Meteornotes

I thought Powder Keg was amazing, and it is likely in my top ten steel list. I really don't understand why they haven't built more of them. And SDC is one of the best parks in the world. Everyone really needs to visit this park. dt

This is an awesome beginning to what will surely be an epic PTR. I liked the MoA park a lot more than I thought I would. It was a lot nicer than I thought it would be, too. Honestly, the only thing that was bad about it was horrible Pepsi everywhere! Looking forward to the next installment... dt

This is already being discussed in this thread. Please continue the discussion there. Thanks. dt

The trip was awesome. Amazing food, parks, rides, and surprises. And Ice Bat won an award. Can't wait for next year... dt

^Two things: - Winjas is indeed awesome. Likely in my top ten/twenty as well. - You need to edit your post, and add a 5,000 or so word tribute to the greatness of Hollywood Tour dt

My thoughts EXACTLY!!! Too bad we didn't have you guys there instead of some of the people who just wanted to "leave." --Robb You can add me to the list. I was cool with not ending up being able to go on the Europe trip, until that update came up. I have wanted to ride OL and go to a German fair for a very long time. People that didn't appreciate what an amazing opportunity they had that day really confuse me. Beer, one of the toughest coaster credits to get in the world, pretzels, bizarre fair attractions - how could you NOT have fun?!? Hearing that people were being rude makes me sad. This did indeed look like a day that would rival the Belmont Park day as the greatest TPR trip day ever! dt

Had to quote this because it was such an awesome story. KidTums rules. And I totally think these experiences will make her a better person as she grows older. She might not remember them, but they'll be there, and I think will help her be more curious about the world and how she interacts with it. Of course, it also helps that KidTums has parents that are NOT complete and total morons, unlike just about every other parent on Earth (if you do not believe this theory, go to the grocery store for an hour, and watch what is considered "parenting" by most humans. You'll be calling for the insertion of birth control substances into the water supply in no time). I am still determined to teach her about good music, though. She'll be the only kid rocking the Diablo Swing Orchestra t-shirt in first grade... dt

^Going to totally agree with this. Johnny Rockets is a MAJOR upgrade compared to the crap that used to be there! Yes, it's expensive, but the food is actually good. I'm kind of "meh" on Mooseburger, but it's actually been a long time since I've been in there with the regular menu. The meal we had there during the West Coast trip was AMAZING, though I'm not sure how it compares to the regular menu. But I'd certainly try the place again on a future visit. dt

I will have to meet you guys for this event next year. I enjoyed the day at Carrowinds during the Deep South trip, and want to check out Intimidator. And you should totally get that sign for your office! I might need one too... dt

You know, I can totally see how someone that had not been to the park in fifteen years would be disappointed by it. KD used to be a great park, one that I would visit every year (and I lived on the west coast!). The park has just really gone downhill since then, and it's nowhere near as nice as it used to be. My last visit in 2004 just made me not want to go back. Like Elissa, I agree that most parks in the US have really gone downhill in the last five-ten years, so it's not just KD. But to someone that had not visited the park in a long, long time, I can see how they would not necessarily be happy with the experience. And while I'm sure the food is awful, pretty much every US park has horrible, horrible food. Though I am a total food snob, so I'm likely biased... dt

I'm an uncoordinated dolt and have crap eyesight, so I usually don't play games. I do like Fascination and Skee Ball, though. dt

Europa Park is amazing. I really don't see any other park having a chance at being better. Anyone that has never been there, you really need to make the effort to visit. It is so worth it. And I'm loving this thread. dt

Ice Bat's Land Of Difficult Situations & Dire Consequences is just waiting to be built. dt

^I'm hoping the Mount Blanc tunnel story was told at some point during the proceedings... dt

Ice Bat and I will be there! I know, I know, you're all far more excited about the first one... dt

Anything added to SFA now is only going to be something they're going to have to move/bulldoze when they sell the place as land for a housing complex/shopping center. dt

^Dumbass complaints like that are why sharks need to eat more people... dt

Besides SFGAm being one of the best parks in the SF chain, and being full of all sorts of awesome rides and attractions, anyone coming to the event will... GET TO MEET ICE BAT!!! Seriously, how can you pass up this deal?!? This event is going to rule! SIGN UP NOW! dt

T-Rex blows Rainforest out of the water. The food is SO much better. Plus, you know, dinosaurs. The only way it would be better is if they added Dinoshark to one of the themed rooms... dt

In my opinion, buffets are the work of the devil, and should be avoided at all costs. I prefer a nice sit-down place, and Vegas is PACKED with amazing restaurants. Some cheaper than others, of course. But it's pretty hard to get a bad meal in Vegas, unless you're at some really sketchy place. Or at a buffet. Anyway, here are some of the places that I've eaten at recently: Mesa Grill - Been here three times, the menu was different every time, and every time the meal was amazing. Highly recommended. Not cheap. Pink Taco - Larry recommended this to me, and I checked it out last year, and it was indeed awesome. If you like Mexican food, certainly worth a visit. it's way off the strip at the Hard Rock, so you'll have to take a cab Diablo's Cantina - This place was attached to the hotel we all stayed at during the TPR Vegas Trip last year. I had zero expectations, but it turned out to be really good. Amazing shrimp tacos, and really good margaritas. Delmonico Grill - Been here twice, both times had some of the best steak ever. Not cheap. Bouchon - BEST BREAKFAST EVER. Seriously. Godly waffles. I have no idea what the dinner fare is like, but the breakfast rules. Nobu - Went there last summer. One of the ten best meals I've had in my life. Absolutely amazing. Someone told me the one in LA is even better, so now I have to try that one. Again, at the Hard Rock, so cab required. Not cheap, though it certainly wasn't as expensive as I was led to believe (me and the person I was with split four different plates, and alcohol, and the bill was slightly over $100 before the tip. Worth every penny). I know there have been many more, but these are the ones I remembered from last year. Every restaurant has a website and/or is listed on the site of the resort where they are, so you can easily look at menus and prices before leaving. I always do this to plan out my food journey. I don't gamble, and hate most shows, so I mainly go to Vegas to eat. And I've never left disappointed. Have fun! dt

^But you've actually been out of the country, and don't own a gravy-stained Beast t-shirt. You would think this would disqualify you from voting... dt

This. IOA used to be my favorite park in the world. Now, I don't really care if I go back any time soon. They've really let the park go, and the customer service is HORRIBLE. OK, not Six Flags America horrible, but compared to what it used to be like, it's pretty bad. Employees don't seem to care or are outright rude, they seem to have no interest in running rides to capacity, and the whole place just seems off. I remember few years ago not being able to get anything to drink, because none of the places opened until Noon. Um, hello, it's hot in Orlando, people might be thirsty! The food has been dumbed down (I miss you, much better Mythos menu!), and there's really nothing "special" about the place any more. The last time we were there, I'm pretty sure we all had more fun hanging out at Moe's. That should tell you something. dt

This is awesome, but Part Three will be even better, as it should hopefully feature a thousand or so photos of ice Bat! dt

And it's time for an update! Today the trip visited one of the greatest parks in the world...EUROPA PARK!!! Good morning everyone! Time to visit the best park in Europe! Europa Park! Wake up!!! You're on Blue Fire!!! Blue Fire was insanely smooth and totally awesome! Not only are the trains and restraints comfortable...it checks your heart rate while on the ride! Oh yeah...the launch was pretty cool too! Station shot! TPR's staff members were given a private backstage tour from park director Michael Kreft Von Byern. We were taken backstage to the most amazing attraction...the BEER! The infrastructure behind the scenes is very impressive! Tons of work goes on to put on the "show" the guests see onstage. A quick look inside the parks admin building. A few pieces of park history in the lobby. Lots of park history on display and even a gift from Disney! Can you find it? We were shown some of the sets and venues used for different events, concerts, and TV shows. Backstage at Posieden. Behind Euro Mir... Waking the service road behind Pegasus. Rare photo opportunity! Oh no! We're heading into the raptor containment area!!! The park has tons of banquet rooms... ...theaters for private events... Look! Nature!!! Europa Park rivals parks like Epcot as the most beautifully landscaped, well themed parks in the world. Europa Park really is one of the nicest theme parks in the world. The outside of the bathrooms are themed... Piers calls this the Fancy Slide. Mommy's turn! KidTums' turn! Europa's bobsled that runs 5 trains and dispatches one about every 30 seconds! Mack does the most awesome themed Wild Mouse coasters ever! And now for a short break entitled "raclette time!" And what is raclette you ask? Other than being like sex in your mouth it's this most amazing cheese melted with a hot iron and scraped off... At first glance this looks foul...but.... Get a couple of German pretzels, dip, and you've got the most amazing fondue you'll ever eat! Every ride at Europa just looks awesome...even the kiddie rides. Posiden and Silver Star...awesome. "OMG this is a lot of water!" Euro-Mir...one of the most amazing, bizarre, and totally unique coasters ever made! Euro-Mir has an awesome looking queue. And a techno rockin' station! The carousel theater (same style as Carousel of Progress) is opening in a couple of weeks with a new show to celebrate the parks 35th anniversary. Hooray! Hanno is back home! Mmmm...fresh crepes. Snacky snack, snack, snack, snack. "I can balance this cup on my head because I am fancy." KidTums does the kiddie bumper cars! Busch Gardens eat your horse out. It was time to tak an arcade break! "We have over 1,000 tickets! What should we get with them?" We got a Europa bag of crap!!! "NO VUVUZUELAS IN THE PARK!!!" More Europa awesomeness. There are tons of random rides everywhere. "Hello everyone. Welcome to England." "Jolly, jolly, jolly..." BOOB CREDIT!!! Bench: The Ride!!! Did we mention that the park is amazing? Best looking splash battle ever! No shoot! No shoot!!! Sklooshy skloosh, skloosh skloosh. Skloosh. I guess those are bulls. Did I mention that not only is the park awesome but the hotels kick ass too. Hotel Colosseo is the "European version" of a Disney deluxe resort. Noisy devices are forbidden! Europa Park celebrates 35 years! Awesome. Thank you for a fantastic day!

Just to make sure everyone knows, I am not on the trip (I was supposed to be, but we're not going to get into that right now...). I (and other mods) are re-posting the pictures from Robb's Facebook account each day, for your TPR viewing pleasure. Robb & Elissa are doing all the work, as always, and it's them who should be credited with all the awesome photos and stuff we've been enjoying. Just wanted to make that clear Besides, anyone that has paid any attention to me knows that it takes me years to post a TR, and most of the pictures are of, um, questionable quality at best... dt