Nrthwnd

Damn I miss Bon Bon Land! Great start to your TR, Chuck. Looking forward to more of your tour.

Here's the second set of photos I took at Playland, yesterday. My first of three rides there, was the West Coast Wheel. Great views when the sky is clear. And not just of the park. WHEEEEEEEEE! Still a great view of Skybender, in action. Our mountains are so close to us, here. Good skiing up there in Grouse, Seymour and Cypress I'm told. <sighs> New coaster site. And Dirt Has Been Moved Around! Skybender, in it's Crazy Cycle. I really like this Upped Level of operation on Gladiator. It's "almost" a thrill ride, now! Goes higher than it used to. This was my second ride, there. No big line. Easy on, then OMGGGGG, and a very - slow - descent for all the arms at it's end. No one here, so an easy order of Mini Donuts from Fun Dunkers. And then headed to .... Open days and nights that Playland is open. And at night, the whole park site is open to stroll with your drink/beer. etc. So what goes best with a Bag of Mini Donuts? Why, a Stella Artois Beer of course! The Indigenous artwork is on my camera case, bought last year at the PNE. Great view from where I was sitting. With a view of The West Coast Wheel, too. Really Great View! Then I headed over to Explorer Balloons (ride #3) for another "in the sky" view. Great family flat. When the skies are clear, you can get some great shots of AtmosFEAR in action. I enlarged this, because from the Balloons, I saw workmen on the Reverse S-Curve part of Coaster. At least 3 of them, there. All the Arcade Games were open.... ...Not so much the Play Quarters Arcade. It's been closed since Covid, and I wonder if they're ever going to re-open this, sometime soon? I have the feeling, they aren't going to reopen it. <sad if true> So since Coaster was closed, nobody really took up space here at Coaster Dogs. Great for me! (o: I had their great corn dog, with plenty of mustard. and a HUGE "regular sized" drink! Had a nice time Playland, see you next Sunday. Because.... "Speaking of 2023 Playland Season Passes"..... Nobody was going to get their Pass no matter how early they bought one. I find out. So Ticketleader decided to email us with a Day Pass ticket on it, to use on one of the days listed on the ticket. Playland was only open on weekends, so that meant we got 8 free Day Passes. But they sent each one with a separate email. Which = 8 emails from them. Totally ridiculous way to handle it, I thought. And now today, I get two separate emails from Ticketleader letting me know, that A) My Season Pass has been mailed to me, and I should get it in one to two weeks, and B) My pass is to be picked up at Playland's Customer Service window. Uh .....wtf? And that was it. No day pass attached, to get me into the park, to pick up my Pass. But....was it there? I phoned Ticketleader, got a nice service agent, and he's sending me a free Day Pass to head into the park next Sunday (July 2) to "pick up my Pass." And he said "If it's not there, it was probably mailed to you." Sighs. So "To Be Continued". Hopefully to be resolved next Sunday. Here's hoping. EDIT TO ADD: And now I received a day ticket for for "any day" admission to Playland. BUT - I forgot to tell the agent that we don't - have - cellphones - at all. I need the email to have a printable ticket attached. Not a Mobile Ticket. <sighs> Will contact them again, tomorrow. Got till Sunday, so this should be resolved easy. I hope. EDIT #2 TO ADD: Called Ticketleader back today (Tues), explained what happened and they immediately sent me a Day Ticket for Sunday/02 that I can print. Problem solved! ...and EDIT #3 To Add: My actual photo pass arrived here before I went. Fini.

Yesterday, at Playland.... In all of the Day Passes Ticketleader sent me (more about this at the end of the second set of photos) I ended up using only two of eight tickets. Opening Day, and yesterday. Last Sunday in June. I asked at Customer Services if my Pass was there, told no, and that was that. Like I said, more on that later. So I took it pretty easy, in both using transit to get there and back, and doing the park. I went around 2pm, and with three hours left in the day hours, it was pretty busy. Still nothing on Coaster and even the nice young ride ops were moaning about it, too. "Too long for this to be going on," said one of them. I totally agreed. Still, I took my time, ate only from booths that didn't have huge lines (like White Spot did, so I passed on that). I did find a Fun Dunkers Mini-Donuts place at the west side of the park, near Hellevator. Hardly any one there, compared to the main one near Coaster, and is usually always mobbed. So I got a bag of mini donuts, then took them over to my fave watering hole .... the Ride Side Bar. Then iI had a corn dog at Coaster Dogs, which had no one there, since it was close to Coaster, and well... anyway! Easy for a final snack for the day, and then I headed out. But first. a quick look at front yard gardens, I always see on the way to my bus stop, 8 blocks from us. Always an interesting stroll... And down to the left, here.... ...is this on a garage. Beautiful. And yes, we do grow palm trees of various kinds, here. Truth! "Art in The Yard." I think. A used everything store, with sturdy chairs for the kids... ....and a nice two-seater for parents/lovers/friends, etc. (o; This is one of my favourite parts of the walk. Always loved that painting on the wall, there. And so, onto Playland. I took a fair number of photos, only missing the centre part of the park, and at the back of it, where the new coaster is going, and where Scrambler now sits. But like I said before, I took my time, and took photos of everything I saw. Then filtered out a few, etc. Enjoy....but first.... Here's what the entrance plaza looks like, with one important part of it, square in the middle... A little bit closer, now? See it? Also, not where the queue is handled, over on the far right. Everybody runs right past it, then find out once they're in the park that <boo hoo>Coaster is not operating. So they complain, "not being warned." 'Kay... And there it is. But a lot of people miss it. I think it needs to be posted more in that plaza. Triple O's had triple the # of people there ordering and waiting. I passed on this. Aw darnit. But I know what's definitely open today. Kettle Creek Mine Train was running full tilt. This is where the Scrambler used to sit. For a long time. Now it's a Group Events. with a pretty big onsite kitchen Grouse tent? Aw, Grouse tent, and a Seymour (mountain) tent too. For parties, etc. And one for Cypress. Nice set ups. And here's the last one of set #1 of my photos. More to come in a bit. But for now (cough cough) enjoy. Playland's dear old smoking corner. Vapes, too. Fun corner. I quit over 8 years ago! More to come...

Disney has just released some beautiful new concept artwork for pretty much everything in Arendelle: World of Frozen. Except the sweets/candy shop, "Northern Delights." Here it all is.... Along the way, in the "Frozen Ever After" water ride. Great total theming surrounding riders. This looks like the ending of the ride, like at EPCOT, but more enhanced and enlarged in design. Nice. Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs' Loading Station. It might be the Unload one, too. More of the Sleighs' queue. The left photo, I believe, shows that sauna room of Oaken's. And his family, too. "Tick Tock Toys & Collectibles" I'm wondering if that staircase at the back, goes anywhere. "Golden Crocus Inn" Restaurant. Named after the national symbol of Arendelle. And a scene from "Playhouse In The Woods" (an interactive play experience).

^^^ That was A LOT of smoke and flames in those videos taken! Glad to hear that no one was hurt or injured,

Just got home after having a wonderful sushi lunch today! And not just "any sushi." This was The Britannia Sushi Tower, which piles sashimi, rice, avocado etc. all together in one big serving. Delish. Ready for It. So much to dig into! Lettuce around the base, made of sticky ride and avocado. Sashimi and crab meat piled on top, with yam flakes over that. Mmmm. I "Toppled the Tower," to see every morsel more closely. (o: Finished! Arigato, Britannia Sushi. Be back again, real soon.

Opening Day at Playland(PNE) ~ June 03/23 This was over two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the following weekend, it rained and rained AND rained down over the city both days the park was open. And getting wet with a poncho on didn't feel good to me. And this weekend I had planned to return today, but then found out there's a "Special Event" going on, today. Some kind of Multi-Cultural Festival, which included Playland. And I would have had to buy a separate ticket for that. Uh uh. Not doing it. So here's the photos I took of Opening Day. I rode the West Coast (ferris) Wheel for a few "overhead shots", as Coaster was (as usual) down "until further notice". Games didn't open up until an hour after the park opened. And I was only visiting for an hour (or less as it turned out). So the West Coast Wheel is all I rode that first day. Just checking everything out. With everybody surging toward Hellevator (drop tower) and The Beast and Flume at the front, strolling to the back of the park, there was hardly anyone there. And all the ride ops were just there, waiting. Waiting for the crowd to surge towards the back of the park, heh. Enjoy. Clear skies. And I'm almost there. Yup. The new coaster will go in the top right corner of the park, there. Testing, testing. <sighs> And there it sits. Waiting for a part. Noted, thanks. Where The New Coaster will be built. And (hopefully) will be open by next year. The scrambler was moved to the back, beside the new coaster's site, for now. Yes! Open with drink specials mid-afternoons. On the West Coast Wheel. A beautiful, clear day it was. Better look at The Spot where.... etc. etc. Doesn't look busy at all. But the crowds were at The Beast, The Flume, and Hellevator. The Kettle Mine Coaster was running good. Great family/kids' coaster. The Flume. Wheee! Whoah! Well, hi there! A not-so-secret area for special events, group meetups. Open to the public, when the area's not "rented." Lots of nice chairs, there. At the front, outside of the park. Most people I saw in the queues going in, didn't give it a look at all... And then they're all running towards Coaster. Greeted with the sign you saw here, earlier. Then they complain to staff that they wouldn't have come that day, if they'd known "before going in." Since Coaster's still not open yet, I'm sure the sign will still be there on my next visit. And more will miss seeing it, etc. etc. The new info. flyer..... Which includes "The Map of..." ... Along with the lists of what's where, etc? ...and a plug for The Fair, coming up in late August.

I go to a regular sushi place I love, at least 2-3 times a week. And tomorrow is (are you ready?).... International SUSHI Day! So am going there tomorrow for lunch and order their Britannia Sushi Tower, Costs a bit more ($20 Cdn), but worth the price. Yum. https://britanniasushi.ca/

P.S. But beside "all of the above"... The show went pretty good, with a spectacular non-scripted-but-choreographed Opening Number that, like last year's, stopped the show! And all the winners literally having all the time they wanted, in their acceptance speeches (except See Above, etc.), looks like it evened up the timing of the broadcast itself.. and in the end, running overtime Only a few minutes! Usually it runs up to 40 minutes overtime. But that also includes a script, etc. etc. So .... maybe it's time for those producing this show to actually consider "maybe" a 3-1/2 to 4 hour time slot? It's the best shot to improve the outreach time to all who watch the Awards on tv. And Online. And also pack it with Show Commercials! Those are as great (to me), as much as the broadcast is! So, it makes me go Hmmm, about how much of the next year's show they're going to want, actually, "scripted" by WGA writers. Plus, I hope the union finally gets what it deserves. Better pay, etc. Storytelling on (literal/programed) paper, is where it all starts. And ... rather than type it all out, here's the link to the 2022~23 Season TONY Wins. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/203272/kimberly-akimbo-wins-tony-for-best-musical-and-leads-with-5-total-awards/ The Big Winner of this season's TONY Awards. Five in all, including Best Musical.

Am repeating this RANT in here, too. This is a RANT as well as a "SHAME ON CBS" thing. The Theatre Wing's annual TONY Awards took place last Sunday night. On it's regular network, CBS. Has been for years and years. But - the Best DIRECTOR of a MUSICAL, who won for directing the revival of "Parade," took to remembering what it was like to be bullied and being called "the F-word." What he then said, was (more or less) "...and I am a Faggot who's just won a TONY!" But that phrase was censored by CBS. You could see the audience totally erupt at this, and give him a long sustained applause and standing O. He truly owned that awful word, with his speech. IMhO. And he got partially censored for it. Shame, CBS. You blew it.

This is a RANT as well as a "SHAME ON CBS" thing. The Theatre Wing's annual TONY Awards took place last Sunday night. On it's regular network, CBS. Has been for years and years. But - the Best DIRECTOR of a MUSICAL, who won for directing the revival of "Parade," took to remembering what it was like to be bullied and being called "the F-word." What he said was (more or less) "...and I am a Faggot who's just won a TONY!" But that phrase was censored by CBS. You could see the audience totally erupt at this, and give him a long sustained applause. He truly owned that awful word, with his speech. And he got censored for it. Shame, CBS. You blew it.

For those who have forgotten .... The 2023 TONY Awards is this Sunday! On PLUTO TV, with the "Creative Awards," one hour before the main broadcast, on CBS 8 pm EST / 5 pm PST or a 'trimmed' later showing, 8 pm PST. Check your local listings.

^^What I found out was... what you already know. It looks like the wait is for a "certain part" for Coaster. And the approx. wait will last till....July? <sighs> I went to Opening Day there, last Saturday... and am returning this Saturday for more photo taking, etc. Will post after this coming weekend has past.

^ Will do my best to find out. No guarantees, but it's worth a try, asking.

^ They sent out a "Know Before You Go" email yesterday, to those who already had Passes and day tickets, like myself. In all of the info. that they sent, there was this, stuck in the middle of it all: Grrrrr. I totally agree with you, that after all this f-ing time not being open, they could have done all this coaster work during that time. But apparently, they didn't/haven't finished. I've never been able to understand why they don't complete refurbishment during their off-times' season. I am hoping to hit Opening Day tomorrow. And I will ask around about Coaster. Hopefully there's some kind of answer.

^ We're getting our "Broadway Across Canada" subscription shows, now. Aladdin is up next for us, late July. We may get "My Fair Lady" in the 2024-25 Season. I know it won't be the same Broadway cast, but I do love the revival's CD. That said... This was one of those "shot in the dark" kind of musical CD purchases for me. It actually, suddenly appeared in the Musicals Section of Amazon.ca. a couple of days ago. There is nothing to tell about it, except it's a few years old apparently. Started out (like in New York) Off-West End, and just opened recently in the West End. The reviews of this musical are pretty ecstatic. Too ecstatic for me, personally. But I still bought it, nonetheless. Hmmm.... I remember there was to be a UK musical being created, based on the popular "Great British Baking Show," on tv. Could this be the resulting musical? Time will tell when I receive it. But anyone from the London area, or someone who saw it while traveling there, I would really like to know more about this one. Thanks in advance. Eye catching colour and title/logo. "Ba - nan - aaaaaa" EDIT TO ADMIT: I Googled it, and it's actually based on a book and movie about 1943, the war.... and stuff. Here's the actual link to it all: https://www.operationmincemeat.com/ So no singing about baked goods for us, lol. For now ....

Just found a great, night time overhead shot of ShDL, especially showing ZOOTOPIA with the work lights on. Thanks to "You Who Took This Shot" in the lower right hand corner, there.

I'm so glad she was a part of the creation of her Bio-Musical, "Tina". Right up to when the actor portraying her, won The TONY for the part. She was an amazing performer. Got to see her - experience her - on two different tours. With Ike, and then on her own with the (what I call) "What's Love Tour." Awesome performer she was.

Ha! When the train came to another building (after the "boom" one?). I thought it was back at the station.... How wrong was I, lol? Add to that, I wasn't expecting a second go-round with different sound effects (yes?) happening. Great family coaster that everybody can enjoy.

An opening date (of sorts) has been announced for the World of Frozen...

Found a couple of new photos posted, about the Arendelle Slidin' Sleighs Coaster. (Thanks to whoever took these shots) The first photo show AAs (I think?) of Sven and Olaf, and what is probably how you get up the Lift Hill. They help pull you up. Second shot is off the track itself, winding in and out of a very real looking bunch of rock and greenery, heh. This is the (literal) carrot Sven needs to pull us up that hill. Hopefully, Olaf gets his nose back. 'Round and 'round the sleighs go. Everything is looking great, there. I love Disney Imagineers' Landscaping!

Just got an email from Playland, asking me to (finally) register online, for my Season Pass there. Which I dutifully did. So, I get to pick up my photo pass (Yes, they're back to that!) on Opening Day, June 03. I get a one day pass to enter, etc. Kewl! Looking forward to seeing what's new/old/surprising there this season. And eventually, riding Coaster with (ugh) seat belts for First Ride. Who knows? With my physical health at my age ... probably better with the belt, heh. Recent overhead shot of Playland, with the new flat ride in place during last summer's PNE. (middle right of shot) Funny thing is .... it hardly operated, during the entire two weeks of The Fair.

I like this design of a Mad/Wild Mouse spinning coaster. It definitely has a different layout than I've seen in "off the shelf mouse spinners," etc. So that alone, makes it unique to me for CP. I just hope the dispatch times are "mouse size," to make the whole attraction come alive, with those mice chasing that cheese!

And the three musicals which got totally shut out of the TONY Nominations, were: "A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical"; "Bob Fosse's Dancin'"; and "Bad Cinderella" (Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest, from London's West End). "Dancin'" has already posted a closing notice. I wonder if and when the other two will follow suit. There are exceptions that hold on and still do good business. "Finding Neverland" was one of those Tony Shut-Outs, that still played for a good year+ (2015-16) before c;losing.

"but unknown enemies ambush them." Great set up, lol.