pianojohn

Yeah, neither ride is on the Express Pass. And from my experience, the single rider line for VelociCoaster can be VERY slow. They used to have a single rider line for Hagrids which moved pretty quickly, but I imagine they close that off when the park is packed. I went today with some out of town friends and got early admission into IOA at 8am. We ran with the hordes of people to Hagrids only to find it doesn't open til 9am. Why the $^$! ??? Really annoying when one of the perks of getting in early is beating the line. Ended up doing VelociCoaster in about 30 minutes. By the time we got off, Hagrids was open...and sporting a 150 minute wait. UGH.

I'd say take the earlier bus. They MAY let you in earlier whereas the later bus you may feel rushed. When you get to the park, ask about redeeming your dining plan. They may be able to access them before entering the park which would save you time. Have fun!!

Yes. It's a holiday weekend, great weather, AND all NYC schools are off this week. They should have opened the parking lot across the street, but other than that, this is how crowded it can get.

Most of the answers to your questions can be found on the Universal website. There are several options to get from MCO to Universal. Here are a few: https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Orlando-Airport-MCO/Universal-Orlando I'd recommend at least 2 days to hit both parks. They have packages that include hotel and tickets AND get you into the parks an hour early. If you're going on a week day in May, you may not need to buy express pass.

Thanks! It looks awesome and we are lucky to have a world class RMC so close to Orlando FINALLY! Add VelociCoaster to the mix and Central Florida now has 2 amazing rides! AND they're open year round! Almost makes it worth living here!!

So the question on everyone's mind: Iron Gwazi or Steel Vengeance? I know you've ridden both, and while they're both extreme RMC creations, they look vastly different in the ways they were built. Aesthetically, I am leaning toward MF since it's a tangle of wood AND it sits on the lake. But what are your thoughts? Thanks!

I've worked for both companies for many years (not just a seasonal employee.) Busch USED to be amazing. When the Busch family owned the parks, there was a level and quality and service unmatched elsewhere. Once they sold to Blackstone, things went downhill fast. This past summer, Cedar Point celebrated its 150th with tons of show including a MASSIVE one with a cast of over 70 people. This past Christmas, Sea World could not be bothered to bring back "Oh Wondrous Night," their award winning Christmas show and instead got groups to fill in on weekends. It was lackluster and cheap and showed how different these two parks are in their commitment to entertainment. There is just no comparison between the companies and their two philosophies. Cedar Fair has been around for 150+ years and is an ENTERTAINMENT company. Sea World is owned by Blackstone, an investment firm. They just see the parks as money makers and way to make dividends off of their stocks. And until Sea World Orlando can retain a president for more than one year, they are in no business to be buying other properties.

I am going to say this happening is as likely as that new Six Flags they are building in Orlando. Or that new theme park going up near I Drive. Or.... Basically not going to happen. Why? Sea World could BARELY pay for its coasters, 3 of which have yet to open. They are notorious for having mass layoffs every year. Doesn't sound like a company that can take on a LOT of debt. PLUS Six Flags offered Cedar Fair $4 BILLION last year that they rejected. WHY would the chain even entertain a lower offer? The news made both of their stocks rise. Maybe that was their intention all along.

Dania Beach Hurricane shot on January 29, 2009 IMG_4116.MOV

676 days. That is how long it has been since I last worked for a company that employed me for 21 years. They keep saying "oh, we're going to bring you back." It's been almost 2 full YEARS. I am OVER it. Literally. Most of my friends have returned to work or were able to transition to remote work. I am a professional musician. There is no "remote work" for me. I did everything right: masked, social distanced, got both Pfizer shots AND the booster. I STILL got Covid right after New Years. It sucked for about 3 days. Still have a lingering cough. But I am here. I survived. So to all those selfish entitled a$$holes who still insist it's not big thing and refuse to get vaccinated, F*CK YOU. It is due to people like you that we are in our 5th wave. I am still holding out hope that I may return to a job I loved and did well for over 2 decades. RANT over.

Thanks and yes I am. FINALLY tested negative after 7 positive tests so I can start rehearsals for a show I am playing!

Kongfrontation Universal Studios Orlando October 1995 837827420_KongfrontationUSFOct1995.mp4

Scooby's Ghoster Coaster May 2000 1023912985_ScoobysGhosterCoasterMay2000.mp4

Kings Island Coasters May 2000 Lots of defunct ones in this video: Son of Beast, King Cobra, and Vortex. You can even see the Red Racer running backwards! 141533452_KICoastersMay2000.mp4

Boardwalk and Baseball April 1989 373453350_BoardwalkandBaseballApril1989.mp4

Williams Grove Cyclone Front Row POV May 1998 1854921379_WilliamsGroveCycloneMay1998.mp4

While I am home recovering from COVID, I have been transferring my old home videos into digital format. Here are a few I have done so far! Clementon Park Jack Rabbit Front row POV June 1998 2086948505_ClementonParkJackRabbitSept1998.mp4

Since I'm home with COVID now, I have nothing but time! I have started transferring old video tapes to digital format. Here is one I shot at Kings Island in May 2000 right after Son of Beast opened. There are 3 defunct coasters in this video: Son of Beast, King Cobra, and Vortex. Enjoy! 2088453902_KICoastersMay2000.mp4

This is a long shot, but..... Is anyone NEAR to Knotts planning to visit before Sunday? I ordered the holiday tshirt and pin, but my friend who lives in CA is unable to make it to the park. I have the pdf with my order and barcode on it. I will pay to have it shipped to me here in Florida. Just send me a private message and we can go from there. Thanks!!

It depends on WHEN I finally get rehired at Disney (it's only been 648 days since I played my last show but who's counting...ME!!) Since I already have season passes for Cedar Fair, Universal, and Busch parks, here are my hopeful plans: March: Knotts for Berry Festival, maybe Disneyland but not planning on it. June: in Ohio for my college reunion so probably a few days at Cedar Point depending on when CoasterStock is, wanna hit that again at Kings Island. July: back to Ohio for my nephew's wedding so MORE Cedar Point! Sometime during the summer: Busch Gardens VA and Kings Dominion. It's been a few years, and I'll need my Pantheon and Tumbili credits. Since I live in Orlando, many many trips to USF/IOA, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Sea World. I also have a Fun Spot USA season pass so I'll use that when I'm really bored! October: Knott's Scary Farm is a must. Dream trip: Indiana to finally go to Indiana Beach and maybe Holiday World.

My two cents: The week before and after Christmas are insanely crowded. Orlando had a day of rainy weather so now there are people who planned to go to the park one day and had to push it to the next. I've been to BGT dozens of times over the last 20 years. Yes, there have been crappy days, but it is FAR from the worst run park in the world. Again, insane crowds this week are to be expected. That's why I avoid the parks this time of year.

Great book and a really nice guy! Definitely pick it up if you're on the fence!!

LOVE this park so much. They will do anything for their guests and it shows. I had the most amazing two days there during Knotts Scary Farm and an incredibly disappointing one down the road at those other parks. I am already planning my next trip to Knotts and not really concerned about giving my time or money to Disneyland.

I've posted this many times before, so why not once more! What the park REALLY needs is a traditional log ride. The other water rides in the park (Snake River Falls and Thunder Canyon) get you soaked. A no-brainer: build a replica of Knott's Timber Mountain Log Ride. 1) Great ride and has been for 50+ years 2) Perfect theming which would fit in with FrontierTown 3) Small footprint would fit perfectly in the empty space DO IT!!

It just seems that the company has been successful with delivering a far inferior product (no shows, no FastPass, no atmosphere) and yet people still pay to come. It's sad, but once a show is cut, it's rare for it to be brought back since it costs money and the pencil pushers don't see the value in spending money if it's not to make money.