cfc

I like the look of the Mystic Manor cars--thanks for sharing the pictures, Bill.

My only shot in Virginia will be Verbolten when Christmas Town opens.

I have read (here, somewhere else?) the suggestion that Loch Ness Monster is much smoother than some other old Arrows because the layout is relatively simple. It doesn't have corkscrews, spiral drops and other sections that are harder to make out of coathangers ... I found Anaconda more tolerable than Carolina Cyclone at Carowinds, which I regretted riding midway through (earlier this year). I'm nostalgic about Arrow coasters but I only rode Anaconda once when I went to KD to ride I-305 and Dominator. I hope when it is scrapped they build a new upside down ride over what's left of the lake. In addition, Loch Ness Monster, with its interlocking loops and eccentric layout, really is an "iconic" ride for Busch Gardens (even more so than the Big Bad Wolf was). Anaconda was always more of an endurance test.

Hmm--there might be a Jersey Shore park or two that might be interested in a good used Schwarzkopf ride. It's unfortunate that the park won't be reopening--wouldn't have minded riding Knightmare, myself. I'm a bit surprised that the Olympics, which should've caused an upsurge in tourism, were one of the reasons they had a bad season. But I've also heard that many countries discover that any sort of "Olympic economic surge" tends to be overrated.

As long as the food's good, I don't care how I order it.

Nobody ever said that was a bad thing . Yeah, I have no problem with this, either--and I've never even ridden Wildcat or Disaster Transport.

^^I'm fairly sure it has to do with decreasing popularity combined wth higher maintenance costs. It it's any consolation to you, BGW maintains that the Loch Ness Monster isn't going anywhere.

I thought Vortex was bearable when I rode it in 2009, but hardly one of my favorites (I think the best of those old Arrow loopers is Viper at SFMM). I may have just been lucky, too. Anaconda, at least to me, has always been wretched (at least once you get past the intial drop and tunnel, which was always its best feature).

^I do prefer Vortex to Anaconda--at least, I think it's a more "interesting" ride.

Agreed. I think it's the worst ride in Virginia. Onward and upward, KD!

It was like dropping into a swimming pool.

^Nice to hear some good news from the Jersey Shore for a change.

It's the panda version of an "orgy."

^It's pretty cool the way the trains light up on this ride--one of the prettier B&M coasters.

^Oops--I confused Shenzen with Shanghai. We did ride the blue-and-white one.

^Beijing's was broken down and didn't run at all while we were there. Wuhan's wasn't finished. But we did ride the one in Shenzhen--and it was great.

^You now have one week to "cool off."

^I'm sure there's a used Star Jet for sale cheap, if some Brazilian park wants it.

Gentlemen, Let's all just agree that Florida will have a substantially different Fantasyland when all this work is done. There is little sense in splitting hairs and bickering over definitions. Thank you, Chuck

^I never shed any tears over Drachen Fire. Losing the Big Bad Wolf was more of a bummer, but Verbolten is an excellent replacement.

^It's also best not to argue with a site moderator.

By whatever name, Wood Moutain Flyer Coaster is a damn good ride.

^I don't understand how anyone can believe that, either. While I agree that food choices have improved quite a bit at DLR over the years (I remember when the only good food at the park came from either the Tahitian Terrace or the Blue Bayou), WDW (and particularly Epcot) is still far superior. I am looking forward to trying the new restaurants at DCA, though.

I've found that Chinese costers tend to have multiple names. For example, the new GCI at Knight Valley is simply called "Wood Coaster" on the sign out front, but the GCI Web site lists it as "Mountain Flyer."

^Yes, it really is an entirely new Fantasyland--the whole area will have a much more immersive feel to it. I think it'll turn out to the best Fantasyland in the chain by the time they're finished.