Our final update of 2016 - Favorite Updates and Moments of the year

Here it is, we're at the end of 2016 (Finally). 

Over the next week we'll be taking a much deserved break from updates to spend some time with family and friends and maybe even a theme park visit or two (so we'll still be active on our social media). 


We wanted to wish you all a very happy holiday season whatever holiday you celebrate. So Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!! 

And of course, that means sending off 2016 in the most predictable way possible, with some of our favorite updates and moments of 2016. 

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January: 

Skipper Canteen, NYE Fireworks and Osborne Lights - What better place to start a look at 2016 updates than with the last night of 2015. 

Throwback Thursday: Disneyland's Rivers of America - It's hard to believe construction on Star Wars Land has almost been going on for a year. And what a year it's been. Obviously we'll be keeping a close eye on this project over the next few years. 

February: 

Photographic Tour of Wizarding World Hollywood - Even though Wizarding World Hollywood didn't open until April we got Technical Rehearsals starting in February which meant a great time to get some amazing pictures of this amazing land. 

A look at Discovery Cove Sea World Orlando - One of those bucket list theme parks that we all hope to visit one day. 

Happy 15th Anniversary Disney California Adventure - As we celebrated the 15th Anniversary of DCA we decided to take a look back at this ever changing Disney park. 

March: 

Six Flags Over Georgia Goes Virtual Reality (Dare Devil Dive Media Day) - The first VR coaster opened and it was better than we thought. Of course, this didn't take into effect the impact on operations for all of these coasters. 

Knott's Ghostrider update and opening day of the Boysenberry Festival - Always one of our favorite events of the year and 2016 was no exception. 

From The Mind of the Editor ... enjoy all the things - One of our most popular editorials as Gregg shares some family moments and reminds us that we should be enjoying them all. ​

April: 

A look back at Universal Studios Hollywood "Epic Transformation"  - Two California parks have received huge facelifts this decade and one was actually hugely successful without the benefit of a million Annual Passholders. =) 

Last Day for Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Speaking of Epic Transformations, one is also happening in Florida right now at Disney's Hollywood Studios

May: 

EPCOT Flower and Garden and Disney Springs Update - Springtime in Florida is magical. Springtime at the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT is just the cherry on top. 

The Joker Media Day Coverage at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - California opens it's second RMC coaster and some idiot tries to be the first to ride both RMC's on the same day. =) ​

June: 

Ghost Town 75 at Knott's Berry Farm a Smash Hit - One of our favorite theme park area's receives a great 75th celebration and it's fantastic. 

Colombian Adventures with Chris: Part One - The kick off of one of our absolute favorite updates of 2016 as Chris takes us to the parks of Colombia and a look at this beautiful country. Be sure to check out Part 2 and Part 3 as well. 

July: 

California Road Trip: Kiddie Coasters and Tigers and James Dean (Oh My)  - What happens when Gregg tries to take his 18 year old son on a road trip through the heart of CA? Well, other than annoying his 18 year old son, lots of wacky crazy fun. 

Kings Island announces Mystic Timbers for 2017 - Our original intention was to do a comprehensive look at 2017 attractions before the end of the year, but time being what it is it's going to have to wait. But this is easily one of our most anticipated new coasters for 2017. 

August: 

Farewell to Vortex at CA Great America and Lumination at Gilroy Gardens - As California's Great America continues to step up their game we say goodbye to Vortex as well as a great look at the beautiful Gilroy Gardens. 

Toothsome Opens, Hulk and Kong - One of the most talked about new theme park restaurants of 2016 didn't disappoint at all. Be sure to bring your sweet tooth and your appetite. 

Coaster Crusade at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Sea World Orlando  - An epic day of coaster riding in Florida, but we'll let Steve's video below detail it more than we could. =) 

September: 

RD and Randy take on Lightning Rod at Dollywood - The one person alive who doesn't like RMC coasters, ok, probably not the one person, but the one we know. How does RD fare on Lightning Rod? 

An amazing look at the Walt Disney Family Museum - We're not all about theme parks, sometimes we venture out and try some different stuff and it's always amazing. 

October: 

Halloween Event Reviews, Updates and Info - We had SOOOO many great updates in October (and September) for Halloween events, so we'll just post them all here. Is it time for Halloween again yet? 

November: 

Live IAAPA 2016 Updates - Day One / Live IAAPA 2016 Update Day Two / IAAPA Wrap-Up and Park Journey "Awards" - November was all about IAAPA and all of the epic reveals from 4 days in Orlando. We've stlil got a huge box of IAAPA Swag we need to start giving away soon. So look for chances to score some after the first of the year. =) 

Disneyland Resort Update: Avengers Half Marathon, Star Wars Land and Tower of Terror - A rare Disneyland update from us as we take a look at another fun race around Disneyland and the two major construction projects now going on at the parks. 

December: 

Holiday Event Reviews, Updates and Info - There are so many Holiday events now, it's almost as much as Halloween, that we had to do another update just to keep track of them. So be sure to check them out and visit them while there's still time. 

Well, there it is. We hope you enjoyed this look back at 2016 and maybe found some updates that you may have missed. We're very proud of all the awesome stuff we were able to bring you in 2016 and have some fun plans in the works for 2017. 

As always, if you missed any of our updates you can check our "Past Updates" page. There's plenty there to get you through the holidays with your family. ;) 

We wish you all the best this holiday season and for 2017. We'll be back in January!!! 

​- Team Park Journey 

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Related Updates: 

• SFMM Justice League Update #1 
• Carowinds County Fair Construction Update
• Fun at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2016
• Sea World San Antonio announces Wave Breaker for 2017
• Please Run Through the Theme Park at All Times (Theme Park Running article update)

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