jedimaster1227

Really? This is news to me!

Some permit information has been posted regarding construction at Busch Gardens Tampa. http://www.floridathrills.net/showthread.php?t=5972&page=3 According to the brief description, four buildings and a rollercoaster will be part of this project (and the construction needed to clear the area). My guess? We've got a Sesame Street themed area on the way...

Of the parks listed above, I only had the chance to visit two during my trip to Japan, but both of them can be highly recommended. Tokyo DisneySea is incredible, both for the non-Disney fan and for the uber-fan. The place bleeds detail and creativity and the atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission. La Qua (Tokyo Dome City) was also very nice--a little odd, but nice. That being said (and Elissa also noted this on my Japan trip thread way-back-when), it isn't always easy to get all of your credits in during one visit. During my short stay, it rained to the point where Thunder Dolphin and Linear Gale were both closed, leaving me with Spinning Coaster and GeoPanic. While you may not encounter the same kind of weather I did on that day, don't be too discouraged if you can't ride everything in the park. It sounds like you've got a great trip in the works and I wish you all the best on your way to Japan. I miss the place dearly and truly envy you for going back before I do!

^^I don't believe Vekoma has ever made any hypers...

^This is a Bryan-less Adam Show off-season update, I guess. He was there with me in spirit, but he's back in New York for now. It is funny that you would mention 'Up,' because I believe they did that with single passengers as a tie-in, somewhere not too long ago... Found it!

I went back once more to Universal, this time with family, so I had the chance to grab a few more photos of Potter... Not too much has been done, but the work over the last week is still significant. More steel has gone up in what will be Hogsmeade, but The Flying Unicorn and Hagrid's Hut remain untouched. More set pieces for Hogsmeade are sitting at Nassal and even more metal framing for the village (and Hogwarts) is sitting in the vacant lot awaiting transportation. Lots of steel fills in the gaps from last week. Untouched. Unchanged. Unimportant. The building on the left has received new metal framing to support its roof.

I went back once more to Universal, this time with family, so I had the chance to grab a few more photos of Rockit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that construction on the lift has resumed, picking up at a rapid pace to reinstall the formerly removed lift track. I got the park around opening and half of the lift had already been put back into place, and by the time I left, one of the last vertical pieces was being lifted for installation. Nothing new here. Prepare for the rise of the arches! This lonely worker was inspecting the newly installed lift track for a good twenty minutes. I figure it'll be done by the end of the day, or at the latest, early tomorrow. Arch junkies will love this ride. That was fast! Work continues on the station and the surrounding ride track. I think I ever posted a photo of this view, so here you go! This is some serious deja vu...

^^^^I love bacon and all, but something about that just isn't kosher...

Not to majorly bump a thread (I always feel guilty doing so), but I did have the chance to visit Characters in Flight yesterday at Downtown Disney. It has been open since before May, but not once had I seen it operational (while I was there) thanks to incliment weather. We finally caught it at the right time, and I feel that while it was somewhat short, the $16 admission fee was certainly worth it. While its no flying carpet, Characters in Flight is a unique experience that gives passengers an unparalleled view of the Walt Disney World Resort (and some of Orlando). Its definitely worth a try, especially for the photo junkies like me! The landing platform has a stylized compass built straight into it, just in case the pilot forgets which direction to go... Virgin Megastore is now a giant advertising center for Downtown Disney with banners covering every post and window, reminding guests to visit the neighboring shops and restaurants. The Celebrate Tonight! side of Pleasure Island sits quietly during the daytime... No celebrating today. "I loves me some bloons!" ~Bryan Off in the distance, the Contemporary and the newly completed Bay Lake Tower rise above the trees. The obligatory Epcot shot. The Motion side of Pleasure Island can be seen from above. Paradiso 37 just opened up, bringing a little more life into the area. "Just a few minutes ago, I was down there... But now I'm up here!" ~Fellow Passenger Can you spot the competition in this photo? This is Wetzel's Pretzels. Passengers look out at the many acres of Reedy Creek... Disney resorts in all their aerial beauty... I was pleasantly surprised to find that our pilot spoke to us during the flight, pointing out various landmarks (only the Disney ones) while warning us of the few shakes, bumps and sways we encountered during our ten minute flight. This little wheel makes the balloon go up and eventually down. Guests enter the carriage through either of the two doors, both of which are connected by the circular standing area where passengers dwell while in flight. Alright. Enough is enough. Two orbs glorifying each other... Like Tatooine's two moons. Is my Star Wars geekiness showing? My boarding pass ended up being my receipt... I love when my tickets remind me of how much I spent on them! Here comes a few of my token "sun shots" to glorify this "bloon" (here's one more to you, Bryan). Characters in Flight is now completely operational... Unlike the second Death Star...

I will never miss an excuse... I mean opportunity, to email Dan--especially on his birthday! Mine has been sent in. Having listened to the above entry (how could I ever forget such a charming voice ), I doubt mine is a winner...

^Why is that link affiliated with Hack Mail? Thats not a good sign...

Following up on the news that the top of the lift had been removed, I made my way over to Universal once more to grab some photos (and meet up with a good friend). Here is what I've got from today... And the rest is just an update of the newly stocked merchandise for Rip, Ride, Rockit, already on sale in the Music Plaza gift shop. A better look at the previous... The top brake run was being inspected today. (Notice the unpainted walkway extending from the staircase--that was added later.) The station has received a new mesh fence suspended from the roof, presumably to prevent guests from tossing anything towards the trains and guests while they are on the lift. Work continues on the station amidst, including the addition of theming to the queue area. Not only is the top of the lift missing, but now, the entire lift track itself is gone.

^You've definitely won the "Post of the Day" in my book. Sheer excellence.

During this week's visit to Universal Orlando, I had the chance to grab some closer photographs of the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit as it looks in its almost-completed state. Plenty of work is still ongoing around the ride, but much of the final product is beginning to take form. I always thought the Guggenheim could use a coaster of its own! A look at the tall section of the ride, free of buildings. I think there are a couple hundred pictures around the net, just like this. The Ghostbuster's office has been busted thru... I dub thee, "Majestic!" The production facilities entrance has been cleared of most construction walls and work. See what I mean? These shots are all-too-easy... 95 degrees!!! What a beauty! The ride's station is visible from the new Music Plaza, teasing guests of what is to come. Workers crowd around the ride's car, tinkering with various parts and pieces... This area seems to be nearing completion... The ride's lift and non-inverting loop loom over the park's airspace. I don't know why, but I always find this element to be so photogenic! The original Blue Man Group Citywalk path has been slightly redirected to allow for construction of the fenced pathway that will surround the ride's tilted helix. Landscaping around the Citywalk/Blue Man Group portion of the ride has begun.

I was able to run over to Universal two days ago to grab a quick look at the latest happenings within the resort. Potter seems to be accelerating in speed with new set pieces sitting at the neighboring Nassal facility downtown. As construction climbs vertically along the side of the Potter Box and the village of Hogsmeade, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is beginning to truly take shape. More steel frames are continually installed as this focal point for shopping and dining takes form. Hogsmeade grows larger by the week... Although the rest of the area remains visibly untouched, the addition of Hagrid's Hut can be seen without too much trouble. Not too much seems to have been done with the Flying Unicorn... It currently sits dormant behind a construction wall.

Universal has released an official animation video which includes some POV footage for Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, opening this Summer at Universal Studios Florida.

While it isn't in production anymore, it isn't hard to find spare models online to buy (my family owns five right now), but the Pentax Optio S5i is the camera I would recommend as both a standard camera and, with the optional waterproof case, an excellent waterproof photography and videography option. I have been using the camera itself for the last four and a half years to take all of my photos (and most of my video), including everything I've ever posted of mine to this site. It has a physical viewfinder, which most point and shoot cameras lack these days (and in the Florida sun, using a screen for lining up a shot isn't always easy) and has plenty of modes (including underwater photography and videography modes) that allows it to adapt to whatever setting you are in. The camera itself is not waterproof, but there is a waterproof housing that is made for this model (and its predecessor), allowing for the use of every button on the camera while underwater. The case is also designed to allow a clear view of the digital screen (and viewfinder) through the case without any obstruction. The case is durable and has allowed me to take photographs in waterparks like Wet n' Wild and Aquatica while also giving me the ability to take photographs and video while I scuba dive, as it is waterproofed to 40 meters (131 ft). Take a look and see if this is what you are looking for: http://www.scubascoop.co.uk/photography/pentax_optio_s5i_owp2_housing.php

^^It seems we have our first demand in queue for Season 2! Looks like I'll have to start my list earlier than I thought! Remember everyone, as part of our interactivity with our viewers, your demands/requests can be met by the Show's own Bryan Stoll. Almost all demands will be met (provided they don't include a club called Parliament or require the injury [emotionally or physically] of Adam), so send them in! I figured I'd check out The Bryan and Adam Show: The Game again to make sure it was still working, and it is! That being said, I'm not sure how much longer it will be online, so get your fix while you can! http://www.thinkingofyoupostcards.com/runtime/play/?Guestcode=KQ6QKPVJRRFHMQ We should have some information about the offseason content soon...

^^^Universal has plenty of wheelchair seats available for use throughout their parks. They are creative with these systems...

Some new videos have sprung up on youtube following this weekend's opening including a better resolution recording of the park's new fireworks show, Kiss the Sky. From what I have seen in video, this fireworks show is similar in concept to one of the July 4th shows that Disney puts together at Hollywood Studios (at least from what I can tell) with a large compilation of relevant (and some not-so-relevant) songs to time to lights, pyrotechnics and water effects. After watching videos both for the previous Bohemian Rhapsody show and for Kiss the Sky, I do have to say that I am somewhat partial to the new show because of the larger span of songs selected as well as an impressive arsenal of pyro launched throughout the 8 minute show. My only hitch with the show that I could find when watching the video is that unlike its predecessor, this show's use of the Gibson guitar is limited to the lasers, the outline lighting and some guitar-stroke sequencing; the show is lacking that distinct piece of detail in which each note played corresponds to the lighting of a different string on the guitar in time. Other than that, I didn't really have anything to slam based on the video alone--once I visit the park myself, I'm sure it will be far easier to review. A video (albeit dark) of the Nights in White Satin replacement, Monstars of Rock has also gone online... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj67_aTaPjM It looks much like Ghostblasters, but lacks most of those details that make the above mentioned attraction worthwhile. From what little I can tell from the video, the amount of detail in the attraction is not nearly as present as it was in the previous iteration. While I'll withhold judgement until I see it with my own two eyes, I was definitely surprised (or at least a caught a little off guard) by the negative response to the attraction that I've read online so far... For Freestyle Music Park as a whole, I'm still on the fence about the whole thing. I think I'm pulling for this place to succeed, but I just don't know that I'll really believe it can last. Its weird that I feel so fascinated by the park and its history (mainly the Hard Rock Park stuff), but overall I am drawn to the park because of the history that it seems to be making (for better or for worse). At this point, I'm just hoping it stays open long enough for me to make a trip up to Myrtle Beach to visit it and take enough photos and video for posterity while I can. The one thing that is truly biting me (and worries me) the most is the shocking lack of trip reports anywhere on the net; the amount of reviews and responses to the park itself seem to be reserved currently for media and a few small blogs. Is this a reflection of the park and its audience or does it mean something else? I just can't get over the fact that so little has been said about this place after what was supposed to be a grand re-opening. I find the silence truly uncomfortable, especially with my hopes for the park on such thin wire...

^Well... The real brains of the show (and we all know who that is) made a call, though I'm sure the season break will be filled with enough content... That being said, Bryan and Adam Inc. is still waiting on TPR to officially pick up the show for its offseason content and second season!

And as a final thanks to all of our viewers, I have embedded this wonderful video of our terrifying experience auditioning for the American Idol Experience...[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=bryanadamshowfinale_7sm2[/coastertube]While this marks the season finale for the Bryan and Adam Show, you never know what will happen over the next few months, so stay tuned... There may even be an announcement soon. Who knows?

^Alan, you are certainly not alone. Rides like Boulder Dash, Phoenix, Silver Comet and Lightning Racer turned out to be incredible coasters and were at least for me, unexpected surprises. All of the above now rest in my top ten for wooden coasters thanks to the trip!

^Matt, the Bryan and Adam Show finale has already been completed both in photographs and film. Bryan is actually out of town and will not be in Orlando during your visit, but I will still be here as we discussed... Even though my better half seems to be missing!

I've been asked to post a cryptic message about the season finale, so here goes! On what day will the finale air? Monday. Cryptic enough for you Bryan?