Dave and Busted: Surviving Orlando's Faux Casino

Pictures courtesy of Dave & Buster's Official Website.

Arcades are dead.  As home video game systems and personal computers increased in power, the popularity of the neighborhood arcade quickly diminished.  Sure, you'll still see game rooms as part of larger entertainment complexes, or in malls and hotels to occupy bored kids.  However, the time of the independent, self-sustaining arcade has long passed.

There is one slight exception to the trend.  At some point in the last decade or so, entrepreneurs realized that redemption games, arcade machines that give tickets and prizes, still filled a niche that couldn't be replicated at home.  In fact, these devices fulfilled the same bad impulses that fuel the gambling desire.  Mix in some alcohol and the right atmosphere, and all of a sudden those adults that were raised on Chuck E. Cheese's are throwing away cash for a chance at a giant plush gorilla.

Quick Review: SeaWorld Orlando's Quick Queue

The same day I tried out SeaWorld's All-Day Dining Deal, I was also able to try out their Quick Queue front of line pass.  This is another quick review of the important details and what you need to know before you buy this extra option.

1.  Like Universal's Express Pass, and unlike Disney's current FASTPASS system, Quick Queue is an up-charge offering.  The standard Quick Queue costs $14.99 to $24.99, and only provides a single ride on each attraction.  The unlimited Quick Queue costs $19.99 to $34.99, and provides unlimited usage as long as it's not "abused."  Annual pass holders receive a discount when backed through the pass member website, otherwise prices vary based on season and holidays.

Creatures of Central Florida: Caribbean Flamingo

 Caribbean Flamingo

• Native(ish): While found primarily in South America and the Caribbean, small flocks will occasionally fly as far North as Florida
• Roseate Spoonbills are often mistaken for Caribbean Flamingos
• Spotted in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
• Also known as the American Flamingo

Quick Review: Sea World's All-Day Dining Deal

Thanks to SeaWorld's August discount for annual pass holders, I was finally able to experience their All-Day Dining Deal.  Eventually, I'll do a detailed breakdown of its benefits versus Disney Dining Plans.  Until then, here's a quick review of my experience with All-Day Dining.

1. Dining discounts are available in park, but you can only purchase them at Guest Relations locations.  If you attempt to buy the Dining Deal at a dining location, you will be charged full price.

2. You're given a wristband that you must display every time you receive food.  The wristband is made from semi-water resistant paper, but is still somewhat flimsy.

Busch Gardens Tampa Announces the 13th Annual Howl-0-Scream

Images courtesy of the Howl-O-Scream official site.

Busch Gardens Tampa has released details and launched the website for their 2012 Howl-O-Scream event.  Like Universal, this event includes mazes, "scare zones" with roaming monsters, and shows all packaged to terrify guests.  This year's collection of horrors is themed "The Trickster's Garden," with the tagline "Unlock the Fears Inside."

Free Phineas and Ferb Experience Coming to Downtown Disney

Starting September 1st, guests to Downtown Disney's West Side can take part in an augmented reality experience based on Disney's Phineas and Ferb.  DisneyParks Blog announced that "Phineas and Ferb & You" will be available until December 1st from 2-9:30 p.m. daily, located next to Bongo's Cuban Cafe.  Participants will interact with the show's cast in one of twenty possible events, "from dancing 'The Platypus Walk' to getting caught in Dr. Doof’s Freeze-inator."  The temporary attraction is completely free and will even offer complimentary digital photos of guests' experience.

While not a permanent addition, this could help breathe some life into Downtown Disney if executed well.  More attractions like this could create a niche for the shopping and entertainment district that separates it from being a hodgepodge of restaurants and stores.  As well, I'm glad to see more support for Phineas and Ferb, one of the best shows Disney has created in a while.  Agent P's World Showcase Adventure was a very clever addition, and I'm excited to see what they come up with for this.

Souvenir Finds: Old Junk or New Magic?

Disney produces a mind boggling array of products for their amusement parks.  These souvenirs are so numerous that it's impossible to keep track of everything available at any one time.  Marketplace Fun Finds, located at Downtown Disney, is one of the few places on property accessible to guests where you can find clearance merchandise.  Visiting the other day, I discovered "Pieces of Magic," a small collectible I've never seen before.

Pieces of Magic are small, coin size pieces of metal engraved with Disney graphics and positive words like "luck" and "magic."  Pieces vary in size and shape, with some resembling Mickey Ears, stamped with holes in the middle, or a variety of other shapes.  These are not designed to be placed on jewelry as a charm or any other obvious purpose.  This is definitely a great souvenir to buy for a child's classroom or friends back home that's inexpensive but clearly Disney.

They retail for $1.95 each or 6 for $10.00, and are one of those impulse items, like buttons, that are placed next to the register.  So far, I've only found them at Fun Finds, which most likely means it's an old item being cleared out of inventory, but there's still a chance I'm wrong.  It could be a new item that hasn't been widely introduced.  Unfortunately, I've yet to find any real information online about these Pieces.  Still, whether new or discontinued, it's still interesting to find another product that seems to have appeared from nowhere.