britishdebutante

I just went to Alabama Adventure the other day and witnessed at least 5 rider operators doing things that were unsafe. In just 5 minutes in the Rampage station, I noticed two ride operators with IPOD earbuds in their ears, a rider operator let a child jump the track in front of the stationary train, ride operator pretending he was going to throw another's bag onto the track while the train was out in the circuit, and a ride operator actually traveling below the station while the ride was running to retrieve a water bottle that a guest had dropped down there to receive a $20 tip from the guest. No "all clears" from ride ops at all. The Zoomerang ride operators were wearing bluetooth headsets and did not pull on or even touch the restraints once they were locked. I spoke to guests relations and their response was "well sometimes they put their headphones in and remove them if a manager is coming, but they will definitely get written up for not wearing a name tag."

It got faster during the second shoot!

I'm not sure why you would even bother comparing TNTG to this. I haven't ridden the former but I can tell that its going to provide a more powerful and intense experience. I personally love the coaster. It's not a top 10 favorite of mine but it definitely provides some unique sensations due to the element transitions and the openness of the cars. Hoping to get a few more rides today!

Mine are now not letting me try anymore. "Maximum number of downloads limit was reached." Eeek. Trying my best not to interrupt your cruise, Robb - just keeping you updated on the problem.

Having the same issues. I purchased many and could only get one to download. That one won't play in Quicktime, iTunes, or VLC.

Is it in more than one thread?

OMG the scenery is just beautiful! I need to go!

It sucks when you live hours away from your closest friends – it especially makes planning roller coaster trips a lot harder. Josh and I had never been to Carowinds due to the fact that its kind of a far trip from Cleveland and their coaster collection has always seemed rather mediocre. We used the addition of Intimidator as an excuse to visit the park and pick up a bunch of new credits. Josh decided to fly into Charlotte from Cleveland and I left for the 7 hour drive from Nashville at midnight (central time). I made great time getting into Charlotte (only 6 hours!) and managed to sneak in a nap while waiting for Josh’s flight. We had planned to get to the park at just around opening but Josh had absentmindedly booked his flight with a PM departure instead of an AM departure. Luckily US Airways had one (!!!) seat left on a 8:55 am flight out of Cleveland. I ended up having to wait longer for him and we didn’t get to the park until around 11:15, but everything worked itself out. The first ride we approached was Nighthawk, which had about an hour wait. We mistakenly took this as a bad sign of how lines were going to be for the rest of the day. However, elsewhere in the park, all rides were walk-ons. The ride experienced some “technical difficulties”, but opened up after about ten minutes. We boarded the train and sat down in the sweat-soaked seats. Disgusting and slimy! The ride was very reminiscent of X-hawk, though it seemed to possess a more severe rattle. We took the back corner of the park by storm and rode all of the attractions, including Drop Tower, in about 45 minutes. Hurler was probably the slowest wooden coaster I have EVER been on. That first turn after the drop really seems to slow the ride down, providing absolutely no airtime for the rest of the ride. It was a completely unenjoyable experience. Ricochet was a standard wild mouse, with an inappropriate coastal theme. The best part of that coaster was that we had the opportunity to run into Justin Bieber while queuing! OMG! Carolina Cyclone turned 30 this year and there are signs nearby commemorating the event. The ride itself is pretty smooth during its second half. The paintjob, however, is awful! It looks like it was painted by a 10 year old playing RCT. Having ridden Iron Wolf two years back, we expected Vortex to be an unpleasant experience. We were surprised to find that it’s very smooth – in the front seat at least. It was probably one of the most enjoyable standups I have ever experienced, up there with Chang and Scorcher. We were excited to try out the newer trains on our relocated coaster, Carolina Cobra. The ride itself is still boring, but the trains make it much more bearable. The transitions still rattle the head, but the lack of actual headbanging is a big plus. We grabbed lunch at the Country Kitchen cafeteria-style restaurant. The turkey and two side dishes came out to be about 10 bucks. Josh was about to spend 4 bucks on bottled water, but the cashier said, “Hey, I’ll give you a free water!” and handed us both LARGE size cups of water. It was pretty sweet but I’m not sure he’s allowed to do that! We allowed our food to settle with a ride on Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. I’ve ridden Scooby Doo at Kings Dominion and Kings Island and, in my opinion, the ride loses nothing with the loss of the Scooby characters. It’s still just as interactive and there are actually a couple of scary effects; I jumped when a ghost popped out from around the corner! Afterburn totally surprised us with its intensity. That loop is huge and the G’s between it and the immelman are grey-out forceful (in the back), something I have never experience on an inverted before. It was definitely the best coaster of the day! I’ve been on rough wooden coasters before, but Thunder Road was rough in a different way – the shuffling was unbearable on the return run! I’ve never felt a ride shuffle up and down on the track like that before. It was pretty enjoyable on the way out, with great airtime on the smaller hills. We took a spin on the kiddie coasters and were actually able to solicit some kids to ride Lucy’s Crabby Cabby with us. It was nice to get that extra credit since Goldrusher was down all day. If you have long legs and jeans on, be prepared to get rust stains on them from the lap bars on Woodstock Express’ trains. The park was so dead that Intimidator had only a 3 train wait for the front seat. Is this normal for Carowinds to be this dead? If so, how do they deserve a B&M hyper?? The ride starts off pretty good with a great first drop and a really cool turn on the second hill. What sucks is that the ride is pretty much killed by the trims on the hill right after the turn around. It literally crawls over the rest of the hills and meanders through the turn after the midcourse – a serious disappointment! I know B&M hypers aren’t generally the most intense rides, but come on! It was so slow! We rode both in the front and back seats, with the back being better during the first half of the ride and no difference on the sluggish second half. And this ride is themed to a racecar driver? It was neat when the Intimidator ride-ops announced that on July 4th, Cedar Fair parks with B&M hypers would be having a capacity contest – with shoutouts to Behemoth and Diamondback! Of course, we started chanting “Diamondback! Diamondback! Diamondback!” with no response or participation from the local crowd. The ride-ops enjoyed it, though. We took a few pictures of our day. The sky was overcast pretty much all day but it was still really hot out. Lighting wasn’t really the best for pictures, but we only had a point and shoot anyways. Aww this nice woman is enjoying herself sitting and texting in her Sketcher's shapeups. I would support her right to relax... ...if she weren't ruining our picture of the park's marquee!! I guess you could say this is the reason we came here. Deciding whether or not we wanted to wait an hour for Nighthawk. The best part of the ride! This part looks a lot better than it really is. This seemed to be the roughest part of the ride. The observation tower here is pretty attractive. Better looking than a lot of others I have seen. Nice butt!! Oh, the girl's is nice too. Josh doing his best Wilson from Home Improvement impression while queuing for Nighthawk. The maps seem to be one panel shorter this year... Vortex from the Nighthawk queue! Coca Cola Oasis < Pepsi Oasis Happy Birthday Carolina Cyclone!!! Really ugly paintjob! Though we weren't excited to ride Head Spin, we were intrigued with the new trains. Somebody pissed off Justin Bieber! He looks pretty salty. Just hanging out at the Rock Shop with Josh and his bia. She wanted to have some fun with us. Captain Josh boarding his bird! Afterburn = Awesome! That really is a big loop! Love the shot, Josh! We actually had trouble finding the entrance to this ride. Apparently this ride has trouble with bees and wasps during the late summer and fall... Pretty cool swooping turn element. Going SO SLOW. Nice hair, dude! Just celebrating Dale, I suppose.

Looks like a nice little park. Haven't been, but I'll definitely hit it up this fall when I'm in Buffalo. Looks like you had a blast hanging out by yourself, Josh!! No log flume love? WHAT GIVES?!

^^ You better hurry up!!!!

HN attendance list- 1. Nick (angryemobeaver {actually DropZone99 on every other site}) 2. Adam (spaceace12) 3. Nathan (kumba830) 4. Joel(10ryansmith) 5. Justin (RedB) 6. Brandon (saginawhxc) 7. Stefan (VGplay) 8. Dimitri (VoltageCaek) 9. Alex (WildStangAlex) 10. Joe (JEAPUgrad on TPR, Great_Ump on URC) 11. Josh (CoasterBoyJosh) 12. Griffin (GriffyTiffy) 13. Andrew (AndCamSS) 14. Kyle (britishdebutante)

Coasterboy from Z100's syndicated morning talk show Elvis Duran and the Morning Show interviewed Paul Darrio from Universal about the Wizarding World of Harry of Potter. This is Coasterboy's first video blog in a hopefully long series of fun and interesting looks at the amusement industry. It's always good to see coaster enthusiasm make its way to the mainstream. Oh yeah, Coasterboy is also a TPR member. Visit http://elvisduran.com/pages/video/mainplayer.html?uri=channels/413811/901242 to check out the video!

^^ THIS JUST IN: The smoke cloud from the smoldering Son of Beast ride at Kings Island causes massive disruptions in air traffic across the continent.

You're right! We were so caught up in our dreams of burning down SOB that we all failed to realize that there could be disastrous consequences for the rest of the park!

^ I think that's CoasterboyJosh's point: that most people don't think about or don't know what they are ingesting. I had never even heard of trans-fats before all the news about them a few years back. So, it does make sense for the government to oversee this stuff and protect the public. It's sad, but there a ton of people out there who rely on fast food as their main diet either because it's convenient or because it's cheap. Are trans-fats (or empty calories, fat, etc...) truly detrimental to the health of the occasional fast food eater? Probably not, but it's the frequent fast food eaters that are benefiting from the government's intervention. After all, the CDC has labeled diabetes as an epidemic, and wouldn't you expect the government to step in during any other epidemic? As far as knowing the details of what you're putting in your mouth, it's fairly easy to skim the nutrition facts on the back of anything you put in your cart at the grocery store. I've found myself doing this more ever since moving out and making all my own decisions about what I was eating. I'm not saying I live my life by these labels, but it's definitely steered me towards better products of the same type before.

I wonder how much it would cost to disassemble and dispose of the ride? I mean it's got to be a load of money - the ride's huge! Maybe those expenses are what's keeping the park from coming to that conclusion?

Coastercounter does. I don't and I would also bet that most people here wouldn't.

I don't see a problem with this at all. It's not like the government is mandating what the existing In-N-Out Burgers are allowed to sell. The article says that it's a ban on any new drive-thrus, so they are not targeting In-N-Out specifically. Fast food chains tend to carry a certain image that the town just doesn't want anymore of this street I guess. It's not the first time that a municipality has had strict regulations on the community's aesthetics. And give me a break with the "what will the gov't try to control next" argument. It's a far cry from the totalitarianism that you suggest.

The Dallas World Aquarium is a fantastic little facility located in downtown Dallas. Though the buildings it occupies are converted warehouses, the actual organization is fairly new and modern. They pack a lot into a small space, but are still able to provide sufficient space for all their animals. As the name suggests, there is an aquatic element present but it is only one part of a larger exhibit system. The DWA has two main exhibit areas, the Mundo Maya exhibit and the Orinoco: Secrets of the River exhibit. Both exhibits feature multiple levels showcasing species from the tree canopies, the forest floors, and of course the the banks and depths of the rivers. You are able to start at one level and work your way either up or down. They must have a fantastic horticulture department because the plant life on display here is just astounding. There is detail everywhere you look. One of my favorite areas was the courtyard of one of the buildings where they exhibited multiple reptile species and penguins as part of a South Africa and Madagascar section. I was lucky enough to get a behind the scenes look at the rooftop pens and other off-exhibit breeding animals. You can spend a few hours enjoying the scenery and admiring the place, so I would definitely recommend stopping here. The price is kind of steep, but it is totally worth it. Check of the website for more info. Dallas World Aquarium A saki monkey in an off-exhibit rooftop pen. A howler monkey in an off-exhibit pen. These guys were extremely loud! A harpy eagle hanging out in a part of the atrium that is out of the public's view. I'm pretty sure this is a Martial eagle, Africa's largest eagle. A pair of spectacled owls perching in the distance in the off-exhibit area. The awesome rooftop pens and gardens. It's really beautiful and cool how this is just in the middle of downtown. A toucan perched in the tree canopy. Looking down to the river from the top level of the Orinoco atrium. You can actually see a manatee swimming by. A closer look at the manatee from above. A look at the beautiful scenery. There are also just tons of birds flying around as well. This sloth was so close to us! Some pretty awesome crocodiles. The ground level of this exhibit also featured giant river otters, which I was not able to capture on film. An ibis just hanging out like 5 feet from me, no big deal. Water features all over the place. They have a bunch of turtles in the big tank with the manatee in it. Manatee swimming (upside down?) Panther chameleon in a display case outside in the Madagascar area. I love penguins. They have a lot of them in the courtyard, which is nice because they are able to see real daylight. A Chilean flamingo, so brightly colored.

If there were a way I could give you my credit, I'd gladly hand it over.

You guys are comparing the nutrition facts of burgers to chicken. As far as chicken sandwiches go, there are far "healthier", non-grilled versions available at McDonald's and Wendy's. It's the bacon and extra cheese that really set this thing off. I had no idea the chicken club toaster at Sonic boasted 53 grams of fat! I personally find this particular sandwich disgusting, but to each their own.

I was able to visit the Fort Worth Zoo on multiple occasions during my times in Texas. I wasn't able to get a behind-the-scenes tour as I was at other zoos, but my visits were enjoyable nonetheless. The zoo is situated in a nice part of town near Texas Christian University off of the I-30 University Drive exit. This zoo is probably the most impressive of those I was able to visit. Although Fort Worth is the smaller city, this zoo is much nicer than the Dallas Zoo. The exhibits at Fort Worth are much more modern and beautiful. Like most zoos, it is divided into different areas that dictate which animals will be exhibited there, whether by geographical range or species type. The Texas Wild! section of the park is probably the most impressive. It features not only animals native to Texas, but themed areas including an authentic replica of a historical Texas town. One of their newest additions is the MOLA: Museum of Living Art, which is their new, updated herpitarium (their old reptile building is pretty small and out of date.) It was under construction during my visits, but the concept art looked pretty cool. Check it out if you are ever in the area. It's definitely an impressive zoo although admission is kind of on the pricey side. Keep in mind that you are usually eligible for discounted or free admission if you are a member at any of the other AZA-accredited zoos in the country. An orangutan at the World of Primates exhibit. It's one of the first exhibits/buildings near the front gate. I don't have any other pictures of the other primates, but they also have chimpanzees, gorillas, mandrills, white-cheeked gibbons, and colobus monkeys. The World of Primates exits near the meerkat exhibit where I was able to spot this little fellow... ... and his friend. Nearby is the African plains exhibit, featuring Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, and these lesser kudu. This Asian elephant is pretty cool looking. She looks like an old man! One of the coolest things at the zoo was the Indian rhinoceros, which not a lot of places have. They only have one horn and their skin looks a lot more like armor than the more common black rhinos and white rhinos. Caught 'em taking a mud bath. Asian Falls area has a pretty awesome tiger exhibit. They feature Malayan tigers and white Bengal tigers. The two enclosures are separated by a huge waterfall. Another awesome exhibit. The rocky hillside is the perfect habitat for the ibex, a rather mythical looking goat. A better look at its impressive horns! Parrot Paradise was a pretty dull exhibit but the general public ate it up. Literally hundreds of parakeets and cockatiels flying around and eating seeds off of sticks that guests can buy. I prefer exhibits like these that have lorikeets, much prettier and more exotic-feeling birds. Raptor Canyon has a pathway that walks below and in between flight cages containing birds of prey like this harpy eagle, a South American raptor. They have a fairly large collection of kangaroos and wallabies just outside the Great Barrier Reed aquarium building. This is a gharial, an odd looking crocodilian. The Children's farm area of Texas Wild! had this huge boar that was still there a year later! Cougar in the Texas Wild! This is one fat cougar. They also have jaguars which, believe it or not, are originally native to Texas. Unfortunately the last U.S. jaguar was captured and euthanized last year because he was suffering from kidney failure. A saddle-billed stork in a filler exhibit on the way to Texas Wild! I spotted this goof-up in the reptile building. I wonder who approved this sign... Hope you can spot it! A Malayan sun bear in the Asian Falls exhibit. Pretty neat looking animal. A hyacinth macaw, the largest species of macaw. Endangered due to the exotic pet trade.

Robb, I knew I read a while back that you were frequenting the gym. Just wanted to say you look great!

I originally started this thread as a TR of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a place I interned twice over the past 2 years. I have a ton of photos from a bunch of other animal-related places in Texas that I would like to share. They aren't exactly recent, but interesting to some I hope... ___________________ Although I live in Cleveland, OH, this summer I am interning in the animal care department at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas. Glen Rose is located about a 70 minute drive from SFOT. In fact, I purchased my SF pass on my drive down here at SFKK to save some money. Fossil Rim consists of about 1500 acres of a rolling landscape just on the outskirts of Glen Rose, a town with a population of about 2,000. An AZA-accredited institution, Fossil Rim is involved with many conservation and breeding efforts of endangered wildlife, including their most intense effort to save the Attwater's Prairie Chicken of Texas. Visitors are allowed to tour the park in their own vehicles by way of a 9-mile long scenic drive that drives through the park's pastures. The scenic drive allows them to encounter and feed giraffe, zebras, sable antelope, white rhinos, and many more species. I am posting these pictures to let people know that this place exists and it is awesome! Fossil Rim is a completely non-profit organization that differs from a standard zoo. I encourage anyone who likes animals to stop by when they are in the area visiting the Texas amusement parks or plan a trip around a visit here. I doubt you would be disappointed! On my way home from here, in August, I plan to post trip reports of SFFT, SFOT, SFStL, and possibly SFGA or HW. Thanks for reading! I hope I inspire people to visit here! A cute picture of black rhinos. Jack, a mollucan cockatoo at the Children's Animal Center. Halfway through the drive, cars park at the Overlook where there is a restaurant, gift shop, and the Children's Animal Center. This petting farm has goats, an emu, birds, and tortoises. A baby Arabian oryx that needs to be hand-raised because she had a lousy mother. ...baby addax. Adorable, right? Sorry, guests aren't allowed to go out at night. ...and maned wolves. ... Fossil Rim is also home to carnivores like the cheetah. A Przewalski's horse. It's hard to pronounce I know. That's why most people call him the P. Horse. The last existing wild horse species. Yeah, I know. It's big. An addax, an African desert antelope. A bongo. Bongos are rare to see during the day, as they are forest antelope and spend most of their time in the bush during the day. A male blackbuck. Fossil Rim is home to over 100 blackbucks! An up-close encounter with a giraffe. There are many type of deer at Fossil Rim: fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, European red deer, and white-tailed deer. An aoudad, a mountain sheep. These animals like to hang out on the rocky hillsides at Fossil Rim. Wildebeest running in the free-roam environment. A Grevy's Zebra. Me, in the white rhino barn. This is an overview of one of Fossil Rim's pastures. This photo lets one visualize how large Fossil Rim is and how much their animals have to roam. This is the gate to the admin road of Fossil Rim.

I thought that KD really lacked in the flat department. Even though I don't ride flats very often, I think they are huge part of the GP's amusement park experience. This would be a good addition to KD, IMO.