Universal Studios Hollywood to Build "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"

I mentioned it last post. Remember those rumors late last year of Potter coming to SoCal. Check it out!

After defeating Voldemort and his Death Eaters in seven bestselling books and eight hit movies, Harry Potter is taking on perhaps his greatest challenge yet: boosting the Los Angeles economy.

Universal Studios on Tuesday took the wraps off plans to build a Southern California version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which drove a 68% increase in attendance at its Orlando theme park during the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2010.

Ron Meyer, Universal's president, said his company would spend "several hundred million dollars" to create the attraction, which is expected to include a re-creation of Hogwarts Castle along with Potter-themed rides, shops and restaurants.

The plan was unveiled Tuesday morning at an elaborate ceremony at Universal Studios Hollywood attended by Gov. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky, and executives from Universal and Warner Bros., which made the "Potter" films and controls licensing rights to author J.K. Rowling's characters. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sent a congratulatory video message from Beijing, where by coincidence he was helping announce the opening of a new theme park in China.

Comcast Corp.-owned Universal will create more than 1,000 jobs in the process, with many more expected to be added indirectly at hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses. Executives said the new attraction would be built within the existing Universal Studios park boundaries, which will likely require the demolition or repurposing of existing rides.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. estimated that every 1 million additional visitors who come to Universal Studios Hollywood for the Harry Potter attraction will generate $417 million in spending in the county.

"This is a grand slam for the Los Angeles tourism industry," said Mark Liberman, president of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, known as LA Inc. "It's going to immediately be at the top of any attraction L.A. has ever seen."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando has drawn more than 10 million visitors since it opened in June 2010. Visitors have bought more than 1 million glasses of butterbeer, a non-alcoholic drink made famous in the Potter books. Mugs of the sweet, frosty beverage were served at Tuesday's event.

As part of Tuesday's announcement, Universal and Warner also said the Orlando Potter attraction would be significantly expanded.

The Los Angeles attraction won't open for a while, however. Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Williams said in an interview that the 20-acre Wizarding World in Florida took more than four years to build. The Universal Studios Hollywood attraction would likely take at least that long, putting the premiere in 2016 at the earliest.

In addition, Universal can't break ground until a planned $3-billion overhaul of its theme park and film and television studio lot is approved by regulatory authorities.

When it debuts, the legions of Potter fans from around the world who flock to the attraction could help Universal Studios Hollywood gain ground on its larger Southern California rival in Anaheim. Disneyland had 16 million visitors in 2010 and its sibling destination California Adventure drew 6.3 million, according to the Themed Entertainment Assn. Universal Studios Hollywood had 5 million attendees during the same period, the trade group said.

"If we take the authenticity of the experience in Orlando and put it in the world's entertainment capital, you're going to see streams of people coming from countries around the world and affect the whole economic chain of Los Angeles," said Universal Studios Hollywood President Larry Kurzeweil.

Many of the rides currently at Universal Hollywood are based on older films such as "King Kong," "Terminator" and "WaterWorld," though a new "Transformers" attraction will debut next spring.

Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer said his studio spoke to numerous potential candidates about the rights to build a Potter-themed attraction in Southern California before signing a long-term agreement with Universal. A knowledgeable person not authorized to discuss the matter publicly said Walt Disney Co. talked to Warner about adding Harry Potter to Disneyland.

"The millions of fans who have read the books and seen the movies are very demanding, and we're very concerned about not disappointing them," Meyer said. "What Universal built in Orlando met that bar in a dramatic fashion."

Brown, who unlike the business executives in attendance spoke without looking at prepared remarks, said the new Potter attraction was welcome news at a time when many are pessimistic about the state's future.

"Yes, we have had some tough times but the movie industry keeps hope alive and keeps us together," he said. "We are truly a state of imagination, and this great Harry Potter park just pushes us that much further down the road."

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/07/business/la-fi-ct-potter-park-20111207

Here are some confirmed items for the Hollywood PotterVerse:

* There will be Hogwarts
* There will be Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

That's pretty much it. =/ My thoughts on where it is going up: same as before. Gibson Ampitheatre gets torn out for FJ and Hogsmeade goes up in between that and WaterWorld (torn out for either a show or a Dragon Challenge clone).

To prove my point about Gibson... check it out here:

(12/7/11) Universal Studios Hollywood held a press conference a few hours ago to confirm that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will indeed be coming to the California park. Unfortunately, they were a little light on details… only mentioning that the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey thrill ride would be built, themed to look like the iconic Hogwarts Castle, but no timeline was given for the attraction to open. I contacted Universal for clarification on this, or to see if they could provide the year when it will open, but they responded that the exact timeline was not yet set at this point in time.
The press release had a few more minor details that confirmed that they were indeed building a themed land and not just the one ride structure. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando – and is expected to transform tourism in Los Angeles for decades to come. It will be a fully immersive environment for the entire family that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life and is faithful to the visual landscape of the films, including a majestic Hogwarts castle to serve as the centerpiece of the themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be created with the same commitment to authenticity and the same level of talent and resources as its Orlando counterpart.”
In another report I read elsewhere (sorry, can’t find the link) the reporter asked Ron Meyer about where they would build it because the park was lacklocked, to which he responded that “We’re not lacklocked! We’ve got 400 acres on this lot and 200 of them are still not developed.” So that got me to thinking… could Universal possibly be rethinking some of that once proposed Vision Plan (later revised in 2009 as the Evolution Plan)? Could they now be realizing the value of all that property they hold, and what else they could do with it is they choose to expand the theme park side of the business instead of selling off the land for new housing developments? We can dream…
In the meantime, a LA County Supervision did comment in this other report, confirming the rumors we had been hearing, that the Gibson Amphitheater would be scrapped to make way for the Wizarding World, possibly opening as early as late 2014.
If your not quite sure just what to expect from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, then be sure to read through Screamscape’s official two part coverage of the grand opening of the Orlando park’s version.

Also construction may begin at the end of the summer:

2015 - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Confirmed - (12/12/11) Screamscape sources confirmed that we shouldn’t expect to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter open in Hollywood until 2015. The first phases of construction work for the project (or demolition to make room) are expected to begin before the end of Summer 2012 however.

Potter Phase II Rumors

The more I think about it, the more I think JAWS's replacement will be the Harry Potter Phase II expansion.

First off, Universal confirmed that the expansion is happening on December 6th (along with the long-rumored Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood, that I'll get to later):

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is going to get bigger at Universal Orlando. And it will have a sister world at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in California, the company revealed Tuesday.

Details about the Florida expansion — such as cost, new attractions, time frame or which of the two Universal Orlando theme parks it would be located in — were not shared. The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the books created by J.K. Rowling, opened at Universal's Islands of Adventure in June 2010.

"We've not announced a time frame, but it's going to take years for us to create something on the scale and scope we envision," said Tom Schroder, a Universal Orlando spokesman. Details will be announced "over time," said a Universal news release.

Universal Orlando announced last week that it would close the Jaws ride at Universal Studios theme park on Jan. 2. Since then the rumor mill has churned with chatter about what could go in that space. If Potter replaced Jaws, the boy wizard would be in both Universal parks.

"I think it's very interesting that Universal Orlando announced the closure of Jaws a mere few days before the confirmation of an expansion," said Ricky Brigante, owner of InsideTheMagic.Net, a theme-parks website.

He would be surprised if Potter elements spilled over into the Studios, but "anything is possible," he said.

"Looking at a map, I can see a clear route between where Jaws is now and the existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter," Brigante said. "A Hogwarts Express [train] could be built between the two, but that would certainly be a major construction project involving both parks and backstage and reworking of facilities."

Previously, buzz centered on Wizarding World expanding into the adjacent Lost Continent area of Islands of Adventure, he said.

"With all this going on, there are certainly doubts that that would happen," Brigante said.

Other speculation calls for the expansion to be themed on London scenes of the "Harry Potter" movies. The resort's contract with Warner Bros. requires it to have elements from the final Potter films, the last of which opened in theaters this summer.

Most industry analysts considered a Harry Potter expansion in Orlando inevitable given the financial success of Wizarding World. Universal's attendance jumped 20 percent in 2010 — to 11.2 million — even though Wizarding World didn't open until halfway through the year. It soared 52 percent — to nearly 6.4 million — during the first half of 2011.

"Normally, you put a new attraction out and you're delighted if you get a 5 percent bump in attendance. Harry Potter came out and we were seeing 40 percent and 50 percent bumps, just a gigantic sea change in the profitability," NBCUniversal Chief Executive Officer Steve Burke said at a conference with analysts this fall.

The Wizarding World expansion would be part of a flurry of construction projects at Central Florida theme parks. SeaWorld's TurtleTrek attraction is set to open next year, and a major Antarctica-themed area will open there in 2013. The first phase of the Fantasyland expansion at Disney World's Magic Kingdom is scheduled to open in 2012, and Disney's Animal Kingdom plans to add a land based on the "Avatar" films in 2016.

In Hollywood, details about the Potter plan there were thin, although a news release boasted it "will be as impressive as what has been created in Orlando." At the Tuesday news conference, it was confirmed that Hollywood would include a Hogwarts castle and its signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

No details about a Hogsmeade village, other rides or restaurants were shared.

"I am sure that the teams at Universal and Warner Bros. will bring their expertise and attention to detail to Hollywood to make this new experience equally as exciting," Rowling said in the release. She was not on stage for the announcement.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-12-06/travel/os-wizarding-world-harry-potter-orlando-expansion-20111206_1_wizarding-world-potter-elements-universal-orlando

Permits have also been filed for "Project 722":

http://hhnrumors.com/index.php?a=148

It looks to have some connections with four people who made a Harry Potter film (Deathly Hallows 1 and 2, Half-Blood Prince, and Order of the Phoenix). One of them even worked on "Project Strongarm" which is the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter at IOA. With these involvements, I am now pretty sure that the boy wizard is coming to the Studios.

Meanwhile, here are some really interesting rumors spreading on Screamscape (that can make one's JAW (haha pun!) drop):

2014 - Jaws Replacement / Potter Phase 2 / Project 722 - (12/22/11) Some great detective work linking the demolition permit of Jaws to the rumored new Harry Potter expansion project has been posted to HHN Rumors this week. Really worth checking out to see just what kind of people are linked to “Project 722”.
As for the meaning behind the 722 codename... it could just be nonsense... or on a hunch I did pull out a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to see what it had to say on Page 722. Sure enough... there is a line about being in King’s Cross where it would be possible to board a train. Of course I may just be reading a bit too much into that, but you never know.
(12/21/11) I’ve got a quick Studio item today, plus another interesting piece of the puzzle over at the Islands of Adventure side of things. Today… we’re going to talk about The Hogwarts Express. Most of the Naysayers out there immediately bring up the fact that any train that runs between the park’s backstage is going to run through some very unattractive behind the scenes areas along the way.
The report I keep getting on this issue is that the riders view of the world from the train will not be of the backstage area, or even the real world at all, but instead be an artificial view of the journey from London to Hogwarts. What is not clear is just how this will be accomplished… either through the use of video screens instead of windows… or the rumored use of the King Kong 360 technology that wraps projection screens around both sides of the Backlot Tour tram ride at the Hollywood park in an enclosed building.
Personally, I’m kind of hoping for the later, as it would allow for some unique thrills and sights to be had along the way during both sides of the journey. In the end, you never know… Universal Creative has some fine clever folks on the payroll like Thierry Coup. As the masterminds behind projection based attractions like Spiderman, Kong 360, Harry Potter and Transformers) who constantly break new ground, anything is possible for the Hogwarts Express.
(12/8/11) While I did speculate that the proposed Potter Phase 2 project could also take over the Fear Factor stadium area, I’ve heard elsewhere that is not planned to happen, and that the show theater will remain. No word on if they will keep it running as Fear Factor returns to the airwaves, or if there is some other kind of plan in the works.
While on the subject of Phase 2 of the PotterVerse (London), as I had suspected, the rumors of the Knight Bus attraction were wrong. This doesn’t mean that we wont see the King Kong 3D 360º technology put to use somewhere… it just wont be themed as the Knight Bus. The ride focus seems to be entirely on the Gringott’s Wizarding Back dark ride / coaster concept, as they apparently have some really grand ideas for this project. What kind of ideas? Remember that uncovered technology patent Universal files a couple of years ago that would have a coaster car ride up onto a detachable piece of track that was hooked up to the top of a simulator style motion base platform able to tilt and rotate in any direction? (Click here to see it) The latest Screamscape rumor claims that we may see this new idea brought to life as part of the Gringott’s coaster ride.
Meanwhile it seems like the Diagon Alley Olivander’s location will be much larger than what we’ve seen built at Islands of Adventure. Rumor has it that the store will feature up to three different “wand shops” instead, but a single queue that will keep them hidden apart from each other, so it looks like you are entering the one and only shop. I’m also hearing something about a possible Wizard’s Duel show… though I’m hoping this isn’t true, as I think the “magic” needs to stay indoors for the most part.
(12/7/11) During the big announcement in Hollywood confirming that a version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be coming to the California park, the company also confirmed that the Orlando Wizarding World would also be expanded, with details about that promised to come sometime in the future.
“This is an incredible moment for Universal Studios and the millions of guests who visit our theme parks,” said Ron Meyer, President & COO, Universal Studios. “The Harry Potter stories are some of the most powerful of our time and we are honored to expand our Orlando experience and bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood, forever changing family tourism in Los Angeles.”
Keep in mind that they did not confirm if the Phase 2 expansion was coming to replace Jaws, or if it may go into Islands of Adventure instead, but at this point, every source is in agreement as to the location, confirming what I reported previously about the London focused expansion taking the place of Jaws, Amity, and very likely... the seldom used Fear Factor show theater as well.
(12/5/11) In case you missed the late breaking announcement on Friday afternoon, but Universal Orlando announced that the Jaws attraction and the entire Amity themed area around it will be closing down forever after January 2nd to make way for a new attraction. While they were not ready to disclose what is in the works yet… I’ve done a good bit of digging since then and have come up with an amazing proposal that is going to both shock and likely amaze you at the same time.
If my various sources are correct, the Amity / Jaws area will be replaced by the proposed Phase 2 expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now, before you flip out… lets go over it all, because for starters this really isn’t going to be the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at all. Instead, from what I’ve been able to gather, the new land to be build in Universal Studios Florida will actually represent the “London” side of the PotterVerse… including an entrance to the infamous Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley, as seen in the movies, is home to infamous locations such as The Leaky Cauldron, Gringott’s Wizarding Bank and the true Ollivanders wand shop location, as seen in the films. The London location is also said to be home to King’s Cross station, where students would board the Hogwarts Express train from Platform 9 ¾.
Many of these locations have been mentioned in the rumored development plans for Phase 2 of the Wizarding World for months now, including an innovative indoor dark coaster ride said to take place inside Gringott’s Wizarding Bank. It’s no secret that the Wizarding World has been popular…so much so that it needed to be expanded to spread out the crowds, and come up with a way to provide new locations for guests to buy Butterbeer, Ollivanders wands and more. But it seems that Universal Creative really decided to try a new idea… and think really outside the box this time. Literally… because this new expansion is going to allow for guests in both parks to get a taste of the PotterVerse… but to get the ENTIRE experience, you’d going to have to have a 2-park ticket.
Speaking of having access to both parks… connecting the dots is said to be a true recreation of the Hogwarts Express, allowing guests with two park passes (and Universal Resort guests) to recreate the true journey from the Muggle world of London and actually board travel to the train station and board the train for a trip over to Hogwarts and the rest of the Wizarding World at Islands of Adventure.
Now if all that wasn’t enough, I’ve heard some rumors about another possible new attraction likely to go into this Phase 2 project, that may attempt to take advantage of the new 3D projection tunnel technology Universal created for King Kong 3D 360 at the Hollywood park earlier this year. I don’t know if this may be put to use during your train ride on the Hogwarts Express, or if this will be an entirely separate ride experience. (One source suggested it could be a trip on the 3-decker Knight Bus, but I’ve heard that this isn’t likely to happen).
Either way this is huge… and apparently it all has a rather aggressive construction timeline as Universal is said to be shooting to have it all up and running by 2014. I’ve also heard that an official announcement or teaser could be released very soon, so stay tuned!

This has made JAWS removal become not so sad. This is literally an AMAZING idea (though I hope Fear Factor's theme gets removed from the stadium if it stays. Harry Potter Duel Show >>>> FREAK Factor)!

For those wondering about the system the Gringotts coaster is rumored to use, check it out here:

We all know how much Universal Studios likes their motion based ride systems. Several attractions utilize some form of motion base technology including Men in Black: Alien Attack, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. But it’s expensive for every vehicle in a ride to contain it’s own motion base. The engineering, maintenance, and per seat cost can be enormous. So what do you do if you want to build a roller coaster type ride experience but also have the unpredictability of a simulator type ride system? What options are there for amusement parks who want to create a ground-breaking attraction but are limited by cost or real estate?

The Universal engineers have recently come up with a motion base track segment. The invention consists of a fixed track roller coaster or dark ride with at least one section of track which can be de-coupled from the main track and rotated in almost any direction- even raising or dropping vertically. Rides such as The Mummy do contain turntables but the movement is only in one degree of freedom- a rotational movement. This new motion base track can not only rotate but pitch back and forth and tip side to side.

“An amusement ride has a track defining a ride vehicle path with a section of the track that can be decoupled from the main track and is subsequently movable on or about up to three axes with between one and six independent degrees of freedom.”

How does it work? The motion base track invention is actually very similar to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. The track is mounted to six actuators in an arrangement called a six axis or “Stewart Platform.” Fixed to the top of the platform is a ring and pinion gear which enable the track to rotate 360 degrees, both clock and counterclockwise. This entire assembly could then be mounted on another component allowing the entire track to slide back and forth from side to side.

How does this save on space and cost? Cost is saved by only needing one motion base instead of multiple bases for every vehicle. The footprint of the ride can be reduced by reusing portions of the ride path. This can be accomplished by utilizing theme elements on rotatable turntables- first time you pass through a room you see one thing, the second time the tables have rotated 180 degrees and you think you’re in a totally different room when it’s actually one and the same (see the Carousel of Progress).

Or more likely they could have different projection effects. Imagine being in a cylindrical room with video projections being played 360 degrees around you as your coaster cars pivots and spins all around. Next, the motion base tips at a 45 degree angle and your car is released and plunges down a huge drop backwards, followed by a typical roller coaster experience featuring breathtaking drops, helices, and airtime.

In fact, the patent specifically mentions the motion base track could simulate a collapsing bridge or “…may be used to simulate a flying vehicle evading a pursuer…” Could this be a future Harry Potter attraction? A flying car perhaps? The possibilities are endless. What do you think?

http://www.coaster101.com/2011/09/19/universals-motion-base-track-patent/

(9/21/11) Universal’s been busy coming up with a new ride concept… mixing a motion base with a roller coaster. It’s simply too much weight to build a motion base into the actual coaster car, but Universal has applied for a patent for a section of detachable track that would have a motion base under it. In other words… just imagine the turntable section of track on Revenge of the Mummy… if it detached and went off for it’s own Spiderman style wild ride segment through a dark ride environment, then reattached to another section of track to let you continue your high speed coaster journey. Check out the patent over at Coaster101.com.

This whole concept = WOW! I am very interested to see how the ride will be if it comes to life! I am also pretty interested to see how King Kong 360 3D tech will be used in this expansion.

I am very interested though in how the Hogwarts Express connection will work. My guess is that the existing Hogwarts Express train (at the entrance in IOA's) will be removed to make room for the Hogsmeade Station (with the two bazaar shops by the existing entrance getting the axe). The Hogwarts Express would travel from the station right next to Sinbad and then travel right and turn left on the existing 5th Ave. Then it would go behind the soundstage next to Rockit's treble cleff, behind ROTM, Beetlejuice, and Disaster. After, it would stop at Kings Cross station.

About the Wizard duel show, I'm going to guess it will replace Fear Factor, and the show theater will become the Ministry of Magic (since London will also be included outside of Diagon Alley). Apparently the contract with Warner Bros says that Universal must add some elements from the final film (Gringotts, and possibly the Ministry of Magic duel).

I'm most excited for the Gringotts coaster. It looks so innovative!! =D

Jaws To Close January 2nd, 2012

The big news of the day is shocking and unfortunate. Remember those rumors of JAWS going... well... (from Universal Facebook):

Hey fans, we want you to be the first to know… JAWS! and the Amity area will officially close on January 2 to make room for an exciting, NEW, experience we’re planning for you.

We know you love JAWS! and we do too. It has been an amazing attraction and after terrorizing the waters of Amity here at Universal Orlando for 20 years, it’s a VERY important part of our history. So, we’ve got a couple things planned to ensure we always remember and honor it. We know it’s hard to say goodbye, but we can’t express how EXCITED we are about the new, innovative & amazing experience we’re going to be bringing you.

So they're actually removing JAWS...? ='( That sucks.

However, getting out of the subject about how suckish this removal is... check out the huge chunk JAWS has (and hey, on the bright side, they can finally burn that stupid THING next to it (yes, I mean FREAK Factor)). Combining the JAWS space and the FFL space, and you have something big to work with.

The rumors point to Harry Potter Phase II going up as rumored recently (see last post), but I just can't see it. I'd rather take out the remnants of the Lost Continent (with the lame brain Poseidon's "Fury" XD) than mess with a classic like this. However, if JAWS has to go... then it has to go. This sucks, but I heard this ride was a major headache for Universal to maintain. So, I understand why this is getting removed. It was pretty shocking though... no new rumors of it or anything... =/ I am very excited about what they're thinking though!

Part of me thinks that this may be a better option for Phase II though. If they put up Diagon Alley (supposedly that's what they're aiming for) in the Lost Continent, it would be right next to Hogsmeade (and as an HP fan, I know that Diagon Alley (in London) is very far from Hogsmeade/Hogwarts (in northern Scotland I think)). They can maybe connect the existing WWOHP with the Amity/FFL area (and hopefully they can still build that awesome Gringotts coaster along with a Potter show (possible Fear Factor replacement?)).

Though I'd rather see something new in the JAWS/FFL space... like SciFi City (with possibly Transformers (yes, I know the rumors that it is supposed to go up in the old Hard Rock Cafe space), and maybe Florida's first Wing Coaster (hey, I can dream! =D)). But either way, we'll see...

In the meantime, get your last rides on JAWS!

1990-2012
JAWS
RIP

P.S.: Just something worth noting (from Screamscape this morning):

2014/2015 - Wizarding World Expansion - Development Phase - (12/2/11) While the overall theme of every rumor regarding Phase 2 of the Wizarding World is that it’s a sure thing… the one factor up in the air was the ‘when’. When will the construction start? According to new rumors starting to flow through the park staff, construction walls could go up for the first phases as early as February 2012.
With the various news sources all aflutter about the reports of a Hollywood version of the Wizarding World being finalized over the next week or two, it would only make sense to get those same people at Warner Brothers to sign off on Phase 2 of the Orlando attraction at the same time, don’t you think?

EDIT: I also just remembered. Last blog post, I posted a rumor of two E-ticket-style attractions going up in the Studios side, one of them being Transformers. I kind of think Transformers will go up in the old Hard Rock/tents (or plot of land behind Simpsons and MIB that I've always been blabbing about) site, because unless they do Sci-Fi City, Transformers will take up only 1/4th of JAWS space, or just Fear Factor's space (heheh... I actually wouldn't mind that! Just push into the lagoon, or move Backlot Drive behind it a little, and there... GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE! >=D). I think the other E-ticket attraction could be our JAWS/Amity/FFL replacement. As for what it could be themed to... I have ABSOLUTELY no idea! =P So we're going to have to wait and see what goes on... maybe we'll hear some interesting rumors later (I know HP Phase II is now rumored to go up there, but I still kind of have a hard time believing it).

EDIT 2: And also, with JAWS gone, FFL probably gone, and possible construction by the tents, maybe the rumors of the return of the 2-park HHN are true after all (for example, instead of FFL, Bill & Ted would be in the Toon Lagoon Theater). Just food for thought.

Next Universal Project

Some interesting rumors have been spreading about the next big addition for Universal.

To start things off... an expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been all but confirmed:

Harry Potter producer David Heyman didn’t keep mum on the Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration red carpet at Universal Orlando last weekend.

He told one fansite that plans for a Wizarding World expansion and new Potter parks were in “early days,” and as it turns out he had a bit more to confirm to a major news outlet.

From the Toronto Sun:

Heyman confirmed with Sun Media that details are being planned, including new Potter-themed thrill rides. Heyman himself has been thrilled with the response. “This is the first time we’ve been here with this crowd,” he said of “real fans” of the Harry Potter universe. “You realize it does live on and it lives on in so many ways.”

So now we know that thrill rides are part of the expansion plan. I’m personally still holding out for a Gringotts ride to take over the existing Poseidon’s Fury area at Universal Orlando.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on any expansion and new park news as it becomes available!

Be sure to check out our list of 8 things we want to see in a new Potter park.

http://www.hypable.com/harry-potter/2011/11/19/more-murmurs-of-wizarding-world-at-universal-orlando-expansion-from-producer-david-heyman/

More interesting rumors are spreading (from JungleSkip at Orlando United):

A whole park isn't in the cards... But a lot more than we would have guessed seems to be. I know I'm being a bit short but I'm headed to bed.

The more I hear, the more I think my friendly Spirit was mistaken on what he heard or what he was told.

A contractor that worked on version 1 has said the plans are very big for Phase II, but not USF big.

He's also said Transformers is on its way (different aka better from the USH/USS versions) and something to replace Fear Factor.

Other rumors (some from Spirit, some from other sources):

Exactly ... and UNI has some amazing things headed down the pike. Potter Phase II has grown so large that it has outgrown IOA ... it's like in that movie Jaws 'we're going to need a bigger park' ... or is that 'we're going to need to borrow some land for an existing one?'

I don't know that I'd go that far. But WWoHP is absolutely the most impressive O-town theme park development of this century BY FAR ... and just wait for Phase II ... so big it's going to be in TWO PARKS! (no, I am not kidding! kiss the plastic sharkie bye-bye!)

Nope. Both expanding in IOA and BEYOND ... and I just heard it this week, but have had it confirmed by two others.

That be the plan ... apparently connected by the Hogwarts Express.

But Amity, Jaws and Fear Factor stage (which isn't used most of the time) would cease to exist under the plan.

~GFC~

In all respect to my very dear friend Spirit, he is misinformed on Jaws. Not going anywhere. Phase II is growing however.

If I haven't told you yet let me also confirm that Potter phase II will be several steps above phase I. The two E-tickets (that is not a typo as I consider one of the other attractions planned for Potter to be an E-ticket) will blow FJ away in terms of show with at least an equally innovative and fun ride system. Transformers is an amazing ride and where it is going in USF is also surprising. USF will become an amazing park with the two E-tickets and the other attractions about to be launched.

It seems that the WWoHP Phase II expansion is bound to happen, but bigger than before. So if that's the case, you might want to take some last pics of the Lost Continent before it gets bulldozed.

Now let's get to Transformers. Before we get to rumors, let's get to some recent commotion.

Now, I know that Screamscape reported that Spielberg misspoke about Transformers, and that it won't come. After hearing some of the rumors lately, I think Universal tried to shoot down this rumor with that report.

Within the last couple of months, the old Hard Rock Cafe by Woody Woodpecker was finally demolished after sitting abandoned since CityWalk opened with a new Hard Rock Cafe. One would expect a KidZone attraction to be added, due to its proximity to KidZone. HOWEVER, this is where things start to get interesting... looks like the Lost Continent isn't the only section on the chopping block:

We’ve heard several rumors lately about Universal planning an extensive new attraction for the Studios park in Orlando. In particular, there seems to be a lot of concerted effort on Universal’s part on restructure the backstage area of the northeastern portion of Universal Studios.

This area within the park is home to the aging American Tale themed play area and other “kids zone” type attractions including Barney, Woody Woodpecker, and Curious George just north of the E.T. attraction.

Prior to the Universal resort expansion that introduced CityWalk and Islands of Adventure this portion of the park exited into what was a large Hard Rock cafe. When a new Hard Rock Cafe was built as part of CityWalk the building became redundant and was closed to the public – used only for internal purposes – and eventually not used at all.

In September of this year Universal began the process of tearing down the old Hard Rock building and subsequently filed the appropriate paperwork with the Florida water management district. This teardown in and of itself adds a sizeable plot of expansion space for a decent sized-attraction to Universal Orlando all on it’s own.

However, this week Universal has begun other backstage preparations for what appears to be a much larger project than originally rumored. They’ve begun restructuring the northern backstage area by moving some of the existing parade float storage areas further north and realigning the roadways. Here’s the pertinent paperwork.

On their own these two projects wouldn’t be terribly thrilling – Hard Rock isn’t that big – but they both border a prime piece of real estate in the park. One that is considered to feature outdated franchises and are thus underutilized spaces. Here’s a handy aerial shot for reference:

So what’s it going to become? Universal isn’t talking. However, we have heard rumbling that it’s going to be a fairly large project once formally announced. So until then we’ll keep an eye on the wires.

Now might be a good time to get photos and final memories of that area of the park, lest it not exist in a year’s time.

http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2011/10/26/universal-tears-down-old-hard-rock-and-starts-other-site-prep-for-new-attraction/

More from JungleSkip:

Also, some food for thought on all of this that I personally believe is connected (though I really have no info to back it up).

This year the HHN team has said they're looking at using both parks to host HHNs yet again. Personally, I think this is ONLY because something will be going on at USF that prevents the event from being solely hosted at the venue, whether it's construction back by the Sprung tents or the Fear Factor stage being unavailable (or gone) for Bill and Ted's necessitating the Toon Lagoon stage for the show.

New Transformers hint from a contractor that's worked heavily with UOR and UC before:

Transformers is an amazing ride and where it is going in USF is also surprising.

The surprising location leads me to believe it will be in the KidZone like I had heard.

Here comes an interesting factor... while the Hard Rock Cafe building was being demolished, a camera was put up by it. Why would they put up a camera by a building demolition that looks to have no meaning... there MUST be a meaning. This tells me something big is happening, and if the two site preps mentioned in the above article mean anything, we could be looking at something big (and Curious George will probably get the axe, since it is in the way of the two sites).

As of now, they are clearing the land around it (from Obi Ubamba at Orlando United):

They are flattening out the area and clearing out some surrounding area.

And another interesting factor... could we be looking at an announcement date soon as part of the Universal Centennial celebration:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-redesigning-logos-centennial-261811

It seems that if Universal Orlando Resort were to announce a giant expansion (Potter and Transformers), it would be that day, sometime in the next few months (April 30 is the 100th birthday of the company, so that would be the latest).

It should get very interesting in the next few months...

SeaWorld: New Expansion With TurtleTrek, Antarctica, and Oasis

This was announced on the 8th:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-seaworld-new-rides-20111108,0,2965294.story

SeaWorld Orlando is expected to announce today what park officials call the biggest expansion in the resort's history, with three new attractions to be built over the next two years.

The plans include two additions scheduled to debut next spring: TurtleTrek, a manatee and sea-turtle habitat that will include a first-of-its-kind, three-dimensional and 360-degree movie experience; and Freshwater Oasis, a new area in SeaWorld's limited-admission park Discovery Cove. Oasis guests will be able to swim, wade and hike through a rainforest-themed environment that will include encounters with Asian otters and small monkeys known as marmosets.

Those two projects will be followed a year later by the biggest addition of all: Antarctica — Empire of the Penguin, an area within the main park themed to the snowy continent that will include a new attraction that SeaWorld says will feature never-before-used ride technology.

Although company officials did not disclose a price tag, SeaWorld Orlando President Terry Prather said the additions, taken together, represent the largest expansion in the marine park's 38-year history, both in terms of cost and footprint.

With the expansion — which has been urged by SeaWorld's corporate owner, the private-equity firm Blackstone Group — SeaWorld hopes to win back some of the ground it has lost during the past two years to Walt Disney World and, particularly, to Universal Orlando, which in June 2010 opened its wildly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

SeaWorld Orlando attendance fell an estimated 12 percent in 2010, even as the number of visitors overall to Orlando soared above 50 million for the first time.

Company officials say SeaWorld Orlando attendance has improved this year and that Discovery Cove, which this summer opened a new attraction dubbed the Grand Reef, is in the midst of a record year. The company's three Orlando parks, which also include the water park Aquatica, account for roughly 40 percent of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment's total operating income, according to industry analysts.

Prather said the timing of the expansion is ideal.

"When you look at last year, doing 51 million visitors to Orlando, and then look around the country, look around the world at some of these [other] destinations, … it's crystal clear around the world that Orlando is the No. 1 family destination," Prather said. "Our owners see that as a big plus."

Importantly, SeaWorld said, all three additions will be suitable for visitors of all ages.

Guests at TurtleTrek, for instance, will first walk through a pair of massive aquariums, one filled with hundreds of freshwater fish and manatees, the other with more than 1,500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. They will then enter a domed theater, where a 3-D film about the life journey of a sea turtle will be projected all around them — even above them. The entire experience will last about 18 minutes.

"Content will be all around you," said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Orlando's chief designer.

The attraction, which will use space most recently occupied by SeaWorld's Manatee Rescue pavilion, will include an explicit conservation theme urging guests to become "everyday heroes" in wildlife protection. A post-show gift shop will include physical and environmental effects triggered whenever guests purchase items from which a portion of proceeds will be donated to a company-founded conservation fund.

Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove will be designed with a rainforest canopy above freshwater springs. SeaWorld said guests will be free to explore at their own pace, wading and hiking through flooded trails that will take them through habitats with otters and marmosets — animals that SeaWorld said were chosen because they are small, kid-friendly and active. The oasis will replace a now-closed saltwater reef that had been leaking into the area's underground aquifer.

In contrast to Grand Reef — a deeper, saltwater pool that includes an underwater experience — SeaWorld said Freshwater Oasis will be shallower and accessible to all guests. "Ensuring that everybody gets to participate is key to our brand," Morrow said.

SeaWorld discussed fewer details in advance about Antarctica — Empire of the Penguin, which company officials said will be the park's biggest-yet single-attraction expansion.

Replacing the park's 24-year-old Penguin Encounter habitat, the new attraction's central experience will be a "family adventure attraction," suitable for people of all ages, in which guests will experience life in Antarctica through the eyes of a penguin. Morrow said the attraction will be "a new species of ride," with an innovative system that allows different adventures to occur during each ride. The experience will also include close interactions with penguins.

SeaWorld said the Antarctica-themed expansion will be a more-immersive experience than just a single ride.

"It will be a new world within the park," Prather said. "It's a new realm that we're building."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-seaworld-new-rides-20111108,0,2965294.story

Theme Park Review also posted some facts from the press announcement (and got some photos from the event):

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42837&start=2370#p1109445

SeaWorld released some concept art for the additions:

Freshwater Oasis:






































TurtleTrek:




























































Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin:




































The rumor mill on the Antarctica area has been getting quite interesting lately too:

2013 - Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin - (11/11/11) In 2013 SeaWorld will open one of their biggest projects to date, Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin. This huge new highly themed area will take the place of the current Penguin Encounter plaza and allow guests to “Explore the frozen wildernesses of the Antarctica through the eyes of the world’s most loved bird - the penguin.
Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin will take guests on a journey like no other to the coldest and most barren place on earth with a state-of-the-art interactive ride combined with an animal attraction. More details to follow.... for now it’s on ice.”
(10/10/11) The Orlando Sentinel has posted their own report on the various new projects SeaWorld has in the works right now. The park has now filed the necessary paperwork with the county confirming plans to replace the current Penguin Encounter attraction area with something new for 2013. The current exhibit will close in December to begin the 18 month long construction project, starting with the demolition of the existing structure. The park has also trademarked the names ‘Antarctica” and “Empire of the Penguins”, possibly for use here.
(9/2/11) Screamscape sources have reconfirmed that plans are still in the works to bring a dark ride to the new Penguin Encounter revamp project area, in addition to a new Penguin attraction and a restaurant. No word on what kind of ride it will be, but we can expect to see demolition begin on the current area buildings in early 2012.
(8/29/11) While the rumors of a total redevelopment of the Penguin Plaza area are still alive, I have not heard a peep about that rumored dark ride concept in some time, which is unfortunate for Dark Ride and attraction fans in general. In addition, the rumor of somehow connecting the new Penguin replacement exhibit to a large new restaurant has also come to light. However… anyone who has visited any Penguin exhibit at any park or zoo anywhere can attest the cute buggers rank a bit towards the top on the Stink-O-Meter… maybe a level or two below Skunks and Roadkill. So I’ve got to question to wisdom of attaching a Penguin exhibit of any kind with any kind of establishment meant to serve food… unless they’re going to go the extra mile to make the exhibit run as it’s own air-tight eco-system to keep the noxious fumes in place.
In related news, SeaWorld Parks has filed for a couple of interesting trademarks this month: “Snowworld” and “Antarctica”, both of which could possibly be connected to the rumored Penguin replacement project.

TurtleTrek started construction in September, with the closure of the Manatee exhibit. Antarctica will start in the next few months.

This seems like a very nice addition to SeaWorld. The intriguing part IMO is the ride that they say "will feature never-before-used ride technology." Something tells me this isn't a standard dark ride system, and I doubt it's a Spider-Man type system either. We may be seeing something very unique here.

Hopefully more attractions come to SeaWorld in the future. It is a wonderful park, but it needs more rides. I think this is the start of something awesome for SWO! =D

New Theme Park News

Again, I do apologize for neglecting the blog lately, but I have been terribly busy. Now I finally have the opportunity to update some things.

First off I will start with the name of B&M's new design that debuted this year. Yes it's official: it will be called the Wing Coaster. This pic is from IAAPA Trade Show 2011 (from ThemeParkReview):
























So we have our Wing Coaster name! I actually really like the name. =)

Dollywood:

So to start things off, let's look at our current Wing Coaster construction. Dollywood recently completed their Wild Eagle as of November 2, 2011. Here's two pics from ernierocker at ThemeParkReview from a recent backstage construction tour:





































This looks to be one of the most photogenic rides, especially when trees or flowers get added to that last pic.

Thorpe Park:

Swarm was also completed recently, on November 18, 2011 (from The Swarm - Developers Diary on Facebook):

















Keep in mind, when the plans were first seen, it showed some thematic elements installed, including an airplane at the bottom of the first drop (headchopper I think). With those installed, this will look incredible (not that it doesn't already, ESPECIALLY with that twist n' dive on top).

I know I keep saying this all the time, and it might sound repetitive, but FLORIDA NEEDS ONE (that and a hyper, giga, stand-up, and more Intamins and launched coasters)!!

Leviathan:

Getting out of the Wing Coaster zone, let's look at another one of B&M's impressive new coasters next year: the giga coaster, Leviathan, at Canada's Wonderland. Recently vertical construction started, and on the 18th, the 306 ft. lift hill has been topped off. It really towers over the park, and here are some pics from CWMania (the last one is from ThemeParkReview):






































































When I first saw the topped off lift hill, I dropped my jaw. The monster is literally dominating the look of the park, and I love it! This is the most exciting coaster next year for me! I hope I can experience this bad boy soon!

In the second picture, notice how the big box track above transitions into the standard B&M box track. Apparently this is a new design for B&M: essentially, their version of I305's support structure. Once the big box track separates from the main track, the big box structure goes to the ground, acting as a support. Hopefully B&M uses this in one of their future hyper/giga designs!

Skyrush:

Don't worry Skyrush, haven't forgotten about you! Vertical construction has begun for the new Intamin hyper winged coaster at Hersheypark on November 17, 2011. On the 19th track was already installed (with vertical construction being worked on the turn after the main drop):



















Just that turn alone makes me drool with anticipation! I305's turn after the drop was pure awesomeness, and I think this will be neat as well! This ride experience will be very unique (remember how the trains look like? ;) )!!

The more they come, the more I want one in the Sunshine state (come on, at least a hyper)!!

Six Flags Magic Mountain 2013:

Now the rumor side of things begin. Recently, SFMM has removed one of their log flumes: Log Jammer. Rumors are pointing towards the replacement being a record breaking coaster... possibly a giga (from TheCoasterGuy):

Brand new gigacoaster to be built were Log Jammer sits today @SFMagicMountain. Will debut for 2013 season.

It does seem possible to build a Giga, since the last coaster built that is Mega Coaster related is Goliath back in 2000. Also keep in mind, the farm in Buena Park is also rumored to build a Giga (yes, I mean Knott's) however the park will not get a new ride next year (according to a recent Cedar Fair press release). This makes me think it got delayed to 2013 (that or by next year, they mean when the 2012 season starts). So if it was delayed, we could be seeing a giga coaster war, almost similar to the 2009 coaster war in Florida (Rockit at Universal, Manta at SWO, and an all-new Space Mountain at MK). In short; if you go to SoCal, you will be in for quite a big treat in 2013!

Here is an overview of the Log Jammer plot of land to give a better idea of what may occur:

















I think some interesting rumors are coming soon.

Awesome B&M Wing Coasters Ahoy!

The B&M Wing Coasters, as some of you may know, are continuing to spread around the world, since Raptor's opening earlier this year. From going beyond 200 ft tall, utilizing a "keyhole" element, incline Immelmanns, vertical loops, and using a twist n' dive for a drop, as well as finally landing on American soil, these rides have made progress. Now let's see how the newest ones are doing:

Wild Eagle:

Right before it was announced, supports were going up for Wild Eagle at Dollywood, the tallest of the B&M Wing Coasters. I was stunned at how much work has occurred since then:

October 3, 2011 - The station track/bottom of the lift (which is VERY close to the ground) is already up.

October 4, 2011 - The trains are revealed.

October 5, 2011 - More of the lift has gone up.

October 6, 2011 - The lift hill is near its top.

October 7, 2011 - The lift hill has been topped off.

October 9, 2011 - The beginning of the drop is installed.

Here are some pics of the trains released by Dollywood:






























And here is the latest pic of the ride (from Bryce232 at ThemeParkReview):



















That looks impressive! But check out this image (from Dollywood):
















Oh my goodness, THAT is the true meaning of impressive my friends and acquaintances! I never thought Wild Eagle would utilize THIS much terrain! =O

This is the closest Wing Coaster to Florida... all the way in Tennessee. Come on IOA, build me a Wing Coaster!

X-Flight:

Track has arrived on site on Wednesday (from SFGAm's Facebook Account) (stairs have arrived on October 2nd):

































































As for what is going on in the main construction site (Splashwater Fall's old site), land clearing is in progress, and the entire area is gutted. Pretty much only the old Antique Cars station and garage remains (with the garage apparently staying).

Swarm:

http://www.ukparknews.co.uk/entry/cms/?p=6474

Vertical construction has also begun on Swarm. Here is an overview from yesterday (from bundy2989 at ThemeParkReview):

















I really can't wait to see the look of the Twist n' Dive! With us supposedly going to England next year, we *might* get to visit Thorpe Park, so Swarm may be my first Wing Coaster!

Hopefully IOA builds one of these bad boys in the future! >=)

Knott's Berry Farm Construction 2012/2013

From Screamscape:

Late 2012 / 2013 - Giga Coaster - Rumor - (9/21/11) Westcoaster stops by Knott’s once again to check out the Haunt build up duing crunch time, as well as checking on that new land clearing. According to the latest rumors, this could be for the park’s long anticipated new mega/giga coaster, though at this point in the game, we may be looking at a 2013 opening or perhaps even a late 2012.
(9/12/11) There may be hope for some kind of new attraction in the works for Knott’s after all it seems, as the latest update over at Westcoaster reports that two sites near GhostRider have been cleared suddenly, sites which should have nothing to do with the Haunt construction taking place elsewhere in the park. Curious… anyone know more?
(8/11/11) It has been awhile since any new rumors have leaked out from the Knott’s camp, as they have been very busy trying to play catch-up with Windseeker all summer, but once again the rumor of a large hyper/mega/giga coaster project in the works for the park’s next big attraction has been reaffirmed.

Here are some links to some pics of the land clearing:

http://www.westcoaster.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4392#p99755

http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=091311&page=10 (for the rest of the update)

http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=092011&page=14 (also for the rest of the update)

If the rumors of a possible station in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building is true, this will be one MASSIVE coaster. This will also link to the rumors of this coaster traveling through quite a bit of the park, from the old KOD building, over the Bigfoot Rapids, and into the backstage area by the KBF Resort Parking Lot, all the way to Ghost Rider (where the land clearing is taking place) and back into the park (these next quotes are old rumors from last year):

So rumor has it, the sky tower and perilous plunge are out, KOD will be the loading dock. It will be 300 feet tall, and run from Sky tower/ Xcellator to Big Foot, to Ghost Rider. If you get back stage look for the markers around the Four Corners Café, and in front of the rides office.

When I worked there back in 2006, somebody had gotten to see blueprints for what was supposed to be a new hyper coaster. We had seen all the higher ups scouting out the area as well, they were monitoring foot traffic, and it was all supposed to take place in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building, thats where the station was going to be, with the queue taking out the arcade below and the drop turning out over I believe the street behind it was Western, can't recall, and into the employee parking lot for a Hammerhead turn, then over Bigfoot Rapids, and continue all over the place. Then, out of nowhere, in our eyes, everything was dropped, or put on hold. Maybe this is it, but changed a bit? It was supposed to be at least a 2 year construction process since it took up so much room. Hopefully something of the same is going to happen. It would actually give me a reason to visit again.

Also a new rumor from Bolliger&Mabillard at ThemeParkReview:

There is a rumor that when (if) this coaster starts to go up, every area except Snoopy and Fiesta will be affected. Is it possible that this clearing has to do with a 2012 attraction? Maybe. But me thinks it has to do moreso with GhostRider's rehab. I don't know, haven't seen which area they're referring to.

As for the opening, I kind of expect it to be in late 2012. They are starting construction now, and it just makes sense for a late 2012 opening, as Knott's has done openings of new rides late in the year, particularly December (Ghost Rider in 1998, Silver Bullet in 2004). I can really see this attraction opening in late 2012, and the LATEST would be 2013.

I think this project will be one of the biggest coaster projects I have ever seen, and if the rumors are true, this may be the tallest and fastest non-launched coaster in the world. Once it gets announced (if it happens that is), I think it will be a very big day in the amusement industry.

Avatar Coming to Animal Kingdom!

This just came out of the left field:

We have great news to share today. At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record setting first film in the works, which will offer more fascinating stories, characters and locations to explore in the AVATAR universe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of the first AVATAR-themed land with construction expected to begin by 2013.

We believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in new ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.

The design phase on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom project has just begun so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details.

Got questions about the announcement? If so, Tom Staggs will be answering them in a special Q&A blog post later today. Just submit your name, city where you’re from and your question to questionsfortom@disney.com and then check the Disney Parks Blog later to see some of the answers.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/09/avatar-coming-to-disney-parks/















This look like a pretty cool addition to Animal Kingdom! I actually would prefer this over the rumored Avatar 4D coming to Universal (now officially "poof!"). I hope they add some sick rides (Tower of Terror-esque rides, or even more thrilling)!

I was pretty shocked though. I thought for sure that Avatar would come to Universal. I wonder how Disney will build this.

And now another thing... what will become of T2:3D? With the constant rumors of it closing, and now a James Cameron attraction going up at Disney, I have a feeling that this won't be Avatar replacing Terminator... but maybe the rumored Transformers ride?

But yeah, this looks nice, and I hope Disney does something cool with this! =)

Is Transformers Actually Coming to Universal Orlando?!

I've been talking on and on about the possibility of the Transformers ride coming to USF for the past few years (ever since I first heard of the USH/USS rides, and that misinformed Screamscape report a few years back). Looks like after years of talking about it... it may actually happen:

Here’s a Universal theme park-related quote from Steven Spielberg, who chatted with Sentinel movie critic Roger Moore over the weekend.

“I always like to hear that people are still coming to the attractions we already have in the park. I know everybody’s going to Harry Potter right now. But we think Transformers is going to pretty amazing. We’ve been working on that for about three years now. It should be ready soon. I don’t have an announcement, yet, but it should be coming there soon,” Spielberg said.

Transformers attractions are currently under construction at Universal parks in Singapore and Hollywood. Universal Orlando officials said Monday that they had no announcement to make about one being constructed here.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2011/09/spielberg-transformers-announcement-should-be-soon.html

Are the “Robots in Disguise” on the way to Universal Orlando? Steven Spielberg is saying so.

Plans are on the way to bring the Transformers attraction, currently slated to open in Universal’s California and Singapore parks next year, to Universal Orlando. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the director told film critic Roger Moore that an announcement is coming soon.

“We’ve been working on that for about three years now. It should be ready soon. I don’t have an announcement, yet, but it should be coming there soon”. Spielberg said.

Fans of the franchise, and the Universal Orlando theme parks, have been clamoring for an Orlando edition since the ride was announced for Orlando’s sister parks back in 2008.

Stay tuned to Orlando United as we will surely cover any announcement made for the rumored attraction.

http://orlandounited.com/2011/09/19/transformers-coming-to-universal-orlando/

I've been thinking and hoping this will come for years. I mean sure, I'm not the biggest Transformer fan, but IMO it has the potential to be a pretty sweet ride! But now the question is... where to put it?

I think a perfect place for it would be Disaster. The name for this attraction is pretty self-explanatory (ahem... a complete DISASTER). Disaster is basically a cheap and stupid version of Earthquake (which, dare I say it, was WAY better). Transformers would fit nice there. I'd say T2:3D, but I'm leaning towards Avatar for that space.

However... will it use the same ride system as Spidey though? I mean, it's possible, but new rumors point to an entirely new ride system, supposedly better than even Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey! That would be a cool move IMO, but I wonder how it will be though? Oh well, that's the nice part of speculation! =D

I'll keep you updated on any further developments!

UPDATE 9/24/11:

From Screamscape:

???? - Transformers - Rumor - (9/21/11) Screamscape sources tell us that Spielberg apparently misspoke and that there are currently no plans to bring the Transformers attraction to Universal Orlando at this point in time.

Personally, I doubt this. I have respect for Screamscape, but they're not ALWAYS right. I doubt Spielberg would misspeak about Transformers. Maybe it is just Universal trying to shoot these rumors down.

For example, Six Flags Great America last summer shot the rumors down of Iron Wolf closing and moving to SFA, and now look what we have (Apocalypse). Maybe this Transformers ride is very top secret, and Universal is trying to shoot down the rumors until an official announcement.

I doubt the "Transformers coming to Orlando" rumor is dead. But we'll see... and as before, I'll keep you updated!

New Drop Tower for BGT 2012/2013?

From Screamscape:

2012 / 2013 - Drop Tower - Rumor - (9/19/11) I’m not sure how serious this rumor is, but someone is claiming that the park’s Sand Storm flat ride could be replaced by a new 200 foot drop tower ride, possibly very similar to the Mach Tower ride that just opened in Williamsburg last month. Anyone know more?

I've actually discussed the possibility of the next ride for BGT being a Drop Tower (before Cheetah Hunt was announced). I made an idea for a drop tower right next to SheiKra.

As for the rumored location... IDK. It would look pretty cool in the Sandstorm area, however I hope Sandstorm gets relocated to another part of the park like BGW's Catapult (which got removed for Mäch Tower). It is a very fun ride! However, I would welcome a drop tower to the park. Like I said, BGT lacks in flat rides. They have Phoenix (which I've actually ridden recently, and I really liked it), Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars (another fun ride), Sandstorm (fun ride, but rumored to get removed), and Caravan Carousel (pretty self-explanatory). It would be really cool to drop from a height as tall as (if not taller than) SheiKra. I also wonder if this means new theming in the Timbuktu area (like what happened with BGW's Oktoberfest). That would be neat!

If this is true, I'm predicting a height taller than 200 ft (unlike what Screamscape reported), and the maker being either Intamin or Moser (the reason why I brought up Intamin was this: what if BG didn't like Moser after all the problems with Mäch Tower last summer? But you never know). If Intamin, it will probably be a Gyro (Drop Tower at KD)/Giant Drop (Drop Tower at Carowinds) design.

Hopefully we do get a drop tower, as it would be a perfect addition to the park! I still want a B&M Hyper, Flyer, and a Spider-Man/DarKastle type ride though (as well as more Intamin rides)! ;)

California's Great America to be Sold

So I was strolling the internet today, and I found out some SHOCKING news:

http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=321

SANDUSKY, Ohio, Sept. 19, 2011 -- Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its California's Great America amusement park, located in Santa Clara, California, to JMA Ventures, LLC ("JMA") for $70 million in cash. The Company, which purchased the park in 2006, expects to use the cash proceeds from this sale to reduce its senior secured debt.

"Our decision to divest of our California's Great America park was not an easy one," said Dick Kinzel, Cedar Fair's chief executive officer. "This is a quality park that has terrific employees and serves a strong market. That being said, as part of our regular comprehensive review of our portfolio of parks, we determined that divesting a smaller park like California's Great America at an attractive market value created a compelling business opportunity that we couldn't pass up. Among other things, it provides us the opportunity to immediately de-lever our balance sheet resulting in additional financial flexibility for growth and unitholder value creation in the future. California's Great America and its employees have always demonstrated tremendous capability in providing its customers with the highest level of family entertainment in the northern California region. I'm confident the park and its employees will continue to thrive under the ownership of JMA."

"As we look toward 2012, we are building significant momentum for Cedar Fair to deliver consistent and meaningful distributions to our unitholders," said Matt Ouimet, Cedar Fair's president. "At the same time, we remain committed to driving top-line growth through a combination of new rides and attractions, marketing initiatives and related strategic expansion around our entire portfolio of premier entertainment venues. The divestiture of California's Great America will provide us with additional financial flexibility earlier than anticipated to achieve these goals and maintain Cedar Fair's position as one of the most attractive growth and yield stories in the leisure and hospitality industry."

The transaction, which is subject to approval by the City of Santa Clara and customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011. Cash proceeds received at closing are expected to be applied to the Company's senior secured debt under the terms of the Company's credit agreement. A Form 8-K with the material terms of the definitive agreement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the end of day Tuesday.

California's Great America is northern California's leading amusement park, with more than 50 rides and attractions. JMA Ventures, LLC is a California-based full service real estate investment firm, serving as managing partner of over $500 million in existing projects spanning hospitality, leisure, residential developments, retail, office and industrial/telecom.

About Cedar Fair

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. Amusement parks in the Company's northern region include two in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" in Amusement Today polls, and Kings Island; as well as Canada's Wonderland, near Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan's Adventure, MI. In the southern region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott's Berry Farm; California's Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements as to the Company's expectations, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. These statements may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors, including general economic conditions, adverse weather conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, unanticipated construction delays and other factors discussed from time to time by the Company in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") could affect attendance at our parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. Additional information on risk factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the filings of the Company made from time to time with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

And yeah, I meant nothing but sarcasm out of the word "SHOCKING."

This came as no surprise to me. Pretty much the only thing I found kind of surprising was that Cedar Fair didn't take Flight Deck and Vortex; however, after thinking about it, I think CF wanted to make the park look attracting for the sale. So now we pretty much know the reason why Invertigo was removed earlier this year (and sent to Dorney Park as Stinger).

Here is the company, JMA Ventures:

http://www.jmaventuresllc.com/

One thing I find scary is this:

JMA Ventures is a full service real estate investment firm, serving as managing partner of over $500 Million in existing projects spanning hospitality, leisure, residential developments, retail, office and industrial/telecom.

Founded in 1986, our San Francisco based company has focused on delivering superior risk adjusted returns to our investors while providing quality products and improving the communities and environments in which we conduct business.

Our value-added approach has delivered outperforming returns across our portfolio base during our 20 year history.

JMA Ventures has not only proven itself as a real estate investment firm resulting in high returns for their investors, but has also become an expert in developing and redeveloping large scale lifestyle properties. JMA is a full service firm combining cutting edge ideas with the know-how and ability to deliver.

JMA has no theme park involvement, but it has real estate involvement. Hopefully what I'm thinking doesn't come true (I doubt it. If the park gets demolished, it will be for the 49ers Stadium).

However, there is a possibility of JMA making CGA an entertainment area to accompany the supposed 49ers Stadium (placing it on the overflow parking lot). I read another article saying that they like the park and hope to keep its unique appeal. It seems possible, but I'm not sure...

I'll keep you guys updated! ;)