bert425

those Sky towers are still around. we rode one at Carowinds last year, and doesn't Knott's Berry Farm still have theirs?

"Football" seats? LOL. .

^ I was just typing that. . . I'll bet it's a tall Star Flyer, since BGW doesn't have anything like that.

I’m so sad I never got to ride one of these. I was totally fascinated by them. Can someone describe the ride experience? I've mentioned (maybe here, maybe in the TPR Facebook group), but we rode "SWAT" the year it opened at Astroworld in Houston, and absolutely HATED it. we were wanting to give it a chance, even tho were saddened it took the place of Skyscreamer (1st gen drop tower), in the spot over near Gunslinger & River of No Return (which had been gutted and ruined anyways, when the footers/supports for XLR-8 were put in, and destroyed the illusion of "cruising the ancient ruins"). anyways. . .you got in on either side of a seating arrangement that looked like the end of a fly-swatter: a long bar with two rows of "stadium type" seating at either end - you faced the other riders across the main divide. then the ride raised the seats directly up, to the top of the ride's supports. then, the "bar" with the seats at either end S-L-O-W-L-Y rotated end over end. So you were upside-down coming over the top of each swing. I believe it did that two times, then switched direction, and did it two times the other way. the over the shoulder restraints were not comfortable, and how slowly the ride rotated, they really hurt during the extended hang-time, since the ride rotated so slowly. years later, my spouse STILL talks about that "horrible ride" we went on at Astroworld. . . LOL I'll bet if I rode it again at some time later, they had tweaked it and I wouldn't have minded it. but only got to ride it that one time, and we never got on it again. edit: found some Astroworld video online of it operating . . you can see how slowly it rotates at points. [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

^ that's. . . . . lovely! what great theming on this, in a fantastic location too.

Yes. We meet at sundown after the first full moon at the bar at Disney Springs. that's the regular cult the SECRET cult meets under the Tiki Room (password is "Iago")

^keep in mind, at CP, "Melt" is competing with theme park food (for the most part). so therefore, it pretty much automatically gets upgraded to "amazing", even if it's only "so-so" to "good" in the stand alone restaurants outside a theme park.

The rapids were located in Screampunk, right? Would be cool to see another major ride in that area. pretty sure he's talking about the slide in White Water Bay park (that was called "the rapids"). this one here: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] SFOG just removed the chute the chutes boat ride, no way (like zero chance) they are pulling out the Thunder River rapids ride. . it's super popular, and gets one SOAKED).

here's the info on the HersheyPark preview: http://www.hersheypark.com/tickets/free-extra-hours.php basically, the night before your full day, you present your ticket and get in 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours before the park close. that TYPICALLY translates to almost walk ons for any major coaster/ride you want to hit.. you really can knock out a ton of riding in those 2+ hours. as to Franklin Institute, some of the exhibits *do* skew younger, but it's multiple floors with multiple exhibits on each floor. I was in my late 40's when we went, and my Spouse in late 50's. . and we *still* spent full day there, even skipping the exhibits targeted for kids, as well as skipping the 4D theater (tho we DID do a planetarium show in the basement). Seriously, highly recommended, but let's see if any of the folks that live in Philly will 2nd my suggestion.

no spoilers. . but. last night's episode was, if not the worst, then among the worst written in the series history. they are suffering greatly being beyond the books, and multiple characters acting very out of character - and some just downright terrible writing. I'm not talking about the main "heel" turn a certain character took - that's been getting teased for a while (tho I do think they did the character a great disservice by having them go "full on bad-guy" in just a single episode. but I'm more annoyed by just character choices that make no sense, set pieces that were simply there for fan service, and "Stupidity by script design". . with things happening this episode that shoudln't have been possible based on last weeks episode. oh it looked great, but it was a great looking turd this week. . . and they really tarnished what had been a fantastic show.

ooooo. . . love it! and again, so happy you're back to posting regular pictures. enjoying them so damn much.

probably won't mean a whole lot but to those of us "of a certain age" but R.I.P. Miss Doris Day https://www.apnews.com/b9a04d9ab2ce4276b2f6bdb6b39af585 she was well known for her "good girl" parts in films, her singing, and her daytime talk show. likely her most famous recording, which I grew up hearing my Mother listen to over and over. . she LOVED this song: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] although her cover of this, was a big hit too: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

the new area looks fantastic, and very, very kiddo friendly. surprised at the mexican food theming in the restaurant tho. . are the spices/heat dulled down to make them more "mild" flavor for the kids? (just curious). I mean, interior style Mexican food focuses more on flavors than spices, so wondering if that's the way they went. thanks for the report! looks great.

Don't remind me!! My son has already asked me to confirm whether Volcano really is done for good!! My fault for not getting to KD earlier!! We are both consoled with I305 and Twisted Timbers though...which are the two rides we are most looking forward to. Thanks for the advice, appreciate it....and I will take the wait and see approach. I pretty much figured that it would be similar to Canada when the kids are still in school, but always good to get the local and expert opinion. don't forget "Apple Zapple". . it really is a very fun wild mouse. and racer 75 was running awesome when we were there last summer. . . smooth as glass.

down on the 2nd day? it seems to go pretty high tho, and as you said, fast. . . so glad it is a thrill ride!

hmm. . I don't "love" it as a name for a coaster. tho it would be a great name for the re-do of the Reeses Cup shooting ride. but I guess if SF can name multiple coasters, "Pandemonium". . .what's wrong with "Candymonium". . tho, as noted. . not really feeling it.

one day is really not enough for Knoebels, and your plan doesn't really allow for you to take advantage of the preview night option at HersheyPark - lest you shorten your day even further. if at all possible? I'd swap what you have planned for Saturday with what you have planned for Sunday. In other words, Saturday morning, get some extra Knoebel's time in - enjoy breakfast in the park on Saturday. then go do the National Watch and Clock Museum, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, American Treasure Tour Museum in the afternoon, and head to Hershey Park to enjoy preview night on Saturday evening (where you will be able to hit a lot of coasters/rides with very little wait). Sunday, full day at HersheyPark (including stuff in Chocolate town), then head back to return the car in the evening. yes, it would make for a lot of driving.. but would be worth it (at least to me). as to Dorney, it's an ok park, and we enjoyed it - in particular Talon, and the Demon Drop (1st generation drop tower). . . but Hydra is just so-so (even with that "jojo roll" out of the station), Steel Force is just kind of "meh".. and honestly, Possessed without the holding break? I'd rather just ride Wicked Twister. So in my opinion, you're not really missing anything if you skip it. . .tho we did enjoy our 1/2 day there. in Philly I *highly* recommend the Ben Franklin Institute (a very hands on science museum).. we spent full day there, as well as the Rodan museum, and - of course - the Liberty Bell/Independence Hall. . . but you DO need to get tickets for those (they are free, but the tickets are timed entry).

Ok.. got on the scale today, since heading to Houston to visit my Dad (who's recovering from shoulder surgery on Wednesday, and already had to be moved to a solo room, closer to the Nurses' station in the rehab center, since he's still very confused and is wandering up and down the hallways naked. . . oy) so expecting I'll be eating way off plan for the weekend. but: started back on plan on 4/1 at 218 1st check in was on 4/14 at 211.6 2nd check in was on 4/22 at 208.2 3rd check in was on 4/28 at 206.2 (followed by a week of "bad" eating, including a double hamburger at Avengers. . so waited until today to do next weigh in). and today, 5/10, came in at: 201.8 lbs. so a loss of 16.2 lbs in 6 weeks. I'm pleased with that, tho cannot wait to be in the 190's and hopefully can manage that by end of May! that's my status. bert

looks like you had some beautiful weather! and those shots of Magnum, are possibly the best I've ever seen. very nice!

beautiful pics of ToT at DisneySea. for those that have never been . . what is "Shiriki" ? (it could be a character? or it could be what you've named your camera (hey, one never knows.. my friends all name their cars/laptops).

^ that does seem like a bad idea. . .LOL, but I'd totally get on it. I see TWO coasters in the pics tho.. the spinner and the suspended. agree with Canobie - thanks for sharing, never even heard of this park.

that video is fun. .and good call so much Big Thunder Mountain in the recap section. (how did you get the Tower of Terror video?. . didn't realize they have those available).

I would highly recommend not skipping Sierra Sidewinder - it's easy to dismiss as just a simple spinner, but it remains my favorite spinner I've ever been on. and the location can't be beat - among the massive mish-mash of track in the middle of Silver Bullet, Montezooma's Revenge, and Jaguar.

absolutely yes!