pcc

Why lie?

^ My thoughts exactly. I've always told my friends and family that if something tragic were to occur while I'm riding, at least I died doing what I love...and instead of a dash between the years of my life, put a ^ , to signify a coaster drop. I'm weird like that though....

The story is tragic, but a 3 year old should not be in the water without someone RIGHT there with them. We took our 3 girls to Cedar Point a few years ago, and we stayed at Castaway Bay. We made all 3 wear life jackets and we were right there with them the entire time. Even the shallow parts, I was within a few inches at all times. Kids simply can not be trusted around water. Even a few inches in a bucket can drown a child. My neighbor lost her 2 year old son to a shallow bucket of mopping water. I feel for the family, I can't imagine the heartache. Small kids and water simply require a lot of attention, and if you can't give that attention, do not take them. Lifeguards can't watch every single person at every single minute. I look at it this way, it is MY responsibility to watch MY children. The lifeguard is there should a problem arise on my watch. He/She is not my personal babysitter. Simple as that.

*cough* *raises hand* I HATE ferris wheels. I'll ride ANYTHING but those. My husband dragged me on the one at CP, and no sir, I didn't like it.

*snickers*

We always take to-go drink packets and our souvenir cups with us and take them to any food place for free water. Then I add 2 drink packets, and voila! Free tasty drink.

It was the first midnight ride of the season. I dunno if that made any difference or not.

BTW, I have my entire collection of pics from our trips to the park on Facebook, if you want to view 'em, just add me as a friend. Link is in the profile

The tunnels were dark during my visit. I can't recall the exact section that was lit up, but I do recall 2 lights, and saying to my friend "Huh, I thought this ride was completely in the dark?" Regardless, it was the best ride ever. And I'll say it again, going up the first lift, looking back on the park at night is a beautiful sight to behold. If only I could have stopped time and snapped a picture.

Thanks I love the night shot of DB as well. It's purty

When I took my first ever night ride 2 weeks ago, there were two spotlights on 2 different areas of track back in the woods.

I hope not. It's one of the few rides in the park my entire family can get on.

I honestly can't explain it. However, I can say that when it was time to toss marshmellows at Marty, I stood up to throw mine, and hit this little toddler boy in the back of the head, not Marty. Didn't hurt him, I mean, it was a marshmellow..but I couldn't have done that again if I tried Our friends that went with us that weekend still tease me about hitting a little kid. (rereading my response makes me sound like a horrible person lol, I promise he was ok! He didn't even know anything hit him. I did feel bad and sat back down all red-faced.)

Oh, I'd love to have that option as well. We bought a copy of our DB photo, and I had it emailed. It's nice to have that option...but I'd much rather buy the email version, so I don't have to pack it around the park with me. Shoot, I'd be willing to pay the price of the actual photo for that option.

Yeah, you can. But be aware that it is $40 per person to do it. Kinda expensive. Dollywood does a deal that if you go after 3pm, you get in the next day free. On occasion, they do a $5 discount for bringing in a marked can of Coke. You'd have to buy a can in the area I guess. I'm not sure if they are running that deal right now. It's only at certain times, but I'd check just to make sure. You can also buy discounted Dollywood tickets at any Food City. Also stop at any Tourist Information booth in the area and look for discount coupon books to attractions in the area. They're free and they'll save you some $ for stuff on the strip and in Gatlinburg. And beware..BEWARE I say lol of the time share people. They are EVERYWHERE and they do not take no for an answer. Just keep walking, trust me on this. And visit Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge. It's fun and very hands on.

If you are big on themes in a park, you are going to love it there. Lots of photogenic areas. Oh yeah, be sure to go to the Eagle sanctuary As for food, there's a great fajita place when you walk through the cave and across the railroad tracks. It's just a stand, but excellent food. Btw, ride the train there, and watch for the soot hehe Granny Ogle's is a good place in the park to eat, if you like Southern style food. While in Pigeon Forge, try to get in a show to Black Bear Jamboree or Dixie Stampede....and maybe breakfast at the Apple Barn (I've spent a lot of time in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg) And don't waste your money going to Ober Gatlinburg, unless you just want to ride a tram up the mountain and do the skylift. Otherwise, the park is pretty dead up there. There is ice skating though.

You have to try out their water ride, River Battle. It's new. We rode it last August and it was great. We ended up having to pay for the family drier, we were so wet. 8 people sit on one side and 8 on the other. As you go around the course, other rafts can shoot cannons at you, and you have your own cannon as well. Only downside, you have to crank it to get the water going far. Ride Blazing Fury. It's a small coaster, but it's indoors and pretty fun. Great theme in there too. Mountain Sidewinder is another water ride for you to try. It's the best water ride I've ever been on. Daredevil falls is a log ride that goes around 60mph down it's dip. Tennessee Tornado is a great coaster, as well as Thunderhead and Mystery Mine. Give Timber Tower a try Those are the 'major' rides the park has. Dizzy Disk is fun too. There's a lot flat rides there that are fun too. You'll enjoy it. Be sure to ride the trolley from parking to the gate. It's a loooooooong walk if you don't.

Ok, one more food topic..(I may be little, but I LOVE to eat hehe) Have you guys tried the french bread pizza in Coney Mall, across from Monster? I forget what stand sells it, but WOW. It is amazing! /I think I've ate at every food place in the park this year

Edit- Take a look at this wild ride- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9N39SspmM4...feature=related That ride looks insane! If that ride looks insane you should see this one I found earlier today- WANT! Wow. I love spinning rides. The faster, the better. I thank the good Lord above I can do rides like that without getting sick.

My husband and I both like it. But it's one of those "ride once per day, but that's it" rides. We always sit in the front/back (little joke between my hubby and I "You want to sit in the front/back or the front/back?"). I really don't care for facing other people. We won't ride if the wait is longer than 30 minutes, but we do try to ride at least once during our visit. It's good for such a short coaster.

Since we are on the topic of food, when did Festhaus start doing country shows? Gah I am not a fan of country, and we thought we had missed the show since we went a little later that evening. We were midways through our meal when it started. Let's just say we hurried up and finished our food. Not the best show KI has to offer (sorry if that offends anyone) It just seems a little....out of place.

As for Outer Hanks, I thought it was good as well. We ate there twice, and with 5 in my family, we have managed to try everything on the menu. It was all great. I had the chicken, my husband had fish and chips, my daughter had ribs, other daughter had pulled pork, and the other had popcorn chicken and fries. I had shrimp and fries the next day. And yeah, we sampled from each others plates...it was all very tasty. Here's a picture of my chicken dinner...yum

Ok. The buffet is NOT greasy. And it doesn't taste bad. I'm going to go from memory here and name what I can. Full salad bar. Everything you want, toppings, etc. Salad bar even has jello and pudding, plus some fruit. On to the hot bar. Taco meat, taco chips (round), taco bowls (you know, the big puffy yummy bowl), sour cream, nacho cheese, mild sauce, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grilled chicken strips. Spaghetti noodles, sauce (meat and meatless, I THINK), garlic bread? Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots, meatloaf, mac & cheese, hamburger patties, buns, mayo, mustard, cheese slices, ketchup, potato wedges, shrimp, pulled pork for sandwiches, roast beef?? There may be more hot foods, but it's been a few weeks, so I may have forgotten something. Dessert: Chocolate chip cookies, hand dipped ice cream (several flavors) toppings area with cherries, peanuts, chocolate sauce, caramel, sprinkles, chocolate chips. White cake with white frosting, carrot cake...maybe brownies? And of course all the pop/water you care to drink.

Here's one of my night shots of Invertigo It's blurry because some guy kept bugging me. He kept jumping in front of my camera begging ( I mean literally begging) me to take his picture. My husband finally confronted him and told him to leave me alone

My family of 5 ate there during our visit a few weeks back. Total price = $52.00. Not bad at all. The taco bar was a huge hit with the kids. We tried a little of everything. It was all very good. This and Outer Hanks are our go-to places to eat now. Not only did my kids get salads (which they LOVE), they also had every food they love, plus cake and ice cream. can't beat that at all. The workers are all very nice and cleared our table for us as soon as we set a plate aside. Maybe we should keep quiet about the place. Don't want it crowded