The pictures below illustrate why it's taken so long for this attraction to be completed. The attention to detail is simply amazing and this is only what we can see so far. 

It really does look like something out of the classic movie. 

This picture illustrates what makes Disney, well, Disney. 

The lift hill. Looks like one of the Disney photographers was getting some shots. It was a beautiful day for it. 

Thanks to Chris for taking these pictures while he's on his family vacation. We'll hopefully have some more WDW pictures for you soon but first and foremost Chris will be enjoying his much deserved family vacation. 

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Universal CityWalk will encourage guests to “go green” as they celebrate Earth Week with a free “Lights Off. Screens On.” music fest designed to educate consumers on ways of reducing their carbon footprint by turning off the lights when they turn on their televisions, computers, tablets or smartphones.  The “Lights Off. Screens On” Music Fest coincides with CityWalk’s “Spring Concert Series.”

The free festival will include performances from up-and-coming pop/rock bands Reasons Be and Brightener and A-list DJ Casey Connor.  Liz Perezand Jackie Mateos from mun2’s docu-series “Reinas de Realty” also will make a special guest appearance. 

The “Lights Off.  Screens On” Earth Week event is part of NBCUniversal’s ongoing “Green is Universal” initiative, dedicated to raising environmental awareness. The music festival also will feature a specially made kinetic dance floor that will help to power the event. Additionally, a complimentary solar recharging station will allow guests to “power up” their personal devices.

“5 Towers” stage at Universal CityWalk is Los Angeles’ free, premier open-air concert venue which is host to a multitude of performances by some of today’s most influential artists, including CeeLo Green, John Legend, Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepson, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz and Good Charlotte.

Local rock bands The Colourist and Ceasefire headline the final night of Universal CityWalk’s free “Spring Concert Series” at the “5 Towers” stage.

“5 Towers” stage at Universal CityWalk is Los Angeles’ free, premier open-air concert venue which is host to a multitude of performances by some of today’s most influential artists, including CeeLo Green, John Legend, Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepson, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz and Good Charlotte.

The Colourist debuted their self-titled studio album in March, while embarking on their first national tour. From Orange County, this pop-fueled, indie-bred rock group is currently a regular on KROQ’s Locals Only list with their hit “We Won’t Go Home,” and they performed at last year’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.

Hailing from Orange County, Ceasefire returns for their second appearance at the “5 Towers” stage. For 15 consecutive weeks, this rock band has ranked among the top 5 on KROQ’s Locals Only with their smash-hit “Wake Up.”

MORE INFO:     For Universal CityWalk’s upcoming events, please visitwww.CityWalkHollywood.com.  Regular updates also can be found on CityWalk’s Twitter @CityWalkLA, Facebook-Universal CityWalk Hollywood and Instagram @CityWalkLA.

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The waterslide went viral after a photo was leaked and videos were released. Since then people from around the world have commented, speculated, and placed the ride either on their bucket list – or on their “no way” list.

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Academic Adventures: Biology Day – May 1
Six Flags is proud to bring biology students up close and personal with 1,200 animals from six continents in the 350-acre wildlife preserve, and marine mammals such as California sea lions and Asian small-clawed otters in the theme park. Experienced safari tour guides and marine mammal experts lead the day, and complete it with a fun and interactive game show in Showcase Theater. This event must be booked in advance and takes place on exclusive education days when the theme park is only open for schools/educational groups – park is closed to general public.

Cinco de Mayo presented by Ortega® – May 4
Six Flags Great Adventure will celebrate Cinco de Mayo presented by Ortega® on May 4 with a Fiesta Event featuring games, activities and trivia beginning at 1 p.m.  Additionally, guests with valid event wristbands will be able to enjoy exclusive ride time on select rides 30 minutes after the park closes. Theme park admission is required to participate.

Academic Adventures: Safari Off-Road Education – May 6, 7, 13, 14
Now incorporating the new Safari Off Road Adventure, Six Flags takes students grades K-6 on a journey in learning with 1,200 animals from six continents through the 350-acre wildlife preserve lead by experienced tour guides. This program is limited to 400 students per day, and tickets are $19.99 + tax per person. This event must be booked in advance and takes place on exclusive education days when the safari is only open for schools/educational groups – theme park is closed to general public.

Theme Park Daily Operation Begins – May 22
Six Flags Great Adventure, which has been operating weekends since April 12, 2014, will begin daily operation May 22. For a full operating calendar with daily opening and closing times and a complete list of special events, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.

TEEN TRUTH Anti-Bullying Day – May 23
TEEN TRUTH gives youth a voice, challenges you to think differently, and empowers everyone to be the difference in the movement against bullying.  Featuring the most dynamic speakers, student-shot films and issue-focused programs in the industry, Teen Truth builds safe and connected school communities around the world. Assembly will take place at 10:30 a.m. (subject to change). Ticket and pricing information is available online.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Opens for the 2014 Season – May 24
Six Flags Great Adventure will celebrate Memorial Day weekend with the 2014 season opening of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The 45-acre, elaborately-themed water park is one of America’s largest, and features a million-gallon wave pool, one of the country’s longest “lazy rivers,” a giant, two-story family water playground, and more than 25 high-speed thrill slides. The park’s signature water slides include the six-slide Big Wave Racer, the giant Tornado and venomous King Cobra.

R5 Concert: MIKE AND IKE® ZOURS® Six Flags Summer Concert Series – May 25
R5 released their EP, Ready Set Rock, in 2009 and in April 2012 they signed a record deal with Hollywood Records. For the past two years, they have been headlining and selling out shows across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. In early 2013, R5 put out another four-song EP titled Loud as they racked up their followers and fans on social media. Music has not been the only success for this foursome family from Denver, CO (plus a friend), with two of the brothers landing roles on Fox’s Glee and Disney Channel’s Austin and Ally. The concert is included with theme park admission or Season Pass in the Plymouth Rock Assurance® Arena and begins at 6 p.m.

More information is available at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure or by calling 732/928-2000.

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Since our last update and the date it was announced, Springfield construction has kicked into overdrive. 

First lets take a look at all of the construction from the ground level. An entire second level has been added since our last update. 

The Springfield and Hogsmeade construction is going to start blending together so until the outsides of the buildings  are added we may not know which is which. 

From up top you can see just how big this area is. The Flintstones looks so out of place now and will look more out of place once Springfield opens. I still say this is going to be removed or rethemed. 

There's still a LOT of room between where they are currently building the area and the Shrek 4D queue. Not sure if this is going to be an open area or if they are going to somehow build another attraction here. 

Considering a big open space is already just feet away I'm not sure another is needed in Springfield. Obviously we won't be getting Kang and Kodos (don't need 2 spinners 100 yards apart) but wouldn't a Springfield themed Carousel be amazing? 

The construction area is huge and it should be exciting as Springfield is constructed over the next year or so. 

An overview of Forbidden Journey/Hogwarts. 

From the Tram you can get an idea of just how big the building is, but this isn't even the tallest part. 

Hogsmeade or Springfield? 

Still a LOT of room and a lot of work to be done over the next two years. 

A look from the other side. 

Even though I still have issues with this being called a "ride" and I'm nowhere near the biggest fan of Fast and Furious, anything that can make the tram better is a good thing. 

A couple of shots from the tram

The best view of the construction is actually from outside the park

It's a good sized construction area

We got our first look at the completed Super Silly FunLand and it really turned out well. 

The playground area

Minions roasting marshmallows for some reason

No idea what this is but it's going to give me nightmares

Minions on the wall doing minion stuff

They've done a good job on the Boardwalk theme. Once the water play area opens it should make feel even more like a boardwalk. 

Silly Swirly is also open

Lots of minions all around the place

The games in the area have also opened. We'll try them out one of these days to see if we can win a Fully Unicorn!!! 

The backside of Super Silly FunLand

I kept trying to make this one laugh but he takes his job very seriously. 

The Universal Experience is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Universal Studios Theme Park

Cylons are awesome!!! 

E.T.!!! 

There is a lot of great stuff to look at in the Universal Experience only about two of the display cases are dedicated to the Park. For an anniversary like this I kind of wish the entire Experience was dedicated to the Theme Park. Perhaps they are going to add more and promote it a bit more later this year?  

Still, for fans of the studio it's a great walk down memory lane. 

The arcade on the lower lot is closed and will soon be a Starbucks. 

Jurassic Park ... just because 

Looks like they are doing some work on the Collapsing Bridge

One of my favorite signs in the park

Waterworld just returned from it's rehab. We'll check out the show next time we are at the park.

Our face characters for this update. We just happened to find Kevin Bacon, Tom Hanks and Bill Paxton hanging around in costumes they haven't worn since 1995. (Wow, that movie is 19 years old ... Cue feeling like an old guy). 

That will wrap it up for this update. As I mentioned in yesterdays Six Flags Magic Mountain update, we are actually going to have some updates from a LOT of different parks coming up for the next 6-8 weeks as the summer park season kicks off. We'll try and get back to Universal one more time before we get too crazy busy though. 

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Parks across the Six Flags chain held their first Easter Weekend festivities and if the crowds at Magic Mountain are any indication, it was a very popular event. 

If you wanted to participate you had to get to the park early. We were at the park about 9:30am and if it wasn't for the fact I reached out to the park on Friday about covering the event we wouldn't have been able to get in. 

The event was held in the Grande Oak Picnic Pavilion 

The table of prizes that would be awarded to the winners. 

The event started off with an Easter Bunny Hop which Nicholas and Kelly from SFMM were more than happy to demonstrate. It was a pretty hilarious moment. 

They separated the groups of kids for the Easter Bunny Hop which was a good idea. 

The event seemed very popular but I think the park needs to start it earlier next year. By 10:20 there were lots of people leaving the event due to early entry for the Gold Passholders. But overall, for a first year event, very well done and I would anticipate them expanding this in the future. 

A little more work done on Speedy Gonzales since our last update. 

The sign at the entrance to Bugs Bunny World hasn't been installed yet, but it's received some nice rock-work. 

Nothing else in the area has been touched since our last update. 

The Full Throttle Sports Bar opened up this weekend and I have to admit I'm pretty happy with the results. 

A look inside from the entry area

The waiting area is bleachers, I thought this was a nice touch. 

The entry area. 

A look at the main seating area

There are easily 30-40 TV's in the restaurant and instead of the tree that was in Mooseburger there is a kind of scoreboard in the middle of the main seating area. 

A look at the menu that comes on a coaches clip board. 

The "Slap Shot" which is pretty much the Turkey Sandwich that was also on the Mooseburger Menu. Next time I'm going to try one of the burgers. 

The "Hat Trick" which was a Tri Tip sandwich. They were also nice enough to put the cole slaw on the side for my son since he didn't want it on his sandwich. I tried it and it was very good and a bit tangy. 

It's going to take about 4-5 visits to try everything that sounds good on the menu, and that's a good thing. Just FYI though, I ordered a Fat Tire on tap and it was $9.50. Nice to have beer on tap, but I don't even think Disney on-tap prices are that high. 

Let's take a birds eye view of the new restaurant

The walls are also adorned with memorabilia which is another nice touch. 

A couple of logos for the restaurant are also on the 2nd level. 

Once you exit the restaurant you have a small bit of "High Sierra Territory" between the restaurant and the actual Full Throttle ride. As much as I love the Log Jammer building I'm going to guess that it's not going to last too much longer. If you are sitting on the 2nd floor of the restaurant you'd be able to see the ride if it wasn't for this building. 

Overall i'd give the theme of the restaurant an 8/10. It is exactly as promised, it's a Sports Bar. Sure you are going to find many similar restaurants outside of theme parks but I think the point is that Mom and Dad can sit inside and catch a game while the kids are riding. And that's exactly what the park is hoping for. 
The food and service was also very good. You could tell they were still going through the steps that would come with any opening weekend but more familiarity will come in time. 

Roaring Rapids recently came back from it's yearly rehab so I figured I'd arm myself with the waterproof camera and we'd take a ride .This is one of very few area's of the park that hasn't changed since the rides debut and it remains one of the better rapids rides. 

Being that it's a waterproof camera, you may see a few water spots on some of the pictures. 

I did ask the ride ops if it was ok to take pictures, please don't ever take on-ride pictures without asking. Six Flags Magic Mountain expressly forbids on-ride pictures on any of their coasters. 

I love that they've kept this area of the park "Wilderness" and untouched. 

Next time you are at the park make sure you take the time to ride this great rapids ride. 

A few things going on around the park as the they continue to get ready for summer operations and Grad Nite. 

Getting ready to construct the stage outside of DC Universe

The Grad Nite/Full Throttle Nights stage is being reconstructed and looks to be MUCH bigger than last year. Also looks like it may be more of a permanent addition this time. 

X2 is now enforcing the locker policy 100% (no exceptions). So make sure you have $1 if you have bags and want to ride X2. Personally, I always get a locker for X2 even when I don't have a bag for my keys/phone. I lost my phone on Colossus during our visit and was lucky to get it back. Wouldn't have been so lucky on X2. 

Looks like the coasters in the park are getting new Flash Pass signs. We noticed a few had been changed like this one at Colossus. 

Some new ad on Tatsu. 

The permanent sign has been added to the new Jelly Belly store. 

I think this was for one of the fog machines for Fright Fest. Hopefully this means more fog in the area between Viper and Tatsu!! 

Lastly, a couple of Hurricane Harbor notes. 

Whatever work they were doing on the Family Raft Ride has completed. 

The chairs for the park have been brought out from storage. The opening of the water park isn't too far off!! 

We didn't see any visible work being done on the new Bonzai Pipelines although we could hear them working in the area. They have some work to do if they are going to get the new slides open in time for Memorial Weekend (when the park opens). 

That's going to wrap it up for this update.We should have another update for you soon, but hopefully not too soon (because that will mean I lost the bet with Great American Thrills).  

If the LA Kings lose I have to ride X2 wearing a Sharks shirt and if the San Jose Sharks lose Kris has to ride Gold Striker wearing a Kings shirt. 

Hope you all had a nice Spring Break. Summer is coming and many more parks will be opening soon. 

Throughout May we are going to have some updates from parks like Adventureland, Six Flags Great America, Kennywood, Six Flags St. Louis, Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas, Adventuredome, Six Flags Great Adventure, Sea World Orlando and Walt Disney World!!! 

Stay Tuned!!! 

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