Mark's Postcard Paradise

simon8899 · March 23, 2014

^Your cars use a lot of gas...

thrillerman1 · March 30, 2014

Bonfante Gardens (Gilroy Gardens) was one of the highlights of my California trip in 2006. I really liked the laid back non-corporate feel of the park. Plus the Circus Trees are amazing, and who doesn't like riding in giant artichokes, garllics, and a banana split? Now that it's operated by Cedar Fair, I hope the charm and beauty have not been destroyed!

Cool tree!

2006

Variation on a theme

thrillerman1 · April 7, 2014

Oops...I got a bit ahead of myself on the A-Z before realizing I had this brochure from the Amsterdam Dungeon while digging through my 2009 TPR Scandi Trip box. If I remember correctly, we were going to visit this place on the trip, but Reaper (the coaster) wasn't quite ready. I wonder how the coaster is now since it's really not mentioned on TPR too much that I know of. I have a few extra of these brochures if anyone is interested...send me a PM.

Nrthwnd · April 7, 2014

Mark, I believe it wasn't that the coaster wasn't ready. It was down for maintenance. And also, wasn't this the 2008 TPR Europe Tour you mean? We were coming back from Drivelet Park (mmm, Formule X), and on the way back, Robb phoned ahead, and then found out we couldn't do the Dungeon. I was going to skip it because I had already visited and ridden the coaster, twice before.

I rode it in it's first months of operation, back in October of 2005. Then me and David rode it in April 2004.

Here's a few pix of the (then) construction of the coaster, before the 2005 opening...

And thank you Whoosh Magazine for the photos taken back then.

thrillerman1 · April 8, 2014

Wow Bill you're right I think! I didn't realize Reaper had been around since 2005. AND now just saw on RCDB that it is listed as operating until January 5 of this year(?). What have they done to it? Is it being removed???

Nrthwnd · April 8, 2014

^ I have no idea. Maybe somebody over there in The Netherlands, knows?

thrillerman1 · April 13, 2014

Busch Gardens Tampa in 1974...

thrillerman1 · April 27, 2014

Continuing right along to 2005 and 2007 at Busch Gardens Tampa...

Kumba!

Montu is probably my favorite inverted coaster ever!

More Montu!

This gigantic white tiger is ready for its splash boat meal.

Sheikra is awesome!

Hard to believe Sheikra will turn 10 next year!

2007...weeeeeeeeeeeee

thrillerman1 · May 4, 2014

This final (for now) look at BGT wraps up with a focus on Cheetah Hunt in 2011 and 2012. I find Cheetah Hunt to be pretty good and fun overall, and I really like the sculptural tower mass of track!

2011...I have 2 extra of these brochures if anyone wants them - send me a PM!

2012...mmm Intamin track

Surprise bonus for the water park fans...Adventure Island in 1981

Nrthwnd · May 4, 2014

Wow - so much there now, since my last visit in......1987???

Yes, and I would really like to get back there again, for all those

"newer" coasters and attractions, since that time.

Thanks for sharing all these flyers, Mark.

thrillerman1 · May 7, 2014

You're welcome, Bill. BGT has changed a lot over the years but still for the better I think. When I went in '12 I hadn't been there since the mid-80's and really didn't remember a whole lot about it, but it's definitely a park I look forward to visiting again in the future. All the park is really missing is a great woodie!

Nrthwnd · May 7, 2014

^ What gets me thinking about that Mark, is could they theme it according to

what is usually a "tropical-african" atmosphere in the park's themeing, in general?

With most of the steel coasters, they seem to have managed to make the supports

and the track itself, the whole thing in fact, to fit within a themed area.

Wood in such a more complex construction, takes a lot of visual space up. Even

without themeing. It would be interesting to see how they could/would do it,

if they had one planned...

thrillerman1 · May 7, 2014

Surely they could just use bamboo instead of wood.

Nrthwnd · May 7, 2014

^ Of course! Such an easy choice.

thrillerman1 · May 16, 2014

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's coming up next...

thrillerman1 · May 18, 2014

One of my all time favorite parks is Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Here is a look back...

In 1978 something has surfaced at The Old Country

Nessie artwork!

1981

Parking is 2 bucks.

Shows!

thrillerman1 · May 25, 2014

And now a more modern look at BGW in the mid-2000's era...

2004

WOLF X ING

2005...DarKastle!

This is probably my favorite dark ride outside of Disney!

2006

thrillerman1 · June 1, 2014

Here's the final update from Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Thanks to TPR member, Netdvn, for sending me this 2013 brochure!

I love the Verbolten theming!

thrillerman1 · June 8, 2014

California's Great America is a park many thought was a goner just a few years ago, but it seems to be on the rebound now. I like that CGA still operates their cable car attraction, one of the few left in the US after so many were removed. The Paramount days...by the way I have a few extras of these so pm me if interested.

thrillerman1 · June 22, 2014

Camden Park in West Virginia is a fun smaller park with lots of classic rides. I wouldn't say it's an all day park, but you can easily be amused here for a few hours or a half day. At one time Camden had an Arrow shuttle loop coaster that was relocated from Kings Island, plus a rarely seen Chance Skydiver. The park's wooden coaster, Big Dipper, has a great pop of hairtime on the second drop, and those old NAD trains are way cool. I'm sure someone on TPR counts their Haunted House dark ride as a coaster credit!