enhanced health and safety procedures and guidelines focused on “screening, spacing and sanitization,” and those practices will be applied to all experiences taking place during Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval. Key measures include screening guests and team members, enforcing social distancing, requiring face coverings, limiting capacity and increasing the already-aggressive cleaning and disinfection procedures. Guests may remove their face coverings while actively eating or drinking, but must be stationary and maintain appropriate social distancing. All of the excitement of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida or with a Seasonal or Annual Pass. Guests can take advantage of special offers to enjoy the celebration and all of Universal Orlando’s incredible experiences. Right now, any guests who purchases a 2-Park Annual or Seasonal Pass will receive three extra months free to enjoy all that Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure have to offer. Blockout dates apply on select passes. Florida residents can also take advantage of an exclusive ticket offer to purchase a 1-Day, 2-Park ticket and receive three extra days free to experience both parks. Guests can also take advantage of a special offer to save up to $200 on 4-day tickets for a family of four. For more information and to book these offers, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. With exclusive theme park benefits available to hotel guests, staying in one of Universal Orlando’s hotels is the best way to make the most of a vacation to the award-winning theme park destination. Currently, Florida residents can take advantage of nightly rates as low as $94 per night, plus tax at the all-new value property Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites. Passholders save even more with exclusive nightly rates as low as $89 per night, plus tax, while non-Florida residents can book a stay at Dockside Inn and Suites for as low as $116 per night, plus tax based on a four-night stay. For more information about these offers and other hotel options, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/hotels.

It would still be the smoothest part of the ride.

Waving a red flag in front of a coaster saying “this once had an accident” is no way to attract business. What guests don’t know can’t hurt them, especially when it wouldn’t hurt them even if they did. There is no benefit to that kind of overt transparency.

Plenty of people here, on a theme park-related forum know that the trains had been replaced previously. Those comments all relayed that the general public, the majority of the riders of Manhattan Express, don’t know that.

I can bet you that 95% of the guests that ride this coaster will have no idea that the trains were replaced (unless there’s any kind of advertisement in the station or queue), that the testing resulted in damage to the track or that anything had to be fixed. Those kind of stories don’t make the national news via any medium. And as far as theme park incidents go, this is about as minor as they come. If it were Universal, Disney, SeaWorld, Six Flags or even Knott's, this might have gotten more coverage, but this is a casino that just happens to have a coaster that just happened to have a mishap during testing. There weren’t riders affected and no one was in danger, so it wouldn’t draw the standard attention that ride maintenance issues like these can sometimes pull with the bigger parks/chains. And for these reasons, few will actually question or need some kind of formal acknowledgement of safety corrections that would make more guests want to ride. If the incident didn’t get negative publicity when it happened, there is no upside to drudging up a bad thing to have more visibility in an effort to say it is safe now. As far as the general public is concerned, the ride is safe as it was before its refurbishment, just as it will be when it reopens.

^^Glad to see this project is back on track...

^Is there any other ride manufacturer you’d trust with a coaster of this height, length and speed? I don’t know that there are any others that are remotely qualified by comparison...

Qiddiya has announced that design work has begun for Falcon's Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya, with some initial statistics included for this record-breaking Intamin coaster! https://qiddiya.com/en/media/press-office/six-flags-qiddiya-begins-design-of-world-s-fastest-roller-coaster/ Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), in partnership with Intamin Amusement Rides, has kicked off the design process for the Falcon’s Flight, the signature attraction of Six Flags Qiddiya – a one-of-a-kind theme park scheduled for opening in Qiddiya’s first phase. The Falcon’s Flight is set to become the world’s longest, fastest and tallest coaster. It will travel across approximately 4km, feature a vertical cliff dive maneuver into a 160m-deep valley using magnetic motor acceleration (LSM technology), and achieve unprecedented speeds of 250+ km/h. The Falcon’s Flight will also be the world’s tallest free-standing coaster structure featuring a parabolic airtime hill allowing a weightlessness airtime experience. Qiddiya’s Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Gas, commented on the signature ride saying: “Rollercoaster fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating this ride since it was announced as there is nothing quite like it anywhere else. Now we are in the design stage with the experts at Intamin and the engineering team at Six Flags, the excitement is building! Falcon’s flight will dominate the skyline at Qiddiya weave all the way around our destination, right out of the theme park, up the cliffside, and down the cliff face – the greatest drop of any ride in the world; it won’t be for the fainthearted!” On each ride – a three-minute long adventure – up to 20 passengers will experience the exhilaration of three electromagnetic propulsion launch systems as well as panoramic views of Six Flags Qiddiya and the Resort Core. Daniel Schoppen – Vice President Design & Development, Intamin Amusement Rides – commented: “I will never forget the moment when I was standing at the edge of the 200-meter-high cliff on the Tuwaiq Mountain in Qiddiya, looking into the valley and imagining the creation of a future record-setting roller coaster. I knew that exactly at this spot, The Falcon Flight will dive down along the cliff, ending in a unique exhilarating 250+ km/h proximity flight close to the ground. The worldwide unique setting and heights such as the natural cliff will enable us to design an architectural masterpiece in steel.” Covering 32 hectares (79 acres) and featuring 28 rides and attractions across six themed lands, Six Flags Qiddiya is set to become the theme park that breaks all records of entertainment in Saudi Arabia and the region.