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Many movies will be shown in 2012. This was definitely one of them.

Captain and an officer making out on the deck--breaks a few regs, I think.

And the captain has misquoted Teddy Roosevelt--oh my god!

This is making me yearn for anything involving Sharktopus--it would be step up.

So far, the Popeye's commercial is the best part.

I have absolutely no idea what the hell is going on, but this is an Asylum flick, so it doesn't matter.

^So, you have a wrist fetish, eh? Freak!

^I think you're right. For some reason, I thought there were six trains, but all the literature from the park says five. So, they've been running four trains (red, blue, green, and orange).

^I know a lot of people depend on their phones for the time, but I feel naked without my Seiko.

In keeping with the Alice in Wonderland theme, they also need a food stand named "Eat Me."

Daemonen--the cutest, cuddliest B&M ride ever.

Just How Long is the Wait for Verbolten, Anyway? I ambled over to Busch Gardens after work in Friday, May 18, just to hit Verbolten on opening day (and after the afternoon crowds had left). And this got me to wondering: Just how long is the wait for Verbolten if the queue is full? The scuttlebutt from the technical rehearsals the weekend before was about 40 minutes or so. This calls for a "scientific" study! Here are the results. First, do we have a full queue? Answer: Yes. There were four trains running (yellow was still in the barn), and they were using the dual loading/unloading platforms. The time: 6:20 pm on Friday, May 18. (The park closed at 8:00 that night.) There was a bit of "overspill" from the queue, which was roughly even with Mach Tower. Ten minutes go by, and . . . . . . I'm just entering the switchbacks that go around and behind the "Travel Center." After another ten minutes . . . . . . I entered "Gerta's office." Nine minutes later . . . . . . and I'm in "Gunter's creepy office." Gunter! You should be ashamed of yourself! A German drinking Bud Lite! Three minutes later . . . . . . and I'm waiting for a train. Just about to board the blue train. So, the wait with a full queue and four-train ops was about 39 minutes--not too shabby at all. That's it for now.

^Thank you. I'm not all that comfortable with myself on camera, but I was actually kind of pleased with this one. Of course, it helps when the ride gives you plenty of stuff to react to.

The trains are very comfortable, too.

^The ride has three "storylines," which use different light and sound effects in the building (a storm, a pack of wolves, and the "Spirit of the Forest"). When I described it to my Dad, he actually summed it up like this: "Sounds like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride on steroids." That's not a bad analogy. They use high-tech sound, combined with good, old-fashioned dark ride effects in the show building.

^I ambled over to the park after work tonight. Verbolten's queue was full with just a bit of spillover even with Mach Tower around 6:00 pm. The wait time was about 40 minutes, thanks to four-train ops and that dual station. The line just kept moving like the line for Expedition: Everest. EDIT: Just changed "five" to "four"--error on my part.

As long as they're planning on building a shooting dark ride based on this:

^As we all know, Cedar Fair is a "nonprofit" organization dedicated to providing a public service at a loss. Heavens to Murgatroyd.

That's the version of Elvis that most impersonators do--maybe because it doesn't matter how fat you are?

Sadly, I believe that Gerta and Gunter were only around for the media events. I'd like to see them as long-term face characters at the park, too.

I don't recall this being mentioned yesterday--sounds like an excellent idea.

^So, anyone named "Gunter" is immediately doomed to be fat?

^You know, I thought Gunter would be a heavset guy, too--and Gerta was hotter than I'd expected.

Verbolten Blogger Media Day As I think at least a few of you are aware, Busch Gardens Williamsburg “officially” opens their newest attraction, Verbolten, tomorrow (May 18). But, as usual, there are plenty of “pre-opening” festivities, including today’s event, the “Verbolten Blogger Media Day” (May 17). The park actually held a media day for print and television on May 16, but set aside a separate day for the online audience, which was a bit more low key. There was no initial “press conference,” or any speeches, but members of the Busch management team were available for interviews, and everyone had a chance for a personal video on Verbolten, complete with audio for commentary (riders will be able to purchase a more “standard” silent onride video when Verbolten opens). There were some sound glitches with the video, which required pretty much the whole group to shoot an extra one, which won’t be available until tonight. But, what the heck, that just gave everyone a chance to ride multiple times—and possibly experience each of the ride’s three “storylines,” as I did. So, how is Verbolten? Before I launch into my opinion, here are a few facts about the ride. Enthusiasts like facts, don’t they? Ride Manufacturer: Zierer (Deggendorf, Germany) Type of Ride: Multi-launch coaster Special Features: Two launches, environmental theme elements, sound and light effects, high speed turns, free fall drop, and an 88-foot final drop to the water. Track Length: 2,835 feet Maximum Speed: 53 mph Ride Duration: 90 seconds Seats/Train: 5 trains, 16 seats per train Ride Height Requirement: 48 inches Location: Busch Gardens Oktoberfest Village In fact, this ride marks the end of BGW’s “revamp” of Oktoberfest. As for the ride itself, I think the park got what it wanted: a very enjoyable “family” coaster to replace the old Big Bad Wolf (only with a taller height requirement—the same as for the Loch Ness Monster). The launched sections are quite forceful—you really feel the “kick” in the back row (which also has a few more pops of airtime than the front, as you’d expect). The enclosed “Black Forest” section is very disorienting—nice and dark, with some excellent lighting and sound effects. I think the “Wolf” story works best, thanks to its strong use of sound (howls, snarls, and snapping tree branches). The drop section seems to pack more punch than what they have at Legoland in Denmark, even though it only freefalls about 15 feet or so. Sound also comes into play on the ride’s “collapsing bridge” finale, which should be particularly effective after dark. As for the “rattle” and “roughness” some noted during last weekend’s “technical rehearsals,” the only place where I encountered this was in the very back—and it still wasn’t as “rough” as the old Big Bad Wolf used to be. No, I wouldn’t call this a “rough” ride at all, although I prefer the front seat to the back (mainly for the view). For me, this was a coaster that got better the more times I rode it. Here's a look at what went on--if I can just get my car started . . . [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Verbolten_Blogger_Med_Day_009_r579[/coastertube] Verbolten On-Ride Video: Verbolten POV: Time to check in. The park is offering quite an assortment of Verbolten-inspired pins . . . . . . as shown by our model here. There will be a special set of "puzzle-piece" pins just for season passholders, as well. Everyone's waiting for the ride to get up and running. I chatted a bit with Brian Morrow, corporate creative director for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, about the ride's story. The idea was to give guests a transition between Oktoberfest Village and the "legend" of the Black Forest; so, the best way to do that was through the eyes of two "locals." And here they are: Gerta and Gunter Schwartzwald. She runs the business and sells the tours, while her brother maintains their fleet of cars (and spies on poor tourists who blunder into the Black Forest with his strategically placed "Gunter cams"). The artifacts inside the queue reflect the history of the village, as well as the objects Gunter has retrieved from abandoned cars he's found in the Black Forest. Gunter assures me that he'll have this old Prosche up and running in no time--so no worries, Scott! Let's have a look inside. Looks like Gerta has a few customers already. This gnome looks worried. Should I be? Hey, looks like it's my turn at the desk. Now I can "fahrt all over Bavaria." "Gunter's creepy office" definitely contrasts with "Gerta's cheerful shop." Gunter was happy to tell me all about his cars and hidden cameras. "Gunter, why are you boring our guests?" If the needle is heading toward the Christmas tree, the forest is "happy" . . . looks like we're in trouble! Here are some more "Gunter cams"--check these out while you're in the queue (and listen for Gunter's phone messages, as well). OK, let's make sure everybody understands the safety regs before boarding. I love how they've made over the old Big Bad Wolf station into Gunter's garage--right down to the "oil stains" on the floor. Gerta also assured me that they will keep all their customers' belongings safe, should they ever return. Here's a look at the GoPro camera mounted on the red train (they ran the green train, too--without a camera). Is everyone ready for their close-up? Did the camera catch all that? The sexy red train returns. While you're waiting for your assigned camera time, why not try the green train? Yes, there's a lot to be said for the green train, too. Remember: It's the "Year of Zierer"! In fact, some execs from Zierer were there checking out the station. Here's where guests can purchase their onride videos and photos . . . . . . along with other swag. And for those of you who were wondering, yes, the old waterfall is back. Now what're you waiting for--go ride Verbolten!

I've heard of Schmidt's, too, but I've never eaten there. The food looks great! The next time you're in the Asheville, North Carolina area, you might want to check out the rather unimaginatively named Bavarian Dining Restaurant in Weaverville: http://www.bavariandining.com/. It's owned by an actual old Bavarian named "Doc" who makes his own sausage and sometimes offers "wild boar steak" as a special. I ate there last year, and it was great.