Skycoastin' Steve's 2012 Season Extravaganza!!

[Skycoastin SteveFive babies drowned in a fire]

Well the Extravaganza has enjoyed a fantastic two year run of terror on the amusement industry, traveling all over the country and leaving a wake of nuclear destruction in its path. Now it's time to take on the end of the world in 2012! Will December 21 loom large as the end of not only planet Earth, but the Extravaganza? Only time will tell if the end of days is powerful enough to stop the never-ending freight train that is Skycoastin' Steve's Extravaganza.

But seriously, I can't believe we're already two months into 2012 and I haven't done a trip report. These damn things consume my life sometimes, but it's time to jump back on that horse and giddy up with photos, captions, and all other types of shenanigans. For those of you who don't know, I moved to Orlando at the end of 2011, so you'll probably be seeing quite a few reports from the Florida parks this year. I also have a few other trips planned throughout the year, including Dollywood for opening weekend, a trip back to Virginia for BGW and Hershey's new coasters, and my first foray to the parks of Western NY and surrounding areas for Leviathan Bash! I'm 110% sure there will be some type of credit whoring sprinkled in there for good measure, so stay tuned for all the whoreish madness!

I have a couple reports upcoming this week: a quick look at Universal, as well as my first trip to Legoland Florida. Here we go!

Quick Links!

Legoland Florida Part 1 - Page 2

Legoland Florida Part 2, Miniland USA! - Page 3

Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf - Page 4

Dollywood Opening Weekend - Page 5

BGT, Including Baby Cheetahs, Ducklings, and a Joey Wallaby! - Page 12

Deadwood! - Page 13

Ocean City, preview at Hersheypark - Page 14

Skyrush opening day! - Page 15

Verbolten! Jen hits 300 credits!! - Page 20

[Skycoastin SteveFive babies drowned in a fire]

Alrighty, so one of my main priorities after moving to Florida was to get a season pass for Universal, and after a couple months of being here, I finally got recently, so I've been going there quite a bit (seeing how I live five minutes away). These are two parks that I had only been to once in about the last 10 years, so I had a lot of catching up to do. I really do like the Universal properties. While they aren't the greatest parks in the world and there isn't a TON to do at either of them, I still usually enjoy the time I spend there. They also happen to have two of the best B&Ms on the planet at IOA (Hulk and Fire, not Ice) and the best indoor coaster that I've ever been on at the Studios, so it's a nice place to go for some high quality coaster riding. As the season goes on, I'll do more riding of the non-coasters, but for now I haven't been in the mood to. I definitely have to catch up on attractions like Twister and Disaster (even though I've only heard bad things), Shrek 4D, and all the other non-coaster things those parks have to offer. But for now, it's all about teh roller coasterzzzz!

[screaminkid2005Donkeys are my way of life!]

Great report! I can't wait to see more!

[BaMiTsPaTBonafide Donkey Expert]

Great first report of the season! I can't wait to see your Dollywood opening weekend report.

[chadsterThe Pony Express can't find my teepee]

For some reason I just can't get into Universal parks, very mediocre and for the cost, I'd rather go to Disney, and for me, that's saying a lot.

My inability to like the place doesn't degrade from your pictures tho, thanks for the share!

[Skycoastin SteveFive babies drowned in a fire]

^Yeah, Universal can be pretty hot/cold in my world, too. Thankfully I've had a few good days there since getting my season pass. The nice thing is, if I'm having a bad day there, home is five minutes away.

[chadsterThe Pony Express can't find my teepee]

since getting my season pass

I'm sorry

[simon8899I wish they would make Street Fighter Donkey.]

great report....cant wait till next year.

[PhantomNickDonkeys are my way of life!]

Great report and photos, as always! Always good to see the Extravaganza back for another season full of fun updates!!

[dragonskeepA donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

I can't agree more about the camelback/inline element on Dueling Dragons, luckily I have experienced it the right way over 400 times. Left side last row on Fire side was really killer visuals. I loved pointing it out to first time riders, the highlight of the ride IMO.

Cool pictures of Hulk and a good report, thanks.