cfc

That is a classic picture, Hanno. I wasn't crazy about this ride back in 2006 (pretty rough and shaky).

I just saw Django Unchained and liked it overall--Tarantino did a good job looking at the pre-Civil War South by using the feel and sound of the spaghetti westerns of the 1960s and 1970s. Although this is definitely an exploitation picture, it's one of the few Hollywood movies that looks at slavery head on without bothering with Gone with the Wind style southern gentility; in fact, it's a pretty effective satire of it. That being said, I had a little trouble buying some parts of the movie's big finish, even when measuring by spaghetti western standards. Perfect casting and music, though--especially Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio (very effective as a plantation owner whose own bad teeth show that he's rotting from the inside out).

There had better be a shop named "Offers You Can't Refuse."

^^Good god, think of the marketing possibilities!

Here's one last look at Chuanlord Holiday Manor, home of Mr. Fish. Hmm--appears to be some activity going on down there. This map may offer a few hints as to what's being built. The park had a huge go kart track. I'm not sure if these horses were available for hire or just used as part of a show. Some guy was riding one around the construction zone earlier that day. "No, I do not poop chocolate like that donkey at Efteling. Please quit asking me." "No, nothing resembling candy is produced by my bowels--have you asked the bull?" Thar be a ghost ship, sez I! Can ye not read the sign, swab? Cursed be he who enters! Best Chinese-English sign ever. You can make it even scarier if you book in advance--that might be worth checking out if TPR returns to Chuanlord someday. It be too late to alter course now, mates. Arr! Man the windlass, you scabrous dogs! These women will catch you a fish for a fee. Here's the zipline thing. It's sort of a "suspended funicular." The mysterious ship beckons to us once again! You can get very nice views of the park from this thing. Yes, you can see things you never would have noticed from the ground. Heading back. Yes, it did get a little damp that afternoon. There's nothing more relaxing than watching fish while you urinate. "Please! No pictures! Thank you!" Welcome to the restaurant with a speech impediment. How the place got its name. There was a story behind this, but I've forgotten it. Mr. Fish did not die in vain. No, he died in China. "Next time folks, you should definitely eat me! I'm delicious!" That's all for now.

Chapter 17: The Chinese Knott's Berry Farm?--Chuanlord Holiday Manor We next spent the afternoon at Chuanlord Holiday Manor, a park which presented a nice contrast with Chimelong Paradise. If the latter is the Chinese version of a "good Six Flags park," the former could be looked upon as the "Chinese version of Knott's Berry Farm"--a good, quirky regional park that emphasizes local culture and history (much like KBF, with its Ghost Town and Fiesta Village, mirrors the history and culture of southern California). Everything about this park says "old China," from the sampans on its lake to the rustic interiors of the shops and restaurant to the natural, somewhat tropical landscaping. It's nice park for rambling around and taking in the sights. While the attractions are not exactly "world class," there are some interesting offerings: Ghost Ship Gothenburg--This was my favorite haunted walk through of the whole trip; and, in true Chinese fashion, it "strains" the restrictions of copyrights held elsewhere. The preshow is a video using music and footage lifted from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movies and the 1960s version of Mutiny on the Bounty (Marlon Brando even shows up in a few segments). I'm sure that other seafaring movies were plundered, as well. After the preshow, guests are ushered into the next chamber. Some are allowed to tour the ship, while others sit in the dark and listen to various scary sound effects before moving on. The tour itself consists of the pop-up haunted-house gags you'd expect, along with well-hidden live actors who aren't shy about whacking you with feather dusters and brooms as you walk by. The last part is a simulated storm, complete with a rocking floor and waves crashing against a window. We did this one twice, and they added an extra surprise at the end, which actually startled me a bit! This was the single best attraction in the park. Gliding Wing--This was a zipline contraption using a pair of gondolas that held three or four people each. You get some nice views of the park as you glide over the lake. Animal Show--This is the one time I've actually regretted missing a trained animal show. You have to love any show that features a goat and monkey balancing on a stool on a tightrope--or features an elephant slapping the crotches of volunteers from the audience with his trunk! (Dan has some video of this.) We also got our Jungle Mouse and Sliding Dragon fix for the day at this park, as well as another one of those bizarre spinning coasters where the car looks like a flying saucer or a washing-machine agitator (see chapter 1). But, alas, the Golden Horse Spinning Coaster and the looping toboggan were down for maintenance. Such is the coaster enthusiast's lot. We had a great dinner at this park, too--which included that TPR favorite, Mr. Fish. As you can see, already quite a contrast with Chimelong Paradise. The park's attractions are pretty well hidden by the vegetation. The park is fairly large, too. Shouldn't the first sign on the lower left read "Passway of the Disabled Person"? You are greeted by your lunch almost immediately. These boats are actually dining rooms for a restaurant. We didn't eat in them, though. Watch your step! (This area was later roped off and traffic was diverted around it.) Like I said, there was a Knott's Berry Farm vibe to the place--only in Chinese. Knott's has boysenberries. Chuanlord has mildly suggestive eggplants. We were all afraid that we wouldn't get our Jungle Mouse fix for the day--thank god we found one! The queue needs 30 minutes for what? Everyone breathed a little easier after this. It's hard going "cold turkey" when you're a Jungle Mouse addict. Those hooked on Sliding Dragons were satisfied, too. "Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, /A tale of a fateful trip . . ." And now, the weirdness truly begins. Oh no! They're stuck! Oh, the humanity! Where there's bamboo, there's hope! Hooray! Bamboo can fix anything! It's the Chinese duct tape! "Always put your trust in bamboo, my American friend." "Thank you, o venerable, wise giraffe." The buildings and vegetation hid quite a few rides and attractions. "Yes, I'm legal and fully licensed, citizen." My best guess is that this is a lizard in a top hat. On the right. Just to make sure that's clear. "Where's the restroom! I need it bad!" Judging by the funk and mist emanating from that door, the bull found the toilet. I remember when Busch Gardens Williamsburg had one of these. It was near where the entrance to Apollo's Chariot is today. Oh dear lord. Yep--another "looping toboggan." But it was out of commission. Robb checked to see if the ride would open, but no luck (thanks for trying, Robb). Whether this was good or bad fortune is, of course, subjective. More to come.

^Agreed. I want to see Frodo taking on Harry, too. And after giving this post due consideration . . . Tell that to Hard Rock Park

I scored 23/26. If I can score that well, most of you should ace this one.

Then said, "Hey--we can do that!"

That is an excellent question. Perhaps Golden Horse wanted to prove they could inflict even more pain than Vekoma?

Great pictures of the Big One and Infusion, Hanno. I'm a big fan of Blackpool's dark rides, myself.

^This looks like the work of the Clown Prince of Crime!

The next logical step for Universal would be robot fights.

It was probably your brain protecting you from a very painful memory.

It's "Lawrence Welk: The Ride."

Yes, I see very little point to this thread. We already have plenty of threads discussing Six Flags and its parks. In addition, the pace of construction most likely has nothing to do with "laziness," but more to do with budgets and schedules and building materials. Thread locked.

Ahem! Oh, yes it did. And here's the loop.

^I always thought Toon Lagoon was butt ugly. Popeye is probably the only true "iconic" character there (although I am a fan of Rocky, Bullwinkle, and Dudley Do-Right).

^As is Avalanche.

^KD has received quite a bit over the last few years: I305, Dinosaurs Alive, Windseeker, and the big Planet Snoopy overhaul (2013).

There's a Togo ride at Hamanko Pal Pal in Japan that I understand is pretty much the same ride at Mahnattan Express--only much more enjoyable (I have ridden this one). So, go figure.

They probably fake orgasms, too.

Good to see rebar on the site. Rides need more rebar! It's high in fiber! (Or am I confusing rebar with Fibercon?) Thanks for the update. I like Premier launched coasters, and I hope Full Throttle turns out well (and that the people of Yolo County appreciate Six Flags using them in their marketing campaign).

I can see it now--orcs galloping gangnam style across Rohan.