rollin_n_coastin

Nice pics! So that's what the coaster on the other side if the road is. Have to go to La Ronde and try one out. Not sure if anything can beat the close to home Togo..

Quoted for truth! Although, the fog didn't help the drive home any. But, it sure was awesome riding Behemoth into thick fog and dropping from it. So yes, Haunted Graveyard/ Lake Compounce was as awesome as usual! Will post additional pics in an ongoing TR thread. Canada's Wonderland was really well done! The park rakes it in and charges for this event and you can see that they really do go all out. Maybe being in an urban center adds to the pool of production and 'scharacter' talent? Either way, it was definitely upper budget and well done. Awesome job to both parks! Let's show a bit... Oooga boooga! This lite was such a cool effect, reminded me a Scooby Doo episode with the diver monster. lol Using the pool well. This lighting looks amazing, especially when the fog machines are going. The rain didn't really allow for it last night. Bascially what you see when you walk into Wonderland's main gates. Lake Compounce, before dusk! Pumpkin man makes his return appearance. The coolest bumper cars experience ever! What direction and where? You guess was as good as ours in all that fog. They even had a clown maze with $1.00 glasses! They do a great job setting the Halloween mood! Lake Compounce and pumpkin man in the dark.

My Wonderland includes Jet Scream! But unfortunately, every good thing must come to an end as evidenced by last night. This looping starship is one of the best around, given how open it is compared to others (ie: No cages, nets, extra padding, seat belts or extra restraints). It's such a polarizing flat ride, like so many. I still remember riding it opening year. I'll definitely miss it. Apparently, this will be the future site of Wind Seeker. The sign says so Quick, let's get one last ride! Hmm...Wind what??? Ah, the Star Flyer-type ride! It'll be our fourth Mondial flat added to the Top Scan, Revolution and Splash Over. Station and queue cover are gone and the wings are clipped. Cockpit....gone too. Bye Jet Scream! Probably will be fully removed within a week or two at most at this pace

^^^ LOL Kinda like how everyone complains about the stand up drop towers. It's all about positioning! Ok...enough of that. I hope Robb is right and that the park continues to improve/ maintain infrastructure. I can't wait to go one day because it does look like a beautiful park. They should be on the same track since one is a refurb, another already purchased in last year's budget and this one maybe having already been planned from some time ago for 2011. The Zac-Spin. Can't believe one will be on this continent! It was like a cross between a drop tower and a coaster and one of the most intense experiences ever. Capacity should be no more of an issue than a mouse. I think they load four sets of cars at a time from what I remember on Insane and Kirnu? Could this mean a mega-lite somewhere in the near future?

Hmm...maybe a mega (and hopefully quieter) version of Tranan! But that may need actual lapbars since it's scary enough as it is

Oh yah, mine arrived yesterday and can't wait to check it out. I'm really not sure how it's even possible to top off the past few pages! Very funny stuff!

^^David, I hear you! The best was riding with Dave Thomas on his first and only ride. Just when you think it's over, the helix of death appears out of nowhere. A crowd pleaser haha This past summer really provided for an amazing TPR experience where I was able to ride a few Gravity Group and CCI rides (which I love!) that haven’t been re-tracked or have ‘gracefully’ aged over the past few years. The top few wham bam bash you m’am experiences, characterized by bruised ribs and such, for me have been: -Coney Island Cyclone – Back Seat. It’s a classic so the floggin’ is worth it. -The Voyage – Seriously, so much potential but it needs to end much sooner in such a condition. Bring on the Timberliners… -Hades – Again, so cool but wow, it is very aggressive. I think that sign is out there every day… -Wild Cat at Lake Compounce – Back Seat. Nothing else to say, and coincidentally, I couldn’t talk or take a full breath afterward because of the bruised ribs and all. -The Boss – very rough but I still loved it. Great potential here and I wish I could have ridden it when it was new.

This just made my morning! One of the funniest TRs! Great to see everyone having such a good time! Enjoy the rest of the week! J

Awesome TR Chuck! That was such a strange day. I remember the weather was a bit overcast and funky. That combined with the near-end of the trip made for a grim day, topped off with a dip in the river styx... I'm definitely in the camp that loved Hades. It was a crazy experience that I would have loved to try at least twice if not for the three + hour line. That tunnel was such a WTF happened kinda moment The Dells was still a lot of fun though and the theming was pretty good considering. Funny enough, when I was looking at the go karts and their line ups, I thought how Power Park has forever ruined any other go kart experience as nothing will seem worth any line if not hitting almost 100km/ h haha

Hence why this poll isn't really legitimized. Nothing in the USA should be number one in that category based on what's out there in the world. But it sure is sort of close to the top!

Ug, I want to back so bad now, it's been too long. Larry's right, when you leave any food area or beer tent, assuming you can even get up since it'll be the biggest challenge ever, you do so for more food, drinks and a few awesome rides! I remember not liking beer that much before visiting and loving it after! After a few hours in the Augustiner tent, we were speaking with an accurate Bavarian dialect and trying out Olympia Looping and Techno Power...good enough to almost throw up but not lol Awesome pics and thanks very much for sharing! Have fun TPR!

Whoohoo! Internet working again! Oli, you were right, this is over 60% about food and and family...I'm an instant fan! Very cool pics. Fairs in Europe just seem so much random. My favourite was a random fair that set inside the fortezza in Siena, with the exception of no coasters though.

That was awesome! I remember being so sick that day and night but still having a great time, even if not making it to ERT. That lightning was insane!

Hey Erik, cool TR! I totally missed Thunderhawk in favor of more water park, since Dorney has a great one. Sounds like I didn't really miss out. Is it better than say, Rolling Thunder? Did you enjoy Hydra? I only rode it at night and loved it. I hear it's better than what was there before in any case.

Thanks for the posts! Oli, it's just a plane ticket away my friend! Last day. We almost just missed the upcoming heat wave. This day at Kings Dominion was not only much more crowded than a few days ago but also extremely hot. We did a few rides and took off to grab a bite before heading home. A bit of our overall time at KD. Thanks for checking this out! 2010 Middle America coming up next! Oh, it's gonna get real hot! Really sad the Mystery Machine is gone. But, had to continue toward a new tradition of updating a pic in this spot. Kerry's is better. Deep down we're thinking: Holy Schnikes! It's Hot!! El Dorado! What's that in the background? You can see it through the trees, devouring its latest victims. Actually, Grizzly is pretty good! Now this, this is what we all fear most! Pain! It didn't seem as bad as back in 2008 Oh look, a drop tower that I dared not do. Sorry Kerry, next time I have to. Some more Grizzly! Help! Thanks! Love Grizzly! It wasn't even too busy today! How about a bit of.... ...love for Shock Wave? The least painful part of the ride. The great thing about this ride is the how it makes its way through the trees. Still a classic! We helped a dad with two kids that didn't want to ride by taking them on. Good deed for the weekend. See, this is what happens when it gets really hot out! Snoopy turns violent and eats Dominator! We escaped before Snoopy ate i305 and grabbed some Ruby Tuesday's. They've gotten a bit more fancy-like since last I ate here. That's all folks, thanks for following along! Bye Richmond! Up next...hello Minneapolis!

Chuck, great update. That day is such a blur and I'm sure it was all heat related. It was definitely a 3 + shirt day and I only had one lol.

Ok, off to the BBQ place, the best in the 'burg, perhaps the best in the East? The one, the only.... Pierce's Pitt! Pulled pork on a bun never tasted so awesome! "They're gonna love it." "Hey Pierce's!" I'm getting hungry...plus I see Kerry's fingers. All bow and genuflect. This comes close to Prowler. Yes, we are here. It is Prowler-like. Pulled pork anyone? The regulars always look this relaxed. Obligatory restaurant sign shot! Ah, Colonial Williamburg. Since my camera is really horrid at taking nighttime shots, this is the last I could get before complete darkness. The pipers were awesome and the fireworks as well. Couldn't think of a better place than here, with all the history around, to catch 4th of July fireworks.

Day 4 was the 4th of July! Cool coincidence I say! This will be short since we spent the majority of the day in the water, an amazing thing! It was starting to get very hot again in Virginia so what a perfect day to head to Water Country USA! Now, this water park may not have all the latest and greatest in attractions, but what it did have was just aweosme! The park has shade, is well laid out, very nicely landscaped and well themed over all. HIghlights included Hubba hubba highway (the lazy river on steroids), the 'skim across the pool kneeling on a raft after dropping down a cliff' ride, Big Daddy Falls and a personal favourite, Aquazoid! After the park, we headed to the best BBQ place I've ever been to, partially because I've never been to a BBQ place before and also because it was just awesome. After eating, it was down to Colonial Williamsburg to check out the 4th of July festivities. Definitely a cool experience. Thanks again for everything Chuck! Truly a first-class Williamsburg experience! On to some pics.. Hellooo Water Country! Overflow lots were open and prepared for the 4th of July crows. We were early enough to grab a few chairs. The park is so well laid out and managed that the crowds didn't seem that bad all day. You'd never know it by looking at the parking lot though. Y'all ready to get wet? Wave pool awesomeness! Crowds were definitely starting. You'll note that all pics are around our chairs because let's face it, the camera was not going any closer to water. But, to take you around a bit, here's one of Chuck's pics of his favourite water ride. I loved this thing! Sure, it may look innocent, but Aquazoid will swallow you whole, shake you through its belly while literrly being underground and spit you out...here. Post-Zoid and ready for lunch! It's hot! Being wet is good! A great day at Water Country!

Another reason to head back down. Eurofighters still scare the everything out of me since there's just something about cresting the top of those drops so high up. Even Sponge Bob freaked me out haha Very happy to see more of these in the US. Agree with Larry, a bobsled would be awesome!

Thanks Mark and Jason! Looking forward to seeing you both soon. 2012, wow, that seems really far but considering 2011 trips were announced before going on 2010 trips, it could be here before you know it. This day was a bittersweet day. Busch Gardens with no opportunity to try and re-live what was one of the most amazing ERT sessions ever back in 2008 -- Big Bad Wolf in the dark. Nevertheless, a new credit was had! Grover let us experience his wrath. It was an awesome day checking out the new Sesame Street section and riding some awesome coasters. We were lucky given a few B&M hiccups over the past two weeks. Chuck mentioned that Apollo's Chariot was down the weekend before. Today, Griffon was down until mid-afternoon. Although disappointed, we were resigned to the fact that Griffon probably wouldn't open. When we saw it testing nearing mid-afternoon, I can't even explain how great that felt! Love that ride! The beginning of the day we kept walking by Griffin with only two park staff telling us in an awesome Virginian twang that they didnt' know if it would open and that, I kid you not, "they were down there turnin' things and bangin' things". Good to know! There's that horrible B&M reliability again Other highlights of the day: -Front of the Line Pass = magical! -You must laugh in an evil villainous way after each sentence spoken while riding Curse of Dark Castle. -New France = BBQ and banjo music. Yes, we all bought the soundtrack and Dave played it in his car all the way home apparently at Ice Bat's request. -Our collective behaviour on the train was such that the conductor threatened to send to entire train to the engineer's office....errr...or making the engineer stop the train on a sketchy bridge pretty high up. -Grover hates men. Have you ridden his coaster and seen that hump on the seat that you have to sit on? -Cheap Margaritas and ample availability of Bud Lite Lime! -Iluminights was one of the most creative programs I"ve seen at a theme park that is not Disney. A lot of fun! For those of you who didn't know, Dave loves parades, shows and other such productions. He runs to these first thing. In fact, I think he's attending a performance of Sha-Kon-Oh-Hey! as we speak.That is of course the reason why he ran to his car to start the long drive home conveniently before the Iluminights festivities started. All kidding aside, thanks for driving down in long weekend traffic to hang out Dave! Really great seeing you! Now, for his and everyone's benefit, these clips feature two creative, interesting and bizarre programs from the France and Germany lands. Anyways, enough chit chat, here are some pics! Chuck was on time to pick us up. Right then and there, you now it was going to be an incredible day...Chuck found a kazoo! It wasn't just Dave, my fingers were apparently corrupt enough to not scan me on the first few tries. Patiently waiting for Dave and I Kerry made a new bestest friend! How could you not feel like a kid again? Grover said go that way. Ok! Oh map of wonders! Be saved from the goat! This area was really well done! Chuck wagon? Nooooo!! I think is the new collector's shot that everyone has. After a little flume action! We'd make up for the lack of wetness later on Escape from Pompeii. Front row for Nessy! I hope they never take this one out. Ya, she shakes you up a bit and is kinda rough but it's part of the charm. It was a challenge climbing out after.... Kerry made a new friend... "Take me, I'm yours!" One of the new Clydesdales. Still a great ride and Ice Bat approved! After a bit of panic, Griffin finally opened later in afternoon. I was honestly looking forward to this ride most, it really is spectacular. Can't wait to try Sheikra one day. A little pause to check out the animals. This porcupine is well cared for. Yo The loudest talking bird ever. Oh, look what it's time for! Now this is a great start here in Ireland. What's that Dave, you're heading home? No interest in leprechauns? Our last group shot before Dave started the long drive home. Thanks for driving down to hang out, it was a blast! Iluminights featured a special program in each land on the half hour. Because of the 4th of July weekend, we saw double the fire works! The Iluminights finale followed by 4th of July fireworks. We started off here in France. A great spot to catch the parade. Even if it wasn't, we had Bud LIte Lime. All was good in Williamsburg. The Fraaansh parade has started! Get out of this dude's way. Yep, Hulk Hogan made it down to perform. Bon soir! Interesting. You give me a loaf of that bread and I'll laugh along. Why hello! Nope, not out of order...we had to jump on again while on the way to Germany to see the truly bizarre... The Fest Haus has changed into the Living Cuckoo clock! Looks like it' well alive, just before the big moment (Check out the video above for more)! Definitely a fantastic day! We finished off with the acrobats in Italy followed by the fireworks show.

Adam, this is awesome. I forgot how much Star Wars geek can be in all of us. I loved reading through this!

Hey Olov: Thanks for sharing these. I can't wait to get back to Grona Lund one day. Hopefully this GG will withstand the test of time by getting timberliners right off the bat.

Guys, this is awesome! Thanks for posting ! Great meeting you both. Are you convinced of doing another trip in the future?

Thanks Chuck! I must have misunderstood. I thought being that Captain George's was expensive meant that a buffet wasn't an option. Seafood is something that screams 'must be fresh' or 'made to order'. However, if it's all fried, a buffet wouldn't bother me as much. I'll have that next update coming in a day or two along with a multi-media cuckoo & parade extravaganza that fans of the truly obscure and bizarre will not want to miss!

^Thanks for the help haha Oh, and are you talking about this pic? Actually I did notice that it was a bit less painful this time around, that trim has done wonders. You'll laugh but this is the first time I've noticed it. Who's flipping the birds to the sign back there? lol Hurler Group Hurt Shot - August 2008