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I don't ever bother to watch HISTA, and I definitely won't bother to wait for this...so it makes no difference to me! I'm not a fan of MJ and Captain EO scared me as a kid. Plus, as it sounds like in the press release...if they aren't even bothering to "plus" it or restore effects from 20 years ago, it sounds like I won't be missing much!

^I don't think that is correct. Perhaps WDI brought those people in afterwards, but WET was definitely involved with World of Color.

I can't be the only one who has no interest in seeing this, right?

^Have you noticed how much the ride is down? One of the many design flaws was the lack of a proper cooling system. LSM's get hot. Having 90-100+ degree Valencia summer heat beating down on them doesn't help anything. In fact, one of the more lengthy "rehabs" for S:TE occurred after one of the stator houses caught fire. The drive also automatically trips itself when its overheating, to prevent any further damage (a drive trip is what happens when the computer loses the car). Why do you think California Screamin' has the misters spray the launch after every launch?

^Beat me too it! Fire Barge. But back to the topic at hand, this show and all the construction really just proves the one thing I hate about Disney: for all the amazing things they do, their creative teams (WDI and Creative Entertainment) are really out of touch with reality. They don't care about park operations, they don't care what the vendors they hire think, and they seem to think they can do no wrong. Which results in both incredible innovations, but also lots of headaches for guests and CM's forced to deal with their arrogance! That's why you see things like closures for the fireworks and soon to be World of Color, a park thats a construction zone that's only going to be more of a mess when they begin work on the entrance, brake failures @ CA Screamin, and Dragons whose necks snap off. Hopefully World of Color actually opens on time, since it's rumored they kicked WET designs off the project...

^Too bad that's where their effort at the beach ended...

^^I personally knew most of the team since I follow hockey. Granted there aren't as many stars as team Canada, but the team USA roster is solid from top to bottom. Lots of young talent. In fact, I believe Canada and the USA are the only teams that have rosters made up entirely of NHL players.

My understanding is its simply a combination of Superman's age and the poor maintenance work that was done on it before the new management came in. Which might be why it also doesnt run both sides at the same time anymore. I dont think the fact that it uses LSMs has anything to do with it. I wouldn't call it poor maintenance...I would call it technology ahead of its time. It's just not practical to make a motor use so much power for such a short time under the summer heat of Valencia!

I will say this: when Robb says the event is close to selling out, he sure means it! I missed out on last years event because I waited too long to buy my ticket. If you're worried about it selling out...just buy your ticket before it is too late!

^As if you remember that day. The only part I didn't remember was riding Spaceship Earth! I remember how awesome we did playing Where's the Fire though!

When it first opened, the ride had to complete a few cycles at 100MPH to be certified by the Guiness Book of World Records as the fastest coaster. Those were probably the only cycles to get to the E-brakes at the top.

Considering team USA is made up entirely of NHL players, it's a stretch to compare this win in any, way, shape, or form to the "miracle on ice."

^That was one of my favorite drinks while drinking around the world!

The prize from season 3 of Hell's Kitchen was to be executive chef @ Terra Verde (the Italian place @ Green Valley Ranch) for a year too. Green Valley Ranch is my favorite of the "Locals" casinos. It's not too far away like Red Rock, and not too ghetto like The Orleans (which really isn't THAT bad...but Green Valley Ranch is just 1000x better).

For those "Vegas fanboys" out there, here's some news articles I've found over the past week about Las Vegas. One of the things I personally find fascinating is the business itself. The rivalries (Wynn vs. Adelson), the construction boom, the finances...it's all interesting to me. Here's some Vegas news from this week...Some more interesting than others, including a property on the strip changing hands: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/19/harrahs-officially-takes-over-planet-hollywood/ The addition of Planet Hollywood to the Total Rewards program can't come soon enough IMO. I like Planet Hollywoods rooms and Sin City Brewing Company is inside! http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/19/report-casinos-lost-money-second-time-history/ Everyone should go out and support casinos in Nevada while they are still cheap! Get those great room rates now, before Wynn/Bellagio/Venetian/etc. all go back to being $400 a night! http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/18/disputes-erupts-between-green-valley-ranch-partner/ Divorces are always fun! Seriously though, Green Valley Ranch is an awesome property. I'll definitely do a feature on it next time I am out there.

The park never had a business plan. I'm convinced it really was all just an elaborate scam to bail out those property owners who were about to lose everything on their failed entertainment venues on the site!

^^I would guess that the crowds will be minimal. The front of the line pass might still be a good deal for you if your son is into the "behind the scenes" stuff at all. I don't believe the park is running any big discount promotions at the moment, since they are offering the buy a day, get the year free option to locals as the big promotions. I'll see what I can find.

^And I edited the title to be more descriptive. Thanks for sharing this video!

Serious question: Do the rides really share one pumping system? I'm not familiar at all with the ride systems @ Cedar Point in particular, but I can tell you that water ride pumps are all extremely powerful on their own, so it would be quite impressive if CP really did have one central water basin/pumping system for multiple rides.

^^On the flip side, you have to wonder how many guests are coming to the park and going "WTF? This is a construction zone, not a Disney park!" I'd be real curious to see what kind of guest comments they are getting. I also think they are doing it backwards. Upgrading the front gate area should have been the first priority before any of the big new additions open. It sounds like both World of Color and Little Mermaid will be open before the new main entry is done?

^Yeah...that's a little too much. I was OK with the paradise pier stuff, but having two areas completely ripped up/covered with construction walls is a little too much. They bit off more than they could chew IMO.

^That would mean less money they could spend on themselves "trying to find investors".

The thing about the park is that it really wasn't THAT far away. It was just far enough away people wouldn't make the effort to go there themselves. If they actually bothered to partner with hotels/resorts/the city and ran shuttles from hotels and stops along the beach, I bet the park would still be in business. We counted at least 15 mini golf/family fun centers along that main road that were all PACKED...so there is obviously a market for family activities away from the beach. Both management teams just made no effort what-so-ever to reach out to that market!

The burden shouldn't be on the guest to find out where their discount is good. That information should come with the pass.

^Nope. Apollo is just assuming the debt.