If you haven’t heard, LEGOLAND Castle Hotel in LEGOLAND California is now officially open for business. And no, while it looks absolutely like an supersized LEGO castle set, it is not made of LEGO elements. It still cool to ogle at and should as cool to be staying in, nevertheless. Though the royal LEGO statue out at the entrance, along with over 2,100 LEGO models spread across the hotel, are made of regular sized LEGO elements, totaling more than 3 million pieces. Continue reading LEGOLAND Castle Hotel In California Opens For Business
Tag Archives: Theme Park
Gamer Creates A Haunting But Visually Spectacular Virtual Aliens Thrill Ride
Aliens is one of the pop culture phenomena of the 70s and it is a wonder why there isn’t an official Aliens-themed thrill ride. Perhaps, the theme is a little too dark for commercial success? I don’t know. Whatever it is, it does not stop YouTuber Hin Nya, who appears to be a huge fan of Aliens of Japanese descent, from creating one, but virtually, of course, using a steam game, a theme park simulator called Planet Coaster by Frontier Developments. Continue reading Gamer Creates A Haunting But Visually Spectacular Virtual Aliens Thrill Ride
USJ’s Upcoming Final Fantasy-themed Roller Coaster Will Be A VR Fantasy
Fans of Final Fantasy franchise will have their fantasy come true starting January 19 when Universal Studios Japan’s new ride called Final Fantasy XR Ride opens for business. It won’t be in business for long, however. It will be a limited time ride introduced as part of Universal Studios Japan’s annual Cool Japan event. Now, you may be wondering: how the hell USJ built a ride and only to end it six months later on June 24? Well, the answer is simple (and a hint of the future of theme parks): it is not quite a physical ride design from the ground up; it is essentially the Space Fantasy – The Ride introduced in 2010, but given a theme change by the power of VR headsets. Continue reading USJ’s Upcoming Final Fantasy-themed Roller Coaster Will Be A VR Fantasy
TRON Lightcycle Power Run: Roller Coaster Thrill In Motorbike Style
This is TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a thrill ride available at Shanghai Disneyland Resort. What makes this roller coaster so special is the roller coaster car which, as the ride name suggests, is really motorcycle, the TRON Lightcycle from the rebooted sci-fi flick TRON: Legacy. What this means is, you are exposed as you were riding an actual motorcycle and the exhilaration is further boosted by the fact that the riders will have to lean forward on their chest, in a near-prone position and head forward. There’s even handle bars on each ‘bike’ for you to hold on to your dear life. Continue reading TRON Lightcycle Power Run: Roller Coaster Thrill In Motorbike Style
Finally, A Studio Ghibli Theme Park Will Be A Reality In 2020
Good news, fans of Studio Ghibli! There’s going to be a theme park based on the company’s iconic 1988 animation My Neighbor Totoro. I know right. It is kind of long overdue and finally, theme park goers will have a choice other than Disney and all-thing Hollywood. Studio Ghibli’s producer, Toshio Suzuki, and Aichi governor, Hidaeki Omura, jointly announced this exciting news at a press conference a couple of days ago. Details are still pretty scant at this point. All we know now is the theme park will spawn within Echo Park in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Continue reading Finally, A Studio Ghibli Theme Park Will Be A Reality In 2020
Behind The Scene Of The Upcoming AVATAR-Themed Park At Disney
Director James Cameron had this crazy idea known today as AVATAR as far back as 1995 but back then technology wasn’t available to make it without breaking the bank. Now, not only AVATAR was made and screened in 2009, already sequels (yes, sequel, as in more than one) have been planned. Fast forward 7 years and technology is available to allow a theme park based on James Cameron’s AVATAR to be created and it will be throwing its door open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in summer 2017. That’s just a few months down the road! Continue reading Behind The Scene Of The Upcoming AVATAR-Themed Park At Disney
Spamusement Is where You Get To Soak In Hot Spring On A Roller Coaster
Vacationing is all about opportunity cost. Meaning, you have to chose one activity over another at any one time. For example, if you want to relax at a hot spring, you will have to forgo the excitement and thrill of amusement park. But soon, in Beppu city on the island of Kyushu, you can have the cake and eat it as far as spa and amusement park is concerned. This means that you can enjoy the relaxing hot spring, AKA onsen, Beppu city is known for while screaming your lungs out on a roller coaster ride. To be clear, we are talking about doing both things simultaneously, not one activity after another. And that, folks, is the ingenuity behind the idea of Spamusement which, as the name suggests, is a spa and an amusement park hybrid that will be realized in the city of Beppu city. Continue reading Spamusement Is where You Get To Soak In Hot Spring On A Roller Coaster
Universal Unveiled A New Pacific Isles-themed Water Theme Park For 2017
Good news, water-loving folks. Universal will have a new water theme park to help beat the sweltering summer heat and Orlando, Florida is where you will find it come 2017. I know. We heard of the tragic incident over at Disney’s resort, but rest assure, wildlife won’t be there to greet you; it will be just you, the majestic manmade volcano and the Pacific isles-style setting. Set amongst a lush greenery, this 28 acres theme park, aptly called Volcano Bay, is creative by the Universal Creative, the same folks behind crowd favorite theme park experiences like The Wizard World of Harry Potter, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and like many of Universal’s parks, it is setup to please thrill seekers and chill seekers alike. Continue reading Universal Unveiled A New Pacific Isles-themed Water Theme Park For 2017
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Officially Open Its Doors For Business
Good news, fans of Harry Potter. Your wait to experience the magic of Hogwarts is over. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood is finally open. The newest attraction opens to L.A. Philharmonic’s performance with award-winning composer John William at the helm, synchronized to an awe-inspiring 3D digital lighting projection on the Hogwarts castle. The spectacular perform was round up with a grand display of fireworks. The park’s newest ‘world’ officially opens on the April 7, which saw some of the cast members of the Harry Potter franchise as well as celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Mindy Kaling, Billy Bob Thornton and more, joining the celebration. The mayor of Los Angeles, who apparently is a huge Harry Potter fan (he had six wands and brought one with him), made an appearance too. Continue reading The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Officially Open Its Doors For Business
Six Flags Brings Virtual Reality To Roller Coasters With Gear VR
4D rides are thrilling but lacks of the adrenalin rush provided by a real roller coasters. Roller coasters, on the other hand, offers the real world thrill but lacks the virtual reality elements found on a 4D ride. However, theme park operator Six Flags, has found the middle ground; one that lets riders have the best of both worlds by slapping riders with Samsung Gear VR headsets. As part of Six Flags’ “broad marketing partnership,” Samsung is the “official technology partner” where the South Korean electronics juggernaut will add VR experience to real roller coster rides. Continue reading Six Flags Brings Virtual Reality To Roller Coasters With Gear VR