Park Thoughts

Look what King’s Island just posted to their YouTube Channel.  Looks like some lucky Ohio residents will start to hear this catchy tune in commericals, radio ads, and more with this new Kings Island anthem.  “The Fun and Only” may be a marketing success with the new Planet Snoopy area opening up and him being the new park mascot.  Go ahead and listen, you know it’s catchy.   Leave a comment with your park thoughts below.  =]

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Universal Resort Orlando is gearing up for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter land to finally open in just a few months at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.  Construction is wrapping up on everything from the elaborate town of Hogsmeade, to the mighty castle of Hogwarts.  The park has closed Dueling Dragons so it can now be transformed into Dragon Challenge.

As construction comes to a close, Universal has gone into marketing mode to the extreme.  They have launched a massive amount of commercials and TV Spots.  I live on the West Coast and see an advertisement for the new area at least once a day.  And now, the new resort guide has been posted online.  It clearly shows that Harry Potter is being infused into the park’s collection of characters such as Spiderman, the Hulk, and Shrek.  Along with Harry Potter, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is also prominent in the guide with the notorious ride

Also included in the new park guide is the 2010 version of the Park Map for both parks.  The real interesting map is Islands of Adventure’s.  This new map illustrates only a logo for Harry Potter’s new area but it also gives an idea of the down sized Lost Continent area.  It can now be confirmed that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the area’s signature attraction, will have a height limit of 48′ inches, perfect for enough thrills but still so younger riders can enjoy it.

Image from Brian Orndorf

It seems like just yesterday, it was big news that Islands of Adventures will be turning on of their most lavish areas into a new land based on the hit books and movies of Harry Potter.  Now we are just months away from the first lucky visitors to enter the area.  I am truly excited to see what kind of ride system Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will bring us and can’t wait to see the interiors of the unique shops and restaurants.  Unfortunately, I will not have the privilidge of attending the new land until Spring 2011 but I am still excited!  Are you?  Leave a comment with your Park Thoughts below.

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While Australia may not exactly be known for their theme parks, they certainly are not forgotten.  Dreamworld, one of the major theme parks in the Gold Coast region  has announced several new additions between its Dreamworld theme park and White Water World water park.  Illuminate, a light and laser spectacular is expected to debut in April along with The Wedgie the same month as well.

On select nights, the park’s Main Street will become a canvas for a state of the art light and laser extravaganza.  Starring the Nickelodeon’s Spongebob guests will go under the sea with this square character as a high tech laser system paints pictures of the character around the area.  The show is designed by the same people that produced the Hong Kong Symphony of Lights and it sounds like the show will be using a giant water screen to project the images onto.

At the same time in White Water World water park, they will be introducing a new White Water West Aqua Loop attraction.  The Wedgie is set to debut some time in April.  This latest wedgie machine will drop guests trap door style before heading into an insane “loop” that will actually wrap around an existing water slide: The Hydrocoaster.  It might just be the rendering’s view but to me, it does not appear that this Aqua Loop is at as steep of an angle as the others.

Both of these attractions show a bright future for Gold Coast Theme Park.  Look out for Illuminate when it starts on April 5th and check back for more information on when The Wedgie will make it’s debut for those brave enough to experience it.  Leave a comment with your Park Thoguhts below.

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2011 will be Six Flags 50th Anniversary, and the original park, Six Flags Over Texas, is getting some huge birthday gifts.  Six Flags has said they were going to close Texas Giant, one of the biggest wooden ...

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Walt Disney Studios Paris is building the upcoming Toy Storyland as the center piece of the New Generation Festival, a promotion celebrating the new generation of Disney Characters like Stitch, Princess Tiana, Monsters Inc, Ratatouille, and of ...

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Construction everywhere?  Looks like we are still in the off season.  Parks across the nation are in the process of completing their 2010 additions just in time for the new season to start!  Isn’t it exciting that opening ...

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Universal Studios Japan continues to pus the envelope with Space Fantasy, a new roller coaster/dark ride hybrid set to open March 19, 2010, in Universal Studios Japan.  Space Fantasy, the Ride, appears to be ...

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