cfc

Hmm . . . let's see. Busch Gardens Williamsburg 1. Griffon 2. Apollo's Chariot 3. Alpengeist 4. Verbolten 5. Tempesto 6. Loch Ness Monster 7. Grover's Alpine Express

Looks like it's coming along nicely.

I was unaware that Busch Gardens Williamsburg was somehow "competing" with a theme park in Ohio. Please try to stay on topic.

Trade Wind--Busch Gardens Williamsburg

I'm curious to see the finished theming for InvadR. What they've done so far looks pretty good.

Frankly, I don't care if the Jimmy Fallon ride system is a "flying theatre." I don't care if they shoot guests out of a cannon. I just can't work up any excitement for this ride. I mean I'll probably give it a try, but the concept just doesn't interest me.

^That is a good point.

Forbidden Journey at least has a decent mix of physical effects (such as the Dementors) and video stuff. Still, my favorite rides at the resort are Spider-man (which has a lot of video), Mummy, and Men in Black.

I agree with this. I'm curious about the ride system, but I'm not thrilled about yet another screen-based attraction.

In addition to hitting the last night of Howl-o-Scream, I took some photos for another InvadR update. This might be the last one of the year, unless I can squeeze in another when the park reopens for Christmas Town. They've made quite a bit of progress since the last update. One last train ride to check out InvadR? We'll see. The train is getting ready for Christmas Town. They've even put up some Christmas trees, sans lights. Looks like those little footers have started to grow. They have a ways to go yet. Lots of work over at the tunnel Here's somewhat closer look. The worker's water-jug stand got some steel. I do believe this is some "theming." Call it a hunch. From the looks of that tower, the villagers are getting ready to fend off the Vikings. The construction wall is now completely blocking the entrance to LeScoot, which has been closed all during Howl-o-Scream. But they did provide another hole for curious people like us. The little "shed" is coming along. Don't impale yourselves on those sharpened posts on the right. They've added some wooden track since last time. Here's a closer look It's looking nice and curvy. Let's move on to the bridge by Alpengeist. Looks like another tunnel to me. Here's that curvy bit we saw earlier from another angle. A closer look. That's all for InvadR. Whew! Glad I sprung for Quick Queue today. One last look at the Rhine River trestle while the leaves start to turn. That'a all for now.

Very nice photos--great way to end the season.

Dueling Dragons (never got used to "Dragon Challenge") is a very good inverted coaster that becomes an excellent one when it duels (which it doesn't do anymore). I have mixed feelings about any plans to remove it. It's still a fun ride, but it seems like just an afterthought in Potterland now.

Here's an amusing story from last night. Verbolten has a strict "no hats" policy. So, before I entered via Quick Queue, I took off my cap, put it in my coat pocket, and zipped it up. That hat wasn't going anywhere unless my entire coat went with it. So, after I sat down in the train, one of the ride ops asks. "Sir, do you have a hat?" Me: "Yes, it's zipped up in my coat pocket." Ride Op: "You'll have to leave it in the station." Me: "Er, OK." They must've had a serious hat-related incident this year, as they've been announcing in the station, "Hats are NO LONGER allowed on Verbolten." But being as mine was in a zipped-up pocket, there was little chance of my hat going rogue and attacking anyone. Oh, well.

Apollo's Chariot last night at Howl-o-Scream. A-w-o-o-o-o-o-o!

I've always had a great time at this event. Candy, the parade, short wait times for Space Mountain--what's not to love about it?

^^Founders brews good stuff. As for me, I had a bottle of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Excellent, and with a kick--9%!

Part of the answer is probably annual maintenance and staffing. Plus, the space in front of DarKastle is taken up with the Mistletoe Marketplace, a craft show that runs during Christmas Town.

Or when it snows. The park won't run their B&M coasters when the temperatures drops below 42 degrees.

That means that you won't get your soul back! This looks excellent, especially for a "free" haunt. I'd be willing to pony up for some canned goods to check this one out.

It was, indeed, a splendid example of rank idiocy.

I need to do an October SoCal trip. Been too long since my last visit to Knott's Scary Farm, and Dark Harbor looks pretty cool.

^Yes, this could be next year's "sleeper" hit. And its resemblance to Lost Gravity is OK by me (that ride was great).

I like some good seafood from time to time, and that grouper looks great.