OldJJman

Day 1 I went with Robb and Jon down to the central train station in Madrid, checking on things for Day 2. We, along with other early arrivals went to Parque de Atracciones de Madrid in the afternoon. Back at the hotel, how many people can we fit into an elevator?? When in Spain... Abismo looked good from everywhere. You know it's a good park when it has a carousel! The pirate ship from hell. Was this park owned by Nintendo at some point?? (shudder) Purdy fountains in the park. Chris thought that this was "Led Zeppelin: The Ride" The first TPR group to ride. "YOU BASTARDS!" Uneven breast carvings. Elephant bathing pool, complete with flood lights. Hippo pool Smelly crocs. Nice, safe, enclosed rafts. Ghetto Jungle Cruise Random concrete tree. Abismo. "Look Ma, no supports!" He ended up kicking her out. (Too many teeth for him!) Chris, trying to take the Hoffman girl for a ride. Hi Derek! The Paparazzi was everywhere we went! Scary exit. Ed was moonlighting to pay for his trip. Lou practicing her photo skills. "It's a Small Spain" Pteronadon flyers, Spanish version. The non-accessible observation tower. Tornado picture. Tornado entrance. Hello Officer Rich! Tarantula picture. Tarantula queue. Abismo picture. Abismo rock. NOT a credit! Nice entrance plaza. The front gate. We made it! The Hoffman girl demonstrates the fine art of ice cream eating while walking. The back gate. Sorry, no pictures of the hookers. Robb directing the first of many infomeetings. The central train station in Madrid was gorgeous!

I don't feel like typing a whole bunch about what everybody else has heard about, so I'll just give rough outlines and lots of pictures. Day 0 Starts out 1 hour late out of LA, meeting others in Newark, camping out for another 6 hour delay, getting to Madrid. Heading off to dinner, etc... Please enjoy. Graffiti. Sperm or Ghost? You decide. Robb contemplates buying a condom from the machine. Doesn't have enough money, so no extra gift for the "bags-o-crap" Hi Derek. Madrid is Elissa approved. You had to be there. We found a really cool salad/buffet right across from the Spanish Wal-Mart Juan Carlos bust auditioning for the role of Christopher Pike in: "Star Trek 452" Cool looking building. Off we go in search of edible food! Our hotel. The waiting before we venture in search of food. Madrid airport, and it's "art". For an $8 food voucher, you can get some really nasty hot wings that will affect everyone on the plane for the next 7.5 hours! Chris (pre Tiara) and the Hoffman girl wondering how I'm still alive. Not a lot to do during a 6 hour flight delay.

In no particular order: Twg519 with "Credit Whoring for Dummies" Emoboy with "Belson 400" Officer Rich with "James' luggage"

Joe. Die.

Deal with it! Don't you wish you were me???

^Ass.

Who the hell is Jeff Johnston??

For those of you wanting updates, you've pushed Robb too far! He's pretty pi$$ed off about all of the whining. He owes YOU NOTHING!! Here he is, NOT doing updates while we are waiting for our plane in Madrid. Start the bitching (again) in 3, 2, 1.... Ask again, and he will not post anything until AFTER the Japan trip.

Stay home punk.

It's about as far from boring as can be. It really shocked all of us. For the "Hoffman Girl" fanboys out there, She's reading this over my shoulder at the moment. (Trust me Bob, she's safe!) JJ

Die Punk!!

Great TR Cameron! Really glad you did the cave tour! That makes the whole park! (Along with some of the food!) Ask me about the vertical stairway in there sometime!! I'm also not surprised that you liked the OzCat! It's my #3 wooden coaster! I love it!! And... Welcome to Ninja - The Black Eye of coasters!!! JJ

And the remaining women of the world rojoiced!!

NO. But I can only think of a few steel coasters. Revolution at SFMM, Batman: The Ride at SFGAm, Loch Ness Monster at BGE. There's probably more. I just don't know offhand. Afterall, "ACE was here!"

I understand your point completely, but you are missing the larger picture. What was (as cfc pointed out) Rebel Yell's effect on the industry? Especially since it came AFTER the Racer. Nothing. It was awarded "Landmark" status due to the fact that during the filming of the movie "Rollercoaster", three of the extras used to fill the trains went on to form ACE. That's NOT an "effect on the industry", but rather a date in ACE's history. At the "Preservation Con" several years ago in Denver, two "Landmark" awards were given out. One for the Lakeside Cyclone at Lakeside Amusement Park, and one for Twister II at Six Flags Elitch Gardens. What "effect on the industry" does the Lakeside Cyclone have? None. What? That it lasted longer than the original Mr. Twister at Elitch Gardens, only 8 blocks away? That it was the first to have a freeway offramp built next to it? And, more importantly, what possible "effect on the industry" could Twister II at SFEG have? Again. None. Even I'm having a hard time with this one. Was it because, for the first few years of operation it used the trains from the original Mr. Twister, the ride it was loosely based on? Was it because it was the inspiration for the infamous "Tooth Chipper" from the Simpson's episode? Because it is a very photogenic coaster. ACE "Landmark's" are nothing more than glorified graffiti that can be found in almost ANY roller coaster queue line in the world. It simply states: "ACE was here."

Actually, yes. But only for "ACE Coaster Classics". BUT, that stone has crumbled before, under the heavy pressure of the ACE Executive Committee. You can fin more here: ACE Coaster Classics

I seriously beg to differ. Remember, 1972 was way before the internet. If it wasn't for the children's program "The Banana Splits" and later "The Brady Bunch" no one outside of Ohio (maybe PA.) would have even known that King's Island even existed. Had KI not been showcased on those 2 shows, do you honestly think that KI would have survived? Especially with the traditional "destination" park, CP, in the same state? (For the record, I am in no way a big fan of CP. To me it's the greatest collection of over-rated rides, next to SFMM. Also, for the record, I'm a member of ACE.) I mean, c'mon, ACE gave the EXACT SAME AWARD to Twister II at SF Elitch Gardens. Might as well give one to Hercules, posthumously. It's an honorary awarded plaque where the GP can stick their gum before they ride, and nothing more.

I seriously hope you're kidding. I'm sorry, but the Racer is nothing more than an overgrown, out-n-back, junior coaster by today's standards. Ghostrider, which had been in my top 5 for years, recently had a lot of trackwork done. Yet, after my last ride 3 weeks ago, I may never ride it again. It's probably dropped out of my top 75 wooden coasters. I had racer at #79 on the last wood poll ballot. Granted, with the ACE convention there this year, it may garner a few more votes because people may actually ride it. Afterall, it probably comes with a free "ACE" buffet (along with the $259 registration fee). But, new wood means nothing. Everyday upkeep, including greasing the track (i.e. see Kennywood or BPB) daily helps. But an overgrown, out-n-back, junior coaster with no laterals, will stay middle of the road or lower. Always and forever.

I've finally got around to reading all 77 pages of this thread (and 35+ pages of the other related comic threads). I love it all! Pretty damn funny!! But why do I look like a girl??? I am so picked on. Keep up the great work Flipdude!!

Only one! BTW - Are we going to have to get a trailer hitch to tow your car behind the coach in Spain???

Apparently, you are too ignorant to read what I quoted, so I will quote it for you again: Then your marvelous wit countered with: Reread, if you have that ability, carefully, my first quote... I left OUT the name "Apollo210" (whom I do not know as well) and left only my name. Which means you were ALSO referring to me. Once again, DON'T EVER make asinine statements about people you do not know, or know nothing about. Jeff Johnson

DON'T EVER make asinine statements about people you do not know, or know nothing about. Jeff Johnson

Just remember, California Screamin was billed as giving classic wooden roller coaster ride, before it opened. Fuel for thought. (Amongst the 2 bazillion other times they've talked about doing a wooden coaster in both Vegas and Primm.)

If you stay at one of the local hotels, most of them have some sort of discounted tickets for MtO. If you stay at MtO (kinda pricey, but a nice place) I believe you get free admission for all days there, including arrival and departure days. For Timber Falls, wait until after 5pm. The wristband drops to something like $12.99, good until the park closes. You'll get tons of rides in, as it's never really that crowded.

Great pics Justin! Glad to see you had somewhat better weather than I did last week. JJ