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Will be writing up a full report sometime, but let me just say that this is by far my favorite coaster element ever. What a masterpiece. Intamin did it again.

...are the pierogies okay?

Not so fast! The park has announced the first of many exciting events for the new season… … go ahead and Google it. I assure you that this is real.

In 2016 the head PR person at the park told me that part of the problem was that the bands people were able/willing to pay to see had such high performance prices that it wasn't financially feasible anymore and bands with lower costs just didn't sell enough tickets (or tickets at a high enough price) to cover the cost. So essentially the park would lose money on most performances. The days of the park providing a "free" show are also no longer cost effective for them. She also indicated that the bands the park could afford to pay brought in a crowd that created a lot of security issues. So in other words higher costs for musicians coupled with worsening crowd behavior pretty much made all performances untenable. At that time other than the cheer and band performances, they were still having the Christian music festivals, although I cannot remember if those were free with park entrance or an extra cost.......I'm sure someone on here remembers. Too bad. I can remember seeing Chuck Berry play there around 1974 or 1975, when I was 6 or 7 years old. My Dad insisted on getting there super early to get good seats and it was so hot my Grandmother's cheap hair dye started to melt and run down her face, lol. I can also remember, like a lot of you I'm sure, seeing some great bands in the 70's and 80's there. It bums me out but if there is no way to resolve that, and it doesn't appear that there is, then I say use the space for something new. It's just a waste and kind of sad to see it sitting there empty plus makes the park junky looking when there is no reason to maintain it.

Try restarting your computer and clicking it again.

What I posted there is actually this thing we call a screenshot. That post is essentially a screen capture of a Facebook post the park made and unfortunately we're not quite at the point of being able to click on links embedded into an image, so in order for you to actually go to that link there you'd have to type those exact characters into your web browser which in theory should take you to the post on Knoebels website. Best of luck!

I don't really understand the point of posts like this. In this specific instance we are talking about realistic things this park could use like kiddie rides, but even if not and it was about a hyper or something, so what? Are we supposed to not discuss this kind of stuff on a theme park message board in a thread dedicated to this actual park? Anyways, in an effort to provide content, yeah, a legit kiddie coaster would be nice. Mine Train is a good kids/family coaster as is Pandemonium, but the height requirement for both is the same as Screamin' Eagle. Bumper Cars, a tilt a whirl, some other mid range carnival style flats would go a long way for the family demographic. As-is right now, you have either the big thrill rides or the baby rides, not much in between save for the Scrambler and Log Flume.

If both Chapek gets replaced and DeSantis loses in November because of this then it will be considered a win-win for everyone.

Rode it for the first time this morning. I've heard about the upside-down ejector air, but it still did not prepare me for the awesomeness of that element. What a great ride and moment!

I still don't understand why we're supposed to hate this guy. If he outbid a bunch of other people who wanted to keep it as an amusement park then yeah, I could see why fans of the park would be disappointed but he was the only one who even bothered to bid because nobody wanted the place. He bought an entire amusement park and giant waterfront property for $1.2 million. None of these preservationist groups put in a bid. Even if someone scraped together some money on GoFundMe and put in a losing bid, at least we could say that SOMEONE wanted the place but nobody else did. Obviously I've always been vocal about how much I disliked this park but I'm really not taking this stance because of that. If Standard Amusements came in and said "We're going to buy it, bring in GCI to fix up the coaster, clean the place up and add a bunch of new rides" I would have been like "F*ck yeah!" and I WISH that happened but it didn't. Also, they put the rides up for sale including Blue Streak at one point. Nobody bought them. They probably would have let someone take that thing for free if they covered the cost of getting it out of there but again... nobody wanted it. Nobody wanted the park or the coaster but everyone wanted to tell the only guy who did want it how he was supposed to run the place that they couldn't be bothered to bid a single penny on.

With Spring Break over for most (or all?) of the US, I was interested to see how Iron Gwazi's wait times were going to be considering the wait times haven't been too bad overall since the ride opened. Before the ride opened to the public, I thought with it being a RMC and a brand new hyped up ride it was still going to have a 45-60 minute wait even on a slower day. I stopped in for 90 minutes yesterday around 2:30 and it was only 1-2 train wait. If that's how it's going to be normally on a weekday when schools are in session, anyone who can visit on those days is going to have a great opportunity to marathon the coaster.

Both the park map and your construction photo indicate most of the grass north of that central path being used. That isn't half of the total grass field but it is easily a third or more of the total area with a good stage view. It's absolutely correct that a good portion of the grass seating is being used. My error was not making it clear enough in the first comment that it was only a portion being used, not the entire amphitheater. Edit: I'll agree to make this my last post on the land usage of Dr Diabolical. We don't agree on the scale of the red area. That's going to be a capacity reduction of 800 potential concert-goers at a venue likely able to hold 3000-4000 (~2500 on the old grass berm - I'm most unsure of the capacity under the canopy).

Yes Sundance is gone but it's also being built on close to half of the grass seating for the largest outdoor venue.

There are some parks still drawing artists to their amphitheaters. But really even before COVID so many of them out there were used far less than in the past, Old Glory was barely used even before COVID - mostly cheer and band stuff for schools. And some parks are eliminating them. Dr. Diabolical’s is being built on a portion of what was essentially Fiesta's amphitheater.

Bummer... seems a waste of space and revenue stream

That roll is great because its legit upside-down ejector air. I think it f*cks most people up as it actually feels like its trying dump you into the water. If you stand by it (or just watch some off-ride footage) every single train is filled with people screaming in terror/elation as it rips through that element. With just the lapbar, I'm sure its horrifying for some people lol. Happy to hear the ride lived up to the hype for you.

If you live near or nearby the Disneyland Resort, here's the perfect Pride Gift to give to your special someone. The Winnie The Pooh "Rainbow Mug". All different coloured rainbows on it. And Pooh, Piglet and Tigger on it, too. Perfect!

Tokyo Disney Resort has just announced new merchandise available for PRIDE 2022. Awesome! Thanks to TDRexplorer.com for the article and the photos (thanks Disney) of all of the merch. Here's the link: https://tdrexplorer.com/disney-store-japan-pride-2022-collection/

today is my Birthday and it capped off 3 days of eating terrible, and not exercising. so NOT gonna weigh myself for a week and hope can get back on plan tomorrow!

I'm still struggling, I don't know what it is. I have all the motives but then I push it to "tomorrow", tomorrow never comes.

Meh, I found Cesari's (yes, from the right spot) to be mediocre at best. Good for amusement park pizza, I guess, but still doesn't hold a candle to Mack's, Jonuzi's, or 3 Brothers (Seaside).

Here's an update on the other Busch park in Williamsburg--Water Country USA (press release from the park). New Aquazoid Amped™ to Open at Water Country USA on May 27, Members Receive Exclusive Early Access Beginning May 14 Water Country USA, voted one of the country’s top ten waterparks by USA Today, will open on May 14 for the 2022 season. Beginning on Opening Day, Members will be the first to ride Aquazoid Amped before the ride opens to the public on May 27. Plus, guests of all ages can make a splash this season at Water Country USA, with the all-new Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad, created for the park’s youngest visitors, and Surfer’s Bay Bar, the perfect place to unwind and sip on tropical libations. Aquazoid Amped debuts on May 27 with an ALL-NEW twist to an iconic water ride. The full-sensory, immersive ride experience includes a new special effects show, pulse-pounding music, and dynamic lighting effects. Riders will feel the thrill as they plunge down 864 feet of fully enclosed, twisting tube at speeds of 20 feet per second. “The opening of Aquazoid Amped is the perfect way to continue growing our park’s attraction portfolio by introducing new and exhilarating elements to a fan-favorite ride,” said Kevin Lembke, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA Park President. The 2022 Water Country USA Season continues to make a splash with the unveiling of the new Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad and Surfer’s Bay Bar, opening this June. Kids can hang ten at the all-new Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad, located across from Surfer’s Bay Wave Pool. Designed with the youngest water lovers in mind, the surf-inspired Splash Pad features dynamic fountains, splashy spray cannons and a kiddie water slide. Fans of Water Country USA’s other kid-friendly areas, H20 UFO and Cow-A-Bunga, will find Lil’ Surfers to be the coolest new spot in the park. Guests will enjoy an all-new wave of refreshment and relaxation at the revamped Surfer’s Bay Bar this summer. Overlooking Virginia’s largest wave pool, the full-service bar will feature craft beers on tap and frozen concoctions to indulge in while fueling up for a day full of fun at Water Country USA. In between thrilling rides on fan-favorite slides, this tropical oasis is the perfect place to unwind.

And people called me a pessimist when it comes to the park Our park is far from mediocre, sure I think there are a ton of areas that could use improvement and bigger investments, but it's by far not mediocre. American thunder, Mr freeze, and The Boss are some of the best coasters in the chain. They aren't hyper coasters with record setting inversions, speed, or length but they are absolutely incredible. And with the massive maintenance done that was, well let's be honest, way overdue, we've had new decking, new rails, new paint, queue improvements. And the entire section over by Catwoman being redone. The park now is way better than 4-5 years ago. It's got more to go, but even little ol corporate hates us me can see the vast improvements and know we aren't mediocre.

Where to even start with this incoherent word salad post. It DOES affect everyone. I am one of its employees, and for the past 23 YEARS I have been paid more to work there than if I decided to work anywhere else. I also live in Orange County, and I cannot afford a $2000-4000 tax bill JUST because #DeathSantis hates gay people. That's what this all boils down to. He wants to grab as much power as possible and does not care who he hurts in the process. I am hoping that Disney with its massive wealth and power does not blink and instead supports whoever runs against this lunatic. This meme sums it up perfectly:

Bro. It's April. The give-a-fux are blooming with the beautiful Spring freshness. They'll all be gone by late June. Obnoxious guests and butt sweat season will wipe away the charm, here and everywhere.

Too bad they went with yellow as a primary color on WW, with RR sporting the yellow supports right next door. Doesn't stand out as much as it could.

Roar opened today. The park seems to be doing pretty well, the ops are fantastic this year, super nice and lots of interaction with guests. I've always thought the ops here, if not always the fastest, interact with the guests a lot more than other parks I've been to. Batwing wasn't open but it was good to see them working on it all day. Everything else was open.

I've never seen a new ride steal an old ride's thunder like that. When we went to Canada's Wonderland we loved both Behemoth and Leviathan, at other parks new great rides never made me think less of existing rides. Even a ride like El Toro doesn't make me love Nitro any less even though it's obviously better. Skyrush never stole Storm Runner's Thunder (Farenheit never had any thunder lol), same goes for Millennium Force and Magnum... it's really amazing how Fury just made Intimidator look like a big steaming pile of who gives a f**k.

Lone Star Lil's is an open theater. . .the main seating has always been on the side. . . not what you seem to think was main seating. but oh well. . why bother arguing with an "expert" who doesn't live here, and is not a park regular for the past couple of decades. I mean, you CLEARLY know better than I.

again. .NOT really a true statement. it's being built on what was Sundance backstage, and *maybe* 15 feet of grass that some could sit on, but was never the "main seating" for Lone Star Lils. the main grass seating area is still there for Lone Star Lils. . . was just on it the other day for a tour of Dr. D's station build: the back rows of LSLs and the station for Dr D's being built the grass seating for LSLs. . you can see how much is avail. still. SFFT is my home park. . been going there for decades, and go pretty frequently

NOPE. Dr Diabolical is being built on what was the Sundance Theater *one* of several outdoor amphitheaters at the park. Fiesta still has 4 outdoor theaters - circled in Green below: the Amphitheater in Lost Festivales (used multiple times a day), the Small kids stage in "thrillseeker park", the stage in front of Rockville High (also used thruout the day for standing room shows), and the biggest amphitheater - the one used for concerts - Lone Star Lil's (which they just totally refurbed the covered seating area in) gets used for Fireworks seating (on the lawn) , and books concerts and shows still. . . . literally right next door to Dr. Diabolical. not to mention the 3 indoor theaters (two of which are big - Rockville High & Zaragoza, and one indoor stage in the Sangerfest Halle - all circled in blue below. Edit to add: there's also a small indoor stage in "the Thirsty Buffalo" bar (#89 on the upper right of the map), that has a piano player and "saloon girls" show)

It's not only pay, everyone is having issues in the area. There was a local report/survey saying there were 4 jobs for every citizen in the area. My wife got almost a $15 pay raise to travel from Knoxville to Tanger to help fill gaps in the area

This park is missing a giga. This park is missing an RMC. This park is missing an aquatrax. This park is missing fans.

first off that coaster is trash lol. Secondly I believe you have to be 42 inches for that ride? They really need something around 36