jedimaster1227

Universal Studios Hollywood has sent us a press release regarding their Super Bowl commercial, as well as a new marketing website for the upcoming attraction, including an online game with a chance to win Transformers-related prizes.

Hersheypark has sent us two new photos of their "new view." And man does it look great!

SeaWorld Orlando has sent us a press release regarding a very unique marriage proposal that recently took place at Discovery Cove! SeaWorld Orlando has also sent us a press release regarding this year's Bands, Brew & BBQ Festival.

I've gone ahead and attached the highlights from the planning documents as seen at the link below. http://www.cityoforlando.net/planning/cityplanning/MPB/2012%20MPB%20Agenda%20Minute%20%26%20Staff%20Reports/Jan/MPL2011-00032%205551%20del%20verde.pdf

Hersheypark has sent us a press release regarding their Skyrush contest allowing participants to create a promotional animation for the ride that if chosen, could be used in their marketing campaign for the ride this Summer! Visit this page for more information: http://www.hersheypark.com/contests/skyrush_animation/index.php

Legoland California has sent us a press release confirming the addition of Pirate Reef, the Star Wars expansions and Claws at Sea Life.

This. Elissa, I officially evict you from the Clan of Intamin. Goodbye.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/landscape-of-flavors-at-disneys-art-of-animation-resort-at-walt-disney-world/ http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/new-tastes-at-crossroads-at-house-of-blues-in-downtown-disney-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/more-fun-surprises-in-store-for-the-magic-the-memories-and-you-at-disney-parks/ To give you an idea of what Disney has planned for the Summer segment coming later this year!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/more-fun-surprises-in-store-for-the-magic-the-memories-and-you-at-disney-parks/ http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/exclusive-first-look-photo-realistic-image-of-radiator-springs-racers-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

Forget the new credit. This piece of news has just kicked my interest in this pier up a few notches!

Cedar Point (or their parent company, Cedar Fair) are in no way involved with Legoland Florida or any Legoland property for that matter. Legoland Florida is managed and owned by Merlin. That being said, it is a great sign to see Merlin investing in the former Cypress Gardens remnants to better mesh them into the new Legoland environment.

http://dclnews.com/2012/01/disney-cruise-line-unveils-new-itineraries-and-ports-for-2013/

Universal Orlando has released a press release in conjunction with the web conference announcements letting everyone know that 2012 is "the year to be here" at the Universal Orlando Resort. http://www.universalorlando.com/Rides/New-Attractions-2012.aspx?__source=EDW902424&ptyid=422387# So here are my observations and notes from today's web conference that includes some additional information not directly referenced in the press release. Blue Man Group's updates will retain some of the more popular show experiences but will feature a good of new acts According to Mark Woodbury, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman will feel like an entirely new experience when it reopens this March. Universal is updating the sets, audio, lighting and special effects to match the new 4K digital high quality video being installed. The timing of the ride will be adjusted to allow for more time spent in each show scene. It was heavily stressed that there would be plenty of new things to see in the updated ride footage when the attraction reopens. The Universal Superstar Parade is to have show stops with interactive dance experiences. The characters from the parade will also be available to meet guests before the parade. The Universal Superstar Parade is set to perform once per day. A new retail experience is being developed for Spongebob Squarepants and will include a meet and greet location for the characters from the show. This experience is expected to be located in the KidZone section of the park. The Universal Cinematic Spectacular not only includes water jets and waterfall screens, but will also include pyrotechnics. The show will be narrated by Morgan Freeman and is meant to be seen from any angle around the park's lagoon. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem early animation showed off guests being "Minionized," bouncing down into Gru's laboratory. Also discussed were the dates of when attractions and offerings would be arriving over the next year. Blue Man Group and the Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf will both open this February. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman will reopen in March The Universal Cinematic Spectacular and the Universal Superstar Parade will both debut in the Spring Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the new water play area at Wet n' Wild will both open in the Summer [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=New_Attractions_at_Universal_Orlando_Resort_Opening_2012_kthj[/coastertube] [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Newly-Transformed_20The_20Amazing_20Adventures_20of_20Spider_1g5d[/coastertube] [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=New_BMG_Show_Overview_f6h7[/coastertube] Universal Orlando is transforming The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - one of the most amazing attraction experiences ever created - into what will feel like an all-new adventure. The award-winning attraction will soon feature all-new, 4K digital high definition animation, new high-tech 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems. The reanimation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee. The enhanced experience will debut in March 2012. Already one of the most popular and innovative theme park attractions ever created, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal?s Islands of Adventure continues to raise the bar for theme park entertainment ? combining advanced motion-based ride vehicles, 3-D digital film and live special effects to create an unparalleled ride experience. Universal Orlando's newest attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, will take guests on an unforgettable 3-D adventure with their favorite characters from the hit film - Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions. The experience begins when guests enter Gru's home, where they learn that they're being recruited to become minions and undergo "minion training." Things don't go as planned, and guests find themselves on a wildly hysterical journey with Gru and his daughters. The highly-anticipated attraction opens this summer at Universal Studios Florida. Some of today's most beloved characters and stories will bring new adventure to the streets of Universal Studios during Universal's Superstar Parade - an all-new daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers. Guests will sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy, Hop, Nickelodeon's Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience, which will open this spring. Universal Orlando's Blue Man Group show is taking their unique and captivating mash-up of high energy music, comedy, audience participation and collective exhilaration to another level. Opening in February, the new show will feature a new environment, new music, new technology and new experiences. Audiences will join the Blue Men as they discover, engage and explore the world's obsession with cutting-edge technology. Guests visiting Universal Orlando Resort can experience the world-renowned and outrageously fun Blue Man Group show at Universal CityWalk. The one-of-a-kind show combines music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to create the blissful party atmosphere that is a Blue Man Group trademark.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/disneyland-paris-turns-20-with-exclusive-high-tech-show-parade/

http://twitpic.com/8agv88

During my Walt Disney World stop of the week, we visited Animal Kingdom to go visit Everest, see Finding Nemo: The Musical and ride Dinosaur... Just a few things of note during this visit. One side of the Oasis entrance is currently closed off. Rock work is being rebuilt currently in this area. Should be nice when the walls come down. A look at the work from the other side of the entrance. Natural... Everest was looking particularly nice today. Everest is still quite smooth...For a Vekoma! I've always liked this view. And the ice/rock work has held up quite well over the last five/six years. Still no bird on a stick. "You're takin' a dive!" This foliage has taken a little while to grow in, but it looks pretty nice now. Down we go again! Y is for Yeti. Hiya Larry! The new Disney Vacation Club logo has begun to show up throughout the parks.

After watching the special Rock the Night fireworks show at Disney's Hollywood Studios the other night, my friend and I went over to Epcot to enjoy the rest of the park's time open for the evening. I ended up coming back the following day, but during both visits, I found some new and notable things, as well as captured some more photos of some of Epcot's finest. The temporary Italy booth from the Food & Wine Festival has returned to the pavilion (after a brief stint at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the holidays) to help deal with the loss of Tutto Italia during the major refurbishment it receives over the next few months. Tutto Italia is undergoing a major refurbishment (the one it was supposed to receive when the Patina Group first took over the the restaurant from the former Alfredo's) to give it a new interior design and add a wine bar to building (which will be on this end of the restaurant). The construction wall runs all the way to the pizza window at Via Napoli. Walls have been ripped out and the interior gutted. One this is for sure--this won't look like Alfredo's when it returns. Artsy-ness... As a part of the refurbishment of the Katsura Grill, the fairly new merchandise building directly across from Mitsukoshi was repurposed as a sake bar. The Amasake Mist is a mix of sake, soda and flavorings to make a smoother drink for those that can't stomach sake straight up. Two new merchandise carts have been added directly to the right of the sake bar. It is like they knew TPR was watching! Mo Rockin' is still playing strong! The lower balcony of the France pavilion's waterfront area was open for the first time in a while, allowing for a great view of one of my favorite shows. I love taking fireworks photos! The following day, we returned to Epcot to walk the park and enjoy the atmosphere. A better look at the old entrance ripped open. The Via Napoli pizza window was open again with a limited menu. A look at the menu... We had other plans for dinner this evening... We wanted to eat at Via Napoli! Considering how nice it was outside, it was a pleasant surprise to be seating in the indoor/outdoor patio section of the restaurant. The Mezzo Metro Margherita Pizza was the perfect size for the three of us. After dinner, we had some frozen margaritas in Mexico! New signs in Future World were recently installed around the area, sporting a new look and color scheme that matches the recent changes of style (blue and green) to the two sides of Future World. They sure beat the whirligigs! A section of the entrance to the The Seas with Nemo & Friends was behind walls. Cuttlefish! He's sad he hasn't been featured in a SyFy movie yet. The Seas has always been one of my favorite places to just walk around and enjoy. A look at the "EAC" scene from outside. A not-so-hidden Mickey. April isn't too far off... Will you miss the old Test Track or are you eager to see the new version? Say goodbye to this logo, soon enough. I wonder if this will find a place somewhere in the new attraction. Some details I hadn't looked at in a while. Most Disney fans will die a little if the "2, 5 and 7" line isn't referenced somewhere in the new attraction. "Lai-Tow-Speed!!!" I actually got to ride in one of the "new" cars. As of right now, the changes are purely cosmetic. The screens were the same, and the audio still sounded rough in the car I was in, but I'm sure they'll fix this before the ride reopens in its new form. Only two of the "new" cars were on the track today, with a third sitting off to the side in the post-dispatch maintenance bay. The car showcase currently features the Chevy Volt as the feature vehicle. The future of Test Track is Chevrolet.

In the midst of all of the resort-wide rescheduling due to the visit of President Barack Obama, Disney's Hollywood Studios offered a special showing of its very rare fireworks show, Rock the Night, most often seen on New Year's Eve. The show features the park's well known Mulch, Sweat & Shears band rocking out in sync with some great music and an incredible arsenal of fireworks. Let me say this: If you haven't seen fireworks like these at Disney's Hollywood Studios, you're missing out! This show definitely gives Wishes a run for its money! While at the park, I also stopped by to check out the latest changes since the holidays were finally over. [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Rock_the_Night_DHS_btec[/coastertube] The Christmas tree at the entrance to the park is once again gone. A sign out front declared the special offering's occurrence, but it wasn't feature on any of the printed times guides or park maps. Yep. Sounds Dangerous still technically exists... At least until Star Wars Weekends comes back around. The tip board had the fireworks show listed. That being said, it was still pretty vague when telling what to expect. Mulch Sweat n' Shears must've been performing for a good five hours with only a few breaks, because they were basically on stage the entire evening. The screen outside of The American Idol Experience was also rigged up to broadcast the entire stage show, as well as the fireworks. The Sounds Dangerous programming for the ABC Sound Studio marquee was back after it was reprogrammed for the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special. The Comedy Warehouse stickers were also removed from the info boards. What kind of visit to Hollywood Studios would it be without a ride on the amazing Star Tours? You'll find the brakes some day old buddy! My favorite part of the pre show video... So clever! I recognize four residents of Mos Eisley, a wookie, a Mon Calamari, a Twi'lec and a kid bound to turn around using a 19th century camera complete with exploding-powder flash. On my flight, I was accused of being the rebel spy... Visited the wookie planet... Visited by Princess Leia via hologram... Chased by a bounty hunter with sonic bombs... Passed the Mighty Microscope and then got laughed at by some rebel pilot in the hanger as we safely landed. I certainly expected some free Wookie Cookies after such a terrible experience, but Star Tours is definitely the US Airways of space travel, so no luck. Most of the wiring from the Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights has been removed, save for a few pieces. It's nice to see the buildings looking normal again, as much as I do love the lights (especially the ones used this year). All of the extra holiday theming has been removed, and the Streets of America are nearly back to normal. The corner where the gigantic Christmas tree and the lighting box are kept is still being worked on. This piece normally takes a while to build up, so taking it down is expected to go slowly as well. The awesome light canopy from the Osbourne Lights is completely gone. If they figure out a way to upgrade it any more, I may never need to see the rest of the lights on the Streets of America. That canopy was amazing! Awwww! The Nativity Scene is also gone. The holiday drinks at the Backlot Express bar are no longer being served and the more standard offerings have returned! Due to the fireworks, most of the back section of the park closed at 5:30 pm, only reopening for Extra Magic Hours guests after the fireworks were over. I doubt we'll ever seen the Luxo Jr. animatronic return, but I really hope they find a way to bring him back. The Great Movie Ride closed at 5:30 pm as well. Toy Story Mania, One Man's Dream, Great Movie Ride, and all of the Animation Courtyard attractions closed early to prepare for the show. One thing was truly impressive about this evening's show... Before the fireworks even began (and I mean hours before), Mulch Sweat n' Shears' rock show featured an impressive collection of fireworks and pyro that went off quite frequently. And they used a lot of pyro this evening! When the area was ready to be closed off, Cast Members escorted guests away from the areas, slowly moving them out into the main plaza where they could see the fireworks or go to Sunset Boulevard. These fireworks went off long before the fireworks began. And the band is actually really great together. In lightest day, In blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, Beware my power, Purple Lantern's light! Just in case you forgot where you were. He didn't like my Purple Lantern joke. Hey Pleasure Island fans! Does this effect remind you of Mannequins? Time for the show to begin! (Watch the video at the beginning of the post to see for yourself!)

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-parks--entertainment-names-james-m-heaney-new-chief-financial-officer-137776258.html SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment today announced James M. Heaney, former Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance and Travel Operations for Disney Cruise Line, will join the company as Chief Financial Officer. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Orlando, Fla. (PRNewsFoto/SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment)

SeaWorld San Diego has posted two new videos regarding their upcoming coaster Manta, which include details on pass holder ERT on the ride, the official opening date, and of course, a status update on the construction of the ride itself.

http://www.insideseaworld.com/seaworld-orlandos-turtletrek-webisode-no-1-overview-1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1vLCHmSaME

The full video from the press conference announcing the park has been added to the first post of this thread.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-ceo-outlines-cedar-fairs-long-term-growth-strategy-and-financial-goals-at-company-sponsored-investor-meeting-2012-01-19