HatetoFLY

^Oh please no, thousands of teenage girls standing in line to ride it over and over and over and screaming and crying during the ride no thanks

^Yes the slow dispatch times are a major problem, for instance the Georgia Cyclone, three girls were working the coaster. They spent more time checking their hair and nails rather than checking restraints. Almost every coaster superman, goliath, batman, Georgia cyclone, mine train, and the georgia scorcher would have a train dispatch with a train already waiting to come in. These coasters would dispatch, climb the lift, go through the circuit, come to the brakes and sit there for 2-3 minutes. Its understandable to have it happen a few times but every single train. Goliath for example, the attendants would load the train check the restraints at a snails pace then go to their positions and then a ride op would call out check 8-3. They would check it then walk back to their positions and then over the loudspeaker check 8-2. I was losing my mind. I live just outside Orlando so I am spoiled with the great operations we have down here. These parks have the formula figured out, great customer service and people will return. SFOG hasn't figured this formula out and yes I will not return for a while because when I pay my money I expect to have fun which I did but with customer service to match. I dont want to go some where, where I am not feeling welcome.

It has not gotten better. I was there just last Friday, my first visit since 1997 and the employees are the worst I have ever seen. True the park does have potential but it will never be reached with losers like them running the park. I will say they were not all bad by the way just every single crew running every ride except Monster Mansion. I mean just terrible people, I just cant even explain how bad it was. I now remember why I have not been there since 1997, and its fine with me if I don't go back for another decade.

Without a doubt the Ninja at SFOG is the roughest coaster I have ever been on. Sometimes you can brace yourself and prepare for certain sections you know are going to hurt but this piece of crap just hits so hard you dont stand a chance.

^The train is sitting in the station, and where it sits its very hard to get a decent picture of it from either side of the station. Plus my camera sucks.

Part III: Gatlinburg Gatlinburg is really like a older southern version of the I-4 corridor. Its very touristy but has some pretty cool things to do. We walked a good ways played some hillbilly golf, ate some pancakes, and saw a couple of celebrities. I will get SFOG up tomorrow. Thanks for reading. Sign Its somewhat similar to the I-4 corridor It was decent. There are so many pancake houses around here its insane. Typical tourist trap restaurant Just in case you were wondering. Golf anyone? How about a lift, yeah I know that was lame. She had to take the pictures cause I had the white knuckle death grip. From the top Alright lets go down. I want off Almost there Life is like a box of wine. Dunk on this ??? Crap I told you there over here!

Update from today June 1, 2009 Today I was not lucky enough to see any testing. I didn't stick around to wait for a possibility either since crews were in full force all over the site today. Paint touch ups, wiring on the evac towers, landscaping, new fences, new walkways, new concrete, and work on the queue and station. I saw more people on site today than ever before. On a side note, I think this has already been discussed but the queue for the attraction will be completely outdoors, from entrance to loading. Most of it will be covered but nothing will be inside. I was able to see the queue through door openings on both sides of jimmy neutron. And from what I saw nothing will be closed in either.

Small update from today June 1, 2009 New paint and touch ups abroad continue in the Lost Continent

Part II: Our cabin and the Great Smokey Mountains. First off, our cabin was awesome. My only complaint was that we had to scale the mountain to get to it. Which isn't all that bad because our view was great. But the elevation was just serious, I mean I am from Florida, our highest mountain was built by a mouse and has a multi million dollar yeti stobe light inside. The cabin was great, it was clean, fully furnished, and had a jacuzzi, a hot tub, pool table, and huge deck. We saw some wildlife including a bear which destroyed our garbage, raccoons, wild cats, millions of insects including my first experience with a scorpion in the bathroom. It was just a great time, besides the scorpion. If anyone is looking into going to Pigeon Forge look up sunsett cottages, they have some pretty good specials and the cabins are top notch. Now onto the photos. This was our Cozy Corral Enter here Living room This was the loft, up there was a hot tub, pool table, and second bathroom. And this was our view. Another shot of our view 75th Anniversary of the Smokey Mountains National Park FDR stood here for the dedication of the National park. Its where the Tennessee and North Carolina state lines are. Both states donated land to the project. It was really an amazing park. All over the park there are places to pull over and park. I'm running out of stuff to say. Looks like Snoop Dogg is out here somewhere. That's the main road way down there. More nature crap. Lets go this way. There we are, now lets get back to the cabin.

No we did not, we pretty much ate at stands all day long. A little bit of this and a whole lot of that seemed to work well. Also since you seem to like ice cream just a little I will say that their ice cream, I think it was called Grandma's homemade ice cream was really good. Some of the best I have had. Part II: to come

^I think its just a matter of time before they expand the land and demolish sinbad. Whether it be for Harry or not I dont see it lasting more than 4-5 more years. I will be out there tomorrow to get some pics and hopefully see rockit testing while I'm there.

So every year we decide to take a trip for vacation to some where we have never been before. My fiance and I started this tradition back in 2005. Since then we have visited Las Vegas, Phoenix, Mazatlan, and our east roadtrip which included Hershey Park, Dorney Park, BGW, SFGrAdv, Kings Dominion, and our first trip to NYC. This year my fiance explains to me she wants to go to Pigeon Forge for our Vacay. So instantly I begin to think of what themeparks I can hit up during our trip. Dollywood which we have never been to, and on the return trip we decide to go to SFOG which both of us have been to but its been many years. We rented a cabin in Pigeon Forge through sunsett cottages. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and stayed in Pigeon Forge though Thursday. On Friday we left, and headed to SFOG, stayed in the ATL and came home on Saturday evening. I will do our trip report in parts and let the pictures do most of the talking. Thanks for reading now onto Dollywood. Part I: Dollywood We arrived at the park to find small crowds and intermittent downpours. Before going to this park I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised with our visit. The best part of this park is its atmosphere. Its very clean and friendly. The food is fantastic and the rides are great with a wide selection to choose from. It was a great time and the highlight of my trip. Now to the pictures, LET THE THUNDER ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! Lets go this way! My new # 1 wooden coaster surpassing Lightning Racer Its kind of hard to get photos of It's TWISTY!! GCI through the trees. I managed to get in 5 rides, 1 in the front and 4 in the back. Timbbbeeerrrrr!! It was unique but I didn't really understand it if that makes sense. Alright, I was excited for this one The line was non existent, lets GO This bird was trying to warn me of what was to come but I didn't listen! Because I'm a dumb ass! Ladies and Gentlemen the Mystery Mine brace position. This was the smoothest part of the entire ride besides the lifts. Bring on the PAIN This area just killed me. The themeing was very well done though BRACE YOURSELF!!!!!! This is where they house the pain and hold brace yourself drills. Like an idiot I rode it again. The river battle Yeah no one was on it!! Finally people to battle. New for 2009 SKYZIP Due to off and on downpours we just didn't have time to do it. I was pissed but I'll get over it. **** *** mother nature!!! Where the hell am I now. Oh here we are, on my first aviator. I feel like rockin Scratch that In all seriousness I hate ferris wheels and she makes fun of my so bad. I will do a 365 ft slingshot or 200 ft skycoaster, or in her eyes ride Kingda Ka over and over but would rather pass on the 60ft ferris wheel. This way to some Arrow goodness. Maintenance bay This is the best Arrow creation besides the big bad wolf I have ever been on. Its very hard to photograph It is smoother towards the front but you have to ride in the back to experience the first drop. Those who have rode in the back row know, its just insane. It got our approval. And to end part one of this trip report the only picture I got of one of the craziest rides I have ever been on. WE GOT FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!

Just FYI a theme park show, showcasing extreme attractions is now on the travel channel. Its 11pm eastern time so keep a look out! By the way its not a new show but it is a newer special.

Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Orlando. Rode it today. Photo by Alan Taff

Update from today May 20, 2009 ^Who the hell closed this off!?

Update from today May 20, 2009 If anyone cared to know one train is just chillin in the station. I got close to take a picture, which didn't turn out at all and within minutes a black tarp was placed over the train. I swear I saw them laugh at me ^,^^New footers for Blue Man group signs TRAIN!!! ^RUMBLE! ^Lighting is being installed around the firehouse.

Ha love it!! Dude awesome shots, I can't imagine what those are for but the sheer size makes me think something has to go through them Great Update, I hope to get out there tomorrow! Way to get the topic rolling again!!!

And that is where I stopped caring I just can't understand your argument. You are bashing one of the most innovative and highly themed THEMEPARKS ever created and you have never even been there. Last I checked the Incredible Hulk, Dr. Doom, and Spiderman were all Marvel comics. The rides blend with a back story, themed environments, and I mean even the queue's are heavily themed. For crying out loud you walk through the bugle in spiderman. How is that corny? Now I'm going to go bash and rant about something I have never done nor experienced!

Great Update, glad to see your having a great time. Truly cant wait for this entire land to open. Were about a year away Also a lot has changed in Hogsmeade since my last visit. Steel city has risen!

Revised List 1.SheiKra 2.Millennium Force 3.Kumba 4.Nitro 5.Apollo's Chariot 6.Manta 7.Montu 8.SROS (SFA) 9.Dueling Dragons (Fire) 10.Kingda Ka Honorable Mention -Raptor -Kraken -Big Bad Wolf -Storm Runner -Space Mountain (WDW) -ROTM (USF)

^Wondering the same thing. I could definitely see Universal going for a July 4th Grand Opening. At least we know July 3rd is now highly possible.

Possible grand opening date of July 3rd. Or at least around that time frame. Wait for it, I here it. "Will it be open June 12th?" When will previews begin? Let me be the first one to say NO ONE KNOWS. http://www.power96.com/index.php?page=212 (Scroll to bottom of page)

^They are still working on the wiring, evac systems, and they were working on the track connections still when I was there yesterday.

Thanks man I try to share such a huge project as much as I can. I don't know how long its been since your last visit but I'm sure you'll be blown away by the sheer size of the project. I am hoping that structural steel will begin to go up soon, my last two visits it seems that the roof is prepped and ready to go but they are waiting to finish the outer sections before continuing on. Maybe you might get lucky

It is seriously intense, I rode in the back today wondering can it really be more intense that in the front or even the middle. Uhhh YES!!! In this picture its not my crappy camera or the speed of the coaster it simply looks like it feels!!!