It’s been two long weeks since the last episode of Once Upon a Time aired. Can’t wait to see what happens next when it finally returns this Sunday night. As the last episode ended, Henry voluntarily plunged his heart into Pan and then collapsed on… Read More »Once Upon a Time Preview: 3-9 – Save Henry
Well Ho Ho Ho there! It’s time for round 2 of my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, this time featuring gifts for that animation fan in your life. Remember, each guide includes 5 items and a Toys for Tots item, something cheap that can be put… Read More »Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Disney Animation Presents
I’m sitting here in the Cove Café on the Disney Magic recovering from the Aquadunk, which is the newly refurbished Magic’s answer the the Aquaduck, the wild water coaster ride on Disney’s newest ships, the Fantasy and the Dream. Disney just re-launched the Magic after a months-long refurbishment, adding this amazing water slide with a scary twist: The floor droops out and plunges you down the tube. The entire effect is breathtaking, but not so much so that you’ll not want to do it again. It’s a wonderful addition to this ship.
We stayed on shore during our Cozumel day just to ride the Aquadunk as many times as possible, so we didn’t experience any waits, as most guests were exploring off the ship. If you’re riding on a normal sea day, expect a wait, but it’s worth it. You’ll go up several flights of stairs to reach the top then you’ll wait at a plexiglass gate. Read More »The Disney Magic’s Aquadunk.
IAAPA, the international organization for amusement parks and theme parks, held its annual convention last week in Orlando. Always a glitzy affair the IAAPA Expo is actually open to the public, but admission costs are steep (well over $100/person) and it’s primarily a trade show, not a traveling carnival. That said, there ARE some rides to sample here (think spinner ride, several simulators, and an odd carousel or two), as well as giant inflatable bounce houses and other amusements.
This being a trade show, you’ll find vendors here displaying new technologies such as debit card readers, or the latest in automated cotton-candy vending machines (a neat trick, actually). They are hoping to talk to buyers from theme parks, regional parks, and even family fun centers, all of whom are looking for a way to make their attraction memorable and unique (and profitable). A lot of business gets done at IAAPA in this fashion.
But it’s not all work; there is always a chance to play. One corner of the cavernous convention center is given over to the latest in ticket-spitting games of chance (and skill?), and there are many video games and pinball machines here too. The new Star Trek pinball machine is a clear winner, but I’m less certain we’ll see the standup arcade game for Plants versus Zombies everywhere (you play as the pea shooter). Namco had a nifty wraparound dome screen in a cockpit; it’s like being on Soarin, but the screen is sized just for one person and you’re right next to it.
Read More »IAAPA Expo – An Amusement Park Fan Favorite
Wait a minute. Is this week’s episode of Castle set in the future? Are we witnessing the christening of Castle and Beckett’s first kid? I didn’t even know she was pregnant. Actually, no, although I’m sure we’ll get to see how Castle and Beckett do… Read More »TV Preview: Castle 6-10 – The Good, the Bad, and the Baby
Our characters are branching out all over Wonderland, and it is going to give them lots of storytelling possibilities as they attempt to cover everyone. We’ll get our first glimpse of that this coming week. Let’s get the run down, shall we? Alice will be… Read More »Once Upon a Time in Wonderland 1-6 Preview – Who’s Alice?
Walt and Lillian’s daughter Diane died today after suffering complications from a fall she took at home in September. Like her mother, Diane Disney Miller choose not to operate from the boardroom, but rather preserved the legacy of her mom and dad by ensuring the… Read More »Diane Disney Miller, passes away at age 79
Editors Note: Disney has never said or implied that Fastpass+ and MagicBands would only be available to on-site guests only. As it stands, that is the current state of the program however. This is an interesting speculation if Disney decides to limit the service. One… Read More »Staying Off Site? How The New Fastpass+ May Change That.