rollin_n_coastin

Ludwig rocks. "Please, HAHHAHA, sit down...HAHAHA and place your Christmas tree collectable cup under your seat...bwuahahahahHAHA".

^They did that on October 1st and the difference is quite noticeable. Before the seats used to swing forward and back much more freely as compared to now.

^Exactly, best not to confuse the parent company's actions with the management team on the ground at IB and their current actions of doing all that they can to keep IB a great place to visit.

Ok, another reason to keep saving and get back to Scandi. Would love to check out Legoland again, hopefully when it's not pouring rain What a great park! This plus the robo coaster = amazing.

For sure it'll remain a zoo and probably fall into their "Animal Park" category of North American assets. What's troubled some is the instability associated with Candover Investments trying to unload Parque Reunidos since April 2010. Also, there's the age-old debate over public vs non-profit or private and what should go where. It's most likely that the city will retain ownership as a compromise while turning the operations over to either a private or non-profit company. For Ontario, many are against any Spanish-led company or consortium given how one has treated our only toll-highway 407 under a lease arrangement (Yes, even Torontonians can be small-minded and uninformed). I guess choosing a toll road and paying $20+ dollars each way to and from work raises the skepticism Personally, I'd choose Parque Reunidos over a Canadian-owned company like Ripley's, who will be building and operating the aquarium, based on the experience at attractions operated by both.

^I hear that there is a lot to learn. Is it true that Pierce is the tour director? It looks like an awesome week! Really glad that everyone is having a great time and especially happy that Matt Damon is finally having some long awaited TPR fun. Enjoy the rest of the week!

^Exactly and the park was the only thing there when it opened, besides farmland, so everyone buying a house knew that they'd be next door to awesomeness

Well, with friends in from out of town for an event, you make the best of it. Thankfully, it warmed up and stopped raining by 3pm so it all worked out well! But, I do agree, unless you know there's a chance that it'll stop raining and you don't have commitment to be at a park, there is definitely other stuff to do

Quick follow up now that I think visits for this year are over. A few of us went to check out Wonderland this past Sunday before heading to a local Haunt event that evening. Finally got on Windseeker in August and again on Sunday! Definitely an interesting ride that either really freaks people out or not. Not as scary as the tallest Star Flyers but still a great ride. The lighting package is phenomenal and what a view from 300' up. The operation was different on Sunday evening as the park was basically empty. They would only run the ride once enough people arrived to create an appropriate balance for the ride's arms. This meant filling up all outside seats first. Re-rides were encouraged so that everyone could get a ride. A damper ring was also installed on Saturday, replacing the last iteration, that really made a difference in that cars no longer swing forwards and backwards to the same extent. Unlike processing my season's pass back in May, there was no line for renewal. We took advantage of Pass Processing ERT. Didn't spend too much time in the park on Sunday during regular hours since it was really cold and rainy. That afternoon, we got back for what turned out to be a great event organized by our local fan site, cwmania.com. It focussed on Haunt and all the work that happens behind the scenes. Wonderland's haunt is one the best I've been to and based on all the hard work and passion that goes into its planning and delivery, it's not hard to understand why it turns out the way it does. As it wasn't very busy, it was interesting to experience Haunt without the 'conga lines'. The new maze this year is Terror of London. There area also some great updates to the 3D mazes, including Mother Noose and Clowns. Terror of London was very well done in terms of set, costumes and scaracters really getting into their roles. It's on par with Blood on the Bayou. Here are a few pics. No lines to get in today. The island is fenced off waiting for the Leviathan turn around outside the front gate. Only one ride on Behemoth early afternoon since the rain doesn't feel that great at high speeds. Nick and Shawn about to see what the Vortex lift is like in the rain. Not too busy. A bit of Leviathan - station and start of the lift They're moving fairly quickly. They'll be finishing up this area next, then bringing in another crane to assist with the heavier lifts for the lift hill, mainly the crown. After warming and drying up at Wegz, headed back for HauntMania for a reception in the Maple Room, which is a reception area used for internal company functions only. A look inside Pastries, Starbucks and hot chocolate? Yes, please! Everything was Halloween ready. Q&A with the Haunt team before heading out for a walk through of Blood on the Bayou, a fantastic Behemoth ERT session and enjoying the rest of the mazes that evening.

All the crazy community center and theater conversions in Manhattan. Attached to a park - so far Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce.

No official word on this anywhere yet. Just other forums and coaster sites commenting on the rumor. Remember how Gordon Lightfoot died and that was even picked up by real media? So far, no one has been able to confirm. He could still be very much alive, just like Gordon Lightfoot.

That would be a cool use of space no longer in use. Personally, it wouldn't really attract me at all but I can see it being a huge hit among families with younger kids. Maybe like the ROM gallery on steroids?

There is nothing like the photos and written word of the copy editor of all copy editors. Awesome TR as always Chuck! Wish I could have been there -- I miss Mindbender

^it's going to be very fast, have three trains and needs a block, transfer, etc. Not much to be confused about I don't think. How long have you had your steel or iron ring for? Not certain how easily a helix or another turn or two can be stuck in that space. Not saying it wouldn't be cool to have all that, just that it was probably designed this way for a reason.

Really liked Fluch Von Novgorod's station and especially the exit...

I prefer the original "Mister Bonestripper" myself. The loading is novel and the ending more intense

^I'm so glad that someone finally had the courage to ask what we were all thinking.....

So true. Oh, Dragon Mountain has two chains, just to compare. Since then, taller coasters have only used one.

So awesome. Enjoy the rest of the day!

Four Seasons Hotel Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort Officially Announced Orlando Sentinel - Four Seasons Hotel Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort Official Press Release Rendering

That place is a whole lot of kitch and awesome! One of my favorites along with Knoebels in '08. It was also a first Sky Scraper experience and insane drop tower day - what a view! Glad everyone enjoyed Morey's! Any update or news about the new coaster?

It was late when we got back but we saw the glow of something called "White Castle" just a short walk from the hotel. I've heard it is a place of legend so had to check it out! What happens when you put an Aussi in White Castle? The same as with everyone else, we order a LOT of this stuff.. Pretty well at a take over, second in awesomeness only to Waffle House! Om nom nom Meanwhile, back at the Aussie table, Luke tells me he's ready for another order... It is quite magnificent isn't it? Jon takes a moment to remember Day 1 of the trip and his fling with Leslie Jolly jolly jolly! This is heading to a City Museum display next to the Big Boy in the morning.. Chuck, I think, was the only one who had a proper portion.

Next up, the most insane place I've ever seen in the the litigious United States. How it exists is beyond me but I won't question it ever and simply remain thankful that it does exist. City Museum, up now! You don't see that every day! I think the story behind this place is that it used to be a shoe factory and all the chutes were left in tact. Since they looked like slides, what else could they add that would logically fit in? More things to climb on! ...some historic city facts and displays and a bunch of ways to potentially cause serious harm to you and your friends! Couldn't think of anything better! Random much? The best roof top..in the world, n the world. Don't fall in. School already? Pic of random bus on roof What's scary is I remember them looking like this in grade 1.. Complete with statue..oh wait.. Yah so, what the...? Made it to the top! The slide is directly under the climbing cage. Travis heads down to escape from the evil clutches of... St. Louis Mutant Mantis! More roof top pics Nice day for a ride... The dome of insanity. Where to next? This was insane, scary and just so much fun. Let's take another look at the tangled mess of insanity outside. TPR always travels in style. Back to the air conditioning! That means figuring out how to get back down from here...

Wow, summer is over and that means get this done before a year passes Day 5 was one of the most unique days ever. Pizza, arches and fun with a serious chance of injury. Oh yah, the late night also gave me the opportunity to try that place with the small burgers for the first time! So here we have it -- Pizza Hut, St. Louis Arch and City Museum. Oh and just in case you didn't think anything more could be crammed into a day, there was an unofficial White Castle take over! Enjoy the pics! I dont' think they know what's about to take place... Ms. Ray is leading the way. Oh yah. That's the stuff! So, if you saw in the video, the Pizza Hut Staff were somewhat overwhelmed. We did fill up the entire restaurant. Elissa and Robb, among their many services, took over front of house duties! As you can see, lots of happy patrons! An awesome lunch! Time to move on to.... The St. Louis Arch! It was so hot and humid this day that I personally couldn't wait to get inside. The tram of choice! At least the US stimulas package let everyone know that it is old and that something could possibly go wrong? The pre-tram area -- a lot of historical information. St. Louis has a ton of 'early urban' history, being the site of one of the first areas that resembled a city. History is fun and all but this is more fun! Balance in life... Sup? Yes, there are girls on these trips! Lou is a bit pensive knowing that the tram is behind that small little door. Our "pod of doom" Made it! The ride up in the escape pod was definitely a highlight of the day. The top! Game on?? TPR is so loved that even complete strangers feel comfortable letting their children in on the fun! The view from the top! Here's another! After heading back down, it was time for an attempt at an artsy shot. Thanks downtown St. Louis! Time to move on to another jewel in your downtown core!