Saturday, August 31, 2013

Did You Know?

Did You Know:
That Batman made his First Appearance in 1939
 
He was in Detective Comics #27 inspired by Sherlock Holmes and Da Vinci's sketch of Zorro, a flying bat-machine created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. (He was first drawn wearing a Zorro like contraption on his back.) 

Friday, August 30, 2013

"Swindle" Movie Review

By D.Z. 'Theme Park Specialist"
A few days ago, I was able to watch Nickelodeon's newest movie, "Swindle." The film is about a high school student named Griffin finding a baseball card inside his house. His friend thinks the card could be worth about 300 bucks, so they visit a dealer and try to sell it. A guy nicknamed Swindle is the dealer, who tricks them with false information, paying them a small amount of cash. He claims the card is not worth much, but come to find out, the baseball card is worth over 1 million dollars. After hearing the news, the two boys try to get the card back. They gather a group of friends and make one big team. Each character has a different talent, used to its finest. The group goes on a crazy journey, just for that one little card. This movie is full of excitement and laughter. I recommend watching this film! Out of 10 I would rate the film an 8. The film airs on Nickelodeon every so often (for probably the next week.) and hopefully will be on DVD soon.

Photo: wikipedia.org/Swindlefilm)

Did You Know?

 
Did You Know:
That Black Manta had Severe Autism as a Child
 
 

Black Manta is the cheif nemesis of Aquaman, then started selling drugs in Star City only to be stopped by Green Arrow.


Six Flags Parks in 2014

By Beemerboyz803
       It's official! This past Thursday, August 29, Six Flags chairman, president, and CEO Jim Reid-Anderson has announced Six Flags's plans for 2014. Each park will be receiving new and exciting attractions for the 2014 season. Here are some exciting plans for 2014!

 
Six Flags Great America, in Gurnee, Illinois, will be receiving a new wooden coaster entitled Goliath. The ride will be one of six Six Flags coasters named Goliath. The coaster, at 180 feet, will replace the park's Iron Wolf coaster which closed in 2011, and will be the fastest wooden coaster in the world at 72mph. The coaster, which breaks three records in the wooden coaster category, is the next big thing on Great America's skyline. Ready to conquer it?

Six Flags Mexico in Mexico City will be renovating one of their classic wooden coasters: Medusa. The attraction will receive the Iron Horse transformation Six Flags Fiesta Texas's Rattler coaster received this Spring. The coaster will definitely be a show-stealer at Six Flags Mexico. So, estar listo! Be prepared to conquer Medusa Steel Coaster in 2014!



 
Six Flags Great Adventure, a raging animal/theme park in New Jersey, will soar to new heights in 2014. Much like Magic Mountain opened the record-breaking Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom in July 2012, Great Adventure will open Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom. The ride will replace the park's classic Rolling Thunder attraction, and will take guests 415 feet in the air and then drop them at 90mph. It will tie with Lex Luthor for the tallest in the world. The ride will also be constructed on the side of the park's monumental skyscraper, the 456-foot tall Kingda Ka, the tallest coaster on Earth. Feel the rush when this monumental attraction roars its way to Great Adventure next year.

 
Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 2014 will receive a new water slide complex for their amazing White Water Bay water park. They will receive Bahama Blaster, a series of slides where riders step into an enclosed capsule and have the floor drop beneath them as they rush at 40mph through coils and loops.

Ready for some whitewater fun in Hotlanta? Well, Six Flags Over Georgia, almost an hour from downtown Atlanta, will be receiving Hurricane Harbor, a water park that will be a perfect "Caribbean getaway". The park will open around summer 2014 and will give guests a cool and refreshing experience.

Six Flags America is getting their rage on! In 2014, along with a Mardi-Gras themed area, the park will receive their 9th coaster, Rajin' Cajun. The ride will twist around crazily and will rage its way to Six Flags America in 2014. Ride the rage!

Are you ready to soar higher, and higher, and higher, and higher? How about 400 feet higher? Well, get ready for the New England SkyScreamer, the new 400-foot tall SkyScreamer swing ride that will be the tallest in the world! Riders will be lifted 400 feet above New England and will twist around the main tower. Be prepared to soar to new heights when New England opens their SkyScreamer in 2014!
 
Time to bring the towels! Around summer 2014, Six Flags St. Louis, along with Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, will receive Tsunami Soaker, similar to the pirate soaker ride at Legoland California. Riders will sit in a circular car and will soak nearby challengers. Get ready to get wet!


For the full information on Six Flags's plans in 2014, visit http://content.sixflags.com/comingin2014/ for more exciting info. Are you ready for it?

 
 
Sources:
Goliath: sixflags.com/goliath
Medusa Steel Coaster: sixflags.com/medusa-steel-coaster
Zumanjaro- Drop of Doom: sixflags.com/zumanjaro-drop-of-doom
Bahama Blaster: sixflags.com/bahama-blaster
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: sixflags.com/hurricane-harbor-water-park
Rajin' Cajun: sixflags.com/comingin2014/america/ragin-cajun/
New England SkyScreamer: sixflags.com/new-england-skyscreamer
Tsunami Soaker: sixflags.com/tsunami-soaker

Photos from this post can be found in the links given above.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Hallloween Horror Nights Orlando: List of Scare Zones, Mazes, Shows

By D.Z. "Theme Park Specialist"
Halloween Horror Nights is just about three weeks from starting. Here is a full list of what spooks and scares will be taking place in Orlando.
 
1. The Walking Dead:
One of the most popular mazes at last years Halloween Horror Nights was The Walking Dead. Because of its popularity, The Walking Dead will return to both Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando. An all new haunted house will be created.
 

 
 2. Evil Dead:
Based off of the "Evil Dead" film comes an all new maze, featured at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando. The video below shows what this maze will be like!
 

 
3. Resident Evil- Escape from Raccoon City:
 Based off of the popular video game, comes "Resident Evil: Escape from Raccoon City." This maze will bring guests face to face with some of the many characters from the game.

  

 
4. Cabin in the Woods:
Based on the film, "The Cabin in the Woods" will be a maze, only for Universal Orlando. This is no ordinary cabin, taking guests through their worst nightmare.
 

 
 
5. La Llorona:
Based off of the popular Mexican legend. In this maze, you will live the experience, being her first victim. The video below is the 2012 Hollywood version. Orlando's will be completely different, but with the same character.
 


 
6. An American Werewolf in London:
Based on the film, this haunted house will allow you to encounter the deadly beast.



7. Afterlife- Death’s Vengeance:
Not based on a movie, game or TV show, this haunted house will be all in 3D. The death chair awaits, as you "Witness the brutal vengeance of his victims as they turn his afterlife into an inescapable hell…"- Universal Orlando
 


8. Havoc-Derailed:
Returning once again, as the dogs have been released. This time, it will be more frightening and terrifying.
 





This page is a work in progress. The rest of the information will be up soon. Please check back later.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Las Vegas: Trip Report

By D.Z. "Theme Park Specialist"
I was able to spend 4 days in Las Vegas, Nevada! The trip included three shows, great food and lots more. This trip report will outline these days!
 
DAY 1: Most part of this day was spent at my local airport. My flight landed in Las Vegas at around 5:00pm. I took Spirit Airlines. For a review of the airline, click here (coming soon).
 
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Once landed, I went straight to my hotel. It was already dinner time, so I needed something to eat. I went to a place called Grind Burger. The food was delicious. My taste buds were all over my burger. I have never had such a good burger. For a full review, click here. (coming soon)


Our hotel had a shuttle service, stopping at different destinations per hour. My first stop was Treasure Island.
 
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Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.
 

Video tour of Treasure Island.
 
At 8:30pm, I caught the showing of "Sirens of TI,' a free outdoor show at Treasure Island. I videoed the whole show:  

The show did not personally impress me, but it was still nice to see!
 
 
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The show was preformed on a pirate ship in front of the hotel.
 
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It was almost 9:00pm when the show ended, so we headed back to the hotel. It had been a long day, traveling from one state to the other.
 
 
DAY 2: I spent the morning in bed, as I was still tired from the day before. Day 2 officially began around 3pm, when I took a limo to Acrylic Tank Manufacturing.
 
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You may know Acrylic Tank from the show 'Tanked" on Animal Planet.
 
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Acrylic Tank Manufacturing is a company who customizes fish tanks and aquariums. You can see them in action every Friday at 10pm on Animal Planet.
 
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While we were at the warehouse, they were filming one of the episodes!
 

We were also able to meet some of the cast. They were all really nice and welcoming.
 
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After checking out the warehouse, we were dropped off at the Luxor. The Luxor is one of the many hotels on the strip, but by far the most breathtaking.
 

 
Once we finished wondering around the hotel and casino, we continued to visit more hotels.

I am a big fan of the hit TV show Kitchen Nightmares. In the show, world class chef Gordon Ramsay visits restaurants who are in a bad financial situation. In just a few days, he transforms the whole restaurant into a fine dine place. I have always wanted to taste Gordon's food. Not too long ago, Ramsay opened up another restaurant on the strip.
 
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BurGR is located in the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino.
 
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Of course I ordered a burger. I was so amazed by the taste. It had so much flavor, more than I can remember. The quality of the burger was amazing. I have never had such a good burger in my life. I really recommend visiting the restaurant. I waited about 15 minutes for a table, but every second was worth it.
 
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After my yummy dinner, I walked over the Bellagio. I caught the first showing of "O," a Cirque Du Soleil show.
 
"O" is a water show, filled with a number of swimmers, divers, dancers, and acrobats. I have never seen something so beautiful. The shows production is huge. I can't imagine what it is like to put on a show like this. The whole stage is a swimming pool. I think of the show as Olympic swimmers meet Cirque Du Soleil. There was never a dull moment in the show. The show does not have much dialogue, so the cast is usually preforming with live music. The music is being recorded on each side of the theatre. A lot of set pieces move around the water stage, so divers are in there to help. The show is so big and beautiful, unlike anything I imagined. I would give the show a high 10/10. A trip to Las Vegas is not complete without seeing this show. Be sure to get your tickets early, as they do sell out way in advance. reservations.mirage.com/otickets
 
DAY 3: After a long night after seeing "O," I wanted to dedicate some time to visiting hotels. This was my first time in Vegas, so I had to see what everyone was raving about. One of my stops was New York, New York.
 
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After roaming around inside, I found a small pizza place, where I could get a little bite to eat.
 
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While eating, this is what I was surrounded by. It really looked like I was in New York. From the buildings to the crowds, it was all similar. New York, New York does have a rollercoaster, but I didn't feel like screaming at large heights. Especially in 100 degree whether.
 
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After my snack at New York, New York, I traveled all the way across the Strip to the Venetian. This hotel transports you into the world of Italy. I went to the hotel to eat dinner, but was also given a cool view. While eating a yummy salad, I was entertained by the gondoliers. They were singing while touring guests around in a gondola.
 
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At around 6:00, I was time to head over to the Luxor. It was time to see "Criss Angel BELIEVE." This Cirque Du Soleil show brings magic to life with comedy and illusions. The show is hosted by Mindfreak Criss Angel. Criss is one magician that stands out. From walking on water, to levitating over the Luxor, Criss has done it all. It was great to witness some of his magic in person. Criss has some assistants, who preform most of the act. Criss does participate in the act, but mostly narrates what's happening. Audience members were able to participate in some of the acts, but mostly it was left to the professionals. I loved all the humor in the show. Sadly, some of the acts were a little confusing. I think Angel could of explained the tricks a little more. Out of 10, I would give the show a 8. I recommend seeing the show on your next visit to Las Vegas!
 
"What happens in Vegas, stays on Facebook."-Criss Angel in "BELIEVE"
 
After the show, I went back to my hotel.
 
DAY 4: Headed for home!

Criss Angel BELIEVE: Review

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By D.Z. "Theme Park Specialist"
"Criss Angel BELIEVE." This Cirque Du Soleil show brings magic to life with comedy and illusions. The show is hosted by Mindfreak Criss Angel. Criss is one magician that stands out. From walking on water, to levitating over the Luxor, Criss has done it all. It was great to witness some of his magic in person. Criss has some assistants, who preform most of the act. Criss does participate in the act, but mostly narrates what's happening. Audience members were able to participate in some of the acts, but mostly it was left to the professionals. I loved all the humor in the show. Sadly, some of the acts were a little confusing. I think Angel could of explained the tricks a little more. Out of 10, I would give the show a 8. I recommend seeing the show on your next visit to Las Vegas!
 
"What happens in Vegas, stays on Facebook."-Criss Angel in "BELIEVE"