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Click on any thumbnail to view the full size pic
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Opening Day 2008 April 5th We started the season with a visit to the Safari to see our old favorites and a few of the new arrivals. The elephants were enjoying a mud bath, and the bears were soaking up the sunshine. |
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New babies have arrived in the
bear section and in the baboon section as well. The cute little babies seemed excited to see all the cars coming through. |
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Help us help a fellow park enthusiast Click the banner to donate...every dollar helps! |
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 New signs are up all around for the new season. The Dark Knight Coaster merchandise is front and center when you walk into Main Street Market, which has received a facelift this season, with new floors and mats as well as fresh paint. Small changes have taken place all around the park in the off season.  |
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| Main Street Market got new floors and fresh paint | A new sign shop took over the old Hocus Pocus Magic Shop | |
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| The platform is all that remains of Space Shuttle, with the rest of the pieces getting carted away | A lot of people are really looking forward to the Glow in the Park Parade | Houdini's signs are gone and it's sitting unused for the time being |
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| One of the great new FREE charging stations around the park | Carnegie Deli is expanding into the old shop | The Fantasy Forest sign still hasn't been re-hung for the season |
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| Fly me to the Moon has taken over the 4D Theatre, replacing Spongebob this season | The queue for the Twister is back, replacing the game that had replaced the queue | |
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| The new lockers on all the coasters make the loading times MUCH faster! | ||
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| The park has started a new recycling program with bins for cans and bottles all around | The new "Team Tiger" show, and now the "Phenomenal Photos" program is being offered as well | New rules signs have been added to the tiger viewing areas |
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| New sign | EXTREME tiger closeup! | The drink cart is gone replaced by foot massagers |
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 The Kingdom Traders shop has a nice display of Christmas Ornaments...could Holiday in the Park be coming?  |
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 New planting where the tree was removed  |
 A new wall has been added to help keep the water UNDER the tower |
 New programs and offerings are being advertised  |
| A new Story Time show is coming this summer | Frontier Adventures is a little less colorful without the Super Teepee | |
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| Heinz is now sponsoring Medusa | Without the Super Teepee, the Conestoga Wagon and Arena are a lot more visible | Conduit was added under the new concrete...looks like something new may be added to the empty space in the near future |
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| Some of the new programs | New signs for the family-friendly rides around the park | New light fixtures on the bridge |
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| The new Johnny Rockets Express in Plaza del Carnavale | La Cocina's new service windows | |
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 In a VERY smart move, the water rides now have signs letting guests know they are limited to summer operations  |
 Vitamin Water is being sold all around the park now |
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| The Flying Wave was removed after suffering years of maintenance challenges, and the trampolines have taken their place | The old Chicago Shootout shooting gallery has become a new game building | The new Flashpasses can be used for different rides each day |
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| Old Country is closed, but the sign hasn't been removed yet | New Cabana Rentals are available in the park, just like the rentals at Hurricane Harbor. A good place to relax during long day at the park | |
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| The new fence blocking the path to Old Country | New golf game in front of the old arcade building | The henna tattoo stand has taken over the old sign factory |
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| That is one messed up esophagus! | The Justice League is on duty | Great new shirt |
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| The HBO has been removed from the old Backlot Commisary | The new Dark Knight ride building is HUGE in person, dominating Movietown's skyline | |
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| Trees are arriving for planting around the new ride | New souvenir bottle programs for 2008 | It's a little sad not seeing the colorful swings |
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| The new Johnny Rockets and Papa John's locations took over the old Riverbank Cafe | The brand new Coldstone Express | |
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| New covered patio at the restaurant just off the Seaport entrance | With the handcars gone, a path has been added to the old Koala Kanyon restrooms | |
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| Some of the old trees have been removed and new ones have been planted | The dolphins and sea lions are now doing a show and an education session everyday | New flags have been placed on the Fort towers |
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| The new wraps on the Dippin Dots stands look good | The Team Tiger show was really good | |
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Despite forecasts for bad weather opening weekend, the season is off to a great start with a fast, friendly staff, a clean park and many little improvements throughout. It looks like despite the loss of a couple of of small rides, things are on the right track for a great season, which will just get better with the opening of The Dark Knight and the start of the Glow in the Park Parade.  |
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Click here to go to News + Notes for Spring 2008
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