-Edge of Beast-

Thanks Griffin! Cyclone Sam's is this really wonky spinning flat ride. Though I have never been on it, so I don't have a real opinion, my friends say it has cool lasers and such.

Worlds of Fun - Part Two More photos! Back to Planet Snoopy... This section is one of those places where you have to squeal like a little girl. Some other lil' things and a relocated "Cosmic Coaster". ...and the previous location of Cosmic Coaster, aka Wacky Worm. Hold on, I'm almost done posting Planet Snoopy pics. I think this is a "fail" shot. Stupid balloon ride getting in the way of Mamba. For all those Mini-Giant Swing fans. What is that I see over there? Broken Timber Wolf. Moving on... "Cyclone Me!" Stupid one train operations.. I didn't get lots of photos of coasters operating. Thunderhawk was open! Timber Wolf Moar Timber Wolf. ...and PATRIOT. Hilly hill hills Yummy For all lift hill nerds. Mr. Patriot feels like hiding. Bye Patriot! Panda Express was supposed to be the focus, but Spinning Dragons hogged the picture. Get bamboozled. To end this trip report, Spinning Dragons! Hopefully you enjoyed these photos! Thanks for viewing!

Worlds of Fun - April 22nd, 2012 Well since I didn't make it to opening day, I had to go at least the next open weekend! So yeah, this Sunday I stopped by my home park- Worlds of Fun. Like always, it changed. Not the little changes, no, WOF changed a lot this year. Some things included new names, new locations, and even newly renovated buildings! They really changed it up! Overall I liked the park trying to 'up' the area! So anyway... staff/operations... Slow, boring, average.. a usual habit for Worlds of Fun employees. I guess they'll never grow out of their slump. Or maybe it's just those first week "getting down the ride, yada yada yada", things. Food, while not being the best, was still not tasteless. I recognized a few distinct doodads at stalls. Onto the rides. Mamba and Timber Wolf had this peculiar slouch where they each broke down at a point during the course of the day. Both on the slope of the lift hill. I didn't have a problem saying that they both opened eventually, but I was a tad angry. So the other rides themselves weren't horrible for the first week jitters, but again, staff was groggy and apathetic. Rides: Patriot (x1) - One train operation + long lines = one ride is fine for me. Prowler (x1) - Same as Patriot- one train operation. Lines weren't cruel, they were about to the stairs most of the day. Intensifying and speedy like always! Mamba (x0) - Closed a portion of the day and I was too lazy to walk back and get the credit. Although, again, they did have only a one train operation (awful for Mamba). Planet Snoopy Crap (x1 on a few rides I was allowed on) - I don't know why, but I adore this section. So friendly and the staff was marvelous! Fjord Fjarlane (x1) - Barely swinging = no fun. Thunderhawk (x0) - IT WAS OPEN. Finally. Too bad I was nauseated after riding Timber Wolf. I would have ridden, but I didn't want to blow chunks. Flying Dutchman, Autobahn, Le Carrousel (x1) - This area has a resemblance to a creepy Ghost Town. I feel the France section is kind of out of the rest of the park. I was kind of let down after I left. The amount of rides I got made me furious. Due to the bad-weathered day, I didn't get to ride rides such as Viking Voyager, Mamba and Fury of the Nile. In addition to that, because of the frostbiting air, I didn't ride The Grand Carousel, Octopus, Scrambler, Skyliner, or Detonator. Urghhhh.... Hey WOF! Why do we have to be visiting you on a crappy, cold day? YAY. I see a running Timber Wolf. Wellhai! Oh Mr. Spinning Dragons, mind your own business. "Oh nothing, just taking a photo behind a bush, that's all." I always feel fancy riding this. So hawt. Something is different here... Hmm... Fjord lalala. You rock kid. Just keep walking... Hi Mr. Octopus "Gurrrll, you know I'm hot." Said Mr. Prowler. It's like seeing heaven but better. Mmm EWWY. Moving on from Prowler... Well that sucks. But anyway, SEXY PAINT JOB. Why do the worst rides have to look the best? If it weren't so bad, I could compare it to cheesecake or something. You and your long lines! Planet Snoop-- What is that?? Omg it's all sexified. And Mr. Mamba says "Sam, I'm open now!" Darn you Bunny hill time! Where'd you go, train? I have so many more photos to show, but those'll have to wait till tomorrow afternoon! Hope you enjoyed the first part, Part Dos is coming!

Originally posted on April 7th, 2012: Today was the opening day for Riley's Adventurous Kingdom- the parks newest addition. Included in the package was Treetop Swinger, The Great Castle Fall, the Break Bar, and the currently-in-construction coaster "Rocket". I made it to the opening event just in time! Here are some shots I took throughout the day. The Kingdom awaits... I first stopped at The Great Castle Fall to get some rides. ...and saw this sight. Ugh, Treetop Swinger is closed! By the way, you might see those weird tower things in the pictures, they're for a laser event the park will hold this summer. It eventually opened though! Shot from The Great Castle Fall. This place had some pretty tasty foods! One more ride to finish the night off! Overall I had a fun experience. I think they're trying to squeeze as much in as possible, which explains why it is pretty wedged in to a corner. Despite all of the ugly laser towers, it is a sight to see. Very nice addition to the park indeed.

Originally posted on April 3rd, 2012: We released some animation shots of our new additions, Riley's Adventurous Kingdom, on our website AND Facebook! Over 100 likes and we have only had them up for a staggering four minutes. Guess next season will be exciting! There they are! Treetop Swinger and The Great Castle Fall. The Break Bar, not seen, is also a medieval-themed eatery included in the package. It features delicious snacks from sub sandwiches to cookie cakes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of 'packages', we got a breathtaking call from Mack today... "Breathtaking" meaning somewhat bad, not great. Mack: Hello ma'am, Missus Meghan Dewer, it seems we have left a piece out of the puzzle... a tremendous chunk. You ordered the Triple Pack, correct? With the Sky Swing ride and the Super Bounce, right? Me: Yes'm. That is what we ordered indeed. Mack: Well. We 'forgot' about something that- uhh- matters. Me: --And before you speak more, I did realize you said TRIPLE Pack. Mack:--Yes. Well. You ordered the Triple Pack, but the email catalougue we sent, didn't have the 'triple' included. Me: You must have read wrong! I for sure bought the DOUBLE Pack, not triple!! Mack: Ma'am-- Me: --Listen. Bud. WHAT exactly WAS included in the Triple Pack? Mack: Well the email wasn't fully completed when we sent it to your hands, and I just realized that about three days ago when I spotted the 'triple' at the top. Seems the man that sent it left out the biggest highlight. Me: And what is this "big highlight", hmmmm? Mack: A roller coaster. A small, lil' compact coaster. About sixty feet ta-- Me: --WHAT. NO. Listen buddy, Riley's Amusement Park is not ready for a big ol' coaster. My grandpa never had this in his visions!!! Mack: I'm sorry, tremendously sorry. It's too late. About 6 months too late. Ma'am, we fully understand your predicament and argument, but frankly, we can't do anything about it. I contacted our head designers right before calling you, who then got the plans for the coaster we were supposed to deliver. The land was already discussed when you ordered, right next to the new castle area I believe, but we just forgot about it... totally slipped our minds. Me: *sigh* Please. Show me photos. Mack: Surely enough ma'am. But we should talk-- Me: Show. me. the. PHOTOS. Mack: Al-al-alright, I just sent them via email. You oughta get them in two seconds flat!! Soon enough, these showed up. Mack: W-w-we're s-still working on them' supports and station and junk, oughta be done real soon!! Me: Hmmm. I'm a bit hazard about money cos-- Mack: Don't worry! This was included in the package we gave you! $8,500,000 flat. Me: I was wondering why those two rides were so very expensive..... We can make this work. Just hafta' hire an erection company to assemble these pieces when they fall under our hands. Mack: Y-yes. Them' pieces should be delivered in a good month or so. Since this is a ride we've already created, the track and supports are pre-built. Sittin' in our manufacturing plant! All we'll need is them' colors you decide. Painting don't take too much time! Me: Yes'm. Guess we gotta get our workers prepared. I think I has enough info. Thanks for calling kind sir. Thanks. A lot. Mack: Uh, yes, goodnight. Need more info? Just call this number right back! See ya. Quickly, the man hung up. I probably scared him half-to-death. Two hours later we received the full plans. 62 feet tall, barely stretching above the trees; top speed of 47mph; 54ft first drop; three inversions... Ohh man. That made my night. Found out we ordered a coaster. I need an Advil...

Originally posted on April 1st, 2012: Greetings people! Earlier today I was boating with my family, having the greatest time, and I noticed some walls going up around the end of the park. It was a sight to see! Definitely spectacular to see Riley's getting a new ride after a few years. Anyway, my family and I stopped by so I could take a picture. But every time I pass by the X-Treme Trampolines my kids get sucked in. 20 dollars well spent for them two to get on that thing... ha. While they were doing that I told my wife I would be taking photos from my cell phone of that construction. But man, it was hard to snap pictures! I ended up with one somewhat successful shot... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear father, If you haven't seen that picture of our new construction, you must check it out. That thing is spreading like wildfire. I even saw it on Screamscape this week! I don't know whether to go ahead and announce the new section or wait for more suspicions to float around. Animation-wise, these rides thing dominates our skyline! The main worry is money. I always wrap my head around financial problems. Thankfully we found a large increase in population this summer. Must be all those schools releasing those nutso teens. We found this concept while emailing Mack about striking a deal. This package was dirt cheap- and fun! I hope I have caught you up with the latest biz. Love you dad!! ~Meghan

Originally posted on March 31st, 2012: Dear father, Since Grandpa Riley passed two summers ago, his own park has been going into a slouch. We have been working are butts off since day one of "new" operation, but apparently not hard enough. Our population is decreasing, which means money decreasing, which means less rides and lower expectations. Money is the key right now. Without the green, we have a low-quality joint. We have lost 3 rides in one year. ONE. YEAR. The park itself is down to two rides solid. We are forced to raise prices for the rides to keep some change in our pockets. That means even LESS customers. Notice the lack of visitors? We're trying our hardest. This economy is taking a toll. We'll keep our heads up and cross our fingers for this season. No productivity equals no people. At least Riley's still has friendly staff, good food, and wonderful visitors...

That's why I refuse to go to parks on weekends in the summer. Lines are way too long. Though the fastlane might help, I don't know of anyone who would want to spend 150 dollars for a few rides.

That's not obvious. Only on Carnival

I like that layout! Almost bares resemblance to Shivering Timbers. Looking forward to a video!

The idea never thrilled to me. It's been used too many times to sound "original". It will definitely be busy during the summer weekends though. That is when the park can get a little crazy with the crowds.

Nice trip report, Griffin! I have this strange obsession with the Barnstormer. It looked three times better with the old theming though.

Well dealing with the speed the process of construction is going, I could imagine the coaster being open late this year... possibly. Btw, do we have any name conformations for the coaster? Or any type of rumor at least?

That went up REALLY fast. Man, Rocky Mountain works quickly. Heck, I was at the park a couple weeks ago while attending opening day and they barely had any footers poured.

I can't get enough of this ride. After seeing some videos, I came to a conclusion that this might be the most intense B&M on the planet. The g-force is crazy, plus the pacing! Man, I really want to visit Parc Asterix and take this for a spin or two!

Found this footage from the tornado this afternoon- insane. Some trees got uprooted, garage doors torn apart, roofs messed up... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfBh4LPhhgc

The whole park is doing wonderful, John! Although, I would love to see more sections of the park.

What a cute and quaint little addition to the park. Gerstlauer makes some wonderful family coasters. This one seems to even have some ejector air hidden in there!

I never realized that oddly angled support on the turnaround. I guess they had to make it like that since Iron Wolf's old station used to be below that portion of track. Looks pretty cool actually.

Honey badger don't care! Btw, cool trip report too. I need to stop by Dollywood sometime this summer to get on this beast.

I wouldn't get your hopes up with the tunnels. They usually just add some theming to the animation videos to make it look more appealing. I would too love it if they added them, but don't get excited.

Nice trip report, Steve! It's very odd seeing Universal making a putt-putt place, but that looks really fun! The theming looks exciting too.

Stupid question here, but how do we even know it is a Wingrider? If I recall, it doesn't have any information about being one. But this type is the hype now, I can see where you would think it is a Wingrider. Sorry if this question has been asked, I'm too lazy to scroll through 8 pages to find an answer.

Let's be honest here, it's all what you make of it, right? I mean, I thought that doing 24 hours at Magic Kingdom would be hell on wheels, but we were with a GREAT group and had an awesome time! If you go into anything saying "this is going to be a drag", then you're right, it's going to be. But you'll be with a fun group of people, doing something you love, and for a good cause! Think about the cool trip reports you could make out of it. For example, it would be really cool to document every ride you took! Take a picture of the train in the station of each dispatch, have the C4K riders do a different pose each time. See how many you can come up with. You can make anything fun!!! Seriously! Let's try to keep a positive attitude about the event, deal? --Robb Yeah, I kind of worded that incorrectly. Mamba's a good ride, but when you add Prowler and Patriot, it's an even awesomer event. On the other hand, I'm still trying to snatch a ticket. The only issue is the household devil, aka "Mom" to drop me off or something. Hopefully I can plan something out.

That makes me want to go. 6 hours on Mamba would be a drag, Prowler and Patriot involved makes it two times better. Grr, must get a ticket.