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I didn't head down to Florida for Halloween Horror Nights this year, and to be honest, I didn't miss it at all. But I would be a Sad Panda, indeed, if I didn't spend at least one evening at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Yes, we all need our little traditions, and hitting Walt Disney World in the fall and hanging out with friends is one of mine. It's always fun to try a different resort whenever you visit the Orlando Disney parks. Last February over my birthday, I shared a cabin with the Alveys at the Fort Wilderness Campground, and it was great; this time, it was a room in the Surf's Up building of Disney's All-Star Sports Resort with Cameron Silver. This was my first time at one of WDW's "budget" resorts, and I liked it. The room is lightly themed (if basic), and the grounds are very pretty (as you'd expect from Disney). It was also surprisingly quiet for a place that caters to family groups. However, this image from the food court at breakfast sums up the place perfectly: Imagine a man pushing a double stroller containing two kids and dealing with two other kids, all while balancing two trays of food on one arm and trying to get a couple of bottles of juice from a large refrigerator. I waited for something to fall and for the guy to slip and land in a pile of scrambled eggs and Mickey Mouse waffles while his children laughed or wept, but he pulled it off. How he kept his sanity is beyond my understanding. Overall, Cameron and I liked All-Star Sports, although it can't hold a jockstrap to Saratoga Springs, where some of the group were sharing a suite (the elevator there was fancier than our room). We started our first full-park day with Extra Magic Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios, followed by lunch at Splitsville at Disney Springs and a great night at the Magic Kingdom. I imagine that this will be my last look at the "old" DHS. I first visited this park in 1998, when Tower of Terror was a mere four years old and Rock'n'Roller Coaster was just a sign announcing "coming soon." I also admit to having a bit of a soft spot for the Great Movie Ride, as corny as it is (I wish the new TCM sponorship had led to a more substantial upgrade, rather than just a new movie and the end and new narration). It's hard to believe that much of what I saw back then, and just last weekend, is going to be completely different in a few years; then again, I think it'll be a good change. I enjoy DHS, but there is so much wasted space in that park once you get past Star Tours. That being said, we had a lot of fun at DHS that day (and later that week). Here's a look. Here was our home base from November 6-10. Cowabunga, indeed. I like how they theme the stairwells to look like lifeguard stations--very nice touch. But I am puzzled by this shower curtain. So, Daisy plays baseball, Mickey plays basketball, Minnie is into tennis, and Donald is a very angry football player. So, Goofy is what--a gymnast? Wow--it sure is crowded at Disney California Adventure today . . . wait a minute. Nope. Not missing the hat at all, although it appears that the park is tilting a bit to the left. Maybe removing the hat screwed up the feng shui. This was the first attraction I ever rode at Walt Disney World, and it's still the best. It's too bad you can't really book a room at this hotel. I mean, you can't beat the ambiance. "Remember, at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, your heart may belong to your mama, but your butt, and any other loose object, belongs to . . . . . . the Twilight Zone." (My thanks to Robb for sharing the Photo Pass pics.) I wonder if Hanes supplies Aerosmith with all their underwear needs, too. "I got the part in that horror movie with Kevin Bacon? Whew! And I thought this dumb pre-show was going to be the end of my career." This old Vekoma was running pretty well that day. This is the view when you're stuck on the final brake run for a few extra minutes. You're welcome. Nope. Still not missing the hat. What the heck is Disney doing with uniforms from "Star Trek: The Motion Sickness"? As I said earlier, I do have a soft spot for this ride--for the old Disney animatronic dark rides in general, when you get down to it. I feel sorry for any horse that had to tote the Duke around in his later years. He got pretty damn heavy. "Howdy! I'm here to introduce the one thing that makes any ride better . . . . . . FIRE!" "YES! YES! MORE FIRE NOW!" "Then again, . . . . . . maybe that was a mite too much fire." Speaking of fire, allow me to share an amusing anecdote--and a photo of a frightening Munchkin. Margaret "Wicked Witch" Hamilton was badly burned while doing a take of her disappearing scene and was laid up for weeks. The pyro used in the scene caught set her dress aflame, and she suffered second- and third-degree burns on her face and hands. Her stunt woman was also burned, and her legs permanently scarred, when the Witch's broomstick exploded during the "Surrender Dorothy" skywriting scene. For some reason, they don't share this charming story during the ride. "Attention! By order of Emperor Palpatine, no one is to peek over the construction wall while we refurbish the 'Jedi Training Academy' stage. All who do will be vaporized or 'Force choked' by Darth Vader. That is all. Enjoy your tour." Ewoks are very safety conscious. If you ever need an Ewok to shut up, just push this button. Better than the TSA staff at any U.S. airport. "You the diagnostic droid? Good! Fix the 'Ewok Mute' button, and shut those little bastards up!" We were a bit early for the Osbourne Lights. I guess I'll never get to see them lit up in person. I assume this will all be pretty much gone by this time next year. Happy Hanukkah from Disney's Hollywood Studios--onward!

I agree that the Cobra's Curse/Mako announcements were OK; at least, they had a firmer grasp on what they were actually announcing.

Yo ho, yo ho, an Apostle's life for me.

In 80 Days

^Don't forget Busch Gardens Williamsburg's odd "New ride? What new ride?" approach to Tempesto. I'm not sure what's going on with SeaWorld's announcements. They all seem rather disjointed, but I'm intrigued by the new coasters and dark rides.

R: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Ultimate, The--Lightwater Valley

^Busted image.

I agree with this completely. I think S&S should really push more Powder Keg-style rides, as I'd love to see them at more parks.

Maybe it has something to do with this being Veterans Day. Reduced (or free) admission for military, perhaps? Are schools closed in SoCal?

P: Pollyanna

Quicksilver Express--Gilroy Gardens

So, they could definitely use a good one.

I'm envisioning something like San Diego's Manta, only with "jet ski" trains. Could be really good. I'm always in favor or new dark rides, too.

Thats odd . . . I was there on a sunday and the longest line was Iron Reef and i'm not talking a 10 minute wait. You can't really gauge a ride's overall popularity based on just one night.

This is my biggest issue with World of Color also. I *like* the show enough to put about 5 minutes worth of effort into if I could walk up and stand there and watch it, or even walk up halfway through and watch part of it, but it's that commitment of time that I just don't think the show is really worth. Yep--this is the main reason I've never bothered with World of Color--why is this bizarre Fast Pass even necessary? I assume there's some reason I just don't understand.

N: Nagashima Spa Land (Japan)

Rock'n'Roller Coaster--Disney's Hollywood Studios

Oh, what delicious irony! But seriously, folks, I'm looking forward to seeing DHS get a big makeover. The new Star Wars and Toy Story attractions should breathe some more life into this park.

Well, that's not entirely the case with me. I still enjoy Curse of DarKastle at BGW, and (as I said earlier), I think Spider-man is still the best attraction at Universal,followed by Mummy and Men in Black. I can ride these attractions multiple times and still enjoy them. But simulators along the lines of Despicable Me (and what the Fallon ride will probably be) are usually "one and done"--never need to ride them again. Fallon is gonna be a Soarin' copycat that's basically the equivalent of a C-D ticket replacing a totally irrelevant attraction. If it's as good as some of the other Soarin' clones, that's still a huge improvement over Twister. And looking at Soarin', that thing constantly manages a huge line at Epcot. People LOVE IT. But it also doesn't really isn't much like what Universal has otherwise built in the last 10 years, as none of their new build attractions are classic stationary simulator based attractions. I find Soarin' to be relaxing; it's a very good family ride that different age groups can enjoy, and it provides a mild thrill (looking forward to the updated "around-the-world" version). If they use the same ride system for the new Avatar attraction, it should be fun. (They're also adding a more "traditional" boat ride through Pandora.) The Fallon ride, well, I'm just not a fan of Jimmy Fallon or "kuka arm" rides (which is probably what this attraction will be, based on what Fallon said on his show). I agree that it'll probably be a "C or D Ticket" ride, at best, and that Twister had definitely rode itself out. But the ride is being based on a show I don't watch, and I'm pretty sure my digestive tract won't care for the ride system. Many people who will enjoy it, and that's OK with me. And who knows--maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Well, that's not entirely the case with me. I still enjoy Curse of DarKastle at BGW, and (as I said earlier), I think Spider-man is still the best attraction at Universal,followed by Mummy and Men in Black. I can ride these attractions multiple times and still enjoy them. But simulators along the lines of Despicable Me (and what the Fallon ride will probably be) are usually "one and done"--never need to ride them again.