Madame Tussauds Orlando
has now immortalized in wax David S. Pumpkins as portrayed by a wax figure of Tom Hanks. Any questions?
Madame Tussauds Orlando has a new character immortalized in wax: David S. Pumpkins as portrayed by a wax figure of Tom Hanks.
Pumpkins came to fame during a Halloween-themed “Haunted Elevator” segment of “Saturday Night Live” last year.
The character, dressed in a colorful novelty suit covered with jack-o’-lanterns, flanked by dancing skeletons and armed with the catchphrase “Any questions?” gathered a cult following and became a viral sensation after it aired on NBC on Oct. 22.
The attraction says it will provide skeleton costumes for guests to wear for photo ops with the Pumpkins figure.
In the International Drive attraction, Pumpkins is stationed in the televisionstar section. He’s adjacent to Oprah Winfrey and across the aisle from Neil Patrick Harris. Tussauds says Pumpkins will remain in place through the end of the month.
NBC is planning “The David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special,” an animated Halloween-themed halfhour special featuring the voice of Hanks.
The show is scheduled to air Oct. 28.
Legoland Florida adds new Ninjago Days, other events
Ninjas will be getting their own days at Legoland Florida theme park. A new weekend event tied to the Lego Ninjago line and characters will debut at the Winter Haven attraction in January.
Lego Ninjago Days activities will include meet-andgreets with the Kai and Nya characters plus, for the first time, Master Wu. A new movie called “Lego Ninjago: Master of the 4th Dimension” will premiere at the park Jan. 20.
Last year, Legoland Florida added the interactive Lego Ninjago the Ride to its lineup.
The new Ninjago Days, which will be included in regular Legoland admission, are set for Jan. 20-21, Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 3-4.
Legoland Florida has also unwrapped plans for its multiday holiday celebrations — Christmas Bricktacular and Kids’ New Year’s Party — coming up in December.
Both events are included with regular admission to the Winter Haven theme park.
The Christmas-themed festivities are set for each Saturday and Sunday in December plus Dec. 25, which is a Monday this year.
Bricktacular sights and activities will include the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree made of Lego bricks, appearances by Lego Santa and Lego Toy Soldier characters, a group mosaic effort, stories told by Mrs. Claus, music by the Lego Brickettes and Legoized (and full-size) Santa, sleigh and reindeer photo opportunities.
New for 2017 will be photo shoots inside a large snow globe and with a giant Lego Christmas wreath.
The Kids’ New Year’s Party will be held nightly from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.
Party happenings will include a dance party, the hunt for missing clocks in Miniland USA, a New Year’s mosaic and fireworks over Lake Eloise.
On Dec. 31, a giant Lego brick will drop to symbolically kick off the new year at 8 p.m., followed by the park’s biggest fireworks display of the year.
Adventure Island adding Vanish Point water slides
Adventure Island, the water park adjacent to Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa, will be adding drop slides under the name of Vanish Point in 2018.
The attraction will begin within two drop-floor skyboxes atop a 70-foot tower. Those lead to two slides that exceed 400 feet in length.
The inspiration for the ride is “the point on a wave where water and gravity form a perfect partnership,” according to a news release distributed Tuesday.
The post also shows construction underway for Vanish Point, which is scheduled to be ready for Adventure Island’s new season in March.
The attractions are operated by Orlando-based SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.