Wednesday, August 27, 2014

3.6 - Mike Gets a Ring

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Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean are all back to discuss SeaWorld, Busch Parks, Potter Celebration, HHN, Hollywood Studios, Villains, hard tickets, random stories, things, and some postulation on Parkscope Weekend. Trust me it makes sense.

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at ParkscopeParkscopeJoeCaptMichael87ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Sea World Trademark Update: Sea Lion High, New Show Title and Concept Art

So, in what may be a first for Parkscope, we're here to break some SeaWorld information. We received a tip to check the trusty trademark site for some SeaWorld news, and came across the mark above for "Sea Lion High", which seems to be the new show title for the Clyde and Seamore show. Throwing the title into Google led us to this site full of concept art. Looks like it's going to be a pretty elaborate replacement for what was already, in my opinion, the best attraction at SeaWorld not called Manta. As always, stay tuned to Parkscope for more information.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Robin Williams



On August 11th, 2014 Robin Williams was discovered dead in his home at age 63. A hugely influential entertainer, his life and accomplishments were recognized by actors, comedians, the Walt Disney Company, and even the White House. As people come to grasp the nature of his death and memorialize him, they will rewatch his old movies and comedy specials. Even as a kid, I was hugely influenced by his work in Aladdin, Jumanji, Dead Poets Society, and Patch Adams.

But Robin's work that will stick with me the most is his fantastic theme park work. In the late 80s to mid 90s Disney lead a campaign to add popular, contemporary entertainers to the parks, and Robin Williams led the push.

His most recognizable additions to the parks came from his most beloved Disney character, the Genie from Aladdin. From SpectroMagic to World of Color, the Genie has been a staple character using Robin's voice in the parks. And even more face characters and performers have represented the interpretation of the Genie that Robin popularized, from parades to stage shows.

Robin Williams also lent his voice and personality to two other fantastic Disney attractions. The first is The Magic of Disney Animation tour in the Disney-MGM Studios. Robin lent his acting and personality to the "Back to Neverland" opening film, where his avatar was a lost boy from Peter Pan. The full breadth of the birth of animation was covered, from storyboarding to final production.


Back To Neverland: Walter and Robin from Joe Pitt on Vimeo.

But my favorite, and his best work in my humble opinion, is that of the Timekeeper. A crazed genius android, Timekeeper invented time travel and a nine eye robot (named 9 Eye and voiced by Rhea Perlman) so he can safety travel through time meet Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. He set up shop in the Tomorrowland Science Center, where you can take part in his demonstration. Of course, bad things happen, H.G. comes back to modern time, and hijinks happen.


Timekeeper HQ from Martins Videos on Vimeo.

Timekeeper is brilliantly paced and finally fulfilled the promise of the CircleVision technology. Combining an exquisite script, amazing AAs and a physical set, amazing videography, and one of the best soundtracks to an attraction ever, Timekeeper is deeply missed from the theme park line-up.

And of course, it wouldn't be a post by me without featuring Blue Man Group, here using Robin as a paintbrush in a Yves Klein esque painting.






Robin Williams was a brilliant actor, comedian, and person. He will be missed. I will leave you with one last video with Robin Williams.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

3.5 - Ugliest Podcast in Norway

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Joe and Mike are joined by the incomparable Len Testa from your books, websites, and podcasts (and other podcasts) to discuss Halloween Horror Nights, Frozen invasion, Norway, 1 million riders, Len's UOR trip, Italian food, and UOR updates to the 2015 edition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Then we close out with your questions.

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at ParkscopeParkscopeJoeCaptMichael87ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

UOR Permit Update: Project 664 and Kong

Big news from the world of permits today, as a few new additions were put up on the Orange Country Comptroller site. Today we have NoCs for work on the King Kong show building as well as for a new mystery project, "Project 664". Our sources had indicated to us weeks ago that project 664 was to be UOR's fifth hotel. The NoC backs that up, as there are mutiple call outs to "Site D" in it, which is the plot of land between Royal Pacific and Cabana Bay. The NoC is also attributed to the Universal City Hotel venture, another giveaway. As always, stay tuned to Parkscope for more updates.