disneygurlz2s

There was a thread about this a while back... still purely speculation, and my hubby works at the park on weekends and hasn't heard anything. I had guessed that if there WERE any truth to it, it would possibly be Top Gun, because of it's location and the big indoor waterpark going in where the campground was. Others think it could be Vortex, just because of it's age and rough ride, although it's still a pretty popular coaster. Near I as know, there are no major plans for new attractions for 06. The big announcement was the return of Winterfest, and generally, any new rides are announced before the start of season pass sales, which have already begun. There was rumor last year that Hanna Barbara would be completely fazed out and that it would become a completely Nickelodeon area, ala Carowinds, and that the antique autos would be somehow added to the area (they were removed for the Italian Job). I would think that it would be a possibility that they would remove the Nickelodeon "slime zone" (water play area) and the "slime bowl" (where there used to be shows but now is just used for character greeting) and put the turnpike in there, which would be total irony since that is where the old Marathon Turnpike stood in the 70's and 80's. Shari "if I hear otherwise, you can expect me to report it here" Shoufler

Awesome photos.... may have to copy that tea cup pic... that is a beautiful picture and it is my daughter's favorite ride. Shari "makes me wanna go... ok, getting out of bed in the morning makes me want to go to WDW, but THIS really makes me want to" Shoufler

^Yes, it can be done, even if you have astigmatism.... but there are variables. When they first introduced LASIK back a decade or so, there were only a slim number of people who were candidates because of the technology. As the technology has improved, they have been able to help an increasing number of people. There are different types of surgery based on what your needs are and what you are willing to spend. Again, it goes back to choosing a doctor who really knows his/her stuff, and who is doing the "latest" procedures. Generally, you can go in and have a consultation and they will do a series of tests that will ultimately tell you if you are a candidate or not. A good doctor will turn you away or advise you against surgery if you are not a good candidate. If you are really serious about it, I would be happy to see if I can get our cornea guys to give me some names of some good cornea/LASIK people in the San Fernando/LA area. Shari

I only visited Geauga Lake back probably 20 years ago, and back then it seemed like a nice, charming "local" park, ala Holiday World. As I have written many times on this board, we were HUGE Sea World fans. I went there for the first time 20+ years ago, when I was a kid, with my sister-in-law and her friends who were all from the Cleveland area. When I got older I would take my niece and mom there, and eventually, when Herb and I hooked up, we would take Ashley and Tiffany there every summer. I was devastated when I heard they were closing. Personally, I think GL survived all those years because of Sea World. People who came a distance to visit Sea World would take in a day at GL?? I don't think it's the "animals" that are missed (as if saying that putting in 'no name' fish would draw the customers back...lol), it's SEA WORLD that is missed. I still can't believe that Busch chose to close this park. There was always a crowd, and if they had wanted to expand into rides as they have done at their remaining parks, they could have bought GL. In all my Orlando trips, I have never visited Sea World because it always cost $10+ more than our Ohio park ever did, plus, when I go to Orlando I go to visit the rodents, not the fish. I can understand why there has a been a backlash... most (non local) people probably feel like me... SW was the big draw. I can see Cedar Fair looking to unload the park now too, just as Six Flags did.... Shari

^To be honest, I haven't had it yet.... not that I am afraid of the procedure, and certainly not that I don't trust the doctors, because ours are among the top in the country. My thing is that I am the person who who has something go wrong when 99% of the population doesn't have a problem. (ie, going into congestive heart failure while pregnant) But... we've had dozens of staff get it done, including my closest coworker, and almost everyone of them said it wasn't that bad and almost everyone has had excellent results. I have had several friends get it done, including a kid I used to babysit who had all kinds of eye muscle problems as a child and had been in glasses for years. He wanted to become and cop and couldn't have glasses, so he had it done about 5-6 years ago and his vision is perfect. Most people describe it as a "discomfort" more than a pain. Your eye heals very quickly. Mostly it feels kind of scratchy, but that is eased by wetting drops, and since those are non medicated you can pretty much use those as much as you need. You sleep in goggles for a few weeks to, just to keep yourself from scratching your eye in your sleep. My biggest piece of advice is to go to a refractive surgeon who is also a cornea subspecialist. Shari "and don't be lured by price" Shoufler

Wow... you haven't spent a day at a theme park with me yet!!! My daughter and I are so bad, and the only thing that keeps us (me) from spending more is that we don't have it to spend. My daughter is at that age where all she wants to do is play the games, which is partly because she obsessed with winning all that damn plush, and partly because she is at that age between the kiddie rides and the big rides. I don't really buy PKI merchandise so much anymore, but if I go to another park, I have to buy something for myself like a t-shirt or whatever. And if I go to Disney...look out...somebody's gonna need to give me a loan!! Shari

Believe it or not, that's because these are actually really good meat-Black Angus steakburgers. My husband works weekends at the park and they grill out next to their building (cash control) on the weekends. Everybody loves the burgers so much they went in together and bought a box wholesale from the park, and so I have a freezer full of these babies right now. I agree about the Beast.... I am shocked how rough it has gotten. Tell me coaster guys and gals...is there anything they can do about that? Shari "Forget the Beast and give me another burger" Shoufler

"It's the lick"..... is this a new phrase I should learn to sound cool? :? Shari

^Hang in there, Tom.... there are so many advances being made in all areas of ophthalmic care now, there may be something for you on the horizon. Nemmy...I am thrilled that it worked so well for you!! Kristi.... let me know if you have any ??? or want any information.... Shari "TRP's resident opthalmology expert...sort of" Shoufler

^ I have to say that it was quite a revelation to me to realize there were that many gay males that were coaster fanatics, because that sure doesn't fit the "stereotype", IMO. And as far as the female contingent, it would also seem to be that the females here at TPR are all pretty much straight, if I am correct, and several of us are moms/stepmoms. My opinion on what "attracts" a person to being a theme park enthusiast is that it's the "escape" it provides. Just from different things I have read here, it sounds like a lot of us have had some part of our life where we've had "issues" whether it's been family problems or dealing with sexuality or whatever. You know that bumper sticker? "A bad day fishing/golfing/skiing is better than a good day at work"? I think that applies to theme parks. Going back to the weight subject, it is definitely the other issues and stresses in my life that contribute to my weight, not the time I spend at amusement parks, festivals, etc. Shari

OK... just thought I would weigh in on this (not as good a pun as one of Robb's, but close)..... My being overweight has nothing to do with going to amusement parks, in fact, I think if I got the chance to spend more time at them, I would probably be thinner. Truth be told, the last Disney vacation (full week) that I took (1997) I came home 10 lbs lighter. In fact, if I am at a place where I am busy having fun, I don't usually want to stop to eat. At Disney, I will usually do one big meal a day (generally a character buffet or some fun restaurant like 50's Prime Time) and that's about it.. maybe a snack or two throughout the day, but I totally burn it off. My job is a sit down, don't move around for 10 hours a day job with a high stress level. Plus I have had a lot of stressful things in my personal life. Bad thing is, I am a "stress eater". At an amusement park, no stress, so I don't eat as much, plus I am burning off what I do eat. Shari "walking 10 miles in a day cancels out the two Mickey ice cream bars" Shoufler

Ok, but we usually don't do it in a complimentary way, usually it's more of an envy thing, ie: It's usually a "Jeez, look how perky she is, wait till she has some kids and then they'll look like deflated balloons" Shari

Great post Gregg, and so true.... I agree with Katie.... women say just about anything to another woman, with the possible exception of "check out the jugs on that one!" Can't think I have ever said that, although my husband would probably be thrilled to hear that come out of my mouth! Shari

For me it's "damn, I seriously need to get a digital camera" and I started looking through all the ads in yesterday's paper. (Oh, and I found out that Sam was really referring to this "complete our survey and you might win $1000" thing that a guest relations lady gave us at PKI yesterday. But when she said "trip report" all I could think of was HERE!) Shari

Our school district starts August 23rd, which means the traffic will get thicker, my daughter will be more tired, and I am going to have to start helping with homework. Yikes!!! Shari

^That writer is an ass (not Gregg, the author of the article ) Add to your "statistics", Gregg, the fact their have probably been 20,000,000 "passengers" (guests being "driven" in those attractions) as well. Shari

^What's the matter, Kristi? My day started off like crap too, but it's gotten better. Shari

One stop shopping for Elissa's Christmas gift!!

#1) You dream that you've got to get your house cleaned and groceries bought (plain pasta, maybe?) because Robb and Elissa are coming to visit (I actually dreamed this the other night!!) or.... #2) Your child lets out a gasp from the back seat of the car enroute to daycare this morning. When you ask her what's wrong she says "Mom, you forgot to do a Trip Report for Kings Island yesterday!" Shari "Oh well, it keeps me off the streets" Shoufler

I couldn't find anything....what did it say? Shari

Great work report, Craig. Surprised you didn't photograph the Ben and Jerry's aisle, though.... Shari

A park that still has a Tumblebug and actually still takes care of their carousel! I will need to put this place on my "short list". Plus, the flamingo pink fountain is lovely. Shari

Somebody posted this already. And, I happen to think he's cute. Shari "Quit pickin' on the chicken" Shoufler

We never stopped there, but I remember seeing the signs, they usually started just south of Atlanta and became increasing frequent the closer you got to Ocala, and were always really cute with the characters on them. I would imagine that with the internet, such a service was no longer necessary. Shari "But I will miss the signs" Shoufler

I think he's cute.... he kinda reminds me of my little great-nephew. Shari