A Madagascar Weekend at Busch Gardens Tampa

In celebration of their new show, Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation, Busch Gardens Tampa is devoting this weekend to a park-wide party for the attraction's premiere.

The show opens to the public today in a totally renovated - and now enclosed with air conditioning for guest comfort - Stanleyville Theater.  The show features characters from the hit series of Madagascar films, from DreamWorks Animation, such as Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and King Julien.

During the show the characters from the films are on vacation at the park, and having a blast while visiting.  The show "encourages families to sing, clap, and dance along to original songs and party favorites on a 20-minutes musical adventure.  Singers, dancers and a live band join the rollicking Madagascar characters as they amp up the party to full throttle."

As a bonus at the end of each performance guests will have the chance to meet and interact with the cast, including the characters.

As I said earlier the entire park is celebrating the opening of the show this weekend, making a festive atmosphere throughout the property.  There will be dancers and DJs in locations in the park including Stanleyville, Gwazi Plaza and Cheetah Hunt Plaza holding dancing parties each hour.

According to the park's release there will also be "unique opportunities to encounter animals all weekend long, offering guests yet another way to enjoy the variety and excitement that Busch Gardens offers."

Tonight, Saturday the 18th the Gwazi field will remain open after the park closing for a special character meet and greet, complete with a fireworks presentation to cap off the party.  Jack Hanna will be on hand to share animal facts during two shows each day as well.

If you're in the area it sounds like a great way to spend the weekend!

Scott And Carol Present - Opening Day At Indiana Beach

After a very busy week, it was nice to go to Indiana Beach for opening day. The weather was forecast for scattered showers with highs in the 60's. Only one shower all day and the temperature rose into the high 70's for a while so since we were having so much fun we stayed most of the day.

Our first ride was on the Giant Wheel, and with this shot of the boardwalk you can see some of the new paint this year.

From the bridge, you can see lots of coasters but the real surprise is the extensive track work done by Rocky Mountain Construction that becomes very evident when you get up close. Many sections have been completed and the park plans further improvements.

This is the dive beneath the bridge, and you can see outside rail was completely topped off with two new layers of treated wood. This section was painful last year, but it rode great on opening day. Smooth and fast, that's how the coasters ran that day.

While we were up there, a whole family roared by on Hoosier Hurricane.

This is some of the work on Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain. It wasn't running that day, but should be operating soon. This much improvement on the track should restore it to the exciting experience it was when it first opened.

The entire first drop of Cornball Express was redone, and it is running faster than it has in years.

Some more Lost Coaster new track, it looks like they kept the same profile in this section.

Inside the building, the mystery awaits. What all have they done inside the mountain? We shall have to make another trip to find out the secret details.

Here is the steep entry into the building towards the end of the ride. Hopefully the hard jerk from this turn will be a little easier to negotiate, increasing the reridability of the roller coaster.

The Flying Carpet was moved to between the Hoosier Hurricane and the cabins. It is currently awaiting parts for its rehab.

And the swings, Indiana Beach's signature ride, were returned to their rightful location where adventurous guests can "Feed the fishes" with lost items.

The rehabbed Roof Garden will feature all new furniture and bar. They were doing some testing of the show lighting while we were in there.

With all this new buffet equipment, we can't wait to see what Chef Dave will cook up in the Skyroom Restaurant. Long a favorite of guests, it will be opening soon. A wonderful place to relax at a window table and feel like you are still in the park, except with air conditioning and fine food. When darkness falls on the boardwalk, you have a great view of the lights.

Carol has been trying to persuade me to eat more salads, so with this many choices maybe I can find something I like. If I could just convince her that Carrot Cake was a vegetable, my happiness would be complete. We look forward to another visit to see the menu.

Our thanks to Sherry for taking time out of her day to chat with us and for arranging the beautiful weather!

Casino Pier Removes Sea-Coaster, Rebuilding, + Adding New Thrill Ride

© Casino Pier

After being devastated by Sandy last Fall, New Jersey's Casino Pier has been hard at work rebuilding in order to be open for this Summer.  The ocean side park lost many rides and attractions as a result of the storm but has refurbished many already and are slowly releasing the names of rides that will be able to return on their Facebook.

With major damage to the end of their pier, the park will not be able to offer quite as many rides this year, but that doesn't mean they're not trying to open as much as they can.

The park's Jet Star roller coaster became famous after it was lodged in the ocean when the storm left town.  The ride was just recently removed by a barge with a crane on it, chomping the ride to bits and pulling it from the sea.  They released a time lapse video of the removal, which can be seen here, probably a once in a lifetime occurrence.

With so many rides lost, Casino Pier has already received a new one to bring into their line up - though it is causing a bit of controversy.  Named Super Storm, the thrill ride from Technical Park sounds like a Frisbee of sorts, and is already on site.  Some folks take issue with the ride's name, though the park has made it clear it is not to benefit from what happened, but more of a sign of overcoming the tragedy.  The park just needs more time to finish up work so the new attraction can be set up in its new home.

It is great to see this park, and may others along the Jersey coast coming back to life.

Full Throttle Updates at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Since the track and supports were finished for Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain, it's been pretty quiet as far as updates for the ride go.  The park has been working on the station area, slowly building the necessary structures and getting the ride's electrical components together.

When completed and open, Full Throttle will feature the world's tallest vertical loop, two forward launches and one backwards.

© Six Flags Magic Mountain

The ride's trains are definitely on site at this point, the above image was released by the park last week.  While still wrapped you can get an idea of how they look - similar to other recent Premier Rides installations.

For a recent set of photos of the coaster's construction taken at the park, check out this update from The Coaster Guy.

A Very Brady Time At Kings Island

© Kings Island

If you are a fan if the epic television show, The Brady Bunch, you may want to schedule a visit to Kings Island this Sunday, May 19th.  Three stars of the show, Barry Williams (Greg), Christopher Knight (Peter), and Susan Olsen (Cindy) will be at the park performing in four shows of "singing, dancing and Brady Bunch anecdotes."  The stars will also be available to meet and sign autographs after each performance.

Kings Island has a very special connection to The Brady Bunch, as one of the show's episodes was filmed at the park over four days in August of 1973.  The episode featured Mike Brady visiting the park to present drawings of an addition to the park - naturally the plans are misplaced and hilarity ensues.  The episode remains one of the more popular ones in the series.

The shows will happen inside the Kings Island Theater and are included with park admission.

The above photo is of Susan Olsen and Mike Lookinland, both from the show, during a visit to the park in 2008.

Aquatica San Diego Prepares for Grand Opening

© Aquatica San Diego

There is not much time left before Aquatica San Diego will open for the first time, set to take place on June 1st.  A bit ago the park received its own new website, where eager guests can purchase tickets and plan out their day.

With all the slides and attractions receiving new paint, refurbishment and plenty of lush tropical landscaping, Aquatica San Diego is looking better in each update.

© Aquatica San Diego

Not only landscaping will be used to help create the feel of a tropical oasis, other thematic elements like the statue above are currently being placed throughout the property.  The video below also gives a brief glimpse of the new entrance area, which looks to be very lush and quite different than in the park's former life.

The transformation of the former Knott's property will not include any brand new water attractions, though I would bet depending on this Summer's results that could be in store sooner than later.  Here's the latest construction update direct from the park.