jedimaster1227

Legoland Florida announced today that Miniland will be gaining new shade structures by this summer!

Raptor (Cedar Point), Montu, Kumba and California Screamin’/Incredicoaster all have fantastic second halves.

Festival of the Lion King at Hong Kong Disneyland is my favorite show with performers. World of Color is my favorite fountain based show and Remember, Dreams Come True is my favorite fireworks show.

Just because you don’t think it is good, it doesn’t mean the rest of the visiting majority agrees with your opinion. But I guess that’s the beauty of numbers... Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the numbers will speak for the masses, vocal or not as they may be.

I think “terrible” is a matter of perspective. Also understand that the person you’re debating this with has a long-proven admiration of Epcot in its classic form... Just look up Epcot’s 25th anniversary for my credentials. Here’s the thing... Classic attractions like Horizons and the original Journey into Imagination were amazing. But by the end of their lifespans they struggled to attract riders. The same is true with both Universe of Energy versions, World of Motion, El Rio del Tiempo and The Seacabs in The Living Seas. These attractions need consistent ridership to justify operation. There are no theme parks (past or present) that have been able to justify operating major attractions (at major expense) without ridership value to offset the cost. Attractions that fall into this rut are either retired, rethemed or removed outright. It isn’t a question of quality—it is a question of appeal. Timeless attractions maintain their appeal—the majority of the attractions in Fantasyland, Adventureland and Frontierland at Disneyland Park and the Magic Kingdom have not been replaced, only plussed because of that enduring appeal. It is easy to gripe or idealize what audiences should want to experience or consume but the proof is always in the numbers. When the appeal has worn off, choices have to be made. Fans may not always like that expansion space and existing attractions are turned over for IP-based projects, but that is what gets guests through the turnstiles these days. The old edutainment approach on its own stopped succeeding in the 90’s... It had to be supplemented with IP and thrill to get guests to come to the park. The things you like about current Epcot couldn’t exist if the popular attractions you call “terrible” hadn’t been added to the park when they were. It was those “terrible” attractions that evidenced a need for more characters, more thrill and more for families... Without those, that park would continue to struggle until more drastic decisions might have needed to be made.

Does Frozen Ever After make you think? Gran Fiesta Tour? Ratatouille? Edutainment has always been a part of Epcot’s DNA, but since about 1998, experiences that exist purely for the sake of fun or thrill have too. It may be hard to swallow that the 1982 approach to EPCOT Center isn’t around anymore, but these parks aren’t museums... And superheroes inspire (children in particular) in ways that science and culture just don’t today.

^Thematically, the story of the pavilion will be that Xander is bringing the first “Other-World Showcase” pavilion to Epcot... So at least there’s some connective concepts there. As someone whose favorite park (outside of Tokyo DisneySea) has always been Epcot, I’m fond of past experiences like Horizons but I have no problem with new experiences being brought to the park. Plus, I have a lot of faith that this will be a really fun ride, given how surprisingly fantastic Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout turned out to be—now the most fun Tower-style ride in existence from a ride experience standpoint.

Disney Cruise Line has shared a new video teasing new details in the Grand Hall of the Disney Wish. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/12/disney-cruise-line-unwraps-never-before-seen-video-of-its-next-ship-the-disney-wish/ Earlier today, the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration” unpacked a sleigh-full of Disney magic, including a brand-new video of the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022. This never-before-seen digital clip showcases new details of the dazzling Grand Hall and a first look at the stunning character statue at the base of the grand staircase, an iconic Disney princess whose faith in her dreams has inspired generations to believe in the power of their own. Who is she? You don’t have to wait until the clock strikes midnight to find out… Inspired by the beauty of a fairytale castle, the Grand Hall makes a bold welcoming statement, setting the tone for an enchanted family vacation from the moment guests step onboard the Disney Wish. It is an idyllic setting for Cinderella, whose timeless story is the perfect example of magic transforming wishes into dreams and dreams into reality – very fitting for a vessel named the Disney Wish, don’t you think? The Disney Wish is the first of three new ships joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet through 2025. All three ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates about the Disney Wish, and check out disneycruise.disney.go.com/why-cruise-disney/wish/ for more ways to stay in-the-know.

^It would be much cheaper to build a brand new coaster elsewhere. The Megazeph structure might be salvageable but it is likely that all of the track would need to be replaced to get the coaster operational, not to mention that new trains would have to be ordered. The cost of disassembly, transportation, reassembly and replacement of the track and trains would easily outweigh the cost of building a new coaster directly onsite at a different park.

Walt Disney World has announced that Disney's Blizzard Beach will reopen on March 7th, 2021! The water park will be open for its 25th season and to celebrate, the Disney Parks Blog has shared seven fun facts about the classic water park! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/12/7-reasons-to-be-excited-for-the-opening-of-disneys-blizzard-beach-in-march-2021/ The wait is finally over! Cast members will begin returning soon to prepare Disney’s Blizzard Beach for its scheduled reopening on March 7, 2021. First opened to the public on April 1, 1995, this spring will kick off Blizzard Beach’s 25th season. In honor of this exciting news – here are seven fun facts you may not have known about Disney’s wintry-themed water park. 1. Blizzard Beach has a special story all its own A ski resort in Florida? You heard that right! As the story goes, a legendary snowstorm in Florida prompted local opportunists to build a ski resort. When Florida’s climate returned to normal temperatures and the snow began to melt, Blizzard Beach was born. 2. Blizzard Beach is home to one of the fastest waterslides in the world The ultimate water park thrill ride, Summit Plummet is a 120-foot-tall waterslide with a near-vertical drop. Guests accelerate up to 65 mph on the slide, making it one of the fastest attractions at Walt Disney World. 3. There’s no shortage of tasty treats From churros to Mickey ice cream bars, you can discover many of your favorite snacks at the Disney Water Parks. There are plenty of menu options to choose from, including these loaded nachos from Frostbite Freddy’s Frozen Freshments. 4. The first chairlift in Florida was built at Blizzard Beach Want to know a Disney secret? This colorful chairlift, built to ferry guests to the top of Mount Gushmore, was the first of its kind in the state of Florida. The chairlift offers a scenic bird’s-eye view of Blizzard Beach and easy access to Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher and Teamboat Springs. 5. There’s a full-service beach bar serving Blizzard Beach-inspired cocktails Piña CoLAVA anyone? How about a Blue Blizzard Margarita? The Polar Pub serves as Blizzard Beach’s own full-service beach bar and offers specialty cocktails inspired by the park’s stories. 6. Cross Country Creek is one of the longest lazy rivers in the U.S.A. At 3,000 feet, Cross Country Creek ranks among the longest lazy rivers in the country. It takes between 20 and 30 minutes to complete one journey around the waterway – depending, of course, on how lazy you want to be! 7. Teamboat Springs is one of the world’s longest family whitewater raft ride One of the world’s longest family whitewater raft ride is none other than Teamboat Springs at Blizzard Beach. Along the winding rapids of Teamboat Springs, guests encounter remnants of the fabled snowstorm in the form of snowshoes, snow shovels, melting icicles and a snow mobile.

Meraas is looking to delist and take DXB Entertainments (the parent company that owns and operates LEGOLAND Dubai, Motiongate Dubai and Bollywood Park Dubai) private. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-20/dubai-s-meraas-makes-offer-to-delist-troubled-park-operator-dxbe Dubai government-controlled Meraas Holding LLC is offering shareholders a 33% discount to take theme park operator DXB Entertainments private, six years after raising money from equity investors to build the amusement hub. Meraas plans to acquire debt worth 4.26 billion dirhams ($1.16 billion) and convert it into new DXBE shares, boosting its ownership to more than 90%. It will then offer to buy out other shareholders at eight fils in cash for each DXB Entertainments share, below the 12 fils closing price on Sunday, when the statement was published. DXBE shares dropped by the 5% daily limit on Monday. The company was listed to capitalize on Dubai’s booming tourism sector in 2014, but has struggled for years to hit targets for visitor numbers. Its troubles were exacerbated by lockdowns put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The company hasn’t posted a profit since listing and the stock has lost more than 90% of its value since a peak in 2016. DXBE’s initial public offering valued it at 5.75 billion dirhams, nearly nine times more than implied by Meraas’s offer. In March, Emirates NBD PJSC and Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC acquired the company’s debt from mainly non-United Arab Emirates-based lenders at a discount to allow Meraas to restructure the park operator with a small group of Dubai banks, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. DXBE’s IPO had attracted institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds from Qatar and Kuwait and wealthy families, who made offers of about 100 billion dirhams, the company had said at the time. Meraas holds a 52% stake in DXB Entertainments, which still counts Qatar’s sovereign fund and Kuwait Investment Authority as other shareholders.

The first attraction in The New Atlantis area at Sea World Gold Coast has officially opened! https://www.mygc.com.au/watch-vortex-ride-now-open-at-sea-world/ Sea World visitors are set to spin this summer, with the brand new Vortex ride now open! Thrillseekers will experience up to 5 g-forces on the 18 metre high pendulum swinging attraction, which reaches speeds of 30 kilometres per hour. “While on the ride, guests will tumble and twirl through the air as they experience pendulum movements and circular rotations all while taking in the spectacular views of the park,” Village Roadshow Theme Parks CEO Clark Kirby told myGC. Check out the ride in the video below: The Vortex is the first attraction to open in The New Atlantis precinct, with another two rides, the Leviathan (a wooden coaster) and the Trident (a 42 metre high swinging attraction) to open mid next year. “The New Atlantis precinct is going to be a game-changer for Sea World and will become a destination where our guests can experience the myths, mysteries, quests and challenges located within the new multi-million-dollar utopian precinct,” said Mr Kirby. For more information on the Vortex, visit: seaworld.com.au/

Work has begun on the construction of Myrtle Beach's new Funplex park... https://www.wyff4.com/article/work-begins-on-funplex-myrtle-beachs-newest-amusement-park/34760230 A new amusement park is coming to Myrtle Beach. Work began last week on the new “Funplex” at Ocean Boulevard and 15th Avenue North. The park will be tropically themed and feature seven family-thrill rides, a walk-up bar and a restaurant. "Designed for families and thrill seekers alike, rides will be themed to match the Grand Strand beach vibe and include the tallest, interactive 360° flying jet ride on the market, and first-of-its-kind in North America," a news release from The Funplex said. “The Funplex-Myrtle Beach has been a long time in the making” said Funplex CEO Brian Williams. “And we are excited to finally break ground on our next generation of family fun!” Funplex already has two parks in New Jersey. The Myrtle Beach location is expected to be complete by spring 2021.

The City of New Orleans is once again restarting the process to collect proposals for a redevelopment of the former Jazzland/Six Flags New Orleans site. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) does not appear to have stipulations as to what kind of use the land must have, so it is possible that the land could be redeveloped for a variety of concepts. https://nola.gov/mayor/news/december-2020/city-releases-rfq-for-redevelopment-of-former-six-flags-property/ The City of New Orleans has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a Master Developer for the redevelopment of the former Six Flags site in New Orleans East. After more than a decade sitting vacant, the City is moving forward with a call to identify a qualified team that brings the experience, capacity and resources to create a transformative project at a key site for both the New Orleans East community and the city. The first phase of the RFQ opens Dec. 16, 2020, and responses will be accepted until February 9, 2021. The City has several objectives it hopes to achieve through the Six Flags RFQ: Create a catalytic economic development anchor project that will spur job creation and investment in alignment with the City’s priority economic development industries Bring the site back into commerce as an amenity that will benefit the community and make use of the site’s strategic assets and location Create a coherent, unified environment through integration of adjacent land uses and spaces, emphasizing green and blue site design elements Spur vibrancy in the New Orleans economy by providing new, well-paying permanent jobs in priority industries and/or industries appropriate to the site “The Six Flags site is a generational opportunity to create a transformative project at one of the best redevelopment sites in the region. While we are well aware of the historic challenges with the site, the City is deeply committed to ensuring that this solicitation results in the successful redevelopment of the Six Flags property. The City is looking forward to partnering with a development team that has a track record of success bringing multifaceted, forward-thinking projects to fruition that achieve the benefits of economic and community development, job creation, blue and green infrastructure, and more. Bringing this site back into commerce is a commitment of the Administration to the New Orleans East community and the City, and the first step in that process has been taken today,” said Jeff Schwartz, Director, Office of Economic Development. “The New Orleans Business Alliance is excited to partner with the City to market the opportunity to redevelop this key site that serves as the gateway to New Orleans. NOLABA has cultivated a vast network of local, regional and national real estate development organizations and we’ll be activating that network throughout this process. Redevelopment of the Jazzland/Six Flags site has the potential to drive job growth, create opportunities for local neighborhood businesses and represent proof of the economic vitality for New Orleans East, the entire city and entire region,” said Quentin Messer, President and CEO, New Orleans Business Alliance. The Six Flags site is a 227-acre property in New Orleans East at the intersection of Interstate-10 and Interstate-510 that originally opened in 2000 as the $130 million Jazzland theme park. The amusement park was acquired by Six Flags in 2002, but did not reopen after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has remained shuttered since then. The Industrial Development Board (IDB) took title to the property in 2009, and the City is leading the redevelopment of the site on behalf of the IDB. Additional Information The City will be accepting applications through the City’s BRASS procurement portal at https://nola.gov/purchasing/brass. Any questions about the solicitation can be directed to the City’s Procurement Office at https://nola.gov/purchasing. Additional information on the Six Flags/Jazzland property can be seen at https://www.nola.gov/jazzland.

A very clever concept for this park... It makes you wonder if any other parks could consider doing the same for their coasters.

As someone that has watched Grona Lund grow from afar for years, enamored with how they’ve managed to squeeze more rides into their limited footprint, I’m especially eager to see how this new B&M fits—and what room there is left for future additions.

^I feel like there’s a plausible argument to be made for it to exist in any of the Walt Disney World parks except for Animal Kingdom. I’d imagine it made sense to put it in Magic Kingdom since Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was slated for Epcot and the park didn’t need two huge launched coasters. I honestly think it will work as a really marketable addition to Magic Kingdom for the park (and the resort’s) 50th anniversary.

It seems like this refurbishment is going off the rails...

I absolutely love the classic EPCOT aesthetic that this fountain brings to the entry plaza, but I genuinely appreciate the efforts taken to modernize the fountain with new lighting elements. It might not seem like a major addition compared to a new ride or show, but there's something very exciting about all of the new, little things that will be coming to the park over the coming years.

The Disney Parks Blog has shared a new update on the reimagined Snow White's Scary Adventures attraction at Disneyland Park. The updated attraction, now titled "Snow White's Enchanted Wish" will debut with refreshed visuals, new technology and added scenes! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/12/first-look-of-snow-whites-enchanted-wish-at-disneyland-park/ As we’ve previously announced, Snow White’s Scary Adventures has been undergoing a magical reimagination. Today – on the 83rd anniversary of the premiere of Disney Animation’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles – we’re excited to share that Disneyland park’s only ride-through princess attraction has been reimagined and renamed as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish! While Disneyland park has been closed, Walt Disney Imagineering has been putting the finishing touches on this cherished attraction, which will be ready to welcome guests when we reopen our theme parks at a later date. While you may recognize some familiar elements in the attraction, you’ll be surprised to discover enhanced story details and all-new scenes. Take a look at the sneak peek below! Imagineers have updated this classic Fantasyland attraction with new magic inside and out. Using state-of-the-art audio and visual technology, including new music, LED black lighting, laser projections and a new animation system, the attraction brings to life Snow White’s “happily ever after.” You will delight in new appearances of beloved characters, including Snow White cheerfully dancing and twirling with the Seven Dwarfs in their cozy cottage. You may even notice the scent of Doc’s handiwork – a baking apple pie ­– wafting through the air, before heading “off to work we go!” Vibrant new shadow projections bring to life the dwarfs as they march happily off to work in the mine singing “Heigh-Ho.” The most dazzling scene is the mine, which sparkles with shimmering lighting effects and glittering jewels all around. There are more surprises to discover and we cannot wait for you to experience the magic of this timeless fairytale, and Snow White’s enchanted wish coming true at last!

I give the new owner credit for not only reviving what was thought to be a dead park, but pursuing an aggressive growth plan that will help to entice guests back and reestablish a relationship with regional visitors. I’ll be very curious to see how they approach refurbishing these Schwartkopfs and if these additions are enough to spur a turnaround for the park, given how rough the last few years have been.

^Everything new that has been built as a part of this expansion carries the Jurassic World styling in color scheme, logos and architecture. The new Raptor Encounter location ties into the Jurassic World style of the new coaster, while the rest of the land remains themed to Jurassic Park.

On Sunday I ventured out to the Universal Orlando Resort for a chance to see the new holiday offerings at the two parks. This year is a little different thanks to COVID-19, but Universal has still managed to offer modified holiday experiences (including a few new ones) that keep the holiday season alive in fun and delicious ways. Over at Islands of Adventure, along with the holiday fun, Jurassic World Velocicoaster nears completion as theming installation is winding down. A familiar sight... Construction on the new retail expansion in the former Fossil/PiQ!/Island Traders space is well under way in CityWalk. Looking towards Islands of Adventure, you can see Velocicoaster's 155 ft tall spike from outside of the park. It hasn't been indicated if this yet-to-be-announced CityWalk project will introduce several new options or one larger venue... The entrance of Universal Studios Florida is decked out for this year's Universal Orlando Holidays event. Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration has resumed showing to socially distanced crowds at Universal Studios Florida, making this the first consistent nighttime spectacular to resume performances from inside of the Central Florida parks. In lieu of the typical Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy's, the floats from that popular experience have been cleverly arranged inside of one of the studios to make for fun walk through and photo op experience inside. This was a surprisingly effective alternative to the normal parade experience... I have to wonder if we could be seeing something similar for this year's Mardi Gras. It isn't a Universal parade without Minions! Madagascar floats are on full display inside of the exhibit. Puss in Boats is out to take social distanced photos with guests. The experience is tightly packed into this one studio but is really well set up! With his signature float from the parade parked behind him, Santa Claus is present for social distanced photos! While my visit was first thing in the morning with no wait time, the experience is capacity controlled and can be set up to require a Virtual Line reservation to enter. The park's New York/Central Park area is dressed for the holidays with its signature Christmas Tree. Just a few weeks ago this was the Halloween Tribute Store. Universal quickly turned over the space to introduce their first ever Holiday Tribute Store. The interior layout is mostly the same as what came before the with the Halloween Tribute Store, but you'd never know from the interior furnishings. Universal has joined other parks in embracing the appeal of the retro Mold-A-Rama machines to offer fun made-in-front-of-you souvenirs. The Halloween machines were updated to offer holiday molds. One of the Tribute Store rooms is themed to How the Grinch Stole Christmas and features some fun photo ops along with a large selection of themed merchandise. One of the rooms is themed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and features a selection of holiday gifts and apparel for Potter fans. Earl the Squirrel is kind of an in-joke for Universal's creative teams but it is fun to see the character fleshed out in his own section of the Tribute Store, specifically hosting a collection of food and beverage counters. Lots of treats to choose from! I was a huge fan of the Beating Heart gummy treats from the Halloween Tribute Store so I was excited to see more of this concept fleshed out, but none of these flavors appeal to me for what I want in a gummy. I absolutely love the display approach though--the gummies you see here are the ones you're served when you buy one! They have Sticky Buns... Unfortunately mine was obviously left over from the day before and was too hard to cut or eat... I do appreciate the effort that went into fleshing out the theming in this room. I also tried the Peppermint Mousse Ornament and a Hot Chocolate Bomb... The Peppermint Mousse Ornament was really tasty, though really heavy on the peppermint, so plan to share it or be prepared to not be able to finish it all. The Hot Chocolate Bomb is neat in that they give you the chocolate ornament on the side to let you drop it into your hot chocolate. The hot chocolate already has marshmallows in it, but when you drop in your ornament and let it melt (you may have to flip it if you want to speed up the process like I did), you'll find even more marshmallows inside. Ultimately the melted ornament amped up the chocolate inside of the cup and made this an even tastier treat. Of the three items I ordered, this was the only one I'd go back for a second round. Another look at this year's Christmas Tree. Diagon Alley has been dressed up for the holiday season... And fans of Warm Butterbeer will be happy to know this seasonal beverage is back on the menu at both Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations in Universal Orlando. A food truck has been parked over my the Animal Actors On Location! Theater... It wasn't open during my visit but that Maple Bacon funnel cake is beckoning me to return... The other food truck in the park near the Hollywood Bowl is the new Arepa Rellenas truck. I really wanted to try the Beef Picadillo and I was not disappointed! This is honestly one of the best quick service items I've eaten at Universal in a long time! I'll definitely be ordering it again before the end of the Holiday season. Over at Islands of Adventure, the lines for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure continues to send guests through the former Sinbad theater to queue... I had a Virtual Line reservation but when I checked in, I was told that it would be at least an hour from this point so I skipped this one for the day as I had places to be. Velocicoaster really does look fantastic! A few section of the fenced in portion of the coaster have been designed for spectators to look in from the outside. This certainly looks different when compared to the view a year ago. New lockers for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey have been built near the greenhouse portion of the ride's queue, but they have been masked by a new themed barrier since they face the Jurassic Park section of Islands of Adventure. Nothing says Harry Potter like a coaster swooping right by the land... Hogsmeade is also dressed up for the holiday season, but it didn't need those added touches to keep it busy. Seuss Landing has received its typical Grinchmas decor, even though the How the Grinch Stole Christmas show is not being offered this year. Have I mentioned how much I'm loving the look of this coaster? Two really fun looking maneuvers! I can't wait to come back to ride this sometime next year when it opens to the public! Overall, Universal has managed to put together a really solid holiday lineup including the modified experience offerings. If you're looking for a place to enjoy the holidays at a theme park, I could definitely recommend Universal Orlando as an option, based on my experiences!

Universal Orlando has announced the grand opening date of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, as well as the reopening of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel! Dockside Inn and Suites will open to guests on December 15th and Portofino Bay will reopen on December 1st! Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, the newest hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, will open to guests for the first time on December 15, 2020 with an impressively low starting rate of $79 per night. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando will also resume operations on December 1, 2020. Safety and well-being protocols will be in place throughout both hotels, as they are across all of Universal Orlando’s hotels and theme parks. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel will welcome back guests with newly-renovated rooms and suites throughout the hotel. Guests can relax in surroundings inspired by the beauty, romance and charm of the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy. A stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel includes free Universal Express Unlimited benefits to skip the regular lines at participating rides and attractions at the theme parks. To book a stay, visit https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/places-to-stay/loews-portofino-bay-hotel. Dockside Inn and Suites will be the second hotel in the destination’s Value category, joining sister property Surfside Inn and Suites. The extra-affordable resort will add 2,050 guest rooms, featuring standard rooms and spacious 2-Bedroom Suites. And with the low $79 per night rate, the all-new hotel creates a value experience that is unmatched in the Orlando area. Brought to life by the award-winning Universal Creative team, Dockside Inn and Suites will make guests feel like they have escaped to the perfect sunset with the cool, calm feeling of a beach retreat. It’s the destination’s eighth property in partnership with Loews Hotels & Co, providing Universal Orlando guests with a variety of hotel options for every style and budget, complete with exclusive theme park benefits and a seamless vacation experience. At Dockside Inn and Suites, guests can experience all that the hotel and Universal Orlando have to offer, including: 2-Bedroom Suites – These suites, which make up more than half the rooms at both Dockside Inn and Suites & Surfside Inn and Suites, sleep up to six and offer guests an unrivaled value. With two separate rooms, families no longer need two connecting rooms for extra space. There is also a kitchenette area, a picnic table for meals and hanging out, and a bathroom with separate bath and vanity areas so multiple people can get ready at once. The 2-Bedroom Suites begin as low as $120 per night based on a four-night stay. Exclusive Theme Park Benefits – Hotel guests receive exclusive benefits including Early Park Admission to the theme parks, complimentary and convenient shuttle bus transportation, charging privileges with their room key and more. Pier 8 Market – The all-American Pier 8 Market offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu will feature extra-affordable options with most dishes under $12, ranging from themed comfort foods to convenient on-the-go options. Awesome Amenities – The lobby bar, Sunset Lounge, serves specialty cocktails and is the perfect place to unwind after a day at the theme parks. The hotel will feature two pools and two pool bars as well as a Universal Orlando Vacation Planning Center, Universal Studios Store and more. To learn more about this brand new hotel or to make a reservation, call 1-888-464-3617 or visit http://www.universalorlando.com/dockside. Universal Orlando continues to implement its enhanced health and safety procedures and guidelines focused on “screening, spacing and sanitization” across its entire destination, including its hotels. Key measures include requiring face coverings, requiring temperature checks for guests and team members, enhanced cleaning of guest rooms and public areas, managing capacity at food and beverage outlets, offering several contactless experiences and more. For more details on our safety measures, please visit: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/safety-faqs.

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced that Philippe Gas has been appointed as their CEO effect November 29th, 2020. Philippe Gas comes from a 30-year tenure with The Walt Disney Company, most notably holding executive leadership roles overseeing Euro Disney/Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland. Qiddiya is the company behind Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudia Arabia, which is slated to open as part of the first phase of Qiddiya in 2023. Qiddiya Investment Company announces the appointment of Philippe Gas to the position of Chief Executive Officer effective 29 November 2020. Qiddiya is Saudi Arabia’s future capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts guided directly by the inspired leadership of His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Qiddiya, as a keystone of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for long-term prosperity. Mr. Gas brings a wealth of experience to the role, moving into the position from a 30-year tenure with The Walt Disney Company, where he most recently served as President & Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan & Disneyland International. Before moving into this global leadership role, Philippe was the Chief Executive Officer of Euro Disney SCA, the first tourism destination in Europe, for seven years and then successfully led the launch of Shanghai Disney Resort, The Walt Disney Company’s first theme park in mainland China and its largest international investment to date. His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and a Board Member and the General Secretary of Qiddiya’s Board of Directors, commented on the appointment: “The Qiddiya giga-project sits at the core of the future of Saudi Arabian entertainment. Philippe has an impressive international track record of delivering world-class entertainment destination experiences and leading large organizations, which makes him the right person to oversee this next, crucial phase of development as we rapidly journey toward the much-anticipated Grand Opening of Qiddiya. I want to thank Michael Reininger for laying the foundation for our future success with his steadfast leadership over the past few years and on behalf of the whole Qiddiya team I wish him every success in his future endeavors.” “Qiddiya is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to develop an unforgettable offering that will transform entertainment for an entire region and create cherished memories for current and future generations. I am grateful to His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman and the Qiddiya Board of Directors for entrusting me with this prestigious responsibility. The Qiddiya team has delivered a lot in a short amount of time and it is my honor to take the helm at this critical juncture so that together, we can launch an incredible new entertainment experience to the world,” Philippe Gas added. Mr. Gas replaces founding CEO Michael Reininger, who will remain for a handover and advisory period before departing Qiddiya Investment Company after nearly three years of dedicated service and overseeing delivery of several key project milestones. Mr. Reininger’s entrepreneurial skillset has been instrumental in seeding the foundation of Qiddiya and in the last three years, he has put together successful project teams in anticipation of this planned transition. About Qiddiya Investment Company: Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is driving the development of Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia’s Capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts. As a core tenet of Vision 2030, Qiddiya has a dual economic and social purpose: to advance economic diversification and unlock new professional pathways while enriching lives of youth in the Kingdom. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced the project on April 7, 2017. Ground-Breaking took place on April 28, 2018 and the company, Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), was incorporated as a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by PIF, on May 10, 2018. In 2020, Qiddiya progressed from planning to construction phase, with site preparation works currently underway. Qiddiya is located south-west of Riyadh on a site that spans 366 sq.km. Phase one is set to open in 2023. Visitors will enjoy activities across five cornerstones: Sports & Wellness; Nature & Environment; Parks & Attractions; Motion & Mobility; and Arts & Culture. Development of these areas will give rise to family-friendly theme parks; sports venues suitable for international competitions; academies for sports and the arts; concert and entertainment venues; racetracks and grandstands for motorsport enthusiasts; outdoor and adventure activities alongside nature and environment experiences; and historical, cultural and educational activities. Qiddiya will also include a variety of real estate options and community services.