TheRapidsNerd Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Very cool TR. The one shot of looping Kumba is a real winner. Also liked the MXC flamingo caption. Sorry about Beerja Vu. No offense intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 AAww .. Derek and Nicole are just so awesome. Looks like you had a really great time, thanks for sharing the photos. Next time I'm in Florida I will definitely devote more time to Busch Gardens - the safari tour looked totally great. Cameron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Clear Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I totally saw you guys while I sadly and pathetically waited out the umbrella hunt at the Shamu coaster. Great pictures, especially of Kraken, aka My Favorite Coaster in Florida so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Busch Gardens seems to have gotten its act together lately. I remember about 2 years ago it was worse than a Six Flags park, now the staff seems a bit improved (one person said hello to me on our December visit) and the operations are trying to be more efficient. Here in Williamsburg, BGA in Tampa was consistently bad mouthed by locals for years (for example, it's dirty, the staff is rude, it's in a crappy neighborhood). It always came off as a very distant second to Euroburg (local 'Burg pride, no doubt, played a role here). But when I finally visited the park for the first time two years ago, I didn't encounter any of those complaints (well, crappy neighborhood aside), and other 'Burg residents have even admitted that they now like BGA (maybe not as much as Euroburg, but they admit that they had a good time in Tampa). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Clear Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Same thing here. I got a much more quality experience than what I was expecting at both BGA and SeaWorld. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Palooza Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Yep Derek, I have changed quite a bit. I don't think I will be able to fit on any rides this year. www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/bga10828_168.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I hate tires. Great report, glad you two had a good trip down here!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 After a fun day at Busch Gardens Tamprica, we made a short stop just south of the park at Tampa Bay Brewing Company in Ybor City so we could get some good beer. Then it was back to WDW, with a bonus stop off at Old Town so Nicole could get 2 more credits. Hi Lou, Tom, Ed, and company, we miss you! Coming soon, we make Matt happy with some Epcotness No 300 foot Skycoaster for Nicole on this trip though, maybe next time she'll be brave enough Yay, cha-ching for Nicole. Watch out Erik, she's real close now! Nicole's first Windstorm/Hurricane model. I still love them, better than a Galaxi or a Zyklon then it was off to Old Town for some credit whoring at its dirtiest and Nicole even enjoyed their own root beer, in addition to some pretty good food mmmm, the IPA was much better than anything at the parks which there was plenty of. It wasn't free like the stuff at Busch, but it was worth the price. (Of course, the AB stuff is worth the price too...when it's free) and plenty of it, thanks to the sampler containing everything they offered Yay! Finally good beer on this trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Coming soon, we make Matt happy with some Epcotness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 On our final day, we tried to cram as much in as possible. Originally this was Sunday's plan, but with Busch and credit whoring taking priority, it sure is a good thing there's Disney park hopping and lite crowds, as we managed to do everything we wanted in the short amount of time we had. ***SPOILER WARNING*** New Spaceship Earth finale pictures!! and so, we sadly had to leave, but we accomplished plenty of stuff on the trip, and an insane amount of things in just 6 hours! I definitely recommend visiting in the offseason, some things may be down for rehab, but the lines are usually minimal! We stuck with the standby though, and only waited about 15 minutes. Time for our final ride of the offseason, let's rock and roll! and our final stop, Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, now with a new fastpass entrance, more covered queue for standby, and a single rider line. Ah yes, the reason we're here, for some good tower rides. And yes, again....a walk-on. Oh why do we have to leave today!? Where are we? This hat needs a giant hand and wand stating "Hollywood Studios" on it! Time for our annual visit to Disney's Hollywood Studios, even if it is the first time we've called it that After some souvenir purchases, we stopped to see some animals before moving on to our next and final destination Even though the line was full, it only said 30 minutes. Still, we opted for single rider line, and still no bird on a stick Even though the park wasn't that crowded, it's still impossible to walk on those paths with doublewide strollers, fat chariots, etc. But we finally made it to our destination, Everest! Hello giant fake tree, you don't look fake at all, but I do believe you should have a giant limb sticking out with "Animal Kingdom" written over the top for about 8 years, just so people know where they are About 20 minutes later, here we are at Animal Kingdom, time for some Yeti After hitting all the top stuff at Epcot, it was time to move on to the next stop on our day of park-hopping madness. But first, a stop to watch the fountain show mmmm, Double Decker. Hows it going British friends! Ah Germany pavilion, so not the same since Soren left Maelstrom, another walk-on. Of course we rode it since it's like Valhalla's grandpa. (and yes, we ran like hell to get out before the movie started) On this trip Nicole also got to finally try her first churro. It won't be her last. A bit better than the old version, but now a very kiddie version of Mexico By now World Showcase is finally opened, so it's finally time to see the new Mexican boat ride thing Time for a quick stop at Club Cool to partake in some good international sodas, and Beverly another walk-on, another ride that it's good to see is back in use After returning to Soarin' and Nicole saying "well, that was cool, I don't need to do that again" we decided to hit Nemo and friends and The non-living Seas Crowds were so lite our team of 4 consisted of just the two of us. No hanky panky though, darn those restraints! But we did manage to push all the buttons, even for our nonexistent engineer and navigator "Come on, Wes, it's time to go for launch. Call me 1-888-GO4-GARY" Then it was off to Mission: Sinise for more waitless weightlessness. Afterwards, time for a walk-on at Test Track, how awesome is that! While the journey back to earth is lacking scenery, we did really enjoy the Horizons style vision of our future on the monitor, which we get to create. Yay! Another year, another soft opening of a ride credit for us! Though it's still in soft opening, I *think* it's pretty much complete Matt must not be the only one who is excited for a wandless SE Like Spaceship Earth! Our first stop was the Land to ride Soarin' as we missed it on Nicole's last trip. The standby was already like 40 minutes at opening, so we fastpassed it, using our wait time to go do better things Always a good friend, Reed was excited to see us on this trip, though briefly because of work. Hopefully soon enough we'll get to spend more time together, and see the wife too! This picture ought to give the Matts, Scotts, and patriots enough spankin' material for a few minutes Our day starts off right at 9am with Epcot, now wand-less and wonderful, just like I remember it from back in the last millennia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I might be able to hit 240 next month, but I would be counting on Deja Vu being open at SFMM. Looks like I am probably screwed this year. Though I think its funny that Nicole's and my newest 2 credits happen to be the exact same ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I don't believe there is anything better than a picture of wandless Spaceship Earth......well, except for seeing it in person that is! One of these days I'll finally meet Nicole in person and civilization will end as we know it. And Dave will be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastercrazed49 Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Nice trip report Derek. Got just what I want Patriot colors a wandless Space Ship Earth. Keep the pictures coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryH Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 You counted the Dragon Wagon as a credit? You whore! Well, I shouldn't say that because I counted it too. But Pseudo-Barry didn't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Awesome report. Though you do lose points for going to AK and not riding Dinosaur. and civilization will end as we know it. And Dave will be happy. I don't want civilization to end, I just want everyone to listen to me. But I suppose if that cannot happen, space monkeys conquering our planet with their slave race of giant carnivorous bees will be an acceptable substitute... dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryH Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 ^Personally, I'd rather be taken over by space baboons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pelydr Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Nice report! I still really want to ride Kraken but the two times I have been in Orlando I always run out of time to make it to Sea World. It looks fantastic, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCFreak Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 DUDE! this totally makes me excited for my own Florida adventure in a month! Awesome pics and glad you guys had a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I DO NOT like the name of that first beer. Great report. You two are just too cute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mike Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 It is so awesome to see that you two are still going strong dating way back to the UK trip It was nice to see all the cool friends you run into when you visit Florida. Nicole's hair is not as fluffy as I remembered it Derek, is there an after party tomorrow that you will be attending? Peace, Big Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I don't want civilization to end, I just want everyone to listen to me. But I suppose if that cannot happen, space monkeys conquering our planet with their slave race of giant carnivorous bees will be an acceptable substitute... dt Let's not forget laser wielding cats. I DO NOT like the name of that first beer. At 10% ABV, you'd probably forget to hate it quite quickly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Awesome TR guys! I used to wave at the New Orleans boat as my balcony was right on the water. I miss the treehouses and dole whip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mike Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I have to try some of that Dole whip next time. Hi Chrissie! Peace, Big Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cprocks22 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I miss Florida , warm weather, Disney World, what more could you ask for? Nice TR, I'm jealous though . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hattuchili Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 What a nice Photo-TR, Derek. It looks like you both had a great time in Florida. It is good to see that you met Erik and Reed, I miss them and the pictures make me wish to go back as soon as possible, but I think I have to wait a bit more. The Port Orleans - French Quarter is really nice, I´ve been there 1 time with Alessandra and we both enjoyed our time at that resort. We took the boat to Downtown Disney and back, it was really nice. The Brazilian tourists made me wish Soren had come with them to visit. / Ah Germany pavilion, so not the same since Soren left Me, too. Maybe the next time!? / Aww, I also miss the German Pavilion, but I have heard the new Cast Member there are some idiots. So, I am also glad I don´t have to handle them! hehe... Anyway, did you enjoy some German beer on this trip? Oh, one thing at the end, the Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom rocks. I have to get one every time I am there. --Soren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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