Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Theme Park Nut News Update - 17th February 2015










 
It's a construction/refurbishment heavy update this week!
 
We all know that there is a lot going on at Disneyland Resort this year for the 60th anniversary kicking off in May, but with so much closed in the parks at the moment it had Theme Park Insider asking is it worth visiting theme parks during refurb season?  They also had a good round up of the little projects currently going on in Orlando with the Central Florida Construction update. And the biggest WDW news this week is that the Richard Petty Driving experience is closing to make way for transportation improvements.
 
Flying around the world a little, Alton Towers has announced that they are adding an Octonauts themed coaster to their park lineup. Let's hope that they use some water effects, otherwise this might be a little confusing for the little ones.
 
Most people have read that the master plans for Hong Kong Disneyland (and Shanghai for that matter) always planned to expand into a second park. However Screamscape reports that this might be sooner than expected, with height balloons seen over the empty lot next to Hong Kong Disneyland.
 
Let's hear more about construction:
 
In Australia, we've had some "unexpected" downtime for the Buzzsaw loop coaster at Dreamworld. It's a little bit unclear what the cause of the downtime is, there is a rumour that it was caused by a harness failure, but I can't say that for sure. There is also a little talk about the new Tailspin ride having a few unexpected closes in the last few weeks. There are still plenty of discussion about Eureka Mountain Mine Ride reopening, so it is not all bad news at Dreamworld.
 
 In the worst news for Australian parks in some time, there was a fairly major accident at the Hollywood Stunt Driver show at WB Movie World. One motor bike rider was injured but is reportedly in a stable condition in hospital. If you aren't squeamish, here is the link to a video of the accident. I feel really sorry for this guy, it looks like it would have hurt. Reportedly, Movie World has taken motorbikes out of the show, but it is unclear whether this is a permanent change. 
 
 
For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!
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Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Theme Park Nut News Update - 10th February 2015


Welcome to the Theme Park Nut New Update for the 10th of February 2015.




And the big news, coming from Australia first, is that the rumour posted last week about the potential resurrection of Eureka Mountain Mine Ride at Dreamworld is looking more and more likely! Parkz is even reporting that they have heard that upper management has ridden the ride in the last few weeks, and given the thumbs up for the project to proceed. This is huge news, this attraction has been sitting dormant for 8 years and before last week, there was no sign that it would ever return. We will be keeping a close eye on this. Dreamworld has stated that there will be two new attractions this year, will this be one of them? Time will tell.


In international news, this week saw the confirmation of two expected pieces of news from Disney. Firstly, Disneyland Resort has confirmed the permanent closure of Luigi's Flying at DCA, to be replaced by a new trackless attraction. Secondly, Disney officially announced that Tom Staggs as the  COO and heir apparent to the Iger throne. As I've previously mentioned, I think he is a good choice, and I'm happy that he is progressing up the food chain at Disney.

Disney has also been making news in Shanghai, where they have released construction photos from Pirates of the Carribean to soften the blow for the opening date being delayed to 2016. This attraction looks amazing, I think this really could be the best version of Pirates yet, although this attraction is going to be so different it's not going to be fair to compare them. There was also some great photos of Shanghai from Stefan Zwanzger: The Theme Park Guy.

In Tokyo Disney, the OLC has announced that they are opening a Junior Woodchucks Restaurant and Meet and Greet. Although that doesn't sound like much, they are dropping a serious amount of money on this, so this might be an interesting one to keep an eye on!

I know that I write a lot about Disney, but they are so dominant that it is a little hard to argue with. This week they announced that the theme park division operating income increased by 20% over the last quarter, on the back of a 7% rise in attendance at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Both had their best operating quarters ever in terms of attendance.
For the sake of balance, here is an article from Theme Park Insider about the differences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that opened in Universal Studios Japan last year.

In other Australian news, Parkz has a great trip report from Sea World, while it isn't reopening a classic attraction there is plenty going on in this little park. The new dolphin show does look great!


And my tweet of the week this week was from a Japanese artist called Takumi, who has designed in amazing detail a Studio Ghibli Theme Park. I've always thought that Miyazaki movies would make an amazing theme park, they are so fantastic! And Takumi has certainly done them justice. Thanks to my great friend Fee for the tip-off on this one!










For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Theme Park Nut News Update - 3rd February 2015


Welcome to another Theme Park Nut News Update for the start of February 2015.

There is no escaping this week's big news, and that was the announcement of the 60th Anniversary celebration details of the Disneyland resort. There is plenty of news out there to read for this, but the tall and short of it is that May 22nd everything in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is going to be blue and diamond. Adding a nighttime parade and ramping up the night time fireworks.

With all the excitement about Disneyland, there isn't any stop to the debate about who is going to take over the Disney leadership at the end of Bob Iger's reign. This article  is an interesting read, but I'm not sure I agree with much about it. It's quite critical of Iger and very complimentary about his predecessor Eisner, which is actually a rarely heard view point. Always nice to hear a different point of view. It isn't as crazy as it sounds for Disney to outside hire the next CEO, but it seems a waste when it's been grooming two people for the role for the past 5 years.

Staying with Disney, because who am I kidding, I love Disney, iconic Imagineer Joe Rohde has popped up a couple of times in the need this week. Firstly, The Disney Blog posted a collection of really interesting instagram posts from Rohde about various aspects of the Animal Kingdom. Secondly there is a seriously cute video of Joe being interviewed by 5 year old Zoey. I really love that she asked about his earrings, because I've always wondered about that myself!

On the Disney rumor side, the big story  this week is that something is happening in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Everyone is saying that the Hatbox Ghost is returning, but no one really knows.

Also, everyone watch out for the Tomorrowland movie. It could be awesome!

Just today, there has been rumors on twitter that Shanghai Disneyland's opening has been delayed. We'll keep an eye on it, and let you know when we hear something official from Disney.

Enough Disney!

There is a really interesting story today on Blooloop about The Theme Park Guy - Stefan Zwanzger. He has had an amazing life already, and he's looking for bigger and better things. Good on him!

In London, we have heard that the original Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter movies is set to join the attractions at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. We also saw this week some construction photos from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood (also some Springfield updates in there).

In Europe, we heard from Screamscape this week about the upcoming 2015 enhancements to Europa Park. Those guys are always busy!! Screamscape also reported that Russian park Divo Ostov is adding a clone of Europa Park's Blue Fire Mega Coaster, which is pretty awesome, because that is an amazing roller coaster.

In cute Australian news, Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast has launched Tiny Tots Tuesday. This is where children under 5, and their parents, can visit on a Tuesday morning for $10 each. I think it's a funny idea, but anything that helps this little park I will support.

Finally in the biggest craziest strangest news of the week, it sounds like Dreamworld is at the very least attempting to find out what it would cost to bring back the Eureka Mountain Mine Train. This would be an extraordinary turn around for the park, as this ride has been SBNO since November 2006. I'm really interested in this prospect, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for any official news on this subject.

For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!
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Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Theme Park News Update - 27th January 2015









Sad news to start off this weeks Theme Park News update. One of the most interesting Theme Park writers from the team at Theme Park Insider Daniel Etcheberry passed away last week. Daniel was an inspirational writer who wrote about his personal theme park experiences as a wheelchair user. I found his writing very informative. Here is one of his best articles. I'm sure I am not the only one in the Theme Park community that was touched by Daniel. I will always consider the accessibility of theme parks and theme park attractions because of him, and that is a wonderful legacy.


On to other news this week. Almost everything this week is about construction, so let's take a quick tour around the world for the theme park construction.




In Asia, The Theme Park Guy has a new construction update from Shanghai Disneyland, including an amazing photo of the central Storybook Castle. There is also a great post on his construction board ThemeParX about the new 20th Century Fox World in Malaysia.


From Europe, Screamscape tracked down some great construction photos from Efteling's Baron 1898 from Pretparken ParkPlanet. Airtimers posted a construction update from Europa Park, one of my favourite parks. Always interesting to see what they are up to.


In California, Construction has begun for Disneyland's 60th anniversary. This is a huge milestone for the park, and no doubt there will be a little bit of cash splashed to make the park look nice. I think that is one of the nice things about Disney, the thought that they'll get a little extra cash and they spend it cleaning up the park. There was also a height balloon allegedly spotted over Disneyland Resort.


There is a little bit of construction going on in Orlando too. There is some Orlando Eye Construction which got a little press this week. The big projects as always are Avatar and Kong, and this week we got a great Kongstruction update from Orlando Parks News. Over at WDW, Theme Park Tourist reports on the latest news out of Disney Springs (the new version of Downtown Disney at WDW) which is currently under construction. And on twitter Pluchiot had a number of Construction Photos of Animal Kingdom.


An interesting comparison was made on twitter by Carousel of Progress (@CarouslOProgrss).  I'll leave it for you to be the judge: 




There has been a lot of discussion about the rumoured third gate at Universal Orlando in the last few weeks. Theme Park Tourist has given a summary of some of the rumoured aspects of "Volanco Bay" as it's rumoured to be called. Screamscape also reports on what is called Universal Project N

And to end on a bizarre/disturbing note, here is story from Texas Thrill Seekers: Woman abandons infant child to break into amusement park because God and aliens told her so. To be honest, I don't know what to say about this story.





For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!

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Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Theme Park News Update - 20th January 2015


If you follow a lot of theme park blogs (like I do) you could be thinking that the only things happening this year are measles and selfie-sticks. But honestly, away from those issues there is stacks happening in the world of theme parks!


The big news that broke a week ago from WDW was that a huge new building is being added to the Norway pavilion in Epcot, to house a Frozen Meet and Greet. The sheer size of the building has started a lot of people talking. Is this going to be more than just a meet and greet? What is all that space for?

There was a couple of other interesting Disney related articles this week from ThemeParkInsider.com this week about what the delays in the release of the Avatar sequels means for WDW and also about the battle to replace Bob Iger. Not that makes any difference, but I'm a Staggs-man myself. Just putting that out there. Speaking of WDW's Avatarland, Screamscape posted a link to a Youtube video of someone flying a drone helicopter with a camera over the Pandora build site. It's kind of mesmerizing to watch.

Also check out Screamscape for some really interesting musing about Universal Orlando's potential new Water Park.


Staying in Florida, two pieces of news from Legoland Florida, as they announce a new land and the opening date for their new hotel. Got to be honest, I'm more excited about the hotel which is opening May 15th.

My least favourite story of the week, was about a particular New Zealand "haunted" amusement park, that used a photo of a guest wetting themselves to advertise their park, without the permission of the guest. At best this a crude publicity stunt, at worst it's cruel heartless humiliation. To be honest I don't really want to give this any more free press, but if anyone doesn't believe me see here. Personally, I think it's disgraceful, and I won't be ever visiting this park.

Moving a little bit closer to home, two little tidbits of information coming from the Parkz.com.au forums. Firstly the wacky worm coaster that has been installed, but is yet to open at Sunshine Coast park Aussie World is going to be called Bug Run! Cute enough for a kiddie coaster. Also, Dreamworld launched a new website this week, which caused people to question a few hilarious things. Firstly, Dreamworld doesn't know the difference between 12AM and 12PM, which resulted in two rides being listed as running for 12 hours longer than they should have. Secondly, it appears there were major factual errors in the Park History section of the new Dreamworld site.

I should say, if you are an Aussie you have to check out Parkz and the Parkz forums. It is the place for Australian Theme Park nerds.

This week was the Star Wars Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort, and my very favourite story this week is extremely tenuously related to this. It is the story of an Australian man walking around Australia to raise money for Monash Children's Hospital, who was bitten by a potentially deadly snake. He was completely unharmed because the snake was unable to bite through the Stormtrooper armour that he has been wearing for the entire trip! How good is that!! What a champion this guy is! Best of luck to him!






For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!
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Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Theme Park News Update - 13th January 2015

Here is a quick round up of the last week in theme parks!

I told you in last weeks update to follow TDR Explorer, and those that followed my instructions would have seen why when they posted the best photos of 2014 at Tokyo Disney last week. They also delivered us a year in review for 2014. The Tokyo Disney resort is truly a beautiful resort, and some of those pictures are just magical. I must admit that seeing one of my family members visiting DisneySea this week, made me incredibly jealous. One day I'll get there!!

Something that I will never probably even attempt, let alone achieve is riding every WDW attraction in 24 hours. Sounds impossible? Well, followers of Parkeology know that it isn't, and now they have released a video of their extraordinary WDW46 challenge victory. Well worth checking out!!

Staying in the States, there were two very different articles that peaked my interest this week. One from our good friends at Theme Park Insider, where they are viewing the legal changes to make Gay Marriage Legal in Florida, through the prism of how it will be good for the Florida Theme Parks (particularly WDW). On the other end of the spectrum we have an Theme Park Review post with a Twisted Colossus Construction Update. The Twisted Colossus conversion is one of the more interesting roller coaster changes in progress at the moment, and I'm intrigued to see how the final product turns out.

I thought I would put in here my favorite tweet that I saw last week. Check out this WDW tech treat from Ian Brennan (@nannerb):

The major Disney construction news of the week was the closing of Condor Flats at Disney California Adventure. While Soarin' (the only attraction in this land) gets an upgrade, it sounds like a subtle re-themeing of the land into Grizzly Peak Airfield will take place. I wouldn't hold your breathe for anything amazing, but worth keeping an eye on it.

In Europe, Gardaland have named their up coming B&M Dive Coaster - Oblivion - The Black Hole. You've got to give them points for style at least.

In Australian Park News, the Gold Coast Bulletin has reported what seems to be a very honest account of how our Sea World protects its animals in the face of criticism that it is an "aquaprison". It's a very revealing article, and there is a clear push for Sea World to distance itself from the troubled US SeaWorld chain. I highly recommend giving it a read.

Sister park Movie World announced on it's facebook page today that it is running a film festival called the Stage One Film Festival hosted in the Roxy Theatre. Tickets are available here.


For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!
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Monday, 5 January 2015

Theme Park News Update - 6th Jan 2014

It's time to round up the Theme Park News from the first week of 2014!

There is never a quiet week in Theme Parks, there is always something happening around the world. Today we kick-off in Denmark, where Legoland Billund has announce that the 20-tonne X-Wing Starfighter (which was previously stationed in New York's Time Square) will be added to the park this year! Staying in Europe (sort of), Screamscape is reporting that the first pieces of Efeling's new dive coaster Baron 1898 have been fabricated in the US. This is an exciting development and Baron 1898 promises to be one of the best themed attractions being built this year, so it always exciting to get news about it.

In Orlando, things have passed the Christmas/New Year peak, and starting to quiet down again (thankfully). There is a great post on the Orlando Theme Park News site about the up coming Skull Island at Islands of Adventure. Well, it's not official that Kong is returning, but let's face it the whole theme park world would be shocked if this turned about to be anything other than Kong.

If you thought the New Years period was busy in US parks, check out this shot from Tokyo Disneyland! By the way, everyone should be following TDR Explorer which does amazing coverage of the best theme parks in the world (there, I said it, the best! Come at me WDW).

Staying with Asian Disney Theme Parks, reports come through yesterday that Hong Kong Disneyland has broken ground on it's third onsite hotel Disney Explorers’ Lodge.

But the big international new this week, is that the Hat is coming down. Reportedly today is the last day that the Sorcerer's Hat at WDW's Hollywood Studios is clear to be seen without demolishing crews (and some Disney fans) taking a hammer to it. At the same time as the Christmas decorations come down, so does the Hat. Personally I'm excited to see the next stage of Hollywood Studios, so I'm not going to miss the Hat. But I'm sure some people will.

In Australian theme park news, it has been hot as anything at our theme parks over the last week. Dreamworld has started a new version of it's night time event "Screamworld" which includes Rides and Slides. Prices start around $20 for this hard ticket event.

The most interesting story in local theme park news this week was this hilarious article  in the Sydney Morning Herald about the complaints over Luna Park Sydney's Hair Raiser ride.  My favorite part is 'One neighbour claimed the "hoony" ride led to increased "violence on the street and drunken behaviour" '. Those hoony children and their ugly 37m drop towers. As I said, hilarious!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the southern states of Australia who are suffering through horrible Bushfires this week also. Stay safe and look after yourselves!

For more Theme Park coverage, follow me on Twitter @themeparknut. Until next week, Cheers!
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