fudgey

^^ Steve, I love the fact you have taken Wipeout to heart... Barry Scott would have been proud. ^ Divv, everyone wants a foodstrap!

^ We did ride it yes, and no wheels fell off at all. We both liked it alot! Update #5: More temples, Sea Paradise and Yokohama Cosmoland Kyoto is well known for its history and its temples, so our last day in Kyoto involved viewing some of the popular tourist sites and generally walking around. It gives a good look into the history of this city and is worlds apart from modern day Japan. We returned to Tokyo via bullet train, checked into our hotel and then made an afternoon visit via local train to Sea Paradise (Blue Fall.... ) and Yokohama Cosmoland. Sea Paradise is a fun Japanese holiday resort not far outside of Yokohama city and looks out over the ocean. It houses Japan's largest collection of marine life through the various aquariums, Surf Coaster (Togo steel sitdown) which is mainly out over the sea and Blue Fall (330ft of Intamin drop goodness). Surf Coaster was actually very good, not very rough, good airtime and intense helixes. Blue Fall scared the crap out of me but was excellent (keeps the adrenaline pumping!) This park, again, was very quiet which means more rides on Blue Fall for me! Yokohama Cosmoland is in the centre of Yokohama city, close to the bay. Having not done my research, we arrived by train to find lots of police directing people, roads closed and everything at a standstill. Apparently, it was one of their huge! firework festivals and the amount of people here was crazy, like stupid crazy. Still, we made our way from the station to Yokohama Cosmoland, while watching some of the biggest, loudest and amazing fireworks I have ever seen. If you have seen Disney's in Florida, just imagine several times bigger! Seriously, seriously cool! We then rode the Vanish! rollercoaster, well known for going through a tunnel in the middle of the lagoon and the Spinning mouse, both of which had about 15min lines. The setting for this little park was great, and lit up looked very cool! The amount of people leaving this festival via the trains was crazy, but it was well organised, the masses of people were moving quickly and we got back to the hotel absolutely exhausted! God I love this country. If this had happened in Britain, all of the tube stations would be closed and it would take hours to get home. Tokyo Disneyland next... First up, this is the Philosophers Walk in Kyoto. I do not look very philosopical... Temple Credit #4 FOODSTRAP... ??? Last Temple Credit #5 - Ooh thats pretty... On the way back at Kyoto Station, a Pingu exhibition... ...Insert Pingu noise here... Just time to look at some electricals... Yay... Sea Paradise! Great setting, especially as the sun was setting... Hello sexy... Prices for wristbands got reduced at 4pm which = Got there just in time to see Believe... Trained Beluga Whales = I Believe!! So first up = rapids! Now I love rapids rides but this one was very, very short! Please don't dance in the boats... I stayed dry, this did not make Amy happy... Next up... Togo! Random stuff will attack you on this ride... And it goes over the sea... This ride exceeded my expectations! From the Sky Tower, it all looks rather nice! Yes, yes, your turn next... Hmmmm... not the picture I was looking for... And it was... 'The Greatest Fall'... Amy thought no way... The car comes into the brakes very, very fast... Check out that Beluga... Thank you Sea Paradise... Nice pictures around the Electric Train Station... Next up, Yokohama Cosmoworld... The ferris wheel was not lit up as some amazing fireworks were just about to blow... Vanish... Bang... and the train has gone! Another huge ASS ferris wheel... Like seriously... can you see those crowds... Japan's public transport helped destroy these queues rather quickly! And to finish off... the Spinning Coaster. So time for the train, and then to bed. What's this though... Fanta/Cola Fun Mix = delicious!! Ice Chocolate Milk Tea drink = not so delicious...

^ =

Update #4: Nagashima Spaland Looking at TPR's visits to this park, it has been said that it was Japan's Cedar Point (before CP built their huge rides and modernised the park) and I would totally agree with this. Easy to get to, it required the bullet train and a bus to Kuwana station ala TPR's Japan Planning Guide. We both really liked this park, again for uniqueness and for the fact it was REALLY quiet, I mean probably the quietest I have ever seen a park of this scale. They have a waterpark which seemed quite busy but their main amusement park was completely dead, which means excellent for us. Highlights included: Steel Dragon 2000 is their gigacoaster, built by Chance Morgan. This had some good airtime pops and some fairly intense helixes at the turnaround. The views over the sea and the surrounding areas are excellent and we both really enjoyed this! White Cyclone is their woodie, and again had some good airtime pops, long helixes (some serious bone rattling here) and a nice layout. Ultra Twister is a Togo pipeline coaster and this is the first time I have ever been on one of these things, having only seen and built them in Rollercoaster Tycoon when I was younger and no guests ever particularly liking them... Unique, different, scary vertical lift chain at the beginning where you hope you are not going to die! Free fall is an Intamin old school freefall ride and this was the first time I had done one of these, drop towers still make the adrenaline run!! Welcome to Nagashima Spaland Quite a nice setting.. ala Cedar Point Coaster #1: Togo steel sitdown... ...Flat and forceless... They do like their Pirate ships in Japan though - there were 3 at this park. Mrs Tiggywinkle... Peter Rabbit characters are on each of the ride signs... I wonder what this is called... Oh right... gotcha! Togo Death #2 These cars look like prisons... We survived.. and it wasn't that bad! Like seriously, the park is dead today! That is one big ass ferris wheel... Now I don't mind Ferris Wheels but this one was HUGE! Some good views of the park though... There's the longest coaster in the world... And there is one big ass helix... White Cyclone! Like seriously, this would = death in the heat and humidity today! Children Coaster, as listed on their English map... Amy's happy on the Children coaster... They had a good selection of kids rides... OMG... Thomasland Looping Star by Mr. Schwarzkopf ...and a Shuttle Loop, originally named... ...Oh yes, Shuttle Loop... Free fall = YAY, as I haven't done one before... And Steel Dragon 2000, where a wheel fell off the train in 2003, I suppose thats a bit better than a chair... That's one big ass lift hill! Now if anyone would like to tell me what is on the pilots face, please go ahead... Queue pens of death are empty, which is a very good thing! And of course, to finish, we'll look at food. Anyone for a mega kebab... This was just outside Kuwana station - this is a DEATH burger, I mean OMG. No, I didn't have one, but maybe we'll see one being eaten on a upcoming TPR trip!

Update #3: Bullet Trains, Kyoto and Universal Studios The next stage of our trip involved getting the bullet train from Tokyo central station to Kyoto. Our JR Rail Pass became valid today for one week so the plan was to use it as much as possible. We reserved seats on the Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen Hikari bullet train (free reservations with rail pass). Bullet train travel = amazing and easy! Tip: Buy a bento box from the Tokyo station food court before travel (amazing!) - there is so many types of excellent food. Bullet trains run to the second - the efficiency was superb (a tad better than Fuji-Q!). In Kyoto, there are lots of cultural sights and temples, as well as lots of shops and small side streets to explore. We stayed at the Westin Miyako Kyoto which was next to one of Kyoto's metro stations and therefore made travelling very easy. It also had a courtesy bus to and from the train station which again made things very easy. Universal Studios Japan was the first park we visited while down in Kyoto. It was about 45 minutes by combination of bullet train and local train but again easy and straightforward. It was very wet for a large proportion of the day, but again the crowds were light! Their new attraction for this season was Space Fantasy, a HIGHLY themed indoor controlled spinning coaster made by Mack. I have to say I thought this was very unique, and we both really liked this ride. Now I love Universal Studios in Florida and this park literally was the main Florida park with the best of attractions from Islands of Adventure and the Studios park (with no Men in Black ). Hollywood Dream lets you rock out to Bon Jovi - so it gets my vote automatically... Doing it in the heavy rain however means you have no eyes left by the end... So, we are on the right line and station yes.... Hello sexy bullet train... Make sure you buy a bento box! ...and maybe some cake... As the bullet train whizzes through the country, looking out the window for too long can make you feel ill... Temple Credit Number 2 Loving the English translations... Green Tea Ice Cream = Wierd... Temple Credit Number 3 Apparently the restroom gets off a stone... Hello my friend... (The station entrance literally is in Citywalk) Amy and I love Bubba Gumps... Kong is still at Universal Studios Japan! Everyone loves Space Fantasy... Thank goodness parts were undercover, the rain was torrential today... So Hollywood Dream in the rain = PAIN, but some nice little pops of airtime and Amy liked it alot! Okay, I had no idea before we rode what this ride was about, and I'm not really sure I do afterwards, I just know I liked spinning with lots of crazy light effects and trippy music... These kind of freak me out a little bit - they are everywhere inside Space Fantasy... Anyone else confused, I expect Twister to be here but instead we have good old Cyberdyne systems and their crazy Japanese PR lady in the red dress... Where is the Museum of Antiquities?? Jonah Jameson loves you! YES!! Only in Japan can you still go to 88mph... Anywhere you can buy BTTF merchandise is good to me! Sesame Street 4D is at Universal Japan, and that means lots of Sesame Street merchandise and of course the COOKIE MONSTER!! Is Ernie flirting with the dancer...? Hello Kitty was in the same show/parade... WTF? And now here is just a little slice of the merchandise... ...and Hello Kitty merchandise... Back to the rides... so USJ is now the only place where you can have a Backdraft... Anyone else confused...? Amy loves Jurassic Park... According to Jurassic Park staff, Westerners are likely to smoke, drink and eat while on the tour! (Note the thin Japanese people and the stereotypical fat westerner...) But at least you can get a leather treaty in the gift shop... So what else can we do in the rain...? This picture is Dave Thomas approved Sorry I take it back... This picture is even more Dave Thomas approved... There is a land themed after Oz, along with a Yellow Concrete Road... I hate Dorothy... I hate her... You can also see an abridged version of Wicked... It was good to stay out of the rain, but the show sucked... At least I didn't have to pay for West End tickets to find this out... You can however buy stuff in the Winkie Warehouse in Oz............ LOL Snoopy's coaster was Rollerskater fun! Yes, Amy does need some guidance at times... And just for completion sake, Mel's Drive In was here too! Goodbye Universal, we liked you alot!!!

Sounds as though it was really quiet compared to when you guys have been. Dodonpa had a 90 minute wait in the afternoon (glad we did it in the morning) and the longest line we waited in was for Eejanaika (about 50 minutes, although 15 minutes of this was because they were switching their trains over!) We liked it because it had some unique stuff for us I guess, although some of those queue pens looked nasty when full and in humid heat... Elissa, I have the English version of the map and it says: The Great Fluffy Sky Adventure (Hamtaro coaster) - minimum height of 100cm or above Mad Mouse - 110cm or above Rock 'n Roll Duncan - 3yrs and up.

Update #2: Fuji-Q Highland Our second full day in Tokyo involved getting up early to catch the Fuji-Q Highland highway bus from the main bus terminal in Tokyo at Shinjuku. It was about 1h 30min bus ride to Fuji-Q Highland and was very easy (the hardest part was finding the ticket office for the buses!). I liked Fuji-Q Highland quite alot (probably because it was not very busy at all really - operations were not amazing at all...), and even more amazingly Amy joined me on Eejanaika which is Fuji-Q's S+S Arrows 2nd 4D coaster - bone jarringly intense... They have a Thomas-Land which is really nice that included a Thomas the Tank 4D show... and some other rather unique attractions such as a haunted attraction where you literally stand in an open coffin and have a man tell you scary stories in Japanese... a real WTF moment! Their rapids ride is very cool and unique, although shocking capacity but we only had to wait 35 minutes (the line was easily 2 hours earlier in the day). Beautiful day being overlooked by Mount Fuji! I think that sums up Amy's feelings pretty well at the moment... Welcome to Fuji-Q! Don't hit the bears... Time to get our pictures taken for our ride passes... Looking sexy... First up, Dodonpa (apparently this says Dodonpa...) There is the Dodonpa launch - make sure you do this first if you ever go there (capacity and operation = shocking) Next Fujiyama (Amy liked this)... If you are tired then you cannot ride (bottom right)... Mad Mouse (bad capacity, operation v.slow, get on it early!!) Next up, Eejanaika, S+S Arrows 4D bone-jarring, brain swelling fun machine... Hmm, is this ride for midgets?? So again, slow loading, one-car operation, and you must not have ANYTHING in your pockets, its the law! In all honesty though, good, intense fun! Aah yes, Amy's favourite ride here... The lift-hill was freshly greased (I kid you not, the engineers had just done it before our car...) Don't hit the bears... Yay a real Thomasland... But who the hell is Hiro... Thomas the Tank 4D... really... Thomasland lunch = superb!! Amy likes green melon Fanta and an orange pot of goo... Did I mention they have awesome Fanta flavours out here...? Their Haunted Hospital is apparently the largest haunted walkthough in the world... YES, they have a starflyer (with some very odd construction themeing with good music!!) Aah, what is this...? You stand in a coffin and they try and scare you with creepy music and a man shouting Japanese... honestly... Last but not least, the lucky cat rapids (poor capacity, but a great rapids ride!) Goodbye Fuji-Q, we liked you (as you were not that busy!!) Back to the bus!

This Summer, my girlfriend (Amy) and I travelled to Japan and Australia to not only sample some of the many cultural highlights that these countries had to offer but to also visit some of their well known parks, and Tokyo Disneyland! Firstly, can I say that I would have loved to visit Japan with TPR (damn you work schedule!!! ) and anyone who is signed up for their trip next year will have an amazing time! Before travelling, I was actually quite aprehensive (and excited) about Japan but we found that the culture is very welcoming, it really isn't that hard to get around and the food is absolutely amazing! TPR's Japan Travel guide (http://www.themeparkreview.com/japan2004/japanguide1.htm) was invaluble here by the way. Number 1 tip: Get the tourist Japan Rail Pass!! Update #1: Fish, Temples and Toshimaen on page 1 Update #2: Fuji-Q Highland on page 1 Update #3: Bullet trains, Kyoto and Universal Studios Japan on page 1 Update #4: Nagashima Spaland on page 2 Update #5: More temples, Sea Paradise and Yokohama Cosmoland on page 2 Update #6: Tokyo Disneysea on page 3 Update #7: Tokyo Disneyland on page 3 Update #8: Sydney Area on page 4 Update #9: Melbourne Area on page 4 Update #10: Gold Coast - Dream, Movie and Seaworld! on page 4 FINAL UPDATE: Universal Studios Singapore on page 4. Hope you enjoy the updates - please post if you liked it!! Update #1: Fish, Temples and Toshimaen Our first main day involved waking up very early because of jet lag, so we thought that we would use the time to go to the Tsukiji Fish Market. It was recommended to go at around 6am (the busiest time of activity). So we bought our metro day pass, and off we went for the day. Seriously crazy - fish, lots of people, fish, men driving mad barrel type vehicles, fish, massive tuna and more fish. The locals don't seem to mind the tourists freely roaming around. After visiting the Senso-ji Temple as well, we had the afternoon free (due to most free tourist attractions being closed on a Monday) and decided to take the metro to Toshimaen Amusement Park. I hadn't planned to visit this park at all but as the metro line has a station right next to the park, it was easy to get to. The park was VERY quiet and was a good way to spend a couple of hours. Highlight: They had a Haunted Hospital themed haunted walk-through upcharge. We did this and they asked us to fill in a questionnaire before we entered that included questions like: 'Do you like hospital smell?' and 'Do you like hypodermic needles?'.... Good Morning Tokyo... I seriously hope this is the way to the Fish Market... My what big tuna you have... Tuna auctions take place here early! Anyone fancy buying that??? Worth visiting, but don't go if you don't like seafood... Temple Credit Number 1 First park of the trip... Toshimaen Noted! Powered Mine Train. but what is it called? Oh, okay gotcha... The Cyclone, which actually was pretty good, if a little odd. The Cyclone's smaller brother, Mini-Cyclone Mini-Cyclone Shockingly named The Corkscrew... Now, on the TPR Japan Trip, who is going to predict an furry animal duel... Thomasland..... Complete with some amazing Thomasland rides... 'I want to eat your eyes' Haunted Hospital Walkthough = Scary when you don't know the language... The questionnaire we had to answer before the Haunted Walkthrough - 'Do you like Hypodermic needle?' and 'Do you like hospital smell?' are two translations for the questions at the bottom... These things were everywhere... Sitting in Pikachu's backside does not appeal to me however... 'I also want to eat your eyes' And in the giftshop we found some quality merchandise and signage... You see, quality merchandise and quality signage... So overall, this small park in the Tokyo area was easy to get to and a good way to spend a couple of hours. Thank you Toshimaen.

Excellent as always Divv! The Skeg is like Herpes virus.... it will always be there in you.

Great, great update. Lots of memories!!! Had a really excellent day at Universal with the group and the lights on backstage tour was so cool! I love geeky stuff like that. It is all these extra bits which make TPR trips so awesome!!!

Looks like you guys had a great time!! I'm sad I missed it.... It is very sad about Trauma Towers, Noahs Ark. Lets not forget about the American Football dodgems - they were fast and amazing. (especially when watching people who can't drive them..... )

Yes, I totally agree with Robb - people who push the big red buttons are absolutely amazing... you need your own special salute......

Hey guys, hope the TPR Grand Prix was good (gutted I missed that - Mike did you recieve my text...? )and I've seen a few pics from the overnight ferry to see Steve was on his normal form.... Have a great last few days....!!

They aren't that price in the UK anywhere I wouldn't imagine - how old is that bar Robb...? Anyway, I was going to start this post by going.... 'OMG OMG Robbs in the UK OMG OMG, they've really flown over for the opening of Saw OMG OMG' and then I thought that I had better tone down my sarcastic nature... Do you remember the cartoon 'Where in the world is Carmen Sandiago?' - is thread reminded me of that, I remember loving it as a child.. Where in the world is Robb Alvey? - I think we could work that into the theme song... So maybe New England?? New Manchester... Not sure why though?

<-- see even a certain TPR mod has extended the lamp loving craze.

See, I have been contemplating my response to this thread, but just to clarify.... DIVV MUST DIE! Yes, that's right - slow and painfully, preferably with some sort of blunt spoon. Obviously so very truthful. Yes, that's right - I ask and I beg...... Now, posing for photos at Drinking Around the World starting off to be quite embarrassing, but the drink took over and it turned out to be quite fun. I look forward to seeing what lampposts await me in the new year... And again... DIVV MUST DIE!

Hanno - thank you for catching the many faces of the drop tower experience, as well as skycoaster. That version of a drop tower really freaked me out and that was my first skycoaster - always go for the biggest first!! Great pics as always - love it. Great way to remember such a great week away!!

I would also agree that the as well as kick a$$ rides, ERT, lots and lots of extra perks and TPR craziness, the social aspect is the main draw. If you are on the trip, you will get to know a lot of people - some very well and some not so well. I've made some great friends with people from previous TPR trips. There are always one or two exceptions (as is the case with ANY large social group of people), which to be fair is normally caused by their own doing but you are ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEED to be made to feel really welcome and to have an awesome time with TPR. I couldn't recommend it enough!

Great update and an absolutely great week... Halloween TPR style is so good! Great bunch of people and great organisation as always. Did I mention it was great... Thanks for the awesome week!

No one can beat your photos Hanno...

This event has the major potential to freak lots of people out... I'm so looking forward to it... Hello sexy lady....

Now we all know how that bag ended up outside the coach, just like how we all know how Natalie's camera went missing... Great TR so far Adam. I wish I had the patience to sit down and write one and then post some pictures. I had the intention of doing so so maybe I will some day. No one has pictures of the insane Ravine Flyer II ERT in the lightning/rain/we're about to die happy here/thunderstorm. We'll all have to wait for Robb's pictures/video of that evening. Seriously - the most insane/hyped up/adrenaline rushed ERT session ever. One of the best parts... kudos to Neil for getting the group even more hyped up by singing... So anyway, you've mentioned 4 bingo squares so far in your photos - is the magical fifth one going to appear. I believe it has to.... Oh what did you need again - Boob Credit... thats right and which one did you get.....

This park was awesome. ERT in the lightning, rain and thunder was absolutely insane and amazing at the same time. Really was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Hmmm, not too sure I'm coming across too well here... These parks were an excellent start to the Behemoth/East Coast trip and we've all just arrived at the hotel ready to hit SFGAd tomorrow.. Yay! MMM... El Toro. Great TR Shawn... sorry Matt Damon...

Seriously amazing.. it makes those of us who weren't on the trip insanely jealous. I shall certainly be making an excursion out that way quite soon..