milst1

Brooklyn band Circuit Parade has a very neat new song called "Million Dollar Mermaid" with a cool Coney Island video to accompany. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_uvGHQXY28 Enjoy. -Martin

According to Coasterdom, Jackrabbit at Clementon has been razed. There's a photo there credited to GadvUpdates but I can't find it there. I guess this was coming for a while. Too bad.

That would be Lightning Loops in 1978 or 1979. Two interlocking loop shuttle coasters by Arrow...first looping coaster in NYC area since the old Coney Island days.

I'm envious...I've lost 24 pounds, but it's taken me *90* days.

We just spent Turkey Weekend in Vegas (got the 6 adult credits...Miner Mike at Adventuredome was down so I could not try to appear small and young), and we discovered that New York New York Hotel and Casino no longer refers to Manhattan Express as...well, Manhattan Express. Instead, it's now called "The Roller Coaster". My wife bought a shirt (see below) that says "The Roller Coaster New York New York". The "I Survived Manhattan Express" t-shirts were on the closeout shelves and I just checked the website, and there is no mention of "Manhattan Express". Gift-shop-lady was the one who made us aware of this remarkable news that I hope is the focus of coming roller coaster podcasts as we all try to figure out what the marketing geniuses at the MGM Mirage Corp. have in mind. Will there be a new trolley that carries fat gamblers between the slots and the buffet called Manhattan Express and they want to avoid brand confusion? I hope that In The Loop, Coasterbuzz, Kevin & Nate, etc. pick this one up for discussion. Incidentally, the ride ops were "keeping it real" by giving us serious NY NY attitude about my tiny pocket camera (they would not let me keep it in a zipped pocket inside my zipped jacket and refused to let me ride until I put it in a locker, serious f*ing *ssholes grrrr). I'll save it for the TR, but we could have stayed at home for that kind of crap. So, I guess we can chalk it up to *very* authentic theming. -Martin The Roller Coaster at New York New York: The Shirt Sign pointing way...looks worn...is this name change old news and I'm just a shmuck for not getting the memo?

It's funny how many of these have changed so the description doesn't have anything to do with the avatar! Mine is me in my cool homemade Great Adventure shirt next to a GA scare-acter during Fright Nights.

Undergrad: Columbia, '88 studied econ Grad: '88-'91 Started Ph.D. program in econ at Minnesota, basically failed out Grad: '91-'99 Started Ph.D. program in business at Pitt Prof: '99-'01 Took asst. professorship in sport management at Tennessee Grad: '01 Finished Ph.D. at Pitt Prof: '01-'03 Took assistant professorship in business at Univ. of Arkansas-Monticello School's Out: '03 Sold out to the man to come home to NYC to get a soulless job on Wall Street

Hi everyone, I'm Martin, and my wife Cheryl is my riding partner. We live in lower Manhattan in the Financial District. We both grew up near "great old parks that are now gone", Palisades Park in NJ for me, Nunley's on Long Island for Cheryl. I got a bit turned off on theme parks after the Great Adventure fire in 1984, but grad school found me in Pittsburgh, and it's hard not to fall in love with Kennywood. Cheryl's coaster history is not as detailed, but we've decided to make it a team project! We love this site and can't wait to get on the next ride.

I see you're at the University of Alabama...where's home? The jobs website for Univ. of Alabama-Birmingham Medical System is at: http://www.uabhealth.org/18775/ which is probably a good place to start if you're planning a medical career in Alabama. Maybe you could work at Alabama Adventure for the summer! Best of luck. I was a very poor and indebted college and grad student for a long long time, and my wife was in grad school for a long time too (more than 20 years of grad school between the two of us). Now we can afford to travel, but we don't have any time! -Martiin

You go, Robb! Awesome. And I think the last picture shows that your face is thinner. I can say that riding roller coasters has directly led me to losing weight: This past Labor Day, we spent the weekend at Cedar Point, and I'd never ridden Millenium Force before. I saw "big" people getting turned away at the test chair, so I gave it a try for the hell of it, and damned if I couldn't get the belt closed! I was a bit surprised, and I was totally freaking out. I'm 5'11" and I weighed 230lbs. The test chair belt went from left to right, and I just didn't have the left arm strength or the leverage to close the thing. So I finally suck in my gut and get the thing closed with a little help from the CP guy manning the queue. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to buckle myself in on-ride. On ride, I took the left seat because *that* belt goes from right to left and my right arm is much stronger. Similar issues on Top Thrill, but managed to get the belt closed and was able to ride each time. I started Weight Watchers as soon as we got home, and my first gym visit in a long while coincided with "The Biggest Loser" being on TV, which motivated me more. I've gone from 230lbs on Labor Day down to 209lbs as of today and I'm running over 3 miles a day, listening to various coaster podcasts while on the treadmill. And I've re-dedicated my life to riding roller coasters as they helped me see the error of my unhealthy ways. Congrats on the progress so far and good luck, Robb, we're pulling for you. -Martin

Great report! Thanks.

Everybody's lists are incredibly impressive. This was a bad summer to be working on Wall Street. Done: Universal Orlando, FL Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando, FL Great Escape, Lake George, NY Astroland, Brooklyn, NY Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ Arkansas State Fair, Little Rock, AR Magic Springs, Hot Springs, AR Dorney Park, Allentown, PA Planned: Next Week - Las Vegas December - Busch Gardens Tampa, Cypress Gardens January 2008 - Kalahari!

I would say that if you planned to register for independent study credits and produced a scholarly paper based on your trip and submitted it to a journal for publication, you could negotiate it. This would be easier if you're in a masters or phd program than if you're an undergrad, but it's not out of the question for an undergraduate. Annals of Tourism Research is the kind of journal you could aim for, or even a sociology or consumer behavior journal. The idea is to convince your professor/dept chair/dean that you're taking on a scholarly project that you'll follow through on. They may reject your proposal, but it could be worth a try if you want the credits that badly. My guess is that you'll still have to pay tuition on the credits, so figure that into your trip cost. Good luck, Martin "former professor who had an interest in leisure studies" Lewison

Your point is well taken, but as I recall, this is one of the first plans that isn't just a pure sellout to real estate values. I freely admit to not being an expert on the subject of Coney Island's umpteen redevelopment plans, but this one, it seems, tries to keep the historical district as an amusement destination and isn't just a plan to put up high-rises (e.g., look at the current site of Palisades Park 23 miles to the north) in place of rides. It pushes housing to the edges away from amusements. It seeks a development outfit that has amusement development experience (which Thor doesn't have). It seems to have the city's (in the form of CIDC) blessing, although it was Rudy Giuliani's "blessing" that destroyed the rotting John Miller Thunderbolt and put the Brooklyn Cyclones' (Short Season Class A Mets affiliate in the NY-Penn League) stadium in its place. And I think Dick Zigun is on board, and that guy's organization (Coney Island U.S.A.) has been the life blood of the place for a while. Burlesque isn't exactly family entertainment, but the Mermaid Parade is now the single biggest day of the year in Coney Island. My wife and I went this summer and it was such a zoo, we couldn't get anywhere near Astroland or the Cyclone or Nathan's, or anything! It was just too super-packed. If they actually get some happening new rides down there, it would be awesome. Parachute Drop Tower, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY Original Steeplechase Park horse, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY Mermaid Parade 2007, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

This is in Daily News today. Link to story directly (at bottom of post) for some cool pictures. City to air new vision for future of Coney Island -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BY JOTHAM SEDERSTROM DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Thursday, November 8th 2007, 4:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Print Email Suggest a Story Las Vegas-style high-rises may serve as backdrop for Freefall riders at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Click on the image for a gallery of Coney Island shots from the past. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- City officials Wednesday will unveil a highly anticipated plan to revive Coney Island, a multibillion-dollar vision that combines the area's honky-tonk charms with Las Vegas glitz. Mayor Bloomberg will announce the sweeping rezoning and redevelopment plans at a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Gargiulo's, the 100-year-old dining hall that has played host to Clint Eastwood, Muhammad Ali, Woody Allen and other celebs. Zoning rules around the faded beachfront now limit construction to amusement rides. The changes could allow for the construction of luxury hotels, water parks, shopping and restaurants. The stakes are high, with neighborhood preservationists fearing the amusement district could be overwhelmed by glitzy Disney World-style rides and high-rise hotels. But supporters say the struggling area is long overdue for a renaissance. "It's exciting," said Dick Zigun, founder of Coney Island USA, a community organization. "This is what people have been waiting for, this will answer a lot of the questions New Yorkers are asking and I think the city has some really exciting things to share." City Hall has had a contentious relationship with developer Joe Sitt, a major Coney Island property holder who has proposed an ambitious $1.5 billion plan that at one time included luxury condos, shops and housing. In August, a high-ranking city official called Sitt's plan "dead in the water" because the developer wanted to build 350 residential time-shares at planned hotels and a push for $100 million in city subsidies. Sitt has said he hopes to salvage aspects of his plan. Hours after Bloomberg's presentation today, the Coney Island Development Corp., an entity created four years ago to resuscitate the area, will present ideas for the amusement district. jsederstrom@nydailynews.com Daily News Coney Island Story 11/8/2007

The woodie is indeed smooth, and thus very very tame. I don't want to insult it, but there are almost no forces, in any direction. No up or down or sideways. I wonder if that was the same at its old location in Florida... Agreed that X-Coaster is too short, but the hanging upside down against the lapbar and then the heartline diving roll are definitely unique experiences. G-Force seems super-long by comparison. Thanks so much for the positive feedback!

Isaac!

Yikes, I don't know if I can hold my breath for that long!

I found this on the Philadelphia Inquirer site today: Amusement park board seeking development options The Associated Press CONNEAUT LAKE, Pa. - The board of trustees of a financially troubled amusement park is seeking proposals to lease all or part of the 115-year-old park. The Conneaut Lake Park board has broken down the park property into different areas that can be leased, including the Hotel Conneaut, amusement rides, the midway and the marina. Chairman Jack Moyers says while leases could be long term, there's no plan to sell any land because the board wants to preserve the park and trust. He says the board is willing to work with multiple developers. The park has continued to accumulate debt every year over the past decade, with estimated debt now around $2.7 million. The troubles kept the park from fully opening this summer. Find this article at: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20071106_ap_amusementparkboardseekingdevelopmentoptions

The wife and I love collecting and wearing different park and coaster shirts. I made this shirt for my last SFGAdv trip. I'm the one on the left.

That's what got me! In preview mode, they were flipped around, so I thought, gee, better put 'em up backwards. I submit, and to my horror...you know the rest. *sigh*

Rats, all photos are backwards. I know, I'm a newbie. *sigh*

This is my first TPR TR, thanks for your patience. Thanks to bad weather in NYC and DC, our Friday flight was cancelled and we didn't get to Arkansas until mid-Saturday. Not many direct flights from NYC to Little Rock. We made a quick visit to the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock (I left my camera in the car), but made some culinary discoveries, like the deep fried pickles, or the... Deep fried snickers! Using up those weight watchers points. Then on to some barbecued brisket and ribs at Shorty Small's, topped off with a... Deep fried twinkie! Amazing blackberry sauce. Sunday finds us at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls amusement park for October's Magic Screams Ah, fountains! I go up to buy admission for Cheryl, myself, my friend Tammy and her two sons, and they say, "Maybe we can get you a group rate". I'm perplexed, but after a short wait for some supervisory approval, about $100 is knocked off the admission. Pretty amazing. Ah, scary things! More scary things. Now this seems to be a really good idea. Too bad it only works for a small park on a slow day. Fiendish ghoul, sizing up child. The Crystal Falls part was closed...these were new slides for 2007. Funeral Empty wave pool is interesting. Ah, the X Coaster! We'll get back to this. It was a beautiful day, there were no crowds, and the park has these really pretty views of the Ouachita Mountains and forest. The severed feet remind me of something... Dang! Twist 'n' Shout wild mouse down! No credit. *sob* Big Bad John, Arrow mine train ride with 3 lift hills! Finally, X Coaster. We get right on to the first seat. This goes straight up, turns you upside down, then releases you into a roll and through station, then backwards through station, then forwards through station, lift chain locks again, lowers you slowly backwards into station. Front row! Cool ride, especially at top with all of your weight on the massive lap bar, no OTSR! Up. Interesting Maurer-Sohne ride. Not too many in the US, I think, right? Lift hill...with Farenheit be like this? Gauntlet, Vekoma. Only my second Vekoma outside of a Disney park because the boomerangs have always been down. Actually, my dream job would be working for Vekoma, as my major hobbies currently seem to be coasters and learning Dutch! Another view. Actually, this was a great ride. I've had head choppers, this had my first foot chopper. Front row! No lines. Empty park. Cheryl and Me at Arkansas Twister Lift hill Leaving the station More lift hill The turnaround... Back to the station! This used to be at Boardwalk and Baseball. It's a very mellow family woodie. Thanks for a really nice day! You can see Magic Springs from the Observation Tower in Hot Springs National Park. Arkansas Twister is to the left, X Coaster in middle, Gauntlet to the right. Hope you enjoyed my report!

And thanks for the Kemah tip, SharkTums. To address the other point, where we really want to go is on the TPR Japan 2008 trip and we're holding our breath that we'll get in on that! Best, Martin

Thanks everyone for the advice and tips (especially about major rides closed at Fiesta Texas)! We are now looking at an early December weekend in Tampa to visit BGAfrica (I haven't been in 10 years) and Cypress Gardens (never been) in Winter Haven, maybe with a stay at the Seminole Hard Rock (Cheryl likes blackjack!).