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Take a Virtual Ride on the World s Best Coaster
February 9, 2021, 5:41 PM ·
Universal Orlando Resort has just uploaded an official 360-degree on-ride POV video of Hagrid s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - the multi-launch Intamin storycoaster that topped our readers roller coaster poll this year.
Hagrid s features seven launches, a spike. and another track surprise along its 5,053 feet, during which riders speed up to 50 mph. But it s not the specs that make Hagrid s a fan favorite. It s the pacing of its thrill and storytelling elements, creating a unique hybrid attraction that appeals to more than just roller coaster fans.
Executive Producer Elaine Hinds and Engineering & Safety Director Bill McGehee talked about the development of the award-winning attraction in one of the Themed Entertainment Association s Digital Case studies last year. I also talked with Hinds and Creative Director Gary Blumenstein about Hagrid s before the coaster opened in 2019, if you would
How Do You Find the World s Best Attractions?
January 14, 2021, 11:34 AM ·
What makes a theme park attraction world-class? In a new episode of our Building the World s Best Theme Parks podcast, I ask that question to two of the world s top themed experience designers.
Luc Mayrand is a Portfolio Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, having worked on Shanghai Disneyland s Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure and upcoming Zootopia land. He also has worked on the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland and the reinvention of Epcot. Mayrand came to WDI 1999, but before that he led the development of Star Trek the Experience in Las Vegas and was a core designer on Terminator 2–3D at Universal Studios Florida.
Author Bio
Since 1995, Rick has been writing for The Motley Fool, where he s a consumer and tech stocks specialist. Yes, that s a long time with more than 20,000 bylines over those 24 years. He s been an analyst for Motley Fool Rule Breakers and a portfolio lead analyst for Motley Fool Supernova since each newsletter service s inception. He earned his BBA and MBA from the University of Miami, and he splits his time living in Miami, Florida and Celebration, Florida.
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You can teach an old theme park operator some new tricks, but it doesn t mean the audience will enjoy the magic show.