Disney is (unsurprisingly) closing rides.

In a shocking move to no-one, Disney World announces permanent ride closures. 

I'm unsure how anyone can be surprised at this point when rides that have been on 'seasonal only' status for years finally close.

This week Disney World finally announced that 'Primeval Whirl' and 'Sititch's Great Escape' we're closed for good. Both rides have operated as 'seasonal only' for years. In the case of Stitch's Geat Escape, it's been on 'seasonal only' status since 2016. Primeval has been seasonal longer than I can even recall. The surprising bit out of this round of closures is that the 'River of Light' night show at Animal Kingdom will also be closed. The nighttime attraction was rather widely popular and has only been running for three years.

Which leaves the question, with the sudden cuts Disney has been making due to the loss of income from the coronavirus shutdown, will anything new actually go into these spaces?

Rumors have circulated for  years about Stitch's Great Escape being replaced. We've heard everything from 'Alien Encounters is coming back' to 'Wreck-it Ralph'.  As for Primeval Whirl, it's hard to say. Some speculate that we'll be seeing a re-theme to Dinoland USA while others think that the space will turn into another flat-ride. Again, I expect this is going to boil down to if (or when) Disney decides they are ready to spend money again.  I wouldn't expect too much for at least a year, if not longer.

Cedar Point is... half open.

Cedar Point is open for the season, but is it really?

Cedar point is officially open for what is left of the Summer 2020 season, but the parks has opened missing almost a dozen rides.

Famous for roller coasters and thrill seeking, Cedar Point has currently closed five of their seventeen coasters.
Blue Streak, Gemini, Top Thrill Dragster, Wicked Twister and Rougaou are not operating and likely won't for the rest of the summer season.

Surprisingly, this closed coaster list includes the famous 'Top Thrill Dragster' or as many refer to it  'The Lawn Ornament'.  A coaster notorious for downtime and closing due to weather (winds) but also a huge crowd favorite since opening in 2003.

Cedar Point is blaming capacity and the limited season for the closures. However, Cedar Points  sister park Kings Island has everything up are running, including at least two rides Cedar Point has closed. Rumor has it that it's the utter lack of foreign staffing that's harming the park, not capacity limits. Cedar Point is also famous for bringing in overseas help for the busy summer season, to staff the park. With the US boarder (along with most of the world) closed right now, the park simply can't get enough staff to keep their ride collection operating.

It's not only the roller coasters which are suffering from lack of staffing- Flat rides have been gutted including the famous 'Antique Cars' and "Cedar Downs Racing Derby'.  Also on this list of closed flat-rides are Frontier Fling, Joe Cools Dodgem School, Monster, ALL of Planet Snoopy, SlingShot, Super Huimalaya, Waver Swinger and WindSeeker.

So if your planning to go to Cedar Point this short season, please make sure you check to see what rides are currently operating.

Parks and Coronavirus- Too Soon or Not Soon Enough?

Coronavirus is on the rise for the Summer 2020 season. 

Many of us have been waiting, with a mix of concern, fear and hope, that the summer 2020 season would somehow happen. Hoping for life to get back to normal now that we all understood how to protect ourselves against COVID19 which devastated the world the first half of 2020.

Along with this, many of the things we enjoy have closed or been delayed in reopening. From shopping, to restaurants.. the world ground to a screeching, smoking halt. We've waited, followed the rules and kept ourselves safe in hopes that we could return to our favorite past-times. For us, it was one goal: amusement and theme parks.

Which drives the major question: Is it safe to reopen?

Honestly, we are of two minds here.

On one hand, it doesn't seem like it's yet safe to reopen the amusement parks and theme parks we all love. Not while people are still fighting about wearing masks and washing their hands. With the rise in cases, it's obvious many give no care for the welfare of others and in such a public area? It's going to be even more difficult to be safe with the blatant disregard of some.

On the other hand, we want our parks. We want to enjoy the summer season, explore beloved areas and ride all the new additions. We've gone stir-crazy and want out just as much as the next person in line. The parks themselves have worked out ways to try and keep things as safe as possible. From limited attendance, mobile applications for lines and heavy sanitizing routines. They are trying to reopen for us.

In the end, it boils down to one thing... we don't know.

We can't tell you it's going to be fine and that you'll be fine. 

We can't tell you it's safe, because we don't know. 

None here can speak if the parks are reopening too soon or not soon enough. We'd like to believe they mean well and want guests safe. Because without guests, they have no business. That said, I'd like to urge people to take their own initiative to be safe. Worry about yourself and take precautions. Don't simply throw yourself into the merriment and forget everything we've had to re-learn the hard way!

Follow the rules. Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Sanitize often.

Yes, it's inconvenient.  Yes, it's annoying.
But it's still far better to be inconvenienced and annoyed now than it is to possibly die, alone, in a hospital bed from something you could have prevented.

So Please, Stay Safe.

Disney Slashes Reservations, Hotels, Dining and FastPasses

The new 'Disney World Resort' in a post COVID19 world will have a new look and extremely limited service, reservations and options for guests.


Honestly, I'm not sure what the world expected in a post-plague world but it seems that the changes coming to Disney World are not what the public expected.

Today details dropped from Disney World in regards to exactly what changes would be happening around the resort. The changes are massive, and from dining plans to FastPasses, the world will not look the same when it reopens and likely not for a long time.


Full Stop on Sales
Reservations and Ticket Sales are gone. Disney has decided to currently halt all new ticket sales and reservations for the resort. The parks state this is to help accommodate those who have already repurchased or moved reservations due to the closure due to COVID19. Meaning you cannot currently reserve a hotel room, purchase a package or buy a ticket to visit any Disney World park now or for the current future.   Only existing reservations will stay in place, with no word on when things may resume.

Yes, you read this correctly: You cannot currently buy a ticket to visit Disney World.


Booking Window Cuts
The normal booking period for Disney is normally 180 days in advance, in this new world that time has been slashed and is now currently only 60 days in advance.


Extra Magic Hours Halted
Disney has stated any and all previously planned 'Extra Magic Hours' are halted and will not be used in the forthcoming reopening.


Dining Reservations and Plans Slashed
Disney stated today that all current dining plans and dining reservations are cancelled. You can't make, book or otherwise use dining reservations previously made at the parks. Those with a dining plan will no longer have that option and will need to make other arrangements.
You can re-book some limited dining experiences within a 60 day window.


FastPasses Suspended
The FastPass system is fully suspended. Until further noticed, the current system of FastPass+ will be suspended to allow for all additional line space to be used to accommodate social distancing.
No more FastPasses.


Magicband Sales Halted
Disney has suspended and removed all sales of MagicBands for the foreseeable future. Only current orders or already shipped MagicBands will be received.


Experiences Cancelled
Disney has cancelled all "high touch experiences" within the parks. Meaning make-over experiences like 'Bibbity-Bobbity Boutique' are closed. Along with this the parks stated that playgounds. golfing and character experiences are also unavailable to guests.


These details were released and clarified in the last two days. With these new and massive changes to the park the landscape of Disney World continues to evolve in this pre-reopening phase. The reservation system for visiting the parks has not yet been released, details of that are expected to drop in the coming dates.

For more details, you can read all the changes on the Disney World information page.

Coronavirus and Amusement Parks- What will re-opening look like?

 Amusement Parks, Coronavirus and Re-opening.. oh my? 

 Nothing is normal and nothing will be the same for a long time. So how is this going to effect the summer season? 





 Amusement parks and theme parks across the country are starting to prep for reopening and what is left of the summer park season. With announcements beginning today and more expected to break their silence in the next week.

 As of 5/21/20, several parks have announced opening days including Six Flags Great Adventure and Holiday World. With social distancing in place, face masks required and dozens of new sanitation rules in place- the changes to your summer park fun are going to be massive. It's now time to take a look at what this strange, new amusement park world is likely going to look like.