lunaprk

Just emailed you but just in case. I now need an extra ticket. Preferably for MM Saturday !

Looking forward to WCB this coming weekend! Last one was 2010 I think. This trip was unusual in that I was depending on a friend and his buddy passes but I am now confirmed to fly in this Weds. Top things I'm anticipating are of course Twisted Collossus, also Full Throttle is new to me. At KBF Accelerator is a new credit since it was down in 2010. Also at DLR, Cars Land and the Haunted Masion with Jack overlays will be a first. Totally off topic but a huge first is I'm hiking to the Hollywood sign on Firday before driving up to Valencia. I'll be coming solo but I met great people last time so don't be alarmed if I crash your parties

Nice review of the offerings this year. I should be able to try most of it over the next couple months!

Saw the show tonight and it was fabulous, and almost scary how right on the satire was. Great seeing you at the show Robb.

loving the photos...so someday when I visit Dubai, I want to get a sweet photo of the skyscraper itself. Do any of the other nearby towers have an observation deck open to the public?

Good weekend everyone! I followed all the Tweets last week for the status of Potterverse and got in last Thursday. Like John DeHass (whom I ran into at FJ- good seeing you John!), I got 3 goes on FJ and had a half hour or so to walk the rest of the land before they closed down around noon. I felt the ride surprised me in several ways and disappointed me in a couple others. I'll wait till I see more posts before I get specific and spoil. One thing I will say now is the sound in the cars needs to be remixed. The narration tracks were drowned out by all the other SFX- that's an easy fix. My first impressions are that the queue line is a little more entertaining than the ride-especially after riding a couple times- incredible details and fun effects! Aside from some specific things, I wish there were more grandiose tableaus to ride through- a la Pirates of the Carribean. Every once in a while I could glance to the side and see another ride vehicle rolling ahead- they are quite fascinating to watch! Next time a park uses these, go ahead and make them part of the show! The land itself also boasts some nice detail on the buildings/shops. Nice weathered textures and nifty signage. I'm pretty surprised to see the bldg footprints from the original Lost Continent intact, just expanded upon. So glad to have the Alchemy Bar re-imagined as the Three Broomsticks! The Team Members are psyched and the walk-around characters (especially the Conductor from the "train station") entertaining and immersed in the theming. The little show in Olivanders is quite a treat. It's been pointed out before and can't be stressed enough-the shops are TOO CRAMPED. The aisles could only fit one "supersized" guest and a small stroller. Universal will have to have Potter-themed stores elsewhere around the Resort-this is their bread and butter. So I had a fun time and hope to return next week on my day off. I'll be curious to see what you all think in the months ahead! Marlon Scott

I'm definetely stoked about the backstage tours at Knotts! Too bad about Xcellerator- I've never ridden it. But I kinda figured it would'nt be ready. Theres more than enough to do next weekend! ' Marlon Scott

Hi Everyone! Thanks for all the info. I tried Priceline again and got that Marriott Courtyard for $74.99 (60 plus all the fees). So my lodging is nearly set for my visit next week. Now thinking of driving out to Big Bear Tuesday night & ski on St Pat's day! So I need a hotel out there. Marlon Scott

Thanks Jeff, Hotels.com no longer offers that hotel, but the price for a non sketchy place remains in the $90-100 range. I'll look another couple days. Marlon

Hello everyone, So I'd like some opinions about hotels near Magic Mountain. I've scoured my usual sites and everything seems expensive. I got kicked out of Priceline for that area (though I used them to get a room at a Courtyard Marriott near Knotts for $75). Anyone ever stay at the nearby cheapies in Santa Clarita? I'm talking about the Super 8 (Soledad Cyn Rd), Santa Clarita Motel on San Fernando, etc? I'm pretty much ready to just throw down $100 and stay at the Hampton Inn or the Holiday Inn Express right by the park. Marlon Scott

Hello Everyone! Finally booked my flight from O Town. Chose AA since I need to keep my miles up with them- though they were $30 more than the cheapest (US Air @ $280). Will start looking at hotels near the parks. I'm thinking of driving out to Big Bear to do some skiing (weather permitting). Most likely the Thurs before WCB (3/18). Anyone else interested? Also, anyone else going to Disney the day after WCB (Monday 3/22)? Marlon Scott

Robb, looks like a great time. Thanks for all the hard work to pull it together! I'm going to try to stay in one of the hotels near Magic Mtn Friday night. I'll either check out before the first ERT or come back and check out later during a break. I'll try to get another hotel near Knotts Saturday and Sunday night. Crazy side trip- I want to see "Alladin" at DCA one more time and it's dark monday, so i may sneak out of Knotts during any lull in the action!

Hello All! I've registered for WCB and pretty excited to attend my first official TPR Event! I have not been to SoCal since 2003, and have not been to either park since Ghostrider and Scream! opened. Also planning to hit Disney the following Monday. Plenty of In-N-Out and FatBurger in between! I dont know whom else is flying in from the Orlando area, but Kayak keeps updating me with cheaper air fares. Best is US Air at $321. Marlon Scott

Admin Edit - Posting links to copyrighted material that you don't have permission to upload, whether on this site or not, is bad. dt

Try this link: http://distantcreations.com/insidethemagic/ Hopefully I'll shoot some of my own this weekend. M