CoasterEricHP

what if the ride op says no but the manager guy or what ever says yes? I used to work on Dueling Dragons so I can tell u how IOA, USF, and probably most large parks operate.. First off.. if a ride-op says no.. a manager isnt going to say yes. Because its usually policy, and its a HUGEE safety issue. A manager better not bend the rules for a random guest.. if he/she would then their management career would end really quick! At Dragons we were asses to people with cameras. The worst were cell phone cameras that we'd tell people to put away in the station and sure enough.. 99% of the time they had them out going past the control booth and then they become mine until they talk to security to get them back. Video Camera's were even worse. We just would send them back down to the lockers, but again.. most of the time we "red flag" the person and sureee enough.. they try to be sneaky which doesnt work and then I enjoy their camera while they deal with security. At Dragons we had to be extremely cautious with people because if u drop a 2lb camera on the coaster at a duel point.. its gonna cause some serious damage to someone.. or something. It was bad enough when it would rain loose change on people under Ice's Cobra Roll! I would just be really cautious about trying to get onride video... you dont want to catch a ride crew on a bad day! I have some goood stories to tell about dumb guests.. I'll catch up with that tomorrow on another post. Eric Here's a cool non onride shot tho

I wouldn't get toooo excited about RFK.. more of a typical ashtray stadium I hear.. but at least the Nat's are having a good year! Them and the O's.. would be an awesome World Series! Anyways, I found this site www.ballparksofbaseball.com that has some awesome info and stuff about some of the new ballparks coming in the next 5 years. The new Nat'ls stadium looks sweet. Eric

Yeah.. SBC/Pac Bell is DEFINATELY a good looking ballpark. I really hope to get out there one of these days when I'm in Cali again. How is Petco?! It looks like a good place to see a game. I like how they have the building out in left. I think it should be in play though...

Hey there. I've always been a huge baseball fan, and of course with that comes baseball stadiums. I've been to a bunch and seen some great pictures on here of some parks so post some pics and what u like/dislike about the different ballparks. Oriole Park at Camden Yards: I'm pretty biased about this park because its home to my Orioles and Im there a lot each year. As far as atmosphere goes though.. its hard to beat.. and you can't beat $10 crabcakes! I wont say too much about this park.. I'm more interested to see what others say. Annoying this is when coming from the north you have to drive through downtown Baltimore which can be a pain in the ass. PNC Park (Pirates): Beautiful! It's also one of the smallest ballparks so there is really not a bad seat in the house. Liz and I sat at the extreme top and it was great. They also have really cool things going on on the scoreboard all the time. Probably my number one ballpark! The only bad thing was when all the Oriole fans left early and left us decked out in O's stuff after a really disappointing loss Kauffman Stadium (Royals): I wasnt expecting much when we stopped there for the O's game in May on the way back from Colorado. But I was WOWed. It has an old "1970's ballpark feel" which is NOT a bad thing at all! Beautiful park. It reminded me of going to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore growing up. I like when parks are in complexes away from the major cities too so its easy on/off of the highway. Only really annoying thing is when you piss you have to go in a long trough with everyone else.. LOL. Coors Field (Rockies) Well, this probably ranks last in my list of modern parks (excluding Three Rivers and other ashtray parks). The entire stadium just seemed really uninspired. I mean.. from the racing Harley's to the Dump Truck switching game?! to just the overall feel. I dunno.. we went to 3 games in 4 nights there. Howeverrrr.. The people who work there are AWESOME! Maybe it is because we were there during the school year but everyone who worked there was so FRIENDLY and just blew me away! We got cheap tickets and they asked us if we wanted to sit in the medium level.. and then the nice usher lady would hang out and talk to everyone there. So best service park.. but most uninspired park. The Rocky Mts in the background are nice tho. Minute Maid (Astros): Wowww.. a really cool park. I like parks where you can see the field from the walkways around the park. Definately one of the nicer parks I've been to. We were only there for one game and it was a few years ago (and after an Astro World visit.. so everything seemed REALLY good after that) but I dont remember much bad about this park! Eric Coors Field.. I guess nothing really seemed "unique" about it. Coors Field.. always felt kinda "Blah" From Left Field at Oriole Park The Oriole Bird and the Warehouse Eutaw Street at Oriole Park PNC Park.. definately the coolest view from a park I've been to.

Here are the pictures from my TR... I honestly couldnt tell ya. The site looks big enough for a Pinfari coaster, or maybe Squirrel Cages and something else. Beats me! Didn't Moreys just tear down a small steel coaster a year or two ago? But then again.. you think they would put "coaster" on the sign instead of "ride" to hype it up a little. Eric "who thinks they would replace a coaster with a coaster" Geiple Supports? I think a ride like this would be a perfect fit for Knoebels. Photo: RCDB.com

Yeah! She just stopped there and set all of her stuff down in the middle of the lane! I dont even think this bum was capable of actually making it to a car window to ask for change! That's SCARY though. What do you think that lady would've done if she got IN your car CoasterExpert? I never thought of bums as carjackers.. Anyways, during the next green light we backed up a little and passed her in the bus lane... I guess the bums in Pittsburgh are more proactive than the B-more bums! But it sounds like the DC bums will be your bodyguard for a few bucks!

Better late then never! Back in June I went out to Pittsburgh to see Liz, my girlfriend for a few days and of course we had to hit up some of fine points of Pittsburgh.. aka.. PNC Park for the O's game.. and Kennywood! I'll post some pictures from everywhere.. but I'll just do a quick TR for the fun of it! Anyways, Its been three years since I was at Kennywood. We stopped at Giant Eagle right above the park to get some discount tickes and headed in to the BEAUTIFUL new entrance! Great job on that! Definately makes the park look much classier from the outside. Now.. Kennywood has a really unique entrance.. It's jaw dropping when u leave the parking lot and concrete, and are transported almost back into the past when you come out on the other side of the tunnel! If you ever look at old black and white pictures of things and think "I wish I could see what it would be like to be there" well, walk thru the tunnel! I'll highlight just the rides: Noah's Ark- I love this! It's amazing that other parks have gotten rid of these because no one walks around in there and doesnt have fun! Maybe if you fall down the stairs or twist an ankle.. but Kennywood has done an amazing job keeping this up and running! King Kahuna- Didnt ride.. I'm not a big Top Spin fan.. and this one looks awesome, but goes "SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHH BANGGGG" when it stops. NOOooo Thank you to that! Exterminator- This wild mouse is an example of what can be done when a park is really creative about getting a new coaster! I've liked it since Year One and still love it! Liz and I had to sit on opposite sides of the car because it was just us two.. needless to say we got banged up! Pitt Fall- Scary. They were only running two cars which sucked.. but I loveee drop towers. They are the only rides that still make me nervous. Hershey needs one! Phantoms Revenge- WOW! I forgot how much insane AIR this thing has. We sat in the back row a few times and the middle other times. I don't think this coaster has a bad seat! The trains are amazing too. You have the car seat belt type thing and just a little bar that doesnt even touch you "holding you in" haha. Definately a top ten coaster! I'll never miss the Steel Phantom! Thunderbolt- A great old classic woodie and was running great like always! Some good air, but more importantly on this ride some insaneee Lat G's. Definately a unique ride as the last drop is the highest?! Crazyyy. It's a top 10 wood in my book, but not a top 10 overall coaster. Racer- Just a fun little ride. We got our butts kicked twice, it wasnt really "racing" too much for some reason the one side always destroyed the other. Garfield- Alright.. WTF?! This is an example of WHAT NOT TO DO with a classic ride. Ugh.. I was devastated to see what they did to the Old Mill! Sigh... well, its now just the Disaster Transport of Kennywood. Thats about it really! We had to defend our beer pong championship and were both pretty tired so we left after a few hours! Was a greattt day though. What do you do when an old lady sets down all of her bags in the middle of the road and doesnt move??? Didnt ride this.. but its a cool picture! Large Dropp'age! Liz and I You can see why we had the walk of shame in a sea of Pirates fans after the game. Looking towards Lost Kennywood and that airtime machine Phantoms Revenge! Kennywoods new entrance! Pretty. The old Forbes Field wall! I'm sure only you baseball fans will appreciate this. I thought i was cool. More PNC. Too bad the Orioles BLEW IT!! Liz and I had a really bad walk of shame.. both wearing O's shirts and hats. The bus driver threatened to not let us on.. I'm a huge baseball/ballpark fan. I'm JEALOUS of you Pirate's fans with this GREAT park. The only park I like better than Camden Yards.

You're kidding me!! I didnt realize you could crash tubs! Haha . That's actually scary! It's almost scary when you are down at the bottom, snap, and then shoot up into the tree! Such a good ride! I've been meaning to get to PPP for a few years now and now that I'm back in PA for a change I'll hopefully get up there! Eric

Alrighty, yesterday a few of my friends and I decided to take the 2 hour trek northbound and visit one of my favorite parks with one of the greatest coasters EVER.. The Phoenix! Number ONE out of 156 in my rankings! Yesterday was no exception! We arrived at the park around 5pm, and of course, pulling into the half full parking lot there was a severe thunderstorm warning for the area and the clouds started to roll in. No big deal! Actually I like a good T-storm when Im at the parks (especially when I worked at Dragons ) because the locals tend to clear out instead of deal with the downpours! Well, we figured because it looked like all hell was about to break loose out of the heavens to ride the Haunted Mansion and then seek shelter. The Haunted Mansion here is EASILY one of the 2 best IMO. Personally, I'll always like Draculas Castle *sniff, sniff* at Wildwood better because.. well there are real people jumping out at you and the boats were CREEPY! Anyways, after the skies broke open we took refuge for about 30 minutes during which lightning kept hitting very close to the park and the electricity kept going out. I was scared I'd be walking over to a burning down Phoenix and forever be scarred. Alright.. Im rambling. We went over to the Phoenix and got some GREAT food as always. I always am tempted to get their crab cakes.. any good?! We hit up the Phoenix.. last row.. WOW. We always play a game where you try to keep your hands up the entire ride without touching ure lapbar and needless to say.. I dont think I ever have been anywhere CLOSE to succeeding there. There is just sooo much airtime and my butt hit the seat divider several times! Amazing.. Rode the Flyers.. Carousel.. Played mini golf, rode the skyride, the train, and a few other rides.. we went back and finished off the night at 10 o'clock with the Phoenix. Random Notes: We rode row the legendary 1.3 on the Phoenix and honestly, I dont think it comes anywhere close to beating the back row! The pacing up there seems really off there and the airtime is more "knee jamming seat in front of you" airtime, not floating straight up air. The operations at Knoebels are AMAZING. They get the train at the Phoenix loaded and out probably in under 10 SECONDS!! incredible. Compare that to Gwazi.. alright.. better not. The guy running the flyers didnt seem to mind snapping. He actually would stand there and give everyone a high five when u go around the first time. We didnt ride the Twister today. The line was easily 30 minutes, while other lines were maybe 15 mins. That and my friends like to think wooden coasters are supposed to be smooth like the forceless Lightning Racer down the road :? All in all, Knoebels is the only park I've been to that just has a special magic that when you're walking around, you cant get at any other park. I dont know if its the pride everyone has for it, or the fact that everyone is having a GREAT time and not rushing and going nuts all day.. or maybe its the families out with their dogs walking around.. I dont know.. but Knoebels definately is THE hidden gem of amusement parks. Eric "5 hours at the park, and we only spent like $15!" Geiple and finalllyy the Phoenix! My overall number 1.. of 156 and at night! Paratrooper during the day The Carousel.. a must ride. There is usually bloodshed trying to get the outside horses. I told the kid sorry.. You can't beat these! I really have to get to PPP and witness the professional snapping. Sign'age from Kozmo. LOL.. they put a VEKOMA at a Childrens Hospital?!?! Doesn't that seem wrong to anyone else? New coaster supports? Let it rain..... the creek in the previous picture was about 3-4 feet higher after this.. no wonder Knoebels floods a lot. Very few parks do you walk around in the shade of huge trees.. Knoebels rocks. AHhhh.. we're finally.. DOH! Get back in the car.

Wow.. very cool! Should be a good fit at Knoebels. I had no idea this was announced or figured out somewhere along the line! Thanks! Eric

Howdy. I was at Knoebels today (TR as soon as I get my camera charged and get the pictures off) and where Whirlwind used to be there's some support work and a sign saying... blah blah "Vintage Looping Coaster". I'll post pictures of the construction site later. Anyone have an idea of what that is? The supports looked almost like a "Zyklon" type coaster. Very thin metal. I wasnt aware they could loop Eric

haha.. these are awesome! I'm not really a violent person and am pretty laid back.. but working at IOA for a year and dealing with Horror Night crowds.. I broke up a few! Well.. tried.. more like called security/OPD and had them deal with it as my 5'9" and 150 lb sober ass would have gotten pounded down. Eric

Hmm.. well, if they are doing it with the two parks this year they must have learned their lesson with the cornfield idea. Although I thought that was awesome! Working at IOA it made me feel like I was back in PA.. haha. I doubt they will do just one part of IOA this year however. Last year that was the plan, and that changed REALLY quick once they realized how huge of an event it was and how badly IOA moves people after the Bill and Ted dump. You know they'll get Fear Factor in there somehow though.. so I'd expect both parks. Ohhhh well. Personally I liked it better when it was just IOA. Last year probably made more money but there were a lot of "nothing" spots. Either way.. I'll hopefully be back down there for a few weeks in October at Dragons to work so if you go keep me updated! Can't tell ya how happy I'd be working the nice 10am-2am hours.. but whatever. haha. Eric "OUCH!!! that girl's gotta be dead" Geiple

Great pics! The Cyclone is def one of the scarier coasters out there! I could envision news crews and ambulances when I rode it a few years ago.. Fun coaster though. You gotta love the unintentional trick track and the random spots where you just kinda go.. straight.. My fondest memory of Williams Grove is going to the booth labeled "TICKETS" and then kindly getting told to "F'IN GO TO THE MUSHROOM TO GET YOUR F'IN TICKETS.. YOU G'ER GO TO THE MUSHROOM" then the said dude told us how much the management sucks there.. friendly old guy. We ended up going to the Mushroom and got tickets?! haha. Eric

Very cool! I worked at Disney (Grand Flo) and Universal (Dragons) for awhile and even though people can be really really dumb sometimes it's still a great job to have. As far as advice goes.. just be prepared to answer the same stupid questions all day. It's annoying, but if you have the right attitude with guests and are good about it, and your job.. it's not hard to get recognized for that and even move up. One piece of advice to ANYONE out there is when youre in college.. take a semester off (I got 16 credits) and check out the Walt Disney World College Program (www.wdwcollegeprogram.com). Not only was I getting CREDIT for working at Disney and having fun, you meet tons of awesome people too. Plus it opens doors for you.. my old roommate now works for the Disney Design Group, my roommate last year is now the Events Coordinator at the Yacht and Beach Club, and my otherrr friend is about to get management up here at the Hershey Lodge.. so even if you dont stay in Disney, it'll open up TONS of doors for you. So even if your job gets really boring and old eventually.. just keep in mind that in a few years you could be doing something really awesome that will all start with you working in merchandise. Eric "my inspiring words for the year" Geiple

Looks sort of like a Rocket Coaster. If the footers are right.. but either way... there def needs to be a true Hyper SOMEWHERE in the Southeast! Now all I need is for Hershey to get one for next year too.. Hmmmm.. Eric

Yeah trust me.. I wish I didnt have to! He was being a complete @$$ to people. Stephen Tyler was cool.. except he had a camera out in the front row so I had to make someone who didnt know who he was to tell him to put it away.. haha. Most celebs are pretty cool people. Wayne Brady, Paige Davis, and even Metallica were really cool. They'd just hang out in the lobby and talk to people that recognized them. Although Metallica had a really large guard. Eric

Wow.. I worked at Dragons for a year and we never closed off the entire attraction for a VIP. They would always just be with a guide(s) and the most we'd EVER do is give them a train to themselves. Must've been someone huge.. larger than Steven Tyler, Clay Aiken, Bill Murray, Hulk Hogan.. because those are some of the people I saw. Not the most powerful people alive. Now working at the Grand Floridian with the likes of Billy Joel/Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, and many others I can see where they might get that treatment. It was also weird when George Bush was down for a campaign fundraiser dinner there were people we never saw before.. working at the hotel.. guess big brother was watching. Eric

Who would pay $10 to shoot someone? Do it outside the parking lot.. alright.. all stupid comments aside.. I used to go to SFA a few times a year (mainly to get a season pass and ride Wild One, ROar, and S:ROS quickly) but I never feel safe at this park... and rarely have a "good" time... unless of course you go with very low expectations and make fun of the ride op's "F'ing this and F'ing that".. in front of CHILDREN. Plus the normal Six Flags feel of poor service, rides not running, line jumpers.. hell I've even tried three times to see the Batman show and never once have they made it beyond the first scene. Oh well, I'll strap on some Kevlar and head down to get a cheap season pass to go to other SF parks, or hang out at my PA parks instead! Can't lose. Eric

Great TR!!! Haven't posted on here in awhile but I just had to say thanks for taking the time to write it and put the pics up. I especially like the ballpark pictures as I'm always trying to get to new parks whereever my journeys take me. They dont have the beer guy at So Cal ballgames? Eric

Knoebels Hopefully Hershey wont be too bad on Fri with "Math Day" kids there.. weaK! Eric

WTF???? Wooden coasters can DO THAT?? Good lord. This coaster looks amazing. You would never guess that the lift hill and the hill wayyy over there were the same coaster. Eric

yeah... Gold Edition would be the way to go.. legally of course.. but somehow I doubt you'd be bothered by downloading a roughly.. $3 expansion pack when there are huge problems with people downloading games before they even come out... I wouldnt know though... John "Prisoner number 34324561c" Doe

Well, after playing around with RCT3 I was getting ready to smash my computer after the game froze twice in the last few days for random reasons.. (and of course I never learn my lesson to save the game because it's so unstable).. I installed this old, 2D game, with tiny graphics... and.. ..I suddenly realized after hours of playing that this game rocks! My 3 ghz, ATI 9800, computer doesnt even know its running, people actually FLOCK to newly opened coasters, I dont have to use the money cheat because people are actually riding rides, and it's just so much more enjoyable than RCT3. Why'd I ever get drawn to the micromanagement, flawed RCT3? Moral of the story.. if you havent played RCT2 in awhile, put it in and play for a few hours! Eric -- who hopes RCT4 is a more realistic looking RCT2.. I dont need to ride the rides or see N64 looking peeps

Wow.... I wish we had the history and the amazing looking towns of you Europe people! They look beautiful. My town.. typical small PA'ian town.... 2,000 people. One traffic light. Lots of farmland. Oh yeah.. and Wal Mart.