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Glad that Abra is staring to "get" Disney, Matt. Next time, you and I have to hit that microbrewery.

As many of you are aware, the East Coast has been getting clobbered by snow recently--even as far south as Virginia. Now Virginians, as a rule, hate snow, are totally paranoid about it, and will close down all the schools is they see as much as a quarter inch of the fluffy white stuff. Sure does make Williamsburg look purty, though. I decided to take a little walk during my lunch hour and take some pictures of Colonial Williamsburg (CW). Join me, won't you, as we amble back to the 18th century--sort of. What? They didn't have John Deere tractors in the 18th century! Bad show! Thanks for reading. There are usually sheep in this pasture, but, unlike the cow, they had the brains enough to stay in the barn. I rather liked this tree. Not sure why now. Luckily, my mouthpiece was able to plea insanity in time for me to go back to work. (The Courthouse is right next to the stocks.) On second thought, maybe not. It's a lousy day to be out in the stocks. Aha! The Powder Magazine! I shall get me hence, secure arms, and foment a rebellion! Looking down DOG Street at the Colonial Capital. If you come here in the summer, you can see Benedict Arnold take this building in the name of King George. Bastard! This cow, not so much. Even so, this dog is totally into it. As you've probably guessed, it's pretty damn cold (wind chill was in the teens). This is the Governor's Palace. He has lots of guns and a ballroom; so, people have to dance the minuet there at gunpoint. Nor at the bazaar. Hmm--not a lot of business at the garden shop today. . . . complete with an 18th-century graveyard. This is Bruton Parish Church (Episcopalian). Unlike most of the buildings in CW, this isn't a reproduction. It's the real deal . . . One of CW's sidestreets. There is nothing down there. Really. Well, there is Matthew Whaley Elementary School. So, I guess there's something. My bad. Looking down Duke of Gloucester Street. If you want to sound like a "cool" local, call it "DOG Street." CW's upscale shopping center, Merchants Square, and beyond that, the Wren Building of the College of William & Mary. (Hmm--no outdoor dining at the Trellis today.) This is the reconstructed Eastern State Hospital, an 18th-century insane asylum. (NCSC is built on what used to be its graveyard.) HBO shot some of the "John Adams" miniseries here. In the spring. With fake snow. . . . and to our honored Confederate dead. (Yeah, every town in Virginia has one of these monuments about every 20 yards or so.) I stopped to pay homage to this casualty of the storm . . . Off we go to CW--by way of this little park (which will be loaded with obnoxious school groups eating box lunches come spring). A car once plowed into this sign--the car got the worst of it. I work here at the National Center for State Courts. The doors, which operate on a timer, opened about 20 minutes late this morning, thanks to a computer snafu. The neighborhood--a lot of people were off work today (especially if they worked in Richmond). First stop, my house. And car. And bush.

Wow--that was one big cigarette Jeff was packing there.

Hmm--do you eat the bag as well as the taco?

Welcome to TPR. I moved your topic from the Random board to the main Theme Park board, where you'll probably get more responses. Chuck Site Moderator

^I remember being a bit confused about how to get out of the park to the bus, too. Heide was great--especially Colossos, Desert Race, and the bobsled (my favorite bobsled of trip, as I recall).

^Alton is great. Drayton, not so much (but they have a great drop tower).

"Please observe, if you will, I'm Professor Harold Hill, And I'm here to organize the River City Boys Band!" Why do I have trouble buying into this project?

You'd think just having diaharrea would be sign enough. Great pictures, Matt--and hi, Abra!

I've merged the "Photo Battle" thread with this one; so, if you want to do battle with photos, do it here. Chuck

Nothing beats . . . Moderator hiding in a bush! Thread merged.

I just heard back from Christine Warren at BG in answer to two questions: 1. The engineering department is still finalizing the height requirements for the Forest of Fun attractions. They'll be posted on the Web site, which is currently being revamped. 2. The park is simply going by "Busch Gardens" now. If you need a geographic reference, use "Busch Gardens in Williamsburg."

^You've just joined, and your butt is already in four pictures on the site--TPR rules! Welcome aboard. I don't mind their "discouragement" policy, myself. The ride is, after all, meant for parents and kids, not credit-crazed coaster enthusiasts. But I'm willing to bet most will manage to get the credit, anwyay, unlike the ever-elusive Taxi Jam at Kings Dominion.

So did Oscar the Grouch. I imagine guests will have a chance to have their pictures taken with Cookie Monster. There's going to be some sort of food service, too, where maybe they'll sell . . . COOKIES!!!!! But I have no confirmation of this. No sign of the Count, either.

Thanks for asking. Larry Giles did mention that the minimum height for Grover's Alpine Express is 36". Whether that meant smaller kids could ride with parents, he didn't say (my impression was that he didn't know for sure yet). There weren't any other height requirements listed on the press materials, but I'll see if I can find out. Goliath 513 wrote: Nope--it's in England behind the sky ride and across the railroad tracks from Escape from Pompeii. As for the park's "actual name" now, the sign out front simply reads "Busch Gardens"--no "Europe" or "Williamsburg." The Web site still says "Europe." Hector, Grover's is a Zirer coaster like Shamu at Sea World in Orlando. They said the layout for Grover was "unique," and it does have to accomodate some theming (which will be installed shortly).

My cholesterol medication, a bottle of eye drops, and a bag of kettle corn. Go me!

I rode the one at Wet 'n' Wild a few years back--fun, but not something I missed when they removed it for Brainwash.

Gee, Matt--I never knew you cared . . .

Hang on to your hernia belts, coaster dorks--here's a look at a new kiddie credit! That is, if the park isn't really busy. Yes, they are planning to "discourage" adults without kids from riding on busy days to give families and kids a chance. So, be patient, credit whores! A couple of other bits of news: FOF is going to have ample seating, with ample shade, for parents to relax and watch their kids play. There are "two or three levels" of theming to be applied, and landscaping is supposed to begin in earnest this Monday. That's all for now. See you at the end of March, Griffon and Alpengeist. Thanks for reading. "Er, I'm sorry, Bert. But that TPR guy got the last lunch" At least I have plenty of mayo for my little turkey wrap sandwich, eh Tyler? Hmm--looks frightfully healthy. Of course, we hardworking construction guys always carry lunchboxes. See you in April, Forest of Fun. A few last looks at the Forest of Fun as we head back to the Globe for lunch. Phew! That was rather stressful! Time to kick back. And here is a "Helix of Death" taken from inside another "Helix of Death"! Yes, I risked life and limb today to get these exclusive pictures for you! And now, in a TPR exclusive, I take you inside a "Helix of Death"! Imagine a train zooming by, under the menacing shadow of Pompeii! When it's all done, it should look like this. Only with track coming out of either end. And with more dimensions. Another look at the station. Yes. It really is. That's all. I wonder if I can get this guy to hang a ceiling fan in my computer room? The station is coming along nicely. Oh, God, that's a nice pair you have there . . . Or in this one. Picture your butt in this seat. Here are a few pictures for all you train fetishists. "Yessir, Mr. Grover, sir! I'm a' touchin'!" "Touch my ride, geek! You know you want to!" . . . Grover in the front car! Larry assured us that this ride will have a "unique layout." It does have two "Helixes of Death"! It will also have some "mountains," as well as . . . Behold! Grover's Alpine Express!

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., gave the world a sneak peek at its newest land, the Sesame Street Forest of Fun (FOF), during a hard hat tour for the media today. FOF is the newest of what Busch calls its "KIDsiderate" attractions, and it's shaping up to be a excellent addition to the park--a heavily themed "European" version of Sesame Street with "kid-sized" versions of classic rides that the whole family can enjoy, in addition to wet-and-dry play areas and, of course, classic characters like Bert and Ernie, Grover, and Elmo. FOF represents a "natural partnership between two iconic brands," said John Reilly, the park's general manager, at a brief ceremony in the lobby of the Globe Theatre in England--that is, Busch Gardens and Sesame Street (courtesy of the Children's Television Workshop). The Sesame Street characters will be hanging their hats (well, if they have hats) in what used to be the Royal Preserve petting zoo, and the home of two Howl-o-Scream mazes, in years' past. And the park's creative team has managed to cram quite a bit into a fairly small space. Here's what guests will find in the Forest of Fun: Elmo's Castle--a performance stage and wet playground Prince Elmo's Spire--a "shot-n-drop" ride for the whole family Grover's Alpine Express--a family-friendly roller coaster themed to a trip through the Alps Bert and Ernie's Loch Ness Adventure--a flume ride for parents and kids Oscar's Whirly Worms--a family-friendly "rock-n-tug" ride Oscar's Yucky Forest--a dry play area 1-2-3 Smile with Me!--a character and guest photography studio Abby Cadabby's Treasure Trove--a gift shop (yes, you knew that was coming ) In addition, the Globe Theatre will be "taken over by Sesame Street's furry friends" in Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination, a 4D movie that replaces (and some would say it's about time) Pirates 4D. I'm pretty sure this is same 4D flick that I saw at Universal Osaka in 2007--it probably makes as much sense in Japanese as it does in English. (I rather enjoyed it.) And, yes, water effects will come into play during the feature, so be prepared. I think adults and kids will get a kick out of the show. Another show that's departing to make way for Elmo and his friends is Castle O'Sullivan. Yes, the castle is being transformed into a dining venue for Sesame Street character breakfasts and lunches. (So, if you missed seeing the little plastic leprechaun last year, too bad.) The park's other kids area, Land of the Dragons, will, of course, remain in operation, as will the other kids' rides located throughout the park. Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination and the character meals will debut on the park's opening day--Saturday, March 28. The Sesame Street Forest of Fun will open on Friday, April 3. The Forest of Fun is located in England behind the sky ride; there's an entrance across from the Escape from Pompeii, too. Let's take a look, shall we? Here's another look at the front portion of the Forest of Fun. Now, on to what you really came to see. Here's where Bert and Ernie's version of "Loch Ness" will be. Riders will cruise around a small castle and be eaten by an enormous primeval beast. (Sorry--no interlocking loops.) Best not stand under this unless you're wearing a rain slicker. This is Elmo's Castle. Sesame Street characters will periodically pop-up on this stage to dance, jump around, and generally terrify small children. The green tower is Prince Elmo's Spire. Unlike his two silent partners, Larry Giles (vp of engineering and design) was quite happy to talk about BG's new "European Sesame land." Oscar's Yucky Forest will be on the left. Off to the work-in-progress Forest of Fun. I always do what big rubberheads tell me to do. (I'm undergoing therapy for this, and I'm doing much better, thank you.) . . . safety first! OK, everybody follow Bert and Ernie, but remember . . . . . . Larry! (I don't know if you can have your picture taken with Larry, nor does he have his own theme song. There wasn't a plush doll of him either.) Bert, Ernie, and . . . BG's general manager, John Reilly, introduced the Forest of Fun's "creative team." Time to get this show on the road. "Aren't we adorable? Couldn't you just buy all of us right now?" "Yeah, ol' Oscar's got ya covered in yuckiness here. The Virginia humidity will make it all the sweeter!" "Yeah, you punks are gonna love my yucky trees, poison ivy, carnivorous bees--heh, heh, heh!" First stop, the lobby of the Globe Theatre. Looks like I'm on the right track. The Sesame Street music blasting through the loudspeakers gave me another subtle hint. Boy, the park is dead today . . . oh, wait. April 3, to be precise.

Yeah, it always has to be about you, doesn't it?

Would that be the Faster Pussycat Speedway? It would be setup like Autopia, but with cooler cars and chicks in tight outfits.. The Tura Santana AA gets to beat up the losing driver.

They say that Shaft of Terror is bad mutha . . . Watch your mouth! But I'm just talkin' 'bout Shaft of Terror. And we can dig it!

Hmm--judging from my expression, someone must have just farted.

^I caught that one last weekend too, Bill, and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's very creepy.