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Looks very promising! Hopefully, this tower won't pull a Mäch Tower during it's test and adjust phase!

So true. To me, knowing everything about coaster operations and control panels is porn. However, if I should fit into any of the 5 categories, I would be a Coaster Whore! I'll ride anything, provided it has wheels and rails and can be counted as a credit!

Overview of the new area: Source: elPeriódico.es

^Hopefully, yes, because the park started construction quite a few months ago. They still have four months to go, which, IMO, is more than enough time to complete themeing and test the ride. Update: The ride's name will be "Angkor - Aventura en el Reino Perdido" and will be themed to Cambodia. Some specs: - Manufacturer: Mack rides - Ride time: 10 minutes - Boats: 14 boats (sitting 8 people) - Capacity: 726 pph See the reminiscence? Some more artworks: Source: ChannelParks.com

According to people that went to FITUR (Madrid's tourism trade show), where Spanish parks tend to show their new attractions, PortAventura has presented their 2014 ride. Splash battle it is then. The ride is billed as the longest splash battle in the world with a layout of 300 metres. The title "Aventura en el Reino Perdido" (translated "Adventure in the Lost Kingdom") seems quite generic. Hopefully, it won't be the final name of the ride, and just an addition to "Erawan", just like "Expedition to the Himalayas" was an addition to "Shambhala". Pictures: Source of the pictures: ElBlogdeDream Yay. Not.

According to a website for trademarks, PortAventura just registered "Erawan". Since the park does not give any details whatsoever on the 2014 ride, we can only hope that this clue leads to the official name. The name refers to a Thai elephant that had many heads (from 3 to 33) but also to a lost kingdom in Laos with many waterfalls (this would make sense if water is the ceterpiece of the ride). Also, now that the park is closed until April, updates will be scarce. Hopefully, the park will post some pictures and details because they are being overly secretive over the new ride. This is the last picture, taken on January 5th by VideoReviewParks:

^Apparently, it will be a clone of The Storm at Etnaland (Italy) minus the final inline. So, essentially, Mack's take on the concept of a megalite. It looks fairly compact and interesting!

As a rule, I try to carry few items with me, but it depends on park policies. If the park does not offer free loc.k.ers/storage bins on their coasters/rides, I will wear trousers/shorts with cargo pockets to take: - wallet (cash, season pass, ID) - mobile phone - (car) keys - small camera (with spare battery and extra memory card) If the park offers free lockers/storage bins on their coasters/rides, in addition to the items above, I will take: - a bag - some water - sunglasses - sunscreen - some snacks

As former CM at WDW, I must agree. Brazilian tour groups are among the worst, most obnoxious and least respectful guests. Dealing with them is just impossible and make it so hard for other guests to fully enjoy their visit at the parks. As for the buttons, I was actually shocked to see that some people wearing them expected every single CM to give them a special treatment just for the sake of wearing one. Best one I got: "Hey, Oriol, can't you see it's my daughter's birthday? What are you going to give her?" pointing repeatedly at her daughter's button. I mean, I am all for creating the so-called "Magical Moments" but, that was almost rude of them.

I really liked PortAventura, but the park guests ruin the experience. I guess TPR has not recently been to the park. Since the Spanish trip, quite a lot has changed for the worse. Operations, which were not really good, have indeed gone downhill. Not to mention that the new management does not give a **** about themeing, in regards new additions and shows. Yes, and Spaniards are rude and suffer from chronic and impulsive queue-jumping.

I wonder if these trains are going to be fitted with seat belts.

Europa Park; that's how a theme park should be run. Plenty of coasters, some of which are unique, excellent themeing, reasonably priced and top-notch operations.

Great report! I like to read reviews from parks that are often overlooked. Those wooden coasters look like they pack a punch! Shame you couldn't get the GIB credit though. The last picture showing the falls looks like it could be taken from Radiator Spring Racers (with the bridge going over the fall).

Great TR Marcel! I should hit Oktoberfest soon as I live not too far from Germany. Everything about it looks so much fun, from tents to rides. My only question is, where was Alpinabahn this year? I thought that both Schwarzkopfs would make it to Oktoberfest in Munich, not just Olympia...

Expedition GeForce. End of discussion.

The park, as usual when it comes to new additions, refuses to give details about the 2014 attraction. However, last weekend there was a Theme Park Enthusiasts convention held by the park. Among the different presentations, there was one done by a Mack representative. The Mack guy showed a new concept that they are developing, although he didn't mention if any park had planned on building a prototype yet. It's a cross between a Splash battle/water coaster/white water raftings rapids ride with different ride profiles. It could be just a coincidence... Here are some pictures of the presentation held by Mack: Sources: PAFans and ThemeParkZone

It was so nice meeting you and Jo at the park I was most looking forward to! You also took some amazing shots, especially of Maverick, Dragster and Millennium Force (your favorites at the Point? ). By the way, Kyle is going to be very angry/disappointed to see two front row seats go empty on Raptor. To be honest, that crew was not really efficient, which was surprising knowing how good operations are at CP. I also must agree that, despite looking beautiful, Gatekeeper is rather tame in terms of intensity and shaky in the back, and restraints definitely boa-constrict you to the point that it is hard to move (the strap is as hard as concrete at the end of the ride!). I hope to see you riding Shambhala (aka Spanish Diamondback for you, fanboy) soon! Oriol "Official Maverick fanboy" Monroig

Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood. Definitely the surprise hit of my trip! The airtime and layout on that thing are unbelievable!

I had the chance to visit Universal Studios Florida last week and I loved the fast food place. Kudos to Universal for bringing not only amazing rides but also amazing and tasty food like butterbeer and the themed stalls at the Simpsons area. I ordered a Krusty Burger, which had side curly fries. I also got a Flaming Moe and it was so cool having the smoke coming out of the cup for a good 10 minutes. I think the drink will become popular over time, although I reckon that it is a bit overpriced, given the amount of drink that you get.

The banner clearly states "Se va Medusa" which translates into "Medusa is leaving". So, hopefully the Mexican park will be lucky enough to get a new improved version like iRat. Let's see what RMC can do with such a compact layout!

There are a couple of standard Zamperla spinning coasters touring Spanish fairs named "Ratón Vacilón". At the end you get eaten by a cat and pooped at the brakes. Awesome!

Looks one of the nicest star flyers around, and that's coming from someone who does not really care about them much. Kudos to Six Flags for offering such a unique ride, offering up to 4 programmes according to park/ride capacity. If these programmes rotated based on a schedule, it would be a great way to increase rerideability.

Somebody came up with this video about Hitler not happy about The Smiler not opening on time. http://meemsy.com/v/9348 Too funny. I hope Alton can get the apparent H&S issue out of the way and open the ride as soon as possible.

I know there must be a typo in this flyer, but back when Spanish Superman la Atracción de Acero opened, the height restriction was 120 cm (48 inches), and it's also a B&M floorless...

Excellent review! I was at Europa Park in Easter and the park was just in top-notch condition. Even though it was freezing cold, the park did all they could to get coasters running as soon as temperature rose, and when the major coasters were closed the rest of the coasters were running at top capacity. I also agree that Bluefire is a superb launch coaster but Wodan was a bit of a letdown. Don't get me wrong, it's great but as a GCI fan I was expecting something like Troy but it wasn't as wild, although I must admit that the queueline and the 3-train non-stacking operations made up for the lack of forces. The "Moo" picture made me laugh, but the one with the raclette made me drool.