Planning the year ahead

January 14, 2008, 12:06 PM · Hey everyone,

I'm putting together my travel sked for 2008 and would like to hear from the TPI community what parks, attractions and events you would like to see covered in-depth here on Theme Park Insider.

Ideally, I'm trying to be in South Carolina for the opening of the Hard Rock Park in April and in Orlando for the opening of SeaWorld's Aquatica in March.

I'm also planning to cover the openings of the Simpsons ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Lost Kingdom Adventure at Legoland and, later in the year, Toy Story Mania at Disney's California Adventure. (FYI, before someone mentions it, Harry Potter debuts in *2009* at the Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, so that's on next year's agenda.)

What else would you like to see me cover? Keep in mind that these ideas do not have to be attraction openings, they also can be features on favorite rides, shows, events and performers that you think other TPI readers would like to read about. Interviews, photo essays, behind-the-scenes features, you name it.

Thanks, and I hope you'll keep reading TPI often in 2008.

Replies (15)

Bradley Robertson

January 14, 2008 at 12:48 PM · For someone who lives near a Cedar Fair Park it would be cool to see some reviews of some of their other parks (the ones not listed in the top 20), or possibly the parks in Branson (Silver Dollar City & Celebration City).

Otherwise, Hard Rock, Aquatica, and Simpson's are things I would like to read about. Also, doesn't Jungala open at BGT this year?

Ben James

January 14, 2008 at 12:46 PM · I would like to see you cover the new Evil Kneivel Coaster at Six Flags St. Louis this spring.

Bradley Robertson

January 14, 2008 at 12:49 PM · Ben, I won't be there until 2 weeks after it opens but I would be willing to submit a review provided no one beats me too it.

brian lochridge

January 14, 2008 at 1:50 PM · I think it would be interesting to do an in-depth look at parks and attractions that have been around for a while. Maybe a Monthly report from someone on the countries of the WS. Take a whole article exploring all the little things about each country. Just a thought.

Ben James

January 14, 2008 at 2:10 PM · If anyone could get me hooked up on the Press day, I could go cover it for TPI.

Robert Niles

January 14, 2008 at 3:55 PM · Six Flags parks typically don't send press invites to TPI, but if someone has a contact at SFStL (e-mail or phone), I'd be happy to request one.

steve lee

January 14, 2008 at 4:05 PM · We'll look for you at the Hard Rock opening...

Danny Melillo

January 14, 2008 at 6:39 PM · I'd love a review of atleast one of the Dark Knight coasters at six flags. And if someone would, I'd love to see a review of Behemoth!

Stephen Tuday

January 14, 2008 at 9:45 PM · Although a lesser-known park, it will be interesting to see how Herschend Family Entertainment - the new owners of Wild Adventures (Valdosta, GA)'make-over' that park with all their planned capital investment.

Daniel Smith

January 14, 2008 at 10:08 PM · I would love to see a new section added that compares the same rides at different parks. ie. comparing say Space Mountain at all the Disney parks around the world :)

Mitchell Botwin

January 15, 2008 at 5:17 AM · I would like to see some articles on international parks. I don't know if I will ever get to go, but at least I would like to see what I am missing. Another article would be a walking tour of the park. Someone taking you step by step through the park.

Noel G

January 15, 2008 at 5:49 AM · More articles on Parks within the Asia - Pacific region big and small and what they offer that makes them different from the major players in the U.S.A. to attract their patrons other than visiting the U.S. parks

Threads to review articles once a user has added a comment/s and notifications to view further comments from other readers when added.

azcloudy

January 15, 2008 at 9:40 AM · i heard on the news last night that they are planning and have the financing for an amusment park over 1000acres here in Williams Arizona to begin building this year. They mentioned Disney. Can you find out who it is and what kind of park ( disney six flags or what) it will be? They mentioned many hotels going up etc... I think they may ruin the landscape of Northern Arizona yet I would love something to do besides see a huge hole in the earth :). ( Grand Canyon). Thanks.

Robert Niles

January 15, 2008 at 9:53 AM · Just to clarify, I hope that all TPI readers will submit reviews of new attractions when they open near them, through the attraction listing pages, discussion board and/or Blog Flume.

What I'm talking about here are opportunities for me to come in and do more in-depth reporting (hey, I am a pro journalist!), talking with the people behind the scenes, as well as reviewing major new attractions.

I am somewhat limited by budget (unless traffic to the site increases, oh, by double or more....), so trips abroad are out of the question for the moment, although, as I said, I welcome writers submitting reports that they do about their local parks.

As for the Williams thing, long-time TPI readers might recall why I have no desire to go back to that town anytime soon. ;-) Disney's not at all involved with that project, which, like many local theme park proposals, strikes me as underfunded to make a significant industry impact. That said, if it happens, it could be a cool little local park.

Keith Lutman

January 15, 2008 at 10:11 AM · Water parks besides the Disney parks. Those have been well covered. Are there other high quality water parks out there or is Disney so far above the rest that they're not worth reporting on?

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Planning the year ahead

Replies (15)

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