After little to no major attractions opened in the last bunch of years (and no the re-theme of Earthquake to Disaster doesn’t count), Universal finally jumped back into the Orlando roller coaster wars.
Universal Studios is about to build a new signature ride: a high-tech roller coaster full of lights, music, loops, twists and turns — and a quick trip over the heads of people walking through the nearby CityWalk entertainment district.
The Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit is planned to be big, bright and brash enough to become the new visual symbol for the theme park when the coaster opens in about a year. Universal Orlando officials said Tuesday that it also will feature enough digital technology to appeal directly to what they refer to as the “YouTube culture.”
Universal Orlando officials said the coaster will rise 167 feet into the air and feature numerous loops and corkscrew turns. Rockit — the first big, outdoor thrill ride for Universal Studios — is set to open in spring 2009.
I shuddered when I read the part about the “YouTube culture”, I can just imagine how the planning meeting went.
“What’s hip to the kids these days?”
“My daughter is into this Youtube-thing.”
“Great! Work that into a ride somehow.”
New ‘Rockit’ high-tech roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Orlando in 2009
My wife (and Find Paradise Flickr group member) Christine, took this amazing picture while we were zipping along the “Tomorrowland’s Transit Authority” (the Peoplemover) over at Disney World the other day. It’s one of those rides I can ride over and over and never get tired of, probably because it’s usually line-less and it’s a great way to rest your feet after a long day of theme parking.
The scuffle in the Magic Kingdom began May 27 when Victoria Walker accused Aimee Krause of jumping the queue leading to the spinning teacups ride, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Walker, 51, yelled and cussed about the perceived slight and shoved two children with Krause, then 34, as they all waited in a holding area to be the next group on the ride.
Walker was in line with her 11-year-old daughter. Krause had her children, ages 6 and 7, and a friend’s two children with her in line.
According to Walker, Krause elbowed her as they moved through the line and then hit her again. Then, Walker said, Krause “kicked backwards” and struck her.
Walker, who stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 230 pounds, then grabbed Krause — who is 5 feet, 5 inches — from behind and began beating her. Walker stopped only after she was pulled off the smaller woman.
Police at first thought it was a minor dust-up and allowed Walker to go home to Alabama.
But Krause’s doctors diagnosed a concussion, a herniated disk in her cervical spine and post-traumatic seizures. When investigators saw that, they issued a felony warrant and had Walker arrested in Alabama.
Holy crap, that woman sounds nuts.
Read the whole article at the Orlando Sentinel.
It seems two Mike Ditka Resorts are opening in Orlando, FL (well one is a resort and the other seems to be a condo-tel). Visiting each each resort website (Lighthouse Key, Runaway Beach Club) offers the usual information, amenities, accommodations. The big thing I’m noticing is that a majority of the pictures seem to be using the magic of computer animation. Also each website has the following near the bottom of each page “The use of Mike Ditka’s name is not to imply that he has ownership interest in the hotel and is used in pursuant to a licensing arrangement.”, so out of all the people in the world, the owners of these resort licensed Mike Ditka’s name? I’m sure he’s a great person and all, and a great coach, but…Mike Ditka? That’ll drive the folks to sunny Florida.
My wife, brother and I headed down to the northern part of Ft Lauderdale last weekend for a comic book convention I was attending. Since we know little about the area and had free Wi-Fi at the hotel we were staying at, we poked around Google to find a half-way decent place to find dinner. We were surprised to find that Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine, the Cuban restaurant we so frequented in our youth (my brother and I were born and raised in Hollywood, FL, south of Ft. Lauderdale) had an outpost a few miles nearby on Oakland Park Blvd.
We walked into the restaurant pretty late (the convention exhibition hall closed around 8 at night), and were greeted by a near empty restaurant. Normally in that situation my wife and I would tuck tail and run, because usually an empty restaurant means a crappy restaurant. But since we had prior experience with it’s sister restaurant near our old house, and since there was a brand spanking new Bentley parked out front we approached the host stand expecting a decent meal.
The restaurant itself was nicely furnished, nothing too amazing, with roughly 20 tables. The tables themselves were sort of diner style, with the “Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine” logo prominently lacquered to each table top. After seating, we were quickly approached by a waitress who eerily reminded me of my mother. We ordered drinks and a couple appetizers and while patiently waiting for our drinks we perused the menu.
Continue reading ‘There should be a Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine in every town’
Rumor is that the narration on the popular Animal Kingdom ride has been changed slightly to remove bits from the fictional warden and British doctor’s chatter. Now it seems the “drivers” will be allowed to flex their acting muscle a bit more. Which personally I don’t mind, I always thought the “plot” for the Kilimanjaro Safari’s weren’t really needed. We’re driving around looking at animals for god sake, why do we need a faux adventure/rescue plot?
Disney safari tale alters a tad [Orlando Sentinel]
The Seminole controlled Hard Rock in Tampa, Florida has announced a $120-million expansion to include a larger gaming floor, VIP area, steak house and a parking garage.
…the expansion isn’t just about more space for cars, people and video bingo games. The casino needs new amenities to compete with high-end restaurants and other entertainment options, says Fontana.
Steak knives used by celebrity guests will hang on the walls of the Council Oak Steaks & Seafood Restaurant. Through windows, customers will view the butcher shop and chefs in the kitchen.
A new floor above the casino will include a VIP lounge, a living room setting for Hard Rock’s biggest gamblers. The chef will prepare menu selections or take special requests.
A 390-seat buffet-style restaurant on the same level will feature cooks at free-standing stations preparing baked goods, sushi and Mongolian barbecue.
The casino’s centerpiece will be a $2-million Plexiglas “WonderWall” illuminated with music videos and images from eight projectors.
The Seminole Hard Rock undergoes a $120-million expansion. [St. Petersburg Times]
