Sean Menefee

My list of coaster has been upped quite a bit over the last few years. As of right now my favorites would be: 01. The Voyage 02. Tatsu 03. Xcelerator 04. Raging Bull 05. Viper (SFGAM) 06. Top Gun (GA) 07. Medusa (SFDK) 08. Chang 09. Millennium Force (Biggest kiddie coaster ever made. Still lot's of fun though.) 10. California Screamin / Roar (SFDK) New parks for me this summer are going to be: SFGAdv Indiana Beach Dorney Hershey Park

So my girl and I happen to be out in Ohio during Coaster Mania this year, and decided we should check the event out. We finally have to take the plunge and sign up for a coaster club to get in, and I've run into a bit of an issue. Someone pointed me over to FLCC but I'm looking at the letter they sent me, and it could take up to 6 weeks for my cards to come back from processing. I'm trying to be on the safe side so that when we leave June 1st, we don't have to worry about getting into the event. Do any of you guys have any suggestions on what club to sign up for that will have a high proability of getting me my stuff before we take off? I'm not really picky at this point, but I'm really not trying to sign up with ACE unless I have no choice. There has to be a better alternative right? Thanks in advance for any information. Sean Menefee

It's always nice to hear great feedback about DK. Great TR, it was fun to read about your day. Sean-

The Kellys, Al, and myself just finished planning & booking our 2007 US coaster conquest. Check out the madness below: We did the Midwest/Kentucky/Holiday World swing last summer and had a great week. I've never had the chance to get to any of the PA/NJ parks liked I've wanted, so we decided to do combine the Midwest & East Coast and make it a two week trip this time around. I know the driving we're doing is a bit nutty, but it really worked out well last year for us. If anyone has any suggestions for the East Coast swing feel free to chime in. Were mainly looking for great food/brew spots in PA after our days at Hershey and Dorney. We are also open to meeting up with any locals so feel free to drop me PM or email. Thanks for any tips or suggestions folks. Sean "Really looking forward to Toro, Maverick, Voyage, the GOOD Great America, and Schintzelbank again this year!" Menefee

Back on topic we go. I just scanned Saturday's Metro section from the Sacramento Bee for you guys to check out: Side Note.... This ride is very intense, and a ton of fun. I gotta admit that it sticks out like a sore thumb at night, but I'm kinda partial to stuff like this. I'll post a few night shots on my way home from the Kings game tonight for anyone interested, it's pretty amazing Sacramento finally got a big thrill ride. The placement is a bit funny for the surrounding neighborhood, but then again the homes around Scandia are in the hood & next to a major freeway. I don't see how their property value can come down much more then it already has in the last 15 years.

are you sure I thought this was the first year SF is trying this method. I've been getting the "needs to be activated" passes in the mail from SFMW/DK for at least the last 2 or 3 years. I've also never had a problem with activating or purchasing new passes either.

Anyways, the spell checker is cool. Runs nice and quick in Opera, and makes it so I don't have to drag my text into Word 2007. It seems like a keeper to me. Sean-

Click on the thumbnail for the full size image.

Jeez, quit breakin the kids balls guys.

Head to the Roar/V2 side of DK at opening for plenty of re-rides before the crowds find their way over. Catch a few rides on Roar first then make your way over to V2 if it's open with the park. Medusa seems to be the "running of the bulls" rides for SFDK so make your way over to the section of the park during the mid-late hours of the day. Medusa's lines tend to be almost walk on for any row but the front most days. Anyways, enjoy your trip. Make sure to check out everything else the park has to offer if you have a full day to do so. The rides are a great start, but DK is offering a lot more these days if you're into animal & show attractions.

I would say the idea that GA is going to removed DZ would be pretty far fetched. I wouldn't put too much brain power into a rumor like this, it sounds like your friend is pulling your leg.

Yea, That new Thomas Town is going right in the middle of a big walkway there. Thats not good thing, plus the Looney Tunes section will be right next to it. Im also curious as when V2 is going to open. Anyone know? Have you been to the park this season and actually seen in person where Thomas Town is going? It's not going to change or alter the pathway leading to lakeside & Shark at all. With Round The World and the Ski show gone it will bring some life to that side of the park. (It could also boost LTSP popularity as well because of how close it's located.) V2 is also slated to be up this weekend to welcome the spring break crowds. BTW..... GREAT trip report. I've been a bit under the weather this weekend/week so your PTR pretty much covers what I wanted to post about my second visit on Saturday. (I had an allergic reaction to allergy medicine...sweet huh!) It's been nice to see so many different perspectives of the park, and you did a great job showing how you afternoon went. Your photos are great looking! Cheers, Sean "Anyone hitting GA this weekend??" Menefee

The next batch is ready to go. Here are more photos from Friday’s event in no particular order: Medusa's infield is still a parking lot at this point. They did however cover the fence in bamboo screen material to clean up the main entrance. It's a start. Discovery Kingdom's Public Relations Manager, Nancy Chan, welcomes the media to the preview. Robin decides to turn the table on me. Brand new play area in Looney Toons Sea Port. It did end up opening on Saturday with a ton of families packing the place. More paint TLC has been given to almost every sign in the park. Batman getting his face time stolen by a bird. The original MWAUSA entrance fountain with a new school addition in the background. The elephant stilts are now bolted down and covered up with landscaping. This Land portal ended up looking really nice after everything came together Saturday morning. More from Merlin's Island Party preview demonstration. Dolphin Cannonball in full effect. You know this can't end up being a good thing..... That's gonna suck........ Ben & Jerry's opened another location back by Tava's Jungleland. Yes the Butterfly attraction has still survived through all these years. Its entrance sign is also getting re-done for the first time in a decade if not more, over the next few weeks. A few Tava's Jungleland shots for good measure. The Reptile House looks very bright and clean this season. Shouka lounges around here re-themed habitat. A parting shot of Jambo backstage, getting ready to be shipped off to the flat ride afterlife. Al say's "The media tour is over, comeback tomorrow for opening day folks!" Thanks again to Nancy Chan, Al Garcia, and Kari Gleeson for invite and all the great photo time. I'll have another set of pictures up soon so stay tuned folks. Cheers, Sean BTW: Check out Theme Park Village's version of SFDK's media day here: http://themeparkvillage.com/updates/sfdk/mediaday/page1.php

I'm still recovering a bit today from a goofy allergic reaction I had Friday night, and I've been in Vallejo two days straight. Expect an update a bit later this evening if all goes well. It's taking me some time to sift through the 5+ gigs worth of photos from the weekend, but I'm planning on posting a few more sets for sure. Someone asked what else was new at the park this year besides the signs and theming? Until I can get the rest of the pictures up I scanned the "Fact Sheet" from my media package for you to check out. Thanks for all the compliments and feedback. It's always appreciated! Sean-

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Just play it cool, and like Dave said make sure to let the big media through. You will get your chance at some great photos, just gotta be a bit patient with these sort of events. The PR/Marketing team at the park are great people so I'm sure you will enjoy your day as much as I will. SFDK media events are always an interesting way to spend a morning, see you there. (If I ever get to sleep!)

MW/DK was a family park before all the thrill rides moved in my friend. They also added Ocean Discovery in 2004, so they have been adding family stuff for the last few years. It's not really a new trend for them at this point.

Back to generic photos is the only downside. Other then that little thing, I really like the new design they came up. My home park: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/index.aspx

Ahh Stealth, the gift that keeps giving.

Thanks for the photos as always. Quick thought though.......Your pics are always great, but the hug MIG is a bit distracting IMO.

Naw, but it may be enough reason to take 99 back to Sacramento after a long So-Cal weekend instead of I-5. It could be one of those rest stop/Sally dark ride breaks from the car. Sean "Just kidding, I have a cousin in Fresno" Menefee

Even though I'm a bit late, I wanted to say I'm glad to hear is all well in the Alvey household. Congratulations to all three of you guys, and the rest of your families & friends. Cheers, Menefee In honor of your awesome photo captions about Kristen: I couldn't help myself so I had to open Photoshop up. The Birth of GlowTums (Yes I'm a major Tron geek. Aren't we all?)

GA's Grizzly isn't rough in my book, it's just slower then molasses. No amount of retracking can make this a better ride, it's just flat out boring.

SFGAm is hands down one of the best SF parks I've had the pleasure to visit over the years. The park has great rides, classic Great America theming still intact, and Bull, Viper, V2, and Intamin drop tower goodness. When you have Great America west as one of your home parks, you really see what a poor job Paramount did in preserving all the charm that made the place special. It was cool as hell to walk in SFGAm for the first time and see New Orleans Square, the berm still in place, trains still cruising the park, etc. It just brought back a ton of good memories, and we all kept saying how we couldn't believe this was a Six Flags park. It's really that nice of a place. Edit....I forgot about the water park. It's amazing to say the least and shouldn't be missed.

If it's anything like SFDK's yearly JAM cheer event, stay as far away from the park as possible. Do your nerves and noggin a favor.