jedimaster1227

^Exactly... I have several friends that claim that Kumba is rough, and I can never understand where it comes from. I rode Kumba for the first time in a while at Howl-o-Scream last month and it was the same smooth, forceful, awesome B&M monster that I've known and loved for years.

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit Volcano Bay at the Universal Orlando Resort for my first time. I had waited to experience the park until after the initial rush died down to swamp the place... And as it turns out, the day I ended up going was almost empty thanks to an unexpected cold front that deterred most of the crowds. Volcano Bay was designed to minimize the queuing experience by having guests wait virtually in line while enjoying other offerings in the park that don't have waits. In the case of our visit, none of the slides had any waits that required virtual queuing, with all of the check in stations showing "Ride Now." This isn't a problem for me, given the fact that it meant getting the chance to ride some awesome slides multiple times with minimal waits, but it did deprive me the chance to actually see how this system would work in the event the park was busier. The Tapu Tapu (the waterproof, digital wristband that you wear throughout the park to manage your virtual queuing) can also be used as a credit card (you tie a form of payment and your ticket to your Tapu Tapu via the Universal Orlando mobile app) and as the key to open your locker. While I didn't use the payment option, I did get the chance to use it for the locker we rented and I was impressed to find that the system was intuitive enough to allow multiple guests' Tapu Tapu to be linked to a single locker, allowing my wife and I to access our items without having to swap bands or travel back to the lockers together. In addition to a wide variety of ProSlide slides, the park features a large wave pool, a themed water fortress, a lazy river and an "action river." We didn't spend any time in the wave pool or water fortress this time around but we definitely enjoyed our time in both of the rivers... The lazy river was great for hanging out towards the end of our visit, while the action river was better enjoyed for some fun being thrown around in a more rapid moving current, churned by the occasional wave maker along the course. The park is built with a large volcano, Krakatau at its center (hence the name Volcano Bay) and it is definitely a centerpiece to be had. Up close detail can be appreciated in the form of tiki/Moai heads carved into the rockwork of the structure... And while the interior features more exposed steel holding up the many slides that run through it, the solid side of the volcano is definitely picturesque. The volcano itself holds up several ProSlide SkyBOX slides: Ko’okiri Body Plunge, a 70 degree drop down a 125 foot tall fall; and Kala and Tai Nui, two drop slides that send guests twisting down to the base of the volcano in a lengthy but tame experience. The park's signature attraction is the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, a hydromagnetic slide that rockets in and out of the base of the volcano. Depending on the party you've got sitting in the raft, you're potentially in for a great deal of airtime... We rode three times during our visit (thank you cold weather) and two of the three rides saw me getting some serious air. This is the first hydromagnetic slide I'd been on (I've been on water coasters that propelled you with rushing water uphill) and it is definitely the style of water coaster I'd love to see more frequently in water parks. I only wish there was more than just one of them in this park... As you'll see in my photos below, we rode several more slides, dined along the way and took in as much as I could during our time. I definitely need to go back to experience the rest of the slides I didn't try this time around, and I'm interested about trying more of the food options there as well. Overall, we had a really fun time at Volcano Bay... I hesitate to call it the best water park in Orlando, if only because I don't feel like I truly experienced it the way it was designed to be experienced... The queueless experience was one that I didn't really get the chance to take advantage of (though the short lines I waited in were nothing to complain about) and for that reason, I don't know how the virtual queuing would affect a busier day in the park. I loved the slides I rode and spent over an hour in the action river. Getting to roam the pathways inside of the volcano was a pleasant surprise too. This was a great introduction to a park that I hope to experience more fully with more visits to follow. The entrance experience starts after you take a shuttle from the Universal Orlando Resort parking garage to a drop off location... I have to give them credit for squeezing this entry setup into a very narrow plot between two hotels and a major exit for I-4. Height requirements for those that need them. These are no ordinary turnstiles... Your ticket is scanned and linked to a Tapu Tapu wristband that you wear throughout the duration of your visit. Don't worry: if it falls off during a slide or in the water, you can always go to the concierge inside of the park for a new one. There aren't many spots in the park where you can't see Krakatau, the park's 200 foot tall centerpiece volcano. The lazy river flows calmly through this corner of the park... You can see a variety of themed structures along the park's skyline but none of them are nearly as tall as Krakatau. We dined at the Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club quick service venue and I had the Reka Burger, swapping the jalapenos for grilled pineapple (in the spirit of the tropical nature of the park). It was a pretty good quick service burger! Once you're dropped off, you go through a tunnel which serves as a portal to the land of the Waturi Tribe, who once resided in Volcano Bay. The natural light brought into the tunnel is a neat touch. You exit the tunnel to experience your first ride... The escalator! The park's entry plaza with one of Cabana Bay's two towers looming above. Under the massive thatched roof you'll find the Guest Services area... Along with this talking tiki head... And me. Here is the ticketing booth for those that didn't buy their tickets beforehand. Looking down at the park from the Honu slide queue... The Honu slide was easily my favorite in the park... The double wave maneuver allows for two moments of water slide weightlessness that really caught me off guard. The park's action river "TeAwa The Fearless River" weaves in and out of the park's structures including Krakatau itself. Quite the view! A look towards Cabana Bay... The park definitely has lush greenery from end to end! It is a interesting design choice to have so much of the volcano's side open... The Krakatau Aqua Coaster wraps around this corner of the park and lines both sides of the action river. In case you were wondering what the Krakatau Aqua Coaster raft looked like... For the love of Larry. Tapu Tapu check in locations like these are set up at the entrances of all of the major slides that would require you to queue virtually on a busy day. Another really cool marquee. No shortage of slides in view. Here either! These were easily the most aggressive, fast mat racers I've ever been on. Typically I drag along the bottom of the slide but thanks to the increased water flow, I really flew down the slide and took some of the turns pretty high on the slide walls. Just a few of the moments where the Krakatau Aqua Coaster weaves in and out of the rockwork of Krakatau. A look at the ProSlide SkyBOX slides... The Ohyah & Ohno slides drop you into a pool with a full 6 foot and 4 foot respective fall. The feeling of being shot out of a slide into weightlessness before hitting the water is hard to describe, but super thrilling! The park's wave pool during its calm period... The Dancing Dragons is one of the park's bars, and its name is no doubt a subtle nod to the former Dueling Dragons coasters that used to run in Islands of Adventure. Inside of Krakatau, guests can walk along a path with a few interactive features triggered by the touch of a Tapu Tapu. There's even a volcanic spirit inside that can interact and speak with guests! This effect triggers a multi-angled burst of wind... Which would have been welcome on any day but ours thanks to the cold weather. A moving piece featuring two kissing monkeys. I definitely like this angle. The sign of a slow day... Some of the turns featured in the Taniwha Tubes slides can really pull some g's. I was quite fond of this angle of the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, taken from within the action river... Looking up into Krakatau from the action river... Wave incoming! It was a great first introduction to Volcano Bay and I'll definitely be back for more in the future!

The theming in this park is really great and the ride lineup looks pretty nice too! Thanks for sharing this great report!

Margaritaville Resort Orlando has sent us information about their upcoming job fair!

This story continues to get crazier with each update... I'd imagine the ownership troubles will result in the parks being sold off... Seems an opportunity for a group like Palace Entertainment or Parques Reunidos (or maybe even Merlin) to step in.

Such an odd location for the first ever themed hotel... This seems like it would've made more sense near a Legoland park or in relative proximity to a Disney resort.

Today I had the chance to experience a new, short-term festival offering at SeaWorld Orlando, the Craft Beer Festival. Only offered this past weekend and next weekend, the event is like a mini version of the Seven Seas Food Festival with over twenty food items and over 100 beers on tap spread throughout the park. Like other events at SeaWorld, event sampler lanyards allow you to choose options from across the festival at a reduced price by paying for up to twelve items up front. It also turned out that this weekend was another event at SeaWorld Orlando, Jack Hanna Weekend. Jack Hanna has had a longstanding relationship with the SeaWorld parks and has been coming to SeaWorld since I was a kid, bringing with him a variety of animals that you don't even get the chance to see in the parks. With that, my day made for two experiences in one... We like food and beer enough to known that the maximum number of items (for two of us) would definitely be the right option! What goes great with beer? Roller coasters! It was also my first time seeing Infinity Falls in action! We didn't get the chance to ride today, but it definitely looks like a fun addition! The ride consistently had a 40 minute wait throughout our visit. Down they go! The splashdown ends far bigger than you see pictured here... Make no mistake, this ride will soak you. A look at all of the Craft Beer Festival locations and some of the menu items available throughout the park. The Flamecraft Bar continues to offer some great brews on tap. Chicken Wings tossed in a Pilsner Buffalo Sauce served with Tangy Slaw were a good start to our day! The Buffalo Burger Quesadilla with pepper jack cheddar cheese blend, balsamic onions, baby arugula crème fraiche, and a roasted tomato salsa was a surprisingly tasty option. The Beer Corn Fritters served with a Sriracha Aioli were one of my favorite items I tried at the event! The Chorizo Potato Skins were a tasty twist of the classic bar bite. The Bison Slider served with Lager Bacon Onion Jam and Minorcan Mustard was a nice option. Given the name of the event, it should come as no surprise that they serve beer here too. I'll definitely be coming back soon to try Infinity Falls out for myself! The Waterway Grill is the newest version of the original hospitality house, and much of the original fixtures of the venue have been kept in place. During the Craft Beer Festival, Craft Beer Trivia is being offered in the Waterway Grill. Cheese empanadas... The Brown Sugar Brown Cow Mocha Brown Ale made for a great alcoholic float! Mama's Pretzel Kitchen now features a Turkey Leg Pretzel... This might be the first food option I've encountered in a park that I'm afraid to tackle. The Infused Bacon Cheddar Pretzel nuggets were served with a beer cheese and were really nice! Construction of the new Sesame Street section of the park is well underway. Cider lovers will be happy to know that the Craft Beer Festival has a few options to enjoy. Another reason I was here today... I've been seeing "Jungle Jack Hanna" since I was a kid at SeaWorld... He opened today's presentation with a focus on why he supports SeaWorld after all of these years. This American Bald Eagle looks like a different bird, but it is just starting to get its trademark white feathers. I can't say I'd seen an echidna before today... They brought a sloth!!! Lots of different animals were brought on stage... Three different owls were shown today. Everybody loves penguins! A cheetah and its best dog friend. Beautiful! They're adorable together! Time to get a few more items before I head out... How about some candied bacon lollipops? And some more beer! The Craft Beer Festival is a great new addition to SeaWorld Orlando's annual line up of events! If you have a chance to visit next week, you definitely should!

^I'm hoping it pans out! I'd much rather get a year round Stranger Things house than a year round Walking Dead house!

Hersheypark has sent us a ton of information on this year's Christmas in Hershey offerings, both old and new! Take a look at all that's in store for the holidays this year!

The Universal Orlando Resort has announced that the Halloween Horror Nights "Stranger Things" house will reopen to all day guests on November 6th in celebration of Stranger Things Day.

This is such an awesome update! I love that there's actual history to be found by peeling away layers of the building. I can't wait to see what they find next!

(l to r) Jonathan Cable, Corey Greenan, Jonny Wexler and Eric Chambliss Photo: Joan Marcus Last night the 2019 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season kicked off with Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. This was the show's first time in Orlando since the opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Best described as a jukebox musical, Jersey Boys pulls from the extensive Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons catalog of songs along with a few related songs from the period. There is no original music that was created specifically for the show, but the arrangements have been made in a way that molds the music to the story in a way that is organic and infectious. Jersey Boys spans decades of the band's journey, starting with four young adults in New Jersey singing under a streetlamp. Four very different personalities are brought together by circumstance but when their harmony is found, the result is at times breathtaking. Jersey Boys doesn't paint an easy picture of the Boys' rise to stardom, and it certainly doesn't pull any punches along the way. A sign at the theater entrance warns that "flashing strobe lights, loud gunfire and authentic, profane Jersey vocabulary are special effects used in this production" and with that you may want to shy away from bringing younger ears into the theater (or at least covering them during the song-free moments of the show)... The language portrayed for these Jersey natives can at times be excessively vulgar--this doesn't take away from the show thanks to the authenticity of it all, but again, a disclaimer for those considering taking those with more sensitivity to language. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have been around for quite some time, and what Jersey Boys proves is that you know more songs that were produced by the band than you'd likely realize before going in. Many of the arrangements of these classic songs have been re-orchestrated in a way that stays true to the original style of the music but slightly modernized in a format that fits for the show. Going back to listen to the original music that inspired the show, I was surprised to find that many of the tracks were sped up or abbreviated for the sake of the musical's flow... To the point that I prefer the musical's presentation of these songs over the original. This was my second time experiencing Jersey Boys on stage (I've seen the Clint Eastwood film based on the musical as well) and this was easily the delivery of the story and music I've experienced. Jonny Wexler shines as Frankie in a near pitch perfect match to the musician's iconic tones... If you'd believe it, his background includes a substantial role in the children's show the Doodlebops, and more recently, he portrayed Joe Pesci (yes, that Joe Pesci) in Jersey Boys for three seasons. But the role of Frankie Valli was his to perfect, and that he does. The entire ensemble is exceptionally strong with Eric Chambliss' Bob Gaudio standing out alongside Wexler. Jersey Boys is an excellent presentation of decades' worth of achievements of a band whose story was never seen on the surface. The drama that takes place behind the scenes is compelling during the spoken portions of the show and the music progresses the story as years are represented, flashing by in minutes. Excellent vocals and period choreography give this show a wonderful total package that is well worth your time. Jersey Boys is being shown at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from October 30th through November 4th and tickets are still available for purchase. For more information about the show visit: https://www.drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2018/jersey-boys/ (l to r) Kevin Patrick Martin, Jonathan Cable, Jonny Wexler, Corey Greenan, Eric Chambliss and Todd DuBail Photo: Joan Marcus (l to r) Eric Chambliss, Jonny Wexler, Corey Greenan, Jonathan Cable and the Company of JERSEY BOYS. Photo: Joan Marcus Foreground: (l to r) Ashley Bruce, Chloe Tiso and Jessica Wockenfuss Background: Guitars (l to r): Wade Dooley, Kevin Patrick Martin and Todd DuBail Photo: Joan Marcus (l to r) The Company of JERSEY BOYS Photo: Joan Marcus (l to r) Jonathan Cable, Jonny Wexler, Eric Chambliss and Corey Greenan Photo: Joan Marcus (l to r) Jonny Wexler and Eric Chambliss Photo: Joan Marcus Jessica Wockenfuss and Jonny Wexler Photo: Joan Marcus (l to r) Jonny Wexler, Eric Chambliss, Corey Greenan and Jonathan Cable Photo: Joan Marcus (l to r) Corey Greenan, Eric Chambliss, Jonny Wexler and Jonathan Cable Photo: Joan Marcus (clockwise from lower right) Jonny Wexler, Eric Chambliss, Corey Greenan and Jonathan Cable Photo: Joan Marcus Jonny Wexler and Company Photo: Joan Marcus

Thank you Larry for sharing the updates on this park's revitalization effort. It seems like those involved are pursuing this progressively in a way that is lower risk, and I hope it works out for them. A park as storied as this is one that has value being open, even if only for a portion of the year. I'm eager to see how these plans pan out!

(Continued) It is always hard saying goodbye to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. It has honestly become one of my favorite Disney attractions around the world. I still miss Captain EO, but I appreciate the flexibility these venues have brought to the resort. I was surprised to find that the waiting area for Turtle Talk with Crush in the Animation Building has seen a slight update to theme it to the Marine Life Institute from Finding Dory. Still one of my favorite places in all of Disneyland. We didn't get to dine at the Carthay Circle Restaurant this time around (it was Lamplight Lounge or this) so sadly, I didn't get to have my favorite duck wings or Carthay Circle House Biscuits. I do love the Pixar Fest logo work that was done for the event. The Boudin Bakery is my favorite... I just wish we had one in Florida. Confirming another FastPass is incredibly easy with MaxPass. And using it is even easier! The Pixar Shorts Film Festival was added to Disneyland Park late in Pixar Fest, but it featured some more great shorts. I still want one of these Mint Julep soda fountains in my home... I don't play around when it comes to Mint Juleps. I was done with all three of these in less than five minutes. The addition of Pixar Promenade and the Pixar Philharmonic has brought a new energy to this corner of Pixar Pier. The Mariachi Divas were performing a set featuring music from Pixar's Coco. Despite the new name and decor, the Pixar Pal-A-Round is the same great fun wheel experience you know and love. No Stadler & Waldorf to be found here... We totally went back to the Pixar Shorts Film Festival in California Adventure again so we could watch Bao one last time. So long Rocket! Ran into a friend on the other side... Thank you MaxPass for giving us our photos! I seriously love this Space Mountain. And the Incredicoaster too! My favorite. What a great end to our quick trip! Time to fly home... Though we'll be on a different Disney adventure in just a few weeks. Went back several times for this. Radiator Springs Racers is still one of the best Disney rides in the world. I could never have anticipated how much I'd fall in love with this ride. Can't get enough.

In our one evening we had in the parks, we were able to catch both the return of Paint the Night (featuring one new float) and the new Fantasmic! Following our packed full day, our final day of our insanely quick trip meant squeezing in as much as we possibly could before leaving for the airport... But once again, MaxPass was the hero of the day, allowing us to accomplish so much in such a brief period of time! It was surreal for me to see the Paint the Night Parade for me for several reasons... My first visit to Disney California Adventure at the age of 13 was where I saw the Main Street Electrical Parade run after it left Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (which I saw it run there many times as a kid). I later saw that same parade during its final run on the Magic Kingdom's Main Street. Years later, my first time bringing my wife to the Disneyland Resort, we saw Paint the Night on Main Street at Disneyland and during her third visit, getting to see Paint the Night in California Adventure where I saw its predecessor run so many years earlier. Having now seen Fantasmic! in all three of its locations, I've recognized things I like about each. The new updates to Fantasmic! that were introduced a few years ago have really elevated the show for me. Classic imagery that has been a stapled for the show has been plussed with new lighting and projection effects that make theses scenes pop even more! I think the introduction of Pirates of the Caribbean in this scene is a far more effective moment than the previous Peter Pan scene. The lighting on the dragon is incredible! The show looks better than ever! The next (and last) day in the parks allowed us to stop in to a few of our lower priority experiences... It is a long winded explanation, but this parade is really special to me. Mack is still one of the coolest elements of the parade with his interior LED 3D lighting. The Belle float still stuns. New to the parade (replacing the Frozen float) is the addition of a float themed to The Incredibles. There's so many details to take in, from Jack-Jack popping up around the float, to Dash running around it... Violet's energy sphere is such a neat effect (and hard to photograph)! The Sorcerer Mickey float is still my favorite of the parade and is a stunning finale to the show. California Adventure has some really picturesque spots to take in at night. Bao is such a great short, and getting the chance to see it on the big screen was worth the Pixar Shorts Film Festival alone. Can't stop. Won't stop. MaxPass includes the unlimited download of PhotoPass photos including your on-ride photos. The underside of the Incredicoaster entrance arch is pretty cool. Some more in-tube scenes that were added to the Incredicoaster during its transition from California Screamin'. Jack-Jack went all gooey... It isn't easy to add story to the scream tubes, but the Incredicoaster pulled it off! Still such a great coaster! And we love it! A look at the coaster's marquee. You can't come to the Disneyland Resort without getting a bar of Clarabelle's Hand Dipped Ice Cream! Charming little castle... I really do love it though. For my childhood's sake, I make it a point to visit Mr. Toad's Wild Ride each time. I'm just glad this classic dark ride still exists somewhere (and the Country Bear Jamboree exists in Florida to allow this one to have been spared in California). Always a must-do for me. It still means so much to me that I get the chance to ride a 1964 World's Fair original, original trough and all, each time I visit Disneyland. It truly is something special. Mary Blair's style is timeless and able to be appreciated by guests of all ages. You already know how I feel about the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage... Mickey and the Magical Map has been a great addition to the park... We definitely try to catch it every time we get to Disneyland. From Toontown you can spot the Black Spire of the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu... Also known as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Thanks to Pixar Fest, the long-running Pixar Play Parade moved to Disneyland Park (replacing my favorite Soundsational Parade) and got a facelift as a result. This is the new lead float for the parade. Joy and Sadness join the parade in a new float. And Bing-Bong too! UP! is also represented in the parade now too. I discovered Bengal Barbecue late in my Disneyland visits but since I did, it has become a quick service favorite of mine. The new path of the Disneyland Railroad is gorgeous! It'll be odd not seeing Stormtroopers roaming Tomorrowland once Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens. Have to stop for a moment... Thank you Walt.

And now you've got me going...

Universal Studios Hollywood has sent us a press release announcing the park's first ever kid-friendly Halloween offerings taking place this weekend! The park has also sent us a press release announcing that all day guests will be able to take advantage of a "lights on" walk through experience of the Stranger Things maze from Halloween Horror Nights.

Your Jet Stream photos have me intrigued... The second drop has the mechanism and drop channel in place for boats to alternate between paths but it appears that the second trough has been cut and is no longer in use. Interesting that they kept the remnants of it in place while the rest of the ride continues to operate. Thanks for sharing another great update from your trip!

Glad you enjoyed Toy Story Land so much! Slinky Dog Dash is a genuinely fun family coaster and the land is a nice addition to the park!

This is such a great report Chuck! You've got me missing Tokyo DisneySea intensely (not that I ever stopped), especially the American Waterfront section of the park!

Thanks guys! I also forgot to mention that included in the MaxPass price is unlimited PhotoPass downloads for each of the days during which you have MaxPass, including ride photos & photo ops throughout the parks! I had a FastPass for Radiator Springs Racers booked as I entered California Adventure a minute after the park opening set for 35 minutes later! The value is incredible!

(Continued) New for us this trip was the Incredicoaster, the retheme of our favorite California Screamin'. The queue has a pretty humorous pre-show loop including a not-so-subtle jab at taking an old ride and slapping a new name on it. Time to explore the new Lamplight Lounge! The Incredicoaster manages to add a fun story to an experience that was simply a coaster before, and for that reason, I appreciate what it accomplishes. The sights along the track are mostly unchanged. The added details within the coaster's tunnels are a fun plus. The loops is still as awesome and forceful as ever... Here we go! Jack-Jack is multiplying! The finale of the ride is pretty cute. The Cove Bar was one of my favorite places to relax and dine, so I was anxious to see how The Cove Bar would turn out. The menu is sizeable, especially for a venue that is primarily a lounge. Lamplight Lounge is a combination of the former Cove Bar space along with Avalon Cove/Ariel's Grotto. If you dine downstairs you have access to the full menu but if you dine upstairs, you get access to drinks and appetizers only. But the downstairs space is the most rewarding to experience as the walls are filled with memorabilia from the production of so many of Pixar's hit films... Old and new. Lots to look at! We especially loved all of the elements from UP! This private booth is makes up one of the neatest corners of the restaurants. Toys and dolls of all of Pixar's efforts line the wraparound shelf. Even the kitchen access doors are themed! The path to the restrooms is covered in notable quotes from the Pixar films. Picturesque! All of the new drinks on the menu are unique and themed to different in-jokes from the Pixar lot and their associated productions. The drink menu is honestly HUGE! Good news friends! The Cove Bar's lobster nachos live on and they are still amazing! The Deviled Eggs and Toast was really fantastic (for a lover of Deviled Eggs). The Ratatouille with Roasted Eggplant and Bell Pepper Ragoût with Zucchini Noodles, Burrata Cheese, Mushrooms, Smoked Tomato Sauce, and Basil Aïoli was incredible--the highlight of the meal! I went with the Salmon PLT and loved every bit of it! The Open Ocean with a Splash was a light and fruity frozen cocktail that fit my wife's fancy. The Final with a Fix was more my speed with Greenbar IXÁ Reposado Tequila, St. George Raspberry Liqueur, Cointreau, fresh Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, and a dash of Del Maguey Vida Mezcal. Must do. I'll never tire of this view... Pun intended. Gorgeous! Simply perfect! Always happy to see the Red Car Trolley News Boys still performing! I have a print of this poster at home! I loved this version of the Tiki Room in Tokyo! Can't go to Adventureland without getting at least one Dole Whip. Galaxy's Edge incoming! The way Disneyland's paths wrap around Big Thunder Mountain, it is hard not to find multiple angles to photograph the ride. I'm incredibly fond of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage because it is the only ride left of its kind in operation at the Disney Parks. I grew up with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at the Magic Kingdom and was really bummed as a kid to lose that... So experiencing this ride for the first time as a young adult brought back all of those wonderful memories. Since that first experience, the subs have been a must-do for me on every visit I make to the resort. I still think the Magic Kingdom's version has the best layout from a coaster standpoint, but I love the Disneyland Space Mountain experience as a whole. Scuba Ooh Mow Mow. I notice new details in this ride each time I experience it. An absolute must do for every trip to Disneyland. Also a must-do? Bread bowls at the Boudin Bakery. And a recent addition to my must-do list is to try the seasonal bread pudding at Pacific Wharf Cafe. This time around, it was Strawberry Cheesecake Bread Pudding with a vanilla sauce and it was fantastic! For the first time in a few years I was able to break way from the parks to stop by Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. Now that we have one at Walt Disney World, it isn't as much a priority for our trips to Disneyland, but with two new mugs on the market, I knew a stop was warranted. The new Piranha Pool mug was well worth the visit--and it might be one of my favorite mugs in the collection for how perfectly defined and unique it is! Stay tuned for my final update covering the latter half of our 36 hour trip!

Thanks to an undying urge to get to Disneyland as much as possible and an unbelievable round trip fare for two between Orlando and Ontario, California, my wife and I found ourselves weeks away from arguably the fastest trip we've done to California. Flying out on Friday night after work and arriving at our hotel across from Disneyland at about 2:30 AM on Saturday, only to turn around and rope drop the parks a few hours later. We ended up with a day and a half before needing to turn around and head back to Ontario to fly home on the red eye, arriving in Orlando with enough time to sleep for a few hours, get cleaned up and go back into work. I was terrified that this plan would be a fruitless one with the parks too busy to enjoy more than a few of the major rides, but for the price of the flights, I was willing to take the risk... And as it turns out, one new tool made our adventure more than possible. MaxPass was the hero of our trip! For $10 per person per day we were able to control the Disneyland FastPass system, leveraging it just as we always had with the paper tickets, but able to book our next attraction from our phones (across parks) without having to walk up to a distribution location... The sheer amount of time save in doing so is immeasurably valuable. We'd score fastpasses for Space Mountain and as soon as it was time to go in, we'd be booking Guardians of the Galaxy or the Incredicoaster. New this trip for us was Pixar Pier (and Pixar Fest) and new for my wife was Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! We made sure to hit all of our favorites, we said goodbye to some outgoing experiences that were closing (or are likely to be closed by the time we next visit the resort) and made the most of our 36 hours at the resort before heading home! This is the new morning mad dash pattern... Take a guess where we're headed. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is still such a blast! Can't say you'd ever see hundreds of guest waiting to rope drop the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror before. The entrance of Mission Breakout is filled with details to take in! You won't find Adam Warlock in here! Poor Cosmo! You have to wonder how the Collector got his hands on a piece of Ultron's army. One Little Spark? Pixar Fest saw some subtle additions added to Cars Land... Like these awesome movie posters from the Cars universe! I've always loved this. Radiator Springs Racers is truly one of my favorite Disney attractions in existence. Cars Land was the thing that made me enjoy/appreciate the Cars franchise. Little pops of airtime to be had. The rockwork is extraordinary... I love every bit of it! I always enjoyed Luigi's Flying Tires, but it is hard to deny that Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters is a really fun replacement that more guests can enjoy. The variety of dance sequences also makes it very re-rideable! Time for some new hotness! No shortage of Pixar Fest merch. I love the new Pixar Pier billboard art! Some really great pieces! OFF! OFF! OFF! The entrance arch for the Incredicoaster is a pretty neat opening statement for the reworked queue area. I appreciate the moderate attempt to add story to the conversion. The new red, yellow and blue tones of Pixar Pier really liven up what was once Paradise Pier. Didn't get to try Churros 1 but I hear it's a great value! Love the signage! The revamped Games of the Boardwalk were a huge win for us! La Luna Star Catcher was easily our favorite addition! We might played five rounds at this game to get all of the different plush... We might have. The new Heimlich game was super cute (albeit super difficult). Plus it features audio from the now-closed Heimlich's Chew Chew Train attraction. Bing Bong's Sweet Stuff has some awesome new treats to enjoy on the Pier! Flik's Flyers from A Bug's Land is being rethemed to come back to the park as an Inside Out-themed ride operating in the former Maliboomer plot on the far end of the Incredicoaster. Coco had a substantial presence on the Paradise Gardens side of the park. They really did a nice job dressing up the park for Pixar Fest. This thing was ALL KINDS OF AWESOME! Sadly World of Color wasn't operating during our visit due to ongoing maintenance. Here we are... Flik's Fun Fest didn't have much longer for this world... This view has certainly changed over the years. And now it's time to say goodbye... To all our company. I appreciate the effort that went into making lemonade with the lemons the Imagineers were given when A Bug's Land was quickly green lit. It was a charming little attraction that managed to be one of those "so bad it's good" kind of rides in the park. It took me years to even experience it despite visiting Disneyland and California Adventure many times before, but once I did, it became something I'd try to ride at least once per trip if at all possible. bug bye.

Silver Dollar City has sent us a press release release announcing their 2019 entertainment lineup as a part of "The Year of Shows & Festivals."

^We were able to get Stranger Things (a whopping 10 minute wait, mostly consisting of walking through the giant queue), Poltergeist and Scary Tales done before the park officially opened to regular guests last Saturday thanks to Stay and Scream. And when we were done with those, we were already positioned inside of the park to start hitting the other houses while the lines were short. Especially on the weekend nights, Stay and Scream is definitely the way to go.