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^The floorless trains on Griffon really do add something to the ride. It's a weird sensation to be floating over the access stairs when you're sitting on the outside heading up the lifthill. I think they'll be an asset to Sheikra, too.

I can take or leave this sort of ride. BGA's Tidal Wave is fun, and I like how Escape from Pompeii gives you a bit of a show before the drop. The more "bare bones" versions usually don't interest me, though. Supersplash at Tusenfryd is fun. The little one at Six Flags America cracks me up--the splash actually soaks one side of building across from the ride entrance.

Maybe you're thinking of Saturday?

^A coaster-enthusiast version of The Odd Couple could be pretty damn funny, Guy. "Can two grown men tour the country and ride roller coasters without driving each other crazy?"

^Just pulling your chain, officer. No need for the pepper spray . . . aghh!

^^The spelling is still incorrect, movie or no movie. We now return you to our thread about the most awesome coaster in the U.S. (at least to me and quite a few other people), which is already in progress.

It's cool enough, James--it's cool enough. I'm hoping to spend some time at Knoebel's either this month at at Phall Phunfest.

Hmm--Steve raises a very interesting point.

DarKastle originally did have an "audible preshow." It was pretty cool--guests watched an animated "tapestry" of the story of Ludwig, and the lighting would turn blue on the words "frozen in time." But Busch, in an effort to speed up the queue, put up stanchions in the preshow room, and guests just file pass the preshow video, hardly giving it a second look. I guess this shortened the waits a little bit--but it did hurt the ride experience.

Actually, Derek, the Drachen Fire station is going to be the home of the first inverted Aquatrax Eurofighter.

^I actually like the Grizzly, but it wasn't standing tall that day (seemed better earlier in the spring). Hurler was acting more like it's usual, crappy self. It's tough to get decent pictures of the Griz.

I'd go with Universal Florida first, Knott's a close second, BGA third, BGE fourth, then KD last. (But note that the last two do not require a separate ticket, so they're not as big as the other events. Howl-o-Scream at BGE is much better than Feafest at KD, though.)

He couldn't pass up the "ERT."

Nice work, Rich--I never realized that I had my flying scooter at such a steep angle (perhaps I too petrified with fear to notice).

Well, destroying the ozone layer is thirsty work, you know, what with global warming and all.

Marineland does sort of remind of Flamingoland--a zoo that just mutated into an amusement park (only with less theming, it seems). That profile of one of those deer made it look a bit like a baby camel.

What happens? Depending on when you go and where you live, Disney will get somewhere between six and ten bucks of your money.

I've always been curious about this event, but never knew much about it--until now--thanks for the pics. I seriously suck at scavenger hunts, so I would've been no help at all.

^And to think I sold my soft-serve machine at the neighborhood yard sale.

^It all depends on what sort of "trick" you like. I could ride something like Sheikra and Griffon multiple times in a visit, but once on a launched coaster like Kingda Ka is plenty.

"Velvet Boob" soounds like a sidekick in an Austin Powers movie.

Er, it's right across the street.

But was Tigger involved? What a bunch of idiots.

^^That's always puzzled me too, Jeff--I think BGE used to have a kiddie coaster way back when (before I moved to Virgnia). I'm sure they could fit in a rollerskater where, oh, Drachen Fire used to be.

^^BGE's petting zoo is long gone. The hoof-and-mouth outbreaks in Europe a few years ago compelled Busch to close it. They have a nice wolf habitat now; that is, you can view the wolves without having to wait for the "wolf show." There's a small walkthrough aviary, as well. BGE was having operations issues with Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist last year--lots of train stacking. Alpie is still having those issues this year--but not Apollo.