cfc

^Yeah, just like he claimed to be a media day for Griffon, yet I never laid eyes on the dude. Hell, I bet he isn't even in Spain! He's paid one of the mods to photoshop him into some of the pics. I call Guy's shenanigans and raise one stack of poppycock!

Here's one reason. There might be others. Before being forced to abandon the Happy Gater at Coney Beach.

And may I express my country's warm regards to the representative of our former colonial oppressor. Port Aventura looks awesome, indeed, although I can't imagine that Furious Baco can be anything but at least a bit rough, thanks to those cool-looking trains. The Spain parks look great so far, and I am feeling a few pangs that I didn't do this trip; oh well--see you in September.

^Hah! In the old video of the grand-opening TV special from 1955, there's a sequence in Frontierland than looks suspiciously like a bunch of cowboys dancing with saloon girls (western-movie code for "hookers") in what could be a bordello as conceived by Ned Flanders. It looked rather New Orleans-like, too.

Thank you, Mr. Pressler.

Ramses--Ribbed for Your Pleasure! Sometimes, the simplest rides are the most enjoyable. I bet Ramses is especially cool if they run both sides.

^Yeah, cue the theremin music and fiendish snickering for this guy.

I prefer to think that BGE stresses quality over quantity--I was never a fan of Drachen Fire, but to each his or her own. I share your opinion of KD's themeing (pretty weak, for the most part). That being said, my favorite parks (although I like BGE a lot) are probably Disneyland and Epcot. Hersheypark is pretty high on my list, too.

Ah, yes--the one called Big Mike. Heard he was sighted in Williamsburg not too long ago. Of course, this is only legend.

That Funtown "Mighty Mouse" sign looked like it was having serious elimination problems, too, judging from its expression. Great TR, as usual--I'm looking forward to hitting Great Adventure again--and checking out the Jersey Shore.

I think Advil's missing a prime opportunity here--they should become the official corporate sponsor of Vekoma SLCs worldwide.

It looks like a banjo.

Sorry Ryan...you have to live in Florida to be "Miss Florida". But I'm sure you've got a shot at "Miss California" or "Miss Fresno"! -Jahan Maybe he could be Queen of the Raisin Festival, or something.

Happy Birthday, Ryan--and be careful in that DeLorean.

Nice to see that TPR has worked up from the "Happy Gater" incident of last year. Onward and upward! There are bigger coasters to break! Abismo's layout does look better than G Force's.

I've ridden on the "Millennium Flyer" trains at Hersheypark and found them to be very comfortable. As for PTC's version, time will tell.

I had my best and worst flying experiences all in one trip. In October 2001, I had to go to a conference at the Silver Legacy in Reno, so I tacked on an extra week to get together with some friends in southern California to check out DL, DCA, and the Haunt at KBF. My first series of United flights from Richmond to Chicago (O'Hare) to Sacramento went beautifully--so beautifully that I arrived in Sacramento 40 minutes early! I wasn't so luck when heading back, though. My Dad drove me to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, and the weather was great--aside from the enormous fog bank that surrounded the airport (and nothing else--just the airport). I lost about 90 minutes waiting for that to burn off. Weather really sucked in Chicago--a massive series of storms off Lake Michigan, which caused localized flooding around O'Hare. My flight spent two hot, uncomfortable hours on a tarmac in Des Moines, Iowa, before making the final haul to Chicago, getting me there well after midnight and well past my connection. They directed everybody to a rather overworked, harried pair of ticket agents near the gate for rebooking--longest line I'd ever seen, and everybody was in a foul mood. So, I ambled outside the security area, where I found a whole bank of United ticket agents with absolutely nothing to do. Typical brilliant United service--if they'd sent everybody out there, the rebooking could've been done much more quickly and conveniently, and their customers made that much happier. (Instead, they chose to piss everybody off.) I rebooked my flight, and ended up renting a room for four hours at a nearby Hojo's so that I could get some sleep before flying out to Richmond.

But being the wise dad that he is, Bob showed himself in the wet t-shirt.

Thanks for the correction. I think I was fooled because SFA listed it as their "newest" attraction on their Web site earlier this year (which is true).

It's tough on parents when they outlive their children. My condolences to Kevin's family.

BGE is my home park. As for new rides in their first year . . . Expedition Everest (Disney's Animal Kingdom) Italian Job Stunt Coaster (Kings Dominion) Kumali (Flamingoland--UK) Speed: No Limits (Oakwood--UK) Speed Monster (Tusenfryd--Norway) Stealth (Thorpe Park--UK) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Alton Towers--UK) I think that's it for 2006-07. I've probably ridden quite a few Disneyland rides in their first season, too (I grew up in central California).

The video reminds me of the old Star Trek show when the Enterprise was under attack. Or of the special effects from that Chuck Heston classic Earthquake. But you did seize an opportunity, I guess.

Well, Soren, I didn't meet you at Epcot, but it was fun hanging out with you and the rest of the group last October. That dinner at Ohana's was awesome. Chuck

That's too bad about the Lost Treasure of the Incas game at Disney Quest. It was tough to play, but it really looked liked you were driving through a big Incan temple on the TV screens. My two favorites were the Pirates and Jungle Cruise games, but that Ride the Comix thing with the VR helmet made me sicker than a dog.

Exactly--this isn't "an English class" because posters should know the basic rules of grammar and punctuation already. It's the sloppy posts that make TPR seem like an English Class because posters have to be warned and corrected. Sloppy writing betrays sloppy thinking.