Alice Kane

I may or may not admit that that is the cutest TRP video of you two! Congratulations, and many more TPR anniversaries & amazing videos! "Stand by. Roll em! Action!" Alice

AY AY AY! (Or as local Coney Islanders might put it: OY OY OY!) IF Big WaveZ totally drenches you - as it looks like it very likely will - I think I'd stuff ALL my clothes in a fluffy fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo and ride nekked. Hopefully, there will be a hot-air blowing sauna as waterlogged guests exit/egress the ride!!! Alice ("Team Coney")

This is a wild guess, but IF, perhaps, the orange 'squiggles' on the top of the design are rider seats, could this possibly be anything like the Top Spin style rides? (With the waterfalls below rushing up to hit the riders-- influenced interactively by guests? And/Or by evil observers waiting on line around the water?) Apologies if this is the dumbest thing you've ever heard, but sometimes my imagination runs amuck! Alice

Bravo for this little bit of "the OLD Coney Island" coming to my home park! Keep bringing on the fun & magic that so many of us remember. Alice

"Adopt me! Adopt me! Who needs a leash?!?! I'd follow you anywhere! I'll even give you a local's tour of NYC! (I'm the pooch with the topknot. Ask for "TZU SHIH" ) Alice PS Sounds like a cute, innovative attraction.

Very belated Happy Birthday wishes, Chuck! You sure did celebrate in style! Am so relieved you finally got on the ROTR. That "virtual queue" deal? !?#?!....WOW! I think I'd rather play Survivor! (Altho then I'd have to hear Jeff Probst say over & over & over: "Ya wanna know what you're playing for?" "You bet Jeff - but it better be a low Group # on ROTR!" Great report! Alice

I paid $90 with a Groupon, but the base price can be $120-$150. Return jumps are $45. I was about to say that the skyjump's price is out of this stratosphere. BUT, then I remembered that a daily walk-up lift ticket at Vail's ski resort is now $209. Although.....for your dollars, you DO get a a full day of lift rides and all the downhill skiing your knees, thighs, and lungs (high altitude!) can handle. Thanks for this look at Vegas thrills! Alice

SNOW, BEAUTIFUL SNOW! (Sorry about that 88 degrees, Elissa. But, then, Florida's temps can be so "iffy.") Alice (Brrrrr. 15 degrees here tonight!)

You got me curious, too! There are quite a few states surprisingly......including Tennessee, Ca, N.C., Oregon... & B.C! I came across a very interesting article in a past Wall Street Journal issue: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-elusive-american-black-truffle-1518264060. For a little adventure, you can even join a truffle hunt in some areas! The Truffle Dog Company sponsors guided truffle hunting experiences in truffle season. They take you to an actual truffle patch where guides and their dogs will show you how it's done! (Unfortunately no truffles in NYC, so my dog will just have to enjoy sharing my store-bought truffle cheese with me. No hunting classes, dang! ) Alice

Agreed. Most truffles appear in our food as shavings or 'flecks.' Over the past year, so many varieties of cheese have popped up with truffle bits. They are indeed tiny, but truffles are so strong that they can really infuse the cheese with flavor! My next project is to get my Shih Tzu into a truffle-hunting class. The heck with Agility & Obedience; I wanna give her a REAL challenge ( & reap the epicurean delights!). Alice

What a fun trip report! You captured some wonderful nighttime color shots! I was quite taken by that Tower Hotel - an architectural treat! I've gotta explore more about that "inn." (Also loved your final shot - Sinbad & YOU - a gem of a pic!) Looking forward to any future reports. Alice

I first heard of Steeplechase Park and Funny Place when I was high school in the 1980s. I was instantly fasicnated with the place, to the point that whenever I made new friends in high school I questioned their parents and would ask them to share whatever memories they had of the place. The thought of llittle people dressed as clowns walking around with "shock sticks" is just fascinating to me. LARRY, great to hear from another Steeplechase, the Funny Place, fan. This amazing 'hall of attractions' closed in 1964, so I had only a coupla visits as a small child. But I will never forget it! You entered this HUGE hall - a palace of wood and glass - filled with rides we'll probably never see again. I remember my heart beating out of my chest with excitement! And, yes, they DID have little people dressed as clowns (the "Cast" ) with sticks that blew air up women's skirts...and shockers for men! There was a slightly scary aura to Coney Island, then. NOTHING like the 'cutely' themed parks of today. (For sure, a lot of Steeplechase's rides would probably have been banned by today's "Safety-First" park management. ) There are so many clips of the old Steeplechase on YouTube, but I think you'd enjoy this one, below, because you'll see those "evil" little clowns. It was filmed in 1932! - but most of those one-of-a-kind rides were still around into the '60s! Boy do I wish that TPR could go back in time and spend a day at Steeplechase. That little ride ticket you got with that wonderfully weird grinning face pretty much said it all about the fun (and, yes, a bit of fear) that awaited the "guests." Here is the clip: titled "Let's Go Coney! Island" (1932) Alice (P.S. Am happy to answer any more questions about Steeplechase, as I recall it thru the eyes of a small, but very observant child...and a forever fan!)

Deno's Wonder Wheel has always been one of the best and brightest features of NYC's Coney Island. And the Vourderis family who purchased it in 1983 has kept up its worthy reputation of 'highlight of the Ferris Wheel World.' (It's worth the trip to Coney Island even you only have time to take a whirl on one of its 'swinging cars!' The sensation is hard to describe....let's just say, it takes your stomach places where it has rarely been before! (Admittedly, I no doubt looked a LOT LESS GREEN when I rode it back in university years!!) I'm really excited to see what Deno can do with that spooky dilapidated little plot. Wishing them soooo much luck at finding developers with imagination! Hope we see some progress (legit plans at least) for the 100th anniversary of the Wonder Wheel! As for the ZAMPERLA situation (rent increases), let's just say that NYC has the craziest, most confusing rent history. Local political offices have to fight for their neighborhoods to sustain the places that make each living area historically unique (and keep our Mom&Pop shops). Living prices go from Rent Controlled (those apts could be crazily low rent homes..ie, as Elissa said, "the 600/mo units." Then comes Rent Stabilized which allows prices to be raised at a "sorta reasonable amt" every one or two years. (If you've lived in that bldg much of your life tho, your rent can rise slowly but surely close to Market Price (not cheap!). And then there are rental buildings that rent ALL UNITS at Market Price (HIGH!). Commercial rent prices are fast dooming what makes the city "NY-ish!" Anyway, would like to hear some Theme Park fans' thoughts on the choice of ZAMPERLA to rebuild Coney Island, and if you think they did a good job.....OR are there other companies that you suspect might have taken an even bolder direction. (Seeing some of the inspired, visionary rides offered at many theme parks around the U.S. & world, I sometimes wonder if Zamperla took its innovations far enough (in terms of exciting, imaginative rides - as opposed to The Thunderbolt dud .) I AM taking into account the limited space they had to work with...but am still left yearning for just a bit more 'magic and ingenuity.'). Thanks for any thoughts you'd like to share! Alice P.S. Anyone new to NY's Coney Island may be fascinated to see videos of this park over its many many many transitions! Some of the old rides looked amazing. And, of course, there was Steeplechase, the Funny Place (in a class all by itself!)

Very sad news. Reading more about his legendary contribution to Broadway, I realized I'd forgotten his FIRST Bdwy musical, Milk and Honey. My parents had the album, and even as a child growing up, I appreciated his truly beautiful music & lyrics. Just read in a tribute to Herman: Herman was definitely one of Broadway's most prolific talents! If you have the album, enjoy this beautiful, poignant score. Alice

Bravo! You are now officially one of only 2 people I know (well, also my twin sister!) who actually knows of the show AND has the Original Broadway cast recording of Goldilocks! My parents took us (we were mere tots!) to the show and we got the orig. album - with Elaine Stritch dancing with the Bear. It's fun to check out some old pix on websites of Stritch, Ameche, Nype, Stanley, Hamilton rehearsing at the "grand" Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. OMG were they young! Alice

If I lived near you in Vancouver, I think I could burrow down in your "Music Room" and go one-by-one through your astounding collection! Hands down, you have the most prolific medley of Broadway musicals (at least of anyone that I know!) -- and you just might never get rid of me!! I crown you "Best-in-Show" not only for your assemblage of albums, but for your mastery of everything show biz! (I now know that I can NEVER slip ANY Broadway musical past you!) High Five! Well.....okay....just one itty bitty test : Do you have 'Goldilocks' - the 1958 musical with Elaine Stritch, Don Ameche, Margaret Hamilton, Russell Nype, Pat Stanley -- music by Leroy Anderson & directed by Walter Kerr & choreographed by Agnes de Mille. (I think I may have asked you this once -memory slip! - but it's just that almost no one I know seems to have heard of it, let alone own the album. Not a Broadway 'classic,' but still packed with topnotch talent and good, lively music & dancing.) Thanks again so much for sharing those pix of your music cave. What a gem! Happy holidays to you & David! Alice

Look, look, look to the rainbow Follow it over the hill and stream Look, look, look to the rainbow Follow the fellow who follows a dream It was a good Bdway year for your partner David! (Especially 'Finian's Rainbow' & 'Brigadoon.') Hope a '47 CD eventually finds its way 'through the heather on the hill.' Alice (Admittedly corny, but addicted to classic Bdway musicals!)

WOW! wow! WOW! My parents saw many of those Broadway shows....and bought most of the albums! I particularly remember from your '53' album: Me & Juliet, Kismet, & Wonderful Town. Rich with great music. I think I learned almost all the lyrics of most of the shows from that 'Golden Age of Bdway.' Not sure where they are all stored, but somewhere my sister and have those original albums. Post-1953, I remember hearing the '50's revival of Showboat (Jan Clayton) & LOVED that song: "Life Upon a Wicked Stage!" That show had a WEALTH of beautiful music! (Also was in love with The King & I!) I saw some of the more recent revivals of quite of few of those shows and never tire of the art of lyricism that once lit up Broadway. Enjoy your new 'album!' Alice

What an amazing job you've done on these Reports! I feel like I'm at a photo exhibition! (And ooh la la, I think I'm falling in love with Godzilla! He's bringing out the beast in me!) Alice

A Grade A+, Elissa, on your awesome Rise of the Resistance Report! So much detail & effort must have gone into putting it together. (I know... these trips & rides are all 'fun and games' - until someone has to tackle the REPORT! But success! I FINALLY have an inkling of how this attraction works - and, believe me, I hadn't a clue till I saw the video & followed along with your captions. Twice! (Well, maybe 3 times... You weren't kidding when you said, "Make sure you watch our video over and over!" That is ONE complicated trek.) What my lame brain finally understood is that RISE is part walk-thru & part 'car ride.' Seeing people swiveling 'round n 'round, I assumed the ENTIRE ride was spent sitting in moving vehicles. NOW, the awesomeness of RISE makes perfect sense - I 'get' all the hoopla. What an adventure (even to those of us 'rusty' re Star Wars). The dips, the curves, the swerves, the simulator -- I wanna ride this sucker!!!! Thanks for your efforts, Elissa. Another Blue Ribbon for Disney imagination. (PS I think I need a 'furry' or figurine of that little "smug guy" - & his buddy. Will put em next to my Furby.) Alice

Thanks, Bert, for taking us to the fun 'n fanciful Yomiuriland. As usual, between the pix and the captions, I laughed so hard that my smile was frozen a la Dr. Sardonicus! (Great old horror flick!) Of course, I loved that the mascot was Land Dog. (You can tell from my Username that I'm a tad dog crazy. My very first word was 'Westminster.') Anyway! I would fer shure have ridden that Land Dog carousel with you. It would have been a MUST! It's impossible for me not to be happy when I see the happiness you exude on your travels! (Blows the moths out of me as my entire body shakes with laughter.) Hope you have many more fantastical journeys ahead - with LOTSA phenomenal photos and your wonderful brand of droll humor! ALICE (P.S. Ooh that Nissin (U B the noodle Bwahaha!) Cup 'o Soup ride!!! We need that in Times Square!)

Just thinking that even 'gen-u-ine' picnic benches would suit the 'feel' of the Wheelhouse Market better. Credit to the food offerings, but as the ole Oscar Wilde saying goes: "If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. Alice

Bert! Bert! Bert! Your smiles in each & every one of your photos, are a magical elixir to the souls of Japan0philes and to those of us who hope to be ones soon! I think I smiled my way thru your entire report! You're exactly the sort of traveler that I would be...soaking in EVERYTHING...learning and having the time of your life doing so! Quick comments: * My fave photo of you is the close-up of your "Happy Face" on the carousel FROG. It's a keeper! (Yup, I love frogs!) * While I know better than to compare NYC's subway system to Japan's (architecture; spotlessness, etc.), am just curious if the connections and signage set-up is at ALL similar to the MTA? (There are LOTS of improvements in the works for NYC, but doubt it will be soon in the running for "Most Stunning Subway." Still....it gets me around fast! * A special shout-out to the sculpture designed to look like a Roller Coaster. A thing of beauty! (Love the touch of Steam punk.) * FINALLY, as for Warabimochi which was not your favorite taste sensation, couldn't resist checking out the recipe: "Thanks so much, Bert, for letting me share in your Excellent Experience in Japan! The joy in your report is truly contagious! Alice

Re Kolmarden: With such upper-class wildlife - Chauncey, Edgar and Cyril - I'd LOVE to meet them after the gondola ride for High Tea. (Perhaps I'll exclude the lions tho...even if they ARE humming Hakhooman Matata. Yes, Chuck, I think you've correctly sized up their body language.) Great pix! Great report! Thanks! Alice

Don't know if anyone here happened to see the recent Dateline special on Siegfried & Roy? It updated their lives since the tragic incident involving Mantecore, their white tiger and Roy. As viewers, we'll probably never know the exact details of the what happened on that stage (and perhaps neither will Siegfried & Roy and their staff). But I DID enjoy the short tour they showed on Dateline of the Secret Garden they created. There's lots of controversies about "white tigers," but S&R's Secret Garden looks like a place that visitors to Las Vegas would find fascinating. Thanks for those photos, Adam. Alice