Joe is joined by Brian to talk all about their Halloween Horror Nights experiences. Plus some Toothsome and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Joe had a rough, long day so he had a few fog cutters and sat down with Brian from Orlando United/Inside Universal to talk about HHN dates for a hot second, the merger of OU and IU, and we discuss the first day of soft openings for Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Joe, Lane, and Sean return and are joined by our guest Felipe! This week's show covers Volcano Bay, Jimmy Fallon testing, a review of the Celebration of Harry Potter, the Forbidden Forrest rumors, Star Wars and Avatar land opening dates (or years), Rivers of Light, and a quick Marathon Weekends review from Lane.
Tonight as we were all watching the Nintendo Switch reveal Jimmy Fallon jumps out and goes "HEY MY RIDE IS OPENING APRIL 6TH!" He then laughs at his own joke.
Here at Parkscope we like to roll into the party right as the good liquor is being put away and Cards Against Humanity is being brought out for everyone to play. So in tradition of our stellar track record of timely news here's our Universal Orlando news report!
Volcano Bay
Image copyright Universal Orlando Resort
In our prior Volcano Bay post we speculated on several features of the new park and last week Universal further clarified these new, cool details. First up are that tickets to the new park will go on sale November 15th and the park will open 'early' Summer 2017, moved back from Spring 2017. I expect a tired pricing system and a new level of annual passes that add the water park to the mix.
Image copyright Universal Orlando Resort
Volcano Bay's premier 'secret' experience was unveiled as the Krakatau Water Coaster. The water coaster will use magnetic technology similar to Holiday World's Wildebeest to propel guests up and over hills. The tubes, themed to canoes, will weave in and out of the volcano and feature several cool effects, such as projection effects.
TheNJBrandon, our trademark truffle pig, found a trademark for Kohola Reef, the sit down restaurant at Volcano Bay.
Universal has filed for trademark "Kohola Reef Restaurant and Social Club." This will be the name of the restaurant in Volcano Bay. pic.twitter.com/9eIwbY6qbE
I do wonder how a sit down restaurant will do inside a water park.
Similar to many water parks around the world, Volcano Bay will be adapting a wearable device for virtual queueing and payments. Each guest will receive a TapuTapu wearable and when they want to wait for a slide they will tap their wearable to a time station and be told to come back at a designated timed. As the return time approaches the wearable will give the guest a notification to return to the slide. Additionally the wearable will be used to activate effects around the park like jets of water and lighting effects.
TheNJBrandon also found information trademark filings for TapuTapu saying the device will do what's listed above plus unlock lockers.
From trademark filing, TapuTapu will reserve spot in line, open lockers, enable effects, pay for things and access accommodations and photos pic.twitter.com/bXRnWQ2QVO
Hey look at that new concept art, sharp, right? In the pre-show you can see historical props, set pieces, and equipment used in the Tonight Show, send a video Thank You Note to friends, and more. The pre-show will feature a traditional line along with a 'Studio 6B Club' where guests can interact and unwind before their time to ride. In studio 6B guests will board a flying theater to race Jimmy Fallon through New York. We believe the flying theater is very literal, imagine if the Tonight Show seating flew, not a flying theater like Soarin'.
Adventura Hotel
Long rumored, the sixth Universal Orlando Hotel has been announced. Run by Loews, this resort will be a prime value resort similar to Cabana Bay. The resort tower stands sixteen stories tall, feature a roof top bar, and a lobby Starbucks. The resort, like Cabana Bay, will not have Express Pass but will offer early entry. With a modern, minimal 'theme' and low price point it's clear this is for the single conventioneers and weekend HHN fans, but don't worry there will still be kids suites!
Lane had a calzone and Joe groans about the Indians choking. We cover new info on the Jimmy Fallon attraction at USF, Volcano Bay news drops 10am on 11/3, new UOR resort busses and transportation info, Artegon is up for sale and to whom, Lane reviews his upcoming Disneyland trip, and then Joe closes it out with his impression on Hulk and Reign of Kong.
We're back after a break! Joe and Mike are joined by Bob Sehlinger of The Unofficial Guide series to talk about New Fantasyland, SeaWorld's big announcements last week regarding rides and killer whales, and Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon. We close out with an interview with Bob about his background, fandom of Disney and the parks, funny stories from his research trips, hilarious stories about Len Testa, and more!
Disclaimer: Copies of the Unofficial Guide were provided to Parkscope for review for this podcast. Parkscope has purchased and continues to purchase Unofficial Guide books for our own personal use.
Good news everyone! Yesterday, Universal applied for an "Interior Demolition" permit for Project 727. Project 727 is strongly believed to be the replacement for Twister: Ride it Out. A Tonight Show attraction is the favorite to replace to Twister, and we expect a fancy new New York facade package to come to the area.
The end is nigh for Ol' Twister, so we suggest getting your Paxton fill as soon as possible.
Credit to NJBrandon on Orlando United forums for the permit find.
As always, please follow @Parkscope on twitter for the latest updates. To catch up on Project 727 and the Tonight Show attraction, check out Orlando United forums.
Good afternoon everyone! I'm here to bring you news on the Universal Project front, with a new project number from the permit site. Today, Project 727 has appeared on the permitting site, labeled only as "building renovation".
We were told in the past that Project 727 would be the long-rumored replacement for Twister, believed to be a Jimmy Fallon/Soarin' type mashup revolving around New York City. yes, we're serious.
We're fairly sure this is a big project and not something small as a member of Universal Creative who was head of Ride and Show for the planning of Universal Moscow is the lead for the project.
As always, follow @Parkscope for more information as it becomes available.
