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. 

All the little things..

All those little things...

It happens to everyone, you stumble upon those smaller articles that while really fun and interesting, just don't dictate an entire blog post. Now it you followed me over on Google+ you'd see a lot of these little random pieces of news that I find, but since I know for a fact most of you DON'T someone pointed out I should do somekind of "Round-Up" type piece.  So "All those little things.." is going to be it! Depending on how busy the month is, I'm going to post up many of the little articles I find and post to places like Google+ and Twitter back here on the blog.

So, we'll begin with July/August! 

Virtual Tours of Kennedy Space Center:

NASA and GoogleMaps have teamed up and brought out a fun little thing for folks, if you can't travel to Kennedy Space Center but have always wanted to see or experience a NASA tour.. then this is the link for you!

Kennedy Space Center, NASA Tour

Fan builds full WALL-E Replica: 

One fan, who has built amazing robots in the past (such as a working R2D2) spent 3,800 hours and completed a fully working and WALL-E Robot!

Fan builds WALL-E Robot

Muppets Take Broadway:

Stitch Kingdom brings us an interesting piece. The Muppets may yet take Manhattan, only this time they may take the Broadway stage in their very own show!

Muppets may Take Broadway

Cutbacks may hurt Country Bears:

Well I can't say I'm pleased with stumbling across this piece. Rumor is having it that with the new Fantasyland we may see cuts to a classic Disney World Show, The Country Bears. They show may suffer cut-backs and the removal of an entire classic scene. 

Cutbacks at Magic Kingdom 

Dine with Shamu Returns:

Seaworld has finally managed to complete some of their massive rehab project in attempt the make not only their animals and trainers safer. This has allowed them to finally re-open their "Dine with Shamu" area and the dinner/show. 

Dine with Shamu Finally Returns 

Before Disney, History Time:

Before Disneyland or Disney World showed up. We had smaller amusement parks spread all across America. Most of them haven't survived the invent of modern theme parks but this little history piece takes a look at one small Kiddieland!

KiddieLand Chicago

Magic Kingdom now offers Wifi:

As if amusement parks where not chaotic enough! Magic Kingdom is now offering free WiFi to their daily guests.

WiFi comes to Magic Kingdom

Roadside America- Lake Compounce

Good Morning!
We hope everyone had a great and safe weekend, hopefully involving some amusement park fun! We're back to July's feature where we're touring threw America and the local amusement parks that people go outside of the Industry Giants.


Today's Feature is Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT.

Lake Compounce opened in 1846, which gives it the title of America's Oldest Amusement Park! Lake Compounce has a very odd and unique history, when the Norton Family hired a scientist to do some explosive work. Well while the experiment failed, they noticed how many folks showed up to watch the explosions and then the idea happened. A path was put up and public swimming was allowed, with that Lake Compounce was born.

In 1911 Lake Compounce got their first 'attraction' a custom built carousel, then the building really began. in 1914 the first coaster was built "Green Dragon" has a short life and was torn down in 1926. However it was quickly replaced with "Wildcat" which still operates to this day, a classic wooden coaster. After that the park continued to prosper even threw the hardships of the Great Depression, they kept building up and working into the picturesque park it is today.

Today Lake Compounce is owned by Parques Reunidos, which also owns Kennywood and other local amusement parks across the US.

Lake Compounce

Seaworld Adventure Park Orlando- New "Antarctica" Video

It looks like Seaworld is ramping up the hype for the new "Antarctica- Empire of the Penguin" attraction which is taking over the former space of Penguin Encounter. This Video came online to Youtube just yesterday, while it doesn't give us any new hints about the attraction it does some some more of the Penguins and maybe a few possible hints?

Roadside America- Conneaut Lake Park

Continuing our crazy trip across America to the smaller amusement parks often forgotten for the Industry giants. So forget let's forget about them, we're looking at all those little parks with all the forgotten gems of amusement history!

Today we're looking at Conneaut Lake Park located in Conneaut Lake, PA. Which is about 40 miles south of Erie, PA and 2 hours north of Pittsburgh, PA.

Conneaut Lake opened like many other parks, it was a pinic area for folks and had summer cottages located around the lake for those who could afford. It opened originally under the name of Exposition Park in 1892, it's first "ride" was a carousel added several  years later with other ride being added over the years. It wasn't until the 1920's the name "Conneaut Lake" came into use as the park tried to reflect it's new "amusement park" status.
The park boasts a famous "Woodie" (Wooden Roller Coaster) called 'Blue Streak' which was built in  1937 and holds the title of the 6th oldest wooden roller coaster in the US. 

Sadly, Conneaut Lake isn't doing very well. Due to the hard times during the 1990's the park fell onto hard times and closed for a year. It was later purchased then closed again when it's owner was sent to jail for tax evasion.  A giant mess ensued and the park has yet to fully recover from the chaos the former owner created for this tiny gem. It is currently in the hard of a trustee group who shows little interest in this historic park other then as a held property.  Right now the park only operates Thursday-Sunday, with a penchant for being randomly closed at odd times.

Hopefully this little jewel of a park won't fall completely, we've lot enough history parks as it is! So if your close by, call and stop by, the Blue Streak always deserves a ride!

Conneaut Lake Park

Roadside America- Morey's Piers

Good Morning!

Today' we're taking a look at one of my favorite places to visit anytime I'm in Southern New Jersey. Because if you've never spent the time on the Wildwood Boardwalk, your not only missing history your missing a fun time... just watch out for that damn tram car!


Morey's Piers is today's offering for Roadside America.
Why New Jersey?
Yeah, it's not my favorite state either but if you know anything about amusement park history or even history in general Boardwalks where the popular past-time of most Americans in the past. The beach and the amusements which sprung up around them are a huge piece of Americana and worth a side trip to enjoy! Besides Morey's Wildwood is the Birthplace of Doo-Wop and still keeps it's history alive with lot's of classic 50's styling! It's history runs so far into music it's even got it's own song, Bobby Rydell's "Wildwood Days" and as soon as you hear it you know summer is here!

Morey's Piers, collectively came into existence in 1969 and is currently second generation owned by the Morey Brothers. Finding a lot of detailed history is difficult since "Morey's Piers" include three different piers jutting out into the beach. The oldest pier is Surfside Pier, located on 25th Avenue and was the firs to be purchased by the Morey Brothers. Mariners Landing (Marine Pier) is on Schellenger Avenue and Adventure Pier (Convention Hall Pier) on Spencer Avenue where added later.
Currently Morey's has an offering of 6 roller coasters, including 'The Great Nor'Easter', 'Sea Serpent' and 'Great White'  being the big boys on the beach. Each is more thrilling then the last with my personal favorite being 'Great White' because I LOVE wooden coasters! However Morey's offers much more then just coasters, they have an array of flat rides for the whole family. If rides aren't exactly your style, Never Fear! Morey's even has a complete water park off Mariners Landing called "Raging Waters' to cool off from that hot summer sun!

So if you find yourself in Southern New Jersey and itching for some history... head to the boardwalk!

Morey's Piers

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

Daily Distractions- Saturday 5/26

 

Saturday 5/26

Today's Distraction is a giant website full of ride goodness! Laff in the Dark is the complete website to all your dark ride and fun house desires. Filled to the brim with photo's and articles  on all your classic Dark Rides and Original Funhouses both current and now gone! I've easily spent hours just going threw and looking at the photos and cheese-filled details that make me giggle with pure delight!

So go and enjoy it yourself!

Laff in the Dark

Legoland coming to Canada

Greetings Folks,

Some interesting new late night that popped up in my stream, apparently the giant Merlin Entertainment is going to be opening a "Legoland Discovery Centre" outside of Toronto, Canada.  The 34,000 sqaure foot entertainment center is going to be in Vaughan Mills, near Canada's Wonderland.

"The indoor mini-amusement park will feature Lego rides, classes from a Lego master model builder and a 4D cinema where action is accompanied by wind, rain, lightning and snow. Kids will be able to play with — and parents buy — the blocks and accessories."

Check out the complete new write-up!
Legoland Discovery Centre

WhirlyBall is BACK!

Normally something like this wouldn't deserve it's very own post but the insanity level of a game of Whirlyball is so outrageously fun and dangerous it simply had to get it's very own spot!

Yes, you read that correctly.
The crazy-ass game of WhirlyBall has been resurrected on International Drive! In the location of the former "Sports Deliminator" store, it has been transformed and re-opened as the "Whirly Dome" offering two full-size courts for WhirlyBall as well as Lazar Tag, Virtual Bowling and a Pub/Eatery.

 WhirlyBall is Back in Orlando! 

I know what I'm doing next time I'm back in Orlando!