Jcoaster vs Sin City and the American Southwest.

[Jcoaster]

Fear not TPR, I am here with another edition of my photo trip reports to take everyone’s attention off the hysteria of the King Dominion’s thread. I’m in Sin City and I’m ready to take it on with all the shenanigans one trip report can handle.

 

Day 1: We landed in Las Vegas around 7:30 pacific time, rented a car and showed up to our hotel around 8:30. The hotel itself is a beautiful place with an amazing view from the top on the 38th floor. Soon after we headed out for a walk on the strip to grab some much deserved grub.

Now, this is my first time ever in Las Vegas and I will say that being from NYC, the strip reminds me of one gigantic Time Square. Very crowded and touristy and I needed to get the hell out. Don’t get me wrong I will enjoy my fair share of booze, gambling and coasters while I’m here but I am particularly excited for our visit to the Grand Canyon, Red Rocks and Hoover Dam.

 

Anyways, after our decent meal at Jack’s Double Barrel on the strip I walked over to New York, New York Casino to ride one of the most infamously bad coasters in TPR history…..Manhattan Express, now reborn as “The Coaster”. Let me start off by saying “Holy Sh*t this coaster is every bit as bad as advertised in Alvey’s pov. No seriously, like good god this thing is bad. I will quote the video if I am allowed to do so by saying, “They should pay you (Then 12.50 now 14.00 dollars) to ride this ride. For a mere 14.00 you can snap you spinal cord into early retirement. Seriously how is this thing even legal. It has no redeeming qualities (Yes the Dive loop thing is the smoothest part of the ride for some reason) and I waited 25 minutes for it (The life of an enthusiast). It was one of those things that you hear about that is so bad you have to do it. If you ever find yourself in Las Vegas and feel the need to have definitive proof as to why Togo is no longer in business, ride this piece of metal hell. The one thing, and by that I mean the only thing I will give them with this ride is the headlights on the trains work.....Okay the few of the Vegas Strip at nighttime from the top of the lift was cool too.

 

I’ll take Steamin Demon, Canobie Corkscrew, any SLC and a root canal over this ride.

0o0o0 Fancy!

Theming? RMC Hurler?

New digs for the next few nights.

Around 10:30 Pacific Time last night I decided to tempt fate. (Also no I didn't realize the poster for Erotic Cirque Du Soleil or the subliminal messaging sabotage by Hershey until I looked at the photo.)

There is that menace peaking over the hotel walls now.

"This way if you are a sadistic human being!"

The Nevada law regarding this ride is very simple.

The only nice thing about this ride was the trains. But it goes all south from here.

At this point you're almost concuss. If not you are holding on for dear life saying a few prayers.

The Hershey sign is the best thing going for this picture.

If this coaster was really the one we had back home instead of Cyclone that would be real depressing.

"The smoothest part of the ride."

A picture of The Coaster from the top of our hotel this morning. If you look closely you can see a train going up the lift. Thats alll for part 1. Stay tuned for part 2.

Edited August 28, 2016 by Jcoaster

[TheJewelOfJool]

What evil sin did you do that you chose to punish yourself for it by riding Manhattan Express?

[Jcoaster]

What evil sin did you do that you chose to punish yourself for it by riding Manhattan Express?

 

Reading the King's Dominion thread for the past week.

[TheJewelOfJool]

That's a very big sin.

[coasterlvr]

I’ll take Steamin Demon, Canobie Corkscrew, any SLC and a root canal over this ride.

 

all at the same time, too huh. lol

[Jcoaster]

I’ll take Steamin Demon, Canobie Corkscrew, any SLC and a root canal over this ride.

 

all at the same time, too huh. lol

 

Grammar saves lives. But yes if it was possible strap me in for that. I have never braced myself on a ride for pain like that.

[Jcoaster]

Part 2: Im back everyone with an update from this Saturday. Quick disclaimer this was a “adventure around the city day”, so there were no coasters. I’m heading to the AdventureDome today so there will be some of that next update. However, if you want to see some really cool stuff don’t click “return to the forum index” just yet.

 

The day started with a reservation at BattleField Las Vegas. For those of you who have never heard of it, it’s one of the best firing ranges in the country. It has a wide array of packages you can try for fairly reasonable prices. The best part is that they offer free pick up and drop off from your hotel in a real service used military hummer. If you are a history person like me you’ll love this as I did an American WW2 military package and was able to fire service issued firearms from the time period. Battlefield Vegas offers many more packages such as British, Soviet, Nazi and Japanese weaponry from the second world war along with some WW1, Cold War and modern firearms to fire. Package price varies depending on the rarity of the weapons but again if you love history/military history there isn’t many places outside of here to experience this. They have a museum in the lot next door of all used service vehicles throughout the wars the United States has fought in. There are a lot of military bases in Nevada and the surrounding area so the guys there told us they are relatively easy to obtained once their service life is over. The place is also kid friendly with instructions on firearms for them as well as the kids being able to climb in and on the vehicles at the museum for photo ops.

REMEMBER these are real firearms with live ammunition. Unless you are a trained professional or have your permit please, please, please respect guns, they are not toys. At Battlefield Vegas you are accompanied by trained military personal when in the range.

 

For lunch we stopped at In & Out Burger to pop my cherry (Can I say that on here? If not mods do your thing). I’ve heard nothing but good things from friends who had tried it so when I entered I was ready to go. I had the Double with Animal fries and a Strawberry milkshake. The food was very, very good but I have to say that Shake Shack is superior. Shake Shack’s burgers are just better along with their fries being more crispy than In & Outs. Chalk one up for the east coast.

 

Last stop on this part of the report was the Pawnshop from “Pawn Star’s” seen on History Channel. They really ham it up to make this an attraction. There is a queue line for this place. Thats right, a queue line for a pawnshop. Inside was pretty cool, they have a lot of old rare stuff but it does cost a fortune. So unless you’re willing to spend don’t expect to buy anything. I do recommend it though if you are in the area and have 30-45 min to kill.

The look on some people's faces when a military hummer shows up to pick you up at your hotel.

Driving around the strip in the back of the humor was pretty freakin cool.

We have arrived. If anyone has gone to Circus Circus before you know this is located across the street!

The Colt 1911 was issued as a service pistol in the military in World War 1 and has been with the United States Military ever since.

M1 Garand, often called the gun that on the war was issued in the 1930's. It is best known for its service in World War 2 but has remained in the military until today with numerous modifications.

Me with the M1 after firing it. If you noticed I have my Yuengling Brewery shirt on I purchased at the brewery. (If you remember my Beers, Coasters and Culture trip report earlier in the summer. If not check it out.)

Last but not least was the Thompson. This notorious submachine gun was in service in the United States Military from 1931-1971. For those of you who know it was used for many, many years before and after by organized crime. This was particularly cool to fire because our instructor let us use it full auto.

I couldn't resist.

Had to see what the hype was all about for lunch.

It was very good but we do it better on the east coast, sorry west coasters

As seen on tv!

They had cool stuff like old 500 and 1,000 dollar bills.

And really old coins. Some dating back to B.C.!

1940's Indian Sidecar priced at a reasonable 40,000 dollars.

6,000 dollars for an teenage Derek Jeter's yearbook.

Part 3 AdventureDome is coming soon.

Edited August 21, 2016 by Jcoaster

[I305forever]

Cool guns. I've never shot anything but a rifle and a shotgun. How bad is there recoil for those bigger guns?

[Jcoaster]

Cool guns. I've never shot anything but a rifle and a shotgun. How bad is there recoil for those bigger guns?

 

They were very cool. Its very humbling firing weapons that helped win the most destructive conflict in human history. You really get an appreciation for it. My brother actually did the German weapon package which was incredible. When he chose it the guys working there said it was excellent choice because many of those weapons won't be around much longer (hence the more expensive price). That package included MP40, Lugar Pistol and Mauser K98. As for the recoil the submachine guns were scary smooth, didn't feel a thing. The Colt didn't have much recoil but my brother said the Lugar had some kick. The rifles definitely had some recoil. My instructor said to take more time to set up my aim cause the Garand tend to wobble after firing sometimes. The K98 had big time recoil my brother had a bruise on his solider.

[Jcoaster]

Part 3: AdventureDome

 

We arrived at the AdventureDome around 12 o’clock to kill a couple of hours and honestly that is all you need at this place. Circus Circus is one of the old resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and you can certainly tell that when you first enter there. That being said the inside was very clean along with the AdventureDome. Being inside 24 hours a day 365 days a year with nothing but AC being pumped into it, there was no smell of mold or anything like that. We paid 31.95 for the all day ride pass which is more than worth it due to the fact that one ride on the coasters are 12 bucks each. The pass pays for itself after two rides. Its a great place to spend a few hours in Vegas if you’re bored thanks to two solid coasters, a drop tower and plenty of vintage arcade games.

 

Canyon Blaster 2x: Got two rides in once in the front and once in the back. Both were good rides but in the front it was a great ride. No surprise this coaster was built towards the end of Arrow’s days because it very smooth. It provides a very fast, forceful ride with 4 consecutive inversions that left me a bit disoriented both times. I got an insane pop of air in the front row coming out of the second vertical loop and into the double corkscrew. Fun fact is that this is one of the only Arrow’s if not the only Arrow that sports the same train design as Drachen Fire.

 

El Loco 2x: Wild Mouse on speed is the best way to describe this thing. I did not stop laughing from start to finish on this coaster. Great first drop, weird twisty inversions with funky ending to the ride. This coaster really lives up to its namesake. S&S really knocked this one out of the park. El Loco is the only custom version of this coaster type and I hope some other smaller parks wake up and take notice cause this ride provides maximum thrills in a small footprint.

 

Pacific Rim Motion Simulator 1x: I didn’t even bother posting a picture of this piece of crap. The most pathetic motion simulator I’ve ever been on hands down. The pre-show building shows the pre-show on a TV that has to be from the late 90’s. You can’t understand a word of it then the ride starts off in the middle of fight between two monsters. The simulator itself is a joke, it just gyrates back and fourth. I was expecting the worst with this ride and it exceeded expectations.

 

Slingshot 1x: This was my first ever Chance Morgan combo tower and I have to say I loved it. It is an awesome little tower with a fun launch. The drop from the top of the tower isn’t all that intense but that doesn’t matter because it provides awesome views of the entire AdventureDome and you don’t really realize how high up you really are.

You travel under the walkway on your route to the lift hill.

I honestly liked these trains. Too bad they will never be fitted on existing Arrows.

Climbing the lift above the man made plaster rocks (You can't fool me Circus Circus).

First drop.

The ride is actually well hidden for being a rollercoaster in a glorified greenhouse.

You take the corckscrews at a pretty insane speed. Fear not though the headbanging is minimal.

Through the plaster and fiberglass!

This is a majority of the layout for El Loco.

The omfg first drop. This thing flies off the lift hill and takes this drop at a scary speed.

This is the station house for the trains which isn't much of a station or house at all.

Upclose shot for all you nerds out there.

Twisty!!!

The funkiest most messed up way ever to end a ride. The hangtime is glorious.

This was the pleasent surprise of the day. Thats all people, more to come in the following days.

[Jcoaster]

Part 4: Once we left the AdventureDome we headed to the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. Again, if youre into the whole history thing it is really an incredible experience with some artifacts from the golden age of organized crime in this country. Admission is reasonable and the exhibits are really well done. You get to see some great memorobila from Mob movies and tv shows as well. Being an Italian American it was pretty cool to see legends from your hertiage celebrated like this. Even if they were evil people the impact they had on this country will never be forgotten and the legends as well as popculture influence will never die.

 

Second part of this update will be the Buffet at Wynn's hotel in Las Vegas. This may be one of tbe best food experiences of my life and definitely the best buffet I've ever had. Its very overwhelming and hard to pace yourself but I think I did okay.

Downtown Vegas is a pretty cool area. A bit quiter with old school shops and Casino's.

The Arizona Club was the first bar/gambling spot in Vegas. Opened in 1905.

Al Capone on an issue of Time Magazine.

The actual wall from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

For Boardwalk Empire fan's (Myself included) this was Nucky Johnson's aka Nucky Thompson's Culinary Cup Trophy which was awarded to the best chef in Atlantic City.

A large mural of a photo of Lucky Luciano taken at a court scene.

Ticket from the 1919 World Series fixed by Arnold Rothstein.

Frank Sinatra (middle) dining with some gangsters.

Bugsy Siegel's sunglasses.

Myer Lansky's cigarette case.

This section was about the mafia and their infulence over the JFK presidency.

One of James Gandolfini's aka Tony Soprano's outfits from the show.

Steve Buscemi's (Nucky Thompson) suit.

Wynn's Buffet

Every photo left starting from here is an entire plate I ate.

This was quail with roasted cauliflower, carrots and a peking duck taco.

Dessert Bar was outrageous.

Complete with a chocolate fountain. See you guys next update with the Grand Canyon.

[TheCoasterKid211]

Those last three pictures are foodgasmic...

[boldikus]

Really enjoying your reports lately dude. Thanks for sharing.

[Jcoaster]

Really enjoying your reports lately dude. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks man, there will be more so just keep reading and enjoying.

 

Those last three pictures are foodgasmic...

 

As a foodie myself I can easily say this was the pinnacle of all you can eat buffets.

[PKI Jizzman]

Really enjoying your reports lately dude. Thanks for sharing.

 

I second this.

 

I've only been shooting a couple times and really didn't even think about that activity being offered out there for some reason..but you mentioned a couple guns [MP40/Thompson] that I had been proficient at using in Call of Duty and that would be pretty incredible to shoot in real life! I've got to check that place out when I go.

[bert425]

 

Those last three pictures are foodgasmic...

 

As a foodie myself I can easily say this was the pinnacle of all you can eat buffets.

 

Did you get to try Wicked Spoon in Cosmopolitan?

 

that one is our fave, tho the Wynn one looks really good.

[Jcoaster]

 

Those last three pictures are foodgasmic...

 

As a foodie myself I can easily say this was the pinnacle of all you can eat buffets.

 

Did you get to try Wicked Spoon in Cosmopolitan?

 

that one is our fave, tho the Wynn one looks really good.

 

The Wynn was incredible, I could eat there every night next time I visit Vegas. And no, maybe I'll check that out Thursday when I'm back from the Grand Canyon.

 

Really enjoying your reports lately dude. Thanks for sharing.

 

I second this.

 

I've only been shooting a couple times and really didn't even think about that activity being offered out there for some reason..but you mentioned a couple guns [MP40/Thompson] that I had been proficient at using in Call of Duty and that would be pretty incredible to shoot in real life! I've got to check that place out when I go.

 

Thanks! Dude they actually offer a "Call of Duty" package with all the different guns from the various games. Very expensive but definitely worth it.

[Jew]

Manhattan Express is not even close to the worst coaster out there anymore...the new trains and some re-tracking have helped it a lot.

[Jcoaster]

Manhattan Express is not even close to the worst coaster out there anymore...the new trains and some re-tracking have helped it a lot.

 

Had to be top 3 worst for me. I don't blame the tracking but I do blame the trains and the restraints. I found them very uncomfortable. It feels like the restraints (unless they are slammed into your shoulders) leave too much space. It allows for your upper body to move around too freely which cause a lot of headbanging against those hard plastic headrests.

[VegasBaby]

The Adventuredome is actually a fun little park and the two coasters are worth the price of admission. The place is usually pretty dead as long as you don't go on a weekend or a holiday. The drop tower is a blast, but they have a few more flats that are worth your time: Disk'O (spinning half-pipe), Chaos (similar to an Enterprise), and Inverter (lots of upside down hangtime). If you need a coaster/ride fix in Vegas, the Adventuredome is a much better choice than the NYNY roller coaster. I would also recommend checking out the rides at the top of the Stratosphere. The roller coaster isn't up there anymore, but it was pretty lame. The three rides they have now are great and being 110 stories high make them even more intense!

[Jcoaster]

I would agree that the two coasters there were worth admission. I was unsure about how Canyon Blaster would ride despite being a later Arrow but I really enjoyed it. Im not big on spinning rides so the Disk-o and Chaos were out for me. I may try and make to the Stratosphere Tower thursday.

[Jcoaster]

Part 5 is going to be a mini update cause I'm on the road from the Grand Canyon to the Red Rocks in Sedona. This update is Hoover Dam. It was literally one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen and I'd reccomend it to anyone. Rollercoasters are engineering marvels but Hoover Dam is an all time man made engineering marvel. Enjoy but the pictures don't do it justice.

The entrance to the Dam.

Over 700 feet tall, 1200 feet across and 660 feet thick.

A memorial for president Hoover and those who helped build the Dam.

The view speaks for itself.

[coasterbill]

Is that bridge parallel to the dam new? When we visit about 10 years ago I don't remember it being there. It makes sense though as (at the time) we had to go through security checkpoints to reach the dam (which is annoying if you're just passing through) and I'd imagine the cars provide unnecessary wear and tear.

[Jcoaster]

Is that bridge parallel to the dam new? When we visit about 10 years ago I don't remember it being there. It makes sense though as (at the time) we had to go through security checkpoints to reach the dam (which is annoying if you're just passing through) and I'd imagine the cars provide unnecessary wear and tear.

 

Checkpoint is still there and yes I believe the bridge is relatively new. Im not sure what year (it was my first time there) but there is a new parking area and trail that leads you up there.

[bert425]

Is that bridge parallel to the dam new? When we visit about 10 years ago I don't remember it being there. It makes sense though as (at the time) we had to go through security checkpoints to reach the dam (which is annoying if you're just passing through) and I'd imagine the cars provide unnecessary wear and tear.

 

it's been there for at least 6 years. .it's the bypass, so all the traffic doesn't have to go over the Dam. . it really cut traffic there (which was the intended purpose -- keep ALL those cars/potential threats off the top of the Dam).

 

This pic is from early 2012, from the Overlook across the Dam, where the main road used to take you (so the bridge would be over on the left past the finger in the pic ).

as you can see, the bypass bridge REALLY cut down on traffic over the Dam.

Edited August 24, 2016 by bert425