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I'm looking forward to watching part 2 of the video tonight, as it covers the new Zierer--a subject I'm very curious about.

"The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant Accordionist" would be the scariest horror-movie concept ever!

Holy crap! How much is a real slab of beef?

I think you should hire Hauntrepreneurs to design the official TPR headquarters.

^No. Big Fun looks like a potential winner for GCI--quite a boon for smaller parks who need a big attraction on a budget. Thanks for the coverage, Robb and Elissa. I'm looking forward to the videos.

^IB has an old dark ride that was retrofitted into a coaster (Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain)--Splinter FX looks looks like Gravity Group has decided to run with the idea.

This "Splinter FX" model is one of the more intriguing things I've seen so far--is this just an idea, or is a park actually building it?

Uh oh! Posting this on an enthusiast board is like dangling a salmon in front of a hungry grizzly bear.

I had a nice chat with Mr. Kernacs at the I305 media day. He was quite pleased with the readings he was getting on his radar gun as train zipped through the course. I'm intrigued by the new coaster going in at Legoland Billund. Being as I live in Williamsburg, I'm especially keen on seeing these Zierer rides succeed.

That new Flowrider looks like an amphitheatre. I wonder how many riders it can accomodate. Perhaps the next step is some sort of Flowrider "arena." They could call it "Thunderdome" or "Thunderflow."

It's that magical time of year again: IAAPA! Thanksgiving! Christmas! Is that the "high five" element in the photo behind Elissa? I love the comfy chairs and cupholders in the Ferris Wheel gondola. (The next innovation will probably be gondolas with pole dancers.)

I think this sums up the problem with these theme park/arcade combos in general. Most people just think of them as big arcades that charge an entrance fee. Sega Joypolis in Tokyo is fun, and I've enjoyed Disney Quest in Orlando.

^No. Most people don't count a relocated coaster as a "new" credit--but there are those who might.

Just a heads up for anyone thinking of hitting Christmas Town. The first Sunday in December (the 4th) is the "traditional" evening for the Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg. So, you might want to factor that in if you're planning on attending both events. (GI Sunday actually might be a good night for Chirstmas Town as CW always draws a huge crowd for that event, which could mean ligher crowds at BGW.) The Grand Illumination is also free to the public, if anyone is interested in checking it out.

Personally, I think Hellcat/Avalanche is the only reason to visit the Dells--great ride. I thought Hades was going to kill me.

Apple cranberry fritters sound really dang good.

^I think that would be a terrific comeback vehice for Duran Duran. Just throw in Tiffany, Deborah Gibson, Mickey Dolenz, some giant mutant spiders, a mega croc, and some ganja-smoking locals, and you've got a winner! "Aracnoids v. Crocasaurus: Chairlift to Hell!"

No, but Quarrel, Jr., did offer to take us to the house of the Kananga woman on San Monique.

Well, as long as they keep Jimmy Neutron's Atomic Collider and the Ghost Zone--those are flats that I actually like.

^Thanks, Scott. I took that picture of the zipline and alpine coaster from the ship, which gave a pretty good idea of how high up both attractions were. Next stop, Jamaica for Dunn's River Falls, a scenic if slightly scary chairlift, another alpine coaster (the Jamaican Bobsled), and spiders as big as your hand. Many of the group chose to climb the falls, but I demurred as slippery rocks and Campbell clumsiness don't mix. The Jamaican Bobsled was even crazier than the Dragon's Tail in Labadee, as it speeds though some pretty thick jungle. Welcome to Jamaica, mon, where if you're tall enough to reach the bar, you're old enough to drink. "Mommy, what's ganja? Is it candy?" No ganja, but a big breakfast in the suite kicked off the day. And the Jamaican excursions begin--if anyone sees three creepy blind guys, be sure to warn James Bond. Our guide filled us in on local jargon, such as "wicked bumpa" and "fluffy diva." Someone call Bond--we've found Dr. No's headquarters! Here at last. "Buy some flowers, or Dr. No will be upset. And no one wants that, mon." I've seen these falls in movies a few times, such as "Dr. No" (yay!) and "Cocktail" (boo!). I looked, but did not climb. "No, I pretty sure that isn't a snake. But you go first." TPR soldiers on without a guide--such fortitude! "I did this for animatronic hippos everywhere!" Dan is now wondering what he was thinking when he decided to climb the falls. Being in so much water has finally driven Dan mad! Still a conga line to the top. Onward, relentlessly, toward their ultimate goal . . . . . . the group photo! "This is my domain, and I protect those who come here. For I am Hanno, Lord of the Jungle!" "Help me, Hanno!" Next stop, Mystic Mountain . . . . . . and this somewhat scary chairlift. "Hmm--if Chuck were to fall off 'accidentally,' they wouldn't find his body for weeks in all that jungle." "Do it, do it, do it!" Phew! We arrived safely. Good luck, Renee and Alison, and watch out for . . . . . . spiders! After braving the Chairlift of Death, the bobsled, and giant spiders, we arrived back safely. Thanks for a great day, Jamaica!

Interesting--I had no idea Disney was going to try something like this. I wonder why they stopped the fingerprint scanning for regular tickets. I guess eliminating the need for stroller and wheelchair gates would make lines a bit more orderly, too.

Still have yet to ride a Giant Inverted Boomerang. And after this park is built, I imagine I still won't get the chance. Then again, it's never been high on my agenda.

Thanks for the look at Krake. Although the ride itself is brief, the theming looks well done (right down to the music as you enter the queue).

My only complaint about Steel Hawg at Indiana Beach was the uncomfortable (at least to me) restraint system on the trains. I thought the layout of the ride itself was great. If they have devised more comfortable trains, then this ride has a good chance of being a winner for Movie World.

I think this will sum up the reaction of most people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFro129e2Zg