TheRapidsNerd

Granted! I really did laugh out loud when I read this at work today. This is the start of some good stuff. Would love to see the rest. Don't worry. It's cool. Looking for this?

Tyler, you have a natural talent for composition and timing. The shot of Scream's loop to the left, followed by Riddler's loop to the right, is a good example of this. "Shakey Cam" is also a popular trend in videos right now. Keep going at this rate, and you may have found an alternate career.

...you hit the local railroad museum in the December because you're that desperate for a park. ...you can relate to Ron Toomer. ...you build RCT3 models and put the videos up on YouTube. ...you shoot 5 minutes of crumbling boat channel footage because that's all that's left of a park. ...the majority of your state to state knowledge is what parks are where. ...Orlando is the promised land. ...you frequently take pictures of your McDonald's visits. ...your park pin marks on Google Earth outnumber anything else. ...you own multiple copies of Robert Coker's Roller Coasters book. ...you've watched a video of a vendor and little boy pretend to ride coasters together. ...the first you think of when somebody says "Ozzy Osbourne" is Revolution. ...you're still kicking yourself for throwing away your Star Tours and SooperDooperLooper buttons. ...you've owned coaster "foreign legion" hats during the 80's.

No worries. Happy to see them when you get to them. Have enjoyed the TR thus far and feel for you being sick.

Some of your photos are very striking. The Everest Que and Rainforest Cafe fountain are 2 of my faves. I dig the abstract Asia tiger sign too. Well done!

Wow man, great stuff! Awww, I miss Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. My favorite part was the train tunnel. That was such a great gag. Well, at least Peter Pan is a reasonable alternative, since Disneyland's was enjoyable. Stuart, great P 2 TTA PoV, BTW. Aw crap! Scott look watcha started here with the bloody acronyms!

I haven't the foggyest why you like that sky tower shot. Pretty cool that you got a pic with the cast of the one show. Impressive that those huge screens move and turn during the Believe show too. Enjoyed the TR. Thanks!

I like the park because it's different. Hearing a Rock N Roll park described in wordy, redundant, corporate speak by execs in khakis and monogrammed polos, made my skin crawl. Maybe this is supposed to be a charcature of the musical movement, or a new means for bands to connect with future generations, but it just feels counter to the "buck the establishment" sentiment of Rock music. It feels kinda funny, but not like when we used to climb the rope in gym class.

Anything with a drop (most of any given park) makes me want to shout at my shoes, even Pirates of the Carribbean. Yes, that's laughably sad. No worries, I shop, schlep bags, take pictures, and still have a great day out. The head scratcher is, rapids rides, water slides, and some simulators don't bother me. Still and all, I love coasters and parks. Always will.

^

Ah, after reading back a couple pages, I get the dog in the lobster suit thing. Anyway, Great coverage Jahan! Really good to see things on the upswing for Magic Mountain. Oh, and Roaring Rapids. Beautiful *sniff*, just beautiful.

First, bummer that you were sick, but glad you still had fun. Monorail Casino = Awesome! (1 rail STILL > than 2) Agreed on Pooh's sub par, paved over lagoon.

Two random things. 1. The first time I saw Alton Towers' Air, it reminded me of a blue manta ray for some reason. 2. This is eerily similar to Twister II's Seaworld Hawaii RCT3 park...with a Sting Ray themed flying coaster going through and aquarium. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39241 Either way, I'm looking forward to this Manta when it's done.

Felt the same way you do. Short of the Pipeline Prototype video clips (which is somewhere in the pro am vid section), I've simulated the Pipeline Coaster Prototype in RCT3 here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee0fjmkS4PE

Considering how you guys posted your recent trips, Scott's witty vocabulary, the good pictures, and well stated observations,............no chance.

Like Tyler, I've had good experiences at Stake 'n' Shake (Huntsville). Really good shakes and good cheese fries. Burgers there are tasty, but not mama slap. 5 Guys burgers are better than SnS to me, and they give you a lot of fries. Good fries, but too salty. I've had White Castle a few times, but kinda meh. Potato bun just doesn't appeal. Krystal is pretty much the same, sands potato bun and plus a bit more flavor. The intestinal potency has the power to wake up college roomates. Given the choice, it'd be Krystal over White Castle, partly due to the BA Burgers.

GREAT TR! Not only rapids love, but my first, AND time lapse pics! Bonus cool points for the Mystery Machine and Wood Bell. Believe it or not, I'm also digging the EK construction. How they're pulling a Boardwalk Bullet and shoe-horning that much coaster into such a small area is truly impressive. Big Thanks! EDIT: Thanks for my new avatar! Working on animated .gif under 50k.

Rough map of the old mall. While searching for Panda Express, I discovered this little gem... http://www.themeparkreview.com/ush05/ush1.htm

Tyler, do you remember PE in Parkway City mall, before it was torn down? It was near Sbarro, Clairs, and that hallway that went out to the bank and back parking lot adjacent to L&N drive. Pretty good from what I remember.

Years ago, when little kids pulled this kind of stunt (and yes this kind of plotting has happened before), noone even batted an eye or took it so seriously. Children are children, NOT miniature adults with years of life experience like many of us have.

Mindbender just has this mysterious cool vibe. Always liked the box frame track and Schwartzkopf trains. Been through a few paint jobs too. Great pictures credited to those on TPR who took them. This is how I remember Mind Bender from my first trip to SFoG in 92 or 93. Riddler question mark paint. Toned down question mark paint. Green and teal paint.

Anybody got a craving for Steak 'n' Shake?

^ You mean you can't?

Good work friend. Yay for waterpark TRs!

Man I miss this park. It was my first amusement park, first Six Flags, and first rapids. Always brings a smile thinking of this place. Thanks for the Thunder River shot, and a good TR.