cfc

^^You actually served, which is probably more than the people who questioned your bravery and patriotism have done. Many of those who sent our troops off to war spent much of their time dodging service--and later smearing the good names of their opponents who did serve.

^That almost sounds like some code phrase you'd hear in an old WWII flick. "I heard the second T-Rex is in Hardasaur Cove." "If it gets much warmer, it will not snow." "Then the T-Rex will get hungry." And then two guys in trench coats sneak off to a secret meeting of the French Underground.

^I think they have drugs for that now, Robb. Just ask your doctor.

^^Interesting--never realized that.

Ooh! What kind of sauce do you like on your Babyback Ribs? I like the Honey BBQ I vote for the sauce that best covers up these "drawings."

^Hmm--actually the Calico Mine Train is, indeed, a train in that the cars are pulled by the engine up front. It does use a chainlift to get up to the mine's upper level, though. And, yep, it's a dark ride.

I like the sign that begs forgiveness because the ride is closed. Smite them, O Lord, for closing thy heavenly attraction!

Er, regarding the whole strapping a wheelchair onto Flying Unicorn question, are you sure someone wasn't just pulling your chain? I know that at Epcot they have boats on El Rio de Tiempo with platforms to which they can strap wheelchairs; however, I find it a bit hard to swallow that they could strap a wheelchair to even a kiddie coaster. I think Universal's liability insurance carrier might have a few things to say about that. Why not just mount the wheelchair on the track and have the train tow it?

I'm planning to check out my first Morgan hyper this spring--Steel Force at Dorney. Looks like it's doing fairly well in this highly scientific poll.

I rather like the colors, myself (not sure why they were chosen). Then again, I drive a blue car and live in a blue house, so maybe I'm a bit biased.

^They could call it "My Beautiful Balloon." As for the "5D coaster," that's OK--reckon I'll pass.

^I second that thanks. I had fun at Pleasureland during the TPR UK trip and will miss the place at least a wee bit. Too bad about the fun house shutting down after March.

^I respectfully disagree. The Potter stories (at least the movie versions I've seen) take a few steps beyond "children's literature" when it comes to horror--werewolves, soul-sucking Dementers, man-eating spiders, and other sorts of monsters abound in them. As for any contractual requirements between J. K. Rowling and Universal forbidding any "changes that are too horrific," that remains to be seen. (You might be right there, especially if you're referring to the use of excessive gore.)

^^Excuse me, but how would a Harry Potter-themed land stop IoA from hosting Halloween Horror Night "anymore"? Those stories are loaded with horrific elements. A Harry Potter maze could be pretty cool.

Grizzly's opening screech at PKD can send ants crawling on your spine--like fingernails on a chalkboard.

I found it oddly endearing--like an Ed Wood movie. Its stupidity reaches a bizarre level of grandeur.

^Well, at least that's one more than PKD usually runs on their woodies.

I love how Griffon looks in relation to the rest of Aquitaine--thanks for the pictures. The different spalsh effects were news to me, too.

Many of the arguments here revolve around the premise that the Harry Potter books are just a flash in the pop-culture pan. Hmm--maybe. Maybe not. Only time will tell whether the series has any staying power after the last book is writ and last movie shot. After all, the original Star Trek barely made three seasons, yet spawned quite a cash cow for Paramount, and DL's Indiana Jones attraction still pulls big crowds even though there hasn't been a new flick in years. If Universal comes up with a truly uber cool Harry Potter attraction, something as cool as, say, Spider-man or MIB, they'll have a winner. As for me, I haven't read the books, and I think the movies are OK (but I'm not counting the days until they release the next one).

^Your opinion has been duly noted and logged and will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

^Don't forget your gloves and snow shovel--we could get an inch or two this morning before it turns into rain this afternoon.

Looks like it's time to thin the herd again--a good candidate for this year's Darwin Awards.

A-w-w-w-w . . .

Perhaps even more awesome! "Prepare yourself for KNIGHTMARE! The world's first coaster constructed entirely of Satanic poodles! Do you have the courage to plunge into decorator dog hell? From the designer of Spooky Express at Joyland!" Chihuahuas would be scarier yet.

They saw your update and thought, "Oh, bloody hell! Better make an announcement!"