bert425

^

for those that are complaining (or protesting) about potentially having to wear a mask in public (and I'm absolutely not saying that's been happening here) . . . I've found this meme to be the best at explaining it so everyone can understand.

^. . HA. . that's a great couple of pics

^ that's great! I totally forgot about this thread, and I have some On Ride pics from my trip to Japan with TPR back in October! (yes, I have them sprinkled thruout my TR, but can put some of them here) only focusing on Coasters, as I have TONS of pics on Carousels. .LOL official pic of Thunder Dolphin at LaQua (they take it in the station before the ride starts) pic by Joey of TPR folks on Thunder Dolphin Spinning Mouse at YokoHama Cosmoworld another Kiddie coaster at Tobu Zoo whee! Kawasemi at Tobu Zoo the Cyclone (aka: "Velvet Log" coaster) at Toshimaen a kiddie coaster at Tobu Zoo Takabisha at Fuji-Q Do-Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Flying Dinosaur USJ Hakugei at Nagashima Spaland (Front seat!) Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spaland Steel Dragon 2000 (back seat!)

I don't recall. honestly. but possibly Goliath at SFFT on the way out in Feb.

^ DDD is still the header on the park's twitter. And Fiesta is year round park too (was for a year before Over Texas started) I agree with Fame. .that's what's going on. . .the ride is still gonna open when the park does. they just aren't gonna be promoting it very much at first. just my take.

if you need me? Well, don't "A Japanese aquarium under lockdown wants people to video call its lonely eels" https://qz.com/1848528/japan-aquarium-asks-people-to-video-call-eels-under-lockdown/?fbclid=IwAR16n_MoI1ZewMa7DE9gVlkFEb0Z5_Uesn7O2guDxSau3DvYCA04zkb2iug

^ of course will keep you in the loop if things are back open. . should be around - but if things are open, we'll be at Carowinds the week before but SHOULD be back in Texas in August.

I've said before, and I'll say again. . I think for certain we're looking at parks being back open by end of Summer. likely in July, if not by Mid-June. (with restrictions for social distancing. . be it virtual queue, or using every other switch back, or something).

BILL !!! [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

thanks to Bill (Nrthwnd) with a surprise Birthday gift all the way from Vancouver!. . I now have another TDL diecast vehicle (and some music to listen to) it's awesome!

I totally want it - heads to Ebay to search. . . . and success ! on sale for ~$18 too. curious what dialogue it has. Thanks

what an absolutely fantastic report. . *THIS* is almost exactly what our perfect vacation would be - lots of touristy stuff (including FAO Schwartz), a few shows, and lots of food. Congrats on the universe giving you the perfect Bday gift, in the great seats for Phantom. I've actually never seen it - not the filmed version or the live show, tho it's on my list to eventually see one day. Not sure why I've never seen it. It just hasn't lined up thru this point yet. I have seen LSoH multiple times tho. How do they do the lottery? is it similar to the way Rent does the cheap seat lottery when that show is touring? Too bad you didn't get in, but as you note, the experience trying is a memory. as to HP&tCC - I'd TOTALLY drag my spouse to that and wed do the back to back shows. Heck, I made him sit thru "Angels in America" (a local production many years ago), and we did "Millennium Approaches" and "Perestroika" back to back. That was a good 10 1/2 hours in the theater, so he's grouse about it, but would be ok being dragged to see Harry Potter even if he's not a big fan. I don't think i've actually seen all of the films - but I have read the books multiple times, so I'd not mind any changes at all. some other random thoughts: Bantam Bagels! i'm only familiar with them from the frozen food aisle (as I don't watch Shark Tank, I had no idea they were on there). Yep, I'd be in to try fresh, rather than frozen versions. Where in NY is the storefront. Love that placement of the bus in front of the Hard Rock. Eat at Hard Rock - go to "FlashDancers" gentleman's club (a GREAT name for a strip club),then go to Mt. Sinai - full NY experience all in one picture. the only thing you did that I wouldn't do? I wouldn't go to the 9/11 memorial/Museum. I just can't handle it, as it's too upsetting. Thanks for sharing the few pics inside that you did, but even those started to get me too emotional.. so I wouldn't have gone near that part of town (last time I was in NY, my Cousin - who lives across from the Fulton St Fish Market & near Wall St, where he works - had to come meet me in the Village, as I didn't want to go near that part of Manhattan. . . too upsetting for me). So we likely would have done the Empire State Building. . . or maybe taken the ferry to get some views of Lady Liberty. Even tho I've done both many times or maybe even stop by the Vessel. . which seems pointless, but I like the design of it that I've seen on TV. thanks for sharing.

^ love that California Adventure menu sign! Is that from a specific festival? or the standard menu that was just advertising the bread bowls during regular sales? and Joey, that shelf looks great. Is that a "Vacation" collectible on the far left there? (Grizwald with John Candy's character in the coaster car)? Bill. . sorry I never saw your question. for Tomica diecast vehicles: I picked up, along with the two Haunted Mansion sets. . also the Resort Vehicles special Halloween options for 2019 Halloween (TDL bus, and TDS - kinda looks like a hearse), and a dumbo ride vehicle (blue dumbo).

so Back on Feb. 18, I finally got on the scale, trying to "shock" myself into getting back on plan after knowing I'd been eating poorly and stopped exercising. I was determined to get back into somewhat decent shape by my Birthday. well, that is tomorrow, and as of right now? I'm 30lbs lighter than I was on 2/18. of course, I'm gonna screw it up tomorrow. . but for today? I'm really proud of myself. this week's 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 (so down exactly 30lbs). which puts me only 3 lbs from my goal weight, and 8 lbs from stretch goal. from 2/29 from 4/24

Garet. . thank you for sharing. that info from the Parks above is super interesting, and was really glad to see/read it for myself. looks like some good plans, and hopefully other Countries are paying attention!

^^

that's great news! Happy for those that were mourning the loss of the park.

they look WAY more intense than they are. many folks will likely say they are boring - with the majority of the ride being gentle swinging back and forth, with only a few full inversions. I happen to really like Harley, but as I've noted in the past, only when sitting at the end of the row. (something not always possible with assigned seating, but a polite ask for end, usually gets me seated there). In the center of the row - either facing forwards or back - the majority of the ride is the rocking, as I mentioned above. but towards the end of the row? as the ride operates, you get a ton of "head choppers" and "foot chopper" action from the spinning rectangles around the main seating row. . so that really improves the ride experience. I've ridden it multiple times in a row and not gotten sick, or even feeling close to being sick. it's a gentle ride, that LOOKS extreme from the ground.

yep. .which is why I'm pretty much staying out of it. although living in Texas? I can say with certainly, that regardless what Abbott says can or can't open? Until a health expert tells me that it is low risk, or there is a way to MAKE it lower risk? we won't be attending any Six Flags, Movies, Concerts, or going Bowling (or getting tattoos). Likely not until late June at the earliest. and yes, it's going to depend on whom your social circle is, but among my friends here in Austin? We're not alone in this thinking. so yeah. . go ahead and force things open without looking at Medical advice, but they should expect not a whole lot of customers (maybe that small group holding "freedom" rallies. . but most others? nope.

Your a flog.

Fantastic update. . loving seeing all these pics.

this is ABSOLUTELY hysterical. you clearly missed some details while reading thru the report.. LOL.

Exiting Japan, sadly, and headed home. one thing I had started looking into during the trip (and especially after the Tsunami) was upgrading my general boarding seat for the flight home. I figured that the airlines might start discounting, due to seats opening up as some people had cancelled trips due to the Tsunami. that wasn't really the case, tho there did seem to be a lot of open seats. . but when I was checking in every night the costs were still pretty crazy, and the website wouldn't let me upgrade to the tier I wanted (I mean, I wasn't going to pay $1800 to upgrade to Business class, even tho I had been spoiled on the trip over by getting bumped up to the Premium + section. . . . heck, my entire flight wasn't much more than that). but I kept checking anyways.. and eventually while at Tokyo Disney, had just called to speak to a representative to try to understand why I was able to upgrade much cheaper for the 2nd half of my flight to Premium, but wasn't able to get Premium + for the main trip from Japan, even tho I could see there were open seats there. It took a long time, but eventually she figured out that my flight tickets had been "linked" in some way that wasn't allowing me to grab Premium + on the longer flight. After she separated the link, she was then able to offer to book me.. for ~$1100. Um. . I told her I really did appreciate the effort she had made, but there was simply no way that I could justify that expenditure, so I would just be happy with my original seat in General boarding (ie: steerage). she surprised me by asking me how much I WOULD be willing to pay, and I tossed out a number.. which was still a bit high, but one I could live with/justify. . and she surprised me by saying: "done. if you want it" so I grabbed the upgrade, and was able to spend my last days at Disney knowing I had been able to get something more to my liking. moral of the story? ask for something. . worst they can say is "no" and maybe? they'll work with you on to pics from bus ride to Airport, and flight home: the final morning was overcast, but dry . and the construction had started back up in earnest outside THINK this is a new Hotel they are building (and next door to our hotel on the right is a new Parking Garage)? - not a further expansion as part of TDL.. but could be wrong. little closer, with the Monorail in the pic. I don't wanna go but almost time to leave the hotel. Not before heading down to meet up with others for a nice leisurely breakfast. looking down into the lobby of the Tokyo Bay Hilton from the hallway outside the room. still in the hallway waiting to meet up - you can see the other "wing" of the hotel behind me across the open area. looking pretty perky. . had gotten to sleep in a bit today. but yes, I'm sad to be leaving. Way too quickly, it was time to head to the front drive for our bus to the airport. while waiting for our my bus, I noticed the Mickey tail-lights on the Resort buses. Our airport bus stopped at another TDR hotel before heading out to the airport, which allowed a few final pictures before we headed out of the TDR complex. I so wish I was back there. . . like. . . SOON. Headed to the highway towards the airport. Don't recall what this wheel was connected to, this was the 1st time I noticed it, as can't recall seeing it from the Monorail (then again, I always sat on the side facing into the parks). Poor Luke was exhausted. . so of course, I snapped a pic once he fell asleep In the Airport - after buying a crapton more souvenirs, I saw the last two Vending Machines I'd see in Japan. wasn't hungry at all, so didn't buy anything, but really wanted to take some final pics to give me lasting memories of the fun options. gonna miss that Pocari Sweat. . I really liked it. and before I knew it? was time to get on the plane. My upgrade ended up being a fantastic deal because even tho it was extra $$ spent? the seat next to me was empty the entire flight, giving me use of that seat's tray area so could spread out. for stuff like this of course tho I would have preferred the Japanese option of "Curried Braised Beef". . they had started at the front of the section (I was on the last of 4 rows), so they were out of it, and had to go with the Western option: Barbeque (Kinsodori) Chicken Breast w/ Squash puree. it was good tho, so really can't complain. and I was able to get green tea with it Mid flight snack. . the whole section got Turkey Cheese Croissant & Haagen Dazs it was a weird combo. .but I ate it all. a peek at the "flight menu" and for "Almost There" serving - they started from our back row, so got my choice of: Spinach Frittata (which was decent, and a much better choice than Flounder. . I couldn't imagine eating fish at that point in the flight). Long flight over, I had a plane change after a short layover. we never did go thru any real "Customs Check". they just funneled us thru a small booth area after immigration (where I was literally asked 2 questions: where was I coming in from? and did I enjoy my trip?). .and then we picked up our luggage, walked it to another belt, and put it down, and then went into the airport to get connecting flights. This pic is from the 3 hour flight, that had me seated in - not quite "Steerage" (aka: General boarding), but not "Premium +" either. . . no way was I gonna pay a few hundred more for a shortish flight. well, shortish in comparison. I had to beg to get a pair of earphones, since the ones from my flight TO Japan were packed in my luggage and not reachable - and the ones that were from the longer flight were full headphones ones, so you can't take those off the plane with you. the Stewardess gave me grief and told me she could sell me a set (for Breast Cancer research).. . . but a male Steward overheard me ask, and came by and slipped me a set, along with a cereal bar he had snagged from Premium +. . . . LOL That's why I always try to be nice to the airline staff . . tho it was hard NOT to be snarky to the bitchy stewardess who wouldn't give me a pair of earphones. I can just imagine how she would have treated me asking if I was in the General section. . sheesh. and before long, we were landing back in Austin, and my Spouse was there waiting for me. it was a fantastic trip, and as noted, I'm ready to go back!

^ thanks. yeah, I loved it, even if it wasn't my favorite attraction in the park, the moment I saw the magnet, I knew which one I was getting. I try to pick up Magnets as souvenirs (and gifts for friends), and although the vast majority of them I got on this trip are "generic Japan" magnets, I did get a few unique ones that caught my eye: Nagashima Spaland: Arashi Fuji-Q: Fujiyama (again, not my fave ride there, but easily my favorite magnet) Yomiuriland: the Bandit one TDL/TDS: all they offered were the "puffy" logo ones, but i liked them (also picked up the "ghost" mini-magnets for Halloween) Himejii Castle: unique Dragon-head & Castle magnet Godzilla head magnet Shibuya Crossing magnet and some cute manga-bear magnets. I'll have some pics up soon, in the "souvenir" post