Taylor Finn

Two things: The thought is that they’re bringing a Bayern Curve for this time of year? Or as a new permanent ride? Also, looks like some rides saw pretty steep increases again. I’m wondering if they’re changed just for the fall or...? Because they just seemed to have increased. Thrill flats are all $2.25-2.50, haunted mansion is up to $3, etc. E.G. flyers were $1.75 last year or two years ago so $2.50 is significant imo. I know I’ve said this before but clearly if they continue at this pace for too long, I think it’s going to be start becoming cost prohibitive for some families. Just my two cents and I totally understand if folks see it differently.

Love the idea of working from the Ferris Wheel. It’s a pretty clever idea, certainly gimmicky but yeah. I’m pretty sure this park will be on the list of parks to visit when I return to Japan. Don’t plan to go to too many parks. Maybe one or two outside Tokyo Disney.

Has anyone been to the park during Harvest Fest? Seems like they’ve hit capacity multiple weekdays already. It seems awfully surprising given reports of low, low crowds during the summer. Guess fall break and it being a popular event?

-I would say Mega Vortex will likely stick around. You’re not wrong, it’s never hugely busy but it’s not too, too old. -A set of Flyers would be a nice addition. -Ravine Flyer will stay as is for a while, for sure. -Anything they can do to continue to improve the water parks capacity will certainly be good. It’s clearly a huge draw. Welcome to the Forum and thanks for the well thought out post. Was a good read!

Living vicariously through your TR. A year without Knoebels is a sad year for me. But, I'll have my site for PPP moved to next year, at least. Missing the food!

Hello all! We have Dollywood Season Passes and are *thinking* of visiting. Likely would be during Harvest Fest at this point. Either 9/30 and 10/5 or 10/7 and 10/12 (ie- first or second weeks of the fest). Ideally, we would enjoy the following: -Strolling through the park, seeing a few shows, getting cinnamon bread and as a bonus, if the lines drop to 5 min, riding LR, Thunderhead, and Wild Eagle, plus maybe the train. We wouldn't consider our visit a failure if the rides part doesn't work out due to us feeling uncomfy in lines (no harm, no foul). We would be going on a Wednesday evening (park is tentatively open every day but Tuesday/Thursday 10-9) and possibly a Monday morning into Afternoon. I am assuming they are expanding hours from 6 to 9 PM and opening on Wednesdays due to an increased interest this time of year. I've never been for Harvest Fest so I don't really know what to expect. My fiancee and I are the kind of people who want to make as informed a decision as possible. I totally understand us going cannot be a RISK FREE day, as we will be around people. I am just hoping some folks can provide a few insights as to their experiences this year. Here are my questions: 1. Are they still doing the hand sanitizer before every ride thing? 2. Can someone tell me what a crowded day looks like in the parking lot? We would say that most days we've gone, we've parked in Lot C and D/E may have a few cars parked but not too many. Just wanting to be able to assess a bit, as we have gold passes and could enter the parking lot and judge without worry. 3. Do you think from 8-9 PM many of the coasters could be < 5 minute waits? I feel confident we can keep our distance just about everywhere *except* in lines. Is that a fair assessment based on peoples' visits? 4. Has anyone gone on a day where capacity was actually capped? I don't know what % Capacity they are capping at and if that equates to a rather crowded day or not. Sorry to re-introduce the subject. I am not looking for a response that encourages me to not go, etc. I am just looking for any info that can be offered so we can know what to expect and decide for ourselves. Thank you!

We have gone the last few years because we enjoy getting a bunch of rides on Phoenix that night and you get some free food with the festivities. It's also just because we enjoy the craft festival and the haunted overlays. So, if we are going to go that time of year, we miles well go that weekend. Seems like they'll push my reservation back a year if I want, so I'll probably opt to go that route.

Kennywood is definitely hurting hard for guests Tickets are all the way down at $23. That is cheaper than *discount* night rider tickets usually are during Fall Fantasy Parades. I know not everything is open. But they've been steadily dropping prices from $32. I won't be visiting this year. But I feel for them and am bummed the Jack Rabbit's 100th anniversary cannot be properly celebrated.

Certainly bizarre park. Really bizarre assortment of coasters. Some day in the distant future, maybe I will visit to see if they've figured it out.

I bought one tin of the Chocolate Crunch. The Royal Milk Tea one. I love love love the tins and thought it was just about the best souvenir you could get (they were reasonably priced, if I remember)!

Primeval Whirl closing is perfectly fine. I do understand what Disney was going for with Dinoland USA and recognize there is actually a pretty substantial backstory to it, which is neat. However, it fell flat for me time and time again. I really cannot understand though why they would close Primeval Whirl but keep that section of the park open. It seems bizarre, if you ask me. It would be like Radiator Springs Racer closing for good and keeping the other two flats. I mean, you could do it. But it just seems bare now. Rivers of Light was an enjoyable show. And a necessary show. But it didn't wow me or anything. I hope they're replacing and not just eliminating, but we'll see.

Yeah, I know there is no way to necessarily get everyone to see eye-to-eye on this. But the reality is that even with *significant* measures taken, 140k people have died from this in the last 105 days (likely more). The flu never kills 1.3k people/day for the whole flu season. That would be 120k people. Moreover, the premise that testing alone has resulted in us having more cases is misguided at best. Wouldn't you like to know who has this and how many people are dying from it? If more folks have it, more folks will end up being tested. South Korea had the testing capacity available to do a ton of tests when it *WAS* there, so they could still be doing loads of tests now. But they're not. Because they kicked it in the butt and there isn't anyone that needs tested. And the mask situation is obviously unfortunate for those that cannot wear. But the issue with Americans is we have a freedom complex. One person goes in with their kid w/o a mask and everyone else in the park feels entitled to do the same thing. It's your right to not wear a mask, but certainly Kennywood's right to say, "Not on property." I don't what else really needs to be said about it that isn't just treading the same water again and again. On another note, has anyone been on the new Old Mill? I didn't really want to watch the POV, but I've heard mention that it is a bit bare? I know it is challenging with the long narrow hallways to really fill the space properly.

Thanks for all the great pictures. It clearly has way way way more space for folks to travel through. Any time you do that, you obviously lose charm. I think the area looks nice, albeit slightly sterile at the moment. I'll reserve too much judgment until it is completed!

Chuck, Thanks for all the great Japan pictures. I started reading my own report again for a nostalgia trip but this is one step better, seeing new pictures and perspective.

Love the pics as always. A good many parks on here that I would love to visit at some point!

Thanks for the report! Refreshing to see an old style Vlog. I’d kill for there to be vlogs like this for the two times I’ve traveled with you, but I’m grateful to see it return a bit! Glad to hear things are working out a bit better for them there!

Well, Folks are not too happy about the policies. Not surprising given the part of the country and clientele. Looks to be an extension of Season Passes through 6/15/21. I do think it would be a nice gesture to extend further, but understand it is a business. They are offering a bring a buddy valid anytime throughout the summer. I wonder, though, when I renewed, I received two bring a buddy tickets. Wonder if I just get the one now or if this bonus one is in addition to those two? It don't much matter to me because we wouldn't likely use them all. Just curious.

Lovely report. Always a joy to see more Japan photos. Those two northern parks are certainly ones I would enjoy visiting!

This park is kind of falling apart, it would seem. There wasn't a TON on offer before from the rides side and now there's even less. Blue fall was a pretty fun ride, for sure!

Got an email from coaster-count today... thought it was sort of interesting. "We always try to keep our database clean and consistent. Today we have updated the following coaster's special category: Devil's Den, Conneaut Lake Park, United States Special: Strict -> Undefined" I guess I am just a bit confused as to why it wouldn't be considered a straight up credit. I really don't care at all. I think it is just an interesting discussion point.

So many parks in Japan that I wish I could have gone to/still wish to go to. But grateful I have at least visited some of what you noted. Love the brevity to this!

Any unique wooden coasters! And really anything from Japan, at all would be nice.

I know TPR community is likely biased as we are more likely to have visited DisneySea and love love it. But yeah, that is my pick. It isn't an easy pick for me, honestly though. It is the park that absolutely impressed me the most. However, if I could only go to one park for the rest of my life it would likely be either original DL or Tokyo Disneyland. Purely because some of my favorites are there. I love Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain more than many of the rides at DisneySea. So it is a bit tricky. But DisneySea wins out for the wow factor and the level of immersion. I'll be anxious to revisit once they have much of this expansion complete in a few years (hopefully).

Got a quick technical question: when I go to my profile to view my ranking... I can see the top four, but when I press "View Entire Ranking," I get an error message 404 - Not Found. Any tips?

Phoenix holding strong, as always. Continues to amaze me, every year. Mystic Timbers is such a solid ride and glad to see Ghostrider get some love, as I really enjoyed my experience earlier this year. i305 saw a pretty big fall this year. Are there just better coasters popping up or did folks experience some new roughness, or something? Mine Blower really was a fun ride; however, it isn't going to hold up well over time, as I thought it was already a bit rough for how new it was. I can't speak to Boulder Dash recently, as I rode it like 6 or so years ago. I enjoyed it and thought it was unique, but remember my father finding it a bit too rough for his taste. I find myself ranking inverts pretty high (my favorite B&M type, though I did enjoy Leviathan a lot, too), so it is a bit sad to see none get any top 25 love. It is understandable with all the great new stuff out there. But Pyrenees was truly amazing. There is something about inverts carry their speed and the forces on some of the inversions is just great. They're unique rides and not for everyone, but some of the better ones have aged gracefully.