DegoRed

With Halloween season upon us, and with the release of "America's Rockin Theme Parks"....here is the 2007 HHN segment from the full Universal video available on the DVD. The lighting is a little dark on some scenes but I really tried to avoid using night vision for everything. All the mazes from last year are represented with the exception of House of Horrors. See this video and many more in full DVD quality on the 2-disc set which can be ordered HERE HHN_USH_TPR_DVD.zip HHN@USH_TPR HHN TPR DVD.wmv HHN@USH_TPR

I'm all for this, having experienced the transformation Six Flags did with X2, I don't see what could be bad about doing something similar to SROS. I've always been a fan of coasters having audio on them, provided it's actually working....it does add extra excitement to the ride experience. I wouldn't make a special trip out there to ride it though, but the fact that it's already one of the best coasters in the world + the upgrade only makes it that much better.

Robb, was that last caption a family guy reference...if so, bonus points to you for working that into a TR

Like so many others have said, Hades, no question. Inside of that pitch black tunnel is nothing but speed and chaos. No other coaster I've been on has come close. Though I would give honorable mention to SFMM's Goliath...nothing like diving 255 ft at 85 mph into a small tunnel like that...always a rush

that place is awesome. I wanna go check it out, just for the fact I would have the fear of God in me when riding any of those slides that I might die Thanks for posting those

You must do Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. Granted, it doesn't offer as many mazes as Knott's, but with Universal, it's quality over quantity. I heard rumors they are adding one or 2 more mazes this year, and at least another show. Like others have said, it doesn't stack up to Orlando's version, but it's the best Halloween event out here on the west coast. Knott's also looks to be a little more promising this year as well, so if you have the time I would definitely do that as well. SFMM Fright Fest....well every year I keep hearing bad reviews so I've never bothered going, but now with the new management, I'm curious to see what they do with the event. Plus if you go to the park during the day, you get to stay for Fright Fest so at least it's not separate admission. Queen Mary's shipwreck. It's been a few years since I've been to that event but like Joey said, the mazes on the ship are really the only somewhat decent ones. And I think there are only 3 or so of those. Only advice I have like others have said is avoid Fri and Sat nights

I rode it last night, and the first thing I gotta say, pretty much along with everyone else, is it far surpassed my expectations. It is a really FUN ride, and has one of the highest re-rideable factors of any ride I've been on. The games are just flat out fun, and the 3D video screens are done very well. The random spinning of the cars in between games just adds to all the excitement as well. Something I found really interesting though is how this ride just eats people up, in terms of capacity of course. When I got there I was quoted 3 hours. This was with the main queue, the walkway queue, and the line reaching all the way up to Ariel's Grotto. But even with all those people the line was only an hour 1/2, and I thought it was well worth it, at least for the first time I rode it. I probably wouldn't wait more than about 45 min for it now. Just don't believe the cast members when they tell you it's a 2-3 hour wait

It doesn't need to go so much as they need to cut down on the number of times they play it. I'm not sure but in the 3 train wait we had in the station I must have heard that same thing close to 20-30 times, i can't even count how many times i heard the X2 whisper voice.

just rode it today. Definitely still feels like the old X, but the changes really do bring new life to the ride. The queue signage and monitors are a nice addition, but today 30 min after the park opened the line was 2 hours, so i was watching movies on my ipod touch instead of the tvs, but they were doing pretty good on the dispatches, almost to the point where trains were hardly stacking. I timed about 4 minute dispatches with 2 train op. The change in loading and unload plus the grouper with no preffered seating really does help, as we only ending up waiting an hour and a half. When we got to the entrance the queue was full, and as we progressed into the line they actually were even using a large portion of the switchbacks, so a full queue with switchbacks and only 90 min wait, is very impressive for that ride. They also had mechanics over on the transfer track checking out the 3rd train as well so we may see it soon. Ok, the station audio track with the guy repeating "is everybody in, e v er y b o d y i n..." that needs to go. It's pretty much the most annoying thing I've heard for queue music. The female X2 voice is also pretty annoying. I do think it adds that extra bit of ominous tone to the ride though, so maybe just try to cut down on the amount of repitition. Ok the ride itself.... Like i said earlier, feels exactly the same as before, and actually today i got off of it and my upper back was hurting, and it still hurts this moment so the ride did something to me, not sure how serious it is yet if at all, but bottom line, still rough. I rode second row lift side outer seat. The onboard audio was better than i thought. Nice and loud, and crisp. Favorite part is definitely Enter Sandman as you climb the lift. Gotta admit wasn't paying too much attention to it after the "Gooooiiinnngggg Ddddoooowwwnnn" part. The fire effect definitely wasn't near as intense as I thought it would be, but being toward the front of the train I think it's much more effective if you ride in the rear of the train. All in all, X2 delivers a much better overall experience than the orginal, and I can't wiat till I'm there next time to ride it

Here's mine 2664-3003-7636

^^best so far

^ I agree, it gets my vote for most original, I just wish the ending was a little stronger. It looks like it just got cut off cause of the 5 min limit

This was by far the best segment of the DVD, and also my favorite park of the trip. Great job actually making the clips relate to the lyrics of the song, even my part

When I called the park, I spoke to Guest Relations. They said X2 was definitely NOT going to use flash passes...at least through this summer. I really wanted to ask to speak to Neal, but decided against it, so who knows if that really is the case. I'm hoping not. I'd love to use my extreme pass and those 4 flash passes for 2 rides on X2 and Tatsu with someone each time I go there

Hey everyone, it appears we won't actually be the first "public" riders on X2. I was just listening to KROQ, and on Kevin & Bean, they were giving away tickets to "Six Flag's X2 Preview Event" on Friday the 23rd. Just thought you all might like to know And I agree with Joey and JimmyBo. I actually think I might pass on this now. I also attended the Tatsu campout, and I agree that if they were doing the same thing for X2, I would gladly pay the $50, but only giving us an hour is too much of a risk I think. How many times have we all gotten to the park at opening, ran to X, and have to wait 30-45 or more min while they finish testing it. I really could see this happening. Also I think the park has actually been so awesome to us lately that they've gone so above and beyond, but this event just seems kinda blah to me. Not to say Jay and the guys might have some extra surprises up there sleeves though. Now if this was the old six flags, I'm sure we would all be really excited about this. And lastly, and probably the biggest decider for me is the fact that there isn't even a discount for those of us loyal customers that have season passes. And don't forget, if you do have a season pass you do get 1 flash pass for X2.

Kevin's video is the one to beat at this point. I liked the departure from the normal vids on here with just footage or friends/footage video. That was a creative, well thought out video, that actually worked. The POVs were great as well. I know Busch has a strict no cameras on rides policy so I'm curious as to how you got the permission as well. Transitions were smooth, music selection was great. This one is going to be tough to beat, at least from my standpoint. To be fair, here's my take on the others.... Bruno's Expedition GeForce REPITITION...turned it off after I saw the same section of track over and over and over again. While the shots were good angles and looked professional, the repitition killed it Nicolas' Parc Asterix I wasn't feeling this one. I did notice you had a good mix of rides worked in there, and it did seem like you showed off the park, but to me it seemed like you were going for the Robb & Elissa style, and the problem with that is that they are so good at it, that anyone trying to imitate their style will usually come up short. The thought bubbles didn't really work for me either, and I'm from the US and don't speak any other languages so that just makes it that much harder to get into it. And lastly, Blink has been in WAY too many coaster videos at this point, it's bordering on that stupid Vengaboys song Chris Charles Port Aventura Also couldn't really get into this one. Was not a fan of using the non-english version of the classic this is halloween, but again I'm from the US, and don't speak that language. I will say though the ride shots were pretty well put together, but again, the video was just kinda ok Dave Madore's midwest First off I agree with Robb, if you went for the theme of TPR's midwest trip, you really confused a lot of people, myself included by including the shots from Dollywood. That being said, had the audio levels been set properly, this would have been a decent video. The shaky POV was also distracting, but mainly it was having a hard time hearing everything. But for this round, I actually give you 2nd place

Interesting batch this round. Peter Davie's video I liked, though nothing really jumped out at me. Adam's was pretty decent, good mix of on and offride shots, with some people mixed in. Though I agree on the name should be something along the lines of Florida parks. Matt's Indiana Beach video was my favorite this round though, as the video had great pacing, though the transitions were a bit overkill. And the last 2...well I couldn't really watch all the way through. The Disneyland one was mostly people and you really couldn't hear all that well, and the Europa Park one the song choice I just couldn't understand

Just because this is a video contest doesn't mean every video has to be experimental or have a storyline or theme. To add to what Robb said, certain people have their own styles of videos that they are good at, and if that's not good enough for some people, well then you spend hours planning and shooting a video and editing it together then. Me personally, I don't do antics. I'm all coaster footage, but ask anyone that has seen my videos, and I doubt you would hear anyone say that my videos are boring. I had 2 submitted for this contest, but I failed to remember that there was a 5 min time limit so I missed this years, but if you want to see what I'm talking about you can find my Disneyland and Universal video in the video forum. Now on to my take on the second round videos...in order of preference Jimmy - best video of this group, though Justin's was very close, one thing I will say that gets me about your videos is the dynamic volume changes one second you hear only music the next you're blasted with raw audio, just makes it hard to listen to at times. Good overall choice in song, and ride and people footage Justin - really good ride footage, and good song choice as well, a bit repetitive at the end but still a really good video Ryan - awesome opening, love the special effects you threw in there, video was way too short to showcase all of the DLR though, would have liked to see more rides in there Cody - great video for only showcasing one ride, great pacing and syncing with the music, would love to see what you can do with a whole park video Matthew - sigh when will we let that damn song die...sorry man, but i made it through about 20 seconds before i just couldn't watch anymore. Your shots were not really flowing with the music, but I just couldn't stand hearing that song in yet another video

^ those aren't the top 5, they are just the first round of videos posted Elissa beat me to it by 1 minute

Just finished watching all 5 entries, a good first batch overall. Here's my take on each one Barry - good coaster footage, and I agree with a few other people, the song choice is "interesting," but the whole stalking elissa and everything got old pretty quick Darren - great vid to sum up the midwest trip, nothing really stood out about the vid, it just overall was good Kevin - so far I have to say this is my favorite, mainly because his editing style resembles mine. I'm more coaster footage than people. The intro was cool but it was too long cause I remembered thinking to myself "Is the whole video gonna be like this?" I also agree that there was a bit of repetition in your shots, particualrly TTD Dave - kind of along the same lines of Darren's. Good mix of people/footage and the commercial was pretty damn funny Pam & Brian - couldn't get into the song, and I didn't feel there was enough ride footage, also I'm not a fan of videos that have no original sound in them (throughout) (muting the audio from the raw video, and just placing a soundtrack on top)...the same goes for Barry, Kevin, and Dave

Ahhh...WC what a perfect ending to the midwest trip. By the time we got to the airport, I paid dearly for it. I heard my stomach making noises I had never heard before after we ate there, but while I don't think I would eat there a lot if it was local here in so cal, those little burgers sure hit the spot that day. I too still have the slider box and plastic cup up on my shelf, all grease stained and all

Jahan, this TR is amazing. It takes me back to this wonderful trip. I don't know why but it seems everytime I end up on a picture or video I look like a goofball. That explains why you guys don't see me in my videos That first day at the Dells was amazing. I remember sitting in the hotel room looking out the window at all the lightning and how after each strike the power would dim in the room. Then the power cut out to the parking lot and all I could see was darkness and then the bolts of lightning, it was pretty unsettling but cool at the same time on another note about that insane wave pool, i still have a very light mark on my back left from when the wave threw Homer at me and he clawed me...thanks again Homer

I was absolutely blown away by the management at SFMM, they went way above and beyond for our group yesterday. The behind the scenes tour was much better than I expected, and I couldn't believe how much information they gave us at the presentation and the Q and A. A couple times during the day I kept thinking to myself.."I'm still at Magic Mountain right?" I've never experienced the kind of treatment we recieved at any other enthusiast event. And from what I experienced and heard, SFMM is on the right track to greatness. A big thanks of course also go out to Robb and Elissa for putting on yet another great TPR event. Looks like I just might make it out to West Coast Bash this year

It makes sense..X is still the most popular ride at the park, so why not give it a face lift. 10 mil is a good chunk of change to do that. I'm most interested in 2 things...the press release states new audio, I really hope that means onboard speakers, though with as rough as that ride is I don't see those working for too long. And please god I hope some of that money goes into changing the staion to alter the load/unload process. Replace the the rotating seat sections to drop down floors...way more efficient. Still, I'm excited to see how X2 turns out

^ What the hell does me going on a date with my ex have the slightest thing to do with this. You are an idiot, and I highly suggest you contribute something worthwhile to the thread or just shut up cause believe me, someone will ban you for posting s#*t like that. Just a heads up bud, and i can tell by your username, you must be a genius to begin with