Universal Orlando- Diagon Alley Teasers and News

Diagon Alley Teasers and News- Universal Fires a Warning Shot at Disney


Okay, Universal has officially opened up the "2014 Theme Park Wars" with an opening shot fired directly at Disney World. While Disney is getting ready to start construction on their big "Avatarland" project, Universal Studios Orlando is creeping closure to opening Diagon Alley. Which which be the newest extension of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" that will soon span both of Universal Orlando's Theme Parks.

Camp Minnie-Mickey Closes Soon, Makes Room for Avatarland

Image from MousePlanet.com

 Disney Confirms a Closure Date for Camp Minnie-Mickey, Making Room for Avatarland.


 The last days of Camp Minnie-Mickey are upon us and by default so are the last days of the popular so "Festival of the Lion King" All to make room for the new addition of Avatarland to the Animal Kingdom park.

 You last day to visit will be January 5th- Disney World has announced that the closing date for this land will be January 6th, 2014.

 While 'Festival of the Lion King' will eventually move to it's new theater home, it will be closed for several months while construction finishes. Camp Minnie-Mickey will never be see again, Not for the much desired "Beastly Kingdom" which fans have been clamoring for since they learned about it. It's closing to make way for the seven-foot-tall-blue-cat-people from James Cameron's "Avatar" movie.  Avatarland is Disney's Newest "Big Budget" expansion, hoping to draw in millions even though no one is sure if Cameron plans to release the next two movies on their proposed dates.

 Like it or Not- Avatarland is coming.

New Theme Park- Twentieth Century Fox World

 Twentieth Century Fox World?

Not content to be left out of the Theme Park game any longer, Twentieth Century Fox has announced they will be opening their very own theme park.

 Set in Malaysia,  Fox will build it own 25 acre theme park about an hour outside of Kuala Lumpur which has an subjective opening date of 2016. It will be attached to an already established resort property called "Genting Highlands" which is currently operated by Resorts World Genting. At a cost of around $300 Million the park will feature over 25 rides themed off Fox Properties such as "Rio", "Ice Age", "Planet of the Apes", "Alien Vs. Predator" and "Night at the Museum".  

“The opening of the first Twentieth Century Fox World theme park at Resorts World Genting takes our rich history of storytelling to a whole new level and will provide an exceptional entertainment experience,” said Jeffrey Godsick, President of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

  Early rumors about the park include an "Ice Age" themed family roller coaster and a possible simulator ride.

 Many believe rumors that this is just the first in Fox's new Theme Park venture, with plan to possibly open them all over the world. However, don't expect one to show up in the United States anytime soon. Fox has stated the US market is "over-saturated".  This makes me wonder, has Fox has dropped their bid to open a Theme Park at the Miami Zoo?

 Oddly enough this isn't Fox's first sprint in the Theme Park world. Their first attempt, a place called "Fox Studios Backlot Theme Park" which was a conversion of their filming studios in Sydney, Australia. That property closed down in 2001 and blames a drop in tourism as well as the 9/11 attacks for a lack of foreign travel interest.

All Images from Fox News

I-Drive Live Project Changes Names...

Image from Orlando Park News

I-Drive Live Project Changes Name..

 Rather late in the game, news broke today that the "I-Drive Live" project, famous for the future home of the "Orlando Eye Wheel" will be changing names.

 According to the Orlando Sentinel, The new name will be simply be "The Orlando Eye" according to Unicorp, the company developing the wheel and the project. Replacing the once thriving "Mercado" complex,  Unicorp's Present stated this change is due to the "iconic nature of the project" and seems of have nothing to due with the fact they project has been in trouble previously for trademark violation.

 There has also bee more information about other retail projects going into the new "Orlando Eye" complex. Including the famed Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and The Sealife Aquairum, the new complex will include: Dick's Last Resort, Ben & Jerry's, Pretzelmaker, Cafe de Paris, Tin Roof, Bar Jour and Sugar Factory.

 The Orlando Eye Project still hopes to open both the Eye Wheel and Other Attractions in time for New Years Eve 2014. 

Disney's Magic Kingdom- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Testing

New Video- Seven Dwarf's Mine Train Testing        

 After months of quiet construction, it seems Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park is finally moving forward on testing their newest addition to the "Fantasyland Expansion". Set to open in 2014, The Seven Dwarf's Mine Train has been spotted doing ride through tests after months of the track being completed. 

 Slowly but surely, the outside areas of the ride's themeing is coming together. Still no word about what progress is being made to the rides inside themeing though we can guess it's probably coming along nicely at this point. 

 On neat thing about this video, you can spot the 'swaying' of the ride cars.

On The Topic of Seaworld and Blackfish..

 On The Topic of Seaworld and Blackfish..


 I've been saving this up for a long, long time. Because I knew when I finally went off on it that it would be long, drawn out and I'd probably offend people.

 Folks- ISI Supports Seaworld. We also support Accredited Zoos. We love animals and we enjoy learning about them through zoos and marine parks, through education programs and online. We support rehabilitation and conservation programs.  We would never support animal cruelty or abuse..  but Seaworld doesn't do those things.

 We support the good work Seaworld does and keeps doing, the care they give to the best of their ability and the money they donate to conservation and rehabilitation programs as well as the work they do with their own programs. They many not have the most sparklingly clean history but NO Marine Park does! They, like many other Zoo's and Marine Parks, have made mistakes and we've all learned from them.  There isn't a simple answer to the question of marine mammal captivity. I certainly don't know it and never claimed too, it's out there someplace but at the same time that answer must be weighted against the education these animals can provide.

 It's complex. It's mind-boggling. Anyone who claims to know the answer is probably supporting a cause or doesn't have even the most basic of educations about animal keeping/animal welfare.

 As I've said before about Blackfish- Follow the Money before you make a snap decision. Do research and find out both sides before believing anything you hear on the idiot flashy box (TV) and some of what you read. I stand on one side of this argument while others stand apart from me. It's fine, we're all allowed to have our opinions but I urge people to learn before jumping the bandwagon.

 I've complied a bunch of facts on my own with research but I've also found some amazing points put out there. People who've done more research then I have and have complied it faster.  So I'm asking EVERYONE out there, Read. Learn. Then.. make your decision. Rather than just attacking with a blind rage, can YOU think of a solution that will work?

Please, Keep Reading..

HersheyPark- New for 2014

HersheyPark, who has been rather quiet on the topic of the 2014 season has finally spoken up. It looks like the park will be getting three new ride additions and two new food options in the upcoming season!

  Coming to "The Hollow" we'll see the addition of a Tea Cups and Happy Swing family rides.  Both appear to be fairly stock options but it is unknown right now if they'll receive a special "Hersheys" themed make-over.

 A 'Family Coaster' which appears to be an off-the-shelf model will be making it way into "Music Box Way" allowing younger riders to enjoy some thrills. Again, no real information about this ride but it appears to be a stock kiddie coaster.

 Also coming in the 2014 season, Chickie & Petes (A Philadelphia Tradition) as well as a new Frozen Yogurt stand.  No information yet about the location of these two new food options as they haven't yet been added to the parks website.

Disneyland- Finding Nemo Submarine Ride to get Extended Refurbishment

 Finding Nemo Submarine Ride Gets Extended Refurbishment.

Alright, this makes me a little uncomfortible because of Disney's track record with their 'submarine' rides. Remember, this is what was going to happen at Disney World but our 20,000 Leauges Under the Sea ride would never re-open from it's 'extended refurbishment' again. 

  On Friday Disneyland confirmed via The Disney Parks Blog that the Finding Nemo Submarine Ride would go down on January 6th and reopen LATE in 2014 for an extended refurbishment of the attraction.  Disneyland states the 5 million gallon 'lagoon' will be drained allowing crews to preform the massive ride refurbishment. They state when (if) the ride reopens guests will see a more vibrate and colorful version of the ride, which will be painted with a special mixture created by Disney which involved recycled glass.

 I sincerely hope that this ride does reopen, unlike it's now deceased counterpart at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Six Flags Magic Mountain- X2 Down Through 2013

 Well Folks, It appears Six Flags Magic Mountain and S&S Power are having issues repairing the the X2 Roller Coaster.

 Six Flags Magic Mountain has again delayed the re-opening of X2, it will be closed through the busy Christmas Break and Holiday Season of 2013. The ride has been down since September and went through it's yearly maintenance where rumor has it they encountered massive problems with the rides lift hill chain, causing an extended closure.

 According to Screamscape, a rumored inside source has said the ride may not re-open again until sometime in March of 2014.