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You should probably start with TPR's Park Index. The Park Guides there should answer many questions for you. Have fun!

^I think the new restraints were a noticeable improvement, as well.

^That will just make them easier to spot.

^Can't say about MF, but I305 in all its "variations" > I232 (which is not to say that I232 is a bad ride).

Just signed up--woo hoo!

^The Sindbad ride does beat the crap out of "it's a small world."

Shoot me now ^i just remembered that Sea Paradise had a cat play area, and a puppy play area in their 'mall.' Hopefully it's still there! Angus would have fun there.

^I remember it being just outside the walls of the park, but I'm not clear on where. My family used to have dinner at the chicken restaurant, and we'd always walk by the volcano before going into Ghost Town.

Welcome to the wonders of the "Word Filter." Eamania, I think you're doing well, too.

^I remember the volcano--the "only active volcano in California" was what the sign for it used to say, or something like that.

^Yeah, it was quite a scorcher. Erik and I spent a fair amount of time in the water park that day (particularly in the lazy river).

The stand-up at Mitsui Greenland definitely is--and it doesn't even have a loop. That was the single best day I've ever spent at Kings Dominion.

It's Moebius Strip Barry!

Speaking of "Verbolten," I went over to the park for a bit today to see what's been going on--quite a bit, it would seem (if you're into holes and dirt). Hmm--didn't notice these yellow booms in the water last week. "Yes, we apologize for the delay with Mach Tower. Please have some pretzels and beer while you wait." The old Wolf queue. Across from the chair swings, we have walls to the left . . . . . . and walls to the right. Let's have a look from the bumper-cars queue, shall we? (Nice sign, by the way.) Hah! I knew that groundhog I spotted last week was up to something! Look at that hole! My god! That's the largest groundhog mound I've ever seen! He must be a ponderous rodent, indeed. Looks like they cut a service road through here. More road (but I think this has always been there). For all you heavy-equipment fans. The backside of dirt as seen from the train. I wonder how this is going to affect Howl-o-Scream? This is the old Drachen Fire area, and it's been "HOS Central" for some time. "Me big truck. Me haul dirt." Don't forget "Clocktoberfest"--it's coming soon.

The station has a "Great Wolf Lodge" vibe about it--very nice. It's good to see more Eurofighters coming to the U.S. They're great rides if a park needs to pack a maximum amount of thrills into a small space.

^Actually, I think that's an argument for having a somewhat more family friendly coaster at Holiday World, other than the Holidog-themed kiddie coaster. Raven, Legend, and Voyage are all rather intense rides.

I know what you mean about the stand-up coasters--I think those restraints really uncomfortable, too (at least the B&Ms are more comfy than the Togos). I'm intrigued by the old "Hi De Ho" dark ride. Maybe it was a trip through the more troubled parts of Cab Calloway's psyche.

I recommended something along the lines of Silver Dollar City's Powder Keg--a launched coaster that is relatively "family friendly." I suppose it could have a loop or two, if they wanted them.

It's like the old joke about the zen master: "Master, they're going to remove Skull Island! That's terrible!" "We'll see." "Master they've announced that they're going to build something new there! That's great!" "We'll see." And so on . . . I think this may be more of a "what do you want to pay for?" question for the park: maintaining an old water ride that has serious issues, or putting up something newer and more reliable? I've had enjoyable and not-so-enjoyable visits at SFA (haven't been there in two years). We'll see.

I rode it once a few years ago, after waiting some time for the park to get it operating. I have to give the crew and technicians credit that day: They worked their butts off to get Skull Mountain up and running (it was having all sorts of sensor problems).

This isn't too surprising as the ride tended to spend more time down than up. But it was a fun flume ride with some intereresting quirks.

BGW also offers Quick Queue for beating the lines. So, If I had to spend a Saturday at one of these parks, I'd go with Busch Gardens.

I thought it looked strangely familiar.

^Hmm--very interesting . . .

Last Friday Night at BGW Someone over in the official BGW Discussion thread reported that some construction walls were up near the the Big Bad Wolf's old station. There were a few hints that work was starting on the new coaster last Friday, as well. Here's a "mini-update." Don't expect anything momentous here--just some encouraging signs that Verbolten is moving forward, even if Mach Tower is suffering a setback. It's always fun to check out changes both large and small at the park. My god! A groundhog! And he's near the old BBW station! This is fraught with portent, I tell you! OK, maybe the groundhog's presence was just a "coincidence," if you believe in such things. But this looks a lot like those plastic barricades that they have to put up around construction sites to protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Hello! What's this? It's a piece of white tape! With a small piece of red tape! This could be huge! OK, so I'm overracting. A bit. But it does look like something has begun. Let's check out some other changes in Oktoberfest, shall we? The seating area behind the pretzel bakery is looking a little more "beer garden like." All those at TPR Day on June 19 who are of age can hang out here, drink a German brew, and listen to the band. Yes, you can have your own "Beer Barrel Polka" ERT. Here's something new for all you kitchen-magnet enthusiasts. A snazzy new sign for the Festhaus. The inside is looking pretty snazzy, too. This pic is for you, Jason. The "World's Largest Living Cuckoo Clock" is returning! The new Maypole without dancers . . . . . . and with dancers. Had to try the Chipstix--pretty good. I'll leave you with this stern warning from King Ludwig over at DarKastle.