bert425

decided to break out the pics into mini trip report. .but for this thread, here are the Wonder Woman construction pics:

GAH! even tho I just ate dinner, now I'm hungry again, looking at all that spectacular food. (and so much Chip N Dale is a bonus). looks like a great Holiday festival.

Went to Fiesta Tx today for 4 hours to pick up our 2018 Season Passes (and dining), and wow did we pick an amazing day to go. light crowds, and almost everything was walk on (the longest we waited was Scooby Doo for 15 minutes). popped my cherry all over the park -- 1st RMC on Iron Rattler (walk on to back row) - AMAZING (was planning to ride it again later, but my spouse wanted to move to something he could ride too, and didn't make it back over before we decided to head back home) -- 1st Skyscreamer (again, walk on to share a seat with someone).. really, really liked it. That thing really whips around in the wind near the top, and being right alongside the canyon and seeing hawks soaring beneath you? really has me looking forward to the 400 ft one at SFoT when we go next year. -- 1st S&S Freespin. (walk on to left side, and they were only running 3 cars!). Not sure how I feel. Yeah, it was trying to kill me. It really felt that way. but man, did I laugh the whole time, ass over elbows. another ride is needed in the future to decide if I liked it or not. these were all solo's (as was Superman:Krypton Coaster (also walk on to back row), but we did ride together: Roadrunner Express (still good tho a bit rougher than I recalled), Whirlygig (the low swings that he would ride with me), Hustler, Pandemonium, Scooby Doo, and then we rode Spinsanity, which pretty much did us in. . wow, never have I been on a Tilt-a-whirl type ride that spun THAT much. we actually had to take a seat over by Fireball to rest, as it made us a bit dizzy. Nick wasn't feeling Poltergeist (from the spinning, I suspect), and I didn't wan't to ride alone on something I know he'll ride, so we saved that for next time. we made use of the dining plan to have chicken strips/waffle fries for lunch (and bonus, the place we were at still had the red 2017 tumblers, that they were selling for only $5 with free refills all day.. so considering that a single drink/water was $4.50, we bought one and shared that all day). While resting we used the "snack" option on the dining plan to get shakes from Johnny Rockets. then I took a bunch of pics of Wonder Woman construction, and we headed out (with a stop at Goliath (walk on) for me on the way out). there were a ton of folks headed INTO the park, as we were leaving, and I'm sure it was beautiful as it got darker, but we did see many of the lights on already as dusk came on. perfect day to go, and even tho there for only ~4 hours, we did pretty much the whole park (no shows) and rode everything we/I wanted to. pictures coming shortly.

as far as I recall, nothing at BGT had single rider lines. could be mistaken, but I don't recall seeing any (most of the rides were walk on when we went anyways). I DO know that Falcon's Fury did not have one. After waiting about 25 minutes for it (in a line that was probably 50 minutes long), I was chatting with a staff member, and She asked me if I was riding alone, and when I said yes, she pulled me up to the front to fill an empty single seat.. . so might be worth it to ask at front of line if they have an option for single riders? we LOVED this seafood place that was close to the park. .so I recommend this (*very* 70s old school vibe): https://www.shellsseafood.com/ (the North Tampa location is the one near BGT) have a great trip and hugs to you both!

^ haven't actually tried Spice Road Table.. the one time we've been to EPCOT since they opened it (2014?) it was so packed we couldn't get in - something that's an oddity, as since we're just 2, we never have problems getting into Disney restaurants via standby (tho always need reservations for upstairs in France, or the Steakhouse, and as noted, since I'm a huge fan of Marrakesh, we manage to pre-book that one). we'll definitely try it next time we go, it's right there in front of Morocco, and the views over the lagoon look to be amazing.

Yeah I have to agree with Elissa's statement above. This is not accurate information and most certainly not correct based on the time of year. Make sure you listen to the people who are Orlando locals! We won't steer you wrong! LOL. . yep, that's why I started off my comment pointing to you & Elissa as the ones with the better answers. Very good point on time of year. . didn't even consider that! but hey, we all agreed on Yak & Yeti in AK (what do you think of Marrakesh?. .it's my favorite dining spot at EPCOT)

EDIT: as Elissa (and Robb) on page 2 point out this is totally depending on time of year, and even then sometimes doesn't hold true. so the below has been true of our trips, but those always tend to be in June or July timeframe. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- oh, as to the Kilimanjaro safaris -- based on our experiences (and we haven't been since Pandora opened. . so factor that in, in terms of order to do things). . .but I'd go to that FIRST, and get in line. not only are the animals much more active in the morning, but most of them are actually out and about, we've found. the one time we did the safaris in the afternoon, NOTHING was out, other than a hippo in the water and the jungle trek is awesome, so don't miss it (walking trail) with Tigers, and giant fruit bats.

I can't answer most of your questions, since Robb and Elissa, as well as many others will give you better responses. but do you have Park Hopper both days? if yes, I'd say try to do dinner both nights at Epcot, the restaurants in World showcase are overall excellent (if you don't do Disney Springs for dinner. . . the stuff that TPR has shared for meal options in Disney Springs have me salivating every time I'm looking). but if you're going to be in the parks for food? Animal Kingdom: Yak and Yeti (the only sit down restaurant we do at Disney outside of Epcot (if you don't count Cinderella castle, but I'm a big ol queen, so we always have lunch there even tho the food at the castle is only so-so). EPCOT: By far my favorite restaurant is Marrakesh (in Morocco) which not only is amazing, but also has bellydancing while you eat Close 2nd is the quick serve (downstairs) restaurant in France, or the Steakhouse in Canada. we also really enjoyed the TexMex in the Pyramid of Mexico (added bonus, right near the boat ride, so if you do that, you can grab a decent margarita after. We're from Texas, and it was just as good as the Tex Mex here. hope that helps a little bit. bert

Obviously I have no experience with SFFT but the Six Flags dining passes are totally worth it. How often do you go in a season? How easy it for you to stop in for a bite and a ride or five? If you can do that more than 6-7 times a season its absolutely worth it. I have Great Adventures Premium Dining Plan and while the food is average to subpar I love not having to worry about eating when I'm there. People (@Great Adventure) complain about the lines at the locations that accept the dining pass but I never seem to have that issue, I guess I just happen to eat when everyone else isn't, I dunno. Bottom line: its Six Flags food, its not great. But after the first 2-3 visits, its free food. And if you go a lot, its a lot of free food. GreatAdv has a few places like GoFresh cafe where you can get salads and whatnot if you don't want fried crap. And the desserts are usually good imo. I am definitely renewing it for 2018. Also, I may or may not know a few people who basically feed their families using it. we're about an 1 1/2 hours from Fiesta, Tx (and about 4 hours from SFoT). so I'd expect at least 2-3 visits to Fiesta, and at least 1 weekend visit to SFoT. . so the passes were absolutely worth it. but I'm really wondering about Fiesta. .I'll likely go a few times without Nick. .. hmmm. . maybe just buy 1 dining pass). EDIT: gave in and pulled the trigger, and bought two. just too good to pass up at only $30 each for the basic plan.

hmm. . .ok, got an offer via email (claiming it's a one time offer just for me), for a basic dining pass for $29.99 so it includes the lunch and the snack (during specific times, but seem reasonable enough). the list of items seems rather decent, and they claim the basic dining pass is usually $59 is this a good deal? should we go for it? (we tend not to eat much at Fiesta, since we always stop and eat dinner on way home from San Antonio. . but since this is a lunch/snack, it might be worth it). what do y'all think?

am I mis-recalling an announcement that SFOT was going to be open year round? (was that only Magic Mountain). if SFOT announced that too.. maybe that's why everything is open?

gave in to the Cyber Monday call, and Nick and I now have Six Flags Season passes (again. . we haven't had them in years). Nick won't ride a lot of things, but he says he'll go with me, and it's a GREAT deal today -- includes rest of 2017 (+ parking), and all of 2018, upgrade to Gold (free) and 2018 parking (free) added to BOTH passes. so yeah, pulled the trigger and I'll finally get to ride Iron Rattler, and Batman at Fiesta (as well as that amazing new Wonder Woman coaster they are currently installing for next year!). wOOt

me w/ Chris Connelly (Revolting Cocks, FiniTribe, Ministry, Killing Joke, Pigface)

Absolutely AMAZING double bill last Wed night; Front Line Assembly and Revolting Cocks. (if a fan of industrial music, this was an all star show, with ex members of Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Finitribe, Front 242, and others up there on the stage. so many strobe/flashing effects, it was hard to get a good picture, even being way up front, but got some good ones: one of Front Line Assembly's popular songs: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] and Revolting Cock's likely best known cover song: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Front Line Assembly about to start Bill Leeb from Front Line Assembly (this is the band he formed after leaving Skinny Puppy, and a lot of the songs live sounded just like a Skinny Puppy live set) Leeb Leeb myself and Wendy between sets. Sold out show, and we were at the front the whole time. Paul Barker (during set up/tuning), so got a nice pic of him before RevCo started and normal lights (he's ex Ministry, as well as a TON of other related bands) RevCo about to start Richard 23 (Front 242) handled Vocals for the songs from the 1st RevCo album, "Big Sexy Land", which they performed in it's entirety). Luc Van Acker was supposed to be with RevCo, but for some reason he no-showed the Austin show. So Richard23 sang. Chris Connelly (ex Finitribe, Pigface, Ministry) came out after RevCo finished "Big SexyLand" in it's entirety, for a whole 2nd set of songs from the 2nd & 3rd albums -- which he sang lead on. Humping the stage during "Let's Get Physical" relaxing on the stage later in the set Whole gang back on stage for the cover of "Do ya think I'm sexy?". . likely RevCo's best known "hit". they had such a blast with Richard23 dry humping Chris, that his glasses flew off into the crowd after the show, Connelly was wandering around the club, but few recognized him as he changed his shirt (I know. .he had JUST been on stage, changing clothes shouldn't have thrown folks, but it did!). so got a selfie with him (with my crappy selfie camera) and a much better picture of him with Wendy.

yeah, it's been a rough year. still deep in mourning for Roxxi (but it's not even been 3 weeks). .she was my baby for almost 12 years, and I haven't been able to pick up the food dish, or her blankie/pillow by the bed -- or take the throw sheets off the couch in the Office (tho I took the one off the living room couch and moved it to the office couch too. . . they still smell of her). Donating the food/meds to the kennel almost broke me, so having to take it slow. and Mom passed back in Jan, and about to get that all riled up again, since picking my Dad up and bringing him here for Thanksgiving. We don't really want to be around him, but I know he's lonely, and want to give my Brother a break, so driving down to Houston to get him (since he can't drive long distance alone at his age). I'm sure it will turn into a few days talking about Mom, since *every* conversation with him goes right to that -- understandably. as noted somewhere in this thread, my shoulder is messed up with 1) Rotator Cuff tear, 2) arthritis, and 3) diagnosis of "Frozen Shoulder". . . so lots of pain, and I'll just have to deal with it until the shoulder "unlocks". .which typically takes 1-3 years per the Orthapedic Dr.). He doesn't want to do surgery, and he absolutely is against PT, since they will work the arm, and with the shoulder locked, they could cause way more damage to the Rotator Cuff tear. So we're doing just "pain mgmt" wish chiropractic would help for me, but Dr says no. so just doing Meds, and hot compresses. hope your back starts to do better Phil. . you've had a tough year too, tho your struggles have had happier outcomes after such trials. hugs, bert

and Mel Tillis just died today

Heh. . funny to see this come back up on the forums just went for a check up on my shoulder, and am now on super strong painkillers, so arm is still in bad shape, but at least getting a little better, and Ortho still does not want to do any surgery or PT. . . so just pain mgmt for now. at least the cortisone shot helped a lot (instead of a pain level 10 constant, I'm down to pain level 5-6, that comes and goes). I'll take it. Miss CP tho, and really wanna go back!

we're not supposed to go into the specifics, but yes, there are discounts and "bonus" offers for parks world-wide via Club TPR. joining will get you access to the Club TPR forum, where there's a list of the parks that offer specials for Club TPR. but honestly, I'd recommend joining regardless of that -- it's a great way to support what Robb and Elissa have built here, typically discounts/credit at TPR store for downloads, and you get an awesome Welcome packet (including membership cards). join us,

he was talking about being there in December, so they filmed this last year. my DVR cut off before the end, so didn't get to see the "since Anthony's Visit" bullet points. but yeah, I wouldn't expect they actually did anything.

thank you. it's been a week today. I'm not crying as much, but still have moments of deep depression and sadness. but thank you, I know it was the right call, and I know she loved us as much as we loved her.

I'm so heartbroken. I know a lot of that is because it's so fresh. .but she's the first thing I look for when I get up, and we just got back from dinner out (to try and cheer me/us up), and the first thing I did walking thru the door was to break down in tears, since she's not here to greet us all wagging tail and "woo-ing" when we came in. this is so damn brutal

thank you for the thoughts Doug. today has been rough, and I keep getting upset when I walk by the empty water dish (Nick wanted to put it away, and I just cant yet. . it's only been 1 day). at least it's not constant crying since mid afternoon. . only occasional

really enjoying the report Liam. too bad you missed "Drop Tower" at Kings Dominion.. in my opinion, it's among the best Drop ride I've been on. . the only one that beat it thus far has been Falcon's Fury at BGT. great pics!

thank you, Elissa. (and thank you also for the kind words, 'Fame) it also help that I know wherever she is now, Roxxi can see again, and chase Squirrels with joy. a friend sent me this, and I'm finding a lot of comfort in it: "I'm sorry for your loss bert, but I'm not sad. It's obvious that Roxxi was loved and knew she was loved. That is Joy. And it is good."

thank you Bill. I'm still in tears (can't stop crying) and feel like crap. it's only been 2 1/2 hours, and I can't get the guilt to stop.. I feel like I betrayed her, even tho I know we loved her dearly, and took good care of her. and she loved us too.