Jew

I just looked at Mitch's poll: 2 of the top-10 are looping coasters. 10 of the top-25 are looping coasters. So what's your point? Looping coaster need their own poll because most of them suck and don't deserve a top-25 ranking? The good ones still clearly get recognized.

^^I wouldn't doubt they borrowed some ideas from BTTF when designing Soarin', but I disagree with the notion that makes the ride any less "revolutionary". It completely changed the way WDI could tell their "we're watching a movie while pretending to fly" story, giving guests a completely different experience while not actually using new film projection methods. I would guess that if they were to do a survey asking guests what they thought of Soarin', very few would answer "It's just like BTTF/Simpsons!" That's my whole point. If you really think about it, it seems like the industry has really hit a wall in terms of true innovation like Spiderman, Indy, and Tower. How old are those rides now? Since riding those rides the first time, only three other things have impressed me(only one of which is unique): the crazy Parque Espana dark ride system, Lotte World's Indy ripoff, and Journey! So for me personally, the idea that the kuka arms could be used to add a new dimension to film-based dark ride storytelling (much the same way Journey took test track to the next level or the Lotte World Indy ripoff borrowed Indy to create an AWESOME ride) is exciting. However, I also agree that it could totally bomb and make you think "that's it?" if it turns out to not do anything special.

I agree that if two rides offer similar ride experiences, people will always pick the better one. However, I don't think people will compare Spiderman to Forbidden Journey. Even though the basic concept is the same (projections mixed with physical effects), I think most people will walk away thinking it is a completely different experience because of how much of a different perspective can be given when you have no floor and the range of motion the Kuka arms offer. That's why I compared BTTF to Soarin': BTTF is clearly a simulator. No one is going to think that they are NOT watching a movie, and it doesn't feel immersive at all. However, when you add in that extra element of being 60ft in the air with your feet dangling...it drastically changes the perspective and experience, even though it is still just an Omnimax movie. Of course, ultimately it is impossible to judge without riding. I really think this could go either way: be a complete dud, or take dark ride storytelling to a new level if they can successfully incorporate the new possibilities the kuka arms make possible.

To be fair, it's hard to tell if that will make a huge difference. Afterall, Soarin' is just BTTF/Simpsons with no floor, but the ride experience comes off as totally different.

I don't think the concept was flawed, but the execution was awful. The idea was to capture the best of everything California has to offer, and since Disney has so many tourist visitors, that actually makes sense. The problem is the execution. Nobody walked away from Paradise Pier thinking "now I don't have to see the Santa Monica Pier." Nobody walked away from Grizzly Peak thinking they got a true California National Park experience. Nobody walked away from the Winery area thinking that it compares to a real winery. Nobody left the "Hollywood Studios" and thought "Screw USH!," and so on... If they had been able to offer much more immersive/E-ticket experiences from the beginning, nobody would be thinking "what a stupid idea this park was!"

^That's not how viral marketing works. I'm sure future adds will have more about the attraction.

It's the rides finale! The turntable is inside there.

I actually thought this coaster was a good idea until they announced the height requirement. There's not much else they could do with that particular site, so something kids theoretically should have been able to ride would have been perfect. Right now the only thing on the back side of the park kids under 42" can ride is Scrambler! I'm glad someone realized that once they dropped the ball with the height thing, it really wasn't worth it for the park to invest in something they REALLY couldn't get a return on. WAY too wimpy for thrill seekers, but little kids wouldn't have been able to ride! Remember that when they branded themselves the "Xtreme Park," it was Goliath Jr. that put them over the record! So there is a place for marketing complimentary rides for the "little thrill seekers" while still fitting in with their niche, but the way ride was currently going to be installed wasn't going to do that.

^I would imagine that for some people, paying $9 to ride their favorite ride once a year is a better value than paying for a full day at SFKK...

I don't really think so. I think this could be a nightmare for Customer Relations. I'd be willing to bet that the ride itself having downtime is going to be a much bigger "nightmare" than people confusing the new land as a theme park. People are dumb...but not nearly as dumb when it comes to spending their money. You aren't giving enough credit to the majority of guests who spend years researching/planning their big orlando trip. Or taking into account that even if people do get confused/upset, the majority probably won't care after they realize that their kid is still happy. There will most definitely be people who do try to complain about it, but I really don't believe it is going to be as bad as everyone thinks.

The mostly completed backlot (there's still one block under construction) should return as a regular part of the studio tour starting tomorrow. Previously it was only available weekends when construction crews weren't working. In the mean time you can check out some photos and a short video documentary here: http://universal.filmmakersdestination.com/content/new-york-street The sets look very impressive in person. Much more attention to detail.

If the permit issue is to be believed, it sounds like someone at SFMM made an enemy or two in LA County...

Leave to SFMM to screw up something as simple as a Roller Skater...

I'm actually going to miss Croc's Bites (amazing nachos) and the Lost Bar. Nice place to hang out at Disney away from the crowds.

I think you're all over-estimating how much of a problem this is going to be.

http://video.usanetwork.com/features/character_fantasy/nick-theme-park-enthusiast/v1226238 Behind the scenes @ USH...including shots of some concept art and the model from the upcoming Kong attraction.

Why? Six Flags loved putting out press releases about their guest satisfaction surveys, so surely they would take into account the fact that "angry people waiting in longer lines=lower satisfaction scores and people MUCH less likely to spend extra money at the park or return for future visits to spend more money." No one is questioning that SF has tons of room for improvement in their operations...There's just no logical explanation for why those bad operations are to drive sales of flashpasses.

It's just you. Poor operations is what it is. You're reading WAY too far into things.

I highly doubt that is the intent behind low capacity/bad ride operators. It doesn't even make sense. They couldn't possibly sell enough Flashpasses to offset the amount of people they would be pissing off. Not even Six Flags is that dumb.

Lots of them. No parks operating plan is to have their star attraction down for the busy summer season. Unfortunately for all the parks throughout the country (and world), there are many variables outside of their control that may prevent quicker action. Location (a park in the U.S. getting a part from Europe), government regulations (for example, if Holiday World were in CA...there would be a months worth of paperwork and testing required to get Raven trains put on Voyage), logistics (some parts require cranes/special work permits/LOTS of man hours to fix), and so on. Holiday World deserves credit for taking swift action, but it's really unfair to other parks to act like they wouldn't do the same thing.

There's more to the photo than Emma Watson???

Has there been another time in their history where they have announced a replacement for a show, set a closing date, then backed down at the last minute?

^^Old news. Already been discussed in the thread.

Buy an Express pass. It's going to be packed.

^^Until the stadium situation is resolved, there isn't much they can do. Why would they pour money into a park that potentially has no future if the stadium is built?