pianojohn

I don't think so at all. I rode Superman at SFOG and really loved it. The elements were evenly spaced, and the pretzel loop is pretty intense. Maybe it is just me, but when riding BORG and Batwing, I felt as though I was forced to look straight down rather than ahead, as if I were flying. Therefore, it just felt like I was moving forward, but my point of view was merely the ground getting closer and farther away from me. On Superman, I felt like I could actually see where I was going. I also liked how easy it was to load those cars as opposed to the Vekoma ones. Side note: the height requirements are clearly spelled out, but at the ride itself, the distinction between being a chaperone and a kid was not so clear. Oh well, at least I got to do Jr Gemini 2 years ago with my niece. I had been waiting to ride that since it opened in 1979! (I think!!)

Well, after last week's day at SFA, I was hoping for the best at a different park chain. But then again, after going to Six Flags, there is nowhere to go but up! 6am and I was on the road from Roanoke, VA to Charlotte, NC, a 210 mile jaunt. Light rain and mist started off my trip, but I was hoping for the best. Some incredible dense fog outside of NC was pretty scary, but I managed to make it to the parking lot of Carowinds by 9:20am. At 9:30, they opened the lot and WOW! There were attendants at EVERY parking booth taking money! At SFA last week, they had ONE girl. I parked really close and got my ACE discount from Guest Relations. The kid working a regular ticket booth had no idea what ACE was. Understandable, but at least they should be aware or at least direct guests to Guest Relations if they have questions. Got in the park and in the small crowd for BORG. At 10am, made my way to the coaster and got my credit in 5 minutes. Not the best ride, but at least they were cycling the trains REALLY quickly and efficiently, unlike SFA. Headed to Super Saturator for 2 quick spins. What a FUN ride! Why don't more parks install these? It was a blast to ride as well as observe: a win-win situation! Off to Richochet for the credit than Runaway Raptar (sp?). Hmm....even kiddie coasters hurt when Vekoma makes them. My options were either bash my ears or bash my throat. Yuck! Of course, it didn't help that the ride ops were having a water fight between trains. I guess this is why Cedar Point used to only have same sex crews (less flirting). I then headed to the Taxi Kiddie coaster (forget the name) only for the credit. I read the sign which said nothing about an adult riding alone and got in line, sat down, and got ready for the ride. At this point, the ride op said "You have to ride with a kid" to which I replied "I don't have a kid!" So, they wouldn't let me ride! Rather than make a fuss, I exited the ride, but I still think Carowinds needs to claify their policy or at least change the sign. Anyone else have this problem when trying to ride a kiddie coaster just for the credit? Since the park was pretty empty, I got to ride just about everything and not wait in any lines. Top Gun was running great, even in a light rain. At 1pm, had enough and headed back to Roanoke. Sorry no interesting anecdotes, but it was just that kind of day! Next week: DOLLYWOOD! Woo hoo!! NOTE: I tried to add more pics but my camera battery died...sorry! This BEAUTY in line for Top Gun. If only I got a pic of her lower back tatoos...YUMMY!! Wow! All of the parking attendants were their taking money! Efficient!

Hello again! I am planning some more trips over the next few weeks and would like some advice. Anyone know of any discounts for Dollywood, Carowinds, and King's Dominion? Sometimes, local grocery store chains have coupons and such that you would not be aware of unless you lived in the area. I know Cedar Point had a tie-in with Pepsi cans last summer (or maybe the summer before that.) Also, any advice on lodging near Dollywood? I have a list of a lot of hotels, and all I need is somewhere close to the park, clean, with a bed. I am not picky!!! I will post trip reports with pics, and hopefully these parks will erase the bad time I had at Six Flags America last Monday! Thanks! And happy coastering! Me looking forward to getting out of SFA!!

When I worked for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, we had MAJOR bees/wasps that would congregate at the top of the dive tower at the Dive Show at Water Country. Every morning, one of the divers would have to climb the tower with a can of spray and try and kill off the bugs up there. Glad they didn't ask me to do it!

Well, I started off Sunday night driving from Roanoke, VA to Alexandria, VA to get an early start on Monday. Being 20 minutes from the park beats being 3 1/2 hours and fighting DC traffic! Of course, I got lost getting to SFA but arrived at the gates at 10:30am. There was a line of cars coming into the park, so I assumed it was busy. Nah, it was just that Six Flags only had ONE parking attendant taking money. Ah, customer service at its finest! I checked out the rides closed sign at the front gate, and it listed a few spin and barfs, nothing I had to ride. I was psyched to finally ride Superman. Woo hoo!! I got through the gates and decided to upgrade to a season's pass since I would be hitting a few more Six Flags park this season. The processing center was crowded and "Surprise" only had 2 people taking pictures. I got up to the counter, handed in my form, and also presented my driver's license to assure that my name would not be misspelled. The woman even asked me how I spelled my name, she typed it in, and I was on my way. Of course, she spelled it wrong. When I returned to tell her, she copped her Six Flags 'tude and said "Well, I ASKED you how it was spelled!" As if I didn't know how to spell my own name! I informed her that I indeed DID spell my name correctly and she must have mistyped it. She then said, "Well, you'll have to come back and see a supervisor!" Oh joy! Hmm, was this day going to be a total disaster? Stay tuned! I headed towards Two Face but the line looked long and they were cycling the train pretty slowly. I thought I should do Superman and Batwing before the crowds got there. After getting lost, I ended up in Gotham and headed towards Superman. Of course, it was not running. As I got closer, the ride attendant informed me of such. I then asked "What about Batwing?" He said, "Yes, it is." So I headed down the path toward the Vekoma torture machine. After turning the corner, not only was there no one in the station, there was no one working there. Another coaster closed. Gotta love Six Flags! I backtracked and finally got on my first coaster of the day: Joker's Jinx. After being stapled into my seat, I got a decent ride. The fun part was sitting on the brake run in the hot sun for about 5 minutes as they SLOWLY loaded the next train. ROAR was next, and I had heard mixed things about it. I opted for the last seat. The layout and pacing were good, but how did they get the cars to run with square wheels?! I mean, come on! I guess if they would perform a little maintenance once in a while it wouldn't be so rough. But then again, this is Six Flags! Spent the rest of the day walking back and forth to Superman to check on its status. There were three men working on the lift, but still no progress. On one of my trips back there, I thought I would walk back to Batwing. And wonder of wonders, there were people in the station, and they were getting ready to load a train! I headed to the front row of station 2. They actually had people in both stations! Wow! They were really going to get this thing moving! WRONG! After dispatching train one, they informed all of the people on the other side that they were only loading one side of the station. Those people then had to cross through the train, across the exit, and onto the unloading platform. And me without my camera!! The best part is when they were loading the train. As each row was locked, the ride attendants would check a display on the back of each row to make sure all sensors were reading. If one was not, one of the ride ops would go over to that seat and SLAM the bar down to make sure it was locked! Classy! Of course, one seat was not responding to the slamming. When the ride dispatcher informed them that "seat 4" was not working, they told her "Don't worry, that light bulb is burnt out." Hmm, so IF the seat ever did fail, they wouldn't know since the bulb was burnt out. I guess I was glad I was not riding in seat 4! Anyway, got my ride of Batwing, zoomed through Two Face, and decided enough was enough. Yet another dissapointing day at a Six Flags park. But rather than complain with no solutions, here are my ideas: Instead of just coming up with a catchy marketing campaign, how about ACTUALLY making your parks better? Maintain your rides, assure their reliability, and if this cannot be accomplished, remove them! Typhoon Seacoaster was of course, NOT running, there was no water in the trough, and of course, no sign indicating that it was closed. Better yet, Six Flags should realize they cannot run theme parks, and sell off the ones they can to a more reliable company. Could you imagine if Busch were to manage a Six Flags park? The grounds would be spotless and landscaped beautifully, the rides would WORK, and there would be entertainment and shops everywhere! Speaking of shops: on my way out, I wanted to get a magnet of the park or maybe a coaster. I went to the main gift shop on Main Street and asked the girl working there. They sold TWO magnets: one had Mr. Six on it (I'll pass) and the other was a replica beer bottle/bottle opener with the words Six Flags on the bottle. I guess after a day at Six Flags America, you'll need a drink. I sure did!! Ah yes, Superman is NOT flying today! Men working on the lift hill

Hey all! Haven't been to SFA since it was Adventure World back in 1996-97. I am basically hoping to get in all the new rides since then (Roar, Batwing, Superman, Joker's Jinx, etc.) Any advice on dealing with crowds? I plan to get there right at opening and head back to Batwing/Superman since they seem the farthest from the front gate and the slowest loading (Batwing, that is.) Thanks!

Got an awesome review from the Orlando Sentinel and another mention in the same paper! PLEASE come and see the show!! Thanks! ‘Theme Park Diva: The Musical' By Roger Moore Sentinel Staff Writer May 21, 2005 Theme Park Diva returns to Fringe this year, reaffirming its spot as the one show everybody who's ever worked in a theme park must see. It's about a gal, a gal with a dream, to star in those "click track" musical production numbers at the places Orlando is famous for. It's about a guy, dressed as a gal, who wants to write the best darned theme park production number ever. And it's about as silly and savagely savvy as any one show about theme park "types" has a right to be. John B. deHaas, a veteran of parks from Williamsburg to Japan, co-wrote and composed it and plays the piano as we follow Suzi Ditty (Jenn Raymond, very good) on her climb to the top. That climb must take her past reigning diva Amber Crystal (Trudie Petersen, t-rif). It's a show with tunes about a "family" theme "and all the guys here are gay!" Hel-LO! It's about how the last show of the day is the "fast show," how "cast members" play games with each other, passing off pennies from dancer to dancer, during numbers, to keep from dying of boredom. David Houde is a stitch as Ms. Terry Richards, director and writer of such shows at Galaxy World. Jason Kraack - that's his real name, we looked it up - stands out in a variety of singing, lisping and Spanish-accented roles. See it and you'll pick up a whole new take on park hopping. Remaining performances: 1:40 p.m. Sunday; 6:10 p.m. Monday; 9:15 p.m. Wednesday; 2:10 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. next Sunday. FRINGE FESTIVAL Best Bets for Fringe Elizabeth Maupin and Roger Moore Sentinel Staff Writer May 25, 2005 Boy Groove: All the familiar elements to a boy band in a hilarious parody. -- E.M. Dragness of God and the Naked Holy Ghost: Michael Wanzie gives us two nuns, a chain-smoking shrink and a naked man in angel's wings. -- E.M. The Extraordinary Fila: A cross-cultural mix of dueling drummers, belly dancers, a head-mounted candelabra and a live python. -- D.H.B. Eye Candy: Matt Henry makes juggling look cool with a bowling ball, a machete and Kermit the Frog. -- E.M. Kama Sutra: Two 50ish bumblers find a way to spice up their tired marriage. -- E.M. Labrador/The Slip-Knot/Maxim & Cosmo: T.J. Dawe weaves plainspoken magic in three different monologues. -- E.M. Maudlin Dementia Returns to the Stage: A dotty actress meets sex, lies and Shakespeare. -- R.S.V. The Miss Sammy Show: A film of a typical day in the life of Orlando's blithely glamorous celeb Miss Sammy. -- E.M. One Frigid Shiny Knight: Storyteller Randy Rutherford on Alaska, folksingers and folksingers' girlfriends. -- E.M. Theme Park Diva: A guy and a gal with a dream want to do the best theme-park musical ever. Copyright © 2005, Orlando Sentinel |

Just got back from my day at BGT. Sheikra is AWESOME! I got to ride it 3 times before leaving around 3pm. It broke down a few times and they cycled quite a few empty trains when it started back up. Some thoughts: If you want to ride in the front, try it as soon as the ride opens. Once they got a crowd in the station, the line hostess AKA queue Nazi assigned your row. You would think this would mean maximum capacity, but no. There were many empty seats on each train including quite a few doubles. If BGT is going to assign seats, the least they could do would be to make sure every seat is filled and the line moves that much quicker. Better yet, have a single rider line. The drop has awesome air time especially in the back. You just float down the entire drop, loop, and 2nd drop. Very smooth too. And I love way the last row is so elevated it feels like a floorless car. I am sure they will finish theming the queue. Also, it was strange that the exit ramp criss-crossed with the entrance one. I am sure they will fix that. The splash looks awesome from the ground, but if you are on the actual ride, you don't feel a slow down or even notice it. However, in the back row you do get a light misting if you sit on the ends. The new Smokehouse looks great and is in the perfect location. Kudos to BGT for planning and design on that!

The shortest path is down the steps next to Loch Nessa, along the Rhine River, and back up the steep hill by Land of the Dragons. This is the most direct route, but it also involves a steep descent and ascent. Once you come up the hill, go straight ahead and Darkastle should be on your right. The guests coming the other way have to walk through Banbury Cross, pass the horses, through Ireland, around the old Threadneedle Faire, through France, into NEW France, across the bridge by Alpengeist and then through Reinfeld to the ride. If you have a stroller or wheelchair, this is the only way you can go.

Thanks for asking! A campy musical about the business behind theme park entertainment, THEME PARK DIVA explores the seedier side of putting on a show for the roller coaster and cotton candy crowd. A show within a show, THEME PARK DIVA follows the adventures of Suzi Ditty, a "bright eyed innocent country gal" who lands a role in "Music Music Music Music and More!", the new musical spectacular being presented at Galaxy World USA. She ends up confronting Amber Crystal, a veteran of theme park shows and a true DIVA in every sense of the word. Yet it's not all fun and games for the gals. This is the year that Galaxy World wants to win the coveted Silver Stub award for the best theme park show in the country. And this year's new show: "Music Music Music Music and More!" may just be the one to do it! From the initial audition through rehearsals, backstage antics to numerous rewrites and revisions and finally the show's BIG patriotic finale "The USA is A-OK", THEME PARK DIVA celebrates the joy that is corporate entertainment. Will Suzi ever fit in? Will Amber finally leave theme parks once and for all? Will the show win the award? FIND OUT!! SEE THEME PARK DIVA! Whew! I think that about sums it up! Maybe you guys can come and see it when you are in Orlando! Let me know! We have shows Memorial Day weekend on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. I know, I know... it seriously cuts into riding time! I am with you there!! Amber Crystal, the reigning Theme Park Diva!

I loved the first one after reading the book and imagining what they would do with it. JP2 was OK and JP3 was a poor excuse for a movie. Are there any sequels that were actually BETTER than the original? My vote would be for T2. AWESOME movie!

Hello all! Just a quick plug for my show THEME PARK DIVA which will be presented at the 2005 Orlando Fringe Festival. 30 words about the show: “Favorite Fringe Show” Orlando Sentinel, “Brilliant, great songs, great singing” Ink 19. DIVA returns with more seats, more songs, more fun! Join the gang and celebrate corporate entertainment! It’s AWESOME! If interested, check out my show's website www.themeparkdiva.com. Tickets can be purchased online at www.orlandofringe.org. And what's a theme park show without a BIG patriotic fianle! Logo for park in show. I will be selling buttons at the show...could be the next WallyWorld! Poster for show with all the dates and times

Wish I could go, but I will be driving up to Roanoke, VA for a show. Have fun and maybe I can meet some of you next time!!

1986 Pianist for Ain't We Got Fun at Lusty Lil's at Cedar Point 1987 Pianist for Ain't We Got Fun at Lusty Lil's at Cedar Point 1988 Pianist for Country Sunshine at Frontier Theatre Cedar Point 1989 Pianist for Jumpin' at the Jukebox at Centennial Theatre at CP 1990 Pianist for Country Sunshine at Frontier Theatre Cedar Point 2000 Vocal Coach and Show Writer/Director at Cedar Point 1994-1997 Senior Area Supervisor (Vocal) at Busch Gardens VA 1999-2002 Vocal Coach for Universal Studios Orlando, FL 1999-2000 Organist at Circus McGurkus at Islands of Adventure 1999 Professor X at X-Men Street Show Islands of Adventure 2000-01 Vocal Coach for Universal Studios Japan Osaka 1999-present Pianist at Comedy Warehouse @ Pleasure Island at WDW 1999 Pianist for Miss Minnie's Country Christmas at MK 1999-2003 Organist for Candlelight Processional at EPCOT 2000 Keyboard Player for Cast in Bronze at EPCOT 2003-present Pianist at Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness WDW 2004-present Pianist at Adventurers Club @ Pleasure Island at WDW 2003-04 Pianist for Rico and Rosa's Musical Feast at the Waterfront at Sea World, Orlando, FL 2005-present Vocal Coach at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, FL WHEW!! My first show at Cedar Point!

I gotta disagree with you. If you get to IOA first thing in the morning, you can technically do almost everything within a few hours. Start at the Hulk, Dr. Doom, Spiderman, then do both water rides, Jurassic Park, and Dueling Dragons. We did this during Easter Week and managed to get to the back of the park by noon. Then we had practically an entire day to spend at Universal Studios which for some reason is always more crowded then IOA. As for doing Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in a single day, it is possible, but you will spend at least a half hour going from park to park. And that is being optimistic. When you go from MK to EPCOT, you take one monorail from MK to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then a 2nd monorail to EPCOT. Add to that the walking, and you've spent almost an hour just traveling. My advice is to spend an entire day at both parks, getting there as soon as they open and staying as late as you can handle. There are so many things to do at MK and EPCOT that spending just a half day there you will miss out on a lot. Must sees at MK: Thunder, Space, and Splash Montains, Haunted Mansion, Philharmagic, Small World (just because it looks so great now), Pirates, Jungle Cruise,and possible some of the dark rides in Fantasyland. And you MUST see WISHES, the nightly fireworks show. EPCOT must see's: Mission: SPACE, Test Track, Soarin', and for kitsch factor the biggies up front: Spaceship Earth, Living Seas, Universe of Energy, The Land, Imagination. Spend a few hours in World Showcase and don't miss Illuminations. MGM can be done in a half day if all you are doing is Tower of Terror and Rock 'n RollerCoaster. FANTASMIC is cool, but I still prefere Disneyland's version and the fact that you don't have to sit on a metal bench in a stadium waiting for it to start. You can literally waste 2 hours for that show, and that's not right! Good luck!

Here are a few of my favorites! Enjoy! The Villian at Geauga Lake in 2000, its first year of operation. Thunder Dolphin from the Artist's Cafe, a nightclub about 45 stories above LA Qua Amusement Park in Tokyo Kraken from the Sky Tower WDW Castle during Wishes WDW Castle at night...one of my favorite pics.

Thanks for taking the time to do that! I appreciate it for those of us who would give up looking after a park or two!

For me, Kraken is the best B&M in Orlando. Yeah, I know Hulk is cool and has a great launch, but I feel there are two many elements in too short a time and space. Kraken, on the other hand, spaces everything out. I love the way one element flows into the next. I also love the location right over the water, and the fact that most days you can walk right on it. Great ride!

They rotate the menu a little bit each time I have gone. I would recommend almost everything on the menu, and they usually have a dessert display as well. The best part, though, is the atmosphere. I just love the setting, decor, and location right on the water. Make sure you check ahead since the hours change quite often. The best time is a late lunch (1:30-2) or just before sunset. That way, you can check out the great neon from across the water at Marvel Superhero Island.

Since they just held auditions down here for the host of the show, I would think mid to late May before it debuts at the old Wild West show stage. Not sure how long this show will last before the novelty wears off, ie. Millionaire at MGM.

Just got back from BGT with some more pics. I think the coaster looks awesome, and one of the best features is the way the first drop is visible from the lift hill. It is probably more psychological than anything, but as you ascend the 200 feet, a look to your right and all you see is track headed straight down. That should freak some people out! Also, I don't think the crowds are ever that bad at BGT. One of the reasons is that the usual crowd there is 60+ if not older, and they tend to avoid the thrill rides. When I went on Tuesday, everything was a walk on. At one point, I was the only one on Cheetah Chase. Not the only one in my car, but the only one on the whole ride! Of course, the ride is sort of lame, but nevertheless! But DO avoid HallowScream for crowds. It took us an hour just to get into the parking lot, and everything in the park was an hour to 1 1/2 hour wait. They really need to do a better job with traffic off I-75 to that left turn at the park. They recently completed the underpass for trams from the parking lot, but it is still a 2 lane road that leads to the parking lot.

There is a Starbucks at Universal Studios Orlando right across from the Beetlejuice show, and the prices are not that out of line with out of park locations. And when you compare the price to "normal" theme park inflated prices, it all evens out. Besides, I'd rather pay $4 for a Frappucinno than $4 for a coke. It just feels like you're not getting "as" ripped off, although I am sure you are!

As a person who has made his living in theme park entertainment (5 years at Cedar Point, 4 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, 3 at Universal Orlando, 1 at Universal Japan, 1 at Sea World and 6 and counting at Walt Disney World), Opryland was considered the premier theme park for entertainment, and it has yet to be matched anywhere. They spared no expense with their shows, often employing live bands of 6-12 members, an unheard of amount of musicians in today's world. I visited it twice and truly miss the last place you could see live music wherever you turn! And CHAOS was awesome its first year of operation!

I liked Rampage back in 1999 at the Spring Coaster Con. I am not sure how it has held up since then. Also, Wildcat at Hersheypark is cool. Pretty much any curving twisting first drop works for me.

Just rode Soarin' today during Cast Previews and I love it! I think it is an awesome addition to EPCOT, and will hopefully revitalize the other side of Future World in the same way Test Track and Mission:SPACE revitalized the opposite side. The que (SP?) is great. It really feels like an airport and the music and lights really add to the ambiance. I rode it in the back row first and then the front row. Two different experiences, but both equally rewarding. I cannot wait to ride it again!