Rumor: New Night Show for Islands of Adventure?

So, today we bring a rumor to you courtesy of our friend Mr. EPCOT, who just happens to live by Universal Orlando Resort. According to him, there were pyro tests happening over Islands of Adventure last night. He says he saw an occasional white flash, which he initially believed were just leftover shells from Universal Cinematic Spectacular. But he assures us that after closer inspection, the  flashes were definitely coming from closer to Islands of Adventure.

Now, what can this mean? Well, by all accounts, Universal Cinematic Spectacular has been a success at the Studios park, so much so, that Universal is actively redesigning its waterfront in order to offer more viewing space in the Central Park area, as we reported earlier this month. Maybe Universal is now intending to do the same for the IoA park? It would make sense, and the properties there could really make one heck of a nightshow.

Another hypothesis I have about it could be a NYE fireworks spectacular for the park.

As always, make sure you follow @Parkscope, and we'll make sure to keep you updated on developments.

UOR Permit Update 12/5/2012: Central Park Wall and More

So, another day, another round of Universal Notice of Commencements.

The first is between Universal and Advanced Entertainment Technology for Equipment Installation. The company has worked with Universal in Hollywood, Orlando, and Japan, but I can't gather from their site exactly what they've done in the past. I assumed it might be for Transformers, but the absence of Singapore from the list throws that into question.

Next up, there is a NoC for a new lagoon wall in the Central Park area of Universal Studios Florida.  The work will be done by everyone's favorite themed set builders, Nassal. We uncovered a permit detailing a new lagoon wall last week, and we thought that it was for the Simpsons area.  The NoC links it to the building permit filed last week.  For those who remember, Project 315 PM was the project name for Universal's Cinematic Spectacular show, so this change has something to do with that.

 

The latest updates to the building permit say:

"Constructed on top of existing rockwork."

"Existing wall replace with new 4 wall location inside the Universal Studios theme park."

The permit has essentially been issued (everything has been approved), so work should begin soon.

 As always, stay tuned to @Parkscope for updates.

Dragons

While I'm here writing, lets talk.

*pours a short bourbon*

From Imagineer2017

Disney is pushing the Disney Parks Blog into new territory with a new viral marketing campaign. They've not come out and said it using hashtags or Tumblrs, but this is a use of WDI's ultra-light AA concept.

Think of it as Lucky the Dragon in the Sky.

And that's what it is. From what us at Parkscope have been hearing over the months and weeks, this is going to be a very, very limited use of this technology. We don't have specifics, but the understanding is that either after the press event this week or after this holiday, the AA Ultra-Light will be sent back to California.

Plans change, concepts grow and shrink, things break. So take what we're saying, and others more optimistic online, with a grain of salt.

An Ode to Test Track

Test Track Teaser Mural; 1996. Photo from Intercot.

We all have the one.

Some of us it was the Millennium Celebration construction. Others Mission:Space or Mr Toad. Maybe it was the Asia or Expedition Everest expansions at Animal Kingdom? Heck, it could even go as far back as UseNet trip reports.

But for me, it was Test Track.

This ride captivated my twelve year-old imagination like none other. What was in the building? Well, I KNEW what was inside, World of Motion was one of the few rides I rode when I was really little (the other was Small World, my parents tricked me onto that to see the fountains in the old load area).

But there was something magical and mystical about the preview center, which teased the fastest ride, the longest ride, the coolest ride at Epcot. The dissected model of the attraction teased the sights and sounds inside.

But lots of people have anticipated rides at theme parks over the years (see: Haunted Mansion). But Test Track co-aligned with my blossoming interest in the Internet. Sites like Imagineering.org and the Dreamfinder (now known as Jim Hill) posted updates and rumors. I found DisBoards and WDWMagic who CM insight into the problems with debuting the attraction.

Concept Art Courtesy of Alyu Designs

And when I went in 1999 to ride for the first time, it was an amazing experience. I still remember it to this day; I rode with my friend using the brand new, "cut through the bushes to the left", single rider line. We got in and out in 30 minutes. We should have rode again, but we didn't know how long the rest of our party would take in the regular line (hint: long time). Also, remember, this is when FastPass was still an Animal Kingdom only test!

Test Track was my first exposure to the internet Disney community.

So while Test Track gets pulled through the mud for continuing the decline of Future World and Epcot (some deserved, some not), those comments have always hit me hard. I understood that black drapes, 'Mini Black Lake', and cut out trees are horrible set design. Power tools are not instruments. And a ride system that can't work in the rain and then put info Florida is not very bright. But I still looked forward to my ride, every few years, on Test Track.

This past February was my last trip on Test Track 1.0. The wallpaper was peeling in the pre-show rooms. Bill McKim was not HD, but was on plasma screens. The whole ride was in rough shape, but every few cars a striking blue one would pass. The blue car hinted at the future of Test Track.

Photo Courtesy of InsideTheMagic

Now I repeat the cycle, refreshing my iPhone while getting a hair cut, to read the impressions of my friends on twitter. I find a video uploaded from an iPhone to YouTube using park-wide WiFi and watch it with a friend. I view photos of the queue on Instagram.

Disney fans are a very fickle, diverse bunch. But when something new opens, we all unite and experience the awe of it. The technology has changed, but not the community.

October 2012 Trip Report Part II: UOR

"Tonighhhht, we'll get dumbbbbb"-Bill and Ted warning/opening song
Day 1

October 4, 2012

As I mentioned in Part 1,  I spent the first part of Day 1 in Walt Disney World, but I made my triumphant return to Universal Orlando that afternoon.  The night before, I ordered my Annual Pass online.  I picked it up quickly and seamlessly at an Islands of Adventure ticketing kiosk.  I then purchased my Rush of Fear pass for Halloween Horror Nights at an Islands of Adventure ticket booth with the Annual Passholder discount.

I gleefully ran into Islands of Adventure with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as my destination.  Potter deserves its own trip report, so I'll save it for Part 3.   After Potter, I walked to Spider-Man.  Along the way, I got lost in Toon Lagoon, and I am embarrassed to say that this always seems to happen.   Something about the layout of Toon Lagoon gets me turned around.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man received a well-done refurb.  Many people consider it one of the best theme park attractions of all time, and this refurb will only improve its case.  The new film is very crisp and will keep this attraction relevant when Transformers opens in Summer 2013.  My one criticism is the photo-op they have added in the queue, but it can be skipped, and more importantly, it does fit.

After Spider-Man, I headed over to Universal Studios for Halloween Horror Nights.  The weather was looking very ominous as I waited in line for the gates to open.  I got in the park and met up with friends.  We had just got under the overhang of the Gothic queue when the sky fell.  It rained and it rained, the deluge...When we got out of Gothic, it was still POURING.  We made a bee-line for Finnegans and spent most of the night there when it rained.

Gothic was considered by most to be the best house of the year.  I do not agree with that, but I was a HHN virgin.  During a break in the rain, we ran over to House of Horrors which was cool.  After House of Horrors, we did Alice Cooper which was located near the exit of House of Horrors.  The best part of Alice Cooper was the stripper room.  It then rained some more, so we spent some time in Spongebob Storepants which is a home run as far as stores go.

Later in the night, after watching some football in Finnegans during even more rain, we headed over to Fear Factor Stadium for Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure.  I had no idea what to expect, and I absolutely LOVED it!  It reminded me of how I used to feel in Pleasure Island.   I love adult humor in a theme park setting.  The week after I got home, the show was involved in controversy when a conservative blogger complained about a segment involving Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.  The segment was harmless.  Some people just have no sense of humor, sadly.  

For those who did not get to attend the show, it is a parody of pop culture from the past year.  Among other things, it featured The Hunger Games (with a very attractive Katniss), Merida from Brave, Snow White, Mad Men, the presidential race, and a Mayan ritual.  The show featured scantily clad women (and men), pyrotechnics, singing, rapping, and dancing.  Excellent!

To cap off the night, we did Dead End which was and remains my favorite house of the year.

Day 3

Sunday October 7

After an ill-advised trip to Gainesville, I was eager to get back to Universal on Sunday.  After dropping off a friend at MCO, Taylor and I picked up Sean (Parkscope) and headed to UOR.  Taylor dropped us off and Sean and I headed to Islands of Adventure to meet up with Nick (Mr. X) and his lovely wife.  While waiting for Nick, Sean and I rode Hulk, Forbidden Journey, and Hippogriff.  

We caught up with Nick and his wife in Hogsmeade.  We did a group ride on Forbidden Journey and Spidey.  While in the Spidey queue we talked about how many kids we have seen at UOR and how the resort gets a bad rap as not being "kid friendly."  We waited in an extended queue of Spidey which I was not aware existed.

Your Fearless Leaders
Michael, Sean, and Nick

We bid Nick and his wife farewell in Port of Entry, and we headed over to Universal Studios where I rode Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit for the first time.  We waited longer for it than it is worth, but it was not as bad or as good as I was expecting.  The best part of the attraction is the lift hill which legitimately  scared me.

The Mummy had an unusually long wait.  When we finally got to the loading area, we saw that they were only operating one side.  We went again the next day and they were still only loading one side.  Perhaps they had not planned for the crowds or the other side was broken, but both sides needed to be operating.

Later in the day, we did the Horror Make-Up Show.  It was my first time seeing the show, and I did not know what to expect.  The show is very well done and funny.  It was another thing that, like Bill and Ted, reminded me of being at Pleasure Island.  The other day, I realized our host was Summer Aiello (Michael Aiello's wife.)  She did a very good job, and she follows me on Twitter.  Cool all around!

Fish and Chips with Pumpkin Fizz

After Horror Make-Up, I think we headed to Islands of Adventure to eat at Three Broomsticks.  After dinner, we took advantage of the special HHN walkway between IoA and USF.  Along the way, we scoped out the area where the alleged Seuss expansion is set to take place (word online is that they are waiting to finish Transformers or Simpsons first.)  We actually got into HHN earlier using this entrance.

Before the crowds got terrible, Sean and I were able to do Walking Dead, House of Horrors, Alice Cooper, and Penn and Teller.  When we got to Dead End, the crowds had gotten very thick.  The crowds never let up from that point on.  I never got to Silent Hill.

Later in the night, we met up with Matt (Mr. EPCOT.)  Together, we caught one last show of Bill and Ted and rode Despicable Me.  Minion Mayhem is very well done and a superior replacement to Jimmy Neutron.  I am very happy for Universal that they were able to make a family friendly movie of their own for once, and this should be a classic for all ages for years to come.

After Minion Mayhem, we called it a night.  Halloween Horror Nights is a ton of fun, but next year, they need to expand.  With Jaws gone and Transformers blocking streets, the crowds were thick.  I will return in the future just to see Bill and Ted.  As I mentioned earlier, Dead End was my favorite house.  I   got a legitimate scare that made me jump in the very last room.  My second favorite was House of Horrors.  The use of strobe lights really messed me up.  I did not care for Penn and Teller very much.  Walking Dead was pretty cool as we got to do it basically alone.

Day 4

Monday October 8

Sean and I hit UOR pretty early on Monday.  We went to USF first and tied up loose ends.  This was my first time on Disaster since they changed it from Earthquake.  The refurb was well done.  The Musion effect with Christopher Walken is seamless.  After Disaster, we headed over to Terminator.  Terminator was another first for me.  I have not seen a Terminator film, but I enjoyed the attraction very much.  The mix of a 3D film attraction with live action and actors is very cool and surprisingly unique (save for the one character in Muppetvision.)

After Terminator, we headed over to IoA before Sean had to leave for the airport.  We rode Cat in the Hat, Spidey, and Dragon Challenge.  From Dragon Challenge, we were able to see construction of Hogsmeade Station which is coming in the expansion of the Wizarding World.  Sean and I both got Butterbeer, and we relaxed behind Three Broomsticks.  The Three Broomsticks outdoor seating area is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of WWoHP.  

I bid Sean farewell and headed over to USF to catch Animal Actors.  It is a very cute show, and it is something that is quite at home in a studios park.  After the show, I watched Potter and Transformers construction from the Simpsons waterfront (which is now walled off.)  I walked back over to IoA to get in one last round of Potter before it closed.  I bought the souvenir Butterbeer mug and nursed its sweet nectar as I slowly walked to the exit.

After IoA, I returned to USF for Cinematic Spectacular.  While I waited for the show, I did Minion Mayhem one more time and bought a Minion plush for my girlfriend.  I also walked around USF at dusk for the first time, and it is very pleasant (and very different from HHN!)  I loitered along the London Waterfront for a bit, and then, I found a place to watch Cinespec around Central Park.  The show is incredible and gave me goosebumps.  I will have to give a proper review in a separate post.  The lasers seemed to add alot.

I was very sad to leave Universal.  That is latest I have ever stayed in a Universal park as they usually close early.  The addition of Cinespec is a game changer in that it gets people to stay later and experience the ambiance of USF at night.  Nighttime is something Disney does spectacularly well, and it is something that Universal desperately needed.  Go see Cinespec people!!!  Now, IoA needs a nighttime show!

After Universal, I went to Polynesian, bought a Lapu Lapu, and watched HalloWishes for free from the Polynesian beach.  I then relaxed for a bit at the boat dock, took the Motor Launch to the Magic Kingdom and then to Grand Floridian.  I met some friends in the Citricos bar where we had some very well-made drinks and sang Adventurers Club tunes.  It was a fitting end to a great trip.  I cannot wait to go back!

October 2012 Trip Report Part I: WDW

After a three year hiatus, I returned to Orlando for a quick respite from law school.  I spent 1.5 days in Walt Disney World, 2.5 days at Universal Orlando, and wasted a day in Gainesville.

In 2007, I was very fortunate to participate in the Disney College Program, and beyond that, I was even more fortunate to remain seasonal and be a Disney Campus Representative beyond that.  As a Campus Representative, I met my friend Taylor who went on to do the program in the same role as me, watercraft.  He now works at Disney full time, so I was able to stay with him this trip.

Day 1

Thursday October 4, 2012

On my first day, I went with Taylor and his parents, who were visiting at the time, to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot.  We started the day at the Studios where we were successfully able to do everything worthwhile except for the Great Movie Ride.  Tower, in my opinion, is still one of WDI's greatest achievements, and as an Aerosmith and coaster fan, I will always love Rockin' Roller Coaster.  As I had not been to Orlando in a few years, this was my first chance to ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

In my opinion, Star Tours 2.0 is a nice refresh of the original; however, it is not much better.  To be fair, I was never a huge fan of Star Tours.  I feel that the Star Wars franchise deserves better than an old simulator, and hopefully, that will happen now that the Walt Disney Company owns it.  With what WDI had to work with, they did an admirable job.  The new software that allows random and unique ride sequences is a great idea and one that hopefully makes its way to more attractions in the future.  Besides my overall apathy towards Star Tours, I also blame my meh reaction to Star Tours 2.0 on the fact that both times, I got Kashyyyk.  From what I have heard, that is one of lesser options.  I am also not a fan of the character overload.  It is quite inorganic.  Despite my meh attitude and feeling towards Star Tours, the refurb gets an A from me.

While walking from Star Tours to Midway Mania, I made sure to get one last passing look at Lights Motors Action on the off chance that they get started on Cars Land soon.  While I was initially against the idea, it will do wonders for the park, and at this point, anything is better than the Backlot Tour or LMA.  Cars Land, done right, would be a great addition...as would Indiana Jones Adventure.  Hollywood Studios needs something.

Speaking of parks that need something (or somethings) we went to Epcot around lunchtime.  Taylor's parents had an ADR for Chefs de France and graciously invited me to tag along.  I had the Florentine Quiche and it was quite delicious.  I also enjoyed the baguette..er...baguettes (I was hungry!) I would highly recommend checking out Chefs de France.  The menu is reasonably priced, and the food is not very intimidating.  I am very glad that I was able to try it.

After lunch, we headed back to Future World.  If I recall correctly, we only rode Spaceship Earth which is really all that is left in Future World.  Had there been more time, I would have made the the trek to Living with the Land, but I was eager to get to Universal Orlando to pick up my Annual Pass, Rush of Fear Pass, and check out the main reason for this trip, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Day 2

Friday October 5, 2012

On my second day, I went with Taylor and his parents to Magic Kingdom, and later on, I went to Epcot and the Wilderness Lodge.  We started off the morning at the Polynesian where we got Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's.  Previously, I was under the impression that it was only available at Kona Cafe. Captain Cook's is a much more cost-efficient option, and the toast was as delicious as always.  We then took the Resort Monorail to Magic Kingdom.  The first thing we did was walk to Fantasyland to see if Enchanted Tales was in previews, but it was not.  New Fantasyland looks just like it did in pictures.  I'm still not convinced with Beast's Castle, but I have not seen it from inside the walls yet.

Haunted Mansion was tinkered with during my hiatus and is my favorite MK attraction, so we headed there next.  The interactive queue was mistake, and there is no getting around that fact.  To make matters worse, there is a Photopass CM stationed by the busts at the beginning of the interactive queue. Totally puts you in the mood for Haunted Mansion right? Wrong.  The queue looks decent enough, but it is unnecessary clutter that does not enhance the attraction.  Also, it appeared to me that guests do not know what to make of it...so what is the point?  Luckily, it can be skipped for now, but who knows what will happen with Fastpass+?  The new Hitchhiking Ghost effect is well done and furthers the great work that WDI did in 2007.  There was another Photopass CM at the exit by the cemetery, and again, I am not okay with this.  It is very jarring.

You know what else was jarring?  The intrusion of the Tangled "E-Ticket Restroom" and Walkway Complex that has taken over the former Skyway station.  I am confident that this will blend in when it is complete as WDI is usually pretty good about these sorts of things, but as it stands now, I am not pleased with how less secluded Mansion seems.

After Mansion, we got Fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain.  For a moment, I considered Splash Mountain, but I do not like getting wet.  Next, I passed by Sunshine Tree Terrace to witness Orange Bird Mecca.  I smirked at it and hit up Aloha Isle.  I enjoyed a delicious Dole Whip Float and walked into the Enchanted Tiki Room.  Again, this was my first time in Tiki Room since it was restored.  It is a very pleasant attraction with a great amount of charm.  I love little diversions like that.

Storybook Circus was nice to look at it, but it was also as scary as I imagined. I managed to avoid all traces of reclaimed water and got to Tomorrowland safely. It was not until I was on the Space Mountain exit ramp that I remembered that Space Mountain was supposed to have "Starry-o-phonic Sound" and that I had not heard anything.  We rode it again with a Fastpass.  This time, I listened hard for the soundtrack, and I am sad to say that it did not make much of an impression on me.  It is barely audible.

After Magic Kingdom, I made a quick trip to Epcot.  I had one last ice cream from Fountainview (it is becoming a Starbucks!) and then headed to World Showcase to kill some time before dinner and pick up an American Adventure t-shirt.  Even though I have seen the show many times now, The American Adventure still manages to get me to tear up at the end.  Such a beautiful tribute to our nation.  I always feel proud and hopeful about America when I leave there.

After American Adventure, I made my way to the Monorail station taking in as much Epcot atmosphere as I could.  Epcot does not have much in the way of attractions, but the atmosphere at night is second to none.  That is what keeps people coming back, for better or worse.  I took the Monorail to TTC, the ferry to MK, and a cruiser to Wilderness Lodge.  Yes, it was the long way, but as a former Transportation CM, I could not help myself. The approach to Kingdom and the Lodge at night on a boat is unbeatable.  Try it sometime!

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite deluxe resort.  Taylor's parents once again treated me to a meal.  They had an ADR for Whispering Canyon.  While we waited for our table, I got an Old Fashioned from Territory Lounge and relaxed in the lobby.  I could sit in that lobby for the rest of my life.  It really is quite something.  Dinner was delicious, but the atmosphere was subdued (for Whispering Canyon) because it was late.  After dinner, I was really missing Pleasure Island and wanted to stay at the Lodge and drink, but there were no takers...alas.  It has been four years Disney.  Time to reopen the clubs!

That does it for Walt Disney World (well mostly.)  Next report will cover Universal.  Feel free to start a flame war on Twitter with me, @CaptMichael87