ytterbiumanalyst

Considering that up to a few years ago, that's exactly how every announcement was, I'd say that approach can be quite successful.

Man I looked at all the paper work and map trying to figure it out I think it's something about a walk way. But you never know. This was my thought when I saw it as well. The new appears next to the accessibility symbol, so I would say it's a new accessible path.

I'm afraid the PTB don't see the ROI in doing that Our FOS is FOD, we gotta fight the PTB! LMHYS fight the P Fight the PTB!

^ Totally agree. There was a sequel in the works for N64, but somehow Square ended up being replaced by Hudson Soft, who did the Mario Party games. Not sure the story behind it, but that's how Paper Mario was born. An interesting game, but not nearly up to the standard of the original. Super Mario RPG is simply a requirement if you own a Super NES.

We went twice for the Christmas festival, once in November and once in December. But it could have just slipped my mind. Bag checks were completely painless today, so it really wouldn't have been a memorable event I think.

I don't remember bag checks last year at all; maybe just not when I went. They did an excellent job preparing people for them, though; beginning with the tram operators, we heard the announcement from several staff before reaching the turnstiles. The fry bread stand is basically where the old stand was, though just a bit farther back toward the saloon. I was surprised, as I had imagined it completely to the side and out of the way. It's not a huge move, honestly, but it does really help the flow. The queue just goes more to the side now, as opposed to being in the middle of things. For such a small change, it is a big difference in a very cluttered area. I didn't get to take a lot of photos, as I was wrangling children, and the park was very busy today. There were a lot of small things, like planters where there weren't last year, worn-down things replaced, etc. A lot of work had obviously been done, but it's more a honey-do list than a big change. They just fixed what needed fixing. I did notice that the magic show area near Thunderation was more open--a change that was long overdue. They were very on top of their game today, especially for opening day. There were obviously some new employees who were trying to get the wording of the safety spiel just so, and groupers doing complex mental calculations to ensure every seat was filled. It's fun to see them getting their first taste at the job for real, as they're generally both inexperienced and energetic.

Opening day! The first noticeable change was that they are now searching bags. It's pretty unintrusive. It was quick enough I didn't have time for a picture, but if you've seen bags being checked on a folding table, you've got a good idea. Overall not much is different, beyond what has already been documented. Really it's just good to be back. This morning was drizzly, so a few rides were closed, including Powder Keg of course. A thunderstorm cam through about noon and shut down everything, but that only lasted about an hour. Once it was done, everything opened again, including Powder Keg, and the crowds arrived. We were tired and have plans for this evening, so once there were actual lines for things, we bailed. It was a fun time and a good start to the season. The square was all decked out to celebrate America's families. Powder Keg melts in the rain. Fry bread stand fits in nicely and does help traffic flow.

Fry bread stand looks great. Flooded Mine is surprising, but those towers were aesthetic only. I wouldn't be shocked to learn they had structural issues. The ride is over 50 years old. The one in the back of the photo is the one with the laser eyed ghosts--ahem, the escape scene--so that's the important one to keep intact. Very much looking forward to Saturday!

YOLOcoaster is an awesome name. Much better than the name Six Flags gave it.

^That is a great argument for not having a median in your bumper cars!

Yeah, bad enough they had to put up signs saying the ride has "intense jostling" as a "normal ride sensation." That was well before 2014, too.

Isn't January a little late to be starting construction on a coaster if you want it open near the parks opening day? Yes, but it's just fine if you want it open by June.

Thanks for the photos! Those vertical lines on the plans--is that where the Sky Ride is going?

60's and rainy all week! Perfect for Silver Dollar City's opening weekend!

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As far as chains go, Shakespeare's is the best I've had, followed closely by Arris. I've always been partial to Imo's, as a local chain here (based in St. Louis). That said, nothing beats a pizza you make yourself, in your own kitchen.

Psycho Mantis from Metal Gear Solid.

^ That's a hard dose of honesty. Thank you. It's been cool to see Valravn's construction this winter, and I think a lot of us are thinking, "Now what?" Great for the park to start us talking about the queue. Growing up with SDC, I've grown used to interactive queues, and they come in all sorts. Thunderation has signs throughout its queue with mining lingo, Wildfire and Powder Keg have set pieces that tell the story, and Outlaw Run uses music to theme its queue. Really, any of these methods can enhance the waiting experience and really get people into the mood of the ride. Queues are often an afterthought, so basically any thought given to the queueing experience has a positive effect.

They are actually going to kill to Raven's with one Symoné. There will be nets, but they are going to be fish nets, so they can be considered theming as well. Is that a That's So Raven joke? I think it's a Cosby Show joke. Oh, my bad. Raven Symone is just more recognizable from ThatS So Raven for my age group No, she was like 5 on the Cosby Show. A reference to Raven wearing fishnets was inappropriate even for Cosby. That was just my being an old man and talking about remembering a famous person when she was knee high to a hamster. Anyway, Mako looks really good. I can't say I'm terribly excited, since my only experience with a B&M hyper was Raging Bull. But from what I hear, that's the worst one, and many others are quite fun. The layout looks very good at least. We do plan to get to Orlando at some point before the end of the decade, so we'll be sure to check this out then.

They are actually going to kill to Raven's with one Symoné. There will be nets, but they are going to be fish nets, so they can be considered theming as well. Is that a That's So Raven joke? I think it's a Cosby Show joke.

On behalf of Springfield, Missouri, I sincerely apologize for cashew chicken, and its effect on changing Americans' perception of Chinese food into fried chicken over rice. We got a Panda Express in town a couple of years ago, and having grown up with approximately 120 cashew chicken places per square mile, I thought it a more consistent quality than some of the other places here, but as for taste, really just as terrible. It's badly prepared food disguised by adding sauces loaded with sugar and salt. I've no doubt that Six Flags could do just as well without the Panda Express label. I know people who rave about Panda Express, and I find it the same as people who rave about Burger King. Good for you for finding something you like, but it doesn't mean it's actually any good.

ALL the block breaks? Awesome!

Yeah...I totally knew that before just this moment too. It's really hard having everything be old news, but I guess that's the price you pay for being so hip.