Kraken Unleashed Invades SeaWorld Orlando This June

Previously announced, SeaWorld Orlando has revealed additional details on the addition of virtual reality to their popular Kraken B&M floorless roller coaster.  Firstly, the ride's official name will be Kraken Unleashed, previously the attraction was just being called Kraken VR.

Set to open on June 16th, riders will be able to wear virtual reality headsets and plunge into a world ruled by the Kraken who is fiercely trying to defend the legendary city of Atlantis.

© SeaWorld Orlando

Riders will encounter many different real and imagined creatures on their journey, pictured above are some mean looking crabs found in an underwater lava field.  The theme park has connected both Kraken Unleashed and Journey to Atlantis through storytelling; the Kraken has been reimagined as a giant squid-like creature that wants to keep riders away from the city at any cost.  That is the main theme of the virtual reality experience, with several intense interactions with the Kraken planned.

As with similar virtual reality roller coasters, the virtual world will sync up with the physical movements of the trains, so for instance a virtual plunge will take place on the coaster's 144 foot first drop.

© SeaWorld Orlando

This post from Inside The Magic has some great details on the experience as well, including an interview with the park's designer.  There has been a lot of careful attention put into the creation of the virtual world, and I'm looking forward to see how it is received by guests.

SeaWorld Orlando has also made it clear that Kraken can still be ridden without the VR headset, should the guest choose so.  They also hinted at, but gave no details for, a new ride reservation system to eliminate waiting in a traditional queue for Kraken Unleashed.

Harry Potter Themed Lands at Universal Orlando Resort to Celebrate Christmas in 2017

© Universal Orlando

The big Orlando area theme parks have long been a special treat during the holiday season, and Universal Orlando Resort has announced a new way to make the holidays even sweeter.  Starting this upcoming winter, Christmas will be celebrated in both The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.  This is something that fans have long wanted, though I've no doubt that all visitors will enjoy the holiday layover.

Both of the themed areas will be fully decorated top-to-bottom for the season, including appropriately themed garland, lights and more.  There will be special holiday food and retail, some of which is taken directly from the world of Harry Potter.

There will also be special live entertainment during the festivities, including a brand new show using Hogwarts Castle as the focal piece.  The latest projection mapping technology will be utilized to make the famous castle come alive with holiday "décor, candlelight and festive moments inspired by the films."  This is something that Harry Potter fans will not want to miss.

More details, along with some on a new holiday parade set to take place at Universal Studios Florida, are available in this video from the parks:

Infinity Falls To Splash Into SeaWorld Orlando in Summer 2018

© SeaWorld Orlando

Today SeaWorld Orlando announced the addition of a major new water-based attraction, named Infinity Falls, which will open at the park in the summer of 2018.

The ride will be a highly themed river rapids adventure that will be located in a totally rethemed section of the park around the current Sea Garden area.  This new section will be set in a village covered by rain forest canopy and will offer "interactive experiences that combine play with education to create a positive impact on freshwater ecosystems. SeaWorld’s Animal Ambassadors will also provide up-close encounters with animals native to South America."

© SeaWorld Orlando

Infinity Falls will be manufactured by Intamin and use a traditional river rapids ride system that's merged with a high-tech vertical lift and drop sequence.  The 4 minute plus trip will stretch 1,520 feet long and feature elaborate theming along with "category 4" rapids that are encountered.  It will culminate with a vertical lift that raises the boats up to more than 40 feet above the park, after which they will plunge down a 40 foot drop into the rapids below - this is depicted in the concept art featured above and below.

The 40 foot drop represents a world record for a river raft ride, according to the park.  The use of the elevator vertical lift is also the first of its kind in the U.S.

“We are constantly looking at new ways to amaze our guests - Infinity Falls will do that, and more,” said Jim Dean, President of SeaWorld Orlando Parks. “From the excitement of the thrilling rapids, to the unique vertical lift element, it will be an adventure that appeals to the entire family. Infinity Falls continues our commitment to investing in our park, and developing new ways to entertain and inspire our guests with meaningful, fun-filled vacations.”

© SeaWorld Orlando

Riders will sit in 8-seater, custom designed rafts that feature expedition theming while on Infinity Falls.  The ride will be family-friendly and come with a low 42 inch height requirement, so many members of the family can ride together.

As with all SeaWorld attractions, Infinity Falls and the new village area around it both have a compelling backstory that has been created:

Not long ago, a drone sent to explore the jungles of South America discovered previously uncharted structures in a remote area along the banks of a freshwater river. A group of explorers and scientists
were sent to investigate the discovery.  Upon arrival they set up base camp near an abandoned structure.  They studied and explored the river, falling in love with its power and the nature
living along its banks.  Inspired by the river, they developed a sustainable camp for others to
visit and explore so they too, could learn more about the jungle and how their connection to the waters of the world.

To further the excitement of the addition of Infinity Falls, check out this promotional clip that SeaWorld Orlando has created - make sure to take note of the on-ride virtual footage for an idea of the experience.  Looks great!

Cedar Point Shores Water Park Readies for Late May Opening

Cedar Point is entering the final stages of construction on the newly branded Cedar Point Shores Water Park, which will open to the public on May 27th.  Visitors will find a "new main entrance and exciting new attractions, dining options, a new merchandise store and new amenities that show a dramatic transformation of the 18-acre beach waterpark paradise."

Cedar Point Shores will feature several brand new slides and attractions, along with a total refreshing of the existing attractions including new names and bright color schemes.

© Cedar Point

The park has been keeping fans up to date on their renovation progress, including photos on different social media feeds.  Above is a photo from a selection posted to Twitter, showing the brand new slide tower that features both the trap-floor dropping Point Plummet body slides and the Portside Plunge tube slides.  More photos of the work can be seen at this link.

Just as there will be new slides and play areas for kids, Cedar Point Shores will also feature a beautiful new town-square area with a premiere food location named Crystal Rock Cafe, a large marketplace style eatery.  The Muffleheads Beach Bar will provide a relaxing area for adults to enjoy a beverage, and the all new Schooner's Beach Bar will be opened near the wave pool.

In anticipation of the water park's opening, Cedar Point just recently released this virtual fly-through of Cedar Point Shores.  It shows off all the new fun that is being added, and gives an idea of the new atmosphere that the water park will have.  A big part of the renovation is to open views of the adjacent Lake Erie to visitors, fitting since the beach was such a big part of the Point's history.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Gives a Name to its 2018 Launched Coaster

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been hard at work on their new for 2018 roller coaster since last fall, and today announced that the ride will be known simply as Icon.  The name is simple, but powerful, and helps enforce the park's belief that it will be one of the most iconic roller coasters ever built.  The coaster is the largest project that Blackpool has ever taken on, and it will interact with the park's other rides 15 times throughout its layout.  Blackpool is known for having a great amount of rides packed into a small space, so to build a ride of this size is no small undertaking.

Icon is being built by Mack Rides and will feature two LSM launches, one to start the coaster and one halfway through the ride.  The twisted layout stretches 3,750 feet and features elements such as an Immelman, an in-line roll and two tunnels.  The maximum height Icon will hit is 89 feet above the park, and trains will zoom at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

To celebrate the announcement of the Icon name, Blackpool has also released a new teaser video.  It shows not only some of the recent construction work, but also hints that the ride may have an Asian-inspired theme when complete.  Check it out below.

Holiday In The Park Opening at Six Flags New England This Winter

Sure, it may only be the start of April, but that doesn't mean we can't think about the upcoming holidays, right?  Six Flags New England certainly has them on their mind, with the recent announcement of their first-ever Holiday In The Park celebration.  Set to take place starting November 24, 2017, Holiday In The Park "will be the largest holiday celebration in New England, delighting guests of all ages with sparkling lights, festive shows, tasty holiday treats, and photos with Santa."

Visitors will find more than 50 rides, shows and attractions open during the festivities, along with roaming holiday characters, storytelling with Mrs. Claus, fire-pits around the park, synchronized light displays, magical snowfall each night and of course Santa himself.

© Six Flags

“Holiday in the Park will be a wonderful must-see spectacle for families to enjoy. We are thrilled to offer our guests the opportunity to enjoy a summer of thrills including New England’s largest water park—Hurricane Harbor, our scariest Fright Fest ever and then complete the year with a trip to the North Pole,” said Six Flags New England Park President John Winkler. “The benefits of a 2017 season pass or membership to Six Flags New England just got better with the addition of Holiday in the Park.”

© Six Flags

A special treat for ride fans, the addition also means that the theme park will have its longest season ever, meaning a smaller off-season!  The park's website for the event lists that coasters including the brand new Joker, Thunderbolt, Mind Eraser and Batman The Dark Knight will be operating.  Pretty nice to be able to experience rides like that during December in New England!