Electerik Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 [Edit: Oops, Flying Horse Grill is now out of business. -Erik] Okay, time for something a little bit different: Not only is The Flying Horse Grill one of our favorite restaurants in town, it's themed to--and has--a carousel! Yes we did. This restaurant is officially Erik & Misty endorsed. That's a heck of a height requirement, though. The carousel is made by Bertazzon, and features a spinning tea cup and a set of rocking-style horses, among other things. The carousel is free with your meal! (Note the Smisty on the left.) Proving, once again, that I'm not afraid to post pictures of myself looking like a gluttonous pig. Monte Cristo, anyone? The main dining area. The entrance/exit gift shop. It's located in Pigeon Forge, near traffic light #2, across from the Incredible Christmas Place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 features a spinning tea cup and a set of rocking-style horses, among other things. Like a horse that dusts the air as s/he goes around? I swear that is a duster coming out of its head. If I haven't already said it, I LOVE these updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 If I haven't already said it, I LOVE these updates. No, I don't think you had. Located side by side, between Pigeon Forge traffic light numbers 4 and 5, is Adventure Raceway and Adventure Golf. Bye bye, Adventure Golf. You're above average! I'm not done yet. I'll just make my own course. Erik & Smisty sitting in a tree.... Well, really just Smisty. And, technically, she's standing. You know what? Just forget it. Not exactly ADA accessible. I got a hole-in-one on this. You should be impressed. I mean, just look at it! A hole-in-one on this thing! Happy face! Lots of water features on this side. Harder than it looks. And now for the right side course. This one is slightly harder and features this bridge that Misty is afraid of. Wrapping up the left side course by coming back to the octopus. Ug. (But I do like the way they utilize him on multiple holes.) The long trek up to the Taj Mahal. But there are lots of fiberglass figures, which is cool. However, there are no moving parts (windmill doors that go up and down, for example). The kind of place where the funkiness is a big part of its charm. Adventure Golf is the most "traditional" mini golf course in the area. Yes, Misty, I see you pretending to be scared. It's very sweet. ...and a giant man-eating octopus. (My look of terror is 100% real, by the way. There is nothing in this galaxy more horrifying than octopi.) Adventure Golf, on the other hand, feature a windmill clubhouse... ...and a ghetto arcade (complete with Intamin pre-fab woodie). ...bumper boats... Adventure Raceway features an elaborate go cart track... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterdude28 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I'm leaving a week from today for my first trip down there. These updates are seriously awesome and very helpful. Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatertot3710 Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Awesome! I just got back from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville yesterday. We did Dollywood and stayed at Wilderness at the Smokies which was really cool. We also did this lost treasure golf thing which was indoor golf themed to the jungle. Although the scenery was good, the rest of the course sucked. No obstacles whatsoever and there were only about 3 different hole designs in the whole place. I can't wait to see what other things you guys do! Great TRs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 Knoxville is the closest big city to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at about 40 miles away. And though not nearly as touristy as Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, it does have a zoo. Gift shop goodness, and the end of our Knoxville Zoo adventure. Thanks, as always, for reading. The Big Egress. Actually, it probably doesn't know what we are, either. I have no idea what this thing is. That's just wrong. (And possibly even Fail Blog worthy.) Smisty does her umbrella trail dance. Guys, you're missing the bird! Bird trail. Okay, monkey sex is pretty cool. But I'll always wonder about the rocks. Monkeys or rocks? Translation: "Our zoo sucks too much to have this animal." Spot the monkey! The only indoor eatery. Very basic. You couldn't even get tasty zoo animal meat. (Well, cow....) Agent of Satan. Human. Zebras. (I'm totally out of stuff to say.) Cool elephant. Cool elephant mural. Natty dread llama. We passed on the camel rides. I may never know the joy. And another turtle. (Easy to photograph.) A butterfly. Butterfly house. Misty got an elephant. These plastic mold machines are all over the zoo. ...but impossible to get a decent picture of. Tortoises are much easier. Otters are cool... Wait, seriously? Is this sign actually explaining how to use a bench? I must be in heaven. Step on the wrong one, and the frog squirts you. Er...less cute animals. Cute animals. Yes, there is one ride at the Knoxville Zoo, the Fuzzy-Go-Round. I live for signs like this. Why in my day, we had to milk REAL cows. And it was work, not fun. And we ENJOYED it! Petting zoo. I insisted on petting a goat. White Rhino Red Panda Kid's Cove? I vote left! And we're off to a rousing start! The Black Bear habitat is right in front. Yay! We're in! So...you can buy tickets for a half hour after the zoo closes? Maybe I should read the sign again. Ticket booths...manned by actual zoo personnel! Extra ghetto parking toll booth. In fact, now that I think about it, this might just be a couple of enterprising youngsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastersrule85 Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Awesome report as always! I wish the animals at the Houston Zoo would come out during the summer. Between May and October, when you visit the zoo it's more like visiting an arboretum, because all you see is the landscaping. Okay, landscaping with elephants and giraffes since it's a little hard for them to hide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnguy Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 The knoxville zoo has improved a lot over the last 10 years or so, it used to be pretty ghetto. (Although they used to let you ride an elephant, that was cool.) I don't know if they still have them, but they used to have signs that warned against climbing on the fences that said if you fell in and the animals ate you it would make them sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 ^ & ^^ Never been much of a zoo person--but Misty likes them, so she really campaigned to go to this one. We had fun. But then, we have fun everywhere. Erik - I think it may be your destiny to take over one of these sad, neglected SBNO mini-golf courses and transform it into the best damn mini-golf the area has ever seen! That would be awesome. But, honestly, I think I lack the drive and acumen to successfully run a business. I could do the creative part, maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedmetal Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I hope people realize that some of those photos are mine, I'm just saying. I think you should have emphasized more about the hot plastic. I love the update for the Zoo. Its one of my favorite updates you've done so far. I can't wait to see MagiQuest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterville Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Talk about coincidence, I thought Mold-A-Rama was a thing of the past. I hadn't seen a Mold-A-Rama (The injected plastic mold toy machine) for like 15 years or so. I was at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry over the weekend and saw some of them and thought I had found a great treasure from the past. The museum was getting $2 for them and had replaced the coin slot with a bill reader. They did NOT emphasize just how hot those toys are when they first come out. Luckily I remembered that part from my youth, to let the toy sit there for a few minutes, or until the next person wanted to use the machine. Great update as usual, and that Taj Mahal at adventure golf looks just like the castle I mentioned above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFChris Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Just wanted to let you know that I have a fantastic time reading your updates and look forward to seeing your next installment. Thanks for this thread!!! Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 ^ Thanks! ^^ I'm not totally convinced that it is though, based on your description. I remember us being drawn to one by a huge castle in the back of course. We asked which of their courses involved the castle, and were all exciited. We got to the castle, we walked up a long windy rampway to the top of the castle, then you merely putt your ball over the drawbridge into the castle and walk back down to continue the hole down below. You actually walk through the "Taj Mahal" at Adventure Golf. Is this your castle? The white lattice fence on the left is where you walk out of the back to the next hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rastuso Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 So, have you lived there for a long time? I love these TRs, but would really love a retro one with pics of the water slides and stuff from the 80s, when I went to Gatlinburg a lot. I am especially interested in a park that was once in PF called Time World, or something like that. You entered a time machine at the front gate and the park was apparently filled with uber-cheezy dark rides and such. I never got to go, but always wanted to. RO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velo_editor Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Is there still a roller coaster in Pigeon Forge? I'm not dreaming that, right? Seems like it was between the Track complex and one of the outlet malls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 ^ Technically, there are four roller coasters in Pigeon Forge (and one in Sevierville). But I assume you mean Thunder Eagle. Sadly, that was gone before I first visited the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 If I had to choose something in the area to label a "hidden gem," I think I would choose Fort Fun (also known as, Old Gatlinburg Golf & Games). Old Gatlinburg Golf & Games. Er, I mean, "Fort Fun." Whatever. Go there and play the Old Town Square course. You won't regret it. You know what? I think I'll just quit now. Cool music in here--all classic water-themed tunes: The Tide Is High, Sea Cruise, Octopus's Garden, etc. Apparently, I did something cool. It's fun, but short at only 9 holes. Pirates are cool. This is their indoor blacklight course. But let's get back to mini golf. The bumper craft were fun. We chose "Alice in Wonderland" as our 3-D movie. It was, uh, interesting. How bad could it be? On second thought, let's go back inside. What else do they have in this mall? ...housing the final hole. The railroad building... Misty...um.........yeah. Still, if you can only play one, choose Old Town Square. It's still a fun course, though. This course has fewer buildings, and the placards detail the history of the larger Smoky Mountain area. And now for the Old Mountain Trail Course. My putter clearly deserved it after that game. Inside the jailhouse. Uh-oh. Where do you go once you're done with school? Misty helping me out a little. The hole inside the schoolhouse. Okay, back to the game. That's the schoolhouse behind Misty there. The fact that he was a cross-dresser has never been suggested, but could definitely be possible. Interesting view of Gatlinburg from here. At the top. Wait, the "fact" that was never documented but obviously MAY have been true? That's awesome. Evidence of my "started as something else" theory: Random stairs that go nowhere. That space between the trees is the path to the next hole. I can't wait to hear how it ends! I like this course. Smisty pointing out where her ball went. Huh. Sounds like a good guy. The holes themselves are clever and fun, and the real stone buildings add weight to it all (as opposed to the standard fiberglass figures and thin wooden windmills found at most mini golf places). My theory is that this actually started out as a historical attraction, and was only later turned into mini golf. But that's just a guess. Smisty tries her hand at the toilet bowl hole. Placards sit at the start of each hole, explaining the history of Gatlinburg. The Old Town Square Course is the best, and one of my favorite mini golf courses anywhere. Choose thy course! (Actually, we're going to play both. But let's start by going right.) The highlight is the outdoor mini golf, built up the side of a hill. It's a weirdly grouped conglomeration of different attractions, some of which are substandard, and some of which are totally awesome. Fort Fun is located in the Reagan Mall area of Gatlinburg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyoverlord71 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Thanks Erik, Awesome update as always. That was an awesome mini-golf course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Huh, I just went through a bunch of Gatlin Forge brochures and just looked at these two courses. Now that's just timing. Hope to get back to that area soon, as I love a good round of mini golf. Think I have a 3 handicap. Thanks for putting this up! Classic! I smell a profile pic or avatar here. Great pic man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy524 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 That Old Town Square course looks really cool! It's not often you see a mini golf course with such nice structures. I love the historical look of it. I'll have to remember that one next time we go to Gatlinburg. Awesome updates. Love this thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I have to agree with Erik here. These are two of the best mini golf courses in the area. The arcade building used to house a Q-zar back in the day. I believe they just have a generic laser tag game in there now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 One of the newest attractions in the area is MagiQuest. Well, sort of.... On second thought, maybe we'll keep playing. Hooray! I've found the Pixie Crystal! Guess we can go home now. Or maybe I'll just cheat. Perhaps it's in the Forest Realm.... It's not on Jupiter. We must help the princess find her jewelry! (Yeah, seriously. I actually didn't even realize how lame that sounds until I typed it out.) Basically, it's a life-sized, adventure-style video game. This central area is where you choose which quest to go on next. Smisty is ready. (Yes, that is her Magi Name.) So what is it? Well, it's kind of like a scavenger hunt. You collect items by "enchanting" them with your wand. Some are easy to find, some are hard. Sometimes you have to do things in a certain order, sometimes you have to properly interpret your clues. Your wand remembers everything you do, so that you don't have to start over each time (even at the other locations). "MagiQuest assumes no liability in the event that you are turned into a toad." You can also buy lots of other accouterments. But they're mostly just for decoration. Pirate Golf is cool, but MagiQuest is cooler. Here's the deal: They'll loan you a basic wand to use in the attraction for free. Or you can buy your own fancy one and keep it as a souvenir. (If you go that way, they'll throw in an extra half hour of gameplay.) Avast! Ye've found me treasure chest! "Madam Olga" exists both here and at Circus Golf. The cannons on the battlements light up red, PotC-style. It's well-documented that most pirates were practiced golfers. There's nothing cooler than a giant skull to putt through. Garrr! They call me Red Eye, mini golf pirate of the south seas! Overview of the main room. Of the three or four blacklight courses in the area, this one is my favorite. But no matter. Pirate Golf makes up for it. Yeah, it's hard. It's also low capacity, since there can really only be one person in the room at a time. The idea is to cross the room as fast as possible, while breaking as few of the laser beams as you can. In contrast to building's three other attractions, The Vault is weird, short, and not very fun. That was pretty cool. Now what? Disco exit hallway. We have found enlightenment. Section three features a forest paint scheme. Techno music pulsates throughout the maze. (You can't actually see it in this photo, though.) Don't shoot Seth, lady! The Infinity Room transforms Misty into a Bond girl. At the end of the first section. The first section of the maze is distinguished by these markings on the columns. Looking back at the entrance. All the employees now wear cool medieval clothing, regardless of whether or not it fits their actual attraction. The price is fairly reasonable, at $20.00 for all four attractions (including one hour's worth of MagiQuest). Odyssey is the biggest, most interesting mirror maze in the area (despite the "world's largest" claim by one in Gatlinburg). This year, Adventure Quest expanded, and rechristened itself in honor of its new attraction, MagiQuest. The next year, the building got a major facelift and reopened as Adventure Quest. Adventure Quest featured three indoor attractions: pirate-themed mini golf, a mirror maze, and a strange laser maze attraction called The Vault. Two years ago, Scenic Helicopter Tours finished work on a huge, $8 million museum dedicated to helicopters. Unfortunately, it failed before I ever got the chance to check it out. Our names shall live forever! I'm not sure I've conveyed it properly, but despite my mockery, MagiQuest is actually really cool. We ended up playing for three-and-a-half hours. In fact, overall, I think MagiQuest--by which I mean the entire building--is one the best attractions in the area. Behold! We are now Master Magi! Misty slayed the dragon. ...and defeated the Goblin King! I found a secret room... Ooh, a magic rune! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Magic Quest looks fantastic! It really does. Love the souvenir wand idea. Also didn't know that the building was a former helo museum. You taught me something new here. Enjoyed this round and thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Starr Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I've been interested with the whole MagiQuest idea ever since it was announced for potter land. I really hope to see it used well in TWWoHP, and thanks for showing off the basic idea of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 I was actually a bit skeptical about MagiQuest going in. But I figured it was worth a shot, even if turned out to be stupid. I really liked it, though. If they're really doing something like this at IOA, I'm liking Potter better already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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