bert425

(shhhhhhh! This thread is doing wonders for our post count this month!) HAHAHAHAHAAH! you just made my weekend, Robb

in terms of waiting in queue -- we simply plan multiple day trips to the parks we expect to be crowded. we just did 3+ days at BGT, and yes, there were lines (made even worse by weather shutting everything down every afternoon). .but we just queued up and made friends, and yes, had coversations (shocking, I know) with the other folks around us in line. we met some VERY cool people and had a hell of a good time. and BGT is actually UNDERRATED, I'd say. Folks that just go for the rides, and not the animals, or the topiaries/landscaping and/or some of the shows, are really missing out on the charm of the park. I preferred BGW, if I had to choose which park is more beautiful, but I loved them both.

^ aw. .thanks. yeah, the Pretzels were amazing. . i've been craving them since we got back. The meatball was spiced, but not spicy, if that makes sense? the feeding schedules are listed on the daily maps -- well, somewhat -- they have the "trainer talk" times. . and most times that seemed to coincide with the animal feedings. For stuff like the Cheetah Run, we found out that by just me chatting w/ Cast members, and asking them for advice on what to do. and the handlers out and about with the animals, was just dumb luck stumbling across them (particularly in the Medical center, where we stumbled across the guy with the Snake, and the Armadillo). I'd for sure recommend the Safari to feed the Giraffes, and they also have one similar that gets you close to the big cats (and I think they feed the cats during that). . we didn't do the Cats one, only because it was at an inconvenient time for us. For sure a great park, but BGT really does seem to be more about the animals than the rides, and if you're fine with that (as we were), you'll love it. Not sure what our next Park trip together is gonna be -- tho I'm very likely going to CoasterMania at CP, and rooming with Bill (Nrthwnd). but we *are* going on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Galveston next Feb (on one of the big ships) with a big, "bear" group, so that's gonna be. . . um. . .. interesting is the word most likely. so I'll do a trip report on that

Did you skip the trains? we enjoyed both the smaller Zephyr train (that goes behind Stinger), and also the larger train that goes out past the waterpark. I thought Dorney had an awful lot of concrete (yeah, sterile), and a terrible operations when we were there. . but we did also enjoy the Log Flume, the Monster (which aren't around that much in parks anymore), and the whip, in addition to most of the coasters and the trains). oh, and the Carousel at the front.. we LOVE carousels

wow. . beautiful, beautiful pics! I'm SO jealous, and so wish I was there! (you should edit the lower title to note the London pics.. .I'll bet folks think it's Rio Olympic park, and might not be as interested in seeing, as they would be for pics of London)

that's rather depressing tho the Octopus ride and a couple of the flats look really, really interesting! can't wait to see the Knobel's pics. .we LOVED it there.

LOL.. I found a fireworks pic I forgot to include. . I know, I know.. not super impressive, but wanted to share the pic from the evening show. as I noted, not Disney Level, but they were nice and BIG

what a fun report thus far. I would love to ride a skyride like that, but I'd never get my Hubby on one that's so "open" -- he'll only go on the "bucket" type ones. tho he DID ride the Knoebel's chair lift, so maaaaaaaybe if we ever get to this part. . .

and if you like that one.. here's the TR from two years ago, when we drove across Penn. . so that one includes a stop at HersheyPark (which I love, but I would pick BGW, if you can only pick one). http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68306&hilit=bert

BGW (it has Curse of DarKastle. .which is a brilliant dark ride, as well as several fantastic coasters, and an incredible drop tower AND very good shows (Celtic Fyre is worth seeing)). as an added bonus, you'll pass right in front of King's Dominion on the way there/back, so you can stop and ride I305. we did a visit to DC a couple of years back with stops at both parks, as well as most of the Smithsonians. here's the Trip Reports, it might help or at least provide some fun reading/pics http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=70573&hilit=bert

According to David Muir on "World News Tonight" the waterslide is "the tallest in the world, taller than the Empire State Building" yes, he really said that. and they talked to a "witness" who said the young boy fell out, and that his relative who rode it earlier that day complained that the velcro seatbelt came loose. (which doesn't seem to tie with the reports that the two women with the child were hurt -- if he fell out, then how did they get hurt?) smells like someone who just wanted to be on TV. . why aren't they vetting these things?? it's horrific that a child died, but report the facts.

I like all trip reports. whoever posts em

that's just one I found online (and seems to be for Laredo, Tx. . so they must be running in a couple of Texas cities). the ones in the paper, actually have at the bottom of the page, the logos for the "FOUR NEW RIDES!" - Hurricane Force 5, Spinsanity, Fireball, and Superman: Krypton Coaster VR So I think those are actually the bots you shoot at on the VR coaster.

wait. . sky tower was running? (it seemed to be in the 2nd to last pic). .you lucky, lucky dogs.. . and all those pics of Shamu, but not one riding them (the photo op in front of the stadium) ?? how did you miss that?

Haven't seen this reported here, but this is an AMAZING deal (I think it might only be local here in Austin for the Fiesta Tx park tho): They have been advertising for 2 weeks in our local Weekly paper (the Austin Chronicle): for $70 you get 4 tickets to Fiesta Texas, AND a $40 IHOP gift card (so basically, for ~$7 each, a ticket to Fiesta Tx).

Yeah we're the same way. The only shows we watch are animals shows. Two tips regarding that. 1) Iceploration at Busch Gardens Tampa (since you're going there) claims to have animals but it absolutely sucks. I'm pretty sure the only animals are some birds and a couple of Siberian Huskies. Do not watch this show. They have another indoor, air conditioned animal show in Pantopia and that's much better (though Corny as hell), the simple Cheetah and Elephant presentations are great. Also, while I highly recommend Sea Lion High because of how incredibly well trained the Sea Lions are, it's amazingly corny and the jokes might give you douche chills. The Dolphin show and One Ocean aren't corny at all. Crowds are usually really manageable. I've never had a problem with lines at Sea World other than Antarctica. Manta might get a long line but the queue is so cool that I don't mind at all. HA. . in regards to BGT, we're the exact opposite. .but see, we ARE show people. and to Show People, "Iceploration" is worth seeing, and "Opening Night Pets" (in Pantopia) sucked donkeys

if that's the case, avoid "opening night pets" at BGT. Actually, most of the shows at BGT I'd recommend "Iceploration" at BGT tho. . because the costumes, Ice Skating, and trampoline monkeys are worth seeing. . but yeah, bad teenage acting and corny plot is in this show. . still worth going to see tho. as to SeaWorld: I'd also say don't miss the two "hidden" aquariums -- one is by Manta (with the octopus) and one is by Journey to Atlantis (with the Jellyfish). we didn't realize until we were home that we had missed the Jellyfish one EDIT: and as we were just in Tampa a few weeks ago, and spent multiple days at BGT, and a full day at SeaWorld. . I'll point to my trip report again, as that might give you some good ideas, as well as LOTs of pics. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72163 .

they should tear down Hurler and build some Windseeker themed toilets there. they could market it as a new attraction: "Poopin by Air" (and it would STILL be a better attraction than the version in BGW down the street)

not sure if either of these are Pinky, but this is the enclosure it happened in. . the friendly birds really do come right up to the low fence we were just there 3 weeks ago! people can be such evil bastards . . . .

If that ice cream was chocolate, I would have commented that the "surprise" halfway thru the Kurve's cycle really DID get ya great report.

over a year later, and tho I managed to go to Busch Gardens Tampa (it was lovely) and SeaWorld Orlando (ditto). . my bucket list is still the same from last time.

so, let's see if I got this. 1) people complain that HP doesn't have a drop tower 2) HP announces they are getting THREE drop towers, of different heights and experiences. 3) people complain that it's not exciting enough of an announcement. ok.

know it's late in the day (just got home from work . sorry). my tip is to ask at Falcon's Fury if they have any single rider line. They might pull you way forward in the queue to fill an empty slot that would help you avoid the long,long line it gets. (oh, and don't skip Scorpion.. awesome older coaster). here's the trip report from when we were there 3 weeks ago (that I mentioned a few pages back I had been working on. . done now, with lots of BGT pics): http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72163

the park is really beautiful. hoping I get a chance to check it out Labor Day weekend (will be in Atlanta for Dragon*con.. . too bad it's weekends only in a 4 weeks, as I'm there the whole week and would have loved to go on a Wednesday). but hoping THIS year, we finally get off our butts and go!

in no particular order, because I just cant: Splash Mountain: WDW Timber Mountain Log Ride: Knotts Berry Farm Flume: Knoebel's (amazing setting) Coal Cracker: Hersheypark (a flume with airtime!) Dinosaur: Animal Kingdom Haunted Mansion: WDW Haunted Mansion: Knoebel's Pioneer Train: Knoebel's Falcon's Fury: BGT Kangaroo: Kennywood and JUST missing the top 10: Curse of DarKastle: BGW Noah's Arc: Kennywood