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    SeaWorld San Diego Update - June 29, 2020

    2020 Attractions Electric Eel Emperor SeaWorld SeaWorld San Diego
    I'm down in San Diego for a few days visiting my sister so I thought it'd be a great idea to head out on the trails around mission bay and see if I could get some pics/video of SeaWorld. 

    Written by Gregg Condon
    Heading to the park area via the trails around Mission Bay. If you're ever vacationing down here they are really great. 
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    Heading towards the park via the Boat Ramp off SeaWorld Drive. 
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    Don't think that truck is carrying anything for the park, but you never know. 
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    And there it is, Emperor. 
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    The track is definitely done, obviously we can't get in to see what's going with the themeing, station, etc. 
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    Walking around to the front end of the park. 
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    A clear shot of Journey to Atlantis. And sure, I could have walked up there and gotten closer pictures, but I didn't really want to chance it. 
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    A very empty parking lot. It was bizarre. 
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    Thanks for reading/watching. Hopefully soon we'll be able to actually venture inside the park and get some rides on Emperor. 
    Also, the reason I've been coming to San Diego so much lately. My sister was just diagnosed with terminal stage 4 bone cancer. Since we just met a few years ago for the first time, we've been trying to hang out as much as we can. And these past few days have been AMAZING! 

    She's set up a GoFundMe for a cross country RV trip. I'll be joining her on this trip when I can, and she's going to be documenting her travels. If you can, please consider donating. We also have some cool park stuff we're going to be auctioning off for her GoFundMe over the next few weeks. Stay tuned! 
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    CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE EXTENDS OPERATIONAL PAUSE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30

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    MIAMI, June 22, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line today advised guests and travel agents that it has extended its operational pause in North America through Sept. 30, 2020.

    “During this unprecedented pause in our business, we have continued to assess the operating environment and confer with public health, government and industry officials,” Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy told booked guests and travel agents in a letter sent today. But she added that following the cruise industry’s announcement on Friday that it would voluntarily extend its pause in North America, Carnival Cruise Line is now cancelling all cruises through September 30.
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    “We have watched with great interest as commerce, travel and personal activities have begun to start back up, and once we do resume service, we will take all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we bring our ships to in order to maintain public confidence in our business. Nevertheless, we apologize for disrupting your vacation plans and appreciate your patience as we work through these decisions,” Duffy said in the letter.

    ​    Carnival initially announced a voluntary 30-day pause in operations on March 13, and has now extended that pause three times, reflecting the public health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is currently completing the repatriation of nearly 29,000 crew members to more than 100 nations who serve its fleet of 27 ships. As with previous pause announcements, Carnival is giving guests who wish to move their booking to a later date a rebooking offer that combines a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) and either a $300 or $600 Onboard Credit (OBC) that has proven very popular with their guests. Guests, as always, have the option to receive a full refund. The process is fully automated so that guests can submit their preference online and they have until May 31, 2021 to make a selection.

    ​     “We appreciate the patience and support of our loyal guests, and recognize how much they want to get back to cruising. When the time is right, our outstanding onboard team will be waiting to welcome them back and give them the great vacation that they deserve,” said Duffy.

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    Universal Orlando Jurassic Coaster Construction and Bourne Stuntacular Technical Rehearsals

    2020 Attractions 2021 Attractions Bourne Stuntacular Islands Of Adventure Jurassic Park Jurassic World Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida
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    It's the middle of June, and we're starting to get updates from parks that are open throughout the country. And it's a nice change of pace. 

    Today we've got an update from Universal Orlando Resort from Andrew where the Jurassic Coaster is moving very quickly. Also, the Bourne Stuntacular has entered the Technical Rehearsal phase. 
    Written by Andrew Singleton
    Bringing you a little construction update on the new Jurassic Park roller coaster coming to Universal Orlando. 
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    ​Progress is speeding along with a large portion of the track now in place.
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    Twisty, Twisty, Twisty, Twist. 
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    This thing is moving along SO quick. 

    Editors Note: Any chance this is open by December? =) 
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    An overview of the construction area. 
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    Over at the studios park, the Bourne Stuntacular has entered Technical Rehearsals. 
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    It was just as exciting and explosive as you'd think.
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    Social Distancing in the queue 
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    We hope you enjoyed this quick update from Universal Orlando! 
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    From the Mind of the Editor - This Is Not The Way

    Yesterday we were sent some pictures of Lagoon Park in Utah by a friend, always excited to get pictures of parks, especially during this time when so few of them are open. 

    Sadly, what I saw in these pictures made me upset more than anything, and I'll try and explain why. 
    Whether you choose to believe it or not, we are in the middle of a global pandemic.
    Whether you refuse to believe it or not, the numbers from that pandemic are going up, while we are opening more and more things.
    ​Whether you want to believe it or not, wearing a face covering and social distancing from others as much as possible DOES help. 

    Now, I will say, we've been getting conflicting information from the WHO and CDC since this began, with disastrous results. Not because they aren't doing their jobs, but people (as a whole) don't really understand how science, and testing of a new disease works. 

    See, we are still learning about the virus. So at first we over-prepare and over-compensate. And then as we learn more information about that virus, that information gets released. That means that what was said in March doesn't necessarily apply in June. And what is said now won't necessarily apply in October. 

    And now, RIGHT NOW, the experts are saying that wearing a face covering and social distancing are the way to go. 

    So if you want things to open up, and we ALL do, then the VERY LEAST we can do is to wear a face covering and try to social distance as much as possible. 

    ​So we'll start this off with a graphic of current COVID-19 cases in Utah. 
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    Not pretty, right? And I'm not trying to pick on Utah here because the numbers are going up everywhere, but ouch. 

    ​And here are the pictures from Lagoon Park. Yesterday. June 10th. Two Days after they saw their highest number of cases. Ever. 
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    You can click the images, and try and find the people wearing face coverings. I noticed 2. In all of the pictures. 

    Folks, this is not the way.
    If you want things to open, this is not the way.
    If you want to get back to what some may call a "normal" life, this is not the way.
    If you really do care about "all lives", this is not the way. 

    And of course, with the numbers going up some are already blaming this on protests. Look at the pictures from those protests. You probably have 95% of people wearing face coverings. In the same summer heat as Lagoon Park, and sometimes much hotter.

    If people who are protesting for something as important as Black Lives Matter, and are able to wear a face covering, the VERY LEAST you can do is wear one on a roller coaster. 

    Do I like wearing a face coverings? Hardly. I have asthma. It's not the easiest thing in the world. But I even take one with me when I run. Because I'm trying to be courteous to my fellow humans. And that's all anybody is really asking for. 

    So when these parks and other places do start to open, and face coverings are required, don't yell at the front line employees or cast members. They aren't the ones making these decisions. The decisions are being made at the very highest levels in an attempt to keep everybody safe.

    And please, smaller parks, take a look at your policies regarding face coverings. And maybe start requiring them. Because, as I've said all along, an outbreak traced back to one theme park, is bad for all theme parks. 

    Are face coverings 100% effective, do they know 100% of the science behind it? No way. And if the experts say something different about face coverings in a few months, we'll try that too. ​

    ​But the least we can do is try to do the right thing in these uncertain times. 

    - Gregg Condon: Editor in Chief 
    June 13th Update. Lagoon Park has updated their park policy regarding masks and now require them in queue lines. You can read those details at the link below.

    ​http://www.lagoonpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Covid-6_15_20-1.pdf
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    Quick Drive-By Update from SeaWorld San Diego

    2020 Attractions Electric Eel Emperor SeaWorld SeaWorld San Diego
    This past weekend we were down in San Diego to see some family so we did a quick drive by of SeaWorld on both Saturday and Sunday. Also, will add, checking into a hotel for the first time since all of this started was super weird. So be prepared for that the first time you do so. 

    We were hoping to actually be able to stop somewhere, park and take pictures, but that didn't seem possible without breaking a whole lot of rules. Still, some of these pics came out ok. Enjoy! 

    ​I see something!! 
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    Promise, it's back there somewhere. =) 
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    Emperor and Electric Eel! 
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    Journey to Atlantis looks SO much better with it's new colors!! 
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    On Sunday we took a different route to get to where we were going, was again hoping we could park somewhere to take pics. Didn't happy, but here's a different view! 
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    Can't wait until we have some parks reopening here in CA. Hope this tides you over until then! 
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    We hope you enjoyed this quick drive-by of the park. We hope we can bring you some fun from inside in the very near future. 
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    Silverwood Opening Day 2020

    Silverwood
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    Happy Monday everybody, welcome to our first park update since, checks calendar, March 6th!! Wow! 

    Today we have an opening day update from Matt who went out to Silverwood on Saturday for their opening day. We realize theme park openings aren't really the most important thing going on in the world (or even in the top million) but we hope you can take a break from all the pain going on right now and enjoy some awesome theme park pictures. Take care of yourselves, and everybody else! - Gregg 
    Written by Matthew Nelson
    Welcome to Silverwood Opening Day 2020! 
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    Bag Check

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    This is a GOOD sign

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    It's good to be back! Every visit to Silverwood starts with a walk under Highway 95.

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    Good place for a quick breakfast snack / coffee

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    People waiting in the park for the rope drop at the end of Main Street

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    Social Distancing Sasquatch

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    They're even asking you to social distance before you get the scoop from the Dippin Dots Guy

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    Clear plastic panels divide the line where it doubles back on itself.

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    Scarywood Stuff!

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    My favorite part of the park

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    Excellent wooden coaster - especially at night

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    Spin Cycle has hot pink Sasquatch prints

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    So the line is split in two- then merges up near the station. There's SUPPOSED to be a team member at the merge, but we never saw that Saturday.

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    See, just like the sign says

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    When we first were let in, Aftershock was not quite ready to open- they still had the ropes with "Ride Closed' across the two walkways toward the ride.

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    Wiping down the coaster after each cycle.

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    Our first ride of the season at Silverwood, this is a really good solid mid level wood coaster- it's fun and thrilling enough for a grizzled veteran coaster rider, but it's also an excellent 'starter' coaster because it doesn't deal in any extremes. This season, it has sadly gotten rid of the buzzbar restraints for individual ratcheting lapbars. Theoretically, this will make the ride more efficient to operate, but there's still some bugs to get worked out- we waited extra long because the train didn't park properly in station- so the air gates couldn't open.
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    They had to cycle the train around again to get it in to the right spot. On top of loading every other row, and wiping the train down between riders, it was a fair delay. It took us about 45 minutes to board.
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    This would have been a throw away photo, but the bird made me laugh.

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    I tried to ride this later in the day. It broke down, but not before taking 45 minutes of my time (including a fair amount of time slowly rocking back and forth, then stopped but still restrained).

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    More cleaning

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    Tremors

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    The park has a lovely picnic pavilion

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    A really good deal and nice shady spot to eat/rest/recharge

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    You can eat mac and cheese until you EXPLODE! We hereby give Silverwood permission to use that line in their advertising.

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    You can get some nice shots of Aftershock from the back pavilions.

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    New sign for this season.

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    Hi Knott's!

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    Some kind of work under Corkscrew

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    Roaring Creek Flume Ride

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    Some coaster action shots, just because.

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    If you look closely, you can see that a lady lost her hat as the train went over the drop- you can see the hat in the middle of the track, a few feet from the top.

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    SO good, especially on hot days.

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    Ice Creamery at the end of the day. Note the people completely ignoring the Sasquatch markers.

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    Heading out for the day

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    What an excellent skyline.

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