outbackjack

SOOOOOOOO glad to hear that!!!! I absolutely love dark rides and this one looks awesome. Wonder why it's not listed on the map?

We are planning our first ever trip to DL this September. We are so excited to see the original park. Anyway, after studying the maps, I became concerned regarding Monsters Inc. While it is mentioned in Attractions on the main page, when you click on the DCA map it doesn't have a thumbtack. It also isn't listed on the left side "attractions" which appears to list them all. Is this just a typo or has something happened? Here is the map.... http://disneyland.disney.go.com/maps/#/m=disneys-california-adventure Thanks in advance, Outback

This is why Dollywood, along with Magic Kingdom, are the best two parks in America (IMHO). They are the masters of the full experience.

Le Cellier (Canada Pavillion Epcot) not even mentioned...OK then. No mention of anything from Dollywood? Really?

Nice to hear.....I used to laugh at people who "wasted" even a second at a park, as I would go from coaster to coaster and not come up for air. Not sure if I like the fact that my body doesn't respond the way it used to re: forces on coasters, but I'm thrilled to know I can still enjoy parks just as much. Here's to another 40 great years of going to the parks.

I hit age 40 this year....and have always been a huge theme park geek. Raising my kids to be one as well.....and it's so fun to share as a family. However, my body is changing, and I can't do what I used to. Monday, I went to 6 Flags and while my kids rode everything, I was the dad on the bench holding the bags, patiently waiting. For coasters, I only rode DDDive, Goliath, GASM and Mindbender. I made a conscious decision to skip Scorcher, Batman, DMT, Ninja and Superman. Instead, I sat, watched people, enjoyed the music, the sounds, the sights...it was a wonderful day. Of course I did Monster Mansion, antique cars, the train, sky cars, etc. Basically, a day of ease without worrying about hitting each ride, and skipping the forceful rides. And it felt different, just a calm and relaxing day at the park. When the day came to a close, I wasn't even beat tired. I think my body is telling me it's time to take this new approach. Anyone else "turned the corner" yet?

I don't know why, but for some reason that doesn't look/feel like a coaster to me. Sounds almost like a monorail train....almost too smooth and too big and sweeping. This might not make any sense at all...I can't really describe why it looks so blah to me. I'd LOVE to try the launch...but then it just looks like it slowly creeps along. I'm sure in person it's completely different.

Great topic.....and these additions are very reasonable...and so needed. BGTampa- A dark ride of any sort. Boat ride/shooting ride/zoo type....the themes and options are plentiful. JUST GET SOMETHING TO RIDE IN SOME A.C......it's freaking Tampa after all. Awesome park, but it needs that one "cool off" ride SFOG- This one is even easier. Put a shade cover over Hanson Cars que. Slowest dispatch in the park....and despite being surrounded by trees, there are no direct shades above the Hanson Cars que, and the sun BEATS down as you slowly move. The ride itself is great. Add tunnels to several coasters. Tunnels are awesome, can be added after the fact, and the only "real" tunnel is on Dahlonega Mine Train. They have a few cheapies....tunnels that you can see all the way through and out just as you enter (DDDive, Superman), those aren't tunnels. Dollywood: Keep doing what you are doing. This park is darn near perfect to me, and staying right on top of all additions, not just rides.

Big deal on closing days. Wally World closed for 2 weeks in the middle of the summer, (to repair America's favorite fun park), and if you just hold up the security guards, you can still ride the rides.

Great read. Thanks so much. Funny to read (in 2006) peoples thoughts on the "new" Eurofighter coming to DW, where it would be, etc. And to hear the water moccasins legend brought back up......those that went to DW last year saw the old Flooded Mine cars saved and on display in the building right next to Daredevil Falls...this year they are selling wooden furniture in that building.

Makes sense. Seems something like Gobbler Getaway wouldn't have been a huge expense, but I guess it's more than I think. I can understand how a water indoor ride from scratch would be quite the cost. That stinks because they are so fun (and cold) on summer days. Did anyone here get to ride Flooded Mine at Dollywood, I just missed it and am so disappointed.

Thanks...and yes, I did mean US parks. What I don't get it these places that have the mindset that there isn't a demand .....while Disney is the most in demand park around and they are loaded with dark rides. That's a good point about upkeep.....although those florescent dark rides can't have that much upkeep, compared to the highly intricate computer systems on specialized coasters.

Interesting reasons, but they work at Disney. Maybe one of these parks could decide to add a dark ride or two over a 14th coaster They always have a nice crowd, so they must be popular.

Why don't parks put in more dark rides (not indoor coasters)? Simple question, but so frustrating for a DR fan like myself. Are they very expensive, could that be why? Most parks have their token one.....and that's it. If you are like me, you ALWAYS go on the dark rides at any park. Always. Not a question. Thank goodness for Disney, the dark ride king. Never go to SFOG without hitting Monsters. Never go to Carowinds without hitting Boo Blasters. Holiday World-Gobbler Getaway several times. Maybe it's the AC, maybe it's the out of the sun, maybe it's the relaxing pace, but my wife and I, and our thrill seeking kids, LOVE riding dark rides. Cheesy, campy, whatever, it doesn't matter. Never miss "Castle" when we go to Lake Winnie. I can't fathom why Busch Gardens FL doesn't have even 1. Dollywood-1 Sea World-1 (kinda) SFOG-1 Carowinds -1 Hershey-1 Love Kennywood with their 2. Cedar Point -0!!! Kings -1 I'd love for every park to have a haunted house and a shooting ride. Man what I wouldn't give to have 4 and 5 at these parks instead of the overkill of coasters. Am I loco or do others wish for more dark rides at these parks?

Just thought I'd have some fun, Dollywood is, to me, the perfect theme park. In all aspects. And MK is a close second. Worst theme park is Wild Adventures........just has a ghetto-concrete feel with the lamest attempts at theming, every line is virtually in full sun, the park is dirty, Cheetah has a cool layout but is bone crushing, no dark rides, and there is little shade anywhere. Plus I saw a snake sunning itself on the concrete the last time I was there (nothing the park could do there, but I hate snakes with a passion). For a park with 8 coasters, it is clearly the saddest in my mind.

Anyone? Pretty please .... With a cherry on top... The only thing I keep hearing is how small DL is in comparison...however, they have all of the same rides as MK (exception of People Mover and Aladdin), and 6 more rides that MK doesn't have. Per a WDW trivia book, I see where HH is shorter at DL, but I think I heard Pirates is much longer. Are Splash and BTMR the exact same track configurations at both?

Dollywood and Magic Kingdom.

I checked the search feature and both parks came up often, but I couldn't specifically find the comparisons of specific rides. I'd be really thankful if someone would kindly give their compare/contrast views of rides at DL-DW. I've been to DW (MK) many times, and am going to DL with the family for the first time this September. I am so excited to see the original park. Specifically, could you compare the queues, length of rides, and overall experience for.... Splash BTMR Space Mnt. Peter Pan Jungle Cruise Autopia Buzz Small world Pirates Haunted Mansion Winnie the Pooh Snow White. Finally, what are some opinions on Monsters Inc and Roger Rabbit rides? Thanks in advance...can't wait to go!!!!

Geauga...other interesting SFOG facts...... The Hanson Cars, now around the carousel, used to be where Cyclone is now, and the lower Cyclone station was their station. There used to be two flumes, intertwined with each other. The Rapids ride used to be a "Jungle Cruise Ride" called something like Jean Ribaults River Adventure. The Great Gasp, a parachute slow drop ride, used to be the skyline of SFOG. And you missed a few awesome SFOG landmarks in the photo TR.....maybe you have some you could add.... The dark ride is an absolute Atlanta Classic, Monster Mansion. It doesn't get campier or cheesier, and no one makes a trip to SFOG with hitting the Mansion at least once. Also, they have 3 beautiful arbors......I absolutely love those things. There is the hidden rotor ride from many moons ago that can still be seen if you know where to look. As you board the train near Goliath, heading towards the front of the park, quickly look to your left as you leave the station. It's hidden in the trees, but very cool to spot it. Finally, the log ride goes deep into the trees, it's a beautiful track, culminating in the smallest log ride drop EVAH. Great park, thank you for the Photos.......sometimes as a home park I take it for granted, but it's really a beautiful place.

No concussion.....thankfully. Just a simple stomach nausea an metal coasters unfortunately. Got some superb ideas from this thread however.

A 4 mile train ride?? 4 miles? That is so freaking awesome.

I have stumbled across this incredibly cool looking park online. I noticed no one has done a photo TR from there. Living in Atlanta, I can't make it out there...but was hoping someone on the west coast has and could post a few pictures. The park is in Sonoma CA, and it's called Traintown. It has a small coaster, but the park is a train enthusiasts (which I am big time) playground. The park's calling card is a 20 minute train ride through tunnels, over bridges, and stops in a miniature town. The website teases with very few pictures.....I would LOVE to see more. Note: My train love started when I was 4 years old...way back in 1975, when my grandparents took me on the train around the mountain to Six Gun Territory (Ocala FL), the other option was going over the mountain on the sky ride. We took the train and I've loved them ever since. www.traintown.com

Interesting that so many understand and even experience this problem. Going to Dollywood Tuesday, I'll love every second on Thunderhead, and for my kids, I'll concentrate really hard and "survive" TT and MM. I'll also see if I can get some pics from the top of Slidewinder of any new developments.

Thanks for the ideas. Ironically, the absolute worst one is Everest...maybe it's backwards, maybe it's the helix, but I have to concentrate BIG TIME to just keep it together after one ride. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Not a photo report, as I'm not tech savvy enough to pull that off. But a few things I'd like to share with the board. Went today for the first time in 2011.......and my thoughts. While recently the area around SFOG has become increasingly downtrodden, the park looked great. I'm a little older now and looked at it a little differently today, not just going wild on a coaster chase. The arbors are magnificent. The area to the right of the entrance, by GC and Acro, going up to DMT, is beautiful. Plants, trees, shade, half brick walls, etc. The area from DMT to MM is beautiful as well....lots of planter boxes full of flowers, music, asphalt instead of concrete (makes a big difference to me). Still love the carousel hill and the area. Small changes that would help ALOT!!!!!! Paint GC. Oh my goodness it looks bad. COVER the que at the Hanson cars. Although it appears to be amongst trees, THE SUN BAKES DOWN o the slowest moving line in the park. A cover would be nothing, and would help tremendously. Too many show arenas out of business.. Dive show arena is there, no show. Beautiful Crystal Pistol, no show. HUGE Axis arena in Gotham, rotting for years, no shows. The only show is the cheesy but cute Western Show (watch it overtime I go), the shows listed on the website are NOT SHOWING daily at the park. Big changes that would help a lot!!! I'll tell anyone that asks that after GASM, my favorite ride in the park is Monster Mansion. Never skip it. Could really, really, use another dark ride.....shooting ride. MM is always packed, very popular, an original from the good old days of SFOG. Another indoor would be a massive hit. And please blow up....... Ninja.