timberskara

News article on the skyrocketed season pass prices, just in time for their grand opening. I think it's good the StarTrib is getting the message out there because (as far as I know up until this point) everything on the web site, on their phone recording and all over the park still advertises the old rates and doesn't even mention a price increase. I could forsee someone quickly referencing one of these places, showing up on Saturday and being really upset at the price difference.

Love the vid! I could not believe that the crazy insane bouncy ride went backwards, too! I just don't know if I could subject myself to that much...err..umm...pure awesomeness?

You rock for posting these! This is another place I knew I would visit this season, but hadn't seen or heard much about. It's so exciting to see photos from these places-- can't wait to check them out for myself. Yay

Thanks, Wes. I, too, think a weeknight may be more fun because it is a sure bet it will be less crowded. I mean, with all the Nick stars and opening day shenanigans, it could get pretty crazy. I'm not saying I wouldn't go on opening, because I probably will regardless. As far as the TPR gang, though, it could be fun to marathon on a weeknight (if not this time, sometime!). Boo for the Ikea breakfast starting at 9:30...any ideas for an organized, early morning meet-up? Also, do we know when mall doors open? If we're going to do this thing on opening day, I say do it right. I've waited an hour to park my car at the MOA before, and I don't want to mess with that again. The earlier, the better I say.

Okay, there are WAY too many posts in the main Nick Universe thread to try and coordinate anything. So, I apologize for "another Nick Universe thread," but it has to be done. Please, only participate in the poll if you can actually make it here to attend the gathering. I know there are quite a few of us in the area that have expressed interest in getting together sometime around the opening of Nick U, so let's nail down some plans! I have added the poll above to see what everyone's first choice for a meet-up would be. Personally, I don't have a preference...so I thought I'd see what everybody is thinking and go from there. A heads-up on park hours: Saturday: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday: 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Also, please respond as to whether you will need a ticket or not. I know some of us have (or will be getting) annual passes, but if 15 or more need tickets we can arrange for the group rate. If we have enough interest to coordinate a get-together, I say let's go for it. We've all been following the 100+ page long discussion for months, let's celebrate Nick U's opening in full force!

To be fair, the park was in transition between its regular season and the Halloween Haunt so yeah, it looks bare. Much of the midway themeing and landscaping is removed in Sept to prepare for the Halloween themeing. Nonetheless, these photos make me wish it was May even more than usual. I'm definitely ready for the season to start again! Oh, and ^^, that is a super coincidence. I, too, was looking for me in the photos but am clearly not as cool . Seriously, though, what a cool thing for you to find!

Cool, thanks for posting! I have been planning on visiting Adventureland this summer, but no one has been able to really tell me much about it. Now that I live in MN I have to explore all of the small parks around-- love that small park charm!

^Actually, as of today, the frog is no longer on the ride. I'm guessing something else will replace it. Wonder Pets? Man, all of these new Nick shows I've never heard of sure do a great job of making me feel old!

Okay, so cwsr beat me to it...but here are a few photos from today (3/2). It hasn't been THAT long since I've been to the MOA, but yes a lot has changed. Even though I've been keeping pretty up-to-date with this thread, it's still shocking/exciting to see it in real life. When I first got there today they weren't testing, and I was just taking a few shots of the ride...but then suddenly I saw a train go by in my shot. I seriously didn't even hear them send the train or hear it go down the lift hill or anything...nuts! By the time I left (around 1:30) they were giving out rides to employees like candy, so I'm sure Looty got to ride at least 5 more times today if he was around. Basically any employee that walked by they were asking if they wanted to ride (and most said no!). And some of you may be interested to know that the loop sways a whole lot! Even more so than an impulse coaster; it was funny seeing people freak out about it . Anyway, on to the photos: Lookin' good! New Dora banner going up Guest Services and a very blue Ripsaw station Newly painted TT car I am very convinced something will fill these trenches, or else just painted to look like water, maybe? Overbanked goodness Comes so close! Down the hill Zero-g Queue-age How can you not love the smiley-faced dummy? Zero-g Gives you a better idea how it fits in the ceiling Everyone, for the most part, stopped to watch More fun And I honestly don't know why the two photos are showing up so much bigger than the others- I assure you they are all the same size! My apologies.

Yeah, this pretty much sums up my closet/bedroom at home too. I am so ASHAMED! --Robb's old school movies...check --Letter from coaster company/park CEO...check (bonus 10 pts to me for having it framed at the time...oh my) --Worthless pieces of Ghostrider wood...check --Stolen park banners...check --Coaster books...check --Patches...let's not go there. Even though looking at all this old stuff is sure to give you some head-shaking, "What was I thinking?!" moments, it's hilarious to look back and reminisce about it too. And hey, some people never "grow out of it," so give yourself a pat on the back for doing so. Thanks for the laugh! But hey...umm....I'll give you $5 for the paint chips. And $10 for the sweet DD hat.

Wow, great vids-- thanks for sharing! It's SO quiet, I can't wait to hear some screaming people on there mwhaha. I seriously got goosebumps seeing it go through the zero-g roll because it looks to be just about the same speed that Mystery Mine takes it-- which was soooooo fun it made me laugh every time. It's like doing a kartwheel, in a roller coaster car. YAY SpongeBob!

Congrats on getting to ride, how exciting! Thanks for the play-by-play

Wow, way to catch it in the loop! So....who's up for a TPR informal get-together on either Saturday or Sunday of opening weekend?

I would just like to say that I was very excited to get to push the "arms down" button back in '03 when I worked on 'Screw/Magnum. Oh yeah, and I totally did the "Ar ar ar ararararara ar arms down." For the record, it does usually work with the GP who don't know to wait until the train rolls back before launch.

Wow she got it! How awesome for her...congrats!

^ Awesome, love the panoramics!

Thought this was interesting. Apparently she's not too happy about the shoes now... and I do feel for her. It's easy to say yes when someone offers to let you wear million dollar shoes, but it's kind of lame if they didn't fill you in on the fact that you'd be whored out to the media for it.

Nice TR! I approve of the numerous "thumbs up" pics... I do that all the time to the point where people make fun of me for it. I think they're just sad they're not as cool as us thumbs up people. Mmmmhmmm.

I must admit that it's SO hard to resist going to the mall on the off chance I would be able to see SBRBP testing...but I'll hold off until a day or two before opening on the off chance that I'll be able to ride

Did you read all over your pass for an expiration date? Feel free to smack me if that is an insulting question, but most of them have expiration dates on them. If not, I would guess 3/31...but can't be sure of course.

^ I'm not saying I don't agree to this (especially at such a young age), but I admit that the coaster thing isn't something I'd really compromise on either. I did date an enthusiast for 4+ years and took it for granted. I could say things like "Did you hear Thunderhawk moved from Geauga Lake to Michigan's Adventure?" and it would be mutually understood. With anyone else, they would be like "What's Thunderhawk? Where's Geauga Lake? Where's Michigan's Adventure?" A 20 minute conversation that I'd probably regret bringing up just because it's really not all that important. And that's not a bad thing, but like I said I took it for granted. I'll admit also that the idea of a non-coasterluvin' boy turns me off too just because I've seen so many of my guy friends have to "baby" their significant others onto coasters and sit out on rides and be the shoulder for their girl to cry on when they're "too scared." I KNOW it's bad/shallow/bitchy, but I just couldn't deal with that. I've often joked that, if that ever happened to me, I would just look at the person and say "I'm sorry, I don't think this is going to work out," right then and there. It's too big of a part of me. So while I agree that you shouldn't hold out for someone who exactly shares every one of your interests, I can't forsee myself marrying someone who wouldn't ride Renegade 27 times in a row because I feel like I would be repressing who I am, and that's not cool. Wow, that makes me feel like a horrible person for saying that. But, then again, the ratio is in my favor .

Thank you so much for taking the time to share these with us! Awesome, awesome photos to remember the park by.

Halloweekends are geared toward a different audience. As far as I know, most Halloweekend parks don't use blood in their screamsters' make-up and most of the houses aren't themed with the disgusting, gore-filled fun that parks with the Halloween Haunt use. The Halloween Haunt doesn't hold back, so to speak.

Wow, this looks truly devastating. How sad

Wow, for a tiny little thing it looks to have some decent air. I am so excited!