Hilltopper39

Wild Adventures is a park I've always wanted to visit but never could quite fit it in. But now that I live in Jacksonville and can easily visit on a free day I'm really excited about getting up there. The new Viking Voyage coaster moved over from Celebration City always looked like a pretty cool little ride to me for some reason and I'm kinda excited about it which is weird, Ive never been excited about a family coaster before, but that looks fun.

Crap the Ride looks amazing!just think of all the un-themed rides in America, spend a couple hundred dollars at the local junk yard and they could turn any attraction into crap the ride!

Man I wish I lived in California this sounds like so much fun, the only way this could get any better would be open bar on the ride platform itself and drinking games on the lift hill.

Wow great pictures, I think Toverland looks like one of the most unique parks in the world. I wish there were an American equivalent

Another couple pics of my incredible costume and Halloween pumpkins Same costume, new year, better company Carved some pumpkins, these were my KISS pumpkins And Optimus Prime

Just found this thread, though Id share my old costume. I used this for 2 years (too cheap and lazy to find something the second year), gotta find something new this year me as Mr. Incredible for Halloween one year

Yeha i've been since they expanded it, and its a good kids section I just don't think it's as good as Camp Jurassic or Seuss Landing or some of the other areas in O-town. I don't know the whole climbing nets area just seem to take up so much space for so little of an attraction. Id love to see a more interactive playground at Seaworld with some unique attractions and animal exhibits like Jungala. Maybe its the recognizability of the Sesame Street Characters that makes the Safari of fun look like such a nice addition to me.

Looks like a nice addition to me. I wish SeaWorld Orlando would do something with Shamus Happy Harbor like this, their kids area seems like one of the worst in Orlando to me.

That does look really fun, I wonder what the capacity on an attraction like this is ? I'm glad to see some American parks trying these out because they look like so much fun. I think one would be great in Animal Kingdom....

Mine was while I was working at Everest in Animal Kingdom, they were doing some filming one day for something and Joe Rhode was there and rode in the back right where I was checking lap bars. Had a quick conversation with him about the steam that billows out from under the train when it rolls into the station, kinda cool, to me atleast.

Not that it matters, but I think I like the color scheme on Carowinds' Intimidator better. But looks like a pretty sweet ride, great addition to Kings Dominion

This image was on Beech Bends website but I didn't see it posted here anywhere (sorry if I overlooked it admins). But looks like a great addition to me.

I guess the last show I saw was U2 and MUSE in tampa last October, which was an awesome show. I'm thinking about going to see My Morning Jacket in St Augustine in April, anyone ever seen em live? I love their 2 albums Ive bought and have heard they're great live. Also seeing Bon Jovi in Tamp in a few weeks, saw their last 2 tours (yeah yeah I know I'm probably too young to really be a Bon Jovi fan), but they were really good so looking forward to this one as well.

Thats insane, a 300 foot star flyer? the 100 foot model scarred the crap out of me. The Star Flyer is the only ride left out there that genuinely still scares me just a little bit, and now this? Can't wait!

I did the College program in Fall of 08 at Expedition Everest and had a blast. Loved my experience loved working in the parks on the attraction and the overall Disney Experience. But be warned, obey their rules at the housing complexes, no exceptions, or you will get burned. The housing situation was the only thing about the program I really didn't enjoy. I understand why the rules are the way they are and that but I really felt like I was being treated like a child instead of an adult at times. If I could do the entire program over again I would rent an apartment on my own and just work the role and not deal with their housing. For example one night 5 of us went out had some drinks,all over 21, and had a sober driver drive us home around 1:30. The sober driver lived in a different complex (Chatham) then the 4 of us (Patterson). The security wouldn't let the sober driver from Chatham drive in and park my car at Patterson because it was after hours. One of my roommates was terminated for having a friend of his drive his car home after dropping him off at the airport because eh allowed someone different to drive his car in the copmlex. At our apartment we failed an "inspection" for having an unorganized fridge and cluttered desktops. I was terminated from the program after I left, after my final day of work was over and I had turned in my key and ID and was already out of town because of a scratch on a wall in the apartment. They could have called and said hey you need to repair this (in my opinion it was such a minimal damage that it wasn't an issue), or called and said if you don't pay for the damage your status will be terminated, but instead they just went ahead and terminated my status and never bothered to call and let me know. We had an 2 roommates move out mid program to other complexes and had 2 rooms with 1 person in each room. With about 2 weeks left on the program a piece of paper showed up on our door saying that the two people in rooms alone needed to consolidate into 1 by noon the next day so that a new CP could have a the empty room to himself, and that if the NEW CP didn't like the cleanliness of the apartment or felt unwelcome then the 4 of us currently living there would be relocated and our apartment would be filled with new incoming CP's. The logic of that made no sense to me. There were plenty of other occurrences by the people at housing that defied logic to me but Ive already said enough. As far as the college program in general you work a lot of hours for very little pay but do have a lot of fun. The networking aspect of the program and professional relevance is dependent upon your field of study. I majored in mechanical engineering and did the engineering professional development course while there. As a graduate looking for a job Disney on my resume did absolutely nothing, most companies I applied to from an engineering aspect could care less about my experience operating a roller coaster. However I had several friends who got jobs after their program simply because they had Disney on their resume so it really depends on your field. So just be warned anyone interested in the college program, obey their rules or they will terminate you without question, and know what your getting into. I loved my role at the park, loved spending my days off playing on property, loved my roommates and fellow cast members, but quite honestly despised the housing situation. Other than that it was great, I watched Illuminations 4 times a week, and rode everest 3 times a day, so what else could you want!

To me the piece of red track looks just like a piece of the intamin prefab wood track, just steel. I'm kinda curious if it's all steel or a combination or what. Does anyone know if they're getting new trains for the ride as well and if so what kind? For a 10 million dollar rehab I'd hope new trains would be a part of the refurbishment. I really really hope this project is a success, and other parks see it as a success and decide to invest in their aging woodie. I can think of a lot of once great wooden coasters that haven't aged well that a refurbishment like this could really help, Son of Beast, Mean Streak, Rattler, Beast, Grizzly, American eagle, Boss, and plenty others. So I'm really hoping this is a success

Awesome trip report, so your doing your CP at everest? I did my College program at Everest last fall, i wonder how many of the same people are still there. I loved working at everest, hope your having fun!!

Thanks! Haha so I'll take it this is an improvement, the only parade I ever take time to watch is the Boo to you Halloween Parade. I guess workin at animal kingdom and watching the awful Jammin in the Jungle parade kinda ruined my interest in parades forever.

Ive never been into parades that much, parades to me always mean short lines else where. So can someone please explain to my parade ignorant self the difference between the Main Street Electric parade and Spectromagic? just curious

even though there are other great parks in the area (HolidayWorld, Kings Island, Beech bend) as a Kentucky native, Kentucky Kingdom always had a special place in my heart. Way back in the days of the Vampire (boomerang) and the Starchaser (indoor jetstar). Thunder Run at one point was as good as any woodie out there! Just a though, but long before Six Flags took over ownership of the park the rides were operated as a part of the Kentucky State Fair, is there any chance that the state would gain ownership of anything Six Flags leaves behind and possibly still operate during the fair, like the Thunder Run wooden coaster or the shuttle loop and Ferris Wheel? Just a thought but why tear down some great classic rides if the place could potentially become a Puyallup Fair of the Midwest? Just a thought, but a part of me is really really gonna miss that place....

For the beer prices comment... the current prices at the park are around 5.50 for a 16oz bottle from most vendors in the park which is about average from most parks/events Ive been to. Ever since InBev took over and round last May I believe, the beer prices went up right around the same time they stopped offering the free beer tastings. Another comment, I love the Clydesdales myself, but no more clydesdales mean a big empty space for new attraction...... let the speculation begin!

I wonder if Rockit was operating "properly" if they would include it on the HHN lineup. It would be nice to have the coaster open just to have the opprtunity to ride at night but the event still rocks with out it. I like having the rides open just to help thin the lines out a bit, if at all, especially on some of the peak Fridays and Saturdays. Seems like last year Jaws and Disaster were not on the official lineup of attractions but both still operated the nights I was there, maybe Rockit and Jaws will still open even though they're not technically listed to be. Horror Nights still rocks without any rides but a few open makes it nice

My thoughts on Hall-O-Screams last night, no particular order. I didn't take very many pictures for 1 I my camera sucks, 2 I was flaying around trying to get everything in as quick as possible, and C other people take better pics anyways. The Houses.... The two new houses were both fantastic. The NightShades Toy Factories located in the old monorail building (I think) was very dark and creepy and full of all kinds of sinister toys. Some good scares in there too! A lot of it felt like decorated hallways with a few well done rooms but the old school scares and creepy toy costumes made up for it and made it an entertaining house. The D.E.D. Pledge Week house was in a new building somewhere behind the Tidal Wave ride and used the tidal wave que line. Very well done, felt like you were walking through a real sorority house full of all kinda of gross but kinda hot at the same time sorority stuff. Keep an eye out for some pictures of the Raven Twins in the house, I think they were some former members of the D.E.D. Sorority and are probably responsible for some of the goings ons within that house...... The older houses were the same as they've been, but were still really good. I especially like the Death Row Vengence and Trapped in the Walls, some really cool effects and just pure scares in there. The 13 house is also well done and kind of made me feel like home a bit. Ever wondered what the Eastern Kentucky area is like? then try 13, just like home, everything except for the canablistic biker gang that is but fun house. Reconstruction has some good scares, and Taste of blood is good, really feels like a subway/sewer but with Vampires!! Over all the houses are very scary and full of the "traditional" style scares, ya know loud noises, banging, shaker can stuff, chainsaws, guys popping out at you from places that kind of thing. Not as many "visual" scares, I guess, as Horror Nights has. The costumes at Busch's event are not nearly as detailed or elaborate and neither are the sets but the old school scares and effort from the actors make up for it. However, the new D.E.D. Sorority house was on par with a HHN house in my opinion as far as set design and visual scares that kinda thing, very good probably the best of the night. The scare zones were average, Werewolves was very good as it had the best location. They are fun to walk through and have a some well done costumes but aren't nearly as significant as HHN's. Still some decent scares to be had and fun to walk through. We also stopped to check out the shows. The Jason Byrne magic show, Moonlight Cabaret, was very entertaining, who doesn't like a little magic every now and then ? Some very good tricks that I could figure out, and some old ones that everyone knows thanks to that douche who reveals the magic secrets on TV. But overall a very entertaining show. The magician did a great job playing off and overcoming a prop malfunction when the blade of his sword fell off the hilt whilst removing it from the sheath. Everyone kinda figured out the trick then I guess but he still did a great job staying in character and finishing the trick. The Fiends show was okay, nothing to special but it does involve a lot of hot half naked nurses dancing so that cool I guess. They attempted to make a few pop culture jokes at Kanye and American Idol and all but it didn't really work out. Honestly we lost interest about half way through and left, but it was well done and everyone else in the audience seemed to enjoy it. The rides were running, and more than just the major coasters. The log flume was operating, Scorpion, Sandstorm, Cheetah Chase, and the inverter ship (Phoenix?). Every coaster had multiple trains running and most crews were working very hard. However a couple crews could use a little more sense of urgency, ahhem MONTU ahhem. We got on all the coaster and all the houses and saw the 2 shows all before midnight. The House of Vayne theme was evident only at the entrance gate where there was a fashion show going on with the models and photograhers that turned violent like in the commercials. Pretty cool display to enter the park to in my opinion. The upcharge 21 and over Club Envy is located near the front gate. I was pretty excited about this concept going in, after shows like True Blood and the vampire bar in it, Fangtasia, I thought there was really cool dance club vampire bar concept that was going to at the park. However after looking at it from the door it only appeared to be a sectioned off covered area with a bar and a DJ playing dance music. I didn't notice any vampire actors or anything cool at all so we didn't even go in. Kinda a disappointment. Overall its a great event, I would totally recommend it for anyone that enjoys HHN or any kind of halloween event. It's hard to compare the two events because they are on a different level but are both exciting in their own ways. But the houses and scare zones and night rides on Sheikra and Kumba definitely make this event worth a trip. Check it out!

My thoughts on Hall-O-Screams last night, no particular order. I didn't take very many pictures for 1 I my camera sucks, 2 I was flaying around trying to get everything in as quick as possible, and C other people take better pics anyways. The Houses.... The two new houses were both fantastic. The NightShades Toy Factories located in the old monorail building (I think) was very dark and creepy and full of all kinds of sinister toys. Some good scares in there too! A lot of it felt like decorated hallways with a few well done rooms but the old school scares and creepy toy costumes made up for it and made it an entertaining house. The D.E.D. Pledge Week house was in a new building somewhere behind the Tidal Wave ride and used the tidal wave que line. Very well done, felt like you were walking through a real sorority house full of all kinda of gross but kinda hot at the same time sorority stuff. Keep an eye out for some pictures of the Raven Twins in the house, I think they were some former members of the D.E.D. Sorority and are probably responsible for some of the goings ons within that house...... The older houses were the same as they've been, but were still really good. I especially like the Death Row Vengence and Trapped in the Walls, some really cool effects and just pure scares in there. The 13 house is also well done and kind of made me feel like home a bit. Ever wondered what the Eastern Kentucky area is like? then try 13, just like home, everything except for the canablistic biker gang that is but fun house. Reconstruction has some good scares, and Taste of blood is good, really feels like a subway/sewer but with Vampires!! Over all the houses are very scary and full of the "traditional" style scares, ya know loud noises, banging, shaker can stuff, chainsaws, guys popping out at you from places that kind of thing. Not as many "visual" scares, I guess, as Horror Nights has. The costumes at Busch's event are not nearly as detailed or elaborate and neither are the sets but the old school scares and effort from the actors make up for it. However, the new D.E.D. Sorority house was on par with a HHN house in my opinion as far as set design and visual scares that kinda thing, very good probably the best of the night. The scare zones were average, Werewolves was very good as it had the best location. They are fun to walk through and have a some well done costumes but aren't nearly as significant as HHN's. Still some decent scares to be had and fun to walk through. We also stopped to check out the shows. The Jason Byrne magic show, Moonlight Cabaret, was very entertaining, who doesn't like a little magic every now and then ? Some very good tricks that I could figure out, and some old ones that everyone knows thanks to that douche who reveals the magic secrets on TV. But overall a very entertaining show. The magician did a great job playing off and overcoming a prop malfunction when the blade of his sword fell off the hilt whilst removing it from the sheath. Everyone kinda figured out the trick then I guess but he still did a great job staying in character and finishing the trick. The Fiends show was okay, nothing to special but it does involve a lot of hot half naked nurses dancing so that cool I guess. They attempted to make a few pop culture jokes at Kanye and American Idol and all but it didn't really work out. Honestly we lost interest about half way through and left, but it was well done and everyone else in the audience seemed to enjoy it. The rides were running, and more than just the major coasters. The log flume was operating, Scorpion, Sandstorm, Cheetah Chase, and the inverter ship (Phoenix?). Every coaster had multiple trains running and most crews were working very hard. However a couple crews could use a little more sense of urgency, ahhem MONTU ahhem. We got on all the coaster and all the houses and saw the 2 shows all before midnight. The House of Vayne theme was evident only at the entrance gate where there was a fashion show going on with the models and photograhers that turned violent like in the commercials. Pretty cool display to enter the park to in my opinion. The upcharge 21 and over Club Envy is located near the front gate. I was pretty excited about this concept going in, after shows like True Blood and the vampire bar in it, Fangtasia, I thought there was really cool dance club vampire bar concept that was going to at the park. However after looking at it from the door it only appeared to be a sectioned off covered area with a bar and a DJ playing dance music. I didn't notice any vampire actors or anything cool at all so we didn't even go in. Kinda a disappointment. Overall its a great event, I would totally recommend it for anyone that enjoys HHN or any kind of halloween event. It's hard to compare the two events because they are on a different level but are both exciting in their own ways. But the houses and scare zones and night rides on Sheikra and Kumba definitely make this event worth a trip. Check it out!

Im goin to the preview weekend this Saturday and cant wait. Last years even was amazing, I had a ton of fun and thought the event was on par with Horror Nights almost. The houses don't "look" as good but they scared me a hell of a lot more. And night rides on Sheikra/Kumba are almost worth the price of admission alone! Cant wait