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^I will admit to not knowing that (because I really don't care enough to look through countless photos/videos to dissect the effect), but my larger point still stands: I would have been more impressed if they found a way to do all that without having to resort to projection mapping the head to create the desired lighting conditions. I will fully admit to being harder to impress, and I will also fully admit to not getting the added hype (which adds to my jaded attitude). I don't mean to say that the figure isn't cool looking by any means...I just want to see Disney/WDI come out again and do something that's basically "screw you, we are the best in the business...we are going to make the impossible happen."

^Projection mapping on animatronics goes as far back as Buzz Lightyear in the queues of his rides. There's also the faces on Radiator Springs Racers cars. So to me this Hatbox Ghost is just more of the same...it still looks good, but it's also not "OMFG wow" anymore either. I would personally be more impressed if they had found a way to re-create the actual practical effect as it was intended. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the other 60th anniversary ride rehabs will also feature projection mapping in some way.

^It's pretty much exactly what I thought it would be. Looks good, but nothing to go crazy over. I feel like theme parks have hit another creative wall. We went from Lava Monster, the giant Yeti at Expedition Everest, trying to have animatronics walking the park/interacting with guests, and Forbidden Journey at Universal...to 3D everything at Universal and projection mapped everything at Disney. It's not that there is anything wrong with that, since the final products have led to an insane amount of growth for both Disney and Universal and nothing they do is terrible...I'm just ready to be wowed again. ^^Aside from the vertical video, it's obvious the video is edited. Although I don't think picking kids up is in Disney's character SOP's...something is very fishy about this. Paying the hospital bill AND saying the team member was disciplined would seem to defy logic, as rule #1 for any situation that could result in litigation would be to never admit guilt.

I would say the first month will be the best time. They will have their best on the crew, but the problem is the way that SFMM staffs---their best are leads elsewhere in the park and will be needed at other rides, so the chances of the crew staying together for very long is pretty slim.

It was most likely announced today to coincide with Nintendo's first quarter earnings call.

I really don't think it's that simple. You could argue Universal reaps the benefits of having the only Marvel character based theme park attractions on the East Coast because of the popularity of the cinematic universe. Spiderman is still a popular ride. Hulk is still a popular ride. I imagine the retail store is still doing good business selling merch associated with all the Marvel characters. I don't think Universal is by any means desperate to get rid of their exclusive rights to theme park attractions associated with Marvel characters, even if they have to work based on the comic books and not the movies. At some point that real estate may very well become more valuable as another IP (such as Nintendo), but with UO/IoA still riding high on the back of Harry Potter...I don't think it's urgent for them to dump the valuable license unless it is a deal they can't refuse. The rest of Lost Continent would go before revamping Super Hero Island IMO. On the flip side of all that, you could argue Disney is losing more by not being able to fully capitalize on the cinematic universe at WDW. So really it comes down to...who blinks first.

I have differing thoughts on this. Ultimately it has to be a very awkward situation for both companies. On one hand, if Universal is able to get Disney to fork over a huge amount of money to buy them out...Disney would essentially be funding new attractions for Universal. However, the danger would be allowing Disney to fully capitalize on their new Marvel empire. Is that a gamble Universal wants? Or do they want to keep piggy backing on the success of the new Marvel universe knowing that Disney is probably going to be looking for any excuse possible to void the deal and will most certainly not be a helpful partner on any future developments relating to the Super Hero Island?\ Whatever happens...the Nintendo partnership is a good way for Universal to hedge their bet so to speak. If they don't sell out to Disney, they get to add the most popular video game franchise of all time to their licenses. If they do sell out to Disney, they at least have another strong franchise to counter Disney's ownership of Star Wars and Marvel.

The reality is that Disneyland was never designed for the amount of guests that are currently visiting and now that DCA is finally living up to it's potential...New rides are great, but like I said, the infrastructure will also need a HUGE overhaul. I'm guessing Disney has to be near their maximum projected crowd level with how successful they have been the last few years. For comparisons sake, look what Universal is having to do to prepare for Harry Potter...new garage, expanding the roads that lead into the property, the metro pedestrian bridge, redoing the freeway on and off ramps...plus work behind the scenes to improve infrastructure for team members to account for all the extra staff. And I don't think they are even done announcing projects (Old House of Horrors space).

I would hope that before they even consider a 3rd gate, they beef up all the public (freeway on/off ramps, roads) and private infrastructure (more hotel rooms, more parking, more shopping/dining) to handle the extra people on their property. It's already nasty on busy days. ...Perhaps this purchase is the start of all that?

Be weary of those mini lego figures. They are such a pain to put together! But I still want them all.

Good thing I am off work Thursday and Friday! Can't wait to ride.

^I get that...just seems like a showmen would have snapped it up and put it back on the circuit if it was worth it. Like Laser. Just seems like the ride was too big and has too many problems to every be feasible to be saved.

CNN's agenda is to sell Blackfish DVD's.

I haven't been to Raging Waters in 15 years. Looks like that will change this year! Napoleon would probably enjoy this ride!

The ride as Zonga was the worst coaster I have ever been on. Just send it to the scrap. I mean, how is it Olympia Looping has been so successful for so long but this ride couldn't last on the fair circuit owned by arguably the most famous German showmen? It's like it's cursed...or just never actually lived up to it's hype. Did anyone here get to experience it as Thriller?

^If it's low income housing, eminent domain is definitely not the best option. That would be hell for Disney to deal with. Much easier to buy out leases/pay for relocation, buy the property above market value, and move on. I'm thinking the Carousel Inn purchase wasn't really planned, but just happened to fall into their lap. It's a brilliant purchase, since it basically sets the price Disney is willing to pay for future purchases.

They did a "Cirque Week" in 2013 to celebrate 20 years in Las Vegas. That was the last one.

It's nice to see that Universal is building an attraction based on a current movie/franchise!

Under Comcast ownership, it seems like Universal is much more aggressive with expansion and new rides. I just can't see them ignoring Jurassic World if the movie is successful and brings the franchise back to life.

The price has nothing to do with the quality of the hotel. Has everything to do with the location and lack of available real estate in the area.

This part caught my eye. Glad they kept this tradition within that building alive. The mural on the wall of KoD might have been the best part of the ride (besides its appearance in Beverly Hills Cop III).

I can't be the only one who read Toruk and immediately thought of the N64 video game, right?

You know the ride had to be a Chinese knockoff if they could start with restraints still up...sad for the victims.

If the movie does well, I personally think it is inevitable that something Jurassic World related will be added. Universal hasn't had a string of successful franchises like Fast & Furious, Despicable Me & possibly Jurassic World since, well...Jurassic Park, ET, and BTTF.

^I actually really like the concept of Disney Quest...too bad they haven't updated it since it opened. Eminent domain would tie Disney up in a legal/political battle for years. I'm sure if/when Disney is ready to buy property to aggressively start expanding, they'll do what they did with the Carousel: set up a new LLC to try and hide the fact it's Disney and pay WAY over market value for it. It's still chump change to Disney.