Storybook Amusement

25/02/2024

What's the difference between timeless and dated theme park rides? Let's get into it.

Watch: https://youtu.be/wZF3aIlPJ8k

20/02/2024

This month's video is a little different than normal. It's about the thin line between timeless and dated theme park attractions.

Early access is now up on Patreon.

08/02/2024

New podcast episode!

I delusionally blabbed about why DinoLand U.S.A. isn't a lost cause. To listen, tap the links below or search it up on your podcast app of choice. 🦕

Listen: https://storybookamusement.com/blogs/podcast/saving-dinoland-u-s-a

Direct links
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saving-dinoland-u-s-a/id1700331784?i=1000644665417
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Dczr0w1ena3RG5hcvimAf

27/01/2024

Breathe in, breathe out. This is the art of scents in theme parks.

Watch: https://youtu.be/SQG74zf8CFk

30/12/2023

Sensing Theme Parks is here—a new mini-series exploring the wonders of theme park design for the five human senses.

Here's the first episode, celebrating the art of music and sound design in theme parks.

Watch: https://youtu.be/-HPXeKz3850

28/12/2023

This Space Mountain commercial is too aesthetically pleasing ✨

23/12/2023

Introducing Sensing Theme Parks: a mini-series exploring the wonders of theme park design for the five human senses.

The first episode is about the art of theme park music, including some original music and theme park favorites. Early access is now up on Patreon. Happy holidays!

Patreon.com/StorybookAmusement

24/11/2023

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Keep that appetite up! Now up on the channel is the history of Kitchen Kabaret and Food Rocks at EPCOT.

I may or may not have covered Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit for this one. 👀

Watch: https://youtu.be/LKESY1gEW4g
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/blogs/disney/history-kitchen-kabaret-epcot-center

08/11/2023

Missing this show each and every day. 🌊

Islands of Adventure needs an attraction like Poseidon's Fury to break up the day. Right next door, Universal Studios has several wonderful stage and street shows.

Bring some of that entertainment over to Islands of Adventure. 😭

I hope Islands of Adventure gets a nice show by the time Epic Universe opens.

28/10/2023

This is the story of the defunct Journey to the Center of the Earth at Dorney Park

Watch: https://youtu.be/OnE94NOQVfw
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/blogs/regional-parks/history-dorney-park-mill-chute-journey-to-the-center-of-the-earth

26/10/2023

My next video will be about an underrated but very historic park: Dorney Park.

Dorney Park opened way back in the late 1800s along the Cedar Creek in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The park's first coaster debuted in the '20s and is still in operation today!

Fun fact: Dorney Park was the first amusement park Cedar Fair ever acquired. Cedar Fair is the same parent company that owns several major regional parks, such as Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm, and Kings Island.

Stay tuned for a Dorney Park video this weekend! And yes, it is Halloween weekend, so the new video is a bit on the spooky side. 😱

28/09/2023

SeaWorld Orlando just announced its third new coaster in three years! Here's everything you need to know about Penguin Trek 🐧

Watch: https://youtu.be/VMS-E4XlgNw
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/penguin-trek-seaworld-orlando-everything-you-need-to-know/

24/09/2023

New video! Here's the story behind Universal Studios' canceled horror-themed rides

Watch: https://youtu.be/JN262J9QYQg
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/universal-studios-scariest-canceled-rides/

26/08/2023

NEW: A guide to conquering every coaster at Universal Orlando

Watch: https://youtu.be/Sumj0gzZEYs
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/beginner-guide-universal-orlando-roller-coasters/

15/08/2023

Yesterday, Silver Dollar City announced they're completely rebuilding the park's historic dark ride/roller coaster: Fire in the Hole.

Would you like to see other theme parks revive their classic attractions like this?

Watch: https://youtu.be/Z0j_y127DnU
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/fire-in-the-hole-silver-dollar-city-announcement/

14/08/2023

New video! 🔥

After over 50 years, the original indoor roller coaster, Fire in the Hole, is closing at the end of this season.

But! Silver Dollar City is carrying on this beloved tradition. Here's everything you need to know about the new Fire in the Hole!

Video: https://youtu.be/Z0j_y127DnU
Article: https://storybookamusement.com/fire-in-the-hole-silver-dollar-city-announcement/

10/08/2023

Happy birthday, Snoopy! The beloved beagle celebrated his birthday in a comic strip on this day in 1968.

Cedar Fair parks across the country have wonderful Planet Snoopy and Camp Snoopy areas. I love how this little fella is loved by so many generations and continues to be a part of so many memories!

25/07/2023

🐾 The name for The Beast at Kings Island wasn't random; it was named The Beast because its development was described internally as a beast of a project.

The Beast is largely credited to Charles Dinn, but Jeff Gramke (third picture) is responsible for its timeless design.

✏ He and Al Collins spent a year and a half to calculate the massive coaster, using slide rules and logarithm books. In the '70s, they had to do the formulas by hand.

🔨 The Beast in recent years has been completely retracked, including some slightly modernized reprofiling. But the general layout has always been the same and has been a must-do at Kings Island for nearly half a century.

Learn more about The Beast!
Watch: https://youtu.be/7EKcWZ8HQbU
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/the-beast-kings-island-appreciation/

24/07/2023

The Beast at Kings Island thrives off its vague, mysterious theming, but the iconic terrain coaster actually opened with a bit of a story.

See that water in the concept art (first picture)? That was from an old Kings Island attraction called Kenton's Cove Canoes (second picture). It operated for only a few years. It closed in the mid-1970s as the park started constructing the world's largest coaster to date.

The Beast originally opened over a small body of water (third picture), the same water that was used for the canoes. This water was given purpose. The queue and station structures for The Beast were themed to a mill. The coaster also had a light mine train theme as well.

The Beast is now over dry land, the story has mostly been lost, and the track has also seen some modifications. But, the coaster is still widely popular and has had major influences across the industry.

Find out what makes it so special: https://youtu.be/7EKcWZ8HQbU

22/07/2023

What makes The Beast at Kings Island so legendary?

Watch: https://youtu.be/7EKcWZ8HQbU
Read: https://storybookamusement.com/the-beast-kings-island-appreciation

10/06/2023

Happy birthday, VelociCoaster!

What makes this ride so special? It's a storytelling spectacle.

Video: https://youtu.be/uGLZlzniW3k
Article: https://storybookamusement.com/what-makes-velocicoaster-special/

29/05/2023

I've got some news. Monthly Storybook Amusement videos are on the way! If you enjoy, please consider supporting. :)

patreon.com/StorybookAmusement

06/05/2023

New video! In the final days of Poseidon's Fury, I want to recognize this unique attraction. This isn't a deep dive into its history—instead, this is a celebration of how special it was.

Here's why Poseidon's Fury was legendary.

Video: https://youtu.be/vJvqRl31CsA
Article: https://storybookamusement.com/goodbye-poseidons-fury-universal-islands-of-adventure/

29/04/2023

When Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, it had a riverboat ride that went around the Discovery River.

It was called the Discovery River Boats, and the attraction had a few show scenes. You probably have heard about the old fire-breathing dragon lurking in a riverside cave or the long-lost iguanodon animatronic wading in the river.

But, there was also a group of active geysers near Harambe Village. OooOooh. Well, after the ride shut down in 1999, these geysers were left in the water and still can be seen today!

Have you noticed this before? They're right across from Harambe Theatre, where Festival of the Lion King plays. Keep an eye out for the white rocks next time you visit!

Now you know they're a remnant of Animal Kingdom's first defunct attraction!

Learn more about this attraction here: https://youtu.be/9LEM3IK9mv8

27/04/2023

I'm amazed how a theme park could be so beautiful. My average iPhone pics can't even begin to capture how stunning this place is. 🥰

In 2019, I visited Disney's Animal Kingdom for the first time since my childhood—truly one of the best days of my life. I was really taken aback by all the sights, especially the waterways!

This river used to be a ride path for the defunct Discovery River Boats. Even without the boats, the Discovery River is really something else. The park wouldn't be the same without these vistas!

These are some pictures from that day in 2019 and my most recent visit in 2022.

22/04/2023

This is the story of Animal Kingdom and its Discovery River Boats.

🎥: https://youtu.be/9LEM3IK9mv8

12/04/2023

Poseidon’s Fury at Universal Islands of Adventure will close permanently in May.

This is one of the few opening-day attractions at the park to close, but it’s sad to see an original part of IOA go away.

This does mean new adventures are ahead! But you still have about a month left to experience this legendary walkthrough attraction one final time.

Need a reason to go do it? Well, I wrote an article all about why Poseidon’s Fury is under-appreciated!

🔗: https://storybookamusement.com/goodbye-poseidons-fury-universal-islands-of-adventure/

This is a celebration of Poseidon's Fury at Universal Islands of Adventure.

07/04/2023

I've published an article version of my old Island Skipper Tours video. Enjoy the story and sights of this lost attraction!

🔗: https://storybookamusement.com/history-island-skipper-tours-islands-of-adventure/

01/04/2023

This isn't a prank. Grab your cereal and enjoy some Saturday morning toons!

Pandemonium Cartoon Circus: REILLUSTRATED is now live on YouTube in 4K! Come enjoy some fantastic original art and the show's full soundtrack!

https://youtu.be/sb18BqIGiFM