millenithrill

Griffon, you left out the part where "Ms. Garmin" tried to get us lost in Charlotte... and how she took us to the distribution center instead of the wal mart... Again, great photos, great trip, and looking forward to another one sometime in the future. Thanks again for letting me join you guys on the trip. It was a true blast

Their top spin ride usually does have fire. I think that during their Haunt event, the fire is off. That was the original Tomb Raider: Fire Fall before going to The Crypt. There are fire effects and sound effects. One of the employees told me that because there is a scare zone next to the ride "Voo Doo Swamp", The fire is cut off for it as well as some of the lights that the ride usually has on. That park is very much with the fire in that area. Volcano has it, Back Lot has it, and the Crypt has it. Glad to see you had a great time at KD. That park really does do a good job with their Halloween Haunt event. My wife and I love to go there and were there two weeks ago for it. I would almost... almost say it is a little better than the one done by Cedar Point. We did that one back in September.

I have a few friends that work there and from what I gathered, Saturday, without the special event, raked in about close to 30,000. Something tells me that with gas prices being what they are, this isn't the last of big days for KD.

Hey guys, this is my first trip report on here. Sorry for the lack of photos. I didn't take my camera with me today. The day started out with the call of storms with hale and strong gusts of wind in the forecast, but it turned out to be the opposite until the drive home tonight. We got to BGE at around 11:30 this morning and paid for the preferred parking. I wanted to walk a little and not take a tram. I got to park in France parking lot not too far from the entrance, so that was not too bad. I went to Guest Relations to process my fun card because I was having trouble with the KIOSK with the lack of bar code on the voucher and did not know I could just type in the numbers. I got a fun card because it is good through the third of September and I would not really have a chance to go to the park after that date due to my job. At Guest Relations, I ran into Jacki at the counter. You could tell by the way she was acting that she had already had some problem guests that morning and was not too happy. I didn't really let this bother me and me and my friend headed to the turnstiles. This was my first time at BGE in a few years and my first time getting to use the new turnstiles with the fingerprint recognition system. This was quick and easy. I kinda like it. It may, one day, make things a lot quicker for guests trying to enter the park. Once inside, first things first. We knew we had already arrived a little late at the park and figured that everyone in the world would be in line for the Griffin. We still headed over there. At Griffin, it was only a fifteen minute wait for us. We were even in line for the front row. This, I thought was awesome for it being like 12 noon already. Griffin was good. It wasn't as good as the hype I had heard, but still a good ride. I think it is short though. The feeling when pulling up to that first drop and creeping over to a stop.. looking straight down at what is about to happen was amazing. We took the drop under the bridge and the first Immelmann (sorry for spelling...). We then rose up to the block brakes and slowly moved out of there into the next vertical drop and Immelmann. The air time was good. We swung around to the splash down, mini bunny hop and back into the final brake run. Again, not a bad coaster. Something about it though in the BGE skyline just looks out of place, but that is just my opinion. The Aquitaine area looks great with the upgrades and paint jobs they have done down there. However, we did not stay too long because we were already hungry. We headed to the Festhaus. My friend had never been to the Festhaus before, but had visited the park a few times as a child. On the way to the Festhaus, we stopped by Dark Kastle. The line was surprisingly short from the last time I was at the park and we waited maybe 7 minutes for it. Dark Kastle seems to be losing its touch already for a ride that is not that old. I remember more water dripping from the building before and the tapestry video in the pre show was not clear. We could not hear the story line. Once on the ride, we were in the front row of the carriage. The ride was awesome. This was the first time my friend had been on it and he enjoyed the transitions between the walls and screens. He also enjoyed the simulated drop from the sky. That is one of my favorite parts of the ride with the cold air windows in the queue being number one (on a hot day). On to the Festhaus. We sat down to a meal of Festhaus samplers, dill pickles, slice of cake, a beer, and a pepsi. My friend had the same minus the dill pickle and the pepsi. My total for that was 19.89. I admit, it wasn't really that bad of a price for a pig out like I was having. While in the Festhaus, the Oktoberfest show started and we sat there singing along and swinging our beers in the air. It was a great time. After the Festhaus, we moved on to the Big Bad Wolf. He had not been on this in years and me, I do it because of the finale drop and turns. We waited in line about 10 minutes and boarded in the front row of the second car. After a check of the restraints, we were off. The load time did not seem too long on this one and we were off on the trail of the Big Bad Wolf terrorizing a small Bavarian village. The beginning was a little rough, but loved the close calls to the buildings. We ascended the second lift hill and made the turn. This was my favorite part... We dropped towards the Rhine River and took the sharp turn to the left. HERE WE GO!!! Out of control. It felt like a lot more swing than what I remember, but still great either way. This left us needing something a bit taller so we made out climb up and into Festa Italia where we headed for Apollo's Chariot. Now, I am a big boy as well as my friend, so it took a little bit of us pulling on our lap bars so the train would clear. The ops in the station were understanding and were willing to help. We didn't hold the train up. If we had of, I would have felt pretty bad. The air time was as awesome as ever. I love the first drop, then the one right after it that really gets you going. The mid course always gets me coming off of those brakes and dropping like that. We came back in and I went to the photo booth. I had to get the picture because I was staring directly at the camera with both thumbs up and my tongue sticking out. We were thirsty at this time and felt the need for a little Irish lovin'. We hopped the train from Festa Italia over to Tweedside Station. We then walked form Scotland to Ireland (boy are my legs tired from that one, jk) where we hit up Grogans Pub. The atmosphere inside was relaxing and gave you feel of walking into your neighborhood pub, if in Ireland. There was a bar tender from Ireland as well as a hostess actually from Ireland. Their accents really added to the atmosphere and we sat down talking to both of them as well as enjoying yet another beer and a pepsi. Upon leaving Grogan's, my friend looked over and noticed that Questor was no longer there and it was called Corkscrew Hill. He wanted to ride. I tried to warn him, but he didn't listen. On to Corkscrew Hill (aka, the bodyjerk hill). The video was off a little from the movement of the platform and the AC inside the building didn't seem to be working, however, the queue leading to the room was freezing and enjoyable considering the heat outside. Not much else to say about Corkscrew Hill other than it is another one of those rides that BGE is not really paying much attention to. It could use some upkeep. The laser lights in the queue line tunnel did not seem to be working and the voices saying over here over here were not playing either. Again, the AC was kicking in the tunnel, so no problem with no lights and voices, we were relaxed. We left there and took a ride on ole Nesse. A little rough and I miss seeing ol Nesse in the tunnel So, where have we not been... I know, Alpengeist. This was a walk on people. Walk on for Alpie... ARE PEOPLE INSANE?!?!? Well that and the park wasn't that crowded I am assuming due to the storm report. We hopped on the third from the last row and enjoyed the ride. Taking that dive off of the first drop while turning is nice. The next maneuver was great. He enjoyed the Cobra Roll and Brake Run with us being jerked around like a couple of Rag Dolls. The heartlines were great. This was possibly my most favorite ride of the day as it always has been since they put it in... well, with the exception of Drachen Fire. God rest her soul. On the way out of the park, we stopped by the Globe Theater to notice that they have once again put in Pirates 4 D. What is up with that? Don't they think it is time for a new film? Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the film the same as the first time I saw it. Glad to see it back. We left the park and called it a day around 7ish. This was just in time to drive back up to Richmond before the storm got too bad... Well, I hit a few showers on the way, but still made it home safe. Now there were a few issues. Operations is getting a bit sloppy at BGE. At Apollo's, there were two entrance operators, one laying on the ground chewing on a straw. She then came up into the station chewing on that same straw. We also noticed a lot of trash in places like Griffin's queue. Please BGE, don't let that park slip. That and the guy outside of the entrance on our way home didn't seem to want to sell me the corn dog. Perhaps he wanted all ten of them in the case for himself, but he was very bored and not into getting that corn dog out. He sold it to me, then took a good long time to get it out of the case. Now, it was hot has Hades down there today, so most of this may be due to the heat and that most of them were in pants. Are they requiring them to wear pants at BGE now in operations?? If so, those poor kids are going to roast alive especially since it isn't even July yet. Overall, it was a beautiful day except for heat and the park was beautiful with the flowers and shrubs. I may even end up going back down there tomorrow. My wife had to work today so she could not go with me, but we both have the day off tomorrow and we are only about forty five minutes from the park. Maybe a day with her down there watching shows and a few mild rides (she doesn't do intense at all) will work. And we can have a few great meals at the same time. Again, it is my first TR on here. Sorry for lack of pictures, but I hope you guys enjoy anyways. Next time I will get pictures. And please take it easy on me with the spelling of Griffin or Griffon and Immelmann...