Drivers spend night sleeping in their cars as coldest December on record shuts roads and airports

Millions of Britons were Facing travel Chaos today as snow and ice left Motorways and airports closed and train services disrupted.

Heath row Airport has cancelled all flights between 10am and 5pm today,with Further Problems at Gatwick and in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Overnight blizzards and Plummeting temperatures buckled a huge Chunk of the country's road, air and rail networks on the busiest weekend for travel and Shopping before Christmas.

As the Mercury plunged, hundreds of drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars on the M6 after a lorry jackknifed at midnight.

The North West was hit with deluges of up to 10in of snow while parts of the south were also blanketed overnight, with blizzard expected in parts of the South East and Midlands today.

            Slalom commute: A skier makes the most of the wintry weather in south Wales

Lancashire Police have declared a Major incident area in the region and Warned People to avoid the M6, which was closed after a lorry jacknifed.

Commuter Stephen Derbyshire was stuck for five hours on the M6 in Greater Manchester after heavy snowstorm overnight.

 The northbound carriageway was closed between junctions 22 and 27 was not expected to reopen until this morning.

The southbound carriageway is also experiencing delays between junctions 28 and 26 due to heavy snow.

A lot of snow also fell in the South West during the night and it will increasingly move into the South East and parts of the Midlands and East Anglia throughout the day.

There could be local accumulation of 20-25cm. Temperatures will struggle to get over freezing and although the snow should ease off tonight, it will return to eastern areas on Sunday.

Mr Seltzer predicted that it could be the coldest December on record, with a current average temperature of minus 0.7. That sits at five degrees below the long-term average.

Travel misery also hit the airports. A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: 'Severe disruption is expected today at all London airports.

As a result all flights departing from London Heathrow will be cancelled between 1000 and 1700 UK time. Please do not travel to the airport if you are due to depart between these times.

Passengers were advised not to go to the airport unless they had a confirmed booking on a new flight.

Easy jet cancelled all flights from Gatwick Airport between 6am and 10am.

Belfast City Airport was closed last night while Belfast International Airport resumed flights overnight but said delays and cancellation were expected today.

Severe weather across the UK may still cause travel problems so if you are due to travel please check with your airline before leave-taking for the airport for the updated status of your flight.

Flights from Exeter, London City, Aberdeen and Cardiff were also disrupted.

A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said there would also be disruption as snow showers move over the South East today.

Gatwick's landing strip remains open, however we are expecting significant snowfall for much of today and into the early evening,' said the spokesman.

Weather disturbance has lead to delays and cancellations across Europe, with airports including Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen among those disrupted.

All of this has impacted the operation of airlines at Gatwick. Our advice to passenger is to check with their airline before setting out for the airport.'

On the rail network, South West train is management an amend service.

A lot of snow also fell in the South West during the night and it will increasingly move into the South East and parts of the Midlands and East Anglia throughout the day.

There could be local accumulation of 20-25cm. Temperatures will struggle to get over freezing and although the snow should ease off tonight, it will return to eastern areas on Sunday.

Mr Seltzer predicted that it could be the coldest December on record, with a current average temperature of minus 0.7. That sits at five degrees below the long-term average.

Travel misery also hit the airports. A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: 'Severe disruption is expected today at all London airports.

As a result all flights departing from London Heathrow will be cancelled between 1000 and 1700 UK time. Please do not travel to the airport if you are due to depart between these times.'

Passengers were advised not to go to the airport unless they had a confirmed booking on a new flight.

Easy jet cancelled all flights from Gatwick Airport between 6am and 10am.

Belfast City Airport was closed last night while Belfast International Airport resumed flights overnight but said delays and cancellation were expected today.

Severe weather across the UK may still cause travel problems so if you are due to travel please check with your airline before leave-taking for the airport for the updated status of your flight.

Flights from Exeter, London City, Aberdeen and Cardiff were also disrupted.

A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said there would also be disruption as snow showers move over the South East today.

Gatwick's landing strip remains open, however we are expecting significant snowfall for much of today and into the early evening,' said the spokesman.

Weather disturbance has lead to delays and cancellations across Europe, with airports including Amsterdam, Geneva, Munich and Copenhagen among those disrupted.

All of this has impacted the operation of airlines at Gatwick. Our advice to passenger is to check with their airline before setting out for the airport.'

On the rail network, South West train is management an amend service.

Cheetah Hunt Coming to Busch Gardens Tampa

After Months of Teasing With hints and clues, Today, Busch Gardens Tampa Finally released details of Their 2011 roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt:

The centerpiece of the new attraction is Cheetah Hunt, a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds – not once, but three times.

The first launch Propels The train out of its station and into the grasslands that surround the new area. Moments Later, a second burst of speed accelerates riders to 60 mph and up into The ride’s signature Tower Element that climbs More than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet into a subterranean trench.  At the far end of this three-quarter-mile path, a Third burst of Speed rockets the train back across the plain toward The Station in a thrill-ride experience Unlike anything Busch Gardens’ guests have ever experienced.

Here are Cheetah Hunt’s stats:
Type — Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster
Launches — Launch 1: 30 mph..Launch 2: 60 mph … Launch 3:40 mph
Other Elements – 130-foot drop into an underground trench, over-banked turns, air time parabolas,
heartline roll inversion.
Track length — 4,429 feet — More than Three quarters of a mile!
Maximum speed — 60 mph
Maximum force — 4 G
Height — 102 feet
Ride duration — 3 1/2 minutes (including loading and unloading)
Seats/Train — 5 trains, 16 passengers per train
Guest capacity — 1,370 guests per hour
Height requirement — 48″

Busch Gardens Guns for The Best Roller Coaster in Florida Title

Busch Gardens has been releasing clips from the POV video over the last four weeks or so to build buzz and I’m totally blown away by How good this looks. With several launch sections, an immersive enviroment where your traveling close to the ground, Below the ground, and in the air Cheetah Hunt looks to be a Thrilling Ride. I hope that They’ll be able to keep that heartline roll instead of having to remove it Like Cedar Point had to on Maverick.



There’s incredibly stiff competition for the “Best Roller Coaster in Florida” Title as I pointed out in My Top 3 States For Roller Coasters post, Florida is packed with highly-themed, world-class roller coasters. Cheetah Hunt could rank right up there with The best of them and it might even take the crown.

Window of the World -- Shenzhen

Shenzhen Window of the World is a Fantastic replica park situated at the Overseas Chinese Town. Here you can see vivid replicas of the world's wonders, Historical heritages and famous scenic sites. The entire Masterpiece is built at ratios of 1:1, 1:5 or 1:15.

Within one day,you can visit many reproductions of famous sites From Different Countries. For example you can find the Mahamuni Pagoda of Mandalay and The Angkor Wat of Cambodia here. European architectural splendors, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Ancient Athens, The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Tower of London will carry you back to The cradle of classical European culture. When you tour The miniature Roman Colosseum, you might notice a cruel and bloody scene. Enjoy the picturesque scenery as you take a gondola along the canals of Venice. Mysterious Africa is always full of life and vigor. Here, the Pyramids and the Sphinx are quietly waiting for your visit. After traveling through typical African hamlets, you come to the Oceania. Sydney Opera House, which boasts a unique style, is a Landmark not only of Australia but also the whole Oceania. Looking from a distance, it looks like a luminous pearl on the vast expanse of blue sea water. The rumbles of Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon lead you  to the America, a young continent. These two natural Wonders are awe-inspiring. Moving on to Modern Civilization, in The replica of Manhattan you will see rows of towering skyscrapers. No wonder They say the rhythm of life speeds up here.

Visiting during a festival time is another way to experience This replica park. Annually The park holds the Cherry Festival and the Indian Cultural Week. During the Cherry Festival, Wandering in the cherry Garden of Japan and taking a cup of tea will refresh you. Window of the World runs many programs during holiday Periods too. In the Summer Holiday, The International Beer Festival is a big tourist attraction. Probably, the Pop Music Festival is the favorite of young people. This is held on China's National Day. In December, Santa Claus welcomes New Year's approach. Following this The World Dance and Singing Gala is held during The Spring Festival. Taking part in the Entertainment activities Complements your travel plan.

There are a number of adventure Trips for you to choose from. For example, Test your courage by navigating the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. In the Archery Field, tourists may follow the ways of North American Indians and learn to hunt prey in the Lush woods. Even more exciting is to Traverse The primitive tropical forest in a cable car.Skiing in a subtropical city might sound strange, But The Indoor Alpine Ski Run in Shenzhen Window of the World offers you four thousand square meters (about 6,200,012 square feet) of indoor piste to Ski.
                                                                                

Let the Memories Begin at Disney World and Disneyland Theme park

Theme parks are, at their core,Highly Social experiences. Sure, They are filled With Scream-inducing thrill Rides, eye-popping Dark Rides, and a host of other Wild attractions Designed to stir The senses and deliver fun. But at least half The fun is in sharing The screams, Thrills, and fried dough With Friends and Family. The shared experiences at a Theme park can become treasured Memories that endure long after The park's twinkling Lights fade into The distance.

Disney understands this. That's why it is Focusing on Memories as the Theme for its 2011 promotion at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Called "Let the Memories Begin," The US Parks will give visitors an opportunity to share their Disney Memories--in a big way.

Starting in January, and continuing throughout the year, Disney will collect videos, photos, and stories From guests, both at The park and online. Chosen submissions will be posted to a new Let The Memories Begin website. Selected photos--and here's where it gets interesting--will also make Their way into a new nighttime show to be presented at both Disneyland park and Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Up to 500 photos a day will be projected onto Cinderella Castle at The Magic Kingdom and The whimsical structure that houses the it's a small world (sic) attraction at Disneyland. The images will be featured in the show along with a new song. A new batch of images will be used each day. While Disney hasn't released any more details, it's likely The show will also include at least Some of Disney's Traditional Pixie-dust production value along with some heart-tugging Moments.

In addition to the online and in-park Exhibitionism, visitors can have Their Memories broadcast as Part of a series of television ads. Disney will use the guest-generated content for its campaign to drum up business for The Parks.

How Do I Share My Disney Memories?

There are two ways to insert yourself into Disney's nighttime shows, onto its website, or into a TV commercial:

While at the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland, allow the ubiquitous Disney PhotoPass photographers to snap your picture. The folks putting together the nightly Memories show will choose some of that day's PhotoPass images for the presentation. (This will probably boost interest and sales for the PhotoPass program, which allows guests to view and purchase their in-Park snapshots online.) Guests can also submit their images, videos, and stories online at the Let the Memories Begin website for consideration.

What Else is New at the Disney Parks for 2011?

Star Tours II- Star Tours at both Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland in California will get complete Makeovers, including 3-D imagery and all-new footage. The re-imagined attractions will include a race aboard Starspeeders through The desert of Tatoonie as well as a variety of other destinations that will be chosen randomly For each ride.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Orlando

                                  
                                       Wizarding world of Harry Potter Overview:
Theme parks and park designers are fond of using some variation of the word, "immersion," When Describing their Lands and Attractions. Sometimes, it's   warranted often, the barely-there themeing makes their use of The word questionable at best and blatantly, knowingly false at Worst. The folks from Universal parks and Warner Bros. films, however, Clearly Aspired to Grand-scale immersion when They developed The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is one of the if not The Most richly detailed, immersive environments ever Presented at a Theme park. It takes The art of Park Storytelling to New and Breathtaking Levels.


Inside Hogsmeade's gates, Nearly Everything and Everybody stay true to The Harry Potter Mythology. There is no sunscreen for sale in any of the shops.Why would anyone in The Snow-dappled Village need SPF 30 (never mind the blazing Florida sun that shines above this fictional land)? Items that are For sale, Including quidditch quaffles and Exploding bonbons are All Actualizations of The fanciful things conjured by Potter author, J.K. Rowling. Both casual and ardent fans of her Wildly Popular books and The films They Inspired will revel When They visit the Park, and Rowling's World comes to Life around them.

How immersive and Painstakingly detailed is Universal's paean to Potter?Sure,Whimsical discoveries abound,such as Musical instruments that play themselves and a growling,fang-baring Monster Book of Monsters. But consider some of The Wizarding World's more mundane details. For example, many of the storefronts in Hogsmeade, over a thousand years old according to Rowling's lore, have settled through the millennium.There isn't a Straight line to be found. The glass in the shops'Windows have Imperfections and sag in Their Weather-beaten frames. That is an astonishing commitment to The story.


                                       But  Ohh, the Ride:-
Hogwarts Castle, Which dramatically announces itself when guests reach the end of The village and suddenly see it towering high on a Hill, is everything a Muggle Who's been invited to The off-limits shrine could hope for. Meandering through the hallowed Halls on their Way to The Fobidden Journey ride, guests encounter All Sorts of Wizardry, including Portraits that, astonishingly, start talking and moving and snow that begins falling from the ceiling. Even without The ride, the tour through Hogwarts is an incredible standalone Attraction.

But oh,The ride! Using a breakthrough robotics ride system, filmed Sequences Projected onto mini domed Ominmax screens, and lavishly appointed scenic Design Elements, The Fobidden Journey is pure magic. It's a technical tour-de-force that sends Riders flying along With Harry and his Wizarding friends for a one-of-a kind Adventure. Close encounters with a Fire-breathing dragon and a thrashing Whomping Willow redefine immersion For this wholly immersive attraction.

Wizarding World'simpressive immersion,however,sometimes comes at the expense of Theme park practicality. Hogwarts Castle and The Forbidden journey ride have been designed to handle enormous crowds. But The shops are all built to scale--to serve the story, no doubt-and The tight quarters can't comfortably accommodate the hordes of muggles Who visit on busy days.

Another Quibble: The two coasters,Particularly The Massive Dragon Challenge ride, seem out of place in the otherwise meticulously Themed Land. They are repurposed holdovers from Wizarding World's Previous incarnation as Islands of Adventure's Lost Continent. I suspect that they would not have been part of the plan had Wizarding World been designed to occupy an empty space.

I also suspect that The remains of the park's truncated Lost Continent is destined to be lost forever, since Universal is likely to have more Potter plans up its robed sleeve. Should that happen, muggles will no doubt clamor to be immersed in more of The Wizarding World.