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I have a few to add to this list for 2012, thanks to TPR: Wooden Coaster (Knight Valley, China); Dauling Dragon, Monte Carol Racetrack, and Hidden Anaconda (Happy Valley Wuhan, China); Suspended Looping Coaster (Victory Kingdom, China); and Big Grizzly Runaway Mine Cars (Hong Kong Disneyland). I've also ridden Wild Eagle at Dollywood.

^Scandinavia has a great selection of parks.

Looks great--especially if they follow through on the "jungle theming" in the concept art. I like the layout.

^Do not risk my wrath, lest I invoke . . . I always look horrible in onride photos.

Phantasialand is a great, quirky park--this new flume ride looks like a great addition (much better than the old log ride). Between this, Winjas, Hollywood Tour ( ), and the Dragon Bar, the resort is full of win.

That is an excellent picture of a surprisingly good ride.

Disney's "half-built" parks plan worked well enough for WDW, mainly because of the "captive" nature of the audience in Florida. Once you're on the Disney property, it's a bit of a pain to get out. Their mistake was in applying the same plan elsewhere (and they're paying the price now by paying big bucks to build up DCA, the Paris Studios park, and Hong Kong Disney).

I thought they were an improvement, but as Elissa says, it's been a few years since I've ridden a Flying Dutchman coaster.

^It was some sort of bizarre soy concoction, I think (bean curd soup, maybe). I didn't bother with it.

It kind of brings to mind this old Queen tune.

I finally had my first Tagada ride at Floraland in China--never in the states. The Universal Carnival does look pretty nice.

The restraints look like they were designed by the Spanish Inquisition to force "heretics" to confess. I've felt safe enough in them, but they are damned uncomfortable. ^And don't forget staring down at the vomit stains and piles of kitty litter on the final brake run.

^The Hulk seems to change moods hourly; then again, he is the Hulk. I've had good rides and bad rides on it, too.

^Yes, if someone tries to persuade you to try a "traditional Chinese farmer's dinner," you'd best find a Pizza Hut, instead. "Mr. Fish," however, was usually pretty good,

Yeah, I would've tried one of these, too. Excellent trip report, Joey!

In the case of Victory Kingdom, I think it's to distract you from the fact that there isn't much to do there.

Jellyfish head is pretty easy to avoid. ^The Happy Valley parks in general are fairly well themed (although it is a bit "skin deep," for the most part).

A coaster train that looks like a train? Who'da thunk it?

^I remember when the Soapbox Racers used to be the Motorcycle Chase.

^I've ridden Whirlwind, and if it was one of "Finland's faves," then the Finns need to get out more often. But to each his own.

^Your can probably survive on rice and fries inbetween visits to McDonald's or Pizza Hut.

^^Luna Park has quite a few issues when it comes to their "neighbors," correct? Maybe they should've gone with a really cool dark ride for their 100th anniversary, instead of a temporary spinning coaster. That being said, I liked Luna Park, and it's a wonder that it's still operating at all. The park is worth it just for the fun house and wooden wild mouse (and the rotor has a lot of fans, as well).

Hmm--if my Secret Santa got me a copy of the novel Cloud Atlas, I wouldn't object.

I liked Skyfall, too, although I'm not a fan of Daniel Craig as Bond (this was the best of the last three Bonds, though). I also saw Cloud Atlas, which I enjoyed. It does make me want to read the book.

Was anyone sucked into the Dumbo vortex?