disneygurlz2s

My mom and I went down to WDW in 1997.... it was my first trip there since the edition of ToT and I was so excited to ride. My mom was in her 70's at the time, so I was a "lone rider". When it came time to board, they gave me the back center seat. Although I had read every detail possible about the ride in Birnbaum's book, I was still nervous. Imagine my shock when I sat down and realized that I had a seat belt, but no bar in front of me to hang on to. So... the ride starts and off we go... I was fine.... until we got to the first drop. As we dropped, I got that sensation of needing to grab onto something...so I did: the little Japanese man next to me!! I put a death grip on his upper arm. I think I scared him more that the ride ever could have!! Naturally, I apologized, and kept my hands to myself for the remainder of the ride, but by the time I went to exit, I was laughing hysterically.... Shari "I still laugh to this day when I think about it..." Shoufler

OOPS... I meant to attatch the news article on it from MSNBC...here it is.. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7320260/ Shari "Wonder if Ron and Kelly were in the wedding party " Shoufler

^I am thinking the baby will be next. Can you see Rob in a hospital... trying to get them to deliver her ahead of other mothers, or trying to get some special treatment? LOL And then the delivery "Oh AMBUH!! Oh Baby". That would be great!! Supposedly, they either A) got married this past weekend at Atlantis in the Bahamas, or they are B) getting married this weekend. There are two different reports depending on the website. Shari "It's bound to be the best TV wedding since Ryan and Trista!" Shoufler

I liked Lynn and Alex... they were good comic relief among couples who are pretty intense. The took it seriously, but not tooo seriously. But, they also didn't do much to break the stereotype, either. It was funny last night... my six year old finally caught on when she heard one of them call the other "Honey". The look on her face was classic! I have to say I was in tears when Joyce didn't back down from the head shaving. My husband and I have suffered financial troubles like they are, and I'll tell you what... I'd shave my head too if it meant we'd be that close to a million bucks. Still rooting for the old folks though... I just can't help it! Shari ps.. Elissa... did you get my email that Rob and Amber's wedding will be on TV?

OUTSTANDING!! Shari "Just waiting till I strike it rich to buy me a fur coat" Shoufler

Thanks for the great photo of my flyers...... I am going to go have a moment to myself now Shari "they shipped off a piece of my childhood and turned it into a kiddie ride" Shoufler

And, the man is 78 years old, so we'll be doing this again a lot sooner than this last go 'round. Especially if you saw the guy. He looks like a heart attack waiting to happen. And when all of us liberal Catholics start picking on him...look out. Shari

As promised, I obtained some detailed information on Strickers Grove here in the Greater Cincinnati Area. Unfortunately, the park is completely booked for private parties for 2005 and even if they weren't, they require a reservation for a minimum of 500 people!! That said, however... I have some detailed info on the 3 days they are open to the public so that if you are interested, you can make your plans! Monday July 4th... Parking is $4 and admission is free. Rides are available by purchasing tickets or you can buy at all you can ride wristband for the day (last year's price was $12.50). They have a fireworks display that night. Sunday, August 14th... Free parking, admission is $9.00 for all you can ride and soft drinks are free!! You are welcome to bring in your own picnic basket. Debbie from Strickers stated that this is the day that tends to attract a lot of the enthusiasts! Saturday, October 1st...Same as the August date. I told Debbie (who, by the way, was very nice) why I was inquiring and she was very interested to know more about TPR, so I am sending her the link!! Maybe we can plan on meeting up on August 14th... I am thinking that I would like to go that day because it's been about 15 years and I am interested to check out the coasters. For those of you who want more information than what I got (sorry, I forget to get hours!) you can contact them through their website at http://home.fuse.net/strickersgrove/ Hope this helps you all in getting your elusive coaster credits! Shari "Your southwest Ohio connection" Shoufler

My love for coasters is just an extension of my love for amusement parks... it's the escape. For a few hours (or all day, which is my preference) you are completely isolated from the world around you and your day revolves around safe thrills, junk food and fun ways to waste your money! Shari "It can't get any better than that" Shoufler

WTF????? Somebody explain this one to me, please. I am dying to know..... Shari "Being Catholic, we only get communion wafers" Shoufler

Nadia has talent, but I just felt like she didn't WANT to be mainstream. Somebody made the comment (maybe Elissa??) that Carrie was too country, but look at Faith Hill, Leann Rimes, even Sheryl Crowe...they've had hit songs in pop and country both in recent years. I think people forget (with all the hype, etc) that the point is finding someone who really is going to appeal to the masses once the show is long over. Shari "next week I have a feeling it could be Scott" Shoufler

They are adding Chick to PKI and Starbucks as well. They have also added an ice cream parlor featuring Graeters (which for those of you unfamiliar, is an awesome, super butter fat ice cream). I used to work at one of the Graeter's stores here in Cincy and Kathy Graeter, one of the owners (and my old boss) was at the opening Saturday. She said they trained the employees and supply the product, but essentially, PKI runs the store, so maybe the Chick restaurant will not have to abide by "company rules". Shari "is their chicken any good???" Shoufler

^ No problem... I will check into it tomorrow and post back here! (For the record Ross used to pretty much be the country but thanks to urban sprawl, it's practically a suburb now! ) Shari "they have flyers... that's why I want to go" Shoufler

^ I totally agree with Ted (athough, for a second, I thought Simon Cowell was posting on TPR ) I really hate to say it, because I started out really rooting for Scott but I think the whole "domestic abuse, threw the phone at the girlfriend" thing is sticking in my mind, and between that and the whole "white guy talking like a black guy" attitude he's wearing thin on me. Shari "I like Constantine more with each passing week" Shoufler

Little Sammi fell asleep on the couch about 7:15 (Tuesdays always seem to be when the weekend catches up with her) and the first thing she said this morning when she got up was "I missed Amazing Race". She was glad to know she didn't miss an elimination. That's her favorite part... she goes around saying "Mommy and Murray (that's our cat) you're team number......one!" (We've also had to hold Tribal Council in the living room..complete with pillar candles for torches). My question.... who the hell would want to buy one of those steel boxes now that they've been tossed around like that??? Shari "I love Gretchen's comments and her 'OH MY GAWDs'" Shoufler

It's not that random... in fact the park is probably about 25-30 miles (maybe less) from downtown Cincinnati. OK.... since I am "right here", would you all like me to call them and find out what a rental involves? I would be happy to get the information and post it back here for you.... (I'm off work Thursday, I can add it to my to-do list) Shari "a random theme park fan in a random Ohio town" Shoufler

Put in Bay and the other islands up there are a big deal, and there are two resorts now (one is CPs and the other is called Bear Lodge or Wolf Lodge or Moose Lodge... some woodsy creature) that have indoor water parks. I should think that during the season that most of the restaurants along the main roads into Cedar Point should be open late. Shari "We usually stop at McDonald's" Shoufler

Here is MSN's list of the Top Ten Amusement Parks in the US... http://local.msn.com/special/amusementparks.asp?GT1=6323 Shari "Carowinds gets the flyers and suddenly they are a top ten park" Shoufler

I love your trip reports and photos, Robb!!! A few comments: 1) Wow! Has Bethany grown up!! I feel like I know them from all their photos and I just can't get over how much she has grown since the last photos of them. Quite the young lady! (And Dallas you're a cutie too!) 2) I had to laugh about the T-shirt...only I can do ya one better. 3 years ago when we went to Cedar Point, Samantha picked out a very similar Snoopy t-shirt of the characters on the Power Tower. She was 4 at the time and will probably be 10 before she can ride that. And I PAID $12 bucks for that shirt! I questioned myself at the time why their kiddie shirts didn't feature kiddie rides. Camp Snoopy had a coaster and there's also the Jr Gemini, so why not feature those?? 3) We've said this before, but you guys sound about Knott's a lot like I do about PKI. 4) Don't you hate when business owners/managers bring their kids to work and let them sit there (or worse, let them run wild). We can't take our kids to work with us, so why should they be allowed to. That's ridiculous and if that had been me (especially if I was in one of my moods) I would have probably asked to speak to the manager and demanded a refund for the babysitting fee!! Have a great week! Shari

I totally experienced the opposite, Ted.... I got my highest score ever. If I was even pointing it in the right direction I got a hit!! LOL Shari "but I still told my 6 year old she won" Shoufler

I was thinking yesterday as I was walking around PKI "I wonder if there are any TPR people here?". CafePress was going to be my suggestion too... Shari "I will proudly wear one!" Shoufler

How fun... good luck with it! Wish I could be there to attend and help because I am my family's resident party planner so this would be right up my alley....... Maybe if you come this way next year, I can throw an Ohio version..... Shari "I love a good summer party" Shoufler

Do you mean Stricker's Grove? Here in the Greater Cincinnati area??? I have been there (maybe 15 years ago) but don't remember a coaster. Aren't they available to rent for private parties? If enough people were interested, maybe there would be a way to do it...... Shari "If we're talking about the same place" Shoufler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturdays from about mid June until mid August are the worst... we try to avoid Saturdays entirely except for the very beginning and very end of the season. Weekdays, including Fridays, are the best. And also Sunday mornings-especially during the pre and post seasons. Everyone's at church and so I will say "Let's go to Sunday service at Our Lady of the Eiffel Tower!" Shari Be there when they pull back the ropes" Shoufler

OK.... Now you've gone to far..... (Just kidding) Seriously.... You say you feel unsafe??? Now, I might buy that for PKD... from what I have heard they have had metal detectors since the mid-nineties...but PKI? Come on. We live 5 minutes from the park and while we avoid the busy Saturdays (not because of safety, just because as passholders there is no reason to go when there's such a crowd) I can honestly say that I have never, ever felt unsafe. True, there was an incident there about 9 years ago, where a kid fired off a gun during an MTV dance party event, but there has been little violence at the park and probably even less chance of something serious (like a gun or knife) since the metal detectors were installed post 9/11. I am the first to admit that the park is not as clean as it was in the 70's and 80's, and it does attract an element that you don't see at, say, WDW, but I have never feared for my safety. Shari