Archive - Park Journey

Published on

March 2, 2016

Renée runs the Princess Half Marathon at WDW

Disney Parks Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney's Hollywood Studios EPCOT Magic Kingdom Princess Half Marathon RunDisney Walt Disney World

A few weeks ago Renée ran the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World. Be sure to check out her great report from this great run weekend.

Thousands of runners participated in the @runDisney Princess Half Marathon at WDW. #PrincessHalf

Getting photos with characters at a @runDisney race has become hugely popular & it shows by the lines! #PrincessHalf

Frozen's Anna, Elsa & Kristoff were at Cinderella's castle, where you could take a selfie, minus stick #PrincessHalf

Running through the castle is a big deal but getting engaged before that, like this couple, is magical #PrincessHalf

You never know which "rare" Disney characters will make an appearance! #PrincessHalf

With perfect weather, the @runDisney WDW Princess Half Marathon Weekend was a success! Congrats to all!#PrincessHalf

One pet peeve for @runDisney races: pictured is the swag received for a $200+ event. #PrincessHalf

Thanks again to Renée for this great report. Be sure to check out our "Please Run Through the Theme Park at All Times" article for all the latest info on RunDisney races and other theme park races that don't break the bank quite as much.

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Published on

March 2, 2016
Hong Kong Disneyland Final Update!!

Disney Parks Disneyland Festival Of The Lion King Frozen Frozen Village Hong Kong Disneyland Iron Man Experience Toy Story Land
Over the last few months we've been taking a tour of Hong Kong Disneyland which has gone on far longer than we anticipated due to all of the other amazing stuff going on. And we've also got great stuff from Tokyo Disney Resort coming up next so we decided we'd just wrap up the last 4 updates into one for you all to enjoy.

If you missed any of our previous HKDL updates be sure to check them out. Welcome to Hong Kong Disneyland, Main Street USA, Iron Man Experience, Tomorrowland, Frozen Village, Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch.

Thanks again to Inside Universal for the great pictures.

Click on any of the pictures below for a larger version ...

Adventureland

First up today is a look at Adventureland including Tarzan's Treehouse, Festival of the Lion King and Jungle Cruise.

Toy Story Land

The last of the "mini lands" of Hong Kong Disneyland, Toy Story Land. Maybe a glimpse of what we'll be seeing at the re-branded Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Fantasyland

Next up a look at the great Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland including the amazing PhilharMagic, It's a Small World and Winnie The Pooh.

Paint The Night

Finally, we wrap up our look at Hong Kong Disneyland with a great look at the original Paint The Night.

Thanks again to Inside Universal for these great pictures. We sure enjoyed going through the over 5,000 pictures and we can't wait to start going through the pictures from Tokyo Disney Resort.

Look for the first update from Tokyo Disney coming very soon!!

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Published on

February 29, 2016

Snake King installed at Busch Gardens Tampa

2016 Attractions Busch Gardens Busch Gardens Tampa Cobra's Curse

COBRA’S CURSE COILS UP, INSTALLS HIGHEST POINTS OF RIDE
80-Foot Snake Icon and 70-Foot Vertical Lift Rear up in the Sky

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2016) – There’s a giant snake in the Tampa skyline this week, as Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay just completed construction on the two highest points of its unique, reptile-themed coaster, Cobra’s Curse -- a menacing 30,000 lb. snake king icon and a 70-foot vertical lift that will take riders within inches of its 4-ft. fangs.

With a grand opening slated for this summer, this family spin coaster is the only one of its kind in the world, taking riders on a whirlwind adventure of exciting explorations.

Snake King Icon
Dozens of artists united to design, engineer, fabricate and thematically paint the snake icon, creating a centerpiece for Cobra’s Curse that will bring riders just inches from its fangs. Standing at 80 feet tall, with 4-foot-long fangs and 3-foot-wide eyes, the icon was constructed of nine stackable pieces with an internal steel spine and an outer shell composed of carved foam and fiberglass.

Vertical Lift
The 70-foot vertical lift functions similar to an outdoor elevator taking riders up in their coaster car and putting them face-to-fang with the snake icon’s mouth. The three-and-a-half-minute ride will also feature a second inclined lift that sets up for the free-spin finale of the ride. The trek will cover more than 2,100 feet of track at 40 mph.

Additionally, guests will be just inches away from the 400-cubic-foot snake exhibit which will include Jameson’s mambas, Angolan pythons and rhinoceros and gaboon vipers. The design of the multi-level exhibit not only reflects the theme of the ride, but also features several animal husbandry and enrichment components designed with the snakes’ welfare in mind, including naturalistic design elements, controlled heat sources and humidity control.

Visit CobrasCurse.com for more information. Or, be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following the park’s blog at buschgardenstampablog.com, or “Like” the Busch Gardens Facebook page and follow @buschgardens on Twitter and Instagram.

About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld rescue team has helped more than 27,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
The company owns or licenses a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Shamu® and Busch Gardens®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company has built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection of over 800 species of animals. The company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at SeaWorldEntertainment.com.

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Published on

February 28, 2016

Knott's tours of Ghostrider, Ghost Town and more!

2016 Attractions Berry Bloom Boysenberry Festival Cedar Fair Ghost Town Ghostrider Knott's Berry Farm

This past Friday we had the great opportunity to get some great backstage tours at Knott's Berry Farm for their 2016 additions including Ghost Town's 75th Anniversary, the Chicken Dinner Restaurant re-do and of course Ghostrider.

Check out all the great pictures and video below.

Pictures by Matthew Nelson
Videos and Written by Gregg Condon

UPDATE:: Ghostrider opening has been pushed back to June. We will update when we have a new opening date.

Let's start off with a great tour of Ghostrider. Be sure to check out the video below.

We got to get up close and personal with the ride and take a look at all the great work they are doing on this amazing coaster.

The drop after the mid course brake run has been re-profiled and raised up a bit (you can see the old spot in the below picture)

Under the station

They've removed some of the steel supports they'd been putting up on the ride the last few years because due to re-profiling of the turns (to give them more banking) they simply don't need it.

In addition the Pan for Gold is looking great back in it's original location.

Ghostrider will re-open in June. We can't wait!!

Opening on May 27th is Ghost Town Alive. Be sure to check out the video below to hear all the great stuff that's coming. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Is there a more awesome place to get theme park pictures than Ghost Town?

The Barn will feature horses and mules over the summer.

The bank will also be back and interactive!!

The theater is also getting a lengthy refurb.

Moving on, the Calico Saloon is getting a very awesome looking rehab. Again, be sure to check out the video to see and hear all the details on this awesome refurbishment.

A look at some of the things they are planning for the inside.

An all new bar, sound-system and additional seating.

Work is also continuing on the new stage.

Lastly, the Chicken Dinner Restaurant ... you can see how much work is going on below.

There's also a few other things going on at the park. Riptide has been completely removed.

The Flyers are closed for rehab

And we'll leave you with some great pics of Knott's, because we can. Enjoy!!

We hope you enjoyed this update of some fantastic tours the park was great enough to hold. We can't wait to experience all the great things the park has in store for this summer.

But don't forget, the Boysenberry Festival begins in just a few weeks on March 19. We hope to see you there!!

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Published on

February 25, 2016

A look at Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando

Discovery Cove SeaWorld SeaWorld Orlando

Today we have a great update from Orlando as Renée takes us on a tour of Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando.
Definitely not your typical theme park day Discovery Cove gives you a great opportunity to get up close and personal with lots of awesome animals. Take a look!!!

Written by Renée Girard

This past weekend, we spent the day relaxing at the all-inclusive Orlando resort Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando

Upon entering Discovery Cove, you look over the Wind-Away River and Freshwater Oasis.

Discovery Cove is a tropical paradise in the middle of Orlando, and it's not just all about dolphins.

In the large free-flight aviary, you encounter a variety of birds who love to snack on the food provided.

In the Wind-Away River, you float through falls and caves around the park, and also into the aviary.

In the Grand Reef, you can snorkel and swim right alongside hundreds of tropical fish and rays.

Also in the Grand Reef, you can get up close and personal with sharks!

The dolphin swim is the main highlight, where guests share the water among them in a tropical setting with a trainer

Groups of up to 9 people can interact with dolphins, under the guidance of knowledgable trainers.

Capricorn has been with Discovery Cove since the park opened in 2000, and he's even a movie star, featured in Jaws 3

For a day away from the normal theme parks in Orlando, we highly recommend Discovery Cove!

Thanks again to Renée for the amazing update. This is definitely on the bucket list for sure.

For more information on Discovery Cove visit Sea World Orlando's website.

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Published on

February 24, 2016

2/24/2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood Update

2016 Attractions Harry Potter Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Hogwarts Universal Citywalk Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World

Today we're back at Universal Studios Hollywood for a look at some of the non-Wizarding World goings on around the park. But don't worry, we noticed some new details in Wizarding World during it's technical rehearsal that we'll share with you as well.

If you missed any of our potter updates be sure to check them out especially our Photographic Tour of Wizarding World Hollywood.

Written by Gregg Condon

We'll start out in CityWalk where the Universal Store is still undergoing it's expansion and refurbishment. And you can see where all of the Potter Merchandise will be.

Lots of work going on where the Globe is. It's still there for photo ops but wasn't spinning.

They are really preparing for the crowds that will be descending on the park starting April 7.

Inside the Studio Store is now closed as all of the merchandise is moved over to the new store.

The walls are down around the new shop and facades and it looks fantastic. The stores should open any day now.

Lots of little touches and easter eggs for Universal Studios. it'll be fun finding them all.

Not really surprising there will also be a Starbucks. And it's a pretty good sized one.

Moving down to the lower lot, Jurassic Park is still closed for it's lengthy refurb.

They are doing a lot of painting and freshening up. It's great to see this now 2nd best ride at the park getting some love. =)

Whatever this is is looking good. =)

We of course had to share some pics of Wizarding World. It was open for Technical rehearsals all weekend.

Don't sit under the owls. (love these little touches)

So there have been a lot of posts about issues people have with Wizarding World and the nearby buildings and lands that you can see from Wizarding World. Apparently people don't remember that this area was an Amphitheater about 2 1/2 years ago and that Universal Hollywood is a VERY small park.

At the end of the day, our biggest issue is them selling crappy beer in Wizarding World. No self respecting Wizard (or brit) is going to drink this crap. In a land that doesn't even sell soda or regular bottled water you'd think people could walk out of the land to get their crappy beer. (we don't count the Boddingtons in that)

Moving on, we got to experience our first breakfast in Wizarding World and it was incredible!!

Eggy Bread, American Breakast and a Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert. ;)

Oh, and breakfast comes with a drink, and yes, you can get Butterbeer!!

More little details, this time in the Hogs Head. It's going to take us quite awhile to see everything. Shucks. =)

Funny thing about these Technical Rehearsals. First off, as we've said before, they could not happen at all depending on what is going on inside such as filming, private parties, etc.

But even more than that, somehow people in the park don't seem to realize that the land is actually open to the public. Wait times for Forbidden Journey and Hippogriff have been very reasonable, the longest we've waited for Forbidden Journey is about 20 minutes, and that was because the ride broke down.

So if you get a chance, be sure to try and get out to one of these rehearsals. Because once the full media onslaught takes place and April 7 rolls around, it's going to be crazy!!

A couple of Studio Tour notes. Fan Made Lyon Estates signs are back on the tour, in the same location as the previous signs.

The fountain in Court of Miracles is back. The entire Little Europe area looks great after it's recent refurb. Maybe we'll get some HHN mazes down here this year?

And lastly, the all new digital sign is up at the Lankershim entrance. It looks absolutely spectacular.

Alright, that's going to wrap it up for this update. We won't be back at the park this weekend (as of now) but we're quickly winding down on things to update at the park. Once Wizarding World opens we'll of course have all of the media night event posts and we are plan on going opening day, but after that we're likely going to take some time off from the park to avoid the craziness.

But we'll of course have lots of other updates. =)

Thanks again for reading, we hope you enjoyed the update.

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Renée runs the Princess Half Marathon at WDW

Hong Kong Disneyland Final Update!!

Adventureland

Toy Story Land

Fantasyland

Paint The Night

Snake King installed at Busch Gardens Tampa

Knott's tours of Ghostrider, Ghost Town and more!

A look at Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando

2/24/2016 - Universal Studios Hollywood Update