cfc

^Because Luthor has convinced everyone else that he had nothing to do with it. But now that you've blown the whistle, he's going to hunt you down!

"Mega Shark 1 is really good val . . . aghh! My legs!"

^Basically, the ride is the same as Corkscrew Hill, but much smoother (like a flight simulator). Questor and King Arthur's Challenge were the earlier rides. They were more like Star Tours (that is, more closed in).

^And don't forget, "Is someone watching me?" and "Gravitron 1 is really good value."

I think Aladdin is a pretty good show, but does it really have that many rabid fans? Then again, when I caught it for the first (probably only) time a few months ago, the theatre was full (at least as near as I could tell).

If you "don't think they would do that," why bring it up? I'd like to issue a friendly reminder that proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation count on TPR. Occasional errors and typos are OK (we all make them), but please be more careful to avoid a string of mistakes--and there has been quite a string of such errors in this thread lately. I now return you to the "Six Flags Bankruptcy & Restructuring Discussion," which is already in progress.

They should cross it with Tron. Better yet, they shouldn't bother with it at all.

Come to think of it, you never really get a look at the "crucial area" of the Yeti, even though the monster is buck naked.

I do that so that people know the importance of the word I am trying to lay across to everyone. Speaking as a copyeditor, you are wrong. Placing nouns in parentheses does not emphasize their importance; instead, it is an annoying distraction that makes your posts more difficult to read. Occasional italics are acceptable for emphasis--emphasis on occasional.

Yes, I heard about it on page 36 of this thread.

While I've never met you in person, you don't strike me as the fanny pack type. Say it ain't so... Are you in the Fanny Pack Mafia? Never disrespect the Fanny Pack Mafia--unless you want to wake up some day with a horse's head.

^No--he wants to buy us a beer at the store across the street. The only time I've ever had an issue with SF's policy concerning "loose" items was at SFA, where the l.ockers under Wild One weren't working properly and they wouldn't even allow a fanny pack on the ride; however, you could leave your loose items in cubbyholes at the station on Roar (this was three years ago).

Perhaps he needs to add more fiber to his diet.

I won't go near one of these rides, either. They always sound like they're on the verge of falling apart.

Bah! Shows how little you know! Truth is that Harold the Matterhorn Yeti, Crush from Turtle Talk, Jessica Simpson and the Lava Monster from Journey all got really drunk one night, smoked a load of crack, and came up with the idea of Rocket Rods, which of course, later evolved into the tea cup ride. Duh! This would certainly explain many of Disney's decisions during the second half of the Eisner regime.

^Yeah, it was probably the Italian coast I was thinking of. Or maybe I was flashing back to those old rumors that Spain was going to be the park's next country.

^^ I would put "opened" in quotation marks.

You're Up in the Air in Miles o' Sky I ambled over to Busch Gardens Williamsburg on Mother's Day. The reason for my visit has nothing to do with honoring anybody's mother, though. Although I did wonder how many mothers would want to spend their special day at BGW. My Mom would probably be OK with it, and there did seem to be a lot of mothers there. But I digress. I was there to check out the ride formerly known as Corkscrew Hill: Europe in the Air, the newest incarnation of the park's simulator ride. Yes, this is essentially "Soarin' Over Europe," only without some Erector-set-inspired "hang glider"--right down to the inspirational Jerry Goldsmith-like music. The concept is that some Irish company can take you around Europe in five minutes using their new "Slipstream 3000 Air Sled" (whatever the hell that is). It's a very pleasant ride overall, not as jerky and bumpy as Corkscrew Hill, and no annoying 3D glasses, either. The sensation of flight is actually quite effective, although Soarin' has the better ride system; however, BGW does Disney one better by having actual transistions between segments (shots of clouds and a swoosh of air, as opposed to just jump cuts). A few points: 1. A shot of the air sled itself during the preshow would've been a good idea. (The old Questor simulator actually showed you the machine you were going to travel in.) As it is, it's hard to go from "air sled" to the black box with seats, which they also used for Corkscrew Hill. 2. They didn't do much to retheme the old queue and preshow area, so your "air sled" departs from an old Irish castle. The problem is I can't figure out how the sled was able to fit through the wee castle gates and leap immediately into the air. Perhaps it's the work of leprechauns? (Again, showing us the sled might help.) 3. Why are we at street level during the Paris sequence? Did the "air sled" have to dive under a cloud of volcanic ash or something? 4. I got a little queasy on this thing. I guess having a corn dog and fries for lunch was a bad idea. Overall, I think families and BGW's elderly guests (there are many) will enjoy Europe in the Air. While it's not a major thrill machine, it's enjoyable and rather relaxing--and we all need that from time to time, too. Let the hype begin at the bag check! Oh, and Happy Day After Mother's Day! BGW must've got a great deal on banners. Begorrah! Top 'o' the mornin', to ye. This one ties into Celtic Fyre, the new show in the Abbey Stone Theatre. Yep, they bannered the hell out of this ride. (Can Robb and Elissa possibly top this? I'm willing to bet they can.) "Well, being as we're buyin' all these banners for the new ride . . . Yes, only dogs can hear the singing. Sorry. The entrance to the "Celtic Fyre Inn" looks much better than it did a few weeks ago. Yet, they have the time to travel to Busch Gardens. Yes, all travel is best done under extreme pressure--it's the American way! Well, looks like we'll have to take a little time. It took about an hour to get through this line, but I think technical difficulties might've added to the wait. (The line was much shorter when I exited.) Hmm--this looks familiar, except that it isn't filled with goblins and trolls, and they're playing "Soarin'" style music. At last--new theming! Oh, the places you'll go, and the things you'll be, er, people you'll do, er, I mean, the things you'll see . . . It's preshow time, folks! Here's our flight director, Miles O'Skye. Get it? Miles of sky! Oh, such drollery. And a little over an hour later, here's where I exited. Note that the ride is part of Quick Queue. It would be nice to nurse a pint of Guinness and listen to the band for a while. New sign pic for the index if you need it, Larry. All in all, a nice new attraction that should appeal to a family audience. Now what about that new "tower ride"? This is true. Although I was a bit queasy, I experienced no jet lag, despite flying from Ireland to England, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy and back again. To Ireland. Which is in Virginia. Thanks for reading.

As for me, I'd say . . . 1. The various Towers of Terror 2. Blue Fall (Sea Paradise, Japan) 3. Drop Tower (KD) 4. Mystery Tower (Phantasialand, Germany)

^I don't think I've ever noticed the trim brake on Dominator (I know where it is, but I've never felt it being used). Jeff, thanks for posting the video--I also remember when Hurler used to be a great ride.

What I like best about the Coaster Expedition series is that you get a look at the entire park experience--not just coasters. They've actually interested me in parks I wouldn't have considered visiting before (the Japanese and Korean park videos in particular). Thanks to CE 13, I'd love to visit Canada's Wonderland, Six Flags New England, and even Martin's Fantasy Island. The Raw videos are great, too, but not as "rewatchable" as the CE series.

Fixed. Thanks for the report. I'm looking forward to SFOG this year, myself (never been there).

1. Nemesis (haven't ridden it since 2006, yet this ride still stands out) 2. Dueling Dragons--Fire 3. Dueling Dragons--Ice 4. Montu 5. Afterburn (Carowinds) In the last Hawker poll, Black Mamba rated higher than Afterburn (largely because of the theming), but after riding the latter for the first time in a few years, Afterburn is going to take Mamba's spot. I think Nemesis Inferno is a rather underrated invert, too.

I was rather pleased that a seasonal park like BGW decided to put in a ride like DarKastle, even though I agree that Spider-man is the better of the two--much better than the average Wild Maus that used to be there.