jedimaster1227

^^I'm preparing a miniDV tape as well (once I get my second entry finished. Once that is done, I will mail it in. But, my DV deck has been tempermental lately, and exporting to DV seems to leave strange marks on my videos (random delays, audio jumps and more). So, I uploaded the first entry as insurance in case my deck dies on me before I can send in the tape.

^That leaves room for even more volumes following this coming Summer's tours! I'm placing my order as soon as possible for Volume 9! I really wish I could make it over to California for this party, but the kids in Orlando start up school again on Monday, so it would be difficult to get over there and back in time...

^A few of us have, but I recommend using SmartFTP as my internet crashed during my first transfer as well. It will take several hours to upload the .avi but it does work.

After 5.5 hours of monitoring my first large FTP transfer, the upload seems to be done. Robb, if possible, could you please tell me if ARThemeparkentry2006.avi is showing in your ftp folder? Since Michael had a file for his entries, I figured I should do the same, so mine is located in the Adam Roth folder.

Does this by any chance mean that Coaster Expedition Volume 10 will cover the Japan and Korea trips?

I have my video compilation from last year ready to send in (once I get back to Orlando) and I am currently editing this year's video as well. I have been looking forward to this for quite some time!

^There is a rumor that we will be getting some kind of coaster along the lines of Hollywood Dream over here at the Studios, but that is purely a rumor at the moment. Though, we are getting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at IOA.

I had the chance to preview Disaster a few days ago, and I figured I would give a review... Looking at the former Earthquake building, you are essentially looking at the same facade, only sporting a new (extended mouth full of a) title. Entering the queue (those of you that had the chance to do Leatherface's house for HHN 17 will recognize the area), the line weaves through a few large set pieces. The first is a plane broken in half (with the line crossing the gap between the tear in the plane's midsection). The second piece is from the fictional movie Apocaggedon and the third is a blantant spoof of Jaws, called Das Schurke (the shark looks the Jaws that is electrocuted, with a giant turbine on its end). Here is where the spoilers begin: Entering the first pre-show room, you notice that the former movie effects windows (snow, rain and august leaves) have been removed, and the wall smoothed over. Quite simply, the room is used for introductions, made by your productions assistant, picking out actors and actresses (from the guests in the room) to help in the third room. You move into the second room which looks somewhat similar to its former, only sporting two new flat screens and a stage covered in movie pictures and memorabilia. Your productions assistant stammers onto the stage, and the owner and director of Disaster Studios appears. The man is none other than Christopher Walken! In an interested mix of screen acting and stage interaction, the assistant and Walken set the stage for the upcoming production, Mutha Nature. Using a screen technology, Walken is projected onto the stage, while the assistant follows automated stage cues so that he can interact with Chris seamlessly (like taking a productions journal from the projection's hand). You move on to the third room, which has basically received a new coat of paint, removed the U-571 set to allow for multiple moving sets to be arranged. The collapsed building set is still present, but downplayed, only dropping a few rocks in front of the three chosen to be evil executives trying to escape a disaster. The actors chosen earlier each star in a scene (some together, some alone). Having just over 6 minutes, they filmed over 5 different scenes, and then release the actors back to their parties. Finally you move into the ride loading station, noticing the new LCD screens built into the trains. You procede into the same subway station, and go through the same experience, only without any loud sound effects and a floor manager telling you when to scream or look scared (he is on the LCD screen). When the experience is over, your car returns to the loading platform at a much slower speed than it made in its previous version to allow for a quickly edited-together trailer using the scenes filmed in the previous room, stock footage of riders on the tram and various comical actions scenes with the Rock. That is the end of Disaster, exiting the ride to the same photo fill-in shop. Overall, I was impressed with the new preshow, and the audience seemed to be as well. The changes to the ride were minimal, so there wasn't much to judge there, but overall, the flow of the attraction is quite smooth, and both Walken and the Rock add something to the attraction that makes it fun and unique (though I do miss Charleton Heston).

^^The song is Sunday Girl by Erasure (the Disco Mix, not the extended or remixed versions).

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas... Even though I celebrate Hannukah! A truly spectacular return to the Coaster Expedition music videos! I cannot wait to put in my order for Volume 9! Thanks again and Merry Christmas to all!

I believe I found where Arrow's Pipeline coaster ended up... It is in Kuwait at Al Sha'ab Leisure Park... Both pictures make this look pretty bad (in the condition it is in, but I guess it is nice that the ride lives on, regardless of its poor, grim look. Formerly Arrow's Pipeline Coaster prototype... Spiral Coaster

^Should I expect it to be continued on the East Coast Trip as well? Now I am afraid to ride any more roller skaters with you guys from that Halloween visit. At least I have something to be remembered by now! Oh, and since I forgot to say it before... Wes, this is another great trip report!

I really am never going to live that one down...

I was fortunate enough to ride The Polar Express Experience this past Friday and I was pleasantly surprised at the overall attraction. I have always been a fan of Wild Arctic, and not so much a fan of the Christmas overlays (if any) that Orlando has recieved in the past. I have never seen The Polar Express before, so I didn't expect much on that front either. Walking through the entrance, billboards featuring the movie's train and its journey greet you. Though the wait for the attraction seemed to have increased since the overlay was complete (but it had been a while since I had last rode the simulator). Here is where the interested part began. Entering the building, I felt like I was in a cozy home, (ending up to be the main character's house). The pre-show theater has been transformed into the title character's bedroom, with new wallpaper and a window (the projector screen). The preshow video was a re-edit of the opening scene from the film (which was about 3-5 minutes long), putting you at the point where the simulator picks up afterwards. Exiting the pre-show theater, you walk into a completely redone loading station, painted to look like you are entering a train at the train station for the Polar Express. Instantly, I noticed the smell (I believe it was pine) throughout the station- a nice added touch to the overall atmosphere. After a new loading film, we entered the "train" and my amazement only grew. The insides of Wild Artic's simulators have been completely redressed, with new paint, new colors and new lighting effects. Rather than spoil it, I will just give a review of the film (as basic as can be). I feel that the new film was well synchronized with the simulator's motions, offering a much more tame, smooth ride than previously seen in the simulator's other versions. The film itself is only a recut of the original, with footage that can be used to simulate movement. The first half of the film was extremely well synced, with movements that felt right for such a film. The second half (arrival at Santatown) was a little less interesting, with far fewer motions made in the last minute and a half. My only real problem with the film (and it has been stated before) is that the video was partially in third person, taking away from the "you are experiencing" feeling that normally comes with a simulator. Exiting the train, we arrive in Santatown (a redressed Base Station Wild Arctic) where Santa is there ready to take photos with his loaded sleigh. Overall, the attraction impressed me for its unique theming and smooth motions, but I did feel that the 3rd person issue took a little away from my experience. I'm planning on going back to Seaworld again before they remove the attraction, so my review may change after this.

Whether or not I will be believed this time around, I will offer up what I know... The ride will close down soon (though after the holiday season is over) to undergo a complete refurbishment. The building will not be de-capped contrary to the above rumor. The entry queue and the station will not be upgraded much aside from some new safety gates, similar to the ones used for the other mountains. Effects-wise, that will be the most minimal aspect of the project, with the star-field projectors already having been upgraded over the last few months (and those new projections are currently in use). The most major aspect of the project is to replace much of the existing track with a new, thicker set of rails to support the weight that the trains will have when the speakers (which Imagineering did a short test of two weeks ago) are installed. With the new rails, the call for a smoother ride, as well as the on-ride audio are both to be answered. The current layout will remain completely intact. I have also been assured that since Magic Kingdom's VP is not too keen on the seasonal overlays, we won't be seeing any for Space Mountain (a la Ghost Galaxy or Rockin' Space Mountain) anytime soon.

^Sorry but you are misinformed... This coaster is called "The Passion of the Beast." The slogan goes as follows: "Reach the heavens. Embrace Greatness. Bless this ride."

After looking through the TR one more time I found this: I'm never gunna live that down... Hopefully, I won't be fooled by such statements on the East Coast Trip... Hey, at least it was memorable!

The Jiggidy Johnson's Jammin' DVD is a perfect DVD with music, typical TPR fun and nothing (at least that I saw) that could be deemed innappropriate for young children. Erik did an awesome job with that video!

That is quite a scary sight... Anyways, great TR! Its interesting to see how torn up the park really has become since they started the Nick Universe work...

^^I'm guessing Demon has been there long enough that it hasn't been an issue so far. If they had ever considered changing it for the above reason, they probably would have done it by now. But, the changes I keep seeing in the latest TRs of The Demon as The Emo do make me wonder...

Are there any limitations towards the year the video was made? I've been saving my 2006 coaster video for the next contest, so I'm hoping that I could still enter that.

22/25 for me isn't too bad!

As always, you know I loved the latest addition! Keep up the always-great work!

I knew that was you I saw on Friday! In line for Nightmare on Elm Street I was across from you in the passing line as you were closest to the fence while I was closer to the Twister queue. I hesitated asking if you were Jarvis from TPR because, if I were wrong, it would have been awkward for this random guy, myself and my friends. I should have followed my initial instincts and introduced myself... When I return from France, I will upload a photo I took at the place and time I saw you that night.

Before I leave for France (in ten minutes), I wanted to give a small update on my return to HHN last night. It was much more busy last night with wait times for the Mummy reaching 75 minutes and Dead Silence reaching 90 minutes. The only new house I was able to do was Nightmare on Elmstreet: Dreamwalkers. I thought the house was particularly scary, but they went a little overboard with the strobe effects, making it almost impossible to even see Freddy at certain points of the house. I redid The Thing, Dead Silence, and PsychoScareapy but wasn't able to get into any of the shows, as they all filled up 45 minutes before they started. I wasn't nearly as scared this time around for any of these, so I had more time to look around and see the scenery. I take back what I said about Scareapy, because the theming was truly great! The experience this time around was much better (for the house) and I had a great time specifically that night. I might take my cousin back one more time before Horror Nights closes for the year, so I might have another update after I return.