Newsletter: In the Loop: Why Disneyland is better than Disney World
Welcome to another edition of In the Loop, the L.A. Times' theme park newsletter. I'm Funland theme park blogger Brady MacDonald, and this week we talk about coasters coming to Cedar Fair parks, take a first look at Florida’s Fast & Furious attraction and explain why Disneyland is better than Disney World.
Fast & Furious
A Fast & Furious attraction coming to Universal Orlando in 2017 will replace the Disaster and Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue attractions. The new Florida attraction will feature a different storyline and ride system than the studio backlot version that opened this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Coaster conversation
I sit down with Cedar Fair Chief Executive Matt Ouimet to discuss his coaster strategy and philosophy for the 11-park chain. I ask Ouimet what he thinks about coaster rethemes, renovations, relocations and conversions.
The elements on Fury 325 at Carowinds were stretched out to make the G-forces more manageable.
(Carowinds)
Defining Dollywood
Newsweek takes a long look at the definitive theme behind Dollywood that extends far beyond the Tennessee park’s decor and ride design: the Great Smoky Mountains.
Disneyland vs. Disney World
Pop Sugar offers 33 reasons why Disneyland is way better than Disney World. While I typically ignore clickbait photo galleries, this well-reasoned read is worth a look. Plus the post links to a great Disneyland celebrity-spotting Twitter account you should follow.
Banksy's Dismaland
With long lines and ticket hassles, Times culture columnist Carolina A. Miranda writes that "Banksy's Dismaland is supposed to be a grim parody of theme parks like Disneyland, but it is sounding almost like the real thing."
Watch the trailer for Banksy’s Dismaland anti-theme park art and music exhibit. As the unnerving narrator says: “So, what are you waiting for?”
Bansky’s ‘Dismaland’ exhibition, which opened at a derelict seafront park in Weston-Super-Mare, England, last week, takes on the form of a theme park gone seriously awry.
(Matthew Horwood / AFP/Getty Images)
And finally
JW Marriott announces plans for a 466-room luxury hotel at the Anaheim GardenWalk shopping center across the street from Disneyland.
Alexis Zellman, 5, greets a giant shrimp, right, as her father, Jason Zellman, looks on at Anaheim GardenWalk, where they had dined at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. A four-diamond JW Marriott hotel is expected to be built at GardenWalk to take advantage of a city incentive program.
(Christina House / For the Los Angeles Times)
Still need more theme park news? Check out the Los Angeles Times Funland theme park blog on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram. Also feel free to email me with any feedback on the newsletter.
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