View: https://youtu.be/asmd0jGpg9o?si=-mhLgdS1rPPlG9sQ
Absolutely no screens for the Donkey Kong attraction.
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I guess I've seen some speculation that the trains are lighter and might me more affected by the wind or more prone to not making it over the hill.
Seen so many videos on social media leading up to the opening, crazy it is already down.
Europa-Park in Germany has opened their new launch coaster Voltron Nevera.
It is the centerpeice of the new Croatian area and themed as an Nikola Tesla lab.
It offers some pretty neat theming and great track elements.
Youtube off and on ride
Can't wait to visit it this summer.
Could become my new favorite coaster.
What happened to Top Thrill 2? Cedar Point announced it's down indefinitely
That's not good
Edit: ElToroRyan says it's likely to re-open in June rather than May and he says "I have heard there's something they're re-engineering and I won't say exactly what because it's not confirmed" while showing b-roll footage of its tires on the screen. And he commented that there was premature wear on the part that maintenance staff at the park were noticing it so I would say Zamperla redoing the wheel assembly is the cause here. Not a great start but at the same time, these are new trains and by all accounts well made so once they get it right, it will certainly be a more reliable ride at the end of it.
In time for Coastermania or will it just be another down year for the event?
Screamscape's rumor on Top Thrill doesn't sound good. Apparently the problem with the trains was severe.
Best case - July reopening. Worst case - closed till next season.
Hmm, might be a good little thing to do before my birthday that month!Annual Pass Member Park Takeover confirmed for June 5 with RSVPs starting on may 22 at 11:15 am.
Universal Studios Hollywood announces Pass Member Park Takeover on June 5, 2024
Universal Studios Hollywood has announced an exclusive after-hours Pass Member Park Takeover, presented by Coca-Cola featuring Sprite Chill, will take place on June 5, 2024. Pass Member can enjoy their favorite rides and attractions, character meet-and-greets, photo ops, outdoor Sprite Chill Lounwww.insideuniversal.net
Event will be active for 8-12 after park closure, but it's on a Wednesday for me and Mario Kart will close at 10. So meh.
The same guy who said Darien Lake's Ride of Steel is definitely closing in 2022? Yeah, the going rumour is definitely the vehicle wheels but it's not going to take them a full season to fix it.
1. I checked Touring Plans projected crowd calendar and planned around that. I think AK was actually my favourite park by the end of the holiday. If you go on Kilamanjaro Safaris (and you should) sit on the left side of the jeep facing forwards. Cross your fingers the baby elephant is awake.Main questions:
1. Does the park order sound like a good approach? AK seems like a good first proper theme park for the kids since it probably won't be nearly as crazy as MK or HS.
2. Has anyone used Touring Plans before? I subscribed and am enjoying the trip planner feature. I like having everything step by step laid out and that it spells out exactly how long you will be walking from point to point as well as what the expected wait times are.
3. How much of a disadvantage will we be at if we don't rope drop any of the parks? My wife is very much against the idea of rushing the kids around on vacation, but the worrier in me is stressed about not being able to hit the big things they want to do.
I'd say things that become harder to do if you don't rope drop are: Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan, Slinky Dog, Frozen/Remy, Avatar boat ride. If you are open to buying ILL's those rides that have it tend to be readily available in my experience. So for Genie+ I would prioritize those rides above that don't (and your return times aren't going to be super early most likely either).3. How much of a disadvantage will we be at if we don't rope drop any of the parks? My wife is very much against the idea of rushing the kids around on vacation, but the worrier in me is stressed about not being able to hit the big things they want to do.
If you try at 7AM to get genie+ reservations for Slinky Dog and Peter Pan, expect afternoon slots. It's madness.I'd say things that become harder to do if you don't rope drop are: Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan, Slinky Dog, Frozen/Remy, Avatar boat ride. If you are open to buying ILL's those rides that have it tend to be readily available in my experience. So for Genie+ I would prioritize those rides above that don't (and your return times aren't going to be super early most likely either).
Yuuuuuuup :(If you try at 7AM to get genie+ reservations for Slinky Dog and Peter Pan, expect afternoon slots. It's madness.
How did you find balancing Genie+ w/ Touring Plans? Was it easy while in the park to adjust things on the fly with Touring Plans based on what time you're able to get LLs?1. I checked Touring Plans projected crowd calendar and planned around that. I think AK was actually my favourite park by the end of the holiday. If you go on Kilamanjaro Safaris (and you should) sit on the left side of the jeep facing forwards. Cross your fingers the baby elephant is awake.
2. Got back last week from a WDW and Universal trip where I used Touring Plans throughout. It was great and I'll do it again. For Universal I stuck rigidly to the touring plan and basically completed USO by 12PM. I was less strict with Disney but it was still very helpful.
3. At no point did I get in the park for opening or early opening and we had no issues. Massive caveat though is I was strategically using Genie + almost every day, getting up at 7AM to book the first genie+ from my hotel room.
I will be honest, we rode Peter Pan when the kids were younger and while it was neat and understandably a classic, I don't think it's worth the high wait times it yields. In fact with my infant son my lap with a barely restrictive lap bar I was stressed out the whole ride lol.I'd say things that become harder to do if you don't rope drop are: Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan, Slinky Dog, Frozen/Remy, Avatar boat ride. If you are open to buying ILL's those rides that have it tend to be readily available in my experience. So for Genie+ I would prioritize those rides above that don't (and your return times aren't going to be super early most likely either).
ILLs tend to have decent availability throughout the day on days we've been. I'll actually watch the return times offered throughout the morning and wait until I get one I like.By open to buying ILLs you mean that those that have individual purchases don't typically sell out? So if I purchase right at 7AM I should be good? Same for VQs for Guardians and Tron?
Yeah no issues. The app will tell you what genie+ to book when and give an estimated time frame for what the return slot will be. You add the reservation time in the app when you get it and it will reoptimise the plan if needed.How did you find balancing Genie+ w/ Touring Plans? Was it easy while in the park to adjust things on the fly with Touring Plans based on what time you're able to get LLs?
Got it, thanks. I was a little concerned because the LLs it suggested to grab first are not the ones that I would expect to have to do first when I had it optimize the plan. But it seems like it knows what it's talking about so I'll give it a shot.Yeah no issues. The app will tell you what genie+ to book when and give an estimated time frame for what the return slot will be. You add the reservation time in the app when you get it and it will reoptimise the plan if needed.
I'm curious what the suggestions are?Got it, thanks. I was a little concerned because the LLs it suggested to grab first are not the ones that I would expect to have to do first when I had it optimize the plan. But it seems like it knows what it's talking about so I'll give it a shot.
So I've only gotten up to planning out our AK and HS days, but for AK it has us rope dropping the two Pandora rides then:I'm curious what the suggestions are?
I've not had Touring Plans since the regular FP days, I wasn't aware they were so integrated with Genie+ but I guess it isn't surprising.
AK makes sense, I've seen Everest have reasonable waits even later in the day.So I've only gotten up to planning out our AK and HS days, but for AK it has us rope dropping the two Pandora rides then:
Safari as the first LL for a morning return time
Kali River Rapids next
Expedition Everest
The Finding Nemo show
AK is kind of a wash because of the lack of big ticket attractions.
HS is a little weirder:
Toy Story Mania first
Alien Swirling Saucers
Star Tours
Slinky Dog - it put this as the last step of the day, too.
I'd expect it to suggest to grab Slinky Dog first, no matter the time.
Most likely what I need to do is fill things out a bit more in terms of breaks, food stops etc so it has a fuller itinerary.
It tries to maximise the amount of Genie+ revs you can get in a day. I also ignored it for Slinky and just got that first.So I've only gotten up to planning out our AK and HS days, but for AK it has us rope dropping the two Pandora rides then:
Safari as the first LL for a morning return time
Kali River Rapids next
Expedition Everest
The Finding Nemo show
AK is kind of a wash because of the lack of big ticket attractions.
HS is a little weirder:
Toy Story Mania first
Alien Swirling Saucers
Star Tours
Slinky Dog - it put this as the last step of the day, too.
I'd expect it to suggest to grab Slinky Dog first, no matter the time.
Most likely what I need to do is fill things out a bit more in terms of breaks, food stops etc so it has a fuller itinerary.
Yeah there seems to be a lot of advice online around how you don't even need Genie+ for AK which means that you can hopefully take full advantage of it if you do get it.It tries to maximise the amount of Genie+ revs you can get in a day. I also ignored it for Slinky and just got that first.
What I found with Animal Kingdom when I was there is hardly anyone was using genie+ so I was booking a genie + immediately, walking straight on the rides and immediately booking another.
What I tried to do was use Genie+ once at each park only but then the 45min+ queues made me miserable and we started using it again.
And even if you win the virtual queue lottery that still means you will be waiting in a 45+ min line anyway. They call way too many groups at one time.The parks are pretty miserable when you don't have Genie+ imo. It's what keeps me from buying an AP as a local. They gotta figure that stuff out (and dump virtual queue, it's a total joke if you can access it or not even if you tap right on the dot).
I'm really curious what is going to happen with that system once Epic Universe opens.I was much happier with Universal's express pass system. Unlimited use, no reservations and they're an additional perk of staying at a deluxe hotel.
I was much happier with Universal's express pass system. Unlimited use, no reservations and they're an additional perk of staying at a deluxe hotel.
For all coaster fans, I was wondering what your top 5 is?
Mine is probably:
Velocicoaster (Universal Islands of Adventure)
Iron Gwazi (Bush Gardens Tampa)
Ride to Happiness (Plopsaland De Panne)
Kondaa (Walibi Belgium)
Untamed (Walibi Holland)
Rounding of the top ten:
Toutatis (Parc Asterix)
Taron (Phantasialand)
F.L.Y. front row (Phantasialand)
Mako (Sea World Orlando)
Hagrid's (Universal Islands of Adventure)
Coasters I hope to do before the end of next year that could crack my top ten:
Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point)
Maverick (Cedar Point)
Top Thrill 2 (Cedar Point)
Voltron (Europa Park)
Gotham City Escape (Parque Warner Madrid)
Shambhala (Port Aventura)
Starfall Racers (Epic Universe)
For all coaster fans, I was wondering what your top 5 is?
Mine is probably:
Velocicoaster (Universal Islands of Adventure)
Iron Gwazi (Bush Gardens Tampa)
Ride to Happiness (Plopsaland De Panne)
Kondaa (Walibi Belgium)
Untamed (Walibi Holland)
Rounding of the top ten:
Toutatis (Parc Asterix)
Taron (Phantasialand)
F.L.Y. front row (Phantasialand)
Mako (Sea World Orlando)
Hagrid's (Universal Islands of Adventure)
Coasters I hope to do before the end of next year that could crack my top ten:
Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point)
Maverick (Cedar Point)
Top Thrill 2 (Cedar Point)
Voltron (Europa Park)
Gotham City Escape (Parque Warner Madrid)
Shambhala (Port Aventura)
Starfall Racers (Epic Universe)