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I was on DarKastle at BGW a few years ago when the video and audio stopped working, and the worklights came on. The "golden sleigh," however, kept bucking and spinning through its usual sequence, but in reaction to nothing. It was hilarious! The ride ops were handing out exit passes as people got off the ride, and they had it all up and running about an hour later.

^I agree about the changes to the Dragons' queue--pretty weak compared to what it used to be.

Here's my list. Halloween Horror Night at Universal Florida: This was definitely an off year for me. None of the mazes really stood out ("Hades" and the anniversary maze were probably the best), and the Bill & Ted Show was just plain rotten this year, although there was one good joke. Howl-o-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg: BGW lost one maze, but added some scarezones, which tended to be pretty weak. Most of the mazes they had were OK, but it was basically the same event as last year. Planet Snoopy at Kings Dominion: OK, I know I'm not the audience for this particular attraction, but I think this is easily the weakest looking of Cedar Fair's Snoopy makeovers. (Then again, the park did get an amazing new coaster, so it all evens out.) The wooden coasters at Mt Olympus: I was looking forward to Hades and Cyclops this year. Unfortunately, the former was just rotten, except for the tunnel parts, and the latter was just average. (I grant that the airtime in the backseat during that infamous drop is amazing, but that's the ride's only trick.) Zeus and Pegasus were just "meh." Oh, and one other thing . . . Reaction surrounding Busch Gardens Tampa's new coaster: Why I can understand how "Cheetah Hunt" can be misinterpreted, the uproar over the name was simply ridiculous. I'm especially annoyed with those who posted links to a petition to change the name on the park's Facebook page. Posting such a link on your own wall is one thing, but posting one on BGT's wall is simply rude.

^It may not be worth the trouble to keep a crew handy to run Griffon if the temps are just going to drop like a rock. According to weather.com, the high temps in Williamsburg will probably peak at 43, then drop into the 30s again from now through Christmas. Note that the highs are during the day. Christmas Town runs at night.

I agree about the theming, but don't care for the ride; it's still better than Paris Disney's Space Mountain. I rode SM (or should that be "S&M") in the front and in the back--the front was actually worse.

Nope, it never really did. That would depend on what you mean by "potential." It did realize a rather high potential for hilarity.

^That makes sense--it doesn't look like Williamsburg is going to thaw out much before New Year's Day.

^If only BGW had perfected its weather-control machine. This has been a colder-than-average December for Virginia.

OK, the topic is Kings Dominion, not "Does Virginia Beach need a roller coaster?" Please stay on topic.

My understanding is that it was open at least one weekend (when it was rainy and a bit warmer). Just keep checking the temperature, but don't get your hopes up.

I didn't know that Dutch Wonderland had a Christmas event. The uber cheesy Astroliner and Dutch Wonder House are the best attractions there.

OK, here's a mix of coasters, people, and goofiness from 2010. From a whale-watching excursion during the TPR cruise in January--a friendly turtle gives a bird a ride. This is my favorite picuture from West Coast Bash. Matt is trying for either "dead sexy" or "sinister." BEST RIDE OF 2010--I305! Best ride at Six Flags Over Georgia--and my favorite old Schwarzkopf. My favorite picture of SFOG's Goliath: "Die, clock, die!" Leslie Hall applies her deadly "camel clutch" during TPR's Mid-America Trip. Best ride at Iowa's Adventureland--The Outlaw. Best ride overall of the Mid-America Trip--Silver Dollar City's Powder Keg. Lou gives Dave some of my kettle corn. SpongeRobb at City Museum. A City Museum freak out! Artsy shot of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Renegade ERT--TPR members shoot by the station. My favorite pic from Halloween Horror Night at Universal Florida. Let's finish up with Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

^I don't think the original poster even knows for sure. I like the looks of the "figure 8" element, myself. So what if it's making a right turn the long way? (After all, my favorite part of Apollo's Chariot is the turnaround before the train heads back to the station.)

Overall, I like Mint Chip the best, but Kilwin's Toasted Coconut is great.

If Montu ranks so much higher than Alpengeist in the poll, in what way is Montu "underrated"?

The "Baby Desmond" picture might be the most disturbing thing ever posted on TPR.

^Maybe so, but I thought Cyclops was a one-trick pony (if you were in the backseat). The rest of the ride was just average. But it is one helluva good trick.

^They share some of the same attractions (such as Flight of Fear and Backlot Stunt Coaster), but the parks themselves are quite different.

Aveko, I removed your link to the other Web site, as members must have at least 50 posts before they can post outside links. A new member can post a link to another site if Robb gives permission to do so. That being said, thank you for sharing this information, but I'm inclined to take a "wait and see" approach as to the manufacturer of BGW's 2012 coaster. I have nothing against Mack (Blue Fire looks great) or Intamin (Cheetah Hunt is looking great, too), but let's wait until the park makes a formal announcement before engaging in any speculation. If it does turn out to be an Intamin, I doubt that it would be a "copy paste" job, mainly due to the topography of the the Tampa and Williamsburg parks (both are quite different).

Uh oh! Now Peter Jackson is going to go nuts! Willis O'Brien will rise from the grave as a vengeful zombie (as will Dino de Laurentis and guys who produced the Japanese Kong flicks)! All because of this statue!

"Yay" and a "huzzah"! You got a nice shot of the castle, Martin. My camera isn't at its best after dark, either.

^There have been as large (or larger) reprofile projects in the past. Three come to mind: 1. Removal of a big chunk of the long-defunct Drachen Fire at BGW (slight improvement) 2. The transformation of Kennywood's Steel Phantom into the Phantom's Revenge (which made a really bad ride into a great one) 3. Removal of the loop from Son of Beast (which didn't help at all)

^Penelope seems rather shy.

^I was as happy when KD decided to take a chance with I305 as I was when BGW took one with DarKastle. Both rides are unique for this region and are great additions.

What's so hard about working the Fastpass system at Disney? Nothing, if you remember one simple rule--always have a Fastpass in hand while you're in line for something else. And you can use a Fastpass after its appointed time if you use it on the same day. I would love it if Knott's offered some sort of "fastpass" during Haunt that didn't involve some sort of expensive tour. The last time I was there around Halloween the lines were overwhelming.