Invertalon

I think this ride looks FANTASTIC, and the name is fine with me. Can't wait to check it out. It will get me back to BGT once again when down in Orlando.

Edit: I should of put this in the "random" forum I believe, if so, can a mod please move this for me? I know this is not exactly a park-related photo update, however, it is Halloween time and some may appreciate this. This past Sunday in Pittsburgh PA was Zombie Fest, a large charity event that allows people to dress up and just be, zombie-like? In battle with a similar event in Seattle WA, this broke the world record Sunday for the largest zombie fest, with close to 5,000 zombies attending. Here are some photos from the event. For more, check out my flickr page, Here! To view other Zombie Walk/Fests, just click on the "collections" button up top and click on "zombie walks" and there are a few more to view, if interested.

Just got a handful of new photos to throw up, not a large update but I did not take many photos last weekend. Not that exciting, but anyway... Enjoy! Front gate person. Raptor Midway to MF More Raptor! Boo Hill Blue Streak Fight Zone midway Maverick SkyHawk Sunset from Maverick Platform Skeleton replacing lightbulb. Carnevil Entrance And one more Raptor... Loop.

You know, people looked at me like I was insane that trip... I was walking around in shorts & tshirt (it was like 60* I believe) but for those Florida locals, man was it frigid! Like you said, hats, coats, etc... I mean it got a little chilly towards the night, but compared to Ohio in January? It is MUCH warmer I was able to take it with ease! A few years back we actually went swimming in an outdoor pool and people though we were nuts. It was "only" 70 some degrees outside. Toughen up!

I really love Manta as well! As I stated in one of my captions, I really had low expectations for the ride due to the layout and my experiences with Superman's (I MUCH prefer the Vekoma's!)... But Manta changed that. I love how they integrated the aquarium with the ride so perfectly. The ride itself was awesome, and I really love the ending on the left side (knee choppers!) and how close you get to the waterfalls and ground in general. This is how flying coasters should be! Too bad more parks are not building them... They have so much potential IMO, if done right.. Like Manta!

All those photos were taken on Friday, not Saturday (in which the overflow lot was being used it was so busy). Nobody was in the zones prior to the event when I took the pictures so it looks a lot less busy. They had a very decent crowd Friday though, and I guess broke the opening night attendance record!

As promised months ago, I finally got around to posting this TR from Florida. This is basically just a photo TR, so I will just caption the photos with the information. This TR includes SWO, BGT, Brevard Zoo, Downtown Disney and some other random photos. Let me know if you have any questions. The Hotel! Which was awesome... We had the mini-condo rooms or whatever you want to call them, hot-tub and all! <3 I-trolley... Love this thing! Took this to SWO a few days out of the week along with any other location along I-Drive. Was empty this day as you can see. SWO! Manta testing! Lift (such a beautiful ride!) The entrance. First Drop Now to Kraken for a bit. I love Kraken! Such a great ride, love the ZeroG. The Kraken itself! Penguin Encounter... Makes me miss Sea World Ohio / SFWoA Sleeping Sea Lion He really wanted some fish! Anytime I go to SWO, Kraken is walk-on Octopus located in Manta's exhibit. A small piece of Manta's Queue line... One of the best lines, ever. I mean, where else could you see this while waiting in line? Makes time go by fast! Luckily, wait of less than 20mins the days I was there, if not walkon. Manta observation area. Pretzel Loop Wee! Inside the Shark Encounter Florida squirrel... Tiny compared to our Ohioan ones! Speaking of, they are preparing right now for winter. Large as small dogs... This was fun... But made me dizzy as well. Do not do well in simulators, at all! Over the bridge. Love the views from here. Some midway So beautiful these parks are! At the front of the park by Manta Now a few photos from the Brevard Zoo! This is "cookie", he followed me everywhere. Would not leave me alone! He actually ate a part of my camera bag off for whatever reason. Um, yeah. Don't mess. Do not forget what this is, but it is one serious looking bird! High up in the trees. Silly goat. Welcome to BGT! I really like Gwazi, fun layout. Hate the PTC's. but maybe those MF trains will come one day. Flamingo! Sheikra Second Drop First Drop Will be missed... Man, I really miss the free beer Rhino Rally is a blast! Kumba Very original photo.... I kind of like the "rusty" look, myself. Montu... Oh sweet Montu! Love immelmans... Wish they were used more often. Tiger at BGT... Love that area of the park. I enjoy these boat things... They are a good way to burn a buck or two and a few minutes. Midway Saw the Cirque show down here and it was decent. I prefer many others, though. Varekai, Kooza & Alegria definitely beat this one. Downtown Disney is such a pretty area. Cool looking place World of Disney Back to Manta! Such an awesome ride. Kills the "Superman" varieties. I was actually expecting to be underwhelmed by this ride... But it was so much better than expected. Time for some animal shots... Here is a Puffin. I like Puffins. This poor Gull has no foot. Wonder what happened to it. Dolphin Nursery. He was playing with his brother/friend and a bird that kept coming by. Hello there The animal show at SWO... It was a pretty good show, I enjoyed it. through the hoop! jump! jump! Few more Kraken shots I really like the straight drops, versus curved. One final Manta shot Back to the airport we go! Self Explanatory.

You know, I am not sure. Everything appeared to be up and running when I walked past them at various times. I was not there until 7PM though, so maybe it was earlier in the day? CPmaverick, I also noticed the lack of the "Club Blood" sign in the house as well which was a bummer. I was hoping that maybe next weekend it would be up again, as there could have been a time crunch for setup on some things? My guess is they are not 100% yet, but should be by next weekend. I don't know why they wouldn't bring that sign back though! It needs it! Also, that first mirror room in Toy Factory, one time they actually had "window cleaners" in that room, and the effect was amazing. Nobody knew where they were and made it much more exciting. It only was like this once (and I heard they were really washing the windows, go figure), but why not put two or three people in there to do that? There is NOTHING in that section and feels out of place to me. I have big question though about Halloweekends though: Does anybody else wonder why CP does not do a Haunted Train ride? Even if they only do half of it, the side that runs through all the skeleton villages. Throw a few actors in there and have fun with it. Stop the train, do a back-story, etc... Make it cheesy, whatever! It baffles me why they do not utilize that train though... Dorney does it, and it was quite fun I thought. Everybody else seemed to enjoy it too. *shrugs*

Funny you should say that... Club Blood was surprisingly good compared to years past on Friday and Saturday when I had gone through them. Heavy staffing, great scares and women to complete the "theme". It HEAVILY depends on staffing how good a house experience is. Even with HHN, some houses can be terrible one night and amazing another. Club Blood is usually my least favorite, but it has been decent so far. Too bad the new house was not that good for you, I was looking forward to it. Hopefully it is better when I go through this Friday (if I can get in! Refuse to wait 30+ mins, haha). Glad you all enjoy the photos!

Two photos that didn't attach above to finish the TR: Last photo! Hope you enjoyed.

Update: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56841&start=20#p946938 As promised, I have plenty of Halloweekends photos from this past weekend. I went both Friday and Saturday, and have NEVER seen the park as busy as I did Saturday! They were back into grass "lots" I did not know exist. Either way, we had a blast. The scare zones have been improved (Fair Faire and Terror Island miles better than years past), and the employees had great energy opening night. I have not yet done the newest house due to the very long line, but hope to this Friday when I go back. I highly recommend making it out this year! It gets better and better every year. I just think it is time to update/revamp the Carnevil theme. Enjoy the pictures. Any additional photos from Halloweekends I get in the next few weeks will be added to this same post, with the main page edited to show the location of the photos. If you have any questions let me know! Also, thanks for my girlfriend for supplying a few of the photos below as well! Sorry for the large load of photos, but I figure some may appreciate some more than others and vise versa. Nothing wrong with extra photos I suppose though! First thing you see through the main gate. I like these pumpkins, hanging by where Demon Drop was. Dick Kinzel's skeleton... Now as you will notice throughout the TR, tons of skeletons. They can be quite funny though! Lawl Tombstones! Nice looking area.. Too bad they do not do more with it, scare-wise, at night. They are back again! Where the kid section is (hay maze and candy haunted house, which I really want to go through!) Headless Horseman. New this year, they have these lined up down the midway. They look nice though, I like them! Oh Noes... UFO Crash! Mmmm... Buffet... SWEET TOMATIESSS (J <3) Last Thrill Dragster. Sign. These were at GL by X-Flight until the closure... They used to talk at GL though, it was hilarious. Me too! Banners located by Iron Dragon. Hearse. U.R.DADE I always did like the HW logo. Um... Train? Train! Fright Zone where Starlight usually is (western area). This used to be the best Scare zone, but the updates to Terror Island and Faire Fair changed that. Hands up! (He sits on the MF tunnel) Gargoyle. More skeletons. New prop this year in the Fright Zone. Looks like a good time! This one makes me laugh, for whatever reason. This one looks a bit boney. Around this time, the fog is on full-power. Cool statue demon thing. Entrance to Corn Stalkers. The Fright Zone. Fishing Skeleton. The new house! Overview. These are inside the Ambulance... Cool touch. Spooky! Another sign posted in front of the house. Zombies. Yummy. Lol Coaster break... Nice photo of Maverick in the sunset & fog. Fall is here! Evil Rat! Oops. Carnevil... My least favorite zone... I think it was better up front by WT to be honest. It "fit" better. Do not like it where it sits now. A non-wide lens, a tall decoration, and no room to backup makes for a weird composed photo. Like this one. "Spiders.... I HATE spiiiiders...." Carnevil. Terror Island... Excellent this year. Skeleton Pirate! Skeleton, again. Fire in the hole! These ones hang off Dragster. He cuts grass. I just don't know. It is now around 7:30pm, and the monsters begin to come out. The march out to the overlord tower... Located by the Good Times Theater. Yo I really wish there was a "bulk upload" option! I got nothing! No caption again. They had quite a bit of energy "opening" the night. Great fun! More monsters. Waiting for... There he is! "I am happy!" They all kneel and let the other guy speak. Love this monkey guy... He has been there the past few years (same guy). Does a good job. Ready? Go! At this time, they run off, scare people and head to their respected scare zones for the night. This ceremony is cool touch to start the night. This trashcan has a light-bar, and a siren that scares the hell out of people. It is hilarious! You can find it in the Fright Zone. They are in Faire Fair I believe. At least the bigger one is. I like this one! Starting to get very dark... They are waiting for you! On a truck by Maverick... Kind of out of place, could be better put to use somewhere else IMO. Nothing really back by Maverick. Inside Carnevil. Bird Lady/Man. Terror Island, at night. This is the entrance to Terror Island (normally Paddle Wheel). Then you cross a floating bridge over to the island, which takes you through the entire scare zone, which was paved this year and made much more exciting with the use of props and much better people. Almost done... Walking over onto the island. The skeleton boat... I do think that CP should start using gore, a bit more... Skeletons can only do so much! Or aliens! The Grave Yard Rockers! They have a few shows every night. He be Jammin' Why Hello! I had to throw another skeleton in! Or two! Toy Factory! Which was not good when I went through Saturday... Almost no scares, very little staffing. Disappointing after how well it did the past season. The ice cream truck located in front of the Toy Factory house (above) Fair Faire.... (BTW, I have been adding files for well over a half hour now... Bulk upload, please!) LOVE this new guy. There is the taller dude from the earlier photo. Decorations. There he is again!

Haloweekends was excellent last night! Very busy, perfect weather and excellent improvments to the scare zones. The fair scarezone is much improved, as is terror island. Better layout, interaction and the staff was excellent this year for opening weekend. Great energy! Grabbed well over 300 photos that I need to go through and hopefully post later the week. Ran into Chris as well, nice to meet you! You guys were excellent in the scarezone last night! I would of got your picture but most of the scarezones are damn near impossible to get a decent photo in, unless the light and fog are just right. I am sure I will catch you sometime this year though! Great job again. Houses had long waits, especially the new one. Did not wait for it last night but great to see it so busy. Looking forward to it! I just wish they pushed capacity a bit more in the houses on busy nights... Groups of 4-7 every few minutes make for slo wwwww lines. Maybe it is time they start the HHN single file line through the houses. People always manage to bunch up together anyway when sent in small groups

Yeah, it is one of the few rides that still get me going which is rare these days. Mostly due to the amazing launch, which I never get sick of. Plus the view from the top is oh so sweet. Love it! One of my most magical rides was on TTD, front seat during Halloweekends... Coming down the tower had an incredible lightshow on that island, mixed with fog and a nice cool night. Amazing! I don't view it as a full out coaster though, as I do more a thrill ride. Can't get enough of it!

Ken Rockwell is a joke. I would not look into any of his "guides" seriously. He even says this himself. Some of the things he says and writes about are complete B.S. Just so you know I highly recommend http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php for some of the best photography forums out there, to learn from. Search and find near anything that you have questions to.

Just remember, a great photograph has little to do with the equipment used, and I say little because there are exceptions. I have a huge pet peeve of people asking me about my camera equipment assuming it does all the work itself and even to the point of criticizing my equipment because their $200 point and shoot has 20x zoom, and my $1300 lens with my $1500 body has no zoom-ability at all (prime lens, set focal length). It is hard to explain to them that the money is spent on image quality, versus versatility. A prime lens blow away any zoom lens for quality, speed and colors/contrast. But yes, this has happened to me plenty of times when walking around parks. People try to act nice and then start asking about "mega-pixels", "zoom" and other features only to then compare what I have to them and how I am silly for having what I do and how much I may have spent on it. We buy the best tools for what we shoot, not buy all-in-one wonders that most people do. Photography has a large learning curve and can be quite confusing at first. My best advice is to do plenty of research, learn manual and custom modes and stay OUT of "AUTO". A camera and lens is only a tool that helps you grab your vision, it does not take magical pictures on it's own. You can not give somebody the best paint brushes and canvas out there and expect them to paint the Mona Lisa, now would you? I will admit, better gear helps BIG TIME with creating effects with depth of field, cropping resolution and features compared to the P&S cameras. It is hard to get subject isolation and capture fast moving objects in low light with a P&S. Sure, a great photographer can make excellent photos with a P&S, but it has great limitations as stated a few posts back. AF systems for tracking subjects, resolution, high ISO capability, shutter-lag, start up time and lenses dedicated to specific tasks.One great feature on a few SLR's and lenses include weather-sealing, allowing you to continue shooting in the rain/snow and whatever else with little risk. It are the features that make your job easier with an SLR. I have shot in a downpour at Cedar Point shooting Starlight at night while most people ran for cover. That is a nice feature to have. Because of that, I was able to capture some amazing images including this one, where I may have missed it otherwise: My suggestion (Canon suggestions from me!) would be to skip any "luxury P&S" and start off with a Canon XS, XSi or T1i with the 18-55mm IS kit lens (or any other budget SLR kit from Nikon, or whoever else)... That is all. Shoot with it, learn it and see what its limitations are to YOU. If you feel you need a longer focal length to reach animals at the zoo, people riding rides, or whatever else... Look into various telephotos. If you want a lens that will have speed for low-light situations, pick up the ultra-cheap Canon 50mm f/1.8 for $80 for low light and shallow depth of field. They have lenses for every use, just play around with the camera first and see where it falls short for you before buying extra lenses that you will not really use. And do not let others tell you that a P&S will match an SLR for image quality or operations... For example, I can turn on my camera, lock focus and fire off at 8 frames a second as fast as I could move. With a point and shoot, the lens would still be "extending" and preparing to even allow me to think of doing anything, meanwhile, I am already looking through the photos I had already taken on the SLR. SLR's make photography much more enjoyable, customizable and rewarding IMO. It does get very expensive, sure, but it just depends on how dedicated you are and the results you want. Learn the relationships between aperture, shutter speed & ISO and what they each do to change your image. Also, looking into post-editing, such as Adobe Lightroom for image processing. Learn and shoot with RAW when possible for ultimate photo editing. Many resources out there to learn. If you ever have any other questions, just let me know though. I will be glad to help explain the best I can to make it less confusing. -Steve

As for the shirts, I am talking about the hangover one, yes. The one with the baby carrier... haha

Thanks for the comments guys. I know it is a little different from most photo TR's (more abstract, I guess you could say), but since I go there so often I try to get shots and perspectives most people do not. Here is a link to my past CP trip report for those who may have missed it Here! that is somewhat more normal, but not really after looking at it again... hahah My entire shooting rig (body/lenses) consists of a Canon 7D with a Canon 300mm f/4L IS, 135mm f/2L IS, 24-105mm f/4L IS, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and Tokina 12-24mm f/4 lenses. For these shots, they were mostly shot with my 300mm and 135mm. The final few were with the 24-105mm. And Chris, I will try and keep an eye out for you at Fear Faire this Friday! I am pretty obvious to spot, a tall (6'6) curly haired guy with a camera and backpack. I will be with my girlfriend who will also have her camera as we try to capture some awesome shots of the event. I will have the photos up the next week if we actually get some decent shots! It is always tricky with the limited lighting in those scare zones, along with the immense amounts of fog!

The water park is extremely nice, and has been since the year they opened it. It is a shame they scrapped the Phase 2 expansion, but hopefully continue on with it some day since attendance has seemed to do very well. I went close to a dozen times this summer and had a blast each time. It was also consistently busy most every day I went (and weather was good). At times, it seems to small for the crowds they get. Expansion seems to make sense, honestly. I really hope *something* is in the works for next year.

Too bad you had no baking soda, that is what gives pretzels their golden color, versus looking like weird colored dough. The baking soda is a must! IMO. I am sure they still tasted excellent though!

Appreciate all the comments! I am hoping to have another update next week, for Halloweekends (monsters, scare zones, etc...) No general shots.

Went to CP this past Sunday for the Season Pass "Pre-pre ERT" on MF from 10-11, and then normal early entry from 11-12... Got some excellent riding in, including 2xMF, 2xMaverick (back/front), Raptor (front), TTD (front) in about 2hrs (arrived late due to traffic closures due to bicyclists everywhere)... Then just enjoyed the nice weather, grabbed some photos with my girlfriend and left around 3pm. Could of did some hardcore riding as crowds were lighter, but my head simply can not take it anymore. Especially after Maverick that early in the morning... haha. They have started with HalloWeekend decorating, but still have ways to go. Can't wait! Will be there this Friday Anyway, as you will notice in the photos.. They had a large event (Revolution 3?) where large amounts of athletes biking, swimming and running... Very long distances. Was pretty awesome to be honest, was a large event with quite a bit of media coverage. Was fun to experience. Big credit to those athletes.. 20+ miles running, 40+ miles biking and multi-mile swimming all in one day. I would die. Anyway, onto the photos... In no real order. Enjoy Here are some bikers that delayed our arrival about 25minutes. Cops everywhere making sure nobody was killed (literally!) Two more! CP Bus Halloweekends! Here we are! Some HW Prep Entry to Club Blood More theme Cont. Tombstone. Tombstone Pt. 2 I really like this boat on this one tombstone... Was a "RIP" for some old boat ride (forgot which). Time for some rides... Some rider-shots... Check that out! Go grandma!! Hair Everywhere! Weee Happy Jack's! There be Jack. This was cool... At the end of the race, kids sometimes joined their parents for the final leg. Was pretty awesome! Finish Line! The finish line... Water, shirts, thermal blankets, media, etc... All at the end. Beware! Corkscrew Nice gardens at CP Corkscrew... Track! The Dragons Inn Mantis First drop. These shirts are getting old. Seriously! MF track for those who want it. Over they go! Some good expressions here! Riders on Shoot the Rapids Sploosh! Island Overbank Airtime! 3rd Hill. STR boat. Magnum from STR No Caption Needed. More sploosh. Gargoyle Cornstalker Entrance New House. HW Theming Scenic bird shot. Cedar Creek Skeleton Shootout (along the train ride). TTD I really love TTD... I never get sick of it, as short as it is. Still one of my top steelies. TTD Bolt Nerd Shot Finish Line! Time for a few Dragster expressions. Always love them. Ready? Go! These guys pretended to be "bored" the entire time. No fun. But still funny. Geek shot... Hot fins. It is cool stuff how much heat is generated with no friction. But with work, comes heat. Thermodynamics right there. Launch time! Good fun. All done! Intamin wheel shot... Sorry for the fence, but not much I could do CP Seagull! More runners! Pre-spit. The final bend before the finish line. Routed from the parking lot. Can see a bit of the finish-line setup here. Live coverage on the large screen with "chaser" cams on the athletes. Mind you, many of these people were from all over the world, big event! On our way out.. So another shot of the halloweekend wagon. Finish this TR with this shot... Now, they had a mini-car show this day. Now, see that old lady in the car? She sat there, for hours, not moving (just "posing"). While her husband sat outside the car reading and whatever else. It was pretty funny, but awesome. Props to her.

I agree ^^ I would prefer to be outdoors always. Nothing like roasting in the sun with a nice fresh breeze, versus feeling like you are in a green house with awkwardly warm air and some sky-windows.

I really hope for some type of expansion for next year, although it is unlikely. The park does well and is always busy. Sometimes, too busy for the size of the place. Expanding to me, makes sense for them. Hopefully, though!

Went to GL closing day to get a few end-of-season photos. Park was surprisingly busy for how bad the weather was. I went to GL dozens of times this season to swim with how hot it was, and had a blast every time. I really hope it expands in the future! On to the photos... Enjoy. Welcome to GL Ice Cream shop... Serving Tofts. They have this area closed due to lack of staff, I am guessing. Was open all summer, just not the final two weekends. Lazy River + Liquid Lightning Lots of slides! Raft conveyor Little themed beach area Hey look, Dipper! (R.I.P) Entrance to liquid lightning Lazy River entrance, slight overview. Play Area... Great Fun! Tons of seating. Some LL riders Pipe + H20. Weee I love this part of the ride... Probably the best part. Get some decent air if you hit it right. Sometimes when you hit the mass of water collected at the bottom of the funnel, it can hit hurt sometimes. Lazy River... Now clearing out (as you can see). Tidal Wave Bay. Logo Overview... View from the play area (don't know name) to LL. Sploosh! Sploosh pt. 2! Slides, again. Love the tube ones... The body ones? Not so much. weee This guy made me laugh... I have about six photos in series and his face does not change. At all. Slide. Fail. More lazy river. On the bridge there, you can dump buckets of water on people in the lazy river. Great fun! Final shot down the main midway. Bye bye GL... See you (hopefully) in 2011.

Currently, I am finishing up an engineering coop/internship (paid of course) at Alcoa Cleveland Works. I am working on the 50,000 Ton Forging Press rebuild project. It is the second largest forge press in the world and is currently being rebuilt. It forges aluminum and titanium parts for the joint strike fighter military jet, along with civil aircraft fuselage ribbing (such as the Airbus A380). Other products they produce at my facility though include truck and car wheels. I went to the car wheel building the other day where they are making wheels for the new Chevy Volt... Very awesome to see all the robots and machinery producing those wheels. They also do wheels for Porsche, Ferrari, GM, and many other exotic and everyday use vehicles. The wheels are extremely high quality, forged from raw material (not cast). Higher durability and lower weight. Previously I have also Intern/Coop at PCC Airfoils which makes airfoils for power generation and commercial/military aircraft jet engines. Awesome stuff. And my first Coop was at Philips Medical (the same Philips that makes TV's and whatever else you can think of), and I worked on CT, MRI and PET machines. Was awesome stuff. And as far as "normal" jobs, I work for my uncle doing a vending machine type route, but with gaming machines. Been doing this for the past five years or so. I also worked at Geauga Lake as a ride host and ATL on XFlight and Steel Venom. And I also worked games at Conneaut Lake Park (uncle ran the games for a few years there). So yeah, was a carnie. I have been fortunate to have excellent jobs to work at and look forward to coming back where I am now. If I come back in May when school is out, I will get to see the press assembly be complete and hopefully run again by the end of the year. I was able to see the entire disassembly and currently is just a big hole in the ground. To give an idea of scale, the press stands 10 stories tall with about 4 stories of it being under the floor level. It is incredibly huge. I have enjoyed what I have done so far... Thankfully, getting the experience while still in College that will be very useful. I highly recommend doing intern/coop programs if you can at all costs. Worth the extra time in school, for sure. By the time I graduate, I will have well over a year of engineering experience already done at three very large, well known companies. Can't beat that.