jedimaster1227

This is the last set of Busch Gardens photos (including Sheikra's E-stop and Evacuation). The bridge from the former setup is still there? Sheikra still dominates the park's skyline. I've never seen a band perform in Busch Gardens before! Kumba is still one of my favorite coasters in the park! Phoenix is a short and tight-of-breath ride, but it is still fun if you like real hang-time in a ride... The Sky Ride still runs perfectly- a great kick in the shin towards Disney's removal of their systems! A meal at Crown Colony is a tradition for me! Especially the use of the cable car at the top of the lift hill... It was interesting to see the evacuation procedures... All trains on rotation were stopped in their positions (including one at the top of the lift hill). The emergency platforms were laid out on the track so riders could be evacuated from the ride. So... Just when you thought that Sheikra ran smoothly, it came time for an E-stop... I left Busch Gardens Africa with this small find... One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong and its __________! Another first came by Scorpion when I saw my first walk-around character at Busch Gardens... I didn't realize how wet we would get on the ride. When they warned you about getting soaked, they meant it! Finally, it came time for me to ride the Tidal Wave for my first time ever!

I am most likely in for the Europe tour (as I have been saving up for two years now). I am also considering the Florida Halloween Tour (partially because I have passes to the majority of the parks you would visit) and the Disney Around the World Tour (that is a dream of mine).

Here are the next photos of the set... One of my favorite parts of Kumba is the quick run through the tunnel... This photo has been done before, but I never get tired of it! Busch Gardens uses a virtual queue system? Scorpian still runs smoothly, not showing its age at all. This shirt lists the main five coasters in the park, excluding Scorpian completely... My friend Andrew and I on Gwazi! Lots of advertisements around the park promote Sheikra's newest feature... Sheikra in all of its greatness! The station has recieved an upgrade with the barred "claws" and the station floors that retract. Passholders were given 1 hour ERT on Sheikra- giving us 6 rides in a row before the park opened! The entrance really looks nice today! Advertisements run along the road, showing the emphasis that the park made on Sheikra's upgrade. My final park visit of the set was a stop at Busch Gardens to see Sheikra as a new floorless coaster. Dinosaur (ghetto) World is on the way... Work on the animal enclosures continues in the Congo. The Congo has been ripped apart yet the bathrooms near the old Vivi Ice Cream stand remain...

^I in no way imagined that by me posting a video of a strange but unique restroom, I would start a commotion. If it is unwelcome, then I am willing to remove it upon request. So now, onto the next [non-bathroom] related photos... The Universal Store had its Blue Man Group display set up and ready to show off... Even at night, this pathway is a great sight! Through this door you can see (not in this photo) the last remaining hints of the former Nickelodeon Studios including an escalator lined with hanging pictures of Nicktoons (like Debbie from the Wild Thornberries). Myself after the show, donning my "recycled headband." I like this mural on the wall! And to finish the Blue Man night, the family decided to get another great meal at our local Bubba Gumps! Two days later, I made my way on to Disney... Soarin's queue work was not visible due to the low lighting... Leave a Legacy seems to be going away soon... Finally, they have capped off the old topiary base with a plastic cover, replacing the old metal plate that was there for at least a year.... Haunted Mansion has been closed and blocked off. Suprisingly enough, the wall was well themed, even though it is temporary. The TTC has a mysterious box covering the entrance to one of the Resort Monorail lines... What?!?!? Just a little busy today right? Adam is such a tree-hugger... Hopefully, this mural won't be removed or altered when Spaceship Earth goes down for its rehab... Yes! A Jack-ball! This is awesome! Master Gracey left behind a message...

I just want to thank you Soren for taking the time to talk with all of us that visited you during your stay in Florida. I always enjoyed our conversations (and so did Stephanie), so I also thank you for that. Hopefully, you will be going on the Mainland Europe tour so I can take you up on that offer to actually go to a park with you when you aren't working! Thanks again for everything! My last photo with Soren before his departure...

^^Yes, I saw the show in New York, but this TR is about the show in Orlando. ^The bathroom definitely looked normal, but the background music was very strange. I am uploading the video now.

After a very long wait (and a very publicly announced hype), I was finally able to see Blue Man Group in their new show at Universal Studios Orlando. Now, let me start by saying that my first time seeing the show was in New York at the Astor Plaza Theater. At that location, the theater was small, but the show was incredible (what got me hooked on the Blue Man Group). Upon walking up to the Orlando theater, I noticed how different the former Nickelodeon Studios building looked (aside from the remaining paint on the left side of the building that has yet to be changed). I had watched its transformation from the time the Slime Vat was removed, and it felt very good being able to say that I was there for each step. Into the building, I noticed how nicely they had prepared the lobby. Equipped with bathrooms (which you will get to see and hear in the this TR), a merchandise stand, a concession stand and a wall filled with Sharp Aquos screens, it felt more than comfortable. Moving through the theater, I immediately noticed how much larger it was compared to the New York show's theater. Now I won't give away any of the features of the theater so as to not spoil anything, but let me say that they have done a great job with the design in all aspects that matter. Overall, the show was even better than it was when I first saw it, with new skits, funnier jokes and better tributes. I along with my family had a great time. Now, let me move onto the photos... (I'll add more photos tomorrow...) I had to get a picture with this guy, since I did when he was in the New York show. Here is the wall of Sharp Aquos screens... I knew I would be buying alot here! I was suprised that they allowed food and drink in the theater... They didn't in New York. My brother and I enjoy the show! Finally, the doors have opened! With a line out the door, the ticket sales were justified.. Our show was sold out, leaving some guests pretty disgruntled. Beautiful! (Except for the Sharp Aquos text they slapped on at the last minute...) Walking down the path towards the theater, I was already getting giddy! This lovely stand gives a great preview of the show... Seems like a normal bathroom right? Until you listen to the music... Blue Women... Blue Men... Its time to check out the bathroom! BMG Bathroom.AVI Listen to the odd bathroom music within Orlando's Blue Man Group Theater!

Another great addition Flipdude! One of my favorites of the lot! Thank you again for your time and effort!

^I am long out of Hebrew School thank you! In no way did I say the systems wouldn't be replaced, I said that they would be the same type of system. As for the overhauls on color and theme, that was for the building, not the ride system itself.

^It is going a to be a simulator, using the same ride system as Back to the Future. Basically, they are just overlaying most of the building with new colors and theming to match the Simpsons. It will be interesting to see if the ride turns out well...

^The Hollywood version of the attraction is also going to be removed to make way for The Simpsons ride. Universal released a press release covering both parks for both attractions.

Maybe this whole floorless dive-machine thing isn't such a gimmick after all... That is a pretty cool looking floor-to-floorless setup... Oddly enough, this is making me even more giddy about my next return visit to Busch Gardens Africa!

I realized I "just missed you" yesterday- I was standing on the other side of the American Adventure Marching Band performance...

Darn! I just missed you! Which park (if you are still here) do you planning on going to on Tuesday? I am probably going to make one final Disney visit before I leave for England/Ireland on Thursday... It would be nice to see you guys again!

I'm guessing you guys aren't going to Epcot today, because if you were, I might be able to see you... It would have been nice, but I hope you all have a great time anyways! I'm sure Kidtums is really loving this whole new world!

^If not officially, we already have an unofficial celebration set up for Oct. 1st, 2007. We even have a Illuminations Dessert Party in the Italy pavilion... I can give you details if you want!

Reflections of Earth is an amazing show in itself- nearly perfect in every way. When it goes away, it will be missed... From what I have been told, Skydance is a more laser-reliant show, though fireworks will be used. The last time I got a description of the project, the main plus about it was that each pavilion of the World Showcase would have a fireworks launcher or laser etcher so that the smoke created from the fireworks could be used almost like a 3-D canvas. If they can get it to properly work, even on a windy night, I think the idea has potential. As for the rumor that Tapestry of Nations may return, of that I am unsure. Several of the dancing figures from the parade are still intact, even being used for special events like New Years at Epcot. Along with that, Downtown Disney has a toy-based mural featuring several of the characters from the parade. On the other hand, I was told that Tapestry of Nations was a pathway-based nightmare in itself as it made traveling the World Showcase a real hassle (and that I can attest to). I would gladly welcome the parade back, along with any other part of the Millenium Celebration (except Journey into YOUR Imagination) as that celebration holds a special place in my memory...

Wow Robb! You really are multi-talented!

It is disturbing to see the message that "Farfur" has to say... Specifically the part about the Jews scares me...

Personally, I see Japan getting the long rumored Soarin' around the World concept that we have been hearing about for Epcot. If this were the case, the film would be shared with the other parks with Soarin's system...

^Nice reference mcajco! That really was a nice video, and the scary part is that I have met all of those cast members except the custodian... Maybe I do go to the parks too much...

I'm guessing that they didn't have the new Rockit Mountain effects up and running yet right?

They never really gave up on the idea... Some of the ideas for Disney's America were transferred over to California Adventure (in some form). For example, Grizzly River Run is basically a dumbed down version of what the Lewis and Clark River Expedition was supposed to be... Condor Flats is a basic build of what Victory Field was supposed to be and other concepts can be related to the former project too.

The last time I met Billy Dee Williams, he was a complete jerk... And the funny thing was, everyone else at Star Wars Weekends (the second year of the event) thought so too- enough for the Orlando Sentinel to slam him for being so mean... In this photo, he doesn't look any happier than he did on the day that I met him... Anyways, I really enjoyed this TR!

Well, now the park can sell knee pads at hugely overpriced rates to save for the next coaster/attraction...