rollin_n_coastin

So Andrew, tell us, which stuffed animal wins? Leviathan or Behemoth? I think many of us felt that way today! I still feel the same about Behemoth! Did you end up giving it a try?

Hey everyone, don't forget to check out our sneak preview here! Also, be sure to check out, comment and like the POV here! These pics and more, coming up soon!

Hey everybody! Well, it's been quite a day. The rider's auction for the Sick Kids Foundation was a phenomenal event! My sister had seat 30 and myself the very last. This of course meant we both were able to be thrown over a massive 306' hill in cold winds sitting the last row! It literally took your breath away and was worth fighting the cold for! Andrew is currently attempting to organize quite a few awesome shots that we took today and will be posting those later tonight so keep a look out for those plus other awesome surprises later! Here's a sneak preview of auction and media preview coverage below and some initial thoughts. The ride itself reminded me a lot of Millennium Force in terms of layout and concentration on speed. The low to the ground speed hill after the barrel roll really got you rolling around and up out of your seat. The ride looks fantastic interacting with the front entrance! The mist breathing Leviathan sign is incredible and was a huge surprise. The overall remodelling of that area of the park was down very well. Everything just fits. We both felt that Leviathan was fast. Very fast. Keeping in mind how freezing cold and windy it is today, we can't even imagine how much faster and great this will be when the weather warms up. The ride is very different from Behemoth in speed, feel and especially look. The journey across and out of the park is truly something spectacular. Not surprisingly, the speed does not let up until the end and also not surprisingly, it is as smooth as glass. A fantastic addition and an amazing attraction! Say hello to Leviathan! No one, other than the General Manager and government agency had ridden before today. The auction winners were indeed the first. The very first train out with the very first riders! My sister ended up on the first train out with in the last row! Pretty brave choice! Very nice! Yes, it does have air! Andrew on the media train, sitting with media from Indiana! TPR Members at the auction! PCW_Nut with friends and family! TPR Member hbclarendon with his girlfriend up from MA for the auction! We see you! Wow, that's a tree-through section! Andrew is checking in with Mr. Alvey, executive news director...aka....da boss... We've come a long way since August!

Not sure why but the one with Renee dressed up as the Hamburgler looked kinda funny

Larry, wow, times must have changed, I don't remember the ferry being that exciting haha ^^I don't think it's worth it to go there just for Centreville. It's a really nice public park first and foremost. Queens Quay is a nice street to hang out on for a little while (a bit further west of the terminal). The lineups to get back to Toronto can be a one or two ferry wait sometimes on weekend evenings. You can get there very easily with public transit as well as park at the lots that Larry mentioned along the harbourfront.

Larry, a pleasure. It is amazingly cheesy (complete with light up skull thingy and wedding reception disco lighting) yet amazingly awesome. Happy to take a visit back over there if you ever make it backup.

Most are permanent/ park installations. Haunted Barrel Works, the log flume, indoor psychedelic scrambler, antique cars powered train and chair lift are permanent/ park models. The ferris wheel and powered dragon coaster are travelling models. It's also one of the city's small zoos. It's a great all around addition for families with young kids visiting Centre Island and already fits the model the city wants for all non core services--contracting out the management of those services. Under current zoning, it couldn't be anything but park space and making it anything else would be shot down by counsel. With the current mayor, tradition of who is managing a service won't supersede an operator who can come in at a lower price. If Maid of the Mist can change operators with its history/ current ownership, this would be really simple to do in comparison. This and other long term contract renewals are undergoing scrutiny given the scandal associated with the less than transparent long term contract renewal of concession stand managment at the city's parks when no competing bids were allowed or known of. Beasley will most likely be back, they'll just have to work a little for it this time around under a more transparent process that allows bidding.

Hey everybody, It's been a while since I've done a TR and I came across a lot of awesome pics that I haven't shared on TPR from my favourite part of the world so far -- Scandinavia! Won't you help me help you make it your favorite too? Whoever clicks on my link below and offers up a donation, in any amount, gets to pick from the following parks and I'll get some awesome pics up of TPR's 2009 Scandinavia trip! Choose from: Tivoli Gardens, Bakken, Hansa Park, Legoland Billund, Sommerland Syd/ Farup Sommerland/ Tivoli Friheden/ Karolinelund Combo, Djurs Sommerland, Tusenfryd, Liseburg, Skara Sommarland/ Grona Lund Combo, Power Park, Sarkanniemi & Linnanmaki It'll be a great way to get these up and let you check out the area, especially if you're considering a visit on a future TPR trip! Best of all, it's for Give Kids the World Village!

Interested in checking out Toronto and Leviathan over Leviathan Bash Weekend? Up for auction, benefiting Coasting for Kids, is a two night stay for two in Uptown Toronto at the Novotel Toronto – North York Centrally located in a prime spot between Canada's Wonderland and Downtown Toronto! Click here to find out more!

^Thanks Larry! Just a friendly reminder, bids are still being accepted! As always, please post any questions here or PM me if you prefer. We are at $100 so far!

A ton of fun again. What a great day at Knott's! I think the buffet breakfast killed me that day (so much good food) but the lure of the WCB promo price was too much to resist for our group Looking forward to your next adventure!

C'mon Jason, you know the restraints wouldn't lock. Best walk of shame ever! Sorry, I couldn't resist. You went there first...I just led the way ^If I can't do the bid, I"ll probably go on opening day and get a fast pass. ^^^Don't forget, it's not all about the coaster. It's a tax deductible charitable donation for a great cause with the coaster, dinner and gift package being a great bonus. I bet many bidders donate to Sick Kids annually with this being a really cool way to do it.

^hahahaha the best is the second story, as it's so important that everyone knows that the mayor was caught with a bucket of KFC during his weight loss challenge. I'd just call it a cheating day. I think I've been having too many of those cheating days myself when it's busy so not sure what the big story is here other than a diet is tough stuff. Maybe the mayor will be the first to ride Leviathan? There's a connection there somewhere...

^^, ^ Good luck guys! Mine fell off the board already I'm predicting that we'll see a minimum of $180-$200 per seat, which is incredible for the Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids)--it is a phenomenal institution. They helped my sister out when she was really young, along with a lot of families around the world. Hopefully the budget will still allow a bid. I'll definitely check again on the morning of the last day to see where it's at. They also have a donate only option if you aren't able to qualify for a seat. Here's a breakdown for anyone who's interested: Total raised through the auction to date: $39,612.52 Seats 1 to 18: $500 to $700 per seat Seats 19 to 28: In the $300's per seat Seats 29 to 65: in the $200's per seat Seats 66 to 96: $150 to $200 per seat Bidders are primarily from Ontario, but in the mix, we have bidders from California, Ohio, Michigan and Massachusetts.

^^, ^ Have to agree. Porter is definitely a different kind of airline--it's shocking to think that an airline can be so personable, treat paying passengers so well and actually care. 50% off fares are fantastic deals and the free drinks are always a welcome bonus. Plus, if you'll be adding on time to check out the city, there is no better airport location, complete with the world's shortest ferry ride.

The first drop is adjacent to the staff parking lot, pretty well back stage, so I think it would be ok regardless. Plus, security is right there. I can't recall how close the bus drop off is though, but I don't think it'll be right beside or near the drop. The tunnel I doubt is a late addition. The park did share with us that they were saving great information for closer to opening. They want to keep the attraction fresh and top of mind. There could be some more info over the next two weeks, you never know! I can't believe there is only about a week left until preview night! Really looking forward to trying this out.

Hey everybody: First off, a huge thanks to Kara for all the amazing updates and for everyone who has been supporting Team TPR at Canada's Wonderland so far! Hopefully, we can crack the $1,000 mark before June! In addition, I've personally been enjoying everyones TRs that have been posted in support of Coasting for Kids. It's been a while since I've done one and I came across a lot of pics that I haven't shared on TPR from my favourite part of the world so far -- Scandinavia! Won't you help me help you make it your favorite too? It'll be a great way to get these up and let you check out the area, especially if you're considering a visit on a future TPR trip! The next person to click on my link and offer a donation will get to pick from the following parks and I'll get and awesome TR up! You get to pick one of the following: Tivoli Gardens Bakken Hansa Park Legoland Billund Sommerland Syd/ Farup Sommerland/ Tivoli Friheden/ Karolinelund Combo Djurs Sommerland Tusenfryd Liseburg Skara Sommarland/ Grona Lund Combo Power Park Sarkanniemi Linnanmaki Also, please don't forget about the hotel auction if you're thinning about Leviathan Bash! Click on the link below for more info!

You're very welcome! I'll PM that info.

Finally getting caught up and reliving WCB memories. What an awesome TR! Great meeting you briefly during the day and at the 'dark dinner' at the Magic Mountian. The Bebes were always on the go! Good luck with Coasting for Kids! After that TR, would definitely like to help out.

Disney Sea keeps looking better each time someone posts about it. I bet it looks even better in person. Great pics Divv, I think you did the place proud.

^Disney's system is fantastic and the ticket prices, which are much higher, cover that system. Would you rather a similar system at regional parks that will raise the price for all, thereby excluding a group of people who may no longer be able to get through the gates thanks to such a system? We are talking regional parks here, not an operation on the scale of Disney that many families potentially save years for and offers an experience to match. Also agree with Larry on this one for the same reasons. We could all get a Fast Pass by cutting out other expenses and visiting fewer times so any type of family could be using them, not just smug people who can readily afford them at every visit.

Who's excited? Discovery Channel dropped by the park to get some insight into Leviathan's testing. You can check out the segment here: http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/#clip652680

Here's the clip online for anyone interested in checking it out. http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/#clip652680

^Exactly -- you'll definitely want one to get in the other coasters and the awesome flats. We are members here, of course we'll ride every coaster, clone or not ERT will provide absolutely amazing sessions on Leviathan and Behemoth I'm sure. Plus if you're on the trip, you'll have Fast Passes anyway. It's going to such a great day!

I've received some great feedback, including that people need more time to confirm time off requests through work or simply need more time to plan. So, the auction has been extended to June 1 at noon!