Lenaapple1974

OMG!!!!! Hanno, watch out - because you have some competition! (Don't worry, I still love your photos Hanno!!) I completely love your shots. You have a FANTASTIC eye! Thank you for letting us know what camera and lenses you used. Every time I see pictures that take my breath away, I always end up asking. I guess it is the camera dork in myself. lol. I have yet to bring my D90 into the parks. I am quite nervous so I usually bring my P&S. I also shoot mostly in RAW. Some pro's actually told me not to! (WTF?!) BUT, I definitely find that if I screw something up... I can usually fix it so much easier. While I am still learning, and bounce from Auto (I take lots of quick action kid shots) to Program mode mostly, I only sometimes on Aperture or Shutter speed. RAW & JPEG fine for most situations, and I currently use CS3. I really do not do much to the pics either. Sometimes I will change something to b/w or give a little vingetting. I have this huge thing for vingetting lately. But I always save a shot untouched. (Batch processing - LOVE IT!) I have been very curious to see how Lightroom is compared to the CS's though. I do not know how I have not noticed your pictures before! Cannot wait for more. You are now my coaster photography idol! A 300 prime? WOAH! I never would have thought of getting that. I have a 35 prime, and a 70-300 macro...oh, and my kit lens, which I absolutely love. (18-135mm). For a kit lens, it takes some crisp pics. My next lens will be a wide... 14-24mm I think it was. Gotta SAVE SAVE SAVE!!

Love the PTR's! There is so much more to do than the big parks! Keep 'em coming!

Myself not having been on either GASM, or KK... I would go on KK first. I just have not as of yet b/c when I decided to go on it, it was down. First reason for not going on GASM, is that my brother has told me that GASM will knock me around, so if I plan on runining my day, don't bother. Ride Nitro or El Toro instead. lol. For KK, I have this fear of heights. Well, not so much heights, but to explain it quickly, it took me about two years to get used to Nitro's drop. Now...Nitro is my fave ride. In terms of height for KK, it is just double the height of Nitro, pretty much. Two seconds longer. The launch will be nothing. Ever do a launch? It is not like Hulk's launch, but more like RnR's... just faster. IMHO, just do it. I will in the end ride KK before GASM. Everyone comes off the ride loving it! I am sure I will eventually get on GASM too... when I am bored enough. lol. Have fun, and give a report when you finally ride!

First Park (check!): Six Flags Great Adventure First Coaster (check!): Nitro First New Park (scheduled): Kings Dominion First New Coaster of 2010 (scheduled): i305 First Food Bought: Hasn't happened yet, but I bet it will be Cheesy Bread from Papa John's! Gotta have my cheesy bread!!

The Clydesdale stuff is off the map as well. (statue & horse/fenced area) I have been to BG once, but I happen to have my map on my desk from last year, so I started to compare the two...giving myself a huge headache. lol. Not much has changed between the two, except to take off Rhino Ralley, the skyride and add the kiddie stuff. Lions are there last year... and I am curious what lake? I cannot find any body of water that is in addition to what was already there. In any case, I love the updates! It is awesome to see parks change, especially when there is a new coaster involved! Cannot wait to see this thing being built and to see future updates! Thank you to all who bring the updates to us. Myself living in NY, I cannot get down to Fl whenever I wish I could to see them for myself.

GREAT PTR! Love the coaster shots! OMG..the flip...and the eating coaster shot...and the ... etc, etc, etc. I was going to skip Dorney this year on the way back from HersheyPark, but looks like I may just have to hit it on the way back to NY! Thanks for sharing!!

As nasty as that Stride gum ad is, it does help the park! It was on every other car for El Toro. I got to stare at it on Saturday as I was next to board, and they closed the ride due to high winds! But, bright side is that Stride has offered a discount coupon for $30. Adults get in for children's prices, as long as you bring a pack of Stride gum along. I will take it! The day was great, although I didn't get to ride too many coasters. Went along with a rather larger group than normal - so that contributed to this a bit. There were about 20 of us all together. I got to see Big Mike, Renee and Larry. It was nice meeting you guys! And naturally, nice to see Big Mike, as always! We rode Nitro first, both times no line. Then Batman - which has had longer lines the last few times I went. (In the garden area!!) This time it was in the "sewer". Then off to Superman. Rode it twice. By this time the winds were really kicking up.

This is going to be GREAT! I myself do not stay on property at Disney. Why? Because I am too used to having a villa type room to spend my time at. With my family, we need the room and the kitchen. And although this suite may not have a kitchen, or 1/2 kitchen...it is still a step in the right direction for families. I actually may find myself staying there once complete for a weekend type trip. I have not been on Disney property since 1994 - Port Orleans!! I cannot wait to see it complete.

I am excited to see how this area turns out. I have only been to the park once though, so I cannot even remember much of anything other than...Kumba is that way, Montu is that way. But for me, the most exciting thing he said in the article was Kangaroo, interactive, and like Manta. Sounds like they are going to do this area to the tune of the Manta area.

Agreed. All the B&M Hyper trains rock! Nitro is the best, most comfy seat I have been in. The Diamondback train is really cool looking. Manta & DC (fka DD) have the coolest looking cars. I really wanted to add something different to this...but I suppose majority rules!

Also, who is to say how tall it would be in those tight spots. I am very interested to follow the construction on this one. Very entertaining!

Awesome PTR! I have to say... I love the coaster shots. Great angles!! (Which Nikon do you have?) The blurred ones are cool. (i.e. the blurry Hulk one). It is showing the motion... which is what I love!! I agree... Montu rocks! That pic coming out of the tunnel... just may be my fave one.

Great PTR! I especially love the comments... and the Kumba pics! I have to say, that out of the coasters I have been on so far, Montu, Kumba - and even Kraken all were unbeatable! I couldn't even describe it to others, but I clearly knew that there is something about them... the way you glide... beats other similar coasters. I sadly did not get to ride Sheikra due to a downpour my last trip, and only got to ride the others once each. I will get to Griffon first... and as it seems, should not be such a bad thing! I was not planning on going back to BGT, but you have made me want to. With the new coaster coming as well...I guess it is a must!!! Thank you for sharing Lena "eventually I will finish my Orlando PTR from last year" Messana

When I went to IOA last year, the one thing I made sure of was to take my time walking through the queue - as much as I could anyhow. I took some pics, some with, some without, and some with and without flash. I was not sure what would change and I do wish I took more. There was so much detail with all the bones and everything. I wish I was able to walk through again, to take more. The second time they did not want us bringing bags, regardless if we were child swapping. I never got to finish my PTR... maybe one day. I apologize in advance, as I had the wrong lens for the cobra flash, and you can sometimes see the shadow depending on how extended it was. Castle...

As great as that would be, people may ban the park that an *NSYNC coaster would be in. lol. I <3 them though... dying for a reunion tour. I agree with you on the stickers. They should have put his number on the side instead. The only Hyper I have been on is Nitro. From what I hear, it is one of the top Hypers. Front, back, middle, rain, dark - it is all good! I do not see a future in getting to ride another, although I am going to Busch Gardens Europe this year...so we shall see! Intimidator looks to be fun, and of course if I were ever in the park, I would not pass riding.

Well, I was. But the complainer thing just always gets my goat. /And also, there's no Santa. LMAO Erik...I loved that comment. I will be nervous as all nelly going on this in August. (Yes, really!) I am not a big drop person. I finally just accepted the drop on Nitro last summer. This is what, 100 ft more? LOL. I will get on it... seems to be quick enough down the drop. My worry is of course, the grey/blacking out. However, for all those that said the same of Manta's last row, that is where I was put when I got to ride, and was fine. Looks great!! Lena "who also loves the twisssstttyyyyyy elements" Messana

Not sure if anyone wanted to see the video I was talking about with the whales planning on the seals/sea lion... but here it is. Now, to go back and read what PETA is saying. OYE...

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/26/florida.seaworld.death/index.html?hpt=T1 I havent seen it yet, but the story states Shamu shows will resume on Sat. and Tili will be apart of them.

Just one more thing... Last year, the first opening weeks were very cold. Both Nitro, and if I remember correctly, El Toro (maybe not El Toro) vallied. (Not too sure of the spelling/phrase). I heard they stopped running some of the rides because it was too cold. Hopefully, this will not be a problem this year. Check out the Six Flags Great Adventure thread from last April to double check. I definitely agree with the times. Do not listen to the wait times, and Superman/KK definitely have the worst wait times. Batman actually had long lines every time I went last year as well. Most of all - HAVE FUN!!

Wow, so sad. Prayers for the friends & family of the trainer. While this seems to be an isolated situation, I agree with the person who stated that (and especially if they keep this whale after strike number three) it may be best to stay out of the water as much as possible while the shows are in progress. Let's face it, Sea World will probably not be discontinuing the Shamu shows. I have always loved the Orca. They are however very smart animals and one of the worlds most powerful predators. Did anyone know that they stalk their prey? For instance, there is footage of a Sea Lion on a sheet of ice. Three or so Orca literally devised a plan to knock it off of this ice, so they can get at it. This is in the wild obviously. But this shows they plan together. It made me wonder what these animals think about, being stuck in a tank all day. I am sure they are taken care of very well, and this is why an incident like this does not happen often. Anyone ever see the movie Orca? (Man kills mate, Orca goes after man) I am sure there is some reality in it somewhere.

Was out and about in VA this weekend. I couldn't help but notice Intimidator 305 staring at me while on I-95. My first trip to KD is actually going to be this year... so I think the ride was just teasing me! I305 trying to intimidate from behind the trees.

Oh yeah!! Great catch with the choir holding the frogs. I totally forgot about that. That is in the third or fourth one. I hear the song in my head, but cannot place what comes after. I thought the tri wizard cup, but who knows. It is literally for a second of the movie, and then that is it. This is definitely shaping up! I cannot remember who was asking, but from the beginning they were saying that the "box" will be open after the rest of the WWoHP, never really giving any dates. Exactly - grain of salt with the dates. We saw what happened with HRRR. Although I hate the waiting game, and am dying to finally see how inside the "box" turns out... I will not be visiting until October at the earliest. It will all be open, and hopefully in tip top shape for my visit. (We should be going for my dtr's 18th birthday). I am not a die hard HP fan, but I love the idea, and suggestion of all the magic. To me, IOA is a magical place already. From the second I step foot in the THEME PARK, I am imersed in this amazing world. It is the music I think. Just magical. I expect The WWoHP to be nothing short of the same. A great addition to this already wonderful place. I cannot wait to see the changes in DD. The one thing that has me wondering though... is the DD castle staying? How does this fit into HP's world? I will have to wait for the completion... waiting sucks. lol

Loved this PTR! It is definitely so cool see the park with no one there. I cannot wait to get back there this summer to finally get to make it through the entire park. I had no luck last time I went. (I need a good game plan. lol) Thanks for sharing. Lena "really needs to finish her PTR from last year" Messana

My favorite pics are also taken by Hanno. I do not have one specific one - but mine is a type. All those pics he took on one of the (2008??) trips. I cannot remember when or which one anymore, because all these dates just seem to mesh together - the East Coast trip perhaps?. But you all know the ones!! The first drop on Superman!! Those were amazing, breathtaking... I am speechless about them. I strive to catch such shots. All the faces... just awesome.

Great PTR! I am going to be going this year coming up... now I know what to watch out for, and what to ride the most! Alpengeist is one that I have been looking forward to for a long time. I love B&M's, and I got to ride Tampa's last year - loved every single second. I feel that Alpengeist will hit the high note there. AND OMG... I LOVE THIS SHOT!!