Special Saturday Update- Rumor RoundUp!

Happy Saturday!

So rumors have been flying all over the damn place lately to the point I left it was time for yet another "Rumor Round-Up". So get comfortable! We've got a lot of juicy materiel to cover here today!
Please remember, these are RUMORS and have not yet been confirmed!


So let's get started!

Cedar Point
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
 RUMOR: 2013 B&M Wing Coaster
Cedar Point may well be building in 2013. A new Wing Coaster from B&M is the rumor floating around right now. The Sandusky Register posted up a 'leaked' document stating that Disaster Transport and Space Spiril will be removed  to make way for project "CP Alt.Winged" in 2013.

"Cedar Fair stands ready to spend big money on a new roller coaster for 2013 at Cedar Point that will change the park landscape.
Code-named “CP Alt.Winged,” the coaster will have the “longest drop, run the fastest and be the longest ride” of its kind, Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet wrote in Feb. 15 memo to Cedar Fair’s board of directors."

Read the Full Piece: Cedar Point to build Coaster in 2013


In additional News about Cedar Point and this 2013 Project, It's possible track is already being built and possibly transported to the park!
Screamscape: Industry News, Green Track?! 


Disney Imaingeering/ Project Avatar/Testing
Location: Orlando, Florida 
RUMOR: Testing for AvatarLand?
This came as a bit of a surprise to me, Could it be Disney is starting testing on some of their "AvatarLand" projects? This article seems to show they may just be doing that!

 

Dragon spotted over Minter Field

Universal Orlando Resort
Location: Orlando, Florida 
CONFIRMED: Universal to add Themed Resort
Universal Orlando Confirmed that they will be adding a new resort to their growing collection of on-property hotels. Also to be run by Loews Hotels, Cabana Bay Beach Resort will be a family friendly property as well as "High Value" which really means "Budget Hotel" for those not familiar with the lingo. 

"Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort will offer two distinct experiences within the development’s multiple buildings: 900 family suites, capable of sleeping six, that include kitchen areas and 900 standard guest rooms – offering both moderate- and value-priced accommodations. It will be operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts and is scheduled to open in 2014."

Amusement Today: Cabana Bay Beach Resort 

Six Flags Magic Mountian

Location: LosAngelos, California

CONFIRMED: Lex Luthor "Drop Tower".

For this, let my quote one of my favorite writers over on Theme Park Insider, Jeff Elliott.  Simply because he sums this up perfectly, at least in my opinion!

"Let’s super glue a drop tower onto the Superman tower so that we can use it some of the time while Superman is down for one of its many maintenance issues…..and thus was born Lex Luther’s Drop of Doom…..which just opened. Some of the other drunken rants that didn’t quite make it onto the fabled napkin include all of them going down to Disney to punch the Mouse right in the nose, taking sidewalk chalk over to Universal to write signs that say “Magic Mountain is cheaper and has more than 6 rides”, and some sort of launched roller coaster that uses the old tunnels through the middle of the mountain."

Lex Luthor.. Stapled to Superman!

Discovery Cove

Location: Orlando, Florida

CONFIRMED: Freshwater Oasis is Now Open!

"Now Open is Freshwater Oasis, an all-new attraction featuring wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with playful otters and curious marmosets. Designed with a rainforest canopy above and sparkling-clear springs below, Freshwater Oasis is a natural fit within Discovery Cove’s tropical vibe. You can relax and explore. You’ll wade, wonder, and float in the water-filled trails. No matter where you turn, you’ll find endless discoveries. "        

Disney World

Location: Orlando, Florida

RUMOR: Master Plans for 50th Anniversary

Screamscape has a GREAT bunch of pieces devoted to the "Disney Master Plan" which continues some information on what we could be looking at for the big 2021 "50th's Anniversary".  Also notice how Epcot has once again been completely left out in the cold?

Magic Kingdom: 50th Anniversary Rumors 

Hollywood Studios: 50th Anniversary Rumors

Epcot Center

Location: Orlando, Florida

RUMOR: New Illuminations/Nighttime Show

Rumor has it that Illuminations may be going threw a change soon. The Video Globe could well be retired with water-screens and fountains taking it's place in various areas of the World Showcase Lagoon.  

Screamscape: Possible New Illuminations? 

Freestyle Music Park

Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

CONFIRMED: Land purchased for "Hard Rock Hotel" sold in auction.

Freestyle Music Park is still closed with no buyers in site. Due to the fact this little park folded within it's very first year of operations, it's not a big surprised the extra land purchased by "Hard Rock" for their hotel plans got thrown to the chopping block. 

Hard Rock Hotel Land SOLD. 

Tales from the Firing Line- The Tram Tales.

Welcome to Friday Folks!
To give you a good send off for an excellent park weekend, we've got yet another "Tales from the Firing Line" for you to enjoy. Sorry it's a bit late but at least it's here!

"The Tram Tales"

This is a series of stories which comes from the various times I'd get pulled from my normal area to help work Traffic Control at SeaWorld Orlando. Now to understand why this happened, let me share a few details. Many moons ago before the major expansions in SeaWorld Adventure Parks, Before the year 2000, the park at summer normally had a total of about 5300 in staff. The winter hours they ran the "Skeleton Crew" of about 3000 until May of each year.
Now I gave SeaWorld 4.5 years of my life, all threw High School I worked for them and even slightly beyond then. Threw this time I was found to have common sense, use the knowledge of the park (and animals and events) to help folks. This got me cross-trained in 95% of the Park Operations department, so when they got short and wanted someone who knew their ass from a hole in the ground, outside of "Work Force" (which is their name for floaters who only did basic work like greeting and sweeping), I got called in a lot.

These are the tales from when I was called to Traffic, to be more exact. Trams.

1. ..But I don't want to WALK to my car!
It was nearly the end of a balmy night mid-April when this winning group stumbled onto the tram. Naturally I made my typical announcement:
"Good Evening, We hope you enjoyed your day here at SeaWorld Orlando! This tram is servicing ONLY the Pete and Penny Penguin Lot, that is Pete Penguin and Penny Penguin. We will not be traveling to any other lots tonight, ONLY Pete and Penny Penguin!
As more folks boarded the tram, I kept making my announcement. Trying to make folks aware we only went to TWO LOTS, the ones are the very far end of the parking lot way off to the left.  Many folks would board until we where nearly full, hear the annoucement and unload themselves. This group however, did not.

Look, I made you an image!
Sorry I'm no artist!

Blue is the original "Parking Lot" we had then.
Pink is the area of Pete and Penny Penguin.
Yellow is where the trams would wait.

Well, this group wasn't leaving and we had about a half load. Pretty good for 45 minutes after the fireworks, so I made my next annoucement:
"Once again, this tram is ONLY servicing the Pete and Penny Penguin Parking Lots! Please keep your arms and legs inside the tram at all times while in motion, please fold all strollers and seat small children to the inside of the row. "
A quick look, all looks good.
"Driver, we're clear to depart"
The following honk of Acknowledgement and we where on our way out. It's not a very long ride, 2-3 minutes at the longest. We quickly arrive at our drop location.
"Okay folks we've reached the Pete and Penny Penguin Lots. Please exit to your right, we hope you've had a wonderful visit to SeaWorld Orlando and hope you'll visit with us again soon!"
The folks are unloading, we wait a good ten minutes for folks to get safely off with their collection of items (strollers, bags, small kids..) but this one group is looking around confused.
Aw Shit. Not one of the these!

So here it comes:
"Folks, this is our ONE and ONLY stop. Pete and Penny Penguin Parking Lots. We will NOT be traveling to any other parking lot, so if your parked here please carefully disembark the tram"

In reply, this one man who we'll call Mr. AngerManagement screeches: BUT I AM PARKED IN BABY SHAMU AND YOU NEED TO TAKE US THERE NOW!
"I'm sorry Sir, this tram isn't servicing that lot. Your welcome to ride back with us but we'll not be stopping there".
Mr.AngerManagement: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, I HAVE TO WALK?! I WALKED ALL DAY AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE US TO OUR CAR NOW!
"Again, I'm very sorry but we've clearly stated many times this tram only services Pete and Penny Penguin parking lots tonight. We'll happily take you back to the tram station though!"

This same rant continues for another ten minutes, I can see my driver just DYING with laughter in the cab. At this point I'm done fighting with Mr. AngerManagement and tell my driver we're all clear after my typical safety spiel. While on the way back, I grab my radio and call for a manager to meet us at the Tram station because I know what's coming.

After arriving back at the tram stop Mr. AngerManagement and his passel of folks unload and he comes stomping to the back of the tram. He proceeds to scream loudly at me because he's far to lazy to walk the whole 25 feet to the Baby Shamu lot, You should know the drill. I ruined his vacation, he wants all his money back, wants free tickets for the rest of his life, will have my job, will own the park cause he's going to sue.. blah-blah-blah-heard-it-all-before-still-have-a-job.  At this point people are loading up for the next tram run, Mr. AngerManagement is screaming loudly and cussing rather violently to the point his entire face has gone deep red.
"Sir, Please calm down. I understand your very upset and I've called for a manager to come speak with you about your troubles and concerns. However your language is making other guests uncomfortable, Your welcome to scream at me all you like but the profanity is unacceptable."  
You would think I'd just murdered his entire family in front of him, because I thought this man was going to have a heart attack at that exact second. His face got even more red and his volume went up about four notches. His poor family is trying to hide, looking mortally embarrassed across the plaza. Naturally, he kept right up with his vulgar tirade against all things ever created. Insert eye-rolling here.

 During this time I keep on with my same exact spiel while he's busy cussing and screaming, PERMA-IGNORE ACTIVATE! (Because believe it or not folks, Verbal Abuse of any theme park employee is cause for ejection and banning from Seaworld Adventure Parks.)
"Good Evening, We hope you enjoyed your day here at SeaWorld Orlando! This tram is servicing ONLY the Pete and Penny Penguin Lot, that is Pete Penguin and Penny Penguin. We will not be traveling to any other lots tonight, ONLY Pete and Penny Penguin!

I finally see a manager approaching from left field!
Happily I had off Mr.AngerManagement, who's family has now left him there (I'd have left his ass as whale chow myself) to my manger. I pop to Tylenol and the night goes on!

Later that night after we're finally all clear, I clock out and run into my manager. Naturally I have to ask about Mr. AngerMangement! Well, he got exactly what he want.. to NEVER return to SeaWorld Orlando! Mr. AngerManagement was so loud and rude he got several complaints from other guests and managed to get himself banned from property.


This just goes to show you, cussing and screaming will get you nothing but trouble!

Off Topic- PLEASE HELP!

~OFF TOPIC~

I'm sorry to bother you folks with this but I am a staunch supporter of animals, specifically cats.  I've got two children, both of them walk on four legs and wear fur coats. I also like them more then I like most of the humans on this planet.

So please, I beg forgiveness for supporting a local cat rescue that my children damn near went too when my husband and I fell on very hard times.  Please just give it a moment to look over and if your a willing soul, donate or support Caboodle Ranch. 

Caboodle Ranch

Roadside America- Holiday World

Good Morning Folks!
I hope your enjoying my crazy tour off the beaten path, because I always find it fun to explore new places and parks. Outside of the giant parks we've all heard of because these things do exist!

Keeping on with our crazy tour, today's offering I'm told isn't considering an a giant. It's often forgotten and overlooked by folks outside of the "know" on theme parks and amusement parks. To say this shocked me is a bit of an understatement, so I simply had to bring it to light here.

Holiday World is located in Santa Clause, Indiana.
It's been in the same family for three generations, each one adding their own special mark to the park. It began life in 1946 as "Santa Clause Land" which had toy shops and displays, children's rides and naturally.. Santa! Over the years the Koch family expanded the park to include other favorite holidays like "July 4th" and "Halloween". The most recent addition happened in 2006 to add in "Thanksgiving" as it's own land! Please follow the link for more on the parks history, they have a far better story then I do!
Holiday World has won many coveted "Golden Ticket" awards as well as being rated "Americas Top Value Park" thanks to their family owned and operated practices.  Holiday World holds some of the highest standards in the Theme Park industry and it shows in their ratings!  I'm sure you've heard rumors of that theme park that offers completely FREE Soft Drinks? Yes, This is Holiday World! They also have Free Sunscreen, Free Wi-fi and most amazingly FREE PARKING!

So if your looking for someplace to go that's off the normal pathway, please consider Holiday World. You'll never be disappointed in your service or your trip!

Holiday World

Roadside America- Lakemont Park

Good Morning Folks!

Since Daily Distractions is currently focusing on "Roadside America" and all the fun little parks and places you find outside of the theme park giants, I've got a new title and banner for this series! Many thanks to my Photoshop Fox for making me these pretty things!

Today we're going to look at Lakemont Park!
It's a small, seasonal amusement park in Altoona, PA. While it may be small it's got some truly classic rides and has been operated by the same family since the 1940's. Like many parks in the NorthEast, it began life as a trolly park They are also in possession of the worlds OLDEST roller coaster, an original "Leap the Dips" side friction coaster! They also have a classic set of Antique Cars and a beautiful Carousel.

While Lakemont Park might not be the biggest nor most impression amusement park you've ever seen it's got beautiful scenery and a truly classic piece of ride history!

Lakemont Park

GAH!

So much to post and so little time!