Blogging Buffet & Nerdly News

Time for random coaster and life stuff, so here we go:

• Hard Rock Park is now officially Freestyle Music Park. Jokes and WTF's aside, I still hold out hope the ownership learns from the mistakes ofthe previous and gets this unique park in a better position. Despite all the craziness of the past few months, I STILL have a gut feeling a waterpark and rapids will be coming soon in season 2 or 3.
• Proslide's (http://www.proslide.com/index.php) Tantrum Twist (a Tornado slide hybrid) will be debuting at a couple US water parks this summer. Imagine a typical 4-person raft slide with a mini enclosed Tornado in acouple places along the run. Either that or imagine hamster habitrail tubes and you get a decent idea. I'm hoping to check this out along withfinally getting Bowl and Tornado credits this summer.
• Getting ready for some trips now that the weather has warmed up. Right now one of the big ones is Coaster Crew's IdiotFEST in Myrtle Beach SC, including a visit to Freestyle Music Park and other local attractions. Tentative dates are June 6-7, but holding off on hotel reservations until the park REALLY opens. Dragon Con in Atlanta Georgia, September 4-7 is another. My Steampunk Airship mates and I will be there for the festivities and much geekiness. Other trips of varying size are also in the works.
• On the stilt front, I'm still researching stilt costumes and putting together ideas as well as places to do some walking. So far fantasy cons and local holiday parades are the best possibilities once I get proficient. Also eyeing some new kinds of stilts and accessories.
• Enjoyed calling in to the In The Loop podcast Monday night. Always apleasure to talk with Pat, John, Clint, and the gang over on BlogTalkRadio.com. Also, continued thanks for all the rapids and water ride pics during everybody's travels. ALL, and especially the sentiments behind them still brighten my day.
• Construction has slowed on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Something to do with the lift hill evac system. Hopefully a heart-line twist is a good fix and brings smiles to all us anxious enthusiasts. ;) Regardless, I'm digging how the new coaster looks and really think it brings a lot tothe Universal Studios skyline. It really is good to see them get a unique answer to Universal Japan's Hollywood Dream coaster.
• Entrances and village roof lines are taking shape over at Islands of Adventure in the forthcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While I feel the drastic changes to the area will still make for a great new island, I can't help but miss the Enchanted Oak and Dueling Dragons statues. Those were just really neat, original landmarks.
• El Dorado and Americana Wheel (formerly Geauga Lake) join last season's Dominator at King's Dominion this year. Glad to see them operating again, however, the placement seems a bit sketchy based on what pictures I've seen. Even so, the new views from Americana are impressive and give people a fresh perspective on King's Dominion.
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened up Sesame Street Forrest of Fun recently. Grover's Alpine Express is a welcome coaster addition and it's terrific that BGE now has an updated kiddie area on par with Shamu's Happy Harbour at the Sea World parks. On a side note, Prince Elmo's Spire is clever word play. Kudo's to those design and marketing folks whom I bet are fans of a particular 80's movie.
• Holiday World's Pilgrim's Plunge monster shoot-the-shoots ride is near completion with sporadic boat testing. I really see this as a new and welcome icon for the already progressive park and it's lively staff. Holiday World is also home to an O.D. Hopkins Rapids ride (similar to Hydro Surge at the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion) that is a rarity these days.
• Cowabunga Bay(http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49343) water park construction is in full swing in Draper, Utah. It's slated to be " TheWorld's Biggest Water Playground". Sign me up and big congrats to Shane Huish. Always good to see another water park, especially from a fellow creative, historian, and enthusiast.
• Lastly on the Steampunk front, there will be a series of craft and prop building days with the Revenger crew in preparation for photo shoots later this summer. Other events are also in the works. Details coming soon.