Emiroo

Fixed:

Dan Koch has been officially named as the new president of Holiday World. He is not the brother who has been running the campground for the last several years. He is a partner at a law firm in Florida. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jun/22/younger-koch-brother-new-holiday-world-president/?partner=yahoo_feeds

C'mon lets give a big push TPR! By my estimation, GKTW moves up one spot every two days. Right now they are in 9th. There are 13 days left in the contest, which means if the current trend continues, they will move up 6 spots to number 3. They have to get to number 2 to get the $$$! Nobody wants to get that close and lose. Let's make sure they win. Every vote counts. Yours could be the one that gives them a quarter of a million dollars! It takes less than a minute to vote so get to it everybody! Do it for the kids!

I stumbled upon some fresh coaster TV last night. Travel channel has a new show called Bert the Conqueror. He's a "regular guy" who travels America looking for extreme/exciting activities and challenges. Last night's episode took him to Cedar Point where his main goal was to ride TTD/Millie/Maggie/WT in under an hour. It was pretty good, though I think Maverick should have replaced WT. Travel Channel is running the new show in heavy rotation (as in it was on 6 times yesterday), so you should be able to catch it. His experience with MaxAir is also pretty amusing and one I can relate to.

Interview videos with Pat & Paula here: http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=12643268

This is absolutely eerie. I was at HW yesterday and talked to Will around 1:30 in Splashin' Safari. He told me the TLs were getting very close to being ready. He looked great and was his usual cheerful self. Who could have guessed that just a few hours later... RIP Will. It's a sad day indeed. Edit: Expanded Article: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jun/14/holiday-world-owner-will-koch-dies/

I took my family on a long weekend to STL last month and one of our stops was the City Museum. It was indeed awesome, but I must stress that it really isn't for smaller kids. I have a 2 and 4 year old and from a parental standpoint having children who cannot be left unattended at the City Museum was very nerve-wracking and a bit scarry. Once we were in, my 4 year old took off like a shot and I dashed to keep up. He climbed up some "tree" and squeezed through a "cave" which I got stuck in. Once I managed to get through, my boy was nowhere to be seen. Of course my heart stopped, but I came back to life once I heard him faintly shouting my name. He had taken a slide that sent him two floors below and was waiting for me to come down. I'm so lucky he waited because otherwise I might still be looking for him. Also, we were surprised at how "dirty" it was. That's not to say it was unsanitary or disgusting, but you'll definitely want to bring the Purell. Everything seemed to be "dusty" and "worn". Some of that was for effect, but even I was ready to wash my hands when we were done. The City Museum is an amazing place where absolutely nothing is off limits. Adults and teens could easily lose a day in there. However, my wife and I both agreed that it really should be for ages 10 and up. There are things for children of all ages there, but the really cool/fun things require exploration which younger kids probably shouldn't be left to do by themselves. I look forward to returning once my boys are older, but for now we'll stick to The Magic House which is equally as awesome but geared to the younger set.

Nothing says romance like chicken:

Keep it up everyone. They've made it to 11th which is halfway to the goal from where they were just a week or so ago. They have to hit #2 (or #1) to get the money. We can do it!

That's the Applause Award Fountain. From Wikipedia: In 2005, Holiday World received the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' Applause Award. Holiday World is the smallest park to ever receive the Applause Award. The park marked the award by installing a large version of the award (applauding hands) and commemorative plaques naming the other winning parks in the fountain located in the Christmas section.

LMAO! I instantly thought of Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons: "I have this very rare photo of Sean Connery signed by Roger Moore..."

Well it's official! I am finally returning to KI! I have not been there in 12 years and I couldn't be more excited! I have an upcoming training in Cincy, and wouldn't you know it's only 7 miles from KI! Anyway, my question to all you KI vets out there is : Is there a particular strategy for shorter waits after 5:00 pm? I won't be able to make it to the park until around 5:00. I'll be in town all week so I definitely plan to go at least twice any maybe more. I'll be flying solo so single rider lines will be used if available. Any tips are appreciated. I am so excited! It's been so long, it will be like the first time all over again!

^ Klonopin is my "magic pill". I too was worried about it's addictive properties and weaned myself off of "full-time" use after about a year and a half. As I mentioned above, now I only take it as needed. FYI - to my knowledge I never had any "physical" dependency on the medicine, but I'm positive I had "mental" dependence on it and still do to some degree. As in I get anxious if I know I'm going to be in an "anxious situation" and won't have my medicine available. It's a nasty cycle. Luckily, I have my medicine available just about everywhere I go. If you've taken meds in the past but didn't feel right (in any way) or had any unwanted side effects, try something else. I went through 4 different kinds before I got the right one. And don't sacrifice either. There was one pill that worked flawlessly for my anxiety, but gave me sexual side effects. That's no good. But eventually I tried Klonopin, which worked the same on the anxiety and the only noticeable side effect it that I can get pretty drowsy about 6 hours after I take it. And as I final little note to anyone interested, if you are seeking treatment for anxiety, I highly recommend going to a psychiatrist over a physician. I initially went to my physician and he gave me something. However, when I went back to request a different prescription, because the one he gave made me feel spaced out and crazy his reply was that was what he prescribed for anxiety. I went to a psychiatrist the next week and talked to him about it. He instantly was familiar with the side effects from my vague description and didn't hesitate to switch me to something else. We did this complain and switch routine 4 or 5 times before we got the magic prescription. I know we should be talking coasters here, but this problem is more common than you might think. Yet because of the mental illness stigma, not many people discuss it. I'm not afraid to. And since I started openly discussing my experience, I've had 2 very close friends tell me they had the same thing and sought the same help after hearing how it helped me. Not to be too corny, but if I can help anyone here overcome their fears and seek help then all those years of suffering before I got help were not in vain.

Now if this fear just pertains to riding some stuff, that anxiety is 100% normal and to be expected. If you get anxious/scared in everyday normal situations it might be Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Unfortunately, this is something I know about all too well. About 9 years ago, my irrational anxieties were getting the best of me. To the point where I was literally afraid to leave the house for anything other than going to work. Things got pretty bad before my wife encouraged me to seek help. I went to a Psychiatrist and he put me on medicine to help. It took a couple different prescriptions before I found my "magic pill" but I one I had it, my whole life went back to normal and was better than ever. The pill does not make me feel drunk/high/spaced out. If just makes me feel normal. I only take it when I feel the anxiety coming on and over the years have had to depend on it less and less so that now I only have to take it once or twice a month (as opposed to once or twice a day in the beginning). I know the anxiety will never go completely away, but it's no problem to face it anymore because I know I have a secret weapon that will always defeat it. If you do think you might have GAD, don't be afraid/embarrassed to seek help. You can have the life you want. I'm living proof. But again being anxious about riding is natural. It's part of the fun to me. That way, when you do ride you feel like you've really achieved something afterwards.

Excellent report. I love these rallies and even though you didn't win, you did an excellent job of preparing and excecuting. At larger parks, it's almost impossible. Here's a rally report from KI (from nearly 10 years ago) where they had front-of-line escorts and still barely made it.

This damn oil spill is wreaking havoc on my vacation plans. In a related comic:

FYI - I found out that it's $24.95 after 5 PM (Park is open until 10PM). Parking is still the full $10 though.

I found that an "official measurement" can vary for some reason. I have a 2 year old who is exactly 36" (which happens to be the requirement for several rides there). But for whatever reason, he came up just under 36 at the official measurement station. I took him to ride The Howler anyway and "the stick" touched the top of his head and he was allowed to ride. So if you really think he's tall enough, have him wait in line and take the stick test from a ride op. The stick doesn't lie.

I just started Super Mario Galaxy 2 and it is spectacular. I've beaten the first SMG game several times and found it quite enjoyable. However, this one is sooo much better. The core gameplay mechanics are the same (and there are some slick additions too), but there is so much polish on the game it's rediculous. To sum it up: Remember how great Super Mario Bros. was and how you thought they could never make it better? Then do you remember how blown away by how much better/awesome Super Mario Bros. 3 was (even though the core mechanics were exactly the same)? It's the same with Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Don't hesitate to purchase.

It sounds like you needed to go with a friend. That probably would have pepped things up. However, I get what you mean. I've been a season pass holder to Holiday World for the last several years. And while I am always happy to go and have a good time there, the rush of excitement about going/being there is gone. As well, I've ridden everything there so many times that it no longer bothers me if I don't get to ride something. However, on the flipside there is also something very freeing about that. The "pressure" to have fun and get credits is off and I can just relax and enjoy whatever my family decides to do that visit and not worry about what we didn't do.

BUY WITH CAUTION! – MAY DAMPEN ENJOYMENT OF STANDARD DEFINITION COASTER VIDEOS! This is the real deal. In fact, it’s so real that it now has me spoiled. I’ve enjoyed the RAW and Coaster Expedition videos in the past, but it is hard to go back to watching the standard definition videos now. RAW HD is unbelievably sharp/clear/beautiful/crisp. We’re talking right down to being able to spot paint chips on support bolts. My only real complaint is that the wind noise on some of the POVs is a bit overpowering and distracts somewhat. However, this is what RAW is all about so I get leaving it in unedited. I typically use the Toy Story 2 Blu-Ray as demo material for HD newcomers, but I used the Intimidator 305 video over the weekend and got similar reactions of amazement and wonder (I don't usually get motion sickness complaints with Toy Story though. ) You definitely hit this one out of the park and I can’t wait for more. Hope the Expedition series gets the same treatment eventually. Well done Robb. This one “Blu” me away!

^ For real. If we can manage to put Eagle's Fortress at the top of Mitch's Poll, but can't (or won't) use our strength to accomplish something that actually matters I will be very disappointed in us.

Wish I had been there because if so this one would have had a happier ending. Disability or no disability, I can't believe nobody stopped it. That just ticks me off. I was physically bullied though middle and high school and have a low tolerance for it. Now that I'm no longer a scrawny student, I've even stopped to break-up what turned out to be friendly front (back) yard wrestling matches. (Everyone had a good laugh and I told the guys they were definitely making it look good.) I'm sure one day it will get me stabbed, but until then I'm usually the a-hole who spoils the fight for the crowd.

I for one, would find it hilarious to find out it was actually just a mis-fabricated piece of track that the workers went ahead and painted and put out in the yard to F with us. But that's me.

Amazing PTR. Before this, I only knew of this org in name and generic concept. I mean wow. Just amazing. I cannot imagine the joy the kids and families have going there. It must be a wonderful place to work as well. Voted and will do so everyday until the end. C'mon TPR, lets knock this one out of the park!