cfc

^^According to RCDB, Avalanche has three trains; however, I've never seen more than two on the track.

KD has it's good days and its crappy days. I tend to visit the park in the spring and avoid it after Memorial Day (except for Haunt). They have run two trains on Avalanche in the past--maybe one is down for repairs?

^Both Doswell and Williamsburg tend to be very hot and humid in the summer. (I swear that KD is under a "heat advisory" every day.)

I hear the staff of Neverland Ranch is available.

"Hello? Cypress Gardens? How would you like to have the only double-loop Schwarzkopf coaster in Florida? Have we got a deal for you!" I like Laser a lot--here's to hoping it finds a good home.

Yeah, slowing the lifthill didn't seem to hurt El Toro at all when I was there last month. And the ladies just can't get enough of Hot Fuzz!

^Ha! Good catch! At least the drop is a decent angle.

Congratulations on finally snagging the Moto-Coaster, Mike. Maybe they should retheme it to Shakespeare and call it Comedy of Errors. "If this e-stop has offended, "Think but this and all is mended. "That you did but slumber here, "While this technician did appear." Actually, I'm ripping off A Midsummer Night's Dream there.

This reminds me of an old Firesign Threatre bit: "Nominees for "Best Performance in a Starring Vehicle are . . . "Charlton Heston as 'Doghouse Riley' in Universal Pictures' 'The Day Universal Burned Down.'"

Nor would it help. You're doin' fine, big man.

^He now has 24 hours to think about it.

It's much more intense on Tatsu than Superman (at SFGrAd), which is simply uncomfortable. That being said, Tatsu is a great ride.

^I'm not a big fan of the pretzel loop--being flat on your back is the worst aspect of any flying coaster (be it by Vekoma or B&M).

^That sounds reasonable--definitely hit Volcano first.

^The line for BBW can get a bit backed up--its capacity is quite a bit lower than the B&Ms (Apollo, Alpengeist, and Griffon). That's why I think I'd try to sneak that one in after Griffon on July 4th. The park gates will be open before the actual park "opening." You might have to wait at Killearney (Ireland) for the "rope drop."

Looks like another good reason to visit Sea World in '09--and a nice variation on the "flying" coaster.

BGW does not have a fast-pass system (although BGA is apparently experimenting with one). You're right about the park being slammed on July 4th. Your plan makes sense--but get there before opening! Plus, I think I would ride the Big Bad Wolf before Alpengeist (due to the former's lower capacity).

Yay! A look at the Korea trip! Lou, I know what you mean. I think I would've felt the same if I'd gone to Korea after Japan--that I'd been gone quite long enough. That being said, leaving for Paris on June 20! Woo hoo!

^I use a Panasonic Lumix. I think pdkcoaster (aka Jeff) uses a Canon (Cyber Shot?), which is more like an SLR (a much nicer camera). ^^As for Saturns, I have owned two of them and never had a serious problem with either (the first-year models did have electrical issues, I understand).

I have no independent confirmation of this, but I think biggest factor here is noise. Residents of Kingmill on the James, a bunch of rather expensive homes also developed by Busch and located behind the park, will not put up with the rumbling and roaring of a wooden coaster. That being said, it cracks me up that you can see Griffon from the Kingsmill golf course.

^You have it right--Dominator was originally at Geauga Lake in Ohio. As for the Saturn, this is my second one (never had an problems with them). And, hey, chicks dig the Saturn.

^I rather like Dominator's yellow loop myself. But Shockwave's paint job is pretty bad. They used those crazy colors so that it wouldn't clash with the Nickelodeon stuff nearby (or so I'm told). It didn't work. (Shockwave used to be green.)

I think Wild One is the best ride there (followed by Superman).

I'm a fan of Dragon's Fury, too--even though it made me so queasy I could only ride it twice during ERT.

^I'd never even heard of the place until I joined TPR. To me, it's like stepping back to the 1940s or 1950s, with its great, old-school rides and atmosphere. It's in a beautiful setting, and Phoenix does, indeed, kick major butt (for me, it's number 3 behind Balder and El Toro).