Leaderboard

This article says: Silver Dollar City bought most of the 800-plus acre property in February 2021 and recently acquired the remaining 26 acres where the abandoned condos sit.

. . starts planning trip to Great Adventure next August. . . .

Fury 325, Carolina Cyclone, Flying Cobras, and Nighthawk have been added to the Winterfest ride lineup for 2022. https://www.carowinds.com/events/winterfest/attractions

Well, you were in Rhineland-Palatine (our home state).. It's famous for wine and beer. And you were in the wine region. I'm actually surprised this was a big one. Could have been bigger! The glass is also not called a tumbler, ist a "Dubbeschobbe". So the dimples are called "dubbe". They help to keep grip on the glass when it's wet.

They've had the Indian Ridge property for a bit now. It's been a satellite parking lot this season. I believe they started knocking down the half-built mansions recently. It's great that they are bringing back the furniture shop complete with the demonstration area. What's probably most telling in the announcement is what isn't mentioned: no new ride, and nothing for White Water. That means the mystery box behind fireman's landing is now a 2024 attraction and White Water's future remains ambiguous. I can't even recall the last time they invested in a major new attraction for White Water.

Don't let the haters get you. Nighthawk is a great ride. Better then the superman flyers. That loop while on your back is one of the most unique feelings on a ride

Some pretty good news about non-ride developments coming. Replacing the restaurant and furniture shop lost in the fire, student employee housing, and parking improvements. Particularly interesting to me is the Indian Ridge purchase; the site is an infamous abandoned development project where a bunch of McMansions were nearly-but-not-quite completed then left to rot. It used to be pretty wide open but local police have cracked down on trespassing the past few years, although you can still get a good view of it from Route 76 and even Google Street View. Its odd because the parcel is a pretty good distance away from the park, and its specifically not being used for the employee housing, so... ??? https://www.ky3.com/2022/10/25/silver-dollar-city-investing-30-million-employee-guest-parking-infrastructure-projects/

Incredible news! Hey Carowinds if you need help hauling the world's-most-hated Christmas decoration to the dump, let me know.

2016 was the only year that the lighting was completely contracted out for HIP, Oak Island Creative was the company and they worked with Six Flags staff to install the first year, then in 2017 they just provided some minor guidance and since 2018, Six Flags has done all HIP decor setup in house.

I took a Florida trip last week and here's some thoughts on Universal. It was my 2nd visit, so I focused mainly on new stuff and favorites from last time. HIGHLIGHTS: Velocicoaster of course. My new #1. Got to ride it 3 times (front, middle, back) and it was heaven each time. It's obviously not as immersive as something like Gringotts, but for a big thrill coaster, I appreciated the level of theming. The queue is awesome, the landscaping works, and the finale over the lake is unbeatable. Also, the operations were flying, consistently sending trains in under a minute. Universal has got ops and efficiency DOWN. And once again... the mosasaurus roll... sent me to another plane of existence. Bourne Stuntacular. Absolutely my favorite non-coaster in either park. Rather then feeling like a cheap substitute for physical sets, the use of video serves the experience in a creative and really boundary-pushing way. The show constantly one-ups itself into bigger and bigger wow moments. It seems like it doesn't get a lot of attention being tucked away in that corner, but it's a marquee attraction in my book. And I love seeing live entertainment shine in ways that you can only get with real people actually in front of you. Sinbad lost its edge a long time ago and Orlando needed its own Waterworld. This is it, and it I hope it sticks around for longer than the Bourne movies are even relevant. Halloween Nightmare Fuel - Wildfire. Without a doubt, this was the biggest "wow" of HHN for me. Acrobatic shows are really popular around Halloween, but I'm so tired of circus / carnival theming. That's why I really appreciated how Universal gave it a new framing, and then cranked the spectacle up to 11. The performers were all fantastic, the choreography and music choices were fresh, and the fire was HOT. Like... they did not call this show Wildfire for no reason. Gringotts. Repeat visit to this one. In my book, it remains the best immersive theme park attraction in my America. But the fog effect for the screen keyhole in the last room needs work. Very clearly saw the hole open because the fog was super weak. Food. Especially during HHN, Universal's food consistently slaps. So many options, and everything I had was delicious. MEDIUM LIGHTS: Hagrid's. This might be controversial. I liked it, I think it succeeds at what it set out to do, but it didn't blow me away. I can appreciate the completely insane technology and complexity of the ride system. Maybe I should have done this before Velocicoaster, but it was closed for the first few hours of the day so the decision kind of got made for me. I may have also had more fun if the line was shorter? RIP to the Fire Dragon though. One of the coaster loves of my life. Revenge of the Mummy. I know, another controversial opinion. This moved down a tier since my first visit. It's definitely bigger than Hollywood, and it has a much more satisfying finale. But what I noticed this time around is that the ride's pacing is incredibly choppy. Each chunk of the ride is quite short and you don't get to spend as much time appreciating the coaster. I feel like Hollywood's breathes a little more. Fiesta de Chupacabra and Dead Man's Pier HHN houses. These were the two standouts of the night for me as far as the HHN houses. I though the Chupacabra concept was a nice break from the typical Dia de los Muertos vibe that we usually see from theme parks. Dead Man's was beautifully made and had some more interesting scenes as well. The Weeknd probably would be on the list but I skipped it because I had to prioritize and already did the one in Hollywood. I liked the Hollywood version a lot though. The HHN Tribute Store. I loved it, but there was a severe lack of Dracula merch. That was my beef that moved it to medium-tier. LOW LIGHTS: Most of HHN. I really expected a lot more from the Big Daddy of Halloween events. and I was bored. The movie houses were "meh" the original concept houses were a mixed bag (two above were fab, Spirits of the Coven was horrible). And not to personally insult any employees, but Universal's reliance of effects triggers has created an entire army of monsters who don't know how to be scary. The button does all the work for them. And it totally defeats the immersive construction & design work of the attractions to have talent that isn't allowed to act and truly inhabit the world that was created around them. I've gotten more scares at home haunts. Need another way to park hop. I took the Hogwarts Express once, and it was lovely. But later in the day, the line got up to and beyond an hour. So then it was just hiking all the way out and around. And I had to do that twice. If there was some other pathway that connected the two closest points within the parks, that would be a God send. WRAP UP: Despite being rather disappointed with HHN, I will continue to sing the praises of Universal Orlando Resort. Commitment to quality and guest experience around every corner. Imaginative and innovative attractions that run the spectrum of experiences. Healthy live entertainment presence. The on-property value hotel I stayed at was lovely, and getting early park access was a great perk. Prices have definitely started rising, but the overall value is still unquestionable.

So we took our kids to Dorney for the first time, and my first visit since 2013 for their Family Halloween bash. I remembered this park was nice but when visiting with our kids it was even better. It's more of a full day park since kids tend to slow you down and experience more than just the biggest coasters. The weather held out for us, it was cool but not freezing and the rain never came. Crowds were decent for a Sunday in October but lines were non-existent. The Peanuts Pumpkin Fest was great, they had lots of activities and games for the kids, and one of the best trick or treat setups we've done. They turned their cabanas into little houses to go door to door to. Much better than Sesame Place that we went to the day before. The kids also loved Planet Snoopy a very underrated kids section. Most of Dorney is underrated, and it's a shame Cedar Fair doesn't put more into this park, especially being in a big metro area. The major coasters are all solid and in good shape. Thunder hawk was fun and not to rough, just some bad trim brakes. Hydra was good but had a noticeable rattle that I don't recall from the last time. Possessed was fast and exciting but it sounds like it could be in need of some repairs, the launch section sounded bad. The stars were Talon and Steel Force, Talon is also very underrated and one of the better Inverts out there. It's got great pacing and intense inversions, the crew could be a little faster though. Steel Force was so much better than I remember, it's not top ten but better than many give it credit for. The back has a great first drop but the airtime is better in front, and less forceful when landing back on the seat. The mid course barely slowed down the train. Overall Dorney is a solid family park that gets overlooked in Pennsylvania with so many other more well known parks. If it were in an area with less competition it would be a star. I wish we lived closer to this than the couple of six flags we have. As for no lines ever I'm fine with that, it was good to see that hasn't changed over the years.

^ During the Summer Six Flags parks (for the most part) are like Carnival Cruises without the Hairy Chest Contest

Europa Park Day 2 - part 1: so we got up before park open again, grabbed breakfast, and met up with the park guide who once again walked us into the park before general guests. .this time bringing us around the left side of the big lagoon with the boats (which I was planning to ride later) so pretty when it's empty. . and loved this train "station" over here in the Russia area. . .wait. . why were we in Russia? because our morning ERT was on Euro-Mir this am! going up the disco steps to the station. . . and getting ready to ride. That "bees in a can" song gets stuck on one's head! sheesh. . was humming it for a couple of hours after! our host. . whom, after seeing several updates on the new coaster videos posted - and hosted by him, I now recall his name was Lukas. WHEE !!! Since I see AJ and Andy in this pic, I have to assume this one is courtesy of Brad Roach. after multiple rides on Euro Mir (and I must admit, that I could only ride 4-5 times before I needed a break. . . going down that drop backwards - more often than not - wears you out) I had planned to ride the "stupid" stuff today. . things that didn't really do much, or just the dumb rides I really like. and to my surprise, almost the entire group I had hung out with on day 1, wanted to hang with and also ride the dumb stuff. . at least for a bit. So since we were right here, we took another spin on Bench: the Ride (this time with working a/c) WHEE!!!!!!! hahahahaha. . just look how thrilled we all are! (tho honestly, it was such stupid fun. .I loved it) right around the corner was a station for the inpark monorail, so we headed there and took over the first couple of rows. a nice, slow moving - 10 minute or so ride (I think it was that long). . great views of the whole back portion of this gorgeous park. Remember, it was still really early - park had just opened, and we had started in the center at Euro Mir. . so the people hadn't really made it over here, which is why it looks so empty at the moment. I see you. .and will get to you, later! shamefully, didn't do ANY shows on this trip. There just was not enough time, so that means I need to go back. But loved this "Globe Theater" in the England Section. theming! and made it over to the part I've been calling "Amity". . . this inpark monorail really does give such a great, relaxing ride. and goes over the rapids ride. Doesn't look like it gets you too wet. . . ummmm. . . I spoke too soon! Aquatica Super-splash (which I just rode the other weekend at SWSA). . . SKLOOSH!!!! YES! such a good coaster. . . will see YOU later too. and you too, Blue Fire construction cranes over towards Greece.. where they are building the new coaster I totally forgot Europa Park has one of these. . .didn't' ride it, and didn't' even remember until I saw this pic I took. that's a long rapids ride! see? "Amity" the loading/exit station for the Monorail where we got on, was in the same building as the "roller coaster restaurant". . .so although it wasn't open yet (it was too early, and it was fully booked anyways), was able to peek in and see the "serving" tracks that are used to bet the food to the tables. wasn't quite ready to ride the slow moving barges around the lake - I think we were headed to Arthur perhaps. . .but we walked along it, and again, stopped for pics. there are SO many photo spots in this park even the attractions list is well done. and then we went to England. I mean. . how could I not stop for this? but we had spotted this from the monorail. . and I REALLY wanted to ride it. yep, my kind of stupid ride. so dumb, there was ZERO line for it. . and there were 6 of us. . .so it was a complete TPR takeover of Crazy Taxi. . LOL (and the operator encouraged us to take pictures while riding, hence so many cameras out ) wheeee! after Crazy Taxi. . we headed over to Ireland. it's the kiddie section. . but there are a few rides over here that Adults can ride. . . I didn't really WANT to. . I'm absolutely not a credit whore. . . . but yeah, I got on the kiddie coaster with the group. but after we all got to ride the spinning dragons. . .which is a big ol gay "Tilt a Whirl" type of ride. I mean, you ride in pastel femmy dragons! it was awesome. and tractors. . . yup. . slow moving, bouncing up and down tractors. and we rode them. the train even comes thru the kiddie section. . with no drop-bars, they just expect people not to be dumb and to move out of the way. ah. . Europe! next up on the silly/dumb ride agenda for me was the infamous "Creepy dolls" ride. . . where you ride a slow moving round boat past nightmare fuel clowns! turns out it's THEMED to Marionettes. . . but that doesn't make it *any* less creepy. and it was awesome! there was also a pretty creepy/weird boat ride closeby that was also themed. .this time to fairies and mushrooms! we'd come back to ride this one. . . but . . yeah. . several creepy boat rides over here in this area and a "hanging" monorail themed to Leonardo DaVinchi's inventions. but we were headed towards the front gate, to ride the "flying theater". . think it was called the Volarium, or something? on the way tho. . passed the golden idol mascot of the park: and there was a meet and greet going on. NO idea who she is, but she had a short line, so I hopped in it. (later ont he way back, the Elephant was out, but his line was really long, so passed him by) headed to the front gate to shop, and ride a flying theater ooo. .they have some of the Berlin Wall here? Photo op! never made it outside the front gates (a shame, as the pics that Erik shared, show that it's beautiful out there). . .but we just had too much we wanted to do. and flying theater was the one everyone wanted before it got too busy (since it's near the front gate). cool model of it in the queue. heck, the whole queue for it was pretty cool. . even if the show was just "Soarin" but over Europe. I dont' remember much of it. . just that it was "ok" Queue is great tho to be continued in part II. . . .

Dear, sweet, some times nastily funny .... Leslie Jordan has passed away. Age 67. Known for "Will & Grace" and recently in "Call Me Kat."