Delirium_Guy

The second teaser clip has been release today, it shows off the end of the return run......seems as though this is preceded by a launch area if you take a look at the overhead view of the layout. BGT Coaster Teaser #1 Code word: rush - Todd

Yes, the portion in the video is from just after the figure 8 until just before the run out into the Rhino Rally portion. I'm very intrigued with the figure 8 portion. After viewing the themed support structure for it, I'm wondering if we may still see some type of vertical or beyond vertical Maverick-esq drop from the top of the tower down into the trench? - Todd

And see I'm quite the opposite.... I live down the road from Magical Midway here in Orlando, they have a Fun Time Star Flyer....its a great deal of fun! I'm quite disappointed in the WindSeeker arms. While I'll certainly wait to judge it until I ride it, it seems like the WindSeekers may end up being the tamer version. Honestly, it reminds me of when Chance attempted to come out with their modern day Flying Scooter.....YAWN. The chains were replaced with metal arms, which greatly reduced the amount of swing one could get out of the ride. Like RZ, I'm curious to see if 301 is the actually height of the tower itself or the height that you actually are flying at....I'm guessing its total tower height. - Todd

Park release another teaser today, but this time its a GOOD one....its a short clip of the animation for the ride! This gives us a good view of the two trenches that the ride will dive into. Announcement is mid-October..... http://www.buschgardens2011.com/ code word is chase - Todd

Once again, some concept art was leaked from one of the contractor's websites. It would seem that Cheetaka is the name of the coaster, as many suspected. The concept art details a lot more about how the former monorail station and skyride entrance will be transformed. It looks wonderful, seems to be following the trend that Manta set in that it will be combining thrills with animal interactions. I find the themed supports to be a nice touch, especially those that are out on the savannah and that cross over the new Edge of Africa pathway. Hopefully all the details will be spilled soon. Cheetaka Concept Art Take a look while you can, I have a feeling that those pictures may soon disappear.

NO kidding, Terp. I actually found that newspaper clipping that had the picture of myself, you and Steve on Apollo that weekend. We've definitely seen our share of mishaps, mayhem and crazyness over the years :-) - Todd

As you stated, the ride was stopped in the midcourse brake. Evacuating is actually quite simple from that position, since they store the moveable floor segments there. According to this article the incident happened around 7:30PM and by 7:48PM all riders were already evacuated. Definitely a completely random and freak accident, of course it had to be here at the Park where Fabio was goosed :-) - Todd

As far as I know, Intamin has little if not no involvement in the project. Its Rocky Mountain Construction Group that is behind it, the group that was behind the construction of El Toro. They have developed a new style track called Iron Horse Coaster Track which is actually an all steel system of rails. Essentially Texas Giant will now be a steel coaster, despite what the park is trying to hype it as. The system is vastly different from the Intamin Plug and Play wood coaster track. Gerstlauer will be providing the new trains for the coaster. Definitely been interesting to watch this thing progress, can't wait to see how the final product turns out! - Todd

The new pathway from Nairobi to Edge of Africa opened up yesterday! As some minor details are now being wrapped up there, the focus will now shift to the coaster. RCPro has a new update from yesterday. Lots of clearing up by the former Clydesdale Hamlet giving a better picture of the amount of real estate that this thing is going to cover near the front of the park. - Todd

Jesse, please make sure you let me know when you head down this way! I look forward to seeing you in Discovery Cove! Millennium, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that, but you couldn't be more wrong about the treatment of our animals at SeaWorld Orlando. I work for SeaWorld / Discovery Cove and know first hand how they are treated and it is far different than what you described I assure you. This is not the place for that discussion. Jackson, you will absolutely enjoy yourself! As GYK stated, its about quality within the SEA Parks....in fact its a company cornerstone that we are reminded of each day we go to work. - Todd

All legit concerns. I was greatly saddened by the loss of Lost Continent. The area was so beautifully done and, best of all, completely original...it was that type of thing that really made Islands so special when it opened. With that said, Wizarding World is a very worthy replacement and upholds the same quality standards that the former section of LC had. Regarding your comment about Dragons never having a line but now having a long line.....again not the case. The *longest* I've seen it since Wizarding World opened is 15 minutes....which is a line that it frequently got as Dueling Dragons during the middle of the summer. Even on the Grand Opening on 6/18, Dragons never had more than a 10 minute wait. Dragons really have become an after thought in Wizarding World....take a look at the entrance as it sits tucked back and away from the hustle and bustle of Hogsmeade. While its plausible about the non-Potter fans to avoid the area, I still think they are likely to at least walk *through* it. Its relatively easy to navigate through the area now at this point, they are getting crowd control down much better and have better alternatives for the long lines that are crushing the retail and food outlets....so regular foot traffic is flowing well throughout now. The marketing is iffy. I've had my doubts, but I'm starting to wonder if it really was an issue in the first place. While I think some are going to be disappointed in discovering that it is merely just a "land" within Islands of Adventure, what they experience is going to be what they take away from it all. Universal is really delivering on that front, which is why I think the number of disappointments will be very minimal. Crowd complaints have been tremendous, with good reason, but when asked if dealing with those crowds were worth it....the answer is almost always a resounding YES. You're doing yourself a favor by keeping your expectations reasonable and not getting caught up in the hype. It is easy for me to sit here and gush about Wizarding World. I really am just in love with the entire area and it exceeded my expectations by a vast amount. I hope the same holds true for you whenever you get the opportunity to visit....which I think it will! - Todd

What to ride? That should be a clear easy answer for ya: Manta, Kraken and Journey to Atlantis. Manta will typically have a lengthy line near the beginning of the day, as the entrance is right by the park's entry plaza, however by afternoon the line is usually manageable and typically a walk-on by the late evening hours. Journey to Atlantis isn't a terrible place to start, it always pulls a 60-90 minute wait through the day for obvious reasons so hitting it early would be to your advantage. Kraken almost always has a short line, if not a walk-on. You also have Wild Arctic which is an old school Star Tours-esq simulator. I am personally not a fan of the simulator, but there is an option to skip the ride and go straight to the exhibit.... Shows: Blue Horizons is the dolphin show that is located in Whale & Dolphin Theater....it is a very popular show and the stadium typically fills to capacity easily so plan ahead for this one and get there early. Believe is the signature show at the Park, featuring the killer whales of course. Unless the park is super, super busy, Shamu Stadium is not likely to fill to capacity....typically if a show is going to close there it is one of the two that take place in the middle of the day (usually 1230pm and 2pm). Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island is another popular show for the Park, located in the Sealion & Otter Stadium....its one of my favorites actually! Exhibits: Make sure you spend some time over in Dolphin Cove...its probably my favorite area in the entire park. I can stand there forever just watching the dolphins splash and play around. There are also interaction opportunities available, as you are available to feed them...I believe the cost is around $7 if I remember correctly. There is also an underwater viewing area in Dolphin Cove as well. While you are over in that part of the park, you are right next to the manatee exhibit as well. The Manta Aquarium is NOT to be missed, the entire exhibit really is beautiful....don't miss the octopus inside either and look for the hidden rays that are etched into the rockwork. Of course, you'll also have Penguin Encounter, Shark Encounter and the exhibit in Wild Arctic that features polar bears, walruses and beluga whales. Food: I enjoy Mango Joe's, which is located over by Arctic and Shamu Stadium, they have some tasty fajitas. Also Voyager's and Spice Mill are both good choices for lunch. Shark's Underwater Grill is the full table service restaurant that is attached to Shark Encounter. Fantastic food, amazing atmosphere as you have a view of the shark exhibit while dining. Its very popular, be sure to make a reservation first thing in the morning if you guys decide to go. SeaWorld After Dark: Keep in mind that since you are visiting in July, SeaWorld After Dark is still taking place. Two totally different shows take the stage in the form of Sea Lions Tonite and Shamu Rocks.....Sea Lions Tonite is awesome!! It essentially pokes fun at all the other shows within the Park, so definitely a good time. Shamu Rocks is my preference over Believe, as it features a more exciting mix of music and just all around fun versus the more dramatic theme of Believe. Ending the night will be Reflections, the nightly fireworks show.....you can go take a seat at Bayside Stadium for a terriffic view of everything. The show mixes fountains, mist curtains, fireworks and music from around the Park together. Hope this helps, enjoy your visit!! - Todd

Of course it is crowded and hot, its Florida and summer time. There isn't a single park here right now that is NOT miserable to be in, especially with our heat index being around 105 everyday for the last 2 weeks. Its interesting to read the comments at the end of this article. I find it amusing to watch the Disney geeks using every opportunity they can to bash Wizarding World. I'm a Disney kid at heart and, as I've mentioned before, have been a bit critical of Universal in years past....but their negativity isn't justified. The entire area is absolutely every bit as detailed as Disney would do....if not more. The Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom is a joke and several features have already been cut from the budget reportedly. I'm looking forward to the Little Mermaid dark ride attraction, but I'm not expecting it to be anything special....given its only working on a budget of around $15 million. GYK summed it up well a few posts back....Fantasyland isn't something that is going to be a draw for everyone, especially with the majority of its focus being centered around the Disney princesses....Potter appeals to a far broader demographic. Doesn't really matter though, Disney is Disney and they will continue to be successful regardless. Wizarding World of Harry Potter isn't going to stop people from going to Disney, but it may very well sway their decision as to how many days that they wanna play there. - Todd

That's because that one new ride is simply amazing. It truly is a ground breaking attraction. The thing with Wizarding World though, its more about *experience* rather than the number of rides. While I understand where you are coming from, I had similiar concerns when they officially announced the area about the same thing, I've found that to be a non issue. Even with only one new ride, I spent 4 hours in Wizarding World on Monday night just enjoying the area and unique experiences it offers. Whether you are enjoying a meal at Three Broomsticks, having a drink at Hogs Head, experiencing Ollivander's or just meandering through the shops...there is PLENTY to occupy your time. I stand by my statement from my TR that this is better than anything Disney has done in the last 15 years or so here in Orlando. If anyone can appreciate the intricate detail that was put into Tower of Terror, you'll understand that it is THIS level of detail that encompasses the entire Wizarding World. As you stroll through Hogsmeade, each and every window has such an amazing amount of detail and there is something happening in all of them....my favorite is the hovering quill that is writing on a tablet by itself and the windows at Zonko's are pretty sweet as well. Even in the bathrooms, the voice of Moaning Myrtle fills the air. In short, Wizarding World is getting all the hype and it VERY much deserves it. I've been quite critical of Universal Orlando for the past several years, because quite frankly they've dropped the ball on many things and it stands out down here with such stiff competition.....but they have MORE than made up with Potter. A few pictures that I took with my cell phone... Entering Hogsmeade from the Lost Continent side of the area Hogwarts as night approaches Hogwarts - Forbidden Journey's entrance is near the front with the two statues A peak inside Honeyduke's candy shop - Todd

Indeed, but not until all the Potter buzz dies off. You can also stay tuned for some exciting news coming out of Discovery Cove as well as some news from SeaWorld and the 2010 Christmas Celebration!

I think that was my biggest beef with the Boomerang Bay conversion. Quite frankly, I was incredibly disappointed with it. To me, the stand out section of the entire park is the OLD section with the body slides, family raft slide and such.....tucked away back in the trees. I've always loved that part of the park. The rest is meh. Concrete jungle, zero shade. GYK, you mention that you love the theming at Boomerang Bay? Did we visit the same park, because aside from some themed signage.....I don't get it? :-) I'm curious if you have visited any of the SF Hurricane Harbor parks? They tend to be smaller, but if you like theming....you'll find theming amongst those parks to be fairly well done for SF and still a notch above Boomerang Bay, IMHO. No one is expecting Boomerang Bay to meet the standards of a Disney water park (though I'll agree that a Typhoon-esq wave pool would be KILLER!!) but its time for it to receive some TLC. While it is seriously lacking a lot of the newer updated attractions found in a lot of other water parks, I'd much rather see a hefty investment to improve the overall look and feel of the place....it certainly lacks any type of personality for me. - Todd

Opens in 5 minutes.....Grand Opening Event will begin at 9AM. IOA's gates were opened at 7AM this morning, the Park is already at capacity and it isn't even open yet. Even with Park at capacity, the line to get into IOA wraps completely around the lake inbetween IOA and USF (passing in front of Hard Rock, Nascar Cafe, etc) and is now stretching back to Bubba Gump's. Huge, huge, huge day for Universal! Once again, congratulations on getting this massive project off the ground! http://www.universal...arryPotterNews/ Click Live Feed at the top, ceremony begins very shortly... - Todd

Mythos is amazing but I'm also going to agree with Terpy bout Finnegan's! As for Wizarding World, Three Broomsticks is EXCELLENT! A little pricey, but the portions are large and the food is great! Please note that at Three Broomsticks, they have a breakfast, lunch AND a dinner menu....all different. Oh, about the family rides....Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey truly is outstanding and able to be enjoyed by the whole family. It really lacks any intensity, but still provides an incredibly unique and fun experience! - Todd

Yep, Rhino Rally's water portion actually closed over a month ago. * Sky Ride has now closed for the rest of 2010 and likely into parts of early 2011. * Footers actually have started to be poured behind what will become the station. * Still hearing Maverick-esq ride with multiple smaller trains :-) * Random note, the new Walkabout Way opened with its Kangaroo interactions and such With Potter officially opening in less than 24 hours, this is the next big thing to watch down here.....looking forward to details. L

Outstanding. Love John Williams. Hogwarts was absolutely amazing looking after dark, can't wait till Islands starts 9PM closes next week so I can see for myself. People that know me know that I tend to be critical of Universal....for good reason as they really have been in a downward slump for many years. I truly believe that those days are behind. They've actually raised the bar this time. Wizarding World is just amazing, every last little bit of it. - Todd

Opens in 5 minutes.....Grand Opening Event will begin at 9AM. IOA's gates were opened at 7AM this morning, the Park is already at capacity and it isn't even open yet. Even with Park at capacity, the line to get into IOA wraps completely around the lake inbetween IOA and USF (passing in front of Hard Rock, Nascar Cafe, etc) and is now stretching back to Bubba Gump's. Huge, huge, huge day for Universal! Once again, congratulations on getting this massive project off the ground! http://www.universal...arryPotterNews/ Click Live Feed at the top, ceremony begins very shortly... UPDATED: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/orl-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-theme-park-opening,0,410481.photogallery Lots of pictures from earlier this morning showing off the epic crowds that have descended upon Universal for the chance to wander through Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. - Todd

Thank you for the compliment, Jesse! I try to look at things from different perspectives when I ride them and like to give credit where due. I'm definitely impressed with it and feel it has been worth the long wait. It is clear that they took their time with the project and paid close attention to even the smallest of details. Their hardwork clearly shows. It was definitely a pleasure to see you again at Holiwood Nights! Can't believe how fierce all 3 coasters were running for the event! Hahaha, glad you enjoyed our light show. It was really random that we bought those, but turned out to be so much fun :-) I still crack up laughing thinking about it. Such an amazing weekend, sad to see it end! Back to Orlando I go on Thursday though! - Todd

To be honest, I really wasn't paying attention....I was so engrossed in everything else. Its reported to be around 4 minutes in length though.

As everyone knows, Universal began to do soft openings of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Resort Guests. People crowded by the gates of Hogsmeade, hoping that regular day guests would be allowed in. This wasn’t the case for Memorial Day weekend and I was beginning to lose hope of getting to check it out before driving up to Ohio and Indiana for Holiwood Nights. My luck changed though on Tuesday, as I received a text message from a friend that works for Universal. He told me that it’d probably be a good idea if I were at the IOA gates by 9AM. SO I jumped out of bed and ran right over. Much to my delight, as I strolled through the gates, a line team members were greeting guests at the front and telling us all that Wizarding World would be open for preview until 10AM. Whoo hoo! So….a few points. · Walking into Hogsmeade is nothing short of spectacular. The quaintness of the shops, the level of detail, the music, smells. I was completely overwhelmed. · The shops are small, no, TINY. They definitely chose form over function. Each shop has its own personality and line of unique merchandise. I was floored with the variety of merchandise that they’ve created for the locations. Prices are varied. Most of the shirts started around $24.95, with the nicer polo style shirts coming in at close to $60. No doubt, one of the top sellers are the replica wands from the Harry Potter characters…selling for $24.95-$28.95. I saw people purchasing 5 or 6 different ones. You do the math. Hopefully with the soft openings, Universal will devise a plan to accommodate the massive crowds that will soon descend upon WWoHP ….cause its going to be ugly. · Butterbeer is delicious! So is the pumpkin juice! · Dragons Challenge is the most disappointing aspect of the entire project. What was arguably once the best themed que is now a shadow of its former self. Very minimal theming within the castle itself, with the exception of the Tri-Wizard Champion Tent that is set up in the first room. Gone are the beautiful stained glass windows that once graced the castle. L Cool projections in the station itself though, silhouettes of the dragons fighting are projected on the ceiling that used to portray the battle of Fire and Ice. · Flight of the Hippogriff. Nice to have this open again. Forgot that they have two trains for this guy. Efficient operation with both, no stacking which is quite impressive. Hagrid’s Hut was super cool, but most impressive was Buckbeak. Laying in his nest, positioned by the base of the lift hill, Buckbeak is there to greet each train as he bows his head down while you pass by. · Hogwarts is unreal. After seeing this baby being built for the last 3 years, it was so wonderful to finally get up close and personal with it. It looks absolutely massive when you are entering the gates and standing underneath it. The que is beautiful. Littered with so many tiny details that they are far too many to mention here. The talking portraits blew me away, they have an oily texture to them which really make them look authentic. They are scattered all over the second level of the que and help tell the story behind the castle and Harry. They continue to actually give you the safety instructions prior to boarding the ride. · Dumbledore’s office was stunning, but we’ve seen video and pictures prior to the previews. He makes his appearance thanks for the same technology that allows Christopher Walken to visit us at Disaster. Such a cool effect. It is used in the next room as well, the Defense of the Dark Arts classroom where Harry, Ron and Hermoine show up. At one point, they perform a spell which makes it snow inside the que. From here, you meander down a hall way to Gryffindor Common Room which is the final room before loading the ride. · A second test seat has been installed after Gryffindor Common Room and they are ensuring that if there is anyone that appears to be questionable to fit, they must try the seat before proceeding · Forbidden Journey itself, WOW. Right from the beginning, it is impressive from all aspects. The loading area is quite clever. The vehicles are incredibly large, in fact you are riding through the show scenes and such around 25 feet in the air…..however prior to boarding guests will never know exactly what they are climbing board. Thanks to a mirrored wall that extends down behind the benches themselves, you have zero view of the Kuka Robotic Arm….just see the benches floating down the Great Hall. · The ride is the next generation Spiderman. It’s a great mix of live action screens, blended seamlessly with rich, detailed heavily themed scenes with several fantastic animatronics. Due to the motions that the vehicle engages in, you truly have no sense of surrounding. One minute you are on your back, the next you are nearly face first. The animatronics are well executed and work well with the motion of the benches. In particular, the Whomping Willow and Dementor animatronics were incredible…the Dementors are actually attached to Kuka arms themselves, so you can only imagine the motions that they are going through. There is just so much going on at all times, you are constantly trying to find a focal point….only to be startled by something popping out or jumping up. Amazing, simply amazing. The ride really isn’t intense, but that’s ok as it serves its purpose well…immersing guests into the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermoine. · The overall story of the ride is somewhat disjointed. It is really a mash up of some of the more popular events from the movies, there really isn’t a definitive storyline other than following Harry around on his random adventures. With that said, it works and it works well. The attraction as a whole is just so incredibly well done, rivaling the Mouse down the road in every sense of the word. Hats off to Universal for bringing The Wizarding World to life, it really is breathtaking. No doubt, this is going to be a grand slam for them. Even if the popularity of Potter dies off after a few years, which I just don’t think will happen, Universal will have already reaped the handsome rewards that this investment is going to bring them. I plan to go back once I get back to Orlando on Friday to try to catch some of the smaller things that I missed. I had 2 hours in the area, but I still feel like there wasn’t enough time for me to check out each little detail and really spend quality time taking it all in. You’re going to need to allow yourself a fairly large chunk of your day at IOA to fully appreciate and enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. - Todd