Rastuso

Anybody catch the Dubai golf tournament? Plenty of shorts being worn. The crowd look similar to the Masters one. Again, you folks should realize that the UAE is NOT ruled by Muslim extremist like other Middle Eastern countries. It is ruled by rich dudes who enjoy their money. They build the tallest buildings, the fastest roller-coasters, and monorials that no one rides. All the Sultans you hear about flying porn stars and actresses over for sex are guys that live in the UAE. Saudi Arabia denies things to women, not the UAE. Maybe some small sections off the beaten path, but the tourist areas welcome anyone (well, I'm not sure about Jews, but I think they're even OK in the UAE). -RO

NOt a complaint. The views up there were awesome. I was just surprised that the deck wasn't also by far the highest deck. Every other record was shattered by the building. -RO

Sadly, there is no way to go higher, as a member of the public. That really astounded me. EVERYTHING about that building is a world record holder, EXCEPT the observation deck. It is the second highest, but highest outdoor one, meaning it has a roofless section. I was shocked that it wasn't much higher up, or that they at least didn't have a second premium deck like you are saying. Maybe they'll eventually do that. It's a real head scratcher that they don't have it. -RO

According to the http://schlitterblog.com: 6 are at the new KC park. THey told us Galveston was getting something family oriented, that I could see being two or three attractions. They hinted at something BIG coming to the original park. I have a feeling they are putting in the transportainment finally, and this was hinted at a bit. I'd guess they'll join Surfenburg with Blastenoff. Of course, if they were doing that, there would be construction evidence, so if anybody is in New Braunfels.... -RO

^^ I got shushed at the Vatican for being too loud, when I was a young teen. Don't remember if I was wearing shorts or not. So, both the Muslims and Catholics get mad at me. -RO

My point of view was that people were dressed the same as in the US. If you go to an upscale mall in the US, one where the low end store is Gucci, you will see few people in shorts. There is no one in the picture in Arab garb. My guess is a lot of it is the lack of access to shorts also. I didn't look, but I'd bet very few stores there sell cargo shorts, or jean shorts. Heck, in the picture you see guys with jackets and long sleeves, and it was probably 90 that day. However, to someone who lives in the ME, 90 is a bit on the cool side, let alone inside the mall where it is in teh 70s. I was the only guy I saw in the Saudi airport in shorts, on arrival, out of hundreds. I was nowhere even close to the only guy in UAE with shorts. I'm sure I got nasty looks, and one little girl burst into tears when she saw me at the grocery store. However, I didn't care, and I guarantee you that you won't be thrown in jail in the UAE for wearing shorts. -RO

As I said, the local FECs were probably much different, I even noticed they had "families" and "men" sections in one picture. I noticed nothing like that anywhere I went in the UAE. Hell, as soon as you went through customs in the Saudi airport, waiting to get on a plane to leave that hellhole, all the abayas and thobes dissapeared. Apparently the religious police don't have boarding passes, so they can't get through security. Much of the conservative Muslim culture is hypocrisy, as far as I could tell, the radicals trying to control everyone. Or more likely, the result of brainwashing that is slowly disappearing, as more Saudis get satellite TV and VPN internet accounts. Bahrain is a place where everyone goes on the weekends to do things that would get them executed for just an hour away. And the place has an hours long line on the way in every Wednesday night. -RO UAE or USA? Sign about swimwear What people wore.

My and my coworkers just got sick of the "respect for culture", especially in Saudi where it is absolutely not a two-way street. I don't respect culture here much either. I loved all the nasty looks I got when my wife and I went to see Phantom of the Opera in Toronto. We had seats right under the chandalier, and I was in shorts and a tee, while tons of folks were in suits and gowns. Most of the ills of society are from judging people by the way they look, be that the color of their skin, or what they wear. I don't give two shits what other people look like, or how they dress. Remember the whole Spider-man shirt at IAAPA fiasco years ago? So, I want to be clear it's got nothing to do with Muslim culture that I don't repect. I didin't notice the dress in the mall to be much different than a very upscale mall in the US, aside from the stray Arab couple that stood out. Good Lord, some of the outfits at Wild Wadi would have got you kicked out of US waterparks. If you don't want to look like a tourist, you shouldn't be at Ferrari World, big malls, Ski Dubai, or the Burj Khalafi. I doubt I saw too many "locals" where I went. It didn't matter what I wore, I looked like an aging Jesus, or Chuck Norris according to one local girl, and was definitely NOT going to fit in. So, I might as well be comfortable. I wasn't worried about my safety in the UAE. All the foreigners I see in the US not respecting our laws and culture make it pretty easy for me to not give a damn about theirs. Especially Muslims, who want to change our laws to match their customs, but that's getting too political. I saw very few women in Abayas, or men in thobes in the UAE. Definitely less than 10%. Perhaps at the FECs, which are going to skew more local, but not at the tallest building in the world, or Wild Wadi. I still have nightmares about the thongs and beer guts. Frankly, after spending time in Saudi, I wouldn't use the word "conservative" to describe Dubai dress in any way, shape, or form. -RO

In the UAE, shorts were fine, and sandles are the norm. Hell, I was in shorts rocking a Metallica shirt in Saudi and a local in a thobe voiced his approval. Others, I'm sure, wished my infidel ass would be sacrificed to Allah. As for the water sprays, using one of those on your bum would simply spray the crap all over the place. If they were with the hole-in-the-floor toilets, they may use them for washing up, but the ones in western stalls are mainly used for feet washing in Saudi. Our villa had a toilet, a bidet, and the spray nozzle. And you'd need a damn big ass to block the entire spray coming out of that thing. -RO

To correct the spray nozzle in the bathroom issue. Those are NOT to wash ones rear with. That would be incredible messy. I didnt' see built in butt-washers that were in Asia, and now in my own home (don't judge). Those are to wash your feet with before prayer. In the very Muslim countries, such as Saudi, you don't want to use a public restroom within 30 minutes of prayer time, because they are all totally covered with water, and humid, and nasty. The one in our villa could take the paint off of a car at full blast. Water pressure was one of the few good things in Saudi. -RO

Here are some pics from the festivities. I was a bit bummed that there was no riding, since ERT was mentioned in the info. But, it was still a good time, and Schlitterbahn always pulls out ALL the stops. Everyone got a free ticket to a Bahn park with first rides on the biggest slide there. THis is going to be a Schlitterbahn year, I have a feeling. Schlittercon on Memorial Day Weekend for $25, the Coaster Con add-on day for $10, and then a visit with our free pass to the Galveston park in the Summer. It's going be a great year, eh Gilbert! RO The main area. Speakers from Six Flags, Kemah, Landrys, and Schlitterbahn came. Lunch was in the torrent river. Very cool. Schotzy was there of course. Not an every day photo op. We got a tour of the whole facility. They were hush on the new "family attraction" going into the never-was shark encounter pool. THe prize table. My son got a piece of Tremors. Surprisingly, two flags that flew over Legend went unclaimed until the end, when we took them. They are plain flags, but still... I really had hoped these had been open for the celebrity hot tub party. BUt, we did get free fried spiral potatoes!!

Were having lunch IN the torrent river!. Of course, no water means no rides. At least the hot tub has some.

Landrys rep: Nothing new to Kemah now. Bullet to reopen next weekend. Hinted at "wet" ride incorporating the old Babins restaurant. Said there ducks would be in a row in 2012 for the Galveston pier. Said many times there would be a big rides focus.

We got a free coffe cup and special TX Giant silly bands. BUT, by far the biggest news... In and Out Burger is coming to Austin and Dallas!!!!!!

Just saw a video of a FULL TRAIN on Giant. It'll be on FB soon. It flew through the overbanks! Still some thumping, but it didn't sound as loud. Special effects are to be added. She said there is still a lot of work to be done Also, NO MORE LOCKER policy. Bins are back. No human riders yet. No opening date.

We got a free ticket, free first ride, shower radio, and info onSchlittercon and the Coaster Con addon day that is only 10 bucks!

Its about to begin. We all got secret packages from Schlitterbahn. Can't wait to open them. More updates to come. RO

How about Rail Blazer at Six Flags over Mid America. Sure, the track was reused, but those trains were definitely a rare ride, only operating one season, and provided a dramatically different ride, and one I would have counted as a different credit. -R

I always thought that if I won the lottery, I could buy a few hundred of those toy coasters, figure out a way to make some curve pieces, and make one big-ass coaster! If you count coaster/train combos, don't forget the dreaded PTCs (I think that was who made them) on the Texas Tornado. Only ran for a few hours. I know Bat was very rare, even when it was open. I damn near cried right it front of it, when I was denied a ride. The Hard Rock rides weren't open long, but ran reliably. I wouldn't be surprised if fewer folks rode the Bat the Led Zepplin. Rastus

WOW, that's some massive track and footers. No way this change is part of the original contract, unless there is some sort of G-force limit in teh contract, which I highly doubt. But, I could see KD deciding to lessen the forces, and getting a deal from Intamin. I would think this whole job will be a million at least. I can't wait for the changes. I was a bit hesitant to ride it in the gray-out days, but I could see these changes bringing this coaster up to number one status for years to come. I'm definitley planning on a visit next year. -RO

^ correct I was in Saudi, but my company took care of everything. A personal visit to Saudi isn't recommended. Regardless of how the liberal media wants to portray them, Saudi is a very hardcore Muslim society, and the wikileaks documents showed how they still heavily fund Al Qaida. They are nice to the US simply because we buy oil, and have technology to turn oil into many things. Just getting around in Saudi would be a chore. And you may not even be allowed in the parks. I had no desire to even try. THe only unique and worthy ride is the PAX looping shuttle, which was very close to where I was. Bahrain and UAE are arab countries, but they aren't like Saudi. At prayer time, EVERYTHING in Saudi closes up while everyone prays. Saudi women must be totally covered, and you aren't even supposed to look at them. And if you were to rent a car, and a Saudi runs a red light and hits you, it would be YOUR fault. Afterall, you are an infidel, and if you weren't there, the accident wouldn't have happened. And I"m not joking -RO

Yeah, I sure wish I'd done Bahrain. But, my boss was making us stay in a whore-tel, and I didn't want to, so I stayed at the compound. Then I read your review of the coaster. Oh well, that is another one to definitely hit on the next trip. But, doing it as a "day trip" from UAE is going to be a long and expensive day to fly there for a small, even if it is really good, coaster -RO

Wait!! You mean you guys can now join my illustrious club of "those who go way the hell over to the UAE and DON'T get to ride Formula Rossa"? That's great news. I was so lonely. I'm sure you were like me. Absolutely crushed when you heard the news (gee, thanks Dubai Dave ), but then you realize "what the hell, I'm in Du-freakin-bai, playground for millionaires. There must be something else to do. I do wish you had gone to Wild Wadi and Atlantis, to compare parks. And Ski Dubai was definitely next on my to do list. I'll probably be back next year, both good (Dubai!!), and bad (Saudi). Ferrari World does need a BIG lesson in PR, however. They really don't seem to give a shit about their public image. They have now had 3 people that would have advertised the shit out of their park (I was going to write an ACE article) that have been denied. I don't really buy their story about opening weekend. No other place in the country was closed for the Sheik's death. They had been advertising an opening day for months, and instead they seal off the place and act like there is nothing to see. NOw, their main attraction is down, and they don't seem to give two shits about getting it fixed?? Probably because they figure no one is there anyway. I would say they did huge business race week, and that's about it. I really wonder about this park's future. I REALLY hope they survive, but I'm starting to wonder. The ride looks great, but reviews so far have been mixed. I was really hoping to hear you guys' opinions. Oh, and a word of advice for the trip back. I was luckily in business class, so I didn't have to deal with it, but when they make an announcement about starting to load the plane, even just handicapped folks, EVERYONE will rush to the gate, and crowd up big time. This was especially horrible on the Saudi flights. The trip back to the US will be a bit better, since it will have lots of Americans on it. But the middle-Eastern folks will not follow directions, and if you hesitate for 5 seconds, you will be the last two to get on the plane. -RO

It's the Star Corridor in the DUbai Mall. I've got the same picture.

Oh, and just because the kid ain't in the pictures, doesn't mean she's not there. -R