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Thanks for all the comments. Always good to know that somebody can glean at least some value from my occasional bursts of nonsense. Moving right along . . . Chapter 5--A Wild Mouse and Other Wild Things: Aussie World and the Australia Zoo After Dreamworld came a two-park day--and much better weather. So, we loaded the bus and headed from Surfers Paradise to a place that many of our members only dream about: the magically named BEERwah! (Yes, Jimmy in particular was fond of this name.) Aussie World is a nice family park that caters almost exclusively to its local audience, but it was very welcoming to us, with ERT not only on its particularly insane wooden Wild Mouse (even wilder than Luna Park's), but also its Rock 'n' Roll Rebel indoor flat ride and the only Disk-O in Australia--the brand, spankin' new Giant Redback! The park invited us to be the first to ride their newest attraction, and there was even a local TV news crew to document the occasion. Yes, I guess they were astounded that a bunch of crazy coaster enthusiasts from the U.S. and other countries would come all the way to Beerwah to ride a Wild Mouse and a Disk-O. They don't know us very well, do they? Here's a look at Aussie World. The Australia Zoo will come a bit later. An Australian park themed to Australia? Well, I guess it's no stranger than Disney California Adventure--in California. The park says that this is the "most photographed" pub in the world. And this is definitely another photograph of this pub. The name is Aboriginal for "place of good food and drink" and was inspired by a popular comic strip. This is what happens if you don't tip the valet-parking guy. Which one is Jimmy? The resemblance is uncanny! I wonder if they got this bench at a Beerwah yard sale? Jimmy says, "I want in! I want in now! The quicker we finish here, the quicker we get to BEERwah!" Well, it's better than out in the pasture or in the swamp. It's true! When I drove from Valencia to Anaheim after West Coast Bash, I passed right by this place! Time for ERT on the Wild, Drunken, Tough-as-Nails Mouse. The sign says it all. "OHGODOHGODOHGODOHGOD!" "Help me Jeebus!" "Only the power of prayer saved my life--and my pants!" "You like our ride, mate?" "Yes, I swear I do--yes!" Yes, this old wooden mouse is a hidden gem. Hmm--he doesn't look like he feels so good. "I can sympathize with him." This is a pretty accurate portrayal of the airtime on this sucker. This gentleman helped build the park over 50 years ago--and he stayed on. We had a bit of surprise ERT on the park's indoor Himalaya. It rocked. It rolled. It rebelled. So sick on so many levels. Behold Giant Redback--the only Disk-O in Australia! These rides are fun, but I can only take them in small doses. We even ended up on local TV. I wonder if the reporter is wishing that she'd worn pants that day. She looks like she's praying to Buddha. "Riding Redback five times makes you feel like you've drunk a whole case of malt liquor--excellent!" Introducing the world's slowest go karts. They're about as fast as DCA's bumper cars. Well, they are meant for little kids--or mentally challenged adults. Aussie World is a nice, attractive family park. Hmm--think I'll pass on these. lest they make me pass something else. But maybe some beer would be nice. This guy makes pretty good squid and chips--for a bird. For a little extra, he'll chew your food for you and regurgitate it into your mouth. Why "fly-through restaurants" never caught on. Next up: the Australia Zoo and all sorts of critters.

^You had to have been there.

^My god--I'm in the picture, too.

I remember you asking me as we stopped on the hold brake for Steel Venom, "Is it supposed to do that?" Plus, I'm shocked that Busch Gardens never had one of these. Great report, Martin--I'm glad you and Cheryl had a good time.

^I like Rip, Ride, and Rockit, myself--particularly the noninverting loop (a unique, excellent element). I think Voyage jumps out at me as being overrated, although I wouldn't have said that two years ago. When I rode it in the spring of 2009, it was running beautifully and easily hit my top ten. But there was a big difference in August 2010, when I felt the ride's quality had slipped noticeably, and it took a nosedive in my rankings.

Mmm . . . Swedish meatball tacos . . . Chimichangas with meatballs and mole . . . oh, yeah . . .

^Well, it is better than Paris Disney's Space Mountain.

I still like Grizzly at KD, mainly for the SHED OF DEATH! I got a kick out of Dark Knight at Six Flags Great America, too (I thought the little dark-ride gags were fun). But there is one ride that was so bad when I rode it in 2006 that I found it rather endearing: X:/No Way Out at Thorpe. Yes, this ride is completely pointless, but I think, for me, that is the point. If Ed Wood, Jr., were a coaster designer, this would've been his crowning achievement. (Note that I rank it pretty low in the Hawker poll, but not in my "bottom ten.")

The indoor section is what intrigues me the most about it.

^I might do that on "We'll pay you 50 bucks to visit us" day.

They already dumped his body at sea. What tests would they do with his body? He's not an X-Man. You mean he wasn't Magneto? My dreams have been shattered!

Personally, I think S&S towers are butt ugly and even more "carny," but that's my opinion. As for Mach Tower, I'll reserve my final opinion for when it's finished.

me too. I only clicked in hopes of seeing pictures of the Schwarzkopf. Seeing a bunch of hot Swedes was a nice bonus. Who cares about the woodie.. What came first, the hot Swedish babes or the woodie? I thought the former invoked the latter.

^^I think Mach Tower is supposed to carry 30 passengers at one time. It's a smaller ride than Drop Tower at KD, but I can't remember the last time I saw that ride running at full capacity.

It was mounted...using the same 12 gallons of whale semen that is used to secure the riders. Oh, crap--now Greenpeace is going to be on our backs!

^A friend of mine, who liked Star Wars back in the 1970s, said that he rewatched the original flick last week and decided that it hadn't aged well at all. I just look on them as dumb fun. I have yet to visit the California Legoland, but I always thought it looked like a nice place. Maybe TPR needs to hold a "West Coast Lego Bash" some day.

"Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown" was a Peanuts movie in which the gang had to win a river-rafting race, so I guess it sort of makes sense for a flume ride--but the name is a bit ungainly.

Regarding Ninja, I disagree with the first half of your statement and concur with the second.

I love the layout of this ride, and how they crammed it into the existing space--nice interaction with the Vekoma suspended coaster.

I like the theming of Dr. Doom (the queue is great), but I think the ride is just average for an S&S tower. Drop Tower (Kings Dominion), Blue Fall (Sea Paradise in Japan), and Giant Drop (Dreamworld in Australia) are better rides. That being said, the only drop ride I simply don't care for is the one at Six Flags America.

The lamest Ripley's is probably in Williamsburg. Believe it or not! Or if you're a fan of the old Jack Palance series, "Believe it or else!"

^Yes, I was sad to hear that, too. I'd wondered why he wasn't in the stable last Sunday.

Agreed. When your're ready to post a TR and photos, do it--no "teaser" threads, please.

^"Less refined" than an S&S Double Shot with its exposed pipes and hoses? Hmm--I have to disagree with you on that. Face it, folks--they're all big poles. Let's see what else BGW has in store for this ride.

As I recall, Mach Tower is supposed to top out at 240 feet--35 feet taller than Griffon.