cfc

Because you can't improve on perfection. I also vote for Renee (nay).

^According to the FAQs on the attached flyer in the first post, you have to be there on the morning of Aug. 7 between 8:30 and 9:15.

^ & ^^^Yep--makes sense to merge these topics.

^Now we must kill you.

DruidWear would like to announce it's new line of formal attire: DruidTux! Yes, tuxedo versions of those classic robes we all know and love, available for sale or rental! And what do you have to wear under your DruidTux? Not a damn thing! We now return you to Friheden. Yeah, I did the SCAD Tower, and I got the shirt to prove it. That's all for now. Always nice to meet a fellow American when traveling in a foreign land. You know what you need after freefalling over 100 feet? A big box of fried stuff from Mr. Big! (Seriously, I got a "small" box of fried chicken that probably held two or three pounds of food.) The net was absolutely soaked! It was like dropping into a swimming pool. . . . then drop you into this enormous net! . . . dangle you from a cable, . . . And now, for a mere $10 American, Friheden will take you up about 140 feet or so, . . . "Hey! Occupado here!" "Sorry--we'll wait." Of course, some suburban housewives can be sort of scary. Why, isn't this just so cozy and domestic. Don't worry--Lou will protect you. Yes, Steve's enthusiam for this type of attraction is, indeed, infectious. Look, Scottish Steve! It's another dark ride!

Just because you're a Druid, doesn't mean you can't look stylish. DruidWear--look hot at your next Solstice festival! And now, Tivoli Friheden. "Pass the . . . oh, cut it out!" One more set of pics to come. Remember--no spinning! "Well. That certainly was . . . different." . . . but it wasn't as rough as, say, Mind Eraser at SFA. Yeah, that looks a little messed up . . . "Yes--it is a good day to die." It does have comfortable, cool-looking trains. . . . Sartori! ("It stays on the track, or double your money back.") And now, Cobra, courtesy of . . . Phew! Made it! . . . and hope that the chewing gum holds! Grit your teeth, everyone . . . . . . and, of course, coasters, such as this Pinfari death machine. . . . this forbidding structure, . . . Well, there's enormous underwear, . . . So, just what is there at Friheden, anyway?

Hello again, Druids! We at DruidWear would like you to keep this in mind: Stonehenge--cold and gray. DruidWear products--hot and sassy! We now return you to Farup Sommerland. . . . and Falken. Thanks for the great day, Farup--off to Friheden. On the way out, one last look at Lynet . . . Larry found his own way across. Thoughtful host that he is, Robb dries off the monkey bars. "No. It's better if I can't see what I'm doing." "Me crawl in hole! Haw, haw, haw!" Just before he was decapitated by a tree. . . . and let the mayhem begin! Cry havoc . . . "Hmm--this is a Sword of Power, not a Compass of Power. Where the hell are we?" OK, here is the most insane attraction at Farup--the maze and obstacle course. In the rain. . . . and beer! . . . lunch . . . Somebody help Fran before he's swept away! Or else he may miss . . . Here we see an ancient British custom dating back to the days of the Celts. The "Alpha Male" is taunting a would-be challenger with a sharp object, such as a pointed stick or, in this case, a brolly. And the rain continues to fall. Yet I was stupid enough to ride this. Er, Mark--do you realize you're sitting next to a psycho? Hey! Pull down that lapbar before ya get hurt!" "Bleah! Bleah! I'm a bat! Aren't you terrified?" "I could so kick Pierce Brosnan's ass." "What are you? Some kinda doomsday machine?" Here's your chance to reenact the boat chase from "The World Is Not Enough" or "Live and Let Die." (Just pick your favorite Bond.) And now, another attraction you'll probably never see at a U.S. park. "That ERT session was so cool, but so long! I can't hold it any longer! Ah-h-h-h-h . . ." Now that is one big slug. Perfect day for him, though.

Chapter 6: During the Deluge, Part 2--Farup Sommerland & Tivoli Friheden We achieved new levels of wetness (and not in the fun way) at our next stop. This was a another two-park day, starting with Farup Sommerland. Farup is like the coolest summer camp ever: rustic setting and buildings, plenty of chances for bodily injury, which don't involve a machete-wielding maniac in a hockey mask (I think that's an upcharge); and, of course, rides (never had rides at my old summer camp). Seriously, Farup is a beautiful, nicely maintained park that isn't afraid to run most of its attractions in the pouring rain. Imagine that. There's a good assortment of stuff here, including an obstacle course over leech-infested waters (not kidding here), speed boats (which aren't an upcharge), and these coasters: Lynet--I think Gerstlauer is on the way to becoming my favorite ride manufacturer. First, Fulch at Hansa, and now this launcher at Farup. This little ride packs a wallop, with some nice airtime hills and a few surprises for first-time riders. ERT on this sucker was great (even in the rain). Falken--GCI recently did some retracking work on this S&S woodie, but couldn't quite solve all its problems. Robb summed this ride up perfectly: "Fun-fun-fun, shuffle-shuffle-shuffle, fun-fun-fun, shuffle-shuffle-shuffle." I think the former cancels out the latter, for the most part--I enjoyed Falken (especially when the "Sword of Power" came into play). Mine Expressen--You know, Vekoma makes a pretty dang good kiddie coaster. This one was a little better than average. Flagermusen--This is a rather painful spinning mouse that doesn't really spin. But at least it's themed to bats. Bats are cool. Next up was a brief stop at a aomewhat more "urban" park, Tivoli Friheden. This is a nice, family-oriented place that, nevertheless, had one of the most intense attractions anywhere--the SCAD freefall tower. The coasters were an oddball bunch: Cobra--This is the "off-brand" inverted that derailed shortly after debuting last year. Well, it's back together now. It's better than your average Vekoma SLC, but still not very good. Orkanens Oje--This is a standard Pinfari looper. You'll wonder how much chewing gum and baling wire is needed to hold it together. Tyfonen--Another nonspinning spinner. Ho hum. Dragen--A Wacky Worm with dragon trains. OK for what it is. Friheden has a pretty good dark ride--a hotel full of serial killers! It's a bit beat up, but most of the gags work and the opening "elevator" gag is great. Plus, while there, you can "eat the American Way" at "Mr. Big's." Here's a look at a soaking wet day. The picture quality isn't the greatest, but the staff at both parks were--thanks for a great day! "Hmm," thinks Kristen. "If I had the Sword of Power, I would show them all! Yes, sweet, sweet vengeance would be mine! "If I ever needed vengeance for something." More to come from Farup. "WE HAVE THE POWER!" "We're passing the sword! We're passing the sword!" "Pass the sword! Pass the sword!" "Aw, it ain't that wet! Bring it on!" Find the masked wrestler. But we care not, for WE HAVE THE POWER! As you can see, the rain contiunes to fall. . . .Falken! Farup provided sandwiches and hot coffee for our next ERT session on . . . Now that's what I call a mass! We got Lynet! Hey, who needs Stonehenge? Yes, this is like a Druid orgy for coaster enthusiasts. Who would've thought paganism could be so much fun! . . . cr-a-a-a-a-a-a-p!" Everybody begins the chant: "O-o-o-o-o-o-o . . . The mysterious TPR Druid mass begins. OK, why is there a picture of a kid in the smoking area? Who installed these "Hags" cans--the American Tobacco Association? I guessed it's themed to a logging train gone amok, or something, And off go the TPR Druids to the High Temple of Lynet. Oh my god! Someone forgot to check those poor animals' restraints! They're all gonna die! Prepare to feel as though you are being stung by thousands of bees. Mike, you look like dry cleaning. Like a little rain is going to stop us! Hmm--relative humdity looks to be about 200% today. Hey there, Druids! Just because you follow an ancient pagan religion doesn't mean you have to look drab while doing it--not when there's new DruidWear! Robes and hoods in all colors of the rainbow!

I always thought that Beverly smelled (and probably tasted) like Hai Karate or Aqua Velva.

They have Fanta Birch Beer at the Williamsburg Five Guys--good stuff! Sounds like the Deep South Tour is off to a great start. As for the "Cat Pig . . . " Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Please post your "coaster firsts" here: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=529&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=first+roller+coaster Sorry, but there's really no need for another "first coaster" topic.

Yes, it was a great night at BGW--not much of a crowd and perfect weather. But we did get soaked to the skin on the Roman Rapids. Enjoy Motorworld tomorrow, Mike!

Yes, rain and all, that was a great day. Tornado was excellent, the ghost train was a bizarre mixture of gore with cartoon goofiness, and Trombi wasn't so much painful as it was awkward and uncomfortable.

Terror of London also sounds a bit like Wicked Woods: Ripper Row at BGW, too. I haven't been to Knott's Haunt since 2001 (and I enjoyed it quite a bit).

When you reach the station, the ride attendants usually send single riders up the middle to fill the next available seat (rather than queueing up with larger groups). Yes, I am often a sad-and-pathetic single rider. You picked a good day to visit, Mike--perfect weather, and Fridays are usually pretty slow at the park. EDIT: Hmm--that's new. Sounds like they take single riders through the Quick Queue line now.

^I wasn't trying to discourage you from posting--only letting you know that the video link may have been a bit much. My apologies if I offended you. That was not my intention.

^"Your" not "you're." An embedded video still has to load up and buffer, and could present a problem for members with slower Web connections. Frankly, I'm not sure the video was necessary.

^Do you really believe that anyone is going to watch a one-hour-plus embedded video?

^You didn't hear me say nothin'.

Well, everyone at the park seemed to refer to it as a Schwarzkopf, so no offense, but I'm going to take the word of the people who OWN the ride over some internet hearsay. --Robb Looked and rode pretty "Schwarzkopfy" to me.

^ Reading is FUNdamental, kids.

Sam's Sausage Remnants, Inc., would like to remind you to eat responsibly. Yes, you are responsible for each one of our sausages you eat. And now, we return you to Legoland. Just to give you an idea of how wet it really was, this happened despite wearing a windbreaker and poncho over my sweatshirt. Thanks for reading so far--but there's a ways to go yet. Even a cactus needs a siesta from time to time. It's very tiring work standing around in the desert and all. "Well, bein' as I were all wet, anyway." "I suppose he'll be lettin'em share our busty Lego wenches, too! Blast that, sez I!" "So, the donkey be dolin' out shares of our treasure now, eh?" "Avast! Me donkey vouches fer 'em!" "Heave to! Stand and deliver, coaster-ridin' scum!" "Arr! I be the most effeminate-lookin' pirate ever in these pantaloons and shirt! What were I thinkin'?" "Hmm--I hear if you mix rum with gunpowder, then light it on fire, you get really high!" "Let's check it out, dude!" "How about a little help fer yer old shipmate, lads? No? Well, how about shoving a marlin spike up yer fjord, then?" "Arr! Mangy curs act as though ye never seen a Lego shark before!" "Belay that! Maybe ye should work in the galley." "Up into the rigging, you scurvy dog!" Hmm--either that, or this ride uses an elevator. Yes, my seasoned park-enthusiast instincts are telling me the latter. "Hey, Bjorn! I think someone forgot to finish the lifthill!!" Now it's time to get wet--like Vikings!

You know, a REAL MAN will eat damn near anything! Chorizo, pickled tripe, pigs feet, Taco Bell--yes, anything! At Sam's Sausage Remnants, Inc., we only stuff our sausage for REAL MEN! Enjoy Legoland. And, on this damp day, this may have been the most popular part of Legoland. One more set of pics to come. I like these little boat trips to nowhere. Here's another familiar ride. "Sigh! I'll have to dress up like a Druid, again." Legoland Billund took the "robocoaster" idea from California and put it indoors. It was like a "rave" for Detroit-assembly-line robots in there. Just repeat to yourself, it's only Ricochet, it's only Ricochet . . . Aw, there's no need to be afraid of Xtreme Racers, little dragon dude! "Stonehenge! Where the demons dwell! Where the banshees live, and they do live well!" "Before the dawn of history . . . an ancient race of people . . . the Druids!" "Yes, I am thoroughly enjoying the Dragen so far. Thank you." Hmm--this looks rather familiar, only they spell it "Dragen." "Oh, crap! What was in that brew last night . . . bleah!" Yes, even in the rain, there were some people crazy enough to ride the Splash Battle. . . . a whorin' we will go! . . . a whorin' we will go! High ho the merrio . . . A whorin' we will go, . . . Do not annoy the bunny with the chainsaw. There's one thing you have to remember when you visit Legoland Billund.

Chapter 5: During the Deluge, Part 1: Sommerland Syd & Legoland Up to this point, the weather gods had been kind to us--some sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and just the occasional drizzle. Well, that changed after Hansa Park. We were out and about in some pretty serious rain for the next couple of days, but what the hell--it's Scandinavia, and it's often damp. Give us your best shot, Thor! Long-haired, freakin' God of Thunder! Go to a barbershop, you pansy! We got credits to get, and ERT to get 'em! We made a brief stop at Sommerland Syd, a nice little park, for a brief spot of ERT. The coasters here are nothing particularly special, just a decent Vekoma Invertigo and a Pinfari death machine, but there was this rather unusual splash boat. Let's just say that "political correctness" wasn't a factor on this ride; in fact, with it's theming dedicated to cannibals, it was geared to be as offensive (or hilarious, depending on your mood) as possible. Old Tarzan flicks were more enlightened than this thing. My thanks to our gracious host, Helmut "the mechanic," who was our guide and ride op at Sommerland Syd. He went out in the pouring rain just so a bunch of coaster geeks could score some credits. Next up was Legoland Billund, the original Legoland park (after Hansa Park). Although the pouring rain put a bit of a damper on the day, this was an excellent park for families--the best of the Legolands, or so those who have been to all of them said. (I've only been to Legoland Windsor.) It had the usual assortment of rides you see at other Legolands (Dragon and the Richochet in Technics drag), along with a log-themed kiddie coaster. But I thought the best thing there, rain and all, was the Lego version of Pirates of the Carribbean--a very nice knockoff of the Disney classic. Good rapids ride, too (well, we were already soaked, anyway). Here's a word from our sponsor--plus a look at Sommerland Syd and Legoland. We rode the Pinfari, then headed out. Thanks, Helmut! Legoland awaits. Don't look now, Steve, but there's a Klan meeting going on behind you. We've endured the Vekoma--bring on the Pinfari! But that's how it goes . . . in the Twilight Zone! (Actually, the ride was OK.) By now, she realizes that her dream has become a nightmare. By this point, she's thinking, "It's a dream come true!" Meet Lena, a tour bus driver. She always hoped that some day, she'd be driving a busload of freaks to ride an Invertigo. Her dreams have been fulfilled now! Next up, is some goodness courtesy of the Vekoma corporation. . . . handburgers!" (Who comes up with this stuff--Noel Coward?) "Hmm--I sure am hungry. Guess I'll hit the drive-thru for some . . . . . . smoked Cubans!" "I daresay you do, Chauncey. Funny you should mention that, because guess what we're having tonight . . . "I say, Cyril! Do I have enough time to finish smoking my Cuban before dinner?" "The sooner we ride this, the sooner we get to the Vekoma!" (NOTE: The following images are about as far from PC as you can get--like that's ever stopped me before.) We rode this. In the pouring rain. Well, why not? "Hello! I'm Syd! Welcome to my rather rustic Sommerland!" Larry and I found a nice little tavern for dinner, too. (Mmm--pepper steak.) This little port town was quite pretty. Er, Larry . . . this is a bit awkward. Our hotel in Flensburg, Germany was very nice. Hi there, folks! Ever wonder what goes into sausage? Hell, what doesn't go into sausage! Well, at Sam's Sausage Remnants, Inc., we stuff our sausage with damn near anything, providing it's dead! Yes, Sam's Sausage Remnants--if we can scrape it off the pavement, we can stuff it in a sausage!

Paris Disney is definitely worth a visit. Their versions of Pirates, Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion (aka, Phantom Manor) are great, even though their Space Mountain is pretty bad (nice to look at, but rough). The Studios park is actually nice and worth checking out, but could use a few more "E" ticket attractions.