jedimaster1227

After near three years of waiting, I was finally able to go on a TPR trip this Summer, thanks to lots of begging, pleading and bribing of my parents over the last year. From start to finish, I had an amazing time (aside from my pre-Knoebels morning, but I won't go into that). We started off our trip at Seabreeze outside of Rochester, New York. Now for me, this would be a whole new experience, not only because it was my first time to the park, but because it was also my first time going to a non-franchised or major company-owned park. Seabreeze was a fantastic park to start up with, as it had four credits (most of us could only get three of them) and a bunch of fun flats, all in a "more traditional" wrapping of a park. Jackrabbit was the first coaster we were able to ride, and it was a great start to the day. A pretty simple, straight-forward coaster; it had some nice pops of airtime and a really fun tunnelled section. Whirlwind was my first ever Maurer-Sohne coaster, and from my first ride until the end of the night's ERT, I was in heaven. Not only is the coaster smooth, but it spins more than any other coaster I've ever been on. The ride is never the same twice thanks to the rider's ability to mix up the spinning with different seating configurations. I found it to spin the most with two riders sitting on the back side of the car (with no one in the front). Bobsleds (I along with others refer to it as Bobselds thanks to a memorable typo on our name badges) was pretty cool for a historical credit, but with low capacity and long lines, I didn't feel the need to wait for it more than once (or give up time on Whirlwind to ride it during ERT). As for Bear Trax, the park's kiddie coaster, I wasn't able to ride it thanks to a strict policy of no adults on the ride without a child. I'm not that far into getting credits to the point where I will pay a child to ride with me (though some people were able to do so at the park, even attracting security at one point), so I passed. My other specific memory of the park was that it had my first Flyers. I've read and watched plenty of videos about the flat, but had never before ridden one (let alone, known how to snap one). So, I tried out the ride and loved it (playing as safe as possible so as to not snap the ride in any way I imaginably could), toying with the cycles to which I could gain more height at each revolution. This basically came in handy because by the end of the trip, I knew how to get my flyer pretty high up, and at Knoebels, snap it to the point where I was scared for my life. Musik Express was another first for me on the trip, with Seabreeze offering my first one to ride. Throughout the duration of the attraction, I found myself laughing to the point of tears at how rediculously fun the ride truly was, and thus, a new flat favorite was found. Overall, my day at Seabreeze was a fantastic start to the trip, setting the tone for what was ahead of us (especially after our ERT session that night). Elissa rides a spinning ride. Bingo square #1. I spent all of my ERT doing consecutive runs on Whirlwind, marathoning it over 25 times during our 45 minutes of ride time. That group from California strikes for the first time on the trip... Sorry to all of the general public, but we've got this ride now! I love Moser rides! Two of the amusement industry's greatest investments: Music Express and Dippin' Dots. It has a few good leaps and dips, but I still find Lakemont's Leap the Dips to be a more insane ride. Bobselds is the wooden-turned-steel kiddie coaster at the park. I consider it more of a historical credit than a coaster... One ride was really enough to satisfy me. Our lineup for nightime ERT was Bobselds (yes, I mean to spell it that way) and Whirlwind. Later that night I would conquer this, my first inverter. It was actually quite fun! I love the midway-style setup that this and some of the other parks had... Its all so new to me. Roxanne is pumped and ready to go! A beautiful sight! Everyone looks ready to ride! Our first credit of the trip: Jackrabbit! A sign of home-grown quality! We're here! TPR trip perk #1: Seabreeze Bucks! "Its all about the money... (Until we get to Delgrosso's)" Its time for Seabreee! Here's Tyler and I (pre-boob credit photo). Lots of TPR bags in a pile in Philly... I started out the trip (one day earlier) with my first TPR text, coming from my roommate, Tyler to let me know that his flight was delayed...

I won a Dave Death Music CD (I'm afraid to listen to it, as it might melt my computer) and a fuzzy blue "room decoration." Thanks Dave!

Coaster Expedition 10's Kings Island segment's song is Eany Meany by The Cartoons.

So true! *Wank!* This is a great trip report--I really am looking forward to the rest of it! And to Candace, I'm sorry about bashing your knee around on the crazy Bumper Cars at Knoebels last night!

Its all about the Sauce! Thanks again Matt for some amazing memories and the first third of our amazing trip! All of the videos were great, and the photos were classic! I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the East Coast updates! *WANK!*

Thanks again for the honorable mentioned there! Thanks to that ride, I later went on to ride some far more painful SLCs *cough*Flight Deck*cough* but one that was even more smooth than that first Mind Eraser at Darien Lake. Anyways, that first SLC ride will stay with me for quite some time, so thanks again Matt Damon!

If you want to do all of the coasters, make sure you walk the entire park (or look really carefully at the map). During my visit, I missed at least two credits simply because I couldn't find them. Also, depending on the time you have to visit the park, and how many people are there that day, you may want to consider getting a Flash Pass (Q-Bot), since it frontlines you for most of the major attractions in the park.

Here are the latest construction photos of Manta (taken July 5, 2008)... A look at the construction entryway in the parking lot where new construction supplies will appear throughout the year. Closeup on the main enclosure's construction. Some new construction walls have gone up on the Manta side of Key West as well. An overview of the construction work as of 7.5.08.

This is a good report of the day's events! I look forward to seeing the photos when they are uploaded, as the history of Geauga Lake interests me. Thanks again for giving us an inside look at a real piece of history!

Here is Seaworld Orlando's first press video released in regards to Manta. Manta Annc. for Web.mpg Manta Press Video #1

I believe his name is Guy Fieri. He is on the food channel and he guest stars on Top Chef every once in a while. Plus, he is in the latest TGI Fridays commercial. Anyways, great TR! This looks like a really great coaster!

I'd like to thank you for the honest comments, as that is exactly what I look for when I make my videos. I actually didn't submit this year's video (the edit that I had ready by the time entries were due) because I wasn't satisfied with the pacing or clips--essentially the video overall. This entry was my first original video that I entered in my school's film festival, so we were asked in our opening and closing credits to have some sort of audio to test the transitions before the following entry was shown so that the audio levels in the theater could be tweaked to a normal level. For some reason, I didn't end up removing it... The footage was in fact completely filmed on my Pentax Optio S5i digital camera, and it shows. I do have to admit that when it comes to carrying my camcorder around the parks, I am lazy. I've gotten better about it but I'm still prone to pull out my camera from my pocket and just use that to film. When I have my camcorder on me, I will use it until my battery is drained, but something about carrying it around throughout the day has always had me beat. This Summer's trips will be a real test for me as I will be shooting footage using both cameras on the East Coast USA and RFII/Behemoth tours. I have essentially abandoned my previous edit for the year so that I may wait and collect all of my footage from the three weeks of touring that I will do with TPR, so that I may create a better video than the one submitted. As for the pacing, I like to see what footage I have when I create a video, then pick a song that would work. My best friend, also Adam, while we were riding the Shinkansen in Japan showed me this song, as I had been piecing together certain clips in my mind on that long trip to Kyoto. After hearing Last Summer, I realized that it could work, so I rolled with it. It was one of those few times where during the editing process, clips just fell into place for me. Just three little answers to questions previously posed (one wasn't asked, but I figured I'd say it while I can): 1. The credit audio is Waterfall, played in the former Wonders of Life pavilion as well as at the station for the former Skyway building in Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. I have a soft spot for the song, so I chose it for my sound check audio for the school film fest. Next time around, I will either leave the video without intro or credit audio, or I will pick something that flows better with the rest of the video. 2. The opening montage of three divers is actually my brother, my father and I diving in Epcot's The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion (formerly The Living Seas). That was the dive that took place during my birthday that year. 3. The end clip right before the 5 minute mark is from the 2006 TPR visit to Orlando for Halloween. I was extremely lucky to be allowed to meet up during the day with the group and that scene was in one of the scare zones, where the group wanted a picture. Guy's camera wasn't working for some reason and the group wanted to go, so I said I got the photo, thinking my camera was in picture mode when it was in fact taking video the whole time. The clip while not as large as some of the others I took that day, was one of the few that had much of the group in one shot, so I included it just as a little "end clip." Again to everyone that has reviewed my video, I have taken all criticism constructively and will use my lessons learned to make my next video (hopefully) better than this year's. To all video owners for this year's contest, I would like to congradulate you again for your hard work on these fantastic entries, and wish you all luck in the voting period!

I'm never going to live this down... Anyways, this is another really great TR, and its definitely raising my level of anticipation for the East Coast trip this Summer!

I agree with what others have said that an RSS feed, while nice, may not be needed. For those members that visit the site everyday (even multiple times a day), they won't really need a feed. For those casual members that browse on a more periodic level, a feed may come in handy. I watch all of my daily sites using an iGoogle homepage with all of the site feeds letting me know if something new has come up--though I still end up visiting the site anyways, so while a feed does come in handy, I still check on the site no matter what. Its just that good!

^I am a co-founder of the organization that ran the event. Mind you, the rededication and the Joe Rohde talk and book signing was an official Disney activity. Our event was approved by the company and they gave us several perks like reserved seats for Joe's talk, two pavilions for a group meal at the Flame Tree Barbecue and the surprise visit by Val Bunting. Now here are the Simpsons Ride photos... An oddly familiar sight... And I would have wanted to ride during this visit. It looks quite large up close... The bridge between the Mythos side of the Lost Continent and Jurassic Park is almost complete. The Wizarding World of Box Land is quickly going up. More markings... Some markings carry long numbers... Significant? Markings for Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit are showing up near the Sharp Aquos Theater. My favorite Delorean has also received the wonderful fix up treatment, and sits a few feet away from its sibling vehicle. The time traveling train from Back to the Future III has been refurbished with a new coat of paint, new lights and a new location by the former Hercules and Xena show building. The Horror Makeup Show is temporarily being used as the Chaperone Landing for Grad Night. Even though I loved Back to the Future, I think the Simpsons Ride is on par if not better than the former ride. I approve! Though it said 65 minutes, we only waited for 35... The technical rehearsals went very well, with all lines running throughout the day. Guests enter through Krusty's mouth where they can bounce on his "spongy" tongue or punch his uvula punching bag (if they can reach it). The outside part of the line has been strung with coaster decor and themed trappings that seem to blend well. It may seem more cluttered, but the new colors and fair-style stringlights just seemed to impress me. The new queue screens play on a long loop of old and new Krustyland (and Duff Gardens) footage. My favorite clip had to be the flashback to when Doc Brown tried to renew the lease for the Institute of Future Technology! Running Simpsons gags have been incorporated into the attraction in a highly themed Krustyland fashion. For those of you that were able to spend time in the Back to the Future: The Ride queue, you will notice some glaring similarities. The queue for the ride has been largely expanded to include a line closer to the entrance of the ride, themed to midway games from the outside. You will immediately notice the difference in look and feel of the former Institute of Technology building.

This week was a crazy one for me as we had our A Wild Decade event in honor of Animal Kingdom's 10th Anniversary on Tuesday, April 22, 2008. Following my recovery from the fast moving day, I was able to go on Saturday of that same week to preview the new Simpsons Ride... I'll let my photos do the talking first, then I'll add a review of the ride. A Wild Decade ended up being a great event with lots of surprises and plenty of memorable moments... Once I get my group photo, I will upload that to this thread as well. I even had a chance to talk with Joe Rohde personally, and the fact that he knew who I was before we met had me swooning... She was a really great guest to our group, and a superb host for our event! May I introduce, Val Bunting, VP of Animal Kingdom! Right before our history walk, we had one surprise for our guests... After the session, we were allowed to stay in the theater for Finding Nemo: The Musical, which I had never seen before. I thought it was pretty funny that the show's soundboard had an easy button... The geodesic sphere-based Tree of Life was one of the final designs made before the version we have now was finalized. He showed us several conceptual sketches from the park, dating back to 1989. Val Bunting came out to introduce Mr. Rohde at the start of his session. Jason, Jackie and I all ran over afterwards for Joe Rohde's talk at the Theater in the Wild. After the ceremony, I ran into Val Bunting (who along with Joe Rohde wore our VIP badge all day) where I was able to thank her again for all of her help in planning A Wild Decade! The park opened, and the rededication ceremony featuring Erin Wallace, Jane Goodall and Joe Rohde began. And for much of the time, I could be seen around the tables giving people updates about the day's special activities... Here we see John and Jackie giving out our lanyards and schedules for the event. And lots of people to join us! Registration tables for A Wild Decade opened up at 6:45 am with plenty of time to spare... My parents were here and ready to help out... On April 22, 2008, Animal Kingdom celebrated its 10th anniversary. And we were there to commemorate it! Jackie celebrated his birthday with us the night before A Wild Decade at Boma!

Thanks again to everyone for the comments on my video! I am surprised it made it in, considering how great the other entries that have made it in so far have been--I haven't seen one I've disliked. JimmyBo's PortAventura is actually my favorite so far, but I'm looking forward to the other 15 entries to be released as well! Are all 30 videos going to be on one of the DVDs for an upcoming release?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/04/seaworlds-next.html

I want to congradulate the five who's entries made it in so far! Here are my thoughts for each video: Barry: I found the song a little strange, but the video was well edited and the stalking Elissa part added some extra humor to it as well. Darren: I can say that this video only made me more excited about taking part in the East Coast Trip for this Summer. It captures a good deal of the fun which you all seem to have had. It was well edited and Crazy Train did work for the video overall. Kevin: I do love the intro song you chose, partially because I recognize it from House, but also because it worked for your opening. I did think the opening was a little bit longer than it may have needed to be, but the second half balanced out with a faster paced song, so I think the video was well rounded in the end. It was a unique video for your style of editing, and that really sets it apart from the others of this week. Dave: Your video is probably one of my favorites (not because of the Barry commercial), but because of the humor and fun that came off from your collection of footage from the UK trip. The song really did go well with your clips and Derek seems to add some more laughable moments to make the video quite enjoyable. Pam and Brian: I liked your video because it showed Knoebels in a different light. There were a couple of moments where I felt the video was not holding my attention enough, but there were others where I did really like seeing the park. To me, it was much more of a family/friend video than a park video--regardless, I still enjoyed watching it! Well, after this week's great set of videos, I'm really looking forward to the other 25!

...you wish Spaceship Earth really had been gutted to become a high speed rollercoaster. ...you scare others, saying the coaster is "very intense" so as to have one less person in front of you in line. ...you ask if you can ride again when there is a full line. ...you ask to ride again when there is an empty line. ...you know the names of all coasters in a park you have never visited. ...you try explaining the history of a ride to friends without an interest in coasters. ...you try getting your friend to ride a looping coaster. ...you jump up and down on an elevator just to try and recreate the Tower of Terror. ...you count the High in the Sky Suess Sky Trolley Train as two different credits. ...you refresh your theme park news sites every 5 minutes to see if a new coaster has been announced. ...you assume that any sign of construction in a park could be a new coaster. ...you wish your local park had its own "Bouncy Bounce" ride. ...you have a ring outlined around your eye from your camera's viewfinder after a day at your local park. ...you design coasters in your head during class or work. ...you mourn the loss of "The Making of Me."

Mindbender was my favorite coaster of the day when I visited SFoG, which was a surprise to me. It offered some great airtime, some insane dives and a surprisingly smooth ride. Though, it isn't my favorite coaster, its up there on my list.

This video just upped the ante regarding my fear of East Coast Trip-based visits to White Castle this Summer. There isn't much more I can say--though the video was hilarious!

^^Thank you for the translation, but that doesn't confirm it is a premier LIM coaster either. It says that a source points towards it, but since there is no concept art or official announcements to back it up, it is about as likely as the B&M flyer.

^The link says we have to register to see the page. Quote the text please.

^My thought is that since we know this is themed to rays in some type of way, we'll have some sort of safe, up close experience with the tank (though a little bit more time to see the animals than we had with Dolphin Plunge at Aquatica). If the environment is directly based on Manta Rays, it will need a new "habitat" for the new animals, but if they stick with stingrays, then they could get rid of the Key West exhibit and use that space for something new as well. I heard about different people getting surveyed about Manta several months ago, even being shown concept art of the attraction. A launch is possible with a B&M, it just isn't something the company likes to do for themselves. Universal needed an outside contractor for the launch mechanism on the Hulk if I remember correctly. In my mind, I'm hoping for a Mummy-type experience with show scenes and a finale with some good coaster elements (inverted or not). I could be very off though, considering how vague the article was with details.