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^It's $13 for passholders and $27 for non-passholders.

I have seen the Monster Truck of Tomorrow! I'm looking forward to riding this myself--a much needed re-freshening of an already great ride.

Ready for some more holiday cheer? If so, follow me. If not, go somewhere else--but you'll make Santa very mad! I caught a bit of the Miracles show as I passed through Italy. I still have yet to see this one in its entirety. Looks like Gerta and Gunther have been doing a little decorating for Christmas. They put up a few decorations in the queue. I wish they would've done a bit more, but based on how many idiots have vandalized the queue over the summer, I don't blame the park for being cautious. Gunther! Don't leave your beer here! It's very cold on the top of Nacht Tower. Some of the games have received a seasonal overlay, too. During the summer, you try to kick a soccer ball past this guy. At Christmas Town, you get to clobber him with a snowball. Yep--actual snow. Maybe the park will try a snow play area some time--or maybe even a big ice house. (That would be great!) What's up at the Festhaus? This is the set for Deck the Halls. They're offering a "Tastes of Christmas Town Buffet" at Feshaus Kaffe. It requires a reservation (available at Guest Relations in England) and ensures you a reserved seat for the show. (Might try this out next weekend.) You can get a turkey dinner or a prime-rib sandwich in the Festhaus, too. And now, the very seat of Christmas POWER! "Soon, my spirited little reindeer, you will learn the value of obedience!" Alpengeist is, at least, decorated for Christmas. Welcome to Fort New France. Oh, and let's not forget the penguins. They're in France where the Catacombs HOS maze used to be. Hmm--looks like a good place to find penguins. "Can I spend some time in the big tank, please?" These penguins look a bit happier. Here's the swimming habitat. "We're tired of swimmin'. We're gonna watch you freaks for a while." "Be sure to buy some of our adorable penguin stuff, folks!" Noel the Snowman bids us farewell from France. The long walk to Ireland was full of ghouls and werewolves back in October. Those Irish singers really needed those sweaters last Friday night. Time to head home. I feel a bit blue for some reason. Oh, there are the carolers. Peace on all of you . . . wait, that sounded wrong. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And I'm outta here. Thanks for reading.

Lights 'n' Trees 'n' Other Holiday Stuff: Christmas Town 2012 I ambled over to Busch Gardens last Friday night after to work to check out this year's version of Christmas Town. The park started this holiday event a few years ago, and it's proven to be a big hit. BGW's heavily wooded setting is ideal for Christmas, and the park offers plenty of shows, special holiday food offerings, and shopping to fill an evening. And at half-price for season passholders, it's a bargain. BGW has been making at least one major addition to Christmas Town each year, and 2012 is no exception. Festa Italia finally gets into the hot holiday action via its transformation to Holiday Hills. This is s departure from the park's European theme, as Holiday Hills represents a Christmas "street carnival" that you might see in a small American town in 1940s. All the decorations fit the period, and all the flat rides are operating (with a bit of re-theming to fit Christmas, of course). Old-style swing versions of Christmas carols fill the air, and the pizza-and-pasta buffet has been transformed into "Dasher's Diner," which offers fried chicken, stuffing, mixed veggies, and mashed potatoes, in addition to pizza. The park also did a nice job using classic Coca Cola Santa signs throughout the area. I liked of vibe of Holiday Hills--it's the best part of Christmas Town. To answer your unspoken question, Apollo's Chariot and the Roman Rapids are not operating. The only Christmas Town coaster this year is Verbolten, and they have added some modest Christmas decor to the queue. You can also ride Nacht Tower, which is Mach Tower in "observation" mode (no drops). The Skyride is also running as the Flight of Lights, again, as is the train (and many other flat rides throughout the park). DarKastle is also closed for the season (King Ludwig isn't a "Christmas" kind of guy), but Oktoberfest is playing host to a craft show. I grabbed a bite to eat with a few coworkers over at Grogan's (a turkey panini with cranberry sauce and stuffing, a cup of loaded baked potato soup, and a slice of egg nog cheesecake--it was pretty good), then made a lap around the park. And, yes, it was freakin' cold that night--down in the low 30s. So bundle up, and let's go. But, first, one word of warning. Something so disturbing that I can't describe it--only show it! [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=BGW_Christmas_Town_2012_063_vsp4[/coastertube] Christmas Town runs on select days through December 31. If you want to attend, check the park's calendar before making the trek to Williamsburg. Silly elves! Alpengeist isn't running this year. (It's probably too cold for the poor thing, anyway.) Welcome to England. It's quiet at the moment, but carolers will be out later, and the Sesame Street gang has their own Christmas show in the theatre. (What? No special holiday edition of Pirates 4D?) This fire was very much appreciated. Hmm--still not much going on here. Let's press on. The Polar Pathway is Christmas Town's most spectacular single display. "May I have a cookie?" Hard to believe that this is the site of a horrible tragedy that destroyed an entire city--and of a subway system filled with homicidal zombies. Darn! The water cannons aren't working! Moving on to Italy. Just turn left at the burning tree to find . . . . . . Holiday Hills. They even painted the bridge to resemble a city street. Looks like the train will be making a stop at . . . . . . Jingle Junction. No 3-Point Challenge, but I think they have some sort of little "show" here (I missed it). A brass band plays on the other side of Holiday Hills. An Elissa-friendly decoration. You can purchase a souvenir cup of hot chocolate here (refills parkwide for $1.99). You can get an extra shot of a Ghirardelli syrup to jazz it up, if you like. All the rides have received a bit of holiday theming. This is the the Peppermint Twist tea-cup ride. (For me, it would be the "Holiday Hurl.") The kiddie Himalaya is now . . . . . . Reindeer Run (complete with a little revolving reindeer). Trade Wind = Snowman Summit. You can have your picture taken with a snowman. They did a great job with the signage in Holiday Hills. Dasher's Diner also offers an enclosed, heated seating area (other outdoor restaurants have them, too). "I have come for you children!" These were very welcome on Friday night. "We have come for your children, as well! Bwa-ha-ha-ha!" One last look at Holiday Hills. "Look into my eyes! You will consume only Coke-related products! Obey!" More to come (after I have a Coke).

Regarding Wild Eagle, most of the complaints regarding restraints have come from smaller riders (as in the restraints tend to squeeze the breath out of them as they ride). Good luck.

^^Hi Eon!

I imagine there were similar complaints when Test Track replaced World of Motion.

Looks OK to me. We still have Test Track, but some folks are getting the "Tron ride" they've been clamoring for.

2007, when I went with TPR to Japan. Tokyo DisneySea exceeded all expectations. And the rest of Japan was great, too.

Victory Kingdom opened in July of this year, and Happy Valley Wuhan opened last spring. China is pretty new to the whole "theme park" thing. I think the Happy Valley chain itself started about six years ago. The Chinese are still getting the hang of how to run a park, too.

Although most people were probably ignoring the guides, one of them did talk about bamboo still being used for scaffolding on most construction projects as it holds up better than steel in very high winds. I remember that being mentioned, too.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Giant Inverted Boomerang, too--much better than expected.

I stunk worse than usual on this one--8/20. Must be loopy from all those inversions.

I guess for me it would be Riddler's Revenge at SFMM. The little space they have is very poorly used, and it's hard to tell what line is for what row. Dominator's station at Kings Dominion isn't much better, and Volcano's is a mess, too.

The bridge is a great touch, Shane.

^No kidding. I think they spend more time feuding than playing these days.

^I agree completely. You can't beat the setting, either.

Oh, lord, haven't the Beach Boys died off yet?

The old Peppermint Twist at Water Country USA was a bit freaky, too. It was an enclosed body silde, and it really felt like you could drown in it. I have friends who labelled it "The Enema Within." The traditon continues (only not quite as scary) in WC's Jammin' Jukebox slides, which replaced the Twist.

I find Shock's cartoonish entrance amusing for some reason. Rather "Jules Verneish"--I guess they were going for some sort of "steampunk" thing?

Surfin' USA will definitely add a new wrinkle to the old racing mat slide--a chance for some crazy airtime!

^I imagine that one would be terrifying for spectators, too--the riders could be hurled off the slide and into the crowd below!

Der Stuka at Wet 'n' Wild in Orlando was pretty frightening--it really feels like you could tumble off the slide and plummet to your death!

I like the possibility of a goat butting the ride vehicle and derailing it--gives it an extra touch of farm-related danger. Golden Horse is already planning to steal this design.

At least she isn't in love with Mach Tower. That ride has problems getting it up.