Weekend Update: Terminator Salvation Debut, SeaWorld Double Dip, Tokyo Time, Venice
Weekend Update goes aquatical this week with a bicoastal report from the Sea World parks, courtesy of SummerInFL and CaptPhoebus. Then TDLFAN shares a whimsical look at the clocks of Tokyo Disneyland. Last week I asked Ian Parkinson where he was taking us next. His answer? A Venice vacation, of course. This time around Ian's report also includes photos by Richard Williams. Plus, stick with us until the very end and you'll be treated to a rare look at the MiceChat server and the technical brains behind this website!
First up, though, we have breaking photos from Six Flags Magic Mountain. sir clinksalot had the privilege of attending a private party featuring the debut of Terminator Salvation: The Ride. His report follows:
Terminator Salvation: The Ride
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California
A sneak peek at the new $10 million dollar coaster at Magic Mountain that opened on Friday.
The ride is located in the same spot as past Magic Mountain coasters such as Shockwave, Sarajevo Bobsleds and of course, Psyclone. But don't be fooled. This is a wooden coaster, but it's NOT Psyclone.
The ride entrance.
There is also a big humvee type vehicle out front.
The legal print.
You're entering a highly secured facility.
You have no idea that your actually crossing a bridge here.
Just like most Magic Mtn. rides these days, Terminator features lockers to store your belongings.
As soon as you enter the line, the theming begins.
Not only are you surrounded by the coaster, you're surrounded by theming.
This is an actual prop from the movie.
The entrance to the pre-show.
In the first pre-show, we are introduced to two members of the resistance (Moon Bloodgood and Common's characters from the actual movie). One is on a scouting mission and one is at the home base of the resistance. During the scouting mission, Terminator's are after Blair (Moon Bloodgood's character) and she is not surprisingly at what used to be Six Flags Magic Mountain.
There are many props (some that are within touching distance) that help the storyline. Hopefully they will be there for the foreseeable future since they are close to the public.
We then move into the 2nd area of the pre-show where we are all discovered by the Terminator's and the characters of the movie are trying to find an escape for us.
Moving into the 3rd area of the pre-show, it's revealed we are actually in an abondoed Terminator Factory, and our only escape, you guessed it, a long abandoned train.
Then you are led up to the ride station and the ride itself. Yes, those are speakers you see. The ride is equipped with on-board audio which only adds to the amazing experience.
The ride features 2 tunnels (1 filled with mist), a station fly-through and fire effects. Yes ... FIRE!!!!!
Entering the Station Fly-Through.
FIRE!!!
As night falls, the entrance sign takes on a new color scheme, which is VERY cool.
sir clinksalot's review of the ride:
To say this is the most themed ride at Magic Mountain is putting it lightly. I put the pre-show on par with that of Rock n Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Sure it's campy, but it TOTALLY works. Isn't that what it's all about anyway? I give Six Flags all the credit in the world for making a totally immersive experience.
We did find the pre-show a bit loud on our first couple or rides, almost as loud if not louder as a concert. I think they did tweak the volume at some point, or we just got used to it. But if you have sensitive ears, you may want to bring earplugs. Hopefully this is something they will address soon. But the ride wasn't even open to the public when we rode, so some tweaking may happen.
The good thing about the pre-show is, that once you get to the actual station, you are on the next train out. There is no standing in the station for 15-20 minutes just waiting for your train. It goes very smooth. Breaking up the pre-shows into 3 sections basically means each pre-show section is 1 train full of riders.
The ride itself is AMAZING. To say it's the best wooden coaster in California is putting it mildly. The people at Great Coasters International (GCI) have done a great job not only just making the "Coaster" fun, but with the added effects have gone the extra mile.
Do yourself a favor, get out to SFMM and ride Terminator. You will not be dissapointed.
Thanks for sharing with us, sir clinksalot! MiceChatter robb alvey posted some opening day photos HERE and some video HERE.
SeaWorld
Orlando, Florida
Here's the rest of SummerInFL's SeaWorld photos. And no, you're not seeing double. Summer's report is followed by CaptPhoebus' report from SeaWorld San Diego.
Quote:
Another famous ride is Wild Arctic, simulating a helicopter ride to the Arctic. After the ride, the guests arrive at a simulated base station, where they can observe polar bears, Pacific walruses, and beluga whales. During the Christmas holiday season, Wild Arctic is transformed into the Polar Express Experience which offers the park's guests the opportunity to ride the Polar Express to the North Pole and meet Santa Claus in addition to the polar bears, Pacific walruses, and beluga whales that are at the Wild Arctic exhibit year round.
Brrr, hope you brought your parka!
This adorable bear doesn't look that dangerous does he?
Quote:
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings."
It's important to have all supplies available, just in case of blizzards.
DTD as seen from Sea World
Shark Encounter
If you are really courageous, you can get into a tank and get an even closer look at the sharks.
SeaWorld
San Diego, California
Recently, CaptPhoebus, DOOM BGI, and Monorail Man ventured south to SeaWorld San Diego. CaptPhoebus got some great images.
Take one of these...
and one of these...
and one can get views like these:
The big attraction is, of course, the shows featuring critters of all types.
And then there's this guy...
To the many, many live shows, toss in a couple of themed attractions.
Around lunch time, MickeyMaxx and Rixter joined the group. We had purchased our passes online, and a quick stop at the ticket kiosks, we were quickly headed to meet our friends and find some grub.
We decided to eat at Shipwreck Reef Café, which features burgers, ribs, sandwiches and salads. MickeyMaxx took these food photos.
This roast beef sandwich is hand carved when you order.
The seafood salad was excellent and large.
And the carrot cake (and unseen chocolate cake) were a cut above.
We had not been to SeaWorld in many years, and were impressed with the landscaping, improved quality of show sets, and the friendliness of the help.
Here are CaptPhoebus and DOOM BGI.
Tokyo Disneyland Resort
Tokyo, Japan
When TDLFAN goes to TDR, it is often times for just a few hours of the day and rushing to do as much as possible... so one question on TDLFAN's mind is "what time is it at TDR?" Well, usually it's time for FUN before taking the train when it's time to leave TDR.
And that's all the time we have at Tokyo Disney Resort for today!
Looking for up-to-date reports from Disneyland
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?
Visit these MiceChat columns each week:
Andy Castro's Dateline Disneyland
David DarkBeer Michael's In the Parks
Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams take us on a multi-part trip to Venice, Italy and environs. First up, we take a look at Venice's famous canals and gondolas.
Venice, Italy
Quote:
Venice is world-famous for its canals. It is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges. In the old center, the canals serve the function of roads, and every form of transport is on water or on foot. In the 19th century a causeway to the mainland brought a railway station to Venice, and an automobile causeway and parking lot was added in the 20th century. Beyond these land entrances at the northern edge of the city, transportation within the city remains, as it was in centuries past, entirely on water or on foot. Venice is Europe's largest urban car free area, unique in Europe in remaining a sizable functioning city in the 21st century entirely without motorcars or trucks.
The classical Venetian boat is the gondola, although it is now mostly used for tourists, or for weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies. Most Venetians now travel by motorised waterbuses (vaporetti) which ply regular routes along the major canals and between the city's islands. The city also has many private boats. The only gondolas still in common use by Venetians are the traghetti, foot passenger ferries crossing the Grand Canal at certain points without bridges. Visitors can also take the watertaxis between areas of the city.
The classical Venetian boat is the gondola, although it is now mostly used for tourists, or for weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies. Most Venetians now travel by motorised waterbuses (vaporetti) which ply regular routes along the major canals and between the city's islands. The city also has many private boats. The only gondolas still in common use by Venetians are the traghetti, foot passenger ferries crossing the Grand Canal at certain points without bridges. Visitors can also take the watertaxis between areas of the city.
MiceChat Server
Undisclosed Location
Monorail Man caught in a rare photo at an undisclosed location with what we believe is the MiceChat main server.
And that brings us to the end of another week. Our photographers have just enough time to reload their cameras before we see you all again next weekend. Thank you to all of our wonderful readers, and as always, a huge thank you to our amazing team of global photographers, spies, and gossips:
TDLFAN
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt (mousesteps.com)
SummerInFl (wdwfanpics.com)
sir clinksalot
MickeyMaxx
BigPigletFan
Abominable Snowman
"Postcard Junkie" darkfairycthulu (postcardjunkie.blogspot.com)
Fishbulb
PhotoMatt
Jack Hollywood 1939 Wixom
A very special thank you to to our wonderful guest photographers CaptPhoebus, Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams for sharing their vision with us.
Your Editor - Rixter
Where have YOU been recently? We invite you to share your photos of theme parks or any other destination that may be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to contact me via MiceChat Private Message (screen name Rixter)
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.
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Total Comments 23
Comments
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Yay, first post. Excellent Update this week, as alwaysPosted 05-23-2009 at 12:51 AM by CaptPhoebus
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Yep. That's a Compaq Deskpro 286. It's the best we can get on the MiceChat budget.
Posted 05-23-2009 at 01:37 AM by Monorail Man -
The screens of the Indian Head test card in the Terminator preshow look like they're ripped off right from Fallout 3... same shading and everything...
http://fallout3.files.wordpress.com/...asestandby.jpgPosted 05-23-2009 at 03:46 AM by Evan -
Seafood at SeaWorld just doesn't seem right.Posted 05-23-2009 at 09:50 AM by Athlonacon -
Great photos!Posted 05-23-2009 at 11:07 AM by WheresMickey -
C'mon don't you like eating the attractions at
Sea World? Great update as always, and kudos to Six Flags for a nicely themed coaster. More of this please... :-)Posted 05-23-2009 at 11:22 AM by vfire - Wonderful pics of the Mediterranean area at DisneySe....oh wait, that's the REAL Venice...oops
The clock pics are nice, that should be done at all of the Disney parksPosted 05-23-2009 at 12:04 PM by ChrisFL - Also, Terminator Salvation, for having one shot at making a steel coaster truly fit a theme....they make it wood instead.
I'm not talking about the quality of the ride, apparently it's very good, I just can't see a wooden coaster representing Termninator.Posted 05-23-2009 at 03:46 PM by ChrisFL - And there's no need to reset all those clocks at TDL since Japan does not have daylight saving time!Posted 05-23-2009 at 03:50 PM by yorkiedad
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Gotta love Venice, the pictures are great now all we need is a nice ChiantiPosted 05-23-2009 at 04:08 PM by hadesthecat -
I must say...Terminator is impressing me. A very very good effort from the looks of it...I think this is what they were trying for with the Dark Knight Coaster (but failed to do). The Bizzaro coasters look a bit like the old Six Flags...incohesive (I know they used existing facilities) but it all seems thrown together...the old school way.
But if Terminator is a sign of the new school way for Six Flags...(combined with the new Splash Battle at SFGAm...) then by all means, all the power to them. Six Flags finally looks to be turning around for the best! Lets just hope they can survive.Posted 05-23-2009 at 04:28 PM by tloolgb - Cool Photos!Posted 05-23-2009 at 04:47 PM by Emmanuel_4
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A very fun update today, as always! So, what do you feed the hamster that powers the wheel inside that Deskpro 286?
I can't speak to the shading, since I haven't seen it in person, but the test card itself is much, much older than that. It goes all the way back to the early days of television. See this Wikipedia entry for more.Quote:The screens of the Indian Head test card in the Terminator preshow look like they're ripped off right from Fallout 3... same shading and everything...
-JonPosted 05-23-2009 at 05:08 PM by triesch - Gosh! The new Terminator: Salvation Ride has great scenery! I don't think I'd mind waiting in its line for a while. Plus the rollercoaster's trains look pretty cool too.Posted 05-23-2009 at 06:36 PM by coasterfreak
- I know the test card is old, but that design of it, with that font (the words "PLEASE STAND BY" don't even appear in the original test card), shading around the corners, and yellow-greenish coloring looks like it was ripped right out of Fallout 3.Quote:Originally Posted by triesch
I can't speak to the shading, since I haven't seen it in person, but the test card itself is much, much older than that. It goes all the way back to the early days of television. See this Wikipedia entry for more.
-JonPosted 05-23-2009 at 06:42 PM by Evan -
its great to see that SeaWorld San Diego has there vonroll skyride still.unlike Disneyland,SeaWorld has a classic skyway!!Posted 05-23-2009 at 06:42 PM by vonrollskyway1 -
What I want to know is, after riding Terminator, do you have the urge to yell at a photographer, and trash his lights? 
I spotted a Vancouver 2010 hat in this article. Yay, I see our merchandise is heading down south.
Great update!Posted 05-24-2009 at 04:59 PM by Barbossa -
O.K., I admit it...I had to look it up...Quote:I spotted a Vancouver 2010 hat in this article. Yay, I see our merchandise is heading down south.
Vancouver 2010Posted 05-24-2009 at 05:10 PM by Rixter - I loved the chance to see Terminator since I probably won't see it in person. Some of my family lives in the SanFran area and I usually only have time for a quick trip to SoCal. That means I only have time for Disney! It was nice to see Venice pictures too - I chose to walk around via the streets and skip the canals for transportation. I found the Venitians were happy to help you get around and were quite kind.Posted 05-24-2009 at 06:40 PM by DizneeSmurf
- *Love* your server config! lol!Posted 05-24-2009 at 09:07 PM by System Error
