Before the race, packet pick-up is at the Disneyland hotel. A pretty popular photo spot. 

The well earned "Legacy runner" is displayed on the bib

Race morning, wouldn't it be nice to just start here. =) (but what fun would that be)

Thousands of runners prepare to start running 13.1 miles through Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and the streets of Anaheim.

Pre race festivities!! 

Back stage at Disney California Adventure

It's a Wonder World of Running through DCA!!! 

Running through Radiator Springs. Hope you don't get a flat. =)

I'm pretty sure Renée got the same picture when we ran the Disneyland Half together in 2012. (Gregg)

And just like magic, we are now inside Disneyland 

This is seriously the coolest picture ever. Totally worth the price of running Disney. (Gregg)

Running through the Castle is always a highlight

Only at Disney will you see long lines to meet characters in the middle of a race

Hanging out with Angelina Jolie

Moving backstage at Disneyland, it's always nice to see the horses out. 

Sorry for ruining the magic for those who haven't seen backstage at Disneyland before. =)

After leaving Disneyland it's time to run on the "lovely" streets of Anaheim. You never know what characters you'll encounter out there. 

A recent addition over the last few years in what was once a pretty boring stretch of the race. Awesome to see all the cars. 

Even a Lightning McQueen Corvette. Ignore that "other" Hockey Team's truck in the background. =)

This view alone is worth $195

Heading into Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Why isn't it called Los Angeles Angel Stadium of Anaheim? 

It really is a beautiful stadium

Aren't you a little short to be a Stormtrooper? 

Heading backstage at DCA. Pretty sure this crossing is the cause of 99% of Anaheim traffic on race morning. 

After the race a well deserved refreshment at Disney California Adventure. Wear your medal proudly!!! 

Congrats again Renée. Truly a great accomplishment. And thanks again for sharing them with us!!

if you'd like to read more about RunDisney races check out our "RunDisney Revisited" report from January. 

You can also check out Renée's reports from the Princess Half Marathon and the Sea World Orlando Dream Big 5k. 

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Universal City, CA – Universal Studios Hollywood sets the stage for the eagerly-awaited arrival of Halloween Horror Nights on Friday, September 19, with the annual “Eyegore Awards,” honoring influential entertainment professionals for bringing the horror genre to life within the movie, television and music industries. And, for the first time ever, Universal Studios Hollywood is offering 500 Halloween Horror Nights fans a chance to attend the coveted “Eyegore Awards,” which will feature a roster of today’s leading Hollywood horror icons.

The 2014 “Eyegore Award” recipients include multiple Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker and Special Effects Make-Up Supervisor Greg Nicotero (“The Walking Dead,” “Galyntine,” “ Sin City:  A Dame to Kill For,” “Breaking Bad,” “Pain & Gain,” “Django Unchained,” “Predators,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Piranha 3D”), with the award presented by Chris Hardwick, comedian and host of AMC’s “Talking Dead” and Robert Kirkman, Creator and Executive Producer of “The Walking Dead” and “Outcast.”

Versatile, award-winning filmmaker and Founder & Chairman of El Rey Network, Robert Rodriguez (“Sin City,” “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Machete,” “Grindhouse”), will accept the award, presented by prolific actor, producer and last year’s “Eyegore Award” recipient, Danny Trejo (“From Dusk ‘Till Dawn,” “Heat,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” “Machete,” “Machete Kills”).

Renowned filmmaker John Landis, (“An American Werewolf in London,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Animal House”) will accept the award, presented by seven-time Academy Award®-winning Special Effects Make-Up Artist and previous “Eyegore Award” recipient, Rick Baker (“An American Werewolf in London,” “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Men in Black,” “The Nutty Professor,” “The Wolfman”).  

Celebrated Grammy® Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist SLASH will also accept the “Eyegore Award.” Hailed as one of the 10 best electric guitar players of all time by Time magazine SLASH will also release his new album “World on Fire”—with his band featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators—on September 16.

Immediately following the “Eyegore Awards” presentation, SLASH, who composed an original score for the “Clowns 3D Music by SLASH” maze, will be joined by Myles Kennedy, to perform the title song from “Nothing Left to Fear,” the first-ever motion picture he co-produced from Slasher Films, his film/TV production company.

 McKenzie Westmore, host of Syfy’s hit TV series, “Face Off,” will serve as the event’s emcee, as she joins Universal Studios Hollywood in celebrating the “Eyegore Awards” for a third consecutive year.

            Add-on tickets to attend the “Eyegore Awards” will be made available to the first 500 Halloween Horror Nights fans who purchase online athttp://halloweenhorrornights.com/hollywood/2014/eyegore_awards.php. The special commemorative add-on ticket will also include a one-time front-of-line access to the “Terror Tram.”  Attendees must also purchase separate admission tickets to the Halloween Horror Nights event on Friday, September 19 at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood.

Halloween Horror Nights 2014 at Universal Studios Hollywood will be “More Dead Than Ever” as it brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in the living, breathing, three-dimensional world of the most notorious and terrifying creatures ever.

This year’s event will feature an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, terror-filled scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience, uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, including, “The Walking Dead:  The End of the Line,” based on AMC’s critically-acclaimed, Golden Globe®-nominated and Emmy® Award-winning television series; “From Dusk Till Dawn,” inspired by Robert Rodriguez’s cult film and El Rey Network’s TV series; “Clowns 3D Music by Slash,” featuring an original maze score created by celebrated Grammy® Award-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist; “Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood,” based on Universal Pictures’ upcoming epic action-adventure; “AVP:  Alien vs. Predator,” based on the Twentieth Century Fox film franchise; “An American Werewolf in London,” based on Universal Pictures’ Academy Award®-winning and genre-defining film, written and directed by John Landis; “Face Off:  In the Flesh,” based on Syfy’s hit TV series, and “The Purge: Anarchy,” a new scare zone inspired by Universal Pictures’ blockbuster thriller.

            As a complement to the nighttime event, Universal’s most popular rides and attractions will also be open to guests, including “Transformers:  The Ride-3D,” “Jurassic Park—In the Dark,” “The Simpsons Ride” and “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride.”

Updates on Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood are available online atHalloweenHorrorNights.com/Hollywood and on Facebook at: Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood, on Instagram at @HorrorNights and Twitter at@HorrorNights as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Watch videos on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube and join the conversation using #UniversalHHN.

Halloween Horror Nights dates are as follows: September 19, 20, 26, 27, October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and November 1, 2, 2014.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; theUniversal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.  World-class rides and attractions include the all new 3D Ultra-HD movie motion-simulator adventure, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land,” the intense, award-winning ride, “King Kong 360 3D” on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, the critically-acclaimed mega-attraction, “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D,” “The Simpsons RideTM,” “Revenge of the MummySM—The Ride” and “Jurassic Park® —The Ride.”

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It's hard to believe that the last show ever held at the Universal/Gibson Amphitheater was held just 12 months ago. 

The Amphitheater held it's first show on June 28, 1972 and the show was a production of Jesus Christ Superstar. After many concerts and events, the last show was Pepe Aguilar on September 6, 2013. 

Feel free to click any of the update links to see the full updates since construction began. 

This is what the Amphitheater looked like on the very last day. 
* Photo Courtesy of CoasterMatt

Our first update was on December 26, 2013, this is what was left. 

Our first actual "inside the park" update came on January 21, 2014. It was quite clear that wasting time was not on the agenda for this project. You can see from the watermark, we were still holding onto the "Park Journeys" name. 

For our February 4, 2014 update you could see earth moving around and big holes being punched into it. 

March brought with it a trio of updates, the first on March 9, 2014 as we saw Forbidden Journey go vertical. 

On March 23, 2014 as Minion Mayhem was opening for "Technical Rehearsals", Harry Potter seemed to magically be sprouting from nowhere. 

Lastly on March 30, 2014 as we enjoyed the AP Preview for Despicable Me, we continued to be impressed by the speed of construction. 

As Spring Break rolled around, we finally got confirmation of the Springfield, Fast and Furious and Wizarding World expansions. In our April 22, 2014 we started to see Hogsmeade taking shape. 

Fast Forward to June 5, 2014 and construction has started on the Hogsmeade side. 

Just a short month later on July 10, 2014 Hogsmeade construction is in overdrive. 

Since our AP was blocked out for most of July and August, our next report didn't come until August 25, 2014 and the change was evident. 

Now that Summer is over, construction is moving into its next phase as the Flintstones BBQ has now been closed and we are finally seeing some signs show up for Harry Potter. 

It's hard to believe we will have at least another 1 1/2 years of construction on this site, but there is a LOT to do still. 

We hope you enjoyed this look back on the first year of construction and we look forward to bringing you much more in the months to come. We should have another full park update sometime next week. 

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BUENA PARK, CA (September 2014) – Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passes – one of the best entertainment values in all of Southern California – are now on sale for 2015 at the best price of the season.  This year, Passholders can add the new All Season Dining Plan to their Pass and enjoy endless dining options all season long. 

The All Season Dining Plan allows Season Passholders the opportunity to enjoy an entree and a side twice daily, every four hours, at one of Knott's Berry Farm’s participating restaurants  for as little as $99.00, or with nine Easy Pay payments of just $11.00, when purchased in the same transaction as your 2015 Season Pass; that’s over 700 meals per year for one unbeatable price!  The convenient All Season Dining Plan can be purchased by simply adding it to a new or renewed Season Pass while shopping online or by purchasing it separately at the theme park.  Passholders can begin satisfying their hunger for savings when Season Pass Dining debuts on January 1, 2015.

Knott’s 2015 Season Passes offer unlimited visits in 2015 with no blackout dates, allowing guests to enjoy everything from the completely refurbished Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride to the fresh Camp Snoopy with three new rides. Season Passes are now on sale at the best price of the season for just nine easy payments of $8.50, or for nine easy payments of $19.50 when the All Season Dining Plan is added (prices valid for a limited time; plus applicable taxes and fees).

Knott’s Season Passes offer incredible discounts, perks and special events, including:

•        Convenient easy pay program (for a limited time)
•        One FREE visit during the 2014 season
•        Additional visits for just $9.99 each through December 31, 2014*
•        Unlimited visits in 2015 with no blackout dates
•        Access to Knott’s great seasonal offerings, including Knott’s Merry Farm and Camp Spooky
•        Discounts on select food and merchandise
•        Discounts on Knott’s Scary Farm tickets
•        Early Ride Time on select rides during the summer
•        Other great Season Pass perks and surprises throughout the year!

* Per Pass Holder /per day/ non-transferrable.

For information about Knott's Berry Farm, and a complete list of the All Season Dining Plan redemption locations, visit www.knotts.com. (Locations and entrees are subject to change.)

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Tis the season ... no, not that one, the better one. It's time for Haunt Season, Horror Season, Fright Season ... whatever season you want to call it. It's time to get scared!!

Below you will find a list of all of the Haunts you should be taking the time out to visit over the next 2 months. Every year the season gets longer and we couldn't be more thrilled. Most of these are in CA but if you have others you'd like to share please include them in the comments below. 

Thanks to Theme Park Adventure for inspiring and encouraging us to create this list. Check out their SoCal Haunt Directory for even more Haunt stuff. 

LA County probably has the biggest number of Haunts that features theme parks, home haunts, in-between haunts and ones that have been around for awhile. 

Fright Fest - Six Flags Magic Mountain 
Weekends beginning September 27
In addition to the world-class line-up of thrill rides, the theme park will be transformed into a haunted "scream park" for six frightfully fun weekends through November 1.
Be sure to check out our Fright Fest Preview 

Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Studios Hollywood  
Begins September 19
After 80 years of blood-curdling horror film production, Universal Studios brings you the most terrifying 360 degree Halloween event in Los Angeles with More Dead Than Ever! This year, experience an all-new nightmare featuring scares from some of Hollywood's most terrifying movies, TV shows and music at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights® 2014.
Be sure to check out our Halloween Horror Nights Guide for tips on making the most out of this years event. 

Dark Harbor - The Queen Mary  
Begins October 2
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor will once again rise from the depths of a rich, haunted history to frighten those who dare October 2 through November 2. This year’s Dark Harbor is thrilled to unveil a spectacle of new attractions that include two brand new mazes and the new Voodoo Village. Beloved veteran characters including The Ringmaster and all grotesque spirits of the Queen will make a chilling return for 20 nights of delightful terror amidst freaks, food, and live entertainment.
if you'd like to see our update on Dark Harbor, click here. 

Sherwood Scare - Northridge 
Weekends Beginning October 17
One of the best Home Haunts in Southern California. Be sure to support their Kickstarter and get advanced tickets. 

Boo at the Zoo - The LA Zoo 
Weekends Beginning October 18
Check out the Creepy Creature Encounter at the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo—then take in a live Halloween show in the Adventure Theater. Learn sweet and scary animal facts while watching some of our resident creatures enjoy enrichment surprises.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride - Griffith Park 
Beginning October 3
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride has become an Iconic Hollywood tradition that remains unparalleled and unmatched. This year, the extended trail is back bringing an entirely new twenty-five (25) minute experience to those who think they've "seen it all." Armies of demonic forces and dark presences litter the grounds and are frantic to strike at their favorite "hayriders." This year's sets are truly spectacular as the creative team takes on new special effects challenges not yet done in the live haunted attraction realm that will make the most unique haunted attraction in LA a show stopping vision of Haunt, Creep, and Bone Chill.

Haunted Hollywood Sports - Bellflower 
Weekends Beginning October 3
Haunted Hollywood Sports is a terrifying Halloween event in Southern California based at Hollywood Sports Park, located in the city of Bellflower. Continuing its reign for its third year, offering extended interactive mazes, adrenaline pumping interactive killhouses where you shoot the monsters, terrifying scarezones, and many other sideshows and side attractions.

Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns - La Cañada Flintridge 
Weekends Beginning October 3
Lighting up the night once again this October is a unique all-ages Halloween extravaganza – RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns! More than 5,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns created by professional artists and sculptors are arranged in artful displays throughout a 1/4-mile scenic trail. The entire family-friendly stroll is a multi-sensory experience that is sure to be a lasting annual family tradition.

Urban Death Tour of Terror - North Hollywood 
Weekends Beginning October 10
URBAN DEATH TOUR OF TERROR Haunted Theatre Attraction - Urban Death Tour of Terror Maze & Show

Alone (an existential haunting) - Greater LA Area (location only revealed to ticket holders) 
Calendar TBD
ALONE is an immersive and artistic exploration of fear, loneliness and self preservation. It’s a thirty minute walkthrough experience where you become a willing victim to your own inner demons. Borrowing the structure of a typical haunted house, but ditching the blood, guts and psychotic clowns with chainsaws, ALONE explores the deepest regions of the bizarre, and places you as a participant in your own nightmare. Each participant must enter by themselves. Completely alone. This event is full contact. You will be touched.

Delusion Lies Within - Los Angeles 
Beginning September 25
Touted as “the future of live entertainment” and “the single greatest event in LA” this moving play immerses you in a living, breathing world as you play your part in a pscyhologically disturbing tale of horror, suspense, mystery and adventure. You will interact with actors, perform actions, retrieve objects, solve mysteries, choose paths and sacrifice yourself if need be to further the story along.

Raymond Hill Mortuary - South Pasadena 
Weekends Beginning October 18
Our 2014 haunted house will return to the Fremont Centre Theatre. The building will be transformed back to its original mortuary roots, where the operators of the Raymond Hill Mortuary have a very, shall we say, unique way of dealing with the dead.

Boney Island - Sherman Oaks
Beginning October 18
The Skeletons at Boney Island are up to their old tricks again. There will be even more Jaw Dropping Illusions to Thrill and Amaze you this Halloween. 

Knott's Scary Farm - Knott's Berry Farm
Beginning September 25
This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm conjures up unprecedented experiences and show-stopping entertainment, including the debut of Special Ops: Infected, where guests fight zombies in an interactive six acre war, and the return of Elvira – Mistress of the Dark in an all-new stage show.
Be sure to check out our Knott's Scary Farm Preview
Click here for our look at Knott's Scary Farm "Scare School" and Fright Fest preparations. 

Mickey's Halloween Party - Disneyland
Beginning September 26
During Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park, there’s so much delightful and frightful family fun! This sensational seasonal event, part of Halloween Time at Disneyland Park, is held on select nights and continues past regular Park hours.

The Empty Grave - Laguna Hills
Beginning October 3
The Empty Grave Haunted House is ALL NEW for 2014!
We’ve moved! The Empty Grave is now located at The Laguna Hills Mall, just off the 5 Freeway and El Toro Rd. Just look for the fog!

Sinister Pointe (Beyond The Mirror) - Fullerton
Beginning September 26
The name Sinister Pointe may not seem too familiar to some of you, but if you are a haunt enthusiast in the Southern California area, my guess is that you have probably been to at least one of our Haunted Attractions created by Sinister Pointe Productions..

Fear Station - Stanton
Beginning October 17
A charity haunted attraction in Stanton CA featuring two mazes Freak Show of Fears and Shadow Walk Manor

Boot Hill - Irvine
Beginning October 17
BOOT HILL rises from the fog for it's 15th year to haunt the residence at 16 Goldenrod in Irvine, California. The unearthly spirits from the Old West town of Bridgewood will materialize for NINE haunting nights, transforming the residence at 16 Goldenrod into the old church and cemetary that once occupied this hallowed ground.

Brick Or Treat - Legoland California
Beginning October 4
Brick-or-Treat Party Nights features a variety of family activities including the Ghost Cruise Scavenger Hunt,  Brick-or-Treat Trail including a LEGO® Legends of CHIMA™ toy giveaway, a new bonus treat station and dance party at SEA LIFE® Aquarium and LEGOLAND Hotel is joining in the fun with its own Brick-or-Treat entertainment. Click here for the full press release. 

Halloween Spooktacular - Sea World San Diego
Weekends Beginning September 27
Dive in and explore an enchanting underwater fantasea at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular®. Enjoy silly spooky shows, fun-fishy activities and photo ops with wacky characters. Grab gobs of ghoulish goodies and so much more! Come in costume with the kids and have fun trick-or-treating!
Click here for more information on the Halloween Spooktacular. 

Crossroads Haunted Village - Corona
Beginning October 10
Five Haunted Houses and The Pandemonium Magic Show featuring: Chambers of the Mausoleum - Coffin Creek Manor - Nightmare Harvest Trail - Labyrinth of Lost Relics - Shady Hollow Hay Ride

The Scream Zone - Del Mar
Beginning September 26
The Scream Zone, now in its seventeenth year, is assembled from various body parts and roughly stitched together into four terrifying haunts and other attractions. This year, The Scream Zone opens Friday, September 26 and continues through Saturday, November 1.

Field of Screams - Lake Elsinore
Beginning September 28
The Inland Empire's #1 Halloween tradition comes screaming back for yet another year of new attractions, new scenes, new characters, and more!

The Haunted Hotel - San Diego (Gaslamp)
Beginning September 26
Make your way through the creepiest doll island you will ever visit,  try to escape the torturous grasp of The Dissectors, and watch your step as you come aboard our Clown Subway.

The Haunted Trail - San Diego (Balboa Park)
Beginning September 26
Located in San Diego’s world famous Balboa Park, The Haunted Trail is a stroll through the park you will never forget. Enter the mile long Trail through the twisted grove of pines and gnarled oaks. Visitors watch your back, you’ll never know which way the terror will hit you. True to form, the Trail is not for children under 10 or the faint of heart. Experience an outdoor terror that is simply too big to house indoors. This year The Haunted Trail features an additional maze called “The eXperiment”. For five extra bones you can find out what happens when Mother Nature takes her eye off the ball for even just a second.

Reign of Terror - Thousand Oaks
Beginning October 4
Voted Best Walk Through House in Southern California, Reign of Terror features 5 mazes including: The Haunted House - The Asylum - Blood Manor - Miners Revenge - Quarantine

Mourning Rose Manor - Simi Valley
Dates TBD
Mourning Rose Manor is a FREE Halloween yard display in Simi Valley, California. We've been haunting Simi Valley for 19 years.

Halloween Haunt - California's Great America
Beginning September 26
The Halloween Haunt at California's Great America is more than mazes, scarezones, and live shows, it's the experiences that may have you paralyzed in fear and will forever haunt your deepest of sleeps.

Fright Fest - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Beginning September 27
Enjoy frightful fun and spine-tingling adventures that bring Northern California to a new level of terror. Visit the park for Fright Fest starting Saturday, September 27 from noon to 10 p.m., and Fridays and weekends through November 1 for scary, spooky fun!

Fright Dome - Adventuredome Circus Circus Las Vegas, NV
Beginning October 3
Created from the mind of hauntrepreneur Jason Egan at the young age of 23, Fright Dome at Circus Circus has been horrifying the masses since 2003. Egan’s numerous years in the industry and passion for all things terrifying culminate to make Fright Dome one of the top five haunted attractions in the nation year after year. Located inside of the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, Fright Dome transforms the five acre theme park.

Freakling Brothers - Las Vegas, NV
Beginning October 3
By concentrating on primal fears, relying on the power of live performers, and employing the art of theatrical illusion, Freakling Bros. has been and continues to remain a leader in the haunted attraction industry, with a reputation as "one of the best in the business" for over 30 years.

Frightmares Lagoon Park - Farmington, UT
Beginning September 19
The biggest Halloween event in Utah. 

Fright Fest - Six Flags
Beginning Various dates
All Six Flags parks will be holding a Fright Fest event this year. Check your local park for dates, times and hours. 
Click here for the full release and information for Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure. 

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World
Beginning September 1
Don your favorite costume and get ready to trick-or-treat at this Halloween-themed event in Magic Kingdom park—select nights from 7:00 PM to midnight, September 1 to October 31, 2014! 

Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando Resort
Beginning September 19
Step right into some of the most pulse-pounding moments in horror history at Universal Orlando® Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights®, the nation’s premier Halloween event. Select nights Sept. 19 – Nov. 1, you can explore eight terrifying haunted houses, multiple street experiences, two outrageous live shows, and many of your favorite rides and attractions. 

Howl O' Scream - Busch Gardens Tampa 
Beginning September 26
Howl-O-Scream 2014 is a yearly Halloween fright fest held at Busch Gardens Tampa. Each year, visitors are thrilled by the terror they face walking through the evening's nightmare. Creatures from the living and otherwise roam Busch Gardens, seeking to terrify each guest brave enough to walk through the gates.

Howl O' Scream - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Beginning September 12
Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream® offers chills and thrills to guests brave enough to venture into this cursed park. Navigate through Wendigo Woods™, one of five Terror-tories™; brave a darkly entertaining show like Monster Stomp™ on Ripper Row™ or explore six haunted houses waiting for those daring enough to enter the park after dark.

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We'll start off our update with the biggest news to come to the park since ... well, Full Throttle two years ago. But this looks to be a nice well rounded coaster and continuing the trend of making the surrounding area better along with the new ride (think DC Universe and the Full Throttle Zone). If a new major coaster every two years is what it takes to get the park looking great then so be it. 

First a couple of Colossus pictures from Hurricane Harbor

Since we're not planning on going back to Hurricane Harbor this season (more on that below) we probably won't get to see this angle of the ride until next May. 

Heading into Magic Mountain, some work has been done on the right side of the station. We still have no clue which station is going to be used for Twisted Colossus but seeing that the bridge is still there and the food/store location at the exit would fit better on this side, it would make sense if it was this side. 

The sign is still there

Doesn't look like anything has been done on this side, but I'd guess the ride controls have been removed. 

They were definitely doing work on the lift today

From the parking lot you can see that the removal of excess wood is already taking place

Moving back in, we'll take a look at the space where the "Back Alley" will be. The bathrooms have been closed for which will hopefully be a much needed refurbishment. 

Expect the old Colossus Cookery/Ben and Jerry's to be a food location again next year. I'd personally love it if they renamed it Twisted Colossus Cookery. 

This big empty space is ripe for an exit store. 

Lots of open space is available for whatever outdoor entertainment they have planned. 

Hopefully the re-do will extend all the way to Scream and Scream Plaza (and the Scream queue). I know most people would like this to extend to the area underneath Scream, but honestly, a refurbishment of the queue, plaza and a paint job would be great. 

I'm guessing these banners have been hanging here for 11 years and really need to be replaced. A new name that would fit the Colossus Steampunk theme would be nice as well. 

Unlike Full Throttle, hopefully they'll still keep some of the natural shade in the area and not turn this into a DJ booth or something. 

I'd expect the Cool Zone to remain, but maybe the misters will be back so it would actually be "Cool" again. 

Just a couple of quick notes from around both parks. 

Our day started off at Hurricane Harbor and if you follow us on Facebook and Twitter you'll know that it wasn't a very pleasant experience getting inside the park. In fact, it's been like this pretty much all summer. 

There simply isn't enough organization in the front area to handle the amount of people who crowd the entry plaza every day. Add to the fact that the Gold Pass lines aren't clearly defined and you have a very unpleasant start to the day. 

This is what the entry looked like at about 10:15. This is supposed to be the Gold Line entry but probably 60% of these people are just regular guests. I don't blame the guests (for the most part), most don't know where to go. 

I don't expect the park to address this in the next few weeks since Hurricane Harbor will be closing for the season, but we'd REALLY like to see a solid entry plan prior to opening day next May. It really wouldn't be too hard. 

Normally we aren't in favor of removing trees and plants, but removing the big planter in the middle of the plaza really would help in this case. When you have so many people trying to get inside both parks and the remaining trying to get their passes processed, some permanent queue area's would be a good thing. Somebody in upper management really should come out and observe this one morning. 

Inside Hurricane Harbor, unfortunately some of the great work they did in the lazy river is starting to wear out. Hopefully they'll address this in the offseason. 

The Season Pass dining plan is back, it really is a great deal if you eat in the park on a regular basis. 

Speaking of eating in the park, the waterfront food area recently got a nice new paint job and a new healthy eating place. It didn't appear to be open however. People ask for healthy choices in pretty much every survey, but they won't last if people don't actually use them. 

Fright Fest is coming in just a few short weeks

Not really a whole lot of work being done in publicly accessible area's yet, but now that the park is closed during the week we anticipate the decorations going up rather quickly. 

Willoughby's Garden of Darkness

Facade for Willoughby's isn't up yet

This is the location for Fright Feast, we totally recommend this when doing Fright Fest. 

Lastly, assuming this will get replaced eventually although maybe they should move it into the queue as a little tribute to the original ride. 

That's going to wrap it up for this update. We'll be back at the park in a couple of weeks for another update on Twisted Colossus and probably a bunch of Fright Fest stuff. 

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