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If you have to go on Memorial Day Weekend, Memorial Day itself usually beats Saturday and Sunday--many tourists head for home on that day. I'd stick with your original plan. ^And as for the Scotland and Bavaria parking lots--yep. If they send you there, the park is going to be busy.

Hey--when did they move Expedition GeForce to New England? (Er, Rich? What are you doing with that nightstick and those hand cuffs? Don't hurt me, please!) But, seriously, Bizarro looks great--nice work, Hot Fuzz. From the looks of things, Bizarro has a pretty good shot at staying number 1.

I'm really impressed with the theming for this ride--more excellent work by Busch and Sea World. Thanks for the pictures, Erik. I can't decide who is more frightening--the Erik, Adam, or Colin fish!

Looks like SFMM put on a great show--looking forward to checking this sucker out. Let's see fire, Tyler getting hurt, fire, Terminators, fire . . .what's not to like?

Agreed--I'd like to see them get rid of that lame backlot tour and put that space to good use.

In that case, you might want to check out Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Not only do you get an excellent theme park (and water park), but there's all the historical offerings of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. The Mariners Museum in Newport News is worth a visit, as is the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk.

^Hard to say without knowing all the legal history here. But this does look like an attempt to squeeze more money out of the new owners by threatening a suit and settling at the 11th hour. We shall see.

^I understand where you're coming from, but I think you chose the wrong park to make your initial point. IOA is one of the most immersive parks out there. Starting with one of the Busch parks would've, perhaps, been best (Girffon is a good example of what you're talking about). Not everybody is going to agree with you. But I will caution everyone in this thread to be respectful in their comments (even though I don't think it's gotten out of hand yet).

The Hulk does go a bit beyond that--the queue is quite elaborate (it winds through Bruce Banner's lab), and the whole ride is a gamma radiation experiment run amok. Dueling Dragons' queue is probably the most elaborate one you'll find at any theme park anywhere, and the dragon coasters do, indeed, "duel." You're entitled to your opinion, but it isn't a very informed one. Visit IOA and report back. I'd be interested in hearing what you think. I do think you have a point of Rip Ride Rockit. It's a spectacular-looking ride, but it does sitck out a bit at Universal. But I'll know more when I see and ride it for myself.

^France and England are both used as Preferred Parking Lots, but England doubles as the bus-parking lot, too. It's been that way for a number of years now, but I think you're right about France being a "regular" lot way back when. If you're stuck parking at the far end of the France lot, you're not much better off than the other lots, depending on how far you have to walk to catch the tram.

^Why? Did it give you a mortgage on your soul or something?

You shouldn't "rule it in," either. Wait for the facts, then make a determination.

^Agreed--KD's grub is overpriced and not very good, for the most part. (If you're stuck, the burgers and milkshakes at the Juke Box Diner by Hurler are OK, as is the pizza.) Pierce's Pitt on East Rochambeau near Williamsburg is worth checking out if you're into pulled-pork sandwiches--very good.

They're still cooking the shrimp, Larry--at least InBev hasn't screwed that up.

^The quote refers to BGW, not Carowinds (although you're probably right about not eating at Carowinds)--and food is fairly expensive at BGW, as it is at most parks.

If you skip Ghost Town in the Sky, then the plan seems fine. If you're planning to take a day to drive from Carowinds to Williamsburg, which makes sense, you could check out Chapel Hill, NC on the way--it's a fun, funky college town.

^Matt, be quiet! Robb and Elissa might hear you! You remember what happened the last time you spoke up! The horror! The horror! Sometimes, I just let Angus McNasty handle any moderating chores--he's much tougher than I am.

There's more to it than wisecracks and thread locking. You are "missing" quite a bit. TPR's mods have other duties, such as maintaining the site index and Coaster Tube--in addition to keeping the site clear of spam and "policing" the forums to keep flame wars from breaking out and to ensure that posters follow the site's rules. The mods enjoy the site and want it to be the best it can be. Are we perfect? No one is. But we do what we do because we want TPR to be the best theme-park-related site on the Web.

Then please hold off on any more comparisons until you've actualy visited IOA. Until then, this discussion is pure speculation on your part. The subject of this thread is the new Harry Potter addition, not "Just what the heck is a 'theme park,' anyway?" And netdvn, I'm talking to you here, too. Thank you, Chuck

It's a bit of a haul from Carowinds to Ghost Town in the Sky (three to four hours, I think). The drive from the Smokies to Williamsburg is a bit over eight hours (I've made it many times). It's about six hours from Carowinds to Williamsburg. You might want to factor those driving times into any sightseeing plans.

Er, parking in the England lot without paying for Preferred Parking is taking a bit of a risk--seems to me you could be towed if you don't have that placard hanging from your mirror. If you buy Preferred Parking, you could end up in the England Lot, but most likely you'll be parking in France (a longer walk, but you don't need to take a tram).

^Because they depend on Alanis Morrisette to define words for them?

^I see your and raise you a . Well, everybody's entitled to an opinion.

If you have a yen for a good pulled-pork BBQ sandwich while you're in Williamsburg, check out Pierce's Pitt on East Rochambeau (very near Great Wolf Lodge) and order "JC's Special." If you want any other local restaurant recommendations, let me know.

Actually, I found a number of topics about American Idol when I searched, but they're all pretty old and inactive. It seems kind of late te be starting one for the '09 edition of the show, but I guess it's OK (if anyone's interested).