Archive for the 'Theme Parks' Category
Virtual lines coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain rides
December 2, 2008 4:51pm
Six Flags Magic Mountain will add a computerized ride reservation system in 2009 designed to cut wait times — for a price.
The Q-Bot virtual queuing system, designed by a British company called Lo-Q, allows visitors to reserve a place in line without actually having to wait in line. The virtual wait time is determined by the actual wait time when the reservation is made.
Testing is set to begin this month at the Valencia amusement park, with an official debut scheduled after the first of the year.
(More on Q-Bot coming to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom after the jump.)
Jonas Brothers sign new ‘Burning Up’ book for fans at Disney’s California Adventure
November 26, 2008 7:30pm
The Jonas Brothers signed copies of their new book, “Burning Up: On Tour With the Jonas Brothers,” for hundreds of fans — including some who waited up to 10 hours Tuesday to meet the boy band at Disney’s California Adventure.
A tight schedule prevented Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas from jumping on any rides at the Anaheim theme park across from Disneyland.
Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through reopens at Disneyland this week
November 25, 2008 1:00pm
The Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through reopens at Disneyland on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 at 5 p.m. after a seven-year hiatus.
> Take an exclusive scene-by-scene tour of the castle walk-through.
> Read an interview with Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, who shepherded the castle walk-through restoration.
> More photos from inside the castle walk-through at MiceAge.
Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the
Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland
— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times staff writer
Photo: Disneyland
Jonas Brothers to sign new ‘Burning Up’ book at Disney’s California Adventure
November 22, 2008 6:00am
The Jonas Brothers will be signing their new book, “Burning Up: On Tour With the Jonas Brothers,” on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 at Disney’s California Adventure — but be prepared to wait up to 10 hours for the privilege of being in their presence.
Anticipating big crowds and a tight schedule, Disney has taken the unusual step of warning fans not to line up for the 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. book signing before 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Anybody showing up before then will be turned away and asked to leave. A limited number of wristbands (Disney won’t say how many) will be distributed from 7 a.m. until noon on Tuesday.
So just how many books can Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas sign in 90 minutes? Nobody can say for sure. But Disney does promise that everyone who waits in line will get an autographed book (just maybe not autographed personally for you while you gaze longingly at the JoBros). The 90-minute autograph session will take place inside the former Golden Dreams Theater.
Naturally, there are a few more rules (this is Disney after all):
Read the rest of this entry »
Barack Obama is going to Disney World — and maybe Disneyland too
November 18, 2008 5:09pm
President-elect Barack Obama will soon take his place among the 43 previous commanders-in-chief at Walt Disney World and may join Abraham Lincoln and George Washington at Disneyland. (Story updated below.)
Disney hopes to entice Obama to record an address for his animatronic likeness, which will be added to the Hall of Presidents show at the Magic Kingdom by the Fourth of July 2009. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush lent their voices to their Disney doppelgangers.
The revamped show in Florida will include speaking parts by Washington, Lincoln and Obama, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Mice Age columnist Al Lutz reports that Obama and Washington may join Lincoln at the Disneyland Opera House in time for the Anaheim theme park’s 55th anniversary in 2010.
‘Bob the Builder’ 4-D movie to debut at Legoland California in 2009
November 17, 2008 1:00pm
Legoland California will add the first-ever “Bob The Builder” 4-D film to the Carlsbad theme park in March 2009.
In “Bob the Builder and the Roller Coaster,” Bob and his anthropomorphic tool friends build a roller coaster after first making a model out of Legos. At the same time, Spud the Scarecrow builds a slapdash birdhouse that falls apart. The moral of the story: Make a plan. (Or: Don’t let Spud build any roller coasters at Legoland).
At the end of the 10-minute, computer-generated animated movie, audience members wearing 3-D glasses take a ride on the newly constructed coaster. Fourth-dimension wind and mist 4-D special effects add to the experience.
Jonas Brothers tape 2008 Christmas Day Parade at Disneyland
November 15, 2008 7:07am
The Jonas Brothers recorded “Joy to the World” at Disneyland before hundreds of screaming fans for the annual Christmas Day Parade to be shown on ABC.
Nick, left, Joe and Kevin ran through “Joy” a few times due to some technical difficulties, recorded a holiday greeting for the 2008 show and posed for photos with Donald Duck’s nephews — Huey, Dewey and Louie. (Watch video of “Joy” and an unplugged version of “Burnin’ Up.”)
MiceAge columnist David “Darkbeer” Michael posted photos of “American Idol’s” Ryan Seacrest, who once again will host the Disneyland segment of the parade (which originates from Disney World). MiceAge columnist Andy Castro added some pics of Seacrest getting his hair and makeup touched up.
Disney to offer ride wait-time updates via cellphone
November 12, 2008 7:18am
My friend and colleague Dawn Chmielewski reports that starting next year, visitors to Disney theme parks will be able to use their cellphones to check ride wait times, locate restaurants and find characters as well as receive admission discounts and merchandise deals.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World visitors would have to download an application to their Verizon Wireless phones to access the information. Some information would be available regardless of your wireless company.
‘Imagineering Field Guide’ lets Disneyland fans walk in Walt’s shoes
November 6, 2008 9:45am
The new pocket-sized “Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland” answers the question, “What would it be like to walk through Disneyland with Walt by your side?”
The 128-page paperback takes readers land by land through the Anaheim theme park, offering anecdotes, history and trivia from Disney Imagineers as well as early concept art, sketches and schematics of many rides and attractions.
“From a process standpoint, it offers a bit of a peek behind the curtain of how we turn concepts into reality,” said Alex Wright, an Imagineer who gathered tales from his co-workers for the book. “In a way, there’s no one person who can tell you all these different stories. We have so many different disciplines.”
Grinchmas comes to Universal Studios Hollywood
November 5, 2008 5:16pm
Universal Studios Hollywood will sprinkle a bit of Christmas sneer on the 2008 holiday season with the addition of a Grinchmas in Whoville attraction.
The event, which runs weekends beginning Dec. 6 and daily from Dec. 22 to Dec. 31, marks the first time Universal Studios Hollywood will remain open 365 days a year (including Christmas).
Visitors on the studio back lot tram tour will stop at the original “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” movie set to watch Whoville residents (including the Grinch, Cindy-Lou Who and Max the Dog) reenact scenes from the film.
