Taylor Finn

Doing a 2023 Season Update on this, primarily for myself: (Prices 2001, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 via Wayback Machine); Inflation is $1 in 2001 = $1.70 today. Phoenix: $1.50 $2, $2, $2.50, $3, $3, $3.50, $4, $4.50 Flyers: $0.80, $1, $1.20, $1.50, $1.75, $2.50, $2.50, $3, $3.50 Carousel: $0.70 $0.80 $0.90, $1, $1.50, $1.75, $2, $2.50, $2.50 Red Baron: $0.60, $0.70 $0.80, $1, $1.25, $1.50, $1.75, $2, $2 Adult Wristband w/ Coasters: (not available yet for 2023), $31, $37, $39.50, $47, $50, $53, $55 Other notes- Black Diamond is $4, Phoenix, Twister, Impulse, Flying Turns- $4.50, Haunted Mansion increased from $2.50 to $3 to $3.50 in the last two years. All flats are $2.50-3.50 now, Skyway remains $5 Kiddie rides are $2 (Kozmo's Kurves = $3.00) Campground rates went up from like $56/58 to $62/66 to $65/70 the last two seasons as well which seems pretty steep. Prices increased again, of course. Which is to be expected. Coasters all went up 50 cents, many flats did as well. I would say about half or a bit more of the rides went up by 50 cents. This represents a roughly 10% increase on everything in one year. If you are a family of four and you ride with tickets for a day and rode 15 rides each, that is $15-20 more than last year, probably. It seems like they're pretty clearly trying to push people toward wristbands more and more. Which sucks. I know labor and other costs are up, but these hikes seem more dramatic than warranted at face value and far exceed the increases in years past. I’m expecting wristbands will be $55 or $60 during peak summer when they do release those, early season is cheaper due to shorter hours.

^Very very helpful information. Won't count on being able to hop in line for things before park close. That's definitely an element of the Tokyo Disney parks that is unfortunate compared to the U.S. parks where you can just get in line 5 minutes before close and extend your day a bit. That, coupled with seemingly earlier close (9:00 PM) might make it difficult to get too, too much done. But we will keep our eyes peeled on how the parks are operating closer to our visit.

Hey, thanks! I think we've opted to do a Full Day at Tokyo DisneySea and try to squeeze in just a half day (evening) at Tokyo Disneyland. Plan to just hit up a few of the favorites. If we can somehow still get premier pass for Beauty and Beast, great. If not, may not work out. Just a whole lot of non-amusement park related things to do this time. So, doing my best to strike a balance!

Hoping to visit the parks on 8/30 and 8/31. Just trying to figure out when school vacation typically ends to figure out if I should push the visit to the next week! Will plan to get Premier Access for many of the rides if lines seem to warrant it... since we only have a day at each park, we will want to make the most of it.

What a lovely park. It's only been a handful of months since my visit and I look back so fondly!

A few other things: You can get ticket books from Weiss Market for $17 ($20 at park). It's tricky because you don't want to have extra tickets, but maybe $40 worth to start would be sufficient. Phoenix is really great in third row IMO! I think it is better than in the front in some ways. Must rides for me beyond coasters: Black Diamond, Haunted Mansion, Flyers, Bumper Cars, Carousel, Skyride (can skip but is a really nice ride), Log Flume (also can skip but a really solid flume), Pioneer Train (super pleasant), Drop Tower is great, Antique Cars and Motor Boats are also well done but maybe not critical. Try to have some unique food options. You can go to International Food Court in the morning and get your breakfast and then be armed with your tickets and line up for Flying Turns before park open to knock it out. I don't know if Impulse has been running a single rider line or not. If so, I would do Flying Turns first, for sure. Have a great time!

Hahahah, I personally like Kentucky Kingdom a lot, too. It may have been obvious in years past but KK has definitely added some coasters. Both are fun parks, just Holiday World is more my speed.

Reading some really great things about The Beast. This is one of the rides that has contributed to my love of roller coasters the most. I am not sure yet if it'll work out for us to make a trip to Kings Island this year. I'm really hoping so. Looking forward to hearing folks thoughts on how it is running!

Holiday World is obviously the superior park. We only spent 3 or so hours at the park on a weekend last year and got on everything we wanted, including the drop tower and coasters. It is definitely doable.

Great report! Seems like a pretty well done iteration of the food and drinking event. Will make it back soon enough for Pantheon.

Hello! We are thinking of visiting the park on June 1st (Wednesday). Have a few questions: 1. We move fast, but would like to hit most all of the interesting park attractions (can skip many of the flats probably). Would a second day (or half day) be appropriate? 2. Can anyone share thoughts on the Hotel Charles Lindbergh? Some logistical questions on the hotel itself: -Are dinner and breakfast served outside of park hours so that we can enjoy them and not take from our park time? -Same goes with the bar... is the bar open after park close? -I assume you are allowed to exit the hotel into the park starting at 9:00 AM? Does this offer an advantage for getting on rides before other park guests (I know rides won't open until 10)? -Any other details, etc. on why we should / shouldn't stay there, I would appreciate. Seems like a good value all things considered 400 euro). 3. Tips for otherwise accomplishing the park? 4. The quick pass... "The pass entitles the holder to 2x faster access as a single person or 1x faster access in pairs (with accompanying person)." Can someone explain what this means? 10 euro for lesser rides and 20 euro for Taron and Black Mamba.

Great report. Certainly looking forward to eventually returning to BGT. Train was closed when I was there as well, so some new things to experience.

I've always been disappointed that they've taken such a complacent approach with World Showcase. Still a good bit of real estate to work with back there to squeeze in a few more countries. With attendance rising across all parks, it seems totally necessary. I know they've expanded some existing pavilions but still.

Really thrilled to only have to go two years without a Bayern Kurve in my life. Truly an awesome addition.

I really think if they scrapped the rooms and sold this at $300/person for four hour dinner party experience I’d consider it. Or even $500/person but include Hollywood Studios ticket, the lightning lane passes and lunch. That to me would be the better move.

Doing a 2022 Season Update on this: (Prices 2001, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022 via Wayback Machine); Inflation is $1 in 2001 = $1.59 today. Phoenix: $1.50 $2, $2, $2.50, $3, $3, $3.50, $4 Flyers: $0.80, $1, $1.20, $1.50, $1.75, $2.50, $2.50, $3 Carousel: $0.70 $0.80 $0.90, $1, $1.50, $1.75, $2, $2.50 Red Baron: $0.60, $0.70 $0.80, $1, $1.25, $1.50, $1.75, $2 Adult Wristband w/ Coasters: (not available), $31, $37, $39.50, $47, $50, $53, not available for 2022 Other notes- Black Diamond is $3.50, Phoenix, Twister, Impulse - $4, Flying Turns - Not listed. Haunted Mansion increased from $2.50 to $3. All flats are $2.50-3 now, Ferris Wheel = $3.50, Skyway = $5 Kiddie rides are $2 (Kozmo's Kurves = $3.00) Campground rates went up from like $56/58 to $62/66 as well which seems pretty steep. Prices increased again and really quite dramatically. Across the board, ride ticket prices increased 50 cents. This is like 15-25% increase on everything in one year. If you are a family of four and you ride with tickets for a day and rode 15 rides each, that is $30 more than last year. It seems like they're pretty clearly trying to push people toward wristbands more and more. Which sucks. I know labor and other costs are up, but these hikes seem more dramatic than warranted at face value. If they rose wristband prices from $50-60 in one year and added nothing, would that seem steep? I think so.

Was driving up toward the Finger Lakes for work and actually drove past one of these trailers and I was pretty well convinced my eyes were not deceiving me. Knew it was headed to Fantasy Island.

Clarion Inn in Pigeon Forge proper is absolutely worth a few extra bucks though sometimes deals can be had.

Carousel had been listed for sale. They also posted (after failing to sell) that the carousel would be back next year. Which obviously seems challenging to say the least. The ride mechanism is obviously historic but few (if any) of the horses are actually all that old. Devil's Den will likely not find a home. I don't know where it would even make sense, realistically. It's a little... ghetto for most parks to accept, probably. I am really disappointed that the park is going down this way. But I understand the cynics who would be happy to see it gone. I would rather the park exist than not, is all.

Yup. We had a nice time. Didn't get to do Noah's Ark. Ghostwood Estate holiday overlay was good fun. Potato Patch employee was skimping hard on fries so that bummed us out a lot.

I'm definitely not asking for a separate unload. The train just CRAWLS back into the station. At a pace that is just unacceptable, IMO. RMC could absolutely design a faster system. And it would probably improve speed of dispatch (whether running 1 or 2 trains) by a healthy bit. Just seems like it should be a priority of manufacturers and parks, as it is doesn't cost them anything in OPEX but improves the dispatches.

One thing that has always frustrated me about Lightning Rod, even when running two trains, is the time it takes for the train to get from the brake run into the station after a train dispatches. By the time the gates open to load guests, the other train is already completing its circuit. If you design roller coasters, shouldn't this be a MAJOR priority? Obviously parks like Disney don't mess around with this. They have separate unloading areas and trains move very quickly into the station. Just a musing. It applies to other coasters but is especially noticeable on LR.

Loved reading this report. So much detail and loads of pictures. Glad you guys had a great time!

Kennywood has announced on Pittsburgh Today Live that the Kangaroo flat ride will be returning for the 2022 season after an extensive refurbishment! https://www.kennywood.com/plan-your-visit/experiences/what-s-new https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/11/19/kennywood-kangaroo-new-attraction-announcement/ A Kennywood Classic Returns A true Kennywood classic will rejoin the park’s world-class collection of rides in 2022.The iconic Kangaroo will return fully refurbished and ready to thrill riders with its unique ride experience – a rite of passage for younger guests seeking bigger thrills. More than a ride, Kangaroo is a timeless Kennywood tradition. Riders have looked forward to the feeling of weightlessness aboard the attraction for generations. Now, the ride that served as the inspiration for Kennywood’s mascot will make its triumphant return 60 years after its initial debut. In partnership with Premier Rides – one of the amusement industry’s leading ride manufacturers and innovators – Kennywood has begun a total refurbishment of Kangaroo. This work will enhance the experience with an all-new LED lighting package, vibrant new colors, and state of the art operating systems while still providing the classic “Flying Coaster” feel. Choose the Roo's New Look We heard you, and now that Kangaroo is bouncing back, we want you to choose the ride's new logo and theming. Vote now between two design options: Classic or Vintage. You can vote once per day through Sunday, Nov. 21 at 11:59 p.m.

I think it's ridiculous to suspend the Virtual Queue. I think Disney would do well to have the most popular ride at each park on Virtual Queue. It's not that hard to adjust your day based on a single Boarding Pass (would get confusing for multiple). I recognize that some folks didn't get a boarding pass, but isn't it a significantly better guest experience to NOT have to wait two hours to ride? I understand that part of the motivation to remove it is so they can make extra $$ selling people Lightning Lane single use passes. But the optics are really sour for me.