pianojohn

Any idea of where this is in Osaka? Downtown or closer to USJ? Of course, the city is pretty spread out. Thanks!

70mph? This is probably from the same marketing genius who billed Gwazi as having "100mph combined speed!" If they are using this same way of measuring speed and Starliner has 2 trains, than the real speed would be around 35mph. And I also was not surprised it would not open on time. It took them forever to start construction in the first place.

Tomb Raider at Canada's Wonderland. And Viper at SFGreat Adventure. Thank goodness that piece of crap is GONE!!

I was also there on Sunday, but we walked right into Famous Dave's with no wait at noon. And the staff was excellent with lots of service, not to mention GREAT food. I had read a report about how slow it was, but I was very impressed. And the food we got...well....see the pic! My partner Shawn about to dig in ! Yum! The feast for two....but would probably feed 3 or more!

Just got back from going back to Cleveland, Ohio for my 20th college reunion (John Carroll University), and I managed to add 15 credits along the way! Flew in Wed June 20th, got ny rental car, picked up my 12 year old niece and headed out to Cedar Point! My goals: get season pass processed and ride Maverick. The weather was perfect, crowds were not too bad, and I got my credit. Maverick is fun, but my only complaint would be the head rests. For tall people (I am only 5'10 1/2"), the head rest hits you right in the middle of your head. And it takes some effort to keep your head back so you don't get major neck banging. Rode Millennium Force (great as usual though there is a bit of lateral shaking) and a quick upshot on Power Tower. Back home to get some sleep! Thursday June 21st. 5am. OUCH! Drove to Toronto to get some Canada's Wonderland credits. Now the last and only time I was at this park was in 1982. It was only a year old and gorgeous. Fast forward 25 years and it looks like it has been through the ringer. Faded paint everywhere, outdated signs, still lots of Paramount references, and unfortunately, not up to Cedar Fair standards. After waiting in line for about 20 minutes to go through security, I was told my Cedar Point season pass needed to be shown at Guest Relations for a ticket to the park. Of course, there was no signage to tell me so and no employees directing guest flow. I then waited another 15 minutes at Guest Relations, got my tickets, and then had to get BACK in line to wait another 20 to get in the park. Not a good start to my day. As soon as I got in (about 55 minutes AFTER I arrived), I tried to get some credits. Top Gun? Too long a line. Tomb Raider? Ditto. Italian Job? Not opened yet. Geez..... Finally got on my first coaster: Sky Rider, the TOGO stand up. Nothing out of the ordinary, but still a decent ride. After exiting, I noticed Italian Job open. Luckily the line was not too long, though the ride op was VERY slow and not very efficient. When I got to the front of the line, there were still three seats open. I told her I was a single rider, and she said "Next train." COME ON!!! No wonder the line was moving so slow. Not to mention they were only running three trains. Got my other credits: The Fly, The Bat, Top Gun, Tomb Raider, Silver Streak, and The Vortex. Nothing too great. All very average, and I was disappointed in the lack of customer service. If Cedar Fair had just purchased this park, I could forgive a few things. But they have owned it for almost a year now, and it still looks like garbage. Sorry, just stating my opinion. And Tomb Raider? What a horrible design! Nothing the least bit enjoyable about it! Well, after getting the credits I needed, I drove back to the states and Martin's Fantasy Island. What a GREAT little park! I got there after 5pm, so it was only $10.95 to get in. Very clean, friendly, efficient! Everything Canada's Wonderland was not! The Silver Comet is a great ride. Lots of drop, turns, etc. A great surprise since I was not expecting that much out of it. The Crazy Mouse was your typical spinning coaster. Fun, short, no line! Now the drop tower. Who makes this thing? It started out with a hydraulic shot up, and this launch was more intense than any S&S I had ever been on. After losing a little steam, you are then slowly hoisted to the top, and dropped. I rode it about a dozen times! The park closed and I was off to Buffalo and my hotel. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Friday June 22 Had my free continental breakfast, but then stopped at Tim Horton's for an iced coffee. Tim Horton's (from what I have heard) is a Canadian coffee chain that is also popular up east. And I love my frappucino's! Drove about 30 minutes to Darien Lake! The last time I was there was in 1984 for the ACE Coaster Con at Crystal Beach. The only coaster then was The Viper. I was anxious for my Ride of Steel credit. Upon arriving, there was a HUGE sign out front: "Ride of Steel will be closed today." DAMN! This is the 2nd time I have come to a Six Flags park and ROS was closed (The first time being SFA) Regardless, I still had fun, and the park was very clean and well laid out. The Predator was not bad! I had heard mixed reviews of it, but all in all a decent ride. Did the Boomerang and Mind Eraser, and took a spin on The Viper for old time's sake. These Arrow loopers do NOT age well. It was pretty rough. On the road again, and this time a NEW park: Waldameer. Very cute, clean, reminded me of Idora. The coaster was decent, and the old hand brakes are always a welcome relief from the automated hydraulic ones. The Spinning Dragons was very cool, and this was the first one I had ever been on. I wish parks would install these instead of those spinning Mad Mouses. (Mice?) Back home to Ohio, my college reunion, and back to Cedar Point on Sunday. Thanks for reading. On to the PICS!! Thanks for readin! Steel Dragons Cute as a button! Say what?? Curse you Intamin!! Doing my Nancy Kerrigan "Why? Why??" Guys working on the Ride of Steel lift The Viper. I guess some people like pics of vertical loops. Mind Eraser: a most aptly named ride Trying to do my Tommy impression Hmm...does Sea World know about this?? WAH!!!! At the gate You will be mine! The breakfast of champions. And coaster geeks And the Silver Comet Loved the drop tower! Yes! Awesome little park! Dessert at the all you can eat buffet. I cannot recommend it though as most of the food was not very warm or appetizing. The mountain is pretty though No comment. WoW! What did you think of the ride John? OUCH! Finally inside I got to wait in this line. TWICE!! Arrgghhhh..... Or not.... Yeah! Almost in! Blame Canada! Blame Canada!! All better now! Traffic tie up: They were removing a bridge. I was not amused. On the road again...at 5 am! When in Sandusky, go to Toft's The BEST ice cream, and the biggest sizes ever! I LOVE my new GPS. It got me to Canada and back no problem! Power Tower. My niece is annoyed MF from the queue line Mantis. Do they EVER run more than two trains on this? Lines were too long. The brake run. And the building behind it is where I started my theme park career: The Palace Theatre (but I will always remember her as Lusty Lil's!) Nice theming Loop de loop Ah, yes My MAX Pass! Such a wise investment for someone who lives in FLORIDA! My niece and I at Cedar Point. She was getting annoyed with her uncle taking so many coaster pics. My rental car: A Pontiac G6. Sweet, but it guzzled the gas. Touch down! Looks like Stepford from the air Flying Continental

I was just at Waldameer on Friday! Could the weather have been more perfect this weekend? Sure makes me miss Ohio now that I am back in sticky Orlando! My photo TR is upcoming.

Great Siouxsie Sue reference! Awesome pics too. Too bad about the no Intamin woodie....but we can hope!

Maverick in 55 minutes? Either the crowds were light or they are really cranking out the capacity on that one! I will be there Wednesday for my Maverick credit and to validate my season pass (not in that order). Great pics! And yes, I too have driven many miles to hit multiple parks in one day. The best/worst one was when I drove from Cleveland to Louisville (about 6.5 hours) rode everything at SFKK, drove to Holiday World (about an hour) rode everything and then ended up outside of Chattanooga for the night. About 700 miles....zzzzzzzzzz

Here are some pics I took that day as well. I took them with my cell phone, so I had to transfer them to my PC first. And his mother....GEEZ! Unless you're this kid Good advice. It should be heeded.

Thanks for the pics and video. I was at the park yesterday as well but working. Guess I will have to wait until Tuesday to ride it! The one guy said they are always looking at ways to improve existing rides. NEW GCI TRAINS FOR GWAZI! Hint hint The last time I rode it (about a week ago) it was pretty much the worst it has ever been, and until they get new trains, that WILL be the last time I ride it. It's kind of sad since it is visually beautiful, it sits right at the front of the park, but once you ride it, you never wanna ride it again. And the SLOW loading and unloading has got to stop! The ride has been open since 1999, but they are still SO slow loading. Just my two cents...

I thought this came from Lightning Loops. Anyone know for sure?

Great pics....and yes...I agree. El Toro ROCKS! Now if they would just build more Intamin woodies...ANYWHERE in the States! Preferably Orlando...but anywhere! Just build them already!

I am still traumatized by the Laughin' Sal from Euclid Beach Park, and I probably saw her when I was 3 or 4. Geez!!

Great pics and TR. I need to get to Disneyland ASAP since the last time I was there was 2000. Pre-California Adventure and all that it entails!

RE: I really hate waiting in lines. I am such a prick when it comes to waiting in lines Well, I suggest you stay out of the Florida parks during Halloween, Christmas, Spring Break, and Summer! Just a suggestion from an Orlando-an (but not an Orlando native...no such thing!!) Enjoy Full Sail!

And every Target, mall, parking lot....I HATE those wheelie things! 'Bout time somebody put a stop to them!

Great pics ! Makes me want to put some Dorney in my life....no wait. That didn't sound right!

Old Navy 2007 July 4th t-shirt (they're $5!) Old Navy shorts (they were on sale) boxers

Age: 42 Middle Name: B. (very few know what the B stands for) Pet Peeve: Idiots who don't use their turn signals 'cuz they are usually busy talking on their cell phones instead of driving! Color of your bathroom: 3 shades of blue Best Movie of ALL time: Hmm...most moving: Brokeback Mountain Best Song of ALL time: no way I can pick just one Best TV Shows: Family Guy, American Dad, The Office, 30 Rock Favorite Band/Artist: Crowded House, Prince, The William Brothers (not the gospel version but an acoustic duo from the early 90's) and almost any band from the 80's! Favorite Ride at Disney Parks: Space Mountain Florida Yummiest Ice Cream: Brownies and Cream from Mel's Frozen Custard here in Ocoee, FL or Birthday Cake from Toft's in Sandusky, OH If you could eat lunch with one person, who would it be: Cole Porter Morning Person or Night Person: Morning person Pets: Nope....adopted a dog once for 24 hours Favorite Color: Blue Where you would go for fun (not an amusement park): Rollerblading Coke or Pepsi: Diet Coke with Lime Opinion about Peanut Butter and Jelly: bring it on! Best Vacation Spot: Australia (I would go back there in a heartbeat but that damn plane ride....zzzzzzzzzzzzz) Cook or Go Out: go out Beach, Desert, or Mountains: Beach

$249 Garmin Street Pilot c330 I freakin' LOVE IT! I am so bad with directions, and now I have no excuse to ever get lost again! Can't wait to use it for my road trip from Ohio to Toronto and back!

This was a great ride from when I rode it back in 2001. Very intense, especially the mid course drop. (See pic below) Enjoy! A pic I took of the coaster in Japan back in 2001

From the YouTube video, it seems to launch trains in rapid succession. Hope they can keep this up!

Revue. Just like the kind of stuff I have been doing for the last 20 years. Sidebar: I saw all the best musical nominees, and although Spring Awakening was a ground breaking show, overall I was not that impressed with it. My money was on Grey Gardens, a much more satisfying theatrical experience. And while Curtains was fun, I was as shocked as everyone else that David Hyde Pierce won best actor. BIG shock....though he did carry the show pretty much. OK....back to coasters!!

I, as well, am a Disney cast member, got my Universal Season Pass, and also work for Busch Gardens, so count me in! In case you don't have Universal tickets yet, the absolute BEST deal is to buy it ahead of time on the internet. You can get a 7 day both park ticket for $86.98! For more details, check it out here: http://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ticket-selection.aspx?Merchant=UOMainOnline&SalesCategoryGroup=UOMain&SalesCategory=UOTPTLive

Great pics! Every time I go to DQ, I never bring my camera, so it's nice to see pics from the inside.