Mark's Postcard Paradise

[thrillerman1]

So far this year the SCAREadise has been haunted by 3 Cedar Fair operated parks, so it's time to take a look at an indie park for a change: Ghost Town in the Sky. Reports are that this park may be on the verge of being resurrected from the grave again, but time will tell if the Grim Reaper will have his way or not. Let's hope the ghosts live on at this most unusual park.

Southern Gothic

In the US I can only think of Lake Compounce and Knoebels which offer similar chair lift experiences.

"It's 1979 and we're crazy renegade outlaws...now give us some candy!!!"

Who doesn't love a good old fashioned ghost story?

Hot Scrambler action!

Hey Frontierland. I wish you a happy future Ghost Town!

[let1gre]

Ghost Town in the Sky is one of those parks that I have heard so little about that I'm not sure if really exists or not.

[Guy T. Koepp]

It may never exist again. I think it's days are numbered.

[thrillerman1]

Guy you may be correct, but this news article seems to show some hope for Ghost Town:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/remodel-auction-to-acquire-scenic-railroad-and-land-assets-for-245-million-in-cash-and-preferred-stock-2010-10-18?reflink=MW_news_stmp

[thrillerman1]

 

"One more ghost to reach a thousand...."

 

Happy Halloween from Tokyo Disney. This postcard was sent to me last year by none other than The Brit Crew's very own Southern Steve...thanks again Steve! Out of all the parks I've ever visited, I have to say that TDL is the very best (sorry Rich). I loved everything about the place. When I visited with TPR in 2007 it was the first day of their Halloween season, and it was really interesting and amusing to see the Japanese public dressed up in Disney character costumes. Most of their costumes were done so well it was really hard to tell if they were employees or visitors! I also really enjoyed the Haunted Mansion overlay with "The Nightmare Before Christmas" theme. At DisneySea the theming is impeccable, and I really can't recommend visiting enough. Yes, it's an understatement to say I am slightly jealous of all you going on the 2011 TPR Japan trip.

 

I hope you've all enjoyed the SCAREadise this year!

I'm sure there's a hidden Mickey on this gorgeous postcard...but where???

Rodents, rodents for Elissa...and bats for Ryan! Jolly jolly...hey Steve!

Time travel back to 2007? YES PLEASE!

The TDL popcorn is THE best in the world!!! Mmmmm...so many good flavors.

Their brochures are a little different from most parks as they mainly promote park merchandise first before detailing the park.

Cute.

BTM, Splash Mountain, and The Haunted Mansion

Pooh is seriously the greatest ride through EVER!

Due to Japanese laws, the train ride is a little odd and does not encircle the park.

Unlike French Space Mountain, this one totally rocks!

When translated the back page says TOKYO RULES GODZIRRA #1!!!

This is the 2007 entertainment guide.

The Halloween parade was pretty sweet and its theme song still gets stuck in my head just like the Euro Mir theme song.

There's even a Minnie Mouse ghost furry.

Hooray...it's the pumpkin king, Jack Skellington! Mmmmm...pumpkin ice cream too!!!

Ghost treats

GODZIRRA #1!!!

Another hidden Mickey on this pin.

Now let's check out the 2007 Engrish guide.

Walt would be proud.

Main Street under glass.

4 day pass was perfect.

I see you Jack.

Let's take the monorail to DisneySea.

But first who wants to play Elissa Bingo?

Greatest theme park EVER.

And once again more park merch.

I love your popcorn too!

Shiriki Utundu's disappearing act still confounds me.

Let's check out DisneySea in Engrish.

Not so fast Godzirra...Lava Monster #1!!!

DisneySea Entertainment

Guess what? More Disney merch.

No Lava Monster...GODZIRRA #1!!!

The Mediterranean Harbor water shows were quite impressive!

The fortress was cool to explore...

...as was the adjoining ship.

TDR merch sack

Even the TDL sacks are themed for Halloween.

I see you hidden Mickey.

Mmmmmm POPCORN.

Who wants some ice cream?

You're going to need this after all those Disney Halloween sweets.

Edited November 1, 2010 by ernierocker

[thrillerman1]

After the exhaustive look at Tokyo Disney's Halloween last week, I'll keep this week's update short and simple. On the topic of Disney, here's a grave tribute to California Adventure's Maliboomer. I liked the theming of this ride - the scream shields not so much...R.I.P.

 

Oh and by the way if anyone goes to DCA's ElecTRONica event, I would love a couple of Tron tokens from Flynn's Arcade and will gladly reimburse you for them. Please anyone?

For whom the bell tolls

's

[montezooma]

Here's a shameless plug for what's coming up in Shane's Amusement Attic. A look back at World's of Fun...when it was good.

[thrillerman1]

I'm looking forward to your WOF update to the Attic, Shane. Thanks for sharing these Timber Wolf postcards!

[thrillerman1]

Merry Christmas from Tivoli Gardens and Mark's Postcard Paradise!

Here's the Danish version of the park's brochure featuring the insanely awesome Vertigo airplane ride on the cover.

Here's the English version of the park's brochure.

Another park brochure in Danish.

Golden ticket!

...and the back side of the ticket.

Even the merchandise sacks are nice looking at Tivoli!

[thrillerman1]

So it's a new year...2011! Wow...I hope everyone is off to a good start. Let me know what you want to see in this thread in the new year and I'll see what I have in the archives.

[coaster-crazy]

Love those Timberwolf postcards - Mark: Are we allowed to post our own postcards in here too? Or should I open my own topic?

 

Reason I ask if because I have 30+ SCBB postcards.

 

~Nicholas

[thrillerman1]

^ YES. I totally LOVE when others contribute their postcards to this thread and would absolutely love to see your SCBB postcards. That's probably my favorite park in the NorCal area I've visited, so please share!

[montezooma]

Here are a few random postcards leftover from the Random Lightning Round going on over in Shane's Amusement Attic.

[DJeXeL]

 

 

RIP

[montezooma]

I have a couple of older postcards I found from Canada's Wonderland.

[beatle11]

"...one of the four roller coasters located in Canada's Wonderland". According to RCDB, which might be a bit off, there were 5 coasters there when the park opened, being Wilde Beast, Dragon Fyre, Mighty Canadian Minebuster, Ghoster Coaster and Blauer Enzian later moved into the mountain and renamed to Thunder Run. In any case, the next coaster that opened was in 1985. So these postcards are at least 25 years old. Very cool!

[thrillerman1]

It's Valentine's Day, so how about some chocolate goodness from Hersheypark...

[thrillerman1]

It's Hollywood's biggest night with the Academy Awards just a few hours away, so I decided to do an update featuring Universal Studios Hollywood. What movies and actors/actresses do you think will take home the little gold statue this year...The Social Network? The King's Speech? Megashark Vs. Black Swan? Roll out the red carpet...

The Famous Logo

Ride the movies AND super awesome Escalator the Ride too!

The entrance but hold on a minute...

There...that's better.

I have a sudden craving for Reese's Pieces.

There's this awesome bike scene in Donnie Darko.

Some lucky kid on TPR owns a DeLorean.

Hello Simpsons.

SFMM...heyyyyyyy.

Cyberdyne...SUPER!!!

SKLOOSH.

True story...I went to a midnight showing of Jurassic Park and fell asleep only to wake up with a huge T-Rex in my face...ACK!

This is the park's There Will Be Blood attraction.

Daniel Day-Lewis approved.

Some of this got charred during filming of Megafire Vs. Kong a few years ago.

Let's take the famous tram tour. Uh oh...

There's danger ahead...turn back now.

The Mexicans have unleashed the fury of the Rio Grande on our tram!

Sneaky Mexicans.

Red Sea parting...or a flooded tram. You decide.

Epic.

Oh no!

Japan's is better.

Watermark approved.

And a slightly different backside which is also watermark approved.

Here's the 2005 brochure...

Here's the 2006 Studio Map brochure...

USH...home of super awesome Escalator the Ride as seen here in this 2006 map.

The End. Roll credits...

Edited March 15, 2011 by ernierocker

[thrillerman1]

Six Flags Over Texas has reopened for the season and is celebrating its 50th year. I for one cannot wait to experience the new version of Texas Giant. Here's an update featuring a 1967 postcard and the 1978 park brochure. Enjoy!

The Sky Hook ride looks interesting. I'm not sure what replaced it or its exact former location.

Congratulations on 50 years SFOT!

It's an exciting day when your mailbox is stuffed with Shock Wave artwork!

I love you Anton.

Big Bend is a Schwarzkopf creation I wish I had experienced.

SFOT sure has had some awesome rides over the years.

In 1978 the park had many nights where it was open until 11 pm and midnight.

Park admission was $8.50.

Bonus...I love this artwork!

[RoCo]

Great updates and agreed on the classic Shock Wave art and logo; lightning bolts and spiky typeface make it good.

[thrillerman1]

Who's up for Spring break at the Jersey shore? I really wasn't too sure what to expect when I arrived in the seaside town of Wildwood, home of Morey's Piers, back in 2005, but WOW, I was totally blown away! It's no secret that I love seaside amusement places, and Morey's has it all. I wish I had planned more time there as the 4 hours I had scheduled flew by way too fast. I really can't wait to go back some day!

The giant wheel has an incredible lighting package that really must be seen in person

Morey's has a couple of evil Vekoma contraptions for your pleasure

I love a good Wave Swinger

My mailbox loves this kind of stuff...let's look inside the envelope shall we

2005 brochure...ohhhhhhh ahhhhhhhh

Cool French fry mascot, Curley

Great name for a drop tower...Cedar Fair take note!

Great White is pretty awesome

Wave Swinger!

Listing of some of the rides

It can be quite a hike between the piers, so Morey's has boardwalk passenger trains

This Jersey shore is much more fun than that awful MTV show!

Raging Waters has a turtle so it's Robb approved

Hey cool French fry guy!

Looks like a fun water park though I didn't have time to check it out on my visit to the piers

Lots to offer

A turtle for Robb

Camp Kidtastrophe...another good name that Cedar Fair should note

Prime location right on the Atlantic Ocean...yes, I'm TPR's resident poet

Thanks for being awesome Morey's!

[thrillerman1]

Texas...what can be said? While I've been here many times, it's almost like visiting a foreign country for me even though I'm a US citizen. It's the land of Whataburger, Taco Cabana, stupid and sometimes GENIUS Six Flags decisions, a smashed windshield in a touring rock and roll band van, and a few really weird but cool roller coasters. So, this Postcard Paradise update comes off a high from Texas Giant Bash with TPR. I can't emphasize enough how amazing TPR events really are! Thank you Robb and Elissa!!! I had such a great time at Texas Giant Bash, and so I thought hey, I'll spread the love with some more Texas stuff I've collected courtesy of my previous trip to this foreign land back in 2007. Here's a look at some postcards from a seldom seen quirky park on TPR, Wonderland, and its surrounding touristy landmarks as well as some photos from my trip to the Larson International factory (makers of the bonkers Super Loops ride!!!). Yeah, I felt a little like Charlie visiting the Wonka factory. Thanks to Larson for allowing me inside their amazing brains...oh, and bonus...some roller coaster museum stuff. Texas 2007...

Hello Wonderland!

I see you Texas Tornado with your messed up loops and PTC trains.

Wonder...yeah, I wonder if the park still has that odd conveyor belt water ride contraption in a tunnel.

Wonderland does have a pretty cool collection of rides and is definitely worth checking out.

Paiging Adam Richman...your table is ready.

The Big Texan is an interesting place to check out if you've had enough of Wonderland.

Don't bother bringing your own can of spray paint...they're everywhere!

It's a little creepy, but like I said before Texas is a foreign country!

On my way to Wonderland, I saw a strange ringlike object sticking up in the sky...what is it?!

It's the home of Larson International.

World corporate headquarters...let's go inside shall we?

Ohhh ahhh...Larson has an impressive Super Loops model to greet you in their lobby.

I had a golden ticket and was allowed an exclusive backstage tour!

Larson has some interesting wall art like these pictures of their Fireball ride.

Do not try this at home.

No Doritos...bummer.

This is Larson's Sea Gull Attack ride.

The very rare Hi Roller!

I've always heard good things about Comet but sadly never rode it.

It looks like it had lots of hairtime.

Hey Wonderland.

Wonderland has several storm named coasters.

This is where the rides get made.

Larson has some industrial strength drills.

No idea.

Noted!

Wheels...

and round things...

and more circular objects...

and the grand mothership of all Super Loops!

It really is ginormous...

and pretty.

Larson has some more warehouses.

I wonder what's inside this one.

A trailered Fire Ball or Super Loops...you decide.

In case you were wondering who makes Bench: The Ride.

Look at the attention to detail!

A miniature trailered Super Loops ride for the kiddies.

Larson has a nice collection of wooden pallets too.

Might this be some type of Flying Scooters ride?

Flywheel shuttle coaster launch? Hmmm.

Larson is home to the Roller Coaster Museum warehouse!

Schwarzkopf fan boys rejoice!

Look at all that hotness.

A side profile view for your pleasure.

When did Son of Beast get a second loop?

What's this?

Arrow fan boys rejoice!

I see you back there hiding, Ms. Parton.

Noted!

Protein spill?

Hey Mr. Antique Car...stop photo bombing my picture!

A little worse for wear.

Arrow love.

Not through the trees!

Great America?

Anton <3

They misspelt it.

Who's up for some snapping action?

More parks should have Flying Scooter rides!

What's in these boxes?

Hamel's? Neff's? The coaster museum has tickets if you need any.

Just in case you forgot where we are.

Fiberglass hotness.

I believe these would be molds.

Hey Hershey!

Prior & Church.

See?

And another Dipper.

These cars look slightly uncomfortable, and don't even get me started on those headrests!

Oh what's this?

Hmmm...

Cracked wood.

Upskirt.

Bolts and more bolts.

Can you name this defunct Texas coaster yet?

Up close and personal.

More bolt action.

Ah ha!

Prince Desmond where were you in 2005?!

[beatle11]

I just went through a box of tissues. Amazing pics!

[Pirouettes907]

This was amazing! My jaw dropped for pretty much that entire trip report. Incredible stuff and great pictures. I would love to see a roller coaster museum come to fruition someday (although maybe not so much in out-of-the-way Plainview).

 

Thanks for sharing!

[Nrthwnd]

Just - awesome, Mark.

 

What a find, I must say.

 

And that might be the

Orient Express train I rode in,

back on my 1995 tour, lol.

 

Wonderful look-thru, Mark.

And the captions were spot on, too.

 

But I still don't like those ringOfire things.

Evil evil evil. Ick. IMhO.

 

(EDIT to add...Reply #699...hmmm, me and my 3's.)