cfc

London is one of my favorite cities. Back in 2004, my brother Ward and I stayed in this funky hotel that was run by a bunch of Roumanians, but was located on a street full of Middle Eastern people. Every night, as we walked back to our hotel, guys were sitting in the street smoking hookahs and grilling kabobs on hibachis in front of cafes--a much nicer smell than I've encountered in some other big cities.

Cedar Fair Entertainment held a conference call to discuss third-quarter earnings on November 3. Here's a link to the transcript: http://seekingalpha.com/article/170967-cedar-fair-entertainment-company-q3-2009-earnings-call-transcript?page=1. I'm not a "financials" type of guy, but here are a few highlights: 1. According to Richard Kinzel (chairman, president, and CEO), CF expected to take a hit from the "worst economy in decades," calling their performance "slightly better" than their "industry peers," but still "disappointing." 2. The CF parks entertained 18.8 million guests through the end of the third quarter--6 percent less than the same period last year. 3. In addition to the weak economy, Mr. Kinzel cited "consistely poor weather" as a factor in the decreased attendance. 4. The parks have managed to reduce operating costs by 5 percent over last year. The transcript is a rather hefty one by online standards--10 pages.

Here's a link to the latest earning news regarding Six Flags: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/six-flags-announces-third-quarter,1024829.shtml. Not surprisingly, revenues in the third quarter have decreased from the same quarter last year--by 7 percent--due to declining attendance, reduced spending per guest, and other factors.

Here's a video of the demolition of Santa Cruz's old Haunted Castle--and the start of construction on the new. I hope you like "Puttin' on the Ritz."

^I can vouch for that. Even while he was spinning those nets, Larry kept looking around and asking, "Where's Dave? Where's Divv? I wouldn't want them to miss the bus."

The Diablo Swing Orchestra does sound pretty intriguing--any recommended CDs here, Dave? I think Angus McNasty would fit in well in Ice Bat's Army of Doom.

^Should be an invigorating experience. I rode the Big Bad Wolf in the snow once.

Here's the latest news about BGW's new holiday offering. Here's a list of rides that are scheduled to be open during Christmas Town (from http://www.christmastown.com): Train (Tweedside & Caribou Train Stations) Griffon (weather permitting) Der Roto Baron (Red Baron) Wirbelwindchen (Kiddie Swings) Der Werbelwind (Waveswinger) Der Autobahn Jr. (Kiddie Bumper Cars) Der Autobahn (Bumper Cars) Der Katapult (Katapult) Curse of DarKastle Kinder Karussel (Carousel) Corkscrew Hill Lil’ Clydes

Hmm--judging by my expression in the SCAD (Or is it?) Tower photo, I must've landed on my head.

I'm not a big fan of the Saw flicks, but I liked the maze, too. It's a challenge to maintain a "haunt" all season long, but Grona Lund and Liseberg have been quite successful at it. We'll see what happens at Thorpe.

There's already a thread devoted to "Saw: Alive": http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53056. I searched for "Thorpe" and found it in about five seconds. Please use the "search" function before posting any major park news--chances are, there's already a thread. Thank you, Chuck

Finished mine up with a night ride on Griffon.

Went to BGW last night for the closing evening of Howl-o-Scream. I figured it wouldn't be crowded, and, boy, was I right. We had torrential rain earlier in the day, which probably scared a lot of people off. They were using the Germany and France (preferred) parking lots; neither of them were full. So, unless you wanted the front seat, every ride was a walk-on, as were the HOS mazes, making for a very relaxed, low-key evening at the park. I even had dinner at the Festhaus and checked out the Frankenrock show--OK (still better than the magic show at Tampa). The earlier darkness and chill in the air were perfect for HOS, too. All in all, a nice way to end the week.

^^I'm not surprised that they haven't started dismantling BBW yet. They'd have to bring in a crane, and there are two HOS mazes and a scarezone right behind the Wolf. And I'm not entirely sure that the Labor Day closing had to do with taking it apart right away as opposed to other operational issues with the ride.

Uncle Fester rules! Thanks for the pictures. I've enjoyed checking out the TR's of Halloween event from all over.

Best (or, at least, one of the best): Mystery Mine at Dollywood (that last "flip" into the station) Worst: Kingda Ka, Stealth, Zaturn (just comes to a halt at the top of a bunny hill)

A few comments: 1. Those are some of the worst wax figures of celebrities ever, but they're all better than the Ellen animatronic at Epcot. 2. I was always rather fond of the Hollywood Wax Museum in Buena Park. 3. The wax museum on Cannery Row in Monterey is even goofier than this one (and it's narrated by John Steinbeck). 4. Thanks for this entire thread.

Sigh! I remember when this park first opened, back when I was in high school. It was a very nice place then.

Yes, the rain definitely exceeded the power of my Totes jacket to shed water, but what are you going to do about the weather?: Just make the best of it. Farup was a great park.

^Mike Roddy mentioned that they were pretty happy with how Saw turned out. It's in the Jaws queue and that's a pretty tough space to work with, he said.

Scarezones have always been the weakest part of BGW's Howl-o-Scream, largely due to geography, I think (lots of narrow, hilly pathways and bridges). Mischief and Mayhem is easily the best, but Harvest Hollow can be good as long as the scareactors avoid clustering in one spot (it's very well lit with lots of fog). Bitten is definitely the big winner among the mazes this year (with Cursed a close second, I think--kind of depends on how many witches are out and about).

Free Jesus is the best Jesus.

Aw, Hal'ween almos' gone! Tor sad! Wha'? Look like "scrum." Tor no can read sign. But we leave, so Tor sad. Yes, it was a great week in Florida. Thanks, again, Robb and Elissa! Sheesh! And I thought $45.95 was expensive. Now they want blood! Looks like another poor schmuck is about to pay way too much for a pair of designer jeans. OK, how is this different from a typical day in the world of high fashion? Welcome to "Transylvania's Next Top Model." See? I just opened up a whole can of it on this guy! Bah! Tor scairt him first! Don't let this fanny pack fool you--it's where I carry my can of whoop ass! And by night. OK, last maze of the night--by day. About as many as you can trap in the walls. Tor t'ink your riddle stink. How many vampires does it take to fill up a bumper-car pavillion? See? "DED" like these two--dead! Yes, I do get it now, Tor--thanks. See? Dey mean "dead!" Oh, so they do. How delightfully droll. Can't quite figure it out, though. Tor think you turn stupid! Hmm--I do believe this is meant as some sort of "play on words." Tor think it mean "dead." As I recall, there's pair of werewolves here. It is a little hard to tell. Another tragic South Beach Diet mistake. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Wes tonight. Tor no see Wes neither. Oh my god! Scary biker graffiti! 13. You know, I really didn't "get" this one until I reviewed the Web site later. Tor not get either. Tor not get lotta things. Yep--that's more like it. OK, the scarezones are starting to get a bit spookier now. Tor get dizzy frum lazer lites!

Tor ready finish dis, now! Wanna talk 'bout . . . Howl-o-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa . . . but Tor have too many Buds (like, 200) to 'member much. Maybe Chuck 'member more. I dunno. I'll take it from here, Tor--thanks. I hadn't been to the Tampa version of HOS in three or four years, so I was looking forward to checking it out this year. Tampa, like Williamsburg, tends to repeat mazes from year to year (a new one comes in, an old one cycles out), so it was all new to me this year, with one exception. Williamsburg's HOS tends to be a bit more "family friendly," while Tampa's ramps things up a notch or two (and charges extra)--all the more to compete with HHN at Universal. Well, Tampa put on a great HOS this year--the mazes and scarezones were much improved over my last visit. Tampa likes to use some sort of "frame" for their HOS. This year, it's a vampire fashion designer and her crew of bloodsuking models and lackeys: the "House of Vayne." They hold a "fashion show" about, oh, every three minutes just inside the main gate, which always ends with some poor schmuck being dragged on stage and turned into vampire chow. You think people would learn. Tsk, tsk, tsk. My only gripe with the whole "Vayne" thing is that it doesn't get past the main entrance, so it doesn't really work very well as a theme. Madame Vayne shows up in one maze (Taste of Blood), but that's about it. I think they needed an entire maze devoted to the House of Vayne (like some sort of perverted backstage tour, like BGT does on their HOS Web site). But that doesn't detract from the quality of BGT's mazes this year. Here's how they stack up, starting with the best. Nightshade Toy Company--Hmm . . . Universal does monster toys, BGT does monster toys. Talk about symmetry. But this maze, set in a haunted toy company, is loaded with goofy, scary atmopshere and is a lot of fun. Beware of the Tina Tinkle dolls! Reconstruction: The Doctor Is In--Another winner. A twisted MD is into some serious "reconstructive" surgery--using pretty much any part from anyone he can get his hands on. Lots of blood and guts here--very well done. Delta Epilson Delta: Pledge Week--You know, I always figured that this is what really went on in sorority houses: a whole mess of whipping, torturing, taunting, and, of course, spanking. But the bloodshed was a bit of a surprise. A clever idea, well executed. Taste of Blood--Williamsburg had pretty good luck with their vampire maze this year, and Tampa's is pretty good too. Bloodsuckers have taken over a city subway system, and you've missed your train. Too bad. 13--Every year, the Messengers biker gang needs to chow down on 13 people, or so it seems. The story is a bit hard to fathom unless you've checked the HOS Web site, but this maze of crazed scooter trash with chainsaws and Harleys is fun (they tend to telegraph the scares a bit, though). Death Row Vengeance--Just a nice, self-guided tour of an old prison where the ghost of executed scum want to have their vengeance on you. This one features my favorite, old-school dark-ride gag: the guy who gets fried! Trapped in the Walls--This is the one holdover from my last visit. Apparently, we're walking around inside the walls of a haunted house, and evil things are trying to get us. It's not exactly clear what we're doing in there, but there are some decent scares in this maze (and it's a long one). Tor tire readin' dis! Want pitchurs now! Maybe doc can give Tor new forehead! Me go in! One more set of pics to go. So, Larry, Erik, and I had to brave this maze without Tor for protection. Aghh! Tor no like freaky toys! Stay out here drink beers instead! Spolier: Someone may actually be standing there after dark! Excuse me, are you Mr. and Mrs. Del Muerto? I hear you're having a carnival? If so, where can one procure some funnel cake and fried Oreos? OK, who is "Del Muerto," and why is he holding a carnival? OK, we got a lot of walking to do tonight. TOR FIGHT ALL YOU! Hmm--best lay off the Budweiser for a bit, Tor. You've already drunk two cases. Tor take this punk easy! Yep--better call Orkin. Hmm--looks like they have a bit of a vermin problem. You know, this is not a good sign to put in front of your buffet. But first, there's dinner--and this rather lame magician's show. Tor like cute bird tricks! Aw, I'm glad I'm here, too. . . . then hang out here the rest of the night." "OK, we have front-of-the-line access until 8:30. I say we hit all the mazes, . . . Scary enough for ya now? Hmm--not too scary yet. Looks like the "insult skulls" are back--but they're on break. Look at everything Larry can ride! He's a big boy now! We're here for HOS, Tor--not lousy beer. Tor just fin' out no more free beer! Tor smash! Tor not get it, though. Look like they do somethin' here. Wha' sign say? Tor not read so good. Tor no like be actor no more. Want be fashion model now. Where Vayne lady?

Europa was my favorite park during TPR's 2008 Eruope Trip. I won't be able to take next year's Europe tour, but I would really like to visit this park again. Blue Fire looks great, and the restraints look comfortable and practical--are they as comfortable as they look?