printersdevil78

Wow, Bill, love that vintage Disneyland map in the background. I used to have one, but mine was a reproduction. Looks like yours is the real deal!

Very cool! Just moments ago, I didn't know deep-fried biscuits and gravy existed. Now, I'm willing to give up several appendages to try it!

^True, all that stuff has been sold there for years. But when I was in high school, that was a very tiny section of the store, tucked in the back. At that time, the store mostly consisted of funny T-shirts, funky lamps, etc. Now those are the items tucked away in a small corner in the back, while the rest of the store more or less has become a head/sex shop. But enough about that. Back onto the topic of presents!

I had a lot of fun picking out my gifts for the exchange, but it was frustrating at the same time. I went to the mall for the first time in about five years to see if I could track down some items I had in mind, and my thought was, "Where did all the stores go?" Seriously, unless you're looking for (ugly) women's clothing, dollar store items or toys and DVDs at 300+ percent over the Amazon price, it's a pointless endeavor. I don't understand how any of these places stay in business. And don't even get me started on Spencer Gifts. I had to take a shower after spending five minutes in that store, and I couldn't look other human beings in the eye for the next day or so. I seriously doubt my giftee would have wanted a strawberry-scented penis candle with marijuana leaf decals and life-like fart sounds, anyway. EDITED: To add my thanks to Brandy, as well! Awesome job!

Mine is sent! Though I must say, after seeing what has been received so far, I feel a bit inadequate. Perhaps my Secret Santa will send me some Gift-agra.

^You could always use the address I give to cashiers at stores with those patently annoying "We're not allowed to sell you anything unless you give us all your personal information" policies: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92802 Of course, "I'm sorry, but now I need the number to your corporate headquarters so I can explain to them why you're refusing to take my money" also works, though I doubt that would be sufficient for the post office.

Awesome! It looks like the Palms had a little more to its Dreamworks Experience than the National did. The Ice exhibit there this year was "Merry Madagascar." When I finally get around to posting photos, we can compare and contrast!

The TSA, that's who. They're so scared of magic snow globes that they banned them from airplanes altogether!

So Robb was playing the Santa Claw while Big Mike was at the Santa Claw watching Robb play the Santa Claw while watching Big Mike at the Santa Claw? I think my brain just exploded a little bit. But it was worth it!

Wow, I'm curious to find out whether the resulting package will be ticking or growling... or both!

Cool! I wish I had the mechanical aptitude to build some of those types of things. Alas.... Thanks for sharing!

^^You mean Bela would dislike Bella? That's actually a good ride concept for the new Twilight Land: the Grave Spinner. It could be a sparkly black Disko.

I don't know, but I bet all the male ride ops would be required to go shirtless.

Wait, I think we're all missing the real story here... Fievel is still around? Really? Was he even popular enough to be a draw when he actually was, er, "popular"? I've been to USO twice, rode the Jaws ride both times. Thought it was kind of lame the first time; really hated it the second time because I got splashed pretty good and temperatures were in the 50s that day. It was nice knowing that it was there... but this is one of those rare occasions when I don't really have a strong opinion whether they take it out or leave it in. My favorite part of the attraction was the fake daytime TV talk show segments and commercials they played on the TVs in the cue. That said, my stepdaughter probably would have enjoyed it to some degree. She's a big "Jaws" fan. But she also loves "Harry Potter" and "The Mummy," so I think if we can make it to Orlando before both of those attractions close, we're still safe. We've never been able to get her to actually sit all the way through "An American Tail."

I don’t have time for anything anymore. Not vacations. Not posting on here. Until a couple days ago, not even really checking the threads. And I don’t have time for this. But I’m making time! Count me in.

Eh, you didn’t miss much at Louis’, though I guess it’s someplace every Roadfooder should try once. Frank Pepe’s is the best! Next time you’re in the vicinity of one, I highly recommend the white clam pizza. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, am I sorry I'm late to this party! Wild Bill’s has been on my list of places to visit for awhile; sounds like soon I’ll have even more reason! This will be a great complement to the carousel museum near Lake Compounce—and I suspect I’ll enjoy it even more.

You had me at "chili cheese fry pizza."

A Sprite while trying out Wendy's new "Big 'n' Juicy" burger. Which was neither all that big nor all that juicy.

Very cool! I was at SFA's Fright Fest on Saturday, and they tricked out their teacups with fog and strobes much like the bumper cars at SFOG. It's always interesting to see what the parks in the same chain borrow from each other... and what they don't. Terror Train was last year's big haunt at SFA (with a circus theme rather than mining), and CarnEvil was this year's. They did away with their kids' costume contest this year, for whatever reason. They did have Mr. Six's Spooktacular Dance Party, only they re-themed it as "D.J. Ghoul and the Gang." It would be nice to see them do a "Looney Tunes After Dark" and McBoogle's at SFA, though the latter would mean moving the kiddie hayride, which currently takes up the antique car track. The park does OK with frights, and I really like their shows, but it really doesn't have enough Halloween activities for younger kids, in my opinion. Grouchy Griswold sounds amazing! Is that just a Halloween show, or is he a year-round fixture at SFOG?

I can't imagine this park not doing well in the Orlando area. It's certainly better than when I was a kid and my parents dragged my sister and me to Cypress Gardens. You know what's more fun than looking at water skiers, hang gliders and a bajillion trees? Riding actual rides!

Why do contractors keep constructing buildings that look like skulls? Don't they know that's automatic death for anyone who moves in? Looks like a great night. As always, thanks to Robb for sharing!

Awesome photos of what sounds like a great event! Two specific thoughts: 1. The Monster Mansion backstage tour rivals anything I've ever gotten to do on a TPR trip. Very jealous that I missed it, but very grateful for the photos. Thanks! 2. What is Brandy doing enjoying thrilling theme park rides? She should be in the kitchen making tasty snacks and then posting about them on here. I call shenanigans!

Throughout this thread, I've probably been SFA's biggest cheerleader. Well, that's about to change. Because we knew our summer schedules would be hectic this year, because of the new "your parking surcharge covers only the park at which your pass is purchased" policy and because SFA season passes weren't discounted quite as much this year as they have been in the past, we were on the fence about renewing for 2011. But we figured that the "Bring a Friend Free" days, which we enjoyed last year, would make up the difference. It literally was our deciding factor. This year, Six Flags pushed all its "Bring a Friend Free" days for season passholders to weekends in September. Initially, we didn't think it was a big deal, and it kind of solved our summer scheduling issues. Originally, we had planned to take some friends on September 10. Except, in checking the park's operating schedule, that was the only weekend date in September that was blocked out due to a private event. OK, we could work with that. We moved our planned trip to September 18. Well, guess what. As of today, SFA is closed on September 18 for... another private event! These are literally the only two dates in September that work for us. I contacted Guest Relations and was told that even if that hadn't been the case, they can't guarantee that there won't be more private event closings in September. I'm sure there's some fine print that prohibits the advertising of a promotion on certain days and then reducing those days when someone wants to rent out the park--but it's horrible public relations, even if it makes good business sense. Three years ago, I bought my first Six Flags season pass. Last year, I bought them for my whole family. This year, not only did we buy season passes, but we also paid extra to attend a special "SFA Preview Day" event hosted by a local enthusiast group. Next year, I get to save $300. On the plus side, that puts me one-sixth of the way toward paying for the TPR Italy trip already! /rant

My stepdaughter just told me she wants a Cabbage Patch Kit for Christmas. Is it 1984?