cfc

^Where you're living with your parents at an "advanced" age, that's what happens. You're still caught in the ol' "parent/kid" dynamic.

I think this sums up the "controversy" pretty well.

^Quit imposing role models on zombies! They are a diverse population.

I like Cheetah Hunt quite a bit--particularly the "twisty" part over the river. I think it's a very well done thrill ride for families.

Were the tacos "convenient"? I agree with you about Chance Toboggans. The spiral part is OK, but those little dips at the can make you cough up your spine.

^They could use my holly bushes as monsters. Those bastards tore the hell out of me the last time I pruned them.

"Root of All Evil," eh? Well, my "Black Forest" guess was off--but at least this maze will involve evil plants.

^I like the whole "strobe/'lightning" idea for that one. It was pretty effective in a zombie maze they did a few years ago. Flash! Monster on the other side of the room! Flash! Monster two inches from your nose!

I'm always up for a new popcorn flavor (as long as it's not peanut butter). I'll definitely try some honey mustard corn at Hong Kong Disney.

^Knott's is in Buena Park. They're used to loud noises and screaming there.

Yes, even zombies have to be good neighbors.

You captured that ride perfectly, Hanno.

I'd say Balder at Liseberg--it's a ride that just doesn't let up from beginning to end.

I'd love to see Colossus become something more than just big and boring--bring on RMC, sez I!

^Yes, where are your priorities, people?

Like all Vekomas? Well, not all Vekomas.

^ I must admit that seeing a stand-up coaster rot doesn't bother me that much.

Apollo's Chariot today--probably for the last time until October.

Very well done--families should love it. The "magic portal" actually lives up to the description the park used in the video tour they posted some time back. I think the Fantasyland in Florida is well on its way to becoming the best one of the Disney parks.

I went to the park this morning to check out any Howl-o-Scream prep that may be going on--and because this will be my last chance before heading out to Beijing for TPR's China Trip. There's a bit more to report than last week, but I imagine things will kick into high gear after Labor Day. No clue as to what this year's new maze will be, but I imagine the park will make an announcement during Passholder Appreciation Weekend next Saturday and Sunday. (I'm thinking something to do with the "Black Forest," but that's just my guess.) Yes, the creepy flowers with eyeballs are starting to bloom again. You can't kill those things with Round Up--just fire and holy water. In the England parking lot: They've started on the wall for the "13: Your Number's Up" queue. And, no, I did not spring for valet parking. You enter 13 via Europe in the Air's backdoor. (Sorry all EITA fans--it's closed for HOS. You have my permission to weep quietly about this.) Punkins! Evil, disturbing punkins! Boogie, boogie, boogie! Just in case you weren't aware that BGW had an official lawnmower. Moving right along . . . This empty space is where the grape-stomping photo op is usually located. They had a booth selling light-up bling for Illuminights here. I imagine the grape vats will return, with some appropriate HOS theming. The bridge from Italy to Oktoberfest is getting "Halloweened up," too. I see you! You can start humming the creepy little tune now. If you ask nicely at Lost and Found, they might give it back to you. This is "Bitten" (aka, the old Drachen Fire station). No word on what show will be in the Festhaus during HOS (Fiends, which was here last year, will be at the Abbeystone Theatre in Ireland this year). Maybe BGW's old HOS icon, Jack, is moving into the Festhaus? Guess we'll know soon enough. The gift shop across from DarKastle has started its transformation into the HOS shop. (Look! A hidden Mickey!) OK, this is something that amused me. Never noticed it before. Note the writing at the bottom of the pedestal. Was this notice put here for leprechauns or something? Hmm--something's going on behind the buck nekkid statue in Germany. Looks like some sort of display up in the old clock. (Probably something to do with vampires, as in years past.) They're already makin' with the merch. Germany is getting some BLOOD RED drapes. We now interrupt this report for a picture sure to terrify Piers. Now that the Victoria Justice hoo-hah is over . . . . . . the "Catacombs" can go in. There's been quite a bit of work over at the "Fear Fair" in Festa Italia. Shouldn't that be "Paura Fair" in Italian? Looks like the freaks and evil clowns are setting up shop. The Drachen Fire barn has played host to werewolves and fiendish fairy tales in the past, but wasn't used last year due to Verbolten construction. Will it be back for HOS 2012? (Word elsewhere is that the new maze will be in the employee parking lot near the Festhaus, but there hasn't been any confirmation yet.) Looks like the vampires have been doing a little decorating. HOS starts on September 14 this year. That's all for now.

^We got there late in the evening and made it as far as the station--but someone threw up on one of the trains, so they had to clean it up and run empty cycles for a while. It was close to ERT time and no one wanted to miss that, so we bailed.

I think the houses, as a group, sound intriguing. I'm most looking forward to Universal's House of Horrors (because I'm a fan of the classic Universal Monsters) and Alice Cooper, Welcome to My Nightmare (because I'm an old fan of Alice). I watched Silent Hill last night, and that has potential, too. The Penn & Teller house should be a hoot. And, as I said earlier, the wandering hordes worked well at BGT--why not at Universal? The scare zones at last year's HHN were pretty weak (although I liked the houses overall).

The castle here looks like Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland and that "ice cream building" at Six Flags Great Adventure had a baby.

Well, I hope Judge Roy Scream sticks around a little longer so I can snag the credit, at least.

What's Dutch for "Cowabunga"?