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so.. when I heard that TPR was going to doing a UK trip in 2024, and that they were going to a park that I had dreamed about ever setting foot in for almost 40 years? yeah, I quickly inquired and was able to join them on the trip. I decided to be comfortable - my spouse passing really made me into a bit bougie/enjoy while you can kind of person. . so I not only booked flights, but paid for upgrades. United was "kind" enough to upgrade me for the 40 minute flight from Austin to Houston (which ended up being so bumpy there was no drink service anyways), but due to an error on their part? yep, didn't upgrade me for the longer, 9 hour flight, and had me in Economy. the wonderful desk agent in Austin, tried for almost an hour to "fix" the longer flight, but eventually told me there was nothing they could do and that I should check in at the gate in Houston and see if they worked it out. But offered me a bunch of drink vounchers for the longer flight and told me to go relax in the United lounge until my flight in about an hour. don't think it will surprise you to hear that the United lounge wouldn't let me in, as I was only upgraded on the Domestic portion of my flight, but not the International. . therefore I didn't qualify to go in. . . but I could pay $56 for a day pass? Yeah.. no. Instead I gave the name of the agent who had been helping me and they called down to her (turns out she's a supervisor) and she told them let me in. . . .so I did get a nice snack while waiting for my plane to leave. I was determined to stay in a positive mood, and not let glitches like this deter me - after all, at the end of the flights, I'd be in London. But oh yes, I'll deal with United when I get back after. not worth $56 to pay to get in, so glad that I didn't have to. but a nice snack. my "surprised" face at the gate in Houston, upon being told that nope, they didn't have an upgrade for me. I was number 12, and they had filled upgrades 1-11 and had no more seats in Premium Plus. shocking, I know! oh well. .I had figured out I'd not be getting the upgrade they had charged me for. BUT. . I was glad I had stayed positive, as it turned out the center seat was empty (despite it being a full plane), so my neighbor in the window seat and I had lots of room to spread out on the longer flight. So it all worked out. I ended up watching an Anime movie about a otherworldly "keymaster" that turns into a chair. ("Suzume" which I highly recommend. . I quite enjoyed it), and Disney's "Wish" - which I liked so much, I watched it twice. Sunrise from the plane as we were in transit. here's what I had for a meal on the flight. that Milk cookie was so sweet I really didn't care for it and spit most of it out. The Steward seemed surprised and said most like it. but it was edible and decent (I wasn't all that hungry anyways) I did make use of some of my Drink Coupons tho. . . the Bloody Mary hit just right Finally landing in Heathrow, and getting thru Customs was a breeze. I had decided to be a little bougie, and had hired a car - that picked me up at the Customs area with a little sign. LOL. . I felt so important turned out to be an excellent choice, as there were protests all over London - seems to be something that happens pretty much every Saturday - and the drive took over 2 hours to get to my Hotel. but since I had paid a flat rate for the driver, he took the way scenic way, to avoid many closed off streets, and I ended up seeing many sights I might have not even gotten a chance to see. from the car, yes, but still. . very cool to see and now I could say that I saw them. Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliment London Eye, Parliment, Big Ben. .from the other side. I think that's the shard in the back on the right? eventually tho, I finally made it to the hotel, and only wanted a hot shower. but turned out they were having issues with the keys (creating them). . . so they moved some things around and put me in this room (which was fine, I just wanted to sleep there anyways for 2 nights before the TPR trip started). I went back down to the front desk and talked to the Concierge. i was really interested in seeing a show in the West End (I was staying at the Doubletree West End - and huge shout out to Elissa for helping me decide to book a room there) my "wish list" show had been "Spirited Away". . but tickets were quite expensive, and I didn't want to pre-purchase just in case of delayed flights or some other issue. So had been leaving it up to the universe. The Concierge got hold of the box office, and via some miracle, there was ONE open seat available. In row 7, near center stage! They told me they would be happy to put it on hold for me, and I could pick it up at the on call one hour before the performance. i was stoked, and tipped the Concierge well for the help, and then got walking directions to the British Museum (another reason I had chosen this hotel was the proximity to that). and off I went. (I had gotten a free ticket online, tho I was well over an hour past my ticketed time, due to the issues getting to the hotel. . but I wasn't too concerned, as I had been told I could just go around to the backside of the museum and get in over there even without a timed ticket). it was a lovely walk, and the weather was just cool enough that I was having a grand time. I mean. . as a first time visitor to London, one HAS to, right? it's a gorgeous, and HUGE, museum. and was absolutely packed with schoolkids - which I guess is a good thing? (tho I ended up chatting with multiple security guards - chatting or perhaps flirting? I'm not really sure - they kept commenting on my Katya shirt and boots). even tho it was past my ticket time, I was told to get in the line and just go in with the other timed ticket people. So got to go in the front of the museum. I spent just about 4 hours here. . by no means did I even come close to seeing everything. But was able to hit up every area that I was interested in. unfortunately "the Wave" the famous Japanese silkscreen, was not on display at the moment - having been taken down for some restoration work. . but there was plenty of other things to see (and photograph) yeah yeah. . .juvenile humor.. but it was funny to me. a few purchases later (mostly magnets) and I headed back to the hotel to change up a bit - to get a little fancier for the theater some fresh walking directions, and I headed out (exhausted, but determined) to go see "Spirited Away" the theater it's playing in is one of the oldest, and the staff told me is the largest, in the West End: the London Coliseum. ahhhhh. . THIS is why the show was nearly sold out. the actress playing Yubaba/Zeniba? (Mari Natsuki) That's the actress who voiced the part in the original Anime! I was VERY lucky to get a ticket. the show had only been playing in London for a couple of weeks and the gift shop folks were freaking out, as it still had to run thru the end of August - and they were sold out of almost everything. they had a few T-shirts (in smaller sizes), and some keychains. . .but most of the merch had sold right away and they desperately were trying to find a way to restock (I spoke with them before the show started, and they were expressing how surprised everyone was at how well the show was doing). hopefully that's a good sign, and we'll see the show here in the States? It sticks VERY close to the film - tho there's a new song and set piece added in act II to pad it a little bit. The puppet work on the characters is super impressive. . I loved it, particularly when Haku flies out thru and above the audience to end Act I. anyways. . . I bought a couple of shirts that are a little too small for me, but will hang in the closet as souvenirs. . .and enjoyed the specialty Martini the theater truly is GORGEOUS. (pics taken when they opened the doors. NO photography during the performance. . I think they want to keep the puppets "hidden". . which is strange when two full versions of the show are avail. on Max to watch, so you could see the puppets anyways.). they relaxed the rule during curtain call. .so that's how I got that pic. the whole show is in Japanese, with English translations flashed above, and to the sides of the stage. after the show, I had totally forgotten it was Saturday night. (I was exhausted, and was lucky to have kept my eyes open for the whole show. . LOL). . . but seemed like most of the West End shows ended around the same time, and everyone poured out into the streets, and it was like a big, festive, party going on out here. this was my back-up show, if I had been unable to score a ticket to "Spirited Away".. just for Tom Holland. Ian McKellan was also headlining a show. . but he had just fallen off the stage a couple of days before my arrival, so his part was being played by an understudy. So I didn't even look at tickets for that. I was focused on my wish list one I wandered among the crowds, enjoying some pastry and the art installations on some streets. then gave in, exhausted, and hired a pedi-cab to get me back to the hotel, where I went up to my room and promptly crashed. I had to get up fairly early tomorrow for a full day at Tower of London. so a quick shower, and off to bed. but hey, I was in London! (the two Spirited Away shirts I got. . . the XL "might' fit. . . but the other one for sure wont)

Guessing the funhouse won't be ready to go until next year but hopefully they can get the ride operational for FF. That event has always been the biggest money maker of the year for the park. We will be at the ACE event on 9/14 and I'll see what info I can wheedle out of the bigwigs. They are going to give away some sort of souvenir from the carousel and have some larger pieces that couldn't be reused available for auction, proceeds to go to ACE's preservation fund. At least I know what I will be getting Prozach for Christmas this year

Cedar Point has announced that Snake River Falls will officially close on Labor Day, September 2nd, 2024 to make way for future expansion. https://www.cedarpoint.com/blog/2024/the-final-tidal-wave Get ready to go over the falls one last time. After 31 years of soaking riders (both on the ride and over its splashy bridge), it’s time to “wave” goodbye to the Snake River Falls boat ride. Opened in 1993, Snake River Falls debuted as the tallest, steepest & fastest water flume ride in the world. Standing 82 feet above Frontier Town, nobody had ever seen anything like it. Original concept art showcased the ride’s boats climbing up and over a mountain and meandering through a tunnel before plunging down into a giant wave up to 64 feet wide and 30 feet long. One of the most unique highlights of the ride has always been the exit bridge that traverses over the flume. Over the years, we’ve had a blast watching riders analyze just the right timing to either avoid, or stand right in the middle of, the next boat’s 1,920-square-foot tidal wave…a second way to enjoy the ride, if you will. Now’s your last chance to do just that. Snake River Falls will permanently end its operation on Labor Day, September 2, 2024, as we make way for future expansion. What’s that expansion? Of course we can’t tell you that. Yet. As with previous attractions that have reached the end of their serviceable life, we honor & respect the past but look forward to future FUN for generations to come. We’ll have more details on a special “last splash” in the coming weeks. For now, take the plunge and join the more than 15 million guests who have enjoyed their ride over the falls!

In a shocking turn of events... The Joker will not be ready for for the advertised event this weekend! I think we all knew it was going to come to this. At least we have the carous... never mind. "We are gearing up for our final weekend of Coasters, Brews, and BBQ! On August 2 and 3, join us for an extra hour of ride time on The Boss, Pandemonium, and Rookie Racer. Unfortunately, THE JOKER: Carnival of Chaos is not quite ready for guests, but we are glad to have SUPERGIRL Sky Flyer taking its place!"

I mean, ~20% of the people in the parks are dressed in robes any given day. The wand shops and other HP merchandise stores print money. They are by far the most crowded areas of both their parks on any given day. Why wouldn't they incorporate it into the new park? Using Fantastic Beasts might be a bit of a gamble, but it's kind of moot when many people (myself included) are interested to see how insane the Ministry looks. Let's be honest, without Harry Potter Universal would not be directly competing with Disney as they are about to be with the new park.

After years of talking about it finally made it out to Holiday World. First thing I notice that I must of missed some place along the line is how hilly this place is. Not that big of an issue for me as I'm pretty fit but pushing a stroller up the hills just makes for a little more work. Good Gravy is a great family coaster with great theme in the line. Felt this was a pretty big jump for my daughter but she loved it . Legend is still a top level wood Coaster. Voyage is a pretty amazing roller coaster. Wish i could of got more rides on it but with really slow dispatch and trying to split time with my family and coaster it was one ride on the big coasters for me. I know I made a mistake and went on a Saturday in July but that's really the only way it worked out for me this time. The water park is a pretty wild place. I just don't know if I could wait 1 and a half to two hours for a water slide. The food lines are pretty out of control in the water park also. The little kids pool with all the slides was to the point that it was almost unsafe. Saw so many kids running up slides or cant really swim with parents not even around. Good Job to those Lifeguards, After my ride on Voyage I get why so many people want to go to the special night event they have, the woody's would be pretty epic in the dark. If and when I go back again if its not a week day in may or June i will probably just pay for a VIP tour. Doesn't seem like to bad a a price for what all you get. For a park that gives out free drinks I was impressed with how many stands they had for them. . it was nice to grab a water at pretty much everyone I saw as I passed. The kids rides are pretty spread out or hidden if you don't know where your going. I see my self going back but it will be a few years till everyone is tall enough to ride the bigger rides per a request from my daughter. Here is the one thing that worry's me and I could be the only one who thinks this way, but if they get one more top tier Coaster or grows more popular they might get to big for there own good. The park was busy but still manageable I just felt like you add a 1000 or so more people it would just be to a point that they could almost not handle it.