Photo TR - East Coast Tour 2008 - The C-Jay Perspective

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

I didn't think it was that bad considering we had been to Coney Island and Rye Playland already. Sure, two of the rides promised for ERT didn't work when we got there, but they did what they could and got them running before the park got too crowded. Honestly I think they were a bit embarrassed that it happened that way.

To me, this was the only corporate park that we hit that didn't really feel like a corporate park. That's both a good thing and bad thing.

Unfortunetly for them, they did become the source of a running joke between Vanja and I. Every time we came across a ride that wasn't working at whatever park we happened to be at we'd say something like, "It's broken...are we at Six Flags America!?"

Phil, totaly agree. Although poking fun is well..fun..I don't mean to or want to come across as being too judgemental on any park. Truth be told, I had a blast at every park. Coney Island and Playland were two of my favourites. Sure, there was the perception of a moderate to high probability for a stabbing, but the loads of character, both good and bad, completely made up for it.

I was really hoping to try out that flume ride at SFA as it looked really cool. But, I saw two maintenance guys in the trough pulling wires out of a box so yah....I assumed that wasn't going to happen at all that day.

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Well, here we move on to one of, if not the nicest themed parks on the trip: Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia. I was definitely looking forward to this park, having been to BG Africa twice and of course wanting to ride my first Dive Machine. I thoroughly enjoyed the attractions here more, with the exception of Montu.

The area itself was quite nice and I'd love to go back to check out the history and sites in addition to well...GRIFFON! Absolutely loved that ride.

ERT in this park was spectacular on both Griffon and Alpengeist in the morning and Big Bad Wolf at night. The park was immaculate and theming was in contrast to Six Flags America, no doubt. Big Bad Wolf at night was creepy but amazing! I admit, I've moved beyond Vortex and have embraced all that is Big Bad Wolf as my favourite Arrow suspended.

Highlights:
-Griffon....and the single rider line! We rode it about 11 times that day from morning till dusk. The two times during ERT were amazing but nothing can prepare you for when that beast actually warms up!
-A lot of water! Roman Rapids to Escape from Pompeii made for the slushiest shoes I've ever had to wear all day.
-Loch Ness Monster...quite possibly my favourite Arrow, ever. I think it bumped Dragon Mountain down a notch, no easy task.
-Festaus and Festhous dancing
-Watching Olivier walk into the Festhaus women's washroom and waiting to see how long it would take him to realize that he made a großer Fehler!
-A bit of bias, but the Italy section!
-E-braking on the midcourse of Apollo's Chariot and sitting there with Olivier, John and Selwyn for who knows how long. Luckily, we busted out the MP3 phones and played some tunes, shot some video..etc etc. For those keeping count, this was the 3rd ride that I supposedly had a hand in breaking.
-The Curse of Dark Castle Tour and ride...both were amazing!
-Beer....everywhere, whatever kind you like, so long as it is Bud.
-Big Bad Wolf...in the dark...mamma mia.

Other cool peeps:
-Had a chance to speak with the one and only Jahan, along with Brandon, in line for Dark Castle.
-Breakfast with Rich, Jess and all of TPR, always an amazing experience
-Ok, let's face it, everyone on the TPR trips is awesome!

Enjoy the pics!

Cheers,
J

[KerryBWhen I grow up, I want to breed donkeys!]

C-Jay, lovin' the TR. BGE is just amazing and that day was just too much fun. We got absolutely soaked on the rapids as well thanks to Robb pre-training the onlookers! And enough just can't be said about the Big Bad Beautiful Wolf at night! How much fun is it to be riding and howling on a coaster as everyone else has to walk on out of the park!?! Keep up the good work and thank you for taking the time to do the updates!

KerryB

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Heya KerryB! Long time no see! Thanks and I'll try to keep it going up to the last day of course.

[caliraidenIndiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Donkey.]

Hey Hey kids, Jay loving the TR.. and no I didnt fall for it again! I did it myself, in fact I laughed my A$$ off doing it.

[Dragon KhanWhen I grow up, I want to breed donkeys!]

-Watching Olivier walk into the Festhaus women's washroom and waiting to see how long it would take him to realize that he made a großer Fehler!

-E-braking on the midcourse of Apollo's Chariot and sitting there with Olivier, John and Selwyn for who knows how long. Luckily, we busted out the MP3 phones and played some tunes, shot some video..etc etc. For those keeping count, this was 3rd ride that I supposedly had a hand in braking.

Well, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for NOT telling me about the restroom... I especially remember 3 idiots laughing and grinning like madmen when I came out of it. And Apollo's halt on the MCTB was funny too. I agree with you when you say it was one of the best parks on the trip. There is absolutely NO DOUBT it was the most beautiful, actually. So clean... Even the smells around the park were great, something that can't be said in all the parks. No, I won't give the name of the park where it smelt like diarhea everywhere. Those on the trip will remember anyway...

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Well, it’s been a while! It is so much harder to keep up once the trip is actually done and the excitement wears down a bit, but never gone. I keep looking at pictures and Photo TR's from everyone and really hope that I can go on another trip. So, here I am supposed to be studying for a Sunday am class (yes...eww) but wanted to take a break and add on a park or two.

So here we are at KD, not Kraft Dinner but...Kings Dominion! I was very excited to see this park because this would be the only other former Taft Broadcasting park that I would see aside from my home park, Canada's Wonderland. It was eerie in that International Street, the buildings along it and the fountains were all the same. The obvious difference being the tower instead of wonder mountain at the centre and different shops being in the buildings. It was also cool riding two coasters on which two at my home park are based on…Ghoster Coaster (same at CW) and Grizzly (Wild Beast at CW). Grizzly was actually just as painful but in a really nice setting with the trees surrounding it.

Overall, a strange day. The park looked nice in some areas, other areas..wow..just a heck of a lot of asphalt. Park representatives said they are as good as Disney and as good as or better than Busch down the road…..Hmmmm…. Of course everyone, including the members of management that we met that day, were in agreement that a great investment, as soon as they find the capital to do so, is to improve what could be a great collection of wooden coasters through re-tracking. Second on the list I was told would be the welcoming aspect of the park, including a re-paved parking. Dominator was a huge hit as well, a lot of fun.

Regardless, it was another great and beautiful day Virginia!

Hightlights:
-Shockwave was closed
-Saw but definitely too chicken to ride the gyro drop (how huge is that thing anyway?)
-Crazy question and answer period after lunch, the Paramount vs. Cedar Fair (1 employee from each) clash.
-Marketing director came around to every table to talk to us, very nice indeed.
-Another Premier launched spaghetti bowl, but inside..very cool!
-Interesting operations and lot of ‘broken” or “short staffed” things.
-Dominator-ix, for all sadists out there
-Squeezing into the Ghoster Ghoster
-Rebel Yell
-Not pictured below are the Anaconda, Backlot Stunt Coaster and Flight of Fear, all a lot of fun.


Cool Peeps:
-Ok, at this point in the trip, this refers to everybody!

Although short but sweet, enjoy the pics!

[King of KaNo Discernible Talent Whatsoever!]

Loving this TR, it's great to see all the different perspectives of this trip.

And I know I'm a bit late, but does anybody know where I can get one of these (the Intamin t-shirt, not the women )?

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Wow! Two updates in two days and finally getting a bit caught up. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

So, I was really looking forward to going through these pictures and this posting because Morey’s Piers, really was one of my favourite parks on the trip. I’m not sure what I expected it to be like. I can say that it far surpassed all that I thought it would be and what a great surprise. The atmosphere, the staff, the boardwalk and hey, how about that beach? It was definitely one of the most unique atmospheres that I’ve ever experienced and I’m so happy it was part of the trip schedule.

Highlights:

-Awesome welcoming and SLC ERT with new trains and the crazy queue line dance party!
-New SLC whiplash trains. Regardless, the setting was incredible and how about those rolls close to the water slides?
-The beach setting
-The rides, including my first full-scale drop tower of the trip and it was an insane one..Atmosfear….it didn’t even pause at the top.
-The Maelstrom takeover!
-The staff…incredible. They opened Pier 3 for us early for Great White ERT and even opened up the Screamin’ Swing for us!
-The paddle geese!
-The only bummers of the day were the really cool log flume that was broken (as a lover of log flumes, that was a bit of a bummer) and of course, leaving early to head to Clementon.
-One of the craziest rides ever…the Skyscraper! (Thanks again for convincing my scared butt to try it out Nick)
-Food: Linguine with clams and…uhm..Kohr Bros Frozen Custard anyone? Just amazing. On a related note, an apology to those I hung out with. The linguine with clams came with an ok white wine sauce, just loaded with more garlic than I knew what to do with. John had what I couldn’t finish. Let’s just say the tables around us could smell the pasta and our breath… lol

Anyways, on to the pics. Enjoy!

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Loving this TR, it's great to see all the different perspectives of this trip.

And I know I'm a bit late, but does anybody know where I can get one of these (the Intamin t-shirt, not the women )?

Hey thanks! I believe that shirt was special ordered from Europe...nice huh? There are two people that I know who have one, if the proud shirt owners would like to share how to get one, feel free. Otherwise I'm sure a few google searches will work.