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Floater air is fine, but ejector is where it's at. Although I really like some of their later rides (such as Diamondback), I agree that the B&M rides have become more interchangeable over the last few years (especially Intimidator at Carowinds). As for the most "overrated ride of 2012," I haven't quite made up my mind.

What the hell--I'm in.

^He and Count von Count could do an interpretive dance about it. I think this is mostly an "only in the South" controversy that will blow over by tomorrow.

I think the location will be Wild Eagle's saving grace.

^Did you experience the glory that is Robot Scouts? Adam described it as a number of preshows in search of an attraction, and he was right. This was my first visit there since 2005.

I thought Cheetah Hunt was a great ride because it had a different "feel" than other Intamin launchers, along with a great setting and interesting elements (my favorite part is the "twisty" section down by the river). It's a great fit for BGT, and I think Verbolten will work well at BGW. I'm glad that the park is taking a chance on something different, rather than just another B&M.

I always thought it a bit odd that Florida has a Ghirardelli shop while Disney in California does not. This is good news, indeed--Ghirardelli sundaes are great!

^If you sit in the "magic seat" it can be crazy fun--although you feel like you may be killed at any moment!

Let's see . . . TPR's Australia Trip (what a great time that was) The string of Bashes I attended (particularly New Texas Giant and Deep South) An awesome, wet day at Knoebels Cheetah Hunt and Howl-o-Scream at the Busch Gardens Tampa Crusin' the Caribbean with a great group of people Yes--it was a very good year!

Based on my last visit to IOA, this is a concern for me, too. Although the Wizarding World was bustling all day, the rest of the park seemed a bit dead, which came in handy when Ginny and I decided to hold off on Potter and ride Spider-man, Hulk, and RRnR instead (Ginny really wanted to get that credit at the Studios). So, I'd say that Potter was both a blessing and a curse for IOA.

Hell, I'd probably go for the smores alone.

Yes, I am looking forward to Verbolten and the TPR China Trip, but when it comes to projects, I'm most interested in the dark-ride preservation going on at Wild Bill's.

I voted "for it" with some reservations. I'm not a big Harry Potter fan, although I have nothing against the franchise (seen the movies, haven't read the books). But just because I don't care for Potter doesn't mean that adding it to USH is a bad idea. It does put butts through the turnstiles, as IOA has shown, and this along with Transformers (not a fan of them either) should give USH the boost it needs. I think Wes makes a good point here. But I hope Universal learns a few lessons from IOA--for example, avoiding the cramped feel of Potterland in Florida (this is my biggest knock against it--the damn place is always mobbed).

I'm a bit confused--what exactly happened here? Was Abby asking if someone in the audience was born on Christmas Day or was she making a reference to Jesus being "born" on that day? I don't find it offensive either way. I'm just curious.

I've ridden this once in the "magic seat" (second from the back) and experienced one of the most insane, injector-airtime-filled rides I've ever had--while those in other seats were getting jarred senseless. This is an ideal subject for the Rocky Mountain treatment.

Just ordered my copy of the new Raw HD--looking forward to checking it out.

Here's a copy editor joke for you. How many copy editors does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Vague. Do you mean to replace the lightbulb or to have sex in it?

I remember that waterfall right at the entrance of the show building. Unlike similar water effects at other parks, that thing does not shut off before your boat passes under it. I think the ponchos helped a wee bit, though.

Let's see . . . Disneyland Disney California Adventure Six Flags Magic Mountain Knott's Berry Farm Luna Park Sydney Warner Bros. Movie World Sea World (Australia) Wet 'n' Wild (Australia) Dreamworld (Australia) Aussie World Wonderland Fun Park (Melbourne) Luna Park Melbourne Magic Mountain (Australia) Busch Gardens Williamsburg Water Country USA Kings Dominion Knoebels Hersheypark Epcot Magic Kingdom Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney's Hollywood Studios Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure Legoland Florida Busch Gardens Tampa

You inspired me to finally finish my TR last night (after my post-Thanksgiving food coma had dissipated. The ruins looked particularly cool (have to check those out the next time I'm in Cozumel).

A friend of mine at the office checked out Ice at the Gaylord in Dallas over Thanksgiving--looked pretty much the same as the Orlando version.

My friends the Railsbacks and I had our usual series of bizarre and bad movies on DVD over the Thanksgiving holiday: Conan the Barbarian (just plain dumb), Ink (just plain weird, but I rather liked it), and X Men: First Class (somewhat better than I'd expected).

I'm still debating people over El Toro being a wooden coaster...5 years later. Yeesh Here's how you handle these arguments. Whack the person who cliams that El Toro is a "steel" coaster with a 2x4, then with a crow bar. That person will then "feel" the difference.

Why do I suddenly crave cinnamon bread? It's as though I'd just seen about 100 pictures of it . . . most strange . . .

Nice addition--and it's right next to the climbing pyramid of death!