Photo TR: Chuck's October Ramblings

[cfc]

I love how so many theme parks have embraced Halloween. From Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to BGE's Howl-o-Scream to Universal's Halloween Horror Night, Halloween events rule (even more than Christmas events).

 

Every October, I hit Euroburg's Howl-o-Scream and KD's Haunt, but I've cast my net a bit wider this year (thanks to TPR). I continued my exploration of that newly discovered region called "Pennsylvania" this year by, finally, going to Knoebel's for Phoenix Phall Phunfest. I've heard great things about this park, particularly the food, and wasn't disappointed.

 

Going to Knoebel's is like stepping back about 60 years, before parks worried about "themes" and big corporations had completely taken over. There was such a relaxed feeling about the place, and I loved how all the various attractions were just arranged in no apparent order in those beautiful woods. Some highlights:

 

The elderly couple that bounced up and down in the ejector air on Phoenix

The bizarre stacked lifthill of Twister

The best, old-school haunted house ride ever

Apple dumplings with Penn State cinnamon-caramel-apple ice cream

Spin outs on the bumper cars

The working mini-roller coaster on the haunted car ride

The chance to hang out with good friends

 

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking from here on in.

 

First stop, PPP at Knoebel's.

I wonder how much he'll get for this "Chevey" sign on eBay? More to come.

But spelling is not his long suit.

Knoebel's woodcarver is pretty skilled.

Hmm--no rain in the forecast, I hope.

The train ride is pretty cool--especially if you're into watching squirrels chow down on corn cobs.

Yeah, you can't ride a mean piece of wood like this at the Taj Mahal, can ya?

Please, Ted--show proper reverence for the Shrine of the Golden Bolt.

. . . Golden Bolt! Yes, the Taj Mahal, the Sphinx, the temple at Ankhor Wat--they have nothing on this!

On to Twister, home of the legendary . . .

Pa. state law requires all first-time visitors to take this photo.

Ted scored one of those brass rings; all I got was four iron ones.

You know, I'm not sure the brass ring is worth risking one's neck.

Yeah, these easily crap all over other bumper-car rides.

These bumper cars are really like a somewhat-regulated 20-car pileup every five minutes.

"So, once I board, it's OK to light up--right?"

Hmm--I see these kinds of displays along highways in Virginia, all year long (without references to zombies, of course).

And historical, to boot--ergo, schools can take fields trips to Knoebel's to further their students' education.

Next stop, the awesome Phoenix--just what an old-school woodie oughta be.

"Screw your sign! These are Flyers, baby!"

Attention, Ted Cromwell--this sign is meant for you!

"Sorry, kid--but you have to be able to fit your head into the box before I can sell you a handstamp."

Oh, that's right--I found it!

Hmm--where the hell am I again? Seems like I've been driving all day . . .

[cfc]

Phoenix Phall Phunfest phollows, pholks.

Yeah, I imagine I'll be back next year (especially if the Flying Turns is up and running). Next, a peek at KD's Haunt.

Rich repeats the mathematical formula that worked so well for him on the car ride on Phoenix.

See? Told ya!

Whee! Melanie is all set for carnage and mayhem!

Big Mike agrees.

You know, when I saw the name "High-Speed Thrill Coaster," I thought they were being ironic. But this is one of the most insane kiddie coasters ever.

Rich + car + (Hot Chicks x 3) = Luckiest guy at Knoebel's.

CSI: Elysburg.

Derek is around!

My god! Both graphic and scary? That can only mean one thing!

Yes, Phoenix is even better by night.

The line for the haunted Antique Cars took about 45 minutes from this point--pretty cool ride, though.

. . . but it's not nearly as scary as these guys!

This may be the best old-style haunted house ride around . . .

"But smoke, g-o-o-o-d," says Frankie.

[SharkTums]

I still refuse to believe that this was really PPP. Everyone's wearing shorts and tank tops!

 

It's not a real PPP until someone loses a limb to frostbite!

[cfc]

^Shocking, but true--everyone was amazed at how hot it was.

 

I stopped at Kings Dominion on my way back from Knoebel's, but the joint was too crowded (and I was really too tired) to enjoy their Halloween Haunt (formerly, "Fearfest") that night. I did snap a few photos, though--and caught Haunt later that month (it's OK, but BGE's Howl-o-Scream is a nicer event). The three best things about Haunt were:

 

Club Blood--yep, it's night club fulla bloodsuckers, alright.

Blackbeard's Revenge--pretty good pirate maze

Blue Ridge Bloodbath--a tricked-up antique car ride (not as good as Knoebel's)

 

Other than that, meh. Here are some pictures.

If Falafel Girl went to KD, she'd probably never leave this store. More later from an awesome trip to Florida.

Yep--we got skeletons, and we're gonna use 'm, dammit!

After dark, this is some sort of voodoo scarezone with a "Papa Shango" type guy.

Little kids aren't even scared by them anymore.

You know, I am getting a little tired of evil clowns.

. . . and pirate skeletons. These boney bastards were all over the place.

They got quite a good deal on skeletons somewhere, too, including clown skeletons . . .

Hey, check out KD's custom-made funny hearse! CF has spared no expense.

Memo to Cedar Fair--the event is going on now, it isn't just "coming soon."

[cfc]

Next up is Florida for an awesome week of Halloweeness, good food, and all-around goofiness with some of the TPR crew--it doesn't get much better than that.

 

Really, it doesn't.

 

Here are a few pics from Sea World, where I finally snagged the Shamu credit solo (as documented elsehwere). Hey, at least I didn't have to borrow a kid to ride it.

Ya know, nothin' beats sprayin' random people with a water canyon. So much fun for just a quarter. Tomorrow, Universal and a few thoughts on HHN.

"Sure we stink--but we love ya, Jahan!"

"Jahan! Gobble, gobble! We accept you! One of us!"

"Here comes the King/Here comes the big number 1!" (Well, Bud sure reminds me of "number 1," I'll say that much.)

Ok, you folks who signed up for the East Coast trip--I expect proper deference to be shown to Nessie when you get to Euroburg.

Did he make it, or not? What do you think?

Now, if this were Sesame Street, one could get away with saying, "Robb is holding his two balls." Why, the Count could say, "Vun Robb ball! Two Robb balls!"

Good thing the ride op stopped them. Why, they were swishing those fishies so fast that I feared they would tear a hole in the fabric of time and space!

This ride is named Swishy Fishies. Draw what conclusions you will.

Aw, I got that one already. Where the hell's Shamu?

[coaster05]

Thanks Chuck for givin me props for bringing more women then men to a coaster event.

 

I also can't believe how stinking hot it was at PPP also. Loved the trip and it makes me sad to think of all the crappy winter on the way.

[larrygator]

Thanks Chuck for givin me props for bringing more women then men to a coaster event.

 

Yep - and I was stupid and missed the event

[cfc]

^^You da man, Rich! I know what you mean about winter coming. We're supposed to get a hard freeze here tonight.

 

^Looks like Big Mike is one up on you again, Larry.

[cfc]

There's no better way to end the month of October (THE GRISLY MONTH OF HORROR) than down in Florida for Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party--a perfect study in contrasts (and candy). My thanks to Robb and Elissa for setting all this up and being the best hosts anyone could possibly want--it was an awesome time!

 

Here are a few thoughts on HHN:

 

1. Overall, this was a great event, as usual, but the whole "Jack's Carnival of Carnage" theme didn't quite come off. I think the main problem is that Jack the evil clown (who is a great character, I think) didn't really work with the New Line-themed movie mazes (the Director would've been a more appropriate host).

 

2. Thanks to Michael Roddy for giving us a personal tour of the Nightmare on Elm Street maze and providing Q&A at dinner that night. I love hearing the behind-the-screams scoop--and I had no idea that he'd been involved with Howl-o-Scream at BGA and BGE a few years back. HHN is in good hands with him around.

 

3. The best maze of the night was Dead Silence (particularly the catwalk over the stage--a very unnerving effect), followed by Psychoscarepy (my favorite from last year). None of the mazes were bad, but the weakest was The Thing (excellent monsters, but the story didn't quite work). Friday the 13th was my favorite of the three New Line mazes, which surprised me because I really don't care for that series (but Jason did manage to get me a few times). My favorite moment though was Freddy Krueger getting in my face and snarling, "See ya tomorrow night!" (Score one for the Dream Master--he's the best of the New Line monsters.)

 

4. I agree with what others have said--more scare zones, please (although it was cool having eight mazes to check out this year).

 

5. The Bill and Ted show started out slow (I think I'm just sick of all the Britney Spears nonsense), but it really picked steam (and it had Cherry Darling from Terror Planet--a definitely plus).

 

On to the pictures, starting with IOA.

This was "not such a hot idea #2," which explains why you'll see me wearing a sweat shirt in later pictures. More to come.

Considering that we had lunch at the freezing-cold Mythos afterward, this was, in retrospect, not such a hot idea.

Here's another first for me--Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges.

This'll learn 'im!

%$*&*!!!! dog!

Here's a picture that sums up the whole morning--me on the camera, Larry on the phone.

At long last, my quest to ride the new Dr. Seuss attraction has come to an end.

Good. You ride! Hulk go get beer!

Ride Hulk now--or Hulk smash!

. . . and alive.

Then it was back to Marvel Super Hero Island to pay tribute to heroes both dead . . .

. . . the Pteranodon Flyers.

Larry and I went ahead to climb the Forbidden Mountain to obtain the previously Forbidden Credit-- . . .

Many people comment on the suggestive nature of IOA's lighthouse. While I agree that it is a rather strange erection to have standing in front of a theme park, I really think people are being too hard on it. It's not like it cocks up the skyline or anything.

Yep--HHN tonight, but first things first.

[BeemerBoy]

Psst, Chuck, the Marmaduke picture works slighty better when you rotate it.

 

 

Awesome report, as always!

[cfc]

^I just like the thought that he's running straight up the side of a building--people have no appreciation for the abstract.

[BeemerBoy]

^ Gotcha. Let me go do a hit of acid, and then I'm sure it'll look great to me.

[cfc]

^Just for you, Scott.

Unstoned version of Maramaduke photo.

[BeemerBoy]

You're the man, Chuck. That saves me from running around the office stoned, yelling "Chuck's being pulled up the side of a building by Marmaduke!!" I believe they would've frowned upon that. Whew, that was a close one.

[dandaman]

Now, if this were Sesame Street, one could get away with saying, "Robb is holding his two balls." Why, the Count could say, "Vun Robb ball! Two Robb balls!"

 

Note to self: Drink no more whilst perusing a Chuck TR. My keyboard will thank me in the future.

[cfc]

On to USF. I didn't take many pictures of HHN, mainly because 1) it's pretty dark and they don't come out too well, and 2) it's a bit dangerous to blind some big guy with a flash when he's running around with a chain saw.

I hereby end this portion of this TR in accordance with Florida law by presenting a picture of Mel's Die In. Disney is next.

The giant vampire clown awaits.

. . . the Barney Theatre to get to The Thing! (I'll slash you, you slash me! Think of all the guts we'll see!)

. . . and equally ghastly scare zone! But nothing can measure up to the exquisite horror of having to walk through . . .

Jack's ghastly carnival . . .

Hey, Apu--could you set aside a whole case of I Can't Believe It's Not Lard? I'm expecting company.

. . . Kwik-E-Mart.

You know, I'm kind of glad I missed this guy's act. Looks like he's been buying hot dogs at the . . .

'Cause I just can't stands that Woody Woodpecker! Heckyl and Jeckyl are funnier than this creep.

God, I had to grit my teeth to get this credit.

Yep--looks like Jack has taken over Universal, that's for sure.

Yay for carnage and mayhem! Fun for the whole family!

[cfc]

The next day was Epcot's Food and Wine Festival followed by Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Now, there are no mazes or scareactors at MK (unless you count Elissa sneaking up behind you), but there is lots of candy, great fireworks, a fun parade, and almost no wait for Space Mountain, so it's all good. My thanks to Reed for making sure that we got our own stretch room on the Haunted Mansion (which is once again completely awesome thanks to a substantial refurb and upgrade).

 

First up, Epcot.

Kid Tums is happy that she was spared the ravages of Beverly, which has laid waste to an entire generation. MK is next.

"Hey, if Larry can take it, I can!"

Joe should really know better by now.

"Arghh! Drink bad! Hulk smash!"

"Oh, I don't think it's so bad. Then again, I'm British and I like eel pie."

"Gawd! Something peed in my cup--then died!"

And now it's time to savor the smooth taste of Beverly--a fine beverage and an astringent aftershave.

Er, the fire's behind you, guys.

That'll learn the varmint fer performin' "illegal operations"!

I'd like to think that this picture shows Figment being struck by lightning and burning in hellfire.

Sheesh! It must be busy if there's a line for this.

OK, everybody remember where we parked.

Hmm--Larry is looking for Test Track on his map, and TPDave is too polite and British to tell him he's already there. Paul is happy to be anywhere because he's Canabian. And Dave T. is wondering how he can take such awesome pictures without being able to even see his camera.

Hey? Where's the damn wand? Whaddaya mean they took it down? That makes the angels cry and hands victory to Satan! I'm goin' to Guest Relations right now!

[cfc]

MNOSHP @ MK in 10-07.

Prepare for hyperspace insertion! And remember--after insertion, comes sleep. More to come,

Who cares? It's all about the candy, baby!

Hey, donkey! What's the wait for Space?

Want some candy kids? Just look for Goofy's glowing balls!

Hmm--maybe it's how the train penetrates a Goofy-shaped hole in the barn.

For some reason, Goofy's Barnstormer seems to make Robb leer and strike seductive poses.

Oh, yeah--Small World has pretty new lights and stuff, so we rode it.

You could lose your mind! When Eric(k) Johnsons are two of a kind!

The Haunted Mansion is back to being awesome again--the new sound and show scenes are great.

I dressed up as an adult doofus on the prowl for free candy.

KidTums decided to come as an adorable baby in a stroller.

Larry wore his awesome "bag man" costume.

OK, time for that Magical Night when Mickey repledges his soul to Satan--and people can come in costume.

[cfc]

Last batch of MNSSHP @ MK pics.

"Good night, everybody! See ya in hell!"

Sheesh! We're gonna need a tractor trailer to haul all this candy home.

Ubfortunately, the evening was marred somewhat when Goofy was felled by a sniper's bullet. You can actually see the back of his head explode in this grainy Super-8 footage.

These guys are always the best part of this parade.

This dog was actually following a trail of kibble.

"Oh, I can't decide! They both just look so yummy!"

. . . or Pirate No. 2?

Now it's time for America's favorite fun game: Who's the Gayest Pirate? Is it Pirate No. 1 . . .

Everybody plays the fool . . .

"Boo to You" will be running through my head until Christmas.

Don't try to figure out a plan! You just can't reason with a headless man!

Ooh! Ahh!

Cinderella's castle has entered the Twilight Zone.

[coastercrazed49]

Nice Pictures.

That Florida Halloween event seemed like so much fun, it makes me miss Orlando so much.

[bigstevet07]

Many people comment on the suggestive nature of IOA's lighthouse. While I agree that it is a rather strange erection to have standing in front of a theme park, I really think people are being too hard on it. It's not like it cocks up the skyline or anything.

 

Chuck not fair. I was drinking a pop when I read this caption and it almost shot out my nose. Once again your TR is simply awesome.

[cfc]

I'll wrap this up with some pictures from Busch Gardens The Dark Continent/Tampa/Africa/World of Discovery and Cypress Gardens. Some thoughts on CG:

 

1. This is a pleasant-enough little park, but what the hell was "Bugsville" all about? All I saw was a sign and some banners--well, maybe a few mosquitoes.

 

2. Starliner is a nice, if not great, coaster, and I'm glad it was rescued from total oblivion and delivered to just relative obscurity.

 

3. If you want to ride Fiesta Express ALL DAY, just go with Robb--he'll set you up.

 

4. CG's drop tower is absolutely insane and quite terrifying.

 

5. Neither the spinning coaster nor the spinning raft ride, in fact, spin (although the latter will get you pretty wet).

 

6. CG's Vekoma jr. inverted coaster is not as painful as Runaway Reptar at Carowinds.

 

That's about it, except for, once again, thanking Robb and Elissa for setting this whole long weekend up--I had a great time.

Y'all come back now, heah?

. . . and here they come.

There they go . . .

Paul and Larry fought and scratched their way to the front of the group.

It is fun--not a "classic" like Phoenix, but fun.

Yes, it is a piece of history--school groups should come here.

And now, the zombie coaster of the undead: Starliner.

Bug banner on the left, bug banner on the right--that's called "themeing."

So, this is the "Bugsville" I've heard so much about.

We didn't stick around for CG's "Phobia" event, but I was intrigued by the promise of "unsuitable" latex props.

Yeah, I'd say that Montu is better than Alpengeist--on to CG.

O Mighty Montu, protect me from the wrath of the highland cat!

Aghh! Angus McNasty has followed me to Japan and Florida!

Fortunately, the rumblings from Kumba frightened the deadly, man-eating African squirrel back into its burrow. Awesome ride, too.

Quick! Call the keepers! One of BGA's deadly jungle animals has escaped!

[Erik Johnson]

It is too bad that the spinning raft ride was not too spinny that day. Usually it is really insane.

 

 

 

[coaster05]

I have NEVER spun like I did that day last year on the spinning coaster, it was insane.

[Erik Johnson]

^^ Just to let you know, Larry did not snap the flyers that day.