bkroz

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-dress-codes/ There's an element of practicality to it. The understanding, especially for in-park dining, is that you're coming from a day at the parks and that it would be impractical for you to wear a suit to Magic Kingdom all day because of a lunch reservation at Cinderella's Table. Even "dress shorts" are allowed. Recently, they began to allow t-shirts (no doubt after years and years of angry families turned away because of it). If you're dining at a Signature Location, you probably do want to play it up a bit though. Why not?

Disney fireworks are launched by a pneumatic air-powered system rather than gunpowder cylinders. Much less smoke and much better for the environment. In other news, folks who chose to live around the second busiest theme park destination in the world are not impressed, in fact, highly bothered. http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jul/12/local/me-fireworks12

Not to mention, it's one of very few rides I can think of where you need to preface it by explaining it to first-timers. And good luck if they haven't seen Transformers, as some of my family members hadn't. "There are robots that turn into cars. The good ones are colorful and the bad ones are just metal. They're fighting over a piece of glass we're going to see in the queue that we inexplicably get ahold of. But basically it's just going to look like tons of explosions happening in front of you." Most rides effectively narrate themselves. Not Transformers. And it could just be the source material, but still.

When you're walking in, all the way to your left is a display window usually set up with an advertisement for merchandise or Haunt. Around the other side of the window inside the park is a glass door with stairs up to the restaurant. From Google Maps: By the way, I think reason it isn't used often is because it's not ADA accessible... no elevator. Something to consider when designing a new entrance for it... EDIT: Beaten

The unfortunate thing is that what Disney and Universal are learning is how much simpler and hassle-free screens can be. Gulp.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only screen-based technology in Indiana Jones is a relatively new piece of projection mapping technology used on Mara's giant face at the start. Beyond that, it's all physical sets and effects. Yeah, Indy doesn't use any screens. TTD, you're probably right about Spider-Man having more physical sets. I like Spider-Man a LOT more than Transformers, so don't misunderstand that. But yeah, you're probably right.

Particularly at Universal Studios Florida, simulators are overused. However, each is very different. Despicable Me has nothing in common with Transformers, which in turn feels, acts, looks, and is much different from The Simpsons Ride. There are screens in Forbidden Journey, but the ride has nothing in common with Gringotts, which also uses screens. So one simulator does not equal another. And honestly, in terms of bringing those worlds to life, Harry Potter probably does call for screens as those environments could never be fully realized in physical form in a theme park. You'll see the same thing in Pandora - The World of Avatar. Even Disney recognizes this. What was their big coup last year? Ratatouille. Entirely screens and physical sets. Not a single Audio Animatronics figure. Cheaper, easier to maintain, and more realistic. Supposedly Kong would more closely resemble Spider-Man / Transformers with digital screens embedded seamlessly into physical sets, but with a much healthier balance between the two, and some great Animatronics figures as well. Supposedly even EMV type troop transport vehicles, like DINOSAUR or Indiana Jones Adventure. And again, the King Kong animatronic featured at Universal in the 1990s was astonishingly large, but even an advanced 21st century version today would not compare to the digital version that leaps over your vehicle aboard Hollywood's Studio Tram Tour. When it works, it works. Universal's challenge is to keep it real as often as they can, and as their work evolves, I see evidence that it's happening. Gringotts is a better balance than Transformers is a better balance than Spider-Man is a better balance than......

I did the Verbolten Insider tour, which maybe is now folded into the Roller Coaster Insider. It was incredible, and with pass-holder discount, something like $12? All that they did is walk you into the ride's pitch black show-building and allow you to watch trains launch by and then show you the facilities behind. But it was so worth the money and great fun. Hopefully that's now an element of the Roller Coaster Insider Tour, which I see includes "behind the scenes look at the mechanical areas of ... Verbolten." Because it's so neat to see the different light programs that correlate to the three dark ride scenarios. EDIT: From the video, I looks like they take you behind the building, but not inside. Ah well. I hear the rest of the tour is phenomenal.

The Monorail system really backfired. Among the Disney Parks, it debuted in Disneyland in 1959 (introduced as the first ever E-ticket alongside Matterhorn Bobsleds and Submarine Voyage). It was, of course, supposed to be a living showcase of a practical mass transportation solution of the future. What it became instead is a mode of transportation more or less synonymous with Disney Parks... And Walt Disney World's is in a tough spot literally. The entire system needs refurbished, but without the monorail, the only way into or out of Magic Kingdom to the parking lot is via ferry. Those ferries are completely and totally overwhelmed at closing time as it is. Removing the possibility of taking a Monorail instead would be disastrous. They might just have to switch to bus service from the Transportation and Ticket Center to make it work.

Supposedly to get the same make-under that California Adventure's received. Which is great news.

I get that the switch is off-putting and that folks don't like that they signed under the fine print. I see that it's a frustrating thing to have happen. But the old plan was a four hour break. The new plan is, at most, five hours. 11:30 is the earliest lunch. 4:30 is the earliest dinner. Is the opposition that you can't get food between 2:30 and 4:30? I can understand that. Better to have them cement that now than halfway through the season when one of us arrives at 3:00 and is unceremoniously turned away by clueless folks behind the register who aren't sure what's included and what's not, etc. Frustrating. Odd. Unfortunate. Irritating. I suppose the right thing would be for Cedar Fair to accept returns of unused passes or the refund of unused Dining Plans added to passes. In principle, changing the rules is groan-worthy. But in my humble opinion, so is outrage about it... Not wrong, but not worth anger. Most of us were absolutely bamboozled by the different "breaks" between meals required by the different plans. We were stumped as to how the general public could remember which had a 90 minute break, which were 2 hours, which were 4 hours, etc. Many of us thought the schedule was downright silly and incomprehensible, be it to us, general public, or even cashiers! Now, it's crystal clear. If signage in the park follows suit, this will be much simpler and more straightforward for guests. "You get lunch and / or dinner. Lunch is between the hours of x and y, dinner is between a and b." *shrug* The fact that it changed is annoying and frustrating, but you must admit this could be simpler if it's done right.

Given the correct customer service, a glitch should not endanger your day. It may postpone your entry into the park. I'm not saying that's right or okay or fair, but it was Carowinds inane treatment of the situation that ended it so poorly. Kings Dominion handled the same situation well. The Platinum Pass thing needs figured out. But I wouldn't cancel a trip or try to return your Platinum Pass over it. If something happens to you, that's different.

Historically they have pass processing days in the weeks leading up to opening when the processing center will be open. As for the bring-a-friend discounts, it's usually limited to certain days. If I were you, I'd contact the park. I'm not sure why you think they'd read a script instead of just answering these questions with verifiable answers! They'll know the dates, hours, details, etc.

Maybe slightly? If I recall, the "speed" issue was that Phantom Theater's speed was dramatically increased during its final season, which hurt the experience tremendously. For Scooby Doo, every other vehicle was removed to space them out and allow the scenes and targets time to reset. And now neither the scenes nor the targets work, so that was worthwhile. Haha

Amusement parks typically spring up around large metropolitan areas (the more potential customers to draw from, the better). After they open, they're pretty much tied to that community. The way the city goes, so goes the amusement park. It happens that the cities SFA draws from provide the park with some (frankly) undesirable, low income visitors. From there comes the reputation as families and middle-upper income folks flee and voila... a park given over to the rogues. There but by the grace of God go we, though. In 1972, no one could've known what the Columbus / Cincinnati / Lexington / Indianapolis areas that Kings Island draws from have evolved over the past 40 years into decent cities. That said, it's a park's responsibility to combat that to some degree. SFA hasn't helped its cause much with rock bottom admission, etc. etc.

Nope. Full fledged Premier Sky Rocket II.

Even with a gash on her hand, she got into Carowinds with more ease than some people here. Seriously, the poor kid. Let's hope the boy is given a new chance and his best chance.

In the past, when reviewing new rides, admission is covered. That's not really what the gig is anymore. As the Write For Us page and my archive suggest, it's about writing fun features that engage the audience and make them want to visit seasonal US parks. It's also about creating a dialogue that'll intrigue local audiences around those parks with fun facts and behind the scenes stuff. And a positive attitude is required.

Be careful what you wish for! Same to those of you who use a "Fastpass" at Kings Island, Six Flags, Universal, Dollywood...

Nope! No formal education required. It's just a fun way to extend your hobby.

Hey guys. For those who don't know, I write pretty extensively for Theme Park Tourist. The site's got something like 400,000 Facebook followers and a pretty wide audience. I was writing for them back when I was previewing Dinosaurs Alive. You can see the archive of my writing here, which I think is pretty helpful to see the kind of features the site posts (and I obviously think they're fun / interesting reads, too .) Anyway, the site has begun to skew very, very, very heavily toward Disney & Universal (and in particular, their Florida resorts), which is probably appropriate given the scope of those parks and their fan bases, but the owner - a personal friend - is looking for someone to write weekly about seasonal US parks. I know a lot of folks here are really invested and interested in Cedar Fair and Six Flags parks, so I told him that I'd post here for interested parties who might want to do a little [paid] writing on the side to get in touch with him. Great opportunity, great site, and a wide audience for your writing. The site's "Write For Us" page has some great examples of the kind of features the site publishes and ways to submit a writing sample or article idea. Contact him if you're interested because I know a lot of you guys could enjoy this. You can also message me with questions!

Thanks! (I wrote it. ) Like Terp said (and I'm no where NEAR as versed in this stuff as he is), Worlds of Adventure marked just about everything wrong with Six Flags at the time, which then turned around and informed their operations elsewhere. Rides on top of rides on top of rides. But customer service? Entertainment? Atmosphere? Food? No, no, and no.

Hmmm... Unless there's a secondary barrier (or a very specific and monitored protocol), this will probably change forms quickly after smart phones, selfie sticks, and pocket contents start falling into the water.

Flying coaster does make sense. They'd be foolish to advertise a Dive Machine as a Drop Tower coaster. There ARE coasters that have sincere Drop Tower elements. Dive Machines don't!

At least historically, Dive Machines are not about tight maneuvers, forceful inversions, and quick pacing like inverts are. They're about giant, over-sized inversions, power, sweeping turns, and, in a sense, "grace." And they're good at it! Being on that end seat during the Immelmann is like nothing else. It would be weird to market. The wide winged trains? Already got it, with Gatekeeper. The 90 degree drop? Maverick already beats it. The height? Definitely beat by Millennium and Dragster. Those of us who have been on Wing Riders, Dive Machines, and Maverick know they're incredibly different from each other, but the public might pick up on that and plaster it all over Facebook. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT A VERTICAL DROP. Maverick, Twister, and Dragster already have them. WHY AREN'T WE GETTING A 500 FOOT COASTER?"