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Looks like a Zac Spin and a Himalaya had a baby. They should call it the "Spinalaya."

First, very cool--I'd like to visit the Cadbury plant sometime. Second, yay for a Lou sighting!

And this rates a "boo" how, exactly? Thanks for sharing the pictures.

^I'd say it's "intense enough"--lots of fun, particularly the "noninverting loop" (which is a pretty cool element). There is a bit of a whiplash effect in the backseat, though.

^I was thinking I305 dipped in chocolate then rolled in toffee pieces would be pretty awesome. But different strokes for different folks. EDIT: Just heard on the news that Kings Dominion reported 18 inches of snow.

I'm not a big fan of either movie, but I'm all for giving EO a shot over HISTA (which outlived its welcome years ago). Yet I never get tired of Muppetvision 3D or Mickey's Philharmagic. Go figure.

People have different opinions than me? Seriously? Yeah, I like Raven a lot--more than Voyage, actually. I think Raven is "just enough"--a wild ride through the woods that is just the right length for the intensity it throws at you. I like Voyage, too, but (for me anyway) it's a bit "too much"--especially all the whipping around toward the end.

I really think anyone that thinks this should be smacked with a board, then with a piece of Intamin track, and then let us know if they can tell the difference. This sounds like a job for Scientist Ice Bat... dt I'm sure Ice Bat could get a government grant for this project.

^I think you can. I sent Mitch an e-mail myself earlier today--forgot to change an "n" to a "y" in that important first column.

Just for the hell of it, I searched for T Express on the ballots page, and only one participant ranked it outside of their top 20 (the person Robb mentioned). Of course, I might've missed something. I have no opinion on T Express because I've never ridden it, but it looked great on video.

I can't decide if KT looks like a superhero or a vampire in the thumbnail on the main page.

^They even serve "Mexican Rice" at a Chinese buffet in Williamsburg.

Agreed--sometimes, stuff just happens. The more important issue is how the "stuff" was handled.

^And the vast majority of the time, he is harmless.

Ah, it's that magical time of the year again. I remember how I and my siblings used to breathlessly wait to see Santa sliding downhill on his enchanted Norelco razor, Charlie Brown and his friends scarf down all sorts of Dolly Madison snack cakes . . . Wait. Those were just commercials. Never mind. Well, I still decorate my house every year--the lights, the tree, the Christmas village. Here's a look. And now he's ten times scarier! Merry Christmas! "The Bumble Snow Monster strikes!" Here's the village. It's nothing but a Hard Rock Cafe and three movie theatres (much like other suburban areas). "You have abandoned the tree! It is now forfeit! It is mine!" Here's how it all looks from outside. "It's a MAJOR AWARD!" Lou, Betty says "Hi." This belonged to Grandmother Campbell (her tree was nothing but snowflakes and birds). Carowinds tried out Winterfest (again) during the last year of the Paramount regime. Let's hope that Busch Gardens is a bit more successful. My old Busch Gardens ornament. Disney is well represented. The Polar Coaster: yes, it still works after about six years! Here's the tree, in all its glory. Let's take a closer look. Well, the ornments are all up . . . oh, crap! I gotta put all these little boxes away. The honor of "first ornament" usually goes to the newest one. Here's to you, Christmas Town. It took almost all of the "Charlie Brown Christmas" CD to get the lights on the tree. Angus slept through the entire process (actually rather helpful of him). OK, I've found the light strings that still work, and I've chosen some appropriate music. Let's get deckin'! "You have abandoned this box! It is now forfeit! I claim it as my own!" I swear these damn phony trees drop as many needles as real ones. Good thing I have my trusty Shark! Much better than a Giant Octopus for cleaning up needles. (Of course, with all those arms, the Octopus kicks ass at decorating.) . . . well, I'll probably be the only one who notices . . . Treeness achieved, but with one minor mishap . . . One must have an appropriate beverage while putting up a tree. Let's see . . . no sign of squirrels or rabid raccoons nesting here. Guess we can squeeze one more year out of this tree. First, we must retrieve the tree from the Magical Christmas Hole.

I'm not sure this park can survive one more year of Monstars of Rock.

GG's Backroads is the best of the family "Autopia" type rides. Looks like a nice event, too.

Copehnagen's famed Little Mermaid is going to China in 2010. So, if you amble out to the famous rock on which she usually sits, you'll be disappointed. But don't despair! Tivoli Gardens is giving you a chance to see a topless chick, instead! It's another great reason to visit a great, classic park. Here's a press release from the park. Copenhagen's famous Little Mermaid.

I sent my steel poll ballot in last night Top Ten (out of 199) 1. Favorite Wood Coaster (Balder) 2. Expedition GeForce 3. Goliath (Walibi World) 4. Phantom's Revenge 5. Nemesis 6. SheiKra 7. Griffon 8. Diamondback 9. Piraten 10. Winjas Bottom Five 195. Goudurix 196. G Force 197. Eejanaika 198. Great American Scream Machine (Six Flags Great Adventure) 199. Space Mountain (Disneyland Paris) Some of the other Scandi trip coasters fared pretty well: 20. Fluch von Novgorod 21. Tele2 Insane 42. Jetline 44. Lynet 45. Tornado (Sarkanniemi)

Let's hope that there's a "Monsters Inc Laugh Floor (MiLF) Street."

Press release from the park. Web site: http://wildadventures.net/ Back by popular demand, We Need A Little Christmas is an entertaining song and dance performance featuring all of the favorite songs of the season. Front row, left to right: Tim Olivar, Renita James, Caleb Spivey. Back row, left to right: Carla Olivar, Charles Billingslea, Kamie Sullivan. (Photo and caption provided by Wild Adventures.)

Same here--both Raven and Voyage made my top 10, and I ranked Legend pretty high, too.

^Tor? Hmm--he might make a good Santa, except for his lack of a lap due to his immense girth.

That turkey looks great, and I think the brine-and-ginger seasoning was a good touch. You should try to deep fry an entire cheesecake next time.

Whip out your wassail mug and join us for some more Christmas Town! Remember: "This IS Christmas." BGW has defined it for you. That is all! Thanks for reading. Fortunately, the magical music of the brass choir protects you from the razor-sharp Snowflakes of Searing Doom as you exit. Blue Elvis trees light your way out. . . . and don't mind paying three bucks. Here's a tip--just go into one of the stores or a nearby heated seating area and warm up free of charge. (Remember--you read it here first.) OK, here's something I don't quite get. They put one of these "dryers" in France just in case you need to warm up . . . Jamestown Glass House, don't you know you're in the evil shadow of DarKastle? Fly, you fools! Hmm--I imagine a few TPR members would appreciate this particular gift. Every time you uncork a bottle, you get a "credit." "Yeah, we'll really clean up at this location! Get it! Clean up! We sell soap! It's funny!" "Yes, everyone wants a wooden bird for Christmas! Yes, what woman's heart wouldn't melt when she unwraps one of these fine duck decoys . . . Hello? Hello?" . . . Mistletoe Marketplace. (It's in the game stalls between the Festhaus and DarKastle.) Before leaving Germany, we were distracted by the . . . Now there's a game of "freeze out." The Big Bad Wolf Memorial Seating Area. "Attention Toy Soldiers! Dangerous psychotic sighted near Der Wirblewind! Rendevous at the Autobahn bumper cars! Prepare to use deadly force!" Here's how it looks when the show's over. O Tannenbaum is a light show synchronized to Christmas music. On to Oktoberfest. Ride, ride like you've never ridden before, if you want to save Christmas! (From what, I have no idea.) The carousel was all decked out with Christmas lights, too. . . . and the scary. The Christmas Shop was a mixture of the sublime . . . Yet, this poor fellow, alone and unloved, is forced to wrap gifts in the cold. But, someday, sweet, sweet vengeance will be his . . . Here we see the elite of Santa's elves in their luxurious, high-tech surroundings. OK, if Germany is the "North Pole," that explains why there are penguins in France--the "South Pole." DIE, CANDY CANE, DIE! "But spare his female companion for questioning." "Calling all Toy Soldiers! Dangerous psychotic reported in vicinity of Germany! Shoot to kill!" On to Germany. Here's the bridge that crosses Alpengeist and the LeScoot log flume. They lined the Alpie side with lath, I guess because they didn't have any decorations on that side, so it was just kind of dark. I hope they remember to remove the lath in time for the regular season. The train was running with holiday music, but Carola had had enough of cold drafts after riding Griffon. And now, a Canadian holiday tradition--I think. This is as good a picture as I could get--sorry. OK, what the hell is this? I thought this theatre was "non-smoking." After dinner, it was time to "Rejoice." Cornish game hen with sweet potatoes, stuffing, and string beans--it was about $22 for two with a passholder's discount. Time to head back to Ireland for a wee bit 'o' supper.