palmerleeberry

AWWWW . . . COULD BE! You can say I wanted to go steady with her, but I don't think her husband would allow it. We are talking "Beauty and the Beast" here.

Did someone mentioned "lunch"? Oh goody because I'm hungry. " Someone's gonna get blackballed for that remark!"

. . . and I thought Harley Quinn's Spinsanity was going to be a Tilt-a-Whirl. Boy, am I glad I was wrong. This ride will kick your !!! And after you ride it . . .

I just remembered another funny incident that happened at Disneyland . . . I got on The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror and when the elevator started going up and down, some woman sitting next to me grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go until we were back at the station. I looked her and asked, "Does this mean we can go steady now?" I thought that poor woman was going to die of embarrassment because she thought she was grabbing her husband's hand, but grabbed mine instead. RECAP Her - Me -

To your question of "What's wrong with the Boomerangs?" Here's my answer: "NOT A THING! I've ridden many Boomerangs from many parks, some with colorful names like Sea Serpent, Flashback, Sidewinder, and Carolina Cobra. The only issue I have with this coaster is where on the train do I feel like riding - the near front or very back. The very first Boomerang I rode was at Hersheypark in 1993 when I rode The Sidewinder. Before Boomerangs you had a launch coaster took you forwards and backwards with only one loop in the middle, and the Boomerang gave you more inversions for your bucks. One more thing: I'm willing to wait in line for at least an hour to ride a Boomerang.

^Hey, little things like that can make a big difference in the guest's experience.

"Soaky Mountain Rain keeps on falling/ The park keeps on calling . . . my name!" With apologizes to Ronnie Milsap, I couldn't stop thinking about that song when I heard the name of the newest Waterpark that will be hitting Pigeon Forge/Sevierville Area in 2020. I'm also planning to be going there in mid-August of 2020, so I might make this my fifth reason to go there ( Dollywood, Alpine Coasters, Hillbilly Golf, and Goats on the Roof were my other four reasons ). While I'm sure this waterpark will have a wave pool, lazy rivers, a water playground, and water slides, I wonder if this park might also have a water coaster. Or maybe something that's GROUND BREAKING? Just wait and see . . . and play "Smokey Mountain Rain" by Ronnie Milsap to keep oneself in the mood. [EXTRA - I JUST FOUND OUT THIS PARK WILL HAVE A one-of-A-kind WATER COASTER!]

^ "Thank you, thank you, thank you - you much too kind . . ." [from Jay Z's The Blueprint III] I decided to do a little thought experiment on guests with large body portions that attended amusement parks in the eighties and compared that with attending one today. I decided to use Kings Dominion as my park since I have been going there since 1978 and I know all the park's rides and history. As for the "fatty" in this experiment I shall use myself back in 2017 when I was a fatso at 285 pounds ( and not the 240 pound skinny wink I am today). So I'm this big, big man visiting Kings Dominion in 1985 ( the ten-year anniversary of the park). So what rides can big ole me get on and which ones I won't be able to fit into the restraints? First, I can get on the Eiffel Tower, Log Flume, Train, Sky Ride, Blue Ridge Tollbooth, White Water Canyon, and Yogi's Cave without any problems. As for the flats the park had in 1985, I can get on any of them, except I might have problems with the Wave Swinger. As for The Lost World, none of the three rides in there would pose a problem. Now we get to the roller coasters. For the three woodies the park had in '85 ( Rebel Yell, Grizzly, and Scooby Doo), the only restraints these three coasters had was just a lap bar and the seats had no dividers nor seat belts. As for the Galaxi, the trains had no restraints at all. Finally, there's the King Kobra and it only had a lap bar that went over your legs, regardless the size of your belly. In short, the only rides I couldn't get on would be the kiddie rides, not because of my size and weight, but because of my height! Over the years, with rides starting to become more thrilling and more extreme, the needs for tighter restraints began to become the norm. Now riders need to whip themselves into shape so they can ride these thrilling rides. While the rider and amusement park flyers like the high and aggressive thrills the parks will debut, we would have a tendency to forget about guests that aren't in good shape to ride and those with large body portions that can't fit into the ride's restraints. This year's (2019) newest rides announced by all the parks were mainly new coasters or an extreme flat ride, but I counted two parks debuting rides suitable for families: King's Island brought back their antique cars and Hersheypark re-themed their dark ride ( any more parks that debuted a family-friendly ride this year? Or next year?). "When you lose weight, the riding season becomes great!"

If that is the case then I have two things to say - #1 The Tilt-a-Whirl is returning to the park! #2 Finally, Six Flags America is beginning to match, attraction-wise, with other Six Flags parks by having a Fireball, Screaming Swings, and now a Spinsanity. Still, the riders and amusement park flyers are asking what else can this park do to stop becoming the black sheep of the Six Flags family and become a must visit-or-die destination? Anyone?

^Outside the entrance of Storm Chaser is a big, ole circle that i can imagine of seeing the Scrambler filling in and giving the name "Twister". To me, any park that doesn't have a Scrambler got to be out of their minds! Either that or a Troika. Or be a star and get both. Other things I would like to point out - Please either repair, restore, or replace the motor for The Flying Dutchman. That ride spins so slowly. Another thing to either repair, restore, or replace: the organ for their carousel. I feel that some of the pipes is way out of tune and I think it's turning off some of the riders instead of turning them on. Perhaps the best way of riding would be putting headphones or earplugs on.

Upon checking (and double checked) how much a Busch Gardens Platinum Pass would cost and compared it to how often I will be using this pass and to which park, I have considered this to be a big money saver in the long run in the 2020 season. I'm thinking about several trips to Busch Gardens Williamsburg during the summer, a trip or two to Water Country U.S.A., a visit to Busch Gardens Tampa, a visit to SeaWorld Orlando, and might even squeeze in a visit to Howl-a-Scream and Christmas Town. Moreover, free parking in the prefer lot, three free guest tickets and discounts in food, drink, and shopping - I'm more than willing to purchase that pass on my credit card. Lest I should forget to add - all those parks I'm planning to visit next season are putting in a new coaster that will cause you to drop your jaw and wet your pants in the excitement ( I know that Water Country U.S.A debuted their Cutback Water Coaster this year, but I didn't go there this year, so it will be new to me next year)! As for me and Busch Gardens for this year, I've got one more visit planned for next year due to the Fun Card I purchased two months ago. If this year is the Prelude, then next year will be The Three Acts and the Encores.

It was this piece of news from Busch Gardens Williamsburg, as well as news from Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa, that forced me to rethink next year's plans and consider purchasing a platinum pass, just like I did during the 2016 season. Methinks that chain is building some excellent coasters because they knew I live in Virginia and was returning to Orlando next year and they want me back, but that could be all speculation. Whatever their reason is, it worked!

Okay, I shall take this old topic, dust it off, and start it anew . . . I want to talk about queues that are overkill (Too much lines, but not enough riders) I was at Kentucky Kingdom last week and I rode Storm Chaser. Now I went on a day that there weren't many people at the park and all the rides were just walk up and ride them. I'm seeing the switchbacks to Storm Runner ( They kept them intact when Twisted Twin was being converted to Storm Chaser)and I had to ask myself " Does this ride need all those lines?" I sure maybe a line or two was used during its opening season, but on today's visit I just walked up and rode on the only train they were running that day. I did that twice, once at around noontime and the second time at around four o'clock. I'm sure those lines would come in handy should a truckload of riders come riding, but I just can't see it. That was a different story on the year I visited Six Flags Great America and rode American Eagle. I saw all those lines not being used and thought that was the norm. Later in the day, I went to ride American Eagle again and all the lines were filled. I stood in line and even waited longer so I could ride in front. Somehow, I thought that was beautiful. So if I go on a ride and see a ton of queuing lines not being used, I guess I can thank my lucky stars that the lines not crowded and I won't have to wait that long to board a ride.

I visited the park last Tuesday (July 30, 2019) so I could get revenge on Lightning Run, plus ride T3, Storm Chaser, and Kentucky Flyer. Scream Extreme was awesome: it could take the place of any old Enterprise ride anytime! The park wasn't crowded and every attraction was a walk up and ride. They only ran four cars on Tin Lizzies, but with the line as light as it was, adding more cars might be overkill. Cyclos wasn't running ( lucky for me I rode a similar ride at Camden park two days earlier). And I won't have any shame to admit that I rode Rawdy Racers - twice. In all, I rode 35 rides before calling it quits.

Two years ago (2017) I visited Hersheypark and while I was able to ride all the woody coasters, Trailblazer, and The SuperDooperLooper, I could not get on SkyRush, Laff Trax, nor Storm Runner because I couldn't fit into the test seats. The following year (2018), I didn't visit any amusement parks. This year, 2019, I lost a total of 45 pounds this year and I was able to ride everything inside Hersheypark, including the Claw. Inspired by these results, I included a few more amusement parks to visit this year, including Kentucky Kingdom that had Lightning Run I couldn't ride five years ago. I rode everything and had no problems with fitting into the seats. "When you lose weight, the riding season becomes great!"

After returning from my most recent trip to visit Kentucky Kingdom and Holiday World, I can add Thunderbird, Kentucky Flyer, and Storm Chaser to my list. Oh, I can also add Lightning Run to that list; I finally shrank down so I can fit into the restraints and ride that coaster. Five years ago, when the park reopened, I couldn't ride that coaster due to my size. Today and 45 pounds lighter, I was able to ride that coaster twice ( Not in a row, but first time in the morning and the second time in the afternoon). "When you lose weight, the riding season becomes great!"

Last time I was in Hersheypark riding SKYRUSH and the riding sitting next to me showcase a bad case of flatulence ( in other words he passed a lot of gas) just as the train departed the station and headed up the lift hill. He apologized profusely, but I told him at least ripping prize winners was much better than throwing up. Besides, at least he didn't soil his pants. On another visit to Hersheypark, inside one of their eateries, A big fellow sat down in the booth adjacent to where I was eating and ripped out his prizewinner. When he looked at me, I remembered a joke I had with my late mother whenever she tooted and replied unto him, "I hate to say this, but I think you sat on a spider." "Good!" he replied, and we both went back to our lunches, trying hard not to laugh. " Gee, ain't that a toot?"

Five years ago I went to Kentucky Kingdom to personally welcome an amusement park that Six Flags closed and a brand new owner that reopened it. The park still had at least a quarter of itself closed to the public in hopes that new rides and improvements to existing attractions would be opened in the upcoming years. Despite the park being smaller, it still packed plenty of thrills. But when I came early in the season (first week of June) two things happened that made this trip less than perfect. 1- I was excited to be riding LIGHTNING RUN and even waited to ride in the front, but when the restraints went down I was told I couldn't fit into the restraints and I had to leave the ride. I had no problems riding THUNDER RUN nor ROLLER SKATER, but I was too big to ride LIGHTNING RUN. 2- I wanted to ride the new water park additions, but they didn't open up until three p.m. While I did ride DAREDEVIL DIVE I couldn't ride the other new additions because they were either closed due to staff shortages or I spend so much time waiting in line I couldn't get on any other water slide. That was five years ago. . . this is NOW!!! I have lost enough weight so I could ride THE CLAW at HERSHEYPARK, so I figured if I could ride The Claw then I should be able to ride LIGHTNING RUN. As for the water park I'm just going to stay on the dry rides. Plus, they park added more rides that I haven't ridden yet. So come the last week of July, I shall go to Kentucky Kingdom and get my revenge. I'm also going to Holiday World and I will kick if off my park tour with a visit to Camden Park. Then I shall be . . .

I remember the Twister as being an unique ride I have ever seen, and to learn that this ride will now operate in another park is great news indeed. I checked out the site and found this park is more in tune to kids and families rather than the riders and amusement park flyers, so if I ever go there I'll just ride a few rides, shoot some miniature golf, play some arcade games in the pavilion, and kill a few hours.

I'm going to say Holiday World with Wildebeest and Mammoth - two great water coasters that are placed side by side. I will also credit Hersheypark with having Breakers Water Coaster and Whitecap Racers side by side.

Another Fun Spot amusement park, this time in Atlanta? This looks like the place I should stop by and ride if I'm ever around the Atlanta area (I'm thinking about my trip next year) Who knows - whatever they decide to put inside that clearing might be up and running by that time? Fun Spot Amusement Park - the small park with big thrills!

^Hey, a wing coaster is a good idea. If Kings Dominion builds and opens a wing coaster next year, then not only I'd come by for the visit, but also buy their CEDAR FAIR PLATINUM PASS so I can enjoy their other parks as well ( which will be significant for I haven't done that route in a few years). What do you say, KD: are you going to make me happy?

I'm a little shocked at the price, but hopefully you didn't pay near that much. I'd guess that Six Flags has the prices jacked to drive folks to Season Passes/Memberships. Really, they've been running Season Pass sales out the wazoo over the past week (I keep getting emails saying this is the LAST sale for 2019), with Season Pass running under $60. . and it's good at all parks, and upgraded to Gold (which gets you parking at all parks free). so surprised y'all didn't just do that- if you visit any other Six Flags park during the year, would have been worth it. . and heck, was cheaper than the 1 day price anyways. glad you had a good time tho! Buying a Six Flags season pass is always the way to go, and I only do that on seasons in which I know I'll be visiting more than one Six Flags. Although Six Flags America is the closest Six Flags park to where I live, I have in the past bought a Six Flags season pass in New England one year and Six Flags over Georgia on another year, and I used them to visit other Six Flags parks. I didn't buy any Six Flags season passes this year (just for Hersheypark and a Funcard for Busch Gardens), but if I have any future trips that involves Six Flags visits, then I shall get a season pass and save tons of money ($$$)!

^I went to this park way back in the year 2011 and I just wasn't that impressed. It could be that the park was way crowded on the day I visited, or the fact their log flume wasn't running that day, or they only had one coaster that was too rough for me, or it could be the fact that I tried to get on their spinning balloon ride and they wouldn't let me (I went to Dorney Park on the next day and I got to ride their spinning balloon at Planet Snoopy.). I felt this park could use more rides. Well, they're getting it, but I still have no plans on returning to this park anytime soon. However, I'll go to Hersheypark and to Busch Gardens Williamsburg this year.

When I heard about a log flume accident in California I ended up watching the news to find out which park did this accident happened. I was hoping it wasn't in Knotts Berry Farm. No, it happened at Castle Park, a park I wasn't familar with. Regardless if it happened in a park you're familar with or not, an accident on any ride is devastating on everybody. I am glad that nobody got killed. "Any accident at any park makes it a BLACK day in the amusement park world."