Attractions Magazine

Theme park and attraction news, rumors and videos.

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Spring 2012 issue of ‘Orlando Attractions Magazine’ now available

The Spring 2012 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available to order in print and in our free iPhone and iPad app.

This issue features Sorcerer Mickey (or Apprentice Mickey, as his card calls him) from the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card game. Inside you’ll find everything you need to know to play the game and stop the Disney villains from taking over the park. Our other big story is a feature on the history of the Jaws ride at Universal Studios.

Plus you’ll find much more from all your favorite attractions. [Read more…]

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Aerial look at Legoland Florida’s construction progress – Your questions answered

We were invited by Legoland Florida officials to tour the under construction theme park yesterday from ground level and above. We also had a chance to ask some questions about the park. Here’s what we saw and found out. [Read more…]

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Spring 2011 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine now available

The Spring 2011 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available to order. The magazine is at the printer and will be shipping out within the next week or two. Look for it in our iPad app soon, and in major bookstores nationwide sometime in April. Subscribers should receive their copy within the next four weeks. Here’s a look at some of the stories inside. [Read more…]

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Out of the Loop: Good riddance to winter! Time for the theme parks to open


By Andy Guinigundo

We’ve had a few beautiful spring days in Southern Ohio. The temperature has been close to 80 degrees. I cautiously embrace the coming summer and the coming theme park season.

I say cautiously because, over the past week, I have awoken to frost and temperatures in the low 30s a few times. And it was just a few weeks ago I woke up to a dusting of snow! If fact, we recently celebrated a make-up neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt that was cancelled by rain and cold just two Sundays ago. Mercifully, I hope, what are officially referred to as “calamity days” are behind us. These are school days cancelled by some sort of heinous act of Mother Nature: snowstorm, ice storm, even a windstorm back in 2008. With these days tentatively behind us, I await the sounds of coasters, the smell of cotton candy and the warmth of a summer day.

All seasonal amusement parks have opened or are about to open. Here are the opening dates of a few:
Alton Towers, United Kingdom, Now Open
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, V.A., Now Open
Canada’s Wonderland, near Toronto, Canada, May 2
Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C., Now Open
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio May 15
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Now Open
Hershey Park, Hershey, Penn., open spring break, but not again until May 1
Holiday World, Santa Claus, Ind., May 1
Kennywood, West Mifflin, Penn. (Pittsburgh), May 8
Kings Island, Mason, Ohio, April 17
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas, April 24
Six Flags America, Baltimore/DC area, Now Open
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J., Now Open
Six Flags Great America, Chicago, Ill., April 24
Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta Ga., Now Open
Thorpe Park, United Kingdom, Now Open

Now most of these parks, even after the stated open date, are open limited schedules and limited hours. Call or check the park’s Web site before arriving.

What happens at parks over the winter? Some sites are busy with new construction of that next great attraction or other area improvements. Unfortunately, some parks closed last season never to reopen, i.e. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Some parks, like people, lay in waiting all winter. Here is a glimpse of a few parks, no doubt dreaming of a hot, humid summer day.

• Andy Guinigundo is the author of the Out of The Loop column in “Orlando Attractions Magazine”. Out of the Loop keeps you up-to-date with attraction news outside of Central Florida. Andy lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife and three daughters. He grew up frequenting theme parks around Ohio and making trips to Orlando with his family. While for most of the year, he’s out of the Orlando loop, he tries to visit Florida at least once a year.

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Spring 2010 issue available – Tours, Pin Collecting, Discovery Cove, Legoland and more

The Spring 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is available now. Subscribers should receive their copies within in the next few weeks.

It’s another 64-page issue packed with all the latest news and information about Orlando. The photo packed large feature stories include:

• Helicopter tours offer a unique view of Orlando.
• Celebrating 10 Years of Disney Pin Trading.
• Discovery Cove – This relaxing theme park lets you get close to many animals.

In addition to those you’ll also read about:

• The Top 10 Places to Buy Disney Collectibles.
• Hardcore Wrestler or Hardcore Theme Park Fan? – We talk to Mick Foley about his love of theme parks.
• Legoland is Coming to Florida – The excitement is growing.
• Disney’s Summer Nightastic – A fan favorite returns.
• Italian Charm at Portofino Bay – Live like a movie star at this Universal Orlando Hotel.
• Mythos offers a feast for the eyes and mouth – Stop by this unique restaurant on your way to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Plus all our regular features are included:

• Letters – Your thoughts on the latest Orlando theme park news.
• Vacation Planner – Calendar of Orlando area events.
• Work In Progress – See what’s in the works and what’s completed.
• Versus – It’s CityWalk against Downtown Disney
• Photo Finds – Photos from Orlando’s latest and greatest.
• Bemusement Park – The original comics and games.
• Out of the Loop – Find out what’s happening outside Orlando.
Plus More!

Click Here for a page-by-page preview of the issue and to purchase your copy. Add it to your shopping cart along with a subscription so you’ll automatically receive the next four issues.

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