Zen Coaster

Hilarious bunch of trip reports. Thanks Wes. PKI was kind of meh to me but largely due to it being the very last park of the trip (aside from Stricker's)... agree about the navigation though. And I actually felt kind of let down by Italian Job & Top Gun, I expected them to be more exciting. Having the two post-closing night rides on Beast was an awesome experience so it was worth the visit for that. I did also like the 1/3 scale Eiffel Tower & the fountains out the front of it with the lighting FX.

Just sent US$255 for Europe, eCheque fee included. I will more than likely do the East Coast trip as well - since I want to hit Hard Rock Park next year and so will be in the area anyway - you should get that deposit very soon. Only 305.5 days till Mainland Europe trip day (and the countdown is on my Myspace profile already, heh) *siiiiiiiiiigh*

*jumping on the signing-a-2-year-old thread bandwagon* Vortex is quite fun but I wouldn't really miss it... then again, I was a bit coastered-out the day I rode it... the one after the Midwest Trip ended.

Nice pics so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing the shots from the extra PKI day though

Mmm, thanks Robb & Elissa; it was a very well-executed and enjoyable trip. The sneak peek at Meteor, the ERT on The Beast/Kentucky Rumbler etc, the Voyage walkback, credit whoring at Little Amerika and so much more. It was also appreciated that you put together those great DVDs for us to watch during the bus rides; helped the time pass very well. It was one of the best experiences I've had the privilege of having. I fly out to Australia tomorrow. Myself, Dave Madore, Evan, WillMontu, John and I had a good 2nd day at PKI today wrapping up our credits and getting in some extra rides. A highlight was when we did The Beast again. Dave and I sat in the jackhammer seat of The Beast & it certainly lived up to its reputation. Unfortunately the park closed at 8 so we couldn't hit it again in the dark. We did get a heap of photos and random video & will have a PTR up shortly. The park felt kind of strange to us without you all there. I did enjoy meeting everyone & wish I'd gotten to speaking with more of you; but those I did it was a lot of fun. I'm glad I was able to hit rides with a few different groups too. Thanks to the bunch of you who did the 'Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi' chant after all the lift hills, that was classic. Loved doing those bumper boats at Holiday World too, that was a lot of fun. Looking forward to sharing a bunch of really great photos and video. I do encourage everyone to do a TPR trip at some stage, they are full-on schedules but well worth it; it's great to hit parks with like-minded people. It was my first time doing a major tour & one I'll always remember. ^ Yeah that coaster was strange. Surprisingly more fun than I expected but it had quite a bit of bite. I'm a bit on the fence about it really.

So we're now sitting around the couches in the lobby, having hit PKI today. Park was brilliant today with much shorter lines than anticipated, meaning most of the group went to Stricker's Grove having gained their credits early on. Highlights of the day were definitely Firehawk which was a heap of fun - then night rides on The Beast once its line had emptied of the public after closing. It ran through the darkened trees brilliantly fast and everyone stayed on for two rides. Tomorrow most of us are flying out. It's been a fantastic trip and passed by way too quickly... Robb & Elissa have done a great job organising the large group so thanks to them.l here is, however, an unofficial Midwest Trip 'add-on day' tomorrow (13th) at PKI with WillMontu, Jon, myself, Evan, Dave Madore and Jen (enjen) going. We'll be getting to the park around noon. Anyone wanting to meet up, contact me on my cell: +61 448009801. That's an Australian mobile but I'll be the one that is billed. Have taken a heap of photos (many of which I've given Robb) but will post when back in Australia in a couple of days - Internet access being kinda sporadic - and also did heaps of video including a bunch of POVs and off-rides featuring trip members.

Great park, staff & day all 'round. Thanks for a great first day! The heat was very intense and we were sweat-soaked very early on but this was more than made up for by the ride lineup, walkback etc. A late afternoon break at Splashin' Safari was pretty cool too. Gobbler Getaway was classic ... special mention to the end 'turkey disco sequence' ... as was the turkey-themed Tilt-a-Whirl and bumper boats. Loved The Voyage the most followed very closely by The Raven which was fun and as Robb said, totally insane at night. Pretty good ride pic from The Voyage so will post it tomorrow. Howler was one of those credits we just HAD to do really & the ride ops were letting people get two rides in each time they lined up so the credit whoring was at a total premium. I'll share/post pics tomorrow, pretty beat so I'll cut this off here... don't want to have to walk to the first park tomorrow Special mention must go to Nadia for her attempts at entering the wet t-shirt competition and, gotta say, her popularity with the 10 core guys hanging around her places her as this trip's equivalent of CoasterLou. - Tony 'Sex Slave To 'The Voyage' Teulan

Haha. ^^ Oh well that date looks solid, really.

I'll be getting there July 24 and hitting some parks with Evan Darlington ... and Chris/Allison Alvarez when they're not working. I fugre We were thinking of hitting: Tuesday 24th - Pacific Park [don't get there till afternoon] Wednesday 25th - SFMM Thursday 26th - SFMM/Universal Studios Friday 27th - Knott's Saturday 28th - TBC Sunday 29th - TBC Monday 30th - TBC Tuesday 31st - TBC Wednesday 1st - TBC Thursday 2nd - Fly out to Ohio for Midwest Trip. Want to also do Legoland, both Disney parks and perhaps Belmont Park.

Thanks for the update. I love how nice the park is... much better than just slapping the rides down in a generic type environment. Some park designers could learn a thing or two from the Europeans it seems.

Great mini-update. What an absolute blast Klotten looks, definitely one I'll have to hit next year. Any signature souvenirs so far?

Yeah, I feel bad for the ride op's family but what happened to common sense? ^^ Agreed. When I had my training at Wet'n'Wild, to stress the dangers of not remaining alert, they actually showed a video of when dispatch at a water park was done too quickly and two people had a really horrible collision. It was sickening to watch but hammered the point home; I'll never forget it.

Looks like you had a great time. Am sorry I won't be visiting TN now and will definitely have to go in 2008.

Yo Ho Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me) - Pirates of the Carribean (did I really need to type where this one's from? )

"From Paris to Berlin" - Infernal Catchy. But I listen to it because it reminds of my first ride on the carnival ride 'Cyber Party' which is absolutely awesome.

Here's what you need: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/pov_172.wmv

Now see, wasn't that worth the wait?

^ Yeah Mum & Dad have just come back from Europe and said how much more helpful the Germans and Spanish people were than the French. Oh well, that's good to hear anyway, Kyle - makes preparing for next year's travels easier then.

Well, I'll be at a few Australian parks a few times over the next couple of weeks taking construction photos before members of my site take over while I'm away in the US (week in SoCal with Allison/Chris Alvarez, Dave Madore & Evan then we fly over to Ohio for the Midwest Trip). First US park will be Pacific Park in Santa Monica, about six hours after I get into LA and then I believe Evan has Six Flags Magic Mountain in mind for the following couple of days followed by the usual SoCal suspects

^ Yeah some temporary bans would be really good. Good to hear the Mini-Trip has gone well and will be great to see the photos whenever that happens. How have you all gone with the language barrier over the whole period?

Cherry Pie -Warrant

Solid Rock - Goanna Amazing Australian rock classic. Limewire it, everyone

Artist: KD Tunstall Song: Suddenly I See

Yep, for just under a week in February 2005. Dad was racing in the Daytona 24 Hour and I had the 5 days leading up to it in Orlando. Was a great time. Do you think the new Indiana Jones movie will the best one yet?

No. Book reports weren't something I had to do except for a couple of times in junior high. Have you seen Grindhouse?