OldJJman

After the recent announcement of the park closing, this comes as really no surprise. However, I won't lose any sleep over it as well. It was a fun ride, and actually ran better this year than when we visited in 2002. But, the park as a whole, had also turned into that, a hole. When the TPR UK peeps showed up for the trip this past June, yes, we had fun. BUT, we can have great fun at even the worst places. (See Coney!) The only thing I would miss is the Funhouse as well. But it is a business. It's THEIR business. Perhaps, even with upgrades in recent years ($$ poured in) it still wasn't bringing in the money ($$ coming in) required to keep it viably afloat. It's like having an older car, sometimes pouring money in is just a waste, and you should cut your losses and let go. They (apparently) have. JJ

Thank you for the awesome review, description and pictures! Looking forward to next September even more!! JJ (BTW to Jumboshrmp, where did you get that avatar?? That looks like me and Sean Flaharty on Katanga a few years ago! Honest!)

I liked it quite a bit as well. I actually can't think of a standard SLC that I've been on that was smoother. Like Robb said, we were already expecting the worst, and it was no where near that. Then there was "smooth as a baby's bottom" - Kumali!! JO was good. Kumali was great! JJ

0.0 JJ

Happy Birthday in advance cutie!! I'll forget by next week. (I'm old.) Love ya, JJ

I hope the picture of the Jellikins Coaster is on there!! I need new wallpaper on my computer!!

What Derek forgot to mention (probably from too many beers and finally getting up there in age) is that 2 people tried to throw the "Hoffman" girl in the pool as well. First was Ryan. No luck. He got tossed in by her. Then Derek. She clobbered him, and promptly threw him in! Then Robb jumped in. No water left. End of party. Awesome as always! JJ

Truer words were never written! Exactly. If you've been there before, go for it!! This is what credit whoring is all about!! If not, you should save it for another day. It's worth it. JJ

Continued... Everyone had to get their final shots in, as we headed for the exit, and the end of our day, and my update. Not only was Kumali a real surprise (because it was great) but it was very photogenic. ... and head for the vertical loop. I Love how Kumali's first drop hugs the ground.... We had to keep Robb and Elissa apart at this point, as this many Vekoma rides made them hornier than ever. The chute-the-chutes went around the lion enclosure. A 'Screw with Velocity! Gotta love the expenses spent and extensive themeing of all the buildings! The skyway pretty much disected the park and zoo. Smooth as a baby's bottom? You bet!! (Not like I feel their bottom's or anything.) Kumali covered quite a large area. Another view with trees. Trees are our friend. Kumali's king-sized cobra roll. Weiner Looping was also here, and it was a really great ride! Dreier Looping in it's heyday. Later it was moved to Flamingoland and operated under the name "Magnum Force". I really liked it when we rode it in 2002.

Continued with Day 9 and Flamingoland. The "Tribute Cafe" for Joe. Obligatory torture device pic. (Corkscrew) More Velocity. Velocity getting a bit sideways. Big vertical loop! You got to admit, Kumali looks pretty damn cool! Robb and Elissa coming down the first drop. Time for KUMALI! Random train pic. Lou enjoying the "OzFest"! Obligatory pic of the mouse. Cameron: :(Grunt) My Nuts!" Derek: "That felt good!" Derek and Cameron hit Velocity first. Random themeing? Later in the afternoon, we made it Flamingoland!

comtinued... End of the train ride, and this update. Grizzly Bear from the backside. The "Toad Hole" signs. No further explanation needed. Doesn't it make you wonder why the men's is above the women's?? BOTBC taking the long way around to the kiddy coaster. Wow! I didn't know that they had illegal mexicans in the UK too! OK, why is there a sign like this on the train?? Ah, here it is! OK. Where's the train? Rich (w/o the "signature move") getting his credit on The Caterpillar. I like how they put the new kiddy area out in the middle of BF nowhere!

Day 9 started out a little early (after a very late night in the pub) and we headed out to Lightwater Valley in the morning with ERT on the Ultimate and later, the RAT ride. An interesting park at best. Then we headed off to Flamingoland with way too many Vekomas! Enjoy! If you ever wonder why Robb has no hair on the back of his hand... Oooh! New credit! Grizzly Bear! (Whoop-de-f'n-do!!) The "Hoffman" girl patiently waiting for the train. The last of them. More... More... TPR members taking their ride... Off into the wild blue..... whatever. ERT on the "Ultimate". Yes. It does say "Snack in the Mouth"! The mad scramble for tickets! We made it to Lightwater Valley! Even the Cheshire Cat made an appearance! Snug as bugs in rugs. (OK, a cockroach and an ant!)

continued... The sun sets on our day at Blackpool, and this part of my PTR. Coming soon: Lightwater Valley & Flamingoland. Q: How do you get a pornstar wet? A: Let her ride Vahalla!!! Richard not only wet himself on Vahalla, but split his pants as well!!! Bob Hoffman finally found a way to get the camera out of Barry's hand!! YeeHaw!! The Aussholes leading the way on 'Nash. Cameron's trying to get a descent shot. John's just trying to kill us! Nice shot of 'Nash's first drop. Well, maybe not totally exclusive. Another exclusive shot! Exclusive backstage shots of 'Nash. Notice the resemblence?? No wait on the Ghost Train. The park owner had to convince Casey that it was safe for him to ride. He almost smacked his head on the lifthill anyway!! These thing really fly out there!! The cameramen! The goodness that is Vahalla! Clint's smile may have to be surgically removed.

continued.... Imagine that! The "Hoffman girl" riding solo. What a shame! Greg's excited and doesn't even know why he's here. Next up, Bob Hoffman. Chris ready to take on the wild mouse. The kiddy whip was running fine. "Look Ma, No old man boobs!" Rich: "Why am I here?" Daron in his bug catching mode. Casey's just being a "Lookie-Lou" The Zipper Dipper kiddy coaster. The Clowns on the CCD coaster. (Casey, Chris and Daron) This is so wrong and disturbing. How the hell did I get in the middle of it?? My BEST on-ride photo EVER! Thank you Louise! Tommy and James taking their turns on Avalanche. I have yet to see the cars running. (sigh) Someday. Big Mike leads the way on Avalanche. The classic whip wasn't ready for operation just yet. OK. How in the hell does this sign warn me of giant seagulls??? Falling rocks, maybe. Seagulls, NO F'N WAY!!

My Day 8 - A complete day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Lots of Fanboy/Fangirl pics! Hope you like them... Ooooh Look! A "Hoffman girl" sighting! The great view of Blackpool as seen from the "Big One". Coasters, Go-Carts and The Big Blue Hotel. Looky! I got to ride with an international superstar!! Yay! ERT on "The Big One". (No additional comments necessary.) Motley Crue, heading for their next gig. Bling is distirbing from everywhere in the park! Space Invader 2. Some didn't get the credit. Oh well. Happy boys ready to ride. (Cameron, I'm over here!) A nice view across the park. Oh Joy! Another lifthill! This happens to be on Roller Coaster. Cameron, trying to get that TPR signature shot. OK, a lot of things wrong in this picture. But, at least Nicole is consistant and NOT looking at me for a picture! Casey waiting for those infamous words "Casey, TACKLE RYAN!" The TPR gang wait for our early ERT on Steeplechase.

continued.... Dig Dipper station, and the end of this update. To be continued soon.... The mouse at Blackpool!! Coolness! The Grand National was sporting new trains. Old trains rotting for no apparent reason! Damn!! No progress!! Just parts. Notice the turtle in the background. Cool! Demolition in progress!! Vertical loop for Derek. NOT a credit for me!! What's with the "Italian Job" themeing near the Big Dipper?? Steeplechase wasn't open just yet. We made it to Blackpool in time for ERT on Big Dipper!

continued... Even Camelot has a castle bigger than Disneyland! The "ho's" getting their "credit" on the "POWERED" coaster! There must be tons of dinosaur sex with these random eggs all around the UK! Vertical loop (also painful) Been there, done that, thank God I didn't need this credit!! Author getting credit and looking older than ever! (BTW--Damn PAINFUL ride!!!) OoooooH! New credit!! The Ho's getting their credit! Next up was Camelot Themepark. After only 22 minutes in the park, we were chased out by a singing, dancing pig. (NOT Robb!!) Best place for a cutting torch! Across the tracks of the L&T mouse. (Missed credit, wah!!!!) The kiddy rapids ride thru Bangladesh looked .... um .... scenic? OK. A double down followed by a double up, on a coaster with shock absorbers. Not a good combination. (and horses, wtf?!?!) Well, at least it looks cool (kinda) OK. It's called "Antelope" and has carousel horses in the grass. Hmmmm.... A model of "Antelope" their wooden coaster, complete with missing track section. Kiddy park. Kiddy coaster. What's a credit whore to do??

Day 7 We started out at Southport. Then 4 of us credit whores (Chris Belson, Karin, Jim and myself) rented a car and went to Gulliver's and Camelot. We then caught up with the others in the afternoon at Blackpool. Hope you like the pics! Next up: Gulliver's World As usual, gravity and friction are the true winners! Amazingly enough, the fatboys with "the camera of doom" take the lead! Racing trains to Timbuktu! I had waaaaay too many "Foster's" mate! Happy people on Cyclone! (Cameron, look up here!!) Cyclone looks good, and is older than me! Cyclone's impecable lifthill! Elissa wonders why there's nothing poking her from behind. Dan: (grunt) Like father, like son. Ryan was starting to rubb off on everyone. We all pounded the dinosaur! Pound it, Dinosaur Dude! Robb attaching camera for the "exclusive" TPR pov. Until he goes up against Caseyzilla! Even the little dude can be "King of the Wheel"! The real reason that Southport exists: THE WHEEL!!

continued... Daron proving that Lou's deoderant is working! "Come sail away with me!" Jeff, Ryan, Bob, Greg and the "Hoffman Girl" doing their "Deer in the Headlights" impression. Chris is happy to finally be in a picture! Cheesy ride. Would've been better if the guns and/or targets worked. (No, it wouldn't!!) It was funny when Lou got stuck! Clint: I need a booster seat! Lou: ooooh! Female friendly! Richard: ooooh! Shiny buckle! Daron: I can't feel my....

Day 6 Started out with morning ERT on Nemesis. Afterward we boarded the coach and headed to Drayton Manor. DM was totally dead, and for a good reason. The park has become a total waste! Fanboy alert: Lou, Nicole, that "Hoffman girl" Fangirl alert: Couple of Aussies ... just a couple with some bad intestinal gas. Saw absolutely no flying dragons.... Such a nice, friendly park. Their food selection wasn't the best either! Drayton Manor can cause gender identity crisis! Casey and Dan in one of their finer moments. Looks cool. NOT! It's a sorry a$$ lift hill. I don't think anyone rode more than once! Even "Big Mike" fits in the restraints. But, they almost killed him too! Lou wonders if they'll actually open the ride. Time for G-Force at Drayton Manor. Derek: VERTICAL LOOOOOOP! Nicole: Jeff, go away! Dave: Leave me alone! Chuck: I can't believe I'm here! Some people have called this a lame first drop. SO WHAT! Everything that comes after is awesome! Ahhh..... The ride that be... Nemesis!! To get to our ERT on Nemesis, we had to go through the Alton Towers hotel. Splash Landings entrance Random themeing in front of Splash Landings

Please bear in mind that there has been quite a bit of interest in these trips, as has been shown by the number of responses in this thread. Trust me, there is additional interest that is being shown by people that never post either. R & E will have a list of everyone that has shown interest, and will get the email announcement to all those that have expressed interest. Once the announcements have been made, AND the opening date for the deposits have been posted, it would then become a "first come, first serve" as the deposits are received, as it was done for the UK trip. Bear also in mind that priority is being given to those who have already been on the UK trip. Once the # of seats are filled (I believe it is 50) then you are placed on a "Waiting list" to fill spots as people from those 50 drop out. But, your deposit must be received, to either be one of the 50 or to get on that waiting list. If I am wrong, I sure that Elissa would edit this message accordingly, or just post a "what he said" type of response. Please, just be patient! JJ

OK. So we left Oakwood to make the trek Alton Towers. We actually made it there quite sooner than expected. It still was late afternoon/evening. Without an internet connection for pretty much everyone, the hangout was the bar at our hotel, Splash Landings. Nice place, complete with an indoor waterpark. The late nights at the bar is where a lot of friendships were made. Even Robb showed up for the late night festivities (drinking diet coke) and many of us stayed up till 3am and later. Anywho, enjoy the pics. Fanboy alert: Pics of Elissa, Lou and "that Hoffman girl" Fangirl alert: None Gotta love silly Brittish women who wear thin white clothing to ride wet Topspins!! Next up: More of Day 2 at Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Cool! A Topspin with water!! Air, in one of its' meaningless meandering transitions. YAY!! The water around Nemesis is now Red! (Wasn't in 2002) The waterpark with people actually using it! Lou sees Richard and is enamored with what she sees! Lookie! The "other" Ozzhole finally shows up, while Clint still has that silly grin on his face! When Robb's away, Elissa will play!!! Getting their credits on Beastie was Dan, Rich (still NO signature move), Baron and "that Hoffman girl". Look tantalizing, but....not. Next up was Spinball Whizzer. Irrating music, not as good as Dragon's Fury, but, it did have a "sad and pathetic" line for me! The castle is a long ways from the main entrance! ...and they put a very well themed Vekoma Mad House, Hex inside. Cool and creepy at the same time. It's pretty big, AND it's older than me! Love the castle in the middle of the park! Whoop-de-f'n-do. Rita was ok, nothing to write home about, if fact, 3 pictures is too many. Yep. It's a launched coaster. Our ERT in the morning was on Rita. Another view. The indoor waterpark. Inside the bar. The bar as it looked when we got there, just after a small shower.

Day 4 (Officially Day 2) A day a Oakwood. I didn't take as many pics here today, just a slow and leisurely day. Or Megafobia itself. Next up: Alton Towers Can't forget the Megafobia sheep!! Smile, my A$$! This was messed up! It just gets disturbing after awhile! The TPR welcoming party during it's preparation. Others act like Robb and just go "Plop"! We're gonna "Bop & Hop" ! A TPR takeover of thr drunken rabbit train ride! Bill getting his 100th credit on the clown coaster. Don't you just love how Lou holds the brake lever?? Cameron getting ready to go. Nicole "I refuse to look at Jeff" on the Alpine Slide I don't think I've ever seen warning signs in 4 languages. ..and, like, yeah. We're going to navigate that inversion?? OK... How come the rest of the ride is WAY over there?? Going vertical up the lifthill.. .. and it's overbanked turn. Speed is Derek approved with it's vertical loop... SPEED, and it's 97 degree drop! We got to Oakwood bright and early for ERT on....

Continuing with Day 3 (Officially Day 1) On the way to Oakwood, Dan showed us Barry's Dutch Wonderland video! So Long Coney Beach (What a Sh*thole!!) and it's 2 credits! Ted and Catrina sharing a quiet moment, caught by TPR paparazzi! Coney Beach is TPR approved! Even if it does need a *little* TLC! Of course, they had to do some onride research as well. The TPR documentary crew is hard at work on "Nessie". It looked deadly, complete with sandbags in every seat, but it wasn't all that bad. Lou doesn't feel safe, and Dan wonders if he has a hair out of place. Got to love the themeing around Mega Blitz, a Pinfari Death Machine Robb and Elissa surprised us with a stop at Coney Beach Pleasure Park! Crossing over into Wales on our way to Oakwood (or so we thought).

Day 3 and Chessington The otter is protected from Lou's provocative advances. Next up, Coney Beach. Talk about tonnage in a boat!!!!! NGT trying to still score the Elissa credit. Rich hasn't developed his signature move just yet. You can see most of Dragon's Fury in this picture. Worst and slowest Ferris wheel ever! (At least until 2 weeks later!) Sure looks like Van Nuys! All of the sudden I feel like I'm in Van Nuys! The mid-course brake is on the other side of a new kiddy area. Dragon's fury is really spread out and is a fantastic ride! There's "Shark", now where's "Tums"? The monorail (for those of us that found it) gave a neat perspective of the park and zoo. I will not look at you or your camera! I like Barry better!! They should dunk and drown these stupid things!! So....This is where they come from! This is the last day I will ever look at rubber duckys! Professor Burps has been revamped since I was last here. 90 DEGREES!! Tommy and James getting sideways on Dragon's Fury! Coolness! The absolute biggest surprise of the trip!! Token Vampire shot Steady Dan, steady. (He still tilts the camera!) The Arrow/Vekoma suspended coaster "Vampire" has some really extensive themeing inside the queue. Welcome to the "Official" start to the "TPR UK Tour 2006"