Nrthwnd

So yesterday, Playland was supposed to go Pink Purple and Gay. But we had a rather big rainfall late that morning, and for locals, that means it's reeeeally tough to get them out to any event - even if it clears up and sun comes out... Which did happen. But I showed up, did a round on Coaster, checked out any special events happening (nothing till mid-aft.), and that was about it. Plus they finally started announcing "the end" of Crazy Beach Party. Which for a flat here, I guess was a Big Deal to Announce, lol. So, something will arise and be waiting for us, next season. (And here's what I took of the park, while there.) So the first thing I see, heading to the main gate is this. A stuck flume "log." It got fixed and was running smoothly, later on. Pride Flags out on the park's fence. A booth with information about our upcoming Pride Week and Parade. Hi guys! The Poster. Coaster comes in. Coaster goes out and up. Floss is out in force. And those are AtmosFEAR drink thingies in front. omg A Faerie! (where the kids' train ride goes around) More flags. These two were at the bar, like they were last summer. Nice to see them again. It looks like these trash cans are falling in love, and wanting to get married too! (o; Another information tent. And that's all I took. Except... The Big Announcement Poster for next year.

Although he was known for his tv characters and movie tough guys, I always enjoyed him in Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews and Robert Preston and Alex Karras. A fun movie and Garner was a great sympathetic gangster.

Happy National Ice Cream Day Everybody! Yum. Starliner sundaes from HKDL.

Scad Tower > Every other free fall drop ride. That is all.

~ More of Tivoli ~ After eating, I caught the only show that was scheduled at this lovely outdoor theatre. Tu4rned out to be a "dance contest" hosted by Tivoli's Mascot __________. I have no idea what his name was, but a version of him in one form or another, actually turned up in other Danish parks. He must be a very popular children's character. The show was fun, though a but hard to figure out at times what was happening, due to the Danish being spoken. But it was great to just lounge on the grassy area and enjoy it anyway. Eventually, our meet up time happened for another group dinner together. This was at the Hard Rock Cafe which was on one side of Tivoli's main gate. Easy to find! (o: Although the Pagoda in Tivoli looked lovely.... Having Daemonen (sort of) beside it, just makes it better! The outdoor show starts with our host. It's "So You Think You Can Dance?" Danish style! Then there was this pair dancing together, who then turned into..... ...A smaller younger dance pair! (neat trick that was) The finale with the 'cats', the ballet group, and The Winners: that pair who downsized themself, earlier on. For those into mushrooms.... The Star Flyer and the Scenic Railway mountain peek up from behind one on the many large buildings in Tivoli. Flowering plants everywhere, too. Mountain's got a waterfall. How to sell balloons. Looking towards the front entrance to Tivoli. So much water and space.... Cute little trams to take you around the park! For the electrical geeks in the crowd. How the trams are joined together. An artsy water fall kind of fountain! Great idea. A cup goes in, you get Kroners out! How easy is this? A view of Vertigo. A lot of us rode it earlier. I loved the new cycle they'd put in, which was all handled by the ride itself. No buttons to push. Awesome! And now, we go to dinner....

06-15-14 ~ Tivoli Park Tivoli is a really great in-city park that works on so many levels, even without it's rides section. Lots of performance spaces around, as well as venues for big concerts and such. Beautiful landscaping with equally wonderful night lighting everywhere to be seen. And some great restaurants in and around it too, like Wagamamas and the great Steak House several of us visited, a few days before. We walked to the park, which was a nice plus to staying so close. We ERT'd on Daemonen, then eventually made it over to the park's majestic wooden side friction coaster, with it's new mountainous top, created and opened in time for the coaster's 100th Birthday! We got a walk through of the inner workings of the mountain, where stuff is fixed, workers' quarters, and then a history about the coaster itself, which ended with us boarding trains there at the top of the mountain and 'coasting' down to the load station. It was great. Still lots to see, ride and enjoy at Tivoli. So here's a few photos at the start of our day there.... How the day's schedule looked, for our Tivoli day. Everybody waiting to get in. Opposite the Tivoli main gate...this. Not sure what it was. What it was....was pink! Lovely lanterns that would eventual light the paths in all the park at night. An open air theatre, that had one show for the day. I saw the show, later on. Old building, new mountain top! Never seen so much metal in such a fish before! And it's a LANTERN FISH too, ha ha! Daemonen ERT Lives! Uh huh. Simple to understand. We start heading into the mountain for a tour. Where coaster trains come to get fixed. And somebody in the brakeman's chair, up there. Signs of importance. The brakeman's Chair. Ain't it purdy? A sign of softness. James getting into (or out of, I forget which) The Chair. Up on top is where we got our History Talk about the coaster and the park, too. Then back down to the load station, and we got some Scenic Railway ERT! The ride ops making sure we were secure, before sending us back to the station. Thank you Jake, for this photo. Star Flyer looking good. One of the new flats at the park. Maybe later.... After I eat some lunch. And this started a "fish and chips" thing with me in a few of the parks.

Images

Elaine Strich. At 89. A musical theatre DIVA in the best sense of the word. The original "Ladies Who Lunch" gal. Bless her.

Just found out... The great Elaine Stritch has just passed away. What a broad she was! And the quintessonal songstress of "Here's To The Ladies Who Lunch".

Angry Birds Land in Sarkanemmi park was a total surprise to me. I knew it had been planned and built, but I had no idea what to expect in the "land" itself. Big surprise. It was great! Really enjoyed just walking through it all. So I wish Thorpe Park all the best with their plans for an Angry Birds Land. Angry Birds Land from the tower. 06-27-14

Great memory of that entire incident. I still believe i wasn't as scared this time. as I was the first time back in 2009. Great shots, Robb.

Of course we/they are! We know so much information about coasters, it's hard to separate all that info from the actual enjoyment of a coaster ride. Some times.... Hey - I know musical theatre and all it's background, And it still manages to mesmorize me in the most perfect way possible.

^ Speak for yourself, Ugly Bastard! Will Spongey make it? Bon Bon Land 06-14-14

any jazz makes you cool

^ Yes, I remember that. And was a bit surprised at the narrow time line for their "season." But then, my park's "season" is May until Sept. Tranan is unique and could be plussed up with a higher lift hill, maybe an indoor part (?), and a few more "spins." But it seems to be like the new family coasters, like the one at Farup Sommerland. Not long in cycle time. But fun enough for the whole family to enjoy. Like I said. Short cycle, but a really zippy family coaster! Taken on 06-20-14 in Farup Sommerland.

^ First of all, I think that screaming is way beyond belief. To me. But the coaster part does look/feel to me like it moves at a pretty fast pace. But I haven't ridden it, so I really shouldn't say. But the video sort of convinces me...

Larry, here's two photos I took during the Scandi Tour last month. One is the sign of the re-done funhouse at Farup Sommerland. The other is of the new Pirate Ride at Djurs Sommerland. And I have a number of photos taken of the new ghost train's facade (and a few in the queue) at Linnanmaki, but wasn't planning to post them until later on. The pirate ride at Djurs Sommerland. New sign for the newly redone walkthru funhouse, at Farup Sommerland.

I am on the wrong side of this continent to get there for any of it. But I hope everybody has a great time! And we have Gay Day at Playland on Saturday!

^ Thanks Benny, it was great meeting you and touring with you, too. And I hope your friends enjoyed their visit with you, that Friday night. And honestly, it wasn't that hard to "take the lead" for the alcohol exchange. It organized itself, and everything worked just fine. But there was too - much - left - over, lol. A Tivoli shot, taken 06-15-14. Daemonen and The Pagoda - beautiful together!

Happy Birthday Disneyland!

The new World of Potter just opened. And it's got a LAKE too! Black Lake, to be precise. It all looks gorgeous!

Yay Thad. I'm excited! Looking forward to your touring report. In Bon Bon Land - you rawked, Thad! Also rolled and swung back and forth...

~ More of BAKKEN Park ~ After our meal, we continued to enjoy the park in the nice hot sunshine. I explored around the outer areas of the park, which was in a huge forested area. I saw horseback riders, people picnicking, a group of ladies doing Western Line Dancing (!), a lovely big white building that apparently was a restaurant.... lot of non-Bakken stuff. And after our park visit, a few of us stayed on at the park, to get their own way back to the hotel; several of us took the bus back to the hotel; and the majority of the group continued on to a huge factory building which housed a massive Ropes Course, in several strength levels, and spent most of the evening there, climbing, walking, stretching, climbing, grasping stuff. I knew my body was NOT going to be able to deal with even the primary level of strength courses. So I didn't do it, went back to the hotel and had an evening free to do whatever I wanted. And I went to bed early, LOL! To be fresh and ready for our next day's park... TIVOLI! Hi Marilyn! Tom strikes a pose as we wait for a coaster to open. Actually, if that's the same "Bellingham" as in the USA, it's just an hour or so, south of us in Washington state. Colin helping Kristen with her daily fight practice. What we're waiting for to open. New credit! (for me) It's a mouse, but it's a pretty good one, I thought. A lot of the guys did this water ride, which was found in a few other parks. The dark ride at Bakken. I didn't do it this time, for some reason. Fear of "live actors", I guess. (o; 5D? We did it, and it didn't seem any more 3D than other films do. And water spray, vibrating seats... the usual. Double Shot Crowd! An ice cream spot, JC raved about, because.... All of the ice creams had fruit or (hard) flavourings on top of them. It was pretty awesome to look at. Tornado. Crazy lift hill-launch. Several pretty extreme turns and dips. Some people didn't like it much. I LOVED IT! And I rode it a few more times, during the day's visit. Looking at Tornado, across through a new flat Bakken had recently installed. I didn't get my "plane" to flip over, even once. But it was a fun ride. Near the end of the day's visit, I went exploring beyond the park. And found where old coaster cars go to retire. (o; Bye bye Bakken. Thanks for the great day!

Come on bill. Not a fan of quick transitions or speed on a wooden coaster? (I still think el toro>balder but still) For my own over rated choice, easily magnum. Now wait a nano second - the examples I gave were of coasters I really REALLY like. Like Twister at Grona Lund. That's one I love. And Troy too. Over that B coaster.

Fried foods are EVIL. Sorry, that's the way I feel, after so much of it on the TPR 2014 Scandi Tour. So much fried food offered - and I went with salads instead. Go figger... *(Sorry I went that way, Divv. Great report btw....)