SeaWorld Orlando Announces Ice Breaker for 2020
SeaWorld Orlando’s Ice Breaker Roller Coaster SeaWorld has announced Ice Breaker, a new launch roller coaster that will open in 2020. It will boast the steepest beyond-vertical on a roller coaster at 100 degrees. Ice Breaker will also be a rare multi-pass launch coaster meaning that riders will travel forward and backward with the aid of several launches. When it opens it will be the park...[Read More]
Slinky Dog Dash Opens This Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, located in Orlando, FL, will be opening a new roller coaster along with the new Toy Story Land. Slinky Dog Dash looks to be a launched coaster designed by Mack Rides. Fittingly, the launches look relatively gentle and just enough to accelerate the cool Slinky-themed trains on their course throughout Toy Story Land. Opening Date & Height Requirements Curious if...[Read More]
POV Monday – Manta at SeaWorld Orlando Video
This week’s featured roller coaster video is a flying roller coaster with a show-stopping, jaw-dropping finale. Manta at SeaWorld Orlando boasts a unique water element where the ride’s flying (face-down) trains come within a few feet of the water’s surface. Video Highlight While diving to the water is a highlight both for riders and on-lookers, the sharp turn that follows was als...[Read More]
The Best Non-Disney Theme Parks for Kids
Since I’ve been a parent, I’ve had a much greater appreciation for the kids areas at the theme parks that I’ve visited. Even when I’ve taken solo trips without the family, I’ve noted the good and not-so-good kids areas that I’ve encountered. The Golden Ticket Awards has two categories related to the best theme parks for kids and best areas for children. Out of t...[Read More]
Guest Review of White Lightning at Fun Spot
Brand new this year, Fun Spot America in Orlando opened one extremely unique coaster, made by Great Coasters International. Fun Spot is certainly a one-of-a-kind park. It’s made up of an arcade, go karts, a 250 foot tall Sky Coaster, and two roller coasters. White Lightning has a completely different attitude from other coasters. It has a short 2,032 foot course and doesn’t even reach 50 mil...[Read More]
Riders Stuck on Rip Ride Rockit
Earlier this week, 12 riders were stuck on Universal Studio’s Rip Ride Rockit. The train had stopped near the top of the ride’s 90-degree vertical lift some 150 feet in the air. Firefighters rescued the riders nearly 3 hours after the incident began. Here’s a news story including the 911 call:video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player There are no details on the ac...[Read More]
Fun Spot's White Lightning & Freedom Flyer Now Open
New Roller Coasters Now Open in Orlando at Fun Spot America GCI wooden coaster White Lightning and inverted coaster Freedom Flyer are now open at Fun Spot America. Located in Orlando, not far from Universal, this park’s 2013 expansion brought many enhancements. A rare wooden roller coaster in Florida, White Lightning should be a welcomed good old-fashioned, addition to the state packed with ...[Read More]
Wealthy Hire Disabled to Skip Lines at Disney World
In, “I can’t believe I’m typing this” news, according to a New York Post article wealthy parents in Manhattan have been hiring the disabled in order to skip lines at Disney World. The disabled pose as family members so that they can all skip lines. At theme parks across the country, disabled guests are often permitted to bypass lines completely or enter rides through statio...[Read More]
Top 8 New Roller Coasters of 2013 – Part 1
5th Annual List of the Most Anticipated New Roller Coasters of the Year Each year I rank the new roller coasters that are opening based on which of them I’d like to ride the most. Usually, I base my rankings on how unique or thrilling they look. This year’s list of new roller coasters isn’t quite as packed as 2012’s, but there are some very interesting additions. I’m ...[Read More]
Hobbit-Themed Area Could be Coming to Islands of Adventure
I came across an interesting rumor on Screamscape recently. Apparently there may be plans for a Hobbit-themed area at Islands of Adventure. And according to this article, Universal even used the success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to convince the Tolkiens that they could create a successful project that’s true to the source material. Could Harry + Hobbits = Too Much Fantasy? I had...[Read More]
POV Video of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster
This week Disney shared an animated POV video of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster that will be opening in the revitalized New Fantasyland area at Magic Kingdom. The video is short and meant to just give a tease of the attraction. One noteworthy element of the family ride will be the swaying or tipping motion of the train cars. Take a short spin on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:As Disney Pa...[Read More]
Wooden Roller Coaster White Lightning Coming to Fun Spot
Fun Spot’s New Wooden Roller Coaster – White Lightning Orlando amusement park, Fun Spot Action Park, is adding a Great Coasters International wooden roller coaster for 2013. I mentioned it in a post about unannounced and rumored 2013 roller coasters. Now we know the ride will be called White Lightning and the park has been posting construction photos as they prepare to build one of Flo...[Read More]