Thursday, August 27, 2009

Say "Bye-Bye" to Land of the Dragons

Just now at NewsPlusNotes, I discovered that Busch Gardens Africa's Sesame Street project has been announced under the name Sesame Street Safari of Fun. The name kind of resembles Sesame Street Forest of Fun which opened last spring at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia. Here are the list of rides:

Air Grover - A kiddie coaster that will send you over the Sahara on Grover's plane.
Elmo's Safari Go-Round - A carousel that will take riders for a spin on safari animals.
Zoe-Patra & the Hippos of the Nile - A mini-flume themed to the Nile River.
Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination - A popular 4D film.

It will open in spring 2010 replacing Land of the Dragons. I think LOD will be surrounded by construction walls by the time I go to BGA in Thanksgiving.

Intimidator at Carowinds

The B&M Hypercoaster coming to Carowinds has been announced yesterday under the name Intimidator! The new roller coaster will be 232 ft. tall. It will be themed to Dale Earnhardt's black race car and will feature staggered seating just like Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland and Diamondback at Kings Island (also B&M hypers). Here is the layout:

The train leaves the station toward a 232 ft. lift hill between the Dora train and the Picnic Pavilions. Reaching the top, it will descend into the fenced off parking area towards a 178 ft. hill turning to the right. It will be followed by a 151 ft. camelback hill and a 121 ft. hammerhead turn by the South Gate (I expected that). Exiting the hammerhead, the coaster will enter 105 ft. and 90 ft. camelback hills leading to a block brake. Departing from the block brake, it will enter a 62 ft. hill by Picnic Pavilion #3 entering a diving helix and a 52 ft. hill all leading up to the final brakes.

I really like the layout!

Funny Video Link

This a link to a funny video:

http://www.infonegocio.com/xeron/bruno/italy.html

I just thought I'd add some humor, because that video is hilarious! XD

Monday, August 24, 2009

Sesame Street Construction Begins

I've just come back from my first day in school to stumble into this on Screamscape:

2010 - Sesame Street Land and 4D Theater - Rumor - (8/24/09) A construction update from Busch Gardens Tampa is now showing off the first stages of construction to transform Land of the Dragons into a new Sesame Street themed area. Check it out over at RCPro.

Well, you heard it right, Sesame Street construction begins! It began three days ago. Now I think it is safe to say that Land of the Dragons will not be open by the time I go to Busch Gardens this Thanksgiving. Here is an overview of the Sesame Street timeline:

Rumors began to rise on August 28, 2006 that the Sesame Street 4D film from Universal Studios Japan will appear at Busch Gardens Africa in 2008. Rumors were put on hold for 17 months, until January 22, 2008 when rumors advanced that Timbuktu would be given a Sesame Street overhaul. The rumors were again put on hold for a year. On January 5, 2009, an employee meeting took place and plans were made for the Sesame Street land. It was no longer Timbuktu that gets affected by the Sesame Street land, but it was now the kiddie area Land of the Dragons that would get the axe. It would close by the end of 2009 and Sesame Street would debut in 2010. On April 2, 2009, rumors advanced saying that the new land would include a kiddie coaster and a water play area. On June 12, 2009, rumors were put to rest, when a construction permit has been filed which mentions putting up 4 buildings, a roller coaster, and some site demolition. On June 23, 2009, a news station reports that an announcement will take place later this summer. Now on August 21, 2009, construction has begun.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Nickelodeon Universe - New Orleans

Six Flags New Orleans was badly flooded when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005. Ever since then, Six Flags announced the park would be closed forever. But on August 18, 2009, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, along with Southern Star Entertainment and Nickelodeon, announced a new theme park: Nickelodeon Universe - New Orleans. Maybe they will finally do a B&M with a Nickelodeon theme...

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Intimidator 305 Timeline

Here is a timeline of the new Intimidator giga coaster coming next year to Kings Dominion:

April 4, 2009 - There has been recent clearing in what used to be Lion Country Safari.

April 21, 2009 - A page from the local government says that Kings Dominion is planning a new coaster.

May 25, 2009 - The site is rumored to be behind Anaconda and Rebel Yell.

May 28, 2009 - A survey crew has been spotted behind Anaconda.

June 1, 2009 - They have begun construction by clearing land behind the Anaconda:



















June 2, 2009 - Yellow supports have arrived. Early rumors are that the coaster would be a B&M Hypercoaster, but the supports that arrived are not B&M but Intamin AG:



















June 3, 2009 - A fence has gone up around the supports and the construction site. Land clearing has expanded to Rebel Yell.

June 4, 2009 - The poles and the doors for the fence are up.

June 10, 2009 - The restricted fence around the site of the supports is finished. They somehow removed most of the supports from the parking lot:



















Footer flags have appeared on the construction site.

June 12, 2009 - While the supports are now gone (some are still there), red track has arrived:



















A crane has arrived at the construction site.

June 19, 2009 - They begin preparations for footers.

June 22, 2009 - The coaster is confirmed to be an Intamin Giga Coaster:













June 25, 2009 - The lift pieces have arrived and they look like the cable lift hill of Millenium Force, thus confirming that the new giga coaster will have a cable lift:



















June 29, 2009 - Kings Dominion will announce the giga coaster in August 2009. Footers have begun getting poured:












July 6, 2009 - The top of the lift has arrived:

















July 21, 2009 - An Adena Corporation truck is in the parking lot:



















Adena Corporation has built Diamondback, Top Thrill Dragster, Maverick, and Thunderhawk. They dug a ditch behind Rebel Yell possibly for drainage.

July 27, 2009 - The new giga coaster will be announced on August 20, 2009 at 11 am.

August 3, 2009 - The stairs for the lift have arrived. The supports that were taken away have returned:



















Attachment pieces for the supports have arrived. A tractor is digging a ditch for a possible site for the lift motor underground (like Millenium Force). Lift footers have been poured.

August 7, 2009 - A part of the parking lot to the left of the original fenced off area has been fenced off (creating a narrow path for the exit). The new fenced off area is half the size of the old one:



















August 18, 2009 - They installed wheels on the top piece of the lift:



















August 19, 2009 - The first support beams for the track have gone up on the construction site thus beginning vertical construction:



















August 20, 2009 - The new Intamin AG giga coaster is announced under the name Intimidator 305. It will be themed to Dale Earnhardt from NASCAR (nickname "Intimidator") and the coaster will be 305 ft. tall.

BTW, you can find out more of these photos come from at:

http://www.kdfansite.com/gallery/index.php?cat=10
http://www.kdfansite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=441&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2430
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46500&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=570

Enjoy! =)

Intimidator 305!

Today, Kings Dominion announced a new roller coaster called Intimidator 305. Wow! Something tells me this is NASCAR. I don't watch NASCAR much but the coaster is still cool! Here are the stats:

Name: Intimidator 305
Theme: NASCAR
Manufacturer: Intamin AG
Model: Giga Coaster
Park: Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virginia, USA
Height: 305 ft. (and you wonder why it is called Intimidator 305)
Drop: 300 ft.
Speed: 92 mph.
Lift system: Cable lift
Length: 5100 ft.
Drop Angle: 85 degrees
Opening: April 2010

Here is a POV:



It looks so cool! It will be behind Anaconda (an Arrow Dynamics corkscrew coaster) and Rebel Yell (a Philadelphia Tobaggen Company wooden coaster). :O

Now here is something about Giga Coasters. Giga coasters are coasters that are 300-399 ft. tall. Like a hyper, it is not supposed to have any inversions. There are 2 (soon to be 3) in existence: Millenium Force at Cedar Point (Ohio) (Intamin) and Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land (Japan) (Morgan Manufacturing). Now Intimidator 305 will be the third giga coaster in existence. Kings Dominion is slowly becoming a monster park (like Cedar Point) with so many coasters. All it will take for it to be a monstrosity like its sister park is something like Kingda Ka.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Walls are Down...

Today the construction walls have come down and the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster is now soft-opened!!!!!!!!!































Yes, the new roller coaster debuting at Universal Studios Florida (and was long delayed) has finally come from its shell. From what I've heard, the line in front of the construction walls extended all the way to Twister. Wow... just wow!!!! Here are some pics (no these aren't mine):
























The entrance of Rockit. I gotta say, it looks very nice. Not to mention that there are some signs showing some of the characters.
























The crowd surfer and a mural on the side of Jimmy Neutron.
























The station with the train. The LEDs are on.
























The place where you preview your on-ride picture and video.
























An overview of the lift and the drop.

Well, Rockit is finally open! I think the new banner will be up by next week. I can see the grand opening after or during Labor Day.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Rockit is Finally Open

This just in from the Examiner:

"It was only just this afternoon when the Twitter Feed for Theme Park Insider joked that Universal Orlando would rename its oft-delayed Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster "Chinese Democracy" because it felt like it was being delayed as long as the Guns N' Roses album, which took over a decade to create and was finally released last year.

Now, it's confirmed by Universal Orlando that Rip Ride Rockit will undergo a soft opening within the next four weeks at random times, according to jacobmdicke from Twitter and Sabi from Orlando United.

That confirmation came just moments after the coaster opened for Universal Orlando team members tonight (Aug. 14).

Team members took to the Internet to inform they had just got off the ride beginning around 6:30 p.m Mikey from Magic City Mayhem revealed that the coaster will remain open for team member previews tonight until 9:45 p.m.

"Im kind of a big deal... Just rode Rip Ride Rockit!" Matt Green posted via text message to his Twitter stream just before 6:30 p.m., the first to break the news via the social networking site.

Not all team members have had the opportunity to ride the coaster yet, but the response so far is mostly positive, with reviews ranging from "Worth the wait" (Chris from Orlando United) and "Totally incredible...!" (Jamie Vecanski from Twitter).

One critical reaction came from Twitter user Duncan Reilly, who said, "Ehhhh. It's no Manta," referring to the coaster at SeaWorld Orlando that opened this past may

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is an interactive, multisensory roller coaster with a top speed of 65 miles per hour that tracks around and inside the park entrance. Passengers can select one of 30 songs to provide the background music of their ride."

Yes... my vengeance is FINALLY accomplished! (evil laughter) Well, I can't technically let go of Rockit now because the banner still needs to be fixed. It will be up during softs (my guess).

It is finally open... YES!

Rockit Update 8/14/09

While the banner getting ripped is lousy in all, here is a surprise:

"K20 Teggy says: just got an email....t/m previws 6-9 tonight going there now to ride!!"

TM previews... TM PREVIEWS!!!! TM previews lead up to soft openings within the next week from what I heard. So guess soft openings will be before school after all. :) They just have to install a new banner (which I think will be either today, the weekend, or the beginning of next week). Here is one person who speculates when soft openings will begin and a quote from one of the TMs:

"TheIncredibleHulk says: I say within the next week will be soft openings."

"Chris says: Rode Rockit. It's really, really fun. Worth the wait. Don't read too much into it- this doesn't mean soft opening yet. More later."

Well... something tells me a soft opening is in the view. Now if they just install a new banner...

MY VENGEANCE IS COMPLETE!!!!!! HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Banner Ripped

Sorry to tell you this but the banner for Rockit has been ripped apart by some winds. That's gonna leave a mark. :| Well it was fun while it lasted... (rolls eyes).







Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Universal May Or May Not Renew Deal with Spielberg

Just thought I'd post this:

"Universal Orlando officials are negotiating with Steven Spielberg over whether to renew a consulting contract.

Tracey Stockwell, principal financial officer of Universal's parent company, said in a conference call Friday that the theme park resort is hoping for a quick resolution.

Under the contract, Spielberg gets a flat fee and a percentage of revenues of movie or television-themed attractions in exchange for advising the theme park resort and working on other projects around the world.

Although there is no expiration date for the arrangement, starting in June 2010, Spielberg has the right to end it. He can then can get a single lump sum payment based on his interests in the Orlando parks and other projects around the world.

Universal's regulatory filings Friday did not disclose the amount involved."

-----------------

So Spielberg has the right to either stay with Universal or end this contract in June 2010. If he ends it, I wonder how this will affect E.T. Adventure. I hope nothing happens to it. It is an amazing attraction and it would be a shame to lose it (not to mention the fact that it is the only one left in the current Universal parks). :,( Actually, I'd even cry. It would be like getting rid of Kongfrontation (closed 2002), Back to the Future (closed 2007), Big Bad Wolf (closing this Labor Day), and Python (closed 2006) all over again!


Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Banner is up

Well it is official! The big banner for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is finally up! It looks EXACTLY like the one from the animated POV video. Well, this completes construction. All they need to do is tear down those ugly construction walls, then say "goodbye" to construction and "hello" to an exemplary soft opening! :) You... you have no idea how excited I am! I have to wait for my 15th birthday in 2010 to ride it, though! >:( Well I have Busch Gardens to look forward to. There might be a chance that Rockit will soft-open before school starts. FINALLY!!!! HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Rockit rumors

There is this rumor spreading in the commenting boards that the banner for Rockit might be up. I'm not sure about these rumors. This person named "Reggies Back" gave us a pic of the lift tower with the "banner." I thought it was real but, after reading "Opens Spring 2010," I realize it is Photoshop. Still, some people report that the banner is starting to go up. I'm not sure who to believe... There is this commentor named "Stewie Griffin" who is out for pics. When his pics arrive and the banner is up, I'll be happy. I'll report to you when Stewie's pics arrive. Till then, pray for his pics to show if the real banner is up or not, because after that, they tear down the construction walls and let the soft openings begin.

Never mind...

Screamscape reported yesterday that Transformers will not happen after all. It is a shame in all, but we already have Spider-Man. That's pretty much enough 3D Thrill Rides. So just forget about that last post. Rockit and Harry Potter will bring in all the stuff they need. It would have been great to see a Transformers ride at Universal though.


Friday, August 7, 2009

New Attraction at USF

So this morning, screamscape reported this:

1. "2011/2012 - Transformers or other New Attraction - Rumor - (8/7/09) While it’s hard to verify this kind of rumor, we’ve heard it said that Michael Bay, the director of the Transformers films, had a meeting with the Orlando Universal Creative staff the other day. While they could be talking about a Transformers project, Bay has also been a producer for the remakes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday The 13th and an upcoming Nightmare of Elm Street project out in 2010. Still… I just can’t see Universal Orlando sitting still without some kind of Transformers ride of their own while Singapore and Hollywood versions are already confirmed."

There might be a Transformers ride at Universal Studios Florida. In case you do not know, Transformers: The Ride will debut in Universal Studios Hollywood and the upcoming Universal Studios Singapore. It will be a 3-D Thrill Ride like Spider-Man. I find it very cool. I hope this happens. My best bet is that it will take over the old Hercules & Zena building. But SkipperGarrett at IOACentral quotes:

2. "That building used to house a show. It's also too small to fit a major attraction."

Yeah, that building is too small but they can expand it. The building can be pushed into the lagoon. They just have to build a concrete wall in the area they are sinking, move one of the Cinespheres and there you go!

So my choice is either:

1. The old Hercules & Zena building
2. Old Hard Rock Cafe

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Track at Carowinds

At Carowinds Connection, someone posted a picture showing off the first three pieces of the red B&M track at Carowinds behind Thunder Road. According to the website, they arrived this morning. Those three pieces make up the brake run. Well, it's official: Carowinds is getting a B&M Hypercoaster. This isn't the first time track has arrived before an announcement. Here are some coasters I know that had track before they were announced:

1. Diamondback at Kings Island
2. Maverick at Cedar Point (track was even installed before the announcement)
3. SheiKra at Busch Gardens Africa
4. The Intamin Giga Coaster debuting at Kings Dominion

Here are the B&Ms I know, at this point, that will be installed in 2010:

1. unknown (B&M Inverted (formerly Orochi)) Walygator Parc, France
2. unknown (B&M Sitting) unknown, unknown (my guess is China Dinosaur Park in China)
3. unknown (B&M Hypercoaster) Carowinds, North Carolina

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Band Trip Photos

Universal Band Trip 2009:

On May 8, 2009, I had a band trip to Universal. I saw the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit for the first time. The photos have finally arrived! Enjoy! (Note: Some photos also show construction updates on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter)



















We have arrived at 7 am.



















We are preparing for the concert at CityWalk. I play the alto saxophone.



















That's the new Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster as seen from where we performed. I felt very happy when I saw it. It just looks so cool!



















Mr. Rubio is conducting.



















After the concert, we went to Islands of Adventure. What you see above is Hogsmeade under construction as part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Dueling Dragons is still open as of then and as of today. This was taken from the temporary bridge.



















Marmaduke! Leave Mom alone!



















That's Hogwarts under construction. Last time I was at Universal (with my cousin) they were just putting up support beams for Hogwarts. Now there is concrete and there is a mysterious wall growing in front of Hogwarts. There is a temporary entrance to Dueling Dragons and the Flying Unicorn is now closed. Man construction picked up when I was gone!



















I mean, just look at that!



















I can just imagine how this will look like next year!



















This is iconic pic #1: Us in the exit of Doctor Doom. I'm behind those kids.



















This is iconic pic #2. You can see me better now!



















That's at the end of the day. That's me with the thumbs up. (NOTE: These next few photos were taken by me. The last photos were taken by mom.)



















If you look above the Hard Rock Cafe in this photo, you see the top of Rockit's lift tower.



















Sorry for the blur in this photo. You can see some of the CityWalk portion of the coaster in this photo.



















A much better view of the CityWalk portion.



















To wrap it up, an overview of the lift, the drop, the double take, and the first block brake. There was a crane in the first block this morning. By the end of the day, it was gone. The crane as you see on the lift went up from the double take to the lift while the concert was happening (especially when it had a suspended cage with a person).

Well that wraps things up. When you look from these photos to more recent photos, Rockit really made progress.

China Dinosaur Park Coaster

I was trying to find some information on where the yellow B&M is going. No commenting boards know. I was checking the Roller Coaster Database to see if that showed anything and I happened to stumble into this:

http://www.rcdb.com/4522.htm

There is a coaster being built in this Chinese theme park: China Dinosaur Park. According to the link, it will be a looping coaster and will open 2010. Interesting...

I know it doesn't say B&M is the manufacturer, but I'm just guessing it will be the yellow B&M. The manufacturer is unknown at this time. I don't know much about this park or even the opening date of the park. All I know is that there is another coaster in that park: Whirling Dinosaur Car. I'm just making a guess that the new coaster there (whatever it is) will be the yellow B&M. It is also worth mentioning that China recently got a plethora of B&Ms (Crystal Wings, Vertical Coaster, and the unknown Dive Machine). Also, some recent B&Ms for China were made in the Ohio Plant.