Zen Coaster

Just so you Aussie TPR people know, right now on Foxtel's Arena, they're replaying one of the episodes Ellen did from Universal Islands of Adventure (and perhaps on the Austar equivalent too). Saw these months ago but they showed lots from the ride. Today's episode has Ellen & John Stamos (Jesse from Full House) going on Duelling Dragons etc. EDIT: Had to love the game of Rollercoaster Musical Chairs with chairs from The Incredible Hulk

Wow. Looks absolutely amazing. After the midwest trip (not before as I'll be hitting SoCal parks with Allison Alvarez & her brother), I will definitely be headed to Dollywood to check this sucker out. Thanks to both of you for giving us a good idea of the ride and its theming but not revealing any of the surprises.

Supremely pleased to hear that, Dave... congratulations! Welcome to a run of long sleepless nights, nappy changing and being covered in/wiping up puke... but at least you didn't have to go through the pregnancy too as a mother At the end of the day though it's all going to be worth it when you can hit all those kiddie credits. Will your partner and baby be attending the midwest trip/addon?

I have the poster and the movie on DVD too. FD3's what it's meant to...a mindless bit of fluff. While the rollercoaster sequence could have been a lot better, it's still fun to watch and I would have loved to be an extra for that part in the movie.

Congratulations! I just happened to glance at the calendar and was completely caught by surprise. 03/03 too, well done (I'm 05/05!). Will make it easy for people to remember her birthday - indeed, for her to remember her own when she's old and crotchety and Grandma to KidTums 3. Glad to hear she's happy and healthy & it's a good name you have chosen. Wishing her a long, happy and healthy life... all the best to all of you. Looking forward to meeting her in Spain. I'll definitely bring a few goodies for her. Now I just need to work out how to smuggle both a baby kangaroo and baby koala out of the country... that way she can have Aussie animal foster brothers... Can't wait to hear the story of how Robb almost missed the birth either.

It's funny because it's true... lost count of the number of times in the USA that Mum and I have been asked if we're British. Being Bert would be awesome, I'm such a longtime Mary Poppins fan. I could give it that Aussie twist. CHIM-CHIMINEY CHIM-CHIMINEY CHIM-CHIM-CRIKEY! A SWEEP IS AS BONZA AS BONZA CAN BE CHIM-CHIMINEY CHIM-CHIMINEY CHIM-CHIM KANGAROO! GOOD LUCK SHALL A-FALL WHEN I DRINK BEER WITH YOU...

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. I would assume that we'd need to demonstrate, at the very least, an ability in GenAm (non-region-specific American accent). Doubt we would have to sound European. But yeah, I don't think the Aussie accent would cut it somehow! I'm not bad... something I will be able to get really good at. I think a Prince Croc Hunter would be hilarious though Does anybody have good links to such park shows/parades so I could look at the movements before the day? I think I have some on my Magic Kingdom '05 footage but would have to see. -- Tony "Throw another hor d'oeuvre on the barbie, my good man!" Teulan

On Saturday my local capital city has auditions for singers, dancers, prince/princess lookalikes for Tokyo Disneyland. I'll be going for a prince/hero lookalike role. Apparently, we have to 'resemble the Characters in look, height, and personality; have a positive attitude and good speaking voice.' and that we 'will be put through a movement combination as a part of the audition'. I'm not quite sure which character I look like (though my friend Lauren says Snow White or Cinderella's prince) but I'm really tall anyway and have a good voice/attitude/etc so that should pay off. Haven't auditioned for a theme park cast member before, let alone Disney. Has anyone been or know of what goes on? Any clues on the movement pattern? I'm not asking anyone to share anything that they've signed they won't share however. But any tips on preparation/how to conduct myself would be greatly appreciated. Who knows, the Disneyland part of the Japan trip might turn into Expedition Tony

My profile - send me a message saying you're from TPR so I know though. Thanks.

Robb & Elissa, thanks for your efforts in giving us this great place to come with other likeminded individuals and discuss the in's-and-outs of theme parks everywhere - or just have a good time posting random crap. Here's to many more years to come...

wow. That's all I can say. wow.

Doesn't look bad at all. I like the inclusion of the lockers near the coaster & how you've built a canopy over them and a tent over the carousel. Overall, it's looking pretty realistic albeit a tad bare but I'm sure you're still finalising the landscaping anyway.

The whole shebang was great but it got better as it went along. Wow, you went from stock shots everyone gets (like EE shots etc) to some unique ones. The fog made the park very mystical. What was primilarily great about your TR though was that it totally took me back to when I was there last, which was my first visit too. Will definitely look forward to seeing future stuff from you. It was also excellent to see inside some of the places at DD as I only got there on one of the nights and saw only the shopping part, disappointingly. As you say, it's a shame to miss out on stuff but gives you something to look forward to next time. Thank you. - Tony

Great pictures. You really brought back some memories. Thank you... I had totally the same experience in Club Cool. Tried a few things and they tasted disgusting so I left very quickly. And don't worry, I also thought seeing Mary Poppin's carousel horse was really cool! Loved that movie as a kid so to see that was pretty special... Can't wait to hit there again in August. 6 months and 2 days until I fly in (the 14th) Will have 2.5 weeks to do Orlando this time though vs 5 days in Feb '05.

Predator. [Character A and Character B are exploring a cavern] Character B: Feels like I step on fortune cookie! Character A: It's not fortune cookies. Let me take a look. [Character A lights a lighter to find bugs crawling all over the place] Character B: That no cookie!

Imagine if it ends up being Ron & Hermione with them sacrificing themselves for their friend. Harry does an Anakin, turns evil, strikes down the entire Hogwarts staff & Order of the Phoenix and become Voldemort's much more powerful successor. I can just see him falling in the lava now.

Today I had Krispy Kreme donuts for the first time! Yummo....! Mum brought back a 24-donut sampler from Sydney on the plane as there was a KK shop at the airport. KK are opening up here pretty soon apparently.

Yeah, I don't think they would need to retheme Duelling Dragons as they could make the coasters each a type of dragon in the Goblet of Fire contest. Don't think they'd need to really do much cosmetically though nor would I want them to. Although, they do have The Flying Unicorn which could perhaps be the one to retheme since it's a family coaster. I'm a HP fan and part of me thinks this would be really cool. I doubt they would make it lame. I mean, it's Universal we're talking about here...not Dreamworld (for those Australians on the board) TLC is soo cool at the moment to walk around at the moment though so it will be a shame to lose it. Didn't end up doing Poseidon/Sinbad so can't comment on those. Glad the changes will be around 2009-10 though which will allow me to visit later this year/next year before they take effect.

My grandma's 92 and still going strong. She just might beat this lady!!

Because maybe she enjoys all of us fans eating out of the palm of her hand... Just hope that the final book isn't a letdown or there will be riots. Something with this kind of hype 'n' all. Like Star Wars Episode I. The more hardcore HP fans can be hard to please. Thank God I'm not one of them.

Today I pretended not to be home when someone was at the front door for the first time.

Heard about this. Glad it'll be in place at AT by the time I get there in the middle of the year with some people. Would definitely look to buy one.

Ordered Vista Ultimate and it'll take about a week. I ran the Upgrade Advisor and my computer seems to meet the requirements. All my devices seem to have Vista drivers too so shouldn't be too bad. Will let you know it all goes.

Odyssey. New Year's Eve event at Dreamworld, Australia. Below: Grinspoon, one of the main acts and a big Aussie rock band - one of their songs being Hard Act To Follow which many of you will have heard:--

Fair enough. I'm a Haunted Mansion nut but have only been to the American ones. Looking forward to doing the others this year.