thrillerman1
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Posts posted by thrillerman1
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I did enjoy that bit of airtime inside the dragon tunnel on a night time ride back in '04. Flew up and was surprised to come down on the seat divider if I remember right. This new version looks even better, and I hope they incorporate the dragon tunnel but not holding my breath.
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Bonfante Gardens (Gilroy Gardens) was one of the highlights of my California trip in 2006. I really liked the laid back non-corporate feel of the park. Plus the Circus Trees are amazing, and who doesn't like riding in giant artichokes, garllics, and a banana split? Now that it's operated by Cedar Fair, I hope the charm and beauty have not been destroyed!
Cool tree!
2006
Variation on a theme
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^ Yep, mine is in Chuck. I didn't get a confirmation email back yet. Is anyone getting confirmation emails?
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Benson's Wild Animal Park is little discussed on TPR as the park went belly up in the late '80's when it was known as New England's Playworld. However, it sounds like the city of Hudson, NH has recently reopened it as a public park with trails and some remnants of the amusement park. It would be interesting to check out!
Please don't eat the carousel!
Colossus the Gorilla!
1980
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My night rides on Rampage during AA's Halloween event back in 2004 were absolutely phenomenal. I can't wait to get back on it again!
Has everyone forgotten the pic of the Koch's at BGT checking out Cheetah Hunt while they were investigating steel coasters for HW? I can't remember if it was a HoliBlog, but I hope someone can find and post it.
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^Well thankfully Looping Star is no longer at Beech Bend!
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Did you know that Beech Bend began in the 1800's and was once owned by country singer and musician, Ronnie Milsap, in the early 1980's? True story. The current owners bought the park in the later 1980's and have completely turned it around for the better ever since. If anyone wants to help me thin out my collection, I have a few extra copies of these brochures available for FREE, so send me a PM. I have extras of years 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010. On with the show...
2002
2004
2005
2007
Kentucky Rumbler!
2009
2010 saw a nice big water park expansion
2011
Sea Dragon came from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch park.
2013 brought one of my favorite kind of flat rides...Vortex!
I believe this map is from 2004 or 2005 before Rumbler was built.
This map is after the 2006 season when the park added Kentucky Rumbler.
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What a beautiful ride! I hope I get to ride this amazing Watkins creation.
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Whew...So relieved to see Pat and Dan take over AA. Congrats to you both and wish you all the best. I can't wait to see the future plans for this park!
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Saw this today...the Hrubetz Meteor ride is in the lower right of the postcard: http://www.rollercoastersofthepacificnw.com/pages/gayway.html
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Bakken...this is a really fun park in Denmark I visited on a slightly semi-rainy day during the TPR 2009 Scandi trip. The park provided an amazing and awesome brunch for us (thank you Bakken!), and I really loved Rutschebanen on this trip though I missed Robb's brakeman ride (glad all survived!). My rides on this coaster were still amazing, but I think they have replaced the trains now with non-brakeman KumBak trains. Hope it didn't affect the ride too much! Thank you Robb & Elissa for taking me to Bakken! Enjoy!
Rutschebanen, shot tower, and Enterprise...is this a Skylab since I don't remember riding it?
Deciphered translation = SCANDINAVIAN FUN!
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My dad was a huge influence. He scared me to death on my first big super slide at I think Virginia Beach and then took me on my first log ride at Gold Rush Junction (aka Dollywood). I miss him so much. Mom helped me keep all my collectible nostalgia memorabilia and rode Mountain Slidewinder with me...never forget. I owe them both huge gratitude. My older sisters forced me on WDW's Space Mountain at 6 or 7 years old against my will as I was terrified, and I was never the same. Thank you to them all!
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Here is a look back at Coney Island's Astroland before the recent Zamperla/Luna Park makeover + bonus postcards from TPR buddies Ryan and Ivan! Thanks guys!
I love this postcard!
Sounds like a fun time in NYC...mmm Nathan's! Hi guys!
This is a great card too! Thanks Ryan!
Ryan is right...no park ever needs a Zamperla Volare.
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee
The Astrotower is completely gone now right?
The original Cyclone!
We see you trying to photobomb, Wonder Wheel.
No, no I did not choose to participate in this motorcycle zip-line attraction during my visit.
Rugrats and clowns...why did it have to be Rugrats and clowns?!
After all these years, it's great to see Coney Island getting revitalized and going strong. I can't wait to go back someday!
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I've always loved the tunnel on the Dahlonega Mine Train at SFOG. Sadly they removed the other one it used to have, but at least they kept the better of the two tunnels.
Another vote for the triple down tunnel on Voyage also.
SFNE's SROS (haven't ridden Bizarro) first drop tunnel and helix tunnel are also 2 of my favs.
Diving Coaster: Vanish deserves a mention.
I can't wait to experience the tunnel on Goliath at SFGAm.
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As previously hinted, my update this week features a Tokyo "park" called Aqua Stadium, home of Galaxy Express 999. It's part of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel complex where we stayed on the 2007 TPR Japan trip. It was a great place to kick off the tour thanks to Robb & Elissa!
I want to go back!
Experience Dolphin Skinship!
Port of Pirates has the most extravagant swinging ship ride I've ever seen...and there's Galaxy Express 999 too!
It's like an enclosed mini-Sea World where you can spend the night and bowl too!
The Dolphin Party carousel is stunningly gorgeous.
This gives you an idea how close Aqua Stadium and the Prince Hotel are to the train station.
An historic day to ride my first enclosed Japanese coaster...I quite liked it!
This hotel pretty much has everything you need in order to survive the zombie apocalypse.
I wish I had checked out the view from the lounge.
Did someone mention sushi?!
You can get married here too!
Here you see the station for Galaxy Express 999. It's a fun ride!
Dear Opryland Hotel, take note!
This will help you get there.
It's really not as complicated as it looks.
Shinagawa station circled in lime green is where you want to get off the subway.
The Prince Hotel and Aqua Stadium (in blue) are just across the busy street as you exit the train station. Fascinating place (as is all of Japan)!
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Ah I misunderstood that when I read it thinking that the candy shop was expanding over to Diagon Alley. Thanks for clearing that up.
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Too bad about Zonko's as it was the most interesting store in Potterville. What is taking its place?
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This is stunningly gorgeous and terrifying looking. I can't wait to ride it!
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For those interested in the US, next week's episode of American Restoration will feature the work Rick Dale's team did on the restoration of the Pretzel cars from Keansburg's Spook House after Hurricane Sandy damage.
This episode of American Restoration airs at 10:30PM EST on Tuesday, February 25th.
Can't wait to catch this episode. Thanks for letting us know.
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I enjoyed this 8 year look back very much, Chuck! Looking forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing!
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^ You can clearly tell that Looping Starship had lap bar restraints in this photo (especially if you view full size image): http://www.worldisround.com/articles/9805/photo17.html Edit to add that It looks like they were in addition to OTSR's.
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Ahh thanks guys for the info on where Avatar Land is going. Only 4 more years to go!
^ Bill, I see the Ultra Twister up there in the back on the hill. Looks like a fairly compact fun park (except for the SLC). What is the red SFOT oil derrick looking tower on top of the hill...is it an observation tower? I must get back to Japan...hint hint.
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^Those Whip vehicles look cool.
No one has ever heard of this next place...
I've never been to this park. I wonder where Avatar Land will be built.
Something's missing here
There is a not-so-hidden Mickey on this page, but who can find it first?
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The history of this park is pretty fascinating. Thanks for sharing ^ and ^^ (sorry we both missed it Chuck). That giant slide disappearing act kinda makes me wish more cities would do like NYC during the Super Bowl and set them up downtown instead of those giant wheels!
Mark's Postcard Paradise
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
Oops...I got a bit ahead of myself on the A-Z before realizing I had this brochure from the Amsterdam Dungeon while digging through my 2009 TPR Scandi Trip box. If I remember correctly, we were going to visit this place on the trip, but Reaper (the coaster) wasn't quite ready. I wonder how the coaster is now since it's really not mentioned on TPR too much that I know of. I have a few extra of these brochures if anyone is interested...send me a PM.