Sunday, August 31, 2008

Update on Gustav #1

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I watched Fox News, and it says that Hurricane Gustav is a category 3, but is expected to become a CATEGORY 4!! GREAT SCOTT!!!!!!! The waves are 40 ft. high according to the Weather Channel! The residents are evacuating New Orleans (they're lucky). For those of the residents who haven't evacuated yet, EVACUATE NOW!!!! SAVE YOURSELVES!!!! If you stay you'll have to face the same thing you did with Katrina! You don't want to face a hurricane again, after what you faced THREE SOLID YEARS AGO!!! Anyways, I'll keep you updated.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Gustav Storm

BREAKING NEWS: I watched 7-News and it says that Gustav will make landfall in New Orleans. It has been 3 years since Katrina devastated New Orleans and they're still fixing it. They'll be having problems soon. Gustav is expected to his as a category 3 (the same category as Katrina when it hit New Orleans). To the people of New Orleans, Good luck.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

So Long Summer, Hello School

Well, today is the last day of summer vacation. Originally, summer vacation was to end two days ago, but due to Fay, two days have been added. Tomorrow, school starts and I'm going to 8th grade. I'm looking forward to learning new stuff, seeing new teachers, seeing my old friends and meeting new ones. I already know my first period teacher: Mr. Rubio, my band teacher in 6th grade (5th period) and 7th grade (3rd period). He also helped me this summer. He'll be helping me again 2009 in the summer. So it's:

1. Mr. Rubio (Band) (9:00 am - 10:02 am)
2. Ms. Inglis (Algebra) (10:05 am - 10:58 am)
Lunch (11:01 am -11:46 am)
3. Ms. Feller (Science) (11: 49 am - 12:42 pm)
4. Mr. Lucena (Social Studies (U.S. History)) (12:45 pm - 1: 38 pm)
5. Mrs. Saneholtz (Language Arts) (1:41 pm - 2:34 pm)
6. Ms. Perez (Reading) (2:37 pm - 3:30 pm)

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Back to the Future: The Ride and the Simpsons Ride



That is a video of Back to the Future The Ride Experience Part 4. Back to the Future is now closed in Florida and Hollywood. Japan's still open.



This is a video of the Simpsons Ride, now open at Universal Studios Florida, and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Springfield's Ghost House History

Springfield's Ghost House:

It all began with a swing attraction named the Whomping Willow. This ride experienced a lot of technical difficulties, so it closed down to make room for Springfield's Ghost House. Originally it was called A Western Ghost Town, until it was revealed to belong to Springfield. So they named it Springfield's Ghost House. There were also haunted house music, and ghostly trees. To terrify the riders they also put a pop-up coffin there.


Closure:

On August 2, 2008, the haunted house music was removed from the attraction. Many guests thought it was refurbishment, but it was for preparing for a rumored closure. By August 4, 2008, there were rumors of this attraction and a neighboring attraction (Krusty's Ferris Wheel) closing to make room for a major attraction. On August 8, 2008, the attraction would be a wooden mine cart coaster. By that day, there were rumors of Krusty's Ferris Wheel moving and Springfield's Ghost House being part of the wooden mine cart coaster. By August 9, 2008, the attraction was named Journey to Mt. Krustyland and construction walls have been built by Krusty's Ferris Wheel, and Springfield's Ghost House. On August 10, 2008, Krusty's Ferris Wheel closed and was moved to the right of the entrance to the theme park. It has been announced on August 13, 2008 that Springfield's Ghost House will close and be part of Journey to Mt. Krustyland as Old Springfield. On August 16, 2008, a celebration called "Hurry Back... Before it Really is a Ghost House" begins, due to the closure of Springfield's Ghost House. On August 17, 2008, Springfield's Ghost House closes.

Demolition:

Demolition began with the ghostly trees removed and sent to the Universal New York Storage. Then the pop-up coffin was removed, also sent to the Universal New York Storage. Third, the queue lines, castle walls, and exit path were removed. Finally, the tracks and vehicles were removed and sent to the Universal New York Storage. Journey to Mt. Krustyland will open either September 2008, or October 2008.

Friday, August 15, 2008

The Day After Tomorrow - The Ride

The attraction opening with Universal Studios Massachusetts known as The Day After Tomorrow - The Ride will be a presentation like Twister, Earthquake, Disaster, and Backdraft.

Queue: The queue line will feature some props from Day After Tomorrow and some pictures of the New York flood scene of the movie, including the Statue of Liberty with waves behind it.

Pre-Show: The Pre-Show will be in a room modeled after the main room of the New York Public Library where the TV monitors will feature stars Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Emmy Rossum. They will explain how Day After Tomorrow was filmed and the pre-show ends with Dennis Quaid telling the guests "Now it's time for you to live the Day After Tomorrow." The riders then enter a room which is modeled after the New York Public Library exterior. In the movie, the flood came raging through and the citizens took shelter in the NYPL and this room is a replica of that scene.

Ride: The presentation begins when a taxi drives by and a radio says "There's a wall of water coming towards New York City, everybody take shelter!" 3 ft. water covered the streets of New York. Then you see lightning in the background and another foot of water came. Then you notice a wave (the wall of water the radio said). Fire then appears as lightning strikes a street lamp causing the lights above the riders to turn off. It slowly heads for the riders and then as the flood reaches the riders, the floor where the riders are standing lurches with a sudden drop, giving them one last scare.

Gift Shop: The Day After Tomorrow - The Store. This store sells Day After Tomorrow Videos/DVDs, a video/DVD of the ride featuring you, and some shirts saying "I Have Experienced the Day After Tomorrow and I lived!"

P.S.: This ride is very similar to other disaster rides at Universal Studios, but this ride is mostly similar to Twister in USF (Universal Studios Florida) and in the upcoming USS (Universal Studios Singapore).

P.S.S.: Universal Studios New York is to feature 4 disaster rides. Three have already been announced: Earthquake, Disaster, and the Day After Tomorrow. The 4th one hasn't been announced yet, but most fans hope for it to be Backdraft.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Kraven

Kraven the Hunter is rumored to star alongside the Lizard in Spider-Man 4. I think Brendan Fraser will be perfect to play Kraven. This is how he looks like:
























So here's my villain cast:


Jim Carrey-Cletus Kasady/Carnage
Dylan Baker-Curt Connors/Lizard
Daniel Craig-Jason Macendale/Hobgoblin
Bruce Campbell-Eddie Brock Sr./Anti-Venom
Brendan Fraser-Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven

Saturday, August 9, 2008

IOANY news

Here's an update on what's going on in my theme park.
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October 14, 2008
RUMOR: A preview center is to be added at IOAMA once Star Wars World becomes IOAMA again. It will show construction updates at the other two parks and CityWalk. It will be named Universal Boston Preview Center. It will be by Krusty's Ferris Wheel, Springfield Tea Cups, Journey to Mt. Krustyland, and the entrance to IOAMA.

ANNOUNCED: There will be a new water coaster themed to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea named 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: The Ride at Jules Verne Land. It will be right by the entrance to the new Pokémon section, the IOAMA Monorail System station at Jules Verne Land, and From the Earth to the Moon: The Ride.
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October 13, 2008
RUMOR: An underground tunnel is to be dug by the Universal Boston Storage serving as the temporary entrance for IOAMA for work to begin on the other parks.

ANNOUNCED: The Wild Wild West section is to be rethemed to Toon Lagoon.

The Terminator Coaster is expected to add a tunnel structure for the tunnel after the corkscrew at the entrance and exit of the tunnel.

The Clone Wars Hotel opens today next to Loews Royal Pacific Hotel.
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October 10, 2008
Star Wars World is extended till November 1, 2008. There is going to be another dive machine added in the Star Wars section based on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It will be Clone Wars: The Ride.
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October 3, 2008
Today, a hand has been put on top of the IOA lighthouse. A lightsaber is to be added tomorrow to celebrate Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Another hand and lightsaber is to be added tomorrow. Once Star Wars World becomes Islands of Adventure: Massachusetts again, the hands will be moved along with the light sabers to the sign of the Star Wars section of the park.

There will be a new sign in the Star Wars section of the theme park similar to the Star Tours sign in Disney theme parks.

RUMOR: The Wild Wild West section of the theme park will be rethemed to Toon Lagoon. The Wild Wild West Rapids is rumored to be renamed Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges. A Cowboy's Drop will be renamed Dudley Do-Right's Freefall, and Wild Wild West LIVE will be renamed Toon Lagoon LIVE!. There are also rumors of adding Ripsaw Falls.

RUMOR: A new water coaster is rumored to be added in the Jules Verne section themed to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
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September 27, 2008

Today is a busy day for the park.

Construction finally begins on Journey to Mt. Krustyland. It went quickly and opened today.

There will be a new animated series in Cartoon Network called "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" premiering Oct. 3, 2008, and to celebrate, IOAMA will be temporarily renamed Star Wars World today. A week after the series premieres, it will become IOAMA again. In the Star Wars section, there will be a new attraction: Darth Vader's Freefall. It will be similar to Dr. Doom's Fearfall located both here and IOA in Orlando, FL, and Maliboomer in Disney's California Adventure, Anaheim, CA. It will have two shot towers. There will also be new entertainers there: Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO.

The Loews Royal Pacific Hotel opens today. There will also be a hotel in Star Wars theme named Clone Wars Hotel.

A new bumper boats attraction, Terminator Bumper Boats opened today.

Speaking of Terminator, a cobra roll has been added to the Terminator Coaster.
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September 7, 2008

ANNOUNCED: Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Massachusetts, and Cartoon Network Studios is to be built around IOANY. After Journey to Mt. Krustyland is complete, construction will begin. There will be a Sal's restaurant in Universal CityWalk, and Universal Studios Massachusetts. Here are the attractions:

Hollywood:

*Back to the Future: The Ride
*Shrek 4D
*E.T. Adventure
*Hollywood Movie Coaster
*Blues Brothers
*Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue
*Mel's Drive-In

New York:

*Day After Tomorrow: The Ride
*King Kong
*Incredible Hulk Coaster

San Francisco:

*Earthquake: The Big One
*Disaster, A Major Motion Picture Ride... Starring YOU!
*Backdraft

Amity:

*Jaws

Ancient Worlds:

*Spartacus
*Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride

Water World

*Water World
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September 1, 2008

Pokémon World opens today. The Charizard side's elements are:

Lift hills: 2 130 ft., 110 ft.
Drops: 2 130 ft., 110 ft.
1. Loop
2. Dive Loop
3. Immelmann Loop
4. Immelmann Loop
5. Loop
6. On-Ride Camera
7. Final Brakes

The Mummy's Log will add a lake. After the final drop, the riders go into a room. Just after that, the lake will be there. There are rumors that there will be geysers there to make the riders extra soaked. When the lake is finished, the Mummy's Log will have its phrase, "wetter than ever!"
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August 31, 2008

Grand opening of Pokémon World postponed until September 1, 2008.

Pokémon Battle Coaster update:

The Blastoise side is complete and worked out great. Here are its information:

Lift Hills: 2 (1st: 130 ft. 2nd: 110 ft.)
Drops: 3 (1st: 130ft. 2nd: 120 ft. 3rd: 110 ft.)

Elements:

1. Loop
2. Zero-G-Roll
3. 1070 degree helix
4. Immelmann Loop (after 2nd drop)
5. Loop
6. On-Ride Camera
7. Final Brakes

The Charizard side will be redone shortly.

The ride photo frames are already in plot. If you're on the Blastoise side, it will be blue with Blastoise on it. If you're on the Charizard side, it will be red with Charizard on it.
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August 30, 2008

Gastly's Ghost Home, and the Swinging Octillery are finished. Work continues on redoing the Pokémon Battle Coaster.

3 boxes have been seen by the Universal Boston Storage labeled coaster tracks. Either the replacement tracks for the Charizard side or the tracks for Journey to Mt. Krustyland.
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August 28, 2008

Pokémon will add a haunted house (Gastly's Ghost Home), and an octopus attraction (The Swinging Octillery).

Pokémon Battle Coaster update:

They're redoing it because, the two trains went backwards. For example, when testing began, Blastoise's side went backwards on the first loop, and Charizard's side went backwards on its first Immelmann loop. So Blastoise's side has began redoing today, and the first element is a loop. Next came a Zero-G-Roll, a 1080 degree helix and then a brake run. Then it drops and goes through an Immelmann loop and a corkscrew. Then it finishes with one last drop. The Charizard side will be redone shortly.

A construction crew is in the future site of Journey to Mt. Krustyland, probably to begin construction. Some sand is found there now.
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August 19, 2008

Check out these 4 steamy meals:

1. Pokémon section is almost done. All rides finished construction. They're just putting some restaurants and gift shops. The new land is expected to open on August 31, 2008. The grand opening ceremony is already in plot. The construction walls will have explosives blowing the walls up and officially opening the new land. The Pikachu entertainer we've mentioned earlier has been hired today. Now brochures and maps feature the Pokémon land. Same with the park entrance, website, and all 4 monorail stations. There are even TV commercials of it now.

2. Halloween Horror Nights is expected to begin this October.

3. RUMOR: Another entertainer in the Pokémon section will be Mewtwo by the Revenge of Mewtwo simulator.

4. SPRINGFIELD'S GHOST HOUSE DEMOLITION UPDATE:

Demolition is complete. Journey to Mt. Krustyland is expected to open late September or early October. Construction hasn't began on the new attraction yet. It is rumored that after the Pokémon section opens, construction will begin on Journey to Mt. Krustyland. There is only one part of Journey to Mt. Krustyland that is constructed: the former Springfield's Ghost House building. Remember what we said, the former attraction will be part of the coaster as Old Springfield.
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August 17, 2008

Springfield's Ghost House closes today. This is the last opportunity anyone can ride the Springfield's Ghost House attraction, and the last day of the "Hurry Back... Before it Really is a Ghost House" celebration. The celebration reminder is now shown in all 4 monorail stations, the park entrance, and in all park maps, even on the website and brochures. Springfield's Ghost House RIP: June 2008 - August 17, 2008. The demolition plan is already in plot. First they'll take the haunted trees that surround the attraction and put it in Universal Boston Storage (opening today). Then, they'll demolish the queue lines and the exit path and demolish the castle walls that surround the queue lines. They'll then remove the tracks and the vehicles and also put it in storage.
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August 16, 2008

ANNOUNCED: Springfield's Ghost House will close tomorrow and a celebration begins named "Hurry Back... Before it Really is a Ghost House!" So hurry back while you can!

RUMOR: In the upcoming Universal Studios Massachusetts, there will be a section themed to Ancient Rome, featuring an attraction based on the movie Spartacus.
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August 14, 2008

RUMOR: IOAMA will become a resort. Two theme parks will be added: Cartoon Network Studios (where rides themed to Cartoon Network will be) and Universal Studios Massachusetts. There will also be Universal Citywalk themed to 1930s New York. Announced rides in Universal Studios New York are:

1. Earthquake - The Big One
2. Jaws
3. Back to the Future: The Ride
4. Incredible Hulk Coaster
5. King Kong
6. The Day After Tomorrow
7. Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride... Starring You!

There are also rumors of Shrek 4-D, E.T. Adventure, Simpsons Ride, and Revenge of the Mummy.

The sections in USM are:

Hollywood
*Back to the Future: The Ride

New York
*Incredible Hulk Coaster
*King Kong
*The Day After Tomorrow

San Francisco
*Earthquake: The Big One
*Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride... Starring You!

Amity
*Jaws

Lagoon
*Cinesphere
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August 13, 2008

Work continues on the Pokémon World section. The Pokémon Battle coaster is complete. The rumored log flume in the Pokémon section is announced and named the Lapras Flume. Construction begins on it.

ANNOUNCED: The rumored closure of Springfield's Ghost House is no longer a rumor. It is announced to close once construction is complete on the Pokémon section and test runs begin on the rides. Once Springfield's Ghost House closes, the queue path and the exit path will be demolished to make room for the old houses to be used for the ride.
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August 10, 2008

Krusty's Ferris Wheel is closing today. The closure is no longer a rumor. A new Krusty's Ferris Wheel opened, but not by Springfield's Tea Cups, but to the right once you enter the park. Springfield's Ghost House remains open, but it may close soon, so hurry back while you can!

Construction begins on the Pokémon World section. The attractions are rumored to be:

*Pokémon Go 'Round (Merry Go 'Round) (featuring Azumarill, Marill, Azurill, Buneary, Lopunny, Jigglypuff, Igglybuff, Wigglytuff, Pachirisu, Pikachu, Pichu, Raichu, Happiny, Chansey, Blissey, Cleffa, Clefairy, and Clefable)
*Jirachi's Freefall (Launched Freefall) (featuring Jirachi)
*Pokémon: The Musical (Musical) (featuring Chikorita, Totodile, Cyndaquil, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Pikachu, Bulbasuar, Charmander, Squirtle, Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip)
*Pokémon Battle: Blastoise vs. Charizard (Floorless/Dueling/Steel Coaster) (featuring Charizard, and Blastoise)

There are also rumors of a 3-D show, a log flume featuring Lapras, a motion simulator featuring Mewtwo and Mew, and a shoot-the-chutes ride featuring Gyarados, Suicune, Kyogre, and Palkia.
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August 9, 2008

The Terminator Coaster refurb is complete and is now reopened.

Construction walls have been built near Krusty's Ferris Wheel and Springfield's Ghost House to prepare for the new mine cart attraction (named Journey to Mt. Krustyland), but don't worry, the attractions are still open. Springfield's Ghost House is rumored to be part of Journey to Mt. Krustyland as an old town that the train runs through (similar to a scene in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). The two closures remain rumors.
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August 8, 2008

The Terminator Coaster is closed for refurbishment.

RUMOR: The Pokémon section will have an entrance themed to a Pokéball, and an entertainer there will be Pikachu. There are also rumors that there will be a Pokémon musical featuring some Pokémon. More news as we get it.

RUMOR: A wooden mine cart coaster (similar to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney theme parks) with an unknown name is rumored to replace Springfield's Ghost House and Krusty's Ferris Wheel. If this attraction happens, Krusty's Ferris Wheel will move near the Springfield Tea Cups attraction and the former site of Krusty's Ferris Wheel will become the entrance to the new attraction. It is unknown if Springfield's Ghost House will do the same thing or if it will close for good and be used as part of the new attraction. More news as we get it.
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August 4, 2008

Journey to the Center of the Earth-The Ride's refurbishment is complete and reopens today.

Journey to the Death-Star opens today.

RUMOR: Springfield's Ghost House and Krusty's Ferris Wheel is rumored to close as soon as the Pokémon section opens. The music has already been removed from Springfield's Ghost House in preparation for the new attraction (which is unknown what it will be).
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August 2, 2008

The haunted house music was removed from Springfield's Ghost House as preparations are made for a new attraction coming soon. We don't know if it is temporary or permanent. It is rumored that Springfield's Ghost House will close as soon as the new Pokémon section opens.

A new attraction based on the Star Wars series is under construction. Its name is Journey to the Death-Star.

Journey to the Center of the Earth-The Ride is closed for refurbishment (to add some tracks).

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Mamma Mia

I saw Mamma Mia today, and it was awesome (better than Grease or High School Musical). Here are my favorite to least favorite movies in 2008:

1. Iron Man (5/4/08)
2. Mamma Mia (8/5/08)
3. Incredible Hulk (6/14/08)
4. Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (6/16/08) and Wall-E (7/24/08)
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D (7/19/08)
6. Speed Racer (5/26/08)
7. Horton Hears a Who (3/30/08)
8. Spiderwick Chronicles (3/2/08)

"Mamma Mia" is better than "Grease", or "High School Musical." For those of you who didn't see "Mamma Mia," trust me... YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING!!! I have this new plot for Universal. Since Mamma Mia is a hit, Universal should do an attraction based on that movie. It should be an outdoor attraction like the Blues Brothers, and Beetlejuice. It should be in Florida, Hollywood, Japan, and upcoming Singapore.

In the Florida version, it should either be in the expansion I mentioned earlier or they can take out Fear Factor LIVE and put Mamma Mia there.

In the Hollywood version, it should be in the Wild Wild Wild West arena (still empty).

In the Japan version, an arena should be constructed between Universal Monsters (Beetlejuice) and Hollywood Dream: The Ride. That arena should be Mamma Mia.

In the upcoming Singapore version, Mamma Mia should be in the future Hollywood area.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Return

Yesterday, I returned from my trip early. I didn't get to go on the SheiKra, because it was too much for me, but I was able to go on the Kumba and Montu. Here are the rides I went on:

7/31/08

1. Clydesdale Hamlet (Petting Zoo) - Egypt
2. Edge of Africa (Petting Zoo) - Egypt
3. Kumba (Steel Coaster)* - Congo
4. Gwazi (Tiger) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Morocco
5. Gwazi (Lion) (Wooden/Dueling Coaster) - Morocco
6. Montu (Steel/Inverted Coaster)* - Egypt
7. Show Jumping Hall of Fame (Museum) - Egypt
8. Tut's Tomb (Exhibit) - Egypt
9. Land of the Dragons (Playground) - Bird Gardens
10. Hospitality House Stage (Concert) - Bird Gardens
11. Sandstorm (Orbiter)* - Timbuktu
12. Pirates 4D (3D Cinema)* - Timbuktu
13. Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars (Bumper Cars) - Congo
14. Congo River Rapids (River Rapids) - Congo
15. Stanley Falls Flume (Log Flume)* - Stanleyville

8/1/08

1. Tanganyika Tidal Wave (Shoots-the-Chutes)* - Stanleyville
2. Rhino Rally (Safari) - Nairobi
3. Katonga (Musical)* - Morocco
4. Scorpion (Steel Coaster) - Timbuktu
5. Wild Surge (Launched Freefall)* - Jungala
6. Treetop Trails (Playground)* - Jungala

* = First time

P.S.: On 7/31/08, I got a Kumba ride photo. On 8/1/08, I got a Montu T-Shirt.

P.S.S.: Now, Montu and Kumba are my favorite rides.

P.S.S.S.: On 8/1/08, it rained so much, I had to get my Montu T-Shirt while taking shelter in the Montu gift shop.

P.S.S.S.S.: On 7/31/08, after Pirates 4D, Mom and I attempted to go on the Cheetah Chase in Timbuktu, but it was late, and Dad wanted to go on some water rides, so I left the ride.

P.S.S.S.S.S.: This November, I'm going to Busch Gardens again, so there's still a chance I can go on the SheiKra.