bert425

For our Anniversary today (15th), my Hubby bought us tix to see "Corteo" next month. Looking forwards to it, as I believe this is a show I have not yet seen (fairly rare for me and Cirque, tho there are a handful I've not seen in North America). anyways, not in the tent, it's in a smallish stadium, but they are presenting in the round. should be a great show!

^ hahaha. but at least the dispatches are pretty fast!

oh, off the wagon, down the ravine, and bursting into flames. I will get back on track, but I think I have to lose around 35 lbs to get back down to my goal weight now (haven't weighted in a while. . but haven't been able to really get back on track since September of last year).

I really love the Celebration Costume that Minnie has. and great video showing the park, the coasters, and the show! I totally forgot Barnstormer is there. . really time for me to go back to Magic Kingdom, it's been way too long. thanks for the report, Robb (and I love the little girl on BTM yelling at her Dad, "Daddy don't DO that!" when he tries to touch the bones as you go under).

I know you weren't talking to folks like me specifically, but willing to explain why I got on it: I only rode it because adults were able to during nightime ERT during Coastermania! 2017. otherwise, I don't understand the effort to go on it either.. I mean, I know it's the first Intamin. . or something like that. but yeah, if it wasn't open for adults during the latenight ERT? I wouldn't have bothered with it

giving this a shot without looking at what others posted 1. Name 3 of your favorite roller coasters, but not your top 3. Iron Rattler (SFFT), Shockwave (SFOT), Gemini (CP) 2. About how many different parks did you visit in 2018? 13 3. Which 2018 park visit was your favorite? Lots of contenders, especially from the 2018 TPR USA tour (as well as our weekend trip to SFOT), but I'm going with a spectacular and full day at Knoebel's 4. Your favorite 2018 park addition (ride, food, show, etc)? hmm. . . Wonder Woman Golden Lasso coaster at SFFT (tho I loved Wicked Cyclone at SFOG, and the evening glofest party at CP) 5. What ride exceeded your expectations the most in 2018? Fury 325 at Carrowinds. was expecting to love it. . . but it blew me away. 6. Best meal/food at a park in 2018? Perogies at Knoebel's 7. What was your favorite new coaster of 2018 NOT made by RMC or Larson? new? or new to me? . . . non RMC makes it harder New, would be: Slinky Dog Dash (tho haven't gotten to ride it yet) New to me, would be Fury325. 8. Name one park you will definitely visit in 2019. Six Flags Fiesta Texas (but will be hitting a bucket list park later this year) 9. Best ride themed to a bird? Raptor 10. Lamest ride/coaster you rode in 2018? oh, no doubt, Rodeo at Six Flags America (the operator was more exciting than the cycle they ran) 11. What roller coaster currently sits at the top of your bucketlist? (degree of difficulty: NOT a new-for-2019 ride) Dodonpa (Fuji-Q) 12. What new-for-2019 ride or coaster are you most looking forward to? Yukon Striker (Canada's Wonderland) (tho Copperhead Strike at Carowinds is a close second) 13. Name the first totally middle-of-the-road (not bad/not great) park that comes to mind. Marineland (terrible park, with some really fun rides) 14. You're in Orlando and magically have a 1-hour ERT session on 1 coaster of your choice at any park in the city. You choose... I'd ride the crap out of Manta (SeaWorld) 15. Holiday In The Park vs. Winterfest. Who reigns supreme? I've only been to HitP, so that wins by default 16. Mystic Timbers mystery shed or Wicker Man fire infusion? Wicker man Fire 17. Which Six Flags have you been to most recently? SFFT 18. Intamin or Schwarzkopf? You may only choose one. Schwarzkopf. . . sorry, but it's true. If I could only ride Shockwave over and over for the rest of my life, I'd be fine with that. 19. Battle of Kings Coasters: Island or Dominion? Pick one. Dominion (even if Volcano never reopens. Night rides on I305 are NUTS) 20. What was the longest you waited for a ride/coaster in 2018? hmm. . .on a super crowded Labor Day weekend, with no Flash Pass, we waited ~80 minutes for New Texas Giant at SFOT. 21. What roller coaster have you ridden more than any other? likely Poltergeist at SFFT. . but several coasters I rode on the USA tour during ERT likely came close. . . mostly Maverick (CP) 22. Best drop tower under 150 feet? Under 150? StratosFear at Knoebel's was damn good. 23. Maverick or Millennium Force? (If you haven't been to CP, pick what you want to ride more) As much as I love Maverick? MF takes it. 24. Log flumes or sky rides? You can only choose one. Log Flume 25. What are 3 things you enjoying doing at your home park other than riding rides? People watching, going to a show, just walking around. 26. What is your second favorite Cedar Fair park and why? Carowinds - reason? Fury 325 27. What is your home park and give us two good reasons why we should pay it a visit. SFFT: Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster, Iron Rattler 28. Launch or Lift? love both, but Launch preferred. 29. Did you buy fast pass at all in 2018? yes. 30. What is your least favorite wooden coaster? Wildcat at HersheyPark (I sat on a bench while others rode it, I hate it that much) 31. Disney fanboys: cool or cult? cult 32. Best Batman themed ride? Batman at SFOG (but I DO like the look of Batwing at SFAmerica) 33. Name something that tend to take home from parks that you didn't bring with you. Bucket of Cotton Candy (it's a "snack" on the meal plan, and come in nice little tubs that are easy to pick up on the way out and bring home) 34. Best wooden coaster over 110 feet tall? (rcdb will help you) GhostRider (Knotts) 35. Have you ever been hit with something (loose change/a tree/vomit/etc) while riding something? those awful bugs at dusk at CP -- on both Raptor, and Maverick. 36. Skywarps: credits or no? State your case. eh. . it's a coaster. . continuous loop track, but yeah, I'll call it a coaster. a Larson Loop? no, tho. . . (neither is a Disc-O a coaster) 37. Turkey legs: nah or yaaaaassssss? yes, occasionally. 38. What is the most recent B&M that you rode? Most Recent? Goliath at SFFT[/color] 39. You can eat nothing but corn dogs, churros or funnel cake for the next 48 hours, which do you choose? Corn Dogs 40. Post a great on-ride shot of you from 2018. (DO IT!) Pic courtesy of Robb Alvey 2nd row from the back on the left. Pic courtesy of Robb Alvey

skyrocket II seem to go up pretty fast (after all, it's really not that much track in too large of a footprint). . .so you never know.

Call me old, but I can roll with that. Actually it sounds f*cking perfect after walking around in the sun all day. yep. . LOL. that's what Bill (Nrthwnd) and I did a couple of years ago. and this past visit (as part of TPR USA trip), James and I were in hot tub when waitress asked us if we wanted anything, and when I asked, she confirmed for me that drinks would come from Surf bar, and NOT from TGI Fridays sitting in Rotunda in early afternoon (waiting to meet up with Liz (TBpony). got my drink at Surf Bar, and sat on sofa just outside bar area.

I'd also factor in how often one goes to the park. I do that with my home park (SFFT), I'll use flash pass as example instead of Hotel, since it's an afternoon drive so we don't stay overnight ever). I NEVER buy flash pass there, because I go often enough that if a line is too long, we either skip something to ride next time, or only ride it once. Knowing that we'll have plenty of opportunities to come back. but that's not true of folks who only go to the park once every 5 years, or have never been before. I totally get why someone would want to purchase Flash pass if it's their rare time at the park. same way I feel about staying onsite. so yeah, it might not be coming across that way, but I'm agreeing with southpuddle, bill, and others. as to Breaker's "nightlife" - they have a bar (Surf Bar, yes separate from TGI Fridays), that serves until 2am (and serves to both the firepits and the hot tubs outside), and they have been doing Neon Party on the beach (at least they were when I was there this summer) with tons of activities on the beach until ~11pm. I felt no need to leave the peninsula to party when I was there (heck, had a hard time staying up to hang in the bar after full days in the park anyways). Not sure CP feels a need to add any further "nightlife" just due to some folks experiencing like I do?

this event looks amazing, and that Panna Cotta has me drooling. Super intrigued by the delicate sugar work from China. is it flavored sugar too? or just the cool design on a stick to munch on? I'd be star-struck around the Broadway stars. . but how cool to meet them. I *so* want the stuffed Mickey with the EPCOT logo in the design.. gonna have to ask some friends who live local (and I'll see in Atlanta later this year) to pick me up one so they can bring for me! great report from what looks like an event I need to make plans to attend at some point.

I was talking vs AirBnB. . . you get a lot of the same benefits at Breaker's Express as you do with Hotel Breakers (other than the closeness/convenience). someone asked earlier, and I didn't see an answer - does the Express offer shuttle service to the park? if they do then it's just as easy to get back to the hotel by hopping on a shuttle. Since they have shuttle service around the peninsula, it would be surprising if they don't offer that, but i don't know, so asking.

so just saw "Moana" for the first time (on Disney Channel) and LOVED it. so regret that it took me *this* long to see such a fantastic film. (yeah, even with the pee joke). decent songs, spectacular animation. will be buying this on BLU.

wonderful start to a great TR! and tho it's over a year, Congrats to you both! and how awesome so many were able to attend your destination wedding!

I don't know, it takes 5-10 minutes or less to drive from an Airbnb in Sandusky to the park. If you have a Gold or Platinum Pass you get the same early entry as the hotel guests. You make rope drop as a non-hotel guest and you'll get very close parking. Walk to the hotel entrance. Not that many extra steps, and you get a much bigger and nicer placer to stay at a small fraction of the cost. and when you want to make a quick stop at the room to change your shoes, or grab a snack, or get some sunscreen? or take a nap, or use the pool/hottub? WITHOUT having to walk to your car, move your car, and deal with finding a spot when you come back? yeah. yer nuts, dude, and Elissa is correct.

They are horrible capacity wise. That is a fact. The lines don't get too long, because the ride is not universally loved. yep, agreed with Larry. I thought Tempesto was "not awful" then 2nd time I got to BGW. . but must admit I only rode it once, while riding other coasters in the park (other than Alpengeist which was also 1 and done) multiple, multiple times.

you've gotten some great feedback, so nothing really I can add other than to suggest if you are base camping in Tampa (which is what we did on our last trip there), we spent an evening at the Hard Rock Casino Tampa. Winning there was nice, as was seeing the KISS costumes around the main bar (I'm a big KISS fan). But I'd recommend going for the Fresh Harvest dinner buffet there, as it was among the best we've had, and better than/comparable to the Cosmopolitan in Vegas (which is our #1 in Vegas and has been for several years now). https://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/tampa-contemporary-dining.htm?_ga=2.98358303.1230052010.1547674675-1123893208.1547674675#fresh in terms of BGT? The only time during our visits that Montu pulled long lines is when Cobra's Curse went down - since it's right over there, if CC goes down, the line drains and they all went to Montu. Falcons Fury had a decent line (and no single rider line, at least when I was last there), but worth any wait for a ride. have fun

^ no, you come across as hating Six Flags, and always seem to have a negative comment on the parks themselves or management. if you think they "more or less have the same yuckiness to them", then you haven't bothered with a couple of the really high rated US parks: SFOG, and SFFT - both of which are beautiful, and have a great assortment of ride options.

I've only been there once (from Germany) and can highly recommend Breakers if the go for a once-in-a-lifetime-trip (or better once for a long time), because it halps you really getting on everything and having the option to go back, take a nap, avoid the midday ruhs and heat and use your time. Sure it's expensive. But for us, it was worth it. The room was great. We were there for three and a half days, went to the park at 10 or 11 am, went for a nap around 3 pm, took the last ride on eacht coaster in the middle of the night and were in bed only 20 minutes after leaving the train. Just so convenient. As long a we will go there, we'll use Breakers. If they will be to the Point more often and have probably Platinum Passes they may go to hotels off ground. Coasterbill has some good advices here. I already recommended the park owned properties due to all the added benefits but with travel and what not those hotels are a little out of the price range for their current trip budget. Not completely ruled out but they definitely want to explore more budget friendly options before making decisions. Thank you for your advice! you already know this, but I too don't think I'd ever go back and NOT stay at Hotel Breakers (I've been twice, and did Breakers both times. . so can't really give any insight to offsite properties). yes, it is expensive, but in this case you're talking about folks coming from overseas, so it's nuts (to me) not to just spend the money and stay on site. in addition to the easy access (and early access) that Hotel Breakers Guests get? they will NOT have to deal with the stress of the parking, crossing the causeway, or the mass of folks at the front gates to get in. seriously, my honest feedback is to spend the money, stay at Hotel Breakers, and if they need to save some $$ to make up for it? stock up on bread/peanut butter/snacks, and make use of the fridge, microwave, and storage space in every Hotel Breakers room, and save budget there by eating every meal in room on the cheap. (I would still end up eating at Famous Dave's and Melt! in the park. . but yeah, you *can* just make meals in the room if you bring your supplies with you). hope this helps. bert

I am absolutely LOVING the design that has gone into this. I "got" Artichoke inspired immediately. if it looks this great once completed? absolutely a place I would go to for a meal, as the fantastic design promises some absolutely delicious food inside!

Do you expect him to come out and say “Don’t get your hopes up because the next coaster won’t be nearly as good as Steel Vengeance!” ? It’s marketing - don’t look to far into anything. I believe there will be some truth to it. “Top” could simply mean that it’s taller than SV. I’d like to see a Gerstlauer Infinity. it's a Top Spin to replace the Enterprise they removed!

thanks! yeah, after posting the above and going back a few pages, it looks like theorized for 1 barrel roll, and two stall inversions. it looks like it's gonna be fantastic regardless, and the progress thus far is impressive!

wow. .that looks absolutely amazing. haven't been following this too closely, as it's not anywhere near me. . but are there planned to be inversions on it? or is just going to have a lot of wave turns, similar to New Texas Giant?

^ sorry, but no. Disagree with you completely based on my experiences. the sheer number of times we've been stuck behind someone trying to find their Membership (if they don't have that hanging lanyard), or dig a pass out of their wallet. . or the sheer number of times, the scan doesn't work? back up the lines in every store/food service place. cash is oh so much faster, and for a place like Six Flags to go completely cashless would be a huge mistake. Disney? (where they load everything on a Magic Band that everyone wears on their wrists?). . . yep, perfectly fine with it at a place that's used to dealing with huge amounts of people and invests in the technology to make it work. but Six Flags? nope. .don't want a cashless park

Super Dave Mean Gene Okerlund (WWF wrestling announcer) & Darryl Dragon (the Captain of "the Captain & Tennille") all died yesterday, at 76 so that was an unlucky number yesterday