Next week I’m headed down to Orlando for SeaWorld’s grand opening of Manta. It’s been open for over a week, but the Media Day will include the ‘Manta Cam’. It will basically be a personal camera pointed at me while I ride. It’s also supposed to include other point of view shots and angles. Now [...]

Islands of Adventure’s Hulk Coaster is IncredibleIslands of Adventure’s Incredible Hulk is one of the best looking coasters you’ll find anywhere. The twisted mess of bright green track is built partially over the park’s lake. Hulk’s enclosed lift hill and massive cobra roll and vertical loops dominate the skyline at Islands of Adventure. The layout [...]

Harry Potter Attraction Planned for Universal’s Islands of AdventureWarner Brothers and Universal will be teaming up for a new Harry Potter attraction at Orlando’s Universal Islands of Adventure. It has been described as the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment. Also, as a theme park within a theme park. Guests will be able [...]

The Best Inverted CoastersFor my final Top 3 Thursday of the ’06 season I’ll be counting down the best inverted coasters. Over the past decade these looping steel creations have found a permanent place in the theme park landscape. 3 – Volcano: The Blast Coaster at Kings DominionTo call Volcano a custom inverted coaster is [...]

Roller Coasters in HollywoodThis Thursday I’m counting down my top three coaster movie appearances. Coincidently, all three happen to be in horror/thrillers. A few honorable mentions go to: Fatal Attraction, Big, and Titanic. Coaster @ Playland ParkFear (1996)Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William L. Petersen, Alyssa MilanoThis must have been a break out role for [...]

The Flipside of Roller Coaster Accidents There’s been a lot of news lately about coaster accidents. You’re still a lot safer on a roller coaster than pretty much all other moving vehicles. It’s the percieved danger that makes it fun. In a car chances of death are 1 in 18,000 and in a plane chances [...]