Meteornotes

Signed up for both events today. Should be a good time! dt

Mini golf rules! Glad you two had fun. I haven't been to OC in a very, very long time. I've been to Rehoboth in the last five years, and would like to get back there. Thanks for the pics! dt

^Yeah, I've been going to Hersheypark for a very long time (I even used to work there), and that was easily the most crowded I have ever seen the park. I thought maybe the crowd would die down closer to concert time, but it really never did. Falafel and I still had a good time, though. Sorry we missed you, Big Mike! Maybe next time... dt

^^Yeah, that's it. This coaster is going into Daveland. It will be themed to a ride through an active volcano, and you'll really ride though a series of lava cannons. I haven't quite worked out how I'm going to get repeat riders yet, though... dt

^May the laws suddenly change, and the only beer permitted in your state is Bud Light... dt

Fountains or no fountains, Versailles is still one of the most impressive sights you will ever see. I really recommend anyone that gets a chance to take the trip up there and visit. Thanks for the pics! dt

Before we begin, let's once again review Dave's Rules Of Engagement For His PTRs. - I like to write, make money doing it, and think everyone should read more. So there will likely be more words than you're used to. Think of it as a learning experience. - I will likely say something that offends you and/or makes zero sense at some point during this PTR. What can I say, I'm insane. But in a fun way! - I suck at taking pictures. This, combined with my crap eyesight, will lead to some "questionable" images being used here. Also, some days I took very few pictures, as I'd rather concentrate on having fun as opposed to making sure I document every Vekoma ride I come across or whatever. Occasionally during this report, I may use pictures from previous park visits. If a coaster looks the same, does it really matter what year the photo was taken? I think not. With that established...LET'S BEGIN! So the TPR Europe trip was one of those things that I actually almost didn't get to do. I was signed up originally, but dropped out when I had to spend more than the cost of a trip on a hut tub for the Outer Banks house (long story that I don't feel like typing up now). But when I realized the financial impact wouldn't be as bad as I thought it would be, and realizing that I would be horribly depressed if everyone was in Europe having fun while I was at home feeding the cats, I decided to sign back up. Besides, going to Europe for two weeks gave me the chance to do one of my most favorite things ever: Torture Elissa (hahahahahaha!) So anyway, the day finally arrived to get to France. Due to stupid flight policies, I had to leave a day earlier than I wanted to. This ended up being OK, as I ended up going into Paris with Larry, Rich, and Melanie. I have been to Paris a couple of times, but still had a good time visiting some of the major sites with them (Notre Dame, The Louvre, and some others). I did not take any pictures this day, as like I said, I've been to Paris before, but it was an awesome day of fun, and I want to thank the three of them for letting me hang out. Saturday was the day most trip participants were arriving, and I volunteered to stay at the hotel to greet people while others went out and got some credits at random parks. I have to say, this news was not greeted with the level of enthusiasm by trip participants that it should have been, but at least people seemed cool with the directions I gave them on how to get to Paris. And besides, dealing with me first thing on the trip means it can only get better from there! Even if you eventually have to go to Walabi Belgium...but I'm getting ahead of myself. Sunday was the 'unofficial" start to the trip, with a journey to Jardin d Acclimatation, a small park in Paris. Some new credits were gotten here, and then a culture credit for some of us when we made a short trip over to the Eiffel Tower. The park was nice but not amazing, though there was one awesomely unique attraction (which you'll see below. Yes, I'll soon shut up and post pictures, I promise!). Anyway, below are some photos of Day Zero of the trip. You'll note that I had a special guest with me for the trip, since all my vaginas are lame and didn't want to go with me to Europe (it may be time to re-open the application process for some new ones). Enjoy! dt And we end this part of the update with a picture of some awesome parking on the streets of Paris. Thanks for viewing! Coming up, Day One of the trip with a visit to Parc Asterix... And just in case you have not been frightened beyond belief lately, here's me and Ice Bat. Don't worry, I promise that there will be very, very few photos of me in this update. I don't want to blind all of you... Hooray for nudity! We need more statues like this. Especially at the grocery store. "See?!? I told you, he runs in fear from my awesomeness!" Actually, Ice Bat, I believe he's just distracted by food. You know, kind of like Robb... Ice Bat says "I do not fear the possessed pigeon behind me!" So since none of my vaginas would go with me, I had to bring someone along to keep me entertained. So Ice Bat, who usually guards the pens on my desk, agreed to give up that job for two weeks and to get out and experience some of the world. So here he is, looking annoyed in Paris! This will likely be a theme... Elissa's Mom, Dad, and Kidtums. Elissa's parents are awesome fun, and it was cool having them on the trip. Hopefully I wasn't too annoying... Culture time! I've been here before, but it's still a cool place to visit. I love Paris, it's my second favorite city in the world (London, aka Lou's home town, is still my favorite). Seriously, it was just roaming around the park. We had no idea if it had escaped from somewhere, was just hanging out, or just biding its time until it picked out a victim and attacked and ate their brain. Turkeys are not to be trusted... And now, the coolest thing at the park...RANDOM TURKEY WANDERING AROUND!!! Yarrrrrrgh! I'm going to eat your face! Well no, not really, but it would be cool if kiddie coasters occasionally attacked kids. Keeps everyone paying attention and all that... And more trip peeps getting ready to enjoy another new credit. Track shot! Another coaster, another credit! I remember this one being fun. But we're all having a good time, which is the important thing. I don't even remember this ride, so it obviously left an amazing impression on me. So here we are at Jardin d Acclimatation. And the group wastes no time in starting to whore it up on the kiddie coasters. Robb & Elissa arrive at the hotel with enough stuff for a journey to the moon! Actually, this really reminded me of our 2005 Europe trip, where six of us drove around in a van for three weeks, although I think there was slightly more room... United to Europe! Flight was fine, except for some stupid woman who attempted to steal my seat. Newsflash: seat assignments are given out for a reason, and telling me to "find another seat because you feel like sitting here" is not going to work with me. ...and Sam for two weeks. Don't worry, the pet sitter will feed you! This will be the only reason they will miss me... So leaving for Europe means I have to say goodbye to Jasper...

A couple of things: - There is not enough sadness being shown by trip participants over the fact that I went home before you went to DLP. - Space Mountain Mission 2 does look amazing. However, it rides like total crap. If it actually got worse since 2005, it may actually kill people on a regular basis. - The Pizza Burger looks like amazing hot death! - Yeah, that McDonald's there is the most screwed up one in the world. The one that people experienced at the beginning of the Spain trip is NOTHING compared to this one! - Loved the "WATCH YOUR SPEED" caption! Awesome photos. Still bummed I wasn't there. Looking forward to the next installment... dt

Once again, Wes proves why he is the greatest thing on the internet. And I would so buy a tshirt of that. As long as it's black, of course. dt

While not as busy as a weekend, prepare for crowds. It's the peak of the summer season, and the park is going to be busy pretty much until the end of the season. dt

Loving the PTR. The Musee is the one large attraction that I have not visited. As someone that's spent a fair amount of time in France (my wife worked there for three years), I have found the residents of that country to be rather polite, especially when compared to America. In my travels, I have found that the "ugly American" stereotype is something that a lot of Europeans just expect (you know, the type of person that expects everything in another country to be exactly like a trip to their local mall, and they bitch endlessly when it isn't), and perhaps they are a bit "standoffish" at first, but in general, I've only had good experiences when dealing with people in Europe. I will say that people at Disneyland Paris are rude, but people in US theme parks are just as rude, and likely more dangerous. I love Paris, it's my second favorite city in the world (after London, aka Lou's home town), and cannot wait to visit again. And I still say the rudest and most obnoxious people on the planet reside in San Francisco/the Bay Area... dt

Hey Big Mike, Falafel and I were at Hersheypark yesterday, but never spotted you. Hope you had fun, we certainly did, even though the park was INSANELY busy! PTR coming... dt

^^Post Of The Year. I'm still laughing... dt

All I know is that even in the supposedly "not good" rides in 2007, EGF still kicked the crap out of any other steel coaster on the planet, at least for me. The first drop is still the greatest element on any coaster ever. Honestly, the only other ride out there that I'd pick over EGF is Balder. dt

The Villain photo makes me happy. Another crap ride that will not be missed. dt

^Colin, you're still overpaying! The only way I'd be interested in RWB track is if the coaster was still in one piece and I could get the pleasure of destroying this piece of crap with a hammer. dt

You rule. dt

I've been throwing the metal horns since before most of you were born (except Jeff Johnson). You all owe me money. It will be used for a really good cause. I swear. Like the establishment of the island nation of Davonia. That seems like a pretty good cause, does it not? dt

Hollywood Tour is among the greatest attractions in the world. Much like Dinosaur, it gets dumber every time you ride it. Plus it has a giant spider and cowboys, and a monkey on water skis. None of this stuff has anything to do with movies, of course, which makes it all that much more entertaining. Miss it at your peril... dt

Go and have fun. It's not like any of the women are in your house or anything, so if they're annoying, you won't have to deal with them again. I think this is just as valid a way to meet someone as any other way. Plus you might get some amusing stories out of it, which is always a bonus. Never tried speed dating myself, but have done a lot of online dating, which I had a lot of good luck with. Good luck! dt

^You know that attending that Star Wars event at Movie Park Germany would have been awesome entertainment. dt

I've said it before and I'll say it again: we have a much greater chance of seeing the ACE Coaster Museum open before SFNO gets rebuilt. And it's not hard to get incorporated. That's hardly the sign of a legitimate business. dt

Toverland is awesome. The night was amazing, especially the unattended Bobkart ERT. That's right, they let us ride the ride with no ride attendants! I've been to Toverland three times, and I can't wait to go back. Amazing place. dt

If anyone has a problem with a DVD, you should contact Robb personally. No need to create a thread about itl. Closed. dt

^^Liz also won the awesome shark! Of course, it's from the Dollar Store, so it only sort of resembles a shark. The Dollar Store has quite the array of mutant stuffed animals. She also received the Official Elissa Bingo Drink Coaster. It's actually a CD of music, but I figure no one ever listens to them, so that's why it's a drink coaster. And no one receives immunity from the giant carnivorous bees. Except those that make generous cash donations for the establishment of the island nation of Davonia. Just so we're clear. Awesome report so far, Chuck. I look forward to the next installment. dt