No, your eyes don't deceive you. You are looking at the first Spotlight in the Corkscrewed Era. After months of parks that almost made it, Artist finally cracks the perceived glass ceiling with his beautiful Ports of Magia! A park that approached Natelox-speed with its 1 month 1 week 4 day construction span, Ports of Magia is a gorgeous throwback to the traditional, realistic Spotlights full of stunning atmosphere, great theming, intricate architecture, and fantastic rides!

We begin in Burano, the charming entry area based of one of Venice’s lagoon islands. Showing a beautiful, romanticized version of Venice, this area utilizes great pastel colors to set a tone of serenity, but that doesn't mean there aren't any thrills. Assarie is an Arrow multi-looper with inspirations from Drachen Fire, and its four inversions are a great start to what proves to be an exciting park! Burano leds guests straight into Piraeus, a small Grecian town that evokes a similar peaceful atmosphere...until you come to Anemous, a 121 foot Intamin hypercoaster that threads its way along the backside of the area! Val Desaire harkens back to old logging days, taking the old western theme and executing it to perfection. Some may see similarities to Sierra Glen, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery in my opinion. Here, thrill seekers can brave Jackal, a mighty terrain woodie partly designed by X250, or cool down on the Desaire Logging Co., a small log flume attraction. Things start getting unique, however, as visitors enter Watermelon Valley, a unique land devoted to--what else--watermelons! Here Artist indulges in his colorful side, playing with a mix of rustic and fruity colors to attain a splashy but not over-the-top scheme that really sets the theme well. Guests can also take Professor Tooty's Factory Tours, an eccentrically named but awesomely themed liquid coaster with an 88 foot final drop! Finally, Calypso Cove really brings out the paint guns with its vibrant scheme. The centerpiece is Eruption, a 6-inversioned B&M inverted coaster that actually goes through a volcano! This Nemesis-style "terrain coaster" is all about speed and thrills, and is fantastic ride.

Artist shows that realism is still alive and well at NE. Quality like this does not go ignored, and though it may not be the most innovative mind-boggling park in the world, it certainly is breath-taking, and worthy of Spotlight status in my mind. Congratulations, Chris! Keep up the great work!