San Diego Zoo: Trip Report

By Zach Cooper

Just days before Thanksgiving, I was able to head down to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It is located in Balboa Park, which hosted the 1915-1916 World's Fair. The San Diego Zoo opened just after that.

The Zoo includes 100 acres filled with plants, animals and incredible habitats. Here are a few things I saw during my day:

GUIDED BUS TOUR: A great way to see the Zoo is to take the guided bus tour, taking you around the park in just about 35 minutes. The tour guides are very knowledgable and also sometimes throw in a few jokes. The tour is included with a 1-Day Pass. Be sure to take a ride early in the day since the buses can fill up quick!

The tour is conducted on a double-decked bus.





SKYFARI AERIAL TRAM: Being that the Zoo is 100 acres, it can be very hard to get around to places. Instead of walking through the crowds, you have a chance to go above them. This shortcut takes you from one end of the Zoo to the other.

  
Amazing views of the park.






POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: A great way to see the polar bears in an amazing habitat.

An amazingly designed habitat for the polar bears.

One of the viewing areas. 

There are a lot of hands on activities.



ELEPHANT ODYSSEY: In 2009, the Zoo added a new 7.5 acre area called Elephant Odyssey.

A fossil portal showcasing a replica of the tar pits. 

A lagoon for the elephants. 

 Artificial trees that feed the elephants.  

An elephant care center. 

There are also many other habitats to check out around the Zoo.

I had a great time at the San Diego Zoo and really recommend checking it out. It is very close to the convention center that holds San Diego Comic Con annually. So if your down there in July, be sure to stop by the park. To learn more information or to purchase tickets, visit zoo.sandiegozoo.org

A video overview of the San Diego Zoo:

IAAPA Releases Joker Animatronic for Justice League 4D Attraction

By Zach Cooper
Yesterday, at the annual IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Sixs Flags and Sally Corporation released the Joker animatronic to guests. This is for the new attraction Justice League: Battle for Metropolis 4D.

Visitors were able to see the Joker being brought to life, along with a look at the ride vehicle. Both Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis will be debuting the attraction next year. This dark ride will be unlike any other.

Video and more information courtesy of www.insidethemagic.net.

The Queen Mary CHILL

By Zach Cooper

       Is it holiday time already? The Queen Mary is just days away from opening up "CHILL", a magical experience on board the historic ship. The Queen Mary is located in Long Beach, not too far from Anaheim. 

       This year, there will be more than ever at "CHILL", featuring a 14,000 square-foot igloo called The Ice Kingdom. Inside will be a lot of fun activities including 3 slides on a 30' replica of The Queen Mary. "CHILL" also has an ice-skating rink, and even a Holiday village, where you can stroll down Candy Lane and meet Santa Claus. 

       By purchasing a ticket from www.queenmary.com/chilltickets, you can get admission to "CHILL" and also to the whole Queen Mary ship. It is certainly a great deal!

       The Queen Mary "CHILL" begins November 21st and runs on select days until January 11th.

"Toy Story 4" Announced

By Zach Cooper

Yesterday, it was announced Toy Story 4 will be heading our way, and will be released into theaters June 16th, 2017. 

The first Toy Story film was brought to us in 1995. Ever since then, it has been a popular Disney Pixar   trilogy with Toy Story 3 released in 2010. 

The movies have expanded into merchandise, theme park rides and also short specials on television. 

Sources and Graphic: d23.com/toystory4announced www.insidethemagic.net/disneyannouncestoystory4

LEGOLAND California Announces 2015 Additions

By Zach Cooper

Yesterday was a big day for LEGOLAND California Resort. In the morning, they held their annual press conference to announce the exciting new additions to the park for 2015.

"This is our tenth straight year of continious attendance growth and much of this can be attributed to providing our guests with a fun, family environment to enjoy unique interactive experiences and create family memories."- Peter Ronchetti, General Manager of LEGOLAND California Resort. 

LEGO STAR WARS MINILAND DEATH STAR: Located in the already active Star Wars Miniland, this new addition will bring some of your favorite Star Wars scenes to life, all built into a giant Death Star. It will open up March 5th, 2015, just in time for the annual LEGO Star Wars Days March 7th and 8th. 

LEGO FRIENDS HEARTLAKE CITY: This new area is based on the toy line "LEGO Friends," starring five girls: Mia, Olivia, Andrea, Stephanie and Emma. The area will include LEGO building, water activities, live entertainment and more. This will open summer of 2015.


Sources: Photos and video courtesy of LEGOLAND California. 

"A Frozen Holiday Wish" Debuts at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park

(Video courtesy of www.insidethemagic.net)

By Zach Cooper

Last night was the official debut of the new show, "A Frozen Holiday Wish". The show includes the four main characters from the film: Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf.

In the show, Elsa 'tests her powers' and gives Cinderella Castle a facelift by covering it in in ice and snow. Suddenly the castle begins to light up with holiday projections. Then, it ends with the illumination of 200,000 LED lights.

The show is very short and sweet, and is a good lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season.

The show runs from November 5th- December 31st.

BREAKING NEWS! Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FIRE

BREAKING NEWS!
We have just received word that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park has caught fire this evening. Reports via Twitter say the fire was possibly caused by remains of fireworks during the nightly firework display that lights up the sky. At this time, there is no for sure confirmation by officials.

Fire crews responded immediately and are putting out the flames.

UPDATE: Reports via Twitter claim the fire has been extinguished. 

A YouTube video has already been released. Channel: Gamer's Light 

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train caught on fire. Probably during Wishes fireworks show. Fire trucks putting it out now. pic.twitter.com/5TiShTkJZK
— Jeff Krause (@jeffkrause1) November 2, 2014

Seven dwarfs mine train ride in WDW has caught fire due to a firework remain from the fireworks show. Breaks my heart pic.twitter.com/SUs4k8sbQE
— shelby hughes (@shelbykhughes) November 2, 2014

Small fire at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Seems like fireworks fallout. Nothing too serious. Think it's already out. pic.twitter.com/UYL1k0EGmX
— Theme Park Review (@ThemeParkReview) November 2, 2014

Fire at Mine Train in Magic Kingdom “@Disney_nuts: Thanks @Bhindthelense. http://t.co/ObFGjx9vyR” pic.twitter.com/mMTOSIaeK2
— Ricky Brigante, Host (@InsideTheMagic) November 2, 2014

7 Dwarves Mine Train is on fire! Friends just sent me these photos pic.twitter.com/LEKsQXqIfE
— 6 Weeks of Torture (@ladynwonderland) November 2, 2014

Earlier this year, we were able to take a ride on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:

All of these Tweets from Twitter are embedded. Click on the Tweet to be brought to its original on Twitter. 

"Happening in the World" Week 10

By Zach Cooper

The last week of October was a hit. Lots of announcements for sure! Here is a look at what was revealed.

Video by "iThemePark" on YouTube. 

Sorcerer Hat Removal at Disney's Hollywood Studios: Disney recently announced that in 2015, the Mickey's Sorcerer Hat will be removed from the park. The hat has been at Disney's Hollywood Studios since 2001. Also, 'The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow" will be closing (November 6th of this year) after its 2-year run.

"A Frozen Holiday Wish" Announced: Disney also announced a new stage-show at Walt Disney World. This new show will feature all of your favorite Frozen characters. It will be held in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. The show will be nightly from November 5th- December 31st.

Morimoto Asia & The Boathouse Announced: 2 new restaurants will be added to Disney Springs. Chef Masaharu Marimoto, along with the Patina Restaurant Group will be opening up Morimoto Asia. This two-story restaurant will feature a balcony with an amazing view overlooking  Disney Springs. Another new restaurant to be added is The Boathouse. It will include live music and boating tours. The menu will be filled delicious food including steak. Both are to be completed in 2015.