cfc

^Agreed. The ending was very good, but the build-up was a bit weak.

Turbine is an excellent launched shuttle, and enclosing the loop makes it unique. It's the best coaster at Walibi, too, so I hope it runs again.

Don't click on the link! To do so invites madness! You have been warned!

I don't recall the Haunted Hospital walkthrough being there in 2007. Blue Fall is the best drop tower anywhere, and their coaster isn't bad, either.

I think the "Thrill Lift" is the most horrifying coaster concept ever developed.

Please stay on topic, which is BGW not the Studios park in Florida. Thank you.

Thank you for proving that my lack of disappointment in passing by the U.S. Astronauts Hall of Fame last Sunday was well founded.

What happens when you combine an October week with Theme Park Review in Florida with a week on the Caribbean? An amazing week becomes an awesome two weeks! I always look forward to hitting WDW, Universal, and Busch Gardens (and their various Halloween events) with TPR every year, and the opportunity to add a week on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas was irresistible. Thank you, Robb and Elissa, for another great vacation! This TR is going to be a bit disjointed because I'm going to hop around a bit instead of posting everything chronologically. Why? It just makes more sense to post the Halloween stuff before Halloween. We'll get to some random Disney stuff, Legoland Florida, and cruise after all the Halloween events are covered. Everybody OK with this? (Why am I asking? It's not like you have a choice here. This is my TR, dammit!) Let's get off to a mellow start with my favorite night to visit Florida's Magic Kingdom: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Although this event is geared toward families (what a shock) and is pretty much the same year to year, I always look forward to it for a number of reasons: 1. I'm hanging out with fellow TPR members, which guarantees a good time no matter what happens. 2. Space Mountain wait time--5 minutes. 3. The parade and fireworks are always fun. 4. Candy! So, don't expect anything too scary here--at least not on the surface. Who knows what lurks beneath? Boo to you! Those with party tickets can enter the park at 4:00. The party itself starts at 7:00 and goes till midnight. Nothing says "horror" like a pumpkin in a jaunty touring cap and bowtie! "Just leave your kids with me, folks! I'll have 'em all cooked up for you by suppertime." Shawn wants to make damn sure that he gets his recommended allotment of sugar tonight. In Scotland, vampires crave sugar and cinnamon, not blood. Lou has found just the outfit for formal night during the cruise. Of course, it does have some drawbacks, such as encouraging random people to call you. I wasn't in costume, but many members of our group dressed up. Say hello to Justin Bieber! Shannon dresses like this pretty much every day, but Scott's "theme-park geek with a camera" costume was outstanding. "I am Mrs. Nesbitt, do you hear me? MRS. FREAKIN' NESBITT!" Ice Bat and Sharktopus have combined to become "Mega Disco Ice Bat and Sharktopus"! Watch your back, Godzilla! Hanno decided to become a crazy Dutchman. Behold the horror of the "Boo to You" parade, foolish mortals! "What? You wenches won't show me your breasts here? They used to in California!" You know, Playtex lifts and separates. Just sayin'. The Villains float is always a highlight--right up there with the bald guy and the snack cart. "Gawrsh! Lookit all you nice folks! Almost makes me sorry to unleash my undead minions to snack on your intestines!" The Halloween fireworks are always great, too. Excellent music and lighting effects--plus, they blow stuff up real good! Uh oh! Tomorrowland has taken a direct hit! The World of the Future's retaliation is swift and terrible! You can't participate in MNSSHP and not ride the Haunted Mansion. That would be a serious faux pas. The new interactive queue is fun. It brings out your "inner Phantom of the Opera." "Oh, I could spend all night shoving these books back on the shelf. Really, I could." This spider is nearly as big as the ones we enountered in Jamaica during the cruise. "See ya real soon"--IN HELL! "Goodnight, folks! I hope you liked consorting with the Prince of Darkness!" Next up will be Universal--and HHN.

This is my thought, too. I'm sure everyone will be very enthusiastic about the place until it's time to put up the money.

Yes, unless you get to Volcano right at opening, you must be prepared to wait.

I imagine there will be some other references to BBW in Verbolten, too.

I think "WOLFXING" would be good to honor the Big Bad Wolf.

They are "good", but I'd argue that the dueling aspect actually added to the ride enough for me to consider them "great" when they dueled, and only "good" when they do not. Sure, they are some of the better B&M inverts, but on their own, I'd put them on par with a Batman clone. Dueling really added to the experience. I agree. The first time I rode Dueling Dragons one side wasn't operating, and I thought the ride was fun. The dueling made the two rides great; without it, they're not as good as Montu.

^Er, I think he's kidding, dude.

Crap--Universal Singapore uses more fog than Kings Dominion! The scarezones definitely look better than the ones in Flordia this year.

Busch Gardens Bash was excellent--thanks, again, to Robb, Elissa, and BGT! Cheetah Hunt is a helluva good ride, the backstage tour of Montu was great, and Howl-o-Scream was a lot of fun (especially the roaming hordes of zombies). And the Fright Feast show had dancing Jager bottles!

And it only cost me five bucks!

I'll definitely check this out for myself this weekend. Verbolten is coming along nicely. I'm glad that BGW is taking a different tack than BGT did with Cheetah Hunt (which is a great ride, by the way). The dark-ride section is intriguing (the track layout looks great).

Busch Gardens Bash was excellent! Howl-o-Scream exceeded my expectations and really gave Universal a run for its money. Thank you Robb, Elissa, and BG Tampa. I highly reccomend the Montu tour, as well--great job, Norman!

Something like Wildebeest would be great for Water Country.

Looks likes a good mix of the old and the new--looking forward to seeing the new Legoland myself in a few days. Thanks for the sneak peek, Eric.

I thought El Dorado was "meh," at best--not particularly sorry to see it go.

^You have a good crew of bloodsucking fiends in there this year--and the upgraded show scenes are good too. I'm always amused, and unnerved, when you call me by name.

^I hear you can get some sort of ointment for that condition.

I'm a little leery of those hot-food vending machines, too.