jedimaster1227

^The locker area was close to Kraken (on the side closest to Penguin Encounter) in a spot that I believe was once home to a game booth.

Discover Myrtle Beach has released a summary of the changes made to the new Freestyle Music Park, comparing old names to the new. It should also be known that the new dark ride that will replace Nights in White Satin will be known as Monstars of Rock. The ride description is as follows: While I'm still on the fence about the park itself (I don't really understand adding CSI: Live to a music themed park), it does seem like they are getting their act together. That being said, I think it is still cutting things far too close to the opening to be releasing all of this information to such a limited audience. I really wonder what would have happened if they pushed back the opening even a month later, giving them a little less reason to rush...

I'm surprised at how good the commercial actually was! I'd probably put it on par with some of the more recent Six Flags commercials, which certainly isn't a bad thing. As we get closer to opening, this park seems to be growing more legit with each addition. That's not to say that I think every decision they've made is wise (turning their concert venue into a family stage show definitely is a complaint of mine), but I feel like the park is making a name for itself faster than Hard Rock Park ever did. That being said, I'm going to join the legion that feels that Freestyle Music Park as a park title is growing on me.

^^^The mockup is on the backside of MIB and the Horror Nights facilities. It is actually right next to the Carnival of Carnage props storage.

I kept forgetting to post these, but during my entry to Grad Bash two weekends ago, I noticed what looked very similar to the seats on an X-Car coaster, staged on what looked like a wooden cap to the lift...

^^^These photos were taken today. ^^My brother and I did notice that the timing was off by a little bit, but nothing major enough to ruin the effect. I figure they are still tweaking it, so I'll wait until the official opening to focus more on the system.

^Since I haven't been on Tatsu, I can't really compare the two, but I can say that this is the best flyer I have been on so far. I strongly prefer Manta to either of the two Superman flyers I have ridden. It can also be said that there is no reason whatsoever to even consider comparing Manta to a Vekoma flyer, at least in my opinion.

Today my brother surprised me by driving us over to Seaworld in hopes that we'd catch a soft opening. We were lucky enough to arrive at the beginning of the day's preview and after a half-hour's wait, we were finally able to ride. While I won't go into my detailed Manta report just yet (I'll have plenty more to say soon), I will say that the ride not only exceeded my expectations, but bumped Seaworld up in my priority list when planning visits. Bryan Morrow and his team did an amazing job with the design of this wonderful attraction and B&M's smooth flowing trackwork and design helped to make Seaworld a major contendor this year against Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Our first ride on Manta... It should be noted that the neighboring residents of the Manta area aren't very happy with the new attraction and have taken actions to defile and deface the addition in whatever way possible. And like this report, the ride wraps up at the brake run. I could definitely get used to this view! The height of the splash can be seen here. It was at this point that the color returned to my brother's face. The zero car deserves its own photo. No doubt about that. Another train makes its way up the (fast moving) lift... More water to be had. And there is this last flat spin... While not wholly convincing, it does look very nice. See the effect at work. Just for reference, here is a photo of how close the track comes to the water. Does this remind you of the concept art? Get ready for a slew of splashdown photos... Another beautiful piece of art in the form of the attraction sign/logo... A copy of the "Backside of Water" adorns the entrance of Manta. My camera can go no further. Digital wait time signs are much preferred to those old manual clocks. Manual updating via turning minute hands is now a thing of the past. And then I got in the seat, pulled down my restraint for a photo and then tried to exit, only to find myself locked in. Unfortunately, I made a fool of myself while I frantically attempted to free myself--the little handle does the trick. Like with many major coasters at the Busch parks, there is a test seat near the entrance of Manta. An outdoor locker location is conveniently placed next to the entrance of the attraction. Manta will be included on the park's Quick Queue system, adding a little more to the ticket's value. I guess its justified as tradition... Everyone else does it, right? Being a closet Modern-design enthusiast, these lamp covers simply stun me. The bottom of the pretzel loop provides for a great photo moment. Into the pretzel loop we go! This shot almost makes Manta look like an inverted coaster... See what I mean? Ride photos are sold at the exit of the ride... The action portion of the ride is certainly intense at times (depending on where you sit), but it makes the ride thrilling enough. If the aquarium is anything like the queue, we have alot to look forward to seeing. Up we go! Woosh! This looks new!

As of yesterday there was only one piece of track left in the storage lot. Work is resuming on track installation this week.

^1. Yes, the Quick Queue works once per (included) attraction. 2. Not quite sure, but I would assume that depends on the crowds that day. 3. While I haven't used it at Seaworld Orlando yet, I did get the chance to use it over at Busch Gardens Williamsburg this Summer. Mind you, the park has plenty more rides than it does shows. Seaworld's Quick Queue covers more shows than it does rides, so if you are into shows more than rides, it should be worth it. With only one ride included with the ticket per attraction, I'd rather wait in line and not pay anything extra since I rarely stop to see a show.

This update is wholly endorsed by the Bryan and Adam Show. I think this update even constitutes a box of goodies from Bryan (I'll get to work on that right away)! Great report guys! Once again, you give us a great opportunity to see parks that we wouldn't normally get to see!

Hey everyone, I stopped by Universal earlier today (and will be back tonight for Grad Bash) to hang with a few friends that came in for the weekend and grabbed these photos (I'll likely have more to post tomorrow). Hopefully we'll see this lift topped off in the near future. Station work continues, specifically in the cosmetic area. Except that the stairs have been added to this brake run. Nothing new here... A crane has arrived to resume work on the lift. Two of the vertical lift track pieces from the storage lot have also been transfered to the constructions site.

I'll refer you back to the real concept for the Holy Land Experience. The coaster's themed area will be based on the Book of Maccabees, but will encompass aspects of the entire Bible. The Divine Ride: The Ride is really happening!

^Quick Queue is very much like Universal Orlando's Express Pass offering. It is a single ticket addition to your park admission that gives you one-time priority access to specific rides and shows in the park. You get front of the line access for each of the included attractions, once and only once. There aren't any bundle deals (that I know of) like you see with Six Flags' Q-Bots, meaning that you have to buy Quick Queue for every individual in your party for the same price each.

^^^^I'm definitely boycotting the Bryan Adams Show, even after Bryan auditions...

Red bull, poorly stuffed knock-off Disney character plushes, mayonaise, furry blue pig room decorations, Foghorn Leghorn plushes and wheelchairs. What an influence TPR has had on my life...

So what exactly is being done with the Chiller observatory? I guess I just don't see why they'd be covering its opening like that...

Three words: Hard Rock Park. But back to the original poster, I have to say that based on my only experience with Great Adventure, I can sympathize over the lost visit, but there isn't much you could have done. During the East Coast trip, we left Great Adventure due to heavy rains, meaning that many of us didn't get our credits. Mind you, we did have the chance to go back (thanks to Robb and Elissa's amazing work), though I opted not too in favor of more time at Dorney Park. Sure, it is a shame that I didn't get to ride everything, but I wouldn't go so far as to blame it on the park. I would just aim to go back eventually, and hopefully you'll have a better experience. Though the weatherman isn't always reliable, it is probably smarter planning for the next time around to heed the radar's warnings, knowing how easily Great Adventure closes up in the rain.

Today I made my way back to Seaworld to see if I could catch Manta during its test runs. Sadly enough, the ride wasn't running during my visit, but I was able to grab some new photos along a new area that just opened up, so I've got alot to show! Just as a reference, this new path I am mentioning was previously covered in construction work (it is very close to the bottom of the pretzel loop); in fact, the last time I was so close to it was during the original Manta construction tour. Goodbye to Manta for now... I have a good feeling I'll be seeing you soon! "Its a steel jungle out there..." Turnaround through the trees! Here is the money shot! The lift doesn't get enough attention. Here is a new look at the entry point into the brake run. And this one. I really like this photo... Such a nice day to be Manta-spotting! For some reason, I really like the look of this turn... I am proud of how well this photo lined up, considering I had no idea or intention of doing so. Twisty! Noted! This will be an oft-pictured portion of the ride, no doubt. I love big, open pathways under big, tightly woven coasters! It is definitely nice to see this path open again! This is a new view... Could these be for protective nets to be held over the paths? Some odd new cables have been added to the supports of the ride's initial drop. See what I mean? There is plenty more rockwork around Manta's station. Work is ongoing closer to the station and "action portion" of the ride. The splashdown is still being worked on. Notice the "brickwork" used to help show a varying age in the area... Rockwork and general landscape construction continues as Manta's main area is is prepared.

Today, I've got an update from my visit to Seaworld, showing some additional changes to the park under the influence of InBev. I was definitely surprised to see some of the more minor things I did, but it is certainly clear that slowly, the Busch influence is being (at least in terms of visuals) removed from the park. Camo-Ducks make a day at Seaworld even better! Much like Aquatica's Banana Beach Cook-out, Seaworld Orlando is now offering an all-you-can-eat meal deal. As a result of the Easter crowds, Shamu Rocks (the seasonal evening variation of the Shamu Show) has been temporarily added to the daily show schedule. The park had a bird handler out today, though I don't remember what kind of bird this is. The old Clydesdale photo op is also missing from the front of The Terrace, even though the Clydesdale Hamlet remains open and fully stocked in giant horses. The old AB logo benches have been removed in favor of brandless benches to match The Terrace. I couldn't remember if this was or wasn't something new... The old history displays are gone in favor of a repeated picture of Shamu to the tune of an Emerson quote. Not much is different here, in terms of purpose... The Terrace still serves Busch beers--they now sell them for $3 a cup instead of giving them away for free. The Label Stable still sells Busch products, making it one of the last locations at Seaworld Orlando to by Bud memorabilia. The old Beer School's waiting room is empty and purposeless. That temporary buffet setup that was open during the initial weeks after the Hospitality Center closed seems to be gone. The old Hospitality Center has been transformed into The Terrace, though I don't really know what its purpose is anymore... Oddly enough, the former Mama's Kitchen has been revamped into the Antarctic Market. This location serves a combination of hot foods and pre-made sandwiches.

Hey everyone! I've got a follow-up report on the latest happenings regarding the former Pleasure Island as well as the newest changes taking place around Downtown Disney. One last look at the gigantic balloon. This view is going to take some time to get used to... For just $50 you can buy yourself a giant rice crispy treat Mickey at Goofy's Candy Co. To help occupy the crowds several DJ booths were situated around Downtown Disney. This one was focused on the Radio Disney-approved music, also offering games and a trivia session for the Disney fans... No, I didn't take part in the session! Replacing the former Summer Sands store, Tren-D opened earlier last week, offering "chic" Disney clothes and accessories to willling buyers. Over in the Downtown Disney Marketplace (the original side of Downtown Disney), the new stage was in use for a concert performance. For some reason, I hadn't seen this canon plaque before... Motion was not nearly as active as it was during the previous visit. All colored lights and projections were off, leaving an eerily white stage. Unlike the last visit, the lights were on inside of the Rock and Roll Beach Club's entrance. Seems a little bit empty, don't you think? For some reason, a hedge barrier has been added to this plaza--yet the barrier doesn't block the entrance to the area itself. The restrooms next to Motion are still open, leaving guests with an opportunity to look in on the shells of Motion and the former Rock and Roll Beach Club. Unlike the Laugher's Cantina, P.I. Live's drink counter isn't open during the day. Though it is a little blurry, you can see the tile design along the wall of Paradiso 37. Do I see lights on inside? A stylish new overhang has been added since our last visit. Work on Paradiso 37 draws nearer to its close. As if Disney finally recognized that Pleasure Island still existed, the What Will You Celebrate? banners have hit every lamp post, reminding guests to Celebrate Tonight... Even during the day. Like I said... Just like my Bar Mitzvah, except these guys would be wearing 501st Stormtrooper armor--no lie. Its just like my Bar Mitzvah... All over again. Does that dancer look eerily similar to Tyler? Stilt walkers, dancers and a live DJ help to celebrate the guests' special occasions by dragging them into dances and awkward songs for all of the crowd to watch and laugh... Celebrate Tonight! is a new DJ entertainment offering set up in front of the former Comedy Warehouse. Management has devised a new way to breathe life back into the dead Pleasure Island... Noted! Depending on wind conditions, the capacity of the attraction can be completely altered. The information board... I must say, I do like the color scheme chosen for the ticket booth and queue area. The former Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations kiosk has become the ticket center for Characters in Flight. The official prices for the new experience... I'll try it at least once. Characters in Flight (operated by Aerophile) is now fully operational and has been testing for the last week.

My life now has meaning... *hums "Best of Both Worlds*

This may help: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=137 Honestly... Did the joke really take anything away from this thread? This thread was more active with the ongoing joke than it has been without; clearly enough people enjoyed it, or could at least turn away if they didn't. I don't see why anyone could really be that frustrated with the situation. Refer to rule #16 and carry on with the discussion, however humorous it may be!

This isn't the first time a ride has been made of two companies' tracks... Just look at Phantom's Revenge and you'll see that it is clearly possible. In the Orlando Theme Park Wars, Universal will do anything to trump its competitors, so expect them to pull out all the stops with this ride... I've even been told that Maurer-Sohne has figured out a way to allow wheelchair-bound guests to ride using a new variation of the X-Car restraint, which will essentially lock in the wheelchair with the rider so that they never have to leave their seat, even when riding. When I spoke to the Maurer-Sohne reps at IAAPA, they couldn't help but stress the fact that they were working to make this ride suitable for a wider audience, so it certainly seems possible.

Why does it sound like a little piece of Heritage USA is being brought over? Jim Bakker's probably working on a partnership/investment proposal right now... I certainly appreciate the effort that the company is making with the short timeframe they've been dealt, but with a name as generic as Flight Deck and Drop Tower, I really can't see the marketing working properly. That being said, I'm hopeful that the park can be reconfigured in a timely and effective manner so that the park may see some success, though I'm still planning my Summer roadtrip so that I get over there before the season ends (when the results of the newly reformed park's season will be revealed, for better or for worse). I want to see this park succeed (and I wish it had under the more coherent Hard Rock brand), but I still think the biggest issue the park has to deal with is the location itself.