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^Right. Humans are going to be terrible humans no matter what. It's seeing an Orca or Dolphin in person that creates the emotional connection for someone to want to actually take action and care. As of now, there will only be a couple generations left that get to experience that connection. It's easy to say now that this is no big deal because the actual end of Orca presentations at Sea World is still so far away. But what scares me is that we don't know what the future holds for the wild orca population. People will still poach, pollution is still going to be everywhere, fishermen will still overfish, global warming will continue to screw with habitats...worst case scenario could be that the "safe" confines of their tanks at Sea World may be crucial in their survival if we keep destroying things as we have been. To me, this is nothing more than pandering to try to generate business because they haven't invested enough in their parks to stay competitive in what is now the beginning of another arms race between theme parks.

Those pins are awesome!

We'll see how Justice League holds up. By all accounts, those were quality dark rides.

So much to chose from! Can't wait to check it out next week.

No I agree with Kyle. The video was shot in 2012, so it's not the current state of the building. I also hope he had permission....

I actually agree with the Elephants being removed. That I don't think has much educational value, nor could you really say that traveling around the country on a train and spending much of their life in sports arena parking lots qualified as a great environment. SeaWorld has always had a clear educational agenda with the entertainment piece. I also agree that they completely botched how they handled the situation, culminating with the reversal of their stance.

While I don't disagree that there are significant issues with the way our world is being consumed by humans, I'm don't think this is a very good argument. With your logic, you might as well say that humans would be better off in solitary confinement in jail. It would remove issues of violence, hunger, health care, etc.. I think there is a place for zoos, aquariums, and SeaWorld, but to act like the removal of the orca shows is the end of happiness as we know it is incredibly selfish and short sighted. I love all of the research and rehabilitation SeaWorld does, but thousands of people aren't sitting in an arena to watch science and research. The patrons are sitting in the arenas to be entertained and splashed by mammoth creatures living in captivity. There are a lot of people who would be better off in solitary confinement than out in the real world.. But aside from that, my point is that SeaWorld serves as a great educational platform to get the word out about all the problems marine animals face in the oceans. Everyone is so hung up on the captivity thing instead of focusing on the bigger issues at hand. You are correct that many people aren't sitting in the arena to watch science and research (although last time I went to SeaWorld San Diego) the "behind the scenes" thing that focused on those aspects in Shamu Stadium before the actual shows for the day was quite full!), but it is that entertainment that funds research and conservation and allows people to form an emotional connection to the animals. Truth be told, I actually would prefer a show with less of a terrible story line and more emphasis on education/research while still incorporating some of the staple tricks Shamu is known for (splashing, jumping). I keep harping on the emotional connection, because that's exactly how myself and my sister got hooked. For a long period of my childhood, I actually wanted to become a marine biologist/animal trainer because my parents took me to Sea World for the first time and we did the Dine with Shamu dinner. The impact of seeing Shamu up close in that environment instantly made me more passionate about learning everything I could about marine biology. Ultimately, I think the phrase "out of sight, out of mind" applies once the final orca passes. Of course, since that should be 50 or so years from now, it's impossible to predict what the future may hold. What's true in 2016 may not be so by the time the last orca is at a SeaWorld. It's entirely possible technology will still allow us to form that emotional connection because VR technology has advanced so much. It's also entirely possible people may be running back to SeaWorld to help because the continued effects of all things we do to destroy the environment have caught up to the orca population around the world...

Except Mickey Mouse is a fictional character and these whales are live creatures in captivity. Not a great analogy. However large we think these pools are, these whales lives are the equivalent to a person being born in a house and then living the rest of their life in one room of that house. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of PETA and thought that Blackfish was ridiculously heavy handed. However, as a compassionate human, it is always a little sad to see animals meant for vast spaces confined to a relatively small living environment. My biggest problem with that argument is that we are destroying their habitats with pollution, fishing, global warming, etc. so captivity where research and education could continue might actually be in their best interest....

Still "summer 2016" for both projects, but late May/early June looks plausible especially since Kong has been testing since a few weeks back. Testing doesn't necessarily mean an opening is imminent. Depends on the process and what testing finds. I wouldn't plan anything for any specific date just yet.

The Crouse family are some of the nicest people I have ever met. This will definitely be the first thing I do when I get paid Friday!

John has already stated on twitter that there are no repeats. Perhaps same franchise, but "no literal repeats."

Whether it was intended as a bad socialism joke or a legitimate political comment, please keep these forums free of political discussion. It's too polarizing of a topic and never ends well.

Always some great deals that week!

Don't get too excited...yet. The markers could be for anything (utility, gas, landscaping). Once you start seeing markers in a pattern that resembles a coaster or labels on them that you could assume would be for supports (1L, 1R, etc.) then you can get excited.

You mean this will (most likely) be included in the HHN haunt list so they can cut another haunt off the event. Maybe they'll repeat one or two haunts again just like last year, leaving us with two, maybe three new ideas if we're lucky, all while increasing the event price again and still no return of VIP. They may surprise me but after last year's deliberate price-gouge compared to years past, I'm not holding my breath. They had 7 mazes the last time House of Horrors was able to be used, so hopefully that is the case again. John did not answer the question on twitter when directly asked how many mazes there will be, so who knows. He's referenced mazes up to #5 so far when giving hints. John, however, did say on twitter that "there are no literal repeats this year, no "back by popular demand."

Location has not been officially announced, but I imagine if they want to open it by summer it is not the site next to Transformers.

Surprised SFMM security didn't call the Sheriff's, as like Guy mentioned, that was a misdemeanor crime (it's a misdemeanor since there was no injuries).

Some notes from John Murdy on twitter: -More details to be announced at WonderCon -He is the creative director, his HHN design partner Chris Williams the Art Director, and it's being produced by another member of the USH entertainment team: Don Burgess (who worked on the night time studio tour) -Project was two years in the making -Building designed for this attraction, unlike House of Horrors (which was originally the Victoria Station restaurant)

Actually, the best method is to promise a high quality product and deliver a high quality product. Neither Cedar Fair nor Six Flags have mastered that yet. You never know what you will get with either company, since both have their moments of being cheap/poor operations, which is the real root cause...I've had good and awful days with both chains.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts. The detail and the technical marvel that is the FJ ride system still make for a very impressive experience.

^I don't think that is even close to a fair comparison. The pools at the Disney hotels are nice, but not even in the same league as a full waterpark. Nor could you find a Disney hotel for less than the $259/night they want for the Paradise Pier Hotel right now. Plus the whole cost of admission to the parks.... However, I still think the original point still stands: rooms starting at $250 might be a tough sell in such a crowded market. But just out of curiosity I checked a room for next Saturday....$500/night for 2 adults/2 kids. (Disneyland Hotel was $552)

I dread how crazy the event will be if they do it this year with all those supplemental attractions down for construction. That has to reduce the theoretical park capacity by at least a couple thousand. Which means more angry AP's. It will be another fun night of reading tweets!

Correct. And only for dinner.

EPCOT had MyMagic+ kiosks near the front of the park and a CM to help you plan your day, make FP reservations, etc.

Garden Grove gave them the land for free in addition to $47 million in subsidies (plus a deal for more tax rebates if they build a planned hotel expansion), so I don't think they cared too much about the location... Rooms starting a $250/night is way too much though. I would love to check out the water park, but not for that much. I just got back from a day trip to Vegas to watch the first round of the PAC-12 tournament for less money!