Things have slowed down a bit at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. After hinting that the indoor theme park might open in the first three months of 2010, a spokesperson is now saying that the checkered flags will come down in the second half of the year. Still, at least the project is moving forward, unlike most of the United Arab Emirates parks that once promised to supplant Orlando as the theme park capital of the world.

The pace at Ferrari World promises to pick up considerably once it opens. Among the flashy attractions planned for the park are two major roller coasters, including one that may vie for the world's speed record. Ferrari World just released an image of the GT, the park's second coaster. It will feature two tracks and racing trains, and the coaster's cars will resemble Ferrari F340 Spider automobiles. See more images in the Ferrari World Photo Gallery.

• Ferrari World Preview Video
• Middle East Theme Parks

Photo: The GT coaster at Ferrari World. Ferrari World, 2010. Used with permission.

Gentlemen, Start Your (Coaster) Engines originally appeared on About.com Theme Parks on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 12:34:57.

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Did you see the ad for the new King Kong attraction coming to Universal Studios Hollywood that debuted during last night's Oscars telecast? I didn't. Maybe it only played west of the Mississippi. Or maybe it was one of the many times I zoned out during the loooooong broadcast. (Although the hilarious duo of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin did jolt me back to attention whenever they were onscreen.)

The old Kong perished in the fire that swept through the California studio and theme park in 2008. The new attraction will present Universal's top banana in 3-D film projected on wraparound screens. Kong will battle a giant lizard--the reptilian kind, not a sleazy Hollywood mogul. The concept sounds intriguing, although it remains to be seen how the virtual ape will compare to the classic Kong, which was an actual 3-D, giant animatronic character. The teaser ad, which can be seen here, is quite cool, and it certainly builds anticipation. But it gives no sense of the attraction. See what other goodies are coming this season in the California Ride Guide 2010.

• Shrek 4-D- Universal Studios ride review
• The Simpsons Ride- Universal Studios ride review

Universal Going Ape for Kong originally appeared on About.com Theme Parks on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 17:58:11.

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Universal released an image of the Hogwarts Express train that will stand near the entrance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter land at Islands of Adventure. While the impressive-looking, life-size locomotive will billow steam, it will remain a stationary prop (although a ride aboard the train to Hogsmeade would be a cool feature). There is still no official word about the nature of the E-ticket ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is sequestered inside the park's Hogwarts Castle. Nor has Universal divulged the opening date of the highly anticipated land.

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Preview Photo Gallery- See more images of the land.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Map and Preview Video

Photo: Universal Orlando. Used with permission.

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A Transporting Experience at Potter Land originally appeared on About.com Theme Parks on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 16:02:48.

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OK park fans, you can come out of hiding now. After a long and often brutal (in many parts of the US anyhow) winter, it's finally--FINALLY!--time for some seasonal amusement parks to open. While we still may officially be in winter's grip, some parks are celebrating spring break by opening their turnstiles tomorrow (Saturday, March 6). Among the parks revving up the flywheels on their coasters' lift hill chains are Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags Over Georgia, Wild Adventures, Six Flags Over Texas, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas (which opened last weekend). Can somebody say amen?

• Roller Coaster Ride Guide 2010- Discover all the new thrill machines opening this season.

The Coaster is Clear originally appeared on About.com Theme Parks on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 11:46:20.

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Six Flags has announced more attractions and shows coming to its parks this season, including a new motion simulator ride, Robots from Mars, set to debut at Six Flags Over Texas. Guests will be able to join Sparky the Robot and his buddies as they defeat the evil Supervisor of Mars (there's a name sure to strike fear, eh theme park fans?) and save the universe. See what else is on its way at the updated Six Flags Ride Guide 2010.

• El Toro- A review of the incredible Six Flags coaster.
• Six Flags Great America- Over view of the Illinois park.

Robots from Mars Save Universe! (Many Times Daily in Texas.) originally appeared on About.com Theme Parks on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 18:02:11.

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