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^It's still a great invert, but I agree that it seems "out of place" now. It was even better when it dueled.

^If Florida's experience is any indication, the opening date doesn't really matter. It'll be slammed no matter what the date.

^Agreed! I remember Formule X being particularly good.

Quicksilver Express--Gilroy Gardens

F: Fun Spot America (Orlando)

We already have a discussion thread devoted to Carowinds: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42435. Please post your "speculations" about the park there. Thank you.

I know my audience.

Alewerks Drake Tail IPA

Christmas Town isn't about the rides; people go there for the decorations, the food, and the shows. Staffing and budgets come into play, too--why pay to keep a ride staffed and operating if very few people are queuing up for it?

It definitely wasn't open last Friday night. They had benches blocking the entrance plaza.

^The Flight of Lights is very nice, as is Nacht Tower (Mach Tower in "elevator mode").

^The Matterhorn ornament sort of looks like a flume ride.

B: Bon Bon Land

One last look at the Studios, then off to the Saratoga and Disney Springs. Cameron and I had the choice of seeing the Indiana Jones Stunt Show or riding ToT again. Wasn't much of a decision. Never noticed this sign in the queue before. Cameron found what he wants for Christmas! "Naughty you were. Coal you shall get." Goodbye, Studios! Looking forward to seeing the "new you" in a few years. The Saratoga Springs is a really nice resort. I stayed here once when it was still the Disney Institute. "All my friends know the low rider." It's a Hidden "Yekcim." I definitely recommend this resort. Take this path after dark, and you may end up at the "Titty Twister." Welcome to Disney "no longer Downtown" Springs. Still need to change a few signs, though. I think Disney Springs is looking good. Amphicars ready to launch. Didn't check this place out. Next time. Tonight, I was all about this joint. This concoction with chocolate gelato sitting on a thick bed of caramel with chocolate crunchies and tempura Oreos was excellent. Hmm--be careful not step on the "present" that Pluto made for us. Back across the bridge to Saratoga Springs. One last look at Disney Springs. It'll really be great when it's all finished. That's a wrap--thanks for reading!

Well, it's about time I finished this TR, now that my Thanksgiving travels and Christmas decorating are finally done. Well, it's still technically "fall" until December 21, right? We had one last day at WDW before Cameron and I had to return to our respective homes, and we ended up spending another good day at the Studios. Yes, it is still possible to have a reasonably full, enjoyable day there, especially when you have Fast Passes for ToT, RnR, and Star Tours (thanks again, Robb, for setting them up for group). We even took in the Frozen show in it's new home at the Hyperion Theater. This venue is definitely a cut above the old theater this show used to play in, and, yes, this performance was packed. Despite some of the wailing and gnashing of teeth you hear from some Disney diehards, Frozen is definitely still a "thing" to many people. The projections in the new theater are better, and they've amped up the show effects, particularly Elsa's entrance. One mildly exciting incident: I lost my phone on RnR, but got it back. Like I said, only "mildly exciting." For our final meal at the resort, we dined at Morimoto's in Disney Springs; it is, indeed, excellent. Join us, won't you? Nope. Still not missing the hat. "Hit there! I got bubbles! Don't ya wanna play with my bubbles? Come on, I got bubbles!" Yes, we know that you totally have bubbles . . . . . . and we totally have Fast Passes. "If you'd paid me and asked 'Will Chuck lose his phone on Rock 'n' and Roller Coaster but get it back?' I would've answered 'yes.' But some do not wish to know their future." Suddenly, Cameron felt that something was hanging over his head. Perhaps it was the Sword of Damocles . . . in the Twilight Zone. The ToT gift shop still has some of Disney's best merchandise. The front side of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster . . . . . . and the backside. "You know, this could've been 'Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Featuring Rod Stewart,' but no, I had far too much class to lend my name to a theme-park ride. I gotta get a new agent." (I made this up. Please do not accept it as a "fact.") Now you see them . . . . . . now you don't. Disney perfectly captured the filth of your average big-city parking garage in this ride. And, like moths to the flame . . . . . . we were drawn to the "Frozen Sing-a-Long Celebration." Yep--still pretty popular, if the number of shows is any indication. "Ha! We totally own this place, Elsa!" "Yes, my dear Anna. Now we must find a way to extend our dominion over Animal Kingdom!" "Better make sure I'm extending the proper finger! I don't want to offend the good people of Hollywoodland!" "Hmm--I think we're lacking a Stooge here. I wonder if Elsa knows where Moe is?" Elsa looking particularly saucy. She's just lettin' it go all over the place. "Hmm--my girlfriend and her sister are very 'close.' I find this disturbing, yet arousing." Kristophe! Watch out for Elsa's ice spear! "Yep--totally 'let one go' myself. Too much pickled herring for lunch today." "That was you last night? I totally thought it was Sven who cut one when you and I were doin' it in the stable . . . oops! Better shut my big mouth!" "Wasn't me! My farts smell like blue Otter Pops!" "Well, may as well let one more go!" Yep--as I said, Frozen is still a "thing." One more set of photos to go.

Here's a look at my tree. From a ways back. Let's look up close. The new Club TPR ornament was given the honor of being hung first this year. My newest Busch Gardens ornament--a "retro" one for the park's 40th anniversary. Yes, I even have some nerdy, light-up Star Trek ornaments. Too bad this didn't come with a boysenberry pie. Walt Disney World is represented, of course. And Dr. McCoy is ready to beam himself down to Epcot. Batman is very excited about Lightning Rod. Grumpy Cat, not so much. Here's my oldest BGW ornament. I think I bought it back in the early 1990s. Can you spot Mr. Hanky? This is the first year that Kings Dominion has graced my tree. Betty seems to approve. Even my employer is represented. And here's one of the most important decorations of all. Merry Christmas!

^The view from Candy Apple Grove just got 100% better.

I rode Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars at Hong Kong Disneyland when TPR visited there in 2012.

Getting back to Christmas Town, here's a taste of the O Tannenbaum show in front of the Festhaus. [fbvideonew]https://www.facebook.com/chuck.campbell.37/videos/1080946868590824/[/fbvideonew]

Behold my decked halls! I start putting everything up right after Thanksgiving, and I start taking everything down on January 2. The Christmas Village always goes up first night after Thanksgiving weekend. I particularly like Cousin Eddie at the drive-in movie. The outside lights are next. Only had to make one trip to Target this year to replace a bad string. Finally, it's tree time. Let's take a closer look.

That's funny, because out of all the 10 unique B&M Inverts I've been on, Raptor is my 4th favorite. I think it pretty good, maybe even great, but not amazing. I haven't noticed a "love or hate" attitude toward Raptor--maybe "like or meh"? Personally, I like it quite a bit.

Z: Zhongshan Park (China)

Odin Express--Kurashiki Tivoli Park (defunct)