Mechanic

That's really too bad. I hope they can manage to pull through somehow, but I doubt it. I'd been kind of wondering how long it was going to be before we'd get word that some of the smaller parks were in trouble with this current economy. On a somewhat related note (struggling small parks), has there been any news about the future of Gilroy Gardens? That park hadn't been doing very well even before the recession we're now in. For the time being, I'll take no news as good news, but it wouldn't surprise me to hear if it was also having hard times. As much of a shame as it is that the Nut Tree Park is closing, it would be even worse (to me at least) to see Gilroy Gardens close. It really is a very beautiful small park and a distinctly different type of park experience.

See you in SoCal!

The gators must really enjoy this. There was a restaurant in Colfax, Calif. (a town in the Sierra Nevada mountains) that used to feature "gator steaks" every Wednesday. The joint was called Dirty Dingus McGee's. I've eaten there, and even ate some gator. Mine wasn't a steak though, they were nuggets similar to those pictured in the TR. As I recall, they were part of an appetizer sampler platter. Sadly Dingus McGee's (I don't ever remember the "Dirty" prefix being part of the restaurant name, but I could be mistaken) is no more. We pulled off on the frontage road to I-80 to stop in and have dinner about a year or so ago only to find the place overgrown with weeds and in a very dilapidated state. I was truly saddened because it was a great place to eat at one time. In any event, Gatorland certainly looks like a departure from more traditional theme park fare. I enjoyed the TR.

Grizzly could get mag-lev trains and the ride would still suck balls.

Not that it's a big deal, but Dallas has 8 Super Bowl appearances, not 9. You were correct about them being tied with San Francisco and Pittsburgh for the 5 victories. As for the teams left this season, I really have just about no attachment or interest in any of them. I honestly couldn't care less who wins the Steelers/Ravens game, but if I were betting on it, my money would be on Pittsburgh to win, but not cover. (They're currently a 6 point favorite) It wouldn't surprise me if that game ends 6-3 in overtime. Arizona is pretty tough to get a handle on. I thought for sure they'd be a first round fold after they way they dogged it in the regular season, but they've been able to flip the switch so far. I'll be pulling for the Cardinals only because of the underdog factor, but to me it's Philly that's really looking like the team that's hot at the right time. However it plays out, I'm going to remember this season more for the epic choke job the Cowboys pulled than anything else. I'm a Cowboys fan right down the socks I'm wearing as I type this, but man... I gotta' tell you, this season was hard to take.

If Bill Clinton were still president this might not be perceived as a joke.

Does anyone besides me find the remaining playoff teams about as "ho-hum" a collection as we've ever had?

Thanks for the announcement. I can't wait to get back to SFMM for WCB '09.

I have the ultimate solution for The Grizzly. See the red gas can in this picture? Splash that around and light a match.

Picture this: Rides with ejector air time... With trains filled with sassy lasses sporting large boobs loosely constrained in loose fitting tops... On the moon!

Every operating coaster at SFMM open for night ERT at WCB was unforgettably awesome!

12/20. I just don't follow what goes on outside the US parks enough to have done any better.

They could just cut to the chase and name the next kid Satan.

Can we then assume that WCB will be on March 22?

The link 2 posts above still worked for me just now. Thanks for sharing the info. I renewed our SFDK passes for only 39.99 each. The parking pass add-on may seem a little steep, but it's still a significant savings over paying parking on each visit if you use your pass several times a season.

"Breathe deep the gathering gloom."

the site is working great. Thank you for the upgrade.

10/20, but I actually only knew 4 of the answers. The rest were lucky guesses. That one was difficult.

There's nothing essentially wrong with the plan they have. It would just be nice to grab your first rides of the new year while you're already there though.

Voted. TPR is running away with the categories it was nominated for. Way to go TPR!

I used to share the view that some mod responses and thread locks were a little heavy-handed, but after spending more time here I've come to realize that the vast majority of mod actions are entirely valid. People that follow the rules don't have any problem. Those that don't are called on their infraction(s) and steered in the right direction. If they comply, all is well. If not, then they basically get what they deserve. It's like a microcosm of living in a civilized society. Reasonable rules are in place to improve the experience of all that read and post here. Since rules without enforcement are useless, I understand why the mods' actions are necessary. I, or you, may not agree with every action they take, but in an overall view I feel they do a nice job of keeping the site a good place for discussion of topics relevant to the theme of the site.

Be sure to take advantage of any early entry day that you may have available. Have a great time! I anxiously await your trip report.

I had the exact same impression when I read the announcement.

^ If they put anywhwere near the same care into the ride mechanically as they have aesthetically then I don't see why it couldn't give a decent ride. That is a GREAT paint job on the ride.

Team Thriller, you are very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the report. cfc, I was hoping the donkey would be enough to tip the scales. Thank you for the stamp of approval.