thomas2

Thank you for this trip report. I myself have never made it to Bellewaerde, mainly because I live on the opposite side of the country and they don't have that much attractions.

Actually it's チョコレート,　ドーナツ　and ストロベリー Just avoid the public holidays and school holidays if you want to visit a park. I went to Universal in Osaka on friday and had to wait 20 min. at most while my friend who went today (it's Showa day in Japan, a national holiday) texted me that the wait was 2 hours!

The website doesn't list any of the older models I'm talking about, while it does list the boomerang- and SLC designs. So yeah I guess the older standard models fall under the custom looping coaster category, but it's still strange they don't mention them anywhere. Thank you!

Hey guys This is just a random thought of me, but does Vekoma still offer the older standard models? I'm talking about the famous Corkscrew model or the Whirlwind. RCDB lists these as 'in production' but it has been a long time since one has been built (last corkscrew was 1985 I believe). Or is it just that no park orders one of these models... Which leads me to the question why SLC's and boomerangs have been going on for a long time while other models don't. Corkscrew: http://www.rcdb.com/m/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8204 Whirlwind: http://www.rcdb.com/m/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8205 There are some other models too.

Oh precious Title Fairy, can I please have an update? I saw, went and conquered Steel Dragon 2000 so I'd like an update that reflects this. Thank you 'till eternity.

Went to Nagashima Spa Land again 2 weeks ago. Steel Dragon is so AWESOME

I hope the Japan trip will make it so I can meet you guys up. Unfortunately I don't have the funds left to do the entire trip because it's so expensive here

Not yet but I'm looking forward to experiencing it's crappy-ness. SD2k's first drop is awesome but it could have been better if it didn't start and end so gradually. They really were massive. Very good airtime if you sit at the edges too. I didn't even notice the reflection in that picture

Thanks everyone I'll return there later this year when it's warmer and check out the water park too. It looked pretty spectacular.

As the older members here might know I used to be very enthusiastic (lol) about Steel Dragon 2000, the hypercoaster in Nagashima Spa Land without ever ridden it. Well I'm in Japan for a year now and this morning I thought it would be a good idea to finally check the park. I took the Nozomi bullet train to Nagoya, boarded the local train to Kuwana and then took a cap to the park. And there I saw it, 3 hills in the distance looming over everything else. I looked out to see if I saw a train running on it but got nothing, so I feared it might have been closed because of strong winds. Funny how the coaster is right next to the ocean with all it's winds I headed over to the shuttle loop first and from there I could hear the sound of SD2k's chainlift and I obviously immediately headed over there. There was a small que because of 1 train operations with 3 of it's 6 cars inaccessible, but there was never more than a 10 min. wait. Once we boarded and were set off by the friendly staff we went up the 97 meter tall lift hill. I first noticed that the lift hill seems to go faster than I imagined it would be. There were also strong ocean winds hitting our face and the cold didn't help either. But who cares about that when you can finally ride the coaster you've always wanted to ride You also get stunning views of the park and ocean from up there. And then ... the drop. Hands quickly in the air. It seemed like we were falling forever, and the angle was steeper than I anticipated. At the bottom of the first drop the strong wind was beating our faces up but I just couldn't help but laugh. Soon enough we raced back to the sky up the second hill. Not alot of airtime to be found there which I thought was a missed opportunity. The third hill didn't have alot of airtime either, but it could have been the conditions (half full train and strong winds) maybe. Then you enter into the double helix which was awesome. I thought there were some good powerfull horizontal forces in there. Some good headchoppers too! After the helixes and before the mid-brakes is a kinda boring part with not much thrills apart from the speed you travel at. This too is a missed opportunity in my opinion. Luckily the brakes didn't slow the train down at all so we got lots of good airtime on the final stretch of bunny hills. This was obviously the best in the back of the train. The 2 tunnels are nice and the second one contains the best airtime. And then you hit into the final brakes and the ride is over. I immediately qeued again after leaving the ride. In my opinion it's an AWESOME ride BUT the design could have been worked out better (more airtime on the second and third hill). I really loved it Awesomness But obviously it's all about Steel Dragon. They closed it down at 1:30 pm because of the high winds =( And go down this windy course full of hills. It's really fun to do! Hidden behind Steel Dragon are these awesome bobkarts. You basically sit with one or two in one of these things... Schwarzkopf loops, still the best loops in the world. Other than the Shuttle Loop they also have another one of Schwarzkopf's classic designs: the Looping Star This freefall was a nice surprise too and more forcefull than I expected! Also it's an ingenious system how the cars are being brought up vertically again. Only one side was open and not worth it. The brakes are on waaaay too hard and it's more torture than a fun ride. Worst wild mouse I've been in. The forces in the hearline rolls are pretty heavy but it's an awesome ride. This Togo death machine was actually awesome. Never would have expected that. Also notice the new colour scheme. They got the Arrow Corkscrew model too bit it was way too rough for me. And again, like all good parks there's a meaningless coaster called Jet coaster. Like all good japanese parks Nagashima Spa Land too has an enourmous ferriswheel. He was right... When I went on the water ride the attendant asked me 100 yen for a rain coat. I said I didn't need one, and the expression on his face was hilarious. I wonder how many times they repaint the structure and how much time it costs. This sums up the crowds pretty good: 1 train operations, 2 people. I like the design of the coaster and the helixes weren't that boring in my opinion. There are some really good headchoppers too! It is bearable if you sit straight with your back not touching the car. White Cyclone is one of the most beautifull woodies in the world but it sure is rough as hell. Of course the park has more to offer, like 3 pirate ships right next to eachother. Apparently air force pilots with boogies give thumbs up to Steel Dragon! Good airtime on the way back! Double helix, or noodley bits as Robb likes to call them! Damn you hills you should have more airtime! And an awesome way back down hehe It's a loooong way up... Luckily today there weren't that many people (again, cloaking devices?!?) They have a humoungous queing area. Wow I wouldn't want to be in line when it's filled. Gothic influences anyone? Aah Steel Dragon. This one isn't braked much on it's way back so it makes it far up the spike! This is how a day at a park should look like every time! Or maybe there's just alot of Japanese with cloaking devices :O I first headed to the Shuttle Loop. Now matter how old these things are, they still amaze me every time OMFG FINALLY!

I can now pretty much confirm they're breaking down the entire park. When I went there a month ago the ferris wheel was still standing but on saturday it was almost completely gone. There are also no coasters to be seen from the outside of the park. Goodbye Expoland, would have been awesome to have a amusement park 15 min. from my room

I have some old photo's of going to Umeda, so I'll post them here before I forget. These things were pretty massive! Art? We were walking on the street when all of the sudden we see this ferris wheel on top of a building. Turns out it's a mall called Hep 5. Yodobashi, the humongous electronics store that's absolutely AMAZING! It's lit at night, and looks kinda spooky imo. Tiny elevators, but they're fast so you don't have to wait that long. Artistic shot 3 Artistic shot 2 Artistic shot 1 Some hotel next to it, I think the Westin. We didn't get on top of it because we did that a week earlier, and we'll probably go there multiple times afterwards. It has this awesome observation deck on top with a giant hole. We finally arrived at the Umeda Sky Building, the most prominent skyscraper in Osaka's business district, Umeda. Never been so excited to see Pikachu in my live hehe. Awesomness all over the place. Of course

Yeah I didn't see any coasters at all. They must have broken them down (probably all coasters including the kiddie and the other). I'm guessing they're breaking down the entire park to turn it into something different. There was a crane on site but it wasn't being used.

The day before yesterday me and some friends went to check out　太陽の塔 (the Tower of the Sun) which was just 3 stops down from the trainstation we're at. Some of you might remember that statue from the TR that Robb posted about expoland. Sadly for us Expoland has been shut down so that's a major bummer, but the statue was worth the visit. The only crappy thing was that we went there by foot, which means we walked over 3 hours just to get there. Wisely we took the monorail and train back Ok pictures! Btw can someone tell me if it was possible to see rollercoasters from the entrance of the park when it was still operating? I didn't see any rollercoaster at all so they may have broken them all down (I know Orochi is broken down and shipped). The Tower in all it's glory. It's both hilarious and confusing. I loved it. Ferris wheel WITH monorail! The entrance of Expoland =[ They built this monorail system here which looked cool. Finally, the Tower of the Sun! The sad remains of Expoland. I was really bummed it was closed down because I live so close to it. Apparently it's good for your feet. I can't believe she went on there with bare feet. It hurt so much. Funny thing was that there was a japanese woman just walking up and down as if it was nothing! It was waaay too painfull! On the way to the Tower of the Sun we stopped at another path where they had this rock path.

I bought a photocamera yesterday too so this was sort of a first try. Never had a photocamera of my own. I'll regulary update this with other photo's too. 5 photo TRs of me sitting on a chair obsessing how close I am to SD2k? LOL. I will go ride it at some point though, but atm I'm not really interested in it at the moment

I'm currently in Japan for a year of study. I arrived here 3 weeks ago and I missed my Wii back at home so much that I deceided to buy a Wii here. I had previously gone to Yodobashi, which is like the biggest electronics shop I have EVER seen, and discovered that Japan had black Wii's for sale. I saved up store credit for Yodobashi AND today was the first day of the price drop for the Wii here in Japan, so I jumped on the train at 9:10am and headed towards Osaka, towards Yodobashi. I arrived there just 5 minutes after opening time, and rushed to the 5th floor where the games are. There was already a line forming. At first I feared it was a line of people who intended to buy a Wii because it became cheaper, but I saw a huge stack of Wii's. Also, the reason why is was so busy was because another stock of Pokémon Heartgold/SoulSilver had just come in so people went crazy to get a copy. It was hilarious though I went to the register and asked for a black Wii. In total I had to pay 10,038 yen, which is about 100$ thanks to my point card. I have included some photo's of my purchase, because photo's say more than a thousand words The Wii-mote, nunchuck and cover are black too. The black is shiny and it's really nice. HOWEVER you can see fingerprints on it easily. BUT there actually a wiping cloth inculded in the Wii box to keep it shiny. It looks so damn sexy! What's in this bag?!?

Oh, we never said we're not coming to Japan in 2010, just maybe not as a TPR tour! --Robb Hope you're coming to the Osaka region then

Awww just when I study a year in Japan you guys don't come here Nah I'm joking. All trips look awesome. Good luck with them and have fun

I have very high expectations of SD2k. From what I heard it's a mediocre ride, but it's different for each individual of course, I hope I'll have a blast on it With what can you compare the morgan coasters with? B&M hypers?

In exactly 3 weeks I'll be on a plane to Osaka, Japan where I'll study for 11 months at 関西大学. Needless to say I WILL ride Steel Dragon 2000.

True Colours - Cyndi Lauper

Why does is have to be so hot when I have to study?!

After over a year I'm still hooked to Mario Kart Wii. Altough I mainly play battles instead of races.

The only thing that ever hit me in the head was a football <__<. Oh and the door mutliple times.