I recently dug through my digital photo stash and was reminded that 2016 was a busy year for theme parks in Central Florida. Of course, it’s not as important as it was in 1971 or the late ’80s and ’90s, but there were plenty of moving parts that still bring joy today.
And there were some rare moments, too. A time when Walt Disney World’s three parks held nightly fireworks shows, etc.. Disney’s Animal Kingdom tried a night safari. Additionally, major projects such as DAK’s Pandora – The World of Avatar land and Universal’s Volcano Bay are in the works.
In this 2016 recap, the flashback machine starts up again.
Mighty Mako
SeaWorld Orlando opened the Mako roller coaster, billed as the fastest (110 mph), tallest (200 feet) and longest (4,700 feet) coaster in town. All three of these top-of-the-line facilities were retained until last year, when Epic Universe opened Stardust Racers and its 5,000 feet of rail.
Elsa etc.
Disney capitalized on the popularity of the Frozen series, Launched in 2013, Epcot’s “Frozen Ever After” is a ride that replaces the once maligned and now mysteriously beloved. Maelstrom closed in 2014. This year, the attraction added upgraded animatronics for Elsa, Anna and Kristoff.
Elsewhere at Epcot, there’s a fresh Soarin’ movie with an international flair, a new Soarin’ Around the World title, and a third theater to reduce wait times. This year, a new movie was released called Soarin’ Across America, which opens with a scene of the Artemis rocket launching into Kennedy Space Center.
kong showdown
Skull Island: Reign of Kong brings the King back to Universal with a trackless ride-through attraction that lets you have the island to yourself at Islands of Adventure. Features include a variety of animatronics, from a feisty Terrapus Mordax to a roaring Kong head and back in line with a screaming Sherwoman. (During the soft opening, I accidentally referred to the person in print as a “manly witch.”)
Somehow my appreciation for Skull Island improved after the similar Fast and Furious Supercharged opened next door to Universal Studios in 2018.
Back in 2016, IOA also completed a major renovation of the Incredible Hulk coaster. All the rails have been replaced, new trains equipped with speakers have been installed, and the thrill ride is back to smooth sailing.
coiled
In the news for 2016 is yet another coaster. Cobra’s Curse debuts at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. It’s known for its 80-foot-tall serpent statue of King Venimis (ask for it) and its plethora of rotating devices.
Add zip
Gatorland has opened Gator Gauntlet, a wheelchair-accessible zipline. Also like the Screamin’ Gator zip line, this route travels over the park’s breeding wetlands and more than 100 alligators. Reactions from new zipline users were intense. This scene became the main anecdote in my 2016 review..
spring forward
Another big part of the Disney Springs expansion debuted, including Lime Garage, STK, Morimoto, Homecoming (then known as Homecoming), and Sprinkles with a cupcake ATM. The last store went out of business this year, but it feels like we were already dreaming of that nice ATM. It’s as if our ancestors were unbelievable, as crazy as a giant turntable dance floor.
I recall that in the Sentinel files, the Imagineers said that the Springs Town Center area was painted 15 shades of white to make it look worn.
sweet story
Universal’s CityWalk has added Twosome Chocolate Emporium and a lineup of 12 specialty milkshakes, including what’s now called Heavenly Hazelnut (with Nutella) and Espresso Buzzz. Sugar shock continues.
fair play
The character-driven stage show “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fair” debuts at the base of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. This is not just the people from “Frozen,” but also the troupes from “Rapunzel and the Princess,” including Louis the trumpet-playing crocodile.
Orange makes me happy
The Orlando Science Center continues to accommodate younger groups with an expansion of Kidstown and its trademark orange grove and packing plant. (Fun flashback fact from the archives: This factory is an homage to Dr. P. Phillips’ first factory in Orlando, just a few blocks away at the corner of Princeton Street and – predictably – Orange Street.)
The old lower-level Kids Town is now a living exhibit, home to tamarins, sloths, reef fish, turtles, squirrels, and free-flying birds.
VR×HHN
Ah, the age of virtual reality. An early Halloween Horror Nights add-on called Universal Studios Repository appeared. For $49, people were given headsets to solve riddles among live actors.
This preceded Fun Spot at Legoland Florida installs VR headsets on coaster in Orlando and the Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando. None of these stuck, probably because people like to stare at each other.
end
However, several theme parks withdrew in 2016.
The Main Street Electrical Parade has once again departed from Magic Kingdom.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the lights, motors and action have finished operating in preparation for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Extreme Stunt Show, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground, and the Youse Guys Moitendice Store with fun sayings. The Aalfell Tower, a symbol of the park, was also removed.
Finally, on the last day of 2016, Wet N’ Wild Water Park closed for good. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort currently stands on the land, including a parking lot.
star turn
In the spring of 2016, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler visited Hollywood Studios and rode one vehicle in particular. A post on his Facebook page said, “Just checked in to the Rockin’ Roller Coaster! Still the best ride in this place.” He also posted a photo of Hogwarts Castle from Islands of Adventure.
Another star visitor was Tina Fey. Disney posed her with Lady Tremaine and her evil offspring, Anastasia and Drizella. It was from “Mean Girls.”
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