OldJJman

^ I still have that T-Shirt!!!

I rode it several times in 1979, on a drizzle filled day. The skid brakes did little to nothing to slow the trains down. Barely felt them as you exited the shed into that right-hand turn. Painful slamming laterals!! It would fly throughout the course. By the time you hit the second chain, the WHOLE train would be on the lift (all 4 cars) before the chain caught. The only other time I've been on the Beast when it's ran like that was the day after Stark Raven Mad in 1999. A huge thunderstorm came through in the early evening, lasted about 1.5 hours and cleared out the park of 90% of the guests. We headed straight for the beast, and got on the first few trains (we re-rode, as crowds were pretty much non-existent) after the rain. The skid pads were soaked, and it was a great ride! Other than speed, the Beast never had airtime. Now, with the magnetic brakes, it's nothing more than a glorified wooden mine train, with a descent helix. JJ

^ You have issues!!

Love the latest offride shots Robb!! Nice looking ride, though I need to get used to watching the 8 car trains. Love how they navigate the "twistys". Looks cool.

Nice pics Jimmy! I went to the Getty a few years ago. That place truly is amazing. I've never seen so much marble!! Btw - Who's that goober with Cassie in the pics?? JJ

Very cool stuff Guy!! Any aching muscles, rope burns or "oh crap" moments, besides the wet crotch??

11/20 Yay! Still an idiot!!

It's been a bit disheartening to read the last few pages here. Some people think that there are those here that start gloating when a park fails. While that may be true in a select few cases, I don't think it's the majority here. (I think Elissa's BP may have gone up a point or two today in this thread alone!) Bottom line is: Robb, Elissa, myself, and MANY others said BEFORE HRP opened, it would fail. We all knew that the demographics WOULD NOT support a park of this size, especially this large and ambitious. The artist's rendition of the proposed park was way over the top. When the park opened, and came no where close to what had been proposed, with an outrageous gate fee (on top of VERY unrealistic expectations) there was no way it could, or would survive. I never made it there. But those that had, brought back very dismal reports. Not so much about the rides package (which is lacking), but the attitude of the management at the time. They knew everything, and a consumer - was just more $$ at the gate, not a voice to listen to. The opinions of those guests were tossed in favor of the vast superior knowledge of the management team, who, in their arrogance, got what they deserved - a failed park. Twice. I'm just saying "We told you so"! JJ

Since his last trip with you??

I concur!!

^Same!!

NO. Everyone that wants to ride "Percy" should not attend WCB. Deal with it. JJ

Marlon- A few of us are staying at the Fairfield Inn, in Stevenson Ranch, about 4-5 miles south of SFMM on I-5. Taxes and everything was less than $90/night. I booked ours through Hotels.com. Jeff

True. Nothing quite like ejector seat airtime on a straight, flat piece of track!! JJ

^Yes. Went and got my pass yesterday, and they had the booklets available.

I think the chances of either one opening are pretty much the same.

^ That sounds about right.

Is that the city where we stayed across the street from the train station?? Same "city" where Bob had his "incident" on the Alpine slide? If so, I really do agree with Elissa.

Cough! VALHALLA Cough! Alzheimer's kicking in again? Oops. Yeah. I stand corrected. Valhalla does kick a$$!! Sorry Bruno.

Nice TR Divv!! I love Blackpool. Nothing is the greatest, but everything's cool! What's the story behind the closing of Trauma Towers?? And, didn't they used to have a large fountain filled with blood just outside the front door of TT, or in that vicinity?? JJ

15/20 Ditto!!

Seen it. Annoyed Dan. Tripsdrill. Mayo.

That was a really nice area in a great little park!! That's a shame. I hope it can be rebuilt to nearly what it was. I imagine that there are a lot of heavy hearts there right now, as the staff there was one of the friendliest you'd find anywhere!! JJ

^ I mean, I'm with you on that. I pretty much loathe the whole HP thing. But ever since we went there 11 years ago, I've loved IOA!! Their themeing IS top notch, and a fun place to visit. I do hate what they've done with DD, and I don't expect to be as amazed by the ride as I was Spiderman, but I am looking forward to it. Though right now, I don't know if I'll even make it there this year.

Again, nice pics Adam!! Thanks!!