Haunted Mansion reopens, multiple bulldozers at DCA and much more
Good Morning and happy President's Day Holiday weekend to everyone. Hope everyone had great week and are celebrating the 2-0 USA victory over Mexico Wednesday...
Alas, a pretty slow news week, so we will focus on photos and changes around the parks this week....
Cedar Fair has record Cash Flow in 2008
Cedar Fair, the company that runs Knott's Berry Farm had a very good year last year, making a profit in difficult times.
toledoblade.com --
Disney's California Adventure Park celebrates its 8th Anniversary
Last Sunday, without ANY fanfare, DCA celebrated its opening back on February 8th, 2001. Disney has pretty much ignored the date since having a celebration back in 2002 for its first anniversary when they announced the upcoming addition of Tower of Terror.
It was nice to see some crowds in the park last Sunday, even if most of them were the "2fer" folks using their second day that they got back on Martin Luther King's Holiday weekend. I have been at DCA every Anniversary since it opened, and usually the park is very quiet.
Bulldozers and refurb walls were in attendance, which is a VERY good thing, as hopefully the park will become more than just an "half day" park and an Annual Passholder lounge.
The Lucky Fortune Cookery sign has been removed
Since it is a holiday weekend, let me be lazy and share my thoughts from DCA's 6th BD....
February 8th, 2007 - DCA's 6th Anniversary - Current issues and Hope for the Future
So we have reached California Adventure's Sixth Anniversary, and currently it is still having problems, but there are strong rumors of Major Improvements and Changes in the future.
We will talk about the future at the end, but let's look at the park as of February 8th, 2007.
Much of the park is still closed to general Park Guests.
In the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area, the Former Millionaire Building, now called Stage 17 is just used for Special events and Private Parties. The same holds true for the former Hollywood and Dine location. Two large facilities fairly close to each other. The Hyperion now sits unused two days a week.
Over at the Bountiful Valley Farm area, Caterpillar has pulled out of being a sponsor, and the Stage area has been removed, leaving a very dead space.
Next door, in the Pacific Wharf area, the largest eatery still sits empty and unused (Lucky Fortune Cookery), though it did get some use during the Food and Wine Festival.
And right next to that you have the Golden Vine Winery Wine Bars, the larger of the two (the west end) has sat unused (except for some special events a few days a year) for years, along with the Season of the Vine attraction, which is hardly ever open. Last Sunday, we had a group of 20 that asked for someone to come over and show us the movie, and were told that it was closed.
On the other side of the closed Wine Bar is the San Francisco area, with a empty building, last time it was used by Guests was during the X-Games promotion, as an arcade.
The Cove Bar is just open three days a week in the off-season.
The Entertainment Corridor only has a Parade go down it 3 days a week during the off-season and the Electrical Parade is only offered about 4 months out of the year.
DCA still has shorter park operating hours and much less entertainment and character interaction than Disneyland. The only new things that DCA got in the last 12 months were the High School Musical and the Lighting McQueen and Mater Meet and Greet, plus "PUSH" getting relocated from Tomorrowland.
Less than a year ago, Disney's chief executive officer, Robert Iger went on record during the company's annual stockholder meeting on March 10th, 2006, when someone asked about a potential third park being built in Anaheim. "We're still working to assure the second gate is successful", Iger said, referring to California Adventure. "In the spirit of candor, we have been challenged."
What is the challenge? Well, it has been reported that the Senior Execs now are looking into "The DCA Problem" and how to fix it.
But the main problem is currently attendance, or more precisely, paid admission revenue.
Currently we have major discounts and promotions to try and draw guests into DCA.
The current marketing program, "Rockin' Both Parks" was rushed and changed multiple times the weeks before it took effect, including logos and now a revised Television commercial that features the "Dreams" music instead of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with once again revised logos. The marketing program was designed to match up with the return of the 2fer ticket, which Disney still markets as "Enjoy Disneyland ® Park on one day and Disney's California Adventure ® Park on another day FREE!".
Then we have the severe discounting offered to guests that will buy a Three Day or longer ParkHopper (Currently a 3 day ParkHopper is just $7 more than a 2 day ParkHopper). This has Disney looking for guests to take a look at DCA while they are there, but not much additional admission revenue paying for the park operation.
Disney also does force some folks to go into DCA. First during certain times, if a Cast Member wants to sign in a guest, they need to use the DCA turnstiles, not Disneyland's. Also there are less Cast Member Blockout days for themselves and guests at DCA than at Disneyland.
Add the Annual Passport program, in which Southern Californians can get an AP for $154 or less for an entire year.
Now, DCA did get a boost in its attendance count due to the expansion of the Mickey's Halloween treat event, which had a larger daily attendance this year.
Also, Disney was very pro-active on days of high attendance at Disneyland, stopping one day ticket sales to Disneyland earlier, but offering a special DCA ticket for the same price, that allowed a guest to visit DCA, but then enter Disneyland after a certain set time printed on the ticket (they spread the time around to not have a large group at any one time try to enter Disneyland, but times like after 4 PM, 5 PM and 6 PM were common). This helped DCA attendance, as they count the first park visited in a day.
Disney doesn't issue official attendance counts, but they do talk about percentage increases and decreases by the "resort" in investor information and phone calls. In the conference call on November 9th, 2006, they reported that the Disneyland Resort attendance was down 7% in the 4th Quarter (as compared to 4th quarter 2005). The Fourth Quarter covers the months of July, August and September. Of course, the 50th celebration was winding down, so it wasn't a big surprise that attendance drop as compared to 2005. In the February 7th, 2007 conference call, it was reported that the Disneyland Resort attendance was down 5% for the October thru December 2006 period compared to the same timeframe in 2005.
So the vast majority of DCA's attendance are folks who paid very little to enter DCA (The 2fer, Advance Purchase ParkHoppers, Annual Passes and Cast Member sign ins and comps). On the other hand, Disneyland sells a lot of single day tickets to its park, bringing in a lot more revenue on a "per guest" basis than DCA does.
We know of one major project in the works, "Toy Story Mania!" which is being built and opens in 2008. So far, everything that has been announced sounds like Disney is using new technology and including advanced AA's, things that are sorely lacking currently at DCA. Also, part of the budget is to help plus the area around the entrance to "Toy Story Mania".
This is all fine and good, but Disney did learn that just opening one new attraction will just help push more Annual Passholders thru the gates to check out the new ride when they opened Tower of Terror and Monsters, Inc. Currently both attractions have short waits the majority of the time. The park is still not seen as having a full days worth of "value".
Disney has known they need to have a much stronger Extreme Makeover of the park, and rumors have the decision to spend over $650 million, about the same amount of money as what it costs to build the original DCA. And some of the current rumors are getting positive spin on the internet.
The Walt Disney Company Annual Stockholders Meeting will be held Thursday, March 8th and rumors have the Board coming up to a final decision on the proposed plans and that an announcement will be made to the major investment and needed changes to DCA around the same time, maybe even at the meeting itself.
So we should have some great things to discuss, upcoming new attractions and the possible re-branding of the park when the project is completed. Maybe then Disney can get more than a few folks a day to pay full price to visit the park just south of Disneyland
So Disney will let the day pass by without celebration at the Park, just another normal off-season weekday with limited hours and entertainment.
Here is hoping that we can spend more time a year from now (and 4 years from now) with all the work being done to help make DCA more deserving to be called "Disney's" California Adventure.
And then, Disney can celebrate the changes when they can reduce and eliminate all the discounts and the CM's selling tickets can truly ask, "You want a One Day ticket, which park would you like to visit?" and not get just one answer.....
Not much has changed in the last 2 years, yes, we got "Blue Sky Disney", which is a great exhibit and a look to a hopefully better DCA, but that was the BIG deal in 2008. This year, we will get a newly painted "Fun Wheel" and some Disneyfied Games where we can pay DCA money to try and win something.
Yes, the future will being the "World of Color", The Little Mermaid and Cars Land, all things that should improve the park greatly.
Alas, with what Disney delivered with the "enhanced" it's a small world scares me. As I mentioned last week, the refurb itself was great with the new lighting, sound system and basic touching up the attraction. Too bad they couldn't just left it at that, and not added the Disney characters. Rode it again last night, and if anything, the cartoon characters stood out even more than when I rode it last week. Here is hoping that Disney does NEW and UNIQUE things for DCA instead of resting on its laurels.
So don't expect much on Monday, February 8th, 2010. The park will have very light attendance and more than likely, no official celebration (again). But who knows, in 2011, on DCA's 10th Anniversary, we actually might have a true party and some "official" news that might include a name change. Based on the first 8 years, that might be the best thing for the troubled park that has failed to deliver the revenue that Disney expected back when they built the place.
Haunted Mansion Reopens
Thursday, the Haunted Mansion reopened around 1 PM. The main issues that were addressed during the refurb was the removal of the holiday layover, and major safety upgrades, including new sensors.
Unfortanetly, Leota did not float yesterday, and there is no word when she might "levitate" again.
A couple of things to do in SoCal other than going to a Theme Park.
Want to ride a Segway? There is a company located across the street from Disneyland at the Ramada Maingate Hotel that offers that chance...
Segway Anaheim Resort Tours
How about flying an airplane? Joshua Sudock over at the Orange County Register talks about his day "dogfighting" in a flight simulator.
Don?t fight like cats and dogs this Valentine?s Day ? dogfight! - Around Disney - OCRegister.com
Selected photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
Bathrooms on the left, Bathrooms on the right, is San Francisco known for Bathrooms?
Maybe DCA should just turn the west side of DCA into a themed maze of refurb walls.
Where will the DCA Chirstmas Tree be planted in 2009?
Home of the former Music Fiasco in 2002
The Fun Wheel has been rotated once again, time to paint the final third of the wheel. Alas, delays will not allow it to open for Peak Easter Break, which is what Disney was hoping for originally.
Most of the refurb walls on Main Street have been removed
No more Prime Rib at the River Belle.
A look at the temporary Monroail Mark VII Red Half windows
Where's Mickey?
A great deal at the Anaheim GardenWalk
Alas, there has been a lack of Duck Photos lately.
And Handsome Dog photos
Once again, thank you! The last couple of weeks have been overwhelming with the amount of comments I have gotten from folks like you. I am off to Knott's this afternoon to talk to our wedding coordinator, and setting up our January, 2010 event. (I got Lisa to agree to Blue and Gold as our colors... GO CHARGERS!)
My Valentine, Lisa also wants to send you her thanks for all the wonderful comments!
Here is hoping everyone has a great Holiday weekend and a great Valentine's Day!
And did I mention that the USA kicked Mexico's butt Wednesday Night?
Alas, a pretty slow news week, so we will focus on photos and changes around the parks this week....
Cedar Fair has record Cash Flow in 2008
Cedar Fair, the company that runs Knott's Berry Farm had a very good year last year, making a profit in difficult times.
toledoblade.com --
Disney's California Adventure Park celebrates its 8th Anniversary
Last Sunday, without ANY fanfare, DCA celebrated its opening back on February 8th, 2001. Disney has pretty much ignored the date since having a celebration back in 2002 for its first anniversary when they announced the upcoming addition of Tower of Terror.
It was nice to see some crowds in the park last Sunday, even if most of them were the "2fer" folks using their second day that they got back on Martin Luther King's Holiday weekend. I have been at DCA every Anniversary since it opened, and usually the park is very quiet.
Bulldozers and refurb walls were in attendance, which is a VERY good thing, as hopefully the park will become more than just an "half day" park and an Annual Passholder lounge.
The Lucky Fortune Cookery sign has been removed
Since it is a holiday weekend, let me be lazy and share my thoughts from DCA's 6th BD....
Quote:
February 8th, 2007 - DCA's 6th Anniversary - Current issues and Hope for the Future
So we have reached California Adventure's Sixth Anniversary, and currently it is still having problems, but there are strong rumors of Major Improvements and Changes in the future.
We will talk about the future at the end, but let's look at the park as of February 8th, 2007.
Much of the park is still closed to general Park Guests.
In the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area, the Former Millionaire Building, now called Stage 17 is just used for Special events and Private Parties. The same holds true for the former Hollywood and Dine location. Two large facilities fairly close to each other. The Hyperion now sits unused two days a week.
Over at the Bountiful Valley Farm area, Caterpillar has pulled out of being a sponsor, and the Stage area has been removed, leaving a very dead space.
Next door, in the Pacific Wharf area, the largest eatery still sits empty and unused (Lucky Fortune Cookery), though it did get some use during the Food and Wine Festival.
And right next to that you have the Golden Vine Winery Wine Bars, the larger of the two (the west end) has sat unused (except for some special events a few days a year) for years, along with the Season of the Vine attraction, which is hardly ever open. Last Sunday, we had a group of 20 that asked for someone to come over and show us the movie, and were told that it was closed.
On the other side of the closed Wine Bar is the San Francisco area, with a empty building, last time it was used by Guests was during the X-Games promotion, as an arcade.
The Cove Bar is just open three days a week in the off-season.
The Entertainment Corridor only has a Parade go down it 3 days a week during the off-season and the Electrical Parade is only offered about 4 months out of the year.
DCA still has shorter park operating hours and much less entertainment and character interaction than Disneyland. The only new things that DCA got in the last 12 months were the High School Musical and the Lighting McQueen and Mater Meet and Greet, plus "PUSH" getting relocated from Tomorrowland.
Less than a year ago, Disney's chief executive officer, Robert Iger went on record during the company's annual stockholder meeting on March 10th, 2006, when someone asked about a potential third park being built in Anaheim. "We're still working to assure the second gate is successful", Iger said, referring to California Adventure. "In the spirit of candor, we have been challenged."
What is the challenge? Well, it has been reported that the Senior Execs now are looking into "The DCA Problem" and how to fix it.
But the main problem is currently attendance, or more precisely, paid admission revenue.
Currently we have major discounts and promotions to try and draw guests into DCA.
The current marketing program, "Rockin' Both Parks" was rushed and changed multiple times the weeks before it took effect, including logos and now a revised Television commercial that features the "Dreams" music instead of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with once again revised logos. The marketing program was designed to match up with the return of the 2fer ticket, which Disney still markets as "Enjoy Disneyland ® Park on one day and Disney's California Adventure ® Park on another day FREE!".
Then we have the severe discounting offered to guests that will buy a Three Day or longer ParkHopper (Currently a 3 day ParkHopper is just $7 more than a 2 day ParkHopper). This has Disney looking for guests to take a look at DCA while they are there, but not much additional admission revenue paying for the park operation.
Disney also does force some folks to go into DCA. First during certain times, if a Cast Member wants to sign in a guest, they need to use the DCA turnstiles, not Disneyland's. Also there are less Cast Member Blockout days for themselves and guests at DCA than at Disneyland.
Add the Annual Passport program, in which Southern Californians can get an AP for $154 or less for an entire year.
Now, DCA did get a boost in its attendance count due to the expansion of the Mickey's Halloween treat event, which had a larger daily attendance this year.
Also, Disney was very pro-active on days of high attendance at Disneyland, stopping one day ticket sales to Disneyland earlier, but offering a special DCA ticket for the same price, that allowed a guest to visit DCA, but then enter Disneyland after a certain set time printed on the ticket (they spread the time around to not have a large group at any one time try to enter Disneyland, but times like after 4 PM, 5 PM and 6 PM were common). This helped DCA attendance, as they count the first park visited in a day.
Disney doesn't issue official attendance counts, but they do talk about percentage increases and decreases by the "resort" in investor information and phone calls. In the conference call on November 9th, 2006, they reported that the Disneyland Resort attendance was down 7% in the 4th Quarter (as compared to 4th quarter 2005). The Fourth Quarter covers the months of July, August and September. Of course, the 50th celebration was winding down, so it wasn't a big surprise that attendance drop as compared to 2005. In the February 7th, 2007 conference call, it was reported that the Disneyland Resort attendance was down 5% for the October thru December 2006 period compared to the same timeframe in 2005.
So the vast majority of DCA's attendance are folks who paid very little to enter DCA (The 2fer, Advance Purchase ParkHoppers, Annual Passes and Cast Member sign ins and comps). On the other hand, Disneyland sells a lot of single day tickets to its park, bringing in a lot more revenue on a "per guest" basis than DCA does.
We know of one major project in the works, "Toy Story Mania!" which is being built and opens in 2008. So far, everything that has been announced sounds like Disney is using new technology and including advanced AA's, things that are sorely lacking currently at DCA. Also, part of the budget is to help plus the area around the entrance to "Toy Story Mania".
This is all fine and good, but Disney did learn that just opening one new attraction will just help push more Annual Passholders thru the gates to check out the new ride when they opened Tower of Terror and Monsters, Inc. Currently both attractions have short waits the majority of the time. The park is still not seen as having a full days worth of "value".
Disney has known they need to have a much stronger Extreme Makeover of the park, and rumors have the decision to spend over $650 million, about the same amount of money as what it costs to build the original DCA. And some of the current rumors are getting positive spin on the internet.
The Walt Disney Company Annual Stockholders Meeting will be held Thursday, March 8th and rumors have the Board coming up to a final decision on the proposed plans and that an announcement will be made to the major investment and needed changes to DCA around the same time, maybe even at the meeting itself.
So we should have some great things to discuss, upcoming new attractions and the possible re-branding of the park when the project is completed. Maybe then Disney can get more than a few folks a day to pay full price to visit the park just south of Disneyland
So Disney will let the day pass by without celebration at the Park, just another normal off-season weekday with limited hours and entertainment.
Here is hoping that we can spend more time a year from now (and 4 years from now) with all the work being done to help make DCA more deserving to be called "Disney's" California Adventure.
And then, Disney can celebrate the changes when they can reduce and eliminate all the discounts and the CM's selling tickets can truly ask, "You want a One Day ticket, which park would you like to visit?" and not get just one answer.....
Yes, the future will being the "World of Color", The Little Mermaid and Cars Land, all things that should improve the park greatly.
Alas, with what Disney delivered with the "enhanced" it's a small world scares me. As I mentioned last week, the refurb itself was great with the new lighting, sound system and basic touching up the attraction. Too bad they couldn't just left it at that, and not added the Disney characters. Rode it again last night, and if anything, the cartoon characters stood out even more than when I rode it last week. Here is hoping that Disney does NEW and UNIQUE things for DCA instead of resting on its laurels.
So don't expect much on Monday, February 8th, 2010. The park will have very light attendance and more than likely, no official celebration (again). But who knows, in 2011, on DCA's 10th Anniversary, we actually might have a true party and some "official" news that might include a name change. Based on the first 8 years, that might be the best thing for the troubled park that has failed to deliver the revenue that Disney expected back when they built the place.
Haunted Mansion Reopens
Thursday, the Haunted Mansion reopened around 1 PM. The main issues that were addressed during the refurb was the removal of the holiday layover, and major safety upgrades, including new sensors.
Unfortanetly, Leota did not float yesterday, and there is no word when she might "levitate" again.
A couple of things to do in SoCal other than going to a Theme Park.
Want to ride a Segway? There is a company located across the street from Disneyland at the Ramada Maingate Hotel that offers that chance...
Segway Anaheim Resort Tours
How about flying an airplane? Joshua Sudock over at the Orange County Register talks about his day "dogfighting" in a flight simulator.
Don?t fight like cats and dogs this Valentine?s Day ? dogfight! - Around Disney - OCRegister.com
Selected photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
Bathrooms on the left, Bathrooms on the right, is San Francisco known for Bathrooms?
Maybe DCA should just turn the west side of DCA into a themed maze of refurb walls.
Where will the DCA Chirstmas Tree be planted in 2009?
Home of the former Music Fiasco in 2002
The Fun Wheel has been rotated once again, time to paint the final third of the wheel. Alas, delays will not allow it to open for Peak Easter Break, which is what Disney was hoping for originally.
Most of the refurb walls on Main Street have been removed
No more Prime Rib at the River Belle.
A look at the temporary Monroail Mark VII Red Half windows
Where's Mickey?
A great deal at the Anaheim GardenWalk
Alas, there has been a lack of Duck Photos lately.
And Handsome Dog photos
Once again, thank you! The last couple of weeks have been overwhelming with the amount of comments I have gotten from folks like you. I am off to Knott's this afternoon to talk to our wedding coordinator, and setting up our January, 2010 event. (I got Lisa to agree to Blue and Gold as our colors... GO CHARGERS!)
My Valentine, Lisa also wants to send you her thanks for all the wonderful comments!
Here is hoping everyone has a great Holiday weekend and a great Valentine's Day!
And did I mention that the USA kicked Mexico's butt Wednesday Night?
Total Comments 31
Comments
-
WOO HOO! I get first comment..!!!
Great update, sir, and congratulations to you and your valentine on your coming marriage... Exciting times in your future...
We're thinking about a trip to SoCal next year to visit DL (haven't been since 2003), and I am very leery on even riding IASW with those changes... There are some childhood memories I just don't want to have spoiled.Posted 02-13-2009 at 07:34 AM by tonyrr1
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Nice update.
Posted 02-13-2009 at 08:31 AM by llama5492 -
Thanks for the update!Posted 02-13-2009 at 09:12 AM by WheresMickey - A great controversial update.Posted 02-13-2009 at 09:22 AM by TacAlert
- I love sarcasim. Thanks for the laugh.Quote:Maybe DCA should just turn the west side of DCA into a themed maze of refurb walls.Posted 02-13-2009 at 09:24 AM by toemblem
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Great update, as usual. Thanks.
The Prime Rib has been gone from the River Belle for some time now and the Roast New York is actually better.Posted 02-13-2009 at 09:33 AM by gawama - i dont know if they still have it but they had a segway morning magic tour at dca right before it openedPosted 02-13-2009 at 09:42 AM by stonedsweeper
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That's a lovely pic of Ernie and that child at the flag retreat darkbeer...Posted 02-13-2009 at 10:46 AM by ttrocc7007 
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We did get Toy Story Mania at DCA in 2008, which was pretty good. Not really excited about anything opening in 2009.
I was missing those duck pictures, thanks.Posted 02-13-2009 at 11:21 AM by vfire -
fab new stuff there!!!Posted 02-13-2009 at 11:33 AM by wdwnut4life -
I also enjoyed the great sot of the Flag Retreat.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!Posted 02-13-2009 at 11:38 AM by Darkwing -
Great update, as usual!!! Congrats on the wedding that is wonderful!Posted 02-13-2009 at 11:43 AM by saphron37 - My wife and I are going to DL this Sun. & Mon. Watch out IASW we are very picky. No matter the outcome at least we'll get our beloved corndogs!Posted 02-13-2009 at 11:43 AM by whoRU
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nice update thanksPosted 02-13-2009 at 12:28 PM by raiderpt -
"Blue Sky Disney" ?
Don't you mean Blue Sky Cellar? Blue Sky Disney is a blog about Disney, Darkbeer. A slip perhaps? We know what you were looking at before you wrote this! Ha ha ha.Posted 02-13-2009 at 01:11 PM by ImagineerWaryur -
Nice update David.
Welcome back Haunted Mansion can't wait you ride it this weekend.
Remeber...Dream Come True happen as of Feb 13-16, right?Posted 02-13-2009 at 02:06 PM by MickeyMousePal - [QUOTE]Not much has changed in the last 2 years, yes, we got "Blue Sky Disney", which is a great exhibit and a look to a hopefully better DCA, but that was the BIG deal in 2008. /QUOTE]
-Additions in 2008-
Pixar Play Parade
Midway Mania
Blue Sky Cellar
Update to High School Musical Show
When you go in with the conclusion that DCA sucks you may forget a few of the things that happened... sure the parade and HSM is forgettable.. but a Whole New Ride? Ironically right next to where most of your photos were taken.Posted 02-13-2009 at 02:08 PM by Imagineer1985 -
Just because all those things were not listed doesn't mean he forgot about them because he was focused on his premise that DCA sucks. His greater point that not much has changed despite the additions of a new parade, Midway, Blue Sky, and HSM3 show, remains very much valid.Posted 02-13-2009 at 02:28 PM by PeoplemoverMatt -
Great post, Darkbeer! Hopefully by 2012 or even 2011, DCA will be a park worthy of a real anniversary celebration.Posted 02-13-2009 at 03:06 PM by MarkTwain -
nothing like a bit of controversy!! i can only hope that some of those refurb walls are down intime for my next visit... which is 350 plus days away
atleast its something to look forward to... things are pretty grim ova here at the moment with the fire's an all!Posted 02-13-2009 at 04:58 PM by aussiedave
