Hilltopper39

Thanks for the responses, sounds like it's good but not great which I guess is why I haven't heard much about it. I watched the Smiler POV a few times (don't think I've seen one for Takabisha) and it all just seemed like such a blur that I can see how the inversion on this kind of ride all kind of run together and don't feel unique. I didn't realize that the launch was first either, I love the lift then launch sequence on Maverick but I see how a huge pause in the middle of the ride for a lift could ruin the pacing. For a ride like Mystery Mine it kind of works with the themeing and the first half of that ride is pretty dull anyways, but an action packed first half followed by a slow lift has to be an excitement killer. That's kind of disappointing, I really liked Dare Devil Dive and was hoping Takabisha and Smiler would both be bigger better longer versions of that type of ride but it sounds like for these Eurofighters maybe less might be better?

I'm anxious to hear some review of Takabisha, seems like I've barely heard anything about that ride since it opened even though it looked like it had a ton of potential. I really like the concept of a lift and a launch on the same ride.

My brother bought the same grill for his town house last year and he really likes it. I've cooked on his with him a few times and the performance and results are very very similar to the egg. I really like some of the design features on the Chargriller (I think model name is the Acorn). The removable ash tray is pretty convenient and I like the removable center portion of the cooking grate. I think the Egg has slightly better temperature control, for the long cook we did after lighting the initial fire it seems like it took a bit longer to get the temp down to around 225-250 than the Egg does, but other than that it's a pretty darn product that I would recommend/consider (and probably buy) if I were in the market for a new grill right now. A lot of Big Green Green Egg accessories (and they have a lot of good stuff) are pretty compatible with the Acorn since the cooking surface is pretty much the same size as the Egg's. Have fun, and post some pictures if you ever get a chance!

^Keep em coming man, this place looks really interesting! Can't wait to see some of these new slides in action.

I love Dollywood's train but ever since they shaved off the top of that mountain it doesn't have the same ambiance it once did. Dollywood's is still probably 1st with Magic Kingdom a close second. Honorable mentions go to Knoebels, Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Busch Gardens.

I remember that ticket to ride system, didn't it involve getting your hand "stamped" with a ride logo stamp and the return time, when you returned they drew a big black "X" mark through the stamp? I remember it kind of working but kind of being a disaster at the same time haha.

"Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey into the Darkside of International Drive " Join Harry as he plays crappy miniature golf, attempts to dine at an All You Can Eat Chinese Lobster Buffet, and follow along as navigates his Broomstick through the tourists filled parking lot hellscape that is the Premium Outlets....during CHRISTMAS!!!

Potter Phase 3 will be a waterpark themed to the Nurmengard that you we able to access from either existing Potter section via under ground magic tunnel, or an enchanting skytrolly! They've already built a train through the back-lot, why not a a tunnel under or a Gondola over I-4?

This is an interesting development, I wonder if Universal plans on keeping the water park in tact and operation as is or if they'll utilize the land differently somehow?

Oh cool, I never realized Intamin made "that kind" of wooden coaster trains. More importantly why haven't more parks converted old busted PTC trains over to these !?!? Awesome updates so far by the way. One of these I'll get to Japan.

Are those PTC trains with an Intamin style lap bar? Looks like a pretty comfy set up really.

Wow, that inverted top hat thingy looks insane, this ride is going to be awesome. This things kind is kind of like a Lisebergbanan 2.0 the way it just runs all over the hills side and hugs the terrain. Lisebergbanan with launches and crazy inversions so yea it will be a winner.

Awesome report Adam, I seriously can't wait to get down to Orlando and check this thing out. All of the additions to Universal recently look fantastic.

^Yeah same for me, Phantom was a huge surprise that made my top 10. Kennywood was full of Pleasan/Unpleasant surprises.. Pleasant- Jack Rabbit. Such a fun little coaster, I really didn't expect much from it but but was surprised and how much fun it was. Unpleasant- Thunderbolt. I had heard a lot about this ride from when I first got into coasters about it's history as an older coaster being renovated to include the ravine drops, and how the longest drop isn't until the end of the ride etc., but I found it to be kind of dull. It was smooth and the laterals were kind of fun, but other than that it was kind of meh...

I've always thought that ride was due for a major overhaul, they could easily upgrade to some modern movie scenes, update the script etc. and make that thing awesome for a whole new generation. I know Disney isn't really in the haunt business but I've always thought turning that thing into a walk through maze could be really cool, maybe one of these days .

I realize only a fool believes that concept art is reality but I am curious how the restraints will be configured to accommodate the 90 degree tilt. The "rendering" doesn't show anything that looks like an ankle harness, and if you think about Acrophobia is set up I don't see why you would need some kind of ankle restrain on a 90 degree tilt any more than you would on a 15 degree title. We'll see, regardless I'm sure it will be comfortably terrifying!

I love the concept of the lift looking out over the ocean, that's really cool. As far as the ride we'll just have to wait and see.

I wonder if the cars will have the ability to not tilt some of the cars? Don't some Intamin towers have tilting and non tilting seats on the same ride? I love the idea of the face first 90 degree plunge but that might just be too much for some people and a non-tilting seat might be a decent option.

This place really does looks fantastic, I can't wait to check it out on my next trip to Orlando (July 4th weekend can't get here soon enough!). I really hope Fun Spot has a tremendous amount of success with these additions. I realize that the Orlando market is vastly different than every other market in the world but I feel like there are a ton of little go cart/ mini golf/arcade centric FEC's out there in America that could pull off an expansion like this. Best of luck to this place!

Are you really complaining about an additional hour and a half of ERT, for pass holders?

It really is a nice color scheme, looks great. I've never really had a problem with Boomerangs, some can be a bit rough but they are still kind of unique after all of these years, and the GP seems to generally enjoy them for the most part (every park I've seen one at usually has a line). Six Flags St. Louis has always been one of the parks in the chain I've really wanted to visit, it certainly seems like it has a bit more charm than some of their other properties. Does anyone recall hearing that the Scooby Doo ride there is maybe going to have to change themes in the coming years due to an expiring licensing contract? I know most of the Scooby Doo rides at Cedar Fair parks have all been converted and this might be the last Scooby Doo dark ride left, I wonder if they'll have to change it soon?

This looks awesome, the world needs more Euro-Fighters!

This looks like an awesome event, and a natural fit for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The schnitzel, scotch egg, and choup all look particularly tasty.

Am I the only one who prefers the Intamin 2nd generation drop towers (the ones with several 4 seat cars) over the newer gigantic Gyro drop style towers with the 40 person seat rings (acrophobia is the exception)?

So Disney did around 54 million in attendance in Orlando alone, and 126 million at their parks worldwide? What recession?