jedimaster1227

^The Jai Ho Roll is sponsored by the Pussycat Dolls, of course. Though I hear Universal has considered revamping Rockit within the next five years to become Hollywood Red Bull Rockit. You see, Red Bull is the only company ready to come to Universal's aid in light of its financial troubles--this is how they'll save themselves in the coming year... Take that Bizarro!

I'm guessing that this is a Lost related video, but I could be very wrong! Either way, this looks like another extremely creative project on your slate that I know I will look forward to seeing when finished.

Hey everyone! I got back from Italy this past Friday in time for my father's birthday which we celebrated with a meal at Bubba Gumps. Needless to say, I took the opportunity to run over to the parks ahead of the family to get some photos for your all of the latest happenings between Harry Potter and Rip, Ride, Rockit. Note: These photos were taken yesterday. What looks like an additional Hogwarts Spire has continued to grow... And the Flying Unicorn still sits untouched. Nothing major has gone on over at the Potter Box since our last visit either. Or here... Still not too much to see here... Some additional metal frames/spikes have gone up as well. It looks like roof frames, from what I can tell. Vertical work has begun on the former Dueling Dragons/Enchanted Oak Tavern entrance plaza. Ministry of Magic proclamations line the fences of the Harry Potter bridge as construction continues.

Hey everyone! I got back from Italy this past Friday in time for my father's birthday which we celebrated with a meal at Bubba Gumps. Needless to say, I took the opportunity to run over to the parks ahead of the family to get some photos for your all of the latest happenings between Harry Potter and Rip, Ride, Rockit. Note: These photos were taken yesterday. One more "sun shot" to wrap up this report... Though it is still not ready... Work is being done to fix the "fail." Work continues of the firehouse bust-thru. One last shot of the active production at work. The non-inverting loop continues to look more impressive with every visit. There was no evidence as to what the filming was for, though the people seen on the stage were dancing to various rap songs blasted over the speakers. This drop looks like it will be great! The newly constructed Hollywood Bowl stage was used for some filming. This bay looks ready to start holding some trains... The maintenance bay and train storage building is attached directly to the right of the station. It's a tripod! See what I mean? Expect to see more "Rockit Red" throughout the station as the weeks progress. Most of the construction focus has moved to the station. "Lonely... I'm so lonely... I have nobody... All on my own..." Work on the station continues... Even though nothing new has been added to the lift, the tower itself still provides a clear picture of what is to come. One last piece of track has yet to be installed on this side of the ride. Same... Nothing new here. Looking good... The CityWalk portion of the coaster looks like it will keep the pace of the coaster through the end.

^On that same note, I've always thought the waterpark footage that has been shown in past years was unique. Any chance we'll see additional waterpark coverage in expeditions to come? I think a DVD covering the less conventional aspects of a park like their dark rides, water rides and waterparks would certainly be interesting. If anything, it would be unique and entertaining in a way only TPR can make it to be.

When I first started purchasing the TPR DVDs, I only watched the first disc, as it contained the Music Videos, but later on I realized that there was more to the package. I think it was with Volume 7 that I started watching the accompanying discs, and since then I have been watching them as much as I do the primary discs. I even went back to Volume 1-6 and watched all of their extra DVDs as well. To me, the primary disc is a perfect show of the TPR "experience" and fun that goes with it. But, for the coaster lover that prefers to see his footage of a park together, with music and still with some people, I find that the second disc still offers plenty to enjoy. I still love Coasters in the Raw, but I definitely like having some sort of music in the background as well as personal touches throughout the video to make it more colorful.

This new season sounds extremely exciting! Again, let me know (when you get closer to the date) what days you will be at Seaworld Orlando and Universal Orlando as I will me than happy to meet up with you as we discussed earlier!

I know this seems like quite a bump, but I figured after my visit this weekend, that with very little coverage of the current state of Downtown Disney (specifically Pleasure Island), it would be appropriate to post the latest photos of whats going on in the dead location. I don't typically do this, but I feel that the photos and status update warrented the post. It is certainly sad to see this area sit unused, considering that Disney doesn't have anything to fill the old clubs with (except for E-Brands Paradiso 37 restaurant). Now all guests have to see is the remains of a once lively area, now reduced to silence. Would like some Adventurer's Club popcorn? Neither would I. This entrance to 8Traxx has been blocked off as well. Another intro plaque for Pleasure Island's canon. A mix of old and new. I doubt that some of these rules are a worry anymore. The Pleasure Island history introduction plaque at the main entrance. I really liked this photo for some reason. The old ticket booths go unused as well. Portabello has received a complete makeover inside and out. The former map panel for Pleasure Island has been adorned with generic resort dressings. The entrance to this tiny overhang is blocked by a chain; as is the elevator. A little mythology for thought... Mannequins' marquee has been covered up... Another remnant of Pleasure Island's past. This sign is still visible from the entrance of the Rock and Roll Beach Club. One of the last pieces of the original Pleasure Island scenery watches over people as they inspect the dead area. Even the Motion projections were operating! From what my friend remembered, not much had changed in this club since its closure. Though Motion's exterior has lost its signage, the interior of the former club remains active as a venue for rent. Pleasure Island featured canonical plaques explaining the history of each building (based on their original tennants) in the scheme of the Pleasure Island mythology. The Beach Club's plaque is no longer accessible thanks to a chain blocking off the stairs. The Rock and Roll Beach Club has been closed longer than any of the other clubs and yet, its sign still remains for all to see. To help bring life into the dead area, P.I. Live was quietly re-instated with more family-friendly music selections to be played in the evenings at the Island. Paradiso 37's entrance is currently under construction. A rather visible door announces that Mannequins still exists in some form (the main entrance does so as well). At least 8Traxx is missing its name so guests don't assume it is still a working club. The old brown paint scheme is being replaced with a new white shell. E-Brands Paradiso 37 is beginning to take shape... One of the old ticket booths is blocked by a wall and some colored covers. I was never able to visit the Adventurer's Club but I know many people who claimed it was an amazing experience... Again, the signage for the former club announces its purpose, but certainly doesn't let people know that it is closed. The interior remains virtually untouched; lined with chairs but missing the people to fill them. The Soundstage Club is much like Sounds Dangerous! (at Disney's Hollywood Studios) right now--they're both dead. Much like the other clubs, the former BET Soundstage Club sits dormant. I'm not sure why the old sign remains sans the BET name, considering they could have just removed the entire sign. Characters in Flight's platform is nearly complete. Disney's latest tethered balloon experience will be known as Characters in Flight. The former Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations desk will soon become the ticket location for Characters in Flight (Operated by Aerophile), the resort's new tethered balloon ride. Just recently announced, Virgin Megastore will be closing on May 31st, 2009. Am I the only one that finds this poster to be released a little late in the game?

Today's visit to Universal was extremely unique for me because I was able to see Rip, Ride, Rockit actively being pieced together (as you will see below). With the colossal non-inverting loop now complete, all that remains is the installation of the lift and first drop track as well as the final track leading into the station (with the station track to be installed as well). Having seen the lift pieces sitting on the storage lot for nearly two weeks, it has been an exciting time in the ride's construction phase--this ride looks like it will be fantastic. Here is a quick slideshow/gif of the placement of a piece of track during today's construction: One last Rockit shot as I leave the park... I look forward to seeing you soon! By the time I left the Studios, the piece of track had not been installed. The new coaster can be seen from anywhere in the park... The reach envelopes show that there is still some work to be done on this fly-thru. Double fail! While the lift remains under construction Universal should temporarily repurpose it. Upcharge bungee jump anyone? A closer look at this twisted element. I was once worried that the non-inverting loop was purely a gimmick, but I believe now that I was mistaken. This could be a very interesting portion of the ride to experience. Isn't she a beauty? This stylish Hollywood banner/picture adorns the side of the studio buildings that nestle the Hollywood Bowl. This is no easy task. Workers get in place to guide the track into position. "Better, closer, warmer..." -Jack Black Down we go! I guess I got here at the right time, as this piece of track was ready for install. A view from the ground of the Citywalk-side fly-over. This wasn't intentional, but I definitely like the sun shot (its becoming a traditional shot for me). Here's a brake shot for the enthusiasts. Will these be lighted stairs? The station continues to take shape as work goes on. This lonely piece of track waits for the installation of its partner... Just to give you an idea of how much this ride flies over the guest areas... I'm excited about this element already! The ride's station has received a new red coat of paint to match the ride's own color scheme. You can see the outline of a stairway beginning to take shape. I'm not sure why this guy was aiming a saw at the ground... Rockit is truly massive! This reminds me somewhat of the B&M "tilt loop" from Rollercoaster Tycoon 3. What's wrong with this picture? Universal wanted a coaster that people could see from all around Citywalk. They got it. It wouldn't be a Universal update from me if there wasn't a mention of Blue Man Group somewhere along the line...

It seems that a few poeple already posted similar shots to what I saw today, but I'll go ahead and post the few Wizarding World photos I've got from my visit. While work continues on the "Harry Potter Box," very little has been done to the former Dueling Dragons entrance/Enchanted Oak Tavern area. I'm still surprised how delayed their work has been on this area and am curious to see how quickly work will be completed once it begins. Can anyone guess what this will be? The Flying Unicorn remains virtually untouched as well. So little to see... And the other side continues to receive additional work... There is another new extension to "The Box."

^^^^^The prep for the construction pour (the giant area that will eventually be "The Ocean") is certainly a major part of the remaining work. Besides that, there is still a good portion of rockwork left to complete, along with detailing of the station and queue areas. ^^I agree that it will definitely be an exciting element of the ride. When imagining what the ride will be like (based on what we see now) it is still a bit difficult, considering that my only experience with a similar coaster is with the two Superman: Ultimate Flights at Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags over Georgia. I can't help but anticipate the experience knowing that there will be more to see (and nearly skim) than a field of grass. ^I'm still not sure if I'll be there on opening day. It will all depend on what is going on at that time and where I am at that time of the month.

Today I visited the park in hopes that the rumors about a 3:00 pm test run would be true. While it seems that the Manta team was trying to get things running today (and that is based on observation alone), work was still being done on the pre-lift hydraulics as well, among other things. I hope to see Manta doing test runs by the time I return... An overview of the "splashdown" area. Another entrance to the aquarium is being wrapped by rockwork. Or another? And what would my Manta report be without a "sun shot?" But here is the real "money shot!" This is another one of those photos that I am proud of. The station was unfortunately empty, giving me enough reason to believe that the test run would not happen during my visit. A look towards the park entrance from the Manta construction site. Another building is receiving its red coat of paint. The cherrypicker men checking the lift... This side of the area has received its main walkway, and once the "ocean" is filled on the entrance side, we will see one there as well. Can anyone tell what is inside of this doorway? From the "Pizza" quick service location, I was able to see this side of the station. I, along with two workers watched for fifteen minutes as one of the construction managers surveyed the area. They were told that the tests were supposed to happen today as well. These two guys were riding around on a cherrypicker checking several parts of the lift and of the surrounding area. I really am getting used to seeing this at my home park. Today, technicians were working on the hydraulics responsible for moving the station switchtrack back and forth. I saw the system work twice during my two-hour visit. Another shot I can never get enough of! *Imagines people screaming "whee!"* It would have been the perfect day for a test run... Another shot of the rising entrance. The station's cracked look has started to appear as paint is applied. Even more water. Here is one of the two reach envelopes on the track, near the entrance fly-by. The entrance continues to have its rockwork built up as the adjacent pond is built. Is that water I see? For some reason, I really liked this photo. The construction site for the Manta area is still highly active. Much like Balder on the UK Tour 2006, Manta is sponsored by hammers and nails! Memorial Day, here we come! I don't think I've posted a shot like this yet...

Two Jews in Orlando maybe? I know Elissa really wanted to see Bryan and I audition for Idol...

^I stand with you in your views on Kings Dominion. Our experience at the park was not terrible, but not great either. My biggest problem with the park was its collection of rides. Sure, some were unique to me like Avalanche and Volcano, but several of them were seemingly pointless to operate or market. And let me just add that the park's Drop Tower has some of the slowest operations ever (and they were only loading half of the ride per cycle). I preferred sticking to Dominator, Volcano and oddly enough, The Crypt, because each had a rideability factor that I just enjoyed. As for the rest, I could really move on without worrying about them once I had the credits.

Just to let everyone know, the track pieces for the top of the lift hill were delivered to the vacant lot where additional track has been stored. More track should continue to arrive over the next few days.

Happy Birthday Kristen!

I was petrified of all moving rides when I was younger (even Horizons scared me at one point). Slowly, I pushed myself to ride new rides, getting a better feel for the thrill. My first real coaster was Thunder Mountain, followed by Space Mountain. After I grew comfortable with those Disney coasters, my brother felt I was ready for Kraken, forcing me to ride. Much to my surprise I loved it, and that event stemmed my passion for theme parks, coasters and the industry itself. I look back on the whole story and realize that without my brother, I wouldn't be preparing to study in the field of Hospitality Management for theme park management.

^It also showed up as the same site for me. I'm glad that they took the survey responses about marketing tactics to heart with blog concept, but I think they are doing it far too little, too late. The blog has only two entries, neither of which really say much about the ride, and neither of which show photos of the ride itself. The "Construction Blog" shows no construction.

^Needless to say, I'd be riding Rip, Ride, Rockit daily if that were the case!

^^I don't know if it is just my tired eyes, but having watched that same video earlier today, I think the quality is less now than that of what I watched before. There are more visible pixels and a little bit less of a smooth frame rate. I downloaded the video earlier using the iPod conversion option, and I could have sworn that the video looked far better (on par with the Kawasemi video). Then again, it may just be my eyes.

^^^Let me just say that the banner looks fantastic!

^Then I guess you'll just have to settle with the Bryan and Adam Show... Or this could become the Adam-less Bryan Show!

Let me contribute to the demands here... I demand that you either put the title of the show back to the Bryan and Adam Show, or you can choose from the following options: 1. Title it the Adam and Bryan Show 2. Title it the Bryan-less Adam Show 3. Title it the Bryan meets Cokesuber Show 4. Title it the Cokesuber Show 5. Title it the Bryan-should-have-tried-out-for-American-Idol-but-decided-to-waste-his-time-changing-the-show's-name and the artist formerly known as Adam, now Cokesuber Show. 6. Audition for American Idol and fix the title of the thread... I have fifty percent creative share in this show, so I would hope my demand will be fulfilled quickly...

^I wish I could have seen that! It was funny enough seeing Robb offer everyone churros and having my joke come read and identified from a person (I forget what we named him) living in Intamin, Florida.

^Let me just complement you on your amazing celebration dance. That easily trumps that sad dance that Bryan and I did for our run of the game... Maybe its the dance that made it easier for me to do well when playing this game...