anonymouscactus

Fun spot and SeaWorld Orlando in 3 weeks! First time riding Mako and Mine Blower! And then a few days later I'll be going to the Disney After-Hours event at Animal Kingdom and will finally experience Avatar. All because my job wanted to send me to a conference for a few days 8)

As a ride op, I would think the first gut reaction when there is a big loud noise or something went wrong is to hit the E-Etop. This generally cuts power to components of the ride and I would think some sort of brake on a pendulum at 70mph that can't adjust wouldn't be a good idea. I'm not an expert by any means but it does make sense if there is something mechanically catastrophic happening. E-stops aren't meant to put the ride back in it's original position. In this case even if the motor was working, it would have likely coasted to a stop. Roller coasters will stop at the next block, but they are made to be long enough for it to come to a complete stop, albeit pretty abrupt in some cases. I'm curious if there are any other frisbee type rides that do have some sort of brake with the E-Stop. I know on a swinging ship ride I encountered there are similar results, so generally if you need to stop the ride immediately you would want to stop the ride early vs cut power to it. Unless something really bad is happening where you need to cut power. If someone needs to get off the ride immediately because they are injured or get hit by a seagull Fabio style on Crazanity or whatever, hitting the E-Stop would be a fail even though that might be the gut reaction. This can also cause problems when you are a supervisor walking by at the park, spot something extremely wrong, and run to the ride and hit the E-Stop without being properly trained on the ride. People without proper training, even a ride supervisor, maybe shouldn't be touching the control panel even in an emergency. And guests on the sidelines who are yelling at you to hit the E-Stop. Obviously depends on the situation... Ah the good old days.

Has anyone done the skysled yet? How is it? Thinking of hitting both fun spots next month (not on the same day)... I've already done the Orlando park / White Lightning but haven't done Mine Blower yet. The Orlando park will be too close to my hotel to not marathon WL one evening. With so many mixed reviews of mine blower I'm debating to get a wristband or just go to that fun spot in Kissimmee to ride MB once or twice (once in front, once in back? = $20?) and then enjoy the wrist band at the Orlando location. Is SkySled at the Orlando location too? It's not listed on the site. Is there enough difference between the two parks to warrant a wristband at both? I know they do the $99 season pass but I have no reason to go to either again this year.

Or you can watch the not so weird version / Six Flags transformation commercial... Also... this is some super excitement for Boomerang... lol...

^ Sundays in May are also my go-to, just keep in mind, as was said earlier, not every single ride may be up and running. But your wait times will be very manageable. Also, breakdowns seem to be more common in the beginning of the season but that's just anecdotal; I don't have evidence of that as I don't go much in the summer to compare and no statistics like Coasterbill always likes to whip out...

You absolutely can. Before, after, or a combination of both. I've been able to go straight to the gate in the past with the voucher, but some documentation (not from the official site) says to go to guest services first... "The personalized ID card you receive at Discovery Cove check in will serve as your 14-day unlimited admission ticket to the sister park(s) after the Discovery Cove reservation date. If you visit one of the sister parks BEFORE your reservation date, you must present your E-Ticket and a photo ID for each party member 18 years or older at the Guest Relations/Services window located at the front gate of the sister park (i.e. SeaWorld)." ---- Oh and on the topic of Discovery Cove, I completely forgot I made this video 6 years ago... mostly of the otter exhibit... (unfortunately you do NOT swim with them because they would probably claw you to death with their scary little hands; there is glass between you)

REMEMBER: Even if you don't want to do Discovery Cove for $25, just remember, parking is at least $25.00 per park per visit at BGT and SeaWorld (it varies and can be higher -- there is no parking fee at DC), so if visiting 3 days with the 3 day ticket that's $75.00 tacked onto the price... making it more adventageous to just do the 4 park unlimited + parking included (assuming your driving) even if you are only doing 3 days total... But... that fourth day... Ok... I'm going to stop selling it now... ^ yes there is no glass and you are swimming with them

Like I said... little shits...

So, not even looking at discounts, look at this and why you should really do Discovery Cove... That means you can visit Discovery Cove for $25.00. $25.00!! I checked the price for this upcoming weekend. -- NOTE: They feed you breakfast, lunch, and snacks, + booze. Plus you get to swim with 7 ft long stingrays, or just chill in the warm river, or just lay in a hammock all day it would still be worth it. If you have any questions about DC, I've been about 7 or 8 times (admittedly not in the last 3 years but that will change in a few weeks 8)). Even if you are not really a good swimmer the (cold) reef really is something to experience. The vests and/or wetsuits help keep you afloat. The warm water feels nice and they even have a sitting area in the water where you can bring your alcoholic beverages. They also have an aviary where you can feed hungry little shits. Don't feel like you need to do any of the "extras", you'll still have a great time. Note: I may have bias because I used to work for SeaWorld, but bias aside they really are awesome parks. The TripAdvisor reviews for Discovery Cove don't lie! https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-d110173?m=19905

lol.. Busy at work so I won't type my Florida novel, but Bill was pretty spot-on. Discovery Cove is a must (still waiting for that trip report, unless I missed it as I haven't been as active lately). I noticed the other day when I was shopping for FL tickets they don't include SeaWorld/Aquatica in the ticket price anymore (I think it's an extra $20 off the top of my head?) but it's well worth it. If you add on the Busch for a little more, which you are going to do anyways, you also get free parking at all of the parks. You can go unlimited for 14 days. You want the "Discovery Cove Ultimate Day resort package" -- unless you want the dolphin swim it will run you more. -- also as mentioned, don't upgrade the drink package. See if you or someone you know has a "tickets at work" account. Those are the best deals I've ever seen for Florida tickets and I'm stingy as f*ck so I research every little cost saving I can do. They are pretty significant discounts all things considered. They have all the Discovery Cove packages as well (only $165 for the ultimate package during slow season), and even the after hours Disney Events if you don't want to invest a full day and just want to do a few hours at night. Next online shop open to anyone is undercover tourist. Note that the prices on that site include taxes so keep that in mind. The savings aren't all that big and it may not be worth your time but they are legitimate and don't require a timeshare briefing or other B.S. -- the savings will be minimal but it doesn't hurt to shop around. If you buy an entertainment book you get online access to the tickets at work site just branded as entertainment. I think they immediately send you a code before the book gets mailed to you. I'm 90% sure it's the same discounts. You don't buy it for Orlando, you can buy from your current City. Sorry I gotta get back to work I may stop in later

For the choice hotels brand... stay away from pretty much everything. Econo-lodge North is the go-to for me, though. It's not anything to write home about, but it's afordable and the location is just as close (well +1 minute) as the CP express hotel. I've stayed there 3 times without issues. Actually I take that back there were no towels one time for some reason lol.

It's really not as interesting as you think...

The one on the actual Coasting for Kids website is even weirder... what's with the silver (or is it a "transparent checkerboard"?) on 5 of the flags but not the 6th? But even the 6th is showing the weird stripe with the yellow.

Interested to hear more about coasting for kids at Fantasy Island and SFDL. Can't wait to see how many people will ride Mind Eraser over and over again... Also I noticed they are finally offering Platinum/diamond/ diamond elite memberships; not sure when that started. It may have been mentioned already, but there was so much riveting information about the stickers coming off Viper, that I may have missed it.

So, work is taking me to a conference in Orlando next month and I wanted to take advantage of the "after hours" (NOT extra magic hours) event at Animal Kingdom as my one Disney splurge that I can take part of in the evening after the conference. I am NOT able to do any of the Disney parks during the day. This is also going to be a SOLO trip. I used to live in Orlando with annual passes, but I haven't been back in a few years and I have NOT seen the Avatar Land and know nothing about the rides or attractions there. (No spoilers ) Does anyone have any tips or advice for this event? Is it worth watching the night time show (I've never seen it) or would that time be better occupied doing rides over and over? How early does the Safari typically close? They allow the after hours guests into the park before the event officially starts, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to squeeze a ride on it for my first stop of the evening. I've read a few reviews and some say that right when the event "starts" you are funneled into the fastpass lines because there can still be lines at the Avatar attraction(s?) so you still get to jump the regular queue but there will be a longer wait than just waiting a little later in the night when the regular guests clear out. Otherwise lines should hopefully be non existent... at least they used to be back when these reviews were published. I also know to load up on free popcorn, ice cream, and soda. Does anyone know how transportation works at Animal Kingdom after the event is over? Do busses still go to Disney Springs? I'm likely NOT going to have a car and I'm not sure where my hotel will be just yet, but I'm assuming at the very least Disney Springs will have taxis, busses, shuttles, Uber, Lyft (which by the way I have NEVER used, so I can probably get promotional credit too provided they are out there late at night) etc late at night provided I can get there from Animal Kingdom. Anyone happen to know what transportation exists, if any, at Animal Kingdom for the event, or should I attempt calling Disney? I won't be staying at a Disney Hotel so either way I'm going to need some sort of transportation to my unknown hotel. Any advice there about the best way to get out of the Disney universe? Any fun things to do myself at Disney Springs after the park? Thanks everyone! EDIT: looks like Disney Springs is only open until midnight so I guess going there after the park wouldn't work after all.

Yeah, I'm with him on this one... AND it even has a nice ring to it. BRB, calling Six Flags on the diamond elite message line bat phone and suggesting the name... thanks, coasterbill! Edit: I left a message but they replied via email: "Thank you for letting us know. We will pass this suggestion along to management. Sorry for the inconvenience of not theming our rides this year, but be on the lookout soon, big things really ARe coming sooneR rather than later! wOo Woo!" If you look closely, I think they even dropped a cryptic hint of their next addition!!! Maybe they will throw us for a loop (ha.) and re-theme Viper instead? Maybe go back to the color green? And call it "SURGE: feed the rush, life's a scream!"??? The future is looking bright! Yay Six Flags!

^^ great report, parkjunkie! Makes me miss living in Florida just a tiny bit, and wow, you definitely got lucky with the cheetah hunt lines. Glad you had a great time minus that one Negative Nancy!

Holiday World has two of the best water rides anywhere (Mammoth and Wildebeest) even if you are not a water park person you should at least ride those two. It's worth it.

Really? I think Wonderland has some of the best (and unique offerings of) food in the chain. What specifically are you referring to? Just curious.

Here in the toy factory....

For future reference, I don't know 100% but I'm 90% sure town hall could have helped you in the back of the park. Maybe the gift shops were not able to redeem the free ones, but almost definitely town hall.

I've done haunt at most Cedar Fair parks multiple times, and a few different Six Flags fright fests the past few years, but stopped doing the mazes in most recent years at Six Flags: A. Because they are an additional charge and B. The quality of all the ones I have been in were truly awful. That being said, some of the Cedar Fair haunts have been growing stale, and we had some pretty bad walkthroughs at Cedar Point this year, but we always go early in the season when we don't have to worry about lines or crowds. Doing either chain in October will probably require a Fright Lane/ Express Pass if you want to keep your sanity. I don't think any maze at either chain is worth more than a 30 min wait at an absolute max, but that's my opinion. Cedar Fair is way ahead of Six Flags, but after doing tons of local haunts around the country, what they offer isn't nearly as great as some of the places we have been to. But for an amusement park, they are pretty good.

I'm getting married in 3 days!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!! .

Uh... Silver Comet? Honestly it was a pretty damn good ride. Surprised I'd still be saying that since the last time I rode it was probably when I worked there 12 years ago.

Went to Fantasy Island last night for their haunt. (photos compliments of a buddy of mine I went with) -- PS: the only reason he went was because I had a bring a friend free pass and he conveniently crosses Grand Island after work. The only reason I went is because I somehow got roped into a 2019 season pass. WTF was I thinking? One thing that really impressed me was that they had one of the longest haunted houses I've ever seen. MIDWAY MAYHEM. I think it was even longer than Lake Compounce's 45 minute attraction. Or something. Next up we had an attraction called "what's in the box"... we asked the employee outside the first haunted house what was in the box and she had no clue. This made me even more excited as nobody knew. Sorry, NO SPOILERS. you have to see for yourself! Lastly they themed their canoes (note the location on the website screenshot) to be super scary. Seriously, don't touch the water. One of the couple of scare zones (the rest are not pictured) To Fantasy Island's credit: - Silver Comet is still a great ride. Yes the train was literally falling apart and chunks of it were missing, it was a ton of fun in both the front and back. - While extremely clunky, we had a great ride on the spinning mouse (2 people only sat to one side) holy crap did we get dizzy. - The first / largest house was actually on par with Jungle Apocalypse at Darien Lake. (No, really) -- They both had the same amount of actors, too. And unlike Darien Lake, they were actually acting and trying. - "the Awakening" outdoor show, while only seen from a distance, the choreography didn't seem that bad. I caught glimpses from the Silver Comet station and on the ride. - we missed out on the 4d upcharge thing, and some of the shows. - Freddie Kruger was a little cold in the one scarezone so they let him wear Nike windbreaker pants - While we didn't ride, I applaud the enclosed bumper cars / road rage cage. We saw fog spewing from the entranceway. - I was wearing my Wicked Cyclone hoodie and the op at Crazy Mouse was telling me about his ride on Steel Vengeance but unfortunately it was his only RMC. (is that you RJR19?) - Mind Warp (?) was actually a really fun ride (despite the loud scary noises it makes and the trainee who released the restraints instead of hitting START.) I thought we were going to die for a brief moment. Honestly it was really good and seeing the comet upside down was neat. If it was any longer I would have puked, however. I didn't feel well the rest of the night, but maybe it was the radioactive canoes talking. Well I think that's it.