Tired of Mickey and Shamu?

Try one of these:

10 Weirdest Theme Parks


Bob-Bon Land with its farting roller coaster does sound different (hahaha).


And if you're more literary-minded, Dickens World might be right up your Dickensian Courtyard (alley).

Confession # 11: I Miss the Great Fright Way

The Ghostbusters vs Beetlejuice was my favorite street show over at Universal Studios until February 19, 2005, when it was closed after a 15-year run.

In every on-line survey I've taken for Universal Orlando, I've mentioned how much I miss these guys.

I'm not the only one. There is an on-line petition   to bring this show back.

Dollywood's Newest

celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and to celebrate, will open a brand-new attraction,  Adventure Mountain

Regarding the physically-challenging course(s), Dolly said, "It's not set up for high heels ... and the artificial nails ... I could lose so many things."

Gotta love Dolly.

Busch Gardens, Part II

We made our 2nd visit to BG a couple of weeks ago.

There were several school groups there so the park was a bit busier, but most of the kids went for the big coasters, which we weren't interested in, so no problem!


As we passed the alligator pool up front, one of the 'gators was swimming by with a turtle on its back! Crapola! I forgot my camera!!



After a short wait in line, we rode the Skyride back to the Jungala area which we missed on our 1st visit.

Loved the tigers. They were more active (and looked younger) than those at DAK. As we looked across the area at the 'Pop-up', one of the white tigers jumped up and laid down across the top of it.  Not only was it still there when we passed that way, another tiger had come up and they were nuzzling each other. Cool!  Dammitt, no camera!


We enjoyed the Treetop Trails; hubby more so than me (I was still recuperating from surgery, so only did the most basic one). We wanted to do the Jungle Flyers, but there is an age limit of 6-13 and the attendant just laughed when we assured him that our maturity level was 12, tops.  


This time we had lunch at the Crown Colony House. Definitely the place to eat! As we were the first ones there, we had our choice of seating - and chose a window seat overlooking the Serengeti Plain, of course. Being really hungry, we had the Family dinner which was very good, reasonably priced, and way too much food for the two of us! The service was very good, the white table cloths were a nice touch, as was the piano player, and it was overall a very pleasant lunch (no screaming kids, either!). Yes, we will dine there next visit, too.

We still have the shows - Katonga, Rock-a-Doo Wop, and Pirates 4-D - to see next time!

June 18, 2010

What: The Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Where: Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando

Click on the map to see full view:

Disney World what?

Disney (not) Photo of the Day

H/T Comic Con

Chow, Baby!

Disney Dining is changing over at Epcot's World Showcase.

 
Cantina de San Angel (the outdoor fast food place) at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot is closed for a significant refurbishment and expansion - a 400-seat waterside restaurant and quick service food location.

And over at the Italy pavilion, a new, unnamed as yet, 14,000 sq.ft.,  300-seat family-style pizzeria, featuring wood-burning ovens, and genuine Italian dishes, will expand the piazza by 10,000 sq ft.

Both places are expected to open in fall 2010. 

Summer Nightastic!

The "Main Street Electrical Parade" will return to WDW's Magic Kingdom this June.  About time, too! This marvelous montage of moving lights has been at Disneyland since 2001.

The Magic Kingdom will also have a new summer fireworks spectacular.

Aaaand, over at Disney's Hollywood Studios the Tower of Terror will have new lighting effects and a new drop sequence.  Yowza!

Mickey must be hearing footsteps...

Wizardly footsteps.

WDW CM Spotlight

During last year, WDW Cast Members were given an opportunity to submit photos to celebrate vacations, anniversaries, birthdays, etc., and then vote for their favorite.

And the winner:

A WDW Cast Member who returned from active duty with the military!

What in the (Wizarding) World ??

In case you've been unconscious, under a rock, or in outer space for the past year...

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando.
     JUNE 18, 2010

What you can expect to see:


The Hogwarts Express,
which whistles and billows steam to signal its arrival;

Hogsmeade Village 
    with Wizard shops....

Zonko's:
a joke shop where you can purchase Extendable Ears and Sneakoscopes;


Honeydukes:
which features treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans  (take 'THAT' Ghirardellis);

The Three Broomsticks and the adjacent Hog's Head pub, offering traditional British food and drinks ... and the definitely non-traditional Butterbeer (non-alcoholic) and pumpkin juice;

The Owlery and The Owl Post:
where you can send letters with a  Hogsmeade postmark and buy official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter;

Ollivander's:
the wand shop where the 'wand chooses the wizard' in an interactive experience (I wonder if the Wand of Destiny will be available? );

Dervish and Banges:
the magical instruments shop selling Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

The attractions:

Dragon Challenge:
a twin high-speed roller coaster with many elements from the Triwizard Tournament (the former "Dueling Dragons");

Flight of the Hippogriff:
a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle (the former "Flying Unicorn");


Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey:
the big, huge, new ride located in Hogwarts Castle: a state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced;

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade:
Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods
(get your Omnioculars here!)

I'm saving my Galleons and Knuts for HarryPotterstuff and butterbeer!!