MrMorgan

I'm sure these guys are really nice guys who volunteer in their community, drive the speed limit, and are nice to their moms... ...however, they were acting like total idiots today at the fair in Hamburg, Germany. What would happen if they did this at a park in the USA? I'm assuming they would have at least stopped the ride and kicked them out.

Hey guys, To tell you the truth, I had also totally forgotten I had WRITTEN this report! Thanks for bumping it up! Kernie's is quite an unusual place, but add free ice cream and french fries to unusual and you've got yourself a winner in my book!

Great look inside the Port Royal. I was just in the park last week and got to see it from the outside. Certainly looks nice on the inside, too. Does anyone else think Colossus has gotten a bit rough in the valleys? Not like "shake you side to side" rough, but more like "running over speed bumps" rough. I was actually kind of disappointed after our rides. It use to be so smooth and fast, now it is starting to get almost painful Also, they were only running one train all day long, which made it the longest wait in the park. Krake on the other hand; though short, was a ton of fun! There is awesome hang time down the drop, coming out of the inversion, (especially on one side of the train), and great sustained floatiness on the camel back. We agreed that it feels like it is missing one more element to make it "complete", like a heartline or something before the break-run. But, all in all, it's a lot of fun and they were constantly running 3 trains, so the line moved really quickly. Does anyone know if the terrible SLC Limit used to actually have a second train? They have completely closed off the transfer track garage, and the cue line now goes under where the train should roll out, making it impossible to use. See what I mean in these pics? All closed off. No space to roll.

Plus, it is Europa Park. They could put two clones of the exact same ride next to each other and somehow make it awesome. Hilarious! What about the new Fantasyland project for WDW? They are adding TWO DUMBOS! Right next to each other!

I'm lost...

ok, here goes: fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo The lifeguards at the park I was at said that I could drop the camera and it could break, leaving dangerous pieces in the water, (which is technically true, but it IS a rugged camera specifically designed for outdoor and underwater use!)

You know, I live in Germany but I still don't go to Europa Park often enough! It's just not very easy to get to from Hamburg which makes it impossible to just go for a day visit. Sad, because now with this coaster, it really is turning into one of the most well-rounded theme park resort destinations in the world!

This is such an interesting thread. From what I've read, it seems like the tourism industry in Dubai is hurting, but yet, in all these pics and videos, everything looks crowded. What's going on? Sorry to hear about your water-cam. To tell you the truth, your first waterslide POV vids inspired me to go out and get my own waterproof cam! I got the GE DV-1 and have been happy with it, but I took it too the indoor waterpark here in Hamburg and the lifeguards wouldn't let me bring it on the slides I did do some cool underwater shots, though. My only complaints would be that it is pretty bad quality in low light, and there is no image stabilizer so it can look REEEEALLY shaky. Also, sorry if this is a stupid question, but the phrase "fluffy fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo" keeps popping up. I don't get it. Is that some kind of automatic filter or something?

Love this! Atlantis looks amazing. Sorry if I missed it, but how much did admission cost? I never thought of wearing shoes to a waterpark until we went to Aquapark in Garda, Italy on the TPR Europe tour last year. OMG, we were all comparing foot damage at the end of that day. The biggest slide tower was metal, and it was blazing in the Italian sun all day long, not to mention the paths of the park felt like they were made out of sandpaper... Anyways, back on topic. Looking forward to more pictures!

Some of those fireworks pics are really really great! I mean, this whole thread is really great, but some of those fireworks pics are exceptional. And can you please help me? The woman in sunglasses at the middle of this pic is freaking me out. Was she really there, or did you photoslop her in there for some reason. Does anyone else think there is something weird and 2D about her??? Straaaange.

I love Yomiuriland! It's such a special place, up there on the mountain, and with the gondola ride to get to it. White Canyon is insane. The rider cam really gives a good idea of what it's like, but we thought it was hilarious to ride BECAUSE of the crappy roughness. We had stomach aches from laughing so much on that ride. So rediculous. Does anyone else think it looks like Bandit has gotten faster over the years? I don't remember that final stretch to be so wild and full of air back in 2005. Too bad you missed the water squirt action. When we were there, we just missed the "Backwards Bandit" action by a day.

And in other news, check this out, cruise fans!: travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/06/queen-mary-2-cunard-line-cruise-ship-cdc-health-inspection-fail/175554/1 One of the most shi-shi fra-fra luxurious ships in the world failed a health inspection!

Thanks for the compliments. I learned a lot from watching Robb and Elissa's videos, so let me just give them credit where credit is due You can totally snorkel for free if you bring your own gear, the only thing they require you to rent from them is the life-vest. I don't remember how much that costs, but I think there is a price sign in the video somewhere. We did not try Jade on the Monarch, however we did do the up-charge Portofino on the Mariner and it was pretty darn good. The desserts alone made it worth the price, however my opinion about up-charge restaurants on cruises is this: You've already paid so much for the cruise and they are basically throwing good food at you in the buffet, pizza place, and main dining room, so why pay more? We went to Portofino in the middle of a two week cruise just to break up the monotony and for a "romantic getaway", but I don't see it as a necessity in order to get the most out of the cruise. It's just a way for RCI to get more of your money! So, if you really love asian food, or if you want to have a "special" dinner, then go for it.

Oh, I just realized you may not even be going to Coco Cay. I assumed all of the Monarch's itineraries went to the island, but since you didn't mention it... ARE you going to Coco Cay, or is it just Nassau and a day of cruising?

The Monarch is a cool ship, even if it doesn't have all the fancy schmancy stuff that the newer ships have, (like an ice-rink). Think of it as a well cared for old limousine. The best way to enjoy the cruise is to take advantage of all the activities that are offered. We had so much fun playing the trivia games, like Name That Tune, and the like, as well as seeing the shows at night, and eating eating eating. Gosh, don't go on a cruise to lose wait, that's for sure! We were on the Monarch for our first cruise last November and really enjoyed it. I made some videos of the stuff we saw and did. Here's one about Royal Caribbean's private island: Coco Cay. It's really beautiful there!

I've done a lot of international traveling and have learned that, as long as you are humble and not outright obnoxious, you can always find someone to help you if you have a problem or don't understand something. I will never forget being behind a group of young American tourists at a train station and hearing them say, "Hi, like, do you like, speak, ummmm American, and stuff, cuz we need to get to..." Embarrassing. It's only difficult if you go expecting everyone to speak English and get freaked out by the occaisional necessity to ask/explain something using sign language and arrows. Most people under a certain age in Japan, (like 60), do understand basic English, and most people between 16 and 40 speak good English. I was in Japan for 10 days traveling around basically on my own, and I only had one "problem" the whole time. On my way to Tobu Zoo, the station where I had to transfer was really confusing. I tried to ask several people which train/ticket I needed, but it was morning rush hour and no one had the time to stop and really help me. However, I finally found a young mom who, after showing her the name of the stop I wanted to get to and where I was going, took me over to the ticket machine to help me get the right ticket and pointed me to the right platform. That was really the only time it was somewhat uncomfortable. As for the park announcement, they are basically the same all over the world. "Please stay seated with your hands and arms inside the car at all times", etc.

Hey, thanks for the shout out! I can't believe people still remember that... These updates ARE awesome. I thought that Blatsch kid was kidding, but oh well, I guess he's gone now anyways. I, for one, need to start checking this thread every day. Just took a few days off and when I came back, there's like 18 more pages of pictures and videos, and now I haven't gotten anything done all morning except catching up. That's not a complaint!

When I was in Japan in 06 we gambled playing Pachinko and won money. The machine did not pay off in money but we got trays and trays of little silver balls. The trays were turned in for prizes. The prizes were long plastic cases that were different colors. We assumed they were different values. There were other trinkets and cheap toys that could be selected but they looked like no one had selected them in 10 years. We then took the prizes outside the establishment, went down the street, around the corner and down an alley. There was a little pass through window with a guy on the other side. We gave him the prizes and he gave us back money. We had read before hand how this all worked so it wasn't a big surprise. It was just very interesting. I assume a slot machine would work in the same way but pay out in tickets. Wow! That sounds so naughty! I never would have imagined something like that going on in Japan. Sounds more Atlantic City to me.

I'm having so much fun following this report! And hurray for bonus donuts! Did they not have a flash-pass or Q-Bot option for that store?

Thanks! Looks like a blast, either way.

I have a questions about the stretch of track that goes thru the old Rhino Rally canyon, (RIP. I loved that ride but only got to ride it once). Which way did the jeeps go thru: the same direction Cheetah Hunt goes thru, or the other way? Just a random nerdy question

Part II: The Drinks! As responsible adults, we like to have a few cocktails every now and then, and we enjoyed trying several options over the 2 weeks we were sailing. By the end of the first week decided our favorite was the "Italian Tea". It definitely was the most bang for you buck! Two of those and you are either warm and fuzzy inside, or, (if you drink them too fast), leaning over the railing on deck 12. Use with caution! Here is most of the cocktail menu: The Pyrat Rum Runner was also quite tasty. I also tried a Goombay Smash, which was a little too fruity tasting for me, although there was quite a bit of booze in it. You know, I really don't recommend ordering any of the drinks on this page because of the martini glasses. If the ship is moving at all, half of it will be spilled by the time it gets to you, and then you will spill half of it every time you pick it up or set it down. Nonetheless, I DID have to have one Cosmo, which I drank in honor of all my Flamingo Friends from TPR. See the picture on the right? Ya, that's what will happen. One tip I can give you if you want to get strong drinks and good service is to order directly from the bar, and always go back to the same place and the same bartender. A little extra tipping doesn't hurt, either, but is not necessary since a tip is automatically added to the price. And that's that! Sometime in the next few days, I will begin posting some pics of the ports of call. Stay tuned! P.S.: Anyone hungry or thirsty now?

Speaking of the Mariner of the Seas, I am finally getting around to re-sizing my pics and want to start sharing them with you all here! Since there are already so many great pics posted in Robb's 40th Birthday thread, I will focus on other aspects of our 14 day Holy Land Tour on the Mariner... Beginning with the FOOD! We do a lot of our own cooking at home and have kind of become "foodies". Plus, living in a big city in Europe, we have more authentic options as someone who might live in Kansas, for example. That being said, we were still very pleased with the food on the ship and ate until we were uncomfortably full at every. single. meal. Ugh. Don't go on a cruise to lose weight, that's for sure. Oh, and I'm a picky vegetarian and still got stuffed. I had the Asian Fried Tofu, which was pretty good. Tofu fo yoo. Surf and Turf. Better than it looks in this pic, (so I am told). Banana Cream Pie. Any dessert that starts with the name of a fruit is healthy and should be enjoyed without guilt. Hurray for Jalapeno Potato Soup! The Vitality page in the menu shows the healthier options. So, basically just forget that page. I'd like to start with five Choco-Chino Trilogies, please. So small, but so tasty. That's why it's OK to have five. At least that's what I told myself and everyone around me. The Mediterranean Spinach Pie was amazing. I had two. Spinach Pie! One page is always the "Chef's Signature Menu", which is either a recommendation of the best stuff for that day, or whatever they are trying really hard to get rid of. Who is Diane, and why is this Steak named after her??? I had the Polenta Pyramid, (I think there is a picture coming), but it wasn't very good. With only 367 calories, how could it be? Can I have some grated Manchego cheese and a butter dipping sauce with that? It was at least presented well. The (slightly out of focus) menu at Portofino; the up-charge Italian restaurant. Because I was being a picky b*tch and didn't want anything from the starter menu, the nice chefs made me this special salad... which they probably all spit in. I think this is the Carpaccio from the top of the menu. More Portofino. Filetto di Manzo, which Markus said was awesome. This is my mountain of Taglierini al Pesto. Burp. This, my friends, is the main reason for going to Portofino. We ordered all the deserts except for the Torta thing, and risked rupturing our stomach lining in order to try everything. They were all really, really excellent. Three chocolaty taste explosions waiting to happen right inside your mouth. We didn't eat at Chops, but you could always order this slab of meat in the main dining room. During certain hours in Vintages Wine Bar, you get free Tapas with any glass of wine. Unfortunately, you don't get to choose what Tapas you want, and we got a big ole plate of meat, (some of it was already eaten when I took this pic), and a few olives. I enjoyed the olives. And that's all the pictures that can fit in this post, so stay tuned for the next best thing to all the food on board: the drinks!

Awesome PTR! Great VIDEO, too. Not the typical coaster video. Do I understand it right that you also composed the music, Robin? Planning and organizing trips, filming, editing, and composing, when do you have time for your "normal job" as a professional rugby player? It's cool that you all uploaded different pics and we could see it through different eyes. We could also see it through different glasses, as well, which is a welcome bonus. I have never ridden any coaster in the new Timberliner Trains, but I'm curious: I've heard a lot of enthusiasts complain about wooden coasters with the fiberglass Morgan Trains, (cool name, BTW), because they are so different than traditional wooden coaster trains and take something away from the experience. Timberliners look so plasticy and fiberglassy, so what's the difference? They are also certainly very different than traditional wooden coaster trains, (like PTC's, for example). Anyone care to elaborate and discuss? And I'm confused. Divv, I thought you were the one who organized this whole trip in the beginning. Why didn't you go with?

I have been to Enchanted Forest a few times and I really love Ice Mountain Bobsleds! It's one of those "I could almost build this in my backyard, yet it is surprisingly fun and thrilling" type of rides. The park itself is also fun to explore, especially if you are with some fun friends who aren't afraid to do things like slide down slides and climb through child-sized caves and stuff. Make sure you take the time to really walk around the park and go inside the different structures because there are a lot of fun surprises. The haunted house walk through is also very memorable!