Over the last two weeks I have had the pleasure of experiencing both Howl-O-Scream and Halloween Haunt on back to back days. The first weekend I did Kings Dominion on a Saturday and Busch Gardens on a Sunday, and the following weekends Busch Gardens on a Saturday and Kings Dominion on a Sunday. Each night was a different experience. I am going to break down each event by what they have to offer and rate those offerings. WARNING: There will be spoilers in this story!
Posts By: Clint Novak
BehindTheThrills.com Presents the Fifth Annual Thrill Weekly Awards
Halloween is almost upon us! Before the Jack-o-Lanterns are put out and the candy is all given out, a new King of Halloween will be crowned! Today, October 20, 2014 marks the launch of our latest Thrill Weekly Poll that chooses the winner of the Thrill Weekly Awards for 2014 in the category of Best Halloween Event.
SeaWorld Orlando LAUNCHES PHOTO-SHARING PROGRAM
Orlando, Fla. (October 16, 2014) – SeaWorld® Orlando recently launched PhotoKey, an all-new way to share photos of the amazing experiences and up-close animal encounters guests have during a SeaWorld visit. Guests now can collect photos using their PhotoKey card and view and share photos instantly with the PhotoKey mobile app.
PhotoKey photographers take pics of guests at key locations throughout the park, including iconic scenes, key attractions and most roller coasters. Guests can instantly choose to share images on their social channels through the PhotoKey mobile app available for download on both the Android and iPhone .
PhotoKey is available for purchase at several stations inside the park or you can purchase PhotoKey prior to arriving at the park at seaworldorlando.com. Take advantage of PhotoKey opportunities during your next family vacation and unlock a world of memories.
PhotoKey benefits:
- Unlimited Access – All photos can be viewed, shared and downloaded at any park PhotoKey location, on the PhotoKey mobile app or on the PhotoKey website.
- Save on Purchases – Receive discounts on in-park photo products that are available at any photo location.
- Professional Photographers – Take advantage of professional photographers roaming the park to capture your family memories.
- Keepsakes – Photos can be customized into various keepsakes through exclusive access to the PhotoKey website Receive a free $10 online credit toward any customized PhotoKey product and unlimited $5 individual prints while PhotoKey pass is valid.
Be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following the park’s blog at InsideSeaWorld.com, or “Like” the SeaWorld Orlando’s Facebook page, and follow @seaworldorlando on Instagram.
LAST STAND WITH MANTIS THIS SUNDAY
This weekend is your last weekend to enjoy the Mantis roller coaster at Cedar Point. The coaster will be closing this Sunday. Preperation for its transformation to Rougarou has already began with a brand new paint job in the works. Drew the Intern will be at the park this weekend. Follow him on the In the Loop Facebook page or his personal Twitter page @DrewTheIntern Please share your Last Stand pictures with us on Facebook
PRESS RELEASE: CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA EXPANDS PLANET SNOOPY
For 2015, California’s Great America will expand and rebrand the Planet Snoopy kids area. Three new Planet Snoopy rides will be introduced and be in place for opening day in 2015 when Great America begins its magical 40th season. The entire area known formally known as KidZville will be morphed into the expanded Planet Snoopy.
The new rides will include Joe Cool’s Gr8Sk8, Peanuts 500 and Snoopy’s Space Buggies. Gr8Sk8 will be an interactive ride atop Snoopy’s giant skateboard with the feeling of going off the edge. Peanuts 500 lets racers zoom around the track and slingshot around the track ends, while Snoopy’s Space Buggies will lift astronauts into the air for a gravity defying lunar landing.
“Great America is known for its thrill rides, but we pride ourselves on a being a park for everyone. Enhancing Planet Snoopy and introducing three attractions parents can ride with children adds to our inclusive family atmosphere,” said Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg.
Ice Cream Social Podcast: Jock vs Nerd
Matt Donnelly and Paul Mattingly host a podcast called Ice Cream Social. On there podcast they have a segment called Jock vs Nerd, and asked other podcasts to submit questions for them. This is our questions for the guys, and we tossed in an extra roller coaster question.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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The one with NO BOO
Clint, Legend and Drew are joined by Braedon as they talk about all the Halloween related stuff they have done over the last few weeks. They also talk about Universal Studios building in Beijing, Busch Gardens Tampa filing permits, Adventure Island building Colossal Curl, and much more.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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MAN ARRESTED FOR TRANSPORTING FAMILY ON FLATBED TRUCK TO DORNEY
A Philadelphia man is facing trial in Lehigh Country Court after taking his family and friends on a trip to Dorney Park on August 17th. The man drove 60 miles with 11 family and friends in the back of a flat bed truck. 9 of the 11 were under the age of 18. Officers were called to the park after a complaint was issued about the truck. Closed circuit TV showed the truck arriving with the back full of passengers at 9:30am. The man has been freed on $20,000 unsecured bail.
VIRGIAN AMERICA DROPS SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT
Back in July Southwest Airlines ended a 26-year marketing relationship with SeaWorld Entertainment, and now Virgian America has followed there lead becoming the latest airline to cut ties with SeaWorld. The airlines will no longer include SeaWorld in its Elevated rewards program. The program let you earn points toward travel and merchandise that you could spend at the SeaWorld Entertainment parks. In early 2014 SeaWorld stock was trading over $30, but now is at an all time low trading under $18. The shares fell 33 percent on August 13th, after SeaWorld said the controversy over its treatment of captive whales had hurt attendance.
PRESS RELEASE: COLOSSAL CURL COMING TO ADVENTURE ISLAND IN 2015
NEW FOR 2015: Hurtle high above Adventure Island® Tampa’s 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun and experience a feeling of weightlessness aboard Colossal Curl™, the park’s newest thrill slide debuting for the 2015 season.
