RoCo

^Totally. There's something almost "Indiana Jones-ish" about these discoveries. Also, that is the most beautifully themed Paratrooper ever. A ballsy claim to make, I know, but I'm standing by it.

I had no idea this coaster existed; just checked it out at RCDB.com. Very, very cool. I am concurring. REALLY want to get to Ocean Park some day.

Sounds like the DB Hurricane might yet make the move to ZooMiami: http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/111208/story3.shtml EDIT: After another read, it sounds like plans to move the coaster are indeed old news, and not part of the latest scheme... Never mind, move along...

"Kate..." Can you imagine a U.S. park trying to pull a stunt like this? Awesome.

Warning: I'm not responsible for nausea and vomiting as a result of the following pun. Viewer Discretion is advised... Perhaps it's name will be (WAIT FOR IT...) MONTDEUX Mon Dieu!

The projections on the castle are awesome! (As were the "crumbling buildings" at HHN.) So cool to see that the technology is going to be in ever greater use at theme parks. I wonder if the Imagineers have ever pitched a full-on "Santa Mountain" overlay.

^^No question, 80s-popstar catfights should replace pretty much every theme park stunt show, and that's my creepy weirdo post for the day. But now that the rumor mill really is trending so strongly towards the 2-park Potter experience, I've warmed up quite a bit to the idea. Execution is everything, granted, but I'm pretty confident they've got some killer ideas in the hopper.

Yeah, see, this. I've changed my mind back; it's not Potter at USF. But... No. It's not. I think. And let me announce here and now that if it does turn out to be "Twilight Land," I will commit seppuku.

Forgive me if this was already posted (checked quickly, didn't see it) but apparently Robert Niles, AKA Theme Park Insider, spoke briefly with Thierry Coup of Universal Creative and Transformers is NOT what's replacing Jaws (see comments on this page: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201112/2773/). Interesting. Maybe this two-parks Potter experience isn't so crazy... if they made the "train ride" between them a really special experience... even thought Niles calls this his "favorite silly rumor." It is kind of silly, but it's growing on me. Pretty ballsy if they were to pull it off.

^If only! I love this idea, but it'll never, ever happen. But, again, LOVE IT!

First, THIS SUCKS! I love this ride. Second, I agree with other comments regarding the Lost Continent. The un-Potterized areas there feel very weak these days and I would have to guess that the long-range Potter plans were ALWAYS to eventually remove that only area of the park that wasn't based on existing IP. C'est la vie... So I think they've got other schemes in mind for the Studios park. Maybe a gitanic Transformers land/attraction? That feels right. Bruce, godspeed, buddy.

This is a neat idea; never heard of it done on a board before! I'm in. And I like surprises, so surprise me! And I promise to throw a random theme park-related item into my gift, like an old press kit or something.

^^ Just checked out the Funhouse shots at Flickr and, short of curing all disease and ending world hunger, you are doing humanity the greatest service possible. I'm only half-joking.

Another hearty "HELLYEAH!" for all these awesome clips! The Bat - never get tired of footage of that legendary ride; oh, to have ridden... The Beast, without the first drop trims... *stares off dreamily and sighs* The Orient Express, man, I wish that ride was still around. Why aren't there more coasters with interlocking loops?! They look so awesome. (Were there any others beyond Nessie, OE and the SFGAdv Lightning Loops?) And, KCForce, kick-ass contribution as well! Loved hearing your first-person account and that overhead shot is beautiful!

Getting to a real German fair is so high on my Bucket List. I'm dripping with want right now.

I don't revisit this thread for four days and it explodes with awesome. Larry, you've just given me and many more the best Christmas present we could have asked for with this thread. And for Wild Bill and everyone involved in this effort, that goes double for you. This is completely winsane, the whole damned thing.

Verbolten may be the coaster I'm most looking forward to in 2012, no joke. If it lives up to its promise... And I had no idea that this park went so balls-out for Christmas. Wow, just beautiful. That "Polar Pathway" thing is sick. Great shots, thanks!

Loved the home movie footage! There's something about old super-8 clips of amusement parks, with the colors fading, etc., that I find compelling, like I'm remembering a dream or something. Very cool.

^Yeah, the superstring theory guy I spoke to yesterday was way off. I knew it. There are dangerous levels of win in this report.

^"Tantalize: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach" You're doing it right. (I'm trying to imagine 40 acres of NOTHING BUT dark rides... )

First coaster that I can remember was the little Bradley and Kaye ride at Beverly Park Kiddieland in Los Angeles. (First dark ride was there, too!) First "real" coaster? Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds, baby. Still a favorite.

These photos are jaw-dropping. They all make me want to get right up, drive to LAX and get on a plane. Just fantastic. Please keep them coming! And thanks!

Interesting. Slowly rebuilding their theme park empire.

This has become perhaps my favorite thread ever on this site. Chuck, thanks so much for posting that VR vid of "...Inner Space." Brought a virtual tear to my eye. I don't care where this place is, I'm there ASAP. (And if it is the East Coast, mega-bonus. I've already got a trip to NY planned next year. )

This project is starting to sound like it's got a very good chance of getting real sooner than later and that is making me freak out a little bit. I totally remember "Flight To Mars" at Seattle's Fun Forest! Just rode it once, in the early 70s? It's a tragedy that "Nights In White Satin" wasn't saved. I wonder if Sally would recreate it for the right price... (probably can't be done what with the licensing issues, etc., but it's fun to dream.) And speaking of dreaming, one more Disney dark ride for the "Impossible Wish List:" Adventures into Inner Space. How effed up and creepy was that eyeball?!