This is my blog dedicated to all the latest theme park news, a blog covering every park across the world from Six Flags Magic Mountain (California) all the way to Disneyland Tokyo. Scroll down a bit to start reading, or a bit more to read more about me. Check out my new YouTube page at www.youtube.com/parkparadise2011. Make sure you subscribe!
Disneyland Paris - Ratatouille Update
It has been a while since we saw a construction update from Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Resort Paris…and with Ratatouille growing rapidly on a daily basis even I was shocked at how far ahead the Disney Imagineers are in the photos above (courtesy of DisneyandMore.
I would imagine that external theming would start to appear in the new year.
Sea World Orlando - Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin
SeaWorld Orlando has released its latest preview video for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, showing off the high-tech vehicles that will be used on the new ride.
The video, embedded above features the park’s Creative Director Brian Morrow and Corporate Ride Engineer Mike Denninger. It includes footage of the vehicles undergoing testing, showing how a “trackless” system will be employed to enable the ride to offer a different experience every time.
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, which will debut in 2013, is being billed by SeaWorld Orlando as “the world’s coldest theme park ride”.
Merry Christmas - Disneyland Paris
Disney World’s Epcot - Behind the Scenes at Test Track 2.0
The new test track at WDW’s Epcot has opened with major guest popularity, and Chevrolet has just released this brand new video showing off behind the scenes magic for the re-construction. Check it out!
Disneyland Tokyo - Mickey & Duffy’s Spring Voyage
The 30th anniversary ofTokyo Disney Resort is fast approaching, and Disney have lots of exciting things planned for the event. Last week, the resort unveiled plans for a new show, “Mickey & Duffy’s Spring Voyage,” that will help spread the celebration throughout Tokyo DisneySea.
Presented from March 18-June 30, the show will tell the story of Duffy the Disney Bear traveling with Mickey Mouse to enjoy springtime at Tokyo DisneySea. They embark on their cruise from Cape Cod and visit the ports ofMediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, and Arabian Coast. Together with other Disney characters dressed in new spring costumes, they take part in “mini shows” at each stop for a unique springtime celebration.
Disneyland California - Holiday Season
At Christmas the Disneyland California resort turns into a new kind of magical place that can take your breath away! Check out the video above where Disneyland rep on the Disney Moms Panel, Ari Krell tells guests what the parks are really like at this magical time of year!
Ari has been playing at Disneyland Resort since childhood, but this year was the first time he brought his family to visit for the holidays. He has a few tips to share if you’re visiting in the next few weeks.
Universal Studios Orlando - Butterbeer Record
Universal Orlando is celebrating the sale of the 5 millionth Butterbeer at Islands of Adventure’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in 2010.
The beverage, which features heavily in the Harry Potter books and movies, has proven to be one of the most popular elements of the Wizarding World, enabling guests to get a real life “taste” of life in the Potterverse. Universal has now expanded the number of locations selling Butterbeer to four, enabling it to achieve the stunning sales figures.
Butterbeer, which previously existed only in fiction. Their recipe has since been cloned at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, and will also be replicated at Wizarding Worlds at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.
Rival Disney has made some attempts to recreate Universal’s success with Butterbeer, including the introduction of “Le Fou’s Brew” at Gaston’s Tavern in the expanded New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Disneyland California - Big Thunder Refurbishment
Disneyland has confirmed that its popular Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster will close on January 7, 2013, in order to undergo a major refurbishment.
The coaster is not expected to return to action until the fall, meaning that the park will be without one of its major rides for the majority of the 2013 season. Significant work will be carried out on the ride, which has long been rumored to be due for an overhaul.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will receive all-new trains, although Disney has promised that these will retain the visual style of the existing mine train-themed vehicles. The ride’s circuit will remain unchanged, but large sections of the track will be replaced. Big Thunder Mountain itself will also be repainted to restore its original Bryce Canyon-style coloring.
The similar Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at Walt Disney World is also currently undergoing changes. The attraction was reopened in May, having undergone track replacement work. Further work is currently ongoing to install new interactive elements in its queue line.
Universal Studio Parks - Harry Potter Footage
Stars of the Harry Potter movies have reportedly descended on the Warner Bros. Studio in the UK to begin filming footage for under-construction new rides at Universal Studios Florida.
The scenes are likely to be used as part of two new additions to the park, which will form part of a new area themed around London as seen in the Potter movies. The first of these will be a roller coaster themed around Gringotts Bank, while the second will be a recreation of the Hogwarts Express train, linking the area to the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter at neighboring Islands of Adventure.
Among those who have been spied entering the studio, which now houses the behind-the-scenes Warner Bros. Studio Tour, are Helena Bonham Carter (who plays evil Bellatrix Lestrange) and Mark Williams (who portrays Arthur Weasley, a close ally of Harry Potter). Lestrange is likely to feature as a character in the Gringotts Bank coaster, while Weasley seems more likely to play a role in pre-show videos for one or both of the new attractions.
The new land at Universal Studios Florida will recreate Diagon Alley, the shadowy area of London seen in several of the Harry Potter movies. It will sit on the site of the former Jaws ride, which closed in January 2012.
Chessington World of Adventures - Zufari Update
Three white rhinoceroses are currently settling into their new home at Chessington World of Adventures, as the park gears up for the opening of a major new ride in 2013.
Zufari: Ride into Africa! will take guests on a tour in safari trucks around a number of animal exhibits, hosting the rhinos, giraffes and flamingos. Three rhinos - named Kanty, Dozer and Gyasi - have now arrived at the park from zoos in Arnhem in Holland, Beauval in France and Lisbon in Portugal. They will now have several months to become accustomed to their enclosure, before the ride opens to guests in March 2013.
Describing the park’s newest residents, Chessington’s Zoo Manager Marc Boardman said: “We are thrilled to welcome three white rhinos to the resort for the first time since Chessington opened as a zoo 81 years ago. With any new animal arrival there are challenges to face, and we have recruited specialist rhino keepers to ensure they have the best care possible. The new rhino enclosure has some of the most modern facilities in Europe and it’s great to finally welcome its new residents.”
Chessington World of Adventure’s planned addition is similar in design to the Rhino Rally attraction at Busch Gardens Tampa, as well as Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is expected to be a major draw for the park, which is investing millions in its construction.
A blog of all the latest theme park knowledge shared with the world. Soon to be expanding into the travel world too.
I used to run a theme park dedicated website through High School, but now I've moved on to the blog scene with the latest videos, pictures and breaking stories.
Make sure you check out my new YouTube page at www.youtube.com/parkparadise2011 and subscribe!!
Thanks for reading!
