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We were at the ACE Coaster Christmas event last weekend. Unfortunately, a cold snap AND a surprise little snow storm late Friday night meant that it never got above 35 on Saturday so only Thunderation and Fire in the Hole were open. They did have flooded mine going and a handful of the kids rides. Also, no giant swing. Of course the train is still closed and obviously no water rides, so.......it was not the best day for an event which was exactly no one's fault. Since there are only so many hours you can fill up with shows, food and Grandfather's mansion we left a little earlier than we normally would have on Saturday. With all those rides down the midway on the big hill that leads to the Opera House and therefore the lines backs up there was so crowded you almost couldn't get through. But huge Kudos to the park. We had presentations with coffee, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls in the morning and since I am sure they could see it was not going to be a good day for rides every attendee (and I think it was around 200) got a free ticket for next year, some Christmas ornaments and a freebie raffle with various tchotchke's. We also had the Trailblazer pass that gives you 8 skip the lines. That we were always going to have since ert is usually impossible at this event due to, too cold before park open and too late/cold after park close. For the event tickets and trailblazer's were good for Sat and Sun. The presentations included Worlds of Fun and they gave us a nice preview of Zambezi Zinger and some of the 50th anniversary plans for next year. Brad Thomas gave a small presentation for SDC. Taking a book out of Universal's "it's just a churro stand" playbook he insisted the new building going up is a Dollar General, but he did indicate that it would not be open for customers until 2024. He also talked a bit about the big land purchase and that there would be work done on parking and road into the park. Not sure if he was connecting those two or not. He did mention that maintenance had made a path between the park and new territory that and ATV could navigate. Announcements about what would happen there to come at a future date. Our group speculated that the new land might be hotel and/or water park and/or new parking lot and entrance. Or the other option which is we have no idea whatsoever. Shockingly, no one from SFSTL showed up to present anything about future plans. Went back on Sunday armed with extra Trailblazers thanks to several people that had to leave for home first thing on Sun morning. We had a very narrow window of opportunity, approx 2-4 to get rides in while the temps were cooperating. Hit Outlaw Run (one train ops), Powder Keg (two trains), Time Traveler (also two trains) as many times as we could. Wildfire never opened, although it did test. Not sure if it was temps or mechanical. We had to leave about 4 to drive back to STL anyway and just about that time the coasters started to shut down again as the temps dropped. Gifted all the leftover Trailblazers to families with kids in the hopes they could use them that evening on kids stuff. Plan to use the tickets on a nice warm summer day next year and if I do anymore ACE Christmas events I think I'm heading down to Texas to chase the warm weather

I feel no one is talking about anything is because there really isn't much to talk about. It's too many "vloggers" who think they know everything there is to know about the park till it's best to have a wait and see for real info and concrete evidence to rear it's head. See what happen to that knotts giga. . .

It's insane to me that anyone still believes that parks actually care about this. Anyway, be right back. They just called my boarding group for Tron.

Aw, that's unfortunate. Coaster Christmas is always an interesting event, but most of the time it's a bit warmer. You never know if it's going to be in the 70's or 20's this time of year around here, and it can be both across a weekend. I was hoping they would say more about the new indoor coaster, and maybe even provide a construction tour, but I guess that will come next year hopefully. I'm surprised that it was still crowded with it being so cold and the rides down. People sure like lights. In the old days people would still come for the shows, but I didn't think they were as much of a draw anymore with all the changes they've had to make.

Was playing geoguessr this morning and got this one Easy peasy!

So Kennywood's new ride is a Zamperla Griffon called Spinvasion. I'm looking forward to this as I am a big fan of the old Huss Swing Around (which Kennywood previously had twice in its ride lineup). After the improvements made this year and this new addition for 2023, Kennywood seems to be on the upswing and I for one am happy for that! Spinvasion New in 2023 at Kennywood

Sorry for double post but I did see that Superman wound up opening this weekend. However, Adventure Park USA was able to open their coasters for a couple hours on Sunday and we made the trip there instead since we've never been there. I grew up riding Wildcat at Cedar Point and although this isn't the exact same ride, it was nice to get back on basically the same coaster again. Wild West Coaster is an interesting little ride too! We also chatted with who I believe was the owner for a little bit. You can tell the pride he has in his little park. I highly recommend a quick stop on your way to or from Six Flags America if you come from Northwest of DC. The park is located right off I70. Some pictures:

OMG OMG OMG. I'm booking my flight and hotel right now.

Today the Disney Parks Blog announced that the "Adventureland Treehouse" inspired by Walt Disney's Swiss Family Robinson will open at Disneyland Park in 2023, replacing the former Tarzan's Treehouse attraction. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/adventureland-treehouse-at-disneyland-park-returns-in-fresh-new-way-in-2023/ We know Disneyland Resort fans have been eager to learn more about the enhancements coming to the beloved treehouse in Adventureland at Disneyland park. Today, we are excited to share new details with you! Paying tribute to the original treehouse that Walt Disney and his Imagineers built in 1962 for the hit movie, “Swiss Family Robinson,” the Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson will return in a fresh, new way at Disneyland park in 2023. The Adventureland Treehouse will showcase wonderous new environments created amongst the branches of a giant tree on the shores of the Jungle River, where guests will once again enter by the giant waterwheel and follow the wood rope stairways up, up, up into the boughs. Here, you will find fascinating rooms that the family in this new story created for one another. From the mother’s music den (as depicted in the concept art above) and the young sons’ nature room to the teenage daughter’s astronomer’s loft, all things are fashioned from found objects, natural resources, and pure ingenuity. For those who would rather stay on terra firma, the bottom floor will showcase an ingenious kitchen and dining room, along with the father’s art studio, displaying hand-drawn sketches and paintings of each of the rooms. Walt Disney Imagineers are hard at work and delighted to bring this classic back in a fresh way, full of magic, enchantment, and wonder. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a tree in Disneyland?! We look forward to sharing an opening date and more details about the new Adventureland Treehouse coming to Disneyland park in the future.

Isn't Six Flags in NJ in a colder climate than STL? They still hold HIP

I think you're doing it right, Kim. Not that I have nearly the parental experience you have. Your son is going to be vastly more prepared than his peers who have never held real jobs. In turn, he'll likely be more successful and a more well rounded person.