flylikeacow

I live in Edmonton and used to work at West Edmonton Mall waterpark and had no idea that there was a bowling alley in the mall. I guess that gives you a bit of an idea about how massive WEM is. On another note, after reading some of the comments here, I'm really excited to head over to Galaxyland in a couple weeks. I've been there plenty of times but have never tried the Mindbender since being upside-down really freaks me out. But it really does seem worth it - if TPR says it's good, I know it's good. Also, great TR on Calaway Park. I haven't been to that place in several years but this TR was a nice reminder of how much I enjoyed it there. It's not by any means a fantastic park, but it's interesting and fun and just has a nice feel to it - very friendly.

I have one of those Hello-Kitty-riding-Dodonpa cell phone straps. However, unlike Hello Kitty, I didn't get to ride - they kept randomly closing the ride. I waited in line for it three times and didn't get a single ride in. Stupid Fujikyu. D: By the way, thank you, TPR, for introducing me to the awesomeness that is Taiko no Tatsujin. I probably spent a good 4000 yen on it while I was in Japan.

I went to Namjatown last year, it's so ridiculous. My friends and I went through one of the haunted houses where you use one of those scary-lady-head-on-spider-legs things to activate different parts of the haunted house. It was actually really scary (I have a picture of my friend Yuria and I screaming and trying to run away that they gave me when we finished the haunted house). And I tried the squid ice cream from Ice Cream City. NEVER AGAIN. Ooh, and I have a hell toilet story! It was a different hell toilet in Namjatown, though... In one of the bathrooms, the hell toilet was the only Western-style toilet. When you closed the door, the only light came from the bulb installed in that cubicle, instead of the lights from the rest of the bathroom. There was also this very, very creepy looking face on the wall. While I was in there, the lights went out, a blacklight came on, the eyes of the creepy face lit up red, and there was an evil laugh coming from a speaker in the wall. Apparently Namjatown finds joy in scaring foreigners. It looks like TPR is having an amazing time; I'd give anything to be back in Japan right now. I can't wait for the rest of the trip updates!

This might be a little late, but the languages in this photo are 1. English (obviously) 2. Japanese 3. ? 4. Korean 5. German 6. French 7. Spanish However, some of these were specifically words for "emergency exit," such as the Japanese one. I Googled "emergency exit" to see if I could figure out what language the third one is in (no such luck), and found an article about Jet Blue. Not sure if this was just a coincidence or not. :3

Nooo! I didn't get to go there on my trip to Japan last summer... I was hoping I could go on my next trip in a few years, but apparently not. ;_;

This land looks absolutely fantastic. As a huge Harry Potter nerd, I've been really excited about this ever since it was announced. And although I'm really excited for the Forbidden Journey ride, I'm even more excited about the little details - drinking some pumpkin juice, listening to the portraits talk, looking at shop fronts, seeing the animatronic Buckbeak. And I guess it's a little difficult to put myself in the shoes of a non-fan (because I've read each book at least ten times... yeah), I don't think it's going to be... exclusive. Even if you haven't read a single book, or even seen one of the movies, then you can still appreciate how cool the talking portraits look, or how awesome Ollivander's Wand Shop is. You may not appreciate the moving photos of Gilderoy Lockhart in the shop windows like a Harry Potter fan can, but it's still a cool bit of added theming. You may not be able to appreciate the chocolate frog cards in Honeyduke's like a Harry Potter fan can, but you can still eat the chocolate frogs and think "that is a damn good piece of overpriced chocolate." ...And anyway, if you get confused by something, just ask one of the nerds running around the place. I'm sure there's bound to be plenty there at any given moment. Just make sure your questions aren't too general... we can talk for hours about the series.

This looks absolutely incredible. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan (I've read all the books at least ten times, and seen all the movies at least five) and words cannot describe how excited I am to have a look for myself. The whole area looks, well, beautiful. The attention to detail is amazing. I read another TR on Inside the Magic the other day and wow! It's the little things that make the whole area more amazing. I also read a detailed report on the Forbidden Journey ride, and I'm so excited to ride it! It sounds amazing (except for the bit with all the acromantula - that sounds... kinda scary. I do NOT want to come face-to-face with Aragog). By the way, did you get to see the Hogwarts Frog Choir? I saw a video, it was great. Thanks for the TR!

Hi there! I've been working through a Tourism course for an extra high school credit, and I came across a question that I think TPR members may be able to help me with. I'm wondering what kind of advertising would attract you to a new theme park. TV ads? Shiny brochures? Or just word of mouth? What about things like coupons or competitions? Thank you in advance for your help. -Robin

I am literally squealing with joy here. Words cannot express how excited I am for this park. (Yes, I am excessively nerdy). I have to wait until summer of 2011 to go, though. That is FAR too long a wait. A few things, though... "As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them." - This bugs me so much. Hermione would never skip a lecture. /nerdrage "Room of Requirement: Here, with hundreds of floating candles above, you take your seat on an enchanted bench and begin the Forbidden Journey" - Um. The floating candles are in the Great Hall, not the Room of Requirement (I mean, they COULD be in the Room of Requirement, but I can think of no reason as to why they would be). Also... ENCHANTED BENCH? "The queue includes the following Harry Potter book and film elements: Headmaster Dumbledore's office, Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Gryffindor common room, Room of Requirement, and the greenhouse; talking portraits including the Fat Lady and the never-before-seen four founders: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw; the Sorting Hat, the One-Eyed Witch statue and the Mirror of Erised" - Holy crap, I am actually more excited for the queue than ride. Like, that sounds amazing. I wanna see the talking portraits!