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Theme Park Travel Odyssey 2009 Edition
2009 Theme Park Travel Odyssey Time to recap my 2009 theme park trips. This was a busy year with a number of interviews, media days, and fun theme park trips. I’m even going to include a lost trip that I don’t think I’ve referenced on the blog. From the warm tropic atmosphere of Orlando to the mean streets of Manhattan, my travels took me to 10 theme parks. But, it all started ba...
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Rip Ride Rockit vs Time Machine | Roller Coaster Showdown
Who Wins in a Battle of the Rocking-est Roller Coasters? Roller coasters have been incorporating music and on-board speakers for some time now. But two roller coasters that opened this year have taken the riding and rocking theme to new heights. The Time Machine (formerly Led Zeppelin – The Ride) was revamped by the new owners of Freestyle Music Park. The B&M looping roller coaster feat...
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The Disney-Marvel Purchase & Islands of Adventure
Will Spidey Be Climbing Disney’s Castle? Are the Heroes Leaving IOA? File this one under: “No one saw it coming”. Yesterday, Disney announced that they were planning to buy Marvel for $4 billion. In case you’re not into comics or haven’t been in a theater for the last decade or so, the Marvel brand includes popular super heroes like: Spider-Man, the X-Men, Wolverine, ... -
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Finally Ready to Rock
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Open – Video & Early Reviews Last weekend, Universal Studios Orlando began a soft opening period for their delayed Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. With the ride’s uniqueness and many state-of-the-art features it’s no surprise that it took a little longer to get everything just right. Then on August 19th, the park sent out a press release stating that the ...
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Song List for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Released
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s bright red track has changed the skyline of the Universal Studios Orlando with it’s 167 foot vertical lift and one-of-a-kind non-inverting loop. Aside from the roller coaster’s unique layout, riders will be able to choose their own soundtrack for their ride, and afterwards, cut their own personalized music video of their ride. Today, Universal Studi... -
Interview: Designer of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Louis Alfieri
While I was in Orlando last week, I was lucky enough to be able to interview Universal Studio’s Creative Director Louis Alfieri. He’s one of the minds behind their new ground-breaking roller coaster Hollywood: Rip Ride Rockit. I was eager to learn more about the new roller coaster that combines state-of-the-art audio and visual technology with a unique ride. Lights Camera Action! &#...
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Back from Orlando
I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’ll have a Manta review and my exclusive interview with the Creative Director of Hollywood: Rip Ride Rockit up soon. On my way back from Florida, I also stopped at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia. It was a great trip and I’ve got some really cool content to put up. For now, here’s a picture of Manta’s dive t... -
SeaWorld & Universal Orlando Trip
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 that I think of it, it sounds a lot like the on-board video feature o... -
New Rip Ride Rockit Promo Video
Universal Studio’s new interactive thrill ride Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit has unfortunately been delayed. It was set to open Spring 2009 and will now open Late Spring/Early Summer. At least there’s a new promo video showing off the ride’s unique elements and multi-media experience. See all of my Rip Ride Rockit posts. Also, check out ScreamScape for construction photos. Check out... -
Universal Orlando Super Bowl Commercial
All the beer commercials were cool, but like many coaster enthusiasts I perked up when I saw the Universal Orlando ad during the Super Bowl. I thought the ad was neat. Universal has to differentiate itself from Disney and the hero appeal is a nice approach. Also, I don’t feel like you normally see an ad that targets the Dads, but I could be wrong. As a former Marketing major I’d have t... -
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Video
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – Model & VideoMore details are starting to emerge on Universal Studios’ Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit. We already new about the main distinction of the ride. Riders will be able to download a video of their ride and post it on the Web. Details on the layout were a bit sketchy, but the picture’s becoming more clear. Now, ScreamScape has posted photos o... -
New Transformers Ride, Terminator Coaster & More
Recent Theme Park News Stories – Transformers, Terminator, & MoreSince I’ve been busy working on Coaster Portal, I’ve missed a few news stories. Here’s a recap of the biggest stories from the past month or so: Gravity Group Launches Blog & Podcast – GravitycastThe Gravity Group, acclaimed wooden roller coaster designers, recently launched their blog and podcas... -
Fright Fest, Halloween Haunt, & More
Theme Parks Gear Up for Halloween 2008 TransformationsThis month, theme parks across the country will begin their transformation for Halloween-themed events like Six Flags’ popular Fright Fests. Typically on weekends in the month of October, parks will take on a whole new look with spooky decorations, haunted houses, fog, and strange and disturbing performers roaming around the park. Hallowe... -
Fire at Universal Studios Hollywood
Large Fire at Universal Studios HollywoodThis morning, a large fire started blazing its way through Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. The fire began in a movie studio, but has also damaged the popular Cyclone ride in the theme park. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported yet. I’ll have more details as the story develops. More at Reuters. UPDATE – Westcoaster.n... -
Rip Ride Rockit Layout | Universal Studios
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s Layout ScreamScape has the scoop on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s layout. HRRR will be a massive looping roller coaster that will wind its way around Universal Studios Florida in 2009. Aside from the twisted layout, suspected to be designed by Maure Sohne, HRRR’s main distinction will be the on-board cameras that will allow riders to download a video of ... -
Simpsons Ride | Universal Studios Florida
Simpsons Ride Opens at Universal Studios Florida Last week, the new Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida opened. Island of Adventure Central has coverage of the grand opening. Universal went all out for the event. Visitors adorned blue Marge Simpson wigs handed out by the park. And Krusty the Clow was on hand to lead an orchestra during the ribbon cutting. The ride is a six minute long simul... -
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster @ Universal Studios
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Coming to Universal Studios Florida Announced this week, Universal Studios Florida will be adding a new roller coaster in 2009. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster (one of the dumbest names in recent memory) will be the park’s new high-tech signature coaster. Universal Embraces the “YouTube Culture” Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s main distinction... -
Most Visited Theme Parks of 2007
Most Visited Theme Parks in North AmericaHave you ever wondered which parks have the highest attendance? Recently, the Themed Entertainment Association and Economics Research Associates released their Attraction Attendance Report for 2007. The majority of the most visited parks are in warmer climates and as such, they are open year round. The first seasonal park was Canada’s Wonderland which... -
Harry Potter’s Magic is Coming to Islands of Adventure
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 to visit the village of Hogsmeade, ... -
Top 3 International Roller Coasters for 2007
Top 3 International Coasters Debuting in 2007America debuts amazing new roller coasters every year, but it’s not really accurate to say the U.S. is on the cutting edge in coaster design anymore. This Thursday I’m going to countdown the three biggest roller coasters to debut oversees in 2007. Troy at ToverlandSevenum, NetherlandsGreat Coasters International is designing a wooden coaste...
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