Universal Studios Hollywood - Transformers Opening Date Confirmed

Universal Studios Hollywood has confirmed that the Transformers: The Ride - 3D dark ride will officially open to the public on May 25, 2012.

As had been widely expected, the new addition will open just in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend. It will retain the look-and-feel of Michael Bay’s Transformers movies, and will reuse the ride system employed by The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Hollywood confirmed the opening date for Transformers: The Ride - 3D in a video posted to YouTube, which is embedded above.

Disneyland Paris - Val d’Europe Store CLOSES 
@Disney_ParisEN
This week marks the final farewell to the only Disney Store off the official Disneyland Paris resort…over at Val D’Europe. The one off that was the ‘Rendez-Vous Disney’ store over in Val d’Europe has now officially closed its doors after just over eleven years of trading. It will be replaced by an expanded Oxybul “play and discovery” toy store, which already has a unit next door. Located in the Centre Commercial at the heart of the Disney-planned town within the resort’s boundaries, the store was operated by Euro Disney SCA alongside the other park, Village and hotel boutiques with Disney Cast Members and a select range of resort merchandise comprising clothing, toys, homewares and general souvenirs.
This store was one of the first Disney stores seen before reaching Disneyland Resort Paris, but it seems that executives think that there are enough stores at the Parks and Disney Village to cope. Original features included a large video wall and four projected clocks, showing the time in the then four Disney resorts around the world. The store appeared to see little subsequent investment in updates in the years that followed, and likely became unjustifiable as Disney cut its ties with the mall, especially with the vast array of stores just a kilometre or so away at the resort itself.

Disneyland Paris - Val d’Europe Store CLOSES 

@Disney_ParisEN

This week marks the final farewell to the only Disney Store off the official Disneyland Paris resort…over at Val D’Europe. The one off that was the ‘Rendez-Vous Disney’ store over in Val d’Europe has now officially closed its doors after just over eleven years of trading. It will be replaced by an expanded Oxybul “play and discovery” toy store, which already has a unit next door. Located in the Centre Commercial at the heart of the Disney-planned town within the resort’s boundaries, the store was operated by Euro Disney SCA alongside the other park, Village and hotel boutiques with Disney Cast Members and a select range of resort merchandise comprising clothing, toys, homewares and general souvenirs.

This store was one of the first Disney stores seen before reaching Disneyland Resort Paris, but it seems that executives think that there are enough stores at the Parks and Disney Village to cope. Original features included a large video wall and four projected clocks, showing the time in the then four Disney resorts around the world. The store appeared to see little subsequent investment in updates in the years that followed, and likely became unjustifiable as Disney cut its ties with the mall, especially with the vast array of stores just a kilometre or so away at the resort itself.

Chessington World of Adventures - Madagascar LIVE!
@cwoa
Check out the recent construction picture for the new Madagascar LIVE! show which is set to debut in March 2012 at Chessington World of Adventures. Construction seems a bit behind considered the park officially opens in less than a month, and from the picture it seems that the stage is a LOT smaller that anticipated! Hopefully this turns out to be a good investment for the park and not another filler for another season! 

Chessington World of Adventures - Madagascar LIVE!

@cwoa

Check out the recent construction picture for the new Madagascar LIVE! show which is set to debut in March 2012 at Chessington World of Adventures. Construction seems a bit behind considered the park officially opens in less than a month, and from the picture it seems that the stage is a LOT smaller that anticipated! Hopefully this turns out to be a good investment for the park and not another filler for another season! 

SeaWorld Orlando - Turtle Talk 3D
 
SeaWorld Orlando has confirmed that the opening date of its new 3D attraction, TurtleTrek, will fall on April 27, 2012.
TurtleTrek will replace the former Manatee Rescue attraction, which will become home to two large habitats hosting manatees, freshwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. The existing domed theater is currently being refurbished, and will house an edited-down version of Turtle: The Incredible Journey, a documentary which was produced for theaters by SeaWorld Pictures in 2011.
34 projectors will be used to create a 360-degree, 3D experience. The film will run for 7 minutes, and will depict 25 years in life of a turtle. Guests will then be able to view the real thing in the exhibit tanks nearby.

SeaWorld Orlando - Turtle Talk 3D

SeaWorld Orlando has confirmed that the opening date of its new 3D attraction, TurtleTrek, will fall on April 27, 2012.

TurtleTrek will replace the former Manatee Rescue attraction, which will become home to two large habitats hosting manatees, freshwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. The existing domed theater is currently being refurbished, and will house an edited-down version of Turtle: The Incredible Journey, a documentary which was produced for theaters by SeaWorld Pictures in 2011.

34 projectors will be used to create a 360-degree, 3D experience. The film will run for 7 minutes, and will depict 25 years in life of a turtle. Guests will then be able to view the real thing in the exhibit tanks nearby.

Orlando Attractions Magazine - The Show, Episode 64

@attractions

I have been following Orlando Attractions Magazine The Show since it’s incarnation, and now the team are on episode 64, and better than ever! This week was a great show for me personally as they visited Zipline Safari at Florida Forever which is an attraction I discovered a few weeks back and booked to visit when I come over in June! Also on this week’s episode…

• News in the Queue: Jack Hanna at SeaWorld; D23 Twitter contest; Dreamworks experience at Gaylord Palms; Bands Brew & BBQ and Mardi Gras
• New Blue Man Group show
• Hidden Mickey of the Week
• A look at the costumed fans and more at MegaCon
• Travel Tip: Kids saving for Souvenirs
• Fan Shout Outs
PLUS much more…

Check it out above! 

Thorpe Park - The Swarm UPDATE

@THORPEPARK

Thorpe Park recently unleashed their latest “beast” of a rollercoaster on some ex RAF and Red Arrows fighter pilots. The first ever guests got the chance to experience flying through a series of extreme near misses and inversions. 

The park is also now taking bookings for the rides “premiere” between 15th and 18th of March 2012! Make sure you book now to avoid disappointment!! 

Dollywood - Timber Tower Closes Forever

Dollywood has confirmed that the Timber Tower ride will be removed from the park ahead of the 2012 season, having been out of action for more than 18 months.
The park’s spokesman Pete Owens recently revealed that Timber Tower was not likely to reopen, despite the resolution of a long-running dispute with manufacturer HUSS. Now, he is quoted confirming the ride’s removal ahead of the start of Dollywood’s 2012 season on March 24.

Dollywood - Timber Tower Closes Forever

Dollywood has confirmed that the Timber Tower ride will be removed from the park ahead of the 2012 season, having been out of action for more than 18 months.

The park’s spokesman Pete Owens recently revealed that Timber Tower was not likely to reopen, despite the resolution of a long-running dispute with manufacturer HUSS. Now, he is quoted confirming the ride’s removal ahead of the start of Dollywood’s 2012 season on March 24.

Universal Studios Florida - Despicable Me

Check out the two snaps above of the construction of Despicable Me at Universal Studios Florida. The grand opening is rapidly approaching (Spring 2012), and it’s hard to really see the progress inside but the exterior is coming along nicely, looking more and more like Gru’s house each day!