Coaster Palooza

Hey Mike, I just called Rotary Storyland/Playland and Blackbeards in Fresno. Below is their info: Rotary - open weekends only, no operations on Friday. Roeding Park is where Rotary is located inside of. Roeding Park is open daily, not the amusement (Storyland/Playland) area. Blackbeards - Open daily, but no coaster operation until Sat/Sun from Noon-5pm. I was also told that their coaster might not be operating and to call them again on Saturday to check. I wouldn't drive out of my way to Fresno since you are coming back up to San Jose. There isn't a coaster to get at the moment.

Final day! Big Mike and I went to SFGAdv before the Yankee game on Sunday. We met up with El Toro girl and her boyfriend before the opening. All we had time to do was ride El Toro and Kingda Ka because we had to get to Yankee Stadium. Next stop, Yankee Stadium. Last update coming up... Sorry, no photos of Kinda Ka and we didn't get over to ride the Dark Knight. I guess I will just have to come back. Is that okay Mike? Some coaster photos, just so you know it isn't all about a baseball game! I didn't realize the bull was hollow and when I hit my hand on it, the loudest sound echoed! Spider-man was hard at work here. This is a great ride. The "new" area, well at least to me! Self photo of making my way through. The rope has dropped, they're off! I said no running...if you run you will be kicked out, or warned again... A little song and dance... I'm getting ready... The crowd getting ready for the rope to drop. I made it! I love Halloween decorations. They're getting ready for Fright Fest. What else would we do with 30 minutes to kill? More parking lot photos... Gyendolynne and I went here before this was built. It definitely changes the look! Final day, September 21, 2008. The hat and the duck...

^CGA's Halloween Haunt is open until 12am on Friday, October 3. You could hit that on the way to the hotel. Maybe I could even meet you there!

Hi, Sorry for the delay in the update. I need to finish this before the weekend because a special guest is coming out. Game 2 was a day game at Yankee Stadium. Brian Burres, Jim's friend, was starting for the Orioles. He pitched 7 shutout innings against the Yankees, but they lost in the bottom of the 9th. We went to Mickey Mantle's restaurant after the game. Enjoy! To the hotel lounge! We have one more day left. I will actually have some roller coaster pictures next. I think we're heading up for a night cap. They stay somewhere in Manhattan. After the restaurant, we went back to Brian's hotel. Maybe that was the problem, we needed another beer. Everyone has one... I don't know what is with the serious looks... A couple of soda-pops, dinner, and a shot... I can't remember what was so funny. Our waitress and Big Mike! JJ told me I could take one more photo... Hi Jim! After a lengthy wait, we have our table. He tried to shmoosh his way in, but couldn't. Big Mike took us over to another restaurant close by. We tried to tell them that we were with the guy that shutout the Yankees today for 7 innings. That didn't help our wait. We made it to Mickey Mantle's. The wait was an hour! I wasn't taking a photo of the garbage. I was actually taking a photo of the Statue of Liberty person. I don't know why.... We'll be back tomorrow for more memories! Hello new stadium... Good-bye Yankee Stadium... After getting Brian through the mad crowd at the stadium, we are in the parking lot. They played New York, New York again. No video this time. Nobody wants to leave. Yanks Win! Yanks Win! Yankees score their one run in the bottom of the 9th. He can't believe he takes a strike! Jeter fouls off a pitch. Nice job Brian! We think you could have shutout the Yankees through 9. Jim is very proud of him! but he gets out of it... Brian is in a bit of a jam... 7th inning stretch...God Bless America! Mariano Rivera changes the number to 1... Arod flew out! Abreu got the first hit off of Brian. First pitch from Brian... I have some game photos coming up. I will comment when needed. Here comes Brian! First pitch, Brian Roberts swung at it and fouled it off. The next pitch he hit for a lead-off double, just like the night before. National Anthem... There's Bill Fahey and family. Plate meeting, almost time for the first pitch... Brian is coming in from the bull-pen Jeter receives another award. The view from our seats. I had to touch it! Brian gets a little running in... I'm at Monument Park...sort of. Brian has just come out to get warmed up. He wears high socks. behind the scenes of The Big Mike Road Show! The leftfield foul pole. Here is part of it. Unfortunately we didn't make it! Just 2 more games. Mike and I walked around the stadium, tryiing to get to monument park before they closed. Way to happy. Of course I would find a smashed penny machine! Ticket scanner guy was a little camera shy. I was wondering how I could take this the following night. It didn't happen. Now our tickets are ready. 45 minutes before the game! Brian is pitching by the way. Jim and JJ, don't worry about the lack of sleep we're getting, think of all the stories we have! If you can see Jim, I think he is saying I'm number 1 The new place, oh so close. I'm glad we had the time to walk around and take photos outside the park. This is the "bat" outside of Yankee Stadium. The big man and myself. Our tickets weren't ready just yet. They're still working on the new place. There she is. It seems like we were just here 11 hours ago! As we were pulling up, we saw that each pigeon was on their own post. I had to take a couple of photos.

This is the video of us singing New York, New York at the end of the game on 9/19. New_York_New_York.mpg Hopefully you enjoy it. I think we had a few "sodapops"

Great TR Chuck! I liked meeting up with you last year at BGE. It is great that Derek, Nicole, and Heath made it out. I hope to see all of you soon, or next year!

The time has finally come. I am going to Yankee Stadium for my first time and, over the next 2 days, my last time. Let's go to the photos...video to follow! Day one was a lot of fun. I can't wait to post the next two days at the park... Time to start singing New York, New York! Final out! That's Bill Fahey next to JJ. He used to catch in the big leagues and he coached first base for the SF Giants in 1989 during the World Series earthquake. Great stories! I do have us singing New York, New York on video. I will post soon. Everyone stood for the top of the 9th. I don't think we have been seen enough. Here's the Big Man, Mr. New York, and a great host! I think JJ is feeling better after a couple of those! The blonde is Lance's mother-in-law. We talked with them a little bit. The girls in front of us were Lance Cormier's wife's cousins from Alabama. Jeter coming up to bat again. All cameras start taking photos! This is one of my other favorite songs btw. God Bless America...the song by the way! It's hard to see, but there was a little scuffle down the left side at some point. Hey JJ, how do you feel with a red-eye flight, seeing the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Hard Rock Cafe, and now attending a Yankees' game? This was the result after he caught the ball. It was a great catch. The final score was 3-2. Without the catch, it would have been tied 3-3. I might still be there....LOL! This was by far the play of the game. Center fielder, Brett Gardner, went up high and pulled back a homerun. Look at Arod, Jeter, Pavano, and Cano looking at the scoreboard, but Gardner isn't. He gets the fans happy with a base hit. DEREK JETER.... First pitch, Brian Roberts promptly hits it for a double down the right field line. National Anthem, one of my two favorite songs. Plate meeting They had some POWs there. Awwww, you're welcome! See... MetLife sign shows only 3 games left. My first look at the old park. First stop...get some souvenirs. I usually take a photo with the person that scans my ticket. He told me that in the new stadium, they wouldn't have ticket scanners. It would all be automated. I felt bad for him not having his job next year. Jim picks up our tickets at Will Call. Thanks Brian! This is a good sign. Are they playing football there? Not until Sunday. As we head to Yankee Stadium, we pass by the Giants Stadium. How many professional teams are out here?

Hey Guys, Thanks for the posts. RapidsNerd Quote: Shame on me for not keeping up with this great thread. Thanks for posting all this stuff, especially the parts of Europe and The Statue of Liberty. Thank you too for the Rip Roaring Rapids shots here recently. ME: I agree, shame on you for not keeping up with this thread, or shame on me for not doing more! Larrygator Quote: I didn't realize the stairs up to Lady Liberty's crown were never re-opened. What a shame! I made that trek at least a half dozen times when I was in school. ME: I always wanted to go up to the crown. I guess I never will… We missed you by the way Larry! Wish you could have been around. Bovinejumpsuit Quote: What I find weird is that I have lived under 20 minutes away from Windsor my entire life but have never been there but I have been to everywhere on your New York trip... twice. Some great photos btw ME: Thank You! Sfne2005 Quote: For all the cracks Bi Mike makes about what I wear from time to time, he goes ahead and wears a shortsleeve turtle neck....wtf? ME: Rich, when Mike came out of his room that morning I said, “What’s up good humor man!” We wish you would have been around that weekend too Rich. Big Mike Quote: Rick, I am sorry that the luxurious king sized beds were not delivered in time for your visit! I specifically told them I had guests coming and they failed. I have restocked the open bar for your next visit!! ME: It is no problem Big Man! The room is ready for you next Friday! Check in anytime you want…

Day 2 - Pick up JJ at the airport, go to Statue of Liberty, Times Square, HRC, and finally head to the Yankee game. Ellis Island... The papparazzi is always around the big man. They didn't have smashed pennies, but they did have this machine. Neither was this... This was not photo shopped. Mike was having issues with the steps, so he decided to wait for the elevator. Another shot of the staircase as we leave the observation area and head back down. Jim and JJ. I think it was pretty windy that day. My head takes up too much room... Never enough photos. Ellis Island This is the spiral staircase. They told us that having a 4 hour wait, along with the weight, wouldn't be smart to keep her open anymore. At the top, they have glass bottoms to show you how they used to be able to go up inside of Lady Liberty. Finally, only 24 to go... We're heading up many stairs to get to the observation deck. If you aren't in shape, don't go! I don't know what was with the skeleton arm holding the book. It isn't Halloween. An original model. I think this appeared on someone else's TR. This is the first section of the museum area. Yep, the orignal, never goes out of style. The museum area going up to the observation area was packed with info, models, etc. The original torch, now where have I seen this before? I think Jim was stip searched. The Big Man getting everything back in his pockets. They really have this place protected. Heading over to the security area. Our American flag is so beautiful! Thank You! Ooops! I shouldn't squash her. There could never be too many photos of her. It was so great to finally be able to go there. Hello Liberty! Good-bye New York I thought we were closer, that is one heck of a zoom! There she is, lady Liberty. I am sure this won't be the last photo in the TR of her. I decided to be one level down to take photos as we arrive. Don't trip... First ferry to the Statue of Liberty at 8:30am. Woohoo! We're here. Getting closer to our destination. I get the sudden urge to sing the Men in Black theme song. JJ, Jim's son, arrives after his red-eye flight from San Francisco. This was a little different. The reporter was getting ready for a live feed and the guy with the blue backpack wouldn't stop looking at her. Kinda creepy, but hey, I took a picture of it. What am I? Next update...Yankee Stadium...ADIOS! What can brown do for you??? Provide a paycheck! Behind the scenes of the Big Mike Road Show... Once we were done eating, we took a few more photos around Times Square before heading to the baseball game. Turn right at the Beatles... Follow that arrow... Next stop, HRC!!! If I can, make it there, I will make it anywhere! Where are we heading? This looks like Times Square! We didn't get out, so photos from the car is the best we could do. We went by ground zero on our way to Times Square.

Yankee Stadium Trip Report Hi Everyone, You might have read on The Big Mike Road Show thread about attending Yankee Stadium’s last series along with the first stay at Big Mike’s hotel and headquarters. The trip was fabulous! Mike is a great host and we all had a blast. Short re-cap and I will breakdown the trip by the day. I have a friend that has a friend who pitches for the Orioles. We came up with the trip back in April when we found out that the Yankees would be playing the Orioles for the last series at the stadium. We, Jim and I, flew out on Thursday (9/18). Big Mike picked us up from JFK and took us to dinner at the Fireside Restaurant and Lounge. The next day, we picked up JJ, Jim’s son, at JFK. We went to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Hard Rock Café before going to the game on Friday night. Saturday’s game was a day game. We took Brian, Jim’s friend out to dinner after the game and hung out until around 1am. On Sunday, Big Mike and I headed to Six Flags Great Adventure for some coaster riding. We went to the game early so we could take in Yankee Stadium, one last time. It was a great night. We didn’t get to the hotel until 1am, our flight was at 7am. I will post the pictures as time allows. The following photos are from day 1, arrivial!!! The Big Mike standards are still being worked out as well. Since he just got into the hotel and headquarters, he has to inflate the air mattresses himself. Where's the help? So much for day 1. Next up, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, HRC, and Yankee Stadium. Checking into the Big Mike Hotel was a breeze. No credit card required. I have already booked our reservations for next year... First stop was the free dinner that Big Mike posted on his thread. We stopped at the Fireside Restaurant, where every night there's a party! We'll see you tomorrow... I love bridge structures Heading across the bridge. This is old and new Shea Stadium. We aren't going there. Jim had to immediately check his voicemails. The big man picks us up right on time! We didn't even have to pay for parking because everything was right on schedule. Jim and I taking off from San Jose to embark on our 4 day journey in New York.

Great photos Mike! I can't wait to get mine up. This made me laugh: Quote: Some idiot ran onto the field after the game and they beat the crap out of him. Too funny big man!

Hey Mike, I had a great time this weekend. I made it home and I am exhausted. Thanks again for taking us around New York and New Jersey. I will update my thread soon with photos...and video. 2 more weeks and it's California!!!

Hey Mike! See you in a couple days. Coaster Palooza meets The Big Mike Road Show Part II. The New York version. I can't wait for Part III, the California version.

We went to CGA on 8/24 with our friends, Rodney and Nicole. They came down from Stockton. Aside from Invertigo not operating, we had a good time at CGA. We rode Top Gun (with no wait) as well as Psycho Mouse, Demon, and the Sponge Bob 4-D. We rode Firefall for the first time too, except for Rodney! We also got on other rides, but I will let the photos do their job. Heading to New York next! The Big Mike Road Show meets Coaster Palooza…PART II!!! They told me what this guy's name is, but I can't remember it. That is all for now! See you in New York... A final photo of Boomerang Bay. wet, all the way through! Yep... I actually did get them wet. I just couldn't time the photo with it. here they come... testing out the water... It was getting pretty hot. Rodney and Nicole wanted to get wet... We walked around Boomerang Bay a little bit too. I can't believe we're doing this. They look happy. Yes, we saw the Spongebob show. I don't think anyone can make that hat look good... Boomerang Bay Delirium from above. The next few photos are of Firefall. The trip wouldn't be complete without a sky ride. Hey, it's Jack! Another subtle reminder around the park. Yep, have to take this photo too. It looks like we all lost some brain matter on that one. There is no headbashing on this ride! Why not ride Demon instead? Curses to you Invertigo. I really can't complain. I didn't want my head bashed in... WEEEE!!! I think Rodney is actually a little nervous. The drop is great, as usual. Why are you people waiting for that ride to open???!!! Have to get this photo. I think they liked the ride. or Survivor... Rodney & Nicole haven't been to CGA since 1999, so they haven't ridden Psycho Mouse. Lots of fire and affects. You don't get wet though...or burnt! I think it is a good addition to the park. We finally got our chance to ride Firefall. A very busy queue! First stop... Noting that Halloween Haunt will be back in 2008. Already changing the bumper cars into a scary maze...The Jack in the Box was pretty cool. Hi Rodney & Nicole! The park was pretty dead in the morning. They had a concert later on that night and it got busier as the day went on. They're getting ready for Halloween Haunt, even in August!

Enough is enough Mike...BRING ON THE DUCKIES!!!

I have had great luck going to SFDK and CGA on Sundays anytime of the year, especially in September and October. Make sure you show up early. Around 12-1, most of the people will start showing up. If you get there before they open, you should be able to ride everything you want without a problem, then see the shows! Have fun!

I can't believe that I am still in the ducky game!

True, BM did, and always does do a great job covering the whole park in his reports. I thought Cameron did a really good job as well covering SDC....especially with the cave shots. Oh yeah, I'm locking in 9 duckies as well. Nice work, Mike! Not wanting to "toot my own horn" here, but...WHO AM I KIDDING? Of course I want to toot my own horn. Below is the link to our TR to SDC/Celebration City and the Branson Belle. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25747&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 I hope you enjoy the Trip Report from 2006. I had to learn about using paragraphs after this report... We spent 2 days in Branson. The TR spans a couple of pages and we did the Marvel cave too.

My guess is 9 Big Mike!!! Great contest...I didn't think I was going to make it for the 20.

If you want a hotel near Dorney Park for Thurs-Fri, then I would suggest the Holiday Inn Express acrosss the street. It is really close and reasonable when we went a few years ago.

Scott, I'm surprised at the lack of cabinet openings for Big Mike and myself. I wonder what we should do about this...

^Hey Mike, I count 1 duck...

I counted 1 duck...I know, I know....

Enough is enough Mike...BRING ON THE DUCKIES!!!

I'm glad I found this thread. I looked at it over the weekend and I think this has been a great topic! The points have been debated well. I am amazed at how civil everyone has been, given the passion that this topic would start. I voted for Scott in the poll. I will vote for McCain in the election. There are a number of reasons and most of them have been posted by everyone, so I won't bore you with a long read. Thanks for the topic!