cfc

^And this is apropos of what, exactly? The topic is Kings Island--stay on topic, please. Exactly. I'm glad you liked Son of Beast; unfortunately for me, it was one of the few black marks on very nice day at Kings Island last year (I enjoyed myself there). And, yes, you will have some people who feel the need to "fit in." But please don't accuse others of "conformity" simply because you're in the minority.

Word of advice: Never say "I don't aim to come off as an ass." People will immediately assume that you are. And let me say, as one who has ridden Son of Beast, that . . . it stinks. Yes, it stinks on ice and sucks out loud. Only Bandit at Movie Park and Anaconda at Walygator are worse, at least in my opinion.

Well, it is the Virginia Gazette--one of the worst papers anywhere. ^I recall Screamscape mentioning something about an indoor, themed drop tower for BGW a while back, but I can't find it on there now. I think something along the lines of Phantasialand's Mystery Tower would be pretty cool.

Here's more from today's Virginia Gazette: I'm sure that Universal will be surprised to find that it has a "Tower of Terror."

^Yep--that too. BGW is often part of a vacation to the "Historic Triangle" (Jamestown-Williamsburg-Yorktown), Virginia Beach, and even the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That being said, this is a pretty remarkable performance for the park, considering that the locat tourist industry has been crying in its beer as of late.

I doubt that would account for such a large increase all by itself. I imagine the first year of Christmas Town may have been a factor, too. 2009 was the first year that the park has offerered anything after October.

They're entertaining proposals to "refurb" Son of Beast--again? Crap. For a moment there I had hope.

^A bald eagle built a nest on the lifthill, too--that also set them back on removal. Maybe they could rebrand SoB as an eagle habitat.

My God! Disney is in league with Spectre! "Kill Bond! Now!" Now that would be one cool evac--thanks for sharing.

^Last date mentioned was Memorial Day Weekend.

Removing that huge sign seems like a lot of trouble to go to if they were planning to bring SoB back--especially when all they had to do was chain off or otherwise block access to the queue. We shall see.

Thank you for sharing this pithy observation. We are all the only ones richer for it.

Maybe they're learning why no one has built one of these in 40 years. I'd like to see them succeed, though.

Have you tried checking their Web site to see what they offer (http://www.vekoma.com/index.php)? I guess a park could buy a custom looping coaster if it wanted too.

Yes, before it was "Demonized," the Turn of the Century was quite the airtime machine. My old buddy Jim and I rode in the front car and were shocked at the ejector air on those hills. And, sigh, I miss the Motorcycle Chase/Wacky Soapbox Racers. ^Haunted River's final drop was great, and the rest of the ride was a very enjoyable cheesefest.

^"Scent-o-meters"? Is that pronounced "sent oh meeters" or "sent tom eters"? (Holy "Soarin'," Batman--they're using smells!) I'm looking forward to this ride. Corkscrew Hill had its day.

^It's tough to get good pictures in there without the right equipment and the skill to use it. I got to the show early, so I killed time by walking around the theatre to get a few decent shots.

^^Perhaps he meant "ride the Matterhorn" as a euphenism for something else.

Such as "Crap: The Ride"?

Some Little Things--and Celtic Fyre I took a lap around BGW last Sunday. It was on the cool side, and being that spring break is pretty much over in this part of Virginia, there wasn't much of a crowd. Apollo's line was just outside the station and down the backsteps, but I circumvented that via the single-riders line. Alpengeist and Griffon were two-or-three-train waits (unless you wanted the very front), and the longest lines overall were for DarKastle and the Loch Ness Monster (which was a little surprising). Three trains on each coaster, too. BGW has made a smart move with stroller-and-wheelchair rentals. You now rent them in a new building at the top of the hill just behind the ticket booths and restrooms. In the past, wheelchair rentals were handled inside the park in a rather cramped space just inside the gate. This new location saves people the trouble of having to trudge down the hill, and spares cast members from having to follow wheelchairs and electric scooters back up the hill to retrieve them. Looks like a much better set up. (I think Disney could learn something from this.) So, even though there's no new coaster this year, the park is making some wise infrastructure and operations changes. I also caught the park's new Irish dance show: Celtic Fyre. I'm not a "show person," but this one is pretty good--a nice replacement for Emerald Beat. They've transformed the Abbey Stone Theatre in Killearney from, well, a ruined abbey, into a pub, which is hosting a wedding reception. Much Irish stomping and tapping and singing and hijinks ensue. (No sign of any leprechauns, though.) The cast is energetic, the show is well paced, and there's a good mix of prerecorded and live music. The crowd on Sunday was really into it, clapping and stomping. You can even buy yourself a Guinness in the theatre lobby and sip while you watch (probably the show's best feature ). Hmm--I noticed this new building a few weeks ago, but had no idea what it was. Ta da! Rent your strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters here, folks! Good thinking, Busch. They painted the trim on the barricade between England and the Forest of Fun. Brilliant! No one will ever guess that it isn't just part of the building! This refreshment stand used to be the main entrance of the theatre. These doors are shut during performances, but open aftterward for your drinking pleasure. Here's the wee door that takes you to Celtic Fyre. And here's what you see when you walk in. To the inn. Here's a look using my little camera's "night scenery" setting. Where's Hanno when you need him? This woman is demonstrating how one "kicks back" in front of a roaring fyre. A somewhat clearer look at the hearth. Park guests actually sit at these tables by the stage. And, yes, the performers do dance on them. The tables, not the guests. Well, maybe the guests' hands. Even the walls of the theatre are now "pub-like." Well, being as I'm at an Irish wedding reception, it would be rude not to enjoy a nice pint. Here's what the show looks like after a few pints. "I'm Bat-Bird!" You know, if I were this eagle, they'd have to rename me "Pecky," because that's what I'd do to my handler's eyes for giving me such a stupid name. That's all for now--thanks for reading.

^Agreed. Derek and I used the single-rider line a few times a week ago, and it worked just fine.

I've never been much interested in visiting Wild Adventures, but if Herschend keeps going in this direction, I wouldn't mind checking the place out (particularly the improved Cheetah).

I tried that damn thing about ten years ago. It gave me a headache and an upset stomach, and I actually had to step outside for fresh air. No more VR helmets for me!

Good to see that the Flintstones are alive and well and living in the Netherlands. It's a shame that most American "kids parks" don't put this level of care into theming and landscaping--and to providing plenty of activities that parents and kids can do together.

Usually, I'm not crazy about coaster pictures with a lot of supports and such blocking the view of the train, but this is a good one. It sums up the Vortex "experience" very well.