ParkTrips

Wow - top 20 for the month, and to think I posted a lot :shock: 300 posts per day? Holy sh**!

Thanks but Robb beat you to it! Yea I whored out my ACE membership to get in.

^ Me too! <<-- doesn't know the difference between pneumatics, hydraulics, or alcoholics so don't get to upset!! OK, today's pics I headed over around noon today, and I ended up staying about four hours. I had more time to look around and spend time doing things so I was pleased. Congrats to all of the winners of the Brass Ring awards, including Dorney Park for Hydra: The ride may have stunk but I really liked the way they marketed it! Today I spent almost all of my time in hall C, where the rides and such are. I browsed through the special effects and stuff side yesterday, but today I wanted to concentrate on the rides. Once again, I took a ride on the Disk'o. This time, my restraint got extra tight and it was pretty painful. Yesterday I seemed to do some decent floating, but none today Yay for more wacky arms guys!! "You're a McDonald... not a whore!" Ah I see why so many enthusiasts go to IAAPA: I headed off the floor for a bit and saw this: Again, congrats to the merchandise award winners. Hats off to Dorney again (pun ) Anyways I walked around some more and finally took my ride on the new Zamperla ride, which is called a Wave Blaster. Kinda reminds me of a Satori ride. Pics: The ride was fairly fun. I mean there were some nice pops of air here and there, but nothing to thrilling. Another good ride for the entire family to enjoy. I ended up over at the Maurer booth and their X-car coaster won the "Best new product" award. congrats guys! BTW the guy from Maurer that I talked to was probably the nicest, friendliest guy at the show, and that's no small task considering everyone is nice The Sky Wheel layouts look kind of boring to me, but hey, no OTSR's is a plus! In the same area, I made a point to check out the new Gerstlauer model, shown here: Some of the specs include 2133 ft in length, 59 ft high, 50 mph on a 98' long launch that pulls 1.5 Gs. More cool models: Something I hope doesn't go through between now and next June: Yes, that is Bullet and Magnum Force I couldn't help but laugh at this game: A cool look at Huss seats and the magic behind the restraints: eh? Do they take credit for the old CCIs too? Yay, hope! I'm so glad that Larson makes flyers now, that just improves their chances of being around for a long time As cool as Flyers and Huss restraints are, I REALLY can't wait for Magical Midway to open one of these: Saw the Moser bicylce-in-a-circle thing in action today: I didn't ride, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. I then went outside again, and checked out the massive carousel from a closer perspective: Not the most beautiful of carousels but still kinda neat. Of course I couldn't pass up more rides on the Screamin' Swing Cool look at the top of the arms: These girls were terrified! It was so awesome! I didn't know this, but there's actually a "wimp mode" for the Screamin' Swings, A little girl rode and the op used the "wimp mode" and this is as far up as it goes: Tres cool IMHO. Anyways time was winding down, but I did check out this new "thing" from Mondial: A rally-car type ride, that could be fun! I'm sure its better than Rhino Rally! Anyways thanks for reading and I've decided not to go tomorrow (I'm gonna head up to Pigeon Forge a little early) so I hope y'all liked my reports here. - Joe

meh, I was joking ... even though I dont think Patriot is different at all Billy Madison voice: YOU BLEW IT!! - a very sarcastic Joe

I object! No Goliath, neither of them? Not even a combined choice or something? pfft I guess I'd go with El Toro otherwise, nice to see Inta-woodies crossing the pond. Kentucky Rumber (another forgotten ride) looks sweet too, could become the best GCII IMHO.

Do it, I love when you talk dirty Besides, with all of the praise that Cedar Fair gets I like when criticism is heard. BTW dude get in touch with me, I got something today that you may like - Joe, who feels for Jay

Fixed it for ya! Yea, they are tearing up the mountain only to move X :-/

I've actually only been on two while I've probably skipped three (I'm not that big of a 'whore', especially when it comes to prolific Vekoma rides). The one at Darien Lake stunk, I wasn't in any hurry to reride, but at the same time it wasn't horrible. The stench from the pond kept me away from Mind Eraser more than anything. The one at New England banged us around a good bit but they had really soft restraints that made the ride fairly enjoyable. Still some of the best disorienting elements and nice legchoppers. Why won't you guys stop selling these damn things?

I might have heard a little something today, and I think you will all be pleased I wouldn't be staying up extra late tonight just to find out the details. Just as they can set it to show up "as soon as the 17th day of November begins" they could pin it down not to show up until, say, 1800 Greenwich time (10AM Pacific). Don't be let down if it doesn't show up tonight, when I went to the Goliath announcement the info was released less than an hour before the announcement :? Besides, if you stay up too late you may sleep in too long and be the last kid on the block to hear the news in the AM - Joe

^ LOL! Never thought of that! Robb - Thanks, I can't beleve I forgot about ker-plunk! You're right, it looked pretty much the same from any photos I've seen in previous years... familiar video? :? Elissa - you're right, those things have been around in various forms from multiple companies, but I'm pretty sure the sign said it was new (at least from Moser ) Thanks for the comments guys!

You're slow! Yes, its a SheiKra-steep 45 degrees. I really like this pic and I hear the person who took the photo is a sexy bitch!

I would too, the only thing that makes it better for me in Atlanta is the convinience of being 5 minutes from campus! I don't know if this is just random but to me it always seems like they have more stuff set up outside in Orlando. Plus, the parks are open so that is something else to do. I wouldn't make an effort to come for a few days up here IMO... especially since winter decided to arrive today. Day 1 TR just posted... - Joe, who only paid $50 if he remembers correctly

^ Hm, a lot of folks like Apollo's the best yet Robb makes no mention :? I need to get out there, dammit, I want a pic of the flag - a very patriotic Joe

This is the first segment of a three-part report from the IAAPA Exhebition, the amusement industry's largest convention and showcase. Today I did not have much time (only about two hours) so I kind of randomly walked around, taking some photos and I did do a couple of rides. This is definately a TR that needs to be done in photos. First off, let me say I've never been to an IAAPA exhibition, and I wanted to go at least once. Well, I was pleased at how cool it was Starting off is the latest technology in motorized vehicles, toilets and bath tubs! That's right, why have antique cars when you can have a john!? The next thing that caught my attention was the interactive racing game, and by interactive I mean they make you feel the laterals in the turns with hydraulic arms and the such. Too cool! For all of you carousel lovers, how about a new band organ? This Stinson organ was not only pretty darn nice looking (almost as nice as an old Wurlitzer or any of the other older compannies) but it sounded awesome. The people at IAAPA love blow up dolls... I mean blow up slides. Sorry, wrong convention Here was a cool one, at least to a coaster enthusiast: As I have seen in photos from years past, Zamperla always seems to have one of the largest and most impressive displays around, and this year was no different. They were operating a Disk'o, Flying Tigers a kiddie ride and something new, if I recall correctly (I don't remember the name, I'll try to make a point to do so tomorrow). Anywho I took a ride on the Disk'o and it wasn't too bad -- better than expected! My first Disk'o, the restraints were kind of akward and uncomfortable at times but the ride was still pretty fun. That other ride: I went over and checked out the PTC booth shortly thereafter, noticing some of the cool trains, including: Three bench with individual ratcheting bar or buzzbar options: Two bench old-school (single bar, no dividers): And anyone recognize this one? That same area also had some of the German firms, and I checked out the Gerstlauer booth, which featured a model of Mr Six's Pandemonium: I liked that ride a lot, and I hope they sell more. IMHO they can fit well in both little parks and big parks alike. Next up I checked out the Maurer Sohne exhibit, and they were definately trying to push their X-car coasters: Wandering around some more, I came across the S&S Booth. Wait, what's this? Hm, I thought that was an Arrow project? Oh yea that's the one that drove Arrow into the ground! I eventually came across the B&M booth, and they had the SheiKra car on display: For a company that 'allegedly' signed a deal with Busch to keep it exclusive, why display it? Hmm... Anyways when I was at the S&S booth I had found out that they had a Screamin' Swing outside, and I wanted to ride that. Time was getting short, so I headed outdoors. It was a really fun ride even if it was way to cold (50 degrees) to be going that fast. Still, an excellent ride. More parks need those, preferably included in admission They also had a triple-decker carousel set up outside that was pretty neat: Heading back in and with time waning, I didn't do much more. I did notice a new ride coming from Moser that looked interesting: My guess would be that the ride above could either be really cool or suck. I guess I'll have to wait and see one of these days... I noticed the Sally exhibit had a cool sports-desk announcement type of thing going on: This reminded me of a game from when I was younger, I'll try to look up what I'm talikg about (it involved a tube-like thing, marbles and sticks): Come back tomorrow evening for another update. I don't have anything going on tomorrow so I'll probably get more time to look around! ... I'll end with Al Harrington, President and CEO of Al Harrington's Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man Emporium and Warehouse!: .. just remember to stop on route two in Wequapog!!!!

I guess you don't go to school with a lot of computer nerds (and I mean TRUE computer nerds, ie, CS majors) A lot of them look like borderline caveman My response to the title: Neither, Don looks best naked while straddling me :shock:

... and in the same sense you can program it to show up at exactly 10:34:19 if you wanted. It will probably be on their site in the morning since they don't have a big ceremony or anything, so I'll check around lunchtime est <<-- hopes by chance he learns the details at IAAPA tomorrow so I can tease y'all with it

So, you're encouraging him to defy his parents? I guess its a good thing you aren't really a "mama"... IMO. If his mom says no that's it. I don't neccessarily agree with it but hey, that's where she drew the line. What I would do is ask your mom what her problem with it is and try to work from there, you know, allow her to accept it or for you to accept her wishes. One of you will have to compromise. Vote: the spelling is "retarted", the situation isn't - Joe, who never really "got" the idea of dressing up and getting all pretty just to go sit in class all day

LOL I like how you made that a question. Are you guys sure PowerPark is too far out of the way while in Scandanavia next year...? - Joe, who really likes GCIs and this may be their best work yet IMO

My Review Thanks Don, that was some awesome shiznit

ParkTrips - whoring out the name of my site like Ted does BFL - yea, Family Guy 8) Jophish - the handle that I have used forever. Probably back in 95 or 96 when I first got my own internet account way back when AOL dialup was the shiznit. It comes from my name "Joseph"... growing up my "play mate" (two words) was a girl that lived next door, and she pronounced my name "Joseph" like "Jophish". The name stuck (my dad still calls me by it occasionally) and it became my internet persona.

Thanks Anthony!! I took a photo like your last one too, I love seeing how it dominates the Scorcher 8)

Well, the lift is only 5 pieces (three big "strait" pieces and two smaller curved pieces at the top)

Gawd, now she's baking for other men? Are there any good women left who's sole purpose in life is the pleasure of their man and nothing else? :?

That's what you'd like to happen, but I'd bet at most one more piece will be put in this week. With the IAAPA group coming in and them having to move the cranes and do all of the electrical and controls work on the lift, I doubt much will happen this week. Needless to say I probably won't head over this week.

I am so freakin' lost :? Oh well I just posted some boobies to get over it!