cfc

^Just add a dollar to that, and you're a shoe-in.

From Busch Gardens: "For fans of The Big Bad Wolf, time is running out to place their bid for a seat on the final train. The auction will officially end Friday, Sept 4 at 3 p.m. when the top 24 bids will be selected. Fans should bid now for a chance to be part of history. For more information about the auction, or to place a bid, visit www.eagle97.com." Good Luck!

That goofy-looking bobsled coaster intrigues me, as it looks uncomfortable, dangerous, and "homemade."

Fast Passes will be gone way before noon for this sucker.

^In the past, some mazes have opened in mid-afternoon on Saturdays. Last year's Curse of Pompeii actually offered a "family-friendly" version (no show effects or scareactors) early in the day (not sure about the times). Saturday is the busiest day and night for Howl-o-Scream (especially late in October). Scarezones won't get going until 6:00 pm. The park map should include a schedule of maze openings. Last year, Quick Queue included not only the major rides (such as Griffon), but also all the HOS mazes. So, if you're at the park on a busy Saturday, you might want to snag a Quick Queue pass.

OK, I know that we've all be a bit fixated on the the last days of the Big Bad Wolf--the old boy has but a few left. But what else is coming up at BGW this month? How about . . . Howl-o-Scream! Yes, my personal favorite time of year at Busch Gardens! Unlike the Tampa version, BGW's event isn't an upcharge--it's just part of your regular admission (or season pass). The Williamsburg park appears to be ramping up this year's event a bit with six mazes and seven scarezones--all of which stick to the park's European theming. Here's this year's maze lineup. Bitten: Well, it's the late 1800s in Eastern Europe, and you probably know what that means. Yep. Vampires. Lots of 'em. Explore the "Bitten" house yourself, but take plenty of garlic (or at least eat a large Italian dinner over in San Marco). Catacombs: It seems that BGW has a cemetery. With a tunnel. Which has a "history more terrifying than that of France's revolutions." Hmm . . . I wonder if this is what's going on in the Royal Palace Theatre? Cavern of Darkness: Sheesh! First, it's catacombs, but now we got a freakin' cavern full of "magical beings" who used to hold "dominion over the Earth"? I don't imagine they'll be very happy to see us. (Just a feeling.) Cursed: BGW is really into subterranean lairs this year. Now we have a "cracked cave" full of witches and their poor victims (the aforementioned "cursed")--"where the veil of consciousness is at its thinnest." (Sounds like Woodstock or something.) The Hunted: OK, we're back on the surface now, checking out the wrecked cabin of a family of werewolf hunters in 17th-century Germany. I can't imagine that this will turn out well for us. Revenge of Pompeii: Back to the depths again, where "ashy corpses wreak havoc" among the ruins of Pompeii. BGW has been a bit weak with scarezones in years' past. 2008's Beaten Path was one of the best they've ever done. Let's see how serious they are this year. Harvest Hollow: A stroll through the fields and the woods could cost you your head--watch out for the Axemen! Mischief & Mayhem: Face a little "Irish magic" between Killearney and France (that is, trolls and goblins). The Moors: The ghosts of Scottish highlanders haunt their old battleground. Spellbound: Watch out for witches near Festa Italia! Werewolves: They're in Rhinefeld. No further explanation necessary. Strangers Beware: Now here's an interesting idea--the villagers are the "monsters"! Yes, angry peasants have banded together to fight the forces of evil. and if you're a "stranger, you will perish!" The Watchers: "Spectral figures" will be swooping from the trees in New France. Monster Stomp will be back as, of course, will Jack. But there's no Starfright Orchestra this year (it was getting a bit long in the tooth); they'll be showing old black-and-white horror flicks on the Italian stage instead. Frankenrock replaces Fiends in the Festhaus this year. And for you Count von Count fans, look for him in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun. So, come on down to Williamsburg this Halloween--if you have the guts! Howl-o-Scream runs on Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 25 to November 1. Just a few more weeks to go.

All is forgiven because his TR features BBQ ribs.

And note that Drop Zone was built under the Paramount regime, not Cedar Fair. Of course, they could chop a few feet off it, I suppose.

^I know I was impressed, Rich. You ate pretty well.

^^My reaction to this post is, "Huh?" Please re-read Hercules' post above yours. Let's keep the discussion restricted to Disney and Marvel, please.

^Yep--we are.

Howl-o-Scream, my favorite time of year at Busch Gardens, starts on September 25 and runs through November 1. So, I ambled over to the park last Sunday to: 1. Squeeze in one night ride on the Big Bad Wolf in the front seat (excellent); and 2. See how the HOS preparations are coming along. I also stumbled over a wee bit of a mystery. BGW has walled off a walkway that winds behind the Squire's Galley restaurant and up to the Forest of Fun. Why? Don't know yet--but I hope to find out. . . . and curiouser. Is this for HOS? Christmas Town? Something else entirely? If I find out, I'll let you know. Or if you know you can let me know. That's all for now. Curiouser . . . Hmm . . . OK, what's up with this? Howl-o-Screaminess confirmed. Looks like something rather Howl-o-Screamy is happening at the Royal Palace Theatre. Hmm--somebody is either building a graveyard or starting a tomato patch here. I wonder which fiend from the bowels of Hell will be taking residence this year? This is the Drachen Fire station, aka Sleepless Hollow Manor and Grimm's Hollow. "OK, come Sept. 25, we will be eating your brains!" Giant stakes for killing giant vampires! Drachen Fire's old barn hosted Tormented Tales last year--but what about this year? Over the bridge to Germany. This was where the Beaten Path scarezone was located last year. Not looking too spooky yet. Hmm--just what is over this fence? This was the home to Wicked Woods in past years, but I understand it's going to be something different this year. (It's behind Festa Italia.) I took a ride on the "long legged one" to check things out. No need to apologize. Ah, yes--that magical time of year. If you're a zombie, werewolf, vampire, etc.

^^Bizarro is DC, not Marvel, although I guess you can feel bad for the Bizarro rides for different reasons. ^Beat me to it.

DarkKastle is a dark ride using 3D projection technology similar to IOA's The Adventures of Spider-Man. Corkscrew Hill is a simulator (themed to Irish mythology) similar to Star Tours. If you sit in the middle rows of Pompeii, you probably won't get too wet.

I was there on Sunday night and waited about 20 minutes for a front-seat ride on BBW. I heard that they had to e-stop Wolfie earlier--seems that the train was coming into the station too quickly (they had it going again in about 45 minutes).

They should replace the Indiana Jones stunt show with "Spider-Man v. Mega Shark" or maybe "The Incredible Hulk v. Giant Octopus."

^^I agree--Marvel Comics have a cynical edge that you normally don't associate with Disney (well, their products, at least). It'll be interesting seeing how this will shake out. Maybe we'll see classic Disney-character plushes in Marvel drag? (Donald Duck would make a great Hulk.)

Rule of thumb with DarKastle: if the line is all the way to the entrance gate, the wait is about an hour (usually it isn't that long).

^I very much doubt that this is a "policy," and my experience with customer service at BGW is generally positive (I'm local and visit the park frequently). There was a pretty bad crew on AC a few years back, though. For food, I'd recommend either the Three Rivers Smokehouse or the Italian restaurant (you can catch a show while you eat there). When it comes to the kiddie coaster, the park supposedly "discourages" guests without kids from riding, although I know plenty of members (including Big Mike) who have got this credit with no hassles. (I think it depends on how busy they are.) AC has a test seat, too, by the way. You may want to try that before queuing up.

^If they keep the trees, it will definitely have more shade than BGW's "Forest" of Fun.

^Now that I look at it again, I'm probably just confused (mixed up the stage show with the movie). But that wouldn't be the first time.

^So, it is the same movie as in Williamsburg? Their description implies otherwise--maybe they're talking about the theatre itself by saying "go deep into our African land."

Sounds like a nice kid's area, Eric (and like they're getting a different 4D movie from what we have in Williamsburg). Is this a significant redress of the old Land of the Dragons?

Excellent--I'm especially curious to see what they've done with the classic Frankenstein and Dracula.

My old stomping grounds in the San Joaquin Valley--that sums it up pretty well. The hills are pretty--the flat valley to the east of them, not as much.