805Andrew

I'm so excited to experience this next time I go to Japan (assuming I wait that long to return to Japan). The fact that this coming out in Japan first gives me hope that it won't be entirely media based attractions with screen projectors and 3D glasses, and might have attractions more on the line of Space Fantasy and Jurassic Park The Flying Dinosaur. Mario Kart and Super Mario attractions seem like obvious choices and something having to do with The Legend of Zelda seems highly probable, but I'm hoping for a ride based on Donkey Kong Country as well.

Yeah, I wouldn't complain about its existance if I lived an hour away from it, especially for the water park in the summertime. But then again, I'd probably just would want to drive the extra 1-1.5 hours each way to go to Hersheypark or Knoebels instead.

ahem... You got me there. I totally forgot about their log flume, which is pretty good. And it's right next to Demon Drop. I guess some people would also consider the jojo roll noteworthy.

My favorite park is really easy: Tokyo Disney Sea. My least favorite is hard to say because I haven't been to a really "bad" park. For lack of exciting attractions does Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier count? The atmosphere is nice and the views are great, I just wish they had a more exciting marquee coaster. For operations I'm going to say Beech Bend in KY or Tokyo Dome City which both have operations as slow as molasses, though it wasn't crowded when I visited either of these so it wasn't unbearable. Beech Bend is the only place where I've ever had my sandals stolen (in their water park). For big park I've been to I'm going to say Dorney Park (for the ride side) because its bland and there's nothing really noteworthy besides Demon Drop, but it isn't a bad park and their included water park is actually really good. I guess I haven't been to a truly awful park, and that's a good thing.

I thought it was more like 20 oz, but I took an empty wine bottle at home, filled it up with water, and it filled the souvenir cup perfectly to the lower inside rim which left just enough room to put the lid and straw on w/o spilling, so 750 ml apparently. I have a feeling these cups might have been designed by a European (probably German) company. If you fill the cup completely with ice then you'll barely get a can's worth of soda to fit in there. I'm with you on this. How hard is it to serve unsweet iced tea? And if they're only going serve sweet tea from the fountain can they at least have a flavor besides raspberry which is sickly sweet? How about lemon or peach? On water, most parks will give you a free cup if you ask, and if they don't there will usually be drinking fountains by the restroom. You can also bring your own empty bottle or cup to refill and most places will oblige, as they're charging for the cup and not the water itself. You can also buy a bottle of water (or any other liquid), and keep refilling it with water for the rest of the day. It's a lot less once you factor all the ice you put in the cup which melts into the soda. Anyways, I usually fill my souvenir cup 4-5 times per visit and I alternate between regular soda, zero calorie soda, Vitamin Water/Powerade, Dasani Sparkling, lemonade, and Dasani flavored water so it's not just pure sugar I'm drinking. I'd also put iced tea into the mix if they had something besides Fuze Raspberry.

At least the fish were already dead when they were frozen into the ice skating rink. It's definetely a bit bizarre but I kind of expect that for Japan. Had they used plastic fish and crab molds instead (kind of like the sushi and food molds they use for restaurant displays) I'd have a feeling this ice rink would still be around and not have much complaints (as long as the public knew the fish were fake). According to the article, the fish will be used as fertilizer. While is seems sad that fish will be turned into fertilizer it probably wouldn't be good for human consumption at this point, and that's better than just being thrown away in the trash which is probably what would have happened if this were in the US.

Wow! Looks amazing! I can't wait to finally visit Phantasialand next year.

Wow! Energylandia and Poland are now officially put on the rollercoaster map of the World. Even before this new Intamin, they were getting a pretty solid lineup, but this takes it to the next level.

How long of layover (stop) did you have in San Luis Obispo? Was it enough to walk around a little?

Nice shots of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey Counties on your ride home. My home territory

That Autopia souvenir from 2000 looks like it was sold at Chevron gas stations rather than Disneyland.

When I couldn't figure out what Kristen's country was, I looked up the Epcot World Showcase. Not only are you guys representing all the countries and Spaceship Earth, but you all are in order as the countries are at Epcot World Showcase. Well done guys, especially Kristen for the idea.

Nice shot of Morro Bay, I live just below that first picture you took. I love Japan and can't wait to eventually go back. I bet this sampler trip left you wanting more, but at least you got to go and experience some things. If you ever get back to USJ, try Hollywood Dream backwards (Backdrop) - I thought it was way more exciting this way than forwards. I was wondering how you were able to ride the Flying Dinosaur twice with one express pass and an 180 minute wait. When I went to USJ last year it felt like one of the most crowded parks I've ever been in (it felt more crowded than Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea for me) and it was midweek in June. I did Nagashima Spaland the previous day and it was dead. I also remember Steel Dragon 2000 closing for like an hour midday - whatever works to keep it operating though. I agree with you that if your only in Shanghai for a few hours that it's better to save Disney for another visit, though opening year would've tempted me. I forget that Shanghai also has a Happy Valley park, and it looks like a nice one. Although from what I hear about Happy Valley's operations, they sound like a Six Flags with better theming. Anyways, great TR.

Trolling on the internet has gotten so ridiculous that this whole season of South Park has been dedicated to it (amongst other things). You just got take everything you hear and read with a grain of salt, laugh at certain ridiculous statements, and either ignore or have fun poking back at the haters. They hate us because they ain't us!

Universal Horror Nights on Oct 20th.

2017 will be a great year for coasters and parks for me, as I will go to several parks that are new for me in a country I've never been to before. I may also visit a park or few I've never to before in the U.S. like Holiday World, which may not have anything new for 2017, but everything there would be new for me. Suit yourself. X2, Twisted Colossus, Tatsu, and The Joker all within a few hours drive from me and a dirt cheap annual pass that includes parking and Hurricane Harbor was enough for me to renew for 2017. Seriously people, think of 2017 as a year to catch up on rides you have missed, revisiting favorite parks, or going to places and parks that you have never been to before. And if you can afford it, plan a trip to a country you haven't been to before.

From what I've heard it's crazy crowded on Saturdays, especially the last couple of Saturdays in October. Your better off going on a Sunday, as Friday nights will be really busy too. Last year I went on the the last Sunday (and night) of Fright Fest which was actually November 1st, and it was not too crowded at all, and I had a great time.

I pretty much thought the exact same thing. Roseanne sang it better.

Top 10 US park bucket list: WDW parks (4) Universal Orlando parks (2) both Busch Gardens (2) Silver Dollar City Holiday World Top 10 Europe park bucket list: Europa Park Disneyland Paris Phantasialand Alton Towers Blackpool Pleasure Beach Tivoli Gardens Liseberg Grona Lund Kolmarden Holiday Park Top 10 Asia/Middle East park bucket list: Shanghai Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland Ocean Park Universal Studios Singapore Lotte World Everland Ferrari World Motiongate Dubai Parque Espana Chimelong Ocean Kingdom Top 10 US water park bucket list: Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Blizzard Beach Typhoon Lagoon Volcano Bay (when it opens) Aquatica Orlando Splashin' Safari (Holiday World) Noah's Ark Dollywood's Splash Country Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas Mountain Creek Waterpark (Action Park) Wet N Wild Orlando would have been on this list if it wasn't closing Top International water park bucket list: West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark (Canada) Atlantis Paradise Island (Bahamas) Siam Park (Spain) Tropical Islands (Germany) Aquaparc (Switzerland) Atlantis Aquaventure (UAE) Wild Wadi (UAE) Yas Waterworld (UAE) Top 10 US ride bucket list: Intimidator 305 (Kings Dominion) Lightning Rod (Dollywood) Outlaw Run (Silver Dollar City) Iron Rattler (SFFT) New Texas Giant (SFOT) Wicked Cyclone (SFNE) Superman the Ride (SFNE) Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts (USF) Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (DHS) Top 10 International ride bucket list: Expedition GeForce (Holiday Park) Wildfire (Kolmarden) Karnan (Hansa Park) Euro Mir (Europa Park) Helix (Liseberg) Balder (Liseberg) Chiapas (Phantasialand) Formula Rossa (Ferrari World) T Express (Everland) Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Shanghai Disneyland)

After staying domestic this year I'm planning on doing an international trip next year. Somewhere where there's great beer, rides, and parks, and nice scenery. I'm also considering doing that Holiday World coaster event next June (if they're still doing it) since I've never been and it would an easy extended weekend trip to pull off. I have Six Flags and Universal passes, so I'll hit both Six Flags in CA and USH of course, and may hit other local parks if I have friends that want to go. If any bash events are announced I'll definetely go to those, at least the ones I can drive to easily.

I attended Fright Fest at Magic Mountain for the first time in 11 years last year and I thought it was really good. I like the fact that the mazes require a wristband, but it's reasonably priced, and that the express wristbands are only $15 more - that's a no brainer for me. I liked the whole atmosphere and vibe of the park during Fright Fest at dark and the hilly topography of the park added to that. They were so many fog machines being used in the park that I could see actual fog clouds forming below from Samurai Summit. Thanks for sharing your opening night experience. I'll be checking out Fright Fest sometime in October, most likely on a Sunday night though. Good times at Fright Fest last year. A foggy night at the park.

Ocean City is the nicest of the Jersey shore towns that have amusement parks. Families tend to stay for a few days to a week. A little more exclusive than the other places. Wildwood (Morey Piers) is next. Many families have been returning to Wildwood for generations, whether it be for week long trips or the whole summer. Definitely has the most retro vibe. Seaside Heights (Casino Pier) is party central of the shore towns. The percentage of families that stay over night has dwindled significantly over the decades. More clubs/bars than the other towns. The town receives a lot of day trippers. Point Pleasant (Jenkinson's) is pretty laid back. Mostly day trippers as families or people visiting from other nearby shore towns Keansburg tends to draw a lower economic status crowd. The town has less accomodations than the other and is a bit run down. Cool, good to know the differences in the beach towns and piers.

Don't mess with that compressed air launch please! Best launch in the World!

I did. It was down for a planned refurb that day. From the videos I saw, it looked great. Ah, it must have just gone down for its annual refurb. You'll definitely have to come back at some point to ride it, it's my favorite dark ride in the US.

Awesome shots Andy! You make the Jersey shore look nice. I'll eventually have to hit the Jersey Shore the next time I'm in the NorthEast, especially since they are getting some more interesting rides.