esvadj

Kingdom Coaster at Dutch Wonderland. Smooth, good pops of air time, and it gains some good speed as it rounds the back. Plus, most afternoons you can ride it over and over again with out getting off.

Almost the exact same list as 2009 Walt Disney World Sea World Busch Gardens Williamsburg Kings Dominion Trimper's Ocean City Dutch Wonderland Hershey

I just got the email for pass holders. The 2 year plans will be revealed in the Festhaus Saturday September 18, 2010 at 11am for the first 1500 active pass holders. The park is also giving away prizes all weekend to random people all over the park for displaying your pass. (out of work dream squad? ) Sadly, I will not be able to attend the event on Saturday, but I do plan on going Sunday. Here is a video teaser they sent out as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KDMa0VUWZM&feature=player_embedded I think its going to be something tall by the looks of the video...

Tidal Wave, Trimper's Rides Ocean City MD. Running great, in my opinion its the smoothest of the Vekoma Boomerangs - but I have only ridden a few of them. I took the picture from outside the funhouse

I wonder why they didn't add another row of seats instead of the zero car?

That was the first thing running through my mind as I was looking at these pictures too. Great pictures, I would love to go exploring the area.

Does anyone know if I can walk from Best Western to the front entrance of the park. It looks possible on Google maps, but there may be a huge fence I am missing. My wife and I are staying there Saturday night and she isn't attending the event. I would hate to have to pay for parking since she is just dropping me off. Thanks

Great photos! Love the old pics of Busch Gardens.

Busch Gardens released the website for Christmas Town 2010 today: http://www.christmastown.com/homepage.aspx As far as the ride selection goes, it looks the same as last year, with Griffion being the only coaster running. I was a little disappointed that the entire park wasn't going to be used. Italy, Fiesta Italy and the area around Pompeii are omitted from the map again this year. Sesame Street Forrest of Fun and Land of the Dragons (the two children play areas) are also both not on the map. If you go to the interactive park map section you will notice that Katapult is missing. I know first hand that Katapult was running during last year's Christmas Town because I rode it and froze on it. Looking at the map, it looks as if the park ends around the swings.

No, shouldn't be. If you can you should stay for all the night time shows, I was impressed with them.

I went Sunday and I saw the markings where Big Bad Wolf was, but I also noticed A LOT of silt fencing and what appeared to be new chain link fencing along the banks of the Rhine river. I think the fence may be there as a safety precaution for the firework launch site, but I don't know for sure. The park was packed for a Sunday night, I think Illuminights has really worked out well for the park. David Cook of American Idol was there Sunday as well, so that may account for the crowds.

They still don't know what caused the cable to snap. Here an article from an Ocean City paper yesterday http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2010-07-30/Front_Page/Coaster_mishap_cause_remains_an_uncertainty.html Also here is a to you tube video of a news report. Nothing new in the report, but there is some good footage of the park and the boardwalk for people who have never been there.

I agree, the train looks great. The coaster on the other hand - wow, my spine broke just looking at the pictures.

Its is not just Ohio, people are pretty crazy for it right now in Virginia also. I enjoy it, it is a safer version of horseshoes especially if alcohol is involved. Great trip report also, loved the pictures.

Matterhorn was just replaced last weekend. A brand new Rock & Roll opened in its place on July 19th. Here is a link to some pictures from another website. So at least they are putting a little money into the park.

I have to agree with the fact it is smoother than some of its counterparts across the country. I actually was in Ocean City last week and rode it twice. I had heard that this is the final year for the Tidal Wave from two different sources early on in the season.

Don't worry, I'll be "that guy" too. Seems I am going solo. My wife was going with me, but she has decided to drop me off and spend the day at Ikea north of KD closer to DC.

I'm in. It's a about a five hour trip for me, so I may stay either Saturday night or Sunday night. I haven't been to KD in about 5 years, so I am really looking forward to it.

I was at Hershey Park on Thursday and the Create Your Candy was open in the morning for a VIP tour. We went back in the evening and it was open to the public. After spending all day in the park with two children and a pregnant wife, I could not convince them to try it out. In fact NO ONE was doing it once they saw the 14.95 price tag. I saw a lot of people see the price and turn away. I would have like to have done just the Hershey Kiss packaging part of the tour which is right as you enter the area, but it seems to be an all or nothing sort of tour.

I'll be on the Carnival Destiny next month with a bunch of friends, we will check this out for sure. Five dollars is cheap entertainment while on a cruise.

Tidal Wave @ Trimper's Ocean City MD yesterday

Another mini trip report: I went to the NASCAR race in Richmond this weekend and on the way home I ran into BGW just to ride Europe in the Air. My wife and I arrived at the park at 11am and sailed right through the gate with no waiting. This was my third trip to the park this year and it was the least crowded I had seen it. We went strait to Ireland and got in line. First, they added some additional lighting to the cave like entrance so its not as dark as it was with Corkscrew Hill. When you get to the first part of the pre-show there are pictures of Europe all over the walls, it looks nice and still smells of fresh paint. You then went into another pre-show where you learn about the ride you are about to take over Europe. As for the ride, I liked it. The screen was huge and the pictures were crystal clear. They had huge fans mounted on each side of the screen to help with the illusion of flight. The ride was smooth, it wasn't a jerky as I remember Corkscrew Hill being. It also seemed to be a long ride. We left and headed right out to the parking lot, the entire trip lasted about 35 minutes. In my opinion its a great ride. Soarin' it is not, but as for a replacement of an existing ride Busch Gardens did a great job.

I really enjoyed the Willy Wonka voice over in the previews, it set a good tone. "Is it raining? Is it snowing? Is a hurricane a-blowing? Not a speck of light is showing, So the danger must be growing. Are the fires of Hell a-glowing? Is the grisly reaper mowing? Yes, the danger must be growing, For the rowers keep on rowing, And they're certainly not showing, Any signs that they are slowing"

I am going to make my visit on Monday or Tuesday [April 4 or 5.] I going to hit Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion over Spring Break in hopes the crowds are light.

A lot of the sites I used to go to have faded away. You can try: http://www.arcade-museum.com/ Its a good jump off spot to some forums and good websites. I used to be VERY involved with VAPS (Video Arcade Preservation Society) but after a wife and 2 kids, I didn't have the time for them.