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My family was planning to take Mom to Disneyland for a Christmas present in May 2020. We all know how that worked out. So, I guess the only "sure" thing is trying again in 2021. I imagine it won't be realistic before midsummer. At least Mom has filled out her paperwork to get the COVID vaccine (she's in assisted living). Other than that, who knows?

Thanks for the report. I haven't ventured up I-95 for this event, but I give them credit for trying to salvage part of their season.

While I give the edge to Lech Coaster over Hyperion, your assessment of this park is right on the money. They're definitely going in the right direction. I missed the mountaineering museum.

I haven't seen the Jurassic World movies (didn't interest me), but the train looks more like something out of TRON. The "claw marks" on the front of the first car are a nice touch.

It's good to see some parks try to make the best out of a tough year. I like how they lit up the carousel.

Yes, I'd like to see that, too, but I can also understand why they would like to keep things under wraps and build the anticipation a bit more.

I also thought "Men in Black," which isn't bad thing. But I wanna be Wario!

^Yeah, that tweet was obviously written by someone who thinks he's awfully witty.

If I lived in southern California, I'd probably check this out. Drive-through Christmas-light displays are pretty common in southern states. "Celebration in Lights" opens in Newport News Park (just down the road from Williamsburg, Va.) on Thanksgiving night.

I'm glad that park hoppers are coming back. I especially like being able to get on the Sky Liner at the Studios to fly over to Epcot for lunch.

I know what you mean about those crazy S&S Free Spin coasters. I though Arashi at Spaland was, indeed, fun--but one and done for me.

Here's a taste of the projection show in Germany. Yeah, it's not exactly Disney-level stuff, but it adds to the atmosphere.

A Night at Busch Gardens' Christmas Celebration Busch Gardens Williamsburg is pushing on with its limited attendance/reservations-only events schedule with an abridged version of their extremely popular Christmas Town: A "Christmas Celebration." I was there on opening night, and felt the same about the park as I did during their earlier "abbreviated" events: They're making the best they can of state-required restrictions. One big difference is that the state is now allowing 4,000 guests, as opposed to the 1,000 the park was allowed during earlier events, such as "Halloween Harvest." I'm pretty sure there weren't 4,000 guests there on November 13, but the park was using the France parking lot, which holds more cars than the England lot they've been using since late summer (you can pay extra to park there). The same restrictions apply. Guests must wear "face coverings" (except when eating or drinking) and social distancing is required. For the most part, guests complied. (However, they weren't taking temperatures when I went in). The park is, indeed, decked out for the holidays, only not as heavily as it was during pre-pandemic Christmas Town. England, with its large wreaths and garlands, looks about the same, but there's no "Polar Pathway" by the Escape from Pompeii, and no "Holiday Hills" in Festa Italia (those sections are closed, but the Sesame Street Forest of Fun is open). The trains are running, but not the Skyway. You can also ride Verbolten, Alpengeist, and InvadR, as well as some of the flat rides (such as Finnigan's Flyer in Ireland). The Festhaus is open and serving their usual Christmas fare, such as a turkey dinner and sirloin sandwiches. No Brauhaus (it's being used as the entrance to the Festhaus serving area), but you can score some craft beer and holiday cocktails at Grogan's Pub in Ireland (there's some indoor seating available there, too). No big shows this year, but there are some "street performers," such as carolers in England, to create a festive atmosphere. You can get a socially distanced photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa's Workshop in Germany, along with some Sesame Street characters in the Forest of Fun and Frosty the Snowman in France. Who's ready for a bit of pre-Thanksgiving Christmas cheer? All masked up and ready to get festive. The tree with big balls is a familiar sight. England looks pretty much like it does during Christmas Town. There were carolers, too. It wins the Christmas-decorating contest this year. “I’ll have a Blue Christmas in Scotland, without you.” My grandmother always liked blue Christmas trees, too. No Griffon during the Christmas Celebration. Looks nice at sunset, though. There’s no big Christmas show in Ireland this year . . . . . . but they have a good band. The path from Ireland to France is always very pleasant this time of year. Just some nice lights, acoustic music, and . . . . . . OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT? Mrs. Claus will keep the insane elf in check. The giant snowman in France has a fancy new scarf this year. “‘Allo! I am a French android, as you can tell by my beret.” “Frosty the Snowman was a socially distanced soul.” The Three Rivers Smokehouse is closed, but you can score some ribs here. “And there’s no Christmas lights on the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"--a classic Canadian carol. Even bears are festive in Canada. Wait a minute! Who’s that I see in Germany? Why, it’s our old buddy, Creepy, the Candy-Cane-Sawing Elf! The Christmas store in Germany can fulfill all your holiday needs. It’s not just a nutcracker. It’s a MAJOR AWARD! I'm glad the projection show is back. Who wants cookies? Run! It's an ornament-a-lanche! I guess they’re not doing the “O Tannenbaum” light-and-music show this year, but the tree looks nice. You can play the carnival games, and there are some craft booths, as well. Social distancing in the Festhaus. “Hey, remember when you said you wanted a new Porche for Christmas? Well, we had a bit of a mishap . . .” All the cool kids are getting Pantheon merch from Santa this year. This fire is handy for warming yourself before you head to your car. Have a Merry Little Christmas Celebration, Busch Gardens! Thanks for reading.

The trains do look comfy--and the holiday food looks yummy!

The "reborn" castle looks great. I hope to get back to this park, as it's changed a lot since my last visit.

Exactly. The lapbars they added to the logs are both awkward and uncomfortable.

I'd love to see Knoebels take these rides, too. Kangaroo and the Bayern Kurve are two flats I like.

I like how they're making a trackless dark ride out of the "factory tour"--each LEGO park needs something unique.

The Loch Ness Monster last night.

Looks like a smart idea to freshen up an old ride. I'd give it a shot.

^Yep--while I liked Hyperion well enough, I thought Formula was a better coaster. Good food at that park, though.

Maybe like this?

The excessively padded trains were a warning to unwary riders.

Thanks for the report! I like Nagashima Spaland quite a bit, and Hakugei looks great.

Apollo's Chariot at BGW's Halloween Harvest.