Welcome to another edition of In the Loop, the Los Angeles Times’ theme park newsletter. I’m Funland theme park blogger Brady MacDonald, and this week, we test drive Legoland’s Ninjago dark ride, review Cedar Point’s Valravn dive coaster, preview Universal’s Incredible Hulk coaster relaunch, revisit Kennywood’s kitschy Noah’s Ark and visit Shanghai Disneyland during a soft opening.

Shanghai Disneyland

Some “uncivilized” Chinese tourists trampled, trashed and graffitied the entrance to Shanghai Disneyland more than a month before the theme park is set to officially open to the public, according to Shanghaiist.

Plus, here are some aerial photos of the Shanghai Disneyland castle and the park.


And watch a video of large crowds descending on the Chinese park during a “soft opening” test run.

Kennywood

Like the story of its biblical namesake, the 81-year journey of the Noah’s Ark walk-through attraction at Pennsylvania’s Kennywood theme park is a tale of survival against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Construction continues on Noah’s Ark at Kennywood, including the whale’s-mouth entrance. (Kennywood)


Cedar Point

Cedar Point fan site Point Buzz reviews the new Valravn dive coaster: In short, G-force junkies will love it.

Universal Studios

Universal reveals details about the relaunch of the Incredible Hulk coaster at Islands of Adventure, including a new back story, queue and ride vehicle.


Disneyland Paris

Concept art shows a new building facade for the Star Tours attraction at Disneyland Paris with an X-wing fighter parked on the roof.

SeaWorld

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. posted a $46.9-million loss as theme park attendance grew 2.6% and revenue increased 3% in the first quarter.


Legoland California

“Right now, this is the new thing, but at some point it becomes the old thing, and you’ll want to do more with this than waving your hand above the lap bar,” says Theme Park Insider’s Robert Niles of the new Ninjago dark ride at Legoland California.

Legoland’s Ninjago ride will be the first in North America to use hand gestures in place of physical devices to control the action. (Legoland / Sandy Huffaker)

Six Flags Dubai


Aerial concept art of Six Flags Dubai shows an indoor entry plaza and several attractions planned for the park, set to open in 2019.

Erotikaland

Brazilian entrepreneurs hope to open a sex theme park with genitalia-shaped bumper cars and a pleasure train with go-go dancers by 2018. Says one Erotikaland backer: “It’s not like we’re trying to recreate Sodom and Gomorrah.”


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