Simon Baynham

Hi TPR members Do you think you know all there is to know about amusement parks and roller coasters? Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on the 'June Quiz' link at the top of the page. See if you can score 20/20 first time without cheating. It's an obscure quiz this time, all about "Costumed Characters!" Have fun! Simon

Hi all Woo hoo! FREE bread! FREE wine! Simon B

Hi all I'm a collector of amusement park and roller coaster-related books and films. During my search to discover interesting titles, I came across a series of books by Carole Marsh who appears to have penned a number of rollercoaster/park titles covering every state of the US. Carole Marsh - "Alaska Rollercoasters: The Ups and Downs of Our States Most Popular Amusement Ride." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Alaska-Rollercoasters-The-Ups-Downs-of-Our-States-Most-Popular-Amusement-Ride/Carole-Marsh/e/9780793352272/ I must stress that I have never physically happened across these 50 or so titles... Somehow I doubt their very existence. Simon B

Hi TPR members Do you think you know all there is to know about amusement parks and roller coasters? Then why not try Andy Shine's May 2008 Quiz. Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on the 'May Quiz' link at the top of the page. See if you can score 20/20 first time without cheating. Have fun! Simon

Hi TPR visitors I'm trying (and failing) to locate Jeremy Reid's Backyard Coaster, and the Blue Flash steelie on Google Earth. Can anyone here post the Google Earth co-ordinates for these coasters? Many thanks for any assistance Simon B

Hi all ... you view wire coathangers as basic tools of the trade. ... you have bent a wire coathanger into 'loops' and 'flat spins.' ... you believe Ronald Valentine Toomer can walk on water Simon

Hi all You frequently dream about owning your own park, which is idealistic in every way: nothing breaks down, the sun always shines, and customers are always smiling... Telling other enthusiasts about founding your own park just as soon as you collect that lottery jackpot. Your prayers start: "Dear Lord, please make it so I scoop that jackpot, and I'll set up a park you'd approve of. Heck, I'll even give you a solid gold season pass." Simon

you score full marks in Andy Shine's coaster quiz!

Hi TPR Members Oh no! My secret shame! (Hangs head) Its just a bit of fun - nothing serious. I can give up collecting if I really want to. I don't need counselling - HONEST! www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com Simon

Hi TPR Members A 1978 visit to Pleasure Beach (Blackpool) got me interested in coasters. When I was just seven years old, I begged my aunt to take me on the Grand National (I was a terrible child). I came off the ride crying, and my aunt's face was as white as a sheet from shock. She hasn't spoken to me since! True! My second coaster was BPB's Revolution in 1980. I didn't ride my third coaster until I was in my teens and able to visit parks on my own. Simon Baynham (UK)

Hi all / SharkTums Well it is an April Quiz. Only an April fool would get some of those questions wrong. Come to think of it, even KidTums would do well in this quiz! What should the next quiz be about? A series of super difficult questions perhaps? Simon Baynham

Hi all Oakwood Leisure Park (Wales) was sold earlier today. Here's a link and the report below. http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/display.var.2111014.0.oakwood_bought_by_european_leisure_group.php Oakwood Theme Park has been snapped up for an undisclosed sum by European leisure park leaders the Aspro group. News broke in December that the Canaston Bridge attraction, had attracted a mystery bidder. The theme park confirmed that an offer had been made and was being considered by management but refused to be drawn into speculation as to the identity of the bidder. A statement issued on behalf of Oakwood Theme Park and the Aspro Group today confirmed the sale. "I am delighted that Aspro has acquired the park, which is Wales's largest paid for visitor attraction," said former owner Paddy McNamara, "as they have an excellent track record of operating leisure parks across Europe." The Aspro group currently operates 32 leisure parks in seven countries: 13 in Spain, one in Portugal, one in Switzerland, one in Belgium, nine in France, five in Finland. With the acquisition of Oakwood the company now owns three parks in the U.K. the other two being the Deep Sea World Aquarium in Fife near Edinburgh and Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, Chester. The group described Oakwood as "a highly regarded amusement park with magnificent installations". The tourist attraction celebrated its 20th birthday last year, after starting life as a dairy farm diversification in 1987. Since then, it has expanded to employ 350 seasonal staff and 45 permanent workers, and has invested more than £21million in new rides. Among them are the famous Megafobia, rated as one of the world's best wooden rollercoasters, and the £3m vertical drop rollercoaster Speed - the first of its kind in the UK. Managing director and major shareholder, Paddy McNamara, bought out his older brother William, who is now chief executive of the £110 (million presumably) Bluestone complex, several years ago. Oakwood will be open for the 2008 season from 20th March until 28th September. Simon B (UK)

Hi all DBru, what coaster/park books and DVDs do you have? Anything interesting? I hold my hands up, I feel like a complete nerd with my collection. Simon (UK)

Hi TPRers Calling all old-timers and nostalgia fans! Do you think you know all there is to know about bygone amusement parks and bygone roller coasters? Then why not try Andy Shine's March 2008 Quiz. Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on the 'March Quiz' link at the top of the page. See if you can score 20/20 first time without cheating. Have fun! Simon B

Hi all I'm not an authority on German Fairs, however I have been to a couple of events before and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Entry to fairs is usually free - you can simply walk in. Rides vary greatly; you're sure to find plenty of dark rides and a number of spin-rides to quench your thirst for thrills. If you're looking for coasters you might find one or two. Last time I visited Hamburg, Alpina Bahn was there. A couple of years ago, rides cost 2, 3 or 4 Euros depending on size. To experience it all, arrive early afternoon when the crowds should be modest. Then return at night to experience the true atmosphere with the lights. Simon B

I'm interested in reading that book. Did anyone read it ? Is it really interesting ? Which parks are described in the book ? CONTENTS: Getting Started Various Park Policies You Need To Know The "Best's" List THE PARK GUIDE: (Northeast) Coney Island Dorney Park Hersheypark Kennywood Knoebels SF Great Adventure SF New England (The Midwest) Cedar Point Holiday World Paramount's Kings Island SF Great America SF St. Louis SF Worlds of Adventure Worlds of Fun (The South) Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Busch Gardens Williamsburg Paramount's Kings Dominion SF Over Georgia SF Over Texas Universal Studios Orlando (The West Coast) Knott's Berry Farm Paramount's Great America Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk SF Magic Mountain SF Marine World Looks like an interesting read, though obviously some information/offers will be out-of-date since the 2004 release. Simon Baynham

Hi TPR Members There's a book dedicated to saving money (and time) in amusement parks. Here's a short writeup: [bOOK 195] STEVEN J. URBANOWICZ: THE CHEAPSKATE'S GUIDE TO THEME PARKS. [2004] (14x21cm – 212 Pages – Few B&W photos and maps). Featuring 25 of the most popular theme parks in the United States. Do you love to ride but hate to stand in line? Live for thrills but don’t want to pay outrageous prices? Want to know more about how to save big bucks on everything from admission prices to parking, food and even souvenirs? Then you need this ultimate insider guide chock-full of great tips for saving time and money so you can make the most of your theme park adventure. What rides to hit first. How the ‘fast lane’ operates, and how to work it to your advantage. Where to find food and accommodation that won’t break the bank. How to avoid lines and when and where to look for serious discounts (They’re easier to find than you think!) Simon B Book Scan

Hi all The keyword in this question is, "Wooden" Question: 3) There are two currently operating wooden coasters called Jack Rabbit. In which parks are they located? A) Celebration City (Missouri) and Kennywood (Pennsylvania) B) Idora Park (Ohio) and Celebration City (Missouri) C) Celebration City (Missouri) and Seabreeze (New York) D) Seabreeze (New York) and Kennywood (Pennsylvania) Have fun Simon B

Protest? A dodgy question perhaps? Simon B

Hi TPR Members Do you know all there is to know about amusement parks and roller coasters? Then why not try Andy Shine's February 2008 Quiz. Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on the 'February Quiz' link at the top of the page. See if you can score 10/10. Have fun! Simon Baynham

What topic should the next quiz focus on? Any ideas or suggestions? Simon Baynham

Hi TPR Members Andy Shine has just uploaded his January Quiz. Ten Disney-related questions for you to try... see if you can score 10/10 first time without cheating. Visit www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on the quiz link at the top of the page. Have fun! Simon B

Hi TPR members Well I think it's about time to OUT Robb Alvey, and to tell you all about his secret shame. Cover your eyes Elissa and KidTums - but Robb borrowed the "Go For A Ride" VHS from The Roller Coaster Media Library in 2005! Sorry Robb, that needed saying! Don't live in denial Simon Baynham

It's OK Robb, your "Go For A Ride" video fetish is safe with me - Ooops! 8¬) I have a large collection of officially-released coaster and park films that I have aquired over the years, so I have seen many programmes ranging from good to terrible. I thought Coasters in the Raw was superb, the only thing that disappointed me was the onride footage of The Voyage - the film is too dark. I understand that Health & Safety issues are paramount at every park; however, Holiday World should have considered letting Robb erect his camera for a better recording. Robb could then provide the park with the improved footage, so everybody wins! Simon Baynham (UK)

Hi TPRers Think you know all there is to know about parks and coasters? Then why not take part in Andy Shine's December Quiz. Visit www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com (the quiz link is at the top of the page). I bet Robb Alvey scores 10/10 first time WITHOUT CHEATING! Simon