bert425

^ yeah. . that's what happened to our Carowinds trip too at least 2021 will be epic for traveling hitting parks!

Disney just announced big changes to Splash Mountain at both USA parks: The log flume ride — which is based on the controversial 1946 film "Song of the South" — isn't going anywhere. Instead, it will be rethemed to star the characters from the 2009 animated film, "The Princess and the Frog," which features Disney's first Black princess. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/media/splash-mountain-disney/index.html

Disney just announced big changes to Splash Mountain at both USA parks: The log flume ride — which is based on the controversial 1946 film "Song of the South" — isn't going anywhere. Instead, it will be rethemed to star the characters from the 2009 animated film, "The Princess and the Frog," which features Disney's first Black princess. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/media/splash-mountain-disney/index.html

oh. .any film other than the Batman ones (which, sorry, were dreadful)? he was a brilliant director. he also did "St Elmo's Fire" and "the Lost Boys". . both of which were also awesome, tho "the Lost Boys" being a genre film, I liked best of his films

^ oh. . and Goliath (Batman clone at the front), Superman Krypton Coaster (B&M Floorless), and Pandemonium (Gerstlaur spinner) are all people eaters. . so even long lines move really fast for those. Batman (S&S freespin) rarely has a line (people are scared of it for some reason), and on the other end of the spectrum, Boomerang (Vekoma) ALWAYS has a line - I think that's the location tho: it's the first major ride if you walk into the park and go straight ahead to the main plaza. So many folks go to it. Hint: take a left immediately past the main gates, and Goliath is right there. .it's amazing how many people walk right by it not realizing that's the entrance. Roadrunner Express will sometimes pull long lines during HitP, because so many families with kids.. I don't know if that has Flash Pass tho. . think they may have removed that line a while back. It's a custom Arrow Minetrain that's worth a ride.

^ usually most everything is open except for: the Bumper Cars (it gets used as "skating" rink). the Gully Washer (whitewater rafts) Bug's WhiteWater Rapids (log flume) some years seems to operate, and some years doesnt. . so not really sure on that one. and the Whitewater Bay (waterpark "land") will be closed for the season Most everything else should be operating I'd expect. the Train morphs into the Holiday express, so it wont' stop 1/2 way, and instead just does a trip around the park from the Crack Axle station. as to Flash Pass? I never buy it, but it's my home park, so I just ride things another time, if a line is too long. that said? you'll need it for: Wonder Woman (terrible capacity, especially if they are still only filling every other seat), Iron Rattler (even if they have the 2nd train running, this one always pulls long lines), Poltergeist (Premier Launch coaster - that has really long load/dispatch times, so even a short line will take a while, and Flash Pass entrance puts you right into the station), and Joker (the new ride from last year). so if you want to get a lot of re-rides? I'd spend the $$ on it if offered. just my 2cents.

^ I don't do Fasting per se, but as I noted I try not to eat after 8pm. And as I don't eat until lunch the next day (typically ~12:30/1pm), I guess technically it's ~a 16 hour Fasting period most days. as sometimes I DO cheat, and eat something light in the middle of the night agreed tho, it's really mind over matter - and the times I'm successful in staving off the hunger? I simply get a giant glass of water and just drink it until the urge to eat passes!

Sorry I haven't been updating the past few weeks. I *have* been weighing myself once a week still, but I got stuck on a plateau which was a little depressing, as I haven't been able to cut back on the exercise - even tho I plan to. I find I feel guilty if I don't go for a walk, and I've got to get out of that headspace, as even a "short" walk turns into an 1:20 one, since I don't feel like I've exercised enough. I even actually gained a little bit (not much, but a little) as work stress overwhelmed me and had a really bad weekend of eating a lot of stuff that I knew weren't good choices a couple of weeks back. i got back on plan almost right away tho. anyways . . so here's the latest update: 2/18: 218 lbs 2/28: 209.4 lbs 3/6: 206.4 lbs 3/11: 205.2 lbs 3/18: 201.6 lbs 3/25: 198.8 lbs 4/01: 196.2 lbs 4/08: 192.8 lbs 4/18: 189.0 lbs 4/24: 188.0 lbs 5/07: 185.0 lbs 5/15: 183.4 lbs 5/22: 180.6 lbs between 5/22-6/12, I hovered between a low of 179.6 lbs & high of 180.2 lbs. 6/19: 177.6 lbs (loss of 41 lbs total!). so in just 4 months, was able to lose almost back down to where I was at my lowest (175) and actually bypass my stretch goal. i was even able to fit back into my size 34 "Skinny" pants, I got for part of a cosplay outfit when I was at my lightest (tho I do have some Dad-Bod stuff going on. . but hey, not bad for 53!). anyways. . yay me!

^ good. i'm still not going to opening weekend. (waiting a few weeks to let them iron out policies/processes) But if SFOF (or SFFT) aren't enforcing masks, I would absolutely provide them profane feedback.

Granted I'm a huge Carousel fan, but for me, the biggest loss here (not just the Velvet Log Coaster- which I loved by the way; or the fantastic collection of Huss Flats - most all sitting on the roofs of buildings), is the Classic Carousel. this thing is not only Historic (by way of Germany, thru Coney Island, then to Japan), and really one of a kind. . but it's drop dead gorgeous. I'm hopeful that this will be saved/sold/moved somewhere to continue exisiting. and I'm so happy that I got a chance to ride it (I was the only one in the little group I was hanging with during the visit to Toshimaen that went over to the Carousel on that afternoon).. I rode it alone, but I got to ride it multiple times, on all three rotating levels. I really liked this park, and am sad it's going away. but forever grateful for Robb/Elissa for bringing us here pre-official TPR trip, so I could experience it!

Hmmm. . . . . from the pics (and technical sheet). . this looks like "Regina", doesn't it? note it says "sold" - gotta wonder if whoever bought it just wanted the Intamin trains, or if maybe it's going to be rebuilt somewhere? https://www.interlink-lg.com/used-rides/wooden-roller-coaster/

Welcome Dan! and congrats on the progress you've made thus far. What really helped me stay on track, was the weekly accountability of posting. . .so you shouldn't feel bad about posting frequent updates if you feel it helps you stay on track. Since I actually got to my stretch goal, I've gone to posting updates ~ every two weeks. Next one in a few days. hopefully I'm staying on track! but we shall see. bert ^ and nice update Tina.. glad you found a treat that you enjoy that is not too diet-busting!

great update, and how wonderful to see pics of the new distancing requirements. not bad at all, and nice that most are following the directions.

as long as Monster Mansion is open? (and Twisted Cyclone & Acrophobia & Goliath)?.. . then a trip to SFOG is worth it. I'll be in Atlanta for Labor Day weekend, weather Dragon*con happens or not - and let's be honest, there's NO WAY it's happening, even tho they keep saying at the moment, it's still planned. so I'm expecting to be in town with not much to do. . . so SFOG for the whole weekend, most likely

these updates have been fantastic, Chuck! haven't had a lot of time to be active on the messageboards too much lately (work has been kicking my butt!). . . but I try to read thru your updates as soon as I see them. they help make my day much better, and I've loved seeing the pics. thanks so much for sharing!

we won't know until the park opens back up to the public on 6/19 (well.. to Members for a few hours, before opening up more fully the next day). they have stopped advertising it, so we won't know how far along it is, until folks can actually get into the park to take a look (I don't believe it's tall enough to see from outside the park / the ridge behind IR near the shopping center).

yup. . per the email I got this morning, they are open to everyone as of 6/22 but they open for Members on 6/19, and Members/Season Pass on 6/20: • June 19 from 4-9pm to Diamond & Diamond Elite ONLY • June 20-21 from 10:30am-9pm to all Members and Pass Holders • June 22 Open to All Guests

Gov. Abbott went to Phase 3 late this afternoon. . effective immediately. This Phase also allows Texas ThemeParks & Waterparks to open at 50% capacity if they so choose. so yeah, agreed that both will be open soon.

thanks y'all! stay strong..if *I* can do it? ya'll can do it. tho fighting to keep the "cheat" days from taking over. . .LOL

Gov. Abbott just announced he was enabling Stage 3 openings . . . so that includes Amusement Parks & Waterparks at 50% capacity so I'm guessing we'll see SFOT, SFFT, Galveston Pleasure Pier, Kemah Boardwalk, ZDT's, the San Antonio Zoo, Schlitterbahn locations, and SeaWorld all likely reopening in the next few weeks. Most certainly before the end of June https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/06/03/governor-greg-abbott-announces-phase-iii-of-reopening-texas/

if that IS the case? that would kind of suck. . . will have to keep eye on it.

I'm still hoping we get an announcement of when they will reopen and what restrictions might be. we're still planning on going in late July, but we haven't purchased tix yet, as getting them from the on-site Hotel. I'm waiting for the dates, before I call the hotel to confirm there won't be any issues - you know - actually getting into the park, as we're staying "on site". not complaining, just explaining. . .LOL. . . eagerly waiting for dates to be announced!

^ dont' forget that Fiesta is a year round park. ie: the moment that October is over? the Thanksgiving / Fall decorations will go up and they will start holiday shows/festivals. (assuming those are not postponed due to 2020 impacts from Covid)

Either of those, the park will be more crowded, because the Waterpark "land" is closed, so it's not there to drain folks from the dry side of the park. keeping in mind, any "historic" info is out the window, because who knows how Covid is going to affect the crowds once it opens. *but*. . . I can tell you Fright Fest tends to draw crowds, especially in the evenings once the haunts open. So between the two? I'd go for November. either time will be much cooler, than coming over the Summer (tho as noted, the Summer has the waterpark section open, so the dry parts of the park are way less busy, tho it is MUCH hotter). hope that helps? (and I DO think the parks will be open in July for certain)

^ he was INCREDIBLY polarizing. but as I said on my FB "Love him, Hate him, or Despise him. . . he made a difference, and I'll forever be thankful that he was here." R.I.P. Larry Kramer. ACT UP! FIGHT BACK! FIGHT AIDS!