The Midsummer Scream hype train is in full force, as they are releasing more exciting news for Halloween/horror fans and bringing one of the best West Coast cons for the fans and sharing their love and passion of the holiday in what they can expect for the fall season. This will be the 3rd annual convention at the Long Beach Convention Center for Midsummer Scream, which includes some of the creative talented teams who were former members of Scare LA, including Creative Director and Editor/Owner of Theme Park Adventure, Rick West and welcoming fans underneath one roof for a 2-day weekend that includes; panels, the Hall of Shadows, educational workshops, and much more!
Midsummer Scream just announced a historical announcement and for the first time ever, for the con and will be welcoming Senior Director for Universal Creative Developement Entertainment, Mike Aiello from Universal Orlando Resort. Michael Aiello is well-known for his long contribution towards one of the United States’s most popular Halloween events for, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort. He was also responsible for the adaption of the cult-classic and comedy film and turned towards a live entertainment stage show for “Bill and Ted’s Most Excellent Halloween Adventure” that ended last year as part of its 26-year run. Despite the show’s ending last year and fans still claim of being one of Universal’s best live shows that they have created and staying up to date on the latest trends within the pop culture world.
Midsummer Scream’s headliner panel for Universal Studios’s Hollywood and Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights with John Murdy, Chris Williams, and Michael Aiello will be a panel not to miss for the fans.
Aiello’s recent projects he has helped brought towards the resort for their guests’ to see and enjoy such as; “Blue” Raptor Encounter (Jurassic World films), Universal and Macy’s Holiday Parade, Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and The Secret Life of Pets parade float.
This will be a major panel as both coasts will be teaming up Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights’s Creative Director/Producer, John Murdy and Creative Art Director, John Murdy. Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando have announced one of the biggest IPs they have acquired based on the massive popular Netflix hit show for, Stranger Thingsand the cult-classic/anthology film of Trick R’ Treatthat will be now a house for both coasts. The film was first introduced and featured as a scare-zone last year at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights and being voted as one of the best IP scare-zones that was ever brought towards the event.
Details for the panel will be announced at the convention center and will take place on Sunday, July 29th, 2018 at 5pm PST at the Grand Ballroom. Midsummer Scream will take place on July 28 and July 29 at the Long Beach Convention Center, and tickets are available to purchase by visiting midsummer.org/tickets and all other information as well.
For everything Universal Parks & Resorts and the upcoming Halloween season, and for your themed entertainment news, keep checking back here at SkywalkingAdventure.com
With the official announcement last month in which Six Flags purchased five amusement parks including Darien Lake towards their U.S. Portfolio and in which, the park is finally back in being under the Six Flags banner once again. The park will be still be leased and operated by Premier Parks LLC for the leasing rights of Darien Lake and the the four other parks will be owned by EPR Properties.
However, in which one of the big announcements that was made Wednesday morning and has been long absence from the park for quite a while and was the popular-Halloween event that is known nation wide as “Fright Fest”. The park will offer “thrills by day and fright by night” for a five weekend run, starting this September 28th. Darien Lake will be become a “scream park” once again with monsters roaming around like zombies and other creatures. Two new haunted houses, rides, and a laser show for night time entertainment.
“No one does Halloween like Six Flags and we are thrilled to re-introduce this immersive, terrifyingly thrilling event to our guests,” said Park President Chris Thorpe.
Fright Fest is not recommended for children for the ages of 12 and younger, and the park will offer family-friendly activities during the day including trick-or-treating. The park will be open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays September 28th – October 28th. Fright Fest runs from 6 p.m.–11 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.– 9 p.m.
Get ready to get spooky cause Fright Fest is back!, and for all other themed entertainment news, keep checking back here at SkywalkingAdventure.com
Last week in which tickets for the 2nd annual Halloween/horror convention for Midsummer Scream 2017 at the Long Beach Convention Center were being teased for a release date and which today they are officially released. The convention will be held on a Saturday and Sunday on July 29th-30th for it’s second year for non-stop Halloween fun, panel presentations, haunted attractions, live entertainment, makeup demonstrations, vendors. Brand new for this year is a after-hours party on the one of the most famous paranormal ships in the world of the Queen Mary.
From the official press release here is a breakdown for you Halloween enthusiasts out there and what you expect and do in Southern California for the 2-day convention in which will be bigger and better:
World-Class Presentations and Bigger Main Stage Venue:
As the official kick-off event for the Halloween season in Southern California, Midsummer Scream features an unparalleled lineup of major presentations by the largest tourist attractions on the West Coast. This year’s epic Main Stage lineup includes Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, and Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest. These Main Stage presentations will be held in the beautiful, state-of-the-art Terrace Theater, which features comfortable seating for up to 3,000 screaming fans.
Hall of Shadows Mini Haunts & Slider Exhibitions:
A wildly-popular component of Midsummer Scream, the Hall of Shadows returns in 2017 featuring 14 terrifying previews of popular Halloween attractions coming this fall to Southern California. In addition to the Hall’s “mini haunts”, the high-energy slider exhibition team, Decayed Brigade, will perform several times each day, thrilling fans with incredible feats of athletic prowess and stunning agility.
Monstrous Saturday Night Party Aboard the Queen Mary:
With one of the most popular paranormal activity hot spots in the world looming next to the Long Beach Convention Center, it’s a nightmarish dream come true to announce that Midsummer Scream’s Saturday night party will be hosted aboard the Queen Mary by the denizens of the deep during Dark Harbor’s Sinister Circus. Fans and freaks will dance the night away while enjoying breathtaking views of Long Beach Harbor from the ship’s Sports Deck, which will feature terrifying decorum, lurking monsters, and many of your favorite characters from Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor!
Live Entertainment, Haunting Theatrical Experiences, and Horror Galore:
Throughout the weekend, Midsummer Scream will offer a wide variety of live entertainment and chilling experiences, ranging from family-friendly to extreme. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group returns in 2017 with a special Urban Death production definitely not for the faint of heart. The creators of Return Home Podcast come to Midsummer Scream this year with a venue-wide “choose your own adventure” experience, and Force of Nature Productions will make its convention debut with an interactive theatrical attraction sure to make your flesh crawl and heart pound! Other “pop-up” entertainers will be found throughout the weekend engaging Midsummer Scream guests, including renowned magician Jimmy H as he returns to Long Beach as the ghoulishly delightful Mudd The Magnificent. Guests will also enjoy an expanded art exhibition space this year – the Nightmare Gallery, curated by industry designer Lee Shamel.
Inspiring Education and Hands-On Workshops:
For guests looking to roll up their sleeves a bit, or put on their thinking caps, Midsummer Scream will offer outstanding educational classes and seminars at no extra charge to interested ticketholders on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, guests will also have opportunities throughout the weekend to participate in fun make-and-take workshops for a nominal materials fee. The variety of educational options at Midsummer Scream is created to appeal to everyone, from haunt enthusiasts to aspiring designers and cosplay lovers.
Frightful Film Fest:
Guests will be treated to an on-going program of frightful films, first-person haunted attraction videos by Theme Park Adventure, and exciting Q&A sessions with special guests in the Screaming Room, presented by HorrorBuzz.com.
Massive Show Floor:
The soul of Midsummer Scream is its massive Show Floor, featuring more than 200 artisans and vendors selling everything from scary apparel to one-of-a-kind horror props and memorabilia. Confirmed vendors at Midsummer Scream 2017 include Immortal Masks, Bone Yard Effects, Dark Delicacies, Cross Roads Escape Games, Clive Barker’s Seraphim Inc., Kreepsville 666, The Haunt Store, Fog It Up!, and Bearded Lady’s Mystic Museum. Also located on the Show Floor will be our Kids Zone, hosted by Buster Balloon, where Midsummer Scream’s youngest fans can busy themselves with Halloween arts and crafts and engage in festival games and activities.
And Much, Much More!:
As we slither closer to show time, Midsummer Scream will continue announcing exciting components to its programming via its email newsletter (sign up at MidsummerScream.org), through our partner media outlets, and on various social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. This will include specific panels and presentations, additional entertainment, new vendors and participants, and of course, every gory detail regarding the Hall of Shadows.
“The entire Midsummer Scream team looks forward to bringing the Halloween, haunt and horror fans in Southern California another fantastic convention this summer. We continue to uphold the promise we made to the community last year at about this time – to deliver the show the fans want and deserve. At Midsummer Scream, we understand that it’s not just a season… it’s a lifestyle!”
Also returning back from it’s first year, last year is one of the most popular attractions at Midsummer Scream returns this year with a mighty purr – Black and Orange Cat Adoptions will be back and ready to find their forever homes, courtesy of Kitten Rescue Los Angeles!
Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on social media as well – Twitter/Periscope: @MidsummerScream, Instagram: @MidsummerScream, and Facebook: facebook.com/midsummerscream. Please use #MidsummerScream to tag all social media posts regarding Midsummer Scream 2017! Follow along for updates and in which fans can sign up for email notifications and announcements by signing up through there website including special offers and discounts.
About Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival
Midsummer Scream is a large-scale summer festival celebrating the spirit of Halloween, haunts and horror, drawing thousands of guests to Southern California for a weekend of thrills and chills. Featuring a massive show floor of vendors and exhibitors, haunted attractions and experiences, live entertainment and world-class panel presentations, Midsummer Scream is the West Coast’s premier Halloween/horror event, offering something for fans of all ages. More information can be found at MidsummerScream.org.
Well it’s that time of year again to think about upcoming summer conventions or your vacation traveling plans towards different theme parks for where ever you desire to go! However though, there is a new convention for it’s second year that first launched last year at the Long Beach Convention Center called Midsummer Scream in Southern California.
Midsummer Scream as a general background here, is a 2 day and all day horror/haunt convention that is about the upcoming Halloween-haunt season for the year by the best in the industry and pros that arrange from Universal Creative Entertainment/Halloween Horror Nights, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Knott’s Scary Farm/Cedar Fair etc as some examples from last year. It is for the fans and all for the fans from the former members of Scare LA/Creepy LA Productions who run and organize the event for the weekend.
Details have not be released yet for this year’s event for what to expect but, some good news is that tickets will go on sale somepoint next week. Best way to get notified for those tickets is to sign up for there newsletter so you won’t miss it when they go on sale. You can also can visit there site at MidSummer.org and all of there social media outlets. The convention will be held from July 29th-30th, 2017 right by bay and across from The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.
Check out this interview from last year where myself interviewed Creative Director, Rick West of Midsummer Scream and Owner/Founder of Theme Park Adventure.com. For all of your latest in themed entertainment and haunt industry news, keep checking back here at SkywalkingAdventure.com
Panel Presentation with Creative Director/Producer, John Murdy and Production Designer, Chris Williams for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood from last year via Inside the Magic
This post may be a bit late since so many announcements are happening within the world of themed entertainment that it’s hard to narrow down and keep up of what’s going on. 2017 is a fresh start and a new year to kick off of where to travel and get to able to experience new and exciting theme parks, attractions, and expansions.
This list may focus mainly within the area of North America parks but, if there is something not included in this list leave it down in the comments section below. So here is my own personal list about the Top 10 experiences you should travel towards within the theme park world for 2017.
10.) Pandora: The World of Avatar (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Set to open up this Summer 2017 from the global blockbuster of James Cameron’s Avatar and in partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering and Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment to bring the planet to life. Ground broke for construction in January 2014 and followed up details of it at the biannual D23 2015 Expo in Anaheim, California. Guests can walk through the stunning bioluminescent environment, come face to face with the native Na’vi people, and be able towards to ride the alien like Banshee that visitors of Pandora can experience.
This 12 acre, $500 million dollar expansion will also feature a river journey through the planet of Pandora with a similar experience like the classic Pirates of the Caribbean through the gorgeous and mysterious planet. This is defiantly a must do and something I recommend because the engineering and technical challenges of this expansion were not easy and if you saw that trailer with the animatronic Na’vi that, it looks ridiculously too realistic to believe.
9.) Wave Breaker-Jet Ski Roller Coaster (SeaWorld San Antonio)
Also new for Summer 2017 in the Southwestern part of Texas at SeaWorld San Antanio will be the first ever jetski roller coaster added towards the SeaWorld roller coaster family that was announced back in September 2016. This $18 million dollar coaster is inspired by SeaWorld’s animal care team and veterinarians to put riders of what it’s like to rescue sick or endangered aquatic animals in the wild and educating there guests about it.
InvadR is set to join the Busch Gardens roller coaster line up this 2017 and it will be the park’s first wooden coaster to be supported by a steel structure and to give it that classic wooden coaster feel towards it. The coaster will be a top speed of 48-mph with a 74 foot drop and a 46 inch height requirement to ride and a 81 foot hill with nine airtime hills. This will be using the former Gwazi coaster from Willamsburg’s sister park at Busch Gardens Tampa and having a viking theme behind it.
Now this will be a big one here folks because this will be Universal Orlando’s first and third water (park) set to open this Summer 2017 (scheduled date June 1st, 2017) right next towards the Cabana Bay Beach Resort and taking over the Wet N’ Wild Water park (official closing date December 31st, 2016). This third gate park will bring in new technologies of virtual queue lines, a 200 foot tall Krakatau volcano inspired from the Polynesian Islands as the focal point of the park, and so many other endless water slides that will fit in within the 53 acre park.
It’s being built right by a highway which kind of makes this a somewhat dangerous and then again fun park that Universal Orlando is building and which the details were announced back in July 2016. So this water park will make you feel like your in paradise and also with interactive features that this will be something new and exciting that Universal Orlando guests can look forwards this summer.
6.) Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (Universal Orlando Resort)
The late night talk show host from NBC’s of The “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” set to open up this Spring 2017 in taking a guests through a virtual ride through the streets and subways and more through New York. This took over the “Twister: Ride It Out” attraction and if you haven’t been following Jimmy himself on social media where, he has been posting himself using motion capture and working with ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) to make his attraction come to life.
The interesting pitch behind this attraction and was announced earlier in November 2016 of a “flying theater” concept and where Universal fans were a bit confused behind this idea. Since the outer facade is taking shape now and progress is getting there that, it’s all matter of time when we take a tour through New York with the talk show host himself Jimmy Fallon. So let’s just see and wait what Jimmy has in store with us this Spring 2017.
5.) Ocean Explorer Expansion (SeaWorld San Diego)
The “Ocean Explorer” expansion will set debut either Spring or Summer 2017 is the guess even though no official date has been confirmed yet by SeaWorld Entertainment & Parks at SeaWorld San Diego. This will also include a simulator ride called “Submarine Quest” about a underwater research mission about the education of wild aquatic animals in our oceans.
“Embarking on these mini subs, visitors will become researchers on a mission to collect data and learn how they can help protect animals. This three-minute experience will include an onboard digital navigation dashboard, as well as a few other surprises along the journey, enhancing the riders’ understanding of our fragile ocean ecosystem.”
The expansion will be filled with large scale aquariums filled with spider crabs, jellyfish, and octopuses and many more coming soon this year.
4.) Finding Dory Simulator (Tokyo DisneySea)
Heading over towards the Asian region of theme parks where probably one of the best and highly detailed Disney Park in the world of Tokyo DisneySea where later this year will debut a Finding Dory simulator attraction from the hit Pixar-sequel animated film. Located in the Port Discovery location of the park and announced officially two years ago on the Disney Parks Blog that:
“Guests will board a submarine that “shrinks” to the size of a fish and uses a ride system that seamlessly blends visuals from the films with a motion system. In this immersive underwater experience, guests will be able to explore the vast ocean from the same point of view as Nemo and Dory and meet different characters and make new discoveries each time they ride.”
This will replace the current Stormrider attraction that was close down last year in May and for you take part of a deep blue adventure with Dory, Nemo, Marlin and rest of the fish-fun filled gang through the oceans in this upcoming attraction. No official opening date but, do keep posted towards the Disney Parks Blog for more updates.
3.) Miss Fortune Falls (Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort)
The next addition added towards many of Disney fans’ favorite water park of Typhoon Lagoon of adding a new water slide called “Miss Fortune Falls” set to debut this Spring 2017. This family water raft ride will be located near the current Crush N’ Gusher water slide and will be one of the longest that the company has ever built according towards the Orlando Sentinel, last year in August.
“The back story for Miss Fortune Falls features (fictitious) Capt. Mary Oceaneer, a treasure hunter stranded at Typhoon Lagoon after a storm. Visitors will float through the captain’s past and see artifacts she collected on her treasure hunts.”
This will be the first newly added water raft slide that has introduced towards the park in quite some time and if your excited about this new water slide, leave it down in the comments section below.
Proposed plans of where the new slide of “Miss Fortune Falls” will be built in the water park at Typhoon Lagoon.
2.) More Shopping and Dining Experiences at Disney Springs (Walt Disney World Resort)
Disney Springs (former Downtown Disney) has defiantly improved since the newest addition of the Town Square expansion last year in the summer with recently new shops, restaurants, and entertainment has been added towards the area at the Walt Disney World Resort. Keep in mind most of these restaurants were supposed to open up last year but got delayed for most of them. New for 2017 this year will be the Planet Hollywood Observatory, Paddlefish (former name Fulton’s), The Polite Pig, Wine Bar George, and The Edison (rumored Neverland tunnels with a speakeasy).
Okay so these are not attractions but, this is the next phase of expansion for the Disney Springs area and for one that myself I am looking forwards towards The Edison the most later this year.
1.)Guardians Of The Galaxy: Mission: Breakout! (Disney California Adventure)
To wrap up our list at our last and final spot which is Guardians Of The Galaxy: Mission Breakout! opening up this Spring 2017. This was a tough one to narrow down because some and some are not fan of Marvel comics despite Disney owning the franchise. This controversial announcement was made at least year’s San Diego Comic Con as a overlay for the classic The Twilight Zone that we have known for many years at Disney California Adventure.
Sadly yesterday was the final day for attraction at the park and will be cherished by many Twilight Zone fans to remembered forever and the next phase for the Marvel IP to come next. This will be hopefully in time for this year’s sequel for the film with visual effects and music from the official soundtrack according towards Disney.
In my mind that I am still torn from classic attraction that I’ve known for many years and did get a chance to ride DCA’s Tower. Then again I do love the film for Guardians but, hopefully the next time I am in Southern California at the Disneyland Resort that I will get experience to see how it is.
For everything all across the themed entertainment world and news, keep checking back here at SkywalkingAdventure.com
As we all thought that 2016 couldn’t be any more worse and devastating that today, in which we lost a pop culture phenomenon and sensation of Carrie Fisher. For myself who is writing about this and is one of the most hardest thing I ever written that, Carrie Fisher was one of my childhood heroes and some one I looked up towards of how she changed entertainment forever.
Through out my years in getting to know the whole lore about the Star Wars Universe and in which I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up with the original Star Wars trilogy and instead it was the prequels as a millennial. My found memories of when I first watched the original trilogy at first made me confused at first since it was out order of the first three films released and followed by the prequels to understand the whole universe that George Lucas has created.
When I first saw Carrie Fisher as the bun wearing-gun slinging and royal-Rebel princess that I knew immediately that I was hooked to getting to know this character as one of the best female heroines created in cinematic history. Knowing from seeing the prequels in theaters at the time and a shocking discovery when Padame gives and dies from childbirth of Luke and Leia being born that, it was all making sense to me as time went on in connecting the Star Wars timeline.
Despite Fisher’s struggling battle of overcoming her drug addiction and setting that aside her that, she was a loving and caring mom, writer, actress, and daughter towards Debbie Reynolds and Billie Lourd that always stood besides her. Some Disney fans may recognize Debbie Reynolds in the Disney Channel Original Movies of the Halloweentown trilogy back in the 90-00s of one of her iconic roles.
Today was the gunshot heard all across the world about Carrie Fisher’s passing today and will now and forever change the whole Star Wars Universe. Her role as Princess Leia revolutionized and influenced many pop culture fandoms and entertainment ranging from Marvel, DC, Disney, Nintendo, and many more you may recognize or heard of the name about Princess Leia. Cosplays at different convention cons of her famous “slave dress” with Jabba the Hut as a example was among of them in which of how entertainment is viewed today.
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Since the franchise is owned by The Walt Disney Company here are the official release statements by Chairman & CEO, Bob Iger and President of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy about this sad time about Fisher’s passing:
“Carrie Fisher was one-of-a-kind, a true character who shared her talent and her truth with us all with her trademark wit and irreverence. Millions fell in love with her as the indomitable Princess Leia; she will always have a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans as well as all of us who were lucky enough to know her personally. She will be sorely missed, and we join millions of fans and friends around the world who mourn her loss today,” said Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company”
“Carrie holds such a special place in the hearts of everyone at Lucasfilm—it is difficult to think of a world without her,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us. She had an indomitable spirit, incredible wit, and a loving heart. Carrie also defined the female hero of our age over a generation ago. Her groundbreaking role as Princess Leia served as an inspiration of power and confidence for young girls everywhere. We will miss her dearly.”
As we mourn the loss of everyone’s favorite “space mom” that we know that her as a caring and loving human being will be in our hearts forever. I have not met Carrie Fisher since someone who admires and passionate about pop culture entertainment in knowing that she will always put a big smile on your face no matter what mood we are in. My deepest and most inner thoughts for Reynolds and Lourd and rest of her family in dealing with this difficult time. She is one with the force and is the force and in the galaxies far far away.
We love you and will miss you dearly Carrie and thanks so much for the long legacy you left behind and will always never be forgotten. May the Force Be With You Always.
-Brian Saeger (Owner & Editor at SkywalkingAdventure)
