TheRapidsNerd Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 The great thing about trips is that you never know what is going to happen. A simple outing to an amusement park becomes a memorable experience in a much different way than expected. This was my Alabama Adventure. For thoses who don't know, Alabama Adventure used to be called Visionland. It' s small and still growing park in Bessemer Alabama, not far from Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. It's about a 2 hour trip from Huntsville and is pretty popular with the locals. It's divided up into a couple sections: Magic City is the theme park and Splash Beach is the waterpark. AA's pride and joy is Rampage, a wooden coaster that anchors the back of this hilly park. Now for the good and bad: Good * Very clean * Coherent and considerate ride ops this trip * Friendly staff this trip. A couple nice ladies went out of their way to point out shorter ticket and entrance lines. Appreciated that greatly! * Decent admission price (roughly $32 for both Magic City and Splash Beach). * Decent variety of attractions * Simple park layout (never really needed a map to find things) * Lots of fans with water sprayers to cool off people Bad * Needed more shady places to sit, especially around the food stalls. * Wild River Gorge (the rapids ride) just didn't get you very wet at all which is rough on a hot day. * Just felt like it neede something more... For the record, I asked permission BEFORE attempting to film PoVs. No dice. AA is also on the "No PoV" bandwagon. No worries and I followed their rules. After baking in the sun starting at 10:30 and ending about 1:30, it was bloody hot and crowded. Time to head home. Just as soon as I left the park, my car overheated. Had to drive 14 miles with engine temps pushing red before getting to an exit and gas station. Refilled the coolant, double checked everything and got back on the road. Got back to my apartment and my air conditioner had leaked all down the wall around an electric socket and switch. On the other side of it was a steady stream of water flowing down the wall! Carpet in the corner was flooded and squishy. Additionally, my arms and upper lip were stinging. I got sun burned bad! My shaved head looked like I dipped in into boiling water, like a lobster. My forearms were the same. Unpacked my AA fridge magnets and Rampage mousepad and just laughed. Well, it was either that or cry! To sum up, it truly was an Alabama Adventure. The park has some good potential and really is pretty good for what it is, but don't expect Six Flags or Cedar Fair. Might fall in line with the old Myrtle Beach Pavillion for size and feel. I'd give it another go. Ok, enough of the blabbin', it's picture time! Bonus for SharkTums at the end. This one's for SharkTums. Me and Jabber Jaw at King's Island in 1985. Completely unrelated, but amusing. Oh, if that sucker ever came loose, it'd be wheel trouble. Ahh, the rare Southern Octopus (Biblus Beltus) in it's natural habitat...the gift shop. This creepy old guy rocked. No, really. He rocked really slow and that made him creepy. Through the tracks. Ok, fine. I got nothing on this caption. And I will call it Mini Coaster... I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder...through the trees. Too late. Uh, Turtle Power? Hey! You with the camera! Look out for the big fuzzy orange turtle! It's a Dan aproved rapids ride. Now we know where the "Soul Glo" people sat. Rising wood. The Log Flume lift hill. Foxy Himilaya! Yep, Stratus Fear is still neutered. Kneel before Zod, er Rampage. Snappy caption not found. How do I end up with these loop guy photos? I must have a one track mind...hope enjoys 'em. Zoomerang...through the hill. Wheely decent skyline. The foliage prepares for ambush. The sign reads "Splash Beach", but it says "Too crowded. Don't bother. Get you funnel cake and a corndog." The main street area. Every park should have one. Hmmm...what curious sponsors. Insert regional humor or current events joke here. Amp? Check. Diffuser? Check. Pocket size Buddha? Check. Ready for action! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefitness Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I had no idea this park existed...and now I do! Is Rampage any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 29, 2007 Author Share Posted July 29, 2007 Never ridden it. There are a couple TRs somewhere where Robb, Elissa and some others have. You might ask them about it. No worries! Just found out about this place a couple years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Now we know where the "Soul Glo" people sat. You win for that caption. I remember that film quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerC Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Nice TR. The only beef I have with the park is the location of the Boomerange. I know that was probably the only place the could add it but its ugly sitting up there....the colors make it look really bland and uninviting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rileybrands Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I love the coming to america reference. that's one of my favorite movies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Never ridden it. There are a couple TRs somewhere where Robb, Elissa and some others have. You might ask them about it. Why didn't you ride Rampage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 I get sick from most rides. Only rode 2 rollercoasters in my life and both left me feeling like a bad hang over crossed with jet lag. Ironic because I love theme parks and the atmosphere. Video and pictures grew out of having to sit rides out. Yep, held the bags too. No worries, just found different ways to have fun. I catch shows or do a little shopping too and still have a great time. That's why rapids are a big deal, can ride it, don't get ill. Part of me would love to ride coasters very much, but it just doesn't work out so well. Weird huh? LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 ^ Hey it's cool. Kind of nice to have a different perspective on the forums! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 As opposed to the usual off center perspectives? Hey thanks. I still have fun and enjoy talking shop. Been reading this site for a while and really love the vibe. It's fun and that's all it should be. Glad to be here and use my creativity to contribute to a positive thing. You folks and your adventures are a riot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMorgan Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I get sick from most rides. Only rode 2 rollercoasters in my life and both left me feeling like a bad hang over crossed with jet lag. Ironic because I love theme parks and the atmosphere. Video and pictures grew out of having to sit rides out. Yep, held the bags too. No worries, just found different ways to have fun. I catch shows or do a little shopping too and still have a great time. That's why rapids are a big deal, can ride it, don't get ill. Part of me would love to ride coasters very much, but it just doesn't work out so well. Weird huh? LOL! I think it's great that the sight is so awesome, (being a contributor and everything ) that even a non-coaster enthusiast likes to hang out here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 ^ But...but...but.... I really AM a coaster enthusiast. I even build them in RCT3. I've ridden 2 in real life (5 if you count my last 3 love relationships using the Jeff Johnson system)....that counts sorta? Right? Sounds like the logic is that if you don't currently ride, you aren't really a coaster enthusiast, and that's cool. No worries. This is still great place to be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Now we know where the "Soul Glo" people sat. You win for that caption. I remember that film quite well. You beat me to it. Random, and sometimes obscure movie quotes in trip reports are great! Oh yeah, and Rampage is great. Well, at least it was a few years ago...the last time we rode it. Scott "just let your souuuuuuul glo" B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 LOL! Soul Glo was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the seats. Thanks all! I'm laughing too. "I can't help it...it just popped in there." "What?!? What just popped in there." Remember that one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 Of all the things to break the ice, Soul Glo! LOL! I got such a chuckle out of that, that I changed my avatar today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coasternerdette Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I love quoting from that movie, and that was a perfect picture to use the Soul Glo reference for. Very cool that you like themeparks and coasters, even with them making you feel sick. I have a brother that's the same way, loves going to parks, but is content holding bags, watching any kids with the group, etc., because coasters make him sick. Back before there were kids to watch, he was content taking a book into a park and reading while we waited in lines. Glad to see you here on TPR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 Thanks Coasternerdette! There were times that friends got off rides and said "Dude, you were the smart one by not going on the ride." I just smiled because it was all I could do after pointing and laughing hysterically at them as they ripped by me in sheer terror. Hey, parks and coasters are awesome and that's why I joined this most excellent board. Station! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 I've ridden 2 in real life (5 if you count my last 3 love relationships using the Jeff Johnson system)....that counts sorta? Right? oh yes you are more than welcome here This still won't get me to go back to Visionland though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 You beat me to it. Random, and sometimes obscure movie quotes in trip reports are great! Oh yeah, and Rampage is great. Well, at least it was a few years ago...the last time we rode it. Scott "just let your souuuuuuul glo" B. Yeah, I dunno. I'd be skeptical to travel to Alabama just to ride one CCI woodie. I'd be pretty disappointed if it turned out to be yet another unmaintained POS. With the exception of a few places it seems like CCI is French for "wooden coaster that we don't maintain". Nothing against CCI, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 it was getting pretty rough in 04, and with Visionland being the dump it is, I doubt it's being maintained, say, to the level of Holiday World's treatment of Raven wait, did I just compliment Holiday World? oh no! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigstevet07 Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Great TR. A Coming To America reference and cheesy puns? I think we have a winner!! I have the soul glo song as my ringtone. I freaking LOVE that movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Yeah, I dunno. I'd be skeptical to travel to Alabama just to ride one CCI woodie. You should be skeptical about traveling to 'bama for anything in the first place. If indeed Rampage is starting to turn to crap, then 'bama now officially has absolutely NOTHING to offer anyone. Well, wait.....no I was right the first time...NOTHING. Okay, unless you're a Tide or War Eagle fan. In that case, it still falls under the definition of nothing in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 31, 2007 Author Share Posted July 31, 2007 Look at it this way, if you're near Birmingham or Tuscaloosa and want something fun to do that's close, Alabama Adventure is great for that. No, it's not a destination park that someone is going to drive a couple states/several hours to go do. 2 hours from Huntsville was even a bit long, but it's a park worth doing, and I'd give it another go. Most of the time, folks trek to Dollywood or Six Flags, since they're the biggest and closest. As for nothing to do in Alabama, we'uns (that's ya'll plus 3) like to skin possum down by the crik on a Saturday night. Ain't nothin like skinnin a possum with the one you love, especially if it's fresh off the road. Now that's some good eatin right there! Hooo Dogggy! After that, it's snipe huntin, and thems quick! Now if you'll excuse me, I got me a banjo to tune and people to make squeel...like pigs. Oink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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