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Hmm--I remember building one of these in RCT. None of the peeps would ride it.

^Agreed. I'd eat that burger.

They've always had good food at that park--and lots of dry, air-conditioned space in which to eat it.

It's still pretty wet at Parque Espana, but Robb has been talking with the park staff about opening Pyrenees if the rain stops. Stay tuned. I’m not clear on what a novel written by an English mathematician and logician has to do with Spain, . . . . . . but the attraction is dry, indoors, and has a cat. In we go! “We got wands, too! Stuff it, Harry Potter!” “Hello, I’m Lewis Carroll . . . or am I Edgar Allan Poe after shaving his mustache? Then again, I might be Benedict Cumberbatch. I’m really just confused.” If you saw the Twitter video from the trip, this is the room where Robb stabbed me with his wand. “Robb stabbed me too! Me’s a maniac!” “We’re not maniacs--just Blue Meanies.” It’s still wet, but the park is still beautiful. Bugs Bunny in his sexiest role yet. Elmer Fudd is so turned on now he just might explode! This was the entrance to what used to be a really cool splash boat ride. Here’s the old show building they don’t use anymore. The ride is just a scenic boat cruise today. But you can still ride . . . . . . Don Quixote’s Magical Light. It’s a good dark ride. This ride is not to be confused with Disney’s Peter Pan. It shouldn’t be confused with the novel by Cervantes, either. Then again, it does have a singing frog, and dead authors don’t ask for royalties. A little rain doesn’t bother Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. But our group was willing to enter the gaping maw of Hell itself to dry off. Hey, Hell’s kinda purty. “Yippee! Your souls are mine!” “Yep, he got our souls, too. That mouse is a tricksy little bastard!” At least we can return topside via the legendary Magical Escalator Ride. The park is wet and pretty empty--but still beautiful. Good food, too. But this question still remained: Would the rain stop long enough for us to get some rides on Pyrenees? Yes, it did! Pyrenees is still one of the best B&M inverts. There’s even a good pop of air time. The sun took a bow as we were preparing to leave. My thanks to TPR and the staff of Parque Espana for a great day. Maybe I’ll re-create this photo in another 11 years. That’s all for now.

^Who doesn't enjoy some happy talking time? The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on Japan: Parque Espana It’s hard to believe that it’s been 11 years since I’d last visited Parque Espana with TPR. I really enjoyed the park then, even though it was hot as the surface of the sun and as humid as a Florida swamp that day. Yeah, I’ve aged a wee bit since then. It was different story in 2018, thanks to heavy on-and-off rain. Well, if you’re going to visit a Japanese park on a wet day (outside of Disney), Parque Espana is a good choice. They have plenty of indoor attractions, including one good-sized roller coaster and some good dark rides, and some nice restaurants to wait out the weather. As you’ve probably guessed, Parque Espana is themed to Spain--in Japan. This isn’t nearly as strange as a park themed to California--in California. The park is also the most beautiful one in Japan outside of Disney or Universal, and the staff is very friendly. But they don’t run their larger outdoor coasters in the rain. So, we missed out on the park’s very good “mine train,” Gran Montserrat, but there was a chance that we could get some rides on Pyrenees, their excellent B&M Inverted Coaster--if the rain stopped later in the day. But what about their indoor coaster? This ride was named Bullfight back in 2007. If your idea of “fun” was rolling around in the dark and stopping in front of silhouettes of bullfight fans (or “aficionados,” if you’re a fan of Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises) while they shout “ole,” Bullfight had you covered. They’ve since re-themed it as Iron Bull. The concept: You’re testing out steampunk-style mechanical bulls in a giant factory. (Not sure what Hemingway would make of that.) The old ride’s “arena” theming has been replaced with plenty of blinking lights, pipes, boilers, and steam. The ride itself was OK, but a bit on the rough side; that much hadn’t changed since 2007. Overall, I call it an improvement. I hope you have an umbrella or a poncho, because we’re going in. Welcome to Parque Espana! The wettest Spanish-themed park in Japan! It’s so wet even this frog is staying undercover. You rarely see theming this good outside of Disney or Universal. I was going to "shoot the bull" with this guy, but I think he'd be offended by the expression. I wonder what authentic Spanish delicacies I can procure at this establishment? How about an Orange Oct-a-Burger? “I made these fresh for you all by myself! But you don’t want to know how I made them. Trust me.” We should be able to stay dry on . . . . . . “Tron Butt.” Or was that “Iron Bull”? Hmm--I don’t see anything relating to the hindquarters of digitally created, spandex-clad beings in here. Hey, Hemingway--how would like to outrun this bull at Pamplona? Of course, there are Tron Butt snacks available in the gift shop. Speaking of butt-related snacks . . . The park also celebrates the arts scene in Spain. The nicely themed Kiddy Montserrat was running in the rain, even though Gran Montserrat wasn’t. Unaccompanied children will be eaten by a giant salamander made of colorful tile. These are my only coaster pictures from that day with people in them. Let’s make the best of it, shall we? Whee! We’re wet and we’re riding a giant salamander! Well, now that we’re thoroughly soaked from riding the kiddie coaster, we may as well dry out on the shooting dark ride. It’s good shooter, too . . . . . . a good shooter to DIE IN! Sheesh! Even Hell is full of panhandlers. “Boy, I could use a Tums the size of Pittsburgh after eating these guys! They must’ve scarfed down those Orange Oct-a-Burgers for lunch.” "Grim grinning ghosts about to eat your face!" When water heaters go rogue. “Nice party, eh, pal? Mind if I dip you in this buffalo sauce? Should make you nice and tangy.” I don’t recall which score is mine, but it’s probably the lowest one. More to come.

"Blumhouse" sounds like the name of a bakery that's known for macaroons. Maybe they're really SCARY macaroons!

Thanks for the report and photos. I'd like to take this tour myself someday.

Do not mock the power of Watchman Satanicus!

I have never actually seen this show.... and now I never will! You passed up a chance to pay five grand to see it.

Oh, Universal . . .

Spontaneous ride combustion?

I can't think of any particularly great food at Water Country--just the usual burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, and fries. I'd hit Colossal Curl first, then head for Malibu Pipeline, Big Daddy Falls, and Aquazoid. Be sure to hang out in the Hubba Hubba Highway, too. This is Meltdown's last season, so it might be a bit busy.

I've never seen the Sinbad show, but I wouldn't be bothered it they replaced it with a good new attraction. Like it or not, this is correct. But would they be allowed to serve Coke products there?

I'm so looking forward to visiting next month. Well, each year, really!

Thanks for the photos, Jason. I had no idea they were this far along with the construction.

Yukon Striker Coming to Canada's Wonderland! A New B&M Dive Machine! From the park's website: New for 2019 - WinterFest WinterFest offers a new season of holiday fun in 2019, when guests at Canada’s Wonderland will be treated to an all-new immersive holiday experience taking place in late November and December. During WinterFest, the park will be transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland complete with uniquely themed areas, dozens of Christmas trees, millions of spectacular lights, ice-skating, live entertainment, savory treats, crafts and hands-on family activities. The park’s fountain on International Street will become Snowflake Lake where guests can enjoy ice skating amid brilliant holiday lights. Each night, singers and dancers will set the stage for the celebratory lighting ceremony of a 70-foot-tall (21 m) Christmas tree featuring more than 40,000 sparkling ornaments. WinterFest visitors can feast on savory treats and holiday favourites like turkey, gourmet hot chocolate and peppermint fudge, and then catch one of a dozen live holiday-themed shows like Cool Yule Christmas and Jingle Jazz. Children can help elves mail letters to Santa, decorate cookies in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, and meet classic Peanuts characters or special WinterFest entertainers like Jack Frost, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Candy Cane.

^^Arashi caught me a bit off guard after reading reviews of the the U.S. Free Spins. it's crazy fun, but a bit much for me. ^Steel Dragon is a good ride, but not on the level of Millennium Force. The B&M trains are an improvement over the old Morgan "bathtubs on wheels," but it's still a bit shaky in the helices. I think it's better than the old Morgan Hypers in the U.S., and I like those.

I remember walking across that bridge when I was in high school, back in the ancient times of the 1970s. There may have been even more nature there in those days, but fewer ways to experience it.

More photos of rides and snacks at Nagashima Spaland. Always dress for the job you want. Buy this if you want to be a "supervisor" at Spaland. Nothing says "sexy" like this pair of underwear. Yes, you'll be scoring with all the hot women in no time with gear like this. That’s a lot of detail packed into one coaster shirt. Is it desirable to have a bat fly out of one's groin? “Pudding Omelette” sounds like a video on Porn Hub. These cookies are very happy to see me. “Yeah, I’m the sheriff here, pilgrim. And this town don’t much cotton to fellas who make our cookies too excited. You best be movin’ on.” Don’t be shocked if this is the actual name of the ride when it opens. Spaland has never been known for its originality when it comes to names, although Acrobat and Arashi are steps in the right direction. Maybe they'll go with "Great White Cyclone Hybrid Whale Coaster." Bad, bad juju! What’s the story here, anyway? It looks like one of those cook-your-own-meat restaurants. RMC’s new “Evel Knievel” element up close. Always the innovator, that RMC. Time for a little after-hours filming on Acrobat. “Wow! That was fun, Nathan. I could really go for some . . . . . . Acrosnax!” (This message in no way constitutes paid advertising for Nagashima Sapland or the Acrosnax Corporation.) “Snacks? Did somebody say ‘snacks’”? Hmm--I think I’ll pass on the Acrosnax until my stomach settles down a bit. Time to pray some more at the Holy Sanctuary of Steel Dragon 2000. Sarah is anticipating the Rapture. Looks like we have some true believers here! I was content to photograph others riding Arashi. “My God! What is happening to me?” All the flipping and spinning! It opens portals to evil dimensions! Yes, these people have seen abominations no one should ever behold. Soon, their minds will snap. And madness will take them all! These two have embraced their insanity. Look toward Steel Dragon! Only he can save you now! Nope--too late. There is no hope for any of you now. To ride Arashi is to enter the gates of other dimensions . . . . . . where you can enjoy some maple-flavored snacks for your “relaxing tea time and your happy talking time.” Yes, this shirt sums up the Arashi experience perfectly. That’s all for Nagashima Spaland.

Cedar Point, but with Katsu Curry: Nagashima Spaland Japan’s rainy season forced us to change our plans a bit as we moved from Osaka to Nagoya. Originally, we were supposed to hit Legoland, Parque Espana, and Nagashima Spaland. But heavy rain was forecast for the Spaland day, so that park swapped places with Espana, which turned out to be a wise move (the Spanish-themed park had more indoor attractions and was a better fit for a very rainy day). So off we went to Nagashima Spaland, which is sometimes called the “Cedar Point of Japan,” thanks to its large line up of coasters, expansive areas of concrete without a lot of shade, and “close the rides in the rain” policy. But the CP parallels don’t stop there. Spaland has its own answer to Millennium Force in Steel Dragon 2000, a hypercoaster more than 300 feet tall that rambles over a layout more than one-and-a-half miles long. It’s going to have its own Steel Vengeance when RMC finishes converting its gigantic wooden coaster White Cyclone (shades of Mean Streak). Heck, there’s even an old Arrow Corkscrew there. So, if you’re into big coasters and flat rides in Japan, Nagashima Spaland is the place to go. This was my third visit to the park with TPR, but Spaland has changed a bit since I was last there in 2013. There were two new coasters: Acrobat, a B&M Flyer, and Arashi, an S&S Free Spin. I’m not a huge fan of flyers, but Acrobat was a good one. Arashi was my first experience with a Free Spin, and this one lived up to it--lots of flipping and spinning. I enjoyed it, but it’s one of those coasters that I can ride once per visit, then I’m done. From what others have said, Arashi was much crazier, and more intense, than the Free Spins built in the United States. This was also where I had my first katsu curry of the trip. Gotta love Japanese country-fried steak. I’ve always enjoyed Spaland, despite the lack of shade. Robb arranged after-hours filming sessions on Acrobat, Steel Dragon, and Arashi, which were great. Thanks again, Robb! Speaking of food, Japanese parks love to sell snacks, like cookies and crackers, themed to coasters. Nagashima Spaland takes this to the next level, with all sorts of bizarre food items publicizing their major attractions. I’ll show you some of those goodies as we check out the park. Let’s see . . . some big coasters, katsu curry, a haunted walk through . . . yes, I think having a “good time” is a possibility. Powdered Toast Man has teamed up with Bun Basher, Cookie Crusher, and Ice Creamer. Together, they’re FANTASTIC FOOD 4CE! Pastor Robb leads us in worship at the Holy Sanctuary of Steel Dragon 2000. First you ascend toward Heaven, only to be plunged back to Earth as a sign of humility. Spare these humble sinners your wrath, o’ mighty lizard of steel! Be not distracted by the temptations of the water park! Therein lies ruin! You were warned! Look at the water park, and you plunge to your doom! OK, I’ve got the the Tomato Pretz communion sticks that stand in for Steel Dragon’s body. What do we drink to represent his blood? Read this sign very carefully and follow its directives to the letter. I’m not a big fan of flying coasters in general, but I like Acrobat and Manta. This makes perfect sense . . . . . . as they’re pretty much the same ride (only with bats and mantas). I was feeling a bit queasy after riding Acrobat, but I wish I’d tried one of these things later (what ever they were). Arashi is Japanese for “storm.” The ride is well named, as I felt that I’d been spun around in a tornado. It almost makes the park’s Ultra Twister look sane. Hmm--I look blissfully stoned here on the Bobkarts. (Photo by Brad Roach. Thanks, Brad!) Ultra Twister ruptures the space-time continuum with brief, but insane spinning. The trains even look like futuristic time-travel vehicles. What? A Japanese amusement park with an enormous Ferris Wheel? How unusual. Eye-to-eye with the Space Shot and Steel Dragon. The Ferris wheel provides a good view of what’s happening with White Cyclone. Chunks of it have been removed. This photo’s a bit blurry, but if you look closely, you can see blue harbingers of things to come. Weep not for this bumpy old helix. Hmm--this reminds me a bit of the leftover parts of Rolling Thunder at SF Great Adventure. Now that would be a thrilling jump. I didn’t ride the Free Fall, for which my back is grateful. But these poor, unfortunate souls . . . The old haunted walk through is still fun--especially when it’s full of screaming Japanese teenage girls. When I was here in 2013 with TPR, the Arrow Corkscrew was in pieces. Did all that refurb work help? Eh, not so much. Aw, this ride is sponsored by an adorable kitty. What could possibly go wrong? Aghh! Stupid cat! Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loops are always fun, though. More to come from Nagashima Spaland.

Gawd, I hope not. I don't care for VR.

A toss up between Steel Vengeance and Maverick: The former is great, but so in the latter (and more re-rideable).

Thanks for report! Legendia looks like a modest park that's really upping its game. Lech Coaster looks great, as does the dark ride.

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Nice to see you back in business, again. As for the orange ice cream with the licorice swirl, I'm intrigued. My Dad definitely would've tried it. And I agree with you about up-charge atractions--always make an exception for haunts.