jedimaster1227

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2009/12/18/front/doc4b2a7e49a8ba5362096786.txt

^Its for "preventative maintenance."

^^Several sites are reporting that HISTA is history following its closure to make way for EO. For better or for worse, people are thinking that a version of the Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor will make its way into the theater once Captain EO's run ends.

^^I'd be up for it!

^Can we challenge that theory on a global disaster-scale? I think so... Nothing but love Dan!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/ It seems that this means that Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland won't be getting the film after all. I was always a fan of the film and I look forward to seeing its return when I visit Disneyland in July! Captain EO returns to Disneyland in February 2010 for an exclusive limited engagement.

I've always imagined this park as more of a state park than anything... In the few times I visited when it had coasters, I was unimpressed by what was there. I really think that if they were trying to invest in some attractions to pull people in, they should have gone for a few unique ones rather than three catalog coasters and two little woodies. That being said, the location itself was always the greatest issue. Both times I drove there, I ended up getting lost in a residential area without any clue how to get back to the park. Making things worse, the shifting of managements, openings and closures and the moving of the entrances and parking lots certainly didn't help at all. The most scary image that sticks with me to this date from the park came from my first of only two visits. The park was so empty, yet so understaffed that a cast member literally followed us between the different flat rides, just so that he could operate them for us. From what he explained, the ride ops were trained to work as many rides as possible in order to ensure that they could move from attraction to attraction based on guest demand. In our case, we got what felt like VIP treatment with rides opening just for us, but it wasn't something I would go back to experience again.

^I'm guessing that the gap will be filled in in the near future... I was able to stop by the Wizarding World again yesterday, only to find that a significant amount of work has been completed since my earlier visit last week. An entirely new structure has been erected, and several buildings have received some new external work as the Potter world nears its projected Spring completion. A closer look at the arched entrance from earlier... This building in Hogsmeade has received its snow's paint, completing the external look of the building for now. Another look at the Hogwarts Express... Back over on the Sinbad side of Potterville, the area looks to be closest to completion. Looks about the same from here... A look at the large new structure at the edge of Hogsmeade... Another look at the soon-to-be Flight of the Hippogriff. A look to see just how close the new Hogsmeade structure comes to the guest queue for Dueling Dragons... More detail in Hogsmeade... Hogsmeade is really looking like (externally), its close to being ready. The supports for the Flying Unicorn (soon to be the Flight of the Hippogriff) have been stripped of some of their rusted color. A larger look at Hogwarts Castle, home to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Works continue to climb the Hogsmeade heights to get the job done. The former Dueling Dragons castle has been covered in tarps in preparation for its conversion into the Dragon Challenge entrance. The other side of Hogwarts is still under work. I believe this balcony has been featured in the movies several times... It looks familiar. Now that the wraps have come down on this side of Hogwarts, there is much to be seen. External work on some of the buildings of Hogsmeade continues... Over by the queue for Dueling Dragons, a new structure has sprung up in a matter of days. I don't know why, but I really like the look of this turret. I can only assume that this steel work will help fill in the gaps between the rock work and the floating castle... The queue has received some minor brick work and offers a small peek into a themed archway. More work has been done on the queue tarp. No word yet on if the tarp will be themed externally, but there is some work going on inside...

I went back to Universal yesterday to try and ride Rockit with my best friend, but it was closed... But there is a new banner up! It looks a little different than the old one... The new banner is up and tear-free! Closed for "Preventative Maintenance..." Comforting, right?

WDWMagic is reporting that Jim Macphee (former VP of Epcot, and previously overseer of special projects at the Walt Disney World Resort) has been promoted. I've been a fan of Jim since he took his post as VP of Epcot, and I'm sure he'll do great things in this new role. EDIT: The Orlando Sentinel has confirmed the story here: http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/12/former-epcot-chief-tapped-to-oversee-all-disney-world-park-operations-and-next-generation-experience/

^^No, but I hear that the ride may be equipped with touch screens that allow you to choose which language you'd like to hear Judi Dench sing "it's a small world."

Seaworld Orlando has released a fun little set of photos and video to help get everyone in the holiday spirit. And after riding Manta again today, I can see why Santa is so excited! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_TeiuJIIgA

http://www.blooloop.com/PressReleases/Theme-Parks-Judge-approves-Six-Flags-exit-plan/1924

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-tourism-shanghai-121409-20091213,0,904712.story?track=rss

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-tourism-shanghai-121409-20091213,0,904712.story?track=rss

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/79183657.html The story also came with a video found here. How odd would it be if the Starliner ended up back here after all...

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sylvania-to-sponsor-iconic-its-a-small-world-at-disneyland-resort-79213222.html I am definitely excited to see Siemens sponsor another Disney attraction. After seeing their involvement at Epcot, I can only expect great things for their work at Disneyland.

http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/1205858.html I really don't know how much more can be said with this one... I hope this park can stay open because it really is pretty decent, but with all of these problems continually accumulating and now the lack of investors, I can't see them operating successfully past this season.

I had the chance to revisit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this past Friday with Renee and Andrew, and quite a bit has changed since my last visit... Magic? More of the Potter tarp... Hogwarts sits atop the Potter Box we've grown to love... A new tarp has sprung up behind the supposed queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The base of the old Oak has been brought out and re-themed to match its new environment. Another look at the new restaurant under scaffolding... Hogwarts Castle looks pretty nice! The Flight of the Hippogriff has received some new theming in the middle of its course. An overview of Potterville from the temporary bridge between the Lost Continent and Jurassic Park. Even the remnant of the old Tavern has received some work to become integrated into the new Wizarding World. The former location of the Enchanted Oak Tavern has been built up to an externally near-complete state. Curvy chimneys ahoy! Notice the Hogsmeade sign? And the Hogwarts Express has made its way into Platform 9 3/4. Ice has appeared at the entrance of Hogsmeade... The Sinbad side of Potter has taken on much shape since the last time I was here.

You could go with a real spaghetti bowl design/color scheme and use The Sauce as your inspiration... Just call up Delgrosso's and they'll tell you all about The Sauce and their Sauce Park. In all seriousness, I would probably go with option #2, just because the colors seem to blend quite well with a tropical look, but then again, I do have Aquatica on the brain. I think it is truly a unique and exciting opportunity you've been presented with Tomi! Congrats on being given the chance to work so closely in a market you so clearly enjoy--keep up the great work!

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=353572&FS=F1 It seems a little speculative considering how many times we've seen various cities claim that parks would make their way to their cities (i.e. Disney in Texas, Freestyle parks in Moscow, etc...), but it does seem plausible that this city qualifies for a park with such a theme, especially considering their existing connection to the racing circuit.

http://www.cocokeywaterresort.com/locations/orlando/water-park/water-park-information.aspx The resort is scheduled to open this Spring and based on its predecessors, it looks like it has the potential to do quite well.

http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/12/11/disney-testing-new-meet-and-greet-queueing-procedures-may-point-to-upcoming-fantasyland-changes/ I think this is an interesting concept but I can only imagine a parent leaving the queue to find their child running around the new area, only to return past the point of their intended meet and greet time without being able to get back into their place. To me the idea seems a little messy, with some room for error, but if it works, it could make queuing for the family far more enjoyable.

^I was simply implying with the photo that the gimmick of placing a coaster, no matter the length or intensity, atop a high location can give the owner a marketing point to name it one of the tallest coasters around. I was merely illustrating the point, not stating that Stratosphere (or the defunct High Roller) was taller than Everest.

^^I remember something about guests having to recite some "enchanted phrase" to get The Flying Unicorn moving... It may have just been the ride ops trying to pump up the guests, but whatever the case, the bowing seems to be another gimmick to make the re-theme seem to be more than what it really is.