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Walygator did have an awesome, if slow, waffle stand (the guys who ran it were actually quite nice).

Nice report, Craig. I visited Chessington with TPR in 2006 and really enjoyed the place (especially Vampire).

^They open for the season this Saturday (March 28). The new 4D movie should be up and running by then, as should the character dining with "Elmo and Friends."

Well, let's wrap all this up, eh? "Er, little girl? You've hugged everyone. Time to leave." Which I did. Thanks for reading. Aw-w-w-w-w . . . As for Bert and Ernie, they were Bert-and-Ernieing like mad! Whoa, Big Bird! You're presenting quite a bit there, don't you think? Cookie Monster and Elmo get down with their bad selves. The park put on a meet'n'greet for Sesame Street characters. Is it just me, or does it look like they strapped Apollo's brain to his head? Well, here's a bit of nightmare fuel for children. "I just bought you a rack full of dragons, dear." One last look at the Forest of Fun--and mighty Prince Elmo, who will soon conquer all he sees! And he can see a lot, I tell you! A whole lot! You'll be swarming with crazed coaster enthusiasts before you know it. I see you Grover! Here's where you can get your picture taken with Sesame Street characters, not this big construction worker (although he'd probably pose for you). Hmm--methinks the wee castle over the loch be needin' some finishin' work. Well, let's see how the Forest of Fun is coming along. Yes, we have Clydesdales. Just confirming that for everyone. OK--I'll have some Tennet's Scottish beer at the Irish pub in Virginia. That works. "Not yet. Why don't you go have a beer, or something?" What? I can have lunch with Elmo?

Deutchland beckons--we must answer. "Aren't I adorable with my cute little wings? Buy me, or I'll rend your flash with my razor-sharp talons and pluck out your heart with my nasty pointy beak!" Noted! Vive la France! Lots of love for the Smokehouse today. Alpie was OK today. Remember--when riding Alpengeist, guests with chest measurements approaching 52" must line up under the diamonds. And try not to put someone's eyes out with those things! The shop is right across from Alpengeist, and in addition to fine beverages, it also sells these yummy funnel-cake fries with strawberry dipping sauce. Look, Elissa! A new snack shop--with Pepsi products! Oh. Just what we need. Yet another "build a bear" thing. One shirt to rule them all! One shirt to find them! One shirt to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them! You can still snag a Nessie 30th-anniversary shirt. I wonder if BBW will get a 25th-anniversary shirt this year? Let's look at some merchandise. What? They have something named "Griffon" here? Seriously? (This is yet another "WTF" Griffon shirt, the other being "Get Your Griff On.") . . . but my roomie is oh so stoned." "Hel-l-l-l-o-o-o-o, ladies. I'm Alpengeist, My pad is oh so sexy . . . Did you know that the Big Bad Wolf turns 25 this year? If so, you may have a cookie. . . . not just file past it. Sigh! People were once expected to watch the preshow . . . . . . he keeps a pretty nice garden. And he likes dogs. Well, wolves. Snarling, ravenous wolves! You have to hand King Ludwig this much--even though he's a homicidal minion of the Prince of All Lies . . . Alpengeist hurtles blindly over the parapets, yet DarKastle heeds it not. OK, another TPR takeover opportunity! And there's food! A hint--not here. Quiz: Where are these turtles located?

Let's amble around the park a bit, shall we? How about Italy? "I se-e-e-e-e yo-u-u-u-u-u, Chuck!" Aghh! Elmo is everywhere! More to come. Whi-r-r-r-r-r! Oof! (Repeat.) Time for some gut-punching lapbar action. No inversions, just some swingin'--which suits me just fine. Beware the glowing red eyes of the vampire-goat ship! Hmm--been awhile since I got battered, too. "Friends, Romans, countrymen! Lend me your balls!" But for five bucks, you can use this new-for-2009 dryer. Or you could try riding Pompeii (and hope that you don't get soaked all over again.) Not a lot of love for the Roman Rapids today. Centrifugal force at work. Hmm--looks like ET has pimped his ride. I'm not big on flat rides, but "Himalaya" rides have never bothered me. (Well the "hey, kids, wanna go faster guy" on the Arctic Flyer at Santa Cruz was kind of annoying.) "We're reaching for the sun . . . almost there . . . can nearly touch it . . . oh, cr-a-a-a-a-a-a-p!" "Lookit us! We're getting airtime on the approach to the station!" AC was running really well this morning (especially in the back). "And for my birthday I want an iPod, a Wii, and a whole bunch of new Hot Wheels!" Did you know that Apollo's Chariot is ten years old this year? Well, you do now. OK, who's up for a TPR takeover of Sock Hop Nights? Surely, some of you own optional poodle skirts! Do it for Frankie! Here we have some very intrepid adventurers! I salute you! It was so cold this morning, the flames of firey volcanic death of the Escape from Pompeii seemed pretty tempting.

This year's Passholder Preview Day at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg broke a bit with tradition--it wasn't pouring rain (or snowing)! Yes, although the day started out in the low 30s, temps hit the high 50s to low 60s after lunch, with plenty of sunshine. (You can start humming the Sesame Street theme now.) One of the biggest draws today was an attraction that isn't even open yet--the Sesame Street Forest of Fun, or, specifically, Grover's Alpine Express. The park cycled the ride all day, with Grover leading a faceless group of water-filled dummies. I bumped into John Reilly, BG's general manager and executive vice president, who said that they had to cycle the ride a certain amount of hours but that they were almost ready to put people in the trains. I'm sure kids will love the ride. The Forest of Fun is due to open on April 3. Here's a look at the park following it's long winter's nap. "Behold! I am Prince Elmo! All will bend to my will!" We'll get back to the Forest of Fun at bit later. Here's a closer look. The park would let guests get a bit closer later in the day. In the distance, the not-quite-ready-for-prime time Forest of Fun. Tell me, how can you have a "tap room" without "taps"? . . . but I gotta tell ya, it was colder than a witch's mammicular regions in that cave. Nessie was fine, as usual . . . Meanwhile, Griffon was testing its butt off. The park didn't "officially" open until 10:00, but they let us ride the Loch Ness Monster a bit early. Are we all nice and oriented? Good--let's go. Here we are in Merrie Olde England! Why, I expect to see Louise, Divv, and Dave any second now. Hmm--no need to linger here. It's a pretty clever way to theme a height-check stand, though. Grover gives rides to his special, water-filled friends. Noted. On my mark, the fun will begin! After a little judicious scraping, here we are--about 30 minutes before opening. As you can tell by my windshield, it was a mite chilly this morning.

"Twitpic" is a very unfortunate name for an online service.

Divv is going back to Europa--and this time, it's personal! Europa was the best park on the whole Europe trip last year (put that in your pipe and smoke it, Paris Disney!). It's virtually impossible for anyone to be bored there. The food at the Asian restaurant next to Pirates of Batavia was great.

^I've merged your topic with this already-existing thread. Please post your favorite flat rides (and flat-ride manufacturers) here. Thank you, Chuck

^I'm pretty sure the 4D movie will be running tomorrow. The Forest of Fun is supposed to open on April 3, but we'll see.

I'm locking this thread for now because it is inappropriate to include a thread that encourages irresponsible drinking on a discussion board that has so many underage members. The beer thread isn't about drunkenness--it's about enjoying beer.

^The Web site still gives the ride's opening "date" as "Spring 2009." But, as the zen masters say, "We'll see."

May I ask what "street" you're getting your "word" from? They've been installing track in the station, so yes, there has been progress in the past week. Installing in the station isn't what I was talking about (I'm well aware of the station and transfer track work). I said the lift. Like I said it is just a rumor around town about the lift not something that has been 100% confirmed but if you put a few things together it does appear to have something behind it. You don't bring in a huge crane and install half of a drop then stop and move the crane. I could be totally wrong but I've just heard talk and haven't seen any progress on the lift... I'll be back at the park today and try to get an update on things. In other words, nobody really knows. Take what ever you hear "on the street" or from the popcorn vendor with a grain of salt, folks.

Robb, I just tried watching a few videos from my work computer, and something's not right. The sound is OK, but the visuals are "squished" up at the top of the screen. They look like a thin, multicolored line.

The food there was a helluva lot better then, too--loved the fried chicken. And $10.95 for admission . . . sigh.

At least in your size, right? ^And Mike, let me know when you're coming to BGE or KD.

Nights in White Satin was the best thing there--at least it was weird enough to be interesting. I wonder if there are any problems with licensing the music following the bankruptcy.

Wait a minute! A Gold Q-bot makes you "wait less"? Wouldn't people just float away?

^Doesn't get much better with ribs, crab cakes (or balls), and fried shrimp. Count me in for that joint the next time I'm in the Baltimore area.

Definitely! Who wouldn't want the chance to relive Bobbejaanland's "El Paso Express"?

I watch each disc, but I'm more likely to go back to the "music video" stuff. (But I do like the "just coaster" footage--escpecially for rides I've never experienced before.)

I'm not sure why you posted this is the "Random" forum, so I moved it.

So, in the UK, the size of one's member is expressed in years? Which would mean, in the future, penis size would be expressed in light years?

How can anything possibly be too "buttery"? The only thing I've ever eaten at a Cheescake Factory is, well, the cheesecake. The dinner food looks pretty good, too.