Coaster Palooza
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Posts posted by Coaster Palooza
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Our group had a behind the scenes tour of 2 mazes at CGA. The mazes were Dia De Los Muertos and Insanitarium. It was great getting the back story of their new maze. The skeleton key room is pretty cool too!
Don, a friend of mine in our group, won the raffle prize and was able to become a Killer Clown. He scared people in the Sideshow area as well as in Toy Factory!
It was a fantastic time!
Jill & Liz
Our Group! Don, Susan, Gyen, Me, Jill & Liz
The entrance to Dia De Los Muertos!
These colors really pop with the 3D glasses!
I met a friend....
Cantina!
Mas Tequila por favor!
Grateful Dead Band!
Don & Susan
Gyendolynne
Can't have enough photos of the front!
Vote early and often...
for your favorite maze and scare zone!
Lockdown took the place of the clown area, since CarnEvil is gone.
New Maze, the Skeleton Key room is a must!
Before the Earthquake..
The Skeleton Key Room!
It's an Earthquake. Don't walk fast through here!
Post Earthquake
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The last set of photos...for now. We will have Behind the Scene photos of CGA's Haunt mazes soon!
The witches caldron in Trick or Treat!
These are the ones that don't make it
Voodoo at night
Elvira's show
Having a great time in the front row!
I rang the doorbell!
Shots at Amber Waves inside Knotts Hotel
Last Day at Knotts!
Once again, no lines, no crowds during the day in October!
Happy Trails, until we meet again!
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Ok, on with the Behind the Scene tours of VooDoo, Tooth Fairy and Trick or Treat!
Voodoo's Skeleton Key Room!
It was great that they let us take pictures
Really creepy in the maze
I did say creepy, right?
A different ending, for sure!
Tooth Fairy Maze
I had a photo from the Skeleton Key room, but it wasn't that good.
The creators family photo.
I can do some drillin' with this.
Anyone want some coins for their teeth?
I think they used the cage from the trapped maze
You crouch down and get through it.
So much gore
Our guide, Brad.
Trick or Treat, be sure to ring the doorbell!
A witch brings you into the parlor
This is one of the scareactors trying to take a nap before the night. It was funny to run into her later in the maze.
Has to be the most lifelike/creepy looking doll I have ever seen!
More skinnings of animals1
Anyone want to bob for apples?
The photos will continue....
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We had the opportunity to be at Knotts Scary Farm Media Day and CGA's Media Day! Gyendolynne and Susan attended the CGA Media Event and I went to the Knotts Media Event.
We went to Knotts after the CGA Media Day for the weekend and had behind the scenes tours of 3 mazes (VooDoo, Tooth Fairy and Trick or Treat)! We stayed at Knotts Hotel and did Pre-Scare meal along with the Fright Lane on Saturday. The behind the scene tours were on Sunday along with Fright Lane. Great times, good people and a fun couple weeks.
I hope you enjoy the pics as much as we enjoyed going to the events! There are a lot of pics.
SFMM was crazy on Wednesday! Glad I didn't go there.
TGIF at Knotts!
Knotts is never busy during the day in October, on the weekdays.
Walk ons....
There will be a hangin' here tomorrow!
Day 2, no crowds!
Everything is a walk on...
See? When has Iron Reef been this empty?
I was so good, no one would ride with me...or there wasn't anyone at the park!
Pre-Scare dinner at Knotts Hotel
This shirt was $20 last year, now only $5!
Getting ready for Knotts Scary Farm!
Media Event is getting started...
The Media Meal area
Interviews
Ice Sculptures
Séance room....
These walls move
You can actually play cards, if you stop
There he is!
Elvira's show
Not the Big Top, but it's Elvira!
CGA's Media Event on Firday, October 2!
The pre-scare meal, also known as the Boo-Fet
Stella stand isn't operating
Susan in the Black Light
Gyendolynne in the Black Light
There is definitely a crowd here!
Mirror Mirror Maze is a little different this year
Pumpkin Patch!
Photo bombed by the DJ!
Clowns
No Biting!
Snoopy
Someone very anal placed all those packets in order...
Monkeys
An escaped inmate from Insanitarium, Robert!
Carousel at night
Knotts Berry Farm was crowded on Saturday, good thing we had Fast Passes!
A bit different than last week
The Pre-Scare dinner at the hotel
Paranormal maze was really great!
Be sure to go to both sides!
He's just a little Boy, or he wants to be one...
That is all from night 1. I know there aren't a lot of pics, but I will make up for it with Behind the Scenes on Sunday!
Day 2, daytime, not very crowded.
There will be a hangin' here!
Limited Crowds
We're ready for the behind the scenes tour
Noted....
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I know this is late, but we had a blast at Knotts Scary Farm. We went on behind the scene tours of Voodoo and Tooth Fairy maze. It was a great event and an incredible time. I hope we can do this again next year!
Not running at the moment...we'll ride it tomorrow.
Need I say more?
Sierra Sidewinder wasn't running either!
Day 2!
Everything is running today.
Yes Jill, you are tall enough
Behind the scenes tours...
Tooth Fairy first..
Really weird maze....
The Tooth Fairy!
Voodoo maze
Smashed Penny overload!
Final day, all by myself!
ERT on Xcelerator!
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We had ERT at a Special Event a couple weeks earlier. The Media/VIP event didn't have ERT. We had a great time at both events.
We were glad the twins were still there too. I think the Awakening is a great way to start off Fright Fest!
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We had the chance to do the Media/VIP day for Fright Fest. It was a blast! Fright Fest has some new mazes and scares.
We also went to SFDK and FF earlier in the season. There are multiple photos from both dates.
The Boathouse at Blood Lake is a new great maze. The Ghoulish Gathering is an awesome event!
Gyen was a little Scared!
The Gang!
ERT on Superman
The Awakening!
Great time on the Bayou
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We had special behind the scene tours of Mirror Mirror and Wax Museum. CGA Haunt is a great event! You must do Voodoo Chophouse and Fright Lane Skeleton Key, if you want to fully enjoy every maze.
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Hi,
The girls went to the Media/VIP Event for Haunt at California’s Great America! I arrived later in the evening and saw a few shows. CGA’s Haunt has new mazes, scare zones and shows! We’ll be attending again in a couple weeks, but below is the Trip Report for the Event!
Wax Museum – new maze. Really interesting with wax characters from popular movies. Can’t wait to see what they do with this maze as the season goes on.
Roadkill Roadhouse – This maze is where Slaughterhouse was set up. It takes over for Slaughterhouse. This is a gruesome maze and I think we could enjoy it more if it wasn’t for all the line jumping.
Mirror Mirror – This isn’t a maze as much as it is a unique experience with mirrors. You will hit some dead ends though. They give you gloves to wear before you go in so you don’t smudge the mirrors with your fingerprints.
Academy of Villains – Spectacular new show! I thought it was long, but everyone really liked it.
Nytewalkers – New show near the Carousel. Another unique show. They scale walls, bounce on trampolines and jump REALLY high!
IronWorx takes place of the Pirates scare zone. A new scare area. It is an experience to see!
Werewolf Canyon is gone.
Blades of Horror is still a MUST see!
The rest of the event is the same as last year. Favorite Mazes in order – Massacre Manor, Dia De Los Muertos, CarnEvil, Toy Factory, Wax Museum, Roadhouse Roadkill, Zombie High, CornStalkers. There isn’t a bad maze, but these are my opinions. Can’t wait to go again!
The Girls!
Gyendolynne with her Fright Lane Pass and Skeleton Key
It glows in the dark!
First stop
A wide variety of Alcohol
MMMM
Blades of Horror Pre-Show
Fire!
I'm Jack
Academy of Villains
I made it!
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I use Facebook the most. I will go to YouTube sometimes.
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What would your amusement park trip be like if you had 3, 4, 7 days or more for your trip? How would you plan it? Where would you like to go? I have some ideas below, but I’m wondering what other people on the site might plan.
4 Day Trip –
Day 1 - Fly into San Antonio on an early flight. Go to Sea World. See the Alamo, hit the River Walk for dinner.
Day 2 – Go to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Fly to Dallas that night.
Day 3 – Go to Six Flags Over Texas.
Day 4 – Fly home
Pretty quick trip, but I hope everyone understands where I’m going with this.
9 Day Trip -
Day 1 – Fly to Cleveland, Detroit, or Columbus (depends on ticket prices). Drive to Cedar Point. Go to Cedar Point at night.
Day 2 – Cedar Point all day, probably get fast lane.
Day 3 – Cedar Point in the morning, drive to Michigan’s Adventure. Depending on time, go to MA that afternoon/night.
Day 4 – MA in the morning, head to Indiana Beach. Go to IB, depending on arrival
Day 5 – IB in the morning/early afternoon. Drive to Santa Claus for Holiday World (try for Holiwood Nights to be mixed in here).
Day 6 – Day 2 of Holiwood Nights. Go to Beach Bend to ride Kentucky Rumbler before night time ERT at Holiwood Nights.
Day 7 – Drive to Kings Island. Go to KI at night, try to get a night ride on The Beast!
Day 8 – ERT at KI on Diamondback and The Beast. Ride everything else after, maybe get a Fast Lane pass depending on Crowds. Drive to Columbus, Cleveland, or Detroit to fly home. This also might help you choose your incoming airport.
Day 9 – Fly home
Nothing is perfect and I think some have jobs that don’t allow for so many vacation days, but I wanted to know what other people plan/dream for the Roller Coaster vacations. I usually start with an event (Holiwood Nights) and add around that event.
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We had a great time at CGA’s Haunt a couple of weeks ago for an event! We had backstage tours of 3 mazes (Dia de Los Muertos, Slaughterhouse Annihilation and Massacre Manor). We were also behind Gold Striker for some more photos. The night was terrific! We went through the mazes a couple of times (once going into line and once with Fright Line passes) and rode Gold Striker for an hour without getting off! The Voodoo Chophouse is the best value!
The only downer of the night was blatant line jumping, even in the Fright Lane! We went through the fright lane for Werewolf Canyon. There was a couple that got in between a couple of us (we had 8 people with us). They got up to the front with us, without a fright lane pass. They told the person at the entrance that “my brother is inside, I need to go in.” She told him that it is line cutting and he could be kicked out. She also said to go to the end of the line. We got through and then she let him in….RIGHT BEHIND US! We couldn’t believe how blatant the line cutting was.
We also went last night and had a blast! The park looked crowded, but we were able to get through everything!
It is a shame that Haunt is almost over. It seems like it just got started. We will be back out there next Sunday!
Behind the Scenes of Dia!!!
The cantina!
Serve 'em up, we'll knock 'em down!
Oooooh....the Theatre!
The OVERLORD!
Zombie High's entrance got better!
Day 2
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Great post Mike! I'm glad that Robb's new app works for you. Hopefully the Big Mike Road Show will have many more updates.
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We had a great time at the VIP/Media day event for Haunt’s opening night at CGA! There have already been some reviews and my review is below.
The new mazes and changes to Haunt are great! I agree with the reviews of Massacre Manor and other mazes that didn’t have the music. I hope that it was just opening night issues and I will find out next Saturday when we go again.
If you have gone to CGA for Haunt over the past 5 years, their main mazes are still good. In order of Favorites mazes – Carn-Evil is still terrific! Massacre Manor has some changes and I hope it works out some kinks before next Saturday. I don’t know what happened to the ending of Toy Factory, but I wish it would come back. The new changes to the Corn Stalkers maze was good. Slaughter House is still gross! WereWolf Canyon has gotten better too!
One of the new mazes, Dia de Los Muertos, was done very well. The 3-D affects and monsters were terrific. I couldn’t stand the line jumping that was happening right in front of security though. There were also people smoking at the entrance and nothing was stopped too. Just a minor rant…the maze is great though.
The other new maze, Zombie High, is different. It is very bright in there and you can see everything. Not too many scares, but it is a neat maze. The entrance needs to be labeled better.
Scare Zones have always been terrific. The Gauntlet is usually my favorite, but it seemed like they didn’t have as many scare-actors on Friday night. Underworld Alley was good too. I’m also a big fan of Dead Man’s Cove.
The shows – What can I say? Overlord’s Resurrection is a great way to start off the night. Blood Drums does a good job throughout the night too.
I have to say, hands down, the BEST Haunt show that I have seen is Blades of Horror! If you don’t go to this show, you are missing out. Make time to see it!
Let’s get onto the pics!
The Haunt Vehicle out front!
They have new flame affects all the way around the water!
It's a VIP Night!
First Stop....
Gold Striker, all by ourselves!
The new food option was very terrific!
Shrimp, Bruschetta, Stuffed Mushrooms and Crab Cakes for appetizers!
Roast Beef carving station
The indoor seating.
Dessert area
The outdoor area
The Overlord's Resurrection...
This is an actual spider and web outside the exit to Madame Marie's Massacre Manor
That's it for now....
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Bringing back the love to the Big Mike Road Show!
Hey Big man, I hope you can find the time to update this thread with a few picks and maybe a quick story!
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That video is awesome Robb! You did a great job capturing the intensity of the ride. I'm glad you liked it and had a good time.
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Hi,
We were invited to the Cirque Dreams Splashtastic at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The event was incredible! Just like Joey said, they gave away a bobble head to everyone that went to the show, along with a swag bag that included binoculars and limited edition chocolate bar.
I interviewed Don McCoy, the new park president, and he told me that this show is supposed to be a “sensory overload.” You shouldn’t be able to see everything in one show. He is right! I can’t wait to see this show multiple times. I have seen some pictures and video of the show I watched. It is amazing what I couldn’t see because so much was happening.
Neil Goldberg said that this show was 3 years in the making. It is fantastic! The set is so colorful and the actors do a great job.
The links below are the media release and video that Six Flags Discovery Kingdom sent to me.
The video is worth viewing!
Enough is enough, the pics are below.
Waiting to get in!
Scuba diver
Rode some rides before the show.
Good theming for the event!
Entrance for the "swag bag"
The beer line
Bobble head, limited edition
Don McCoy, the new Park President and me!
Colorful Stage!
The binocular give-away!
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I know it' late, but I'm posting my photos from the Promo Event on Gold Striker and my review.
The ride is a winner for Great America! Once you drop, it is on. The bank turns and smooth laterals are awesome, not to mention the airtime. I won't go into a lot of detail because many people have already done that. I would just like to say that the ride is terrific!
Waiting for it to open!
Us! Rick and Gyendolynne
The queue line tunnel
At the top of the line!
Final photo, sorry it is blurry...
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We had a great time at the Media Event for Halloween Haunt at CGA last night. There are new mazes and shows for this year. A couple of mazes have been worked on too!
The new maze, Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor, is done very well. It is just outside Vortex. The maze starts out with no ceiling and then you’re inside. You get out of the maze by Underworld Alley.
Club Blood is Re-Vamped! We didn’t get through it, but I heard it is terrific.
CarnEvil is longer, I think, and the 3D is very disorienting as always.
CornStalkers and Toy Factory are the same as they have been in years past. I like Toy Factory and have a good time going through CornStalkers.
I hope to go through Werewolf Canyon, Black Widow’s Cavern and Slaughterhouse on my next trip.
We saw the new shows (probably our reason for not getting through all the mazes) – Culture Pop and Ghostly Glow party. Culture Pop’s dancing/performing was done very well. I’m not big on Culture, I guess, and a lot of the jokes went by me….
Ghostly Glow Party is outside and is interesting…I won’t ruin it.
The Shocking Sideshow of Freaks is always entertaining, as well as Blood Drums.
Enough is enough…how about the pics?
The Monsters during the Boofet!
The Gauntlet
Plenty of fog early...
Gyendolynne is scared!
More fog....
The Overlord!
You will be scared
My Minions are unleashed!
CarnEvil
The new maze
The moon was very cool tonight too!
The song is stuck in my head.
I'm with some friends.
The stage for Culture Pop!
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Just got back from the Media Day event at CGA. It was a great announcement and the theming of it was spectacular. I can only imagine what the ride and the area will look like.
Met some new friends, had a blast! The stats are posted earlier, I think you might want to see some pics...
They had some good characters.
The tables were decked out in with gold nuggets.
Snoopy was sampling the drinks.
and getting his groove on...
The stage is set!
Truck on dirt with Roller Coaster behind it, I know ooh, aaah
We drank out of Mason Jars!
The lemonade concoction.
New friends! I feel like Big Mike.
Local news is here.
Time for some announcements.
Take the ropes down boys and show the Media the name!
TARNATION, it's Gold Striker!
The Stats
We watched the POV
The 49ers announced an auction for the first riders!
For all you model enthusiasts.
Billy...
Construction photos from the Star Tower.
That's all Folks!
49ers stadium is progressing rapidly!
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We attended the Superman Ultimate Flight Media Day yesterday. What a blast! The ride is very unique and is awesome!
We saw Bob (gisco) there along with a few other friends. The event started with the President of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom speaking and then Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the 49ers spoke as well, after they rode Superman. Once they dropped the rope, it was time to ride.
I know some have explained the ride and everyone has their opinions. I will give you my take on Superman. The ride is like V2, completed. Whenever I rode V2, I always wondered what it would be like to have the track continue into a loop, or corkscrew. Superman settles it for me. The ride is fast, smooth, and the lap bar makes it very comfortable. Thank you Six Flags for not putting in the over the shoulder restraints.
We had the only rollback during the Media Day and I was able to get 20 rides on it!
I know, blah, blah, blah, SHOW US THE PHOTOS!
We must be at the right place.
Gyendolynne is getting throught the "special" media gate.
Good Day Sacramento was there.
They were eating the kryptonite BEFORE they rode...more on that later.
We're here, complete with the red carpet treatment.
My friend Burt came along too.
Which way do we go?
For everyone that wants to see signs.
Keep your head back and don't hurt yourself.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it!
Good Day Sacramento is getting ready to ride!
He made sure he had a barf bag.
A pre-ride...you know.
His wig fell off during the ride.
WOW! Superman has made me powerful enough to bend steal with my bare hands!
Kryptonite makes me not as strong.
An incredible ice sculpture and cupcakes positioned in the Superman "S"
There's that PaperBoy that I have been looking for.
After a quick change in the phone booth, I will be ready to ride Superman!
The Media is here and ready to go.
Charles is excited to let us ride!
but first we must wait for 2 special guests to get done riding.
They're on that ride!
Here they come! The President of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the 49ers.
First the Dale Kaetzel, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom President speaks.
then Jim Harbaugh...
Drop the rope!
It's time to ride. Hi Bob and Kevin!
Some photos of the ride coming up...
Burt and I waiting for our on-ride video.
The only thing that can stop me from riding...Kryptonite. After 20 rides, I had to stop.
We're out of time here folks. Get out to SFDK and ride this new ride!
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Personally, I didn't really care at all it wasn't a true marathon at cga. It was free admission, fast lane on the best coaster in the park, and supported an amazing cause. Not to mention meeting new tpr people I had never met before. What more could you ask for?
I had a great time and want to thank robb & elissa for getting the word out and cga for being hosts to a great event! I'll be back next year with a higher fundraising goal for sure!
You have a place to stay next year too! Maybe I will participate next time.
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We didn't get close to the ride. No inside tour.
I will be there too! See you there Bob.
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Hi Everyone,
I was asked to go to the Hard Hat tour of Superman Ultimate Flight at SFDK. The main item was the installation of the Superman Shield. Photos are below, I can’t wait to ride this!
Charles is our guide for the day!
A before shot
It is a Hard Hat tour!
Some of the new theming
Interviews of Captain Lee!
Another interview
The shield is there!
See it?
Slowly it rises...
Maneuvering into the area
Previous rides name with the new Superman Shield!
Charles needed to take an important phone call...
He is from the company that made the sign. It was built in Texas and New Jersey!
Time to leave. I will ride you soon....
KBF & CGA Media Days and Behind the Scenes!
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
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After a fantastic behind the scene tour, we head over to the BooFet and Don gets made into a Killer Clown!
You also must watch the opening ceremony with the Witch!
The BooFet!
Oooooh, Spooky
The Witch's Opening Ceremony
New Scare Zone
I think this was a good change
Outside of Toy Factory
The new Sideshow/Killer Clown Area
Our buddy Don made into a Killer Clown
I'm knocking out an escaped patient from Insanitarium!
The make-up was great in the Black Light!
Don getting ready...