disneygurlz2s

I definitely think if I can ever go anywhere oversees, Japan will be my first choice. It just looks so interesting and bizarre all at once. Now, the mother hen in me is concerned, though...what happened to Kristin's nose? Did she get stung by the Giant Bee mascot or something? Continued great travels...love the updates! Shari

He seemed like a neat guy. Having lost my 23 year old niece (who was just an awesome young woman) in a car accident, I appreciate all the feelings of "what might have been".... It seems like from his death notice that the young lady he referred to as his "ex" was still much a part of his life (she was with him at CP and was his passenger in the car that day), so you can't help but wonder if they would not have maybe had a future together. Perhaps there would have been some Lil' Mavericks one day. Again, my deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Shari

My sympathy to the family. Our family lost a young person in an auto accident 5 years ago and it is a very tough loss, indeed. Kudos, Wes, on your efforts on the part of the TPR gang. I am sure his family will appreciate knowing that the Theme Park/Coaster community cares. Shari

This might be the thing that seals the deal for Sammi and I to visit BGA when we are in Tampa next summer.... I think it sounds pretty cool, and my one concern was that, unless she has a huge growth spurt this year, there wouldn't be enough there for her to enjoy. Shari

Looks like so much fun!! Loved the picture of Dan standing waaay clear of the wetness.... I laughed out loud here at my desk! Shari

Dan's there!!! Bring on the water rides and sugar filled treats!! And what I want to know is how in the world so many of you are able to be on your second or third trip this summer?? Geez. As if I haven't been depressed enough lately Shari "Headed to a Sweet Corn Festival" Shoufler

Elissa looks like (Dancing With the Stars/former Flygirl) Carrie Ann Inaba!! How low were those toilets?? LOL!! Have a great time in Japan! Shari

Unless that is going to change... that has been a rumor around here since CF bought KI.... If they decide to start charging a separate gate fee for the Boomerang Bays, etc, it would increase the sales of these passes. Not saying that they would do it-here in Cincy it would TICK people off in a major way. But, I can tell you, it was certainly our observation through this season that there were way more people in the waterpark than in the main park. And this was true even before the heat wave.... Shari "Ready to just buy a Holiday World pass and drive an extra 2 hours and 55 minutes" Shoufler

Cats....Seen it 10 times. Never get tired of it. Don't really give a crap that most people say they hate it or don't understand it, I think it's amazing and has the most recognizable song in modern Broadway productions (Memory). Lion King... Unbelievable. Only Disney could do this. Beauty and the Beast... See above. Hairspray...You cannot leave that theater without a smile on your face. Phantom I have not seen Wicked yet, but hope to this coming winter. I have a feeling I will be adding it to my list. Shari

Casey's right... true credit whores pay small children cash to ride with them on rides they are too tall to go on without a child. Trust me. I've seen it with my own eyes It's been over 20 years since I was last there....it was still called "The Old Country" then. I am really interested in going back and am hoping to do so next summer. Shari

Chrissie, I am so sorry for your loss. Those of us who have pets know that they are part of your family, and the loss of a pup or kitten is a really sad thing, especially under these circumstances. I wish you lots of comfort and healing, and hope that someday soon you will find a place in your heart and your life for another little friend. Shari

Congrats, Big Mike. I haven't met you either, but your awesomeness is evident by all the fanboys and girls you have aquired here since the Spain trip, so I can only hope to meet you one day. Shari

Great pictures! Loved the one with the fountain, MAXX Air, Giant Wheel... very artsy! Shari

Hey Everybody!! I am just getting caught up on this thread (last week was crazy with back to school and a flu-sick husband), but I wanted to put my two-cents worth in as someone who had the priviledge of getting to join up with Robb, Elissa and the gang as a "day guest" (or whatever you want to call it) on the MidWest trip. I appreciate what a lot of you are saying about wishing for the "ala cart" options, etc, as I am in the same boat as many of you with regards to finances, time away from home, etc. However, I completely "get" and respect Robb and Elissa's position on why they don't want to do it. I have planned group events for different things in the past, and it can be a headache. Trying to accomodate "splinter" groups at each park along the way, while still maintaining your "official" tour group, would be way too much for a couple of people to do, and as Robb indicated, this is just something he and Elissa "DO". This is not being put together by an official tour group or anything, and I was really impressed in talking with Elissa how much effort she went to just arranging a variety of meals at each park (when clearly the typical "offerings" are pretty much the same from one to the next). That said, I want to say how much I enjoyed the two days (the first day of the trip at Holiday World and the last day at Kings Island/Strickers) we got to spend with the group. Since I was among the first couple hundred people who joined the forum when it started, it was great to finally get to meet Robb and Elissa in person. It was also a lot of fun to meet others I had seen pictured on the board over the past couple of years. I am not always great at introducing myself, but I found myself doing it more and more and asking people where they were from etc. Since almost everyone in the group (including most of us who were at the parks on our own) had a TPR shirt or something on, it was easy to figure out who was a TPR member. I really did find that if you just said to somebody "Hey... I'm ____ and my screen name is _____" you would strike up a conversation. My daughter and I divided our time between doing things on our own and spending time with Elissa and some of the other members. My daughter absolutely fell in love with Elissa, so I had to try to remind her that they had other people they needed to spend time with. No matter where we went in the parks, we would find ourselves in line with or passing by other members of the group. I really enjoyed getting to talk to some of the "international visitors" and Samantha now has a few favorite people of her own (Ryan!! ) I have realized since everyone's posted their trip reports and pictures, justs how many different people we got to meet. It really didn't matter if we got extra "perks" or not, we still felt very much a part of the TPR group. I definitely feel like I am aquainted with so many more people on here now since meeting up with the group! So....I guess if you want the perks but not the long trip, then, like Robb said, watch for some of the shorter trips or other events they may do in the future. But, if you just want the experience of getting to meet up with other members and meet people in person that you have gotten to know here on the boards, by all means, plan your own day or two and just head to the parks. Shari "hoping to make it to Virginia next August" Shoufler

OK, I want to see the picture someone complained about. It's in the interest of journalism and censorship and all that crap! I am with Elissa...It's been about 8 years since we were last there, but my family had a blast at OG. Do they still have the "Wall of Velcro"?? I have the best pictures of my younger stepdaughter on that! Although I would have to think that Dollywood should have ranked higher than this place?! Shari

Samantha will be beside herself when we get home tonight and I can show her these!! They are wonderful, and she will be especially excited to see the various on-ride photos with her new pals! Awesome pictures all the way through....but, of course, I like the ones with my cute kid the best!! Glad you enjoyed your trip..thank you for sharing the pictures! Shari

First of all, I want to say that I love your artwork... I guess I never really looked at you cartoons and stuff until Robb mentioned your t-shirts at Kings Island (because my 9 year old kiddie coaster prostitot daughter wants a TPR shirt in her size). You are awesome... and reading your trip report I am getting the idea that you hadn't even met some of the TPRers that you draw? Awesome!! Second, since you seem so interested, I thought I would enlighten you on a couple of Coney things... the slide is called the Zoom Flume and has been around FOR-EVAH!! Long before there were "waterparks". I am not sure if you ever could actually race. It's been YEARS since I have been down that slide! The "castle structure" is where the Riverbend Music Center (outdoor ampitheater) is housed. Glad you had a good time there. Shari

^^ LOL I remember him yelling to you at Holiday World "I sent you a text" and lots of laughter, but had no clue.....

OOOOOH... the Kings Island/Strickers pictures are next. Can't wait. Kennywood really does look nice. I think I need to put that on my short list! Shari

I know where to sit... on a bench near the exit, so Sammi can find me when she's done!!!

Holiday World is just outside the Hoosier National Forest (Indiana). I don't know much about it, but there are links to quite a few things from HW website. In Kentucky there are loads of state parks and caves, lakes, etc. The one I visited many times when I was a kid was Natural Bridge in the Daniel Boone National Forest. It is probably about 1- 2 hours southeast of Louisville. Lexington, Kentucky has the Kentucky Horse Park, which is a tourist attraction based around Kentucky's horse-breeding and racing history. Also someone mentioned the islands on Lake Erie near Cedar Point. Those are supposed to be really nice. Good luck with your planning.... Shari

OMG!! I love it! Wow, you are really talented! Shari

OK... so, let's vote... which picture would more TPR members like to use for their avatar? "Casey is taller than TTD"? Senior "Single Rider"? or the breast squeezing girl????? Three of the best pictures I have ever seen on here or anywhere else. Loved them!!! (My vote, btw, would be for the old guy. Sorry Casey!) Shari

Zach, I knew I could count on you to give us the 411.... Sammi and I were at the exit ramp off 71 Saturday about 2:30 and we saw it stuck at the red/yellow line and we were flipping out (clearly from that distance you cannot tell if there is anyone onboard). Slowly it began to descend, and I told her that it was probably an e-stop for some reason (I make this stuff up as a I go). Does communications still signal a ride down as 2-9 and if there are passengers aboard do they still call it "2-9 With"?? Shari

^And you have my sympathies.