Electerik

I'll handle this one. Consider Discovery Cove. There's no rides, but: Slightly higher paying than SeaWorld. Free admission to all Busch parks, as well as Universal Orlando. The jobs are really easy and the park is purposely overstaffed. It's really easy to get on and off property (say, for lunch). Uniform consists of a Hawiian shirt, shorts, and sandals. Lot's of attractive guests walking around in bathing suits all day. Free case of beer every month. Universal has its points as well. But the more the idea of working for Disney appeals to you, the less you should actually try it. (They haven't been Walt's parks for a long, long time.)

Lake Winnie - Sunday, August 26, 2007. First time there.

^ And I, for one, am rather excited about the current approach. (In fact, I'm kind of hoping that the Europe trip stays at 50.) You know, no disrespect intended, but it's almost to the point that I get angry when people start to tell R&E how to do this stuff. I mean, geez, go do your own if you're so smart!

^ Sorry, all negatives have been destroyed. Honestly, it's for your own good.

Actually, I did have a pretty good time. And that's really how one should measure the strength of a park, isn't it? They have a proper sit-down restaurant, the Pirate has great air, and I do so enjoy chairlifts. But, even so, the idea that this pleasent, if ghetto-tastic, little park is better than, say, Busch Gardens Europe or Indiana Beach is pretty laughable. On the other hand, maybe the publicity will inspire them to build something better.

This is Erik Elness, reporting live from what TripAdvisor recently named one of the top 10 amusement parks outside of Orlando: Ober Gatlinburg. Ever since the announcement, controversy has swirled around this offbeat choice. Short on traditional amusement park staples like "roller coasters" and "fun," Ober Gatlinburg has instead relied for years on such attributes as a really cool entrance and highly laid back employees in order to snare visitors. But the question remains: Has TripAdvisor finally brought the attention that this long-overlooked park so richly deserves? Or, was it simply a joke thrown in at the last minute to see if anyone was paying attention, perhaps based on a dare from the webmaster's roommate? On the afternoon of August 21st, 2007, we took our secret cameras inside Ober Gatlinburg to find out. So there you have it. Is Ober Gatlinburg really one of the top 10 parks outside of Orlando? I just shoot the pictures. You have decide...for yourself. Still not convinced? Then how about this shocking revelation! Looks like last night's kegger got a little bit out of control, eh Smoky? I'm suddenly struck by something a smelly hippie once told me during an interview about marijuana or something: "No one can own bears, man." It turns out to be an indoor mini-golf course. But, even after putting through the loop, I can see no sign of ever having left this dimension. Back in "The Mall," we stumble across this strange attraction, at the top of an otherwise unmarked staircase. The Go Cart track. And beyond it, one of the winter ski slopes. As you can see, the park rejects traditional notions of "on-stage" and "backstage." Not even at a Six Flags would this be considered good show. A two-story rocking fun house. The attendant lets me go through. Too late, we spot the manufacturer of this attraction. Luckily, there are no problems on our ride. This water slide is called "Blue Cyclone Rapids," but it doesn't look like any rapids ride that I've ever seen. And here's another. On the way back up towards "The Mall," we spot another sign that Ober Gatlinburg may not quite be ready for the big time. It may not look like much, but the track is concrete. And the sled, plastic. At long last, I reach the beginning of the alpine slide. I play along. I may be alone on this chairlift, but I can still kiss when I need to. On the way back up, I spot this sign. Apparently, I'm not the only one taking pictures. I must then travel back up to the midway point. This reporter's reaction? Heading back down, I am not allowed to exit at the midway point to ride the alpine slide, but must instead travel all the way back down to the bottom. Certainly, these employees give no indication that anything is amiss. But, curiously, not much was up there. I had been told that I would have to get off at the halfway point, but upon reaching it, I was allowed to go to the top. A close up view of a patron. She has no idea she's being filmed. The park's star attraction is this alpine slide. To get to it, you have no real choice but to take the chairlift. This chairlift offers a pretty good overview of most of the park--or, at least, the parts they want you to see. This building looks innocent enough, but who knows what depravity might be going on inside? We thought it best to keep moving. Outside, the carcass of one of the old trams has been turned into a snack bar. We pretended to have lunch in this restaurant while we scoped out the park. Note the Pirate, dangerously close to our window. At the top. And we're now inside what Ober Gatlinburg calls "The Mall." We had to be careful that no one saw our cameras, or this investigation would be over before it even started. This is where you catch the Aerial Tram from downtown Gatlinburg and up to the park. The entrance seemed pleasant enough. But would the facade hold up?

Alright, I've decided. And the answer is.... Europe The check is in the mail.

So, it was very much my intention to go on this year's Midwest Trip. I sent in a deposit and everything (which R&E were very kind to return to me when I had to drop out). However, I am going on one of the 2008 trips. I don't care what weirdness life throws at me this year, I'm going. Now I just have to wait for the flyers so I can decide where.

Well, because there wasn't much competition. Raven was one of the first full-sized CCI's, GCI didn't exist yet, and Intamin wasn't building wood. So, you basically had lots of old school woodies (some of which were and are quite fun, of course) and Summers-Dinn stuff. Eliminate all Intamin, CGI, and most CCI/Gravity Group coasters except for Raven from your top ten list and then see how it does. It still might not be your number one, but it would be for a lot of folks. (Especially folks in the industry, who might tend to want to emphasize new over "classic.")

> Is there anything you can do on this ride? Yeah, you can wear your glasses. Still the greatest glasses policy I've ever heard of, by the way: If you wanna bring your glasses, you have to wear them. Which reminds me: At Wild Adventures, I was once told by a Cheetah ride op that I had to remove my glasses and put them in my pocket because if they fell off and landed on the track it could cause the train to derail. Anyway, I do like Holiday World a lot. But, yeah, I could see how a first time visitor could find it overhyped/underwhelming. Me, I'd add a Sky Ride. But I digress. Nice trip report!

Universal Orlando would probably be best, precisely because the property is relatively small. So all the parks and hotels are connected by winding, well-manicured walkways. Disney is more spread out, but I don't think you can actually walk from park to park entirely on sidewalks (which is to say, you'd have to walk on the road). Really nothing much at Seaworld (in terms of walking around, anyway). But, really, if I haven't made it clear enough already (and as an avid walker myself) I would say that best choice by far is Universal/CityWalk.

I would have to go with LoCoSuMo, as well. SoB fits the category, too (but not quite as much as it used to).

Aquatrax. There, now nobody else has to say it.

Um...eleven?

Of course, it's always hard to tell without actually riding the thing, but this definitely looks like my kind of ride. I'm starting to think about a trip to this new-to-me park next year, as well.

About 2 years ago, I donated my car to charity. If I travel, I rent a car. Otherwise, I hoof it, ride my bike, or take public transportation. Yeahm, I'm weird.

Whenever I walk people try to hand me out flyers. And when someone tries to hand me out a flyer, it's kinda like they're saying "Here, you throw this away." -Mitch Hedberg

I finally bought new glasses, after finally giving up on the fantasy that I'm going to get Lasik anytime soon (I am a coward). $300.00, plus $55.00 for the eye exam.

Not normally much of a hip hop fan...but right now I'm listening to the new Aesop Rock song, "None Shall Pass," and really quite enjoying it.

Jesus, someone take Wes's camera away. He's doing it wrong!

Sad and pathetic style...so I had lots of time to take pictures. I leave you with this bit of artistry. Toodles! Mystery Mine's indoor/outdoor gift shop. And, now, this downer. Timber Canyon from the upper section of Mystery Mine's queue. That one's not quite as blurry. (I'm surprised it didn't roll back. ) And whizzing around the turn! (Okay, so I need a new camera.) Coming off the horseshoe turn. (Look how fast!) This year's other new attraction didn't quite get the same fanfare for some reason. A pretty good overview of the first half's outdoor section (if I do say so myself). Mystery Mine from Lumberjack Lifts. Wrong Way Joe's sold potatoes last year. But I guess it's more manly to sell wieners. ...so I just sort of shot around it. Yes, Timber Tower was down all day (again). Thunderhead, through the broken Huss ride. More GCI-style turny goodness. Are you happy now? Fine. Here's Thunderhead. ...and a fountain. What, are you in a hurry or something? Just another random Dollywood path.... Glass blowing. No "glory hole" jokes, please; I'm very sensitive. ...as diabolical a water ride as you are likely to find. Fun, though. The Mountain SlideWinder.... Now this one, I would never, ever go on with regular shoes. Part splash, part water-jet fakery. And, thanks to my he-man sandals, I was able to sit in the front without fear of watery reprisal. This is actually one of my favorite rides in the park. Hmm, something odd about that birdhouse.... Time for another water ride. Proving once again that anything fits tornadic theming. Plus, this business. It's fun...for an Arrow multi-looper. The Tennessee Tornado. And a tree. Blazing Fury's exit and exterior theming. Blazing Fury. Well, the station anyway. I wonder if this Tennessee Tornado sign (which sort of signifies that there's nothing else up there) will come down next year...? So I, of course, bought food. Here's what $12.03 will get you. ...or something forged. You can buy a carriage at Dollywood.... Despite all the material this photo provides, I just can't think of a caption. One of Dollywood's many random "stores in the middle of the midway." ...which, I'm guessing, require vast amounts of water from this contraption. Ooh, pretty flowers! This one's for the ladies. (Because, as I mentioned earlier, I'm totally straight.) One more shot of the vegetable coaster. It was so uncrowded, in fact, that I was able to get on the Sky Rider. My camera took pity on this ride, and decided to make it look really fast. I waited forever to get this shot. So pretend to like it. The park wasn't too busy today. The Country Fair section. Yes, Dollywood has a magic shop. I just like this picture. What, you wanna fight about it? The big train does not give a hoot. (Obscure?) ...in my straight, straight sandals. (Not pictured, but very manly.) ...so that I could ride the water rides.... ...so I wore sandals (not gay).... Like most of the south...Tennessee has been hotter than six hells for the last two weeks.... ...what's their excuse? I took public transportation here.... I have never been in this store, due to fear of catching "teh ghey." Somewhat breaking with tradition, I kept to the right upon entering the park. ...which is really just the exit...which is really just a gift shop. ...so I took the season passholders entrance.... The main entrance looked a little congested.... Well, okay, it's really just a bus. ...and took the trolley to the park. Walked over to the Dollywood Welcome Center....

^^ What's interesting about that to me is that the GP love it. I mean, I've heard enthusiasts refer to Raptor's snap onto the brake run as an engineering error, but it's been my experience that most of the GP consider it the cherry on top of the sundae, as it were. I've ever heard CP brass refer to it as a very successful feature of the ride, and as something to be imitated conceptually on other projects!

Superman: The Escape! Photo from this very site.

Shiekra, short as it is. Verticle drop into tunnel, fan turn, splash down, ascent, helix.

Nice trip report. And let me just say that you've reminded me of a saying from my Cedar Point days.... "Buck Fill Spehn" You had to be there.