SharkTums

The best part about Vegas is the 'Pornography Slapping!' Elissa "you know what I'm talking about!" Alvey

Hey all! As you may or may not know I’ve been working for the Special Olympics for the last 6 months. I must say it’s the best job I’ve ever had! My old boss got me started in it when he got me to volunteer to videotape and edit some segments for the 2004 Spirit Games (A huge one day competition in Santa Clarita), and now I work here! The 2005 Spirit Games are now coming up and I need help! I am in charge of the area known as Olympic Village. This is where all of the food and fun happens (which is why I’m in charge of it!). We’re all set to have big Inflatables, Games, Mini-golf, Food, Jugglers, and more! This is where my loyal coaster enthusiasts come into play…have you ever wanted to be a ‘carny’ for a day, and get community service hours, or just a good feeling out of it? Now’s your chance! We need volunteers in many areas, and one of them is running the inflatables and games. Last year we had the big Tsunami Slide, Obstacle Courses, other slides and more. I also need some of our Video Savvy people to help video tape the day’s events as this year I might be too busy to videotape. I know that Robb will be my main videographer but we need at least 3! If this sounds like something you might be interested in please PM, IM, email, post, whatever to me and I can get you additional information. Also if you have any questions please feel free to post here and I’ll be happy to answer any questions. Even if you don’t want to volunteer I encourage you to come out and have a good time as the event is open to anyone! Here is some basic information below: Date: Saturday, May 21st Time: 9am – 4pm (All kinds of shifts are available for volunteers starting as early as 5am lasting till 8pm!) Location: Newhall Park 24907 Newhall Ave. Newhall, CA 91321 I need to know within the next 2 weeks if you’re interested in volunteering, so I can get a volunteer form out to you since those are due back by April 15th. Thanks again! Elissa "I swear it's fun and not annoying!" Alvey

Yay!!! Credits!!! Elissa "tired of always passing that exit on the drive from Dollywood to Carowinds!" Alvey

I might not be the best person to ask because since I moved out here in April of 2003 Robb and I have not spend a single night apart... That being said though, you have to talk to your family. None of us can really make that decision for you. I've actually gone to parks on my own, even eaten at Mythos by myself, and it was actually kind of nice! I don't know about doing a whole trip though! Elissa "ask the misses...tell her to be honest!" Alvey

I pretty much agree with what Robb said. There are really no amazing rides, or perfect parks in all of Texas, yet everytime we go we have a great hassle free time! I really like the state as a whole. People are friendly, driving is easy, food is great. Elissa "we've seriously considered moving to Texas!" Alvey

Are you staying at one of the CP hotels? Then you get in early and can hopefully get TTD, if not, get on Magnum or MF. Again, just get their early no matter what. TTD will have the longest line of the day by far so try and get that out of the way. Elissa "Make sure to ride Disaster Transport for me!" Alvey

Friday of Memorial Day weekend we found one of the hotels at the same exit as SFFT for like $60, not too bad. I don't remember which one it was, but I'll tell you how I normally book hotels: Go to Travelocity and look at what hotels are right near the place you're going (use the view locations on a map). See one that you like, then go to that hotels actual website where 99% of the time you'll find a cheaper rate! As for Schlitterbahn, there's nothing really AT the park that's cheap as it's more like a resort area. About 15-20 minutes away right at the Interstate Exit there are a bunch of hotels. On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend we got one of the scarier ones for again about $60, the others were all over $100 so I was willing to try it. It was a "Best Value Inn" We actually had no problems and it was a huge room! Hope this helps...let me know if I can help anymore. Elissa "Sometimes I also use Priceline" Alvey

All of the rides where they do not allow you to bring carry-on items have free lockers at the entrance. I would never leave ANYTHING on a platform. I just don't trust people enough. If you're going to spend an entire day there takd advantage of the "package pick up" where you can buy stuff (I believe even your onride photos) and pick them up later in the day. Elissa "I try not to bring too much stuff as it just slows me down!" Alvey

We don't really know till we see where we end up! Elissa "Europe will be prominent on the video!" Alvey

I really don't know what show's we're on and not on. Most of the production companies swap footage all the time so who knows what is used. If it's the batman footage I'm thinking of Ric Turner actually shot that for a company that then used it in a bunch of shows (even a Vegas show!) Elissa "glad the coaster shows are winding down!" Alvey

^Thanks! Elissa "we try" Alvey

^I'll give you the stick in the eye! Elissa "it's better than going to SFMM!" Alvey

Is everyone ready to be really turned on... I'm wearing my 2XL Brigh Blue Solace Shirt!!!! YEAH BABY!!! Elissa "the best thing I get from Solace are new sleeping shirts!" Alvey

Giant Dipper @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - I don't understand the hype, I wasn't overly impressed. Hurricane @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Eh, I've been on these in other places, nothing too special but still fun. Top Gun @ Paramount's Great America - I really like this one! It makes me black out every time I ride it! Short, but Sweet! Demon @ Paramount's Great America - Ouch, Arrow rides suck! Vortex @ Paramount's Great America - Ugh, evil old B&M standups...they hurt. Quicksilver Express @ Bonfonte Gardens - A really great mine train! It even has some airtime and rodents on it! Elissa "Bonfante rules!" Alvey

^I was thinking you were going to say that it was your Video Entry! Elissa "all about awesome underwear!" Alvey

As far as the Premier Coasters/Lapbars/Airtime... They give great airtime! Just because you're stapled does not mean you don't feel the airtime!! Sometimes I think it's better to be stapled because you really can feel your body pressing against the restraints with insane airtime! I agree with Joe, Mummy gives at least 2 places with ejector air! As for Italian Job...I'll be honest, the main thing that disappoints me is that it's at PKI! That park just does not do it for me! I don't like the rides, and it seems to have really poor crowd control and queues. As for the ride, it just looks really cheesy. At least Mummy is in the dark so you can't see just how cheesy the black light posters look. I'm concerned that between mediocre theming, poor capacity, breakdowns and an okay ride...it just won't do it for me. Elissa "prove me wrong kids, prove me wrong...seriously I hope it's great! I never hope for a bad coaster!" Alvey

I really love this park also, but for me it isn't a full day park. Instead I like to be there for opening, and when I'm done hit up Ober Gatlinburg with the alpine slide, or any of the other Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Attractions. It really depends on what you're into and how busy it is to determine how long you'll be there. Elissa "ride Mountain Sidewinder!" Alvey

Be there before opening as they often open the gates early! Run right to Hulk, then do in order, Spiderman, Doom, Cat in the Hat, Dragons, Jurassic Park, Dudley, Blutos...then the other stuff that you want...maybe single rider a few things if it's busy or use Universal Express. Elissa "EAT AT MYTHOS" Alvey

^Good Point Barry! I'd really like to try and get my mom on it, but it will be hard to convince her since she can't see it ahead of time! Elissa "trying to get my parents on more stuff!" Alvey

I don't think I ever posted my review of Silver Bullet... First off, I don't think it's as awful as Robb does! The first drop is laughable...to the point where when riding in the front I literally burst out laughing seeing that long piece of straight flat track in front of me! Loop is a Loop, less forceul than most... The Overbank is very fun, reminds me of the Stengel Dive thing on Goliath... The Cobra Roll is almost like Deja Vu when it goes backwards...you really think you're going to roll back. No snap (the painful, or the good kind)...it's just kind of there... Zero G is slow to the point of almost being uncomfortable as you hit your restraints... The Two Flatspins part is fun! Nothing special, it's just nice having something Different! And you actually get a little pop of air between them! The helix is pretty average, but compared to the rest of the ride it's really the first place where you feel forces! The run up back to the brakes is slow, kind of like Kraken's where it just barely makes it up! All in All here's how I would rank it... All Other Inverts Silver Bullet Alpengeist Talon Great Bear As for rideability...I have heard personal accounts from people that rode it 20 times in a row without getting off during the ERT in all different positions trying to entertain themselves! Elissa "those are my thoughts" Alvey

I don't really think they are...but the way they were always "I love you" and hugging and kissing...it was too much "best friends" for me! Elissa "they needed a good descriptor!" Alvey

^I love Viper! It's in my woody top 10 also! That double down is great! Elissa "Aska is nearly a viper clone!" Alvey

Is it just me or do all of these new Gerstlauer Coasters (mice and other weird things) all look VERY similar...especially that one descending helix! Elissa "It better be a good helix!" Alvey

Yeah, Honestly, Sea World is better than Animal Kingdom anyways! Have a good time, feel free to keep asking more questions! Elissa "misses orlando" Alvey

Great episode tonight! I LOVE Rob & Amber!!! They are playing the game really smart...and I'm sick of listening to all the other teams badmouthing them! Elissa "buh bye lesbians!" Alvey