Double0Kevin

^Cedar Fair wasn't the reason the name changed. The park went bankrupt when Michael Bonfante ran it and Gilroy took possession of it with a non-profit board of directors in control and it was renamed. Paramount Parks was brought in by the non-profit to manage the day to day operations of the park, a deal that Cedar Fair took over the contract for when they bought out Paramount. I believe Michael Bonfante actually still plays a major roll on the board. Gilroy Gardens such a hidden gem. Just an amazingly beautiful little park. I wish the glass elevator at the falls still worked. Great trip report!

Agreed, also people seem to forget that Transformers was a clone. Even Disney can churn out a clone pretty quickly. When it's something new though, don't rush it. You have to make sure it's just right and that takes time. Transformers at USH felt like it took centuries to be completed. Back to the TR... When I visited Epcot for the first time just after Thanksgiving 2012, I remember thinking it seemed like a park that could do no wrong. I unfortunately missed Test Track by one day, but everything else was fantastic! It seems like Disney really figured out how to do a non-Disney park but with all the Disney skill. The only thing I didn't really care for was the Ellen ride, just because it was so dated. Epcot's whole idea is progress... shouldn't they have the right to update and progress their rides? I think if your stuck in the past, you can never enjoy a park beyond opening day. I'm not trying to hate on your report. In fact I love to hear people express their opinions (that's the point of a forum right?), but I can't say I really agree with what I'm reading. I don't have any past experience to compare upon, but when I paid for a 4 day park hopper and spent more than 50% of my time at Epcot, that tells me they must be doing something right. Lastly, Jeremy Irons is cool and all, but I could listen to Dame Judi Dench all day everyday. Nothing bad can be said against M. Wasn't Jeremy Irons like the 3rd narrator to be used? I'm sure Cronkite fanatics were pissed when he was brought in.

Here's one I took back in November from the Mirage's parking garage. Love my city.

If anything was done to GhostRider, I would say just Topper Track. It's actually a great ride when the track is in good condition and the brakes aren't turned up in the middle of the ride. I think the putting in topper track and letting it run at full speed again would be the best solution. I do however think that Mean Streak could go for the full Iron Mean Streak treatment. Nothing really great to save about that ride.

Either Canyon Blaster or El Loco. I'll probably wait for El Loco to start the year out right.

Probably... but it comes down to price. I'm not going to spend $5,000 to always go to Six Flags. Hell, I'd think twice about that price for Disney too... I mean what if I were to move to Montana (wouldn't, but it's an example) and rarely make it to a park. Talk about waste of money.

Well, the Mack water coaster looks pretty awesome. I'm not sure how the Wing Rider will be but i'm sure the GP will love it and enthusiast won't care about it. China parks are so crazy with their themeing. It's too bad we don't see it more often in the US.

^ A lot of things were interesting. I can understand the Marvel rights, it doesn't really compete with anything Disney at all so I'm sure they aren't too worried, especially since they can't do anything with the X-Men anyways. I'm more surprised with Avatar just because James Cameron is so possessive over his stuff and is already working with Disney on this. I'm curious what the park plans to do with Avatar. Also, was that Gordon Ramsey? I wonder if he is doing a restaurant (or was this already discussed?). I've only eaten at one of his places here in Vegas (BurGR) and it was absolutely delicious.

Awesome report! Make me want to get back to Orlando so bad.

This part made me giggle.

I guess I missed all this about Battlestar. Crazy that after all that time and money to get it fixed and ready that they are just going to kill it. Doesn't bode well for Vekoma getting into the 4 across mega coasters.

Love Christmas at Disneyland. I don't know that I've ever done Knott's at Christmas, but it looks like they do it right. Great report, Chuck! I saw them at a number of attractions. These are required to be posted at all attractions in California. Every park will have them in CA, typically the message is on the ride restrictions signs. In all my time at a park, I've never heard of someone asking for one, but I'm sure it happens.

I guess it was Space Mountain at Disneyland, but that's also the only coaster I've ridden this month. Still a great ride.

So I checked out the Linq this evening. Unfortunately very very little is open. Right now it's maybe 1/4 of the area, maybe even less. Checked out Koto, they has some cool oddity gift items, mostly drinking related. It was kind of a classy/posh Spencer's. O'sheas is very small, but nice. It was completely packed and had some live music going on. It was really just an annex of the Quad's casino. Lastly we checked out Purple Zebra. It's a candy store that also serves frozen drinks (non alcoholic and alcoholic). They give you free samples of just about everything (all premise concoctions) and also mix certain drinks to make even better ones. I think my favorite was Fireball and lemonade, weird combo but totally delicious. Here are a few pics I took.

In 2005 when I was working at Cedar Point, we had an insane thunderstorm where Wicked Twister and the sky ride got struck by lightning, a kid was struck by lightning in the parking lot, the power went out and there was flash flooding. Luckily I happened to be in Johnny Rockets at the time so I got to stay nice and dry, but it was crazy to watch. And what's even crazier is the day started of completely clear, sunny and 90+ degrees.

^ I think Starbucks serves some sort of caffeinated beverage. I'm totally at a loss of the rest of it though. I'll be sure to take lots of photos today.

^ The ferris wheel is going to be a few months after El Loco... I guess I'll see you this summer!

I've always kind of been an above average guy when it comes to body size, and I have never had an issue with V2. In fact, when I was in my very average stage, I could sometimes get my belt in the smaller belt buckle. But at the same time, when I worked there, I was rarely faced with the issue of someone not fitting with the belt. In fact, I ran into the issue a lot more on Medusa. Maybe the bigger people just avoided V2... but it seems unlikely. I never felt V2 was unaccommodating...

Also saw Saving Mr. Banks. It was definitely and interesting film and well played by all of the actors. I was a bit surprised about how little time Tom Hanks spent on screen. Also, Colin Ferrell and the little girl that played Travers as a child were spectacular. It's definitely a must see even though it drags a bit at times and it's hard to like Travers even in the end.

Roar (East or West, been on both).

The Linq opened today. I drove by and the new Marquee is stunning. I'd put it up there with Aria (though not at huge). Most of the shops aren't open yet, infact I think only O'Sheas is open. I'm going to swing by this weekend and check it out. I'll post pictures afterwards.

Oh wow... I'm not sure what to think of this. I did laugh a lot though.

The original Big thunder(not really arrow now with the new track) at Disneyland would have to be my favorite. Least favorite would have to be Cedar Creek Mine Ride, just didn't do anything for me.

Good to see the ride live on. I really wish more Invertigos had been built over all the Boomerangs out there. I find Invertigos to be a lot better, even though they are basically the same.

That's basically what sturdies the wheel while the others provide the vertical support.