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    Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend in the EXTREME heat

    Disney California Adventure Disney Parks Disneyland Disneyland Half Marathon Guardians Of The Galaxy Mission Breakout Rivers Of America RunDisney Star Wars Star Wars Land
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    Last weekend Renée and Andrew made their way out to Disneyland for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, and of course some Disneyland fun on one of the hottest weekends of the year. 

    Here is our first of two (yes, count em' two) Disneyland updates we'll have this month. The next one in a few weeks. 
    Written by Renée Girard and Andrew Cunningham
    We're at Disneyland this weekend to run. Or walk. Or crawl, depending on how we feel in this excessive heat.
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    ​"Shade? No bag line?..."
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    "Nahhhh"
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    ​Halloween signage starting to appear at DCA. Can't wait to see their new additions this year!
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    ​Remember folks! 

    If you're out enjoying the SoCal parks this weekend- make sure you stay hydrated! 
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    ​I'm sorry, the old DCA can't come to the phone right now.

    Why?

    Oh...

    CAUSE IT'S DEAD. 
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    ​Killin it. 
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    ​Hydrating or carb loading?
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    ​Walt's message on a breadstick packet. Dreams come true.
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    ​Rise and shine! It's time for the RunDisney Disneyland10k!

    Loving the Pixar theme this year. The 10k is Monster's U
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    Current line for the Disneyland metal detectors...

    Jk! People as far as the eye can see at the #rundisney #Disneyland10k starting line 
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    ​We're already sweating 😖
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    ​Not a terrible view to be dying to
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    ​Starting to get some daylight around #NotMyTower 😜
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    ​Backstage areas decorated to look like a college campus!
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    Sun coming up around Disneyland
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    ​Really enjoyed our ride on Pirates at Disneyland with the woman in front of us filming the whole thing on a tablet. Vertically.
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    ​Delicious dinner at Blue Bayou tonight with the Fantasmic dining package. Worth waiting extra time to get seated next to the water.
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    ​Blue Bayou package seating for Fantasmic gives an amazing view of the show. And wow, we were impressed with the new updates!
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    ​The addition of Pirates was one of the many highlights. Can the WDW version please finally ditch Pocahontas for something like this??
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    ​Another early morning with several thousand sweaty friends. Stay safe and hydrated!!
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    ​The finish line will be a welcome sight in a few hours. 
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    ​Jeff Galloway is in my corral! 
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    ​Time to start! And sweat! 
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    ​Here's a rare sight, no line at Cove Bar!
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    ​Still a warm morning run on Main Street, but grateful for the early start and clouds.
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    ​The horses of Disneyland were out in the backstage areas. 
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    Running through Angel Stadium is always a highlight of the DisneylandHalfMarathon
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    ​It was a hot one out there today. Hope everyone stayed safe and hydrated! 
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    ​Pizza Planet delivery truck at the finish area.
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    ​Well, I finished. Not my fastest or best, but the course was enjoyable and it's become my favorite Labor Day weekend tradition. -Renée
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    ​After running, we feast! 
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    ​Decorative Mickey leaves seems to be the new water art at Disneyland.
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    ​Epcot and Pirates 50th merchandise from D23 being sold at store on Main Street in Disneyland.
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    ​Halloween theming is starting to show up in Cars Land at DCA.
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    ​A closer look at the Pirates 50th shirts at Disneyland.
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    ​Star Tours 30th anniversary merchandise from D23 is available in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.
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    ​Just noticed that Tower of Terror is still on the Disneyland drink cups.
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    ​So as of 12:15pm, California Screamin has a 90 min standby wait. FP return time is 12:35. I don't understand.
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    ​Wait time for California Screamin dropped to 45 minutes now but I'm about to board and can already get another FP.
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    ​Cove Bar, is it worth the hype? I've never been but every time I visit DCA, there's a huge line.
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    ​The new FP system at Disneyland seems really inefficient. Radiator Springs Racers return FP line wrapped all the way around the building!
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    Had a wonderful visit Disneyland resort this weekend for the runDisney marathon! Might just be making a trip for Halloween soon!
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    Fear The Walking Dead Survival Premieres in Las Vegas

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    Last week our friends Elly and Ripper from Is It October Yet were kind enough to attend the Fear The Walking Dead attraction premiere in Las Vegas. Check out all the details on this newest Triotech attraction including celebrity arrivals, a look at the attraction area and more. 
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    ​We had the opportunity (thanks Gregg!) to attend the Grand Opening of the newest attraction on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas this past week. Fear the Walking Dead: Survival, designed by Triotech,  takes on the zombie apocalypse and puts you in the center of the gory action. 
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    Located next to the very popular Slotzilla zipline, Fear the Walking Dead: Survival is what we can best describe as part maze, part escape room and part 3D shooter. Its an interesting mix of entertainment packed in to about a 15 minute experience. 
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    The Grand Opening brought out not only local celebrities but also some of the starts of the popular Fear the Walking Dead tv show and Chris Hardwick-who is friend to all things Walking Dead and pop culture in general. 
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    Some shots from the blood red carpet 
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    ​After they all walked the blood stained carpet it was time for the ribbon cutting ceremony where Mayor Carolyn Goodman and other dignitaries, including Triotech founder, Ernest Yale, officially opened the attraction.
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    ​After a brief wait in line it was our turn to take on the zombies!  We don't want to give away too much information in our review, but the scenario is that you've arrived at a military controlled school and will be scanned to see if you're possible infected with the "virus" that seems to be affecting people and turning them into zombies. This part of the attraction is walk through and is a combination of haunt-style maze and escape room. 
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    ​Not only do you walk through but at some points you have to figure out and follow instructions to find your way out of one room and proceed to the next. We imagine after a few cocktails, and who doesn't know how freely those flow in Vegas, this part will be quite challenging to some folks. It did take our group a bit of time to get it figured out, but we moved onward and eventually found ourselves fleeing for our lives on a "vehicle". This is where the 3D shooter aspect comes into play. 
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    ​The video screens seemed a bit fuzzy for us, but the action was very entertaining and, ain't gonna lie, its always a good time shooting zombies.  After our escape, and lots of zombies fell victim to our head-shots, we made our way back into the attraction's lobby where photos and merchandise are available for purchase.
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    ​This new addition to the Fremont Street Experience is great, bloody fun but we did find it to feel a bit short. The 3D shooter part was fantastic but it felt like the maze/escape room portion could have been a bit longer and darker. 
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    ​The 3D shooter vehicles and "motion" are so much fun though it pretty much makes up for anything else that's lacking. Overall we really hope this attraction has better luck in the Vegas market than the gorgeously detailed, but not very scary, Goretorium from Eli Roth did. That attraction lasted less than a year at its home on The Strip. 
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    ​We feel the Fremont Street location of Fear the Walking Dead: Survival is not only better, but that its a more cohesive and entertaining attraction. We will be happy to visit it again with friends who come to visit Vegas.
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    Proof that if you attend media nights for Park Journey you will eventually get to meet Chris Hardwick
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    For more information on this new attraction be sure to check out the press release. 
    ​If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

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    Full Run-Down of Attractions coming to Six Flags in 2018

    2018 Attractions La Ronde Six Flags Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Six Flags Fiesta Texas Six Flags Great Adventure Six Flags Great America Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Mexico Six Flags New England Six Flags Over Georgia Six Flags Over Texas Six Flags St Louis Six Flags Whitewater
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    Six Flags Corporation announced their 2018 expansion plans for all of their parks today. For the first time in a few years we really have no leaks, just lots of rumors. We are very excited for a few of the announcements, kind of perplexed by a few based on what they were teasing, but overall happy that some parks are choosing to not just focus on new rides but overall park improvements. 

    Hopefully with the new rides will also come general park improvements around those rides. As always we'll start on the West Coast and work our way east. ​​

    Be sure to take our poll at the bottom of the article. 

    Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

    Harley Quinn's Crazy Coaster
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    ​Time to get twisted! Opening in Spring 2018, an epic new thrill ride attraction is coming your way:

    HARLEY QUINN Crazy Coaster, the world's first dueling looping coaster!
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    This exciting new figure eight coaster joins our Super Hero line-up of thrill coasters and family fun: SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight, The JOKER, WONDER WOMAN Lasso of Truth and The PENGUIN.

    Six Flags Magic Mountain

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    ​Six Flags Magic Mountain, the undisputed “Thrill Capital of the World,” today unveiled plans for a crazy fun 2018 when CraZanity, the world’s tallest pendulum ride, makes its debut in late spring. At a record-breaking 17-stories in the air, this impressive giant disk will reach speeds up to 75-miles-per-hour, as it whips back and forth—higher and higher to give riders a staggering view of the world below them.

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas

    Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster
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    Debuting in Spring 2018: WONDER WOMAN Golden Lasso Coaster, the world's first single rail coaster, joins our Super Hero line up of BATMAN: The Ride and SUPERMAN: Krypton Coaster to complete the trilogy.

    Six Flags Over Texas

    Harley Quinn's Spinsanity

    ​Click here for the full press release
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    ​HARLEY QUINN Spinsanity features a unique futuristic triple box design that allows the gondola to spin around three separate axes while rotating forward, backwards and sideways simultaneously at up to 70 feet in the air. Seated 24 across with over-the-shoulder harnesses, riders will experience a thrilling combination of negative and positive gravitational forces. By night, the attraction promises to light up the North Texas skies beckoning thrill seekers from near and far.

    Six Flags St Louis

    Typhoon Twister
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    ​Debuting in Spring 2018: Typhoon Twister, a new water thrill, is heading to Hurricane Harbor in 2018. Typhoon Twister is the latest addition to the 12-acre water park which is offered free with theme park admission.The hybrid coaster joins our other water park thrills of Bonzai Pipeline, and Tornado.

    Six Flags Great America

    World's Largest Looping Coaster

    Click here for the full press release
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    This ride will have riders traveling in unique “face-off” seating. Thrill seekers will go through a whirlwind series of 360° revolutions suspended upside down for the most insane, inverted hang-time of any coaster in the park before reeling down in the opposite direction.

    Six Flags Over Georgia

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    ​Six Flags Over Georgia—the Thrill Capital of the South—today announced the all-new Twisted Cyclone hybrid roller coaster will arrive in 2018. Twisted Cyclone will offer guests the best of both worlds—a classic wooden structure combined with a modern, steel track for multiple inversions and a smoother, more thrilling riding experience.

    Six Flags America

    Wahoo River
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    ​In 2018, Six Flags America debuts the all-new Wahoo River! Wahoo River will be the new centerpiece of Hurricane Harbor Water Park, with a faster current and an endless array of watery surprises. 

    Six Flags Great Adventure

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    ​CYBORG Cyber Spin features a unique futuristic triple box design that allows the gondola to spin around three separate axes while rotating forward, backwards and sideways simultaneously at up to 70 feet in the air for intense and continuous movement. Seated 24 across with over-the-shoulder harnesses, riders will experience a thrilling combination of negative and positive gravitational forces. By night—this bold, new attraction promises to light up the New Jersey skies beckoning thrill seekers from near and far.

    The Great Escape

    Pandemonium
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    Debuting Summer 2018: Pandemonium, this sensational spin on a classic thrill ride will have guests catching maximum air delivering fun for families of all ages. This electrifying new attraction will be located in the popular Alpine Fest area in the center of our beautiful park.

    Six Flags New England

    Harley Quinn's Spinsanity
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    ​HARLEY QUINN™ Spinsanity, a colossal swing ride that will send guests screaming to new heights towering over 147 feet, is the newest attraction at Six Flags New England!
    ​If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

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    In My Opinion- Six American Flags Over Texas - Andrew Cunningham

    Hey there, Park Journey readers!

    This past weekend I made my first trip to Six Flags Over Texas since 2009. The park has recently received a barrage of mixed publicity for removing the Confederate flag from the front of the park, instead opting to fly six American flags.

    In this opinion piece, I will give a brief recap of the move that Six Flags made, and share my thoughts on their decision. All photos were taken on August 26th and 27th, 2017. 
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    In Case You're Just Joining Us...

    Six Flags Over Texas is the original park in the Six Flags chain. The park was originally named after the six nations that has governed Texas during the state's history- Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederate States of America, and, of course, The United States of America. It's worth noting that Six Flags was flying the Confederate State Flags, not the battle flag which is often closer associated with white supremacists. 

    As Six Flags grew into a national brand, these flags were replaced by simple primary color flags. Usually Six Flags is represented by a series of flags in multiple colors- yellow, green, orange, purple, light blue, and dark blue. However, the original Six Flags Over Texas continued to fly the original flags at the front entrance of their park. 

    In recent years, Confederate symbols have become an increasingly polarizing subject. In the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Six Flags began to come under fire for flying a Confederate flag over the entrance to its original park. In response, Six Flags chose to fly six American flags outside its park- a move that would appear to most as a unifying response to a politically divisive topic. 

    For the sake of this article- I would like to shed a bit of light on my background. I was raised in North Florida (very politically diverse, heavy Southern Influence), went to school in Clemson, SC (2016 College Football National Champions- oh, and also in a very conservative region), moved to Central Florida (swing area), and now live in San Francisco (very liberal). So, for clarity- I have lived my life in areas that have been on both extremes of the political spectrum, and have spent the majority of my life in areas that have significant Southern heritage. 

    So, without further ado.. 

    "Six Flags is Erasing History"

    First of all- if you rely on a corporate theme park for your history lessons- well... yikes. 

    However, for argument's sake...
    Just outside the front gate of Six Flags Over Texas is a marker prominently placed in the middle of the pathways that gives a full history of the park's meaning. Every single park visitor passes this on their way in. The same plaza hosts a plaque of the six original flags. 

    Included in the inscription is the following:
    For four years, 1861-1865, The Stars and Bars of the Confederated States of America flew over Texas. 90,000 Texans served The South. The state supplied large amounts of cotton, food, and other goods at the end of the Civil War. Old Glory, with its Stars and Stripes, again was raised. Some other flags have flown somewhat briefly over other parts of Texas, but the six national banners shown here are those of enduring history. The exhibits associated with the six flags over Texas make vivid the colorful history of the Lone Star State

    Now, I know reading is hard, and that many people prefer to learn history based on what is being flown above a toll plaza, but... 
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    It doesn't look like history is erased to me. 
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    "They Shouldn't Even Call it Six Flags Anymore"

    When will theme park fans learn? Spoiler alert- Six Flags is a business, not a museum. 

    Shout-out to all the people who are upset that Disney's California Adventure has added non-California themed attractions, or that Epcot now features things that, *gasp*, are non-educational. 

    At the end of the day, it's the responsibility of a company's leadership to grow their business, not to stick to arbitrary theming guidelines that were set decades ago. If everyone is so upset about Six Flags changing out two sets of flags poles- where was the outrage when Six Flags started pumping the park full of DC Comics attractions? Seriously, when was the last time this park has put in anything related to its original theme? But raising six American flags is where we draw the line? Sure, ok... 

    Which brings me to my main point...
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    Six Flags is a National Brand. 

    Sure- people may not take issue with the confederate flag in Texas. Unfortunately- Six Flags does not have the luxury of operating in a bubble. In the face of a snowballing national news story- Six Flags had to consider that it also relies on markets such as LA, San Francisco, New York, DC, and Boston- areas that have an extremely strong aversion to Confederate symbolism. While the Confederate flag was not flying at these parks- the threat of national attention could very easily impact brand reputation in these markets. 

    A lot of people have said that they wish Six Flags would have "stood up" for themselves or "fought to educate people" on the subject. Funny, that's exactly what people said about SeaWorld when they faced political controversy. SeaWorld chose to fight that battle, and they keep inching closer and closer to total collapse as a result. Here's the bottom line - getting involved in politics is not good business in the leisure industry. The whole reason people go to theme parks is to escape every day life, not to engage in divisive politics. 

    The irony here is that the majority of support for Confederate symbolism comes from the right- the same side that preaches ad nauseam about free market capitalism. Well- guess what- Capitalism just took down the Confederate flag. Grow up, snowflake, it's called business. 
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    So, to conclude... 

    • Six Flags is a business that has to consider its national reputation.
    • Anyone who thinks a publicly traded company would make operating decisions based on theming guidelines from the 60's is simply naive. 
    • Six flags put up six American flags (outrageous!)- but has not covered up any piece of the park that actually explains it's history. Even if they did, anyone who says they go to Six Flags to learn about history is, quite frankly, disingenuous. 
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    The Great American Eclipse at Silverwood

    Silverwood
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    Matt just happened to be making a family trip to Idaho and wouldn't you know it, that meant he'd be at Silverwood the day of the eclipse. Lucky us!!
    Not a whole lot of the eclipse here however, just an awesome looking park 
    Pictures by Matthew Nelson
    Welcome to Silverwood!! 
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    How about starting off with a coaster that a lot of us have already ridden. Hey Knott's Fans!! The Corkscrew is still alive and looking great!! 
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    Knott's fans aren't the only ones who can visit a former coaster. Hey Six Flags Great America fans!!! 
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    Of course the park is chock full of rides that didn't begin their lives somewhere else. 
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    Including Tremors of course 
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    A good idea on ANY ride. =) 
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    Who doesn't love a good Tilt-A-Whirl 
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    Honestly not sure if this is a part of the park or one of Matt's other pics, either way it's awesome. - Gregg 
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    Legoland California Announces New Ride and Hotel set to open in 2018

    2018 Attractions Legoland California
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    LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT INTRODUCES A NEW RIDE IN 2018 AND IT’S THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT FOR A LEGOLAND PARK YET!

    PLUS… LEGOLAND® CASTLE HOTEL BEGINS HIRING AND ROOM BOOKINGS BEGIN SOON!
    ​CARLSBAD, Calif. (August 24, 2017) – LEGOLAND® California Resort’s General Manager Peter Ronchetti announced at today’s press conference that 2018 will be a year of enormous growth! In January, a new 4-D movie launches, followed by the opening of LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel in the spring and, just announced, LEGO® City Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride is opening in the summer! LEGO® City Deep Sea Adventure is Merlin Entertainment’s single largest investment in any LEGOLAND® Park and will take passengers aboard a real submarine where they will be submerged underwater and immersed in an ocean habitat.
     
    “I’m extremely excited for our guests to experience LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride,” said Ronchetti. “For the first time in the United States, we are bringing our guests onboard a real submarine where they’ll go underwater to discover a truly amazing world filled with more than 2,000 different real sea animals, including several species of stingrays and a variety of exotic sharks."
     
    The ride will open in summer of 2018 and takes guests on a submarine ride looking for lost treasure on a sunken LEGO shipwreck. Among the real sea animals are bright LEGO octopi, marine tropical fish and LEGO scuba divers. Touchscreens at each porthole inside the sub are used by guests to help the LEGO minifigure dive team identify gems, pearls, LEGO gold coins and more throughout the journey. Up to 12 guests will board one of eight submarines that are designed after the LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure line of toys.
     
    The summer exploration ride is opening shortly after LEGOLAND Castle Hotel opens in the spring of 2018. “We are excited to expand our LEGOLAND kingdom with LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, not only for the new adventures it will bring to our guests, but also the new jobs it will create for the community,” said Ronchetti. Ronchetti announced the hiring will start today for 200 new Model Citizens (employees) to work at new premium themed 250-room hotel. Thirty leadership roles are needed including Head Chef, Front Office Manager and Food and Beverage Manager. “We’ll be starting to recruit the other positions as early as December as we’d like to have everyone royally trained and ready to go by the Hotel’s opening in spring!” Some of the positions needed include cooks, valet, housekeepers, entertainers and more. Interested individuals can visit http://jobs.LEGOLAND.com/.
     
    LEGOLAND Castle Hotel will feature three room themes: Knights and Dragons, Magic Wizard and Royal Princess. Bookings for LEGOLAND Castle Hotel begin in September. For more information, visit: www.LEGOLANDVacations.com.
    ​Also opening in 2018: “LEGO® NINJAGO® – Master of the 4th Dimension” starting Jan. 12 in the LEGO® Showplace Theater. The short film combines dazzling 3D computer animation with 4D real-world effects offering guests the chance to go on an amazing new adventure with their favorite ninjas: Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane, Lloyd, Nya and Master Wu.
     
    LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride and LEGO NINJAGO – Master of the 4th Dimension are both included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California Resort. For the most up-to-date information on LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/deepsea2018. For LEGOLAND California Resort ticket prices, operating schedule and additional information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO (5346).
    ​If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

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