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Kings Island has announced the replacement for Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, "Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare," to open in 2026! https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2025/august/phantom-theater-opening-nightmare-coming-in-2026 The stage is set for guests to be ushered into a new but familiar chapter in Kings Island’s history as Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare will make its debut next spring. Located at the site of the park’s original Phantom Theater dark ride, the quirky characters and chaos from the original return, along with modern technology, enhanced scenic elements and expanded storytelling. The comedic and fast-paced family adventure begins with a dark and stormy night, setting the tone for the grand (and ghostly) re-opening of the haunted Phantom Theater. Inside, a long-awaited performance by Maestro, the theater’s resident organist, is set to begin. During the storm, a lightning strike unleashes the ghost notes – mischievous musical spirits that wreak havoc across the theater – from Maestro’s mighty pipe organ. With the help of head usher No Legs Larry, guests will take the role as a member of his team and ride in “enchanted opera boxes,” utilizing special spellbound flashlights to capture and return the ghost notes to the organ so the performance can begin on time. Along the way, the enchanted opera boxes travel through fully built dimensional scenes, including backstage areas, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a fiery boiler room as they meet other performers who are ready to take the stage. From animatronic forms of Houdelini and The Great Garbanzo to Hilda Bovine and Lionel Burymore, the Phantom Theater’s beloved crew returns, getting caught in the chaos while guests simultaneously search for the ghost notes. New surprises await guests around every corner, including the introduction of Arpeggio, Maestro’s furry feline friend. In total, 26 interactive scenes feature added multi-sensory effects like wind and sound, hidden Easter eggs throughout and a grand on-stage musical finale with all cast members. Manufactured by Sally Dark Rides, the leader in indoor family dark ride experiences, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is a true nod to the original that made its home at Kings Island from 1992 – 2002. “Families who have visited Kings Island will remember how special the original Phantom Theater was, and they’ve always wanted it to return,” said Tony Carovillano, park manager of Kings Island. “While paying homage to the original ride, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare’s modern and advanced features will help create new memories and stories for all who take their seat inside this amazing experience.”

The adventure isn't so great anymore.

Last Friday I had the chance to attend one of two "UOAP Nights" at Universal Studios Florida, hosted for annual passholders at no additional cost (though reservations were required and did "sell out"). The event featured a significantly reduced capacity in the park, resulting in shorter wait times for the rides that were open. Also included was a pre-party event, a number of surprise meet and greets, speciality food and beverage options, a private showing of the Cinesational nighttime spectacular and a party atmosphere throughout the park. It was also notable that these two event nights took place during the last two days of operation for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit before its permanent closure. Not previously announced or included in past events was this "pre-party" offering... At first glance this looks a little overwhelming but to Universal's credit, it is a well thought-out queue that leads guests to a number of neat meet and greets and other offerings to enjoy inside. Plus we were given a free UOAP button to commemorate attending the night's event. Beyond the special meet and greets in the pre-party, there were additional meet and greet options available throughout the park. In addition to many of the normal dining venues being open with their normal menus served, the event had a few special tastes available to order at key locations in the park. The pre-party featured a DJ playing lively music to keep the vibes going. While Doc Brown isn't uncommon to still find roaming Universal Studios Florida, it is incredibly rare to see him accompanied by Einstein! John Hammond was another rare character brought out for the event. The Ecto-1 from the Universal Mega Movie Parade was parked in the pre-party studio and served as a backdrop for a rare meet and greet with the Spenglers from Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Frozen Empire. It's easier to appreciate the little details on this float when it isn't in motion. This was a nice surprise and delight moment for the event. Woody and Winnie Woodpecker were available for meet and greets as well. The UOAP Nights event was presented by Coca-Cola and as such, they had a free sample bar for Coca-Cola Orange Cream as well as the zero sugar version. While not my favorite flavor, it was still a delicious and refreshing Coca-Cola. There was special event merchandise available to purchase as well. After the pre-party it was time to head back out into the park to enjoy all that was available to us. The app featured a narrowed filter on the offerings exclusive to the event. Exiting the pre-party studio presented me with a chance to snag a few more photos of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit operating during the daytime. Only a few more drops left in this one... Edgy angles for an edgy coaster. Given that we had our five year old with us for the event, our priorities were clear. I'm not going to complain that my son loves Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. A look at the event's exclusive cupcakes. A must-do, especially when the queue is short. A pretty sunset and a reminder that there would be an exclusive showing of Cinesational later in the evening. A photo op for those who really wanted to flaunt their status as passholders. I went to go ride Rockit for the last time, only to find that it was temporarily closed with riders stuck in recline on the lift hill. On the other side of the park it was time to wait for something out of this world... \ When it comes to special meet and greets, I'm easy to please. I mean, this is awesome. "The world is a carousel of color..." Cinesational features a combination of water fountains, lasers, projections (on water and on buildings), fireworks and drones. Being totally honest it isn't my favorite show. The projected visuals are nearly impossible to make out clearly and the choice of segments is odd. That said, the fountains, drones and lasers paired with the fireworks make for an enjoyable spectacle. I just wish the content was more in line with the Universal Cinematic Spectacular--a show that highlighted some of Universal most iconic scenes and sounds on the lagoon. The show has a few highlights. A fun little nod to the event at the end of the night. Over in the Music Plaza there was a DJ playing the Cha Cha Slide for those who wished to dance along. Now it's time to say goodbye... After about a 35 minute wait, I hit it one more time with a final "Hasta!" in the front row. I'll give them credit... This shirt plays to my local nostalgia. This UOAP Nights was quite possibly the best passholder event I've attended at Universal to date. The unique pre-party, the extra meet and greets, the short wait times and the event showing of Cinesational really made for a great evening in the park... Not realizing the significance of the date, I got this souvenir to close out my saga with Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. While I didn’t plan it this way, it was kind of fitting that my last ride on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was exactly 16 years to the date from my first, during its first day of soft opening guest previews. I watched the track arrive in the staging land that now is Volcano Bay as I took the bus to high school every day. And at least once a week I’d visit Universal to document the construction progress, including the installation (and in some cases, removal and reinstallation) of each section of track. It wasn’t a particularly great coaster but it also wasn’t the worst. Some unique elements, and in the right seats, great airtime, all with the added benefit of a solid selection of default songs and a plentiful set list of hidden songs to Rockit through. The ride had a troubled start and a rocky lifespan but it was memorable enough. My favorite songs to listen to onboard were: Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk Float On by Modest Mouse Moving Right Along by The Muppets Crocodile Rock by Elton John Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger was the first song I ever experienced while riding and Float On closed out my final ride at the UOAP Nights event. Something bigger, better, more reliable is coming in to replace Rockit and I’m fine to see it go. I’m thankful for the memories (rocky at times as they may have been) and ready for something new to take a spin in its place…

Sawdust & Sand On my Day 4 of The Fair There were only two things I wanted to see on this visit to the PNE. The Farm Country Barns, which are really original buildings from very first PNEs. And the sand sculpture exhibit, behind the barns. And of course, another corn dog to enjoy. Near the main gate. A reminder of who was here first. Before colonization happened. Information about The Sanctuary, and where there used to be more PNE buildings. But, no more. Today's corn dog is from Coco's, which was in a new spot at The Fair. Along with a refreshing lemonade to enjoy as well. Dal Richards loved the PNE, and loved conducting Big Band music at the fair. He is missed. The PNE Express Train (trackless?) starting it's journey around The Sanctuary. We're riding it on Thursday. These buildings/barns haven't changed for decades. Not very busy today. Speaking of sawdust. A 'dusted' lama. Pony rides available for the young'uns. $!2 a ride. Um....? Where everybody was. For the noon running of the PIG RACES! I passed. Seen it all before. Early days. Every pigeon has it's own coop. C'mon, who doesn't love farm tractors? I was tempted, but chickened out. Maybe on Thursday, with David. Not exactly a "horse of a different colour," but still. It was something to look at. Kids Discovery Farm. Has some neat stuff for children to do, and enjoy. "Fresh Hot Chicks" under the heat lamp! Honey display. There was also a display of bees exiting the display via a tube, taking them outside to flowers to get pollinated, etc. Then they come back inside. The outside Warning Sign about the tube. Bunnies! Nice to get a different angled shot of the new Amphitheatre. Opening during next year's PNE. Self-explanatory. Who's organized it all. A-maze-ing! I get interrupted by the group from KC Bear's Party show passing by. They looked like they were enjoying the day. There is an upside down body in there. Truth! Bear love. Didn't see the little house in back, till now. This display is about as "Canadian" as you can get, eh? "Seals of Approval." I love it (not) that he's looking at his cellphone. A bit dark, but KC Bear says G'Bye! Also, Waste Not. Finally, a look at where the Prize Home used to be. Touring the actual house was great, then after the fair and the main draw, it was then moved to it's new location. Not any more. <sad> And that's it for this Tuesday visit, till tomorrow's visit with David.

my Day Number 3, at the PNE! Aug. 21 Was very early getting to The Fair, so besides seeing the Superdogs show, I took in one of the "Cultural Showcase" acts, this being a dance school in the city. There was some good spots, and other times, the HUGE stage just dwarfed what they were doing. But it was entertaining. The Superdogs show, this year called Wild, Wild, Woof! It's always a good time, but the antics and stunts, races etc. the dogs do, is pretty much the same every year. Even with different dogs after awhile, the show is still the same. But that's okay, Big place to show it this year, with plenty of seating for all. Before any of this, I did get my BBQ from Truckin' BBQ which started out last summer as a food truck, but now has expanded (literally) for better serving. The ribs were still awesome, as were the two sides (creamy slaw and corn bread). But - I was a little 'sticker shocked' at seeing the cost of this 'small meal'.... $50 Cdn - that's what? About $30 US? But I still got a lot of great food, and had to carry it home on the bus. Fun visit. Another visit, another "Win A House, Win A Car!" from the ticket kiosks. Me, too! And Thanks! All of it crocheted. Guess what I picked? The Metro Vancouver setup. It's mainly about how to separate and getting rid of ...waste. 'Nough said. Aren't seeing two cranes, a Japanese kind of good luck? Here we are! And I got the "Little Trucker" with the two sides, pulled pork, chcken, and four meaty ribs. And here it all is! So much of it, I had to take the 'leftovers' home on the bus. A fun ride. While eating, this was my view of the big BIG stage, From one of many, many Adirondack chairs. Another larger chair. For groups. <g> Only one boy doing the ballet numbers. And he was just as good as all the girls around him. Synchronicity = "Strike A Pose." Dancing With Red. IT was a fun number. This number was a bit more modern. Lots of squats, lol. What I called "The Sex Number". Loved the costumes. The number itself, was 'ok.' The rest of the boys, throwing fans here and there. Red ones, too. (my fave colour) Heading into the Agrodome for the Superdogs show. I was quite a distance from it all. Next year, a lot closer... Merch table. With $8 Frisbees. There was one in the entry lobby, too. I always enjoy how they do different things on the roof of the place. All moving slowly, too. Intro to the show. All the dogs are introduced to the audience. A pomeranian,taking it easy. The timed races. Ending with this to jump over. Notice that they added another rung to it? The dogs were really good at clearing it. Pretty good! With 7 rungs on it, there! A fan favourite. Weaving through the flag posts. Some dogs do it incredibly fast... And others just take their sweet time, lol. This is where the dogs race each other. Two teams: EeeHah! & YaHooo! I think EeeHah! won it all. Final bows. Wat I bought and brought back home with me. Couldn't resist... EAT ME! EAT ME! The other one reminds me of "Where The Wild Things Are," ... sort of.

On the way to The Fair, Day 3... When I catch the bus to go to the PNE, I see some interesting stuff along the one street (Victoria Dr) I walk. Here's a few photos of them... Starting from our house, on William St. Pardon the fuzziness. Across the street from us, there's a great pizza restaurant. Pricey, but good stuff. I've never seen a hedge, locally, trimmed this precisely. I mean, REALLY trimmed! Nice to see a rainbow here and there, along the way. Now, is this Cobalt Blue, or what?!! "I'll buy a "K". And I think I can solve the phrase!" It's a pretty messed up front yard, too. Made with drift wood, this is a nice rest spot. This is one of The Best Italian Grocery Stores in the city! Their Olive Oil section is a - may - zing! And as well, Bosa Foods has an 'Olive Bar,' big Deli, and just rows and rows of Italian foods. I always love this corner of Ferndale and Victoria Drive. Finally, another (of several) house with a lot of stuff in front. And greenery, too!

So for anyone who wants to know: 1) Called corporate. Waited on hold for about 15 minutes before it forced me to leave a message with the promise of a call back. Doubtful that will happen but hopefully, I will be wrong. 2) Called SFSTL where I had a conversation with a truly very nice and helpful guest relations woman. She was sympathetic but stated that they themselves have not been told about the food issue and as far as she knows SF has not decided on that issue yet for the memberships. She suggested that I use the chat feature on web site because then she would get a record of it and be able to pursue it with corporate. So, 3) I did that. Twice but was never able to connect to a live human despite being on hold on the chat waiting for one for 45 minutes. Although I did get an email from the same person I spoke to yesterday this morning. So I wrote a response that she can hopefully then pass up the line about how basically it is bs that they are announcing the changes without knowing all the changes, etc, etc This may all be completely for naught but as a troublemaking former social studies teacher that has more time on her hands than ever before I will continue to fight the man until I get an answer of die from exhaustion. Stay tuned. I'm double posting this on SFSTL thread since it's my home park and the SF corporate thread for maximum audience in case anyone else finds out anything.

Kings Island has announced that Boo Blasters on Boo Hill is permanently closing after September 1st, 2025 to make way for future development... https://www.visitkingsisland.com/rides-experiences/boo-blasters-on-boo-hill Guests will have until Monday, Sept. 1 to take their final rides on Boo Blasters on Boo Hill before its curtain is closed for good.

One more thing I want to do now that I've ridden every American B&M Hyper is rank them and also rank them based on what my wife calls them 1. Raging Bull, 2. Goliath, 3. Diamondback, 4. Nitro, 5. Thunder Striker, 6. Apollo's Chariot, 7. Mako, 8. Candymonium (if we're including gigas, Fury 325 would rank under Raging Bull and Orion would rank under Nitro for me). My wife is Nitro's #1 fan, so she calls each B&M Hyper the following: Bovine Nitro, Y'all Nitro, Snake Nitro, Nitro, Earnhardt Nitro (guess that needs a new one lol), Mythological Nitro, Shark Nitro, and Chocolate Nitro.

I would argue that point. A new Hyper would be in the 20 million range... Moving a Hyper, much much cheaper.

Twisted Colossus is now open. It could not have been a broken lift chain. The moose was lying!

Part 2 of Our PNE Visit.... David wanted to continue browsing through The Market, so I left him in there and went to try one of these S'Lucious boozy slushies. Mine was nice. I also had bought a $30 (cdn) Mystery Candy Bag in The Market. I'd open it later, when we got back home. Took a ride on the PNE Express Train, around (what's called) The Sanctuary park on the fairgrounds. It's a lovely 15-20 ride through the 'forest' and really refreshing with all the shade, there. After that, we headed into the barns to check out any new stuff there, for David and myself. And after that, our final task, to get some RIBS! And Prairie Smoke & Spice again did not disappoint. And then ... we ere done for our day there. A total of five hours, including taking the bus there and back. And I had visiting on Closing Day on Monday, to round out my 6 visits there. Where I headed, after leaving David in The Market. Flavours. With your choice of Tequila, Rum, or Vodka (1 oz,) and the slushie. I got a Pina Colada with rum in it. Also note the $30 (cdn) Mystery Candy Bag I bought, earlier. I think the kid's trying to figure out what this Big Green Thing is, that Daddy won. To the Sand Sculptures again (for me). I took a couple of extra shots, of these that were in the shade, before. Much more detail to be seen, now. After this, we headed to the Express Train ride. Speaking of which. It does go through a public part of The Fair. Good for waving to the public. Where we ended up sitting. A packed trainload, every time, we noticed. You can go into The Sanctuary on foot, but this train makes it so much easier to see most of it all. As for sounds from The Fair, you hardly notice any noise coming from beyond the trees. View from the bridge. It was a very nice, soothing ride. Even children on board tend to quiet down during this. David wanted some kettle corn, so we got one of these. It was caramel and apple kettle corn. Another view of the new-to-be amphitheatre's construction. In the Country Barns, we went to The Bees, first. I wanted to get a shot of the Dome where the little guys are all pollinating what was in the middle of it. The sugar feeder jar was there, because no flowers were there outside... ....of The Tube, when they exited the building for the flowers. And came back through it, for pollinating. Remember this? I checked behind it, and there were no flowers to get pollen from. Hence the sugar feeder jar inside. Really beautiful work horses. Is this what they call a "dappled horse"? I think so. Chickens with strange hair-dos, lol. Now, who would enjoy riding a Hot Pink Farm Tractor ? Then we headed to here for our annual PNE feed of BBQ. Busy, busy with all those racks of pork. Mmmm. What we got. Ribs, pulled pork and brisket, and creamy coleslaw. $50+ (cdn) And David got a Jumbo lemonade for us. Lots of meat to eat. And we took the 'leftovers' home with us. After we got back home, I opened the Mystery Candy Bag. And got all this. And plenty of kettle corn to enjoy, too. This is what Caramel Apple kettle corn looks like. Pretty good stuff. And that's it for this visit!

Our next-to-last day of the cruise was our final sea day onboard the Disney Treasure--a chance to enjoy the some more of the ship's many venues at a leisurely pace while savoring some of the best bites available. Palo Brunch is my favorite dining offering onboard. While it is an adult exclusive, additional-cost experience not included in the base cruise fare, it is absolutely worth the time and money. Everything you see on the above menu is included in an all-you-care-to-enjoy experience that is top notch! Elissa-friendly cheeses included! The brunch features some of the classic breakfast options like a mega Mickey Waffle... And fancy Eggs Benedict... But there's also lunch-ish options for those (like me) that would rather go for the savory, heavy options, like this fantastic Eggplant Rolatini. Palo's brunch Chicken Parmigiana (with a heavenly risotto below) is quite possibly one of the best things you could ever consume on a Disney ship. The traditional Lasagna Bolognese is amazing too! The Wild Mushroom Ravioli was right up my alley! And you can't go wrong with their pizzas and calzones! Don't forget to save room for dessert. Over in the Hero Zone, a live game was playing out like a human version of "Hungry, Hungry Hippos." Ever seen a DCL Keel Coin before? They had these replicas available to purchase onboard. Periscope Pub is one of the ship's themed lounges and becomes the vessel's sports bar when major sporting events are being televised. Inspired by Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the venue is filled with Disney details, some more subtle than others... The numbers on this gauge (5989, 5990, 687, 688, 705, 706 and 718) represent the hull numbers of each of the DCL ships in the fleet (plus one). This overhead display features the silhouette of fish and sharks overhead as time goes on... The image capture for this was recorded in the tank at The Seas with Nemo & Friends in EPCOT. I love the menu design! Look at these beer taps! I love this design. It wouldn't be a 20,000 Leagues lounge without a model of the Nautilus. Some very neat details line the shelves of the Periscope Pub... Lots of Jules Verne to be found throughout... Very unique details found within. "The Narwhal" features Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Cointreau, Lime, Orgeat and Ginger and it was very much my kind of drink. The Outis Daiquiri looked great too. Even the entryway is themed! I stepped outside to enjoy the sunset... It was dazzling. I enjoyed more opportunities to be a goofball. Our next night in Worlds of Marvel restaurant was the Marvel Celebration of Heroes. This is a new, second show for the venue that debuted with the Disney Treasure. Groot is hosting a celebration of heroes (as the title states) and while he prepares, the restaurant is filled with music from Peter Quill's Zune. They've got delicious skewers. And tuna poke! And pasta purseittes! Deadpool's first appearance on a DCL ship! Beef Wellington for the win! Can't go wrong with a rack of lamb! Wolverine!!! Dessert here was wonderful. Another new towel animal greeted us in our stateroom before the evening show. The Tale of Moana was our evening's show--a brand new retelling of the animated film's story brought to the stage at sea for the first time. The show was excellent! Very true to the original film with some clever staging, great sets and effects and even a new song brought in from the outtakes of the original album! Did I buy all of the Haunted Mansion Parlor sodas during my visit... Maybe... I finally sat in the chair! Tons of details hidden on this bookshelf... Haunted Mansion Parlor transforms throughout your visit in many, many different ways. There's a hidden drink on the menu that requires you to solve a Haunted Mansion-themed challenge to access... It is served on a very familiar piece... Very familiar indeed. Portraits in the Parlor are familiar to those found in the rest of the Haunted Mansion, but unique to this venue. They too transform over time. The ways they change vary throughout the evening... It wouldn't be the Haunted Mansion without some ghostly ballroom dancers floating around... Candle Man found (look it up)! Check out these beer tap handles! Haunted Mansion Parlor is not simply a lounge themed to the Haunted Mansion, but an extension to the Mansion itself. This door, the entrance to the venue on the ship, can actually be seen inside of the classic attraction's ballroom. We had some time to enjoy Jungle Cruise out on the Funnelvision... Another great day completed with one last day ahead of us!

This is my kind of update as I'm a huge Muppets fan. I'm sure there's going to be a ton of sight gags and jokey decor all around the queue and preshow and that will be the actual star of the show. The description makes the ride sound identical where it'll still be blacklight scenery with some Muppet updates. Personally I was hoping for a change in that regard, preferably something like Paris used to have before they butchered it into that Avengers ride. Either way, this sounds snazzy as hell and I'm excited to see all the details!

^ Speaking of TT2 one-shot FastLane's, here's some sound advice. Don't buy one through the Cedar Point app. The pass goes on your phone and of course, you can't bring your phone in, so they tell you to go to the TT2 gift shop. When you get there, they will tell you that they don't accept those and you'll have to go somewhere by Magnum. If it's close to park closing time, that location won't be open, and then you'll be told to go the Pagoda Gift Shop. By that time, we should have just waited in the standby line and saved $35. Lesson learned!

I figured I'd use this thread to recap my annual Jersey Jaunt last week. I almost didn't go after my car troubles on my way home from the Midwest and my bank account hates me for actually going, but it was a great time with excellent weather. Sunday 8/10: Six Flags Great Adventure and Gale Force On the way down I couldn't resist the magnetic pull of a quick ride on Toro and a few other things on my way to the shore. Started with Superman on the way in to check out the new footers being dug up and the absolute shithole that is the current Great Adventure boardwalk. I never ride this thing. Other than the pretzel loop it's a waste of time. Even with Flashpass it was a 20 minute process. It's making a weird metal on metal sound in the barrel roll, not sure why but I've never heard it before. After getting off Superman I made my way down the Boardwalk, past Green Lantern and the Parachutes before turning left towards the world's tallest coa....oh wait nevermind. I actually headed back to the other total disaster in the park which is Frontier Adventures. Log Flume closed, Mine Train closed, wanted to eat at Best of the West but closed. Absolutely nothing going on back there other than Medusa. And I really don't understand the rumors around it that have been coming up occasionally. Even with nothing else open within 1000 feet of this thing it had a big line. Glad I had Flashpass for this one. Back seat ride was excellent as always. I've ridden every Floorless east of the Mississippi and this is my favorite one, it just runs flawlessly with pretty good forces and is always a good time. Tackled the Bull next which was a walk on so no Flashpass needed here. Rode in the very back and it was running much better than when I rode in March. The track work in the turns has helped tremendously. I didn't even get a headache. The pacing feels better like the old days also. Rode this twice, why not when it's running so well. Had dinner at Yum Yum. Chicken was good, but if I didn't have my dining pass and bottle it would've been over $60 for two small plates of chicken fingers, a side, and a drink. Insane. Had to hit the road but a quick check of the Flash Flashpass line looked good so I hopped on real quick. Rode in back, it's good fun but after riding Sirens Curse it definitely feels a bit lackluster. Headed out for Ocean City and walked around on the boardwalk for a bit and also stopped into Castaway Cove for my annual Gale Force ride. The queue house was full and it was a good 30 minute line but this ride is so kick ass. I had just ridden El Toro 3 or 4 hours prior and you know...I think Gale Force is a better coaster. The ejector over every hill is insane, then there's bone crushing positives, and meanwhile it is glass smooth. I know it was a shitshow when it opened but it's really too bad that more of these were never built. Even though they removed the unique Squadron 33, I liked how they moved things around inside the park and it feels less crowded in now. The Bumper Cars are right next to the Gale Force queue which adds some entertainment. Monday 8/11: Watch the Tramcar Please After a day of bar hopping (Stubborn Bros might be my new favorite place in Wildwood), swimming, and indulging in lots of pizza, I ended up getting a wristband for $34 that was valid from 9:30-11:30. While it was a bit of a rush for those two hours, I rode most of what I wanted to. I started on Surfside which unfortunately had a closed Noreaster and a broken down Atmosfear. Rode Zoom Phloom which was excellent as always. Also rode It which is kind of overrated IMO but still a lot of fun with the lapbars. While I was waiting for Atmosfear to open I rode Doo Wopper to kill time. This thing sucks. It's slow and it has no airtime hills that its cousins have. I sat on a bench by the exit of the flume and watched Atmosfear test over and over. It's my favorite drop tower and if it was gonna open then I wanted to wait for it. Apparently I was within view of the guest service window and a guy, totally unsolicited, walked out and was like "I saw your Velocicoaster shirt...I'm sorry about the maintenance issues we're having tonight!" and handed me a coupon for a free wristband. I didn't have to sit around waiting for one ride, there was plenty else to do, but it was really awesome of the guest service guy to just come out and do that. Definitely will use it next summer! Anyway, after probably 15-20 tests the tower finally opened and I got my excellent ride! Unfortunately by then the clock was working against me as it was almost 11:00. Had to walk by Mariner's Pier and the world's best boomerang and went to ride my favorite Screaming Swing. Got a zen ride on it, excellent ride as always. It's not that big compared to some parks, but it's location flying out over the pier and the beach is really awesome. Finished up with 4 Great White rides which they kept running 15 minutes past closing, sweet! The millennium flyers feel like they don't pace quite as well as the old PTCs but it's still a really good ride and always fun to get night rides on this thing. Tuesday 8/12: Steel Pier and a mall Ferris Wheel on the ride home. After poking around Wildwood a little more in the AM, we started our way back up the Parkway, stopping into Atlantic City as I became aware that Steel Pier has a new credit and one of those insane Tropical Storm rides. First off, this city feels absolutely f*cking depressing after being in the much more lively shore towns to its south. Anyway, it was $4 ride day at Steel Pier (as opposed to the usual $16 per ride). Rode the new spinning mouse which is very similar to the old one except it absolutely sucks. It's trimmed to death and they also insist that you sit in the middle to balance the cars, so it doesn't really spin. What a shitty coaster. Tropical Storm though...insane. It spins almost uncomfortably fast, though thankfully it does it in spurts. I'm glad I got to ride one, I don't think there has been another one in America since Castaway Cove got rid of theirs 6 or 7 years ago. Not as insane as Scat at Bay Beach, but still a good time. On the way home, after driving past Palisades Park Mall hundreds of times in my life, we finally stopped in to ride the Ferris Wheel and check out the mall. The wheel was cool but weird for sure. Basically they meant to order their food court Carousel and f*cked up and ended up ordering a Ferris Wheel instead. It gets super hot up near the ceiling. The rest of the mall is huge, definitely a nice place. I didn't do anything else but they have Go Karts and even one store is just Bumper Cars.

Opening Day at the PNE Aug.16th It was reported that we were going to get as much rain as we did, the day before, which was a monsoon of wetness! So I packed a small umbrella, and hoped for the best. It didn't rain,. though. At - all. And the sun came out when I was leaving the fair. <sighs> Oh well. Opening Day was just a walk through for myself. Didn't see any shows or go through any buildings, with displays, etc. And I finished it up by having my first corn dog of The Fair. Whole visit took me just over an hour, which was fine. This is a main entrance into The Fair, which I would normally go through.... But I had to turn left and head way down to the other end of the fairgrounds, to pick up my tickets. "The BIG Backyard". Well, okay then! Had a lot of sports stuff for the kids - including an ice rink for hockey! I was impressed. After getting my tickets (long story not worth telling), I was headed for the BLUE GATE entry. Like last year's Fair. Met with a sort of 'mall of stalls' with Indigenous made things to buy. And opposite this... Was the Roadhouse Patio & Bar.... ...Where these two shows were playing. I'm so glad that the PNE is supporting the drag community, here. While the new amphitheatre is going up (opening next summer) the Nightly Concerts are here in the Coliseum. Noted. Looking down the Main Entry path. And the start of many, many food trucks! The main entry into The BIG Backyard. And with it, the Italian Gardens in the back, there. Our fave BBQ spot for ribs, etc. We will be getting some of it all, eventually. Back end corner of The Marketplace building. I'll probably go through it this coming Tuesday. Tuesday. The Metro Vancouver display. An annual thing at The Fair. Worth checking out what's what in the city. The main stage for Cultural Showcase stuff. along with special event things. Always gets a big crowd thru the day. Where the dog show moved to, the Agrodome. It's sad that equestrian competitions, the knights show, and other "country related" stuff has been dropped, just for the dog show. Hopefully, when the new amphitheatre opens next year, these things will come back, and the other stuff move back to where they originally were. Ooooooo. Last year this ribs place was selling from their food truck. Now they've gotten 'a bit bigger.' The "barns" are still there, with the Pig Races, honey displays, and a lot of farm stuff 'games' for the kids. More and more food trucks down this corridoor . Where I saw this... Yep. Complete with Takoyaki: squid balls - how Japanese of them. But no. Not for myself. Just before I reached Playland. Here is the PNE EXPRESS train that travels in and around our green space, the Sanctuary. I'll be riding it another day. A Fairs-Eye view of the amphitheatre. And in front, the high dive water tank, for shows during the day. Good to see that Keepers Doll Factory haunt house will be open again. Along with Playland's Haunted Mansion, these are two pretty good haunt houses at The Fair. Here we are. Coaster in action. The Beast attacking Coaster. My first corn dog, of The Fair. What one can buy here at Coaster Dogs. What I got. A plain old corn dog, with a nice cold beer from one of the Drink Huts in Playland. And they were both great! After my little snack, I left the PNE through the Playland gate. Till Tuesday, then!

If the cherry picker was under 100 feet, yes. That's the clutter zone where radar can't differentiate between terrain and objects.

...or their FAQs. It's important to know there will be no blockout dates in 2022.

It's been pouring rain, all day today. Haven't had this much fall, in well over three weeks. Badly needed, as we have forest fires on our Vancouver Island, needing attention i.e. RAIN. Hopefully that`s happening now. But, I was planning to hit Playland, the very last day (i.e. today) of it`s current season. But a no go, from me. So here are the photos I took this past Wednesday at the park. Add to that a 'deal' they announced with Two-For-One admissions available. And at my arrival at the park, the ticket kiosks were already shut down, with the "Park Is Full" sign posted outside. It was very scarce with people out front, but once I got in side .... it was amazing how packed it was! The only ride I went on, the West Coast Wheel, took a half hour to board. Unheard of, in previous park visits! Pretty shocking, and I remember that PNE visitors to Playland don't have lineups like these. Anyway... Tomorrow is Opening Day of The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE to you and me). There's a small chance of rain, for a short period of time. Hopefully... It looked very non-busy in the entry plaza, and not seeing the "Park Full" signs there, too WTF??? And that family in the middle there, are at the end of the Swinger queue! Eep. Coaster was an immediate no-go, from where I saw it. Huge lineup for The Beast. I have no idea where the queue started! Whee. Noted. A look at how the new Amphitheater construction is going. Another view, from another angle. My one ride for the day, there. Wierd AtmosFEAR shot. Lineups everywhere! The Twins looking good, from here. PNE stuff popping up here and there. The big Sanctuary Park is behind all this. I still have no idea ..... A Coaster shot, with the single train in operation. (Sorry I might not be riding it, any more.) Even that kids' drop tower in back, had a huge lineup. I mean, really??? Enterprise UP! One more shot of it, for today. Bought the regular size popcorn. A dollar cheaper than large. And it fills the bucket with 'extra' to enjoy. Nice. I was not expecting this, at the Triple O's. Too - many - people. So I skipped this. And one last Coaster shot for today. Followed by a Starbucks visit, which was strangely empty compared to ...'that park'. <shudders> PNE OPENING DAY TOMORROW!!!

even if she didn't want to ride much, it's amazing you got her on Siren's Curse, Gatekeeper, Valraven, and Maverick (the biggest and "scariest" coasters in the park for non-enthusiasts). there is ZERO chance I'd get my bf on Siren's (that tilt), GK (hanging off the sides with nothing underneath? no way), or Valraven (looking straight down? nope, he'd faint). so great job on that, and glad you enjoyed it.

So for anyone who wants to know: 1) Called corporate. Waited on hold for about 15 minutes before it forced me to leave a message with the promise of a call back. Doubtful that will happen but hopefully, I will be wrong. 2) Called SFSTL where I had a conversation with a truly very nice and helpful guest relations woman. She was sympathetic but stated that they themselves have not been told about the food issue and as far as she knows SF has not decided on that issue yet for the memberships. She suggested that I use the chat feature on web site because then she would get a record of it and be able to pursue it with corporate. So, 3) I did that. Twice but was never able to connect to a live human despite being on hold on the chat waiting for one for 45 minutes. Although I did get an email from the same person I spoke to yesterday this morning. So I wrote a response that she can hopefully then pass up the line about how basically it is bs that they are announcing the changes without knowing all the changes, etc, etc This may all be completely for naught but as a troublemaking former social studies teacher that has more time on her hands than ever before I will continue to fight the man until I get an answer of die from exhaustion. Stay tuned. I'm double posting this on SFSTL thread since it's my home park and the SF corporate thread for maximum audience in case anyone else finds out anything.

With media seemingly reporting every single time a coaster gets stuck on a lift hill and forcing people to evacuate down the stairs (looking at you, Siren's Curse), I can't imagine something like evacuating riders from a log flume VIA A CHERRY PICKER going completely under the radar like that. They have always typically shut Log Flume down around Labor Day in recent years, and given all the recent budget cuts and spending concerns, it's probably far more likely they just decided to up the date by a couple weeks.

The next morning we woke up in the port of Falmouth, Jamaica. I'd been to Falmouth a few times before and wanted to have a casual day onboard, especially knowing the weather outside was going to be questionable throughout the day... On the opposite side of the port from the Disney Treasure was the Celebrity Ascent. While it's certainly a choice design-wise, I do think the concept of a bar that can travel up and down the side of the ship to near-water level is a unique feature for sure. Sometimes you just need to sit on the deck with fresh tacos and enjoy a movie on the Funnelvision. In the Grand Hall, guests had a chance to participate in a Jungle Cruise themed game. During the day there were some additional Photopass opportunities with some great Marvel props in the Worlds of Marvel restaurant. Yes, I am a goofball. That night was host to one of my favorite Disney Cruise Line dinner menus (which we'd had on other ships in the past). Can't go wrong with the Oysters Rockefeller! This might have been one of three lobster tails I had on this night... It might have been. Creme brûlée for the win! Grapefruit cake for good measure. 1923 has some of the best sundaes found on the ship! Another fun towel animal greeted us in our stateroom after dinner. I was very excited to find out that Mickey's Color Spin Dance Party had been added to the schedule for our sailing. We experienced it previously on the Disney Dream European Cruise and I was eager to see how the show could translate to the larger deck staging on the Disney Treasure. Also as a lighting geek, I was fawning over the awesome way the upper deck transformed to match the party's many colors. The party features lots of color, characters and dancing! Popular music is featured alongside pop-y takes on classic Disney songs for a really fun and dynamic show. Max joins the show midway through for an awesome performance of I2I. Hi Elissa! Mickey's Color Spin Dance Party has become one of my favorite entertainment offerings across the DCL fleet and I was very happy to experience it again here. What a fun way to close out another great day aboard the Disney Treasure!

^ I highly, HIGHLY recommend a trip to CDMX to get this deal, check out this excellent park, and fall in love with the city. It quickly, and I mean QUICKLY, jumped to the top of my "favorite places to visit" list and I intend on returning soon.

Well the GAdv coaster to 2027 thing already seemed to be a budget move - a reasonable 2026 opening was still possible with them pouring footers in August. The problem is they’ve left that park in a sorry state of affairs so keeping it in that state is only going to make it worse. And it’s likely responsible for a large amount of the attendance drop as it is. I’m a bit shocked they decided to abandon a 2026 open for it considering the importance of replacing TWO coasters. There’s also a non-zero chance that political issues surrounding import costs and international tourism collapse play into this too. The thing is I could still see them investing in dining upgrades. Potentially even fast tracking them. PS: I’m about 90% sure RMC uses imported steel. And with domestic steel production experiencing a factory explosion I’d expect domestic steel’s already paltry market sheet to fall even more. It’s a bad time to build coasters. PPS: I understand how taboo that topic is. But the drastically increased costs of building rides cannot be ignored.

Even though it’s disappointing to see something that was once including costing extra now, I much prefer this as an alternative to what some other parks do where they close the park at 5 or 6 and you can’t stay for the rides without an event ticket.

The park updated the hours and it looks like closing day will be November 30 (Thanksgiving weekend) so I guess I can give them kudos on letting us keep November. I figured at best we were getting through Veterans Day weekend. I enjoy visiting the park in November, usually in the 50s or 60s and there's still some late foliage left by then. Frightfest crowds gone. It's a nice time to go.

Day 12: Six Flags Darien Lake and then my ride home turned to shit The day started well enough, the weather turned to showery and cool which was a welcome change from the ridiculous heat and humidity of the past 7 days. Arrived at the park to a slowly building crowd due to an incoming Kesha concert. It was my first time at the park since 2003 when I was 12 and we did a CP trip when TTD opened. First stop was Tantrum which was about a 20 minute wait running 1 car (everything here only runs 1 train). Much smoother than Rock Bottom Plunge which I rode on Saturday, but the layout was extremely short and sort of meh. Lots of positive G's to start but that may be the shortest coaster I can think of. Moved over to Mind Eraser which was a station wait. Happy to see the new SLC trains. It tracked okay, some slight jackhammering but not terrible. Good enough ride. Next was Viper which was another station wait but it's a large, deep station that was pretty full, so about a 20 minute wait. Rode in row 2 and it's still a fun ride with a cool layout, but the entry to the boomerang and the corkscrews offered a few clocks to the jaw. Far from the worst Arrow I've ridden this trip! Continued along to the Motocoaster. About a 25 minute wait. Got the front row. This has a surprisingly punchy launch, TT2 would be jealous. The layout is lame and the bikes aren't the most comfortable things, but the kids must love this thing. Did the bizarre act of exiting the park through Darien Square just to re-enter a few hundred feet away, but headed over to Predator next, about 15 mins for back seat. This thing used to get lots of hate but they titan tracked the living crap out of it. Most of the ride is glass smooth now. The layout has a lot of fun drops and turns but I hate that the last leg before the turn into the station offers no good airtime hills, mostly just straight track. Final ride of the day and trip was Superman...err...Ride of Steel. 10 minute wait for row 2. Was nice to ride this with comfortable lapbars. Awesome ride to end the trip! Very enjoyable day. Between the weather, relatively uncrowded park, and the relaxed atmosphere (and the fact that NOTHING BROKE DOWN) it was a nice rebound from the Cedar Point shitshow. Shortly after leaving my battery light came on in my car. Took it to AutoZone in Rochester and it's the alternator. I need to be at work at 6:45am, so I had to rent a car at Rochester Airport and had my car towed to a garage which I then have to pick up when it's ready (likely after work tomorrow) so that's a fun added expense and a huge hit to getting a good night's sleep at home tonight before returning to work, should be home by 2:30. If this happened any other day on the trip it wouldn't have been a big deal at all. Might have put the nail in the coffin on my Wildwood trip in August.

I am heading there the weekend of Aug 15-17th. After missing out on Astroworld's closing 20 YEARS ago, I vowed not to miss out on any other park and coaster closings. On the flip side, not making a special trip to Six Flags America since I've been there 3X, and every visit was worse the prior one.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info. I ,for one, do hope that something big will come SFSTL's way. If S:ROS is to be relocated then hopefully it will come to this park.

The next day at sea was a relaxing one with time spent in the ship's pools, and enjoying activities onboard. But the day was less important than the night because it was the always-anticipated Pirates Night onboard! Pirates in the Caribbean is a staple Disney Cruise Line offering across the fleet, and there's plenty to enjoy about it when experienced on the Disney Treasure... Some of my favorite art on the ship can be found along the side of Disney's Oceaneer Club. On the Disney Treasure (and the Disney Wish), guests can access the Disney On Demand content normally found on the stateroom TVs from their phones while connected to the ship's WIFI. Even better, this service is absolutely free! Watching a Muppets film during a Disney Cruise is kind of a tradition of ours at this point. Pirates Dinner is hosted in every rotational dining venue on Pirates Night. The samosa is one of my favorite items! The seafood pasta is my go-to entree during Pirates Dinner. Tia Dalma's Jerk Chicken is a great option for the less adventurous eaters. Can't forget dessert! What a delicious and refreshing ofrenda! Mickey & Minnie's Pirates in the Caribbean is the first of two entertainment experiences offered during Pirates Night! Mickey and the gang come out to teach guests how to serve as a proper pirate crew. The show is exceptionally cute! The show is interrupted by Captain Hook who arrives to put Mickey's new pirate crew to the test. A must visit! Another great towel animal! The second of the entertainment offerings during Pirates Night is the Pirate's Rockin' Parlay Party. Captain Redd and her pirate crew come out to sing and dance to rock and roll tunes. The show is a great time! And there's ;yro! Action shot! One of the highlights of a Disney Cruise for sure. But wait, there's more! Of course Captain Jack Sparrow arrives to kick off the fireworks. And it is quite a show, especially for one being performed live at sea. After Pirates Night activities ramped down, I snuck away to Hook's Barbery, a barbershop by day and a speakeasy bar at night... On this night I did the Premium Whiskey Reserve tasting experience. The five pours are well worth more than the $100 price of admission! Just outside the lounge is this awesome art piece inspired by Luca. And it is filled with lots of hidden details if you look closely enough! The night came to a close after this experience but there were still a few more nights ahead of us.

If they do decide to relocate S:ROS then I would definitely want to see it go to SFSTL. The park is in desperate need of a major new attraction, even if it's relocated from another park.

Um, what? CF has historically had NO issues relocating coasters. Off the top of my head: Stealth (CGA)->Nighthawk (CW) X-Flight (GL)->Firehawk (KI) Invertigo (CGA)->Stinger(DP) Dominator (GL)->Dominator(KD) Head Spin (GL)->Flying Cobras (CW) Steel Venom (GL)->Possessed (DP) Thunderhawk (GL)->Thunderhawk (MI) Most of those were relocations from a park they owned and closed (Geauga Lake) to other parks in the chain. There is no reason to think that moving a coaster from SFA to any other park is off the table for that reason. If anything, I'd say it's substantially cheaper to relocate an existing ride, especially given the current tariff situation going on.

Hit Dollywood yesterday. I had been there once before in summer 2020 (Covid time). I forget how pretty the park is: they have done a great job preserving so many trees and greenery (except for by Big Bear Mountain - see below!). It's just lovely to walk through those hills and among those trees and not really be able to see what's around the bend. Super friendly customer service, but slow ops, especially on Mystery Mine (the one ride that could use quick ops!). They could take a lesson or two from Holiday World. Very solid, diverse coaster line-up. Couple observations: Thunderhead. Wow! I don't remember being as impressed by first trip, but I friggin' LOVED this ride. It was mostly a walk-on and so I got about 7-8 rides on it. Not a bad seat to be found, although I preferred the front end (and I am normally a back of the train rider.). Fantastic layout. It sustains speed the whole time, with great curves and transition. Tons of air, including a glorious sustained floater moment on a low profile speed bump near the end (after the station fly-by and left turn). And it was running GREAT. Super smooth, but still forceable. Don't know what Dollywood or the designer has done, but this thing runs gloriously. My favorite ride at the park. Mystery Mine. Horrific operations. 3 people to check 8 shoulder harnesses and they still stacked 5 trains repeatedly -- because they were having conversations, not running the ride. Love the theme. Love the song. Really enjoyed the ride, even though Gerst stuff feels "junky" to me -- I can't believe they spent $17.5M on it in 2006(?), even if the theming? But very effective drop and ending. Fun. Keep your head back. Lightning Rod. Had it's unusual downtime, but got about 6 rides in when it opened. It's a great ride, and I can't remember the changes in the track - felt the same to me. It's a great layout, I always love dropping into that valley and seeing the track in there, and the quad down and ending is just epic, out of control greatness. There IS a big of kink after the second drop, but not terrible. But, as good and relentless as it is, I found myself enjoying Thunderhead more. That surprises me. The Arrow Looper whose name I forget. Oh wait, Ten. Tornado! I thought it was excellent. Love the drop into the tunnel and that MASSIVE loop. A bit short, but very smooth, and had that Arrow charm from my youth. Big smiles for that one. Big Bear Mountain. Really fun, but I think my expectations were too high. Fun, great addition to make the line-up diverse, but didn't blow me away, although the second half was especially fun. Although the interior is well themed, I am really surprised that a park with such great beauty around everything, let this entire coaster sit on an open plot of grass and dirt -- it just looked open and barren. The ride would look amazing if they surrounded it with trees, which would really increase the sense of speed and surprise. Puzzling. BTW, the building for next year's attraction looks HUGE.

In their defense, SF did keep Monster Mansion at SFoG operating wonderfully, even pre-merger. And yes, it is going in the Boo Blasters building, which is where the original Phantom Theater ride was.

While I get Six Flags doesn't own the park directly, isn't it still part of the Six Flags chain since they manage the park? I think it could be a good opportunity for them to relocate something like Joker's Jink to the park since they still manage it at least.

Did the Moose out front tell you?

Disney has shared new details about the new magic coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad when it reopens at Walt Disney World in 2026! https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/new-magic-coming-to-big-thunder-mountain-railroad-at-disney-world/ Howdy, pardners… you folks oughta keep all hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the train, ‘cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness! In 2026, the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with new magic – and today, we have new details to share about what to expect the next time you take to the tracks in search of adventure. There’s Gold in That There Mountain The story of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad dates back to Olden Times, or rather, Golden Times, during the early days of America’s first major gold rush. When Barnabas T. Bullion struck gold in the Big Thunder region, he saw a future full of riches and hustled to start the Big Thunder Mountain Company. However, them shiny dreams rarely come without a cost, and Bullion quickly found himself in a battle with the forces of nature and in a whole heap of trouble. One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening. Machines failed. Cave-ins shut mines down. No matter how deep the miners dug into the heart of the mountain, the forces of Big Thunder fought back. And when the attraction reopens next year, the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get. Shine and Polish on a Magic Kingdom Classic The mountain attractions at Disney Parks around the globe are iconic for a reason – they are beloved by fans old and new for the stories they tell, the thrills they give, and the memories they make. The rumblin’, rollin’ fun of Big Thunder Mountain here at Disney World is currently undergoing a mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come. New Magic Thunderin’ In In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with new magic for fans to discover. One such moment comes when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling). The Rainbow Caverns certainly are beautiful… but they ain’t as friendly as they first appear. In fact, that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign that we ain’t welcome. There’s more new magic for guests to discover once Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns in 2026, but you’ll need to hang on to your hats and keep an eye out on the Disney Parks Blog for more news, comin’ soon! Disney has also released a first look at The Beak and Barrel, the new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern opening this week at Magic Kingdom Park! https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/the-beak-and-barrel-photos-and-details/ Ahoy mateys! Let’s raise a toast to The Beak and Barrel, officially open to sailors of all ages starting August 29, 2025. This “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed tavern at Magic Kingdom Park will unite swashbucklers and buccaneers alike from across the Seven Seas to enjoy seaworthy sips and snacks while being immersed in the pirate life! To get ready for yer experience, I’m here to tell ye the tale of all the fantastical details to be found in this here tavern, giving you a ‘sneak beak’ into the space … if you will. So drop anchor and get ready for yer next adventure! Aaarr ye ready? I know I am! The Mess The first large and lively space ye’ll find is The Mess, so named as it was once a mess hall for Spanish soldiers before it was claimed and repurposed by a cunning crew of pirates. Be sure to look up as ye enter to see a ship’s bell. Rumor has it this bell was from Captain Redd’s first ship gifted to Merry at the tavern’s founding. Some say they’re close friends, or perhaps fierce rivals. Ye’ll also see long tables perfect for pirates to gather ’round and tell tall tales. A hefty old anchor covered in candles makes for a fine chandelier. Ye will also see the detailed Mermaid Windows to ye side, salvaged from the wreckage of an infamous pirate ship, caked with barnacles and filled with mystery. At the far end of the room, the dark corner known as The Brig still bears the bars and framework of its past life – though the door rests nearby, pried off its hinges long ago. Should ye find yourself seated here, best mind your manners … for some say the walls remember every rascal they’ve kept. Cursed Bar Brimming with an impressive collection of rare bottles and prized spoils kept behind lock and key, the massive skull-shaped bar – anchored to the side of The Mess – is the eye-catcher of the space and has heard many, many shanties sung in its shadow. At its heart rests the Enchanted Rum Bottle, an ornate bottle of grog, which sits in a place of honor in its own special cove. Gifted by a powerful enchantress, the tavern’s barrels and the pirates’ cheer will never run dry as long as the bottle stays full. Let’s hope ye won’t be left asking, “Why is the rum gone?” Perched atop the bar, Rummy welcomes patrons and keeps an eye on the crew, quick with a story, joke, or song as he wobbles out from his main roost in the hollow of the skull’s eye. Captains’ Quarters As ye step into the Captains’ Quarters, expect a taste of the finer life. Once the private residence of the Spanish Comandante, its walls were lined with grand artwork and rich drapery. Yet time – and the rowdy hands of pirates – have left their mark with slashing blades and hot embers. In the center of The Captains’ Quarters, an elegant fireplace provides a warm glow, and atop the mantel rests miniature ships in glass bottles. Yet ye need to be on the lookout, as these here small vessels are known to come alive and engage in a fearsome bottle-bound battle for any who dare to watch. Captains’ Booths Along the wall, find four grand booths with intricately carved wooden panels. Each booth tells stories of the exploits of notorious pirates, whose legends still echo across the seas. Tucked further in the space, venture into a private sitting room where pirates partake in their favorite games of skill and chance. Ye may spy the telltale signs of past matches … and perhaps a warning for any bandits thinkin’ of bending the rules. Mapmaker’s Room The Mapmaker’s Room is filled to the brim with rolled up maps, pieces of parchment, spilled ink and many treasured secrets that belonged to a (some may say) crazed pirate cartographer. Now, pirates gather round the sprawling worktable in the center of the room, where the Mapmaker would have spread out his tools and set to work. On the adjacent wall is a large painted map of the known pirating world, with many pirating secrets to be discovered … will ye be the one to bring them to light? Arrgh, now that’s not all! There is so much to discover, so much that no matter how many times ye visit The Beak and Barrel, yer experience will differ! Are me fellow pirates hungry and curious to learn more about the grog and grub served up at The Beak and Barrel? Take a gander at the First Look on Disney Parks Blog. Ready for a jolly good time? Reservations for The Beak and Barrel are highly recommended. Keep a weather eye open for reservations on yer My Disney Experience app or visit DisneyWorld.com.

This hasn't been shared yet, but considering this massive amount could it be possible that this isn't just a waterpark expansion? Here's what I'm thinking. Next year for 2026 the new water park opens with new entrance, name, and slide complexes. The park celebrates its 50 year anniversary, and teases something bigger coming our way. Then in 2027 we get a new coaster plus a celebration of VF's 50th operating year. Cedar Point did something similar for their 150th from what I recall so I wouldn't be surprised if this is what they end up doing for VF.

I cannot say why for certain the website makes these statements, but I believe it’s the problem of having to explain legacy parks and that the systems are not truly merged, and it will work at these parks, but not these parks. It is easier to just give warnings even if they are complete garbage. But I can answer your question. I purchased a new 2026 Kings Island pass, activated it as part of the purchase by uploading a picture. Then drove to Cedar Point and used it there, before it was used at Kings Island. The pass worked perfectly, as did the add-ons. So yes my new pass from a legacy Cedar Fair park worked fine at other legacy Cedar Fair parks, without visiting the park it was purchased from, and the add-ons even worked.

Hey as Bert said that's pretty good for a non-enthusiast. I ride almost everything with my son but I'm the one that got him involved in the first place so Kudos to Mom's everywhere. We've been to CP many times but my son was there on Monday 7/28 which turned out to be the recent and already infamous flood day. He was at a weekend event in Columbus with some non-enthusiast but willing friends so they went up just for the day. However, unlike good old Mom here they were late getting going not understanding his pleas to get there early and be first in line to get in and beat the rope drop crowd to at least one of the new coasters. They took so much time getting in, doing SC and TT2, and grabbing food that was all they had done when the storm hit and they were then trapped in Millie's station for 4 hours. Only had about 2 hours after that so just got on a couple other rides. Although good on the park for opening up anything at that point I guess. His opinion is SC was great but as a huge fan of the original TTD he was not at all enthused about TT2...............thought it was horribly slow and declared no need to every wait in a line for it. Said if it was basically a walk on then sure he would ride again but won't cry if it's a one and done for him. Just reporting, don't kill the messenger, lol.

Wait, so the Flume has been closed since mid-June, not this week when they removed the listing? I misunderstood - haven't been to the park since 2019 (and likely won't for a few more).

I’m not sure what the per park attendance is I don’t think they released that in the call. But I’d still wager the bulk of the loss is indeed at Great Adventure. That was an avoidable collapse - people have very much noticed the ride closures. That’s not necessarily an issue with the merger itself because Cedar Fair was already doing this in their own parks, but instead overzealous cost cutting with the company in general. We know Wonderland numbers are up the park itself wanted to brag on it. The drop is probably heavily concentrated in the 2-5 US parks with the highest typical international visitor counts. Make of it what you will the 2 closest to DC saw a closure and the removal of Winterfest respectively - plus the NYC and LA coasters being pushed to 2027, those are three huge international tourist markets. And those rides plus the Carowinds water ride are rumored to be imported from Mack and Vekoma which now will have increased import costs. Meanwhile the only newly announced ride is in Mexico, not the US, where import costs and tourism haven’t changed. That could have easily have originally been planned as another Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers. SFOT’s dive is already largely fabricated, and is fabricated in Ohio. I wouldn’t be surprised if only that, Mexico and the Canadian parks received 2026 rides. PS: Given the current climate it’s also not surprising that IF tariffs and tourism are the reasons for the changes they’d choose to not announce that as the reason. Companies have been attacked for calling those factors out.

^ looking forwards to hanging out with ya Sat. Night at Fiesta!

These days I don't see how you do a new hyper under $25M. Not even a Chance hyper. Moving Superman could be half that.

The latest from that thread is "close to opening but still actively working on things." I realized that I could have said that in my other reply LOL.

Ahh, okay ... that's when the Mules make their debut. Good deal!

On weekdays, there's a sign that the queue closes as early as 9pm. For my 2 days at the park this week, it closed at 9 on Tuesday, about 9:30 on Wednesday. Standby hovered around 2 hours all day. FL+ 30-45 minutes. And standby is mostly uncovered. Side note: AlpenFury was my 300th coaster.

Don't fuck it up...