King_K.

I would definetly not mind going on a TPR cruise. Keep us in the know if you guys decide to plan one.

Hm, did they film a scene from "The Wrestler" there? Looks familiar, real familiar.

The Miami-Dade County Fair always has a Sizzler. That thing is pretty damn fast.

Maurer Söhne have patented the non-inverting loop that will be featured on Rockit. Full Patent: http://h1.ripway.com/patents/US2009013895A1.pdf

OrlandoRocks put some pictures from the Village People concert on Sunday. http://www.orlandorocks.com/1a/usf/Misc/hollywoodbowl/Photos/1/PhotoPage.aspx

Little by little, work on the lift is resuming again.

Here's a look at the stage now finished and in-use for Mardi Gras. It looks great all lit up. Photo by NickC.

Thus, Hagrid's hut materializes. Very authentic theming.

Here a little update posted by Stewie_G. over at IOACentral.

Hm, I won AND got my TPR bag-o-crap in the mail today. What a great 2-fer.

I've seen and participated in FFL and it's just so damn boring. I was really hoping that they'd bring in the Creature from the Black Lagoon musical that USH is getting. Either that or maybe another stunt show, maybe something to do with the Bourne trilogy. I miss the old Wild Wild Wild West Stunt show. I have vivid childhood memories of it.

I recorded the commercial earlier and uploaded it. Here you go.

Here's the completed stage area. I think the only thing not completed there are those projection screens. I think those are temporary, hopefully they'll be traded out for LED Screens. These pics were taken by NickC from IOACentral/HHNVault.

The work walls came down.

Hm, this picture was put up today of the same area. So I'm guessing that it is Hagrid's Hut.

Not that I'm aware of. I think it's a first. Here's some stuff from the original press release.. * Features six near-miss moments and first-ever thrills including a record-breaking loop. Vital Stats - 167 feet tall. - 3800 feet of track. - Reaches top speeds of 65 mph and towers 17 stories over Universal Studios Florida. - Will be largest, tallest, fastest X track installation in the world. - 1st coaster to ever include onboard guest selectable audio and 1 person video capture. - New X Car designed by Universal Creative to include audio, video, and color changing Daylight LED. - 3 new maneuvers: + Doubletake - Non-inverting loop. + Treble Clef - Ascending high-G helix into a Hi-Hat stall and vertical dive. + Jump Cut - Spiraling negative-G camelback. - Other maneuvers: + Crowd Surfer - Overbanked curve crowd fly-by. + Drop Tuning - Sideways drop into chasm. + Plot Twist - Sideways loop. + Chorus - High speed ground maneuvers.

There's been a low rumble in the Rumor Mill that the Island Skipper Tours might be returning once again to Islands. If anyone remembers the iconic scene from the first Potter movie in which they arrive to Hogwarts by boat, then you'll understand what the significance of the rumor is. If they were to expand the current inlet from the Inland Sea going under the old JP/Lost bridge they can carve out a path through the pre existing foothills and all the way back to the castle, giving the illusion that your boat was navigating the cliffs at the base of the castle. (Cause remember the castle is being built UPON the big ol' show box) Direct transportation to the hot new attractions in the park would be an incredibly smart thing to do, especially seeing how they already have queue and a loading platform built and up to code Construction around The Flying Unicorn has begun too.

*Lift hill has had some work done, nothing major *The sides of the stage are painted *It looks like more stuff has been added to the ride building, what exactly I don't know. They've been busy, it's shaping up, but as far as you guys are concerned nothing photo-worthy has happened. New ticket booth ads too. Courtesy of NickC.

TPR TV: CoasterTube is to Theme Park Geeks, what food is to ACE'rs.

Hm..here's a few. TPR TV: CoasterTube, it's as simple as that! : CoasterTube is our middle name. : Get me my CoasterTube. : Got CoasterTube? : CoasterTube, to hell with the rest. : It's your CoasterTube!

Astroturf! The stage was being painted today, and looks great. As for the coaster opening, definitely don't hold your breath for any type of February preview. I'd say April, at the earliest.

Here are some new photos from Orlando Rocks.com: http://www.orlandorocks.com/1a/usf/rides/rockit/construction/1/Rockit-Construction.aspx

I believe that's the element being shown here:

Few updates. -Stucco being added to the Stage. -New astroturf being added to the seating area. -Rapid construction on the Citywalk portion of Rockit. This a bit ago (12:30PM) in front of BMG (Courtesy of Atricks): They were adding another piece of track when I went by to the outer part of the loop there. I took this photo from directly under it in the exit area from the park to Blue Man Theater. They have three cranes, one by twister, the huge one in the middle by the boneyard that lowered it into the front (pic above), and another smaller one (pic below) that was being set up to raise the piece showed in the pic above to the final spot in the pic below. The following are from Orlando United. The MCBR as seen from 2-3 miles away on Kirkman Rd. Citywalk/BMG Portion, looking great. Work being done on the Station. The stage nearing completion! A final shot of the MCBR from Islands.

Coaster construction has moved to the front lawn of Blue Man Group as of yesterday.