coastersrule85

Attended the Fair on Friday. You have got to be sure to try the fried butter. No, I'm not kidding! It tastes really good! (if you like buttery bread) FYI, be prepared to spend some money; the fair is not cheap. It costs $10 to park, $15 a person to get in, plus the rides all cost extra. (bigger rides, ferris wheel, spinning mouse, etc. are as much as 12 coupons=6 bucks per person). Despite the price, I love the atmosphere, so it's worth it. We had an absolute blast! I went to SFOT yesterday and had a blast! The only coaster that was down was Flashback because they're using the queue area for one of the haunted houses. You can get a pass for all four houses for only $15. The two houses sponsored by the Boy Scouts were actually pretty good. Studio 13 was my personal favorite. Make sure to go through Skullduggery, which has a very cool arrangement, after dark. It's more of a haunted woods kind of thing and is much creepier at night. Hope you have fun!

^wow, you did! Thanks, that was fast! The airfare is the tricky part for me. I'm flying out of Houston and my niece who wants to go is flying out of Memphis. I'm a teacher, so if I can only afford one trip, I'll do what any good, caring uncle would do....buy her a t-shirt and send her some awesome pictures.

I'm really wanting to go on the U.K. trip as a first choice and the mainland Europe trip as a second. The one thing that might make a difference is airfare. Just so I can get an idea, which cities do you think you will be flying into and out of for the two trips to Europe? Please feel free to share any wisdom you might have on finding lower airfare to Europe. John "Excited as Hell About Taking My First TPR Trip" Jackson

Those are two of the greatest videos in the history of mankind! I mean, you have the guy standing up to the tank in Tienanmen Square, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and now you can add the booby releasing coaster videos to those that will live on beyond the fall of man...

I have to say thanks to all of the great information too! I'm hopefully going to Busch Gardens the first week of October and was wondering about how the park works for its more rotund visitors. Now I'm worried a bit, but I have a month to work on it.

Wow, funny that you posted an update today; earlier I was looking through some of your old posts and wondering what trip ya'll would be doing and reporting on next. Amazing pictures! The Smoky Mountain area is such a beautiful place. It's nice to see photos of fall colors...something we don't have much of here. I'm sure the question has been asked before, (please forgive me for not wanting to go back and read through your posts) but what kind of camera do you use? Your pictures always have such vivid colors. Again, thanks for another great adventure!

Wow, gorgeous photos, and a great report! Love the post titles. LOL

Not a lot has been said about the rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I hate that I have gained so much weight since my coaster trip this summer, but alas, I've once again fallen in the battle of the bulge, and I'm planning on heading up there the first week of October. Can anyone give me a heads up about the park? Tight fits on coasters and flats? Does Apollo's Chariot fit better/similar to say Diamondback or Raging Bull? How do the "big-boy" seats on Alpengeist fit? Argh! Why is it that food is just so damn tasty?!?

^That would be great if Rattler was to go to that great amusement park in the sky, especially if SFFT would make sure to utilize the quarry wall for another coaster. While Rattler sucks horribly, it is beautiful! I would love to see another wooden coaster in its place only built better of course. That being said, my roughest coaster award does go to Rattler. If there was at least some payoff for the roughness, it would be okay, but the ride is simply painful and SLOW.

This was by far my greatest year for amusement park visits ever. I know my list doesn't compare to many others, but for me it was awesome! Sadly enough, summer had to come to an end. In my second life I want to have a job of traveling from park to park making observations and getting paid for it! My list: Kemah Boardwalk Six Flags Over Texas SF Great America Timber Falls Mt. Olympus Beech Bend SF Kentucky Kingdom Holiday World Kings Island Cedar Point Kennywood Hersheypark Knoebels Dorney SF Great Adventure Jenkson's Boardwalk Dollywood I'm hoping to go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg next month for a weekend and possibly Disney World in December...but neither of those are set in stone... Next year I'm committed to going on a TPR trip for the first time because they look like a total blast!

My pet peeve is people who judge other people's pet peeves.

One through six were very easy to rank, but seven through ten were pretty tough. 1. Knoebels 2. Holiday World 3. Kennywood 4. Hersheypark 5. Dollywood 6. Six Flags Over Texas 7. Kings Island 8. Cedar Point 9. Six Flags Great Adventure 10. Six Flags Great America I think I went more for the total experience of the park rather than thinking in terms of mind-blowing adrenaline thrills, which truly surprises me. These parks are ranked by where I've had the most fun.

I love Texas Giant! I do have to say that I rode it this past spring in the back seat, and it felt great and fairly smoothish...but that was right after we'd had a lot of spring showers. The last time I rode it, a few weeks ago, it was rough as hell in the back seat, but that was after the terrible heat we've had this summer. (but I still love it even when it's rough...such a great track layout)

^not a problem. Also, make sure you're hungry before you go! The Shrimp Box has an amazing salad bar, which I think you can order for $9 or $10. However, I wouldn't recommend doing that because the meals are delicious and completely worth overstuffing yourself! Also, thanks for the complement. We loved the area, so I know you'll have a great time!

And try to find blue birch beer. I know that people say blue and white are the same, but trust me, blue makes it better. lol As far as food goes, I really don't think you can go wrong no matter what you decide. Although, I do have to kick myself for not seeing the fried brownies, dangit! Ride all of the coasters for sure. I would say that your must rides are the flyers, Skooter Bumper Cars, Sky Ride and the Looper. (however, I suggest riding the looper BEFORE you eat anything)

On Day 15 we drove home, but not before a stop at the Sam Houston School House near Maryville, Tennessee. I saw it on the map and thought that there was no way I could pass that up! (Okay, maybe it's a Texas thing, plus the fact that I graduated from Sam Houston State Univ.) If you don't care much for Texas history, there really isn't much to do or see. They have a little museum depicting the life of Sam Houston, which I found very interesting. Of course, there is also the restored school house in which he taught and they are doing a lot of work on beautifying the grounds. All in all, I'm glad that we took a couple of minutes to stop and see it. So, I suppose THIS is the actual last stop for our trip before driving back to Memphis. The final stop to the greatest road-trip ever! "Tools of the 19th Century Schoolteacher" ...I especially love the little behavior modification device in the lower left... Duck if you're taller than 5 feet! The grounds were very nice and extremely quiet. I guess you should expect that when you're in BFE, Tennessee. Welcome! Whew! We found it!

Moon Pie Pancakes?!!? Where have they been all my life? Damn, I've got to go get a plane ticket right now! I know school starts tomorrow, but they'll just have to understand that there are more important things than reporting for the new school year...and Moon Pie pancakes is one of those things! Upon my return, once I explain, I'm sure my administrator will understand.

Terrific pics! I'm glad to hear you giving kudos to some of the rides at my favorite Six Flags park. Glad to hear you liked Texas Giant. It's also one of my favorite woodies. It can be a little rough for the weak at heart, but it's just such a fun, intense ride. Titan, Shockwave, and Vibora are all great rides too. Sad to hear your dislike for the Mine Train, such a classic. Anyway, great TR, glad you had fun, and I look forward to the rest of your report!

No, we actually heard some people talking about how there used to be a spin out where the swings are now. I didn't see a Rock-O-Plane anywhere...and I'm glad too, because I'm sure my niece would have made me get on the thing. LOL

Really? That's too bad. I'm sure I will ride it the next time I visit, but at least I don't feel like I missed anything for now. I know I will be heading back to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area within the next few years, the main reason being all of the activities in the area from your post. You have no idea! I mean, I've ridden TTD, Kingda Ka, and had numerous rides on various Skycoasters, but none of them ever scared me. I felt like I was going to die on the Ferris Wheel at Dollywood; of course, most of the credit for that has to go to my niece for "accidentally" rocking the bench...and then laughing her butt off as I terrifyingly spate expletives.

Days 13 and 14 Day 13 was devoted entirely to driving down to Pigeon Forge. I wish I'd done my research for the area because I had no idea that there was so much to do. All we really did in town was walk around and eat. The next day we headed to Dollywood. I absolutely loved it! First of all, it is an absolutely beautiful park. I love the landscaping they have throughout. Everyone was so very nice and courteous; they really know how to cater to the customer. We tried to ride as many rides as possible, with special attention given to Thunderhead of course...in addition, we gave a little extra love to Mystery Mine too. Mystery Mine was different and a lot of fun, but Thunderhead was terrific! It still didn't beat out The Voyage or Phoenix for me, but it was amazing! If it was just a tad bit longer it would give both of my top two woodies a run for their money. The food in the park was absolutely delicious! We tried to eat a little of everything. I loved the over-sized skillets full of yummies. We pretty much grazed all day. The only thing we didn't eat that I really wanted to try was fried banana pudding. If you've had that and it's delicious, please don't tell me and make me hate myself for being full. Sadly, this was the last park in our trip. In fourteen days we hit twelve different parks and had the greatest vacation of all time. I worried a bit that Heidi would get a little tired of driving and going to parks at some time, but in the end she actually turned into a bit of an amusement park phanatic herself. I must say though, I do look forward to letting someone else do the planning and driving next year, because I am absolutely going on a TPR trip. Let the pictures begin... Thus comes the end to another absolutely awesome day at the last park on our trip. Thank you Dollywood for helping us finish up in style! On the way out we stopped by the candy store and bought a bit of everything! Yeah right! My niece being the comedienne that she is, kept leaning our bench forward an backward "on accident" which brought out the Tourrette's in me! I even apologized to this family in front of us, but I think they were laughing too hard at me to hear. Hmm...seems small and harmless enough...the same as Beech Bend only less rust. Shouldn't be a problem right? Yay, the Wonder Wheel of expletives! Take a ride on the Sky Rider. A little swinging action at Dollywood! Now, that's the 'tater I want fried up! Making our way back up the switchbacks. My calves got quite a workout on this trip! Okay, I've got it. It's, um...four hundred thirty-two o'clock in the year 2525. More Dollywood scenery. This reminds me that school is starting soon...only three more days of summer, sigh. Wait, I need to be positive. Only 180 more school days until I start gearing up for my first TPR trip! How about a ride on Fire in the Hole...er, I mean Blazing Fury. I rode a good old-fashioned horse; Heidi decided on Ned Beatty. Time for a ride on the Village Carousel. Toot-toot! All aboard Klondike Katie! I loved the train ride! What a unique experience. Super creepy miner dude. Pretty. I smell extra-large skillet deliciousness! Burger anyone? You know, that's probably the one thing we didn't eat that day. Dolly's tour bus. What a great little museum! Dolly is living proof that good things happen to good people. Cute little sculpture thingy. Have a Coke and a smile! I was also amazed at how clean the park was all day! ...and I'm sure it's even a lot better on acid... The park was just beautiful! Aaaah!! It was a very different ride. I thought it was well-themed and a lot of fun. I wish we'd have gotten a chance to ride in front. One other thing I loved was how much shoulder room it seemed to have! We loved Mystery Mine! We wanted to ride Timber Tower, but we weren't prepared to get wet and didn't want to pay for a locker. It looks like fun, so next time I visit, I'm riding it for sure! Pure wooden awesomeness! I just can't seem to resist a coffin photo-op. RIP to those who didn't survive Thunderhead... "Showers? It ain't Saturdee!" I'm glad no rain was made today. I do loves me some 'taters! We decided to hit the best first! I see pot people... Dolly does love her butterflies. Yay! They're glad I'm here! We saw this on the drive down, and it just cracked me up. Candy and tobacco?

I swear, I've not played mini-golf in a long time, but every time I read your updates, you make me want to get out and play! Of course, I'm sure there aren't any places in the Houston area that are nearly as unique as the places you post. With each of your updates, I truly wish we could have spent more time in the area when we visited Dollywood. MagiQuest looked like it was interesting and fun! I always enjoy the updates and look forward to your next post.

Day 12 We planned today to either go back to SFGAdv if we needed to or to just take it easy. Having sufficiently conquered Great Adventure and since we were staying in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, we decided just to explore and enjoy the boardwalk. We stayed at the Broadway Motel, which was absolutely great! It was actually very reasonable and we were only about 2 1/2 blocks from the water. We had so much fun at Jenkinson's Boardwalk! The weather was perfect, the beach was extremely clean, and all of the people were just so very nice. It was such a nice and relaxing day of spending time at the beach, eating lots of beachy foods, and buying really tacky souvenirs to take home. We also spent part of the day riding rides and getting one more coaster credit. There is a part of me that wishes we'd have tried to run down the coast and get in a few more credits, but the day was just so nice and so much fun, that I don't regret anything. The next day was the long drive to Pigeon Forge... Time for the pictures... The end to another awesome day of fun. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I must say that I was not in the least disappointed. If you haven't been, I highly recommend spending time at the Jersey shore. I look forward to a future visit when I will take more time to explore the boardwalks further south as well. So long boardwalk... Time to say good-bye to the beach...sigh. Aliens descending upon the Earth? No, just the reflection of the chandeliers inside the restaurant. This was the great view from our table. If you are ever in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, do yourself a favor and dine at the Shrimp Box. It doesn't really look like all that much on the outside, but we had been directed there by several people, and they were spot on in saying that it was excellent. It's not exactly cheap, but it is worth every penny. The boardwalk had a Fun House. Rides. Nothing beats Dizzy Dragons...except everything! As we walked back up the boardwalk, we couldn't resist riding a few more rides. Jetty and gulls. Welcome to the Jersey shore! Heidi's first time in the Atlantic! The water was fun but absolutely freezing! Some cool kites were flying too. There was some parasailing action going on which looked like a lot of fun! From the south end of the boardwalk...for some reason Alfred Hitchcock comes to mind suddenly. Cute little Merry-go-Round. I assure you I'm not that much of a credit whore. When we rode the swings, it was more like destruction-derby swings. A little rain cloud blew in and the wind picked up just as the seats were rising. When we began spinning, the empty seats would bash into us like crazy...it was so much fun! lol ...don't even think about it. Heidi sees a Tilt-A-Whirl=we ride a Tilt-A-Whirl. It's not just a regular Himalaya; it's Super-Himalaya! Flitzer steel madness! Flitzer was a lot of fun and a tad bit terrifying, not in intensity but more in the fear of my life area. Oh boy, rides! One of the stores where we bought loads of tacky stuff to take home. More boardwalk yummies. That reminds me, we've never seen such a love for waffles as we did in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Not that it was bad; heck, I love waffles as much as the next guy, but I'd never seen anything like that. ...just an observation. More gameroom fun! Boardwalk deliciousness! First the giant penguin, now this guy...definitely no more for me, bartender. The whole day was just such a neat experience. The boardwalk really was like something out of a movie. We couldn't pass up the chance to spend lots of money to earn tickets for really crappy stuff! Please tell me you see the giant penguin too. I couldn't have had THAT much to drink. What beautiful flying rats. I spy boardwalk fun in the distance! The beach was great! That's where we're headed! We were so close, we decided just to walk to the boardwalk.

I do have to admit that after visiting Kennywood, Hershey, and Knoebels, I couldn't help but notice how few trees there were at Dorney. I still had a great time, but we actually talked about it while we were there and were glad that the weather was nice and cool. On to Day 11 We sadly had to leave Pennsylvania, probably my favorite state to visit for amusement parks. Today we were going to spend an awesome day at Great Adventure. Since I didn't fit in Top Thrill this trip, I was looking forward to riding Kingda Ka just for the thrill. I'm not the biggest fan of TTD and KK, but I can't deny the enjoyment of the adrenaline rush! Heidi was looking forward to riding it so she could say that she'd ridden the tallest and fastest (at the moment) coaster. Well, as we all know, while we were on the trip they closed KK for repairs...quite disappointing. Oh well, they still had El Toro and Nitro, plus I was excited about riding Runaway Mine Train, since the group I was with my first visit a few years ago didn't want to. We arrived at the park as it opened and headed straight to Nitro. We got in three quick rides before the line started getting bad. Unfortunately the park was undermanned or something because a LOT of rides were closed early and intermittently throughout the day. As some rides would come on line, others were closed, a tad frustrating, but we just went with the flow and had a blast. Great Adventure gave a whole new meaning to line jumping! My first visit it seemed like there were more employees around to prevent it, This time it was just an absolute free for all. And unlike Dorney, we were dealing with real wait times now. Again, we just thought, "Whatever, who cares? We're here to have fun!" And, that we did. Okay, picture time... And the "Dork" award goes to.... Okay, the whole trip we'd been doing self-pics as we left. Someone offered to take our pic this time, but like morons, we still posed as if we were doing the self-pic thing. Stooooopid! Anyway, again we arrived at the end to another awesome day. ...however, before we leave, how about a little cheesecake at the Carnegie Deli? MMMmmmm! Good night, Nitro, it was great seeing you again. Nitro and Batman at sunset. Pure beauty... I love this shot too, nothing but coaster awesomeness! Another shot from Big Wheel. I love this shot. Going up! Whoa, another big one! I think it's about time we headed to Big Wheel. Finally in the afternoon the Runaway Mine Train opened, so I was able to get the credit I'd missed a few years ago. Woo-Hoo! By this time in the trip, I've gotten completely used to spin'n'pukes. Tea Cups! Yay! Who can turn down a ride on the Carousel? A little Great Adventure beauty. Roughing it through the midway gauntlet. Get out the dry rub and heat up the coals... Hey, I just rode your ride! Say hello to the creepy statue ladies. Does anyone know if the poor things are even out on hot days? Next up was The Dark Knight-the Jersey edition. Time for some B&M inverted fun! The restraints on this Batman were much tighter than any we'd ridden on the trip. I'm not sure if that's because they were actually tighter or if it could possibly have been the diet of fried potatoes, cotton candy, frozen custard and kettle corn. Hmm, I suddenly want ice cream... Batman, Nitro and Big Wheel...oh, and trees! Yay, the Skyway finally opened! Not many people in line, but our track had one train, so we did have a little more than 30 minute wait...still had fun though. Classic photo point. Crazy thing is when I took this photo, the only ride in this picture that was running was Rolling Thunder...which we promptly rode. Paul Bunyan loaned his chuckwagon to the park for the day. Welcome to Bizarro, the home of the Line Jumping Olympics! The new effects on Bizarro were pretty cool. Move over Joker. MEEEEEOW!! We were told that these were the platforms they were going to use for fireworks, but unfortunately, we were a few days early to see them. A little more Blackbeard... Call me goofy, but I really like Blackbeard's Lost Treasure Train. There was no line at Skull Mountain, so we took advantage of it and got our ride in. "On the count of three- skinny people, scream like banshees; large and lovelies, squint and smile." I love Nitro in the front row...and the back row...and the middle...etc. Time for some sweet steel coaster love! A few people waiting to make the mad dash to Nitro. A little Great Adventure loveliness. Thank goodness the crowd was small in the morning! Good morning Revolutionary War statue. Wile E. productively spending his morning trying to blow up Bugs. Ahhh!! Curses!! G'morning, Bugs!

^Exactly, that's what made it a bit frustrating; there was no real wait. A group of people would get off of a ride and run around to get in line again. Some of them would lag behind, and we would get in line before their entire group got back around, so they would just push past us. We let it go a couple of times, but then stopped letting them.