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Mike, you picked the right day to visit Kings Dominion last weekend. It's been pouring rain in Virginia since Sunday. It was a good day to be at KD, but there was a minor glitch or two--such as Volcano not being ready to go at opening and Backlot Stunt Coaster being down until early afternoon. But even Hurler was running pretty well, so no real complaints. Here are a few "behind the scenes" shots from the Big Mike Road Show's stop in Virginia--enjoy. "Grrr! Grizzly tired of all this picture taking! Grizzly eat Big Mike's camera!" "Behold, Rugrats Toonpike! Thou shalt call me 'Dominator,' and thou shalt bow to my will! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Hmm--"parking-lot coaster," or not? You make the call. . . . still has last year's Haunt maze in it! Yes, now it can be told! These barrels have given all away! Flight of Fear's queue . . . . . . because I'm not. Otherwise, we never would've blown the lid off one of KD's deep, dark secrets. It's a good thing that Big Mike is "authorized personnel," . . . While I puzzle over "Outer Hanks Shrimp Shack." (Hmm--Outer Banks meets Tom Hanks?) Big Mike stops to pay proper homage to ACE in front of Rebel Yell. . . . and keep an eye on your stuff! Note to you East Coast trippers: When riding Anaconda, be sure to hold on tight . . . . . . Big Mike's slant on things. . . . the one-armed paparazzi is sure to follow, just to make sure that we get . . . Yes, wherever Big Mike goes . . . What? Is this new? Oh, my freakin' god!

Well its too late since I already bought the ticket. Today was the last day for me to get it at that price. Drat yet again! Let me know for sure that you have the coupon so Will can use it. D'oh! The coupon is good until June 22, so Will should be able to save 15 bucks.

^Erik, I have a coupon at my office that should save you $15 at the gate (if I'm remembering correctly). It was great day at KD, Mike. I'll post a few "behind-the-scenes at the Big Mike Road Show" pictures tonight.

There's an Alpengeist model in the shop across from DarKastle, too. Looks like your new camera was a good investment, Jeff--I especially like the Griffon-sign photo with the train in the background.

Looks like the potted plant is getting support ERT.

I'd like to put in a plug for Blue Oyster Cult's Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser. He was always that band's secret weapon. Go, go Godzilla!

OK, does anybody besides me think that changing the name of the "Bubba Gump Shrimp Company" to "Outer Hank's Shrimp Shack" was a little lame (and quite hilarious)? I mean, what the hell is that? Are they combining "Outer Banks" with "Tom Hanks" (who played Forrest Gump)? They did the same thing at Kings Dominion, too. I think just plain old "Shrimp Shack" would've been OK.

And I'll toss in a few pics after Mike posts his.

Yes, you are proving the you truly "are Six Flags!" Happy Birthday!

^^I presume that the car in flames makes this a Dave-approved TR? The burning car also reminds me of an incident at BGE several years ago. I was waiting in a rather slow line of cars at the park's old entrance, wondering what the hold up was. Well, they had closed off my lane, and as I slowly crusied down the lefthand lane, I discovered the reason. There was this burnt shell of a car, still smoking, in the right lane! Even the tires had melted. Fire engines had come in through a side entrance, and fortunately, the family in the car got out safely. My guess is that the car's battery must've exploded. See ya at KD, Big Mike.

It seems to me that the only "classic" amusement park ride that is immune to removal is the carousel--those are icons of the industry. The Ferris wheel might fall into that category, too.

^I agree--Mitsui Greenland and Space World are great. Parque Espana is awesome, too (but a bit off the beaten track, I think).

I'll see you at KD, Mike--and I'll belly up to the buffet, although since this is KD food, maybe "all you can eat" should read "all you can stand" . Well, they make decent burgers there, anyway, and it's hard to screw up a hot dog. I can't join you for the Maryland leg, so have fun with that.

I'm looking forward to visiting Hard Rock Park, myself--the current crop of TRs about it has piqued my interest a bit more. The curious "Life in the Fast Lane" mine-train coaster is a bit odd. Forgive me if I being obtuse, but wasn't this supposed to be "Midnight Rider" originally?

I stayed at the Boardwalk with some friends who did a Disney cruise a few years back. It was really cool to take a boat to Disney-MGM or just to walk to the back gate of Epcot. And there's good eatin' at Spoodles.

I didn't get that message at all from the movie. Basically, the husband still had the mentality of a teenage boy and wasn't really cut out for fatherhood. Look at the relationship Juno has with her own father--it's pretty solid. (In fact, next to Juno, I thought he was the best character in the movie.)

The cobra roll is a pretty popular element, I guess (not one of my favorites, but what hell). I have a feeling that this ride will a lot like Hollywood Dream at Universal Osaka--not mind blowing, but fun.

Good luck with that in Gordonsville. It's a nice area, though--very relaxing. (I have friends whose old family homestead is in Rapidan, which isn't far away from there.) I might be able to make KD this Saturday.

Well, SFA is getting a new water slide this year. I think Dave has an excellent point--SFA is on prime real estate, with fairly easy access to I-95 and Rt. 301, not to mention the football stadium where the Redskins play. I could see condos going up, and rides going out, some time in the future.

^Where you'll stand till you're breathless, dazed, and confused in the evening when the levee breaks . . . ^^I think the overall ride experience tends to trump "intensity." My main criterion for any attraction--Is it any fun at all?

I like the "zeppelin" look of the trains--a nice touch.

OK, here's my take on the second round. Cody (Tatsu)--Although I lean toward videos that feature entire parks (not to mention people), this homage to Tatsu is very well done--if a bit "hypnotic." The music and the footage blend beautifully, though. Matthew (SFGADV)--Sound was the big problem here. The music tended to drown out what people were saying, which made me think that the video actually would've been better without the random shots of people playing to the camera. Getting the Looping Starship with GASM running in the background was a nice catch (as was the Kingda Ka fog shot--which sounds like a great name for a cocktail). Ryan (Disneyland)--Nice work incorporating the ride POV with the other shots. This was definitely a coaster enthusiast's view of DL and DCA, which is OK, but it doesn't capture all the unique nature of this park (that is, "classic rides" and "atmosphere" attractions, such as the Mark Twain and Jungle Cruise). But for coaster fans, it's just the thing. JimmyBo (Port Aventura)--Yep, that's a TPR trip! Well done, and a good mix of ride footage and antics (you get a nice look at the Retarded Yellow Hat Club in action). This video actually got better on the second viewing. Justin (Dollywood and SFOG)--Good work here, too, with a nice mix of coasters and people. Lots of fun to watch, definitely makes me want to visit both parks.

^No big deal, Matt. I wasn't sure what forum to post it in, and more people will read the news here, anyway.

^I posted this in the Random board eariler under "Last of the Nine Old Men." You can delete that thread if you like. It's interesting how Disney has gone full circle in Ollie Johnston's lifetime--from hand-drawn, "traditional" animation, to full computer animation, and back to hand-drawn, again. He was one of the masters of the art, yet he also made "cameos" in Pixar movies (along with the late Frank Thomas). Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Jungle Book, and a lot more--he left quite a legacy.

Beverly tastes like an especially astringent after shave. or It tastes like something peed in your cup--then died.