azza29

Exactly. There's a grand total of ONE rollercoaster in Melbourne (pop. 4 million), and it's a 100-year-old scenic railway! We will happily accept the gift of Full Throttle from the good people of LA.

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Loving this TR. Good stuff!

Helix looks great but I'm still keen on Full Throttle. It's definitely too short but it's also very unique, SFMM know that adding another generic coaster won't do much for park attendance. They're adding an iconic ride, fingers crossed it will be open before I visit in June.

If the digital download was 720p I would definitely consider that as an alternative to the blu-ray. However I still prefer the blu-ray as it's easier to skip to specific coasters when you have menus/chapters. It'd also be great if there was a secure torrent option instead of a direct download, as I've had my net connection die a few times during a TPR download, then have to start again.

Blu-ray by a mile. Love the hi-def coaster goodness!

It's not a bad source of info, they are just a bit overzealous in their reporting. Very hardcore fanboys, if you will. This week's update includes a comparison of how the temporary streetlamp poles (to hold holiday decorations) in Cars Land are fixed to the ground as distinct from the permanent ones. Thrilling stuff.

Given how much Lethal Weapon used to knock you around maybe he had a case of Stockholm syndrome.

For some reason the show building has an enormous switchback queue out the front but don't let that scare you, probably a 10 minute wait on a bad day.

New park: Wet 'n Wild Sydney (opening December 2013)

It's relatively easy (and certainly worth your time) to hit both, as long as you plan for park traffic. I'd go to the 9pm WoC and then see Fantasmic at 10:30. But don't go straight to DL after WoC, wait until 10pm so you're not fighting the crowds trying to exit DL. However if you're arriving later in the day you may end up with Fastpasses for the 10:15 WoC show. In which case it's still possible to see both, just exit DL through Frontierland rather than Adventureland as it's much quicker. If you really only want to do one I'd recommend Fantasmic (but only just). Both are excellent shows and in my 'don't miss' category of attractions at Disneyland. Yes Indy is closed. And I believe Muppets is temporarily replaced by a Frankenweenie show, which might be cool and different. I haven't been to WDW but I imagine It's Tough to be a Bug is probably the same so you could probably skip that one. Grizzly is easily the best rafting ride I've been on, it also has great capacity so lines are quick (the ride attendants are really on the ball on getting pairs/single riders to 'fill up' the rafts so should be a short wait). DL and DCA are not linked, and there are a couple of rides that operate independently of the FP system as well (Roger Rabbit is one, from rcdude's post it sounds like Screamin' might be another now). And World of Color doesn't count towards your FP limit either. This is where FP is awesome, once you learn how to game the system you can seriously minimise your queuing time. Good explanation at: http://touringplans.com/disneyland/fastpass

If you're going to do Universal Hollywood, I'd recommend shelling out for the VIP Tour. Not cheap but you get a way better backlot tour which includes going to see the prop warehouse (this place is awesome!) as well as plenty of 'get out of the golf cart and take photos' opportunities. Plus lunch, valet parking, front of line on all rides and reserved seating for all shows.

^ Check out touringplans.com to find out about crowd levels. You might be able to do both parks in one day (just) with a bit of back-and-forthing. If I only had one day I'd also pick the following attractions: - Indiana Jones - Grizzly River Run - Muppet Vision 3D - It's Tough to be a Bug! Skip Nemo (wait is horrendous for a very average ride), Monorail (waste of time), and Small World (very, very overrated). In terms of an attack strategy, I'd suggest hitting up California Adventure first, go straight to Radiator Springs Racers and see if you can get a fastpass (FP). If not go grab one from California Screamin', then go Little Mermaid and It's Tough to be a Bug!, once you're done there your FP for Screamin' should be ready. Hit up Muppets and Soarin', then go to Grizzly River Run and pick up your World of Color FP before heading over to Disneyland. At Disneyland, make a beeline for Space Mountain and grab a FP, then go over to Pirates, then Splash Mountain. Once you've done those two you should be able to get another FP, so go pick one up for Indy, then visit the Haunted Mansion. Go ride Space Mountain with your FP, then Jungle Cruise (best at night!), then Indy. Pinocchio, Mr Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Matterhorn usually have very short waits in the evening so do those last. Then go back to California Adventure and watch World of Color (assuming your FP lets you in on the first viewing, otherwise do this last), then line up for Racers. If you don't want to remember all of the above just try to use FP to your advantage. The optimal process is as follows: - grab FP for attraction 1 - do a low-wait ride or show - grab FP for attraction 2 - use FP on attraction 1 - rinse and repeat Hope this helps

Surely the best roller coaster view would be inverted? Wow though, looks like China was a really mixed bag for you guys. I'm sure that view would have made all the rickety jungle mice (mouses?) all worth it.

So many rides... where to begin? - X2 - Kingda Ka - GateKeeper - Intimidator 305 - The Beast - Verbolten - Roller Soaker - Radiator Springs Racers - Bizarro - GhostRider Hoping to cross most of these off on my trip next year.

Fair point, but given that almost all flights to/from Australia land in LAX it's easy enough to fit Knotts, SFMM etc in on any trip. The only real question is whether you're up for a full day of coasters after your 15 hour flight arrives at 8am. (I say yes!) And Disneyland is something everyone should get to do at least once.

The other thing to be aware of if you plan on hiring a car is that car hire companies will charge a (very) hefty premium for drivers under 25. So try to find someone who's that age or older to come with you and convince them to do the driving

^Would make for a great POV. I can just see the track collapsing behind the train as it makes one final ride.

Ride looks great! I'm visiting in February so we'll see how it holds up after six months of wear and tear. Hopefully they're quick to repair any animatronics/effects that break.

The only problem I see with this is that it'd be difficult to spend the full $20 - because you're unlikely to make purchases which total to exactly $20, that means you'll probably end up with 50-60c on the card unused (I'm assuming they don't refund unused credit). A small gripe, but if they're making an extra half dollar off everyone that's a decent revenue raiser.

Thanks. Will be visiting Knotts first so I'll buy that one.

I must be the only person who thought the DCA Mermaid ride was a really good dark ride! Not sure if it's just the pathetic California passholders that have given it a bad rap or whatever, but I have a feeling this ride will do insanely well with the WDW audience who aren't jaded and obnoxious. --Robb "Actually really looking forward to this ride!" Alvey I liked it too. Feels like it might be missing a scene or two, but the 'under the sea' section is spectacular enough on its own.

Posted this in the KBF thread but probably belongs here: I'm thinking of picking up a Cedar Fair platinum pass before the Oct 31st price hike (and while the exchange rate is good) - if I buy now but don't get it processed until I visit in May next year, is that likely to cause any dramas? I e-mailed Knotts a couple of weeks ago but no response as yet...

Eureka Mountain Mine Ride (Dreamworld) - Steel - SBNO - TPR never rode it - Further south than Kentucky

Thinking of picking up a Cedar Fair platinum pass before the Oct 31st price hike - if I buy now but don't get it processed until I visit in May next year, is that likely to cause any dramas? I e-mailed Knotts a couple of weeks ago but no response as yet