Universal Orlando – It has been some time since Universal bought Wet 'n Wild, but they never owned the land that Wet 'n Wild was built on, merely leasing the land from the owners. This has been fixed and Universal is now in total control of the waterpark and the land it is sitting on. In addition to the land directly under the waterpark, Universal also bought several parcels of additional land that currently house some warehouses and others parcels nearby that are vacant. Could Universal be starting to get serious about expansion outside of its current borders?
Universal Studios Florida – This could be just Blue Sky dreaming, but we are starting to hear that the project after Harry Potter 2.0 opens might involve a change in occupants for the Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone. And that they might be little blue people. Maybe this is Universal's way of confusing consumers into thinking that instead of Avatar's tall blue people, what they really smurfing need is short blue people.
Walt Disney World – For those of you upset about me not leading off with something from Disney, I have a gift for you…although you might want to quickly go to the bathroom and grab a snack before starting this.
Disneyland – Since we did a huge program about Disney World, here is one about Disneyland.
Disney's California Adventure – We reported last week that a new Monstropolis area would receive a green light if the newest movie did well in the box office. At $82 million for its opening weekend, we are starting to see height check balloons already go up in the area. Consider this one to be started soon and the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire building to see the wrecking ball as the official start of construction approaches.
Epcot – We keep hearing rumors that refuse to die indicating that negotiations for a new country pavilion are ongoing at the moment. The country in question is Brazil. Please don't be excited about this until construction actually starts, since this dream has been hanging in the air for years. But if it does, can anyone think of something Brazilian that would easily equate into a show or (gasp) a ride that would fit into a pavilion? Feel free to post any ideas you have in the talkback below.
Disney's Hollywood Studios – Of course you know that the rumor mill is spinning faster than a jet engine since we broke the news that a major Star Wars expansion is going into the park as well as a Cars Land installation. So here is the latest: Instead of a full Cars Land like in California Adventure, the Studio would only get the Racers ride that would take over the Catastrophe Canyon area of the park. A newly circulating rumored expansion to Pixar would also go in taking over New York Street, Lights, Motor, Action, and Muppet Vision themed to Monstopolis, although the concept would probably be similar to the one going into Shanghai and California Adventure. Star Wars would then take over the Backlot Express restaurant with a Cantina themed restaurant, Sounds Dangerous would become new and much improved Jedi Academy show more integrated with theater style special effects, and the Great Movie Ride would come down for a new Star Wars E-ticket ride. The hat would also go to make way for a new icon for the park. But early rumors are might only be someone's dream…rest assured that Theme Park Insider will let you know when the facts slot into place and we see actual blueprints.
Tokyo DisneySea – The Mermaid Lagoon Show is going to close down for a yearlong rehab next April and it will return as a musical concert for King Triton. Here is what you are missing by not booking a trip right now over the pond to check this out.
Kentucky Kingdom – The Kentucky State Fair Board is finally ready to hand over the keys officially to Ed Hart and his group in order to reopen the park. Their plan is to spend $43.5 million in order to get the park reopened, which by Disney money standards is enough for a churro stand and a sign that says “come back later”.
Tripsdrill – Karacho is doing testing and while it is no Smiler, it does appear to be a really nice Gerstlauer coaster at a wonderfully odd park, or, excuse me, Karacho ist testen durchführen und es ist zwar kein Smiler, es sieht aber so aus, als ob ein sehr schönes achterbahn auf einem wunderbar komisch. Sorry…German park gets a German update, not a good German update, but it has been a while since those classes in middle school.
Six Flags Great America – Viper is now running backwards. WooHoo! New Coaster!
Kings Island – We led with Kings Island this week, and we'll wrap this up with the same park. Before I had taken the opportunity to play wide receiver on Diamondback, we decided to get a little nosey about the progress of Banshee and as you can see by the picture above, they are already starting to pour foundations. Funny enough, no one at Kings Island had any idea what the new coaster was all about and I had to let several different cast members know the name and specs of their new ride. Although the newest rumors have changed the model of B&M coaster to a simple inverted…which goes to show that we really have no idea at this point other than just the name.
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I feel like that's what they're doing at Universal Hollywood by just adding Hogwarts castle, and not the rest of the land. Obviously at both parks, space is limited and at a premium, but I'm not really in love with this latest rumor.
Spend the money to develop parking garages where the Television lot currently is, and reroute the second entrance. A pain yes. But from Google Maps, you can clearly see there is a LOT of space they are not using between Buena Vista Dr and Osceola Parkway.
A Brazilian pavilion would be tricky; any show would need topless girls dancing samba. Same goes with a movie. A boat ride through the Amazon would be the best option.
Star Wars Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios? Awesome. Assuming the area contains a unique E-ticket attraction, this would get me to plan a trip to Florida immediately, something even Harry Potter has not been able to do. Cars Land? Thumbs down, as I live next to DCA and don't want one of their two unique E-tickets cloned at another park. This wouldn't convince me to visit Florida at all (for the record, I've never been to Florida and do want to visit, but I'm waiting until the timing is right due to the expense involved).
Finally, I've heard that DCA may be fast-tracking Monstropolis and could have the area done as early as 2015 for the resort's 60th anniversary instead of New Tomorrowland at Disneyland (which would be pushed to around 2017/2018 and include the Tron Lightcycle Coaster, a mini Star Wars Land, and a Marvel E-Ticket attraction replacing Innoventions).
Regardless, I look forward to the caipirinhas!
The Great Movie Ride is in need of a HUGE overhaul...but to take it out would be like ripping the heart mickey mouse and showing it to him as he dies a slow and painful death.
American Idol will only last so long...same goes with Doc Jones Epic stunts of the 80s.
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