Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[BryceM]

Count me in the camp of removing the Dragon Challenge coasters. They are now relatively generic coasters that take up a huge footprint. I also strongly oppose the exposed steel coasters in that park, it ruins quite a bit of the theming.

I'm the opposite. I love what the larger coasters do for Islands of Adventure. They help to differentiate it from Magic Kingdom. I can't imagine an Islands of Adventure without Hulk.

With that being said, they could and they should put more effort into theming under the tracks of Dragon Challenge. It looks bad.

 

[bhg469]

Here's some news. This is happening today

Hogwarts Express trains are being hoisted up on the track. (from thrillgeek)

But our wristbands are tickets..

 

[Longhairbear]

If a DVCer is staying on property with their points, wouldn't they just be handled the way any resort guest would be?

From what I am reading, they also are using their AP, and limited to the number of days the FP+ can be used.

 

[Ignohippo]

But this is what they just did with Fantasyland and Avatar.

Yeah but the FLE has proven to be pretty much a non-event. Besides, you can't consider one kiddie coaster to be on the same level as an expansion like Avatar.

AND the FLE and Avatar are somewhat different audiences, unlike Avatar and Star Wars.

 

[raymusiccity]

Count me in the camp of removing the Dragon Challenge coasters. They are now relatively generic coasters that take up a huge footprint. I also strongly oppose the exposed steel coasters in that park, it ruins quite a bit of the theming.

I agree with not having exposed steel coasters in heavily themed parks like UNI and Magic Kingdom. Uni had a wonderful city scape until they ruined it with Rockit coaster bursting through the facades and looping over people entering the park. Gives a 'Six Flags' vibe to the whole operation. It's hard to capture any magical feelings when there are screams emanating from different sections of the park. I think Universal has been coasting (pun intended) on their Harry Potter image, while they've constructing 'warehouse styled' attractions at a record pace. The new Transoformers ride looks like a repurposed soundstage and I have a feeling that Gringotts will look the same from at least 2 different angles. ....

 

[Bairstow]

Perhaps it's just what separates a coaster nut from a non-rider, but I really enjoy looking at giant B&M roller coasters like Universal has.
Whether or not they "ruin" any of the themeing people seem to like, there's just no substitute for them, on or off the ride.

 

[doctornick]

From what I am reading, they also are using their AP, and limited to the number of days the FP+ can be used.

Wouldn't the limit simply be the number of days they are staying onsite (i.e. irrelevant as to the status of being an AP holder or DVC member)?

If you are not staying on site, then FP+ is not available at this time.

 

[dupac]

I think bare coasters can look alright.

And they can look very bad.

 

[JenniferS]

Perhaps it's just what separates a coaster nut from a non-rider, but I really enjoy looking at giant B&M roller coasters like Universal has.
Whether or not they "ruin" any of the themeing people seem to like, there's just no substitute for them, on or off the ride.

My HO is a couple of blocks away from Canada's Wonderland. When I get off the highway and see those giant beautiful B&M coasters (Behemoth & Leviathan), my pulse quickens.

I do, however, agree that Rip Ride Rockit looks like trash. Dragon Challenge and Hulk look fine. Actually better than fine. The sheer size of them and amount of exposed track is a hint of thrills to come.

We got lost coming from the airport to POP last month (GPS' fault, not mine) and ended up driving past SeaWorld. That Manta is a beautiful looking coaster. Even my non-coaster-riding SIL was impressed with it.

 

[Longhairbear]

Wouldn't the limit simply be the number of days they are staying onsite (i.e. irrelevant as to the status of being an AP holder or DVC member)?

If you are not staying on site, then FP+ is not available at this time.

My understanding was they had to drop one day of FP+ to be able to prebook them later in the vacation that was longer than 7 days, staying at a DVC, and using their AP.

 

[ford91exploder]

I'm DVC AND AP and I have FP+ available for the next couple months.

Luckier than most of us AP holders...

 

[The Mom]

Let's not be too random.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Seeing something like this is really depressing for me in particular. Batman is my favorite comic book character and to see his name used on such a "theme" park ride just makes me want to shake my head.

There is SO much potential to do an even-better-than-Spierman ride for this property. Why not a dark ride through Arkham Asylum? Or a boat ride through the caves beneath Wayne Manor and the "underground" of Gotham? Makes me wish sometimes IoA did build it's DC Island instead.

 

[Ignohippo]

I think bare coasters can look alright.

And they can look very bad.

What park is that first pic from? Reminds me of my old park and the way the coasters used to be part of the environment. Beautiful.

Then Cedar Fair bought them, those old beautiful coasters are gone, and the new ones are basically just built on gravel lots after the trees and grass are cleared out.

 

[Mike C]

What park is that first pic from? Reminds me of my old park and the way the coasters used to be part of the environment. Beautiful.

Then Cedar Fair bought them, those old beautiful coasters are gone, and the new ones are basically just built on gravel lots after the trees and grass are cleared out.

That's Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Southeast Virginia. The yellow one is Loch Ness Monster (first of its kind interlocking loop coster) and Alpengeist, the blue one.

 

[Captain Neo]

HA! Do you realize how much room is in the imagination pavilion? Between that and wonders of life, they can house all the special events guests that they will ever need. It will be amazing!

The only thing that will be amazing is how bad Epcot's attendance numbers will be if they did that

 

[Lee]

I think bare coasters can look alright.

And they can look very bad.

I don't see a "bad."
To me, they're both gorgeous.

 

[ford91exploder]

Luckier than most of us AP holders...

Pray tell What is random about having DVC reservations, holding a premier passport and being unable to make FP- reservations and the only fix from TDO well 'you could buy tickets...'

 

[BryceM]

That's Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Southeast Virginia. The yellow one is Loch Ness Monster (first of its kind interlocking loop coster) and Alpengeist, the blue one.

Isn't the blue one Griffon, and the white one Alpengeist?

 

[Ignohippo]

That's Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Southeast Virginia. The yellow one is Loch Ness Monster (first of its kind interlocking loop coster) and Alpengeist, the blue one.

Thanks. The coaster I used to work on had interlocking loops as well. Gorgeous feature.