jedimaster1227

Busch Gardens has sent out another press release promoting their last weekend of the Bands, Brew & BBQ concert series for this year.

http://www.wlky.com/entertainment/22648197/detail.html

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=23981

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_14457812

^Can the island be in the shape of a shark?

^Actually, that sounds exciting... Why didn't Disney hire you for their Space Mountain overlay designs? I think that would be a cool addition...

^From an enthusiast standpoint, I have to agree with you. Without most of the effects that made the presentation semi-impressive, there is little that I see that screams "I must visit Disneyland just for this." That being said, I am looking forward to revisiting it when I'm there in July, because I do have fond memories of the experience as a child. Back before I knew that I could research the parks on the internet, I had only vague memories of the show, and I remember being quite disappointed to find that the show was replaced with HISTA (which nearly sent me into a panic attack as a kid thanks to the scene where the snake/lion pops out at you). I think the show will do a good job in terms of publicity for the park, as well as a little bit of increased revenue. Reading reports today, it seems like the initial rush to be there on the opening hour has finally died down, and now the show is without a wait time... I think this foreshadows what will be EO's run. A busy beginning, and eventual end, but the fans won't be enough to power the middle showings like they did with today's opening. Like it was busy to start with today, I'm guessing there will be another fan surge to send off the show in its final day of operation (whenever that may be), and then it will be over. I could be very wrong, but based on today's reports alone, this is what I'm expecting.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100223/GPG0101/2230509/1207/GPG01

http://www.eturbonews.com/14532/ferrari-world-abu-dhabi-open-second-half-2010

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/184877.htm

^This was around the time Freestyle Music Park opened for its first season (Hard Rock Park's second season, if you look at it that way).

http://www.newschief.com/article/20100221/NEWS/2215024/1021# Former Circus clown Billy Scadlock towers over attendees during the them park's reunion held at the Parkway Radission on Friday. Hand-carved figurines of actual Ringling Brothers circus clowns were on display during the reunion. Dan Stapleton, who organized the Circus World reunion, stands beside the poster that advertised the Illusion Theatre he operated at the theme park for more than three years.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1922747620100219

^^Joey is right. WET design was not only involved in the preliminary design phase of the show system, but I'm almost positive that they were tapped for the production/implementation of the water, light and fire systems found on the show platform. In other words, their fingers were dipped, if not doused in this project.

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1541/Mondial_Mistral.html It will be interesting to see where these new models pop up... Here's hoping we get one of the permanent ones in the States sometime soon!

Over the last few weeks, a blog focused on the Orlando clubbing scene has collected photos of the latest happenings over at the former Pleasure Island and its surrounding area. http://www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/ The inside of Mannequins sits mostly untouched. A little eerie... Planet Hollywood: On Location has closed... Replacing it will be a store dedicated to the rising fad that is Disney's VinylMation. Celebrate Tonight is still pulling in people... At least they seem to be enjoying it. The exterior of Mannequins Dance Palace has remained unchanged. Not much has changed here either. 8TRAX looks the same too. The entrance sign/banner for the Adventurer's Club has finally been removed. The entrance signage for the Comedy Warehouse has been removed and its entrance has been covered with a hedge fence on wheels. The stage on the lower level of Pleasure Island (on the parking lot side of Mannequins) has been repainted and has received some new woodwork, indicating that it won't be removed during Pleasure Island's slow transformation. The old staircase on the backside of Mannequins has been removed and its entrance has been covered up. The old P.I. Live DJ tower has been completely demolished to make way for a new seating area for Fuego by Sosa Cigars. The cigar bar's windows are no longer blocked by the former tower. The Rock & Roll Beach Club's sign has been removed though the facade's painting has been touched up to remove any lines that were left over when the sign was removed.

^^As of current, there have been no official statements to confirm or deny the return of Captain EO to Epcot, but many argue that if it were to happen, it would have been announced during last week's "What's New? What's Next?" media event. Not surprisingly, Disneyland has announced that it will offer a line of merchandise to accompany the opening of the Captain EO Tribute. http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/artofdisneyparks/event/dlr_captain_eo_merchandise.html

Photos of the overnight addition of signage for the Captain EO Tribute have been posted here: http://micechat.com/forums/disneyland-resort/132504-eo-signs-up-today.html I have attached a few photos from the larger collection to give you an idea of what the new signs look like.

I have to agree with Erik that the moving platform has definitely sped up the ride's slow load times. While it certainly isn't the ridiculously speedy dispatch we were originally pitched, the loading experience has become much more fluid for the guests and (from what I could tell) for the team members as well. That being said, Rockit is slowly growing on me. I was extremely disappointed with my first ride on the coaster (as evidenced by my review from the soft opening) and I have had a few mediocre runs since then, but then again, I've also had some incredible rides. I revisited Rockit on Friday and rode it twice; once in the day and once at night. The first ride I had was pretty great with some nice pops of airtime and that crazy ejection I've come to enjoy from the non-inverting loop. The evening ride was an even greater experience thanks to the train and the ride layout's unique lighting, also benefiting from the fact that the train was really hauling through the course. Also, it should be noted that the front row makes those entry points into the break runs to be the most exciting yet bizarre elements I've experienced on a coaster. Although I still think that it is a bit of a gimmick, the audio selection system, thanks to the hidden tracks has given me further reason to continue revisiting the coaster because, as the song list grows, I find myself wanting to try more songs. Since my first ride, I have listened to Sabotage, Kickstart my Heart, Float On, Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, a song that I couldn't recognize by The Crystal Method and most recently, Free Bird. Some work better than others, but I feel like I am finding better songs with each ride. Right now, Free Bird and Kickstart my Heart are tied for my favorite spots, so I'd recommend both.

http://discovermyrtlebeach.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2809 Looks like the glass is once again half full.

^If I can keep a few pieces of the park from the eventual auction, I'll deliver Soak'd to Shane myself!

I believe it is just a design technique to make the whole of Hogsmeade look more mystical... That's my best guess. As for Rocky the Talking Fountain, he resides outside of the current borders for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, in front of the entrance to the Sinbad stunt show. So, for now he is safe. If the Wizarding World ever expands into the remainder of the Lost Continent, that is when you'll have to worry.

Here's my try at an animated image... Short and simple. Official Entry

Today I visited Universal Orlando to see how work on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has progressed... Thanks to Windows 97, Islands of Adventure is closed. The Hogsmeade sign is still covered up... The Hogwarts Express is no longer covered. It looks like this side of Hogsmeade is complete! This area has definitely seen the most change in the last year. Hogwarts Castle is essentially done as well. Just a little bit of work left here... But beyond, there is still much to be completed. Supposedly The Flight of the Hippogriff is basically done. Work on theming the outside of the Potter-box has begun. Lots of windows... Window enthusiasts take note! The old bridge above the Dueling Dragons exit still exists... The snow looks pretty realistic from here. Lots of curved chimneys... A new arch has formed over the exit. The area leading up to Hogwarts is starting to look like the concept art. Back in Hogsmeade, at least one building still has scaffolding attached. More curvy chimneys! Another new structure has popped up in Hogsmeade. Another look at The Flight of the Hippogriff coaster. More of Hogwart's Castle... If anyone was wondering, Hogwarts is completely hollow... The Greenhouse section of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey's queue has received some new theming. Notice the new themed arches holding the greenhouse's supports. Thankfully, the Potter-box will be covered in a brick layer as seen here. More work has gone on inside of the greenhouse. One last look at the Potter-box to close this report.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100218007007&newsLang=en