TPDave

Yup! I did a couple of parks in a day on my own last year and I really didn't like it! It just feels odd not being with someone that you know :S Dave

I'm not sure I entirely agree. If you listen to Merlin PR people you're an idiot, so you shouldn't have been preparing for Nemesis V2 or anything like that. What you get is a really good mine train with a unique element, a strong storyline and extensive theming. It's a great family attraction and although I agree with you that the advertising may be a bit strong and put off younger customers, when we were there, loads of families with young kids were riding so I'm not sure the marketing is actually putting people off. Dave

We didn't notice actually We were too busy waiting for a bout 5 minutes for our rider cam videos to come up before realising that our train probably wasn't working! If i'm up there soon i'll have a look! Dave

Divv, I'm pretty sure Mike was the butt of 99% of the jokes, he has many problems... Awesome day guys! we should do that again some time Dave "you betcha!" Wilson

^ I added the park map and the ride sign. Thanks for submitting them! Dave

I assume you're referring to the actual Q-Bot device. It's sold as a "Gold Flash pass" at some Six Flags parks (and is totally awesome!). Basically, a standard flash pass works similarly to the disney system where you wait for as long as the stand by line is advertised as being, except you can go and do whatever you want during that time and then when your time comes you head over to the ride and walk on. The only thing you can't do is wait for more than one ride at a time. It's pretty cool, and if you've been to a Disney park or anywhere operating a similar system you'll know it means you can get so much more out of your day. A Gold Flash pass is even better. Basically you get this cool thing (looks like a Tamagotchi!) that lists all the rides in the park that are part of the flash pass system. Next to each ride is a time which you'll be able to go on that ride if you reserve it now. The time you have to wait is usually around 90% shorter than the stand by waiting time. It's also a great system because you can reserve the ride from anywhere in the park (unlike having to go to the ride to get a ticket like the Disney system). So if you're the other side of the park from a ride that you want to go on and it has a 50 minute stand by time, you reserve it on your Q-Bot and only have to wait 5 minutes. It'll probably take more than 5 minutes to walk to the ride so by the time you arrive you just walk right by the 50 minute line and get on the ride. The second you go past the entry point and have your Q-Bot cleared, you can reserve another ride. Basically if you plan it right you can stack rides so that another ride is waiting when you haven't even got on the train for the previous ride. At SFMM last year we took 20 people past the massive line of one of the water ride and were so refreshed that after 5 minutes we all went back on because it was such a hot day Basically this system is amazing, and is definitely worth paying for is you're travelling any serious distance to go to a park. If i'm paying to cross the Atlantic and go to some parks with amazing rides, I'm sure as hell going to pay another $60 - $100 to make sure I get on everything (usually multiple times!). It's also worth noting that the more people you have per Q-Bot, the cheaper it is per person. You can get them for 1 person all the way up to 6 per Q-Bot. At SFMM, for 1 person a Q-Bot is $69, but if you get a 6 person one its $49 each. SFMM also does a platinum version which lets you ride twice with each reservation, this $20 more per person. So to sum up: Are they free? - No, but they're certainly worth it! Are they like flash passes? - Yes, if a flash pass let you cut 90% of the stand by line and reserve from anywhere in the park. Basically like a flash pass on speed! What do they do? - See above Will we get them for WCB? - I don't think so but if this is your first time to the park or you don't think you'll be there for a long time and want to get on everything i would seriously consider getting one. If you managed to get through all of that congratulations! I hope it helped a bit Dave

I'm so upset I missed this one! Looks like you all had a blast. Damn education!! Next time, next time... Dave

Every event TPR has done at SFMM

Club TPR will have an electronic publication to keep people up to date with what's going on in the theme park world. In many ways it's more versatile than having a physical magazine because we can have video embedded and links to parts of the website right in the document. It's going to be great! Dave

This is a great topic, that's a very impressive yearly park total! i'm looking forward to next years! Dave

Nice TR Divv!! That does look like a pretty cool carnival. I've never done any of the big ones so we should do some more over the summer! Dave

It's not weird at all, i think you actually have to ride it and feel the restraint to understand. I think because it looks a bit like the single lap belt that you find in the back of a small car, you imagine it to feel that way when you're riding but it doesn't. It locks in very securely and I felt totally comfortable while being able to move freely, it was really cool. You've also got to consider that the coaster doesn't do 100 mph or invert, and the I think the restraint matches the movement of the ride perfectly, when we rode it in the summer, everyone had their arms out and was pretending to fly. I wrote about Tranan somewhere else a while back, but in short it's pretty awesome for a concept and I hope more of them get built in the place of wild mice which just seem a bit boring nowadays. Back of the 4D topic, those concept pictures look pretty cool. If even half of that stuff makes it into the final cut the area will look awesome! Dave

I think the time for 4-D coasters to become world class (old B&M Inverts, Intamin Rockets and Plug&Plays) has passed. If this technology was going to take off then it probably would have done a while ago. These coasters are incredibly expensive to make, and I'm not sure there are too many parks out there willing to spend such large amounts of cash just so that next time S&S will make some improvements for the parks competitors. They're better off with a decent Intamin for the money that goes into these things. I hope this one turns out well, I hope they've learnt even more from X2 and over time they improve the design of the 4D coaster, but I don't think it'll ever take off in the way that other iconic ride types have. Dave

You have waaaaaaay too much time on your hands!!! Unfortunately you've missed one though Dave

Nice kit, just wondering why you went for 2 bass drums of the same size? Surely the idea is to vary the tone between the drums to add depth to your playing. If I was going to spend the extra on a second bass drum rather than just upgrade to a double pedal I'd go for a different size. If it works for you though, that's great Dave

I just caught up on this TR and I'm loving it! I really want to do a TPR cruise a some point! Great captions as always Chuck, a very entertaining read Dave

Guys, I don't think the corkscrew is going to actually go at the parks entrance. If I remember correctly the planning application said it was going to go into the gardens. It should be a nice addition none the less. Dave

The would be an epic TPR takeover!! It looks pretty cool, I'm not sure it'll catch on though Dave

I absolutely LOVE the end of this video! If only there was a camera getting the other end of the phone call!! Dave

where does it say you have to submit a video? Dave

If you don't know about the donkey at Lotte world, you probably shouldn't go there. Only those experienced with the Lotte world donkey should attempt to enter the park. Dave

I think it's a standard model. I could swear i've seen others but I can't remember where.

Nice TR Divv I was upset I couldn't get down there, but at least it's only the dark ride that's changed. It's a really nice little park that doesn't seem to be nearly as popular as it should be! London based TPR members, go to Adventure Island NOW!! Dave

I couldn't agree more.

Nice! This is already panning out way better than the last SW project I can't wait to get down there in April! Dave