Animal Kingdom- Avatarland Breaks Ground

Image from Disney Parks Blog

 Avatarland Breaks Ground at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

 With the official closing of Camp Minnie-Mickey attractions, Avatarland had it's first big day in the spotlight.

 On January 10th,  Disney Parks Blog posted up this image of their groundbreaking ceremony, with "Na'vi" themed shovels and some photoshop work on "Jake Sully" in his Avatar form to show a size reference. When in reality it was really Mickey Mouse who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Disney didn't really leak much information about this new 'land' coming to the park.

Image from Orlando Sentential

The area, which is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineering in partnership with “AVATAR” creator James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, will be unlike anything ever experienced at a Disney park. Guests will experience the wonders of Pandora when they fly with banshees and explore a rich natural environment with mountains that float and interactive plants that glow at night.

Currently no one is sure what attractions will be added into the "Avatarland" project.  However, with adding Avatarland to Animal Kingdom Disney is hoping that the park will become a full day experience and keep guests in the park longer. No word right now if this will expand the parks operating hours but between Avatarland and this addition of a new night-time show, it's very likely the park will finally buck it's standard 6pm closing time.

Six Flags Magic Mountain- X2 is Down

Image from jasoninhollywood.blogspot.com

 Today we've learned the ground-breaking 4th Dimension Coaster, X2 located at Six Flags Magic Mountain will be down for an unknown length of time. 

 For the last week Screamscape has reported the coaster to be down. Six Flags Magic Mountain has reported that the lift hill chain is being replaced and that they have no timeline for when repairs will be completed although they have stated the ride will not be open during their 'Fright Fest' event this season. It may not reopen again until possibly the winter holidays.

 This is yet another ride of Six Flags which has gone through big problems this season, the most notable being El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure which complete blew out it's lift hill motor earlier this season causing it to be down for an extended period of time.  Nor is Six Flags alone in having broken attractions, this season hasn't been kind to the roller coasters of the US. Cedar Fair has also had massive problems with rides including Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion.

 What is causing these problems? We're not sure. Could it be a lack of maintenance or perhaps just the huge stresses these rides are under? The parks aren't reporting that much so we're left to speculation and curiosity. Will 2015 see another rash of broken attractions?