thrillerman1

I would have to agree with your assessment of Balder. You made some really valid points, and while I do think it's a fantastic coaster, it's still just missing something for me personally. One thing's certain, however, and it's that I had a blast on it during TPR's 2008 visit (great trip participants on what is probably my favorite park day I've ever experienced).

Bench at Rye Playland facing the water off the midway away from the rides. Pure bliss.

Anyone intrigued by the forthcoming Wizard of Oz pin? I know it's kind of old news, but will it be a game changer? If it syncs up to Dark Side of the Moon might be the real question.

That was the first thing I thought of too. I'm always wrong, so it's probably just for some random curve.

I absolutey love your trip reports! They're so full of life and positive energy no matter the situation, and your photos really show how much you enjoy living no matter what you are doing. Great jump shots too...how in the world do you do those? I'm curious what you found about Balder that didn't live up to the hype. Anyway, thanks for sharing, and I hope you keep doing these reports of your travels as they are easily my favorite to read on TPR.

The stunt show is seriously one of the most messed up things I've ever seen!!! WOW...thankfully you all lived through it to show and tell us about it. Thanks as always for the awesomeness, Robb!

Gorgeous photos of the best Anton, hands down! I remember the old school trains and how cool they looked back then. Thanks for sharing! I really wish I could find online the 1978 Mind Bender TV commercial featuring the knight riding it which I believe turned out to be a kid when he raised his helmet. It was amazing! Surely someone in the old school SFOG management has it.

Awesome Larry! I wish I lived so much closer to Wild Bill's...err no I wish Wild Bill's was here. I'm sure they've thought of building their own custom dark ride, but I wonder what it would be. Love these updates and news tidbits...thanks so much!

Continuing in the Birmingham area (not England mind you but props to the Brit Crew), this update features a park that seems to have fallen on hard times. For 2012, Visionland (aka Alabama Adventure) has closed the rides side of the park and is now operating only as a waterpark. Boo. We'll see how long that lasts, but based on the many harsh and negative comments from the GP on the park's Facebook page, I would be very surprised to see the park make it to a 2013 season. Anyway, I digress, and I really should mention I only visited the park once in 2003 during their Halloween event. I found the park to not be nearly as bad as I'd heard (some people love their cheese and whine) and actually enjoyed my visit. Rampage, of course, was a good coaster in the day, but at night was just ballistic insaneness. LOVED IT. Too bad this park's days are really numbered in my opinion, but I hope I'm proven wrong. It certainly won't be the first time it has been saved...if it is saved again. I got nothing. 2004 brought a new toilet bowl waterpark attraction. Foreshadowing? The park actually had a pretty nice "main street", and I liked the placement of the giant Ferris wheel acting as the axis endpoint much like the Disney castles. This was one of the wildest Wave Swingers I've ever ridden besides Kurashiki Tivoli's. TRIVIA: Who knows where the other half of the freefall drop towers ride was moved and operates today? At least the park's logo improved from the postcard. With the right park owners I really feel like this park could be revived...too bad it's pretty much a goner now.

I miss Italy. Awesome updates of several parks I'd never heard anything about. Looks like you guys are having more than a blast. Rock it, and many many thanks for all the updates, Robb.

I was sitting next to Mike in the back seat and can vouch that the airtime is not exagerrated. We were being thrown out of our seats the whole time. It was both scary and amazingly awesome. I kept thinking the ride op was going to hit his head on the tunnel roofs. Great photo Hanno!

Really stunning photos of all these South American parks - especially Parque de la Ciudad. Thanks for sharing!

I love the Chance flat rides ads - so iconic, and Zipper is the best flat ever in the history of mankind, although the Togo flat ride of hot death in Japan gives it a run for its money. Painful to see the Bell's ad. Great update, Shane.

Yes Mark, do you have an answer? Shane, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the answer is the old Busch Gardens Tampa logo. If I'm right, do I get a lifetime supply of pineapple Dole Whip?! Looks very tasty.

Shoot...Too bad about Robin. I just watched the movie "Saturday Night Fever" the other night. Really takes me back to the 70's disco era. Feeling night fever, night fever...

^ I saw that on AFV too. The new area looks great. I love all the neon.

Here are my pictures of the Magic City Express in its lovely setting at the Birmingham, AL Fairgrounds circa 1986. I feel like this coaster has found a much better home in New England.

From Ghost Town's Facebook earlier today: http://www.facebook.com/#!/GTMAGGIE

Raises hand

Your trip reports are always easily some of the most amazing I've ever read. Keep it up and thanks for sharing!

That brake run obviously needs to incorporate a mechanical shark that jumps up at the riders from the water down below.

That's just awesome and thank you for sharing. Riverview is one of those parks I'd love to just turn on the time machine for and visit.

Can't say I ever rode it, but does Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome in Las Vegas count? Though it wasn't the classic drop, turn, cork, brakes layout, it was an enclosed Arrow cork right? And...Wow I miss Wabash Cannonball...kinda. I didn't realize Old Chicago's Cork was the same coaster moved to B'ham's fairgrounds, so I need to dig up my photos and post them from way back when too. Maybe that'll be the next update along with some Visionland junk.

I did a ghost tour in Savannah 2 years ago. Before it began, one of the tour trams hit and shattered one of the old street lamp globes spraying glass all around me and my mom. I captured orbs in several photos of the Mercer house.

This update is all about Old Chicago, a park not often discussed on TPR, and for good reason since it's been defunct a long time. None the less, here it is for your enjoyment. Old Chicago opened in 1975 and was one of the first completely enclosed indoor amusement parks in the world. Old Chicago's final season was in 1980 long before most of you were born. I love getting mail at the Paradise! Where are the Arrow fan boys? So who has that log flume credit? Look out Enterprise...the puppets look hungry! We see you Bradley & Kaye INDOOR Barnstormer! NICE logo. More for the sub-genre Arrow corkscrew lattice structure fan boys. Pinfari...Italia represent! Hope you enjoyed this update. See you next time!