DerekRx

More pics: Apparently there was a problem with the water level, so right after Walt and Todd got off, they had to shut off the water again (Maybe Todd peed in it) Sally redid this one, 100000000% better than that craptastic Garfield's Nightmare at Kennywood And around 2:30 the Old Mill opened The Double Shot was pretty strong And we didn't fair too well either, but at least it wasn't a Liseberg incident ...Todd and the Future Mrs don't look too dry Well after this splash by Long Island Sound... The log flume was supposed to get us damp, maybe Although fairly new, these bumper cars are pretty speedy and fun Which sadly was closed for Heath Kim enjoys her ride, but Heath is busy thinking about either beer or the Old Mill The Dudes of Hazard Git R Done! And offers great amusement as the ride ops jump onto and off of the moving ride. Look at the way he leans to keep from flying off! One of only 3 derby racers left in the world, this one is definitely the fastest

Over the weekend I found myself in Connecticut at the wedding of Adam and Ellen, who are now on their honeymoon in Orlando! The wedding was amazing, with a lot of fun at the reception. Since Ellen grew up at Rye Playland and their first "coaster date" was there, they decided to go back after the reception for some pictures. And, since Sunday was a free day for us, a few of us stragglers decided to hit Rye Playland again before heading home. The House of Mirrors offered no challenge at all, as there was only 1 path with no dead ends The Dragon Coaster from afar. The tunnel looks great! Flying Witch, a multi-level darkride with lots of classic gags and great sound A Zamperla mouse with cute tails on the cars The outside of Zombie Castle, one of the park's 3 cool darkrides Walt and Todd prepare for lots of whipping (they probably deserve it too!) There hasn't been a picture of me AT ALL in this thread so far. Gotta change that! Happy now, Joe? Probably the best Whip around One of the few coasters I don't mind the Morgan trains on Dragon Coaster, not too extreme, but loads of fun, and pleasantly smooth Loads of fun on the Family Flyer They don't do construction tours, but these two cannot pass up a kiddie coaster! How convenient that Super Flight is right next to First Aid! Heath and Kim brace on the Rat Cage of Doom Like Super Flight, a Zamperla Volare, hooray! The following morning it was back to Rye for some daytime rides, and credits! Or Zombie Castle! No trip to Rye would be complete without riding some of their awesome darkrides, like Flying Witch Mr and Mrs Hard to pronounce last name on their first coaster ride, Dragon, as a bunch of married fools The happy couple enjoys their first carousel ride together as husband and wife Finally at Rye Ellen gets to pick her favorite horse for pictures (and Playland even let the wedding party and friends ride for free!) Something the ACErs will enjoy, CAKE! Another one Obligatory photo spot with pretty nature Just a few quick shots of the wedding, like this one outside the church as Mr and Mrs Revesz

If you're wondering where I have been all weekend, I didn't die, I was at friend and fellow BACT and Beer Thread member, Adam's wedding to Ellen. First, the rehearsal dinner on Friday night: I end with another #9, and as soon as the glass arrived, I had to go pick up some hotties at the airport. Adam's sister is still too young to drink, but soon enough she'll be all over the beer thread Tim gears up for some pre-Oktoberfest fun Even Leann can't resist the power of the Hoe They used to have Chimay on tap instead! WHAT?! says Tom Followed by Hoegaarten! This time Magic Hat #9 on tap for all! Finally, at the rehearsal dinner (also at the hotel) Adam and Ellen enjoy their last moments of single life...together First, at the hotel bar I was in need of a beverage after driving thru Connecticut traffic (even though it was only like 8 miles in CT). Sam Adams Summer Octoberfest I guess (the tap said Summer Ale, but the taste was very Octoberfest)

I don't know if you could get the passes back in August or not (quite frankly, I'm not even sure if I'm going to buy a SF pass for next year just because I doubt I'll go more than twice to any SF park, though I'll wait until more new rides information is released) butr the 74.99 price, that probably would have included some retarded $5 processing fee for online purchase or shipping or a convenience fee or some other way to milk you of that $5. If you're gonna get the pass, grab it now for 79.99 before they decide to up the price again in October! Just look what happened with Kings Island releasing pass info and then changing their minds!

"Razorblade Kiss" -HIM

^Why not just be cool like me? Breakfast at Knoebels, lunch at Selingsgrove, problem solved!

This is where the term "getting hammered" originated.

Blackbeard's Revenge at Carowinds was a Magic House (predating Vekomas Mad House), whereas the Pirate ride was a ride on a track (in fact, in that one picture Nicole posted, you can see where the track used to be). The ride building is right across from the entrance to Blue Streak. Broadway Trip could be considered a darkride, as it eventually became Wizard's Cavern at Casino Pier. Maybe someday Cedar Fair will think about adding darkrides to its parks again, but they've got plenty of trees to take out, concrete walkways to add, and more trash cans to strategically position every 10 feet from each other before they even consider such a thing as a "Family Ride"

Tonight I finally try another new beer that Heath gave me, the Frostbite Ale from Lake Placid. From the name you'd think it was a Winter Ale, but in fact its more of a IPA or hoppy amber. Despite loads of creamy head as soon as the bottle was opened, this beer was good. Pleasantly hoppy, and when it got a little warmer it was even better Its not winter yet, but this beer isn't really wintery either

The ride wasn't really special by today's standards, but the fact that it lasted that long proved that a lot of people enjoyed it. I'm sure many locals in the area can recall their first ride on it, who they rode it with, how many times, etc. It wasn't very thrilling, but it was quirky, from its crooked lift to its PGA Grizzly turnaround. If only the most thrilling coasters were around, I think my coaster count would be like 130 instead of 630. Sad that the park had to close down, though it was in a pretty underwhelming state 3 months ago. But the fact that they're clearing the coaster so that there is no hope of it ever operating as a park again is pretty sad. Add to that the removal of a bunch of classic Blackpool rides for a run of the mill SLC and its no wonder a lot of people are a bit upset.

Well, since the woman isn't coming now, there's no real reason why I shouldn't be able to make it to the park by 10am for breakfast. Besides, I wanna see some of the BOTBC! Count me in

Yeah, I rode it once, didn't think anything of it when I got on. But once it started, I was less than cool, and came back with palms sweatier than a kid's hands on Prom night! There's only 1 thing that will get me back on that, and its not beer!

^^Captain, since you are nice enough to show me around you're neighborhood in a few weeks, when you come to Hershey, I'll do the same for you. But yes, the water rides will all be down, but everything else should be up and running. This year's event starts in early October, and as YoshiFan said, they'll release the rideslist on the website. I went to the Springtime in the Park event back in April and the only coasters that were closed were Lightning Racer and Roller Soaker. A Friday night should have some favorably lite crowds too!

Thanks for the update! To think, in less than 2 weeks I'll be back home already. The only thing that may be better than going to Oktoberfest is knowing that I'll ride one of Joe's most desired coasters.

Nice report so far, Wally. Sad to hear HopDevil didn't come out to play and that all you got was Golden Monkey and Prima Pils. Maybe I'll yell at them and make them take HD out next year! Hoppy yes, but there was enough malt and some smokeyness that kept it from reaching "Pine Cone burp" status like Dreadnaught Tonight I try the Weyerbacher 11th Anniversary TRIPLE IPA!

^Yes, but my birthday is in a few weeks, and she is skipping out on my birthday weekends festivities, so she may be giving me an early birthday present. Otherwise its going to be a long time away, as Christmas is soon thereafter and I refuse to have both gifts combined into one

Happy birthday, sweetie. Hope the day finds you receiving a new pair of shoes to lose in a hotel and a kissing fest from Daisy. Just watch out for the Tonawandas. We'll do some celebrating this weekend, so pack your birthday suit!

Not as plentiful as last night's growler, but I don't think I could handle a growler full of tonight's selection, the Stone 10th Anniversary IPA. Really awesome stuff with a nice bold hop flavor and piney aftertaste. Really nice and hoppy! Its up there in my list, among the ranks of DFH 90 minute, maybe even surpassing it! The gargoyles raise their mugs in victory

Wow, I just realized it was Comet at Hersheypark. I guess I should have stopped after riding Storm Runner. Oh well, Comet is a fun ride, used to be more thrilling with that turnaround trim brake off though.

"I Devise My Own Demise"- Papa Roach

On Saturday I purchased a growler of the Plank Walker's IPA from Swashbuckler Brewing Company at the Renaissance Fair. My intent was to drink it on Sunday, but then I got sidetracked and ended up at Hershey. So, my challenge for Monday night was to drink a whole growler, since I couldn't let it sit much longer, nor could I do half tonight and half tomorrow and think it wouldn't be flat by then. So here's the outcome: Game over. Derek wins! (though he'll probably be up all night using the bathroom!) Cup 4: 8:48pm Final remains, still coherant! Cup 3: 7:49pm After dinner, preparing the laundry Cup 2: 6:53pm after mowing, before dinner Cup 1: 4:41pm, followed by a haircut and mowing the grass A Growler of IPA. Let the fun begin!

Any time from 5-10pm I'm usually drinking...but those updates can be found in another thread

Today it was off to the Brew Works for lunch. Even my mom can handle the hops! And then there was a Hops Explosion! KABOOOM! To go with the drinks, some seafood dip First up, the new Mingler's English Ale. I don't care for English ales and their nitrogen, but this one had more flavor than most I had in England earlier this year!

More photos Shout out to Elissa and the Rhoads' I think Dan isn't even allowed to ride this without receiving medical attention There's milk in milk chocolate? Who knew! Those cows came back for more singing Giant cakes of chocolate. This would make Robb happy, which may explain why Elissa doesn't like the park that much mmmm, cocoa beans Listen to a little song from some cows and you get free stuff afterwards But we're not done yet. Its time for more free chocolate! And we'll say goodbye to Milt and his park for another summer season. Next year, 100 years! One ride on the Comet will finish off the day for me Racing by the creek Its even got a new sign, all metallic and such To everyone saying Sooperdooperlooper is closing forever, have Joe file that under F for FALSE! Ooooh, pretty See, there's Storm Runner way in the background And its also got an Immelman. In fact, the two Immelmen duel sorta, maybe, not really! I like it because it has this Great Bear is still very popular in the park Trailblazer is still blazing away, but I keep forgetting about him and his new trains Going into the Snake Fang Dive thing Hooray for Immelman, that German dude was crazy I'm still thinking Arby's Up over the top of the tophat The train goes KaPOW WOOOSH out of the launch Hooray for Intamin rides or Intarides min, or something!

My original plan for the day was to go to Dorney Park for a few hours then hit Bethlehem Brew Works for a late lunch. Well, as the fates would have it, Dorney was closed for a buyout. Why they'd do this in the middle of the month I have no idea (and they were closed Labor Day Saturday too!?). So instead of not doing anything, I decided to head up to Hershey for a few hours, as I hadn't ridden the new dark ride, or Lightning Racer yet this year. As it turns out, it was a really nice day to go. A little overcast at times, but the weather was pleasant and the crowds were manageable. Even though there were lots of people, I never waited more than 20 minutes for anything all day. As far as the new Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge darkride, I was very confused. I didn't get the whole theme, the ride seemed fairly short, and it was completely random. I think the theme should have been something like gremlins in a chocolate factory or something like that, for riding thru and shooting random dudes on skateboards really made no sense to me. The ride system was pretty cool though, kinda like Journey into the Imagination at Epcot. The nicest thing was the guns were easy to use and the mark your gun made was fairly large and visible. Its cool that they added a new darkride, but I think I like Gobbler Getaway better (and I honestly don't care for that ride either!) Onto the pictures: Vertical loop shot of my very first vertical loop No one will escape dry. Its very not Dan Friendly What used to be a fairly dry rapids, they added a whole slew of waterfalls, now its very wet! But I'll pass this time and just amuse myself by watching this guy bomb them Roller Soaker was still using the water effects, and had little line And now, the super exclusive never before done, no one else but TPR has this photo...Lightning Racer thru a knothole in the fence! Next year this will look a lot different when its "the Boardwalk" Notice the random candy things on the top More photos of the water play area Its cool how they attempt to race them every time, unlike every other racing coaster out there Less of a twister for a GCI, its still really smooth and fun Lightning Racer was a capacity machine, leaving a 1 train wait for either side. and OMG, footers for the funnel slide! Exclusive photos of the new water play area The ride broke down for like 5 minutes, everyone got out of line. Thanks! I think this ride qualifies as a twister Exclusive shot The ride has lots of little pops of GCI air First coaster of the day was GCIs first, Wildcat. I can't understand what that shed is there for though Didn't feel like getting wet today. Maybe next year with the waterpark and all, I will Since its opening, I've yet to ride the Claw. Maybe over Christmas Woohoo, ok maybe THIS is the best part of the ride. Free chocolate at the end The station for the ride is a locker room. And then there's some commentary dudes and you shoot something at ESPN X Games contestants or something I used this line because the "girlfriend is several hundred miles away" line was closed Rock on! This is the best part of the ride! The new ride is pretty popular with the families Hey Joey, hows it going? Inside the park we find some good food, like fresh kettle corn Since I know I'll be back more this year and next (especially if Dorney has more buyouts) so I picked up a season pass. Take that Cedar Fair! Here we are on a lovely late summer afternoon at Hersheypark, a place Elissa hates