Happy Almost-Summer from Theme Park Overload! Last night was the world premiere of the new Cirque Dreams Splashtastic acrobatic/dolphin show at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom! TPO has full coverage from the event, with a show review and HD video highlights with opening remarks from new Park President Don McCoy and Broadway Show Director Neil Goldberg!
After getting the "briefing", seen above from Don McCoy and Neil Goldberg, everyone apart of the Media Event was ushered into the theater in a reserved section. In a very smooth transition, the first few performers pop out in their detailed, colorful costumes. Select audience members from all corners of the arena are given a bell, and then he appears.
Using just a red conductor's stick and minimal sounds, he warms up the audience with a surprisingly entertaining opening act. Think of it as the opening of World of Color, as it involves audience participation to get everyone excited about the show! After he exits the stage on a high, the show begins! Starting out with a few tricks from the dolphins, the show moves into its acrobatic style acts. I do have to say that the integration of dolphins to the production is a little lackluster. It becomes obvious that the show was strictly a circus style acrobatic show, and the dolphins are a little awkwardly incorporated into it.
First up comes the "feats of strength". The duo does a great job in their approx. 5 minute act, demonstrating some fantastic moves. It's definitely entertaining, and continues the upbeat environment the show creates! But the most spectacular act is up next.
Using up to 8 freestanding objects, the next act is incredibly suspenseful and entertaining! Using different combinations of the on-stage items, this act entertains with amazing feats of balance and stability! Also being around 5 minutes in length, the act is so entertaining that some audience members even stood up and cheered! Easily the highlight of the show, as this one act is reason enough to see it!
Overall, the show was pretty entertaining. One note though. If you're coming to see dolphins/animals, this is not the show for you. The dolphins play a very minimal part in the total production, and this may not come as a bad thing for some. Considering the other New-for-2013 show right next door, Drench!, is 100% dolphin oriented with 6 dolphins, I don't think that this show being more acrobatic themed is a bad thing. The show is a great Limited-Time addition to the park, with three showings daily through August 11. Definitely check it out if you're visiting the park!
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Welcome to more TPO updates from the Lone Star State, Texas! Today, some of the first video has been captured of Ride Testing for the new 400 ft Texas Sky Screamer swing ride at Six Flags Over Texas! Check it out in action!
The entrance will be right next to the Judge Roy Scream wooden coaster.
A look at the queue, with the main station to the left in this photo.
Soon, like next week!
Testing was happening on and off during the day (It's so tempting, I wish I could ride before going back home!)
The Texas Sky Screamer opens this Saturday to the general public (May 25)! It definitely looks like it will meet the hype made up for the ride. Make sure to "Like" TPO on Facebook for updated from the site! www.Facebook.com/ThemeParkOverload My name's Nicholous, and Thanks for Reading!
The Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is set to open this week, but TPO had the opportunity to attend the Exclusive VIP Party with 14 rides on the coaster! Below is a full ride review, along with HD Video of off-ride shots of the ride!
The entrance reading "Iron Rattler" in bold print, along with a subtle rattlesnake fountain, mark the start of your journey.
The Queue Line offers some impressive angles of the intimidating 18 story lift hill.
Once seated and strapped in, with just a lap bar, it begins!
The layout of the entire ride.
Once you reach the 180 foot apex of the lift hill, the view UP and DOWN is sure to scare even the fearless! A 360 degree view of the park can be seen from the top, providing a nice view of the surrounding area. But don't look down (especially for those front seat riders!) As you reach the end of the lift, the train comes almost to a stand still, with part of the front train hanging over the hill. The drop is so steep that you can't see the bottom! As the train speeds back up, every single rider in the train is lifted up and out of their seat flying 18 stories down.
At the bottom of the drop, you fly by the surrounding tunnel at 70 MPH! The train then takes a vertical dive up into the first element, the "double up". This is basically 2 hills build into one, where the train rapidly clears the first half of the hill, levels out, and completes the second half. This brings MAJOR EJECTOR TIME up and out of your seat, with high negative g's! The train then enters two 110 then 95 degree over-banked turns to the left, which are exciting given the speed the train is traveling at. After a hard turn down and to the left, one of the coolest elements ever built in a roller coaster awaits you.
A full 360 degree barrel roll turns all riders upside down and hanging out of their seats! Designed to turn around your head (your head stays in the same place during the element) its high negative g's are breathtaking, but not disorienting. After an airtime filled camelback hill, the coaster takes you through 2 reverse over-banked turns, first to the right then left! When the train comes out of the first turn and twists into the left one, it really "rattles" riders in a good way! After yet another airtime hill, the coaster blasts up then all the way down into a free fall.
Being out of your seat the whole freefall drop due to negative g's, the train then heavily banks to the left and snakes through a tunnel built into the rock quarry walls. The cool temperature change of the tunnel comes as a surprise, along with the multi-colored LED's and fog inside. After about 2 seconds in the tunnel, the train banks to the right and sends riders with more extreme ejector time as the train reaches the brake run. Though a little on the short side, this ride does not let up the pace the entire time and is absolutely incredible. Easily in my personal Top 5.
Special Thanks to Stacy and Morgan from Six Flags Fiesta Texas for putting on such an awesome event!
All I can say, get down to San Antonio ASAP and ride this beast! Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a very nice Six Flags park with an adequate amount of Thrill and Kids rides, and can easily make for a whole day of fun! Follow us on Facebook for official Theme Park News and Updates from the site! www.Facebook.com/ThemeParkOverload My name's Nicholous, and Thanks for Reading!
Welcome to TPO! Today, we have an in-park update from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom! Union Protests, Splashtastic show update, front entrance modifications, and more await you!
The picketing protest from the Ride Mechanic Union continues, with these protesters right at the parking entrance.
The park also raised the parking rate AGAIN from $18 to $20. Boooooooo!
Work continues on Cirque Dreams Splashtastic, with performers and crew being seen around the area during the day. You could occasionally hear music being tested as you walked by. (Look out for coverage from the World Premier of Cirque Dreams Splashtastic from Media Day, mid next week right here on the site!)
As predicted a few weeks back, the building under construction near Looney Toons Seaport is indeed a new Soft Serve location.
The park is starting to update signage for the newly renamed Toyota Stadium, home to the Drench! Dolphin Show.
More Takis ads have replaced the previous Snickers ads in the Medusa Queue Line.
And finally, some fantastic news regarding the front entrance. Like other Six "Flags" parks, 3 new flags have been added near the front gate! A Six Flags, United States, and California flag now hang proudly outside the park. Nice touch SFDK!
That's whats going on over at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. And don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook for exclusive fan-only contests and giveaways! www.Facebook.com/ThemeParkOverload My name's Nicholous, and Thanks for Reading!
Happy Tuesday from Theme Park Overload! Today, we "venture" off from the normal Theme Park news to cruise ships. But not just any cruises, Disney Cruises! DCL (Disney Cruise Line) has just announced a major renovation/reimagining to the Disney Magic vessel.
Starting from September 7, 2013 to October 10, 2013, the Disney Magic cruise ship vessel will undergo a major transformation. Adding new waterslides, dining areas, live entertainment, children play areas, and more, the additions will modernize the ship and bring it up-to-date with the amenities of the newer vessels within the DCL fleet.
Starting with the lobby, the new gold color scheme will definitely liven-up the guests' first impressions when boarding the vessel. It reminds me of a golden colored version of the Grand Floridian hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The new Rio De Janeiro inspired restaurant, Carioca's, brings the outdoor patio style dining indoors. The white walls act as a good contrast to the dark carpeting, which keeps the atmosphere very lively and modern.
Now for a DCL first, a Marvel themed childrens area! This is the first incorporation of the Marvel brand on a Disney ship, since the recent purchase by Disney of the Marvel licenses.
For the thrill seekers out there, the renovation also brings a variety of new water slides and pools onboard.
The star addition to the Magic, in my somewhat bias opinion, is the new AquaDuck slide being mounted to the side of the ship! Starting in a drop capsule, riders will plummet straight down, nearly vertical, into an inclined loop. The ride will be quite the thrill, with the translucent tubes taking you 20 feet off the edge of the ship!
What do you think? The new reimagining of the Disney Magic is sure to plus the ship's already stellar experience. That's all for now from TPO! If you've been on a Disney Cruise before, be sure to weigh in on our Facebook page on how YOU think the new additions will change the ship's overall experience! www.Facebook.com/ThemeParkOverload My name's Nicholous, and Thanks for Reading!
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