Mr Stratosphere

So today is my Friday at work. I get home and there is a notice from the DMV. Apparently my car registration was suspended on the 14th. The reasoning? They said my car insurance denied I ever had coverage when I bought my car. Excuse me!?!? You need proof of insurance in Nevada to register your car in the first place!!! I called up my car insurance Geico and they said I was fine on their end. Its this Western Insurance Company that is giving me problems. It's the insurance I had with my car in the first place. So I have all the proof I need to say that I had insurance. But I cannot drive my car anywhere right now so I have to take the bus to the DMV tomorrow morning, and the DMV is 20 miles away from my house, about a 3 hr bus ride with all the transfers I have to take. The DMV would charge me 250 bucks to reinstate my registration if I didn't have insurance. This really bugs me because I pay a lot for insurance every month, just say its over 300 bucks and I always pay on time!! Why am I being hassled when there are people on the roads that don't even have insurance, license plates, or drivers licenses for that matter! Has anyone else had any problems like this?? Wish me luck tomorrow, I have school as well. This puts a damper on some plans lol! John

^ HA! When I was there last week I noticed that as well. John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JDpcpmajco The first time I saw this, I couldn't stop laughing! John

Yes! This video is great! I cannot wait to head back out and ride this beast!! John

^ Thanks for posting those. I hope to make it out there one of these days. John

Hey I was browsing through YouTube and I found this video posted of the Bohemian Rhapsody Night Time Show. John

Great Trip Report so far! Thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the pictures. John

I also watched the video again and noticed that there were others that were seated with their restraint open and pulled them down after the train cleared the lift. Watch the video again and you can see more people pull their restraints down in cars 5 and 7 of the train. Very smart actions by the riders, and probably instruction by the employee at the top of the lift. John http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA5XmpL6VCk

I've seen that video as well. It looks like the ride was just stopped at the top of the lift at the point where gravity is just about to take over. But if you notice the back restraints are up, which to me looks like they started the evacuation from the back of the train. It looks like they should have evacuated the front of the train first. Do you think the weight change caused the train to roll forward? John

These ones always cracked me up a bit! Failed Implosions!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUesbMY9d_c John

...When you look forward to getting stuck on a ride and getting to evac. ...When have all the songs that play in the stations of your favorite rides on your MP3 Player. ...When you visit a place and a ride so much they know you by name. -John

I agree the video was great!! John

www.myspace.com/Mr_Stratosphere John

I haven't been on too many LIM Launched coasters, but for me, it has to be Speed: The Ride in Las Vegas. I remember hearing from my friend that used to be a manager there that during testing the LIMs were launching the train way too fast. So as you can see in this picture they don't use the last 4 sets of LIM's when they launch the train. You can clearly see the difference in color. John

I personally have never gotten sick on any type of thrill ride. Although my friends have gotten sick and is kind of a buzz kill even when at Disneyland John

I never have seen a tornado, but I really do like watching lightning. When I worked at the Stratosphere Tower it was great fun watching summer storms from up there. A couple of years ago we did have a tornado watch and had to keep an eye out but nothing. If a tornado hit Vegas I don't think many would know what to do. John

Must be nice!! The lowest I ever remember it was $0.97 John

Its about 68F outside right now with a high tomorrow of 78F. Windy and overcast yesterday. Spring is here and boy my allergies know it! John

Currently in Vegas. This is the average. $3.47 Regular $3.59 Plus $3.69 Supreme Cheapest I've seen for regular earlier tonight was $3.39 I saw Diesel his $4.01 John

I've only been on Roarin' Rapids once. And I can honestly say its the most drenched I've even been on a water ride. (I haven't been on perilous plunge yet, its been closed every time I've been to Knott's.) But to me it is one of the best rapids I've been on. Does anyone have any ideas on how to stay dry? I ruined a pair of sneakers on that ride LOL. It sucks walking around the park all day with squishy shoes! Next time I go I'm going to take a change of clothes. But anyways I love to TLC going on at the park! Also when it comes to lockers, These have been some of the most user friendly lockers I've used at any park. Aside from those that you put coins in and take the key. But I found these really easy to use. John

Thanks for the update Jahan! I cannot wait to get back to the mountain this year!! It's great to see how everything is progressing at the park! It is sad to hear about Riddler but looking forward to it reopening and taking a spin on it! John

Here is a video that I found on YouTube about the top 10 Las Vegas Implosions. This was before the Stardust Implosion but it shows the unique ways Las Vegas implodes buildings. My favorite shot was when they set up a camera in the Aladdin that faced down a hallway of hotel rooms, there is a garbage can inside and you can see the building crumbling in front of the camera. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E59CbUH_g4 John

I also found a video on YouTube about the Fantasmic! premier at Disneyland in 1992

I found this clip on YouTube about the Arrow Suspended Coaster. It's from 1979 and it has the prototype arrow built. I notice a couple of different track types on the prototype. John

^Those are great pictures! Thanks for posting. I have a quick question though. How will maintainance be with the Flying Turns? Like retracking, how much work does this type of ride need to be in tip top condition and how often does it need to be retracked? John