The Official "TPR Does Orlando - Halloween Style"

[robbalvey]

Hey everyone!

 

Well, it was that time of the year again...our FAVORITE time of the year! Halloween! If you've followed the site you'll know that our annual Florida trip takes us to events such as Halloween Horror Nights, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Epcot's Food & Wine Festival.

 

Well we now bring you this year's update:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/orlando2007/

 

 

Just to give you a little preview....there are TWO videos!

 

The first one, Halloween Horror Nights 2007 where Michael Roddy, Universal's Creative Director will take you through the Nightmare On Elm Street Maze. This was a VERY cool opprotunity to have one of the maze designers talk us through what was going on. You can see that video here:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/videos/hhn_2007.htm

 

We also have a POV of Cypress Gardens' Starliner:

You can check out that POV video here:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/videos/starliner.htm

 

This is a BIG update! Nearly 500 photos, a ton of parks, and lots of TPR fun!

 

Post your comments about the update and the videos here!

 

--Robb

[Erik Johnson]

I really must have hit the Nightmare on Elm Street house at a wrong time. I simply did not notice all of the cool stuff in there when I went through because it was simply just too dark. The video was awesome, thanks for posting this.

[pup]

Cool trip!

 

Quick note from a local guy ... Universal offers daily backstage tours of HHN with the lights on. Cameras welcome! If you are coming to Orlando for IAAPA next week, there is one last RIP tour, sign up in the IAAPA site.

 

This year there were tours at 11 an 2, $42 plus park admission (by ticket or annual pass). The tour starts in the VIP room over the turnstiles, and for the past two years there has been a "museum" with blueprints and other items used to create or promote the event. This year's museum was in the Brown Derby hat shop, last year's museum was in what is now the Blue Man Group show lobby.

 

This year there was also a special Wednesday tour where you toured ALL 8 of the houses with a Universal designer.

 

The regular RIP tour only toured the soundstage row, of Dead Silence, Freddy, and the Christmas version of the ongoing Psychotherapy theme.

 

Attached is a photo of the blueprints for the Freddy house (right) and Psychotherapy house (left).

 

If you're a video junkie, I made teaser videos for local friends. They are at

 

http://snagson1.com/hh2007flavor/ (note link at bottom for a before sunset version -- the go-go dancers were there only the first weekend)

 

 

and Busch Africa: http://snagson1.com/BuschHowlOScream/ (This one has some night footage of Sheikra)

One of many blueprints on display in the RIP tour museum. Freddy house is upper right, seen in Robb's tour video.

[piers]

WOW, those blue prints are really cool!

I think originally we were suppossed to see the Freddy house with the lights on but something happened and we got in late so the house was already in full swing which was a shame, but still really cool having Michael guide us around!

Texas Chainsaw Massacre max really freaked me out a lot, but I loved most of the houses. Especially Dreamwalkers.

[cfc]

Oh lord, is is October 2008 yet? I love these Halloween events.

 

I was surprised at how much I liked the Friday the 13th maze because I really don't like the movies. Dead Silence and Psychoscareapy were the best, though. Mike Roddy's tour of Nightmare was fun, too (my thanks to him and to Robb and Elissa for setting the whole thing up). I had no idea he had something to do with Busch's Howl-o-Scream a few years back (it would certainly explain the improvements in Euroburg's event).

[fleastcoaster]

I was keeping an eye out for you guys, but I missed you. I was the "Congested the Clown Doctor" in the "Snot Room" of Jacks Funhouse!

[mcjaco]

I'm still drunk.

[piers]

^No surprises there then Matt!

[Hattuchili]

As always, great pictures and videos. I hope I can make it again next year!

[Meteornotes]

This update is more fun than a slinky made of butter!

 

Seriously, this trip was beyond fun, and this update pretty much captures that. Awesome job on the captions and pics! Thanks again Robb & Elissa for putting this trip together. Looking forward to next time...

 

dt

[BarryH]

Cool photos!

 

So if Florida TOT is "Good Tower," is Japanese TOT "Better Tower?" I think Japanese TOT would be "Good Tower" if they had lap belts rather than the over the shoulder car-like belts.

[Carnage]

That update was awesome!!

 

The update totally shows how much fun the trip was.

 

Too many pics/captions to comment on though.

[cfc]

^^Japan's ToT would be the "good Tower," if switched to just lap belts and had a better drop program.

[SharkTums]

Japan Pre Show and Theme + Florida Tower Ride System = BEST RIDE EVAR!!!!!

 

Seriously, it was the biggest disappointment to go through the awesomeness that is TDS's ToT only to end up on the DCA Ride (even toned down a bit!)

[gisco]

Japan Pre Show and Theme + Florida Tower Ride System = BEST RIDE EVAR!!!!!

 

Seriously, it was the biggest disappointment to go through the awesomeness that is TDS's ToT only to end up on the DCA Ride (even toned down a bit!)

 

I don't know, TDS's was pretty good. It had a couple of nice drops. Just ask Richard when he lost his day pack. It was pretty funny when the lights came back on on the people in front of him handed it back.

[cfc]

^I think if they put the "random" drop program on TDS's version, then it would completely rule.

[arrowfanman]

I knew that shirt was a bad idea!

 

 

 

 

I miss Florida. *sob*

 

-Jahan

[StealthFan]

That was an awsome update and I especially loved the Freddy walk through I mean anything with Freddy is awsome instantly.

 

Seems like it was a great trip, and if KidTums get any more awsome I don't think the site will be able to handle it.

[jackskellington101]

Awesome update! It looks like you guys had a blast. The KT on the Peoplemover picture is adorable! The Roddy led Nightmare on Elm Street video is just too neat. All in all, top notch. I'm still disappointed that I missed you guys this year though. Oh well.

[thefitness]

Awesome NOES walkthrough!

 

Michael Roddy is such a cool guy.

 

Looks like you guys had a great time in Florida. I always take it for granted that I live in one of the coolest states ever!

[Carnage]

I always take it for granted that I live in one of the coolest states ever!

 

Having awesome theme parks does not make the state cool.

[KerryB]

Fantastic update! I really need to check out Florida in the Fall sometime. I have never been to Cypress Gardens either...hopefully next year! And Kidtums...too cute for words!!

[BarryH]

I see Elissa's dad put stuffed animals next to his crotch. I'm afraid to touch the stuff animals in the gift shop now.

[RIP Psyclone]

Well, at least there wasn't a pic of Elissa pointing to her shirt on POTC. Many, many hilarious pics. I gotta get in tight with R&E so I'll actually know about these things!

[coastercrazed49]

Great Pictures.

Kidtums has a great smile.

This update makes me miss Orlando so much now.