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Well, we're about halfway through the trip, and it's time to leave Denmark for good and head to Norway. So it'll just be a short "travel day" update. 14: Norway Jose And how does one get from Denmark to Norway? Well, I suppose one could fly, but where's the fun in that? This ferry was a bit different, in that we had to get off the bus and board individually. Here's most of our group mixed with a bunch of randos, while I watch from the heavens like a god. Everyone on the ferry gets an assigned seat. Ours were in the buffet. Thanks, Elissa. You really know us. Apparently, Robb wasn't allowed to buy any more stuffed animals. So Smisty ran off and bought one for him...? I don't know. I don't get involved in such things. I was too busy with the 4-hour buffet. I've been on plenty of ferries--I live in Seattle. But I daresay this is the biggest ferry I've ever been on. We boarded on foot, but we leave on the bus. After a bit of a tight squeeze to get back on, mind you. I don't know what bridge this is, but...welcome to Norway! In front of our hotel is this lovely statue of Fry and Frya, twin babies who were raised by halibut and founded Oslo, according to Norwegian mythology. So, our hotel was two stories tall but quite long, with elevators only on one side and stairs that were emergency use only. As a result, the shortest path to our particular room was a bit of a trek. PXL_20230613_190317639.mp4 If this is impossible to watch--or just painfully unfunny--my apologies. I don't normally do video. The view from our room made the long walk worth it, though. Also, we could walk right from the hotel lobby into this mall/transportation hub. Now where have I seen this before? We had a couple hours left in the day for sightseeing in Oslo. Some people went much farther than us, and stayed out much later--but we're old and need our sleep, so we kept pretty close to the hotel. Luckily, there was some good stuff nearby. I mean, I say "luckily," but I guess I really should say, "Elissaly," as the hotel being near good stuff was certainly no accident. The Oslo Opera House is designed to be walked up, serving as a sort of public park/observation deck, and giving some pretty nice views of the harbor. A bit of the view, and a bit of the inside. Mexican food is a big deal for both Smisty and I, and because we're weird, we can't help but to keep trying Northern Europe's weird takes on Mexican food. But Oslo was different. El Camino was analogous to Chipotle. Now, sure, Chipotle isn't exactly authentic, per se--but it is closer to real Mexican food than the pickled onions and taco toast we'd been "enjoying" everywhere else in the region. Which is less an actual endorsement of El Camino, I suppose, and more just something I found interesting. I wouldn't say that we really saw everything that Oslo had to offer, but I did very much enjoy what we were able to explore. Thor's Hammer. But not the roller coaster at Djurs Sommerland. I must say it's quite interesting that Scandinavia wants to keep naming things "Thor's Hammer," when I as an American know the actual name of the thing. But nope, no Mjolnir round these parts, just "Thor's Hammer." Goodbye, Oslo. I can't imagine that I'll ever be back--but I'd certainly welcome returning. Next time: Thor's Hammer!

In honor of Xcelerator's reopening, please enjoy some vintage Knott's photos I just found on my computer. I believe these were from 2004/2005.

as noted, I have no issue with the prices. I DO have an issue with the surcharge added to every purchase. raise the prices if you need to, but don't insult me with that .99 surcharge bullshit.

it's now a moot point for me anyways. .as I took advantage of the Cyber sale and did 2-meal-per-visit dining plan (as they note - in bright red on the site -- that dining is good at all parks your pass is good at. and since I splurged for the Diamond pass? that 2 meals per visit is good at all six flags parks). so since I'll have meal plan now? no surcharge for me. which is what I expect they were trying to drive people to anyways. i still think it's tacky and horrible. . . but a non-issue for me now.

Nope!!! I'm calling BS on your grocery bill doubled..................I live in the same area as you. Our bill has gone up some, yes, but no where near double and I haven't changed my shopping habits a bit or the number of people I'm shopping for and we tend to buy the more expensive, healthier options in the store. If you want to engage in hyberpole you have to be more selective, if you do it all the time everyone thinks you are being serious. As far as going out to eat for under a $100 that depends on what you consider decent which is HIGHLY subjective. Besides the point here was not the amount of the surcharge it was why are they being dicks and pointing it out as a separate charge instead of just quietly raising the price of everything by maybe 50 cents, but you know that so why the need to interject a complaint about something outside of the parks. Now back to the real discussion.

Bingo. Just to compare the SoCal market... Disneyland 1yr max visits + parking/discounts: $1,649 Universal Studios 1yr max visits + parking/discounts: $629 Knott's Berry Farm 1yr max visits + parking/discounts: $375 Six Flags Magic Mountain 1yr max visits + parking/discounts: $99 There's no way the gate of a flagship park of a proud brand should be sold that cheaply. I'm sure people would be just fine paying a bit more if it meant dick moves like the surcharge aren't considered necessary. They may even be able to maintain their park and start paying people a decent wage too while they're at it.

I'm confused. Has anyone has looked at their grocery bill, lately? Ours doubled over the past few years. We can't go out to eat and have a couple drinks anywhere decent under $100. Why would anyone be surprised Six Flags prices have skyrocketed along with the rest of daily essentials?

Fortunately for anyone with a dining pass, there is no surcharge, at least no one has mentioned it to me when I pick up my food. Having said that, this is one of the worst things the park can do. If they need to raise prices, then raise prices. Do not just tack on a junk fee. This is the kind of nonsense we can only hope the Cedar Fair half eliminates soon.