TheRapidsNerd

^ LOL! You just coined a great one! Hence forth, I shall indeed call it "Equatica".

^ Imagine Nitro or Goliath, but on a smaller scale and a more compact layout. Still tall, just doesn't cover as much distance. Hard Rock Park's Led Zep the ride comes pretty close. http://www.rcdb.com/ig3621.htm Hollywood Pics on RCDB dot com. Note the overall size and scale. Hope that helps. EDIT: In re-reading the article, Morer Sohne was signed on for the ride. Since USJ's Hollywood Dream is made by B&M, this is a different coaster type with possibly the same name. Maybe a skyloop or Abismo sort of thing, as both are compact and might fit into that space mentioned by UniversalGSHo. As Arty Johnson would say while peeking out from behind a planter on Laugh-In, "Veeeeeeelllllly intelesting..."

Hollywood Dream is a B&M mini-hyper (SFoG Goliath, or SFGAdv Nitro type trains) out and back coaster with a really cool sparkling light show on the trains. If that's what might go in over at US, it'll be great. http://www.rcdb.com/ig3621.htm Pics on RCDB dot com.

Anybody else notice that the Aquatica logo is eerily similar to Walmart's Equate brand font and logo? I keep wanting to call it Equate for that reason.

Definately. I freaked because it was so unexpected. Usually, when a gag like that is tripped, it resets itself automatically (lays back down in coffin in this case) and you know what to expect. That didn't happen. Instead, this was a very clever animatronic run by an observant human, not a computer program. They got cool points for that and probably had a good laugh at my expense. Bottom line, I had fun and would go back and do it again.

LOL! New for 2008, Feel-a-Round. Was on a choir trip to Gatlinburg my senior year of high school and had a blast at Dollywood and the town. The girlfriend and I did Mysterious Mansion and it was well worth it. To sum up: * Beth kept setting off the gags, including the funeral scene/crypt keeper and the collapsing balcony. * We repeated every bad horror movie cliche line imaginable...unintentionally * I twisted my ankle * Got scared crapless by the giant spider in the ceiling Great fun and we stayed at the River Terrace Hotel just down the street. Best part was the funeral scene. You walk in the room and it has a white casket in a white case, surrounded by little goblins or gargoyles. To the left is the hall going to the next room. From your angle, you can't see inside the coffin unless you step closer. Beth charged in and set off the "crypt keeper popping up out of the coffin" animatronic gag, and bolted out of the room. I waited in the doorway for the gag to reset. Nothing happened. Then about 30 seconds later, the head turned, looked at me and said "What are you looking at, huh?" "Beeeeeeeetttth! Wait up!" Yep, I hauled more a$$ than a Disney world tram. Had hoped to get there for spring break, but that plan broke, so sometime mid summer's the next chance. Will post a note and would love to meet up with fellow TPR members closer to time. Back on topic, glad you posted this and glad Mysterious Mansion is still fun. Thanks.

^ Dude! I forgot the about the huge cookies. Drat! missed that credit. The cheese logs were narrow (almost breadstick?) sub bun swith several different melted cheeses and seasonings. The thing was about like a foot-long hot dog. I remember getting one at a little stall/kiosk near Old Mill Scream (by the Nature Store or on the other side of the lake by Sweet Shop?) and the taste was just awesome. The sign said something like "Cheese Logs" or "Home Made Cheese Logs", because I remember reading it and thinking "What's that?" It wasn't a little 2-wheel cart or the boxy roof stall like what's sitting in Opry Plaza now. Heh, it was kinda like Lucy's Psychiatric Help stand in peanuts. Ironically, there is a Herschel Little Dipper coaster (same model and vintage as Little Rock N Roller coaster) at the FEC 5 minutes away from my apartment. One of the ride ops said it compared some in feel to LRnR, which he had ridden. Hope to ride that this summer just for sakes sake.

I SO wish I could do that. Nice!

According to Thrillhunter dot com, the Tin Lizzie cars are at SFKK along with the hardware and pumps from Grizzly River Rampage. No clue if the TL cars are running or just being used for spares. They want to put these in Ole South? Curious...

Hey thanks for the reminder. Meant to post the train footage a while back. It's a big file and I lack video editing software, however, I may take it to work with me and cut it down. I'll check my other vid clips and see if there's anything small and worthwhile to post. If it helps, will do. I'm still researching type of train and cars for a future Christmas tree train and hope to put that together in the next few months. Just haven't had much time to get to a hobby store. Ideally, if there was an HO model of Expedition Everest's Steam Donkey train, that would be awesome, but It may end up a small mine train. I kinda dig switcher steam engines, ore cars, and the logging mini-cabooses. Anyway, I'll see what I can do and drop you a note. Matter of fact, WillMontu posted a PoV of Six Flags Georgias train ride around the park. You might check that out too. It's in the Pro/Am Video Forum.

Both Robb and Elissa figures would come with: *DDR/Karate Chop/Thread locking action. *A Yeti Ball ball bonus mini figure (including ultra rare translucent plastic Yeti ball varient!) Accessories: * Hello Kitty Waffle Iron * Bottle of Hot Sauce and a cell phone for the "aftermath" text * Plate of plain pasta * McDonalds bag * A skillet and pancake mix (Elissa Fanboy's Dream edition) * 2 basket balls (Robb Skillz edition) * A frozen coke/vault icee machine * State Line sign * Inflatable Wings * Oingo Boingo and Tatsu T-Shirts * Magic TPR Hoodie * Fascination * Some Candy * A$$ bruise detailing * A bumper car And.....I'm spent...

^ Check out the Shane's Amusement Attic thread. There's a wonderful section of Opryland brochures and info he's collected. Opryland was just fun small park with a great vibe. The closest park that has a similar feel is Dollywood. Notice I said feel and not size. Ole South better have cheese logs, and good ones too!

I prefer jelly sandwich. Thankfully we ALL agree it's cool and want to see more. Right? (wink wink nudge nudge)

Manties, eh? Well now we've been briefed... Sure there's a short story or or so on that guy pic that's worthy of a later date. On behalf of the other curious souls, thank you. Hey, I love a good/wierd story/prank. 8)

IF this was the fabled Hogwarts Express coaster, didn't somebody mention a while back that Universal was looking into the robo-coaster idea (robot arm on rails)? Sounds like theme and/or coaster type has changed. Good. Means there's still hope for giant tomato themeing.

Dunno if you'd be interested, but I did a recent PTR to Huntsville Railroad Depot. The thread is further down in this forum. You might also just search for railroad PTRs, as there are a few that might give you some ideas. Nothing I know of for 3 foot gauge, but the regular stuff would be worth a look. Hope that helps.

* Tech Deck mini 80's Roskopp skateboard for a friend * SpongeBob Movie DVD * SpongeBob golf balls * Bawls Energy Drink. I tried Bawls for the first time last night and I am not ashamed to say I like them. Bawls taste pretty good.

Oh we've gotta hear this story. Guy T. Koepp > Tommy Lee?

From what I gather, Screamscape is just echoing speculation, nothing definate. While WnW is in what seems to be a good location near US/IOA, it may have a tough time competeing with Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and now Aquatica. Not sure who the leader is of those three, but even though WnW has newer attractions like the bowl slides, with the others around, it kinda loses it's place as an overflow or alternative if the others are crowded. It also get's hurt some by a few of the hotels offering waterslides on their properties. Granted that last part is a small impact, but it's an impact just the same. There's also that Nick hotel with the built-in water park concept, though you have to stay there to enjoy said waterpark. That could cut into business too. Pulling this out of my bum, things look most questionable to grim for WnW given what's out there now and moving in over the next few years. Naturally, this is just conjecture, and I could be totally wrong. Time will tell.

Friday night was an off night, so no new work done. I'm in awe too at what alls been done of late. Pretty cool to watch this get put up over the web cam and from all the pics. Whew! All this computing is making me thirsty. I think I'll go have me a Tab.

Shane, once again, so glad you posted all this goodness, let alone gathered it over the years. There is just so much good info here and things that can really teach someone about the theme park industry. It's also a HUGE help to those of us who attempt to recreate particular attractions. The specifics, stats, layouts, and reference is such a gold mine. I know my models will benefit hugely from this info as apposed to the stuff I've scraped together over time. Thank you for all your time and effort with this. It's greatly appreciated.

Whatever you call the things, the ride is just cool. Way to go Looty on yet more pics. Thank you.

^I thought of KI's King Cobra or KD's Shockwave. Pretty cool. Kinda digging this mini-coaster trend of late.

Oh, but you can pet stingrays and play uv golf. That's way better than any amusement park. Yeah, when the highlite of the shopping trip is the bean bag kiosk and Orange Julius, somethings wrong. I'll give them that the Bass outlet store is pretty cool, and the hotel does have DiVine in the Delta section, but that's it. Not even the Dave and Busters gets them off the hook. 90's Gaylord management gets an automatic implosion. No dice roll required. But I'm not bitter......... Ok, complaining over with. On a positive note, I do hope they can pull together the new park idea and do it really well. I honestly want them to succeed.

The shots from the bucket of death are gorgeous, particularly the church and city. Liked the building block booth with the park name on it. Very RCT.