palmerleeberry

So nice to hear that the Black Diamond's track is now completed and the ride is slated to up and running on opening day (knock, knock, knock on wood). As to me, regardless if another ride (you know the one that rhymes with "Lying Turds") will ever be open, I still plan on visiting Knoebels this season. They still have plenty of other rides I know I'll enjoy riding; such as The Phoenix, The Twister, The Paratrooper, Tea Cups, and get to drive those Motor Boats (how many other parks do you know that has the motor boat attraction like the one at Knoebels?) "I'm still sleeping. zzz . . .zzz . . .zzz . . ."

You know - after all the photo trip reports I've seen, this has to be by far the weirdest and most original I've ever seen. To answer robbalvey question: I will have to reply that it must be normal because the same thing happened to me after viewing this photo trip. Before I go, I must say that with the number of photos you had of Hippo and Brown Bear eating, I must say that must be -one heck of a- appetite for two stuffed animals (and that, my friends, cannot be described as normal)! "I can tell you what's not normal: you not lying your head upon me in bed"

Hey Ya!!! I wanted to drop a line and tell you how much I've enjoyed your photo tour of small parks. Yes, I've been to Lakemont and I'm delighted that they are getting another ride, but it's not a roller coaster. "Rats! No coaster. I mean I like Skyline and Leap the Dips, but they should have a family coaster in there somewhere!" Anyway, to your question about the water side of Lakemont, as it's true they have the mat sliders (three slides: slow, medium, and As for the Skydiver, I cannot ride that ride; the restraints on that ride is like a torture device. Leaps the Dip is the only roller coaster of its kind in operation, and its worth the extra bucks to ride it. Well, that's enough for now. Keep up the good work and never stop riding! "Are you finished yet? I miss you in bed."

Well, I took a look at your photos and thought out Hmm . . .that is one type of coaster I haven't rode before. But I have ridden Ultra Twister at Astroworld ( ) a few times and wished that ride could've been rebuilt at Six Flags America instead of rotting away in its boneyard ( ). I didn't see any picture of the restraints they use, but if its one of those painful horse collars, then I'll only ride it once. "Hey, you can always ride me; you know I'll never bang your head around."

Greatest amusement park blunder? That will have to be the way Six Flags America is being runned (or ruined). As for me personally, I have four rides in two parks that were removed and I think they were both blunders. 1-a) At Kings Dominion, in 1986, they removed a great family coaster called "The Galaxi" and replaced it with a stand-up coaster called "The Shockwave". Back then, I didn't mind the Shockwave, but I wished they could have reassembled the Galaxi elsewhere in the park (that coaster was a swell ride). Today, I still love to ride any Galaxi coasters, but I cannot ride any standups (you can say that I cannot "stand" them!). 1-b) Still at Kings Dominion, in 1996, they closed "The Lost World" and converted it into "The Volcano". Now, I do love the Volcano, but I still miss the Lost World with its three attractions: The Haunted River, Time Shaft, and Smurf Mountain. 2 -a) At Busch Gardens, the removal of The Big Bad Wolf. 2-b) And still at Busch Gardens, a rough and tough coaster called "Drachen Fire". "And if you don't stop tying and get back into bed, that will be your biggest blunder!"

I took a second look at the new area that Fun Action Park will be adding on and saw those two retention ponds and that got me thinking . . . "What will Fun Spot Action Park do with those two retention pouds? Will they drain them and convert that area into land? Will they just leave it be and build some type of attraction around it? Are those two retention ponds even part of the area?" I thought it would be cool if Fun Spot Action Park decided to add a log flume or maybe one of those enclosed tubing rides (I mean, they already have bumper boats, so why not another wet and wild attraction?). Oh, let the speculation begin . . . "If you want to do some speculating, then why not do it while resting your head upon me. Believe me, it works well!"

For my main park of Kings Dominion, here are some things I would like to see done (I heard that the Intimidator 305's first turn is being widen so the trim brakes on the first hill can be removed, so that won't be on my list). 1) Grizzly and Hurler coasters to be retracked. 2) The Rebel Yell to be repainted (White beams, red track, and blue rails so it'll look like an American coaster again. And the queing line to the Rebel Yell has some boards that needs replacements and repainting. 3) The Volcano's brake run area should be fixed up to look like you are actually inside a volcano, not some dark, dusty place that looks like it hasn't been finished being built. 4) There is no #4. 5) The Avalanche Track could use a fresh coat of paint. On a positive note, Treasure Cave did get a makeover that I actually liked (pirate theme) and Planet Snoopy was cool (just like Joe Cool). "One Makeover I would make: you less typing and more laying your head on me!"

"That, my friends, is how amusement parks are born: they begin as small parks and next thing you know they turn into big and beautiful amusement parks!" "Somebody pass out the champange!" "Wow, another reason to visit Oralndo, Florida" This is definately great news to hear about Fun Spot Action Park. This must be proof that the economy is improving (knock on wood). Seeing the aerial photo of Fun Spot Action Park, I could see tons of additions they could add, maybe even a roller coaster (small family coaster like the Wild Mouse or the Plitzer, or how about even a Boomerage.) By the way, from kcjensen: Yes, the Fun Spot does have multilevel tracks, but so does Branson, Missouri (two in fact - I should know cos I rode them both!)! And believe me, they are fun!!! As for the Fun Spot Action Park, KEEP ON DRIVIN'!!! "And don't forget about me. Who else can you lie your head upon and dream about coasters?"

arson wrote: "Oh gee, I didn't know you can write fairy tales. All right, in some ways I do agree with you that the park should be saved and should be kept running, but how this park is being treated in the Six Flags family and how this park is being runned in general is very appalling. Like I said before, Six Flags America is being treated like its the bastard child of the Six Flags Family, and I was more that ready to change my tune from "Let's Boycott the Six Flags Park" to "Let's Go Back to Six Flags America, cos it's gonna be great park again!" during the 2010 season (Thomas Town addition). Now, I'm not sure what the (your favorite expression here) is going on since it seems that the Six Flags Family is neglecting Six Flags America (once again) and the new family coaster (that the park sorely needs) will not be coming in 2011. But still, I'm optimistic about this park's future. Maybe something drastic will happen and things will change for the better for Six Flags America. It still amazes me how this park is still open and running after the many years of abuse and neglect it has received from its family, after many seasons of attractions being removed and never being replaced with something new. But until things are better with Six Flags America, I'm still back to boycotting all Six Flags parks. "I hope I'm not being boycotted. I BETTER NOT BE BOYCOTTED!!!"

Upon hearing that the INTIMIDATOR305's track was going to be widen so the trim brakes can be removed, I had to post a reply and say the Kings Dominion now has given me two reasons to visit that park (Snoopy's Starlight Experience is the other - does anyone else besides me have a pair of special glasses in which to see the lights as stars, hearts, or snowflakes?). Of course I was going to revisit Kings Dominion again because I have renewed my Platinum Pass, but now I have some good reasons too. " And I do hope you have plans on revisiting me; I miss you in bed!"

Okay, fellow vacation traveler, I have a few suggestions: 1) How about going to Branson, Missouri. Besides Silver Dollar City, they also have a few go-kart tracks, a water park that only has one slide, plenty of minature golf courses, a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, and tons of music showplaces. 2) Or maybe you could go to Kansas City and visit Worlds of Fun, then drive up to Des Montes, Iowa to visit Adventureland, and then up to Minneapolis to visit Valleyfair (yes, there is a theme park there and it is part of the Cedar Fair brand). 3) Or maybe you could travel to Indiana Beach, located in Monticello, Indiana. Then after a day or two, you could take 22 east to 42 north and head to South Bend before getting on the turnpike to reach Cedar Point, and maybe even Kings Island. Or instead of going east on the turnpike, you could continue north from South Bend and reach Muskogee, Michigan and try some Michigan Adventures (all three of those parks are also part of the Cedar Fair brand). Or you could stay in Indiana and visit Hoilday World, located in Santa Claus, Indiana. I hope those suggestions were helpful. "And here's my suggestions for those who are tired a lot: rest your head upon me and you'll feel a whole lot better."

In all my years of riding rides, I've never had that terrible experience of having a restaint fail nor a seat beal come unfasten, but I did have the horror of almost flying out of my seat while riding a roller coaster. Which coaster do you ask? Was it one of those steel monsters that could give a meek person a heart attack just by looking at it? No, it was a small wooden coaster called "The Skyliner" at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvainia. This coaster still had the old-fashion bar restaints and I just finished my first ride (up in the front) when I decided to ride the coaster again, but this time in the back seat. Now keep in mind that I am not a reckless rider: I follow all rules of the ride and ride attendants and ensure that I haven't violated anything that could harm me or others. When that train went down its first hill, the force and jerk caused me to be airborn for a second and only the bar (and my big stomach) were the only things that prevented me from flying out of my seat (thank goodness I wasn't a skinny kid). I think I held onto the bar for dear life during the rest of the ride. No wonder why wooden coasters today have their coaster trains with divider seats, individual lap bars, and seat belts. "At least you don't need to worry about restraints when you lie your head on me. Isn't that lovely?"

Okay, this will be my last comment on your entire tour. I definately enjoy the photos you've taken. As for your description of Scarewinds, on the day I was free (Sunday, September 26), I had a choice to either go to Scarewinds or to Kennywood (that were having a special discount day on that particular day). Now I should also state that I had a Platinum Pass for all Cedar Fair parks in which I'll have free admission and free parking (except for the admission price for Scarewinds in the evening, but I'll get it at a discount price thanks to the Platinum Pass). The travel time to either one of those parks were five hours from my house would be five hours. But in the end, Kennywood won and I had a great time! By your report, it seems I may had made a good decision. Besides, I didn't want to be scared that year. As for BASE jumping, NO THANK YOU!!! I'll just stick to freefall towers, intimidating rollers coasters, and merry-go-rounds. "Are you done yet? I'm lonely here on your bed!"

"And now here is another old post that can be reused!" I was at Carowinds riding Thunder Road in the backwards section (back in the day when they had a forward and a backward section - now it's all forwards), the train I was riding just completed its run and was now stopped on the brake run. Okay, I thought to myself as I sat there with my back towards the station, not seeing what was going on, I'm sure the other train is taking a little extra time getting loaded. No, the other train in the station wasn't getting loaded with new riders; it was being clean and sanitized due to a previous rider who got sick and couldn't wait to get to the nearest restroom without vomiting. So the train I was in stood there, stuck on the brake run, for about ten minutes while the other side continued to run (Hey, did you know that when the trains come to a stop on the brake run, the platform actually shakes?). Finally, the now-clean train was dispatched and our train finally went to the station. And for being stuck on the brake run for all that time, we got the option of riding that ride again. All right, dear readers, I've found another post that hasn't been visited in five years, so what are your stories of weird breakdowns? "I've got one: if you don't stop typing and come to bed with me, I'll just breakdown and cry."

Hey there, it's me again (the one that visited Camden Park). I just saw your next series of photos of Pigeon Forge, Gatlingburg, Dollywood, and the Great Smokey Mountains. I last visited in that area in 2007 by spending a few days in Gatlinburg before crossing the mountains into Cherokee, North Carolina (in which I went camping, played some minature golf, saw the outdoor drama "Unto These Hills - a retelling", and had a bad visit to "Ghost Town in the Sky" on my final vacation day). --Yes I did visit Wonderworks (they have a museum like that in Orlando Florida), but I was too heavy to ride the 360 degree bikes and the roller coaster simulator (but I wasn't too heavy to lie on the bed of nails). Great exhibits to anyone fasinated about science. --As for the Circus Golf, you forgot to mention that they also have a mirror maze. I think your acid trip through the golf course caused you to forget that fact (It's okay, we all understand). --I have this rule whenever I travel: if there's a Ripley's nearby, then you must visit it! I don't blame you for not going through the Haunted Experience; I was lucky to escape the one down in San Antonio, Texas without wetting my pants! --And I had just one regret about Dollywood: I wish I could've a second day to visit that park. As for Mystery Mine, I can dig that (pardon the pun). And I love The Tornado (I rode it three times in a row - hey why not, it was a great coaster and their were no lines that day). --And finally, I first visited the Smokey Mountains in 1980. Later, Ronnie Milsap would sing Smokey Mountain Rain and I knew what he was singing about since I visited the Smokey Mountains. Of course, I would find out later that it's a lost love song, but I didn't care. "Well, I do care. If you don't stop typing in those posts and come to bed, I'll run away to the Smokey Mountains so you can sing all the Smokey Mountain Rain songs you want. I hope he doesn't realized I'm bluffing, I mean, how can I run away? I have no legs!"

"Here is another long-lost post that can be reused!!! In the spirit of new posts, I have looked back and discovered old, long-lost posts that can be reused. But let's not just stop with Hershey and Dorney park, but with any park. And now I beg the question to all riders and amusement park flyers: "What was the longest wait time you have ever waited in line? "Well, since you're the one who found this old post, why don't you start?" Okay, the longest wait I even endure was two hours and twenty minutes to ride the KINGSTA KA at Six Flags Great Adventure on the second year it was opened. My friend and I already rode it as part of a special ERT in the morning, and we wanted to ride it one more time at night. This broke a previous record sat in 2000 when I waited two hours to ride Son of Beast at Kings Island. The coaster was running only one train at the time, thus the longer wait time. Okay, that's my post. Now, dear readers, what are yours? "How about this for a post: what was the longest time your pillow had to wait before someone's head was finally resting on it?"

Here is a long and forgotten item that I have found and decided it was perfect to bring back once more. "After a five year hiatus, this post is finally back up and running! Pass out the beers, everyone!" As for any weird coaster facts (okay, they don't have to be weird, they can be the type that make you say "cool, man, I can dig that!"), there is the Vekoma Boomerang coaster which is the most duplicated coaster in the world. There are over 50 parks in the world that has this type of coaster and many of them have various names such as "Flashback", "Sea Serpert", "Cobra","The Sidewinder", "The Carolina Cobra", "Zoomerang", and (of course) "The Boomerang". Okay, dear readers, what weird and wonderful coaster facts to you know? "And here's a question I like to ask: when was the last time you laid your head on me?"

I will have to say the Jackrabbit at Kennywood. Using less lumber as possible, using the advantage of being placed on a hill, and the best usuage of the "double dip" - I love this ride so much. In fact, last time I visited Kennywood, I rode it four times - two times when I entered the park and two more times before leaving the park. As for favorite kiddie woodie, that will have to be King's Dominion's Roller Ghoster (former known as The Scooby Doo Roller Ghoster). It may be small and it may be short, but it still gives one heck of a ride. "Too bad I'm not a coaster, then I'll be used more often. Please, GET OFF THE COMPUTER!"

Well, I'm intrigue about your photo tour, especially on Carowinds since I didn't get a chance to go there last season. But I did go to a little park outside Huntington, West Virginia called "Camden Park" in which I enjoyed. Although the park was small, it did have a bunch of great rides including a decent log flume, an exciting "Big Dipper" coaster, an even fun-riding "Little Dipper" coaster (I loved it so much I rode it five times), and a great minature golf course to relax in between rides. Too bad this park isn't on your photo tour, but I felt it needs some recognition as a good small park. After all, as sclisso said "Are you done yet? I miss you in bed.

Before seeing your photos of the closed Celebration City, I though I would see a park in ruins, but after seeing your photos I was renewed with optimistic confidence that the rides left standing there would someday be running again, even it's in another park. Assuming that the rides are in good condition and can easily be fixed up and moved, I'm sure there will be parks out there that would love to have those rides for their own use. "Would you like to dream that out? Then come to bed with me and do just that."

All I can say is "That I'm not surprised!" Actually, I'm appalled at this annoucement that Thomas town is to leave Six Flags, especially after Six Flags America finally got a few more rides and a brand new area, AND NOW THEY HAVE TO RENAME AND RETHEME EVERYTHING? Plus, Six Flags America will not get the family coaster they were promise after they have spent some time cleaning out the old "Two Face" area? Is it any wonder why I have decided to renew my Cedar Fair Platimun Pass and not my Six Flags Pass for next season? "Hey, don't be mad. Just come to bed and lie your head upon me and you'll feel a lot better!"

Here's my idea: if you don't mind the driving, then I would recommend staying at a Motel 6 in Lorain/Amherst. That hotel is only 30 minutes away from Sandusky, plus there are plenty of good restaurants near the hotel (and not to mention plenty of gas stations). Another bonus, it's near the entrance and exit ramps of Highway 2 (just like Sandusky). While you could spend at least $100 per night in a hotel in Sandusky, you'll spend less than $50 per night at Motel 6 in Lorain/Amherst. (Shameless plug) Whenever I travel from one park to another park, I always use Motel 6! "And I know the pillows that work there as well. They all say that it's a great place to lie down for for the night!"

Okay, Okay, what were the things I felt were the biggest disappointments of 2010. How about at Cedar Point when a new ride called "Shoot the Rapids" weren't opened until later in the season. You see, I was there in the first week of June and "that dang ride wasn't gonna run" at that time. Another big disappointment at Cedar Point, finding out that they shorten the seat belts restaints on the Top Thrill Dragster and because I couldn't lock in the restraint I couldn't ride. "I got to ride it two years ago and I was a few pound heavier back then. Well, I'll just go on the Top Thrill Paddlewheel cos they ain't got no restraints on their seats!" At my own park of Kings Dominion, I don't believe the Intimidator 305 (with the trim brakes) was a disappointment (okay, you all might disagree with me, but I thought the ride was much better and smoother when going at a slower speed). But I did find that their 1982 roller coaster "The Grizzly" became a disappointment when it didn't get retracked this year (Especially on the first hill that has a "pothole" - Why haven't they got that fixed yet?). Another disappointment, the lack of shows the park had. "Oh come on, KD. I may be a rider and amusement park flyer, but I still take time outs once in a while to see a show. How many shows did you have last season? Only three (I don't count a character meet and greet as a show). Now I have renewed my Platinum Pass for the next season, so don't disappoint me! As for the other parks I visited, I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed at all and I hope to be even more thrilled with the upcoming season. "Please tell me you're done. I miss you.

"ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, AND ALL RIGHT. Another Schlitterbahn park is being build, and it's on the East Coast this time" From the news that I read it sounds like this park would have a few things in common with the park at San Padre, Texas (especially with that bit about conveyor system that enables tube riders to travel from one side of the park to the other), plus add one more exciting reason to come to Fort Lauderdale. I've been to the main Schlitterbahn a few times (the best water park in the world), but I could never find the time nor opportunity to visit the one at San Padre. If this park does and ever gets built and opened, then you can bet I'd be making plans to go there. "And I hope you'll be making plans to lay your head upon me and have dreams of Florida's Schlitterbahn."

Finally! It's about darn tootin' time that Michigan Adventures got a its own Splash House attraction. Although I maybe too old or too big to ride any of the slides, I'm neither too old or too big to stand underneath the bucket when it tips over. "Say Good-bye to Dry!!! "And while you're at it, could you say 'good-bye' to this site and say 'hello' to me?"