cfc

On to USF. I didn't take many pictures of HHN, mainly because 1) it's pretty dark and they don't come out too well, and 2) it's a bit dangerous to blind some big guy with a flash when he's running around with a chain saw. I hereby end this portion of this TR in accordance with Florida law by presenting a picture of Mel's Die In. Disney is next. The giant vampire clown awaits. . . . the Barney Theatre to get to The Thing! (I'll slash you, you slash me! Think of all the guts we'll see!) . . . and equally ghastly scare zone! But nothing can measure up to the exquisite horror of having to walk through . . . Jack's ghastly carnival . . . Hey, Apu--could you set aside a whole case of I Can't Believe It's Not Lard? I'm expecting company. . . . Kwik-E-Mart. You know, I'm kind of glad I missed this guy's act. Looks like he's been buying hot dogs at the . . . 'Cause I just can't stands that Woody Woodpecker! Heckyl and Jeckyl are funnier than this creep. God, I had to grit my teeth to get this credit. Yep--looks like Jack has taken over Universal, that's for sure. Yay for carnage and mayhem! Fun for the whole family!

^Just for you, Scott. Unstoned version of Maramaduke photo.

^I just like the thought that he's running straight up the side of a building--people have no appreciation for the abstract.

There's no better way to end the month of October (THE GRISLY MONTH OF HORROR) than down in Florida for Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party--a perfect study in contrasts (and candy). My thanks to Robb and Elissa for setting all this up and being the best hosts anyone could possibly want--it was an awesome time! Here are a few thoughts on HHN: 1. Overall, this was a great event, as usual, but the whole "Jack's Carnival of Carnage" theme didn't quite come off. I think the main problem is that Jack the evil clown (who is a great character, I think) didn't really work with the New Line-themed movie mazes (the Director would've been a more appropriate host). 2. Thanks to Michael Roddy for giving us a personal tour of the Nightmare on Elm Street maze and providing Q&A at dinner that night. I love hearing the behind-the-screams scoop--and I had no idea that he'd been involved with Howl-o-Scream at BGA and BGE a few years back. HHN is in good hands with him around. 3. The best maze of the night was Dead Silence (particularly the catwalk over the stage--a very unnerving effect), followed by Psychoscarepy (my favorite from last year). None of the mazes were bad, but the weakest was The Thing (excellent monsters, but the story didn't quite work). Friday the 13th was my favorite of the three New Line mazes, which surprised me because I really don't care for that series (but Jason did manage to get me a few times). My favorite moment though was Freddy Krueger getting in my face and snarling, "See ya tomorrow night!" (Score one for the Dream Master--he's the best of the New Line monsters.) 4. I agree with what others have said--more scare zones, please (although it was cool having eight mazes to check out this year). 5. The Bill and Ted show started out slow (I think I'm just sick of all the Britney Spears nonsense), but it really picked steam (and it had Cherry Darling from Terror Planet--a definitely plus). On to the pictures, starting with IOA. This was "not such a hot idea #2," which explains why you'll see me wearing a sweat shirt in later pictures. More to come. Considering that we had lunch at the freezing-cold Mythos afterward, this was, in retrospect, not such a hot idea. Here's another first for me--Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges. This'll learn 'im! %$*&*!!!! dog! Here's a picture that sums up the whole morning--me on the camera, Larry on the phone. At long last, my quest to ride the new Dr. Seuss attraction has come to an end. Good. You ride! Hulk go get beer! Ride Hulk now--or Hulk smash! . . . and alive. Then it was back to Marvel Super Hero Island to pay tribute to heroes both dead . . . . . . the Pteranodon Flyers. Larry and I went ahead to climb the Forbidden Mountain to obtain the previously Forbidden Credit-- . . . Many people comment on the suggestive nature of IOA's lighthouse. While I agree that it is a rather strange erection to have standing in front of a theme park, I really think people are being too hard on it. It's not like it cocks up the skyline or anything. Yep--HHN tonight, but first things first.

Damn--you beat me the the "IOA's tower is very happy to see us" joke. This is great stuff, Dave.

You know what makes that Penn State cinnamon-caramel-apple ice cream even better? A big ol' apple dumpling (preceded by chicken fries, of course). Knoebel's is great--I'll definitely go to PPP again next year.

^My favorite moment was the Freddy who got in my face and said, "See ya tomorrow night!"

^ & ^^ After you pass out, you won't care how long the wait is.

^^You da man, Rich! I know what you mean about winter coming. We're supposed to get a hard freeze here tonight. ^Looks like Big Mike is one up on you again, Larry.

Your solution to the expense problem is in boldface.

Next up is Florida for an awesome week of Halloweeness, good food, and all-around goofiness with some of the TPR crew--it doesn't get much better than that. Really, it doesn't. Here are a few pics from Sea World, where I finally snagged the Shamu credit solo (as documented elsehwere). Hey, at least I didn't have to borrow a kid to ride it. Ya know, nothin' beats sprayin' random people with a water canyon. So much fun for just a quarter. Tomorrow, Universal and a few thoughts on HHN. "Sure we stink--but we love ya, Jahan!" "Jahan! Gobble, gobble! We accept you! One of us!" "Here comes the King/Here comes the big number 1!" (Well, Bud sure reminds me of "number 1," I'll say that much.) Ok, you folks who signed up for the East Coast trip--I expect proper deference to be shown to Nessie when you get to Euroburg. Did he make it, or not? What do you think? Now, if this were Sesame Street, one could get away with saying, "Robb is holding his two balls." Why, the Count could say, "Vun Robb ball! Two Robb balls!" Good thing the ride op stopped them. Why, they were swishing those fishies so fast that I feared they would tear a hole in the fabric of time and space! This ride is named Swishy Fishies. Draw what conclusions you will. Aw, I got that one already. Where the hell's Shamu?

^Shocking, but true--everyone was amazed at how hot it was. I stopped at Kings Dominion on my way back from Knoebel's, but the joint was too crowded (and I was really too tired) to enjoy their Halloween Haunt (formerly, "Fearfest") that night. I did snap a few photos, though--and caught Haunt later that month (it's OK, but BGE's Howl-o-Scream is a nicer event). The three best things about Haunt were: Club Blood--yep, it's night club fulla bloodsuckers, alright. Blackbeard's Revenge--pretty good pirate maze Blue Ridge Bloodbath--a tricked-up antique car ride (not as good as Knoebel's) Other than that, meh. Here are some pictures. If Falafel Girl went to KD, she'd probably never leave this store. More later from an awesome trip to Florida. Yep--we got skeletons, and we're gonna use 'm, dammit! After dark, this is some sort of voodoo scarezone with a "Papa Shango" type guy. Little kids aren't even scared by them anymore. You know, I am getting a little tired of evil clowns. . . . and pirate skeletons. These boney bastards were all over the place. They got quite a good deal on skeletons somewhere, too, including clown skeletons . . . Hey, check out KD's custom-made funny hearse! CF has spared no expense. Memo to Cedar Fair--the event is going on now, it isn't just "coming soon."

Phoenix Phall Phunfest phollows, pholks. Yeah, I imagine I'll be back next year (especially if the Flying Turns is up and running). Next, a peek at KD's Haunt. Rich repeats the mathematical formula that worked so well for him on the car ride on Phoenix. See? Told ya! Whee! Melanie is all set for carnage and mayhem! Big Mike agrees. You know, when I saw the name "High-Speed Thrill Coaster," I thought they were being ironic. But this is one of the most insane kiddie coasters ever. Rich + car + (Hot Chicks x 3) = Luckiest guy at Knoebel's. CSI: Elysburg. Derek is around! My god! Both graphic and scary? That can only mean one thing! Yes, Phoenix is even better by night. The line for the haunted Antique Cars took about 45 minutes from this point--pretty cool ride, though. . . . but it's not nearly as scary as these guys! This may be the best old-style haunted house ride around . . . "But smoke, g-o-o-o-d," says Frankie.

^I think if they put the "random" drop program on TDS's version, then it would completely rule.

^^Japan's ToT would be the "good Tower," if switched to just lap belts and had a better drop program.

I love how so many theme parks have embraced Halloween. From Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to BGE's Howl-o-Scream to Universal's Halloween Horror Night, Halloween events rule (even more than Christmas events). Every October, I hit Euroburg's Howl-o-Scream and KD's Haunt, but I've cast my net a bit wider this year (thanks to TPR). I continued my exploration of that newly discovered region called "Pennsylvania" this year by, finally, going to Knoebel's for Phoenix Phall Phunfest. I've heard great things about this park, particularly the food, and wasn't disappointed. Going to Knoebel's is like stepping back about 60 years, before parks worried about "themes" and big corporations had completely taken over. There was such a relaxed feeling about the place, and I loved how all the various attractions were just arranged in no apparent order in those beautiful woods. Some highlights: The elderly couple that bounced up and down in the ejector air on Phoenix The bizarre stacked lifthill of Twister The best, old-school haunted house ride ever Apple dumplings with Penn State cinnamon-caramel-apple ice cream Spin outs on the bumper cars The working mini-roller coaster on the haunted car ride The chance to hang out with good friends I'll let the pictures do most of the talking from here on in. First stop, PPP at Knoebel's. I wonder how much he'll get for this "Chevey" sign on eBay? More to come. But spelling is not his long suit. Knoebel's woodcarver is pretty skilled. Hmm--no rain in the forecast, I hope. The train ride is pretty cool--especially if you're into watching squirrels chow down on corn cobs. Yeah, you can't ride a mean piece of wood like this at the Taj Mahal, can ya? Please, Ted--show proper reverence for the Shrine of the Golden Bolt. . . . Golden Bolt! Yes, the Taj Mahal, the Sphinx, the temple at Ankhor Wat--they have nothing on this! On to Twister, home of the legendary . . . Pa. state law requires all first-time visitors to take this photo. Ted scored one of those brass rings; all I got was four iron ones. You know, I'm not sure the brass ring is worth risking one's neck. Yeah, these easily crap all over other bumper-car rides. These bumper cars are really like a somewhat-regulated 20-car pileup every five minutes. "So, once I board, it's OK to light up--right?" Hmm--I see these kinds of displays along highways in Virginia, all year long (without references to zombies, of course). And historical, to boot--ergo, schools can take fields trips to Knoebel's to further their students' education. Next stop, the awesome Phoenix--just what an old-school woodie oughta be. "Screw your sign! These are Flyers, baby!" Attention, Ted Cromwell--this sign is meant for you! "Sorry, kid--but you have to be able to fit your head into the box before I can sell you a handstamp." Oh, that's right--I found it! Hmm--where the hell am I again? Seems like I've been driving all day . . .

Oh lord, is is October 2008 yet? I love these Halloween events. I was surprised at how much I liked the Friday the 13th maze because I really don't like the movies. Dead Silence and Psychoscareapy were the best, though. Mike Roddy's tour of Nightmare was fun, too (my thanks to him and to Robb and Elissa for setting the whole thing up). I had no idea he had something to do with Busch's Howl-o-Scream a few years back (it would certainly explain the improvements in Euroburg's event).

Yes, beware my Index Finger of Doom!

At least I got to hang out with Falafel Girl and not Ryan.

^^I imagine that a difference of 6 or 7 degrees in the drop angle would be tough to notice with the naked eye.

Yes, that ride on Shamu was my most sad-and-pathetic credit yet.

I was at BGA a week or so ago, and thought the plans for the new kids area looked pretty good. They have Land of the Dragons for the real wee ones, and Jungala for the "tweens."

Well, looks like I gotta order this one to see what happens with Mr. Six--he really could be the next Freddy Krueger. And ya gotta love any coaster-related video that uses the music from Ed Wood.

...Personally I believe an "enough" should have been fit in there somewhere, but that's your opinion, not mine. Awesome x100 TR, Chuck. I'd either be thrilled or scared to meet you in a public place. Or any place where you take a camera. Or any place, period. Oops! Fixed. Oh, I'm perfectly harmless . . .

really? I got quite a good whiff of BBQ on every ride I had on griffon excluding the night ride. I'm going to have to go with griffon, eventhough i have not ridden shiekra, (im not voting) because i absolutely love how it is nestled into that area of the park, plus views from the chairlift are awesome! I think it also depends on whether someone is cooking on the big grill out in front of the Smokehouse (as they often are).