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Do you mean Wild Storm? If so, yep--it's still there.

It's funny because years ago, I used to think that Meltdown was the best attraction in the park. Look how far we've come. I remember valleying near the end of Meltdown years ago. I had to wait until a big wave came down the slide to push me ahead. It was (at best) an OK ride, but Cutback should be much better.

^I was glad that Magical Powder was still the same, and a bit disappointed that Pal Pal had changed their bizarre Pinocchio ride (but I did like the pirate version of Desperadoes).

I think Finnegan's Flyer is a good choice for Ireland, but I'm more intrigued by Cutback, the water coaster. Should be a lot better than Meltdown, the ride it's replacing.

I had an interesting chat with our cab driver on the ride to Lagunasia. CABBIE: You know, this is a very small city. ME: Is it? CABBIE: Yes. Why you come here to go to kid’s park? Well, if it’s such a “small city,” why not spend it at a “kid’s park” like Lagunasia? Like Tokyo DisneySea, it has a nautical theme, with coasters themed to fish, pirates, and . . . er . . . wet wind? And don’t forget the “Magical Powder.” It can really change your attitude about everything--and make you forget that entire days, weeks, or months ever happened. Had the park changed at all since 2007? A wee bit. They added a VR option to Pirate’s Blast, an indoor-outdoor coaster. As rough as that thing was, I chose to skip wearing the headset, which I was afraid would come loose and give me a concussion. I’m happy to report that the park’s Gerstlauer Bobsled, Aqua Wind, is still a lot of fun. They also added onride audio to their kiddie coaster (Stellar Coaster). Be on the lookout for big rubber-headed characters, and cats, as you enter Lagunasia. “Lagunasia” is Japanese for “why do you silly adults visit kid’s park?” He is totally checking her out. I met a long-lost relative at Lagunasia. There does seem to be a family resemblance. Lagunasia is a very pretty little theme park. OK, it’s nice, but is it really “stellar”? The synchronized on-ride audio was rather odd--and in Japanese, of course. Of all the rides to offer VR . . . Enjoy your neck braces and black eyes! Hmm--”Wet Fart: The Ride”? Nice queue--unless someone cuts a big wet one. I kid, but this is a pretty good Gerstlauer Bobsled. Not to be confused with the “Gato House.” “Do I get a cut?” Er, Dan? It’s a bit creepy in here. Speaking of creepy . . . the strangest dark ride ever. Dan! Don’t look at it! “Dan? There is no more Dan.” “Yes, we have taken his essence, drained it of all impurities, and . . . . . . and ground his dehydrated remains into Magical Powder. Er, he’s on the right.” “Oh, wait . . . there he is. Our mistake.” “But if the two of you wouldn’t mind stepping into our dehydrator . . .” Sheesh! Magical Powder is a big deal at Lagunasia. Pink is for FAT. You can instantly gain 15 pounds just my hugging a pink Magical Powder plush. This powder can make you disappear for a mere 400 yen! Looks like we stumbled into a Carnival Cruise ship theater. We weren't there in time to be dazzled, though. We settled for this shooting dark ride with the redundant name. That's all for now.

Lobster Pinocchio and Micro-Mini-DisneySea: Hamanako Pal Pal & Lagunasia It was another train-and-cabs day as TPR returned to two parks from the 2007 trip: Hamanako Pal Pal and Lagunasia. Had either of them changed since then? Not much. But that day affected me profoundly. You see, I met someone at Pal Pal in 2007 . . . . . . but she broke my heart. She looked at me, sighed, and said, “I’m made of fiberglass, while you are flesh and blood. It just won’t work. Besides, I’m sort of seeing . . . . . . Pinocchio and Lobster Pinocchio.” (Well, her Facebook relationship status did say, “It’s complicated.” Never trust the Blue Fairy--or little wooden guys.) Yes, I’ve grown hardened and more cynical since the Blue Fairy dumped me for two cartoon characters. But that doesn’t completely alter my feelings for Hamanako Pal Pal--a fun, funky Japanese park with a big Togo coaster than doesn’t kill you and a little wild mouse that does. Let’s have a look at Pal Pal 2018. I promise that there will be little, if any, heartbreak. Upon seeing this Togo coaster, which resembles a certain death machine in Vegas, what would you do first?: a) say “that looks awesome”; b) weasel out of riding it; c) make out your will; d) all of the above. There you are, Pinocchio, you lousy, two-bit woman-stealing son of a . . . "Dude! She dumped both of us for Lobster Pinocchio! Let's have a beer and talk this out." Yeah, that lobster looks pretty shifty. We were drawn to the huge Togo like moths to a blow torch. They take this . . . . . . very seriously. This is why they took that very seriously. There’s no turning back now. The bow is drawn . . . . . . let fly the shaft! Why doesn’t this hurt more? Yay! We’re still alive! Congratulations. You’ve earned this. Truth be told, Mega Coaster wasn’t quite as painful as Mini Coaster. Cute cars, though. Jungle Mouse was the most painful of them all. Ever rode Desperadoes? Well, this is Desperadoes with pirates. So, would that be “Pirates Adventure--Pirate’s Plunder: Ghosts of the Golden Grotto”? That's more complicated than the Blue Fairy's relationship status. Did you know that pirates rode both horses and boxes? Pink is for girls, bluish green is for boys. “Pinocchio is dead! Long live Lobster Pinocchio!” This dark ride has changed a lot since 2007. But the creepy ride vehicles still stare at you. Then again, the whole thing is a bit creepy--especially the grinning tomato. (Oh, the Blue Fairy is probably hot for that tomato now. Watch your back, Lobster Pinocchio!) It’s now a low-budget “Midway Mania.” You play sports games (such as a hurdles race) with a controller in your ride vehicle. “Please push the plush Pinocchios at Pal Pal.” How’s that for a tongue twister? Even so, the Minions are moving in. One last look at the relatively pain free Mega Coaster. Next stop, Lagunasia!

The cabin decor is hilarious. I think Larry's Fascination theory is quite plausible.

I think Celtic Fyre has ended for the season (the theatre was closed last weekend). They use that space for Fiends during Howl-o-Scream, so they're probably setting up for that show.

They will suspend "normal operations" if thunderstorms are within ten miles or so of the park. But t-storms are tricky, and may not materialize, so I'd take the long-term forecast with a grain of salt.

They were enforcing the Twisted Timbers lapbar rule yesterday, too. And no matter how many announcements they made saying "don't pull down your lapbars," people pulled them down, anyway--so, they unlocked the restraints, raised them, then pushed them down again.

I'm going there with a group of Virginia friends later this month, and they're most intrigued by the Belgium booth--must be the waffles!

Just found the Legoland Japan Observation Tower sign on my memory card.

The event is mostly about the decorations, shows, and food. The park looks great, and there are lights everywhere. The only coaster they've run the last few years is Verbolten, but I think all the flats have been operating.

I want one of those "Poisoned Apple" cupcakes!

If you like raw meat and trains, you're in the right place. Make no promises . . . . . . that you can’t keep. And now, some culture and science . . . . . . courtesy of the JR’s Shinkansen museum. I keep looking for George Jetson. Note the line stanchions where people are expected to wait to take their photo with the train. All generations of Shinkansens are represented. A little train porn. You might want to ask any youngsters to leave the room. Good to know. We need these trains in the U.S. Maybe if they painted flames or half-naked people wrapped in American flags on them . . . Derailment prevention is kind of important. Naked, raw train chassis! I think Dan, who is a big Shinkansen fan, may have been a bit turned on by this. These look like something from an old Frankenstein movie. You can check out different generations of cars, too. Bullet trains need wheels, too. Who knew? They even had dining cars with actual kitchens. Touch the train. You’ll both enjoy it. I think Dan did more that just "touch" it. They had some sort of “lottery” for people who wanted to try the Shinkansen simulator. Looks like fun--but what do you do if Godzilla shows up? From what I understand, people tend to “crash” the simulator pretty often. If you don’t win the simulator lottery, you can always check out the model trains. A cheerful train car bids us good day. That’s all for now.

Sheesh, I took a lot of photos that day. Brace yourselves for more Legoland Japan. “Remember, Watson--one most both see and observe on the Observation Tower.” Not even Watson could miss this warning sign. The park is hemmed in by highways. Miniland from the air looks even more, er, mini. They use their space really well. Let’s find out where Legos come from. Lego DNA. “How are new Legos made, you ask? Well, when a man and a woman Lego love each other very much . . .” OK, this in no way resembles the sick story of Lego procreation that the dude in the video told us. Raw, naked Lego sexuality . . . looks rather industrial. Oh no! That black jellyfish is eating that poor woman! Each Lego brick must be examined meticulously--only by this guy. You, of course, exit through the gift shop and get your very own Legoland Japan brick. "From now on, you shall address me as "Dr. Funkenstein.'" Legoland Japan’s Miniland is very impressive. They re-created Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Kyoto in Legos. Welcome to Nagoya--at least I think that's Nagoya behind the Ferris Wheel. I didn't know that Mr. Stay-Puft was Kaiju. Many of the exhibits are interactive. The Tokyo Train Station. Little Lego peeps doing their thing, minding their own business--in the shadow of giants. Hmm--I wonder if there’s a good yakatori bar around here somewhere--or was this in Shinjuku? I’m not sure where this is, but I’d like to visit there someday. Don’t disturb the artist. Gundam is standing guard in case Rodan comes along. Unfortunately, this wasn’t working at Legoland, either. Looks like it’s time for the annual Parade of Evil somewhere. Maybe they're trying to appease that volcano. "OK, we're looking for virgins to toss into the volcano. We'll accept volunteers. Still waiting." Run, you fools! A giant devil truck is coming! “Evil, schmevil. We got kites to fly.” Thanks, Legoland. See you some other time. On to the JR Museum.

Toys & Trains: Legoland and the JR Museum in Nagoya A friend of mine, who is a wee bit cynical, posted on my Facebook page that if he ever visited Japan all the bright colors would drive him crazy. He would be desperate to see some earth tones after a few days. In response, I posted a photo of a bare train-station wall. What does this have to do with this week’s update? Well, our next park would probably push him over the edge into a whirlpool of brightly colored, “Everything is Awesome” insanity. Yes, I’m talking about the park where earth tones go to die . . . As for the “bare train-station wall,” we’ll be ending up at the Japan Railways Museum to look at trains. (Yes, I know this is a weak segue, but it’s all I got now, folks.) The Legoland chain’s newest park is every bit as wacky and colorful as its predecessors (not to mention shinier), and it’s very compact. The park also has many of the same attractions you’ll find elsewhere, such as the Dragon coaster, Lost King Adventure shooting dark ride, and one of those “jet-ski” water rides (called S.Q.U.I.D Surfer here). The park’s Miniland is devoted to Japan, of course, and is very well done--possibly the best of these I’ve seen anywhere (it helps that it’s nearly brand new). There’s not much else to say, other than Legoland Japan is plenty of fun for kids and goofy adults--like this group. Let’s have a look around, then take a short walk to the JR Museum. Wait! That’s not Legoland! Then again, I could use a new bookcase. I wonder if they have instructions in English. Oh, I’m looking out of the wrong side. Never mind. (There’s a shopping center between the park and the train station.) Walk or slide? Up to you--unless you get stuck in the slide, then you’ll be pried out with a crow bar and subject to ridicule. So swanky, you need a password to shop there. Now that’s some swanky merchandise. Our quest is at an end. God be praised! “Welcome to the Legoland Hotel. May I help you?” “No reservation? I’m sorry, sir, but NOW YOU DIE!” Hmm--I feel a song coming on . . . OK, who did this? Mothra, I'm looking at you! “You cannot resist our cuteness. Join us, and we will rule this world, and all worlds to come!” Tonight on a very special episode of “Kaiju Kounselor”: “Kong! Godzilla! If Gamera can forgive Gaos, you can forgive each other!” Yep--looks like a Legoland park, alright. “Arr! I lost me booty when me skin rotted and slid off me bones.” “Ahoy! Get yer pirate eggs here! Guaranteed to have 10 percent fewer squid guts than yesterday's batch!” I love the theming on this ride--well done, Legoland. The only "dueling dragons" coaster left. (Credit for this joke must go to Robb Alvey, who originally created it in a slightly different form.) Every dragon needs . . . . . . an apprentice. Hey, here’s a Lego ride I’ve never experienced before. “No one’s watching me play with Legos, right? Good.” I wonder how long it took Lego Creative to come up with this acronym? Welcome aboard Legoland’s version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It’s very cozy . . . . . . and has real fish living in harmony with Lego fish. Judging by his expression, “everything is awesome” to this fish. I hope Awesome Happy Fish stayed clear of the sharks. “I tell you what, someone better fetch King Neptune some ale, . . .” “ . . . or I’m gonna start kraken open a can of whoop ass on somebody!” It wouldn’t be Legoland without one of these rides; plus, it's themed to S.Q.U.I.D. Er, you’re missing the cool thing behind you. “Indeed! I can see what you call the ‘cool thing’ from here.” “Yes, nothing is ‘cooler’ than a Legoland pizza-and-pasta buffet,’ my good man.” Hmm--I think I’ll pass on the tuna-and-corn pizza. “If tuna-and-corn pizza is good enough for me, King Neptune, it’s good enough for you! Eat it! I command you!” More to come.

One of the most adorable rides, ever. The placement of the brakes was bizarre, to say the least.

I guess it would be this one.

Larry, here are some more Legoland Japan ride photos: Anchors Away, Merlin's Flying Machines, Splash Battle, and Squid Surfer. Unfortunately, I didn't get sign photos for all of them (could've sworn I got the Splash Battle sign). Splash Battle as seen from Observation Tower

^Now if it were themed to burrata . . .

Kings Dominion now has two of the best coasters in the country: I305 and Twisted Timbers. I love Steel Vengeance, too, but (like Robb) I give a slight edge to Timbers. Great video!

Cue the "I305" comparisons/jokes in 3, 2, 1 . . .

Hello, We have quite a few Vekoma-related threads already. You might want to check this one out and post there: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=193483#p193483. Thank you.

Yes, that no doubt would've helped.