bert425

check out the TPR Park Index at the top left of the page. under the "Park Guide" section, there is some good advice: http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/park.php?pageid=198

we're there in less than a week! just got off the phone with Hershey Lodge confirming everything (there was an odd thing on our itinerary, so I called to make sure all was good). found out that by staying on Hershey Property, we get a 3 1/2 preview night (instead of the standard 2 1/2, and we get in an hour early the next day. . tho he wasn't clear if it's an hour early, or simply early access to certain rides). still. . score! I've been obsessing over my waistline, and looking at the HersheyPark rides isn't helping. . LOL. . they all say "guests of certain sizes" might not be allowed to ride. but really. . it's a park built on CHOCOLATE. . I hope they have nice large seats on everything. hehe.

Hope they are successful. . . but as you know (if you watch the local news), they are getting a TON of grief over building this, and then raising the red flags that Pflugerville is facing water shortages. they are absolutely getting raked over the coals for the City approving this park, during a drought . . and then to advise that there are upcoming water shortages?.. they need some better PR people representing the park. I'm in Cedar Park. . so not too far up the road from ya. . and I can say that folks around here are saying they will not go to Pfluger for Hawaiian Falls. . .but people threaten boycott all the time. so I DO really hope they find success. the charge for parking is . . "odd". . .

well, I guess you could consider Vegas a "theme park" we have no issue paying gourmet prices for gourmet food. . but this was comfort food (which is why I mentioned it in Jason's "Roadfood" thread). next time he's in Vegas, he should check it out. but yeah, if my first thought was how expensive it was, instead of "the food was really good"?. . .it was priced too high. but the food WAS good!

I know how you feel. I'm one of the few of my friends from #'s in Houston who is still alive (and that's mainly because I went to the club, got drunk and danced till they threw us out -- so I never hooked up with anyone from the scene, or was into anonymous scenes (lemme tell you, when you live ACROSS THE STREET from a "bookstore" -- which I did, "Studz News" -- you don't want your neighbors seeing you go in there. . so you tend to avoid them). anyways. . . (((HUGS)))

we tried various beers (all were good), and I think they averaged ~$9 each for the giant glass. as for the food, I'll take my best guess as to what we had, like I said, it was ALL really good: I had (I think) Sauerbraten – This is probably the most popular German Dish! Marinated “Pot Roast Bavarian Style” with Red Wine, Vegetable Strips, Potato Dumpling and Red Cabbage. Nick (my partner) had: Schweinebraten- This is one Bavarian cannot live without! Famous “Munich Pork Roast” with vegetable Garnish, Dark Beer Sauce, Potato and Breaded Dumpling the friends we were with had: Münchner Weisswürste – From the Bavarian Sausage Heaven! Two of Munich’s famous white sausages (Veal and Pork) traditionaly Poached or Grilled with freshly baked original Pretzel and Sweet Mustard imported from Munich. Gebackenes Fisch Filet – This is the way Bavarians love fish! Three Tilapia Filets breaded and pan fried golden brown served with tartar sauce, lemon and homemade potato salad. and we shared a few of the "snacks plates" Obazter Classic Bavarian Appetizer – A Bavarian Cheese Specialty you will love! Brie prepared with cream cheese, butter Onions, delicately seasoned and served with a freshly baked Pretzel. Hofbräuhaus Brotzeitteller – Cold Cut Platter with Pork Roast, Black Forest Smoked ham, sliced Sausage, cheese, Pickled Gherkin, Onion Mustard, Rye Bread and butter. we also had something with pickled sweet onions. . .but I don't see it on the menu, so maybe it was the special of the day? as for cost. . . I really don't recall exactly, but I *think* the mains were in the $19-$25 each range, and the snack plates were ~$15? it was all really good, but we all commented that it was not a lot of food for the cost, and as it's all really "comfort food" the gourmet prices were steep. . . .still. . we had a grand time. And they have a great gift shop in the front. (and it was right across the street from KISS mini golf. . so we got to do that first)

last time we were there, my German friends dragged us to a Brew Haus that was catty-corner to Hard Rock Hotel (and across the street from KISS Mini-Golf). http://www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com/ (called the Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas) the food was very good, but super, SUPER expensive. (but the beer helped).

you're welcome

we're there in just about a week LOVE the pics, I'm only worried now that my fat butt wont fit in the classic coasters. . . .but I'll squeeze as much as I can. (I mean, I'm heavy, but not Obese. .. wearing a size 42 pant, and a 2X shirt at the moment

well. . they killed the touring all star version of Jesus Christ Superstar (with JC Cases, and John Lydon). I really wanted to see it, but am glad I didn't by my tickets yet. http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/05/30/jesus-christ-superstar-arena-tour-canceled/

here's my take on "Malecifent" that I reviewed for another site that I post at (Comic Book Resources): We saw it today, and I totally understand the "meh" reviews it's been getting. it LOOKS absolutely amazing, and just for that I'd recommend seeing it in theaters (unless you have a very large TV). also Angelina Jolie is perfectly cast. . and she's having an absolute blast (you can absolutely tell). The casting of the 3 fairies is well done too, with some cute slapstick. other parts didn't fare so well: Sharlto Copley was given bad direction (I have to blame it on the director, as I know he's a great actor), playing the main antagonist, the King, so crazy that why in the world would ANY of the villagers follow his directions. No one tries to talk some sense into him? It doesn't work, at all. Sam Riley -- as the iconic Raven -- is TERRIBLY miscast. You're supposed to feel something for him, but the actor does absolutely nothing with the part (an example, when he's turned into a dog, and he complains that dogs are dirty and he prefers his bird form. . . you can tell that it was written as "funny". . . nope. . falls completely flat, because you feel nothing for the part). Elle Fanning is almost completely wasted. . she just brings nothing to the film that any other actress could have done. of course, the biggest problem with the film is the writing. It absolutely needed another pass. It really is almost there, it comes awful close in places. . but then it just drags. Really, the film is only an hour and 40 minutes, but boy does it feel like a 3 hour film. . . and that's not good. the big issue is that you can tell where the writers started with. They had an idea, thought it was clever, and wrote backwards to make it come to that ending. and it's SUCH a change to the "Sleeping Beauty" story, that it pulls you right out of the film. I'm sure they could have gotten it to work, with another script polish, but as it is?. . . nope. . . had us LAUGHING at the idea that you can see coming from a good 20 minutes away. feh. . .just doesn't work for me. . but then again, maybe I just don't "understand" that feeling that is key to this retelling. and I don't know why they would call Princess Aurora "Sleeping Beauty" anyways, as she just seems to take a nice nap (certainly less than 12 hours). oh well. . it LOOKS pretty, and I recommend seeing it in the theater.

Congrats. and you know what? you WILL feel better. Once you aren't hiding things?. . . *everything* gets better

can't possibly just pick 1 (I like Rock, Metal, Industrial, Alternative, Electronic. . pretty much everything except Pop, and most Country (tho I do like Reba, Dixie Chicks, and Dolly Parton) so I'll list 5 albums (in no particular order) that I can listen to over and over and over (Desert Island Discs, if you will) KISS: "Destroyer" -- an absolute masterpiece and the high-point of their career. Every song is great. Fleetwood Mac: "Rumors" - again, a masterpiece. Every single song is brilliant, and most were hits. the Beatles: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" -- WHAT a track list (tho I also love "Magical Mystery tour") the Who: "Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy" -- a compilation album, but . . just look at this track list: "I Can't Explain" "The Kids Are Alright" "Happy Jack" "I Can See for Miles" "Pictures of Lily" "My Generation" "The Seeker" "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" "Pinball Wizard" "A Legal Matter" "Boris the Spider" "Magic Bus" "Substitute" "I'm a Boy" Simple Minds: "Once Upon a Time" -- not as strong as the prior album ("Sparkle in the Rain") but an album I bought based on a whim, and listened until the tape broke (seriously), I then replaced it eventually bought a vinyl and CD version. LOVE this particular album.

was just there for 5 days (for C2E2), and didn't go to even one gay bar (or into Boystown for that matter). but LOVED the Art Institute, the Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, the Willis Tower, the 360 Observatory, and thought the Shedd Aquarium was just "ok" -- yeah. . I bought a CityPass. . best purchase I've ever made on a vacation. Also hit "the bean" and the Chicago Cultural Center, and wandered about downtown in the loop on Sunday Afternoon (Ferris Beuler sculpture!). want to go back, as I missed a ton of things I still want to do, and it was too rainy to hit the Navy Pier.

We hang out in one in Atlanta (called "Woof's") every year when we go for Dragon*con (a big sci-fi, fantasy, pop-culture convention). so yeah, there are Gay Sports bars around

I wonder why they don't do concentric loops, instead of just one big one? kinda like a death spiral

disappointed by a lot of the reaction I'm seeing online. but THIS has helped me out today (this quote, and the fact that my very good friends got legally married today in Little Rock, Ak. They NEVER thought it would happen, and are disappointed folks couldn't be there with them, but I'm driving down for a hell of a reception soon. With the ruling being appealed, they rushed to get it done,and succeeded (#74 out of 167 couples today)).

we love Las Vegas and go there at least once every couple of years. otherwise, we have no specific place, tho we DO always try to hit up Aquariums wherever we go. . . love me some Aquariums

it was worth the $94 bucks for "CP admission" (basically fast pass) at: Shedd Aquarium (I bypassed an HOURS plus line that wrapped down the stairs and around the building. . seriously). it was also a great deal at the Art Institute of Chicago (again, bypassed at least an hour line). . but I think it's either Museum of Science and Industry (well worth it) OR Hancock (now called 360) Observatory. . but there's a coupon to do the other choice for 1/2 price (so we did the Museum on Science on the cheap on Monday) it's good for 9 days from 1st coupon use, and here are the attractions it gets you into: (with upgrades included, such as audio tour, 3D/4D/IMAX films at the museums, Virtual Ride, and upcharge attractions at each place all included). Shedd Aquarium VIP Entry Skydeck Chicago Fast Pass The Field Museum All-Access Pass Museum of Science and Industry or 360 CHICAGO Adler Planetarium or Art Institute of Chicago seriously, can NOT recommend it enough. . . it's worth the $94 even if you only do the two tall buildings and the Art Institute (tho the Field Museum is an amazing History museum as well, and I spent a good 5 hours there)

it's included in the CityPass book (took us about 5 minutes at the Willis Tower (despite two hour plus wait), and got us right into Hancock Observatory, although, as you note, there wasn't much of a line. . so the CityPass didn't really save any time here). but yeah. . if you are doing several attractions in Chicago, CityPass is way to go.

nope. we were JUST there (C2E2 not even two weeks ago). and it wasn't open yet. . but HELL no. NOT even for $5 (which is why thy priced it so cheap, to entice people to try it). tho I did do the Skydeck at the top of the Sears (Willis) Tower (higher at 103 floors up):

It does look rather smooth. . but I'm one of those folks who just don't "get" skyloops. They just don't do anything for me. . . heck, I'd rather just ride a SooperLoops. but it looks smooth.

cool to see the pics, and the wheel in action. so the "Cromwell" appears to be what used to be "Bill's Gamblin Hall" I guess it's still owned by Harrah's/Ceasar's entertainment? hehe . although the "editor" in me, simply MUST point out that the Strip is not "Downtown" So the Cromwell is actually a new Casino on the Strip. Downtown is Freemont Street -- hope you got to go there to check it out, the lightshow is amazing.

Why did the Chicken cross the track? to escape the pain of a Chinese Knock off Wild Mouse! all I can add is. . . OUCH!

we've never had trouble at either DL or WDW just walking in without a reservation (even at places like Blue Bayou, or Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom) - the only time we even had a wait, was once at Sci-Fi Diner, and we waited about 20 minutes. we don't like to make reservations, because we tend to just eat when hungry. but it always seems to work in our favor that it's just the two of us, and it seems it's easy to find a table for Two, when most of those waiting to be seated are families or groups larger than 2