Mozart67

I never got to see The Making of Me, and I recall when it was unveiled that it had to be the largest Freudian slip I had ever seen..or not seen, as it turned out. Another great idea (not to mention great jokes) passes into the ether.

I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but the modernization of the iconic Luna Park front gate facade is fantastic, and maybe a hint of this "vision" I have been reading about. This will probably sound sappy, but I wouldn't mind seeing a modernization of the complex; sort of a re-imagining of Luna and Dreamland in its glory, a mix of the Coney of legend and the Coney of the Future. As far as rides, a few more modern pieces wouldn't hurt, I have to agree, but the Island was built on its wooden giants: maybe an offering comparable to Holiday World or the Dells wouldnt be such a bad idea. Just my two bits...

Jones & Stephenson - The First Rebirth

Oh Great and Omniscient Title Fairy, whose half-digested churro leavings I am unworthy to even touch, whose terrifying and earth-shattering visage makes the Starflyer look like a broken-down version of the squirrel cages, I, Mozart67, lowest of the low, (primarily because I do musical theatre and progressive metal for a living rather than perform a respectable function), ask that the following obtuse, incoherent, and ridiculously dull title be bestowed to my name as a symbol of my inability to post anything the least bit interesting: "Please Nuderstand This. Mozart67: It's Something!" (also, because "If Shatner is past tense, is Shitner who he is now?" is ineligible for obvious reasons..) Thank you, O Feral and Beatific..er..Fairy of Doom. [like I said, theatre for a living makes you a little out there..]

Wow..I haven't seen a spiral-lift coaster since either Willard's Whizzer or Zambezi Zinger, not sure which. I love the huge, photo-laden TR's as much as anyone, but it's these smaller, more obscure park TR's that really excite me. Thanks for a great TR on two small but cool parks. Scott Awaken Secrets - Never Say Never EP (to be released 3/1/2010) "the kind of neck-snapping prog-metal that Mom used to make when she was in the sanatorium"

What a freakin cool idea. Maybe a Super Robot Taisen G ride, SuperFortress Macross or Gundam ride would be a cool addition as well. Looks like I need to sock back some gig cash to make a SE Asia trip [if only it were that easy...] Scott

Hey Great to see the boards again after a long break from the internet [long boring story] Gyungju looked really fun, but the Tagada..I dunno. It looks like the amusement ride version of what your stomach is like before you barf. Idk about that But, great coverage as always, Robb. Best to everyone (hey Elissa) and I'll try to be back regular soon [lotsa gigs] Scott

The "Ask Robb and Elissa" live chat was, IMO, even more helpful than the fliers or threads I have seen in the past, I think. Nothing against either od those means or the people who put them together, mind you; it was just very cool, informative and loose to hear Robb and Elissa respond in realtime to questions and give their stamp on it, personally and policy-wise. well done Scott (If Mohegan Sun is still open next year, which it should be, it's a lead-pipe cinch I will be on the Middle America trip...)

God...even though I boycotted the Mouse for years (long story...and boring as well) I see pictures of late 70s Disneyland and still think ' wow! what a photogenic and visually-captivating experience..' esp. Tomorrowland. Space Mountain was so unreal then, as well as the rockets and the PeopleMover 3000 (3000?)...Sure, you could go down the road and ride the Revolution, the Gold Rusher and Colossus, but Tomorrowland just seemed lightyears cooler.. Also, love the Matterhorn/Monorail/20,000 Leagues shot in the booklet. Thanks as always Shane Scott

I have no idea even where to look for this, but I remember not only commenting, but defending (dear god) someone's idea of designing and/or constructing a suspended wooden coaster. Definitely a "zero to duh in 3 seconds" moment. Scott (I still think Elissa's post about someone asking where to purchase elbow grease is one of the best one-liners I have ever heard.)

Epic, EPIC TR I know I shouldn't ask this, because it's well..you know, but..now that you've ridden Jeff, what was it like? Oh yeah...I was thinking about that anime schoolgirl statuette a few parks back, and I think it's a character from Tokimeki Memorial. Not sure tho.. Good times Looking forward to the Mouse TR. Scott

Great POV...I wish I had that prog...Having never gone on anything taller than Bizarro, something like this would probably make me scream like a 6-year-old girl watching "Hellraiser." Great addition to the park though, and if I work my courage up (or refill my Valium scrip), I'll h ave to try it. Scott

"smells like butthole", "butterface", and Macchu Picchu equals Epic TR MP in picture seems like one of the most entrancing, transcendental destinations in the world; I can't imagine what it's like in person. Definitely a goal. My wife and I wanted to say that your contributions to the children is both touching and just plain wonderful. If even 1% of the world had similar inclinations, it would be idyllic. Thank you so much for such a great TR. Scott & Trish "Awaken Secrets: Progressive Rock that would scare Stravinsky into fits: It's Something!"

Dave, awesome news and photos While I was looking at the ride layout, I noticed "India" and "Bangladesh" on the rendering. Any idea what that is? Scott

Yay for the Hot Shots reference. The great thing about small and/or non-megaconglomerate parks, imo, is their capacity to be both eclectic and full of surprises. Looking forward to the rest of the TR Scott "Up to my a$$ in roulette" Mayfield

I think i've done this but I cant remember: Steel: Superman (SFNE) now Bizarro Orient Express (ex-WOF) Turn of the Century (Great America) [now Demon, I guess] Batman (SFNE) Shock Wave (SFoT) Big Bend (SFoT) [long gone] Kong (it was SF Vallejo; no idea what it is now) Space Mountain (WDW) Mind Eraser (SFNE) Greezed Lightnin' (Astroworld) [gone?] Wood: Screaming Eagle (SFSL) Texas Cyclone (Astroworld) Judge Roy Scream (SFoT) Boulder Dash (Lake Compounce) Colossus (SFMM) Roar (the park in Vallejo) The Comet (State Fair Park, Dallas) [gone] Mr. Twister (Elitch's) Zingo (Bell's) [gone] Thunderbolt (SFNE)

The Boomerang (weird flat I havent seen since the 80s) Enterprise Typhoon Scat (kind of like a Round-Up, but divided in half and there are two of them that spin around each other) Bayernkurve Flying Bobs Caterpillar (RIP) Hurricane High Roller (god knows I shouldnt like it, nor should anyone, but I do) oh, and the Super Loops (when it doesnt get stuck) Scott

Coaster: Right before I left for college, I rode the Orient Express (WOF) 10 times in a row, knowing I wouldnt get back to ride it again. Flat ride: Around 1981-82, there was this fkat ride that Royal American Shows was bandying about called the Boomerang, which in a nutshell, spun 4 cars in a circle while connected to a turntable, then at some point, probably determined by the ride op (or not..never knew), a car would detach from the full-speed turntable, veer into this strobed-out tunnel and the car woudl spin insanely through a C-shaped tunnel back to the platform. No one was keen on riding it so I said "why not". After 6 times in a row, the ride op said that i could ride as much as I wanted since my girlfriend's horror-movie screaming was attracting business. I rode it 21 times that day...and never again Scott

Turn of the Century at Marriott's Great America, I think; either that or the Crokscrew at Knott's. We went to both parks within a day of each other in the mid-to-late 70s, and I cant recall precisely which was, but I think TOTC was. Scott

I flipped back and caught the Cyclone, Lightnin and Excalibur clips. The shooting on the Lightnin' video, in particular, was striking, esp. the shots of the ride with the tower in the background and the coaster-fireworks frames. REALLY excellent job. I guess the only other Texan ride from that time period I really miss (which is kinda silly, I suppose) was SFoT's Big Bend coaster, which was taken out the year before Judge Roy went in. Great as always, Shane. Scott

12/20 I think it's really funny that the only ones I really knew were the questions about classic coasters and parks and I knew almost nothing rides that have debuted in the past 5 years. EPIC SHORT TERM MEMORY FAIL Scott

Hope you all have a great time on the trips. I still feel like a nard for having to bail on the Texas Trip, but it turned out for the best, financially, health-wise, etc. Have already started saving up for next year and it looks as though my wife (who rode her first coaster--Boulder Dash--in 30 years last year) may be joining a trip also. Live to raise hell and remember it well Scott

haha..I like the Producers reference, although my first thought is that Freestyle Rock Park Thing is more the Heaven's Gate of amusement parks. Nat, your TRs never cease to amaze me and make me laugh. Nice job Scott

Shane, thanks for another great look back, and for the Astroworld feature. Of all the coasters I miss in my "Top 20 Dead and Buried" list, I think Texas Cyclone is either No. 1 or close to it. (the shuttle loop--cant remember the name--gets honorable mention because I got stuck in the restraints--funny story for another time.) Thanks again Scott "30 pounds in 30 days for 2 months lighter and ready to hit the coasters" Mayfield

ARGH..I am forced to eat my own words re: the ride's name and new theming. I had thought it would be a bogus move and wasnt at all sure they could make the experience more full; I am dead wrong, particularly the emblem theming coming out of overbanked curve. Wow Not sure I'm too keen on the fire towers (I sweat enough; help is not appreciated.) Nevertheless, am greatly looking forward to riding namrepuS this year. Scott