Rugged One

Definitely Hersheypark. I was born and raised here in South Central PA, so we used to visit every year until I got to high school. I didn't ride the coasters so I figured there was no used in going anymore. Flash forward over 10 years and I finally ride my first coaster, love it, and now it's one of my favorite parks to visit again.

Just curious Ted, were those pics of the line taken right at the park opening or after the park was open for a little bit. Just curious, as I'm wondering how fast I'm going to have to run this Saturday?

So I assume that you are flying back out of the Twin Cities? Just curious, as it seems it is easier to hit the Twin Cities stuff from the Dells and then go down to Arnolds Park from there. We did the opposite trip last year. Hit MO and IA parks on the way to MN and then up over into WI, IL, MI, and IN. If your going to be hitting Arnolds Park, I would suggest heading east and visiting Adventureland as well, one of my favorite small parks. Then again, for all I know, you might have allready been there. As for the Go Gator at Noah's Ark Rob, I thought you didn't count powered coasters? Or is that to keep the coastercounter count up?

I think I may be getting somewhere around 140 this year. I'm looking at around 50 on my upcoming trip to Texas, Oklahoma, Magic Springs, Liberty Land, Powder Keg at SDC, and the new boomerang at Visionland. About 80 or so just here in the northeast that I'm going to be getting now that I live back up here. And finally a few more at parks or areas that I'm returning to (PKI, Wyandot Lake, Strikers Grove, the Dells, Chicago area, Florida).

I'm currently sitting at 315. 316 after I ride Hydra tomorrow. I was hoping to get to 500 by the end of the season but it looks like I'll end up a little short. Probably in the high 400s somewhere.

My wife and I have been members for a few years now. We try and attend events when we can. We attended our first national event last year and thought it was pretty good. We prefer the regional ones though, as they tend to be more lightly attended and have better ERT. And yes, we do sometimes snicker at the nerds.

We may stop off at Hersheypark for a few hours after spending some time with family.

Great trip reports guys! I wholeheartedly agree about The Ozark Wildcat. I also enjoyed it more than Thunderhead. Great pops of air and that finale is a blast. Just curious. Did you guys find or use any discounts to get into SDC and CC? We went last year but had Dollywood passes that got us discounts but not this year. We are heading back in early June and were wondering what kind of discounts might be out there. Also, your spot on about WOF. Definitely my least favorite Cedar Fair park. It just seems like there is so little to do compared to the other parks. Hopefully the addition of the new Beemer next year will help change that.

Well, we've done it both ways. Last year, we didn't buy our express passes soon enough and they sold out. So we were forced to do the whole study the map, get a head start, stay ahead of the crowds, etc. The only haunt we had an extended wait for was Hellgate at an hour. We only did that though because we were forced to. It was still a pain in the but and we didn't get to ride any rides. In 2003 we got the express passes (I believe that was the first year) and I must say that it was the best $15 I've spent. EVER! Basically, like Elissa said, it really helps make the whole event more relaxing. You can do things more at your own pace.

I agree with shepp that it was better when it was just at IOA. The whole thing just seemed so much more immersive. There was literally no place to hide as each island was pretty much done up as a big scare zone. I understand why they expanded it though and just hope that they take what they learned from last year and use it to make this years event even better.

So you cut out before ERT, huh? I was wondering why I didn't see you during it. You missed some wet rides on the Phoenix. I think I'm still drying out from them. Nice photo TR and video. I can even see myself and the Mrs. in one of your pics.

Ding!

I believe that it was the opinion of the majority of the ACE members that attended the preservation con at Magic Springs last summer, that the new wheel assemblies did not in fact give a more comfortable ride. I'm going to find out myself in early June.

Looks like May 7th according to my sources (though it's not official yet). They were testing all day yesterday, and are supposed to be testing today as well. That's what I was counting on. Hersheypark on the 7th and Great Adventure on the 8th.

Well I'm glad to here that they are going to do something with it. It really has become quite outdated. I've also heard the Pod Racer rumors for a while now but it just seems like even that idea is now outdated. Here's hoping that they come up with something good.

Wow, that does look really good! :shock: All I'm waiting for is Kinda Ka to open (hopefully is a couple of weeks) and I'll be there. It would be nice to check out this area before the summer crowds get get a hold of it.

Kraken is definitely one of the most underrated steelies around. It can definitely hang with the other big hitting Beemers around central Florida. That tunnel into the flat spin rocks!

Yeah, you shouldn't have any problems getting everthing done, especially since it will be a weekday in early summer. Like someone else said, ride get your front row and whatnot on Alpie early but if you can give it a ride later in the day as well. It is by far the one of the most finicky Beemers I've ridden in terms of needing time to warm up during the day. If your ride seems sluggish in the morning, try it later. Have fun!

I just checked this one out this evening. It was fairly good. I don't usually get startled easily during flicks but this one has some moments that made me jump.

It sounds like your playing it safe. It's when young people start lifting heavy weight and gaining muscle mass while their bone structure is still growing, that they can start getting in trouble. What can happen is that all nutrients and metabolizers that were meant to make the bone structure grow are used in making the muscles grow instead. Hang in there. If people around you say that your not overweight, then you probably aren't. You may just be a stocky guy. Some people are just built that way. Just hang in there, remain active, don't eat too much junkfood, and give yourself a couple of years to finish growing.

Your only 13 dude! You still have a lot of growing up to do physically. Over the next of years as you continue to grow, you'll body will start to proportion itself out. It sounds like you get excercise and dry to avoid snacks high in fat. That's a lot better than a lot of kids your age. Just curious what kind of working out you do. Weights? You have to be careful of that. Working out too much with weights at a young age has been proven to possibly stunt ones growth.

A coaster I consider rare, at least for me to eventually get is the Tree Topper at Upper Clements. It will be rare for me because I will have made a special trip to another country just to ride one coaster. I'll have to check out what else is worth seeing in the Atlantic Provinces and make a vacation out of it.

Two years ago, my wife and I started doing a program called Body for Life by a guy named Bill Phillips. It literally changed our lives. When I started it, I wasn't obese or anything but I was definitely out of shape. After the 12 week program of weightlifting, cardio, and eating right I couldn't believe that it was the same person staring back at me in the mirror. If there is anyone that has ever considered this program and your strict with it, it does work.

Stand-up Iron Wolf: D Vortex (PC): B- Mantis: C+ Chang: C+ Riddler's Revenge: B Georgia Scorcher: B+ Inverted Batman/Batman/etc.: A Raptor: B+ Montu: A- Alpengeist: B+ Great Bear: B Top Gun: The Jet Coaster: B+ Dueling Dragons (Fire): A Dueling Dragons (Ice): B+ Talon: B Sit-down Kumba: A+ Incredible Hulk: A Wildfire: A Mega Coasters Apollo's Chariot: A Raging Bull: B Nitro: B+ Floorless Coasters Medusa East: B Kraken: A Batman: The Dark Knight: B- Batman: Knight Flight/Dominator: B Flying Coasters Superman: Ultimate Flight (All 3): B What can I say, I love Beemers! The only ones that really piss me off sometimes are some of the stand-ups.

No kidding. I think the same thing whenever I get a frappacinno at the USF one. I'm like, "I pay over $3 for a powerade anyway, what's a little bit more for something that tastes so much better." I love that Starbucks!