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Thank you, I'm trying to avoid driving. I'll look into the taxi services.

Has anyone used Uber/ Lyft services around Busch Gardens lately? I tried during Hallowscream a few years ago and it was an absolute nightmare. I hope the service has improved.

Really enjoyed your report. Amazed how how similar some of these parks are. If you continue south (Rehoboth / Ocean City MD) all this parks look just like these except for a different dark ride or 2.

Bad news for Busch Gardens (and KD.) Link

In a move confusing to most, Trimper's has unveiled their latest addition. What makes this an odd addition is the fact that less than 100 yards away sits Jolly Roger's 110' tall Giant Wheel which was refurbished in 2018.

Here is another article talking about all the changes. I had noticed quite a few rides on the list were rides they already had, this article explains it all better. OC Today

Trimper's posted the list on new rides on their website today: Plus the sad news: the Zipper is no longer listed as in operation for 2020

How was the crowd in this heat? BG has lots of shade, but it has to be brutal.

We went to the Pirate show last week and enjoyed it. Food was nothing spectacular, but decent. I would compare it more to a circus; lots of acrobats, diving, and juggling.

Lightning Rod, Dollywood Great coaster!

Great report, heading west to Dollywood Saturday for my first time. Staying a week in one of Dollywood's cabins and plan to do as much Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg stuff as a family can do in a week.

The Zipper was alive and brutal as ever last summer, I took that picture in July. I was in Ocean City last month and noticed the entire front facade had been removed from the Pirate's Cove attraction. Turned out they were just sprucing it up for the 2019 season, which begins this weekend I believe.

Came across a good article today documenting the rise and fall of Hard Rock / Freestyle Park. Lots of current pictures from inside the park. The Spectacular Failure of the World's Only Hard Rock Theme Park

For the past decade, I've been taking my family to a new park every year; and 2019 will mark our first visit to Dollywood. After researching the area, specifically cabin rentals, I decide to book one of Dollywood's cabins. The price was a little more, but some of the other cabin / house rental companies had horrendous Google/ Yelp/ Trip Advisor reviews. I booked 8 days and 7 nights, with a few days for Dollywood and the rest for all the excitement Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge have to offer. The trip is planned for mid June in hopes the weather isn't terribly hot yet. Any hidden jems or trip tips will be appreciated. Thanks!

I have had terrible luck with Uber in Williamsburg trying to get between hotels and BGW. This was last October, so hopefully its improved.

Here is some more info in the brewery tours: News link They are calling it "pop-up" tours and are on a first come first serve basis on select days. (I was hoping for 5 golden tickets hidden in select cases throughout the summer)

With the eyes of Virginia on Kings Dominion for media day for Twisted Timbers, Groupon has posted a GREAT deal for single day Busch Gardens ticket. 1/2 off single day, $45 per ticket. Groupon Deal Act fast, this is a limited offer.

I still have the $11.00 a month pass and agree it is still quite the deal. The only answer I have seen is that it will stay the same for at least 2018.

I've usually been twice by now, but been too busy. Heading there on the 14th for sure though.

Tidal Wave @ Trimper's Rides in Ocean City MD

If you do decide to hit Ocean City MD and visit Trimper's rides, be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook Page. (https://www.facebook.com/TrimpersRides) In the early Spring you can purchase ride wrist bands in advance that can be used any day in the summer. These wrist bands are considerably cheaper than buying them there and will include the Haunted House. I agree that there is not much worth seeing or doing at either of the Jolly Rogers' Parks. The only sorta cool thing is the Cyclone Go-Kart "coaster." Its a different experience, expensive but cool. "coaster"

I have a lot of theme park memorabilia that I have collected through the years. The one piece that is most unique and valuable to me is an original WDWmap that was displayed on the walls of all Contemporary and Polynesian Resort rooms from Walt Disney World’s opening in 1971 until the early 1980′s. Its an early illustration of the park created by the artist Paul Harley, and not many of the originals are still around. One of the last ones still on property was in the Adventure's Club hanging right where you made the turn to go to the restrooms. Closer view

This is Verbolten at Hallowscream, BGW taken with my iPhone back in 2014.

Very excited for this addition. I am a huge fan of Dutch Wonderland and have been going for years. I discovered this place, thanks to this very forum years ago. There are two things my family loves and that is theme parks and camping; and no where we have found (close to us) where you can do both so close together. Old Mill Stream campground sits next to Dutch Wonderland, and is so close you use the Clacking of the first lift hill of Kingdom Coaster as your alarm. Also Dutch Wonderland and the campground are very centrally located to all of Pennsylvania's theme parks. 40 minutes to Hershey, less than 2 hours to Knoebels, and about an hour and 15 minutes to Dorney and Wildwater Kingdom. (less than 2 to Great Adventure also) So we set up camp there and spend a day going to all the other places as well. Plus there is a ton to see and do in Lancaster, I have been going every year since 2008, sometimes twice a year, and still have not seen it all. Full of Wonder Right side, center, you can just make out the coaster.

Starting a petition for a Curse of the DarKastle Christmas overlay? A very Prince Ludwig Christmas? KristmasKastle?