thrillerman1

Continuing on with my Holiday World tribute, this week it's time to get a little bit more wet. Holiday World has one of the few if not only river rapids rides I can think of that floats through a flooded western town, Boulder Canyon. Pretty cool! Tune in next week for a massive *4th of July* blow out of all that is Holiday World including some vintage goodness from Santa Claus Land!!! Hey RapidsNerd! See ya next week folks!

^ Amazing themepark indeed which is why I've decided to dedicate the rest of this month's postcards to Holiday World, the legacy of the Koch family, and all the park employees who work so hard to make it such a fun place! Pictured here are a couple of attractions which are no longer at Holiday World - Thunder Bumpers and Banshee. Who has the Thunder Bumpers and Banshee credits? Gone...but Thunder Bumpers would be cool over in Splashin' Safari.

Larry, I didn't know you play pinball. Awesome! Did they have any good machines? I'm enjoying your photo TR. Thanks for sharing, and I can't wait for more!

I was literally stunned this morning when I read the news that Will Koch had passed away. In my mind, Will (and the Koch family) have exemplified to the greatest degree everything that's good and right in the amusement industry. Having been to Holiday World and events there many times, I'll forever miss Will's gigantic smile, warm spirited enthusiasm, and his unmistakable laugh that would make you laugh just hearing it! Truly a remarkable man, I submit this postcard in Will's honor, memory, and tribute. Will's family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the following: http://www.lincolnamphitheatre.com/Donate.htm https://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100903 When you donate to the JDRF, there's a checkbox you can tick where you can fill in "In memory of Will Koch".

Oh Mantaeus you should totally dig them out. Perhaps they're in your attic or basement...hmmm? Does anyone else on TPR collect postcards? I would love for you to contribute them here in this thread!

This is certainly the first time I've ever heard of Wicksteed, and it looks like a fun place to spend an afternoon. Love the Union Jack pirate ship. Thanks for sharing!

For all you Coastermania attendees, it's Magnum at Cedar Point: Arrow fanboys rejoice!

Lucky you Peter and Marcus! This thing is going to be almost as amazing as a Max burger.

Great TR so far Chuck. I love Lake Winnie! Thanks for the photos!

^^ Yeah unfortunately the flood that hit Nashville also hit Beech Bend. While it mainly did damages to the campground and racetrack ($250,000 worth), it really slowed down the progress on the new Splash Lagoon attractions too. Looks like they are back on track now though.

I realize I've been a slacker for the last few weeks and haven't updated the Paradise with any new postcards. To make it up to all my loyal followers for my laziness and to celebrate Zamperla's opening weekend of their new Luna Park, I present vintage images of Coney Island and Steeplechase Park! The famous George Tilyou funny face icon welcomes you to Brooklyn! R.I.P. Steeplechase Park was really hopping in its day. The "Pavilion of Fun" must have been awesome. I can just imagine the TPR takeover! Hey Intamin. Will it ever operate again? Hey Blackpool! I can't imagine this in America today. Hey DCA...your new name sounds funny. No sleep til Brooklyn! Hey Texas. In case you missed it the first time. Good luck Zamperla with your new Luna Park!!!

Ok I've uploaded more pictures from my visit to Beech Bend yesterday in my post up above, and because I'm a completist or OCD, here's the park's 2010 brochure and coupon. Thanks for looking everyone! The park is excited about its new sexyness and "free" soft drinks! There's a lot of stuff to do...and "free" soft drinks. More new stuff...see there's what Tiki Island will look like when the parts are no longer sitting in the parking lot. Tiki is a very cool word. More "free" stuff! The fine print and camping too. The discount coupon is Elissa friendly. Thanks Beech Bend!!!

More.... Beech Bend has one of Michael Jackson's rides from Neverland Ranch! See? 'Cause this is thriller... They've hatched...how cute! Proud mom and kids. This is the newish merry-go-round + pavilion from last year. Represent.

More new stuff... Beech Bend is also building a new amphitheater. Do you want to be a star? Go karts + new amphitheater hotness.

More fun stuff... For all the paver enthusiasts. Hey Louisville. Exclusive water park construction photo. More exclusiveness. The connection between the existing water park and new wave pool and lazy river under construction just inside the park entrance. More water park newness! Someday soon people will raft down this. More exclusive laziness construction. Can you feel the waves?

It's been 3 years since I've been to Beech Bend, so I woke up today to the sound of Kentucky Rumbler calling my name. I knew I must answer the call as one cannot resist when one of the best GCI's calls thy name! I got to the park just after 3 o'clock when the park offers their "Sundown Special" discount and whipped out my Club TPR card as well. That felt good...score! Here's a recap of my day, and check out the construction pics of the new wave pool and lazy river y'all! Hey y'all! Rumbler + tractors = awesome! For all the tractor enthusasts. A luxurious plantation awaits inside. The free "parking lot" was barely half full. New Tiki Island water park slide stuff! Beech Bend is very TPR friendly. Salt lick. Cute & cuddly. Don't even think about trying to catch me! Farm animals and Rumbler! Hmmm...something is missing. I'm naked! For all the Ferris wheel seat enthusiasts. Beech Bend has an old school ride through haunted house. Hey Scottish Steve! Medieval torture device. This thing is really forceful! Gertrude's little friend dropped by too! Log ride. It needed a little push. Beech Bend's new teacup ride and Power Surge sit where the Looping Star used to be. On the other side of the Epcot lagoon. We see you Michael. Smoking shack. Y'all ready to rumble? Rumbler was pretty much a walk on all day! GCI hotness. Does anyone remember when Rumbler had headlights? Hey pre-lift bunny hop we see you. weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Station fly by! Beech Bend is hillbilly approved too!

Just saw this RCT pinball posted on Craigslist and figured it might as well go to one of us: http://nashville.craigslist.org/tag/1748999272.html Wish I could afford it!

If you're going through Oklahoma City, there's Frontier City. It used to be a Six Flags park, and I found it to be fairly decent on my visit a few years ago though it's changed management hands since. In addition to a sort of odd wooden coaster, they have one of the few remaining Schwarzkopf Looping Star coasters as well as one of the few remaining Arrow shuttle coasters. In Dallas, besides SFOT, there's also Sandy Lake if you want to pick up a couple of smaller coaster credits.

Here's a video look at some of the flood damage that was done to Opry Mills Mall, the former site of Opryland: http://www.wsmv.com/video/23625880/index.html

I think these are all VERY positive improvements to the park. I LOVE it! It looks like AA is definitely heading in the right direction. I also love the simplistic yet stylish look and design of all the structures/buildings in the park and how they give one cohesive feel. Great update and thanks for the pics!

This is AWESOME! Thanks HW, R&E, and the other winners for helping out this flood ravaged town!!!!

Great pics! Really interesting. Thanks for posting this!

You left out Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts - their kids hair cutting business in Ct. and Pa. I wonder how those will fare under Weber. Also I wonder had this happened a few months ago if SFKK would still be around...reminds me a little of AstroWorld and Kieran Burke.

^ Hmmm...that sounds like the makings of a good sci-fi movie!

Here's a postcard for all you Bay Area Bash attendees coming up next weekend...Kong from when Six Flags still called the park Marine World instead of Discovery Kingdom. For anyone unaware, this SLC was first named Hangman and was located at Opryland USA, which is now a flooded mall full of wet muddy clothes! Ouch ouch ouch. Score on the half price markdown. Even SF knows how bad a ride it is!