pianojohn

I will be hitting these parks in the next few weeks, and I would like to know if there are any discounts to either one. I do have my ACE card for HW, but the family may be joining me. Thanks!

Hey, have a great time! I am so jealous, but then again, you have to put up with Tommy and James (mostly Tommy!!) I went to Dollywood yesterday, and Timber Tower is indeed closed awaiting a one of a kind part from Germany. Good thing they don't have pictures of the ride EVERYWHERE...or wait, they do! Still had fun as evidenced by the attached pics! Next week: PKD! And a bonus one from last week on the Loch Ness Monster! My new fav way of taking on ride pics....of me! Sight on the new coaster next year Making my best Tommy face

Hmm....anyone else remember Waffle Crisp cereal? The delicious taste of waffles in the portability of a box of cereal! And the STENCH when you opened the box! I think I got a cavity just smelling the stuff! 45957post4.bmp Yup, this is it!

I actually went to the Bubba Gump in Daytona Beach as well as the one near the Tokyo Dome, and I found the food to be pretty good. But if you are looking for the best meal (in my opinion) at CityWalk, I would go to Latin Quarter. I have never had a bad meal there! Then again, my favorite nearby restaurant would have to be The Ale House across the street from Universal. Best Chicken Nachos ever!!! Thanks for the pics. Shamu Express was credit 351 for me!!

Well, there was no one in the park on a Sunday morning, and definately hit Batwing first since it takes forever to load. Then do Superman since it is so close, and head over to Face Off. Other than that, you should be able to get all the credits you need. They also sell the Flash Pass for (I think) $20, maybe 10 that gets you 5 rides. If it is really crowded, that may be the way to go. Good luck!

Well, I was finally able to get my S:ROS credit as I drove the 3 1/2 hours from Roanoke, VA to SFA. Yup, drove 3.5 hours for a 2 minute ride! woo hoo! First impressions: the park was CLEAN! They had many parking lot money taking booths open. Last year, they had one. Once I got inside the gates, there were characters everywhere as well as many park ops greeting and really going out of their way to make sure their guests felt welcome. What a change from last year! After the opening ceremony, I ran to S:ROS for no reason. The park was empty for a Sunday morning, and there was no one else headed to Gotham! I got 4 rides in a row, and the ride was decent. I did notice a lot of side to side rattling that I never felt on my other Intamin hypers (Millenium Force and Thunder Dolphin). Also, the layout was pretty boring, and that long stretch of straight track after the first helix reminded me of Sky Streak from Boblo Island. Anyone else?? On my way out, I thought I would pick up another map at the gift shop since they only give you one with your $15 parking fee. Yes, they do sell the maps in the gift shops, but they cost $4.95!?!?!?! Are you kidding me?? Last year, they were $1. But in spite of that, I did have a good few hours at the park. Enjoy the pics!! I say...I say BOY have a good day at SFA!! (I know...bad attempt at a Foghorn Leghorn accent!!) Cool t-shirts, and relatively inexpensive ($9.99-11.99) Yes, the Ultra Twister cars sit next to Wild One. You can get the best view of them from Joker's Jinx. Check out the HUGE crowd in the station!! What I drove 3.5 hours for.... The Flash and I in front of S:ROS. Taz and I Wow....what a great pic! And these were just a few of the characters out front!

Wow. Just wow! Hopefully next year, I can just buy 2 Season Passes (Six Flags and Cedar Fair) and cover the majority of the major theme parks in the US . I only hope they can bring the Beast back to its pre mid 1980's glory days. Maybe they can tear down SOB and use the wood to re-track it! Hey, I can dream...can't I?

WOW! That looks so amazing. After my first visit to HW last year, I was anxious to return since the park is so well run and everyone was genuinely glad you were there as a guest! I cannot wait until July to take my Voyage! Many thanks for the pics and video clips.

I agree with everything they said. Also, when I rode it in December, it was pretty cold out. And they would not let your wear any hats or gloves (for fear these objects would fall off and hurt someone? Come on!) So not only was it rough, but we were FREEZING! Oh, and the constant "DO-DON-PA" that repeated ad nausem in line made you want to kill someone by the time you finally got to ride it! I also remember being thrown up into the lap bar at the top of the top hat. Not fun at all. So, in conclusion, it sucked big time in my book.

Wow. I know there is a spell check feature, but how about a punctuation and grammar check? Seriously, when I spend more time trying to figure out the intention of a post, it sort of loses its credibility. And on the subject of the post, you could technically call Magnum XL200 a parking lot coaster for the first drop and turn. It then becomes a campground and hotel coaster!

Looks like you had fun. When I was there last July, the security NAZI almost made me stop taking pictures of...the rides. I never did get a reason out of him, and even after complaining to the park management, they still did not see a problem with accosting guests and asking them why they were taking pictures. Oh well, I got my credit and will never go back!

The amazing thing is that they were actually charging people to go in and look around. The nerve!! I guess I can't complain about Six Flags not having all of their rides going. This park had NOTHING running!

Here are some of my fav pics since they show the faces of the riders. Enjoy! No faces, but I like this pic and I THINK I took it in 1987, Vortex's opening year! And with film no less!! (No digital cameras yet!) Orochi at Expoland Cyclone at Williams Grove Wildcat at Hershey Great Bear at Hershey

Welcome again! Hope I can swing by Germany to say hello before I head up north to Virginia for 6 weeks to do another show. Nice pics of Sea World. I went last week with friends and had a great time. And if you get a chance to visit the park, do NOT miss "Blue Horizons" the new dolphin, bird, acrobat show. It is really quite unique and beautiful to watch.

I friggin LOVE Sheikra too! I think it is one coaster I could ride over and over and never get bored, sick, or banged around. Plus, I totally love the theming and the splashdown. Now as far as BGW's coaster, I think you take the best of Sheikra, maybe add another loop, drop, or new element, and you got a winner. They don't seem to be the park who goes for the longest, tallest, etc type of ride since that novelty wears off once someone opens one taller.

Love to be a part of this! I will be going to SFAmerica in May and will try to snag a few maps. 'Til then, I will just wait until I have some to trade. I got one a few weeks ago from SFOG but only got the one. Great idea!

From today's Orlando Sentinel for full article and pic of artwork, click here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-universal1206apr12,0,26515.story?coll=orl-business-headlines Universal plans big finish each day A glitzy show aims to hold people until the park closes. Universal Orlando will combine projectors and pyrotechnics in a new nightly show that theme park executives hope will spark attendance starting this summer. The centerpiece of the Universal Studios show will be four huge spheres floating on barges spaced in the park's central lagoon. The three-story globes will essentially be 360-degree screens for Universal Pictures' most memorable movie scenes. The film clips will be choreographed to movie-theme music playing from a new 300-speaker sound system and accompanied by fireworks and lasers. "Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular," which will start July 1, is aimed at getting people to stay until closing, and to get more people to come as Universal tries to rebound from a big attendance drop last year. People who enjoy an end-of-day show tend to spend more money, leave happier and return, Universal Orlando President Bob Gault said. And they'll tell their friends. "Obviously, word of mouth helps drive this business," Gault said. "We've been looking for ways to enhance that, to take it right over the top, so guests say, 'Oh, my God. I can't wait to go home and tell my friends and neighbors about this.' " The show is one of four new attractions Universal is promoting. The others are a new children's monorail ride at Islands of Adventure, a new CityWalk nightclub that strives for swank, and a new CityWalk seafood restaurant. A good end-of-day show can be an attraction itself, said Jerry Aldrich, president of Orlando-based Amusement Industry Consulting. Though Universal still managed a profit, Aldrich and other industry observers said it would be tough for the parks to remain profitable if they can't attract bigger crowds. Last year, attendance fell 11 percent from a 2004 record level. "If they market it, I'm sure it will actually bring people in," Aldrich said. "It definitely will keep people in the park." And those who stay until closing might buy dinner, and maybe a sweatshirt to keep warm. And they're more likely to stay and play into the evening at CityWalk, Aldrich said. Universal would not disclose the project's contractors but said much of the construction and programming is being done by Universal's engineers. The technology has been used in Europe, but not anything like the scale Universal is planning, said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment. "It's a pretty cool computer trick, by taking the four projectors that actually project around the surface of the sphere and computer-blending the edges, so that to the eye it appears like continuous imaging," he said. "We also have a fifth projector that projects straight up." The technology offers other opportunities too, Gault said. For Halloween Horror Nights, Universal could produce a horror video show for the spheres. For Mardi Gras, stage shows could be projected live into the spheres. The screens could even broadcast NBC-TV shows, perhaps the Olympics, he said. "The video boys are going to be busy for a long time here," Timon said. The one new ride at Universal this year, The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, also known as the Seuss Sky Trolley, is actually a redone old ride that never opened. The original ride -- Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines -- was built for Islands of Adventure's 1999 grand opening but technical and safety concerns left it dormant for seven years. Universal redesigned and rebuilt the ride this winter, and renamed it. It will open June 1. "It's designed for families with small children," Gault said. "It's just going to be a fun thing. It provides more balance in Islands of Adventure . . . We've already got great roller coasters." The new two-story nightclub, The Red Coconut, which Timon said will strive for a "Rat Pack cool, hip" feel set in a 1970s decor, will feature live bands and dancing, and seek a clientele aged from the late 20s to 40s. It should open in late May on CityWalk's Club Row. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, with seating for more than 400, will open July 1 at the entrance to CityWalk. Its CityWalk location was announced last summer. Gault said competition for tourists in Central Florida remains tough, because the market still has not fully recovered from the post-Sept. 11, 2001, slump. So, he said, "We are continuing to spend a lot of money on great product, high technology and relevant stuff. That helps us in the battle for share." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I like how they finally give an opening date for the IOA Seuss Monorail of June 1st. I am sure it won't be a big thrill, but at least it will stop guests from asking why it isn't running. I worked there the first 2 years and every day someone would ask how to ride it!! Care to discuss? I think the last show they did on the lagoon, some sort of stunt spectacular, was pretty lame. They did it every day, even when the park closed at 6pm. Hopefully with the new show, and if it is successful, the park may stay open late every day a la EPCOT for Illuminations. They had/have a similar nighttime show at Universal Studios JAPAN which utilized fireworks as well as barges with performers on them. Should be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Here are some from my trip last June. Joker's Jinx Entrance Joker's Jinx Mind Eraser Mind Eraser Superman

Rode it in 2000 and it sucked then. Of course, I think I only paid $7.50...maybe $10. Either way, it was not worth it, but not nearly as bad as Viper at SFGadv (rest in pieces) or SOB.

Just got back from a weekend trip to Atlanta for a friend's b-day party. As I had some time to kill Sunday morning, and my brand new SFAmerica Season's Pass still in my wallet, I made the 5 minute drive from my friend's house to SFOG! How appropriately named since there was a dense fog all around Sunday morning. The drive was NOT fun, but I arrived in one piece and paid the $15 for the privilege to park. Yeah, it was a rip off, but I got the first row by Georgia Cyclone. I had also read on the Six Flags website that Season Passholders were being allowed to ride Goliath from 9-10am during the first week of operation. Cool! After waiting about 15 minutes at the gate, they let us in and the running of the bulls began! Of course, after a few feet, most of the crowd grew tired and had to walk. I made it to Goliath and got the first train of the day in the front row. The ride ops were not only efficient but courteous as well. Wow, a little kindness does go a long way. The ride was smooth and fun, and the fog helped to make it even more memorable. Personally, I still prefer Apollo's Chariot, but this one was flying along the track. I was hoping the turn around spiral would not be as vicious as Titan or SFMM's Goliath (I always grey out on those) and it was not. Just fun coastering! Had 3 rides within the first 15 minutes then went to explore what of the park was open at 9am. They opened the Scorcher and Cyclone. I waited until 10 to get my credit on the kiddie coaster (Wile E Coyote I think) and was shocked (NOT) to see Deja Vu closed. Oh well, guess I will have to come back this summer to get that credit. The park did seem very clean, and everyone I met from the ride ops to the store clerks to the food op people were very friendly. I only hope this continues throughout the season and throughout the Six Flags chain. Imagine if everyone could be as friendly as the folks at Holiday World. Hey, I can dream can't I Enjoy the pics! Can you say airtime? A view from the skyride Sniff sniff.... I had to find the character whose facial hair would match my camera case! The helix in the fog The Cyclone was running well, and you can see by the half empty train that it was pretty dead at 9am on a Sunday! The characters were EVERYWHERE! Yeah, um, I THINK the Green Lantern forgot his mask. Hmm...that looks like fun! Color me surprised! Hmm....looks sinister! A foggy day....in Atlanta town!

HI LARRY US! Is there anyway to download this or other videos from YouTube? Thanks!

I actually did SFKK and Holiday World in one day. Got to SFKK right when the gates opened and did a clockwise circle, hitting every coaster, some twice, and was out the door by noon! Yup, all 8 (9? I forget) coasters in one hour! The drive to HW was only an hour and I spent about 5 hours there and had a blast. Have fun!

Damn! I missed you guys again! Next time you do an Orlando thing, let me know! I was at BGT on Thursday and Saturday and Monday (working) but apparently those were the days you WEREN'T there! Arrggh! Glad you had fun!

Florida Hurricane and Zoomerang AT Boardwalk and Baseball Screamer and Sky Streak AT Boblo Island Wild Izzy/Maus and Drachen Fire AT Busch Gardens Williamsburg Flyer AT Canadian Ntl Exhibition Comet AT Cascade Park Wild Cat (circa pre 1979) AT Cedar Point Wild Mouse AT Chippewa Lake Park Jack Rabbit AT Clementon Lake Jumbo Jet AT Coney Island Comet and Giant Coaster AT Crystal Beach Hercules AT Dorney Park Thunderbolt AT Dreamworld (AUS) Mr. Twister and Wildcat AT Elitch Gardens Double Loop AT Fuji Q (Japan) Corkescrew and Zyclone AT Geauga Lake Jack Rabbit and Wildcat AT Idora Park Dipper, Laser Loop, Steel Phantom AT Kennywood Whirlwind AT Knoebels Screechin Eagle AT Lesourdsville Lake Lightning Bolt AT MGM Grand Adventures City Jet AT Morey's PIer Mountain Flyer AT Mountain Park Dragon AT Myer Center (Brisbane, AUS) Corkscrew and Galaxi AT Myrtle Beach Pavillion Steel Dragon 2000 AT Nagashima Spaland Chaos, Rock and Roller Coaster, Wabash Cannonball, Screamin' Delta Demon AT Opryland The Bat, The Demon, King Kobra AT King's Island Hurricane AT Playland Park Atom Smasher AT Rockaway's Playland Skyliner AT Roseland Park Mad Mouse AT Shady Lake Python AT Six Flags America Lightning Loops, Shockwave, Viper AT SF GReat Adventure Shockwave, Tidal Wave AT SF Great America Mountain Express AT SF Magic Mountain Black Widow AT SF New England Mini Mine Train, Viper AT SF Over Georgia High Roller AT Stratosphere Tower Beastie, Bush Beast, Demon AT Wonderland Sydney (AUS) Wow...didn't realize I had so many! Would give ANYTHING to have the Idora Wildcat Back...like say, EVERY Vekoma out there!!

Hey! Welcome to my neck of the woods. Any chance you guys heading to BGT? I will be there on Monday working and would like to finally meet you! Have fun. The weather here has been outstanding lately.