Double0Kevin

I first rode in 2002 and was blown away with how awesome it was. My last ride was in 2007 I think, and it was pretty bad. I think it's one that would really benefit from the RMC topper track. That great ride is still in there somewhere, we just need to find it. Would love to see Cedar Fair invest in an overhaul of the ride.

^Unfortunately, filming it in California is already making them "explode."

The Clipper Card (commuter card) here in the Bay Area is RFID and works for almost every public transit service in the area. It is way more convenient, i don't even have to pull my card out of my wallet, just tap and go. I get pretty annoyed when I have to wait for someone to stick the paper ticket in the turnstile getting in and out of BART, it's so much quicker with the RFID (especially when you are running to catch a train or late getting to work). I'm probably going to eat at the restaurant just so I can use the rose thing. Seems pretty cool to me. Also, I haven't followed the rest of the RFID stuff going on at WDW lately. Are they intending to use it for Fastpass?

10. Xcelerator 9. Raptor 8. Giant Dipper (SCBB) 7. The Beast 6. Tatsu 5. Apollo's Chariot 4. Millenium Force 3. The Voyage 2. Maverick 1. Intimidator 305 This could all change in a few weeks though when I visit Florida. I feel like I might add some new ones with my visit to BGT and IOA.

Whatever happened to that? Did they ever build it?

Back to MK, question about Fantasyland's previews starting on Nov 19. Are the previews just them saying it's soft opening, or is that more of an AP preview? I'll be going for my first time the week after Thanksgiving, so I'm just curious if I'll get a chance to try it out. I did a search to see if this was already discussed but best I could find was "General Preview" which I'm guessing means anyone, but thought someone might know for sure.

Thanks Elissa! I think the Quick Queue unlimited is only $25 for the day I'm there, so I'm just going to buy it now and not have to worry about it. I'm probably going to want to do a few of the coasters a few times anyways. As for credit whoring, I'm a moderate Credit Whore... I won't wait an hour for a mad mouse and I rarely do Kiddie coasters, but if needed I'll hop to AK on a slow day and get those 2 credits should I feel inclined.

Great TR! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun. I've missed Halloween Time for 2 years running now. I have to stop doing that, it's such an awesome event.

TR Updates index: Part 1 - SeaWorld Orlando Part 2 - Busch Gardens Tampa Part 3 - Universal's Islands of Adventure Part 4 - Universal Studios Florida Part 5 - Disney's Animal Kingdom Part 6 - Magic Kingdom Part 7 - Disney's Hollywood Studios Part 8 - Epcot and the Epcot Resorts Hey Everyone. So after many years of making excuses to myself for why I can't afford to go to Orlando or why other parks are more important to visit first, I finally snapped myself out of it and booked 9 days in the area. I've got my days pretty well planned out, I'm arriving on November 23rd (Black Friday) and will be headed home the evening of December 1st. The first few days over the weekend I plan to visit Universal on Friday, Animal Kingdom on Saturday and Busch Gardens on Sunday. I bought the "buy 2 days get a third free" at Universal so I figured I'll do one day there when it's crowded and my other 2 days during the week when it's slow. Animal Kingdom I don't care much about the animal attractions (working at SFDK for almost a decade desensitized me to animals) but want to do Everest, Safari, and Dinosaur so I figured a full day when it's busy will be fine for that park. Busch just kind of got stuck with Sunday because of the remainder of the week's plans. Long story short, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice, specifically for AK and BGT on how to get the most done with the crowds. Is BGT's Quick Queue worth it or should I save my money? How are the single rider line offerings? I'm guessing that come Monday the crowds will be light, I hear that week is usually dead, so those days should be easy to figure out at the other parks. Lastly, does anyone in the area want to meet up? I'm doing this trip solo, and I know there are a ton of TPR members out there, so if anyone is free and wants to hang out let me know when and I'll let you know what park I'll be at. Thanks everyone! -Kevin

It's funny how that ride worked out. Prior to opening everyone was so down on it for it's capacity and thinking it wouldn't be all that great. Then after it opened and turned out to be rather good with decent capacity, everyone acted like it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it was so well received on the west coast because we don't really have anything like it, mainly something with airtime. Were it to be built at another park like SFGAdv where they have El Toro and Kingda Ka, I highly doubt it would have gotten the same reaction. All in all I think it holds its own to not be considered "overrated." Most overrated I would say is X2. I know it opened years ago and technically doesn't qualify, but for some reason fan boys still think it's the best ride ever. Yeah, it's unique, like a dominatrix beating you in public is unique.

I don't understand this concern. Disney hasn't forced their style upon Pixar or Marvel, why would they with Lucasfilm? Both Pixar and Marvel are churning out fantastic work, and the geniuses from those entities (mostly Pixar) have brought some great work over to Disney (John Lasseter and his influence on Imagineering anyone?) I don't see Disney doing much more than paying the bills and reaping in the rewards for Lucasfilm movies, pretty much how they've allowed Pixar and Marvel to operate. I don't think we are going to be hearing "Luke, I am you fairy godfather" anytime soon.

Looking at the photos, it seems like Funtown Pier got it worse that Casino Pier. Casino only looks to have lost 4 or 5 attractions. Funtown looks like it lost the majority of what was left on the Pier and not stored. The S&S Tower hung in there though. Be interesting to see what comes out of this when the parks rebuild and add replacements.

Finishing my first Half-Marathon which happened to be the Disneyland Half-Marathon. That was top. Still more to come with my first visit to Orlando coming up in 3 weeks. That will probably take over as my top 2012 moment.

25 Here, First coaster was technically Matterhorn Bobsleds when I was 3, though I've always considered the Demon at CGA my first. Probably because it's more of a major coaster.

Awesome! The more this ride goes up the more excited I get. Looks like it's going to be a great ride.

Awesome that USF is getting Transformers. I was very impressed with the one at USH and think it will be a great fit out there too. I doubt the GP will notice it's ride system is the same as Spider-Man (or care if they do) because the storyline and experience is so different (see Haunted Mansion vs. Little Mermaid). Universal Orlando seems just relentless on their attack on Disney(and all other competition in the are). The rides they have been doing are impressive and seem to keep coming in rapid succession. I know Disney still has the upper hand being Disney and some of these Universal rides are more for adults, but the quality is up there and has got to be making some type of impact on Disney's attendance (not to mention their prices are easier on the wallet).

Great TR! I finally made it to GG for the first time this year, and after being quite disappointed that Quicksilver Express was closed that day I was won over by the charm of the rest of the park. Second visit and I scored Quicksilver and was quite impressed with it. All around it's a great park that I would love to see expand and add more to while keeping the family charm to it. As for those stairs, I believe the park was once operated as something else before Bonfante bought it and made it what it is. I think those are just remnants of what once was. Can anyone confirm that?

I did only West Coast this year... Superman UF, Cars Land, and Transformers (Never made it on Lex or Manta). I was impressed with all of it to be honest. Nothing let me down. Transformers was the most impressive to me, by far. Superman was also a great surprise, being much better than we all expected. I would say the Matterhorn (though it was only the trains that were new) was the big disappointment. It made the ride much more uncomfortable and jarring.

I dig the 2 flats and their placement. I don't care for the wild mouse. They have "eh" capacity and there are already quite a few in SoCal. I'm not disappointed they are getting a family coaster, I just think they could have gone with a different type. They've done pretty good on the last 2 to be unique to the area and not a typical clone.

Sooo... They won't be getting a Leviathan clone?

I felt the need to make this...

^I honestly would root for Andrew Stanton (I personally loved John Carter) or David Yates. They both have amazing directorial ability and great respect for material with a lot of history and built in fan base behind it.

It was Jambo, and it was removed due to an engineering issue with the ride design. The one at SFGAm was also removed.

I operated Zonga both years it was at the park, as I've said a few times in the past on this thread. I loved it (obviously, look at my avatar). Skyscreamer is definitely still there, and the 3D theater is highly unlikely to ever return. I'm not sure where you read it, but I would without a doubt say it's not coming back. Just a feeling I have.

^ Well we already know Paramount is willing to deal, just look at Avengers and Iron Man 3. We'll see what happens with Fox. I'm sure they can work out some type of share deal where Disney can bundle and re-release the old ones (with Fox logo intact) but Fox gets a certain percentage. Or Disney will just make one big offer and buy the distribution rights.