Photo TR: 22 Days in China with TPR

What's the go with the huge open plazas/walkways at a lot of these parks? Do they normally cater for much bigger crowds, or expect to? Seems like it would take ages to get anywhere.

In the case of Victory Kingdom, I think it's to distract you from the fact that there isn't much to do there.

As for eating in China, I'm not at all an adventurous eater, and I did fine. As long as you can eat chicken, beef and/or pork, you'd do ok. Every one of our meals had some, if not all of that, although often it was with some sauces. Plus, there were McDonals, Pizza Huts, KFC's and more almost everywhere. I even found a Burger King, which was playing the video of "F*ck You", and not the "Forget You" version that's radio friendly.

The only really scary meal was the one on the creepy farm in the middle of nowhere. And even that had a few edible things.

^Yes, if someone tries to persuade you to try a "traditional Chinese farmer's dinner," you'd best find a Pizza Hut, instead. "Mr. Fish," however, was usually pretty good,

^I find that most foods with a 'Mr.' in the name are pretty solid choices.

Can you guys remember this from the evening meal after Happy Vally Wuhan?

I have no idea what it was! I think most of us tried at least a tiny bit but no more.

^It was some sort of bizarre soy concoction, I think (bean curd soup, maybe). I didn't bother with it.

It was explained to us as a sort of Flan, but not sweet...made from Soy. I think Jolie tried it and said it was 'ok' but she couldn't get past thinking what it should have tasted like based on what it looked like.

I would love to see a Vekoma Stingray in the states... A small park like Kemma or Pleasure Pier would probably be ideal. Even more, I would love to see these new trains implemented on the existing Flying Dutchmans (Batwing, Nighthawk, Firehawk). They seem like they would speed up dispatch times and overall look more comfortable.

^To be honest, I didn't notice a big change in the comfort of these trains from the old flyer trains but it's also been quite some time since I rode an old flyer. Also, I'd be curious if the 'hair net' policy is one from Vekoma or the Chinese park.

I thought they were an improvement, but as Elissa says, it's been a few years since I've ridden a Flying Dutchman coaster.

^, ^^, If just for the dispatch times alone, I would prefer those trains. I love that there is a platform in at the base of every row to walk on verses the current cars. On the existing trains it makes it difficult to check seats becasue you can't get in front of each seat effectively or efficiently. In addition, the two sets of restraints (straps and the lap bar/ackle bars) on the current trains slow down loading. The new trains have just one single restraint to lower. Also in the video it looked as if the cars raised up as the train was advancing into the station. It looks as if Vekoma finally worked out the kinks because the 2nd generation (batwing/x-flight) were supposed to recline and raise up when they were on the lift hill and as the trains re-entered the station respectively. Not having to raise and lower the train in the station saves on dispatch times (shorter lines!!!).

It was explained to us as a sort of Flan, but not sweet...made from Soy. I think Jolie tried it and said it was 'ok' but she couldn't get past thinking what it should have tasted like based on what it looked like.

...And when I saw it starting to break up before my eyes, without any help...

I declined.

It looked like the scum that floats in your sink after soaking a particularly dirty casserole dish in it overnight.

Chapter 14: Joyful and Jurassic Hijinks--World Joyland and China Dinosaurs Park

People have different concepts of what provides "joy." Some find it through worshiping a deity. Others contemplate the beauty of nature, both pleasing in its surface simplicity, yet awe inspiring in its underlying complexity. For a select few, joy is hacking their enemies to tiny bits, seeing their bodies laid waste before them, and hearing the lamentations of their women.

Thus, we arrive at the oddity that is China's World Joyland, a park dedicated to video games and animation. This is, indeed, a place of contrasts. While the park does celebrate the joys of childhood in one small section for kids (Mole's World), a large chunk of the place (Terrain of Magic) is dedicated to World of Warcraft, with its barbarians, orcs, and scantily clad warrior babes bestowing horrible, gory death to their enemies. Come to think of it, even Mole's World features an attraction devoted to helping Mole smite his enemies (sometimes by shouting at them).

The park's layout also brings Islands of Adventure to mind (Mole's Land reminded me of Seuss Landing), and while the theming of the place is quite well done, many of the attractions don't measure up. For example, a Spider-man/DarKastle-like simulator themed to Warcraft is better than a similar ride at Happy Valley Shanghai, but still features blurry computer graphics and incoherent action. There's another Soarin'-type ride, too, themed to a world of fantasy--it was OK, at best. And let's not forget the bizarre Ghostbusters type walk-through (Soul Hunter) that made no sense at all. Call it a park of good ideas weakly executed.

Maybe I'm not playing the right video games.

That being said, there are three good coasters at Joyland. The park boasts would could be the best B&M Flyer anywhere (Starry Sky Ripper), and it features both a Skyloop (Clouds of Fairyland) and another well-themed Golden Horse Mine Train (Dragon Roaring Heaven).

Overall, World Joyland is an interesting park, with some excellent theming, that still seems incomplete. It's like most of the budget went into buildings, and not so much into attractions. The staff was nice and accommodating to the group, though.

We'll get to China Dinosaurs Park, a place that was better than expected, a bit later. But let's have a closer look at World Joyland first.

OK, this has nothing to do with either park. I just found it amusing.

This is World Joyland, which is in no way to be confused with "Toyland." One is a theme park, the other a treacly song covered by Perry Como and Doris Day, among others.

"WELCOME TO JOYLAND, HU-MAN SCUM!"

"You will experience exquisite joy--at the point of my sword!"

As I said earlier, much of the park looks great--if a bit wet, thanks to the rain.

Hmm--it does remind one of the Lost Continent, doesn't it?

OK, I think I'm beginning to understand the "joy" part of this place now.

"Quit staring at the comely female's breasts, human slime! Wait, I'm staring at them, too. Carry on."

Nothing says "joy" like a "splash of monster blood." I like mine with a twist of lemon.

"I bathe in pure monster blood every night. That's how I maintain my complexion."

I'm getting a bit of a "JRR Tolkien" vibe here. Kind of reminds me of the "Orthnac" from the first movie.

Our quest is at an end! God be praised! This is a surprisingly good B&M Flyer.

Still, it does have a bit of an identity complex.

Why don't we just settle on "Starry Sky Scrapper"?

This is the most intense B&M Flyer I've ever ridden.

The layout is compact, but crazy--a big improvement over Six Flags' Superman clones.

The rain delayed our filming session on Sky Ripper, so they let us check out their simulator--Cosmo Hacker (sounds like a character from Star Wars). Oddly enough, the 3D movie was something about a roller coaster in the desert. Go figure.

Bubbles. Why did it have to be bubbles?

Sky Ripper still wasn't ready, so we hit Dragon Roaring Heaven next.

Er, isn't "steping" required just to enter the ride? No wonder the line is so short.

"ME DRAGON! ME ROAR HEAVEN! ROAR!"

Vekoma makes good mine trains. Golden Horse makes reasonable copies of them.

We did get in our filming session of Sky Ripper--and it turned out great despite the rain.

This is the Chinese Dragon Tower, which is atop the Holy Mountain. Approach it only on your knees!

Welcome to Soul Hunter, a good idea poorly executed. You're given what looks like a "proton pack" to blast ghosts, which you can see through your gun sight in various well-decorated, "haunted" rooms. Unfortunately, there is no attempt at mood lighting, ambient sound, or music, so the whole experience is pretty flat.

The park even let us sneak in a ride on their Skyloop toward the end of the day despite the rain--many thanks for that to Joyland, Robb, and Elissa! It was a lot of fun. More to come from Joyland.

Lots of nice theming at this park. Can't wait to see more!

^It's Chinese theming though...something feels really wrong or like only 1" deep about it.

Prepare yourself for more joy!

This is essentially a large 3D arcade that features previews of video games. I guess you could call it a walk-through advertising house.

Russ has entered the World of Tron.

I have no idea what this is supposed to be, but it does feature another hot warrior babe--and aren't the spitting seahorses adorable?

This is Mole's World--we just get to visit it.

Any resemblance to any family attraction at a certain Florida theme park is purely coincidental.

Aha! We've found Elissa's source of joy at World Joyland!

It even has those creepy Coke polar bears.

This was essentially just a long line to get a free, shot-glass-sized drink of Coke.

Mole's World also features a Magic Baby . . .

. . . and a Magic Baby predator. (I hope it eats that damn eTrade baby, too.)

You can even get fried ice cream that looks like fish and chips (mushy peas optional, I guess).

Adventure of Moles is a bizarre interactive video game that involves rapid button pushing, jerking a handle back and forth quickly, and shouting.

The whole thing was strangely erotic.

This is "Soarin' Over Mordor" or something.

Excuse me--"Fantasia Atlas." It certainly has a high "thrill index."

Those who are about to have an alien burst out of their body may not ride.

Bowling, a dead pop star, and kung fu. Er, OK.

Oh, it's just a bunch of games. If you want a stuffed monkey, this is the place.

OK, Larry is enjoying jerking his arms back and forth, and Divv likes to watch. Moving right along . . .

At last--more joyful violence!

No losers? Well there goes the entire coaster-enthusiast community. Wait--a "splendor index"? The hell?

We managed to sneak in, anyway.

"I KILL COWARDS AND LOSERS--AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT SPLENDID!"

"We are the Keepers of the Splendor Index! Only the truly splendid may pass! So, prepare to die like dogs, un-splendid ones!"

We felt like even bigger losers after riding this thing.

If you look up "incongruous" in the dictionary, you'll find this picture.

I didn't see Ultraman anywhere in this park. I call shenanigans!

Farewell to World Joyland, a park of joyous facades and a really good B&M ride. China Dinosaurs Park is next.

I am so glad you finally got ANOTHER RED BUTTON

to push, Chuck! With no "dire repercussions"!

Up next was a park that really doesn't need a lot of explanation: China Dinosaurs Park. Yes, it is a park devoted to dinosaurs, and it is, indeed, in China. Now that's truth in advertising.

The group was pleasantly surprised by this park. It seemed larger than expected, and the filming session on Dinoconda, the S&S 4D coaster, was a lot of fun--a very good ride that doesn't beat you up as badly as its cousin at Fuji Q. Even the indoor Zamperla Motocoaster, Dinosaur Mountain, was fun (much better than the two other enclosed dinosaur-related coasters we rode on this trip). Whirling Dinosaur Car, though, was a standard issue Golden Horse Spinning Mouse--with themed cars, for a change.

Time to get Jurassic!

Here we are at Dinosaurs Park, and you can see . . . wait, what the hell is that thing?

This is the only China Dinosaurs Park. Accept no substitutes.

You see? Dinosaurs! In China!

It was a bit of a walk to our main objective.

You cavemen are anachronistic! The theming is ruined!

It does look a bit "Joylandish" here.

"Kookcasuka"? Er, moving right along . . .

"Hamburger Love" was a rejected first take of Golden Earring's "Radar Love," but Dinosaurs Park snagged the licensing rights, anyway.

If this is a "Kookcasuka," I recommend steering clear, no matter how desperate you may be.

Ready to brave Dinosaur Mountain?

It really was a good family ride--I hope it holds up.

A Spinning Mouse! Phew! What a relief! I was afraid we weren't going to ride one of these today.

One can never get enough of this Golden Horse staple attraction.

"Best damned Spinning Mouse ever! Golden Horse rules!"

Whirling Dinosaur Car is Stacey approved.

Tonight, on SyFy . . .

Nice station, eh?

Again, another ride I slightly dreaded ended up being a lot of fun. (Cheryl looks a bit distressed, though.)

I think S&S has gotten the hang of these rides.

However, it does look more like a flock of bats than a "Dinoconda" to me.

Hmm--is a group of bats called a "flock"?

Eh. Doesn't matter. Never mind.

Time to leave before the raptors come out.

My god! Dinosaurs Park is also infested with zombies! That's all for now.

Looks like another wet but fun day in China - enjoying the ongoing updates Chuck. Starry Sky Ripper/Scrapper looks particularly awesome!

So, what exactly was that large tower thingie supposed to be?

^Just some sort of observation deck--with stylized dinosaur pillars.

^

I honestly don't/didn't remember much of Dinosaur Park, except the memory of that

"discussion" I had with a ride op concerning my age (59) and the "age limit" (being 60) to

ride Dinoconda. I even had proof on me I was under the limit, but for a while he wasn't

buying it. Then, as if by Dinosaur Magik (ha), he let me on, your pic shows me there,

still looking po'd about it, LOL!

And once was honestly enough for me. I am still not sold on these 4Ds, but also having

never ridden the original at SFMM, how can I really compare? Both this one and

Fuji-Q's were/are rough to me and more vibration in them, than I ever wanted in any coaster.

Thanks for taking so many pix of the park, Chuck.

And nope - still don't remember much of it, lol

There I am, second row, hands together, still fuming over the 'age discussion' with *(&^%$@# ride op. The ride, unfort. did not help in easing my...tension, lol.

^I was pleasantly surprised by X2 at Magic Mountain, Bill. It's not something I could "marathon," but it was much more fun than I expected. Dinoconda had a "feel" similar to X2 (Fuji Q's 4D, however, was wretched).

^ Well I would still give X2 a try, having not gotten it as a credit still, lol.