Meteornotes

Having been to FL many, many times, I would NEVER go to Seaworld or BGA on a weekend. The crowds are significantly higher than they are during the week, and as Robb correctly pointed out, no Fastpass or other way of getting past the lines means you can be in for a long wait. Going to BGA during the week, especially if you get to the park before it opens (which is something you should do for any park) often means near walk-on conditions for the first couple of hours. I know on our last three visits that people walked onto Gwazi (I did not ride, because I am, um, smart), and then we walked over to Shiekra and got in multiple rides with at most a two train wait. Usually by noon or so we've ridden all the coasters. I'd much rather visit a park under conditions like this than on a weekend, where we waited in hour plus lines for almost everything. I'd go to the Universal parks on the weekend. Not only can you get Express Passes if you need them, but by getting there before the parks open, you will be amazed at how quickly you can get all the major attractions done. Mary and I went to these parks a few years ago on a weekend during spring break (she was in town for a conference, and this was the only time we could visit), but by getting to the front gate 30 minutes before park opening both days, and some park hopping, we rode all the major attractions (some, like the coasters, more than once) with minimal waits. And we did not use Express Passes. This can be done with a bit of planning. dt

^The sad thing is, it's still likely giving a better ride than anything else at the park. Except maybe the powered coaster. So dumb... dt

ACE should use their vast preservation fund and move the coaster to their Coaster Museum. Oh wait... dt

It seems sort of random. I've had "OK" rides on it, and brutal rides on it. It does look a lot better than it rides, though. dt

Porcupine Tree - She's Moved On dt

I noticed there were two Stellas in the fridge tonight as we were about to eat our freshly grilled burgers. They have been consumed. dt

Planet X - Ground Zero dt

Rain - Light And Magic dt

Avalon - The Last Call dt

No, those are carpenter bees. And they're harmless. Giant carnivorous bees are much larger, and are usually accompanied by rabid bears with rocket launchers. Just so you know. dt

Pallas - Heart Attack dt

Regicie - An Embracing Space Part III: Eclipsing Lights dt

Frameshift - Human Grain dt

Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun dt

Porcupine Tree - The Sound Of Muzak dt

This is only my dumb opinion, but Mitsui Greenland and Spaceworld were the stand out parks to me in Japan. Aside from the Disney parks, obviously, which are just amazing and are easily the best Disney parks anywhere. I'm not sure where you're traveling to, but if you're in the area of the first two parks I mentioned, I'd make the effort to visit them. dt

Metro Society - King Of His Own World dt

^NAB is in Vegas every year in the spring. dt

^This is why I leave my phone downstairs at night. These sorts of antics are almost always followed up by another message, like "Hey, you didn't respond to my drunken voicemail I left at 3 AM"...yeah, can't imagine why that would be. Some people never get it. dt

Stonehenge - Full Moon dt

Thanks for posting! The place looks pretty nice. And Elissa nailed it with her "looks like Jazzland" comment. Hopefully they'll continue to improve and expand the place. I have no idea when I might get down there, but it looks like it's worth a visit. dt

Spiritual - Symphony Of Life dt

Freak Kitchen - Dystopia dt

Evergrey - As I Lie Here Bleeding dt

^This is only my opinion, but given where SFA is located, I'd imagine that it would be something that many developers would be interested in purchasing. I think if the right offer came along, the place would be condos and McMansions in no time. With the housing market the way it is, I suspect that SFA is safe for awhile. dt