Showing posts with label Busch Gardens Tampa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Busch Gardens Tampa. Show all posts
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #179 - River of Critters
Alan, Joe, and Mike hunker down for a long episode covering Six Flag's announcements of The Jersey Devil and Aquaman, Busch and SeaWorld announcements, and SeaWorld's ongoing power struggle and layoffs. Then we discuss Alan's first trip to Japan where he discusses the culture, the health of the amusement industry in the country, and his thoughts on Tokyo Disney Resort.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #167 - Fashionable Fanny Packs
Joe and Mike are joined by special guest Banks Lee of Attractions the Show! On this episode we talk about Busch Gardens Tampa's newest coaster, Tigris, and next year's RMC'ing of Gwazi. Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is opening earlier than we though but Mickey's Runaway Railway might be opening in 2020? Universal announced Stranger Things at HHN29 while also showing off more of their new Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure coaster.
Lastly we discuss our trips into the parks with Banks visiting Lego Movie World at Legoland, Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando, Knotts Berry Farm, and 90's Nite at Disneyland followed by Joe giving the highlights of his recent Disneyland Resort trip.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #162 - Secret Fudge and Failed Communist Tomorrowland
Joe, Alan, and Alex are freezing their asses off! This week's topics:
- Jurassic Park coaster update
- Gwazi RMC rumors
- Hersheypark's Chocolate Town updates
- Kings Island's International Street Updates
- Kings Dominion and Volcano
- Complain about Disneyland's Tomorrowland
- SeaWorld San Diego and Orlando rumors
- Trip Reports
- Alex goes to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, and Six Flags Over America then some alpine coasters
- Alan visits Graceland and Dollywood
Monday, November 20, 2017
Immersive Irony Experience Theme Park Podcast - Fata Morgana Memorial Episode
Alan, Lane, and Alex discuss Orlando trips, yet another Halloween Horror Nights 27 review, Volcano Bay, what happens when you have a billion dollars burning a hole in your pocket (aka Pandora), Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mine Blower impressions, the state of the Busch and SeaWorld parks, Alex visits the new Owa Park, Six Flags over Georgia is actually amazing, Lightning Rod, Lane’s Europe trip, Oktoberfest and Olympia Looping, Efteling and Symbolica, Stroopwafels, Diggerland, Fall Fun Fest, and MORE.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
YouTube Tuesday #9: Busch Gardens Tampa Revealed
The
power of the Travel Channel special returns.
This
gem comes from the BGT era when Gwazi was “new,” which gives you an idea of
what to expect.
Last
week was our introduction to these early 2000s Travel Channel specials, but to
be fair, our entry last week was the behind the scenes look at a hotel complex.
Now we get a full peek into the world of theme parks. And, dare I say, it will
be far from the last.
I
feel like you could fill 30-40 hours of documentary TV time on theme parks. It
seems like there is always some additional quirk to talk about. I have a few
theme park-specific documentaries coming down the pipe for all of you (you’re
welcome!) and I can’t help thinking that I could watch these shows for days. No
matter which roller coaster is being talked about (whether it’s
behind-the-scenes at the Gwazi tower position, as we see here, or the generator
at the Incredible Hulk Coaster, or the machine shop, or the train barn) I
always feel like I’m learning something new, even though I’ve seen about six
different park maintenance crews talk about what it takes to perform
preventative maintenance on wooden coasters every day (hint: they have to WALK
THE TRACK EVERY MORNING…you’ll get used to hearing this in a few weeks). But
regardless of the repeating information, it always
seems new because they’re talking about different rides. It’s a weird thing
to get excited about. But that’s why I love watching these videos so much.
What
I love about watching Busch Gardens Tamps
Revealed is the fact that BGT really is a hybrid park. When you think about
it, this is far more rare than what we might think. How many other parks have
duel purpose to BGT’s extent, which is practically as much of a zoo as it is a
theme park? After all, there’s BGT, SeaWorld, DAK…but who else could truly be
considered a hybrid park? There are legions and legions of thrill parks,
amusement parks, theme parks, zoos, aquariums. But how many of them have a true
50/50 split, or close to it?
Because
of this split, the documentary itself showcases both the animal encounters
(safaris, bird shows, etc.) and the ride mechanics (including the rare-for-TV
look at the operator control panels on multiple attractions). A nice bonus, we
also get to see the behind the scenes at the food service locations, the
traveling calypso band preparation, and the weather detection system for the
park (awesomely stationed at the skyway buildings).
The
cherry on top is the “exclusive” preview of the “all-new” Rhino Rally, which
basically acts as a six minute-long infomercial. I have to say though, looking
at the CGI mock-ups of the eventual ride made me think that Rhino Rally really
wasn’t a bad idea (though the theme was questionable and the concept could have
placed more emphasis on the animals). I unfortunately was never able to ride
Rhino Rally, since the only time I visited since the ride opened it was broken down.
But, it was quite interesting to see how excited
the BGT executives were about that ride.
This
is part of the reason why I love Travel Channel specials so much. They combine
real backstage operations with what is essentially a vacation planning video.
And I love both. Enjoy your trip through the Tampa wilderness, and we’ll have
another theme park special rarin’ to go for your enjoyment next week!
--ParkScopeJeff (@ParkScopeJeff)
**Send Jeff a line at HamGamgee@gmail.com. We appreciate your feedback!
Sunday, May 31, 2015
4.8- Volcano Bae
Joe, Mike (for a hot second), Nick, and Sean are joined by friends of the podcast Brian and Andy from OrlandoUnited.com to talk Raptors, new rollercoasters at Busch and SeaWorld, and Volcano Bay water park.
Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
3.6 - Mike Gets a Ring
Subscribe to our RSS
Direct Download
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.
Direct Download
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 Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sea World/Busch Gardens Tampa Ticket Price Increase
© 2012 Sea World Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
If you have any questions or comments, you can leave them here or tweet me @MrX_381 or @Parkscope. You can also find us on Facebook!
Discovery Cove: Eden in Orlando
One of the best experiences I have had in my life occurred on my honeymoon. As with every honeymoon, you try to do something that is extra special. Since me and my wife being theme park people, one option was clear, Discovery Cove.
Discovery Cove is an oasis in Orlando. Once you enter the gates, you will completely forget that you are in the middle of a major city. Sure, the occasional airplane will bring you back to reality, but this place is simply amazing. It is what I picture the Garden of Eden to have been like. Simple perfection, simple paradise.
For a fee that ranges anywhere from $150 range in the colder months, to in excess of $200 per person during the summer months, you get an all inclusive ticket that will get you access to this paradise. With your paid admission, you will get access to snorkeling on tropical reefs, all your food and drinks, and a day without turnstiles and crowds. You can also pay extra (it was $50 when I visited) and recieve admission for 7 consecutive days to Sea World, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Aquatica. Discovery Cove limits the number of guests that enters the oasis to around 1,000 people per day, which allows this boutique park to feel even more special. Keep in mind that when I say all your food and drinks, I mean ALL your food and drinks.
Discovery Cove is an oasis in Orlando. Once you enter the gates, you will completely forget that you are in the middle of a major city. Sure, the occasional airplane will bring you back to reality, but this place is simply amazing. It is what I picture the Garden of Eden to have been like. Simple perfection, simple paradise.
The thing that truly sets this place apart is how close you can get to the animals in the park. You can literally reach out and touch rays, snorkel besides tropical fish and sharks, and feed birds with your hands.
The dolphin swim is the signature attraction of the park, but if you would like to save a bit of money, you can opt out of the dolphin swim. Since it was our honeymoon, we swam with the dolphins, which was truly memorable. However, when we go back (and we will), we are planning on opting out of the dolphin experience to save a little cash. While it is exciting to actually touch and swim with those amazing creatures, the park offers plenty to do without paying the extra for it.
When we arrived at Discovery Cove for our trip, SeaVenture had just opened. Think of SeaVenture as an old school scuba diving experience. You are given a helmet that that acts like a cup under water when in place. It gives you a pocket of oxygen that will allow you to walk on the floor of the reef. Scuba certification is not needed for the upcharge experience. Once you are submerged about 20 ft. down, you are literally walking on the floor of the Grand Reef which offers you an opportunity get up close and personal with a wide array of animals in their natural environment.
It is an amazing experience! You can pay a bit more and get a copy of pictures you take with an underwater digital camera (hence how I got these shots). If it is your first time and you love animals, I suggest paying for it as they help the memories last. You can also pay for a video of your dolphin swim, which is also a cool souvenir, but a pricey one. My wife uses them in her science class and I like to look at them and remember what was a perfect day in the Oasis of Orlando.
Discovery Cove is an outstanding experience that I recommend everyone experience at some point. It is pricey, but we never felt like we did not get what we paid for. Overall, it is a great experience that I am looking forward to visiting again in the future because the best keeps getting better with the addition of Fresh Water Oasis.
© 2012 Sea World Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fresh Water Oasis is a new experience that opened for summer 2012. It features a water-filled wading trail that offers guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with marmosets and otters. It sounds like another outstanding experience and a wonderful addition to the park. I look forward to visiting this new attraction one day.
Discovery Cove truly is paradise. It is unlike any other experience we have ever had in a theme park. I encourage everyone to take some time out of an upcoming trip to Orlando and visit this wonderful place. If you have any questions or comments, you can leave them here or tweet me @MrX_381 or @Parkscope. You can also find us on Facebook!
All pictures not marked otherwise were taken by my wife and me on a recent trip to Discovery Cove.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)