bert425

So I guess this means Barry Manilow is officially out? http://www.people.com/article/barry-manilow-marries-garry-kief

the trade off is a much cheaper hotel on I-95 instead of the more expensive Washington hotel. that's the only reason the decision hasn't been made yet. Even if exhausted after full day at park, Washington is only an hour away, so shouldn't be too bad if we decide to drive it. I expect plane/car rental to book this weekend, and then we'll start locking in hotels. I'm just glad I realized that Williamsburg is less than 3 hours from DC. . that made it possible to do round trip from same airport, as well as rent/return car to same place. That SHOULD save a ton of money. even if making a full day of travel (airport, flight, rental, then drive 2 1/2 hours)

so are we. . and meant to be!. . it opens on my Bday. tho we won't be there until mid June

thanks for the reinforcement . in digging, I think we might fly into Reagan instead of Dulles. the gotta-get-away fares on Southwest for Regan are more than $100 cheaper than going thru Dulles! (so we can get round trip for each of us for less than $430 each!)

ok, starting the serious planning this weekend (since we're just about 2 months out). what we are ending with (at least according to my tentative plans) is: day1) Fly into Washington, DC (Dulles), and rent a car, and then drive to Williamsburg (2 1/2 hours per Google, so not too bad). (check into Hotel) day2) Busch Gardens (stay in same hotel) day3) Busch Gardens (stay in same hotel) day4) Colonial Williamsburg (stay in same hotel) day5) check out of Hotel and drive towards Washington DC, stopping at King's Dominion for the day (undecided if grab a hotel after, or just go into Washington after and check into hotel there) day6) Washington DC (Smithsonian/mall) check into hotel if not done night before day7) Washington DC (Smithsonian/mall) (same hotel) day8) Washington DC (zoo? Smithsonian?) (same hotel) day9) check out of hotel, return rental car, and fly home. so we end up with 9 day trip (8 nights in hotel, 4 in Williamsburg, 3-4 in DC). is that enough time to hit what we want to do? (I'm thinking 3 days in DC SHOULD be enough). getting excited now

no worries. yeah, I'm pretty much who I am online, in real life. I know that's somewhat of a rarity online . .but it's true. (and I do have some opinions that don't agree with the Liberal/Democratic slant.. i just happen to agree with most of it).

that's a good suggestion, and a reasonable compromise

and the go-fund me page raised almost 1 Million Dollars in less than a week. don't be fooled, there are TONS of bigots out there (many of whom can't afford $10 or $20 to throw away, and still gave to this pizza place in the name of 'religion'). I feel terrible to pull out the "age" card, so apologies, but really, you're young and idealistic (and that's wonderful). but yes, my not spending money in IN will affect the State. Elections have Consequences, and so do Bills/Laws. . .what do you think got them to dial back on the IN law? Pressure of losing tourism dollars (many of whom have now said the fix was not enough). the power of the pocketbook works as a way of Social disobedience.

I've already provided an answer as to what I'll do when the Religious Conservatives push a similar law thru Texas. and no where did I say anyone should move out of Indiana -- only that I won't be spending money there. so please don't put (false) words in my mouth. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to put words in my mouth, but what I'm saying is that you're willing to let all of these families in Indiana suffer economically that have nothing to do with passing this law (which appears to be 90% of hoosiers... not a small minority) Their only "crime", if you will, is living in the state of Indiana. Why is it fair for people to potentially slip into poverty because of something they didn't support is happening? In order to escape the fury of the rest of the country, people would be forced to move eventually. Are you willing to be in the same position when your state passes the law? I'm not saying you asked people to move - I'm saying that it's a very possible implication of what you're calling for, and I want to know if you're willing to face the same consequences if it happens to you? The only significant harm I see going on here (now that the law has largely been negated) is to the people in Indiana who have nothing to do with supporting this. But if your position is that they just have to deal with it, I guess I understand that, so long as you're willing to put up with the same scenario in Texas. The people in Indiana voted for these Politicians who are pushing the agenda. They bear responsibility. Those that DIDN'T vote, wasted a chance to counteract these politicians and bear responsibility. (same is true of Texas, I didn't vote for any of these idiots in Congress here, but at least I voted. . it wasn't enough. However, I live here, and therefore must suffer the consequences of doing so until the State leaders catch up with human decency -- seriously, the Lt. Governor (arguably the MOST powerful person in Texas Government) is a super-religious zealot-nutbag, who looks to the Bible for guidance instead of the Constitution. And whom you'd be hard pressed to find ANYONE who isn't "afraid" of what he might do (his name is Dan Patrick). . .and yet? he won in the last election easily) and it goes back to what you asked earlier.. you are attempting to tell me I'm a hypocrite without using those words. (and yeah, it's a bit offensive, but whatever). no, I'm not a hypocrite, I stand behind my words, and walk the talk. . if and when Texas passes similar, no disposable income will be spent in my Home State (no movies, Live Theatre, Theme Parks, etc.. are gonna be spent in Texas).

I've already provided an answer as to what I'll do when the Religious Conservatives push a similar law thru Texas. and no where did I say anyone should move out of Indiana -- only that I won't be spending money there. so please don't put (false) words in my mouth.

How far would you go with this? I don't mean to use a slippery slope argument, but really... I think it's a question we need to answer, as "bystanders don't matter" has been used to do horrible things in history. Believe me, I know that boycotting is powerful, but that's exactly why I think a more effective response would just be to mercilessly boycott any business that actually discriminates or publicly supports discrimination. It appears that most people in Indiana have a huge problem with this law, and it's probably safe to assume that it will get overturned as soon as people can be voted out, if not in the next few weeks/months. I totally respect your choice to not go to Indiana, especially if you feel unsafe there, but I'm really not sure the situation requires that. I don't feel "unsafe" there at all, but I won't give money to a State that gives an "ok" legally to discriminate against me. I absolutely disagree with what you call "bystanders don't matter" as that's not at all what a boycott is. think of it this way (a famous quote from Martin Niemoller, a Protestant pastor, and critic of Hitler who spent 7 years in a Concentration camp): "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." and yes, I go to this as a Jew, it's the first thing that comes to mind -- in other words, there ARE no "innocent bystanders" -- discrimination affects all even if you think it doesn't. When Texas passes a similar law -- which the morons are rushing thru now, I'll stop spending money here as well (only on essentials, but will be vacationing and traveling out of State, despite Fiesta, SeaWorld, Schitterbahn, SFoT and many other great parks here). When Texas pushes this thru? My disposable income will be spent elsewhere.

the only way to get change is to make a stand. if that means that the "good" folks in the State have to suffer economically so that change happens? I feel bad for them, but so be it. I thought they had adjusted the law, but I've since been informed that discrimination can still happen in any city WITHOUT explicit LGBT anti-discrimination laws in place. So basically, he signed something that still doesn't fix the problem. and so we won't be going to Indiana anytime soon.

I HATE quitters.

Congrats on that, make sure that works it's way on to your resume'! SFFT has certainly turned into one of he more underrated parks, no? Between Superman and Iron Rattler and Batman, the coasters are great....and the park itself has always been fantastic. Looking great! you're leaving off Poltergeist and Goliath. . both definitely worth a ride when in the park. (the only two that are OK to skip are the Boomerang and Pandemonium (horrible long loading times on that anyways)). I really wish they hadn't pulled out Wagon Wheel and Chaos. . no good spinning flats now

it has not been yet. They are trying to agree on language, since Economic impact to IN is mounting. as has been pointed out, TPR isn't a political website, and tho I DO think this discussion is important, as it affects businesses in Indiana, I guess we should try to keep it focused on the parks but I really do hope they manage to put some fix in place, and quickly. As we'd love to visit Holiday World.

It's on my bucket list of parks, but we won't be visiting anytime soon (as long as that law as stands is on the books in IN). but I really do appreciate their blog posts, and it's a shame that good people are caught in the crossfire. Thunderbird does, indeed, look amazing.

you are incorrect Jodon. here is a link to an accurate comparison that blows the conservative Washington Post's lies (that has everyone repeating them) out of the water. please give it a read? the other 19 States do *not* have the "same" law. There are KEY differences and that's why the boycotts and protests have happened. https://inadvancesheet.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/the-indiana-religious-freedom-restoration-act-an-analysis-of-its-controversy/

too bad it really makes no difference until IN repeals or writes protections into the law. the only way to make change happen is financially, and that means spending NO money in the State, regardless of those that are for equal rights, and against discrimination. but I do really salute them. Good for Holiday World.

Since you said earlier that Glenn dies in the comics ......... yeah. . but there are a bunch of characters dead in the comics who are still alive on the TV show (no spoilers unless you want them . but i do wonder if he was bitten and that will be a reveal early in the new season?

Happy Birthday! hope you had a wonderful day

I'm wondering if Glenn was bitten? that was an awful lot of walkers around/on him, and he had been shot and beaten up.

We try to do Southwest if at all possible. Free baggage, and as long as you check in 24 hours in advance, no problem getting the seat you want.

don't discount the serious addictiveness of "Fascination" too. we did a day & 1/2 there last June, and at least 3 hours disappeared into a Fascination hole! (and yes, I did bring home the prizes we won, and one of them -- a geode nightlight -- is on display in the living room) as to Cosmotron, despite the signs saying it's a 1 ticket to observe, we were invited to stand inside and watch. . .it's LOUD and bright in there

Hahaha well I guess that's out of the question then. Knoebels should update their website in that case! I've added the chairlift, bumper cars, Flyers, Paratrooper, Whipper, Looper, and Downdraft to my to-do list! Thanks for all the info! don't miss the museums too. there's a very cool Mining Museum next to Black Diamond (and in the back of that is a small, but interesting, museum on the history of Knoebels). also near Black Diamond (behind it, actually) is the Eagle sanctuary, and if you time it correctly, they do shows that teach you about them. the other great museum is near Flying Turns, and that's the Carousel Museum. . i love old carousel horses/animals, and this one has some great rare ones to look at. they offer a nice break from the park, if it's crowded. Knoebel's is odd. . it seems like a travelling carnival once you enter it, but once you cross the bridges and you see Flying Turns/Phoenix/Twister/Flume. . it really gets magical. don't miss the Cheese on a stick in kiddie-land (amazing). . and we loved the Ice Cream sundae's from the Old Mill too.

agreed. . Whipper here is fantastic. and we LOVED the chairlift.