Mechanic

I'll add myself to the list of those supporting Ghostrider getting the love it needs to return to its former glory. I never experienced it in its early form, but have experienced it in conditions ranging from very nearly unrideable to a marginally acceptable level of pain. Even on the worst rides, it has moments of pure awesomeness. I can only imagine how great it would be if the ride were completely pain free. I'd support the change for Colossus as well, providing that it could be reprofiled to at least somewhere near its original configuration. Seeing Colossus once again become popular enough to warrant operating it routinely as the racer that it is would be great. Being able to experience it in its racing form during WCB this spring was really an eye opener as to how much the element of racing adds to the fun of what I had to come to consider as something of an easily skippable filler ride. I'm all for parks breathing new life into old rides any way they can.

I recently made the switch from automotive technician (which I've been doing since I was 18 years old) to automotive instructor. After several years of mentoring entry level technicians as part of my regular job duties, I realized that teaching was my true calling. I'm amazed that it took me as long as it did to find what I believe is my real purpose in this world, but I simply look back on the years up to this point as preparation for what I'm doing now. I have never been happier about what I'm doing with my life.

Now I see why TPR is banned as "porn" in some places. Interspecies animal orgy porn no less.

As usual Hanno, your pictures are absolutely stunning. The colors in some are so vibrant that I almost have to put on sunglasses to look at my monitor. Thank you for sharing these and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more.

I hope we see a more guest-friendly operation of this show some time fairly soon. It almost seems as if excessively anal show production types want all the attention possible focused on their creation at too high a cost to the guests' convenience. The screams from the drop on Splash Mountain and the noise of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad don't seem to detract from Fantasmic in any significant way. I can't imagine how noise from the riders and rides near WOC would be very much different. Did Fantasmic ever have any of these sorts of restrictions on rides near it when it opened? I ask that in all sincerity since I wasn't visiting Disneyland regularly when Fantasmic opened and I wouldn't know one way or the other.

...Knoebel's, where they had finally finished...

Did you actually get to feel it while riding? I know it's a somewhat irrational fear, but I sometimes have earthquakes in the back of my mind when I ride SoCal coasters.

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I can't imagine that sweeping sand across the roof is going to do the paint any favors. It's evident, from the article that Beemerboy posted, that concerns over the harsh environment were carefully considered and addressed during the process of construction. Yet, from the ariel photos, it's already looking extremely dusty and/or faded. I'd be very nervous if I was in charge of the company that guaranteed the colorfastness of the roof for 15 years.

What, exactly, do you mean by show "dump"?

...disembowel them, but not before they rode...

Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk last Wednesday night. Such a great classic coaster.

I was luckily able to get 2 rides on the new haunted castle. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, after 5:00 PM, you can buy an unlimited rides wristband for only $9.95 if you turn in an empty Pepsi can, so the wife and I decided to take them up on the offer. When we got to the ticket booth at about 7:00 the haunted castle and ferris wheel were listed as not operating, but there was activity going on in and around the haunted castle. We asked if they would possibly be opening it later that evening, and they told us there was a good chance they might and just to check back every once in a while. Around 8:45 they were cycling ride vehicles and at about 9:00 they did open the ride. Having already seen a few videos, and somewhat knowing what to expect, I was still very happy with the ride overall. It's certainly not super scary, but more like fun, slightly-cartoonish, semi-scary. The scenes in the ride were very well done for the most part, although a couple weren't working when we rode. Most noticeable, to me at least, were the second king bust that's supposed to have a projection effect and the skeleton holding his skull in his hand right before you turn to go uphill and pass under the guillotine. Everything else seemed to be working as I'd seen it in the ride videos I've watched. The guillotine scene actually did scare my wife both times we rode. While I thought it was a neat enough effect, it honestly didn't scare me. However, the executioner animatronic for that scene is by far the best in the ride, in my opinion. As far as the rest of the scenes, I'd have to say I liked the swamp the best. They did a nice job of creating the atmosphere of a swamp when considering the relativley small scale of the ride when compared to something like Pirates of the Caribbean. (not that I'm remotely suggesting that comparing the 2 rides would be fair, it's just that I did think of POTC when we entered the swamp area) The effect they did with the walking bridge as you enter the swamp was something I'd failed to notice in any reports I'd read or videos I'd seen, so it was neat surprise. I will agree with wumwip that the random dinosaur is... Well... "random", but still a nice little scare when it pops up. The creature from the black lagoon-ish swamp monster just before the dinosaur definitely seems to fit the theme of that particular area much better, but the dinosaur is still fun. The rotating ride vehicles do a good job of keeping you focused on the scenes in the ride without much in the way of distraction from your periphery. Entering the ride backwards, down the spiral track in near darkness, also adds a slightly disorienting element that adds to the fun factor. The actual movement of the vehicles, and the spinning to keep you focused on scenes, is quite smooth and nearly seamless. The vehicles themselves look great as well. I hope they do sort out whatever issues are causing the downtime and get all the effects working on consistent basis. Being a brand new ride, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they will. One other issue that is certainly in need of attention is queue jumping. The way the queue is arranged, it is VERY easy for people to hop over the small walls and short decorative iron railings on the front side of the building to join friends in line. I imagine that easy access may be the unintended byproduct of needing equally easy egress in case the queue needed to be quickly emptied in case of an emergency, but it really makes line jumping very enticing to those that have no qualms about doing it. I believe the solution to the problem could be bold signs attached to the decorative railings warning of the consequences of line jumping and a security guard enforcing the policy. While there were security guards within a stone's throw of where I witnessed at least half a dozen line jumpers, they didn't seem to pay any attention to it at all. In closing, I've got to say that any little nitpicking that any of us may do about the ride still doesn't take away from the fact that this is a very welcome addition/replacement for the park. The quality of this ride far surpasses what it replaced. I would love to see more parks get new dark rides along the lines of this one.

Awesome video! Looking forward to more of Gertrude's adventures.

It would have to be an extremely remote parking lot. There's not much in the way of unused land anywhere near the park.

The following is a copy of my post in the Club TPR members forum where there is a discussion about the first edition of Theme Park Review: The magazine. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this digital magazine, but I was pleasantly surprised. The layout was neat and very well done. The extra pictures and videos were great. I just spent about the last 45 minutes or so looking through the stuff on the disc and I still haven't seen all of it. If I didn't know better I would have never guessed this was the first issue. It was put together as if you'd been doing it for a long time. Hat's off to everyone involved in making the digital Club TPR magazine! And now, a well deserved plug for Club TPR: To anyone that's been on fence about joining Club TPR, just do it. Seriously, as if the numerous park discounts, TPR store discount, and special events access benefits aren't enough, there's also this great digital magazine that I just received in the mail this week. I too was initially hesitant to join Club TPR before deciding that I'd give it a chance based on the quality of everything I'd seen done here at TPR, and in an effort to support the site and people that have made for so many enjoyable special park events. I really have been exceptionally impressed with Club TPR and what it offers the members. I think you will be too! The standard for what a park/coaster enthusiast club should be is currently being set by Club TPR, and they just keep raising the bar! Relating to the enthusiast events that TPR puts on, I have said many times that I can't imagine what TPR can do next to continue to impress me, but somehow they always do. It's exactly the same with Club TPR. Sincerely, thank you Robb, Elissa, and all the great people that help you, for all that you do.

Thanks for posting the pictures. Is the ride operating regularly now? I seem to recall someone here in this thread, or in another related thread, mentioning that it had been closed at least part of some days recently. It's totally understandable that a new ride may need some tweaking/adjusting. I want to take a trip to the park, but I'd like to go when I know the ride is scheduled to be operating. Thanks in advance for any info.

Went to Magic Mountain and assembled Mister Six's dance coaster overnight while the park was closed, then the sun came up and...

Santa Cruz Giant Dipper - 1924, and still a great ride!

They could probably just buy HRP/FMP with that $12 million instead.

Or would that be Disney Hollywood Studios?

I had no idea that Beaver Cleaver founded Ferrari.

In Santa Cruz, California, on the beach, where there is a boardwalk.

The number of people attending your average NFL game would be several times what you would expect for even an exceptionally busy day at CGA. Parking for the stadium is an issue that will affect CGA. I'll be interested to hear what sort of solutions they propose. I've used BART to go to stadium events in the Bay area before. I won't be doing that again any time soon. It is simply not anywhere close to efficient and convenient enough. Check out the lines at the BART station after a Raiders or A's game. No thanks! There's a reason they can get away with charging upwards of $20 for parking: Because it's worth it compared to the hassle of public transit here.

I'm sure there will be no shortage of complaints as to how access to the show is managed, particularly during the first several weeks, or even months after its opening. I'm also sure that Disney knows a thing or 2 about how to make changes on the fly to keep their guests as satisfied as reasonably possible. There's nothing exciting enough to me about this show to make me want to book a trip to see it right away, but I will eventually see it, even if that means jumping through some hoops or buying a reasonably priced "picnic package" that incudes a preferred/reserved viewing area. In a couple years when Carsland, Little Mermaid, and the rest of the DCA makeover are completed we will likely be as used to WOC as we are now with Fantasmic. It will still be worth seeing for those interested in that sort of thing, but not necessarily something around which you'd have to plan your entire day. You can count me in the camp that will get around to seeing WOC someday fairly soon, but I'm not rushing out the door today or even next week or next month for it. I hope than when I do see it I'm as pleasantly surprised as I was for TSM. I had only moderate expectations for that ride, but found myself thoroughly enjoying it and wanting to re-ride. As things stand now, I'm far more excited for the RSR and Little Mermaid attractions. As for the re-theme of the entrance and red car trolley stuff... Eh, whatever. - shrugs - I really have no particular expectations related to those things. I hope they turn out nice and are well received, but I doubt either will make or break my day at the park.