This part of the update is going to be filled to the brim with wild speculation (and probably incorrect speculation) but that's the fun part. =)

Rumors have been flying since the sudden closure of Revolution back in March as to the future of this once great coaster. It looks like the ride may be coming back sooner rather than later. 

As you can see below, at least one of the trains has been wrapped with a new ad. 

There was a second train on the track but it did not have the wrap. Not only is the train wrapped, but there are ads on EVERY SINGLE LAMPPOST in the queue and exit of the ride. 

I can't imagine a company like AT&T sponsoring a ride, and "proudly presenting" a ride if it wasn't going to be reopening. 

On the exit side. 

While I don't think for a second that this is going to eventually bring an end to the horrible trains that the ride has been running with for too many years it would still be a shame if this ride was to close. 

You could hear something "on" in the station, but I didn't see any workers inside. 

Some blue covers in the station, not sure if these have ads on them but it doesn't appear they do. . 

The park would NEVER admit it, but if these ads do end up saving Revolution we expect all of you to go out and get an AT&T Pantech Mobile device. =)

(We know at least one of our site contributors would ... and you know who you are) =)

As soon as we hear anything about the ride actually reopening we'll be sure to let you know. 

We're going to skip around a bit and head outside to Hurricane Harbor to show you the latest on the new slides. 

First thing you'll notice is that the main walkway to the entrance of both parks has been moved a bit to allow easier construction of the slides. 

There is a ramp for those in wheelchairs to be able to use the new walkway, that is literally in the tram road. 

Looking up at the tower it's still hard to see where the new towers are going to be placed. They have been busy painting the entire tower though, which is nice to see. 

Pieces for the new slides have shown up and are just outside Colossus. Looking at this picture I would guess they are going to be extending the slide tower to accommodate the two new slides. 

Supports for the new tower extension. 

And a look at the actual slide tubes. 

Looks like the rest of the water park is getting some much needed TLC as well. 

We'll be heading out to Hurricane Harbor most likely the weekend after Memorial Day Weekend.

Back inside Magic Mountain, work continues on the new coaster and the rest of the Bugs Bunny World makeover. 

A little more work done since our last update. Looks like the electrical work is being done. Still haven't seen any track on-site. 

Work continues on the theater as the stage for the new show is being constructed. 

Looks like it will be a fun show!!! 

Not sure if a new sign or just freshly painted. I've certainly never noticed it before. =)

Work continues on the Merrie Melodies Carousel

It looked like there was some kind of queue going into the store here but it wasn't open. 

Bugs and Daffy were hanging out. I was kind of sad Bugs didn't want to put on my Kings hat ... I wasn't about to put it on the Duck. =)

The park is going all out for Grad Nights this year. There are at least 5 different stages/dance zones including the soon-to-be-permanent Full Throttle Stage. 

DC Universe Stage

This stage comes and goes so many times throughout the year they should probably just make it permanent. 

There's also a stage near Riddlers Revenge

And under Revolution

And finally one up near the old Eagles Flight station on Samurai Summit. 

If anybody is going to or knows anyone going to any of the grad nights we'd love to see pictures. Use the Contact Us link on the main page to let us know. 

I never feel like I take enough Coaster pictures so I made an effort to do so during my visit. 

Some of Riddlers Revenge

I still say this would be a top-10 coaster if it was a sit-down coaster vs a stand-up coaster. The layout is amazing. 

Ninja ... still one of the best rides in the park

Signature Shot (Tatsu and Sky Tower)

Speaking of the Sky Tower, it's still closed but rumors are the elevators are getting an EXTENSIVE rehab. Let's hope the rumors are true. 

Yes ... I'm 12. 

If anybody from the park is reading this, this is outside of Viper if you'd like to send somebody over to fix it. ;)

Some interesting markings have shown up on the loop-hat of Full Throttle. These could be for eventual lights for the loop-hat but the paint is on the actual track and looks to be right in the middle. 

The concept art for Holiday In The Park shows lights on the loop-hat so chances are that's what it's for. 

One of Full Throttle's trains is in rehab at the moment. This is actually the perfect time of year to do it as the 1-train op's didn't impact wait time at all. 

In fact, as I've been saying in my online reports for years, if you can go during the week this is the PERFECT time to head to the park. Most rides will be running only 1-train but when I arrived at the park at about 4pm only about 1/3 of the first lot had cars in it. 

Jet Stream was back open so I took a ride

The ride is in need of some MAJOR TLC this winter. I did see some spray paint markers on portions of the flume so hopefully once the busy summer season is over it will be getting some love. 

Seriously, are there any ads more annoying than Taki's ads? 

Ok, maybe this one. 

Overall though, the park is looking good and ready for summer. Lots of work going on in both parks. 

Ok, that's going to wrap it up for this update. I know we keep saying it, but this will likely be our last SFMM update for awhile. We are going to have some updates for you from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, California's Great America, Adventuredome, Adventureland, Six Flags Great America, Kennywood and Six Flags St. Louis for you in the coming weeks (whew). In addition we'll have media day coverage for Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure. 
Plus we have the rest of Chris' WDW stuff once he get's caught up on actual life stuff. 

In the meantime, we'll leave you with a picture of one of the SFMM Geese ... just because. 

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According to the Official Rules, 25 prizes will be awarded and you can enter 1 time each day between May 13 and May 19. Winners will be announced on May 19. 

No opening date for Diagon Alley is listed however. 

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Not sure if we should be calling this Avatar, Avatar Land, Pandora, James Cameron Village or Joe Rohde Camp ... but whatever it is going to eventually be called, it's going to be huge. 

Next up, we have the new home for Festival of the Lion King. They've really done a great job on the new area for the show. 

Lastly, the super secret project that is currently going on behind the nature trails. The Google Maps image below shows where the construction is currently taking place. 

As far as we can tell nothing was announced at the recent media event concerning this area. Anybody know anything? 

That's going to wrap it up for this update. We'll have some more Walt Disney World stuff for you soon and we have some friends heading to FL this week so hopefully we'll be able to get some soft-opening pictures of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. 

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It is a time of celebration in the republic. The days are gay (it was Gay Days) and our weary travelers have taken their shuttle from the Kingdom of Animals to the remote planet of Disney MGM Studios (as it was named before the evil Mickey The Hutt changed the name). 

Guided by their trusty droid, Hir Oressin and Alphard Quasarghost (thank you Star Wars name generator) embark on their adventure. 

Upon entering the celebration we are confronted by the most vile of Disney Park icon's. Will Mickey the Hutt win again? 

After confronting the evil sorcerer's hat our weary travelers take part in their Jedi training ... or would have if the young Padawan's hadn't beaten them to it. 

Narrowly avoiding the AT-AT our heroes attempt to catch a shuttle to the forest moon of Endor. In the days before Fastpass+ there is no telling what evil awaits them. 

Safely hidden away in the retro spaceport we await R2D2 and C-3PO's instructions on a successful flight. 

At last, safety in the half trees of the forest of Endor. 

What's next for our two stowaways? Perhaps a look at other destinations on the planet of MGM Studios will provide some help. 

After a brief call on their communicator to secure a reservation it is decided that they will eat at the Drive In of Sci Fi. Little did they know they were to be confronted by the oldest of droids and the almighty creator ... code-name WED. 

After refueling, the recruitment by the dark side of the Force continues to grow stronger. 

Agents of the Empire continue to stalk and urge us to join the dark side of the force. 

Does the Empire have no shame? Sending Bounty Hunters after the younglings. 

Even the brutal Tuskan Raiders have been recruited by the mouse. 

At long last our heroes find their traveling band and are able to escape the clutches of Mickey the Hutt

Before the celebration our travelers are greeted by a galactic officer on a warm weather Tauntaun 

Suddenly the Ewok's begin to play along with a parade featuring all kinds of interesting characters

Giant pigs from the planet of THREEE-DEEEEE 

Captain Lightbeer from the Andy system

R2-D2 receives his oil bath and no longer resembles an alien letter receptacle. 

Luke "Bad Wig" Skywalker and Leia Solo wave in celebration in spite of doing absolutely nothing. 

Maybe next time Anakin!!! 

And they lived happily ever after ... (Disney does own Star Wars now so this is probably how Episode IX is going to end)

Star Wars Weekends 2014 run from May 16 through June 15 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can find all of the official information from Disney here. 

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BUENA PARK, CA (May 2014) Knott’s Berry Farm is proud to announce that the Calico Mine Ride will reopen on June 14, 2014. The top-to-bottom refurbishment began in early January and includes dozens of new richly-detailed animatronic figures, state-of-the art lighting, audio, and all-new special effects.  When the classic railroad adventure reopens in June, passengers will embark on the most immersive mining journeys the “Calico Mining Company” has ever offered.

The basis of the iconic attraction was a simple handshake agreement between Knott’s founder, Walter Knott, and theme park pioneer Bud Hurlbut in 1959. From that handshake emerged a first-of-its-kind “dark ride” with elaborate show scenes and full-sized human figures. The attraction was an instant hit with guests at its original November 22, 1960 opening, and earned back Hurlbut’s initial $1 million investment in less than two years.  The groundbreaking attraction had a special place in Walter Knott’s heart, who worked in actual mines around the turn of the century in the Calico mining region of San Bernardino County before calling Buena Park home.  Hurlbut worked tirelessly to incorporate authentic touches into the attraction.   For the real stories of men who worked in the frequently dangerous mining world, he befriended actual miners and visited dozens of mining sites around California to observe the workmen, their tools and environment.

Knott’s Berry Farm’s Design Team, in partnership with Garner Holt Productions, Inc., has elevated Hurlbut’s 1960 design while preserving the original mining experience. Nearly fifty animatronic humans and dozens more animals populate the updated adventure, with more than 120 characters spread through classic and re-imagined scenes.  New denizens of the mountain include an old miner just inside the first tunnel who will welcome guests into the Calico Mine and warn them of dangers that lie along the rails ahead. Despite the massive mining operation depicted inside the Calico Mine, since the attraction first opened, no character has ever actually found gold in the mountain. As part of the renovation, beginning June 14, one lucky miner will be seen striking it rich with gold in-hand!

New excitement is also coming to the “chain lift”, where trains will pass by a nervous miner carrying a canary in a cage for safety into the unknown diggings ahead. The animatronic canary is just one of many new animals coming to the attraction.  Other wildlife will include a donkey, vultures, a playful dog, countless bats, and blind fish in the eerie Lake Room.

The attraction’s rustic wooden loading platform has been refreshed and now includes a “peek-in” similar to those found throughout Ghost Town, offering guests windows into the rich mining history of the 1850s on their way toward boarding the mine train car. A new guest and employee elevator has been installed to improve access to the attraction, especially for guests seeking ADA accommodations.

Guests will soon embark on the eight minute journey aboard fully refurbished, hand painted mining cars featuring new speakers and a digital amplification system, pulled by beautifully-detailed locomotives. Garner Holt Productions, Inc. installed a cutting-edge RFID playback system in the ride vehicles to play the all-new on-ride narration and audio effects through the crystal-clear digital system. “The spiel is based on the original 1960 script, and will have all-new points of interest and stories in the voices of three all-new character narrators so that each trip through the Mine will be unique,” explains Garner Holt, founder and president of the San Bernardino based Garner Holt Productions, Inc.  “The updated script includes references to a number of real historic mining practices and personalities. The on-board audio narrator will also interact with animatronics and special effects in some scenes.”

The twisting, turning tunnels and expansive caverns were completely repainted, including a brilliant new color scheme in the spectacular “Heaven Room.”  Here, guests will thrill to the glorious sight of the thousands of spectacular stalagmite and stalactites accompanied by the original musical score, which has been digitally re-recorded. Original special effects have been lovingly re-created, like real steam in the Bubbling Pots scene with its surprising steam geyser and tipping barrels and other effects in the Explosion Room finale.

Beginning June 14, 2014, Knott’s Berry Farm invites guests to embark on new mining adventures through the twisting tunnels and unforgettable scenes of the beautifully resorted Calico Mine Ride.  Also celebrating its grand reopening on June 14 is a fresh Camp Snoopy, featuring three new rides and exciting surprises around every corner of the high sierra playground for kids and families. 

For more information on Knott’s Berry Farm, the Calico Mine Ride, and Camp Snoopy’s renovation, visit Knotts.com or download the Knott's Berry Farm app for your smart phone. Join the conversation using #MineRide

Beginning June 14, 2014, Knott’s Berry Farm invites guests to embark on new mining adventures through the twisting tunnels and unforgettable scenes of the beautifully resorted Calico Mine Ride.  Also celebrating its grand reopening on June 14 is a fresh Camp Snoopy, featuring three new rides and exciting surprises around every corner of the high sierra playground for kids and families. 

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We think these are some of the first construction pictures of Avatar to be posted online, at least the first we've seen. Thanks again to Chris for taking time out of his family vacation to send us the following pictures. 

Yellow tape always means "something". 

I'm sure you've all seen these, but if not, here is the Disney concept art for Avatar. 

James Cameron, Bob Iger and Joe Rohde looking at one of the models for Avatar. 

The groundbreaking ceremony that was held a few months ago. 

And a look at the new home for Festival of the Lion King. 

We hope to have some more pictures in the next few days and we'll update. Please Share!!!! 

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