bert425

Just out of curiosity, what could they possibly be writing about that would warrant two weeks of almost daily stories about this coaster (or any coaster for that matter)? I have trouble imagining two weeks of almost daily stories about a launched water coaster on the moon, let alone a spinning wild mouse coaster knocked onto it's side that hasn't been built yet in San Antonio. Was it just the press release being regurgitated by various local papers? they were writing about what I said the GP was excited about: 1st coaster of it's kind (the way Six Flags is presenting it) 1st Batman coaster at Fiesta 1st NEW coaster since Goliath (the GP doesn't consider Iron Rattler, "new". . just a re=do) and it being towards the end of summer, they were reporting on theme parks. (Schlitterbahn is in the news quite often here too)

we LOVED Phantom's Revenge, and it's a coaster I was able to get my partner on during our recent Penn. trip (I also got him on Steel Force. . once). no way would he have gone on Steel Phantom, but he greatly enjoyed Phantom's revenge. the 2nd drop (thru Thunderbolt) is amazing, and we even enjoyed the bunny hills after you pass around the Turtle. great all around coaster.

seeing all the Haunt reports is really making me wish I could attend a Horror Night or Scary Farm. but I really don't like jump scares (so while I love horror movies, I HATE haunted houses). . . but the Knoebel's one was a huge exception, as I loved that. but yeah. . wish I could at least attend a Knott's Scary Farm to see the decorations. Heck, maybe I need to go to Mickey's not so scary . . looks like Robb and family had a fantastic time!

then it was worth every penny then Yep...but it would've been nice if she told me that DURING the party! children! (yeah. . that's why our baby has 4 legs and fur )

then it was worth every penny then

that market looks amazing. makes me regret even more that when we were in Philly back in June, even tho we stayed ACROSS THE STREET from Reading Terminal Market, we never managed to get in there (it was closed every day by the time we got back to the hotel)! Luckily, I go visit friends in Vancouver every few years, so maybe I'll make it to this one in Seattle some day!

but wow. . $250 for Apple juice and PB&J? Is it a limited edition Aurora doll at least?

can't take credit . I ran across it a while back and it made me laugh, so I went looking for it again online

and it pretty much wipes out having to go up/down that HUGE hill into the Hollow section (we discovered that on the 2nd day and were VERY thankful for it by the end of the day). I'd suggest if you go back, to stay on property. The Hershey Lodge was very reasonable (about the same cost as a Marriott), but included a free shuttle to/from the hotel to the park, also 3 hours on preview night (the night before you go for the full day), and 1 hour early entry the day you go to the park. it was very much worth it for us to stay "on property" if you don't stay on property, the admission the night before is an hour less. if you DO drive (and don't stay on property), the parking cost you pay for preview applies the next day. tho as I said, it was easier for us to stay at Hershey Lodge (the onsite restaurants were great), and not have to mess with parking at all.

If you haven't left yet. . . Interstate 35 (I35) goes across Texas direct from Dallas/Ft. Worth to San Antonio (passing thru Austin). that's an Interstate Highway, not a toll road. . but be warned there's always a TON of construction. So hope you have some patience. If you go from Ft Worth, it's I35W, if you go from Dallas, it's I35E -- but the two will connect into the same stem headed towards San Antonio/Waco/Austin In San Antonio, the Riverwalk is really a night time thing (mainly restaurants/bars), but try not to miss the Alamo, the Hemisfair plaza (with some amusement rides, and some great artisan shops). I always recommend the San Antonio Zoo too. .it's a good one, and there are always discount coupons you can print from online. if there's no way you can make Fiesta or SeaWorld. . honestly, based on what you said about your girlfriend loving waterparks. . I'd blow off San Antonio sightseeing completely, and spend the day at the original Schitterbahn. especially since you're passing right thru New Braunfels on I35 http://www.schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels

Both from our Penn. Trip this past June. .and both from HersheyPark. (prior to this trip, my "worst" was always GhostRider at Knotts (crammed in the padded seat, lap bar in my ribs. . . horrid). but HersheyPark beat it: Wildcat: a large car with square wheels, going down a dirt road filled with potholes. awful, awful experience. SkyRush: it has it's fans, but it's ejector air is not for me. I'm not having fun if I'm holding on for dear life worried I'm going to fall out. Never again. .once was more than enough.

^^ you know it's coming. .just brace for it (legs out straight to the grate, pushing back flat against the cushons) and it's not bad at all. fantastic "butterflies in the stomach" drop.

the late 70's - 82 Whitesnake is made up of 3/4ths of Deep Purple. and they sound JUST like em. it's some good stuff.

I'd much rather have that "boring" B&M coaster. you're in the VAST minority. Thats BS!!!! You have no facts to support your claim that he's in the vast minority! I live in Texas. the excitement over the Fiesta coaster announcement has not waned in over two weeks. still almost daily stories. the General Public is super excited over 1) Fiesta getting a "worlds first" 2) a new coaster 3) a Batman themed coaster. yeah. . he's in the vast minority over wanting something besides what we are getting.

Loved Hydra when we were there in June. found it very comfortable, and smooth. and really, really liked the jojo roll out of the station -- super unique.

They get lumped in with Glam, because in the 80's Whitesnake WAS a glam band. Coverdale took time off in the early 80's (sick child, i believe), and when Whitesnake re-emerged in 83-84 it was a completely different band (other than Coverdale). but prior to the 80's, and, in the late 90's, Whitesnake went back to being a Hard Rock/Blues band. But in the 80's? Yeah. . they were glam.

Sorry that this is off topic, but I agree...I haven't ridden Flying Turns or any of the other new for 2014 rides, but still I think it should have gone to Harry Potter's Gringott's Bank ride. Hooooow did that not win? Or was it not considered since it basically just opened? if you "haven't ridden" ANY of the rides that were nominated, then, honestly? How could your opinion on what should have won be valid in the least? I *have* ridden "Flying Turns" and tho it was enjoyable, it wasn't very thrilling, and I expect at least one of the other options should have beat it. Yeah.. Knoebel's got an award for finally getting this thing open. But so what? Good for them, and the publicity they get out of it.

I'd much rather have that "boring" B&M coaster. you're in the VAST minority.

WEEP (Doc Hammer's band): "Lay There and Drown" [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

as always, your trip reports leave me exhausted! but I'm so glad you post them, as I love looking at the pictures and reading about your adventures

Fantastic report. I loved the Painted Desert, and the Cavern pics. this is the kind of trips we take. . rides and fun, but also a lot of culture stops!

Same thing here - every one is like "Have you seen this?" Batman really seems to be having an impact from the GP. It must be that spinning feature. it was just featured on Chris Hardwick's "At Midnight" show on Comedy Central (tho to be fair, they were picking on it that the only thing it has to do with Batman is the "Gotham like weather in the animation". . LOL

Kennywood is well worth the full day. .they have some amazing flats that would be a real shame for you to pass up. and you'll want to ride JackRabbit, Racer, Thunderbolt, and Phantom multiple times (but once was enough for us for Skyrocket). so stay over in Pittsburgh, and drive back the next day. (there are cheap options (Hampton INN) on the Waterfront, less than 5 minutes from the park.

our 18th year. . after about year 5, you tend to start skipping panels . . heh -- but hey, I *did* go to 3 1/2 panels this year (yes panels, not parties, or concerts counting as panels). as to the adult origami. . . I didn't go, but one of my friends ran it. Here's her showing me the after panel examples: