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If I ever told someone I was a "thoosie" I would hope they would have enough dignity to never talk to me again.

We spent a day at SeaWorld while in Orlando earlier this month. I'll echo a lot of what people have said about the operations. They were very poor. With that said though, we had a really good day still. Our group was myself, my wife, her sister, our 12 year old son, and our 14 month old twins. We opened with Manta. Well, they did. I have ridden it a few times and just don't like how I feel after the pretzel loop. All those flyers are just one moment of too much intensity for me coupled with a lot of boring. I don't hate them, but they aren't for me. Since someone has to stay with the twins, I volunteered. Instead I pushed the twins around the attached aquarium before taking them over to see the penguins while everyone else waited in the line. I forgot that the penguins themselves have a decent line too though. Long story short, I was regretting the decision a half hour later when we finally got to go in. The two of them were remarkably good for 14 month olds waiting in a line, but it was still exhausting. One can walk super well and the other can't at all, so I had to hold one or two of them the whole time. It would be nice if strollers could go in. Wheelchairs can. Please note that my tongue is almost entirely in cheek here, but who is more handicapped than a single parent with twin toddlers? Let me bring the stroller in! Yet, all that exhaustion immediately melted away and I had our best moments of the entire trip in there. Our boy twin, the strong walker, absolutely lost his mind. He spent the entire five minutes pointing and alternating screaming "duck duck" and "quack quack" at the penguins. He was in heaven and remained captivated the entire time. Penguins are now known as Ice Ducks in our family. When we went back to Manta to grab everyone else, we turned around and went right back to the penguins to show everyone else. He repeated the act. Not much holds the attention of a young one year old but apparently penguins will do it infinitely for him. We got some amazing video there. Even after two full five minute sessions he was still enthralled by the views of the tank you get from outside the refrigerated habitat. After that we had lunch in the restaurant nearby. The line to pay was a clusterbadword to say the least. There were two lanes and both looked like they had tellers, so both lanes filled up. Apparently one was just doing something on the monitor though and disappeared without saying anything. This led to the worker in the other lane yelling at everyone in the wrong lane for being in the wrong lane which made people grumpy. It wasn't great customer service to say the least. And on top of that, two full lanes had to somehow merge together into one lane that was already completely full. Yay, SeaWorld. A nice group of people gave up their space when they saw us trying to find shade for the toddlers at least. We were super grateful for them. The food was plain but edible. Then we wandered over to Kraken. This still remains my favorite B&M Floorless. I always see mixed reviews but I have never had a bad ride on it. The wait was only a couple trains but the dispatches were slow enough to drag that out for a bit. The ride itself has a bit of a rattle but otherwise runs super well still. After that we tried to get on Pipeline. It was passholders only as expected. We live in NY about as far north as you can go in the state. It would have been nice for an upcharge option other than buying season passes we would have no way of using again this season. It is what it is though. We travel down to Orlando every couple years, so Pipeline isn't that far into the future. Before we went to Pipeline, my wife took the toddlers to the Sesame Street area while us remaining three went to Pipeline and then Ice Breaker. Ice Breaker was a new credit for me and a very pleasant surprise. I think they missed the mark if they were going for a family coaster though, The airtime on the hill during the repeated passthrough launch was pretty strong. After you finally crest the hill the ride is pretty tame, but that first part of the ride exceeds family coaster status in my view. It made me think of Hershey's failed attempt at a crowd pleasing hyper and subsequent redo. SeaWorld should turn around and put another family coaster in if they really want one. While I don't have any complaints about the on ride experience, the wait was almost 45 minutes despite not having much of a line. What is the point of the switch track if you are only using one train? They were loading that one extremely slowly too. The line moved so infrequently that most of it sat down while we waited for the next shift in location. After that we found the wife and kids and called it a day. This was day one of four straight parks, so we weren't looking to spend ten hours at SeaWorld. We definitely would have ridden Mako, probably more than once, if it was open. The new paint looks nice at least. I've ridden it before and love it like most people. It'll still be there in three or four years when we are back at least. All in all it was a good day despite the operational shortcomings. Crowds were light and we did what we could given not being allowed on Pipeline and Mako being closed. You can tell it is a pretty poorly run park operationally, but at least the stuff they have to do is all pretty good.

Theme Park Review was invited to preview the reimagined Fiesta Village at Knott's Berry Farm, ahead of the reopening on Friday, May 25th! As described by Knott's: "Fiesta Village comes alive both day and night to celebrate the Hispanic influences in Southern California. Guests can enjoy the sounds of Mariachi music, encounter a storyteller spinning whimsical tales of the alebrijes, experience performances of the traditional dance Folklorico and be entertained by interactive puppets and their playful antics. Those who venture through the newly landscaped alebrije gardens can meet Fiesta Village’s very own spirit animal friends. As the sun goes down, the fun heats up with an immersive nighttime street party, Calle Celebración, spanning the entire village, celebrating Mexican traditions of family, love and community through color, music, dancing and giant colorful puppets. Guests can savor the flavors of Fiesta at the new restaurant Casa California with burritos, birria quesadillas and signature tamales. At Cantina Del Sur, plenty of thirst-quenching bebidas will be served. These cold refreshments pair nicely with the delicious fish tacos at the new Baja Taqueria. Papas Mexicanas brings back a wide variety of toppings for crispy french fries, including a park favorite, the carne asada fries. Not only can guests enjoy all these delicious food options in the area, but this summer’s tasting card, Flavors of Summer, has expanded to include Sabor de Fiesta with food festival booths in Fiesta Village serving items such as potato and chorizo tacos, micheladas and elotes. Guests can stroll down Fiesta Mercado, inspired by Los Angeles’ Olvera Street, and find a variety of merchants with unique and authentic items. New merchandise items inspired by the area include a selection of Chamoy candies, hot sauces and queso. Other additions include carts throughout the village selling wares such as personalized parasols and colorful zarapes. Those looking for a thrill can enjoy the seven refreshed rides reopening in this area. Take a swing on Los Voladores and fly through the air, similar to the Flyers of Mexico. Climb aboard one of the 48 hand-carved animals in the Carrousel de California and enjoy this timeless ride. Due to construction delays, MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress will not open with Fiesta Village this summer. An opening date has not been scheduled at this time. Welcome back to Fiesta Village! Here is a look at the concept art as seen from above: The former arcade and shopping mall have been converted into a Chipotle-like "build-your-own burrito/bowl" restaurant. One of the best parts of the full refresh, for sure! Plenty of indoor seating, after a really great refresh! The center stage area has been refreshed, and features marionette shows, and storytelling performances throughout the day. The Alebrije Gardens: Here is a closer look at the food options that will be available: New Jaguar merchandise: Although MonteZooma: The Forbidden Fortress is not reopening any time soon (with two large track sections not onsite), there is new merchandise: ...including hot sauce! The nighttime entertainment "Calle Celebracion", is a great way to end the night! It takes place throughout the village on small stages. We recommend watching at the small stage located in front of the Jaguar pyramid, as light pyrotechnics are used. Sally is dressed up in her fiesta finest, and can't wait to see you in Fiesta Village! Thank you to the Knott's PR team for inviting to join them for their re-opening celebration!

So if SFSTL is so awful and you don't give a shit about it; why do you keep coming on here to talk about it? I think I asked you once before when you were criticizing "thoosies" why you kept engaging them if you didn't like them. Don't think I got an answer but maybe I missed it. Guess what? If you picked any 3 year period we've all had a lot of stuff happen. So what? What's the point? It will take as long as it takes to do it properly as has been stated a million times before. It isn't a competition to be done faster than events in your life. You think it's too long? Cool. Don't worry about it. Don't come to the park for the carousel. Want to ride one with your daughter then how about the one at the zoo, or Faust Park, or city museum, or the mall, or any of a hundred other places. It can be a crappy one, you already said it doesn't matter.

He'll be missed in this area, it's going to be very strange to not see him driving around on the golf cart when I'm at the park, he was always around and was a a very visible owner

As far as family coasters go, Big Bear Mountain is excellent. Onboard audio along with everyone screaming is fun. Ride is smooth and twisty. Nothing special but a great ride the family can all enjoy together. Also, all the theming besides the big, stupid circular disc is really well done. Great looking ride.