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XLC's launch does pack quite a wallop, and there's a nice shot of airtime as you crest the hill and plummet down the other side. After that, the train shakes like it has Parkinson's disease and there's a hard, painful stop with brakes that sound like 100 aluminum trash cans, which are also full of aluminum beer cans, being knocked over at once. Yeah, I think it's fun if you catch it before the line gets too long (and it breaks down). But would I miss it? Not all that much. I wonder if Cypress Gardens is thinking about buying this bad boy.

I can't imagine the pain you're going through right now, but my thoughts are with you.

I think my Dad's favorite attraction at DL is the monte cristo sandwich--it is pretty damn good (and so good for you). Overall, I do prefer DL to MK (especially their versions of Pirates and Haunted Mansion--Florida's need some TLC). Glad you had a good time, Tom.

He was also great in Taxi Driver as a sort-of friend to Robert DeNiro. But my favorite Boyle moment is from Young Frankenstein: The blind hermit (Gene Hackman) has just smashed Boyle's mug of wine in an overly enthusiastic toast. Boyle frowns and looks up to heaven in complete and utter frustration, kind of like Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners. It's the best moment in a very funny movie.

The solution is obvious--change the name of the park to "Santa Clarita Auto Center Magic Mountain," then start selling used cars in the parking lot under Scream. This would give that coaster some much-needed themeing. Hell, they could theme the coaster to those classic So Cal auto dealers from the 1940s. How would you like to ride "Madman Muntz's Wild Ride" or "The Smiling Irishman's Screamin' Studebaker"?

^Actually, the Browns were champs many years ago, I believe--just not recently.

They weren't playing the Raiders.

^Maybe you can take a cutting from it and grow your own loop hydroponically.

The only thing I would salvage from Wonders of Life is Cranium Command--it was actually fun, whereas Body Wars was a pretty bad simulator. Ate lunch there once, too--awful.

Perhaps they couldn't find a long-enough extension cord.

^I actually watched that damn thing back in the late 1970s, and it took a week for me to recover from the coma it induced. A friend gave it to me on VHS for my last birthday--I keep it sealed in a stone crypt at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay, where it is guarded by trained sharks, lest someone try to unseal the tomb and allow the evil to escape. It is, indeed, strong with the Dark Side of the Force.

Evertime you pull off a strip of that tape, 3PO screams in agony.

Griffon topped out this week, according to the Daily Press at http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-griffontree,0,3080254.story. They mounted a Christmas tree at it's highest point.

I echo Erik's comments--it all depends on what kind of experience you're looking for. If you want to do a "hit-the-highlights" park-hopping tour, these are the "must sees": AK Expedition Everest Kilamanjaro Safari Studios Tower of Terror Rock'n'Roller Coaster (right next to each other for one-stop shopping) MK Splash Mountain Space Mountain Thunder Mountain Mickey's Philharmagic (if you like "4D" movies) Epcot Mission: Space Test Track The Living Seas (with Nemo) The American Adventure (best of Disney's big AA shows) Maelstrom (short, but fun) Hope this helps. Be sure to take advantage of Fast Pass. Chuck

Thanks, Jarmor--I might be checking out Dollywood's Christmas stuff myself this year (and playing freeze out on the coasters).

^I vote for "Love Stinks."

Yay! Another excuse to ride Taxi Jam at KD! Congratulations, Jeff.

Look for him to record a CD of standards ala Rod Stewart next. Anyone for "Idol Screams and Strangles Gershwin"?

^Yeah--it's one of those simulators where the seats jump around, as I recall. No great loss. I hope that they keep the dark ride, though.

Give my creation life!

Wild Mouse at Blackpool.

I think the "bear taking a dump in the water effect" is from the Mine Train (not the Mark Twain). It's interesting to see how the character costumes have changed (or not) over the years. Mickey was pretty freaky looking back then.

^You're a sick puppy, James. I'm doing just fine, thank you.

"And Ryan was that child," sighs Robb.

Elissa auditions for the newest American remake of yet another out-of-focus Japanese horror flick.