Thursday May 24, 2012
Will Smith is kicking off the summer blockbuster season with Men in Black 3 this weekend. It looks slick and should rack up some decent ticket sales. You can rack up some points by joining forces with Will Smith's Agent J at the Men in Black ride at Universal Studios Florida. It's one of parkdom's best shoot-em-up rides (Disney's Toy Story Mania is another) and immerses and engages guests in the three-dimensional MIB world far better than any IMAX 3D film ever could.
If you really want to impress your ride mates the next time you are at Universal, here's a tip: Just as you begin spinning and enter the fog-enshrouded, giant alien beast towards the end of the attraction, press the blinking red button on your vehicle. You'll get a huge bonus. Now that I've shared my secret, I'll have to neuralize you. Read more about the Men in Black ride.
Photo: Universal Orlando. Used with permission.
Tuesday May 22, 2012
I've always loved Las Vegas. With its bright lights and flashing neon, it's like a supersized amusement park for adults. Instead of Skee Ball, however, the place is overrun with slot machines. And its gargantuan casino-hotels sport outrageous themes that are every bit as hyper-real as any theme park land. Lest you think the park analogies end there, the city also offers actual rides and attractions. Read my roundup of Las Vegas roller coasters.
Photo: © Arthur Levine. Licensed to About.com.
Monday May 21, 2012
Recently anointed North Korean autocrat Kim Jong Un took time from his busy duties leading the communist regime to tour Mangyongdae Funfair, an amusment park in the capital city of Pyongyang. According to Time, he apparently wasn't too amused. The young leader was highly critical during his visit and blasted the park for its shabby upkeep, questionable safety protocols, and other infractions.
It would be hard to imagine a democratically elected official, such as a U.S. president, dropping in on a place like Kings Island and dressing down its management: "Hey! The flower beds in front of Diamondback could use some weeding." Fretting over the amusement park may at least have taken Kim's mind off of launching missiles. Perhaps he should focus more on launching roller coasters.
Friday May 18, 2012
If you're here at About.com's Theme Parks site, chances are you enjoy roller coasters. Or maybe you are a fan who really loves coasters. Or perhaps you are coaster crazy and have a true passion for riding the rails. If you fall into the latter category, you owe it to yourself to check out American Coaster Enthusiasts. By joining ACE, you could mingle with like-minded coaster aficionados at special park events.
For example, the organization is holding its spring conference this weekend at Cedar Point, one of the most celebrated coaster havens in the world. In addition to presentations and group meals, attendees will have exclusive ride time, or ERT, on all 17 16 of the park's coasters. Before and after Cedar Point opens to the general public, ACE members will be able to ride and re-ride coasters such as Maverick and Magnum XL-200 with almost no wait. To learn more about the organization, go to the ACE Website.
