Photo TR: Non-German Tom's California Adventure

[Shockwave]

I still want to believe that one day Magic Mountain will be brought up to where it needs to be standards wise.

 

Anyone have any idea why Superman doesn't go up all the way anymore?

 

Superman's motors use a huge amount of electricity, which costs the park a lot of money everytime it gets launched. And since they don't have money to burn, they've reduced the power to cut the cost of launching the trains.

[cfc]

Good stuff, Tom. I haven't been to Magic Mountain since the Revolution was brand, spankin' new, and from what I've read about the place on TPR and elsewhere, I'm in no real hurry to go back.

 

IHOP's grilled cinnamon-roll French toast rules!

 

Chuck

[Shockwave]

You better finish this one!

 

I'm nearly halfway there now!

 

"no dead spots"

:groan:

 

That was bad, you could see the bleach stain in that photo and everything.

 

Wicked awesome comments. Hopefully the sliding Tatsu is a result of the earth opening up to swallow that horrible horrible park.

 

Horrible.

 

Can't wait for more pictures...hopefully of food.

 

-Don

 

Yeah I'm probably going to hell for that.

 

^ ...heh. *sigh*

 

 

 

 

Great trip report Tom! Pretty honest report on SFMM, unfortunately.

 

 

 

Glad you liked my IHOP.

 

-Jahan

 

IHOP was awesome!

 

And I just found out the other day that Quiznos have set up shop in Manchester, which would be awesome if the subs weren't made out of toasted bread which gets burnt, brown lettuce, and some of the worst reconstituted meat I've ever eaten.

 

OK, we're now onto SeaWorld San Diego and Giant Dipper. Only two credits today, but it gave me the chance to relax after yesterday's massive credit run.

 

First stop was to meet up with Jimmy at Pizza Port to try out the cuisine there. And it was awesome! A great pizza, and a fine beverage to wash it down.

 

SeaWorld San Diego wasn't as good as the Orlando park, and their version of Journey to Atlantis was very much lacking compared to the Florida park's own version. Very little theming to speak of. The vertical lift in the tower was interesting, about the most interesting thing on the ride. And I'm sure that the waterfall over the first drop is supposed to turn off when the boat goes down the drop! Well it didn't, and I got rather wet. 5 minutes after my ride ended, they turned it off for the rest of the day.

 

I didn't try the rapids this time, but they looked reasonably good, as I had to hit the Shamu show before the crowds. The Shamu and Dolphin shows were very good, and they're certainly not joking about those soak zones. People were getting drenched!

 

After a few hours at SeaWorld, it was time to go west to Mission Beach and ride Giant Dipper. This classic woodie isn't anything special. No airtime to speak of, and very rough in the back of the train. Belmont Park and its doorless toilet cubicles were entertainment enough for an hour or so, before I headed back to Pizza Port to meet with Jimmy again.

 

Once again, my trip was providing me with some great insights into all things Californian. Today I learnt that:

 

1. Like in England, when driving on the freeway, stay in the right lane. Its the fastest. And watch out for Mexicans in the road! (I didn't see any today though.)

 

2. There's an awesome shop at Mission Beach which sells loads of rock, Family Guy and various other stuff. Worth a visit if you're into that sort of thing.

 

3. Don't ride Giant Dipper in the back. Not unless you want a cheap session to re-align your spinal column.

Cheers everyone! Thanks to Jimmy for the tour of clearly the best Pizza Port out there. Next stop, Legoland.

...and award winning brews are made!

...you press a few buttons...

Stuff goes in here...

But before the report ends, I went back to Pizza Port to see how beer is made!

And goodbye Belmont Park!

And that's pretty much it. There's not much to keep you occupied for more than 30 mins at this place, so goodbye Giant Dipper.

They had a Chaos too! I wtached from a distance though, still nursing the bruise I got from the back seat Dipper ride.

Belmont Park has a few other attractions, such as a KMG Afterburner, or a Chance Revolution or whatever its badged as in the US.

Unless you're sitting in back, where you'll be shouting all the way around, for all the wrong reasons!

It looks nice, but it doesn't have much to shout about.

Obviously I went straight to Giant Dipper first.

And the sunset was quite impressive.

So after a couple of hours, I'd pretty much done all the major stuff! Mission Beach was calling.

Happy Harbor doesn't look too happy. Someone get this place a Shamu Express!

And she could jump high too.

This one was a bit more civilised than Flipper De Niro.

Yeah, that'll teach you to eyeball me! Now get outta my hood!

You lookin' at me, punk?

After Believe, it was straight over to watch some dolphins in their arena.

Maybe CaseyFish can answer this one!

That's why I avoided the soak zone. Gets a bit wet.

Better check those teeth first.

I'm a killer whale! Gimme some herrings!

This Shamu had a floppy dorsal fin too!

Time for the San Diego Shamu show. Apparently San Diego is German for "Whale's vagina"...

Noooo, Budweiser! Well at least it won't be going anywhere fast on that thing.

The Rapids had those cool spirally things, but I was wet enough already.

And there's more water after the coaster section into the second splashdown.

There might be less theming, but there's still a lot of water.

Unlike Florida's, the fountain doesn't turn off when you go down the first drop. But I think that was just because they wanted to soak the Non-German because I love my soak zones.

Unlike Florida's JTA, the first lift is external. And there's no themed section. In fact, I can't see much theming anywhere.

Joy of joys, there was no line! So let's see what it's all about.

No aerial shots of Journey To Atlantis either. Speaking of which...

And now I'll need even less! Sorry Elissa, no penguins today. You'll have to make do with Happy Feet.

And here we are! Don't think I'll need 8 hours to do the park though. 3 is more than enough.

But I ate the whole thing! And, twenty minutes later after discovering I'd put on about 200lbs, I headed to SeaWorld.

Naturally with my small physique and even smaller appetite, I only expected to get through one half of it.

Jimmy called this the Heart-Attack Pizza. It's loaded with cheese, onions, and a lot of meat.

Here's Pizza Port! Fine pizzas, award winning ales, and great service!

[arrowfanman]

Excellent report!

 

I havn't been to SeaWorld in years and I cant say that I've ever been to Belmont Park, so even though this makes neither seem "exceptional", I'm now thinking that perhaps it wouldn't hurt to make a run down to San Diego next year.

 

Keep it up! We're all rooting for you on this one Tom!

 

-Jahan

[chaos]

Yay, for the Chaos picture! Recently, the Giant Dipper has gotten a lot worse. I think it's time for a rehab. I think this is one of the best San Diego photo TR's.

[DallasAlvey]

Good photos yay for Sea World. On the Shamu Express, SWSD will probley get one in two years that's my guess. Next time I go to San Diego

I need to go to Belmont to get my Big Dipper credit.

[Gsus]

I spat drink over my keyboard at the clint eastwood dolphin pic. It's as if some kid shouted how crappy the dolphin was and he just stopped mid-show and swam over.......

 

anywho love the PTR so far

[Shockwave]

^What can I say, I told him that Free Willy was a better film than the recent Flipper re-make and he didn't like that!

 

Excellent report!

 

I havn't been to SeaWorld in years and I cant say that I've ever been to Belmont Park, so even though this makes neither seem "exceptional", I'm now thinking that perhaps it wouldn't hurt to make a run down to San Diego next year.

 

Keep it up! We're all rooting for you on this one Tom!

 

You should go for a day like I did, you'll get everything done and be back home in time for dinner!

[Shockwave]

And now it's time for two big kids at Legoland!

 

I drove up there with Jimmy to find a near empty parking lot and empty lines! This Legoland is a lot smaller than the English version at Windsor, and on less of a hill. But there are still lots of the same or very similar rides which have found worldwide appeal to families.

 

As far as big rides go, I finally got to get my Fire Rescue and Skipper School credits, as I'd never had the chance to do so at Windsor. And they were great fun! Splash Battle looks a lot of fun if you're prepared to get very wet on a hot day. The Technic Coaster is badly trimmed, Coastersaurus must have bored the over dinosaurs to death, but it's a good coaster for little ones, Dragon is good for the whole family, and there's hours of fun to be had in the building centre.

 

The Robocoaster was a surprise as well. We tried the most intense setting for maximum attack, and it was pretty intense! But it was more fun using the waterbombs on people who were riding. The sign said the ride had 5 different settings, and there were 6 arms. So that's 30 credits for Jeff Johnson.

 

What Legoland does is bring out the kid in everyone, and even though the coasters aren't top draw, there's much more fun to be had with all the other attractions they've got.

 

Big thanks again to Jimmy and his parents for the amazing welcome and hospitality and breakfast, and for the discounted entry to Legoland!

Lego Mt Rushmore is cool for one good reason - if George Washington's nose falls off they can replace it quick! More Lego photos soon.

...even the A$$holes are represented at the park!

...the Golden Gate Bridge and Don's office...

There's New York...

No trip to Legoland is complete without going to Miniland.

Dragon is a good family coaster hidden behind a big hedge, so this is the best shot I got.

It's Dragon time!

..but this one! Sorry Elissa. We could have spent hours here writing these, but we had one more credit to get.

Speaking of which, the upcoming photos might get me banned from the Japan trip. Not this one...

Jimmy's tower stood firm on the "Casey, tackle Ryan", but the "Robb ate a Vindaloo curry last night" setting sent it crashing.

And now here's the park of the room which was just made for TPR. It's an Earthquake simulator!

Brickmobile wins!!!

That kid was actally kicking our asses in the drag racing competition! So after a few modifications, we were ready to go.

And here's mine! The Brickmobile Mark 1.

We found refuge from the wild animals in a Lego factory where they make cars. Jimmy is making one for himself.

And I got attacked by Lego SharkTums!

We then got attacked by some wild lego animals. Jimmy was eaten by a lion.

File under "L" for LAME!!

But no! It's been neuteured after the first drop. Lame!

Looks pretty good so far.

At least there is one "X" ride in California that works!

Yeah, surf those waves!

Aquazone is also over at Legoland Windsor. This was the longest line in the park.

Team Jimbo & Leeway were so fast, we finished before anybody else had put their fires out!

...and then you put the fire out!

It's pretty easy. You move the truck from one end of the street to the other...

Maybe the sound of a fire truck will wake you both up!

Hey, is that Big Mike from the UK trip? You and Jimmy look pretty tired already.

Check out those curves. Just like a dinosaur.

And so do I!

He looks hungry.

After a brief walk we found the first credit, but Coastersaurus first. (See what I did there?)

Hey Nikki - Would you look at that? Parking was not a problem, and the park was dead!

Welcome to Legoland California!

But now, it's time to visit California's Brick County.

Thanks again to Jimmy and his mom, I can't appreciate enough the gratitude you showed me!

This is what was left of my breakfast. And the rest of it went pretty fast as well!

[Jeezus Juice]

Ahem.

Detailed for your convenience.

[DallasAlvey]

But no! It's been nuetuered after the first drop. Lame!

 

Now this is more like it.

[Shockwave]

^^Haha, at least you got a nice bridge to drive over on the way to work!

 

But no! It's been nuetuered after the first drop. Lame!

 

Now this is more like it.

 

I've just noticed how bad my spelling is.

 

That should read "neuteured"!

[Shockwave]

Here's the rest of Legoland!

 

And here's the story so far. We've done all the credits, and we're having far too much fun being immature. It's the middle of the the day, and its 95 FREAKIN' DEGREES!!! So time for some water based attractions to cool off.

And there it goes! From Jimmy and I, bye for now and next stop Knott's Berry Farm!

That's my lunch.

In and Out Burger is simple, honest food as Jimmy demonstrates.

WAIT!!! There's been a lack of food in this update! So it's time for another new experience.

Thanks for a great few hours Legoland. Take us home, you crazy crustaceans!

...that's why!

This was quite new too. And also another off limits place Dan...

Yawning skull coughs up a boat.

Not so cool if your name is Dan and you're dependent on inuslin.

Legoland recently got a Splash Battle. Great for cooling off.

Don't hurt yourself touching the nasty radioactive slide Jimmy!

Oh no wait, it's Fort Health and Safety! I'm sure you've got to pad yourself in foam before using this fort.

Ooh, it's a Fort Fun!

Mmm, fountains are good on a hot day.

We got the Extreme Setting!

Robocoaster was kinda strange. But Being tossed around by an angry robot arm with waterbombs is quirky, so it gets a thumbs up.

Now it's Jeff Johnson credit whore time!

Jimmy, I need your clothes, your boots and your Knotts discount entry for tomorrow!

No report would be complete without the ach-tur whos running Kahli-fawn-ya at the moment.

Here's a jolly jolly photo for you all.

You can't do this at SeaWorld either!

Legoland has penguins! Hey SeaWorld, where are yours?

Avast there, landlubbers! Captain Leeway and First Mate Jimbo are on the high seas.

Yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me!

And I finally get to captain a boat!

[Ryan King]

Non-German Tom!

 

So how do you like MY Favorite Fast Food Place? Please tell me you liked it!!!

 

-Ryan "Keep it real!" King

[Shockwave]

^Ryan, next time I'm gonna have a 3 x 3 Animal Style!

[Ed]

So I take it you came home a few hundred pounds heavier?

[Shockwave]

So I take it you came home a few hundred pounds heavier?

 

My bank statement said I came home about 1500 Pounds lighter.

[JimmyBo]

Awesome pictures so far Tommy Boy...it was a pleasure having you out here and spending a couple days with a brit. I'm rootin for you to finish this report...can't wait to see the crazy night pictures you took at DCA

[Shockwave]

^Thanks Jimmy, I finally got some free time so here's the next part of the report for y'all...

 

The Knott's Fall Hobo Spectacular!

 

So called because today there were a lot of people in the park who looked like they were unemployed. Maybe Knotts accepts food stamps for entry these days,

 

Still, it was cheap to get in (and Jimmy had reduced entry tickets, thanks again buddy!) and we did everything in three hours or so. Partly because it was so quiet, and because it wasn't an amazing park either.

 

The parts of Knotts which are still untouched by the plague of concrete and trash cans are very nice, but the sections that Cedar Fair have colonized look sterile and bland. And why so may freakin' trash cans? What is the point?

 

Xcelerator, Montezooma and the Log Ride were my favourites from the park, as well as the awesome Ghost Town area which looks like a real theme park.

 

I can see why Robb & Elissa don't like this place as much as they used to. The park has a big divide between old and new, the newer rides and restrictions have made it much less family friendly, and the atmosphere just dies once you reach the boardwalk, which has no boards! How can you call it a boardwalk when there are no boards? It's not rocket science!

 

Despite this, I did learn a few things:

 

1) Old Knotts was a lot of fun. And the "Sitdown" guy on The Timber Mountain Log Ride now makes perfect sense when watching the TPR videos!

 

2) New Knotts is lame. The only good thing is Xcelerator, but I'd still have preferred to ride the Wacky Soapbox Racers.

 

3) Silver Bullet. Oh dear. This was the most boring B&M invert I've been on.

 

4) Families, take note - go to Disneyland instead. It's so much better in every way!

 

Onto the photos...

I'm bored of Knotts! Let's go to Disneyland Resort! It's that-a-way!

And there it was.

So we all went to Pat & Oscars for big dinner.

But that didn't work either!

So we locked him up.

Don just wanted to splash passers by.

I'd much rather take a shower in here!

Even for me, Riptide looks a bit too wet.

This chick was all like "Why don't you take a picture?" So I did. Click!

OMFG!!! We found a celebrity!!!

Here's where the train slams into the brakes.

Mmm, sexy upskirt shot for all you Intamin fanboys (and fangirls who swing that way)!

Seeing how it was a few yards away, we rode Xcelerator again.

This one's for Lou.

And I'm not too wet either!

And look at our clean hands!

Hey Monica, he's not dead!

...now!

It's gonna get wet...

We're in the 4th row!

Don and Jimmy gave me some moral support while Monica stood back and stayed dry.

Time for another first for me, an Intamin River Plunge!

"They're destroying my freakin' home to put another coaster in, that's what!"

Hey Snoopy! What's going on?

Damn, Closed! I was really looking forward to Timberline Twister as well.

Yeah, he knows what he's doing!

Has Don ever fisted a bear before?

This replaced the Corkscrew. So nothing ventured, nothing gained! Except a slight headache.

Montezooma's Revenge!!! BACKWARDS!!!

Montezooma's Revenge!!! Say it loud while driving and floor the gas pedal, and that's what it feels like.

Here's another "boring ride best bit". Those two statues are pounding it over Jaguar!

This is the only photo I got of the Log Ride. Sorry about Supreme Scream getting in the way, it won't happen again.

The top half of Supreme Scream isn't worth photographing, so here's the best part of the ride - where you get on and off.

So was the layout. In fact, it's a pretty safe bet to say that this ride was better than Stealth.

The top hat was better than Stealth's.

The launch was better than Stealth's.

Look at me! I'm the first ever Intamin rocket coaster!

OK, we've abused enough trash cans for now, let's do a good ride.

This one looked horny, so Don humped it.

This one looked lonely, so Don gave it a hug.

This is Cedar Fair's defining moment. How many trash cans can you spot? And for a bonus point, how many actually had any litter inside them?

Where's the boards? I thought this was a freakin' boardwalk!

Exclusive shot of the "arse end" of Silver Bullet.

Overbank was about as good as it got.

The loop was very lame. Even if it is vertical. Sorry Derek.

I can't believe how lame this ride was.

And now for one of the worst rides of the whole trip!

Damn, that's a lof of wood! Would be even better if you were a really good ride!

This is why you'll never find Robb on Ghostrider.

First stop, the best in the west!

Proof if proof be needed that Cedar Fair really had parked its fat ass on this place. Welcome to Knotts!

[Sexy No Jutsu]

I love this! All these parks I've been to recently (within a year give or take), and it's just so familar. I went to Six Flags today. Riddlers Revenge was open. It was the most fun you'll ever have becoming sterile and flipping six times all at once. Scream seemed 10 times smoother than ever, which made is a lot less fun. I was confused.

 

I never rode project X, so I'm glad to hear it was lame. Can't wait to see the Disneyland Resort pics. I'll be there Jan 3rd! I'll be sure to make a TR as well.

[Jeezus Juice]

Brilliant! I finally got Monicas credits!!

 

You guys may laugh at the bear fisting/mounting, but that hole has a fair bit of suction!

 

Pat & Oscars...drool...

 

OMFG Mantis Man is a toolbox! Just after the picture was taken I accidently touched his old liver spotted head...ewww..

 

-Don

[Inferno Insane]

Great TR so far really enjoyed reading it.

 

I seen you bump into the Xcelerator celebrity also (can't rembember his name now), as he was there when I visited back Feb. all in one bit weird at first I found then got used to his Go at the launch and was actually are alright guy when we chatted.

Has Ghostrider got worst or something after the months? thought it was really good/mental but that was in the dark after getting of the plane 3 hours after.

 

Think the only parts I didn't like about Knott's was some of the restrictions i.e nothing alowed in pockets on sliver bullet, too tall for Timberline Twister and did bump into 1-2 rude staff and some other things, Oh jsut remmber an other, people on mics going Blah Blah Blah on some rides did mine head in.

 

Plus Xcelerator is what Stealth should of Been from the Start.

 

ps. I see about 10 red Bin

[Divv3k]

More excellent photos Tom. Although I have to say that this TR is putting me off doing a California trip for a while. I know people bash these parks quite often but it's usually the Californians and I always figured that they just bashed the places because they were there home parks and did the rides all the time. For the most part the parks DO look impressive - it's really disappointing for me just now reading this and realising that the parks in California really aren't up to much at all as has been said around here for ages.

 

That being said it does look like you had an awesome time out there and you kept some great company. I am still jealous!

 

Please tell me that Disneyland/California Adventure were amazing and it's worth making a return visit!

[Shockwave]

Great TR so far really enjoyed reading it.

 

I seen you bump into the Xcelerator celebrity also (can't rembember his name now), as he was there when I visited back Feb. all in one bit weird at first I found then got used to his Go at the launch and was actually are alright guy when we chatted.

Has Ghostrider got worst or something after the months? thought it was really good/mental but that was in the dark after getting of the plane 3 hours after.

 

Think the only parts I didn't like about Knott's was some of the restrictions i.e nothing alowed in pockets on sliver bullet, too tall for Timberline Twister and did bump into 1-2 rude staff and some other things, Oh jsut remmber an other, people on mics going Blah Blah Blah on some rides did mine head in.

 

Plus Xcelerator is what Stealth should of Been from the Start.

 

ps. I see about 10 red Bin

 

Yeah, I got about 10 as well!

 

Mantis Man was a hoot and a holler! Can't blame him for riding it over and over again, it's a great ride! He could have picked a lot worse rides to go on again and again.

 

Ghostrider wasn't as bad as I've heard people say about it. Apparently from what I have heard, Cedar Fair let it go to shame in recent years, but I think I got an OK ride or two on it. It had its good moments, but when you're going full pelt, you just can't prepare for some of those jolts.

 

More excellent photos Tom. Although I have to say that this TR is putting me off doing a California trip for a while. I know people bash these parks quite often but it's usually the Californians and I always figured that they just bashed the places because they were there home parks and did the rides all the time. For the most part the parks DO look impressive - it's really disappointing for me just now reading this and realising that the parks in California really aren't up to much at all as has been said around here for ages.

 

That being said it does look like you had an awesome time out there and you kept some great company. I am still jealous!

 

Please tell me that Disneyland/California Adventure were amazing and it's worth making a return visit!

 

The good news is that you're absolutely right about all the above!

 

For me, Disneyland Resort had the best two parks in California. I'd love to go back and check the resort out in the near future as well as the upcoming attractions, and also get my elusive Matterhorn credits!

 

I certainly wouldn't put people off going to California, but there's probably a lot of places I'd recommend ahead of it!

[DenDen]

Dumb question... who the hell is it?