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^It's still on the park's map on their Web site (but hard to see the way it's crammed next to Alpengeist). So, no, Le Scoot doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

You should've seen King Artrhur's Challenge, which used to be in that show building. Worst simulator ever! I rather like Corkscrew Hill (but my digestive system doesn't). ^Hmm--actually, I think BGW definitely got the better of the deal when the Wilde Maus was shipped south and DarKastle went up in its place.

No argument there, DragonLord. BGW is a beautiful, first-class park, and I renew my annual passport each year (and I look forward to chowing down on baby backs at the Smokehouse and going to Howl-o-Scream). Yeah, it's been a while between coasters--but you can usually count on Busch to do it right when they design and build one (Drachen Fire notwithstanding).

^Unlike PKD, which exhibits no shame by clinging to Anaconda. The last time I rode Anaconda (October 2005), it didn't seem as rough as in years past--or perhaps I'd done a better job of bracing myself. I do not mourn Drachen Fire. I just felt it was a beautiful-looking, but poorly designed coaster. But it did have a few fans.

^You definitely have more patience than I do. I'm a Coinstar man, even though I balk at coughing up that 7 percent (must be the Scotsman in me). Thought about buying one of those little counting-and-rolling machines, but my Dad's always jammed. So, stand tall, Elissa! I'll be a guessin' later.

First, I agree that it's time for a new coaster; however, I think DarKastle was a smart move last year. (BGW has never had a dark ride, to the best of my knowledge, and now it has a first-class one--an excellent trade for the Wilde Maus, which went to Tampa.) Second, looks like the chance for new coaster is 2007. Busch applied for a "height waiver" for a structure taller than 60 feet. Of course, they haven't mentioned what sort of "structure" they're going to build. We shall see.

^Have to disagree with you there--I thought it was a migraine machine from day one. It left me with huge bruises on either shoulder the first time I rode it (during its inaugural year).

MK's Space Mountain did give me a nasty shot to the back when I rode it (a real stinger) a few years back. Strangely enough, my mother, who was hobbling around on a bad knee when she wasn't riding a scooter, experienced no pain on it at all. Go figure. I was riding in the very back of the rocket--she was in front.

Drachen Fire was a weapon of crass concussions.

Nice report--Cheetah Chase (in its Wilde Maus incarnation) never ran during rainstorms at BGW, either. Here's a little anecdote about Pirates when it opened at BGW (and it does beat the hell out of Haunted Lighthouse, unless you like the idea of being spat on by Christopher Lloyd): Busch held a special screening of Pirates for local elementary-school kids. Eric Idle was there, too. Two pirate skeletons framed the theatre door, and Idle just couldn't resist the chance to pay tribute to a fallen member of Monty Python. He placed an arm around a skeleton and said, "So nice to be working with Graham Chapman, again!"

^Yeah--damn thing has better luck than me!

Excuse me, my good man, but that's Sir Armitage Shanks, Lord of the Loo.

Regarding the questioned "bad show" elements--I'll not voice an opinion on this until I've ridden E:E myself, but I do want to interject one point regarding the landscaping and how some folks are complaining that it isn't "immersive" enough: They use plants. Plants eventually grow. My parents remember visiting Disneyland in the 1950s, and how you could see the then-burning settler's cabin on Tom Sawyer's Island from all over Frontierland.

You should've started this thread with "Gentlemen! Behold!"

The Cyclone at Coney Island--might get my chance this summer (a buddy and I are planning a trip to NYC).

^Yep--that's what I meant by a more "East Coast" look.

Don't tell that to John Hiatt: "Wintertime Blues" (Album: Master of Disaster)

The Burger King ads have gone from amusing to just plain creepy. My vote is for the Hummer ad.

DCA's has more of a southern California "art deco" look to it, while TDS's has more of an East Coast "gothic" feel, seems to me (looks like they put stately Wayne Manor on top of it).

Hmm--I think the caption reads a bit better in this version. "Hmpf! At least I still have my dignity."

I wouldn't mind seeing them replace Le Scoot with a water coaster, but would really love to see a dive machine there.

A looper with lapbars, the way God intended it to be! The dolphin-go-round looks kind of cool, I think--thanks for sharing the pics.

I find your work disturbing and hilarious--a good combination.

Hmm--my computer was releasing contented sighs yesterday and asking for a cigarette. And my screen saver now repeats "Congress of the Cow" over and over . . .

Get your picture taken with giant, rubberhead Robb and Elissa--step right up, folks! And let's not forget "Dirt Land." Yes, random piles of dirt, stacks of wall board, and sections of coaster track will be available for the picture-taking needs and speculations of theme-park-site Web masters! This will be an add-on charge, of course.