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The barn and loading station are themed to be a garage, and those were the only storage tracks I noticed. They had a Verbolten banner covering the other end of the barn, though.

^This question was asked, but they couldn't give us a precise answer.

Amen to that--the tour was great. Nice meeting you yesterday.

Can your heart stand the eerie darkness that is the Black Forest? If not, then turn back now! Remember--you have been warned. So be it! I believe the operative word here is "whoa." Sorry--couldn't resist. Moving right along. Here's the free-fall drop section. According to Larry Giles, it will be enclosed, and the rest of the thematic elements in this building will keep riders from being able to see the track. Larry Giles describing the Black Forest. He couldn't give us any specifics about the theming yet--it's still top secret. They've just started installing the theming, too. Twisty, curvy--pick your favorite adjective. Once all the work is done, you won't know which way you're going, anyhow. Sorry that this picture is a bit dark and mysterious--but it is the Black Forest, you know. This building does remind me a bit of Flight of Fear's "spaghetti bowl" and Mummy's "arena." Much work has been done, but there's quite a bit to do yet. You know, I believe them when they say you won't be able to see the track. Hell, you can barely see it now with the work lights on. "Er, this isn't the way out, sir." Heading past the station to the Rhine River Bridge. Hmm--what's that I see hiding behind those trees? Yes, they've started work on the "collapsed bridge" portion of the final big drop. More of the bridge's structure, ready to be hoisted into place. Larry Giles talks about the big drop, and how it's actually a bit taller that BBW's old drop. Antother look at the ride's climax. One of the things that excited BGW the most about Verbolten is the pacing--it's just gets crazier as the ride goes along. Here's more track--you know you want it! How about a sexy close up? Like BBW before it, Verbolten is going to be quite photogenic. Oh, so sexy! Looks like Gunter's doing a little work on his collection of vintage European sports cars--he's a secretive little Bavarian. One last look at a wee airtime hill--because you know you want it! And here's another view of the station--it's going to look great when it's finished! My thanks for Busch Gardens for this opportunity to check out Verbolten!

Verbolten, Busch Gardens’ new attraction for 2012, has been thought of as a bit of a “sleeper” in the coaster enthusiast community since it was first announced as just a “multi-launch coaster” two years ago. Based on what I saw and heard during a “hard hat tour” today, I think “sleeper” is too modest a term. Verbolten, thanks to its potentially immersive theming and elaborate backstory, is the most “Disney-like” ride Busch has ever attempted. But before we look at that story, let’s review some facts for all you coaster geeks out there (and you know who you are): Ride Manufacturer: Zierer (Deggendorf, Germany) Type of Ride: Multi-launch coaster (as promised) 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 Seats/Train: 5 trains, 16 seats per train (it was mentioned that the capacity should be about 1,400 riders/hour) Ride Height Restriction: 48 inches (same as the Loch Ness Monster) Location: Oktoberfest Village Ride Opening: Spring 2012 (it will not be ready for guests on opening day) By the way, the park has, indeed, been testing the ride, not just doing "pull throughs." Those are the basic facts—but what’s the “true story”? It all begins in a quaint Bavarian travel center run by a rather eccentric pair of siblings: Gerta and Gunter Schwartzwald. Gerta is the actual “brains” of the business, which also includes a gift shop and the second-floor Black Forest Inn. As children, Gerta and Gunter were fascinated with the dark Black Forest, and often explored its mysterious depths—despite their parents’ warnings. In fact, samplings from the forest that Gerta planted in the travel center’s courtyard are creeping over the building’s walls and poking through its windows. Gunter, now 38 years old, remains obsessed with the Black Forest and the dark forces at work there. But 40-year-old Gerta has become so paranoid about the place that she often scares their customers away. And she has good reason. The center’s rental cars keep disappearing, and the passengers are never seen again. Gunter covers this up by collecting the missing motorists’ personal effects from their crushed, vine-entangled cars, which he hides amid the clutter of his office and garage. He installed video cameras in the forest in strategic places, the better to watch the dark forces of the woods at work. He also lounges around in “a rumpled shirt and oil-spattered lederhosen.” Sounds like one sick puppy. Here's the park's press release from the tour: I think the phrase "Get excited!" applies--let's take a closer look at Verbolten! Well, don't get too excited yet. This is just the shuttle to Oktoberfest. The uber secret entrance by the Festhaus beckons us. "Remember that this is a working construction site. So, grab your hard hats and your shovels and get to work, people!" If only we could harness all this coaster-geek energy to solve the world's fuel crisis. Park president Carl Lum welcomes the group. Larry Giles, the park's vice president in charge of attractions, kicks off the tour. Here's the former BBW station, which is receiving an extensive makeover. Our first stop: "Gunter's Creepy Office" (or, the queue). Many of you, no doubt, realize that this is BBW's old partially enclosed queue. There's still some work to be done in Gunter's office--it's going to get a lot creepier and messier! Here's a little info about the ride and Gerta and Gunter's business. Like I said: "Gunter's Creepy Office"! It looks so strange to see this station without an overhead track running through it. . . . Baby. (That's for all you U2 fans.) A look at the ride's layout and "Gunter's Creepy Office." Sorry for the picture quality, but this should give you an idea of what the first section of the ride should look like: a peaceful ride through the Bavarian countryside . . . . . . that goes horribly, . . . . . . horribly wrong! Here's where the "peaceful" part leaves the station. Looks nice and relaxing, doesn't it? Well, . . . . . . that won't last when you hit the first launch! The "Black Forest" show building is huge. Do we dare go in? Huh? Do we?

From what I saw and heard today, it's going to be a very "Disney-like" ride. I'm sorting through the pictures, and should have a report posted this evening.

Impressive--did you follow up by playing mini-golf at City Walk's new course at 8:00 am, or by passing out in some random ravine on the Disney property? Well done!

Behold the magical splendor that is 18:00 to 20:00! 18:08 - Should we quickly delete this disturbing photo??!! 18:13 - Riding Space Mountain again. Prolly won't be as cool as the lights on ride we had this morning. 18:18 - Another amazing Space Mountain photo! 18:26 - Dusk at the Magic Kingdom! It's finally getting a bit busier here. 18:30 - Heading into Adventureland. What should we ride? 18:35 - Jungle and Aladdin had a line, so Tiki Room it is! 18:40 - Love the 6 to 6 sign!!! 18:45 - So yeah, this is actually happening right now... 18:48 - The totem poles are still cool. 18:57 - We got a FastPass for Jungle Cruise! 19:02 - We are doing this. 19:05 - The Swiss Family Line Ride! 19:07 - Work that pole, Jake! 19:30 - It is officially night at the Magic Kingdom! 19:55 - Castle looks awesome at night! 19:59 - Time for a dinner break! Which MK resort should we go to?

And here's 17:00-18:00--more Disney dorkiness than you can shake a stick at. Not that you'd want to shake a stick at it. 17:20 - Oh, Garbles! 17:35 - Ok, we can't be this desperate yet, can we??? 17:40 - Ahh, Skippy! LIKE if you want to see XS Tech fry him!!! 18:00 - We've made it halfway!!! Only 12 hours to go!

More from 24 hours at the Magic Kingdom! 16:00 to 17:00 16:05 - Another awesome ride on Space Mountain! ‎16:08 - Holy crap! Space Mountain is running totally insane today!!! ‎16:10 - LOL! No caption is even needed! ‎16:26 - We need rocket fuel! 16:32 - Getting more Space Mountain FastPasses! Why? Because we can! 16:36 - Ran into another TPR fan at Space Mountain! 16:44 - Time to recharge phones again to keep you all updated! 16:52 - Here's what the hub currently looks like. Crowds are pretty average to light today. 16:57 - Always liked the feel of Magic Kingdom's "openness" - not a fan of the cramped Disneyland layout.

And the verdict on Tony's is . . . How does it stack up to Mama Melrose's at the Studios park?

I'm really looking forward to the tour tomorrow--really curious to see the inside of that show building.

^Now that makes a bit more sense--thanks.

We have ways of making you talk. Tell us what we want to know, and the pain will end!

^Yeah, why would you want your minj-golf course open during the time at which people are unlikely to play? Maybe it's some kind of "soft opening"? EDIT: So, it's actually 2:00 am.

That was my understanding, too--at least for dinner. I hope it's a cut above the Liberty Tree Tavern. I ate there before it bacme a character-dining venue, and the food was OK, but nothing special.

I'm looking forward to playing at the new mini-golf course, too--it looks great. Poor, poor Jaws . . . but c'est la vie.

Yep--Haunt is all about the fog.

I'm sure they could get this line for next to nothing.

^Aye, those vessels be cursed, sez I!

How about "The Wicked Queen's Cauldron Bar & Gril"? All the drinks would have vapor rising from them and you could dine in a dungeon.

The Snow White rides have always been a problem for Disney because they're too "scary" for little kids and not scary enough for anyone older than eight. I think the planned Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be a good replacement.

I wish they get something rather than "Elvira Superstition" for Haunt, too.

I doubt we'll ever see alcoholic beverages in Disneyland (outside of Club 33, which requires membership), or in the Magic Kingdom in Florida.

I love the "What the frak?" sticker.