It's Offical! The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter is Coming to

As seen from this article on Newsday, Universal Studios Hollywood will be expanding--yes, that's right, EXPANDING their park for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Knowing how land-locked Universal Studios is, never in many moons would I have imagined that USH would actually be expanding their park as opposed to their normal trend of replacing attractions. To make way for this massive project, it is said in the article that the Gibson amphitheater will be done away with.

After doing a comparison on Google maps with the Gibson Amphitheater in Hollywood and the HP area in Orlando, I've discovered that they can't cram Forbidden Journey and Hogwarts solely in the proposed area. They would have to utilize some other area to build the ride (Maybe the tram storage lot by the Curious George parking structure and the storage area next to it) and use Gibson for Hogwarts. If they are doing what I think they are going to do, they will have quite a bit of space to work with. If they're going to use all of that area for the expansion, would it really hurt to throw the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster from the Orlando park into the mix? USH could use another family-oriented ride, after all--especially if they get rid of the Curious George playground.

Regardless as to whether we are only getting Hogwarts and FJ or not, I'm VERY happy that it looks like USH will actually be ADDING to their attraction rather than replacing. This also puts to rest my fears of this interfering with Halloween Horror Nights, one of the best Halloween events in the nation. After hearing the news, I look forward to being able to ride one of the world's finest rides and have Butterbeer in such a short distance from where I live. I'll try not to be too eager as this ride will open around 2015.

Hatbox Ghost May Return to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion in 2012?

Image courtesy of Jim Hill Media.com

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the Hatbox Ghost, allow me to fill you in on who this fellow was. He was a character that appeared in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, but was removed before the ride opened in 1969. Before he was removed, he was located in the attic scene (As seen in the image above). His head would vanish from his head and reappear in the hatbox that he held in his arm (Hence the name). This old-fashioned, but interesting illusion was pulled by using an ultraviolet that would light up the Ghost's head and then turn off, using the black collar around the Ghost's head to "cover up" the darkened face, while another ultraviolet light would simultaneously light up in the box, unveiling the Ghost's head in it.

To this day, it is still a mystery as to why the Hatbox Ghost was removed. Popular rumor suggests that he was removed due to "maintenance issues", while other rumors suggest that he vanished because Disney officials thought he looked too frightening for a family audience. After decades of the absence of the never publicly-seen Hatbox Ghost, there were rumors floating around for years that his spirit would return, but as time went by these rumors were shown to be dead wrong.

Once again, the rumors of his return have resurfaced for the umpteenth time. By now, you would probably say, "Seriously? This has been rumored for how long now?". But when I first heard of the resurfaced rumor, I thought the same thing until some signs of his possible return occurred to me...

Disney is coming out with a new Haunted Mansion movie, directed by Del Torro, that will revolve around the Hatbox Ghost. Considering that Disney loves using their theme parks to promote their movies, this would be the opportunity to finally fulfill the wishes of Disneyland enthusiasts, while at the same time, promote their own movie. It would be a win-win situation.

Another factor to consider is that the park right next door to Disneyland, California Adventure, will be opening up their highly-anticipated Cars Land. Because of that, all of the attention will be focused over there. Disney may want to promote the Hatbox Ghost's return to the Haunted Mansion to help balance out the crowds.

Considering both of the factors that I have just mentioned, I think 2012 may be the year the Hatbox Ghost will make his long-awaited comeback to the classic Disneyland attraction. With a potential cross-promotion and a way to help develop a draw with both Disneyland and California Adventure, Disney would be foolish to pass up this frighteningly perfect opportunity. If, by some chance, the Hatbox Ghost doesn't return as a result of the movie--well, let's just pretend this article was never posted.

Halloween Horror Nights 2012 Survey Now Up

The survey is now up for Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights. This is your chance to vote for what you specifically want to see for next year's event and share your thoughts about this year's event.

After I have taken the survey, there was one section in the survey that asked me something that I didn't see in the one last year: "Which celebrity would you like to see involved in next year's HHN?" The choices ranged from Ozzy Osbourne, SlipKnoT, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Tim Burton Clive Barker, Lady Gaga, Wes Cr--wait a minute! What was the last one? What on earth is Lady Gaga doing on the survey? How does she, in any way at all, relate to horror? Well, that's just something I hope doesn't happen at HHN.

Despite the few bizarre options on the survey, I highly suggest you take it right now as the survey will only be up for a week. Remember, HHN wants to hear your thoughts, and the event will only improve as long as you give them your thoughts!

Knott's Scary Farm Rumors for 2012

Now that Haunt 2011 has come and gone, rumors are already beginning for Haunt's fortieth anniversary. With the new general manager (Which will, from here on out, be referred to as the "GM") on board for Knott's Berry Farm, the rumors point out that things are definitely going to change in more ways than one.

Over at Theme Park Adventure, rumors are very rampant about the Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride no longer being used for Haunt. The reason for this is because the new general manager is wanting to stop using those rides for haunt due to "safety concerns". This will be bittersweet for me and I will miss the Log Ride overlay (Sorry Mine Ride, no love for you), but you know, there was only so much they could do with that attraction anyway.

Another rumor that's been floating around is that the haunted house quantity will change; whether it will be less or more it is not certain. I have heard that the quantity is going to be upped to fourteen houses, while at TPA, sources over there say that the quantity will be dropped to "Mirror Universal's" (Maybe seven haunted houses or even eight). To back this up, Westcoaster shows in their photo update that a new warehouse is being built by GhostRider. I have been told that this is where they will use one of their Haunt mazes for next year for either the added fourteenth house or one of the new locations for the "fewer houses". I see the latter rumor to be more accurate as finding make-up locations for two haunted houses as well as finding an extra one to be quite daunting, even with the new warehouse.

Also from TPA, the last rumor that I've been hearing is that Knott's talent will receive reformed scare-training; this means that each monster in the scarezones and the houses will be taught to be a certain character. If this rumor is true, I really hope they also "up the scare tactics" as well. I have seen far too many monsters at this year's Haunt go out of character and stray from their scare spots, which I found quite frustrating. I hope that they will fix that issue with the reformed training and use it to really make Knott's Scary Farm scarier.

Whatever happens, it looks like Haunt will be making drastic changes for the fortieth anniversary. Whether or not they will be for the better will be seen. I hope the drastic changes will be for the better and lead Haunt down a road of improvement. Even if it involves a reduction of houses and the loss of the Log and Mine rides, then so be it. Knott's Scary Farm is the granddaddy of all theme park haunts and I want to see it thrive.

(Spoiler-Free) Paranormal Activity 3 Review

After the wild success of the last two installments of the low-budget franchise, it should come to no surprise at all that the studio producing the the films would seize the opportunity to do a third Paranormal Activity movie. Though this is the third installment of the franchise, the movie is really a prequel to explain how all of it started.

Like the first film, Paranormal Activity 3 does start off a bit slow to help develop the characters. The technique does also keep the audience's guard down but the downer is that it does make the film seem slow or uninteresting at first. Thankfully, things pick up a bit more quickly towards the beginning of the film which is one thing PA3 does have over the original one.

The film uses the documentary-style camera more effectively as the scenes rely more on "first-person" views a bit more than the still-camera nighttime scenes for the more intense moments. It enhances the uneasiness factor for the film as it puts the audience in the protagonists' POV to make them feel like they're more into the action. Like most horror films there are those few, "No you idiot! Don't open the door!" moments, but it is inevitable considering that they have to do it to cause the film to progress.

Overall, the vibe of the film is a bit creepier than the first one and doesn't really "drag" quite as much as the first one. Though there are a couple of jump-scenes that are a tad pointless and even silly, Paranormal Activity 3 is a descent horror flick and is worth checking out.

Transformers: The Ride Opens Dec. 3rd at Universal Studios Singapore

December third is a date you will want to mark on your calender. That is when Transformers: The Ride - The Ultimate 3D Battle will open at Universal Studios Singapore.

After three years of eager anticipation and speculation on what the ride will involve, all will be laid bare on the very date that has just been mentioned. Will the ride live up to its hype as being a "jewel in our collection of world-class rides" as stated in the official press release --or will the ride become a victim of being over-hyped like Revenge of the Mummy in the Hollywood park?

With the attraction opening on December third at Universal Studios Singapore and the Hollywood counterpart opening Spring of 2012, we shall see if Transformers will finally give Universal Studios Hollywood the much-needed E-Ticket ride that it has so desperately needed for the past fifteen years. With the ride utilizing 21st-century "Amazing Adventures of Spiderman" technology, I have extremely high expectations that this ride will the most spectacular ride Universal has ever done.

This is just some wishful thinking here, but at the end of the ride, as the ride vehicle slowly approaches the exit dock, I would love to hear the Stan Bush song, "The Touch", as a throwback to the original Transformers. Highly unlikely, but one can dream, right?

Whatever the case, Transformers: The Ride will definitely be the biggest attraction to come to both Universal Studios Hollywood and the recently-opened Singapore park. With anticipation soaring high for this promising ride, we can only hope that this will definitely be one of the greatest rides ever done in theme park history.

Conrad Murray: GUILTY!

After two-and-a-half years, the inevitable happened. According to CBS News, Conrad Murray, aka
Michael Jackson's doctor, "has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter". 

What a surprise, huh? That's what happens when somebody doesn't keep good records of someone's over-the-counter drugs being used. Because of his criminal negligence, Not only will Murray be in the slammer for four years, he will have his medical license removed as well his dignity.
 
Apparently, many Michael Jackson fans are overjoyed about the outcome of this case. M.J.'s fans were even outside of the courtroom chanting, "Guilty!", according to the article. While it is nice to see justice served and all, I can't help but think, what is this guy going to do with life after his time in jail? His medical career is over so I don't think going back to medical school will be wise. At the end of it all, he can always look on the bright side. Had Murray been white, he probably would have spent four times as long in jail for hate crime.

There's noting more appropriate than ending this article with a little advise: "Remember kids, don't do drugs!"