cfc

^I know you'll be happy when LeScoot opens.

I'm tempted to say Splash Mountain in Japan simply because it's at Tokyo Disneyland. Other than that, it's a wash, as far as I'm concerned,

^The state is poised to lift restrictions on June 15, so my first guess is "probably not." Here's an article about what the park is doing to bring in more staff. You can read more here. UPDATE: I did come across a tweet saying that Alpengeist (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, says the park website) and Loch Ness Monster (not listed on the park website) were currently running. I'm going to the park this Sunday, so I guess I'll see for myself.

Yep--you have me beat by a little over 100 miles.

Probably Diamond Python at Merimbula's Magic Mountain in Australia. It's a little less than 10,000 miles from Williamsburg.

Thanks for the report. Kondaa looks great. I'm looking forward to the outward banked turn on Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, too (looks like Intamin has a nifty new trick).

^Thanks for sharing that report. The park has been much more crowded since April 1. I don't recall seeing anything in the local media that capacity was increased to 13,000 (only that capacity was still "limited").

I think the maximum is 4,000 guests, which the state allowed them to do during the Christmas Celebration last year (it was 1,000 initially).

Yes, the "one-off" Quick Queue seems to be standard operating procedure for new coasters. I imagine it'll be the same for Pantheon, which will probably join the rest of the Quick Queue rides in 2022.

Hmm--probably Slinky Dog Dash and that was in October 2019--or maybe Cobra's Curse.

I know that Verbolten wasn't on Quick Queue during it's opening season, so my best guess for Pantheon is "probably not," although they most likely built a Quick Queue entrance for it for subsequent seasons. But who knows? Maybe they'll offer a single Quick Queue pass.

I enjoyed Voyage to the Iron Reef, but I think bringing back a classic Knott's ride in a new form is a smart move.

^Hmm--think I'll let things settle down a bit before I look in going to any SoCal parks.

^The Raccoons of Satan!

I'd like to ride Steel Eel someday, as I have a soft spot for those Morgan Hypers.

Kolmarden was great--and quite a hike! It's tough to top the location of Wildfire and how it interacts with the rugged landscape there. You captured it perfectly.

^Yep--that was what the kid was riding.

^ At least they got this right. @SharkTums

^^Hmm--I think your assumption is correct. @Mike240SX I'm certainly not expecting "full operations" before Memorial Day Weekend, which isn't unusual (for example, they usually don' t start operating the water rides before then). But the park hasn't announced anything officially yet, so who really knows? They also have to bring staffing up to speed. That being said, who's up for the . . . Food & Wine Festival Report The park was bustling last Sunday, even with reduced attendance in effect, but this wasn't the busiest I've seen it this year. That was a few weeks ago when all the spring break madness was going on during the first weekend of the Food and Wine Festival. They were really slammed then--especially with two food booths, Brazil and Mexico, closed (on a Saturday). It was smoother sailing last Sunday, despite the large crowd, thanks to all the booths being open. But the food lines got pretty long as the afternoon wore on. Festival operations were a mixed bag. I visited four booths: South Korea, Brazil, Virginia, and Mexico. The first three acquitted themselves pretty well; for example, Brazil had a fairly long line, but it moved quickly. Mexico, however . . . ugh! More on that later. On the upside, the food was very good at each booth, and there was no waiting at the Brauhaus (Grogan's in Ireland had a longer line). Waits for rides were a mixed bag. I waited about 15 minutes for Apollo's Chariot and Griffon. The wait for Verbolten was posted at over an hour. Based on three-train ops and a full queue, I'd say that's about right (at least they were using all the rows). InvadR looked pretty slammed, so I didn't bother, and Finnigan's Flyer was posted at 45 minutes. They had a few more flats open in Festa Italia. They also put up a temporary wall just before the Roman Rapids and the pizza-and-pasta buffet, which hasn't been open all year. (Word is that they want to renovate that restaurant.) The only full-size restaurant open is the Festhaus (and that's with socially distanced seating). So, get ready for plenty of food pictures, although not quite as many you'll see in a typical Adam TR. They've been doing some work around Pantheon, too, which I'm taking as a good sign. Hmm--a few more people than usual milling around England today. Almighty Zeus, Father of the Gods! We humble mortals of Busch Gardens beseech you! Send us a sign! Zeus be praised! I think those metal railings on the ramp and stairs were added recently, too. The lightning-hurling Zeus has blessed us with two signs! But are we worthy? (I think this is the main queue entrance as seen from the train.) Well, being as I'm already in Festa Italia and just got off Apollo’s Chariot, I may as well hit the South Korea booth. There was no wait, so Zeus be praised, again! The pork rib was pretty good. I even like the Korean coleslaw. What’s this? The Brazil booth at a “Dutch angle”? Is it the lair of a 1960s Batman villain? I ordered one Churasco (skirt steak with chimichurri sauce), but they gave me two. Not a complaint, just a yummy observation. The wait for Griffon was a between 15 and 20 minutes. Acceptable. The wait for a shrimp taco, however . . . At least it’s “crisply.” “Crisply-ness” confirmed. It was quite good, but I doubt I’d wait in this line again--especially if there’s another fussy kid in the group behind me. The kid was harnessed in what appeared to be a tricycle combination baby stroller (never seen a rig like that one before); that is, the kid could ride it like a trike, or an adult could push it like a stroller. It was some Radio Flyer hybrid toy. Spring . . . achoo! achoo! . . . time in Virginia. Shore is purty. No wait in the Brauhaus! Star Hill “The Love" wheat been for the win! Hmm--the Virginia booth in Scotland isn’t too busy. May as well score some of these tasty, artery-clogging bacon-and-cheddar hush puppies with honey butter. If you have $49.99 burning a hole in your pocket, you may as well buy one of these new models. With any luck, we’ll see all three of these coasters operating this summer. Get your vaccine, and thanks for reading.

It still amuses that every time I visited a U.S. park that featured a Giant Inverted Boomerang, the ride was always broken. I had to go all the way to China with TPR to finally ride one. It was fun, but that one had issues that day, too.

^I did not know that--thank you. I remember Prop Plaza, the Battle for Galactica (and getting harassed by a Cylon for wearing a Knott's Berry Farm hat), all that old stuff.

Great report! I haven't been to Universal Hollywood since the Jurassic Park ride was brand new, and I remember the old days when it was just the studio tour (which took a good three hours).

That last shot of Black Mamba is particularly good. The theming really enhances this coaster (all the trees and trenches--not to mention the drumbeats as you leave the station).

The ride looks great. I like Phantasaland's Taron, and if Velocicoaster is an improvement on it, so much the better.

^Yep. The new Avalon section as great, and Fenix is the best of the B&M Wingrider coasters. It was nice to sit and relax with a brew at the indoor Biergarten, too.