thrillerman1

I would say the other park that didn't get a swinging ship was Six Flags Auto World. Conquistador was definitely the best looking ship SF ever installed. It might just be the best looking one ever.

^^ I saw Matt Damon once too back in 2003 at Cedar Point! Has it really already been 6 years Shawn?

Can we please have Jay Thomas back at SFKK NOW?! He is the best in the industry. Glad to hear the event turned out as good as it did despite the crazy weather!

I love The Varsity and always make it a point to stop there during my visits to the ATL. My service has always been within a couple of minutes, so I'm sorry you had such a long wait. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your PTR.

^ That must have been scary to watch! I had never heard that story before. So the pusher had no upstops? Spring has sprung, and it'd be awesome to get outdoors for a boat ride with the Pennsylvania Dutch, don't you think? Dutch Wonderland was a great 3 hour stop when I visited in 2005. It has my favorite junior coaster, Sky Princess. I refuse to call it by its rename because Sky Princess just sounds so much cooler! I think it also sports the purple and blue color scheme much better than those Clawshun redos, but alas I digress. DuWo is a really fun, small park which I highly recommend checking out if you ever find yourself on the way to Hershey, Knoebels, or Williams Gr--oh wait.

^ Cool I collect PEZ dispensers too. I pobably have close to 100 of them.

Your photos are unbelievably amazing! I would LOVE to do this cruise. Thanks for sharing.

Your kitty must really love the new play toy!

Good luck getting that Gumball, and please be sure to post pictures of your new baby! Congrats!

I noticed the turtles yesterday too. They are really cute! I have no idea what is up with those, but I think we should have a name contest. Edit: Well apparently the turtles are being discussed over in the Random forum: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49859

Awww I miss my little home park. Props for throwing this up Shane. In many ways, I think Dollywood took the spirit of OL and ran with it, perhaps even besting and perfecting it.

Really stunning photos Scott. I love seeing old woodies in black and white. Thanks for sharing these and good to see you have shaken off the winter doldrums!

Thanks for that little tidbit Paula, and without the tunnel I think it will build the anticipation (or terror) of ascending the tower even more as the boat floats closer and closer to it. It might actually be better without it.

Aha...yes now I see. I just looked at the Gurnee Tidal Wave on RCDB, and the alternating blue and white stripe is cool. It actually makes the weight well look like a lighthouse. Great eye to catch that Shane.

Is that the Santa Clara park Shane? It looks great whichever one it is!

Is there going to be anything in the super long tunnel like sound-thunder, lightning effects, and waves, or will it just be the new makeout section of the park?

Pinball died in the 90's? Awww so sad. Well I am out of the loop and had no idea there was only one manufacturer now. I think it's time for a resurgence. Where are our "GCI, Gravity Group, etc. new school" of pinball designers?

This reminds me of playing the board game Mousetrap and putting all the pieces together. I love it!

Does the 5th photo from the top look like they are building something in the shape of the Superman logo to anyone else? Hmmm.

It is interesting that those machines are all from a fairly short time span of '92-'98. I wonder what it was about those 6 years that made those games considered to be the best. It also makes me wonder why no machine has been able to top Monster Bash since '98.

^ Excellent post. I appreciate the explanation with hard facts and figures, and when you explain it that way it makes a lot more sense.

Is there sort of a "Mitch's Poll" of the top pinball machines?

The boats have arrived.

This stuff sure seems to have been built fast. Thanks for the updates Peter. I am *SO* looking forward to Liseberg this summer!

It's good to have you back Shane!