We're Back, and We're Stuffed

Well, after a Holiday Hiatus, we're back! First thing I want to do before getting to some editorials is to catch up on some of the bigger news.

So, the Transformers ride is opening. This is considered big news, so here's a recap. It's basically a new version of the Spiderman ride in my viewpoint, but I suppose this is a good backup plan for Universal if and when they ever lose their Marvel license to Disney. Slashfilm reported recently that the attraction vehicle is an actual transformer. Your car is a character. My good friends over at Topless Robot had this to say:

Transformers: The Movie: the Ride is just about ready to open in Universal Studios Singapore, and one of the local news stations did this report on what getting to the ride will be like. I feel like it's notable for two reasons:
1) That it could take up to 1.5 hours of waiting in line to actually get on Transformers: The Ride. The idea that anyone would wait up to 90 minutes for a ride based on Bayformers -- unless they were some sort of war criminal, and this was their court-mandated punishment -- depresses me to no end.
2) On the other hand, as the newslady is happy to point out, the walls surrounding the queue will be full of buttons to press and switches to flip, so that people can "entertain" themselves while waiting. By pressing buttons and hitting switches. Like developing infants do with toys.

As harsh as that sounds, I can't disagree. However, I'm sure I'll be amazed with the technology once it opens. You can make up your own mind by viewing this video.


In other news:

-I should point out that we have seen a new type of ticketing system put into use that could possibly eliminate turnstiles.

-Coney Island is celebrating its roots with some new construction work.

-Kennywood sold Pitfall, so could a new ride be on the way?

-TDS celebrates its 10 birthday just in time for the holidays.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! And if you didn't, it could be worse. The Pilgrims had to catch their own turkey. I'll leave you with a look at what that might have looked like, courtesy of Sally Dark Rides.

Thursday General News Update

In U.S. News:

Busch Gardens Tampa -

Cheetah Hunt has now moved onto testing the second launch, which leads into the tower section. RCPro has photos and a video here.

Hersheypark -

The local news has caught onto the RIT buzz, where they interview Lance Hart of Screamscape and other park officials. Additionally, blueprints with a potential layout have been posted to TPR. Right now, it's looking like an Intamin creation. Join the conversation over at Theme Park Review.

Sea World San Diego -

As workers continue to prepare for Manta in 2012, most of the site has now been cleared. Check it out over at Screamscape.

In International News:

Heide Park -

According to Screamscape, some of the theming that did not open with Krake may not be added for next year either. The elements included a tunnel themed as a wrecked ship and a "mouth" that the train would travel through. Screamscape reports that the items delivered, however, were deemed unsafe. Lets hope they take care of it.

Liseberg -

Liseberg's new Gyro Drop, Atmosfear, is now open! You can check out an opening-day reportd at CoasterForce.

Tokyo Disney Resort -

According to the OLC, Tokyo DisneySea will open on April 28, along with the new Fantasmic! show. The park will also return to its previous operating hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Monday General News Update

In U.S. News:

Busch Gardens Tampa -

The first round of testing on Cheetah Hunt began last

weekend at the first launch. They plan to test each

launch individually with water dummies. Photos and

video at BGTNation.

Hersheypark -

More preparations for the park's 2012 addition is

underway. The park is currently working around the

lagoon area. More photos at Keystone Thrills.

Kentucky Kingdom -

After being denied both a $50M bond and then a

$20Mbond by the state, Ed Hart plans to seek a

$17.5M bondfrom the city, which would benefit

the local government as well. More details at

Screamscape.

Kings Dominion -

Intimidator 305 2.0 seems to be a hit, with no trim

brakes on the drop and reports of fewer trims on

the third airtime hill as well. Great trip report at

Theme Park Review.

Sea World San Diego -

Preparations for Manta are flying along (pun

intended),as construction walls are going up

and the site is being cleared for construction.

See more at Screamscape.

Six Flags New England -

Six Flags New England opened this past Saturday,

with a full trip report posted at SFNE Online.

In International News:

Heide Park -

Heide Park's new Dive Machine, Krake, opened

for its Media Day was on Saturday. The ride looks

like a lot of fun. Check out the full report over at

Theme Park Review.

Hong Kong Disneyland -

Disney Rep. Tom Staggs has confirmed that Toy

Story Land is slated to open in Fall of 2011, Grizzly

Gulch in 2012, and Mystic Point by 2013.

Tokyo Disney Resort -

Tokyo Disneyland opened on Friday. See photos and

videos at Disney and More.

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Windseeker Topping Off and Tokyo Disney Resort Report

Hello! I'm Wynn and I'm really excited to announce Park Impressions, my new blog! A bit about me: favorite park is Cedar Point, I've been on just over 100 coasters, and I love playing Roller Coaster Tycoon. I plan to post most of my photo trip reports here, as well as the occasional news update.

For domestic news, Cedar Point has now topped off their Windseeker:

Workers are now busy installing the queue lines. On another quick Cedar Point note, OnPoint's new blogger Becca has released her first PointCast! This time, she's here to learn more about the off-season maintenance that some of their carousel animals go through. You can check it out here:

Lions, Tigers and Donkeys, Oh My!

Onto Tokyo Disney...

Tokyo Disneyland reopened yesterday, April 15, after they had been closed due to the Sendai Earthquake and tsunami last month. Due to power shortages, the park will only be open until 6 p.m. The park also plans to reduce their electricity usage by limiting indoor and outdoor light use when possible, and restricting the use of escalators, air conditioning, and electric hand dryers. Additionally, for every guest that enters the park through May 14, Tokyo Disney will donate 3oo Yen (about $3.61 USD) to the Japanese Red Cross Society to benefit the recovery of areas affected by the disasters.

The only damage reported to the park is minor. Liquefaction in the parking lot has been repaired. At Tokyo Disneyland, some rockwork on Big Thunder Mountain is being repaired after damage was reported. At Tokyo Disneysea, the only damage was to an acoustic tower in the Mediterranean Harbor, which has since been removed.

Tokyo Disneysea will open at a later date along with the Tokyo Disneysea Hotel MiraCosta, while both the Disney Ambassador Hotel and Tokyo Disneyland Hotel have opened with Tokyo Disneyland.

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