Big Mike

Thanks for all the great comments!! Nay - I liked Grease, that was my 2nd time seeing it. I always enjoyed Grease and the songs, so maybe I am biased lol. Taylor Hicks added a little pizazz to it too. I would rate it behind Wicked, Jersey Boys, Young Frankenstein, Legally Blonde, and Mamma Mia. I would rate it ahead of Chorus Line, Avenue Q, Chicago, Rent, Spring Awakening, Little Mermaid, Hairspray, Spamalot, Lion King, Phantom, and Xanadu. No particular order listed above. I would see it a 3rd time with you Peace, Big Mike

Sadly, I actually have to work on Thursday Kings Island is still up in the air as UPS will not tell me until Thursday what my schedule will be for the rest of 2008. So unfortunately, I don't even know when I will be at Kings Island, or at all. I will keep you al informed as soon as I find out. Peace, Big Mike

Hey Friends!!!!! It was time to show the kids around NYC! The day was a lot of fun, and as always in NYC, you can see just about anything there. Here is what we saw in just one day. As a special bonus, The Big Mike Road Show 2008 also visited it's 60th park of the season - Victorian Gardens in Central Park! As a double special bonus, I have included a special edition play along at home game in this trip report. My friend "Moose" gave me a couple rubber duckies on the Europe trip which I have hidden in this trip report. Play along at home and see how many you can find Big Mike always tries to improve and entertain his readers as much as possible! Also, look for a couple more Europe gifts making their United States debut! I hope you enjoy! Peace, Big Mike We escaped into the tunnel unharmed and will live to see another day and lots more stops on The Big Mike Road Show 2008! I hope you enjoyed! Peace, Big Mike PS - How many did you find? Fearing that I may have put the kids lives in peril, we had to make a quick exit. By now, word had spread that Big Mike was in town and the place swelled in volume. Since John got a hot babe, the girls wanted to go find The Naked Cowboy! We only found an old version of The Naked Cowgirl. In typical Big Mike fashion, I have to take care of ALL the Big Mike Readers too! John was amazed at the ease that Big Mike pulled in 4 hot babes, so I took him under my wing and said start slow with one now, and one day you will be just like the Master! ....Four hot babes in their underwear saw Big Mike coming and just about attacked him! They were on Big Mike like white on rice! Thanks you Babe Magnet Shirt 2!!! Big Mike changed back out of his Babe Magnet 2 Shirt, but must have worn it long enough for the powers to work! As we visit Times Square, thats when it happened... After the show ended, 3 happy kids! Before the show started at Rydell High School. ...The Babe Magnet 2 Shirt!!! Thanks Steve, I told you I would wear it The kids were super excited but Big Mike had to change into something more snazzy for the occasion.... The kids were going to see Grease, now with American Idol Taylor Hicks. Surprise! A surprise awaited the kids 30 blocks away, so they got their 1st NYC cab ride. They were hoping for The Cash Cab on tv, but we just got a regular one. The park was full of statues to check out too. We stopped by to check out a volleyball game in the park too. Oh the days of the victory parties, cheerleaders, and photos in the papers... I miss the good ole days. John starts football next year, but he has years of expertise taught to him already! We moved on to The Great Lawn for a little ex-step father and son bonding time! As you can see, they pack quite a bit into this ice rink. The builings in the background make an awesome backdrop. I'll admit I already had the credit from last year and didn't even ride it this year. With Big Mike Productions, I could afford to pay to get in and not even ride it, just to bring the Big Mike Readers some good pictures because thats how Big Mike rolls. The lift. Notice the flower theming and the ice rink walls. A never seen before reverse view of the coaster. Up close. Here is the coaster that is hidden deep inside Central Park! Some other options as well. Here are your prices. I also saw a typical looking Team Larry member. Since Larry said he could not afford to dish out the $9 to come along, I dedicated this day to Team Larry. (Don't I look super cool with my sleeveless Team Larry Captain's shirt) The amusement park is actually located inside an ice rink during the summer months. Victorian Gardens - stop #60 on The Big Mike Road Show 2008. We next ventured into Central Park in search of a roller coaster. Radio City Music Hall, where Big Mike picked up the award for #1 TPR thread in 2008 a few weeks ago. Rockerfeller Center with no ice rink or Christmas tree. Lets give thanks for The Big Mike Road Show 2008. We moved on to St. Patricks Cathedral. John cleaned up on winning tickets. We had some chips, burgers, and drinks and the kids played lots of games! For the 2nd day in a row, we hit a Dave and Busters! This little kid sure could break dance. We moved on to watch some local street talent. From a distance, The Rock looks good. Up close, not so good. Big Mike is no fashion consultant, but The Official Big Mike Road Show 2008 T-Shirt looks a lot better than the shirt he is wearing. It took John all day to master the raised eyebrow of The Rock! We stopped by Madame Tussauds to smell what The Rock was cooking! (Big Mike has actually met The Rock in person already) The first stop for the kids was 42nd Street! The Big Mike Road Show 2008 would like to welcome everybody to Big Mike's back yard, NEW YORK CITY!!! John also came along, not wanting to miss the fortune tellers prediction come true. Danielle and Samantha hopped in the back seat of the hot rod and away we went. A summary of how to play the play at home game. This is the rubber duckie you are looking for. This one does not count. How many can you find?

Going back to Paris now, that increases my chance of guessing where the postcards are mailed from Peace, Big Mike I mailed mine from there too

That is what I have too! Good luck with it and thanks for finally saying hello. LOL. Peace, Big Mike still at work

This goes for any Big Mike readers and good friends out there, I will be happy to be your tour guide!!! I love NYC and know all the ins and outs to getting cheap show tickets, finding the fun spots, having a great time!! Write me when your in town! Watch for the next update to see how much fun you can have in just one day!! Peace, Big Mike. Who is writing this to you on my new blackberry at workm. Woo hoo!

Coaster Palooza 2008 is awesome!!! I am glad it looks like you two had such a great time! I loved London when I was there 2 years ago, and you hit all the sights I did, brings back great memories. Thanks for posting them! I give Gyendolynne props for liking Judas Priest!!! Me too I bet I can guess where you mailed the postcard from, but I don't want to spoil the surprise! I cant wait to be part of Coaster Palooza 2008 again, seems so long ago that we hung out I will keep an eye on my mailbox for my postcard Peace, Big Mike

Little Roasty!!!! You are going to miss me by less than two weeks as The Big Mike Road Show 2008 visits California OCT 3-12 After talking with you for two years, we still need to meet and celebrate the WINGS Stanley Cup Victory!!! hehehe Feel free to arrive earlier if you can Peace, Big Mike

Hi Friends!! My step kids have arrived, and of course when given the choice of what to do, the girls picked shopping and John picked riding coasters. To make everyone happy, because that is what Big Mike likes to do best, I brought them to Palisades Park Mall in NY. I sent the girls shopping with some leftover cash from the Europe Trip and I hooked John up with a new credit! I figured it was a good pre show to the BIG NYC DAY coming tomorrow, which I will post soon with LOTS of cool things Don't miss it, unless you don't want to see Big Mike with 4 hot babes in thier underwear! So introducing my step kids that I married into but then got divorsed from, but are still as tight as ever with them I hope you enjoy! Peace, Big Mike John is happy he got his credit, the girls were happy they got to shop with Big Mike's money, and Big Mike was happy as he had 4 hot babes in their underwear in his future. I hope you enjoyed! Peace, Big Mike After the walk back, it was time to get John his credit. The walk back was awesome. Krazy City shut down the coaster as Big Mike did not want to become a headline like others unfortunately have lately. Before we rode, Big Mike Productions had set up a walk back ahead of time to take pictures of all the theming in the coaster area. John ready to ride Midnight Express! Krazy City! Before we hit the coasters, we relaxed to this special concert for Big Mike. I also used this fortune teller machine and she said "You are going to find yourself with 4 hot babes dressed in their underwear very soon!" I laughed and said stupid machine. (I am sooooo going back to this machine ASAP after yesterdays events came true!!!) Photo proof next update! I was challenged to this by some locals and I told them I will accept their challenge when I come back with my friend Mike. They also had a Dave and Busters, so we went inside. I had to check out the ice rink as it brought back the glory days of Big Mike winning hockey championships at will. .... and an ice rink to name a few things. ....bowling.... ...paintball soon.... ... with wierd theming.... .... carousel.... .... rock wall.... I already reviewed this coaster earlier this year, so I figured I would expand to the mall and all the options in case you wanted to visit. They have a ferris wheel... I met John when he was 2 and we rode these rides every chance we got. One last time for memories sake. Even better, it was their 10th anniversary! The closest place to Big Mike Productions Headquarters to do this is Palisades Park Mall. Samantha, John, and Danielle and I traveled to NY to go shopping and ride a coaster all at once.

Hi Ken! Nice to hear from you I am unsure of how long I will be there as I need to wait until midweek to finalize plans. I will get back to you when I know 100% sure my friend! Say hi to Kayla for me Peace, Big Mike

Wow, that is quite a bit. Thank goodness Big Mike Productions cover all the costs on these trips, or I would go broke. Maybe I will take the Team Larry shirt out of the garbage can and wear it in honor of you since you won't be riding it. Peace, Big Mike

Awesome report Beeja!!! Any time I can read a report and see your beautiful face, it just makes my day The kids are adorable! I am glad to see Dad and Mom, as I need to know what they look like when I ask them to marry you Please post reports whenever possible!! Peace, Big Mike PS - Scott, how did you know I was going to respond??? LOL Miss you dude! Beeja and I need to double date with you and Shannon

Joe, the plan is to be there at opening pal, hopefully see you there Champ!!! Will, that was AWESOME looking at over 70 pictures of Big Mike Thanks for posting that link for all the Big Mike Readers! NYC Tomorrow, Victorian Gardens!!! Peace, Big Mike

Hello Friends!!!!!! I have picked up the step kids and we skipped Knoebels this weekend and I will probably hit Knoebels and Hershey next weekend after I drop the kids back off!!! I am toying with the idea of hitting King's Island next Friday, since there has been interest in people joining The Big Mike Road Show 2008 there So next week may look like King's Island on Friday July 25th and Hershey Park Saturday July 26th, with a stop at Knoebels on the way home. Will determine later in the week with final plans and post it for everyone. The kids are looking forward to going to NYC tomorrow (Saturday July 19th) to sightsee, maybe take in a show, and hit Victorian Gardens in Central Park!! So if anyone is in NYC tomorrow and would like to hang out with The Big Mike Road Show 2008, let me know!!!! Also, anyone interested in meeting next weekend at Kings Island or Hershey too?? Peace, Big Mike

Very nice report!! I was toying with the idea to stop there again this past Saturday while seeing a show, but the plans did not work out. I was there last year and had a fun time experiencing the place. Peace, Big Mike

Hi Tommioh!!!!! Nice to hear from you again!! Hope to see you again on a trip real soon Thanks for the compliments! Bobbi Jo, It does not matter where you are from, it just matters that we had fun in that state while I was there. You are definately allowed to check it off and keep the integrity of the shirt Nagro, Thanks for the nice words! It WOULD be really cool to get this to 200 pages, AND double the amount of friends I have met so far too!!! Peace, Big Mike

Hi there all of you awesome Big Mike Readers and great friends!! Everyone here at Big Mike Productions World Headquarters would like to thank all of you for making The Big Mike Road Show 2008 thread 100 pages long!!!! THANK YOU Just like Major League Baseball is having its All Star break, The Big Mike Road Show 2008 decided to take a break at the half way point also!! The Official Big Mike Road Show 2008 T-Shirt currently has 13 of the 26 destinations checked off!!! I included a picture at the end of the retired Kidtums T-Shirt with all the checks! Big Mike had family functions this past weekend, so instead of a new update, there will be a summary of all the places checked off so far (a quick recap for the newbies that don't want to read through the first 100 pages.. but why wouldn't ya? lol) and also pictures of everyone who came to participate in the Big Mike Road Show 2008 in Europe that was not on the trip! Though nothing is confirmed yet, The Big Mike Road Show 2008 will continue this weekend as Big Mike picks up his former step kids (not exactly sure what you call the kids when you marry into 3 kids, then get divorsed), but a good time will be had by all for the week they are visiting!! Most likely there will be a stop at Knoebels this Friday and Hershey Park next Friday or Saturday. Then the Road Show will continue the following weekend as Bobbi Jo has gracefully decided to play host to The Big Mike Road Show 2008 and guide the crew around Moreys Pier and Clementon!! Now that is cool!! If you want to see the kids and experience a huge "Big Mike Back Then", hit the link http://www.leslieandmike.com The website will only be up for one more month! So as The Big Mike Road Show 2008 begins it's second half, I hope to see many more new friends along the way and lots of meet ups with friends already made thus far!! Thanks again everyone for the first ONE HUNDRED PAGES!!!! Peace, Big Mike Once I put the "retired Kidtums shirt" on the floor, Lucky Dog thought he was going to sign it again.. so instead of getting a close up of the shirt, I accidently got a view with the garbage can it it too. Hope you enjoyed! Peace, Big Mike Kristen checks off France! Robb checks off Germany! Elissa checks off Holland! Beeja checks off Belgium! Kayla checks off Ohio! Lucky Dog checks off Canada! Chuck checks off Virginia! Hot Bikini Girl checks off Mexico! Craig and Gage check off New York! The Flash temporarily checks off New Jersey until Bobbi Jo officially checks it off! Sue checks off Connecticut! Rick, Gyendolyne, Scott, and Shannon check off Georgia! Rich checks off Tennessee! Louis! Joke! Brandy! Robin! Never got the name of this Midwest Trip friend! Lian! Benny and Hans! Bas! (Spelled it right this time my friend) Mark! Beeja! James!

Thank you very much Brian, that was very cool of you to do! If anyone else has some behind the scenes photos, please feel free to post them THANKS!! Peace, Big Mike

Good job Tim. Thanks again for letting me take a picture of your shirt at Asterix! Peace, Big Mike

Thanks Robb for the picture of Elissa's mom! I drooled over it for a couple minutes before I scrolled down to see you posted it for me! WOW!! Peace, Big Mike

Thanks to everyone who has said so many kind words since you have been back from the trip. I had a great time taking pictures of everyone having fun and I am delighted to share them with all of you, my great friends!! All the best to everyone until we meet again Peace, Big Mike

Hi great friends!!!! I am very humbled to announce that The Big Mike Road Show 2008 thread has now passed over 100,000 views!!! I cannot believe that 4 months ago when I came up with the idea to create a wacky T-Shirt and plaster my face all over the place, that I would have met so many great friends along the way and had so much fun with them! I honestly believe that making The Big Mike Road Show 2008 a big TPR family type get together has made this such a success! Meeting brand new people and having a blast with them and becoming solid friends from then on has become a dream come true thanks to all of you!!! Six Flags over Georgia, Cedar Point, The Mainland Europe Trip, and a whole bunch of parks in between has afforded me to meet some tremendous people and have the best time ever! THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!! Here are some stats so far for The Big Mike Road Show 2008: Since opening day on March 15th, I have ridden 122 new coasters in 116 days! Thats over a coaster a day, not counting the coasters I had already ridden. The Big Mike Road Show 2008 thread is still the #1 thread of 2008 so far! On our quest for 100 parks in 2008, we have visited 59 parks so far and traveled over 20,000 miles! Most importantly, riding coasters and visiting parks is fun, but being with great TPR friends is what really matters to me. I do not have a count yet, but I have met A TON of great new friends!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to meet even more, and there are stops along the rest of the way that I already have brand new friends lining up to say hello and share in on the fun. I am soooo excited! Well here is an update for the Big Mike Road Show 2008 so far: Parks completed so far in 2008: 1. March 15th - Storybook Land in New Jersey on page 5. 2. March 15th - Steel Pier in New Jersey on page 6. 3. March 22nd - Adventurers in New York on page 7. 4. March 22nd - Astroland in New York on page 7. 5. March 22nd - Denos Wonder Wheel in New York on page 7. 6. March 28th - Nascar Speed Park in Tennessee on page 8. 7. March 28th - Zuma Fun Center in Tennessee on page 8. 8. March 28th - Sir Gooneys in Tennessee on page 8. 9. March 28th - Dollywood in Tennessee on page 10. 10. March 29th - Six Flags over Georgia in Georgia on page 13. 11. April 5th - Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey on page 15. 12. April 12th - Boomers in New York on page 18. 13. April 12th - Adventureland in New York on page 18. 14. April 18th - Planet Fun in Maryland on page 21 15. April 19th - Kings Dominion in Virginia on page 23. 16. April 19th - Adventure Park USA in Maryland on page 25. 17. April 27th - Rehelete in Guadalajara Mexico on page 29. 18. April 27th - Selva Magica in Guadalajara Mexico on page 29. * May 4th - The Big Mike Road Show 2008 Bikini Bonanza Top 25 from Puerto Vallarta Mexico on page 30. 19. May 10th - Lake Compounce in Connecticut on page 36. 20. May 10th - Quassy Amusement Park in Connecticut on page 39. 21. May 10th - Rye Playland in New York on page 39. 22. May 10th - Krazy City in New York on page 39. 23. May 17th - Sesame Place in Pennsylvania on page 41. * Re-visit to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey on page 41. 24. May 23rd - Jimini Peak in Massachusetts on page 49. 25. May 23rd - Jeepers Albany in New York on page 49. 26. May 23rd - The Great Escape in New York on page 50. 27. May 23rd - Sylvan Beach in New York on page 51. 28. May 24th - Darian Lake in New York on page 54. 29. May 24th - Martin's Fantasy Island in New York on page 55. 30. May 25th - Canada's Woderland in Ontario Canada on page 57 31. May 25th - Centreville in Ontario Canada on page 59. 32. May 26th - Waldameer in Pennsylvania on page 62. 33. May 26th - Midway Park in New York on page 62. 34. May 30th - Dorney Park in Pennsylvania on page 64. * June 6th - Super TPR Party for Big Mike's 600th coaster on page 65. 35. June 6th - Cedar Point CoasterMania in Ohio on page 66. 36. June 7th - Tuscora Park in Ohio on page 68. 37. June 7th - Fun Fore All in Pennsylvania on page 68. 38. June 7th - Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania on page 70. 39. June 7th - Del Grosso's in Pennsylvania on page 70. * June 20th - Sightseeing in Paris on page 74. 40. June 21st - Parc St. Paul in France on page 74. 41. June 21st - Mer de Sable in France on page 74. 42. June 22nd - Jardin D'Acclimation in France on page 74. 43. June 23rd - Parc Asterix in France on page 76. 44. June 24th - Walibi Belgium in Belgium on page 78. 45. June 25th - Bobbejaanland in Belgium on page 79. 46. June 25th - Toverland in Holland on page 80. 47. June 26th - Efteling in Holland on page 81. 48. June 26th - Drivliet in Holland on page 82. 49. June 27th - Walibi World in Holland on page 82. 50. June 28th - Heide Park in Germany on page 84. 51. June 29th - Movie Park Germany in Germany on page 86. 52. June 29th - Schlossbeck in Germany on page 87. 53. June 30th - Phantasialand in Germany on page 87. 54. July 1st - Tripsdrill in Germany on page 88. 55. July 1st - Holiday Park in Germany on page 90. 56. July 2nd - Europa Park in Germany on page 90. 57. July 3rd - Walygator Parc Metz in France on page 92. 58. July 4th - Disneyland Park Paris in France on page 93. 59. July 5th - Walt Disney Studios Paris in France on page 93. The Big Mike Road Show has visited 59 parks so far and traveled 20,582 miles in 2008! Parks still on the to do list: August 8 - 16 Silver Dollar City Celebration City Rt 66 Carousel Park Miner Mike's Adventure Town Six Flags St. Louis Kiddie Park All Star Adventures Zonkers Magic Springs + Crystal Falls Funland Adventureland Fun Plex Skateland Playdaze Worlds of Fun - Coaster Mayhem (Aug 16) September 6-7 Hard Rock Park October 3-12 Knotts Berry Farm California Adventure Adventure City Boomers Disneyland Castle Amusement Park John's Incredible Pizza Riverside Scandia Universal Studios Hollywood Six Flags Magic Mountain Gilroy Gardens Great America Oakland Zoo Pixieland Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Fun Town at Micke Grove Train Town Nut Tree Park Funderland John's Incredible Pizza Roseville Weekends March - October By State: Clementon Moreys Pier Pocono Play Park Knoebels Hershey Park Kids N Action Six Flags New England Jolly Roger Baja Amusements Jolly Roger at the Pier Trimper's Rides Fun World Canobie Lake Motor World Palace Playland Funtown/Splashtown These are the New for 2008 rides I will be reviewing for you: Dark Knight (SFGA) - Completed on page 41. Moto Coaster - Completed on page 54. Bohemoth - Completed on page 57. Ravine Flyer 2 - Completed on page 62. Voodoo - Completed on page 64. Indianer Bobbahn - Completed on page 84. Mammut - Completed on page 88. Dominator Evel Knievel Fahrenheit Flying Turns Led Zeppelin Maximum RPM Midnight Rider Shake, Rattle, and Rollercoaster Slippery When Wet Pony Express Tony Hawk's Big Spin I just want everyone to know what a fantastic time I just had on the Theme Park Review Mainland Europe Trip! Sure you have a whole bunch of parks to go to... ... you get a whole bunch of great meals.... .... you get a ton of ERT to ride coasters all by yourselves... ... you get transported all over the place with no hassles.... ... you stay at some really magnificent hotels... .... and you do all of this every single day, over and over again! I can't stress enough that if you have a chance to go on a trip, do it! With all of these great things I just listed, they all play backseat to the most important element of all... the friends you make on the trip and the fun you share with them. That said, this is my Theme Park Review/Big Mike Road Show 2008 Mainland Europe Trip Photo Finale, and it is based on all the wonderful people that made it so special!! I hope to see and meet a lot more friends on the 2nd half of The Big Mike Road Show 2008, come out and say hello I hope you enjoy! Peace, Big Mike PS - 100,000 views in 4 months!!! Unbelievable! Rich and Larry! Everyone who met me on the trip and the coaster shirt check offs coming next! Hope you enjoyed! Peace, Big Mike Kristie and Melanie! Jeff! Ben and Ginny! John! Michael! Mark! Rich! Brad and Jes! Shane! Stacey! Alan and Fran! Russ! Liz and Joe! Henriette! Steve! Chuck! Terry! Richard! Jon! Patrick! Anneliese! Ivan! Stefan! Dave! Cameron! Mike! Janice! Alexander! Felicia! Louise! Erik! Rene! Elissa! Hanno! Bill! Gage! Ryan! Kristen! Ron! Ant! John! Elliot! Craig! Divv! Caitlyn! Piers! Miles! Brian! Tim! Ben! Jonathan! Dave! Peter! Craig! Chris! Will! Nathan! Jeff! Robb!

Thanks Dave for the hard work at helping me out with the links, much appreciated! I have officially retired the Kid Tums signed shirt, but it may make a few Appearances in California and Missouri later in the year. I am up for any ideas on the other shirts Peace, Big Mike

Always a pleasure Hanno How did I miss those bumper go-carts? Peace, Big Mike

Good job JimBo! A place still on my list to visit! Nice seeing your smiley face again Peace, Big Mike