bert425

also note, when we were there last year, the "Fast track" on many coasters is an assigned row, midway in the coaster car. just sayin.

New countdown show (20 per hour) that premiered today (been watching all day). Although it includes all kinds of "thrills" from Base Jumping, to waterslides, and Motorcycle racing. . and Tank driving!. . .it also has a bunch of Roller Coasters in the 101 they count down. and Robb (slightly) and Elissa are all over the countdown (since they are using older footage). Heh. .for Max Speed at #50, we get to hear how cool it is when the floor disappears Really is a lot of fun, and looks like they are re-running the whole series on Tuesday morning for those who didn't notice it was on today!

that 2am ride on Dumbo? after years of reading this site. . that is the most jealous I have EVER been of y'all. I truly wish I were there. (and it looks like y'all had an amazing time)

They haven't revealed his parentage. . but widely believed that Jon's parents are Eddard Stark's Sister in Law, and Daenery's mad king ancestor. meaning that he has claims to the throne as both a Stark (Eddard took him as his bastard son), and as a Targaryen. not that he'd leave the Night's Watch.. but after the war is over with the White Walkers, would the Night's Watch be needed? King of the North. .

it seems Disney is now officially enforcing the ban on selfie sticks while on rides in the parks: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/20/travel/feat-disney-world-selfie-stick-ban/index.html in the article (in reference specially to Big Thunder Mountain): The policy was enforced after the ride had to be stopped on multiple occasions due to guests hazardously pulling out the 3-foot long stick while the ride was operating.

really? no opinion on my feeling re: Jon Snow?

Judas Priest 5/14/15 my review: The Judas Priest show was great (despite not caring much for the opening band -- Texas Hippie Coalition (seen worse, but wouldn't have minded better). It's amazing how great Halford still sounds, hitting every high note! Odd that he let the audience sing most of the refrains, as he wasn't doing it to save his voice, I guess he just wanted the fans to sing? some observations: 1) the arena (not a huge one) was only about 1/2 full (and the floor GA tix even less. . maybe a 1/3rd full, tho those at the front were really enthusiastic) 2) Halford must have slept funny or just didn't stretch before the show. . or something. . as he was doing this BIZARRE "pregnant Chicken strut" (it's the only way I can describe it) for the first 7 or so songs. He loosened up and got into it about 1/2 way thru the set, but it was so strange watching him slowly strut back and forth across the front of the stage from the two "spritz" fans on either side. by the time he rode out on the bike for "Hellbent for Leather" he was ready to rock! 3) it was COLD in there. . not sure if they keep it that cold to keep the band comfortable (since they are in head to toe leather), and as noted Halford did enjoy the misters on either side of the stage quite a bit. . . . or if it was just cold because of the smallish crowd? 4) it really was kind of like a Cher show. . Halford would pop behind a curtain towards the end of a song, and then start the next song behind the curtain -- and then strut out in a new leather outfit (LOL). Sounded great, but the costume changes were some cheezy fun. 5) the Guitar solo? it was in the middle of the 1st encore song. Don't think I've ever seen that before in a metal show. (the idiots "moshing" on the floor either . . they paid $60 to spend the whole show running in a circle beating each other instead of watching the band???) here's a fan recorded video from last year -- on the same tour, so this is the exact staging, and show we saw! [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Full Setlist: Battle Cry (Intro) Dragonaut Metal Gods Devil's Child Victim of Changes Halls of Valhalla Love Bites March of the Damned Turbo Lover Redeemer of Souls Beyond the Realms of Death Jawbreaker Breaking the Law Hell Bent for Leather Encore: The Hellion Electric Eye You've Got Another Thing Comin' Encore 2: Painkiller Living After Midnight very odd to hear Painkiller live. . (sounded great, but not a great song). . .and odder still to hear nothing from "Point of Entry" (no "headed out to the Highway" or "Hot Rockin") Good show tho

amazing photos, and looks like you had a wonderful time.

Top 10?! Don't knock it till you try it. Welcome ArizonaGuy. . this must be your first day on the internet!

pay to stay on property (Hershey Lodge we found to be very reasonable). Not only do you get free transportation to/from park (ie: no parking fees, and you park free at the Lodge), but guests on property get in THREE hours ahead on the day before your ticket, instead of two. the Restaurants and bars on property were also very good and reasonably priced.

3rd suggestion for Knoebel's. When leaving Hershey, drive North for about 2 hours for Knoebel's. . you'll only need the afternoon for Dorney anyways, and Knoebel's is worth the trip even if you just go in, ride: Phoenix, Twister, the Haunted House, and leave (tho if you have time, I'd add Black Diamond, the Flyers, Flying Turns, the Carousel, the whip, the chair lift, the bumper cars, the flume, a game or two of Fascination, and the new Coaster to that list) a point about Knoebel's - FREE parking, and FREE admission (you can pay per ride with tickets). The food is also excellent, and very reasonably priced.

I love the theming, so well done. . wish I could see a pic at night, I'll be it looks gorgeous. did they do some subtle theming as well? (as in, the ride loops 9 times for the 9-circles of Hell?) :

it's gonna be Jon Snow. SPECULATION SPOILER BELOW> > > > > > . . so both a Stark AND a Targaryan.

we have two days (Tues/Wed) planned in June, so really weren't attacking with a plan. . we were just going to wander the park and do things as we come across them. is this not a good plan? (we want to do the shows too, so the only real planning would be showtimes)

HIDDEN MICKEY!!!

I like seeing the backseat, but if only allowed one?. . please stick to front seat. Front seat is like being on the ride. . backseat is like watching it on the screen. as noted, I do enjoy both, but prefer front row!

what really sucks is that we will be there during the festival, but not on days it's open We're gonna be in BGW on a Tues/Wed. . which I'm sure will keep the crowds lighter than on a weekend. . but sucks that we'll miss the chance to try some of the food!

The only cool theme park stuff I have is mainly from the TPR Bag o' Craps that I've won in the past

you should squeeze in Kennywood too!. . well worth the trip.

Astroworld, in it's final years, had a terrible reputation as a "gang" park. . . a reputation that was sort of deserved (anytime we went, not only was the park dead, but there were always large groups of teens "roaming" the park together. and to clarify, I say "roaming" as we never saw them on rides, or in queues. .mainly just hanging out in restaurants (chat n chew in particular) and yelling at people walking by. could just be that the times we went that was the case, but the park had the gang reputation by that point.

whoops. . sorry. thanks Pennstater for republishing.

Thanks for the belated wishes guys. . appreciate it. yep, fun trip coming. as to Dali. . have you seen his works on display at the Art Institute of Chicago? (none of the REALLY famous ones, but enough of the phallic imagery (in particular the lighthouse), that I don't feel comfortable posting pics here!).

one of the most famous parts of the Riviera (the Crazy Girls statue). they actually just settled a lawsuit over it (Riviera wanted to sell it, but the show is moving to Planet Hollywood, and the statue is moving with it)

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/05/travel/riviera-hotel-casino-vegas-closes-feat/

I guess the incident on opening day was a bigger deal that I thought. just got the following email from Kennywood's General Manager: