crazydaveh

This is sad. He was awesome. Here's a picture from when I interviewed him several years ago when they re-released the Pirates 4-D Movie at Busch Gardens Tampa. I think I'm going to go watch Airplane! on the Roku! CrazyDaveH interviewing Leslie Nielson at the opening of Pirates 4-D at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Robb! I just started watching the video... Next time tell us about the language before hand buddy! Keep the photo updates coming!

Robb, These updates got me through an INSANE day of work yesterday... Keep em coming!

Damn... Wisconsin freakin' is awesome! I hear they have an "organic brewery" downtown too! That's where I'll be! Beer and cheese...

This will give me a reason to go back. I've been a few times and had great experiences, but this will allow me to convince the Mrs. to spend the $$$ to go back now that no one in the family works there! I think the best part of it will be that it's made for families. I never thought I'd say that until my little Princess came along almost two years ago. Anything we can all do together is just awesome, and it looks like they thought of this with the new area.

I just poured me an epic Sam Adams and toasting this epic report! There's nothing like Oktoberfest! Been there, done that, and I better do it again and again! Your pictures have brought back so many memories that I forgot... Well, I was pretty plastered the entire time!

Seeing these pictures take me back three years. Oh the fun at Oktoberfest! Drink a few for us who can't go and of course, enjoy the coasters! Oktoberfest is simply AWESOME!

Hey gang, new to this thread, glad it was pointed in my direction. I too have recently started running again. I'm training for my first 1/2 marathon. It will be the Disney half. Anyone else running it?

I'll give you a run for the crown. I'm down in the yahoo league if there is still spots.

It has been done before, just not on this scale. Back in my TV days, Universal did stuff like this all the time inviting reporters down to HHN and for certain media events. Disney has done similar things, but not for websites. What they did to, is take it to a whole new level that I'm sure other parks will soon follow.

Since I work in the field of video production for a major corporation (no, not any theme parks) this is flat out awesome. I've already forwarded the video to people here to show how social media videos can be useful! I think Jill and the gang down at BGT have a home run on the video here! Holy After Effects!

I am checking on flights to the Williamsburg area as I plan to hit BGW the day before or after. Anyone else looking to head up there from Orlando? Also, the "one beer per participant" line... Only one beer all day? Can we purchase more? Does KD sell beer?

We've been hitting all the water parks here in Otown the past few weeks. Like someone else said, if you get an afternoon storm, don't leave! Ride it out because it will most likely clear the place out! Aquatica will be dead come 6pm and they close at 9 this week and next. Stay and enjoy the park without waits and other people bumping into you. If you are there all day, then I do suggest the "All you can eat" deal. They are also VERY strict on what kind of things are in coolers when you enter, so check the website and be sure to follow what they request.

Something big at 11 means watch their newscast at 11! I wasn't impressed with the webcast. I think Uni should step it up bigtime before Friday. Get people who can shoot and SWITCH!

The Special "Ale" that you speak of that Hogs Head Tavern serves isn't new or special to Potterland. It's the "Red Amber" brew that many restaurant chains like Red Lobster, Olive Garden (I think), Bahama Breeze, among others use as their own beer. It's brewed by Anheuser Busch InBev. It's not that good. Too bad Orlando Brewing couldn't come up with a brew for them!

According to the bartender at the Hogs Tavern yesterday, the new sign is going up to replace the current JP sign on that side of the park. Apparently the Potter author was there checking everything out and the current JP sign sticks out in the Hogsmeade area. We checked it out from the Dragons cue and it does indeed stick out. Sorry, no pics. Didn't have the iPhone or BlackBerry on me at the time.

It is sad. While working for SeaWorld, I had the pleasure to see two whales born. What really sucks is that the Orlando media is already playing up that captivity, Tilly being the father, and other things are to blame. In the past when a whale has passed, it was a quick mention on the news, tonight, it beat out the oil on the Florida beaches as the top story on half the stations here in Otown! I guess if you can look on the bright side, another baby whale should be born this fall.

I just returned from Potterland. It was my first real try at getting in and it was successful. I went in without ever reading a Potter book or seeing any of the movies. I just wanted to go see what all the fuss is about. The line at 9AM for the Forbidden Journey was posted at a 45 min wait. We ended up waiting about 1:15 but the line continued to move without any stops so it didn't honestly seem that bad. I had to have the people I was with tell me what was going on in the que, but still, it's a really neat que with lots to see and keeps your mind off the waiting. Besides the garden area, it's air conditioned! That helped this morning. As for the ride. I'll sum it up like this, It's Spiderman on a cocaine binge. It's really cool how it all works together. Lots of surprises. I won't go into detail because chances are, you've probably seen the video/pics or don't want to read a spoiler. Now, even though I thought it was a cool attraction, I honestly was lost with the story. I am told it all comes straight out of the books, but if it's not sports, I don't read it. I don't think not having a clue about the story is an issue, the ride is still very entertaining. The single rider line was open so we did that next, walked right up and was on board within five minutes. The Butterbeer was quite tasty. The machines that make the frozen type were all having trouble this morning keeping them frozen due to the heat. This was happening at the bar and the outside service line. Note, if you want to give it a little kick, the bartenders will sell you a shot of whatever you want and you can put it in outside of the bar. They can't pour it for you. The bartenders also said they can't wait to go to normal hours because they work on tip service money and with 95% of sales being Butterbeer, they're not getting tips right now. One guy said he made a total of $25 dollars working six hours yesterday because he made nothing in tips. That hurts if you've ever worked in the food service industry. Overall, I think the area is very well done. The Dragons cue is quite different from the Dueling days. Not as much to see in the line. I didn't go on the Unicorn or whatever it is now. I think the big issue Universal will face will come in a few years when it's time to expand/add to the area to keep it fresh. I'm sure they have things in mind already, but it will be hard to top the new attraction.

Keep up the great work. You got my vote. Hopefully everyone on TPR will help you get the $$$.

Why would you speculate that they would let you in without buying the package? That would be a great way to make the paying customers upset. How would you feel if you paid extra for a Harry Potter package and then they let everybody else in? The speculation comes from the rumored "Soft opening" of Potterland. Rumors have been going crazy on the net and even the local Orlando news this week. It's caused people to hang out there all week and posting on twitter as potterwatch. I agree, if I paid big bucks to get in and others were in for free, I'd be pissed. I really don't care. I have the day off from work and headed down just to see if it was going to open to the general public. It's fun to see all the people who are getting pissed that it's not open. I saw one local who was yelling at an employee ranting "you have to let us in today, the internet said it would be open!" People expect a soft opening. That's where speculation comes in. As for me, I hit the Hulk and Spidey in no time and headed home to the air conditioner. It's too hot to stand out there and wait for possibly nothing.

I'm here at IOA. Yes, the people who bought the packages are inside Potterland. Everyone else is standing here pissed off wanting in. A Universal employee is hapily telling everyone that it opens in June (kudos to the employee for taking the crap people are dishing and keeping a smile). I came by just to see if it opens to general public. If it does this morning, bonus. If not, oh well, maybe next time. We speculate too much and are let down when our speculation turns out unfullfilled.

Shamu Express isn't that bad of a ride. Sure it's small and short, but for a little one, it's a blast.

You missed a credit at SeaWorld... Shamu Express. To intense for ya?

^ No Worries. I know there was no harm intended, but a few trainers and other current and former SeaWorld employees do wonder on this site more than you might think, so you can see what I'm saying. How was the line for Manta on the day you went? Friday, at 930 am, it was already 75 minutes. JTA was 90 and Kraken was a walk on.

Great report. Please know that people who knew the trainer that was killed are regulars on TPR. I enjoyed your pics, your lunch caption was personally a bit over the top. Glad you had fun! I was out there Friday, and yes, it was packed.