Archive - Park Journey

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September 2, 2015

Sea World San Diego September Events

This month Sea World San Diego introduces a new tour, celebrates Sea Otter Week and welcomes the return of Halloween Spooktacular.

AQUARIUM LAB DEBUTS NEW BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR: Guests can now get an up-close encounter with some unique aquatic animals in SeaWorld® San Diego’s new backstage area: Aquarium Lab. Guests can experience how soft and velvety moon jellies are, feel the tickles of cleaner shrimps, and be wowed by the surprising way that archerfish hunt their prey. During this one-hour tour, guests also have the opportunity to visit one of three other exclusive areas and learn all about SeaWorld’s commitment to wildlife and conservation. A portion of the proceeds of this tour are donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Garden Conservation Fund. This new area is only available with a reservation on select Behind-the-Scenes Tours. For more information and to make a reservation on this or other tours call (800) 257-4268 and select option 5.

SEA OTTER AWARENESS WEEK: SeaWorld® San Diego is proud to participate in the celebration of Sea Otter Awareness Week, Sept. 20–26. Activities will include daily sea otter presentations, which take place near the park’s Otter Outlook habitat next to Dolphin Point. Other festivities include craft projects for kids and visits from animal ambassadors and O.P. Otter®, the costume character. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens® support conservation projects across the globe, such as sea otter preservation, through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. For more information, visit www.SWBG-ConservationFund.org.

SEAWORLD’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR RETURNS: Guests can dive into an ocean full of family-friendly, sea-inspired Halloween festivities at the enchanting underwater fantasea known as SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular® on weekends Sept. 26 through Nov. 1. This seaside, SeaWorld-style Halloween festival runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1). The fun-fishy Halloween activities include 12 ocean-themed trick-or-treat stations throughout the park, along with an undersea pumpkin patch with wacky, roaming costume characters that pose for photos with guests. The pumpkin patch includes cookie decorating, pumpkin painting, beautiful mermaids and new this year is a kinetic Sand Bar, where fun-sized princesses and pirates can let their imagination run wild and build their own spooky creations. Also new this year are Halloween-themed silly spooky shows Clyde & Seamore’s Big Halloween Bash and Sesame Street’s Who Said Boo, which are sure to leave guests spellbound. SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular is included with park admission. For more information, call (800) 257-4268 or visit www.SeaWorldSanDiego.com (click on Events, then Halloween Spooktacular).

SEAWORLD HAPPENINGS THIS FALL: With the summer season now gone, Aquatica SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM is open weekends only through Sept. 27, with serene to extreme water play, animal experiences, high speed thrills and the relaxing amenities of a beachside resort. Next, SeaWorld Cares, benefitting I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD), is sponsoring a cleanup site for the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to noon. SeaWorld® hosts a site next door at Rose Marie Starns South Shores Park. Sign up online at www.cleanupday.org, click on the Register tab and select Zone 3. SeaWorld’s sponsored site is titled “Mission Bay-South Shores.” All volunteers should meet at Rose Marie Starns South Shores Park near the restrooms. Registered volunteer participants will be eligible for prizes. And finally, thousands of participants are expected to take part in the ninth annual Rady Children’s Hospital Family Walk at SeaWorld to raise money for the critical, life-saving efforts of Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego Sunday, Oct. 4. For more information visit www.RadyChildrensWalk.org

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September 2, 2015

9/2/2015 - Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs

Disney Hollywood Studios Disney Parks Disney Springs Star Wars Toy Story Land

Over the weekend Renée was back at Walt Disney World and she was kind enough to live tweet some updates from both Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs, which is growing very quickly. Much faster than anything being built in the parks it seems.

Checking out Disney's Hollywood Studios, where Frozen Summer Fun is still in full swing. #frozensummer

Want a Frozen-themed cupcake or an Anna or Elsa makeover? Disney's Hollywood Studios can take care of that!

One Man's Dream is a hidden gem at Disney's Hollywood Studios, likely to disappear with the new land expansion.

Walt Disney's office has already been removed from One Man's Dream, replaced by a map of Disneyland.

Retro Epcot items and a Tokyo DisneySea model are among the awesome things on display at One Man's Dream.

Even though it's early September, Disney is all ready for Halloween. The Nightmare Before Xmas ears and hats should be a hit.

And if you think they're getting a jump on Halloween, the Osborne Family Xmas lights are starting to go up at DHS.

Stumbled across this random building next to Pixar Place, where you can just sit down and chill.

One more update from DHS, the recent closure of the Magic of Animation building. Hoping that space will be used soon!

Moving on to Disney Springs, the construction skyline of Downtown Disney/Disney Springs has made a lot of progress.

Walls are still up around many areas at Downtown Disney, including the World of Disney store.

One of the new restaurants opening this fall at Disney Springs, Morimoto Asia, looks very nice so far.

Vivoli Il Gelato at Downtown Disney has a large selection of gelato, as well as sandwiches and pastries.

Tea Trader's Cafe, featuring products by Joffrey's, has many varieties of tea to sample

Thanks again to Renée for the awesome pics, we can't wait to see what's coming to the Florida parks.

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September 1, 2015

9/1/2015 - California's Great America

California's Great America Cedar Fair Halloween Haunt

A few weeks ago we headed up to California's Great America for a bit of summer fun. This is a park we visit every few years and always seem to have mixed results. This visit however was probably my best visit to the park since the late 80's.

This park gets a lot of flack for it's coaster line-up even though they've got two stellar coasters (Gold Striker and Flight Deck) a couple of really fun coasters (Wild Mouse, Demon) and a couple that are, to put it lightly, forgettable (Grizzly and Vortex).

But what the park does boast is one of the best collection of flat rides of any park in the country. It's seriously amazing.

As a 49ers fan, this was my first time seeing the completed Levi's Stadium ... it's ugly. Plain and simple.

We arrived at the park about 3:00pm and were able to spend about 4 hours in the park at a leisurely pace and ride all of the coasters other than the mouse with minimal waits and probably 7 or 8 of the amazing flat rides.

First we headed over to Gold Striker which probably had the longest wait of the day at about 15 minutes. The ride crew was outstanding.

Decided to take one last ride on Vortex which is rumored to be receiving floorless trains next year. Have definitely had worse rides on this, but I do think this will make a great floorless coaster.

Let's hope along with new trains, a paint job and a re-design of the station is included.

Let's take a look around the park, it wasn't a very busy day.

The Demon, sure to be included in the upcoming Arrow Documentary

The Grizzly ... what can be said about this ride that hasn't already been said? The ride isn't rough but it's just boring and the trains and the operations of those trains with the seatbelts ... awful.

If there's any coaster that could use an RMC re-do it's this one. And it could probably make a pretty good one.

We also took some time to look at some of the Haunt preparations. We've actually heard this one is pretty good.

Absolutely love this ride.

Mmmm ... Centrifiuge

Yay for Log Flumes!!!

Flight Deck ... not only one of the best inverts in CA, but one of the best inverts period.

More Haunt ... not sure if this is a maze or just a re-do of the Bumper Cars.

Thanks to Great America for a great day. We can't wait to hear what you have in store for 2016. We love seeing the turnaround this park has made over the past few years.

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August 28, 2015

8/28/2015 - Universal Orlando Resort Update (HHN/Kong)

2017 Attractions Islands Of Adventure Reign Of Kong Universal Orlando

This week we have a rare update from Universal Orlando Resort where Renée was kind enough to send us a few pictures as well as live tweeting our visits.

Below some Kongstruction, HHN 25 pics as well as Renée saying goodbye to Beetlejuice and Disaster.

Kongstruction on Skull Island at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure.

Checking out some of the theming going up around Universal Studios in Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights

They're still banned at all Disney parks, but selfie sticks are still fair game at the Universal parks.

Paid our final respects to Beetlejuice and Disaster at Universal Orlando tonight. Looking forward to Fast & Furious!

Sad Renée ... =(

Thanks again for the update Renée. It's much appreciated.

For more info on HHN Orlando click the link.

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August 27, 2015

Knott's kick off Haunt Season in style

Last night Knott's kicked off their Haunt season in spectacular fashion (as usual) as the media and passholders were invited to find out what the answers to all the clues were as to what will be waiting for us in the fog for Knott's Scary Farm.

Below we'll outline the entire event, the mazes, the shows, the scare zones and everything else to make this the best Haunt ever. If you'd just like the "Short Short Version" click here to see the press release.

(Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version)

We arrived a bit early in the day to have some fun in the park, get huge sandwiches at the Cable Car Kitchen, get our Haunt Passes and check on construction a bit.

This was only 1/2 of the sandwich

We're ready for Haunt!!

As you can see, Black Magic is back and it will have a new Skeleton Key room.

Also, the all new maze "Dead of WInter" will be in the Boardwalk Ballroom as they just got new Air Conditioning and it will keep the maze nice and cold. If this heat keeps up into Haunt season this is definitely going to be one popular maze, not that it won't be already.

After a few hours in the heat riding rides, it was time to head over to the main attraction, the Haunt reveal.

After spending awhile catching up with our friends in attendance it was time to head inside to the Ghoul Time Theater where some other "friends" were waiting for us.

It was then time for the "Master of Scaremonies" to take the stage. Who else but the incomparable Jeff Tucker. Even if you aren't a fan of Haunt any event MC'd by Jeff is a treat.

Fittingly, he was wheeled out Hannibal Lecter style.

The Haunt crowd is definitely unique as there really is no "warming up" required, we all knew why we were there and we couldn't wait to get to the main event.

It was straight to business as Jeff talked about the return of the Scary Farm Pass. Be sure to get yours before Sept 20 for the Season Pass Price of $70. Paid for in less than 2 visits.

Selling out in its inaugural year, the Knott’s Scary Farm Pass returns in 2015 and offers unlimited visits to all 24 event nights. Current 2015 Knott’s Berry Farm Season

Passholders can purchase the pass at the limited time price of $70, now through Sept. 20 (while supplies last, plus applicable fees); the general public can purchase the pass for $80 (while supplies last, plus fees). New for 2015, Season Long Parking is valid for Knott’s Scary Farm nights.

First up was the 2 shows, Elvira's Asylum and The Hanging: "Straight Outta Calico".

Jeff pretty much confirmed that they wouldn't be hanging Justin Bieber (again) and that there will be some kind of interactive element to the show. It will be interesting to see how that works.

Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, returns to Knott’s Scary Farm in a spectacular all new show, Elvira’s Asylum, featuring insane dance and comedy performances.

In honor of Elvira’s return to Knott’s Scary Farm, the Nautilus merchandise shop will temporarily become Elvira’s Boo-tique, where fans can purchase stylish apparel and sinfully fun products featuring and inspired by the Legendary Mistress of the Dark. Each night, a limited number of guests who spend at least $50 at Elvira’s Boo-tique during Knott’s Scary Farm will get a chance to meet Elvira between performances of Elvira’s Asylum and collect her signature on one of the purchased items. Knott’s Scary Farm is the only place Elvira can be seen this Halloween season, and Elvira’s Boo-tique offers fans a once in a lifetime meet and greet opportunity!

The Hanging®: A live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year's pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A must see parody!

Next up were the Scare Zones, no big surprises here except that Ghost Town will be the biggest scare zone ever with more monsters than ever and there will be nowhere to hide. Sounds like they'll be using the backstage area's where a big chunk of the mazes are more.

Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.

Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously startling sliders, who lunge from in every fog-filled corner of the land. Fiesta De Los Muertos fuses dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone. It’s the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos. On the Boardwalk clowns crave your undying attention in the CarnEVIL scare zone.

And then of course, it was onto the mazes.

All of the mazes below may be "returning" mazes, but each of them has something new to offer for 2015.

Pinocchio Unstrung: Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, but Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters. Meander your way through the carnage-riddled village and an all new sinful Pleasure Island and Skeleton Key Room. Revenge comes with no strings attached.

New Skeleton Key Room

Black Magic: Houdini’s vengeful spirt continues to wreak havoc on the Faux Theater, where the veil between the living and the dead is severed. Houdini’s ghost comes alive and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes, only to finally meet Houdini in a show-stopping finale. Back for its third year, Black Magic is one of the most popular mazes at Scary Farm.

New Skeleton Key Room

Trick-or-Treat: Take a brave step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell…trick or treat, which will it be? After surviving her grisly welcome, wander into the Green Witch’s never before seen potion room and bewitched attic. But don’t leave too soon; you’re the special guest at the Green Witch’s deadly dinner party where she and her menacing Tricksters await your arrival.

Forevermore: Follow the destruction of the “Forevermore Killer,” one haunting tale after another, as the slayer makes his way through one of the longest mazes ever created in Knott’s Scary Farm’s history. With a Skeleton Key, guests can witness the work of the Forevermore Killer firsthand.

Voodoo - Order of the Serpent: The haunting legend of Papa Legba continues as guests follow him on his foreboding journey to conjure the serpent demon goddess in the outskirts of New Orleans. Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes. Guests who are brave enough to venture through the Skeleton Key room may fall prey to a defiled ritual.

The Tooth Fairy: This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and new this year, an all-new Skeleton Key room…says aahhh.

Back by overwhelming demand, guests can enlist to fight the zombie apocalypse in an all-out war against the undead in the interactive experience, Special Ops: Infected - Patient Zero. In 2014, the ambitious new attraction was the first of its kind in North America and in 2015 continues to be the largest infestation of zombies nationwide. In 2015, the highly sought-after attraction will include more blood thirsty zombies, new missions, brand new high-tech laser guns, and more.

The Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises: Deadly howls and a full blood moon mark your impending doom as werewolves overrun the crime stricken old west town. Walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path of retribution against the Skinwalkers.

After the returning mazes were announced it was time to get to the new mazes for 2015.

There had been a lot of speculation and rumor as to the maze themes, where they would be and how they would pull it off, and for the most part the online community was pretty spot on. There's some good clue gatherers out there.

First new maze was announced at ScareLA and is Dead of Winter which will be in the Boardwalk Ballroom.

The Dead of Winter (New for 2015): Escape the icy grasp of the chilling Snow Queen in the all new maze. Backed by with a ravenous beastly army of resurrected Viking warriors, she is hell bent on avenging her beloved family’s murder, and preys upon any unsuspecting visitors who enter the borders of her icy domain. Guests with a Skeleton Key will have the opportunity to unlock a bone chilling surprise.

My Bloody Clementine (New for 2015): There is no tale more vicious and vengeful than that of My Bloody Clementine. Take a grim ride through the Calico Mine where Clementine and her father were brutally murdered centuries ago. Their wretched spirits roam the tunnels in search of those who killed them. This year the ride through maze will feature live monsters out for revenge at the train track’s every turn.

Talent is back in the Calico Mine Ride!!!

PARANORMAL, INC. - Case #1 – The Haunting of Hayden Hill (New for 2015): Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, in the groundbreaking new maze, guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff hunt for new patients to torture.

So what we're gathering from this one is that it will be in the former location of Asylum/Dominion and once again using a sort of Asylum theme but this time with some Paranormal stuff going on and that it will be highly interactive. Not sure if it means some kind of flashlight or if you'll use your phone or what. Will be interesting for sure.

And last but not least, the Green Witch is back and looks to be more amazing than ever!!!

(New for 2015) Prowling the darkest corners of Knott’s midways and scare zones, the Green Witch and her Deadly 7 is a sadistic crew guilty of more terror than meets the eye. Each of the monsters represent one of the seven deadly sins and make terrifying surprise appearances throughout the park each night.

After the ceremony we were invited up to the top level to experience the amazing hospitality of Knott's and if we wanted to get some interviews with the creative team at Knott's Scary Farm.

It was another great event put on by Knott's but of course the main event begins on September 24. We'll of course be there on opening night and a few times throughout the event. We hope to see you in the fog!!

For all the info on this years event including tickets, passes and more, see the full press release here.

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August 27, 2015

New Paintball Adventure coming to Queen Mary's Dark Harbor

Dark Harbor Queen Mary

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Unveils the New Anubis Paintball Adventure

Over 200 Monsters, Mummies & Freaks Will Find Their Way On Board the Infamously Haunted Ship

LONG BEACH, Calif., (August 26, 2015) –Fear lives here at The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor as the torrid history of the haunted ship rises from the deep October 1 - November 1, 2015. In addition to Dark Harbor’s horrific new maze, Lullaby, that tells the tale of the ship’s youngest soul, Scary Mary, the annual fright festival is thrilled to unveil the all-new Anubis Paintball Adventure.

Those who dare will venture into the tombs of Anubis, the Greek Egyptian jackal-headed god of mummification and the afterlife. In Anubis’ underworld, guests will test their skills in an LED 3D paintball battle against the most terrifying gaggle of mummies, monsters and myths.

The brand new Lullaby maze will take guests on a frightening voyage with Dark Harbor’s youngest soul, Scary Mary, who has haunted the Queen Mary ever since her horrific drowning in the poolroom in 1952. Dark Harbor will also welcome the new Side Show of Freaks and Oddities and the Side Show Bar that will bring guests up close into the grotesque world of freaks.

The Ringmaster, The Captain and their band of spirits including Samuel the Savage, Graceful Gale, Half-Hatch Henry and Scary Mary will be joined by over 200 grizzly monsters and ghouls that will be plotting terrifying tricks and treats throughout the season of fear. Dark Harbor’s signature haunts Deadrise, Soulmate, B340, Circus and the Voodoo Village will be wrought with more horrific monsters than ever before.

Dark Harbor brings the true torrid tales of The Queen Mary to life, offering one of the most authentically terrifying experiences available. The annual event begins October 1 and continues to inflict fear on select dates through November 1. Ticket prices start at just $20 online, with Fast Fright, VIP Passes, and lodging packages available. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.

About the Queen Mary

Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include the award-winning Sir Winston’s and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar as well as a weekly Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship’s museum and Glory Days tour, guests of all ages love the Ghosts and Legends show, and the ship is currently featuring the renowned Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit and Tea Room. The Queen Mary features 80,000 square feet of event space in 17 remarkable Art Deco salons as well as a tri-level, 45,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall. The Queen Mary boasts 346 staterooms including nine full suites. For more information or for reservations, see www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437-2934. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.

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