QueerRudie

OK: I don't know HOW he got past- but this kid was a headache in the past with his posts, and by his own admission was banned previously for spelling and related errors. He's gone back to his 'original' spelling style and posting of crap again, so after looking up his 'reasons' I've removed his thread- and banned him again. R.D.

"Patience, like cooking, is a skill that must be learned in time. One cannot rush these things."- Julia Child

After some time to think it out, I went ahead with the plan to build out the "Space" themed area for Anton Gardens. Occupying the space towards the right middle of the park, the new StarPort City theme are encompasses four new 'flat/tower' rides plus the fully enclosed coaster known as Black Hole. Let's take a look into the latest expansion area, and the rides behind the scenes. SCR136.BMP Here is the initial layout of new StarPort City area: Mind you, this is the first layout- and several changes took place prior to the area opening. ] Looking at the first rides, a double S&S tower is added. "Blastoff" and "Re-Entry" mirror each other as the 'tall' rides for StarPort City. Across the plaza is the building housing a multi-dimensional ride known as Astral Orbiter. SCR137.BMP The first three rides, as well as the Canteen Plaza building are added To replace the existing SpeedRacer coaster, a permanent installation was decided on- which fit with the park's need for a high-speed thrill coaster. Introducing "BLACK HOLE"- our themed and enclosed Speedracer coaster, featuring special effects, visual events and other projections to give a fully immersive experience. SCR138.BMP Introducing BLACK HOLE SCR139.BMP StarPort City approaches completion with the addition of trees, shrubs, gardens and a second building (Launchpad Gifts) to fill in the basic area. To link the new theme area with 'the hub' of the park, a second pathway link is added- and a fourth ride/attraction is added: The Flying Saucers- known here as the Comet Collision. A third food/service plaza building is added (Mission Control) SCR140.BMP Comet Collision and Mission Control are added. What's next: I'm already planning a second expansion to the StarPort City area- including a set of simulators, as well as starting groundwork on a second coaster there. Where Infinity currently stands, either a River Rapids OR a Splashwater falls ride will be installed (The type has yet to be determined) and a log-flume attraction will be coming to Fort Munsterhausen as well. Here's an overview of the park as the expansion continues. SCR141.BMP Park Overview Enjoy the expansion projects- more to come, of course!

WOW. Some of those memories came -flying- back to me seeing the pictures of the 'nearly unmodified' Colossus and the stunningly beautiful Revolution... not to mention the 'bonus' shots of the Wildcat 54 that resided there so long ago. It's also interesting to see the International in it's first 'status'- well before the additions to the tower, and later the sprawling towards the Strip. (Some will get that entire reference...). Nice job as usual!

Sigh... when I was younger, dumber and didn't know the meaning of "Come back when the park is less crowded" I did stand in a five hour wait... for OL:FOF at KD on opening day. Now, I'll admit, being young and stupid has it's advantages: People really do expect less of you. But that should NOT be a reason that one does really stupid things- such as not wearing a hat OR sunblock on a hot June afternoon while waiting for said new-technology ride. Or forgetting to go to the bathroom PRIOR to boarding said new-technology coaster. After drinking a ginormous Coca Cola prior to ENTERING THE LINE of DOOM. Nowadays, lines mean nothing to me (Go ahead everyone: Eat your heart out.) Now, there ARE some things other than parks I'd wait over five hours for: Jason Statham/Vin Diesel three way, but that goes without saying

Ummmm... I do take offense to that. I really do. I think, and I'm pretty sure I can speak for a few people here, that I don't act straight. I act LIKE ME. As an out-of-the-closet for 20 years open gay man, I don't need to act 'girly' in order to be queer. I don't hide it- I don't want to. There is a -grand canyon- sized gap between acting straight, and being a butch queer male. However, with people constantly re-enforcing the idea that in order to push for acceptance, you need to be flamboyant, that makes it hard for those of us who ARE butch to get our message across as well: We're here, We're queer, Get used to it. We don't blend in, we're being ourselves. There is nothing wrong with being flamboyant. But please don't call the rest of us 'acting straight' or 'not being gay as possible.' We're just as queer as everyone else is.

Wow. I always wondered where the pedal paddle boats came from... it's the effects of the riverboat mating rituals. Nice job Chuck- you could get a job as a nature photographer, showing these rare and beautiful animals in their native lands. (And the Zierer Porn was -quite good- as well!)

THREE DAYS LEFT! Get your parks up, and you will still get the additional points bonus! Even if you don't complete the challenge, post your parks up- and the rides you have created.

I will have to give our 'realism' players credit: Building scenery is a ginormous pain in the tuchis. I'm a bit stunned at how long it has taken to build one theme area out of three, and it's exhausting work. With that having been said: Fort Munsterhausen is now done, and opened for business. Let's take a look at the completed project, and the addition of new rides. The fort, like the nearby Minetrain (The New Braunfels Raliway co.) has roots in the German traditions of Anton Schwarzkopf. Munsterhausen is where one of his factories was located- and thus the name. As for New Braunfels, that's based in the German-American population between San Antonio and Austin, TX. As of this writing, the area is open- but is still yet to be finished. At the same time, the Lodge at Anton Gardens is now ready and opened. The 132 room property features some of the best (AND WORST!) views of the park, as you'll see in the pictures. SCR126.BMP The Lodge as it appears in 'building ready' state. Scenery, and some other final touches, is yet to be installed. SCR128.BMP The fort's perimeter walls are extended, as the process of enclosing the area approaches completion. SCR129.BMP The now complete enclosure. I'm still debating as to whether or not to extend the fort outward some to allow for another set of attractions, and some room to grow in the future. SCR131.BMP While the rest of the area is being developed, I didn't want to leave open spaces... so I added a small garden area to occupy the land until it is needed. As the fort was completed, another attraction as well as another service building are added to fill in the space. This new building houses garden variety foods, as well as restrooms and an ATM. Known as Garden Shop, it is considered a temporary building until the area behind it can be developed further. In front of the Garden Shop is the Thrasher, a standard round-up ride themed to a... wheat thrasher. Additional garden scenery and related is added as well. SCR132.BMP Garden Shop, the Thrasher, and the rest of the fort area. Let's take a look at the park from the air: As you can see, growth is slow but steady, and there are already delineations developing in the current layout. Some rides and attractions (Infinity, and the Speedracer) are temporary builds to accomodate the surge of crowds. As of now, they will be staying, but in the case of the Speedracer, not for long. SCR133.BMP An overview of the park as Phase IIA and IIB construction is completed. As part of the park's design, an in-park transport was planned into the first build. Now that there is a second point for it to operate, I've built the first section of the ParkLink Monorail- which starts off at Main Gate, and ends at the fort. In part it is designed to shuffle people from one end of the park to another. When completed, it will circle through two more stations in the two remaining themed areas, as well as the main gate. SCR134.BMP The Main Gate station of ParkLink SCR135.BMP And the Fort end inside the Lodge (Yes, stolen a bit from the Contemporary Resort there...) As of this writing, I'm still unsure as to what to put in next; The area next to Blue Streak and across from the Fort is on the 'grid' right now- but will be in development while I think of how I'd like to work with it. I'm leaning towards a 'space/tommorowland' theme area, but as of yet I'm still thinking it out. R.D.

I still love the fact that there is a network (and the requisite advertisers) that is catering to an LGBT audience. I can understand your points entirely: I never thought I'd live to see the day of a 'gay' channel. But they're not catering to a LGBT audience. They're catering to a specific GT audience- and leaving the L's and B's out of it. They're also leaving out the Bears of this world: One program a month does not constitute a varied program. Nor do I consider one program a month about Dykes to be a fulfilling network. Nor are they keeping me, an openly queer guy (For 20 years this month, no less) as part of the audience. Now if I were running the show: I'd go for more diversity- and head the network in a better direction: 1.) Add the LPGA Tour, plus Wimbledon; the national Softball championships as well as NCAA Field Hockey. (All of which I'd be first in line to watch... but I think that goes without saying.) 2.) I'd love to see themed film nights (Similar to what TBS did with 'Dinner and a Movie' but aimed at the gay community: Perhaps a bear night with films featuring burly actors, or an all dyke night featuring womyn's friendly films.) 3.) Dump the 'Teen Mom" and related. I'm sorry: Gay people do not, as a rule, get knocked up by unprotected sex. And if they are, they're not doing the 'gay' part right. 4.) There will always be a part for RuPaul: But not for 12 hours a day. She might be fierce, but she doesn't need 12 hours of programming a day. Yes, there is room for programs like the "A List" and related- that still needs to be a part of the network: But don't forget about those of us who, even in our -wildest- dreams, could never be like that. I don't want to make it seem like they DON'T belong there, but rather- let's see more of everyone- and not of just one type. Nothing's wrong with it at all: It's an aspect of the gay community. But I'd love to see a TV program that showed of somebody of my world for once- I.E. A sports-loving, potluck throwing, Lilith Faire going heterosexual lesbian in a man's body. (As a good friend of mine said: He's a dyke tyke.) Let's see an all-bear program, featuring big burly guys. That's where I find that LOGO has lost it's way. We are the 'forgotten ones' now- and that's what frustrates me.

Very much agree! And about Mexico...well, at some point, we'll get enough of us together, get the Kidnapping Insurance, armed escorts, and go for it! (Only half kidding) Wait. If there's kidnapping insurance, how am I going to get Thriller back home to the USA? I hereby forfeit. Ditto for me... SFoG is to me on par with the best parks on earth. Genuinely the best park experience I've had in years- and it casts a huge pile o' shame on the other SF parks in the system that SFoG is so good... and others are so bad! Looking forward to seeing y'all soon enough too. (I'd tell you to say "Hi!" to Mindbender for me, but then you'd think i was nuts...)

After the Mine Train is opened, I felt it was time to 'broaden' the park's themed areas. Part of the reason I went with the mine train in the first place was that it would tie in well with the first major expansion of the park, a western/fort themed area. This is also the first time I've branched out into broader territories of structures. I've been experimenting with things for a while, but wanted to try out a 'deeper' and richer feel to the buildings, as well as to incorporate structures into a larger-scale attraction, in this case, it's the in-park train system. To begin with, I started by adding the first 'bunker walls' to surround the area, basically sealing it off from the rest of the park, for theme reasons. Internally, the space is much wider, with larger avenues and general buildings fit to the era. Let's take a look at what's gone on so far: The Mine train starts to develop a general 'themed' feel to it, adding not only a shed, but also the platform building and queue house. SCR115.BMP The Mine train coaster, as structures are applied to it for feel and space. SCR116.BMP The completed queue building and shed SCR117.BMP I'm not so sure about the soil additions, but some mine equipment is added for effect to the 'underground' segment of the coaster. I'm still undecided as to what else to put in there- at least for now. Once I'd finished 'dressing' the mine train, the next step was to come up with a better way to start the western/fort theme area. Seeing how other people do their parks, and using what I've studied over the past 9 years, I figured out that to avoid unhappy (and LOST) guests, the flow would have to remain true to the 'people theory' of no lost intersections. To do this, you'll notice a general 'shape' to the open areas. SCR118.BMP Pathway layout- preliminary. SCR119.BMP The 'fort' bunker and towers are added: Only 1/3rd of the bunkers are completed- and will be finished once the area is ready to open. SCR120.BMP A Huss Top-Spin, known as Catapult is added, as are the first few buildings. The Red structure houses Burgers and Lemonade, the khaki structure restrooms, ATM and First Aid station. SCR121.BMP In the green building, known as "Miss Kitty's house of FUN, is a wacky shack. The building is themed as a 'Establishment of ill refute'. SCR122.BMP The General Store is added- with it's fair share of shops inside. SCR123.BMP A few additional items are added for guest use (Benches, lamps and trash cans; The trash cans will be replaced with 'theme appropriate' ones before the area is opened to the public. As part of my 'adding details' aspect, I've decided to add a second hotel at this point. Looking at examples from other major parks, I wanted to put in something that would really 'pop' as part of the fort area, so using the train station for this area made good sense. This hotel, themed to a lodge of the era, would surround the train's platform, as well as direct access into the park. SCR124.BMP The basic layout of the Lodge is done; there is enough space to the rear of the building for additonal structures to be added in the future (A second wing, if you will.) SCR125.BMP The first 'wing' of the Lodge is completed. Mind you, the suites on the end would be for our 'theme-park' minded guests. (Yes, a MAJOR miscalculation on my part. Two more rides are scheduled for this area, but are still in 'development' for the future. A 'Round Up' ride, as well as a dark ride/ride through are also planned, but I'm still fleshing those out in my mind before starting construction on them. R.D.

OK: Wow. And I thought I had an Anton Schwarzkopf fetish... I'm apparantly outdone. Even I have yet to make a video dedicating my love of Schwarzkopf coasters to the internet. BTW: Chad, side project coming up. Need you to shoot a video.

Done!

So far, lots of hype- but no pictures... What's going on with this? R.D. Games Forum Moderating Team

Adorable in every way- and very cool to see yet another aquarium getting some love here! (Bean is -too cute- in the Gator hat!)

ShockWave, and her sister MindBender are the only two of the 'HeartlineLooping' coasters built by Schwarzkopf... however, it's documented that a third of this class was to have been built: In St. Louis. Had the third been built, Jet Scream (A Schwarzkopf transportable LoopingStar) would not have been built. According to Schwarzkopf.Coaster.net (BTW: Phenominal site dedicated to all things He created for us to enjoy... and so much more!) the third of the HeartlineLooping coasters would have been another twin-inversion model, with some minor tweaking to the design to fit the space needed. The order was never signed, and thus only two of this class were created. Agreed completely: One of the Crown Jewels should not be subject to the state of ugliness that those G-D awful wraps do to it- MindBender's wraps were peeling badly in September, and with such a great color choice, they really should consider giving up on the wraps. Schwarzkopf would -NOT- be pleased that we're using His great works for advertising!

LOGO, in my humble opinion, has gone from 'meh' to just plain awful in less than two years. Diversity on it? Nope. Stereotypes? Yup- and lots of them. They cancelled two -brilliant- programs: "Rick and Steve' as well as the gay sketch comedy show: Both of which showed a lot of promise, and something OTHER than stereotype re-enforcement. What did they put in instead? Crap, crap and more crap. They have, in one way or another, made a -complete- mockery of gay people: The "A" list, which I've seen -one- episode of, is enough to make me think that these children (And I doubt it any of them are over 24, as after all, gay people magically disappear at age 25) are shallow, petty sluts who have -no- real personality at all: I've seen better personalities out of slugs or worms. They cancelled two -brilliant- programs: "Rick and Steve' as well as the gay sketch comedy show: Both of which showed a lot of promise, and something OTHER than stereotype re-enforcement. Then there's RuPaul's Drag Race: Once again, bitchy men fighting it out over wigs and dresses. REALLY? And now, they're showing programs like "Teen Mom" on there. Now let's think about this: A network dedicated to GAY MEN and LESBIANS showing a program that COULD NEVER EVEN POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO GAY PEOPLE WITHOUT JERRY SPRINGERS HELP?!?!?! And then, there's the total neglect of Lesbians on the network. I'd like to meet the head of programming with my Womyns Softball team, and show him that he's missing out on some critical demographics there. It's like for some reason they can't show anything other than bitchy queens and drama, and are forgetting that there's a whole other element to the gay community that's going completely unrepresented out there: Everyone OTHER than bitchy queens and kids. Many of us are over 25. Many of us are not 18 pounds wet. Some of us have -GASP- body hair. Some of us are not bound to the gym by law. A few of us even like to play SPORTS! The gay community is made up of diversity- by nature and by how it has dealt with life. LOGO intends on getting rid of that: If you're over 25, or have -one- shred of body hair, or are a womyn, forget it. You don't belong there.

Actually, you're 1/3rd right: 1.) RIDES 2.) SHOWS AND ATTRACTIONS and 3.)ATMOSPHERE. Without the first two, you won't have #3. R.D. GFMT

K: Based upon what I've seen, I'm seeing a decent layout- but it could use some 'sweetening' up a bit, as well as a bit of tuning... First, I'd not do the 'three beam/four beam Inty track merge: This is a personal thing more than anything else. Only two Schwarzkopfs were built with this particular track system (Heartlinelooping) in it, as He had begun work on the three-pipe system (Cone And Plug/Loopingcoaster Mk IIB) track systems by this point. If you still want the 'HeartlineLooping' look, that's fine too- the issue is more for my own 'pickiness' with regards to Schwarzkopf coasters. As for the layout: Very nice, but re-think the second half a bit: I've attached a 'these points here' below for what's good, bad or ugly. I'll go in the order in which your coaster would operate- so you'll get an idea of what's potentially a problem, or doesn't fit to Schwarzkopfian design theory... (Mind you, the graininess of the photo doesn't show banking, etc. so I'll assume that is already done and correct!) 1.) Swoop dive off of the lift- very nice, and fits to the two other HeartlineLooping coasters built, but let's make a modification to this element: Raise the lift up by one more unit of height, and put a 'downslope shallow' one extra unit before heading into the swoop curve. Your velocity will improve, and you'll get better performance into the first drop. 2.) One of the keys to any Schwarzkopf design is keeping it fluid- that's the hallmark. Rises out of drops, no matter what they are, need to be smooth in and smooth out: The 'double kink' rise up should be rethought: With the Giga track, what I normally reccommend, especially if you're turning at the top is this: Use the 'wide' radius into steep climb, then use the narrow radius into the turn. You'll get rid of the kink, and have a smoother transition from the first drop. 3.) When dealing with a 'transiton track, such as this one, make sure it's got some 'oomph' to it. Since you have a long enough area here, I'd make it a true dip down, then rise up before heading into the loop- nothing TOO steep or too long, mind you, but something that will add some 'wheee' to the transition there. 4.) No flat spots before or after the loops, please. This goes for the second inversion as well. Although it appears that Schwarzkopf coasters have flat track entering/exiting the loops, it's actually a very shallow rise/fall into and out of them. For the sake of the game, however, I'd omit them- it's better visually. 5.) Steep drops into an element: This is for historical- and structural- accuracy here: You probably want to re-think this element entirely. Although He created the first deep swoop dives, during the era of the Heartlinelooping, the innovation hadn't reached that far. The track structure wouldn't allow for it, as at the time (1976-1978) we were still doing very basic stuff with coasters. Instead, I'd do this: Off the MCBR, the train does a shallow drop-curve to the left. At the bottom of the drop, the train does a high-banked helix to the RIGHT, before diving down into the second loop. This brings us to... 6.) Re-think the orientation of the elements here; You have a left turn banked helix into a loop into a left turn banked helix. Reverse the direction of the helix, and you've got a winner there. The layout is quite good, and reminds me of a cross-breed of Revolution (LoopingRacer Mk 1a) and Mindbender (SFOG; HeartlineLooping Mk 2a). You've got the right feel, but with a bit of bending, you'll have a great Schwarzkopf in your park. R.D.

OUTSTANDING! IMPRESSIVE! MORE! MORE! MORE! YES! WOOHOO! (I think I just ruined two towels, too....) Great photos of Anton's finest doing what it does best: Making me sweat, breathe hard, and generally doing things to me that no one else can... R.D. "Certified Schwarzkopf 'enthusiast'"

Greetings Games Forum: I'd like to say first that all the posting is great- we're adding more tracks, more topics, more people to the forum, and that's GREAT. BUT: I'm seeing a -ton and a half- of Double and Triple posts.There are basic grammar rules that have gone out the window, and there are serious spelling and format issues with posts. This isn't acceptable at all. It's against our Terms of Service, and the general rules of the Forums- not just ours here, but ALL the forums. In short: Read this- every word of it: The Games Forum POSTING RULES. I don't want to stifle the postings at all: But let's follow some simple, easy to do rules, and you'll keep your moderators HAPPY: 1.) NO DOUBLE and TRIPLE POSTINGS- EVER. You must wait a MINIMUM of 24 hours between posts. No exceptions. If you have an update to your thread, EDIT YOUR LAST POST and add it on. That's what the 'Edit my Post' button is for. Use it, please. 2.) SPELL CHECK YOUR POSTS! I don't like playing English Teacher. I'm sure the other MODs don't either. It's not that difficult to know to read your post, and check for CAPITALIZATION, PUNCTUATION, GRAMMAR and SPELLING. Do so. You will make your life easier- and avoid either a suspension or a ban. 3.) NO ONE WORD/TWO WORD/THREE WORD POSTS. This should be relatively easy: Don't do it. If you are simply trying to boost up the number of posts, you're doing nothing but asking for a suspension- or a ban. If you like somebody's post: Comment on it. Tell them what you think of it. Describe what you like about it. Using a smiley or related and then hitting 'post' is NOT acceptable. 4.) Learn the different meaning of LOSE and LOOSE as well as TO, TOO and TWO. I see this mistake EVERY DAY. LOSE: I've lost something, or you need to lose that ride in the middle of the coaster. LOOSE: There are marbles running LOOSE across the floor. TO: I'm going TO the park. TOO: I TOO wish to go with you to the park. TWO: There will be TWO of us at the park. 5.) Learn how to use an APOSTROPHE. This one is also easy. Unless the word you're using is abbreviated (As in: YOU'RE) or in posssion (As in: The ride's COLORS) don't use it. You don't need to. 6.) PROLLY: This is NOT a word. Stop using it. It PROBABLY (And more likely) will lead to a suspension or a ban. I'm serious folks: These mistakes are not acceptable, and will not be tolerated. And in addition: As of late there have been an explosion of "XXXXX's Work Threads" in the forums. Let me remind everybody of this: A work thread is not a way to get around the 'one pic' rule for posting. Nor are they places to simply put up your latest project without explanations. Effective immediately, all work threads are subject to the exact same rules as any other thread for a park you're building. You must have enough stuff to show off in the thread before opening it (A minimum of six photos or more, please) plus some form of description with each. Opening up a thread and posting 'stuff I'm working on' isn't going to fly anymore. If you think you're going to start a park, and don't have enough shots to open up a thread, use "The Preview Thread" for two pics, and then when you have enough to start a thread, open one. Those are in the rules as posted- the ones you should have read when you joined the forums- and are unbending. You can read the rules of the forum HERE. If your workthread does not meet up with the guidelines posted for threads, you may lose it- or face a seven day suspension from TPR. Your threads need to meet the quality of every other thread on the boards- no exceptions. R.D. Games Forum Management Team

I say go see a travel agent. I know liberty travel does some form of pricebeat deal so what you do is find a price online print it ourout or take a picture then ring or go see them and tell them you have found xx price and they are legally obliged to beat it by xx amount. Its a great way to make sure you don't get ripped off but get the service of someone else doing it all for you. Actually- that's illegal. Don't do it. Copying down/farecaptures to things like that are under several different transport covenants (Including ARC, the group that collects fare revenues for all but TWO airlines in the USA). If an airline finds out you have done that, they do not have t honor your booking- whether paid or not. (ARC/IATA Fare code rules, 2008-present). Online fares are handled under a different system than are Travel Agents/Consolidators prices. Liberty Travel cannot -LEGALLY- match your online price- they aren't allowed to do it. They will match any price that is offered WITHIN the framework of ticketing, but you won't necessarily be on either the same airline- or for that matter, same date and time. To have them match the -exact- same fare you have on the same airline/date/time is called fare manipulation, which Liberty Travel will not do. You will, most likely, end up with another airline, which may or may not result in you paying less, or even at the times and places you want to be. IN the end, depending on what city you are looking for, there are three steps you should think of: 1.) Is my city served by Southwest/Airtran, Jetblue or Virgin America? 2.) Is my city served by Allegiant Air/Spirit Air? 3.) Is my city a place where I will have to change planes from first? It also helps to know your nearest LCC/ULCC: Low Cost City/Ultralow Cost City- and look how to get around from there. An example of this: If you live in, say, Colorado Springs, you have Allegiant Air, nonstop to Los Angeles, four days a week. If you live in, say, Pasco WA, you have Allegiant Air nonstop to LA 3 days a week. The key is to look at your DEPARTURE airport, and go from there. Knowing who is operating out of your airport will save you quite a bit of time, and quite a bit more money than going to a Travel Agent. (IN the case of airline tickets, you're better off doing it yourself- Almost all travel agents charge fees for booking tickets- usually around 25.00 each way. For more complicated travel, USE a Travel Agent.) OK: So for everybody out there: How do I get to LA cheaply? FROM BOS (Boston Logan) ORD (Chicago O'Hare), SFO (San Francisco), SEA (Seattle Tacoma), Washington Dulles (IAD), New York/Kennedy (JFK), Orlando (MCO) or Ft. Lauderdale (FLL): Virgin America has NONSTOPS from here or if you live near Chicago Midway (MDW), Denver (DEN), Phoenix, (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS), Albuquerque (ABQ), El Paso (ELP), Houston Hobby (HOU), San Antonio, (SAT), Austin (AUS), Baltmore (BWI), Southwest Airlines is nonstop from these cities If you live beyond these cities, you may find some nonstop flights on Allegiant Air: Allegiant Air serves many smaller cities in the west/midwest. If you're flexible, and can fly from Chicago O'hare (ORD), Detroit (DTW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW): Spirit Air is your best bet: But beware of the fees. And sometimes you can find better sale fares on the 'Mainline' airline such as Continental/United or Delta AIr Lines. If you use a site such as Kayak, Travelocity, Priceline or Orbitz, know this: Often, you will find the -exact- same fare at the airline's website, and in some cases it could be up to 25.00 CHEAPER there. It depends on the airline and it's relationship to the site in question. See? You now have all the basic skills to negotiate your travel experience to WCB (or anywhere else) easily, quickly, and without the headaches. R.D. "I've been in this business now for 15 years now" Sussmann

^ EPIC WIN! I, too got gifts from Hannukah Harry's this year- but a short list: Under the "Airline Geeks and entrepneur's category": Sir Richard Bransons' latest book "Screw your way to innovation" Sir Richard Bransons' previous book "business Stripped Bare" Under the "Elissa friendly" category: Coca Cola sleepwear and a t-shirt (I could have used THAT in Atlanta!) as well as THREE new Ikea Ratta (Black, Grey and White Under the "Disney Geeks will be green with envy category: E-Ticket Magazines' first CDROM featuring the early issues, plus a copy of the "Disneyland's Mine Train" issue (YES! My BF KNOWS what I like!) Under the "I went to culinary school, and all I got was this lousy Coffee Filter hat" Category: A new Shun cleaver (Be afraid, be very afraid!) A copy of the new Deen Brothers' cookbook and... A three rib (Low-number count) prime rib of beef, which will soon begin the long, slow journey into tastyland. R.D. Under the

Chuck's right: The in-park Monorail was part of the HersheyPark 1971 renovations, and was used to transport park patrons over to the Hershey Tour at the Factory. Once the factory was 'Wonka-ized' and sealed off, the Monorail went dormant as a people-mover, but is a great way to get off ones' feet for a while- and will give you some great shots of the rides in the park.