robbalvey

I'm a little confused as to where exactly you are flying into or going, because most of the parks you mentioned would not be considered "NORTH East." Most of them are East Coast or getting closer to the Mid West. If you're going to do a true "North East" trip, it would look more like: Six Flags New England Lake Compounce Quassy La Ronde Great Escape FunTown/SplashTown Canobie Lake Park Great Adventure, Knoebel's, Hersheypark, Dorney Park are all "borderline" and Kennywood, Cedar Point, Kings Island, etc are starting to get more towards the Middle America regions. Not sure if you're aware of this or not. If you're flying into the "North East" like Hartford or some place like that, you might find that getting to Kings Island or Cedar Point might be a very long drive.

Wes?

^ You'll have to buy the DVD to see that footage!

Each one of our "Coaster Expedition" Series DVDs starts out with an "Opening Segment" which is kind of a compliation of several different parks, TPR antics, and overall just sets the mood for the rest of the DVD. There have been openings that I've really felt stood out, ones that I look back on and think "that one could have been better" but I really think one of the absolute BEST DVD openers we did was from the most recent Coaster Expedition Volume 12. Take a look... [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=vol12_opening_2k48[/coastertube]

I know that some people really don't agree with my method, but I just think that as long as you've ranked your top 20 or 25 and your bottom 10 in the correct order, the rest of the list just doesn't seem to matter THAT much. Just group the rest of them. I think my ballot goes something like 1 through 25, and then a 30, 40 & 50 grouping and then a 51 through 60 numbering. And then if you really want to, you can break down your 30's & 40's a bit further. But I just find that when you have a ton of coasters it just gets easier when you get them into groups. --Robb "Does anyone REALLY care about steel coaster #55 versus #60?" Alvey

Don't forget!

A minor, but I feel very useful feature was added to CoasterTube today. You can now sort by Name, Rating, Date Added, or Views when looking at a member's videos: http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/memberprofile.php?mid=2&sort=title It's probably most important for categories like "Theme Park Review Videos" or Shane's Amusement Attic, but I think it's very helpful when trying to navigate through videos. --Robb

The following video is from our first ever organized "group trip" in 2006 and there are just certain videos, like the PortAventura one I posted earlier, that I just feel really captures the spirit of what being on a TPR trip is like. This Blackpool Pleasure Beach video does just that... [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=blackpool_ksd1[/coastertube]

^ The Wendy's bit comes from an inside joke during the Behemoth Trip part of that whole tour. At Lakemont they gave us wristbands where on the opposite side of it there was a coupon for a free Frosty. We were totally going to pull into the drive through...with the bus... and say "55 free Frosty's, please!" We never did end up claiming them! --Robb "I think most everyone ate at Nathan's..." Alvey

^ I've already un-tagged it and blocked the user!

Remember to post your reviews of Roller Coasters in the RAW Volume 4 in here! I'd love to hear what people thought of the new DVD. --Robb

HOODIE UPDATE!!! If you wear a Small or Medium, you're in luck! Here is what's left: Zip Up Hoodies Small - 3 Black, 3 Gray Medium - 2 Black Large - 1 Gray Pull Over Hoodies Small - 2 Black Medium - 1 Black Large - 4 Black X Large - 2 Black Place your order here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/store/index.php?categoryID=3

A little bit of both!

Here is a BRAND NEW THEME PARK REVIEW VIDEO!!! Never before seen ANYWHERE!!! Coney Island, New York City, NY and the FINAL YEAR of Coney Island's Astroland. This segment is from the upcoming Coaster Expedition Volume 13 which will be released in January (knock on wood!) Enjoy this brand new TPR video! [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=coneyisland_w1h1[/coastertube]

Let it sit there and rot? Seriously, I've heard nothing other than the ride is still standing. And let's face it, after a full three years of sitting there in the climate that Japan gets (typhoons, etc) without anyone looking after it, I'm not sure how much longer it can last to where it would be cheaper to build a new wood coaster from scratch than saving that one. --Robb

^ I'm not sure the name of the song, but I think it's New Found Glory. --Robb

Agreed. If they can't make it work this next season without giving away admission like they did at the end of last year, it's all going to catch up with them sooner or later. You can't pay vendors, keep a park in good condition, and have proper maintenance for rides when you're taking in five bucks per person. You just can't. --Robb

Wiggles World. Playhouse Disney. Thomas the Tank Engine. Sesame Street. Bob The Builder. Dora the Explorer. Spongebob Sqaurepants. All shows targeted to younger, toddler age kids which have all been turned into successful attractions, themed areas, or even entire parks.

No, but we got the only credit we needed - Deja Vu! Remember, this wasn't about "Riding as many coasters as possible in one day" it was about "visiting 7 parks in 1 day." We started the morning off at Mt. Olympus and rode Hades there (we were doing filming that morning) and then we hit all the credits at all the other parks in the middle, then ended our night on Deja Vu at Great America.

How many parks can you do in one day? Our record is SEVEN!!! That's right...SEVEN! Watch us as we visit - 1. Mt. Olympus 2. Little Amerricka 3. Satan's Villiage 4. Safari Land 5. Kiddieland 6. Jeepers 7. Six Flags Great America [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=7_parks_1_day_vp9l_auzw[/coastertube]

^ Most parks in Japan are year-round regardless of weather mainly because in Japan they don't really have or seem to understand the concept of "Seasonal Employment." If you go to work for a company in Japan, it's expeced that it's a full time position and you'll have that job sometimes for life. This is also why entrance tickets in Japan are much higher because they need to compensate for the very empty off-season where the park still needs to stay open all week long. Some parks close a couple of day during the week during the off-season but most of them are year round. During our December/January visits we encountered snow at many different parks in Japan. --Robb

Valencia??? That's GREAT! Magic Mountain can use the competition! Oh.... Spain....

When people ask me "What is your most crazy day at a theme park ever?" I have to respond "Nasu Highland, Japan. The day we rode coasters in the snow..." [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=nasu_dr5l[/coastertube] Also, please answer the poll question. I'd like to get some data about how you all are watching these videos and/or downloading them via CoasterTube.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!! Was wondering where your screen name came from! --Robb

The B&M Hypers don't do much for me at all. Raging Bull, before the brakes went on REALLY heavy was probably the most insane of all of them, but the rest of them to me are just "fun" rides, and don't offer anywhere near the out of control crazy airtime as the Intamin's do. I prefer the B&M hypers to Morgan's or Giavanola, but that's not say too much. --Robb "Who has never come off a B&M hyper and thought WOW!!!" Alvey