ms13

^ Surprisingly, yes he did...

I had a chance to ride Race Through New York With Jimmy Fallon today during it's limited soft open. Simply put, it's one of the most entertaining and unique queue experiences I've ever been in, followed up by the most mediocre and lazy attractions I've been on. After you enter the building, you're given a NBC logo card with a color. Every time you see that color, you move into the next room. There are two main holding rooms. The first is a museum of sorts, with memorabilia from the entire run of The Tonight Show. The second room, after a flight of steps, was a lounge area combined with a stage area, of sorts. Throughout the wait, they had various acts come out on the stage, from a guy in a panda suit (quality stuff...ugh) to a group of barbershop quartets, who sing modern songs, like baby got back...yup. Despite that, the vibe was actually quite energetic here, passing the time well. After that room was the preshow/safety briefing area, then its off to the ride. And once again, its a bunch of seats in front of a screen. Think Despicable Me, but...no, actually it's the same exact thing. The benches are uncomfortable, and the jokes are...well not funny. After it was done, there was a consensus of..."That's it?" from the crowd, and "Well, I never need to ride that again." Not exactly the reaction they expected, I'm sure. For me, it was another disappointment, after Kong. But I'm just not a fan of media based attractions, and hate that every new ride requires 3D glasses. Might as well hand them out at the entrance. But your milage may vary. A few photos follow. The main entrance. The facade was done quite well. Return time Kiosks. Were not in use for the soft open, and I don't see there being enough of a wait for them to be used that often. The card you were given after you enter the first room. Six different ones. The whole room changed to the next color, and that group would move right along... The first room was a museum to the history of The Tonight Show. Large room with no seats, leading to... ...people sitting in front of every exhibit. Good luck getting a close look or a photo. Second room had a small lounge area, and a bigger area with a stage. Here, there's a random panda walking around. Wish I knew why. Other show was the barbershop quartets singing pop songs. I give it three months till they cut this. In between the shows they played "The Best Of..." Quotation marks used appropriately... The preshow area, just like minions...literally. Lined up in six rows and watching the video overhead.

I was there as well on Tuesday, and was going to watch the parade, but then I remembered I wasn't a fan of parades, and felt my time was better spent at Del Taco. Looks like a pretty good parade, though, if your into that type of thing. I have seen the lagoon show, and really enjoyed it. Great combination of several different technologies, without them overpowering each other, though the multicolored spotlights were my personal favorite aspect of the show. Certainly a great way to end your day at Universal. Oh, and gosh darn those bariers and security keeping me away from all that cheese...

I got something in the mail today...it was a bill. Yesterday, however, I got a big bag o crap. Usually when someone sends me a bag o crap, its messy and smelly, but this time it was neither. I have no idea how it got to my house, as it has no label on it. Its not that often that a pile of crap gets me excited, more just disgusted, but TPR has managed to get me excited for once! Awesome maps and park info from all around the world...from places Ill never have the money to go...this is depressing...but awesome...but depressing... Wow! TPR has the technology to detect that I need breathmints and they sent some! Best Site Ever! For some reason this wouldn't work on my PS3...I need to upgrade. TPR pens never run out. Seriously, they don't. Its sorta scary... I couldnt believe what was on this...Seriously, it was amazing! It was...a secret! Thanks for the Bag O Crap guys!

I have to admit that I prefer the old one. I just prefer the simplicity of the other one, with less words and without the yellow border. But its the content that matters and not the banner!

Tron: Legacy This movie was just ... Meh. Thats really the best way I can describe it. I was really excited for this movie, and the trailers made it look great, but then I saw the leaked footage, and it quickly lowered my expectations. And thats a good thing, as I would have been REALLY disappointed. Really, the only thing that saved this movie was the 3D. Even though sometimes things started to get blurry due to the crazy colors, the depth was great and there were a few great "jump" moments. But really, aside from three great action scenes (the best being the night club scene, even though a certain cameo took me out of the film), this movie was just...boring. And, perhaps the biggest disappointment to me was the fact that there just was no finale. It something that plagues alot of action movies where the best action was in the middle, and the end has a lack of it. That happens to this movie. I was hoping for a great one on one fight, an epic action scene, and instead I got a fake looking Jeff Bridges face coming at me in 3D. Such a shame. This movie had so much promise, as the disc fight and club scene showed, but instead we got just a so so movie with so so acting. Avatar this is not. 6/10

Jackass 3D: It makes me very sad to say that this was quite a disappointment. Jackass was meant for TV, thats where it was best, in 30 minute episodes. It should have never came to theaters, but somehow they made the first two (especially the second) work. Like most movie franchises, however, the third did not live up. The opening, closing and credits were great, but the rest was just sorta "meh". I really didn't laugh that much, just some chuckles, and only one gag made me go "Holy Excrement, that was awesome!" And this movie wont work that well at home, as alot of scenes were created just for 3D. Cant really give it a rating out of 10...just a recommendation to see it in theaters if you really want to see it, as it wont be really that good at home.

This sounds darn fun, and it falls around my birthday, so if I can find anybody to meet up with, I'm so there!

Toy Story 3 gets a 9.5/10 from me. I don't cry at movies that often, but boy, did the ending of this movie get to me. From the very first scene, which we saw before in the first movie, there was a smile on my face that never went away. Amazing story, amazing laughs (Mr Tortilla Head was perhaps the funniest thing I've seen in years), and amazing action. The only thing keeping this from a 10/10 was what was said before, the movie didn't feel that epic. Perhaps it was the fact that alot of it took place in the dark, and things dont seem as epic in the dark, but maybe not. Whatever the case, it was truly amazing, and the best movie of the year so far. (Ratatouille will always be my favorite Pixar movie) PS- The short film before the movie was perhaps my favorite thing about the whole movie. Cant really describe it, but it had amazing animation and an amazing message. My favorite Pixar short.

Outta Sight - Chromeo

Im to lazy to get my butt to a park without someone saying lets go, so I don't often go to parks myself. I have split up with my group before, though, and had a great time by myself, aside from worrying where to meet up (pre cell phones). Benefit of going alone though is sometimes you get paired up with some great people on rides you would have never met otherwise.

And on a slightly different note, I checked out 2012 to see what the big fuss was about. My god, was it the best (or second best, after Bruno) comedy of 2009. I have not laughed that hard in a VERY long time. I did loose interest about halfway through, which rarely happens with me, but still couldn't stop laughing. For pete's sake, If I can sit through Superman Returns, it takes alot to loose my interest. And I didn't give a crap about any of the characters...at all. If they can survive driving a limo missing a door through a collapsing office building at a 45 degree angle with glass everywhere and landing on the cement at a speed so fast the car would fall apart without even a scratch, then the end of the world is nothing to them. I think I've lost faith in humanity after seeing that this was one of the most popular movies of 2009....Ugh.

1. What are your initial thoughts? Initial thoughts...It sounds like a great idea! I know there has been talk about this for a while, so to finally see this possibly come into reality is great. 2. Can you think of anything else we could be offering? As long as there is a TPR pen involved, I'm happy. 3. Is this something that interests you? If by interested you mean really interested, then absolutely. I know I dont post much, but TPR has led me to make some great friends, and even though I wasnt able to go on a trip in 2009/2010, do to my house, after the fun I had on the mini Behemoth trip, I see myself doing several trips in the future, so this membership would be great. 4. Why would you NOT be interested in this? If when I signed up, my account was deleted, then I wouldnt be happy, but I have a feeling that that doesnt happen when you sign up, so nothing at all really... 5. Any additional feedback you can give us based on the information you see here. Sould I just paypal the money now? : ) This sounds like a great feature and this great site just keeps getting greater!

Ahhh...what a great start to what Im sure will be a great report. Looks like you guys had fun, and it was only day one. Only thing that sucks is that I will not be able to go on another TPR trip until 2011, and this reminds me of what Im missing... But thats life. ^^And haha, great review Tyler!

That was some of the funniest commentary on any video Ive seen in a while. I was laughing like crazy. Oh, and the whole coaster getting stuck thing was interesting too.

Electro all the way... Bands like MSTRKRFT, Daft Punk, Justice, Boys Noize, Digitalism, and others. Makes me wish electronic music wasn't so stereotyped here in the states. Well, at least where I live it is. Ill listen to anything though.

White Chicks... Couldn't watch a movie for weeks...

What a great update. Its awesome to see a dark ride at the center of an update, instead of a coaster (not that there is anything wrong with that). The dark ride enthusiast in me is very happy!

Sure was. Looked very very good. To bad it wasn't open yet... Part two (The boardwalks) will be up hopefully tomorrow...

Hey Guys, So when the chance came up for me to visit Great Adventure on its opening day, I said why not! What the worst that can happen? Its not like the park is going to be closed, right?...Right??? Well several things did happen, and I'm not talking about the drive home (long story). So what follows is my recollection of the day, minus exploding stuffed animals. Some notes: -Wind, oh wind, why did you have to visit me on one of my two vacations this year. I only ask that you stay away on the days Im not working...which is my vacation days. -Skull Mountain, you are my new love...just don't let Geauga Lake find out,......wait, she's out of the picture now, so who cares...World, Skull mountain is my favorite thing about Six Flags Great Adventure! Yes, I just said the unthinkable, but its the truth...and to think I fell in love with a sub par version of you...guess I dont have much taste... -El Torro, why did you have to do it?...why did you have me thinking that you were the best coaster I have ever ridden on the first few hills, but when you did your first turn around, you loose all your energy? Its like you quit trying!!! You will just have to settle for #3 on my list, after Pheonix and Ravine Flyer II. -Dark Knight, why did you not even meet my expectations? I was so expecting to love you, even with all the hate, but you just didnt show the same love to me...Its like you forgot to theme yourself during the second half. And you let me look up your skirt while I was leaving the building...very unprofessional!! -Why am I talking like the coasters are people...I need a life... -Only thing I did that day that wasn't a coaster was Fly Me to the Moon...In not so 3D I may add...stupid show, and for me thats strange, as I like just about anything, especially 3D wise. On to the pictures... ...Big Ass Pizza!!! That ends it for my great adventure update, but theres a bonus part two with my journey to the jersey shore under construction...or should I say under funstruction...Oh Six Flags, I love your complex and life changing humor...who would have thought of changing a few letters to make construction more fun sounding...Ive got something to tell you...construction is still construction...not fun at all...until part two... Ehhh...create your own caption... I'm to tired... Thank you starburst, now I know that when a Kinda Ka fan boy is crying about it being closed, I need to lean toward the tears, while eating a delicious candy just to rub it in his face...Thanks! Yeah, the economy has even hurt the grand parade, turning it from something great into just crew members to fill its place pretending to enjoy their jobs... My first flyer of this kind, and it did not kill my balls...I guess Im just to manly.......to admit it did...but it didn't! If there was one thing that surprised me at the park it was these signs...they were so cool changing what they were advertising...I would look away for one second, and when I looked back, it would be something else... I'm calling it as witchcraft...and OMG the shadow monster is back....wow that was stupid...I should delete this whole caption...doing it now... Hahahahaha...shiver me flippers...Six Flags you crack me up...such a creative play on words...I hope you win an oscar for that name... So as this was all new credit day, I figured why not get the kid coaster...It will be open...wait....it isn't open...why the heck is it not open...than I saw the Six Flags logo and my questioning went away... If someone can tell me what this is than you are lying to me, as there is no way of knowing what this is so dont even try... Batman, why did you dissapoint me...wait, you were the good batman without a line...You were awesome!...You need to show the other batman coaster how its done...even though you are completely different types of coasters...scratch that, just keep doing what you do well... Wow, thats impressive...that speaker can cover that whole area... Sure this picture has been in every trip report, but god dammit, its beautiful, and I'm keeping it in...deal with it... So interesting story, I ask for chicken and fries, and a coke, and the total came to 3.49, I say did you get the chicken, and he said it was free since there was no button...OK, perhaps not that interesting, but the moral of the story is that nothing is free...yeah. has no relevance at all, but i figured I would try... Oh My God!!! El Torro's On Fire!!!!! Eh, not really...but it still is my number three...See how I used a word that has two meanings...Im surprised I could do that... This guy travels the world doing something, and posts his experiences on some website, but I had never heard of him, I was apprehensive to take a picture with him, but he seemed nice, so when someone tells me what website he posts on, Ill have to check it out... Even the economy has hurt poor bugs, who has had to go to waiting to afford those carrots, and cannot even afford a new shirt...poor bugs... On a more serious note, anybody know what is going on with this building...heard it was some type of dark ride, but not sure, any help would be great...oh, and I love big butts and can in fact lie... Hmm...it looks and sounds painful, but is in fact fun...what does this remind you of...Wait...dont answer that... I wanted to ride The Great American Scream Machine, but got stuck with the Scream Machini instead...not as good... Im sure people in the park are thinking "Guys, we just drove 3 days and paid $50 to ride some coasters...but screw them, lets eat what I can get for half the price in my city, Papa Johns!" Next thing you'll be telling me that there are Burger Kings in other amusement parks... Aw how cute, oversized soda bottles to put your empty undersized soda can/bottles in... at least they served as great bowling pins to the winds on that day! How's it going Tony...Err, Matt, sorry!...BTW anyone find it weird that the guy in the background matches the candy vending machine?...food for thought! I love you, will you marry me?........Did I just ask a coaster to marry me? Wow Matt, thats an all time low...Oh, and credit #100 for me... So I was in the station, cars away from getting credit #99, and I hear this siren, and the me who denies everything said that oh, thats the celebration horn, and the first riders of 2009 are about to depart, but the realistic me, who has since not been allowed to think again, said oh crap....there goes the day... Batman has just ridden the Dark Knight... Lets play a little game...You tell me which one of these were closed at opening, and I tell you NO DUH as I tried to get on them... Its hard to believe that all of these people were in line for the ferris wheel...it may have looked like they were running for Nitro, but they were just doing 360's around that giant multi colored wheel...they loved it that much... While the people I was with were looking at the coasters, I was looking at the blue van a few cars away...it looked amazing...stood out in the skyline, and HAD A TIRE ON THE BACK OF IT!!! You know what, I dont even think thats a van, but who cares, it was getting me excited for the day!!! Well with those gas prices, this has to be a great day! I have a feeling that Im gonna get 10 rides on Nitro in a row! I just know it...

My god, that one guy that was with you in the video was annoying... Otherwise a great video and trip report. If only the theme of things being closed would have ended that day, but thats a different thread.

Fast Food...ugh...I eat it every day, but I have an excuse...I work in it. For the last 3 years, I have eaten Burger King every day, as I eat it free. As long as you walk/jog once and a while, you have nothing to worry about. My personal favorite is KFC followed bby Subway...I know, a strange combination.

First coaster of the year and credit #99 was Batman: The Ride at Great Adventure. Followed up by my new love and credit #100 Skull Mountain! The aim was to have El Torro as #100, but Im happy that it turned up to be Skull Mountain. I got 10 rides on it, and several without getting out of my seat. Was such a good day, minor technical difficulties aside.

^ I remember those Gyros...those were darn good... I have to say my favorite food item is the waffle ice cream sandwichs at Knoebels. Sooooooooooooo good!... Think I had three last time I was there! (Did I use enough O's?)

Watchmen... I have to say I quite liked it. Im not one for graphic novels, but when the first images came out from the movie, I had to pick up the book and read it. And so going in I knew a little about what was going to happen. And after many legal battles and the worst studio out there now nearly stopping the release, it finally came to my theater. While it was a little long, it was still quite enjoyable. Action was good (though a little to much was added), good acting, and most importantly in my mind, it was shot really amazingly. Zach Snyder is a great director, and its hard to believe he has only directed 3 movies. Better than the Dark Knight in my opinion. 9/10 PS- I had a revelation while at the movies last night. It is something I thought I would never say, but I am. I am done going to the theater to see movies. ....Gasp.... I'm just tired of hearing the whole audience talk to each other, while shoulder to shoulder, and the movie breaking down TWICE!!! during two very important scenes. I have a much better theater in my living room, which never breaks, in the privacy of my home, and also plays PS3 games. Call me back theater when you fix these things...