djcoastermark

Just to add, if the Fla Dept of Ag sounds familiar and has been in the news lately, it has. The same Dept of Ag that couldn't log on for a year doing background checks for concealed weapons permits.

Interesting little update. The coaster had been inspected earlier in the day by the Fla Dept of Agriculture. There is a video from the news that shows some pretty good views of the undercarriage of the dangling coaster car. Here's a link to the story. http://www.wfla.com/news/florida/daytona-beach-roller-coaster-was-inspected-hours-before-derailment-state-official-says/1241825572

I would do Kings Dominion for the coasters, 305 etc. But the caveat is that Busch Gardens Tampa is my home park and I want something a little different. You can't go wrong with either BGW or KD. Just look at what they have and determine from that if you can only do one. ( Both if you can, as others have said)

^^ Hmm AB, first drop..... of the clues ?

Phil, so saddened to hear about Michael's problems. Sending a wish for a quick recovery and yous get back to normal ASAP.

Okay, a mini trip report. And , how to do Vegas on the cheap. ^ We bought our 2 for 1 passes for Adventure Dome on E Bay. 32 bucks for 2 people, amazing. Well worth it. Stayed at Circus Circus in an upgraded room in the on the 18th floor of the Sky tower for 17 bucks a night. Our room had brand new carpet/bed linens and a newly redone bathroom There is a "resort fee" of $32, but it includes the water slides, which are a blast ! We got our money's worth and then some at the Dome. Got 5 rides on each coaster, 3 on Chaos, 2 on Disco, dodgems , all 3 silly simulator rides, and 1, I will never ever ever ever do again ride on Inverter. Staying at Circus Circus, an older resort is close to a lot of fun stuff. Got off the plane and used the bus from the airport to CC. Bus #108, leaves every 15 minutes for 2 bucks. Grant, you have to walk 2 blocks to CC from the stop. Big whoop. We used the bus system the entire time we were there and it was dirt cheap. Just do some research. So nice to hop on and off anywhere you want to go, including back to the airport. Very good trans system and many routes are 24 hours. Don't miss the Fremont Experience, soo cool. Also did the coaster at NY NY. The worst coaster in the world! I should have known when we got free tickets from a couple that gave them to us. They had extra tics and were giving them away as they hated it that much. The only redeeming quality was that at night the trains have working headlights, tail lights and even directional lights. It is so bad, but a must do to find out why it is the worst coaster in the world.Now, onto the food. Vegas aint cheap anymore for food with all the celebrity chefs, but there are still bargains to be found. At Circus Circus there is Vince Neil. Had no idea who he was, Oh, okay, Motley creu. But go for the half price happy hour food and drink. Don't get the margaritas, yuck. I sent it back and ordered a rum and coke instead and it was only 5.75 at 2 for 1. Cheaper than the Marg. Ordered the Quesadilla and and OMG ! Half price and it was enough for 2. A bowl of beans,a bowl of rice and the biggest QuessaD i have ever seen. So darn good and filling for 2. Next up, Go to Freemont Station for 1.99 shrimp cocktails (epic) and $1.99 margaritas. On the other end of the strip at Hooters, they have $1 margaritas. Another caveat is, do not buy In n Out burgers on the strip. They will run you near 6 bucks. Just take a walk or bus 1 block behind New York New York to a huge In and Out burger where they are normal priced at 2.59. The best deal however is at the Hard Rock Casino at Mr Lucky's. It is not listed on the menu so you have to ask for it. It is the 777 special! It costs 7.77 and is heaven. An 8 oz strip steak, 3 giant skewered shrimp, potatoes, veggies and salad. Best deal anywhere and so fricken good. now some pics. Just a fun space our room view best tacos in the world, and just a short walk away from CC OMG they put a pinata on the Wheel ! Freemont station (and shrimp cocktails) are the bomb No justice on how big and good this was A must ride worst coaster in the GALAXY ! No Really, You have to do it to know what really is the worst coaster.

Here's a couple from FunSpot Orlando the other night after the torrential rainstorm. (WL hauls Arse in the rain btw)

Cool. We were there Wednesday night and we saw it running. We walked over as we were staying at the Fairfield Inn next door, hoping for maybe, just maybe they were doing sneak peek rides. Alas, it was not to be. They were just in rehearsal mode. It was cool to get to watch the control panel operations though. (and the Star Bar was open) Can't wait to ride it. Oddly enough, I have a fear of heights and hate Windseekers, yet I like star Flyers. I know it's weird. Also, the Fairfield next door is a great place to stay. (thanks to hotels/com free night bonus) Clean, great breakfast and has a kinda cool hipster boutique hotel vibe to it, and great views of the Eye and Star Flyer.

Just a quick FYI for Florida residents. Sea World/Aquatica is offering a flash sale until June 3 on their website. The deal is for 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Aquatica for only 55 bucks! Tickets must be used by July 1st. Pretty good deal, I think.

Just going to add my 2 cents here. Been to both parks and if you really want the coaster experiences, go to Kings Dominion. Busch to me is more immersion into atmosphere. KD is more about the coasters and rides. 305 gets my vote every time and now with TT, oy !

I must say, Ravine Flyer is in my top coasters. Looking at the lift hill is soooo deceiving. My first impression was that there is no way in heck there's a 120 foot drop off that thing. It looks so small. Then get on it, and wow ! As it climbs the lift and you see the best view of any coaster out onto Lake Erie for a brief moment, then the drop. My first impression was where the heck did that come from. That drop ranks so high on my list. Yeah, If I'm ever in the area again, it is a must do. And yes, Comt is really cool too.

^^ Gosh, I hope the little guy is OK ? On the bright side, another local story reports that the park did good for anyone with tickets for today, refunds and/or use of the ticket for any time up to a year. http://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2018/05/12/half-of-busch-gardens-without-power--officials-reporting

^ Cool find ! A light and breezy article, that should remind one if it's breezy, "Kennywood's Open"

Wow guys, (and gals). Thanks for all the advice and nice comments. Was planning on doing Adventure Dome Thurs, but it looks like we'll just switch to Friday the 4th. No biggie, we're keeping everything flexible, no agenda, it's all about winging it and having a nice time.

To celebrate being finally done with my radiation treatments, my partner decided we needed a long weekend trip to have some fun. Just booked a trip to Vegas nonstop from Tampa to Vegas for 35 bucks on Frontier the first week of May. ( 5 hours on a plane, ugh) Got stupid cheap rooms at, gulp, Circus Circus. ($22) I know , I know, we will wear full body condoms to get into bed. We also got BOGO on AdventureDome all day passes. SO this trip is going to be a cheapy one, just finally, a get away. We're not gamblers, (then why in the heck go? Never been, that's why) So we are looking for any advice on things to do or not to bother with. Most likely wont bother with the torture device at NY,NY at 15 bucks a pop unless we find a deal. The cheaper the better. Thanks for any advice.

^ Seeing as Comet is sitting in my living room, I give you 2 thumbs up. (photo is before I completed the model with landscaping trees, shrubs, people and of course a NAD train with people.)

Just a quick fun fact, Jane's Carousel is the original carousel from Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio that has been restored. I've only ridden it when it was still at Idora and would love to ride it in all it's restored glory.

Thanks for the nostalgia ! Went to Boblo in the mid 80's. I had been on a camping trip at Point Pelee Natl Park in Canada and hit a cloudy day. I had read about their Sky Streak coaster with it's "oh so odd, but fun fan turn", and figured why not ! The new hotness that year was Screamer. A nice park and sad to see it is gone. Oh, the boot looking wheel ride was a Chance Sky Diver.

The family that plays together, stays together. Hey, why should adults have all the fun ? And the best part, no more baby swaps. Oh gawd, I could go on forever.

Okay fine here.

FunSpot Kissemme. Mine Blower takes a sharp left -turn out of the station to the lift. The mind, blown was mine.

I don't know anything about the company producing these posters, but boy oh boy would those images make for some really cool postage stamps.

^^ This, Coasterbill. I cannot figure out why CP hasn't in many years taken advantage of that great setting on the beach side. Years ago, at the beginnings of the park, that was the focus. It's almost as if they tried to hide the beach for a long time.

This one's for Bert , and everyone else too. Just a cool retro FYI. Scrambler has been in or near it's exact spot as far back as I can remember. I can still remember when that area had a Flying Coaster (Kennywood's Kangaroo type ride) , a Chance Twister, and Scamper (wooden wild mouse). This was back in the 1960's and I found a map from CP circa 1966.

^ Rather than me making a comment that might get me x'ed, I d have to say that I do agree with you Bert and Ytter. It puzzles me why CF has that nasty chicken place in their parks. Now, hmm, what to put in that great lakefront spot by Wicked Twister ?