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^Like the Six Million Dollar Man?

Matterhorn Bobsleds--Disneyland

I agree with your assessment of both the Cyclone and Thunderbolt completely. Thunderbolt's layout is great, but it needs a good train. Spook-a-Rama was better than I'd hoped (ended up riding it three times). Nice work on this TR, Andy--very entertaining and informative.

Wow! Excellent use of the existing terrain.

^They do, indeed, have lamb.

^You have redeemed yourself. Dark Knight--Six Flags Great America.

Er, Speedy Bob begin with an "S," not a "B." Or did you think you were in the Alphabet Theme Park thread? How about this? Big Thunder Mountain Railroad--Disneyland

Chimelong Paradise

^Yep. Overall, the food is pretty good, but lines for some of the stations can be a bit slow. For example, the beef at the Mediterranean station is delicious, but they have to carve it, so the line backs up. The Mongolian Beef is good; the Asian station usually has no wait (I think because the food is easier to serve). Haven't tried the flatbread yet, but the cannolis are very good.

^Hmm--I have seen people with multiple admission tickets in the Racers FP line, but I agree that it moves pretty quickly, anyway.

Shh! Do not invoke his name, lest he appear!

My one experience was with riding something on opening day was Curse of DarKastle at BGW. Massive crowds + technical problems = three-and-a-half-hour wait. At least the park was handing out free water bottles to those waiting in the blazing sun. So, I rode, and it had some sound issues. By the time I got off, the line went all the way to Alpengeist. I went back two weeks later. The line was more manageable, the sound problems had been fixed, and the ride was much better. Lesson learned. I'm looking forward to riding Lightning Rod when its kinks are worked out.

^My neighbors mentioned that they were using all the parking lots they had on Saturday.

Ultra Twister--Rusutsu Resort (Japan) And since we're doing "upskirt" photos . . .

Especially the Julie Newmar Catwoman.

Quicksilver Express--Gilroy Gardens

Thanks for the TR. I'm looking forward to riding Lost Gravity, and Goliath is always great.

Parque Espana (Japan)

I'm not that fond of raw fish, although tuna is one that I'll eat. I'd say your impression is accurate. I was fairly impressed with Carowinds' Taste of the Carolinas Food Festival last year, though.

Food & Wine Festival and a Quick InvadR Update Busch Gardens kicked off its annual Food and Wine Festival on Friday, May 27--just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend hordes. This is my favorite time of the year at the park. Why? Because, like so many of us here, I like to eat, and BGW offers up some mighty tasty food and beverages. So, what's new about this year's version? Food Samplers: The park is offering two Food Sampler Passes this year--ten samples for $35, or 15 for $50 (the "Deluxe Food Sampler"). If you're with a group of people who like to lightly graze around the park, these passes are a great deal. They include both entrees and desserts, most of which range in price from $3.50 to $6.00. Stick to the more expensive offerings, and you can do quite well with one of these passes. The Food Samplers do not include beverages. New Food Booths: The Scotland and Scandinavia food booths are out. While I will miss the Scotch Egg and Swedish Meatballs, they have been replaced by food from Virginia and Hawaii. Here's what they have to offer. Virginia (located in Scotland) Pork Rinds with Virginia Dips--Deviled Ham Pate, Pimento cheese spread, Smoked bacon & onion jam She-Crab Soup--Crab bisque finished with sherry, Old Bay crostini & Chesapeake Blue Crab salad Smithfield® Ham Tasting--Red Eye Country Ham, Hickory Smoked Pitt Ham & Applewood Carved Ham served with honey biscuit, apple butter, raspberry jam & whole grain mustard Bacon & Cheddar Hushpuppies--Cornmeal fritters served with Virginia honey butter Pecan, Bacon & Chocolate Bars--Sweet pecan caramel bars topped with smoked bacon & chocolate drizzle Hawaii (located on the path between Ireland and France) Root Vegetable Chips with Maui Onion Dip --Fried sweet potatoes, taro root & beet chips with caramelized sweet onion dip Spam Slider--Fried spam with sriracha mayonnaise & grilled pineapple served with pineapple-coconut coleslaw Huli Huli Chicken--Sweet pineapple & soy BBQ chicken served with orange & purple sweet potato salad Tuna Poke--Soy & sesame sushi tuna in a wonton flower with wasabi aioli, served with wakame seaweed salad Haupia Tart--Sweet coconut mousse with Kona coffee ganache in a crispy tart shell I think Virginia's offerings are the stronger of the two. The Bacon & Cheddar Hushpuppies are very good (possibly the star of this year's festival), and you can't go wrong with the Smithfield Ham. The Huli Huli Chicken is the best dish at the Hawaiian booth. Here's quick look at the Food and Wine Festival, along with a mini InvadR update. Note that these photos were taken over two visits: a beautiful Friday evening and a very wet Sunday (that is, today). The Festival runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday until the end of June. "It's the most wonderful time of the year." Yes, those trying to lose weight might want to stay off Facebook until the beginning of July. Can you think of a better way to start a beautiful Friday evening? There's a bandstand near the Germany booth. They were a bit loud, but not bad. As we graze around the park, let's have a wee look at what's been happening on the InvadR site. Looks like real lumberjacks are at work. Rubble = progress to coaster enthusiasts. The ground clearing is now on both sides of the train tracks. Yes, the train is still running. This tree gave its life so that InvadR might live. You can get a good view of the work from the train . . . . . . or from LeScoot. Anyone for a nice Spam Slider? I liked the sriracha mayonnaise, but wasn't crazy about the coleslaw. As you can see, Spam has great cultural significance to the Hawaiian people. Well, since WWII, anyway. Here's a better look at the Hawaii booth. BGW does a nice job with these portable structures. This one even has a Tiki Bar, where you can score a Blue Hawaiian rum-based drink or some Kona Brewing beverages. I tried the Huli Huli Chicken when they previewed it the weekend before the festival. They give you a very generous portion, and the chicken is quite nice. The sweet potato slaw concoction was OK, too. I think my Haupia Tart got a bit soggy today, despite my best efforts. It's nice, but the best dessert at the Festival is the Chocolate Lava Cake at the American Southwest booth in Fort New France. Since I was already in Ireland, I snagged a cheese sampler, too. The food artists are back. Now that is a great representation of a shark in ice. But, I think it started out looking like this on Friday evening. It makes sense that the Virginia booth is in the Pigs in a Kilt stand, as it revolves around pork products (some made by a company that is now owned by the Chinese--Smithfield Ham.) They also sell four beers from two Williamsburg breweries: Alewerks and the Virginia Beer Company (they both make good stuff). Yes, Virginia is just busting out all over. The Commonwealth as rendered in beer-bottle caps. The Pecan, Bacon & Chocolate Bar is pretty good. It would be good even without the bacon. The Hushpuppies and the honey butter are excellent, and I enjoyed the ham, too. Nice work, BGW. Be sure to say "hello" to the Highland Cows in Scotland. Thanks for reading.

Werewolf of London (1935)

Knott's Berry Farm

O'Connor's El Guapo Agave IPA

Well, there have been a few parks started by breweries.

Stone Pataskala Red X IPA Very, very good--as is most of Stone's beer.