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DCEmus THEME PARK NEWS is a News site for the Best in Theme Park News from the Likes of Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Drayton Manor, Disneyland, Disney World, DisneyLand Paris, Universal Studios Universal Islands of Adventure and More, Part of the
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May 21st, 2018, 20:52 Posted By: wraggster
In an interesting report the Orlando Sentinel reports that Universal has filed a permit to begin demolition of a 9,100 sqft building and clear a site for something new at the Islands of Adventure theme park. Work is set to begin on June 1st for this, which they have labeled "Project 791".
While Universal isn't saying what is going on, the most likely scenario right now is that they are finally ready to demolish the three attached mini structures that once held the long-closed Triceratops Encounter attraction in the Jurassic Park area, now hidden in the jungle-growth behind the current Raptor Encounter attraction area. Perhaps the Orlando area park may get a little something new in the near future that could tie-in with the newer Jurassic World films, especially in light that the Hollywood park just announced they will close their Jurassic Park boat ride in order to retheme it and reopen it as a Jurassic World themed ride in 2019.
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May 21st, 2018, 20:48 Posted By: wraggster
Last night Six Flags Fiesta Texas was kind enough to invite Screamscape out as part of a special preview night for their new Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso coaster, the first "Raptor" style coaster to be built from Rocky Mountain Construction, known for their previous ground-breaking work in transforming the park's own Iron Rattler a few years ago along with The New Texas Giant at their nearby sister park to the north. We sent Taryn out to take the park's latest creation for a test spin... or three or four and report back, so take it away Taryn.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas already has a beautiful landscape in their corner. It always reminds me of a Road Runner/Wild E. Coyote cartoon. The addition of Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso Coaster, especially neighboring up with Superman: Krypton Coaster, adds to the element of surprise of what else they can hide back in these canyons and mesas. The compactness of the ride was a bit shocking. Given the tightness of the park, I would have to say it’s a perfect fit.
The entrance and ride queue are simple and polished. A large Wonder Woman statue welcomes you at both the entrance and the extended queue area. Both marble, both very goddess-like. As it should be. Large billboards in the queue explain the history of Wonder Woman’s past, present, and future. The normal Six Flags TVs are sprinkled throughout as well. I read that there was also supposed to be the crashed plane of Steve Trevor. The water element is still there but the plane has yet to make it. My one and only complaint, which may be fixed in the future, is lack of shade. One small area with covering is about it. And if you have been in this park, you know you are nestled in between these canyons which basically points the sun right on top of you. A “ant under a microscope” vibe, as an example. It’s Texas. Hot is just what we do.
Now, onto the ride.
3 trains. 8 seats per train. Riders sit one behind the other. The unique load in/out process is really wonderful. I wish some other coasters could take this into consideration! The train never stops moving. As old riders are getting off, the new ones are getting on. As a restraint goes up, the next one is coming down. 50-53 seconds per load in, give or take. If you bump this to a three train operation all the time, it will eat up capacity. They were alternating between two and three trains this evening, with an obviously smaller crowd, but I did think it was great to see them all functioning.
There have already been widespread opinions about the restraints. As a 5’2, normal sized gal, I had zero issues. My feet didn’t even touch the floor of the train once locked in. This makes me feel like they are giving longer and wider riders lots of room to be cozy. I saw all shapes and sizes tonight and heard zero complaints. I can see that maybe the shoulder harness could rub, especially with a Texas-style sunburn, but as quick as the ride is, I don’t see it becoming an issue.
I don’t do the “jaw drop” look very often. Especially on coasters. But going up this lift hill, no one next to you, and looking to your right to see this 90-degree plummet on one tiny piece of coaster track, well, the jaw drop was there. Even your most experienced park-goer might look the same way. You’re so used to two tracks and a seat buddy! It’s just a totally new ride experience. Once that drop hits, you do not stop until your restraint is back up and your walking down the exit. This ride just keeps going. They were saying top speed was 52 mph but I can 100% say it feels at least 75+. I’m not sure if it’s the compactness or the Raptor Track, but all the air and space around you sure makes you feel like flying. And since that’s one of Wonder Woman’s main superpowers, maybe that’s exactly what they were going for.
All and all, the coaster is smooth, surprising, beautiful, and will be a welcome addition to Fiesta Texas or any other park that has limited space but wants a home run, capacity machine. Outstanding job from both Six Flags and RMC.
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May 21st, 2018, 20:46 Posted By: wraggster
Today we update our coverage of the opening of Electric Eel with the official review by Mark:
Combining state-of-the-art animal facilities and world class entertainment is what SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks do best. SeaWorld San Diego’s new rollercoaster attraction Electric Eel is a perfect example. This new coaster adds an absolute thrill to the Ocean Explorer section of SeaWorld. Rising high above the park, it offers an impressive and unique view of SeaWorld and the surrounding Mission Bay Park.
Electric Eel is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in San Diego County offering just the right amount of thrills for the more adventurous park guests. It propels riders over 60 miles per hour between three forward and backward launches offering intense airtime, dramatic twists and turns and an unforgettable heartline roll 150 feet in the air. The upside-down views of Mission Bay are spectacular! It is worth riding it a few times to enjoy the experience from different vantage points.
The entrance to Electric Eel is situated next to the California Moray Eel exhibit of Ocean Explorer. Did you know that electric eels are not eels at all but instead belong to a family of Central and South American freshwater fish known as knifefish? SeaWorld does an amazing job bringing an educational element into all of their attractions. “We always strive to provide new reasons to visit SeaWorld and give our guests experiences that matter with a blend of exciting rides and incredible animal and educational experiences,” said Marilyn Hannes, president of SeaWorld San Diego. “We want our guests from around the world to not only have a great time, but be inspired to care about the ocean and the animals that live there.” It is my personal experience that while at SeaWorld, you will learn something new at every turn. THAT makes SeaWorld special.
SeaWorld has recently been pairing their attractions and events with local conservation or non-profit components. A great recent example of this was the Lunar New Year festival (Year of the Dog) that was paired with local animal shelters. Electric Eel has paired with WILDCOAST who works to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. “I am very excited about our new partnership,” said Hannes. “SeaWorld has been a global leader in animal rescue, conservation and research for more than 50 years, while WILDCOAST has been conserving coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife for nearly two decades. Together we can make a difference in helping even more people understand why we must protect our oceans.”
The Electric Eel area also features Mission: Deep Discovery, an interactive educational experience which allows a team of up to four players to embark on a virtual deep-sea adventure aboard a manned-vehicle where they encounter the marvels of the deep ocean. This has a similar feel to the park’s Race for the Beach at Turtle Reef.
Electric Eel will be a challenge during busy days. This attraction will average only around 600 people per hour. The park’s Quick Queue pass will not offer express access to Electric Eel but a one-time express line pass can be purchased at the kiosk located at the start of the queue. The line does not have much in the way of shade, so it’ll be an extremely warm wait in the summer.
Electric Eel brings a whole new level of thrill into the park and will be loved by adults and families with older children. It is an extremely fun attraction and well worth the visit to SeaWorld San Diego.
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May 21st, 2018, 20:44 Posted By: wraggster
Legoland Windsor has been given permission to go ahead with a planned £95 million expansion over the next decade that would add at least three major new attractions to the theme park as well as a resort expansion. The rides in question mentioned a new 13 meter tall indoor ride (likely the and two new outdoot "fairground style" rides. Previously the park had applied to build Ghost: The Haunted House, an indoor walk-through haunt that ends with a family friendly indoor drop / bounce tower ride, but I had heard elsewhere that was no longer the plan.
According to a post earlier this year at ThemeParks-UK, the "Haunted House" ride concept had changed from the drop tower one to a new Vekoma MadHouse style that would be called The Haunted House - Monster Party, which is said to be planned for 2019.
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May 21st, 2018, 20:42 Posted By: wraggster
The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle will return to Universal Studios Hollywood for a limited time this summer starting Sunday, June 24th. The event will be expanded with the addition of some special new menu items at Three Broomsticks and the addition of two new spells you can cast (Incendio fire-making spell and the Alohomora unlocking spell that may reveal a hidden creature hidden behind a locked door). In addition, look for new Wizardwear options for purchase and more while you wait for the sun to go down and the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle show to begin.
In other news, Behind the Thrills reports that the Raptor Encounter at Universal Studios Hollywood got a bit of an upgrade the other night with the introduction of "Blue" from Jurassic World to the park's Raptor lineup. Check it out.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando have announced their latest Maze for Halloween Horror Nights as they will bring Trick 'r Treat to life as an all new maze. Universal Orlando guests may recall seeing iconic moments from Trick 'r Treat brought to life as part of a Scare Zone last year, but this year Sam will be going coast to coast will the full maze treatment.
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May 21st, 2018, 20:41 Posted By: wraggster
According to the latest update posted to BlooLoop, Liseberg will start construction later this month on their new expansion that will add a waterpark, a new hotel and even more parking. While the parking expansion should be done by 2019, the new hotel and waterpark aren't expected to open until sometime between 2021 and 2023. The waterpark, which will mostly be indoors, will be open to anyone who wants to buy a ticket, and not just guests staying and the connected resort hotel. The nice thing is that this will bring year-round business to Liseberg.
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May 21st, 2018, 20:40 Posted By: wraggster
The temporary "Evangelion XR Ride" attraction from last year's Universal Cool Japan event is now said to be returning to the park for an encore run from July 6, 2018 through to January 6, 2019. Just a reminder, this is not the original 4D theater Evangelion themed attraction which was attempted in 2016, but this is the VR experience overlay to the park’s Space Fantasty coaster which is currently being used for a Final Fantasy themed “XR Ride” experience as part of the Universal Cool Japan 2018 promotion that lasts through to June 24th. With the ride converting directly back into the Evangelion XR Ride experience following the Jan-June run of the Final Fantasy version, I find it interesting that essentially “Space Fantasy” as an attraction is being retired for the entire year of 2018, which makes me wonder if it will return at all in 2019, because as soon as the encore of Evangelion is over in January 2019, it will likely be re purposed as something entirely new for Universal Cool Japan 2019.
Anyone know for sure if Space Fantasty is being retired entirely due to the popularity of the revolving VR overlays?
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May 21st, 2018, 20:39 Posted By: wraggster
During a special conference to promote the Disneyland Paris resort called InsideEars, Disney officials confirmed some new attractions and developments were on the way. Up first was the confirmation that Mickey's PhilharMagic, a popular 4D theater attraction from the Orlando park, would open in Disneyland Paris this October inside the Discoveryland Theater. The theater is already closed and construction is under way.
The fun 4D adventure film follows Donald Duck around in panic mode to recover Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat after a failed attempt at one-upmanship goes wrong, sending him on a wild adventure through the Disney animated universe, set to your favorite Disney songs.
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May 16th, 2018, 20:29 Posted By: wraggster
New from Coaster Crazy:
Join us as we visit the stunning Paultons Family Theme Park home to Peppa Pig World for the first time in 2018 We love Paultons and have been a few times now any every time gets better due to the new features and attractions plus it’s home to some of the best family coasters in the UK and also is one of the best landscaped parks out there Paulton’s recently added 2 brand new rides into Peppa Pig World but was only open to pass holders on our visit so unfortunately there is no footage of these new rides meaning we will make a return trip in the future
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May 15th, 2018, 21:26 Posted By: wraggster
New from Coaster Crazy
Join us for the last day of our May bank holiday Welsh weekender finishing off at Barry Island on our way home back to England Barry Island was busy, really busy in fact it took us hours to get there and park up, leaving only after a few hours later but was great to experience such a small park with high crowds getting on the giant Ferris Wheel, Dragon Challenge (old Beastie from Alton Towers) and log flume Barry Island Pleasure Park originally opened way back in 1897 and was home to numerous classic rides including 3 wooden coasters, themed log flume and ghost train designed by John Wardley, the park is now owned by traveling showman Henry Danter
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