robbalvey

^ Yeah. After the season of TPR trips are over any of our "TPR Candies" that we have left I put them in with orders. But we only add those in post-September if we have them left. --Robb

And IMO, I don't really see that changing much either. While I totally welcome the new rides - Toy Story Mania, Carsland, and Mermaid, I honestly don't see the park being *that* much better when it's all said and done than it is now, the only difference being they may have a few more interesting rides. But thematically, what exactly are they adding that contributes or helps with the "California Adventure" theme? From what I can tell nothing. The park in it's "future state" is still just as dis-jointed and a mess as it is in it's original state. Now, if they end up revealing a new direction for the park like another "Disney's Hollywood Studios" then all these new additions make a lot more sense and the theme of the park would be a bit more cohesive. But as "Disney's California Adventure" I fail to see how taking ears off the roller coaster and adding Mickey to the Sun Wheel is going to make ANY improvements at all. Or re-theming Mullholland Madness, or re-theming Orange Stinger, or adding trolley's to the park. (Or sorry, that's right, that's what California-ness they are adding...trolly's and a theater building that most people were not familiar with.) I went into the "Blue Sky Cellar" and I came away thinking it's all "more of the same" and what we have now is pretty sub-par in comparision to other Disney parks. At the end of the day we'll have a slightly "beefed up" California Adventure, but seriously, how much are they going to polish this turd? Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the park at all... in fact I'd much rather visit DCA than AK or DSP, I just don't think their 1.1 bazillion dollar re-hab is going to make THAT much of a difference. --Robb

We only did one batch of red ones (the first batch) and there were 500 of them made (I think) in 2006. Basically we didn't think the color "popped" as much as on the yellow ones so we've made those ever since. --Robb

^^ Yeah, he still works at SFMM and he worked during WCB, he's just not into parks or TPR like he used to be. (I know other people saw him but he wasn't part of the TPR crew this year like he was last year.) He told me he likes working at the park, but he won't be doing any more updates and his "enthusiasm" for parks is pretty much dead. --Robb "Let's try to keep the thread on topic to SFMM please!" Alvey

^ I kind of wish it was just a joke, but in all honestly that's EXACTLY what happened! In a nutsell, he started dating a girl in December and not many of his close TPR pals have heard from him since. I've had one conversation with him in mid-Feb where he told me "I'm just not into theme parks like I used to be" and that was pretty much it. I haven't seen or heard from him since. --Robb "Didn't even see him at West Coast Bash..." Alvey

I still never got addresses for the following people: bdstrom sillytrixx I'm sending out BAGS OF CRAP soon, so PM me your mailing address! --Robb

How often do you visit, though? For me, I visit DLR about once ever 12 to 18 months and the amount of construction was annoying for me. I can see it being less annoying to someone who is a regular and has adapted to the changes, but to someone who is a less frequent visitor, I can tell you it was frustrating to get around some areas towards the back of the park. --Robb "Imagine how it would be for a first time visitor." Alvey

^

He's just not into theme parks anymore like he used to be...that's at least what he told me! --Robb

I usually try to include at least a little *something* with every order. It really depends a lot how many pens we have in stock, if we have a ton of park maps left over, or how many orders I'm filling at the time. Sometimes if I'm running low on supplies (like if it's *right* before a TPR trip) I'll only put stuff into orders where someone has written us a nice note in the comments section or if it's a name I recognize as someone who's ordered from us before. --Robb

Deal! In fact I'll throw in a free pen to all orders that go out this week! --Robb

I've been known to randomly put them in with DVD orders! Perhaps on your next TPR Store order you'll be one of the lucky ones to get a TPR pen! --Robb

LOL! Let's see... You can either wait and get the "full coverage in the April Issue of ACE news..." or.... Get the same information online at TPR on March 16th. You Choose! --Robb

That park is just so horrible right now. I couldn't believe the state it was in when we were there last week. Just trying to get to the damn warf to eat lunch was a pain in the ass with all the bridges closed. Not so bad if you're towards the front of the park, but it was annoying going from Paradise Pier to the Mexican place. I just hope they fix it all up soon. --Robb "Had fun...but no real desire to go back anytime soon..." Alvey

FYI - There are still spots open for this trip (especially Texas) so if you are interested in taking a trip with TPR, email us now! robbalvey@aol.com --Robb

Dress like Mr. Six Day! Join us on Monday, April 6 to participate in a Mr. Six Look-alike Contest and Dance Lesson. The contest, group photo and Mr. Six dance lesson will take place at 6 p.m. at the Main Gate Fountain. Plus, any Guest dressed up as Mr. Six will be able to purchase a park admission for only $6! Must purchase at the park. Offer not available online. Guests must wear the following: a black jacket, black pants, bald cap or shaved head, glasses and red bow-tie. Info: http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/events/MrSixDay.aspx

As I add new or updated TPR videos to CoasterTube I'll post them here as well to share with all of you. Sometimes we will post new videos, sometimes we will post older videos that we are updating for CoasterTube or just ones we think would be cool to show you all again in case you missed it the first time around! Below is a list of videos that have been posted: Coaster Expedition Volume 11 - Opening Segment Comet Express POV - Lotte World PortAventura with Theme Park Review! Kentucky Rumbler POV/Beech Bend Park Alton Towers with TPR - 2002 Liseberg with TPR - 2006 Terminator Testing Video - in **HD** Amazing World - China Hercules - In the RAW!!! Chimelong Paradise POVs - Dive Coaster, 10 Inversion, Motorbike Klotten in Germany! Intimidator 305 POV Busch Gardens Tampa with TPR - 2001 Blackpool Pleasure Beach with TPR - 2002 Power Park with TPR Conneaut Lake & Martin's Fantasy Island with TPR - 2003 Tobu Zoo with TPR Silverwood with TPR - 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone! Time to share another Theme Park Review video with you all. This is the "Opening Segment" to Coaster Expedition Volume 11: Japan-A-Mania TWO and while it doens't show off many parks or coasters it will give you a good vibe of what a TPR trip is like and set the stage for this installment of our DVD series. I hope you enjoy the following video: [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=vol_11_opening_t4x0[/coastertube] If you have not yet purchased Coaster Expedition Volume 11 you may do so here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/store/in ... oductID=40 And remember, getting something from the TPR store is a GREAT way to support the site and keep TPR ad free! --Robb Alvey

I love it when Wes and I think the same.

We already have a thread for... Best Steel First Drop: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29156 Best Wood First Drop: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1252 It took me 11 seconds to find these threads. --Robb

Camden Park. Anyone else see this place pulling a "Fun Spot" anytime soon? --Robb

^ He once sat in my office and played Atari 2600 Donkey Kong! --Robb "I'm not making that up!!!" Alvey

I honestly can't control what I say on some of these shows. It basically just spills from the brain out of the mouth. In my mind all I heard him say was PKI JZ MAN and it instantly translated into PKI JIZZ MAN...which I have a feeling will end up becoming his new nick name for life!!!! --Robb

17/20. Yeah I need a life too!

I disagree to some extent about the water rides as they are kind of "seasonal" in the sense that when it's too cold you don't want to ride them (do you really want to get your 3 year old all wet when it's 50 degrees out?) and many of them are closed during the off-season as the rapids and Tidal Wave are now. But I do see your point and I agree with that. Even still, Six Flags Magic Mountain still is lacking in the 42" - 48" category. They probably have one of the smallest collection of "adult sized rides" with that height restriction in the entire Six Flags family. I don't have time to go through all the parks, but just look at a park like Six Flags Over Texas. Here are all the "adult sized rides*" a kid of 42" can ride at SFOT: Aquaman Splashdown Conquistador Crazy Legs El Aserradero El Sombrero Judge Roy Scream La Fiesta de las Tazas La Vibora Mini Mine Train Roaring Rapids Shock Wave Sidewinder Texas Chute Out The Gunslinger The Runaway Mine Train Tony Hawk’s Big Spin YOSEMITE SAM’S GOLD RIVER ADVENTURE SFOT Total = 17 "Adult Sized Rides*" for a kid 42" Six Flags Great America: The Dark Knight Coaster Buccaneer Battle Chubasco Condor Demon East River Crawler Fiddler’s Fling Hometown Fun Machine Logger’s Run Ricochet River Rocker Roaring Rapids The Jester’s Wild Ride The Orbit Triple Play Whizzer Yankee Clipper SFgam Total = 17 "Adult Sized Rides*" for a kid 42" Six Flags Magic Mountain: Atom Smasher Buccaneer Grinder Gearworks Jet Stream Log Jammer Ninja Roaring Rapids Scrambler Swashbuckler Tidal Wave SFMM Total = 10 "Adult Sized Rides*" for a kid 42" * For the sake of this comparison so it's more apples to apples, "Adult Sized Rides" are any rides NOT located in the kiddie areas and does not include transportation rides, carousels, bumper cars, wet-dry slides or antique cars as all three of these parks seem to have about the same amount of these kinds of rides, and they are arguably more for the 36" - 42" group. I *DID* include dark rides. Like I said, I think SFMM had enough to do for the under 42" kids with Thomas, Bugs Bunny World, the Carousel, Log Jammer, a couple of basic flat rides, etc, and they absolutely have the 48" and up category covered, and I know I'm not saying anything the park isn't aware of, but they really do need more for the 42" to 48" kids. SFMM has *one* roller coaster for that group - Ninja. Where SFGam was Whizzer, Demon, and Dark Knight. SFOT has two mine trains, Shock Wave, Judge Roy Scream, Tony Hawk, and La Vibora. And out of those 10 rides that SFMM has, 4 of them are water rides. So if it's cold outside, you're down to 6 rides in that category. IMO, SFOT has the perfect balance of kiddie rides, family rides, and thrill rides out of any park in the Six Flags chain. If it hasn't been done already, all of the other parks who are lacking in any of these categories should take a look at what SFOT has to offer, and try to match as close as possible, to their ride line-up. And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that SFMM doesn't have stuff for the 42" group, I'm just saying I think that's the area they need to work on. I'd be a bit disappointed if the next few additions were for either the 48" or 54" group, or even the young toddlers. I think this statement is correct, but misleading. I personally think the statement should be "Terminator will be a great hit with older families" meaning families who's youngest kids are around 9 years old. Let's face it, a family of four who's kids are 9 and 11, will have a GREAT time riding that coaster together (along with many other SFMM coasters). But if you're a family of four who's kids are ages 6 and 9, you're going to be split up quite a bit throughout your day. --Robb ps. And SFMM isn't the only park where this is an issue. Even take a park like Holiday World as "family friendly" as they are considered, they don't have THAT much for the 42" - 48" group either. In fact, using the same criteria as above, I think SFMM actually has MORE adult sized rides for 42" - 48" than Holiday World does. So keep that in mind!

On a busy day, I'd MUCH rather pay $10 than stand in a 2 hour line. Perhaps your opinion differs, but I can do a lot more with my 2 hours than wait in a line. Break it down to paying $5 per hour, that's a bargin! But having said that...if you are SMART! (key word here...SMART!) you should be able to get at least one ride...maybe two...on X2 on basically any given day without having to wait in a long line. And let's just say you got in two rides with no line, and had to wait 2 hours for a third ride later in the day. That's only an average of about 40 minutes per ride. Not too bad. Personally, I'd rather get the two rides in without waiting, then pay the $10 for my third ride, and then you've gotten 3 rides with no wait! Or you can look at it as averaging out that $10 cost over three rides and you're only paying $3.33 per ride! I know I've been able to pull this off on many, many visits. And I'm not that smart! --Robb "And I'm not talking about line jumping or doing anything against park rules...you just need to be smart." Alvey