pianojohn

I did it a few weeks ago as a cast member and it was awesome. Again, plan ahead of where you want to eat and make the reservation asap. I think you can now make them 180 days in advance. We ate dinner at Alfredo's in Italy and our bill was about $120. A great deal since we paid a lot less than that. And we had a counter service meal as well during the day that would have set us back $25. Also, you can use the Meal Plan from the day you check in up to and including the day you check out. I would suggest saving a quick service meal for breakfast on the day you leave. There is a full brochure available online at the Disney site, and they also give you one when you check in. Best to do your research before you arrive.

Wow. Thanks for all the pics. I have to agree that they ruined the sightlines of the park. I helped work at the park back in 2001, and now the main street (where the Monster show is) looks like a traffic jam with all the foot traffic. I always thought it was odd as well to see that HUGE bridge in the distance outside the park. It pretty much threw off the forced perspective of the building facades at the end of the main entrance street.

Awesome pics as usual!

Congratulations! Now come back to Orlando!!

Hmm...just my two cents here. That last picture of the proposed new park has some elements of Tokyo DisneySeas. Look to the left of the picture. The area looks just like Mermaid Lagoon. PLEASE build this in the states (preferably in Orlando) since I think TDS is one of the most amazing and beautiful parks I have ever visited. But only time will tell.

While we are on the bash Mt. Olympus thread, I would like to add my experience. I landed in Chicago one fall afternoon and called the park directly to A) Make sure they were open and B) Make sure the coasters were running. I was assured by the woman on the phone that the park was open until 10 pm and all coasters were running. After driving north about 3 hours to get to the park, I found out the only coaster running was Hades. Of course, I could not find a guest relations office or even a person who spoke English, so I rode Hades a few times and left.

Loop or no loop, I still think the ride was a big waste of lumber. I can only hope with new trains and a extensive track work that it may become rideable. Until then, it will be for me what The Mean Streak is: nice to look it, I got the credit, not worth riding again. Of course, if Intamin were to come in and pre-fab re-track it (if that is even possible), there could be some hope for this monster.

Thanks for the photos Erik! My mom is visiting me this week, so we are doing the Disney stuff for her first time! Did La Nouba and PI last night, Hoop Dee Doo tonight, Busch Gardens tomorrow, EPCOT Wednesday for Candlelight, and MK on Thursday night for Mickey's Very Merry! On a side note, I will be playing piano at Busch Gardens for their new show Mirage Canteen on this Saturday December 16th as well as December 24th! I don't usually perform there, but I music directed the show. It is really good if you ask me. Anyway, Happy Holidays to all!

Ah yes, with Bea Arthur singing an old time drinking ballad in the bar. Gives me chills!!

Best of luck! For my 40th birthday a few years ago, friends of mine built two coaster models and it took them about 8 hours each! I can only imagine how long this model will take!

Here is one pic I took from Sheikra. It is in another post, but may be easier to find here!

Saddest attempt at comedy since Michael Richards. So how big is that ice rink anyway? Do they actually use a full size zamboni to resurface it? Just curious. From what I remember, it was a fairly decent size. Not anywhere near as big as your local rink, but big enough for about 20-30 people to skate around. They also manage to do an ice show with some fairly difficult jumps. And yes, they do use a Zamboni on the ice. It is a small one, but it does the trick!

What a small world! I worked on the Adventure, Voyager, and Explorer as Vocal Director for the Promenade Singers. I am not sure the show is still there, but it featured a guy and girl singing in the main atrium, usually with a track and on the formal night with the band. Have fun!!

Rachael Rae Madison Ashley

"I think it's like German or something...." the dumba$$ bachelor. Um...you are in Sweden so I am pretty sure it is Swedish! And yet he gets the Balder credit. Where is the fairness!!! Thanks Robb and Elissa for the clip and making me want to ride Balder even more!

IKEA rocks! AND....they are finally building one in Orlando! Woo hoo!

I was hoping we would be blessed with more of YOUR awesome pictures!! But any pic of the Voyage is much appreciated. Now, how long 'til next spring??

They did that at Six Flags Great Adventure with Lightning Loops. The chimps climb all over them. From the African Safari

Well, since I had to work today at the park, I took one last spin on Python, which I believe is the oldest Arrow corkscrew still in operation. I knew that Knott's opened theirs in 1975 and I believe BGT's Python was 1976. I had ridden this model several times before, mostly at Geauga Lake in the 80's and once at Myrtle Beach. Anyway, there was NO ONE is the park today! I got to ride it first and solo! Yep, just me, the car, and a pain in my neck that will last awhile! Nothing much else to report. It ran rough, it rattled, it looped twice and made it back to the station. I will miss the dense foilage that has grown up around this coaster in the last 30 years, but the whole Congo area is in despreate need of an extreme makeover! In my opinion, a nice observation tower or drop ride would fit in very well there. But whatever BGT does, I am sure it will be done tastefully and with class. So long Python....now on to the pics! UPDATE: More pics from Wednesday showing the area closed. UPDATE 2! I took a pic yesterday from Sheikra that shows part of the Python being dismantled. One last pic. Notice the splash behind me! Oh, and you must have double chins to ride Sheikra! Ah....airtime! Oh yeah, I had to get my Sheikra fix. Notice the seagull wanted to make it into one of these photo TR's! Farewell Arrow! Yeah, we need some hedge trimmers STAT! I remember seeing this same shot back in the 70's in a Sunday magazine advertising Busch Gardens The Dark Continent! My attempt at taking a decent pic. Unfortunately, the other ones were too dark. Damn you shady trees!! And damn you bulging neck veins! In action All ready for the last few riders Pretty cars....which apparently are headed to BGW for Loch Ness Monster. Hmm...aren't these cars OLDER than the Loch Ness ones? But they do look nice! See...I told you the area was overgrown! Some people go both ways! The sign....wonder if this will show up on Ebay? That's the way it looks for now. A sign at the bridge tells you where to go for more fun since the Congo is closed. Sorry folks...the moose out front should have told you! The parl map on Wednesday November 1, 2006 The Park map on Monday October 30, 2006 The Python as seen from Sheikra. The corkscrews appear to be gone, and the lift hill is missing from the station to about 20 feet up. This was the best pic I could get since the whole area is walled off.

And again....AWESOME PICS! Please let us know what type of camera you used. I imagine it is a 35mm SLR with a HUGE telephoto lens hence the close ups of TTD from the top of the tower. Great work! Thanks!

HA! Great! I love getting free shows at the parks!

I went on Sunday, and the crowd was pretty rowdy there too. I also agree that they need to limit the amount of alcohol sales during an event such as this since people are already in a heightened state, and the addition of alcohol merely fuels the fire. It was also disconcerting walking through the metal detector at the front of the park with my hands in the air. Hmm...I felt like a criminal, and I didn't even do anything. Just my two cents...

Thanks for the pics and TR. The park reminds me of Opryland and Dollywood. One of these days I will be able to see for myself!

Nice meeting all of you as well! Come and see me sometime playing piano at Comedy Warehouse, Ad Club, or Hoop Dee Doo!

Well, just got back home after spending a few hours with the TPR gang. Yes, I have FINALLY met Robb and Elissa! Have fun tonight at Mickey's Not So Scary...I am going there Sunday night! Here are a few pics from today: Disney Cast Members unite!! After Beer School, I turned the corner and who should I run into?? Hmmm....I think Derek enjoyed Beer School a little too much... Soren, Ryan, and more cheese soup Guy, I, and Cheese soup TPR members on the half shell The obligatory Soren picture In line for Nemo with some Nemo virgins! On the Land boat ride....what have I gotten myself into?