rollin_n_coastin Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 Why: So I managed to score some hotel nights through work in Manhattan before they expire and decided to head down solo to visit my very first roomie from university and his girlfriend. We had a 4 day long weekend for Canada Day, which fell on a Tuesday this year. So the trip fit in perfectly with enough time to make it back home on Canada Day. Tough Travel Lessons: One thing I learned, if flying out of Buffalo, they don’t care for smaller airports in jam-packed LaGuardia so they’ll bump you, yes you Buffalo. If you’re booked in a small prop plan (ie Dash-8), they can’t land in all types of weather that a larger plane may be able to land in, especially at LaGuardia. That is potential for a double bump. So, bad weather for small prop planes plus congestion at LaGuardia that afternoon, evening and night = cancelled flights for all Dash 8s! I was peeved that I wouldn’t make it in on time to meet up with my buddy and all the Friday night plans were flushed down the jon of that US Airways plane outside the window. I also had plans for Saturday in Jersey (a little Six Flags goodness) and there was no way I’d let US Airways ruin two of my days and I especially didn’t want to mess up a fellow El Toro fan’s day who already planned to meet up with me. I sucked it up and took the Greyhound down since any other flight would get me there by Saturday night, pretty much ruining the trip by making a short getaway that much shorter. Getting there: So, I left work at 12:30pm on Friday to begin travelling to catch my flight and rolled’ into NYC for 6:30am on Saturday. Mamma mia! That was a long a trip! Oh, did I mention the cabs didn’t know where the hotel was so they dropped me off in the middle of Manhattan and told me “it’s down that street just keep walking”. Needless to say, it wasn’t there. So, I hopped into another cab and he just asked me to look it up in his guide book and rather than throw it back, I made him look it up. Got to the hotel, slept for 1.5 hours, got up and went to catch the Jersey Express! (..because 8 hours on the Greyhound just wasn’t enough..haha) What happened?: ..and so began what actually turned out to be a great trip, notwithstanding the adventure of actually getting there. It really was an awesome trip and I have to thank Mia, Jay and Jeff for hanging out! Coming up: The ‘themepark’ parts of the trip and some other cool stuff! Stay tuned! Most importantly..it's not a greyhound seat...a bed..woohoo! With that, it was good night, or good morning, for a bit before taking off for Jersey. Very sweet view out the window. Big windows and space for..well...whatever.. Ok, just before bed, I had to check out the room. New York is one of the toughest locations to get into through work so this was like Christmas day for me. So a quick tour. Uhm..yes, it has a bathroom and wow, it looks like I shouldn't even dirty it... ...you can be the judge... So this is me finally in my hotel room and from the looks of it, time to squeeze in as much sleep as possible before heading to Jersey. But...it's not about this Jason...although after 18 hours of travel, a lot mostly on a red eye Greyhound, the resemblance is striking.. Even other Jasons have been there before me....what gives? Hmm...I guess a lot of other people have taken Manhattan.. Here I am thinking I was an original or something...
rollin_n_coastin Posted July 21, 2008 Author Posted July 21, 2008 Oookie Dookie..on to some good stuff! So, knowing that I was close to SFGA, not going would be sacrilege, even though I knew I'd be going at least two more times this year. Besides, I thought spending one of four days at the park would be cool since those I knew in NYC were working that afternoon/ evening. Who better to ride coasters with than someone from TPR? I met up with another Jay (ElToroExtreme) who was an awesome Jersey and SFGA host. I hope that I can remember all the cool short cuts and ways around the park! Since most everyone knows what the coasters look like, there is more on the safari here. Enjoy! After the park, it was back to NYC, rest and check out Mansion Ultra Lounge, a high recommend along with the park and Safari! Next up: Brooklyn & Coney Island, Stay tuned! Back to the park and back to Toro! I lost track of how many more rides we squeezed in but it was an awesome day! I add one more to remember that this was the first ride that I ever needed to buy headache pills for right after. I think it was becuase I was running on no sleep combined with it not exactly being the smoothest ride around. It was my first time in front and it was awesome regardless! A little more of the world's tallest and fastest. A view of the park from inside the safari. Obviously, one ride really stands out. Baby baboon hanging out on top of mom or dad.. You get a great view of these guys while riding Kingda Ka or Medusa. More random birdlife. This is really the only outback picture I have since the animals were no where in site. It was really hot out. Once you get past the fact that this one can claw our faces off, it can remind us of why some of us grew up with teddy bears.... Random birdlife Very cool, but glad they're behind a fence Double take! Also loving the Zebras. Yes, we had nothing. Obviously, whatever they gave this dude at the truck wasn't enough. Maybe he or she smells Surf Taco? How cool are giraffes? A meeting of the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes This one looks ready to peck out a moon roof. Rhinos Amazing animals, but now that I look at this pic again, uhm..yah..I'll stop right there. "You think everyone is checking you out" "Thanks for walking with me..by the way, did you see those people in the Mini checking us out?" Ostrich or feather duster... Elephants rock! I just keep thinking of chef from Southpark singing about how to make a pig make love to an elephant... Heading into the next section. It was really hot out so not many animals out and about as normal. Who wants an Emu? Reindeer I think? Now, you don't see this next to your car every day. Buffalo and deer...just chillin' Ok cool, so they actually hang out around the cars.. Ok, now this place was awesome! The food was amazing! After a quick lunch, it was back to check out the Safari. Ride and ride op (anyone else scared...haha) Believe it or not, I was looking forward to riding in a Mini as much as El Toro, and they were both amazing and pulled some crazy g's! The view from Superman...a new ride was spotted out in the parking lot.... El Toro was as amazing as ever! Next up, Superman. We came across this guy on the way. After checking out Dark Knight and Nitro, we took the skyride to where else but...El Toro. A little Great American Scream Machine in the background for any other Arrow fans. A hot but really nice day!
ElToroExtreme Posted July 23, 2008 Posted July 23, 2008 Yes it was an awesome day an it was great hanging out with you! See ya on the Pregame and the ECT!
thrillrideseeker Posted July 23, 2008 Posted July 23, 2008 WOW! Great photos! I love the second one of Kingda Ka. I can honestly say I do not think I have ever seen that photo before! ~Matthew
krazekiddd Posted July 23, 2008 Posted July 23, 2008 Cool pics Jayson! MMMMMM I can't wait for ERT on El Toro.
rollin_n_coastin Posted July 24, 2008 Author Posted July 24, 2008 Hey, thanks guys. I've been a bit swamped but will get the rest of the trip up soon. That KK photo was taken from a cool spot that I never would have thought to look for. I'm pretty sure that I looked like a geek (I was the only one out of the car) but at least it turned out..haha. Oh and for sure, Gold Qbots are amazing but just imagine ERT! Cheers, J
rollin_n_coastin Posted July 25, 2008 Author Posted July 25, 2008 So on to a borough with a ton of character, Brooklyn. Williamsberg and Brooklyn Heights were cool places to visit on past trips. I even ended up in some of the places I shouldn't have been at the wrong time of day (only because a friend lived there) so I think I've seen and experienced a bit more than I ever wanted to. I even lost a cell phone in Bushwick. Anyhow, two things left..the pizza tour and Coney Island! It rained on the Sunday so I did some geeky stuff including a Lincoln Center tour, some museums and hanging out with Mia, who is the only one who escaped my camera! Everyone was working on the Monday so before I met up with my old roomie again there was some time to fill and shopping is never really on my radar. After missing the pizza tour, I decided to fill the time by taking the subway downtown, walking over the bridge and back on the subway to the end of the line---Coney Island. I know I'm going there with East Coast but I've always been so curious about it. After Coney, it was off to meet up with my old roomie for a bite and lots of wine, catch a show and get ready to head home the next morning. Thanks for checking out the PTR! Cheers, J With that, it's good night and good bye New York! Walking back to the hotel, taking the route through Times Square. There's nothing like deciding to catch a Broadway show while buzzed! In the Heights seemed really cool since not only did it win a Tony, it was something that a non-hardcore musical fan would find cool. It defintiely caught my attention. The whole score was hip hop and latin and was rapped all the way through. Definitely cool stuff! My old roomie Jeff, who from taking business with me moved to NYC to study acting and is doing really well acting. Keep an eye out! His girlfriend was at Tae Kwon Do so we hung out for a bite and wine at Riposo 46 in Hell's Kitchen, a really cool place (if you like wine)! This is after a bottle, definitely a bit buzzed haha Top of the tower, over 600' up in the air. Wanna spend a night? It's only $30,000/ night. All I can say is...mamma mia that's a spicey meata ball. The hotel I feel so lucky to be staying at..thank you work! It's always fun to go back to those in the budget after staying there but what a cool experience regardless. It's the tallest hotel in Manhattan and for you architecture fans, it was designed by I.M. Pei, who designed the pyramid at the Louvre. Yes, I'm a hotel geek! Any other John Hughes fans? The New York Plaza just re-opened after a reno and condo conversion on the upper floors. Famous for being the hotel where Home Alone 2 was shot. Oh yah, didn't The Donald's first wife run this place? Oh yah..for the real kids, this place rocks! No, I didn't pretend I was Tom Hanks playing the huge piano keyboard upstairs (I did like Big). Actually, I wanted to but I would have had to wait in line with eight year olds....maybe next time haha Off the subway at 5th. I'm a big kid so love my toys! Especially the ones at this place! No sign of iPhone 3G yet. Surf Avenue on the way back to the subway station. It was a great afternoon at Coney! Back on the subway and back uptown. Pathway to the other amusement areas and the arcade The beach somewhat busy. More views from the Wonder Wheel Yes, it is old and scary! Cool views! Honestly, for picture taking, maybe the sliding car wasn't the best idea Heading to the Wonder Wheel. As with the Cyclone, the people running this thing looked a bit scary, I'm not gonna lie. But they gave me a sliding car! What more could you ask for? I gave my camera very hesitantly to the ride op and rode twice, once in the front, once at the back. It was phenomenal! I was spotted with my camera, that is a no no on this ride. You must check your camera. You are not allowed to even have it on you in any way shape or form, including in a pocket (zipped, buttoned or otherwise). The queue area is pretty intense...hamster in a cage styles. After doing a double-take on the $8.00 ride cost, I had to keep telling myself that this is a historic landmark and that it will go to good things. At least re-rides were $5.00 thereafter. Cyclone sweetness Ok, now that's the stuff! What's that in the background? Wonder(ful) wheel! The freakshows and museum were closed as they're not open on Mondays. So, where are you supposed to get your freak fix on a Monday? Heading down Surf Avenue, I saw something at the end that really was of interest. No pizza yet so why not a hot dog? Why not a hotdog at the oringal Nathan's? I didn't want to remind myself of what I ate so it'll stay covered for the picture...haha Classic parachute tower and Coney Island landmark. I think Intamin is going to try and restore it? Surf Avenue and the original Nathan's Coney Island Station. It was busy but not overly busy being a Monday. Pizza lovers unite! The Famous Grimaldi's. The line was insanely long so I skipped that and headed for the subway. Woohoo...Brooklyn Midtown Manhattan Caption not needed here. Downtown Manhattan Halfway to Brooklyn, cars are below to the sides View of Williamsburg, Brooklyn (I think?) The top. You get a great view of some of the waterfalls installed along the East River. Closer to halfway It was peak workout time! Downtown Manhatten heading to the Brooklyn Bridge
dino Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 Cool TR. Looks like you had a great time and were able to do alot of things while you were there. Never been to New York myself *sigh*...
rollin_n_coastin Posted July 26, 2008 Author Posted July 26, 2008 Hey thanks. It is a cool city. I try to go once or twice a year, whenver there's a seat sale since the flight is only an hour. There's still so much left to check out/ see/ do. So yah, friends, coasters, culture, great food and drinks! Just what a trip should be.
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