mcjaco Posted April 13, 2010 Posted April 13, 2010 (edited) Yeah, so I'm a little late on this, being that West Coast Bash was almost a month ago already. Actually, I'm total attention whore and really just wanted to wait until all the hoopla passed so I could steal the spotlight. And my PTR could shine! Who am I kidding, you've seen these all before......or have you. Mu hahahahahaha! Way back in 2009 (a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away), I decided that I was going to make my first venture out to West Coast Bash. I missed my annual Disney lovefest trip in October, and decided it was time to go back and visit Disneyland and hit up some of the attractions I always tend to skip over. Then it would be off to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Knott's Berry Farm for WCB. I had credits that I'd missed on my previous trip to SFMM in 2007 (I'm looking at you Ninja), and had never been to Knott's. I just had to see what all the fuss was about. Would Knott's be as bad as everyone says? Would WCB be as awesome as it's been reported? How would WCB be with two days planned? Would Piers be shy? Tune in and find out. First, we're off to day one, where Jojo19799 and I take flight from Milwaukee, and meet Chuck and Renee at fabulous LAX and a quick day trip to DLR! All trips, and all airports should begin with a Recombobulation area. Milwaukee's General Mitchell Field for the win! After a four hour flight with a non reclining seat, this was welcome! Check out our uterus! We start our adventure here. Because, well....it's called California Adventure. I had not seen this sun, or the hot molten ball of fire in the sky for weeks. That's Chicago in the winter. Even this was a welcome sight! Oh dear sir, where are we off too??? Why to the Tortilla Factory for food, my good man. Which can only be washed down with the finest of beverages. Finest, refers to of course, beer! I like trains. It all started with Walt getting screwed out of a rabbit, and coming up with a slight variation of that rabbit, to make it look like a mouse. Poopy tower. Cows. Screamin'. It's not Rockin'. Thank god. Artsy. I love Disney theming. So pretty. Small train station. I squish your head. Nerd. Nerd photographing nerd. Hey Chuck, who are we waiting for? Someone important? Like a Premium Pass holder????? Castle joke in 5,4,3,2,1..... Also not Rockin'. All is good. Fartsy. One more ride before a late night drive. Chris says, "More to come! I'm so fancy!" Edited September 21, 2010 by mcjaco
mcjaco Posted April 13, 2010 Author Posted April 13, 2010 OK, so onto WCB Day 1. Or Six Flag Magic Mountain day. Really, what can I say that hasn't already been said? It rocked. It rocked hard. ERT was sublime, and even though a certain coaster would continue to elude me, we were promised that it wasn't going anywhere. I breathed a great sigh of relief! That Ninja is one sneaky little coaster.....hmmm, aptly named, says I! Terminator Salvation was the highlight of the day. I've only been on one other GCI (Valleyfair's Renegade), and I love them both. I know they aren't the "best" according to many, but I'll ride these two woodies any day. All in all, it was just an awesome way to start the event. Helping out in the T-shirt line was great fun, and it was great to finally see so many recognizable faces in person. This is why TPR kicks ass. On to the pics! What? You'd expect something different to start this portion? Nerd. Nerds. The vigilante T-shirt crew. Jeff had us running like a Swiss watch......unless I had to count shirts. ClubTPR is a go! Piers reels in potential members with his shyness. Packet Pickup crew. Bob is the evil one on the right. If this photo was a little more to the left we'd all be getting more than a shirt from Cameron. The crowd rolls in. Have fun storming the park! First up, Viper. I did not make me miss Shockwave. A spread only an ACEr would love. Hey Cam, can you hold my camera while I go pee? Artsy. Or phallic? I saw the pre-show. Lawn Ornament of Unusual Size. Here we see Bob perfecting his "this be dirt" point. What do you mean they didn't see the pre-show? Artsy..... Fartsy. Chuck, you have no idea how Peligro Extremo you really are. Who the hell came up with this idea? And it better be worth it. Superman crotch. We're not a bright group. We walk up the mountain, and take the funicular down..... Solitaire anyone? Nerd herd! Where shall we go next? I believe it's time for some A/C and management grilling! Herds of nerds! Yay management! Yay Robb! While waiting for dinner Chuck pondered many things. Such as, why does this tree look so sickly. Or the benefits of oxygen? Screw it. Let's just have cake. Then it was off to the backstage tour of X2 Where I caught more nerds in their natural habitat. And finally, this is what SFMM looks like at 11:58PM. Off to Knott's!
kumba830 Posted April 13, 2010 Posted April 13, 2010 Haha, I just love the photos you get when you tell someone to hold you camera! Great report and I can't wait to see you sooner or later this year!
mcjaco Posted April 15, 2010 Author Posted April 15, 2010 (edited) Alrighty, since this isn't getting much attention, let's finish it up! I had never been to Knott's so, I was anxiously awaiting this visit. Not only to see it for myself, but to see if it was as bad as every one makes it out to be. That being said, I didn't hate it.....but I didn't like it either. I loved the old west area, but the rest of the park seemed half arsed, and hodge podged together. Obviously, for me, the highlight was the Roundhouse Tour. I'm a total railfan nerd, and it was really cool to finally see a Galloping Goose, and the Rio Grande Southern locomotives in a way not many people get to see them. I'd also like to thank the "Ageless" Jeff Johnson for running me through some credits in the first half of the day, so I could enjoy the rest of the day wandering and checking things out...and going drinking with Derek and Marlon at he fabulous Breury! Here we go.... Welcome to Knott's. The Ghostrider awaits you... Chuck made many mentions on how Silver Bullet ruined the entrance for him. I found it quite cool, but once inside the gates, I understood his disdain. They be lining up for more fun! Yay for depots! A mysterious fog rolls over Calico Mine....and the infamous Glory Hole. It was seriously creepy out.....or was this just smog? OK, now we're talkin' about the good stuff! Yay, Galloping Goose! Yay green locomotives! Yay Piers! (look how excited he is!) First up was Montezuma's Revenge. It made me miss Tidal Wave. Then it gave me diarrhea. Picture Spot. Mini train! I likes me some trains! Does this even need a caption? Then we played "Which one is Piers?" No bones about it. Erik is one Assy guy. Seriously the best Mine Train ever. At least for the ride vehicles. The reverse group photo photo. Um what is going on here???? Hello friends of TPR! This be Silver Bullet. It is better than Coors. Um, what is going on HERE? Chuck braves the rope bridge. Curse you and your mustard! Is it time for a Piers photoshoot???? Yes!!!! I'll let this image burn into your retinas for awhile.....more Disney, sometime soon! Edited April 15, 2010 by mcjaco
cfc Posted April 15, 2010 Posted April 15, 2010 It was nice of that bear to clean the lint out of Piers's navel.
Mr. Starr Posted April 15, 2010 Posted April 15, 2010 Is it weird that I find Piers extremely frightening? Or is that just normal?
Meteornotes Posted April 15, 2010 Posted April 15, 2010 That last pic might be the best picture of Piers ever... dt
BeemerBoy Posted April 15, 2010 Posted April 15, 2010 This report makes me sick. Sick that we couldn't be there. Nice work, Matt.
mcjaco Posted April 15, 2010 Author Posted April 15, 2010 Bay Area Bash next year, Scott. I'm convincing the wife of a full week of the Napa Valley, then down to BAB.
derwood Posted April 15, 2010 Posted April 15, 2010 Nice photos. Wish I could have been there to hand out t-shirts but at least you had sunshine! Love the nerd shots. I will make it next year...I will make it next year.... -daron
piers Posted April 15, 2010 Posted April 15, 2010 Is it weird that I find Piers extremely frightening? Or is that just normal? I fill your heart with fear. I strangely dont even remember these photo's happening, this may have been after I had some wine as we all know how extremely shy I am.
nay Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 Like a Premium Pass holder????? Heh, I enjoyed getting "Club 33" discounts with the pass, but yeah, actually getting into the park was a bit time consuming. The camera loves Piers. He's shy!
themeparkologist Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 Nice photos. I am officially depressed that I can not go to any TPR event. Themepark-What do you mean Jeff Johnson died?! If someone's been around that long and hasn't died yet, Chances are it won't ever happen!-ologist
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