jedimaster1227

^Key West Dolphin Cove is currently listed as being closed for refurbishment through February 27th, 2015.

Looks like a nice fit for this small park! Also nice to see Vekoma building a custom layout for the ride.

^After the major investment that was Falcon's Fury/Pantopia last year and the current financial standing and restructuring that SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment is undergoing, I'm not banking on anything major for 2015. I'm also very curious to see if whatever 2016 addition was intended for the park (construction would need to begin sometime this year) may be put on ice as well. The first confirmed casualty of the cutbacks in the parks was the resumed closure of the Crown Colony Restaurant which had reopened around the beginning of November for the busy season. Gwazi is the next to go.

I'd imagine the shirts were designed at different points, one before the hat's removal was finalized and the other after... It would seem odd to use two different icons otherwise.

Revel closed only a few weeks after I visited the place, and I was bummed to see it closed. Compared to the run-down Showboat and Taj Mahal (both of which had horrifically broken marquees that mangled their names), Revel felt modern and trendy and was more like a resort and less like a casino than the others. That being said, it's location was far away from the main strip of the "well known" casinos that were available, which I'd imagine led to its downfall. Revel and Hard Rock Park are continue examples of the importance of location. Just because you build it, doesn't mean they will come. I'm not holding my breath on the water park idea either.

At least no one has been dumb enough to put an iPad on a selfie stick...

This line just sticks out for me. In one way, they're confirming Gwazi is closing but at the same time not necessarily saying that Gwazi is gone for good. They're playing coy for this announcement, but I find it particularly odd that they're so openly leaving the door open for Gwazi as opposed to simply saying that it is closing and a replacement will be announced in the future... Maybe the structure is salvageable and something special (RMC, please) can be done to the ride after all...

I'm so insanely excited about this movie!

Yep, it opened in July and it has a gorgeous lake to take advantage of! http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/12/business/corporate-business/usj-touts-wizardry-harry-potter-win-japan-casino-partners/

Hong Kong Disneyland has put out a press release regarding the breaking of ground for the resort's third hotel, the Disney Explorers Lodge, set to open in early 2017. The included release and concept art provides a new look at the hotel's many unique elements!

^That wouldn't really jive with the Disney Springs plans.

Looks like they took the Frozen Summer Fun setup from Disney's Hollywood Studios and amped it up a notch! Thanks for sharing these photos Dallas!

That lift tower is simply huge! I'm very curious to see what kind of show element goes on inside as rides are lifted to the top.

^That's a shame for sure... I doubt they'll close considering how the park is so heavily invested in. My bet is a major park operator like Parques Reunidos or Village Roadshow will pick it up and operate it under its portfolio, and if it then continues to fail, they can liquidate the movable assets and distribute them to their successful parks (like was done with Geauga Lake).

^By sitting down in the train, you pretty much acknowledge that there is no guarantee of a good ride, no matter where you sit! Honestly, it isn't the worst wooden coaster I've been on but it is down there on the list after years of wear and tear from the PTCs and later the Millennium Flyers. Go in with an open mind and brace yourself--there's no seat that will particularly prevent it from being a rough experience, but it is an experience that is worth having at least once.

This park really has an impressive collection of rides! Thank you for sharing this great trip report with us!

Artegon had enough problems on its own before this... I was there at the grand opening and even then, the place was relatively empty both in terms of vendors and guests. This situation can only hurt what was a damaged product before it ever opened.

1. It is THE icon of the park, so it isn't going anywhere. 2. It is getting a major overhaul with new lighting to complement the park's soon-to-debut nighttime atmosphere and hours. 3. There is no reason to remove the Tree of Life. It is central to the overarching story of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Sorcerer's Hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios was added later and in terms of the story of the park, actually doesn't fit. Not that the story is overly cohesive for the park but the hat's removal certainly won't hurt the park... It can only make way for better things--there has to be a reason it is being removed.

^It is never too early to introduce Jacob to the glories of mint juleps, Corn Dog Castle and Boudin Bakery bread bowls!

This ride is seriously becoming more unique by the day! Not sure when I'd ever get out to Lagoon to try it out myself, but this is definitely giving me more motivation to try...

^Orlando is relatively close to three different ports...

It is neat to see these European parks building rides up front and theming them in subsequent seasons. A very different approach than you typically find in the US parks.

It is great to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter progressing so quickly. Is there any word yet on if there will be any unique features for this version of the land versus Universal Orlando or Universal Japan?

^Pretty much not. They technically can be approached with legal action but the knock-off companies are essentially protected by their business being isolated to China. They have been punished when they've tried to take part in the IAAPA Expo where they were removed from the expo due to copyright breaches, but besides that, not much has or can be done.

(Continued) I'd never noticed the hidden Remy in the restaurant in any of my previous walk-throughs. They even send you off from Remy with a box of chocolates and a rose for the ladies. Time for Pirates in the Caribbean! Jack Sparrow steals the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos, thwarting the Avengers... And points his almighty finger towards the sky to ignite the fireworks. This would be a fun view to have! It isn't often that you get to see all four Disney Cruise Line ships based in Florida... Time for martini tasting... First up, a sour apple martini. Next, Vodka Martini, shaken-not-stirred, dirty with an olive. My favorite of the four we had. Chocolate Martini, my least favorite of the four. Passion fruit martini came in second place. Flo's V8 Cafe serves a fantastic Tomato, Bacon and Brie sandwich on the upper deck... Which makes for great casual food to enjoy while watching a film on the Funnelvision screen. In case you were craving any... It's nearing time to say goodbye... To all our company... But not before more food! If you haven't been able to tell already, I really love food. Royal Palace's Grand Marnier Soufflé is the best! Hi Elissa! He did the pose! He did the pose!!! I can never take enough photos of this chandelier. Or of this staircase... It is a Very MerryTime sailing after all, so there had to be a Christmas Tree. The star was really awesome when seen up close. I can stare at this all day. I APPROVE! Just gorgeous! My favorite Enchanted Artwork on the whole of the ship. Calling me in for more drinks... Pink is for champagne... Skyline offers trendy martinis and cocktails in a really stunning environment! The morning of debarkation I woke up in time to catch the Orion rocket launch from Cape Canaveral (we were docked in Port Canaveral). Just an awesome thing to experience as a wrap up to the cruise... Time for one last breakfast... And the cruise was officially over!