rollin_n_coastin

That was the best update yet. HOLY CRAP! I GOT FALAFEL TO POST ON TPR! ICE BAT IS INDEED ALL POWERFUL!!! Still bummed I missed you when you were visiting. You need to have your picture taken with Sharktopus! Stupid back injury... dt Read this and thought of you both at lunch today after seeing this in the salad bar..

If CW offers it, It'll be Cedar Fair giving it a go this time and they've had plenty of time to figure out the logistics. In CW's case, the Director of Operations, also in that position during Paramount days, mentioned at Behemoth Bash that the reason they didn't offer it earlier was because of logistics and not because it wasn't fair. No lives are being harmed with a quick queue option, it'll be available to all based on availability and not everyone desires it at every visit. It depends on the visitor type--out of towners there for one day vs Season Pass regulars just going to spend time at the park primarily. Do I think it's not fair that I have to wait longer to check in at the airport or board a plane because elite points members, first class and business class members paid a ton more for their travel in a year? Nah, they actually paid for the privilege and we're all going to the same place.

Montezuma to me is like a legend I've always heard talked about but never seen. I didn't even realize the it was at Knott's or that I'd ever have a chance a riding it, let alone get a sneak peak up close. Very cool stuff!

Thanks Elissa. I think anything that gives a sense of NA comfort is always a bonus to give a sense of knowing what to expect.

Wait, wasn't the Costa brand name only created back in the day so that Kathy Lee wouldn't figure out that it was the same company and ruin its image further? After following the cruising adventures on TPR, I’ve personally really started to look at cruising as a great vacation option with a ton of value. In the past, I’ve looked at it as something more as a dream or aspirational vacation. I think Carnival was definitely one of the companies that made cruising more accessible. The folks still are looking to try for a Mediterranean cruise even after all this, which is awesome. Elissa, what would you or your parents recommend for the first time cruiser in terms of cruise line for Mediterranean? Just wondering what other options aside from Costa there are for those that skew older and want to have an awesome experience. They’d most likely depart from Italy.

Dave, thanks for bringing this thread back, what an awesome treat! There's just something about figuring out new ways to present Ice Bat to the world on our trips that can be really satisfying. Ice Bat really shines with food, drinks and cleavage.

The best rate that I found was with Orbitz. You can generally save with independents renting through carrentalexpress.com, but LA is just really expensive regardless. If you're under 25, the premium on top can be a bit expensive. Call to book and ask so there are no surprises when you pick up your car. There were a few times when promos popped up closer to the trip with different companies or within the same company. It's a good idea to check weekly I've found.

First impressions mean a lot. Voyage sure made one--full of pain and "let it end" back in 2010. It is such an amazing looking ride and I love GG's stuff. This is fantastic news from the park. Hopefully the sweet combo of track work and Timberliners will bring this ride back to what was and is supposed to be.

This freaked out my grandparents since they remember the last disaster that got this much coverage and more. The last luxury liner to sink like this I think was the SS Andrea Doria in 1956 and they were supposed to come to North America on that voyage but took a different ship instead....thank goodness. Regardless, still really looking forward to trying out a cruise one day, maybe with RC

^It'll be an awesome new identity regardless. I look at it like a new car re-design that has a huge fan following. At the end, most well come to identify with it and love it but not every fan will ever be completely happy (should have kept this, it's not this model without that element, etc). Either way, it'll make the last iteration instantly dated looking if done well. Really looking forward to seeing final design, there was a lot of exciting stuff submitted. I'm a huge fan of David's after looking at it again. Really like the logo and top half in David's earlier attempts - off center. Our company soft launched our new site and what David's has done, along with those who created something along the same line, to make the site look updated, fresh, modern and sleek over the past week and a bit, took us about two years to achieve Different levels of finish, if you will, but the concept is definitely there. On the other hand, Jack's plays homage to the current site and is a good blend. Really depends on what R&E are after.

This is really awesome. Iloverides and Weetopia2's designs are really good. I really like the logo without the tag line like Iloverides did. Not sure where else it could go if Robb still wants it somewhere on the page. Maybe giving up 'some' brand identity is too minimalist Just another thought -- tabs: Weetopia2's tab idea may work a bit better since the tabs are prominent and really grab your attention, like a vertical menu bar. I've only ever asked a designer to use tabs for internal Intranet sites or Lotus databases for information that people need and must click to access/ view since user feedback was that they would rarely click on a tab to see what's there unless they absolutely had to. It depends on what content will be hidden from view and its importance of being accessed. Maybe each tab can rotate randomly as to which will be displayed at each visit?

HCOSurfer90 really needs to add Speed Monster to this list, a very glaring omission. Even if it is one vote, I really want to vote

The tag line--does it need to stay directly under the logo? It looks really good so far but I was wondering what it would look like if the logo was the only/ main focus on top of the menu bar. Just a thought

I love Speed Monster at TusenFryd for the overall experience. It's a tough call between that and TTD for me anyways.

This is really cool. Can't wait to see the 2012 version. The freshest look and starting concept seems to be from Almerestars. If that concept is polished up a bit by a pro and incorporated some park index elements, it could be really awesome. Angry_Gumball's scrolling photo and its positioning is really awesome, the rest seems way too similar to the current page.

^That was awesome! Just the right amount of cheese. Cool video from "Martin's Videos" on Vimeo via Screamscape Old 1990 Jaws vs New 1993 Jaws [vimeo] [/vimeo] Anyone actually ride the original 1990 version? I didn't know that this is Jaws' second death lol The boat spin effect and grenade swallowing/ exploding ending were really cool and better in concept but the current version seemed better in terms of effects quality, even if simpler. Oh and better storyline, but that could just be the actor

Choosing a better team over a major attraction like a roller coaster? I get nervuos when park executives attack the hand that feeds them to make a point. There should be no choosing. There should always be an appropriate/ great team in place. If not, fix it, but not at the expense of being a theme park and adding attractions, roller coaster or otherwise. Hopefully they will do family attractions right, more along the Busch parks line and not Six Flags. Maybe they'll re-imagine their kids and family attractions formula: Take a selection of off the shelf circle rides, plop randomly on asphalt, add a dash of Snoopy and call it a day. The use of technology to enhance the experience for all guests while in the park is a great thing. Looking forward to the new websites

I'd probably leave and go elsewhere. Now, if it's like Elissa's situation at Fuji Q and you weren't coming back for a few years, I guess that would be different. Not sure how long I'd wait. I guess I try to plan things to coincide with less busy times.

Got this just before Christmas and what an awesome surprise. Just when you think the DVDs look amazing, re-watching some of the footage in high def is really something spectacular. The Blu-Rays are definitely worth it. Loved disc 1 since it brought back amazing memories of Scandi! Especially loved the Disc 1 bonus track! Robb, so glad you grabbed your camera tighter during that split OMFG second. The luggage tag reminds me that I have to save up for another trip. Also love the Kings Island Map since I've never been If you haven't gotten these yet, a hugely recommended buy. They will excite all normally bored with Hollywood remake Blu-Ray players.

Dave, could it possibly be? That news that we should all have a drink for? Looking forward to it! A very happy new year to you, Ice Bat and those close.

Chuck, thanks for heading over yet again. Verbolten is coming along really all. Something new and exciting, all while paying homage to what was there before it! I'm really looking forward to seeing the covered bridge done. I didn't realize how large the event building was! It looked much smaller in older pics before the walls went up. Perspective is he darndest thing

That night at the hotel, some of us ventured off to check out the roadside sea food shack. Not since first year college did so many get crabs... Not sure if Ice Bat is into the whole sea food thing. When in doubt, drink a margarita! Not all of us got crabs.. Definitely a great change of pace from park dinners.

Moving on from Hoosier fun to the big hawg... This ride is a great fit for this park I think. Some more happy riders Another random old style coaster-looks like what we're getting at the CNE? The rides over the water make this park. This was actually not that bad! Just awesome, I rode this quite a few times. So glad that it's moving back here. Yes, great place for flat lovers! This. This is how you queue for the Yo Yo, yo. After all that fun, humidity and feeling nasty with a cold, there was only one place to turn to! The bar! If you're into people watching, this place rated a 10. Another awesome day! Now, off to our next hotel.

Moving further into corn country, we hit up a park that's been in the news quite a bit lately. The first Midwest trip really got me interested in this park. I think the difference this time around is that it really comes alive in the evening and we were going to be experiencing it during the day this time around. I guess that 'magic' or charm that you could feel from trip reports didn't seem to be there after finally visiting. Maybe the anticipation was too high? Maybe it would be better to arrive when it was busier at night? Either way, the location and park really is something special and it was a really fun day. I think this was the day I started to really come down with a serious cold os it could have been my off mood in general lol Would I visit again? Yes. I'd go back late afternoon to close though. I do still consider Indiana Beach to be a must visit. Corn! This was were the huge anticipation built up. It was so good to finally get here! The coolest of picture spots! A bit of Hoosier County and Corn Ballin' action A look back at the entrance Hoosier Hurricane. Just getting around this place is a ton of fun. This was a highlight for me. Just the strangest coaster ever. Really happy that I got to ride since it was having some technical issues all day. This was a another favourite of the trip! Short but intense! Lunch?

^That belonged to Conklin Shows. They stopped operating large fairs a while back. Not sure what ever happened to the Doppel Looper though. The fact that they had to push the train onto the lift, you had lap bars only and it was portable made it one of the scariest rides So any name ideas? The "Wow" coaster? The "I can't believe I'm not a spinning mouser" coaster?