TheRapidsNerd

Adrenaline_Rush, Don't feel bad. I live nearby (ok Alabama) and after hearing about SFoG's locker policies for Goliath and several other bad things, I'm even thinking of going elsewhere to spend my cash.

Still thought it was neat to see even a sort-of ride at a Rain Forest Cafe. They don't even have that in at the RFCs in Washington DC! Interesting take on a dark ride. BTW, I'm a bit of a credit ho... Thank you for teaching me something new.

Doh! Meant the Rainforest Cafe. Was so excited about the ride, I didn't read the post all the way. BTW how was River Adventure?

Saw these the other day and was glad someone finally covered this Schlitterbahn! Great pics! Didn't even know about the rapids ride at the pyramids place. Must got there. Thanks for sharing and teaching me something new

Unless they're doing something new, SFoG isn't open in January. (checked like crazy during early spring because I wanted to go) Snow is a hit or miss thing in Georgia and neighboring Alabama. Sometimes we don't get a snow (if at all) until march. Mostly rainy in winter, though this past one was pretty cold. The rest of your questions I just don't know. Not much help, but at least a little insight. Depending on your travel plans, you might check out the Georgia Aquarium and Coca Cola World in Atlanta as alternates if the park isn't open. Good luck and safe travel.

Terrence, you win for cheeky! That's just soooooo wrong. LOL!

Niiiiiiiice! Pound or take a spin on Penguin's Blizzard River for me saturday at SFKK.

Robb - Ended up at BWW for lunch today. Blazin is just evil! How'd you do 12 in under 4 min? Good God man! Sadly, time is not going to work out Saturday to meet you all at SFKK. There in spirit and will just have to save $ for the next trip. Jahan sounds like he's got the start of a fan club. Lou and Hoffman girl might just have some competition.

Worst roller coaster ever? My last major relationship! Too many ups and downs, not enough fun time, and it jumped the tracks at the end, leaving me with bruises. LOL!

Man! I gotta make it onto one of these trips some time! Hope this one is epic and thanks for taking time to pass along updates. Cheers and best!

Scuttlebutt I heard was a possible animal attraction (tigers?) with observation platforms scattered about. Also heard the name Jungala, but that's probably a working title. I'm really curious about the rumored hyper coaster in 2009, but haven't heard any more about it.

DCody - Me too! Love taking pics of old buildings, ruins, about to be demolished malls, old parks, etc... There's an odd beauty and artistic slant in the decay. Getting into more b&w for that sharp contrast look. You should post your park pics. If a wacko newbie like me can shamelessly do it his first week on the boards, you can. Go for it! Robb - I shot a whole roll of film in 94 and only 1 pic came out. There may have been greater forces at work during both our visits. Besides, you've more than made up for it with your exhaustive video and picture documentation of parks since. How could any of us have known? That's why we share our pics, vids and good times now, and why we build recreations too. Some time later I'll post a couple stories from my Opryland trip. They're embarassing, but humorous. A buddy of mine in Nashville says the Opryland hotel can't even fill the rooms it has and wonders why they need another hotel, etc. Axman - Great joke! Gonna remember that one! I'm glad to share the pictures and can't get over the warmth and good nature of this group. Really glad to be here with all of you.

Hey thanks to everyone for the kind words for the additional info on the sign and walkway. USRoadTripper, I'll give a shout before hand if I'm up in Nashville again for more Opry pics. Perhaps we could meet and talk Opry sometime. OldJJMan had a great idea first with the panaramas. Remembered I made some *cough* slightly crappy *cough* ones of GRR and was inspired to post them anyway.

Back in March of this year (2007) I had a chance to go up to Nashville, Tennessee to visit what's left of Opryland USA theme park. Opryland USA, was part of an over all resort (The Opryland Hotel, Convention Center, etc...) and showcased different musical attractions. It was also home to some of the then Nashville Network television shows (anyone remember Crooke and Chase?). During the summer months, this small park was a big draw for the area and just a really fun place to go. It was steeped in a spiritual vibe and something you just couldn't put into words. Had the best cheese logs I'd ever tasted too! It's major rides included: Wabash Cannonball - Arrow Corkscrew Model Chaos - Indoor coaster (Revolution at Bobbejahan(?) Land is the same basic model. Grizzly River Rampage - Intamin AG rapids ride Screamin Delta Demon - Bobsled coaster The Timber Topper / Rock n Roller Coaster - Arrow(?) Mine Train Mini Timber Topper / Mini Rock n Roller Coaster - Bradley Kaye Little Dipper Model (Think Goliath Jr. at SSFMM) Old Mill Scream - Shoot the Chutes ride The Hangman - Vekoma SLC (added in 1994, sat next to Timber Topper) Sky Coaster - The upcharge, 3 person flying straight-jacket thing In 1997, the park was abruptly closed and leveled and Opry Mills Mall replaced it soon after. All that remains is/was the Grizzly River Rampage ride channel, it's signature corner rock, and the original Opry Plaza area. As of July 2007, I don't know yet if the rest of Grizzly was bulldozed or not. The plan for that mini park area, was to use it for another hotel in the resort and expand the convention center. Curiously, as I walked about the entrance plaze there was a country song playing, "Someone I used to know...someone I used to spend some time with..." This was pretty sad for me, since I only went to the park one time back in 1994 while at college in Nashville. Oddly, I had a bad feeling when we left that day, that in ten years time, the park would be gone. Also, only 1 picture out of a whole role of film shot there came out. It was the Wabash Cannonball looping over a car display. That pic is at the very end of this TR. It was like visiting a dear friend's grave. Well, just see for yourself... The Wabash Cannonball. My Opryland ticket from 1994. One last goodbye. I took this for all of us who couldn't be here this day. You're welcome old friend. Rest well. I believe this sign was one of three that were over the 3 entrance bridges from the plaze into Do Wah Diddy City. There were no signs attached to Grizzly's exit path. Down the exit decking back to the path in front of Grizzly. At the end of this path, the station and big corner rock are to the left. Looking out into the old park from the big corner rock. Where Imax stands is roughly where the Timber Topper mine train used to be. Leading into turn 3. Where the little building is now, Chaos, the indoor coaster would be seen further back from the path. The Opryland Hotel Ticket both entrance. One of a few entrances to the park besides the plaza. Turn 3. Here you can see some of the original walkway for the observation deck. They broke it apart and made it a planter. Looking back at the big turn 3 from the observation deck. The big corner rock is directly behind the camera postion. Turn 4 and the backside of the big corner rock seen from the observation deck. There were waterfalls here as the ride finally. Another angle on the big corner rock. All the hardware and pumps were ripped out. They were sent to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom for Penguin's Blizzard River. The boats went to Astroworld, then to Six Flags over Texas. FYI, Opryland's Tin Lizzies are also at SFKK. I walked this path once... Looking back at the rock from the station area. Looking down the wall to where the station was. Still majestic. The signature corner rock. No boulder or tree jokes this time. Where the bus is, is about where Wabash Cannonball sat. Now on to what's left of Grizzly River Rampage. Original food stall perhaps? A theme park classic, the rock speaker. I love these! If you had to describe Nashville, Tennessee with a picture, this comes close. Originally the Roy Acuff Theatre

Several of us have enjoyed the previous Japan/Park/whatever TRs. Would love to see the martial arts perspective in addition to the coasters. Keep to The Way.

^ I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!!

Led Zeppelin - The Ride is one of a few coasters I've modeled in RCT3. My model is based on John A. Hunt's early scale model. Here is the link to my YouTube page for anyone interested: http://www.youtube.com/Platformz LZTR is indeed the new B&M with the custom sound system that plays "Whole Lotta Love" during the ride.

Fuzzy bunnies....fuzzy bunnies.... Are ya laughing yet?

Thanks for the TR! Was neat to see this place, especially after living in Centerville for a few years and never even knowing about it. Any ideas why management was skittish about taking off-ride tourist pics?

Terrific panaramas! So do I get coaster credits for looking at them, especially multiple credits per coaster, being a non-rider and all? Hey, I know it's an inside joke, but I couldn't resist.

Ahh, you are partially correct about the former Python area. However, the rumored hyper is for 2009, not 2008. 2008 is supposed to be an animal (tiger?) habitat. Now where the hyper would go wasn't part of the rumor, but it is possible considering how quickly Griffon at BGE was put up. Plus BGA might use some of the other habitat land for it, as King's Island did for Son of Beast and Top Gun. I'm not saying they should go this route and take away from the animals, but from the developer/exec point of view, it's an option. The other thought is that the former Python area/new habitat is being constructed, so the animals can be moved out of an area so management can use it for a new coaster. Think I'll bail on this thread, though I did get more water thrown on me here than Wild River Gorge. Ha! I made a funny

Look at it this way, if you're near Birmingham or Tuscaloosa and want something fun to do that's close, Alabama Adventure is great for that. No, it's not a destination park that someone is going to drive a couple states/several hours to go do. 2 hours from Huntsville was even a bit long, but it's a park worth doing, and I'd give it another go. Most of the time, folks trek to Dollywood or Six Flags, since they're the biggest and closest. As for nothing to do in Alabama, we'uns (that's ya'll plus 3) like to skin possum down by the crik on a Saturday night. Ain't nothin like skinnin a possum with the one you love, especially if it's fresh off the road. Now that's some good eatin right there! Hooo Dogggy! After that, it's snipe huntin, and thems quick! Now if you'll excuse me, I got me a banjo to tune and people to make squeel...like pigs. Oink.

carolinacaniac, why yes he did. I thought it rather fishy and said (looking around) NEE! Thankfully, no old women in sight...and there was much rejoicing! The shrubbery near Roman Rapids really is quite lovely and gives a nice tiered effect, but sadly no path. That's it! I'm going to bed now! No more Python quotes tonight! Ack!

I love roller coasters. Does anybody else love roller coasters, because I love them. Those and hamsters. And funnel cakes. Mmmm...funnel cakes.

Well DATman, this is a rumor thread after all, and I'm just repeating what I read somewhere. Wish I had the source to at least verify the rumor. The line of thinking may have had to do with paying off Griffon/money return on the investment and that they'd be in good shape financially by 2015 to invest in another coaster. Either way, it's still conjecture and the only people who know for sure are the BGE planners.