cfc

When I first saw this little structure behind Verbolten's show building, I thought it was for the Lumberhacks Howl-o-Scream maze. But after reviewing BGW's blog, I think this is where they're assembling "bents" for InvadR. It's hard to see much from the train.

I rode Goliath for the first time since a TPR trip in 2008 this year and was very happy that this coaster hadn't lost a single step. It's still one of the best steel coasters in Europe and still in the worldwide top ten (at least to me).

There used to be a play/sitting area there next to the train station under LeScoot, too--but they closed it some time ago.

Rest in Peace, Gene Wilder--you were one of the greatest comic actors ever, as . . . Willy Wonka, the Waco Kid, and Frederick Frankenstein (excuse me, "Fronk-en-steen").

I'd forgotten how great and insane it really was.

The craft beer room is quite nice and seems to be a hit with guests. There's a good-sized selection of beers on tap from Virginia breweries (and some from out of state). They sell food, too (pretzels, German meatballs, etc.).

Speaking of InvadR . . . how about another construction update? With a bit of Howl-o-Scream thrown in for good measure? I went over to the park this morning, and they're definitely making progress. Nothing you could call "vertical" construction, but a lot more concrete has been poured, holes dug, and rebar put in place. We're looking at you, Pokemon Go players! Let's start with a train ride. Entering Invadr's war zone. "We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig it's what we like to do." I think this is going to be a "tunnel"--or "shed." But I doubt that it's a "mystery shed" like at Kings Island. Let's take a peek at this footer. Be careful not to impale yourself on the stockade. What's happening over by the train station and the path to LeScoot? Remember to follow the concrete, for it will always lead you to rebar--and glory! And the possibility of more concrete to come. Yep--lots more concrete. I think this is where the queue and station are going to be, but don't quote me on that. I don't have a set of blueprints. It does look like they're putting up a wall, though. Here's a line of "Sonotubes." If I'm interpreting the BGW blog correctly, these are round footers for the run to the lift hill. All I do is follow the concrete. Chains. I guess the invading Vikings are a bit kinky. The stick says something about a "c bent" and "20 feet." More rebar--or perhaps contemporary art. Here's a look at that mess of rebar from a different angle. Meanwhile, over by LeScoot . . . Lots of grading and digging have been going on between the flume and the railroad tracks. Here's a closer look. That's about all for Invadr, so . . . . . . how about a nice light lunch? Sorry, Europe in the Air fans. I imagine there's one or two of you, at least. The ride is all boarded up for Howl-o-Scream's "Unearthed--Scarlett's Revenge" maze. Here's a look at the "Circo Sinistro" site. This maze is replacing "Cutthroat Cove," and will feature "Room Roulette," in which you choose your own way through a room. It's located in Festa Italia. Looks like they're getting "Lumberhacks" ready. Hmm--this could be where they are assembling bents for InvadR. The Verbolten show building is in the background. Vampires will be on the loose in "Bitten" again. This is the oldest maze at Howl-o-Scream. It's in the old Drachen Fire station not far from the Festhaus. I think's there's nothing creepier than ventriloquist dummies. I imagine they'll be part of the new "Sideshow Square" zone, which I assume is in Italy. Hard to believe that Howl-o-Scream is less than a month away. And, hey, Bierfest is just around the corner! Oktoberfest is gearing up. Hmm--speaking of beer, . . . . . . I think this is good time to get one. Thanks for reading.

I was kind of surprised at the general lack of food variety throughout the two parks. Most food carts and snack windows sold exactly the same cookie/popcorn/potato chip selection, and if you wanted something different, tough! I feel like the other Disney parks (Tokyo in particular) really benefit from having a good selection of unique dining options, even if it means they're only available in one location (Gyoza Dog, anyone?). I thought food was one of the most surprising disappointments at Paris Disney, considering we were in France, but it looks like it's improved since 2008.

Evolution Lot #6 Double IPA This is an excellent IPA.

The skeleton key rooms sound intriguing. I haven't been to Scary Farm since 2001, and I'd really like to visit it again someday.

^Thank you. I enjoy doing them, despite the occasional demonic intrusions.

In that past, the park was open only from 7:00 pm to midnight on Fridays during Haunt, and the crowd was small. I think staying open longer is a good idea. Families can do the kid Halloween stuff then.

Who's upset? Mystified and curious, sure, or simply want want wanting, yes. How many years of relative calm before the storm? The detractors of this thread totally misread its tone. Enthusiasts are going to be enthusiastic. There's "enthusiasm," and then there's "obsession." Some enthusiasts cross that line frequently. Constant kvetching only makes the thread unbearable to read and leads to idiotic flame wars. So, to get back on topic, who's looking forward to Haunt?

WTF!!! Sesame Peanut Sauce on noodles! What happened to plain noodles? Who has taken over Elissa's body (and taste buds)? This is a mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes!

Sigh! Why must this thread always be such a train wreck? Good people, let's try being decent to each other for a change. I'm tired of having to police this thread. Remember that it's all about having fun, not running each other down. Thank you.

^Unlike your average bloodsuckers with wings, leopard mosquitoes will chase you for a long ways, singing their "war song" as they go. Their sting feels like you're getting stuck with a hypodermic needle. I think they're also called Asian tiger mosquitoes. Ha! I'd forgotten about our very slow lift-hill ascent. Fortunately, it wasn't a long-term issue.

That's a tough call.

I just cleaned up this thread a bit. Let's keep the focus on Kings Dominion, not some idiotic troll with an ax to grind. Thank you.

Yeah, they nailed me a few times, too, but they were more interested in you and KT. You might want to stay away from the Assateague Lighthouse on Virginia's Eastern Shore--the leopard mosquitoes there are psychotic!

More from the home of Expedition GeForce. Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature . . . Christ, a bee! O mighty GeForce . . . slay the bee! There can never be enough pictures of GeForce. I mean, look at all these happy people. We will now take a break from GeForce to show you two Vikings in a convertible. Whither, Burg Falkenstein? Let’s see . . . Torture good. Boobs bad. “Aye, I miss the boobies, I do.” Don’t worry. You can still be slaughtered and eaten by this dragon. We now return to Expedition GeForce, which is already in progress. All is well again . . . . . . even for those poor souls who were sucked into some sort of inter-dimensional vortex. I shall leave you with this warning. Beware the Intamin cable! It may come for you! Quick! Flee to Europa!

Chapter 7 Not to Be Confused with a Park in Indiana--Holiday Park We checked out of Phantasialand’s Hotel Matamba, and even as the bus pointed toward Europa Park, there remained one very important matter; a loose end, if you will. This was the question of the BEST FREAKIN’ STEEL COASTER IN THE WORLD: Holiday Park’s Expedition GeForce! This huge, twisted mass of pure metallic glory is still Intamin’s greatest creation, at least to me. This was my first time riding it since 2008, and it hadn’t lost a single, airtime-filled step. All rides should age this well. But while GeForce still dominates Holiday Park, the place has plenty to offer. The Plopsa chain had assumed control of the park since my last visit and has been giving it more of a family focus. This brought about a few trade offs. For example, the park’s entrance, which as I recall was pretty plain back in 2008, looks much better now, with its fanciful castle gate and European village shopping area. The park’s setting is as pretty as ever, the food is quite good, and Super Wirbel, the Vekoma Loopscrew from the bowels of Satan, is gone--yay! Then there is the case of Burg Falkenstein, the park’s dark-ride tour of medieval depravity. Many of you are probably aware that this ride featured torture, drinking, and sex--complete with bare breasts. Sigh! Those were the days. Well, Plopsa has decided that such goings on aren’t suitable for children; the woman no longer pulls down her dress and flashes the guests. In fact, a lot of the old figures don’t move at all, which is sad for a once very cool ride. But they still have scenes of torture, so we can take solace in that, right? The theming of the park’s newest coaster, Sky Scream, does go against this “family focus” a bit, thanks to some nice surprise horror effects in the queue and even outside the gift shop. As for the ride itself, this Premier launched shuttle is a blast. It seems to have a bit more “snap” than Tempesto, its slightly bigger cousin at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We had a great ERT/filming session on this ride. The park treated us very well that day, and the evening ERT on GeForce was, of course, amazing. It was a great day at Holiday Park. Plopsa is definitely upgrading Holiday Park’s image. The entrance is a bit “Europa like.” Of course, there is a bit of a problem with Vikings and bees. Both can give you a nasty sting (or a chop, if the Viking has an ax). I really like what Plopsa has done with this part of the park. They even require guests to hose themselves off before entering. This is all well and good, but we know why we’re really here, don’t we? I’m convinced that Intamin had a team of mad scientists in some Transylvanian castle design this monster. “Throw the third switch, Ygor!” “No! Not the third switch!” “Life! Life, do you hear me? Give my creation life! And airtime! And crazy laterals!” Captain America punched out Hitler to free the German people to enjoy GeForce! Yeah, you might say I’m a fan. I like this park’s woodsy setting; John, however, seems to find it distressing. New hotness/Old and busted. Come on, Super Wirbel! Send a train! I need this shot! The theming of Sky Scream doesn’t seem all that “family friendly.” I guess kids love sexy vampires? All kids love Fear Snack. Yummy, tasty Fear Snack. And what kid wouldn’t want to play Basketball Fear and win scary bananas? Fear Bakery makes the scariest brownies anywhere! Kids love scary brownies and creepy cookies! There’s even a Fear Queue. Hello, kiddies! So, unless I miss my guess, the operative word of this attraction is “fear.” I think these people would agree with me. Hey, the hot vampire chick has a sweet ride. Of course, her chauffeur leaves a bit to be desired. This is a bit more interesting than Tempesto’s theming. This is Holiday Park's idea of a New England lighthouse. Well. I like Star Flyers, so it works for me. “Ugh! I ate too much Fear Snack.” “A Viking can never have enough Fear Snack! You might say we snack on fear and dine on death! Oh, have fun, kids!" I rode this. It was a new credit to me. It was painful. Others rode this. Not my thing, but Robb really got it to flip--a lot. More to come.

Starting a new account is against the site's Terms of Service. That being said, I agree that you took a positive step with the London slide report--well done.

What a Way to Go (1964)

When I visited the park a few years ago, the place was rundown, but the staff seemed to care about it. They were even painting the fence around the flyers as we rode them. It's good to see them still making progress despite some setbacks since then.

^Oh, I did--one and done until they changed the restraints.