PTR: larrygator visits Mexico with TPR

Day One: Sightseeing (below)

Day Two: Six Flags Mexico (March 25th, 2013)

Day Three: La Feria Chapultepec (March 26th, 2013)

Day Four: Parque Bicentenario (March 27th, 2013)

In search of tacos, new coasters and Pedro I ventured South of the Border with TPR. Mexico City has been on my list of places for a few years and going with TPR made it so much easier.

The first day I was there I walked around a city park that is adjacent to La Feria Chapultapec and our wonderful Five Star hotel. I didn't take any photos on my arrival day, so my trip report starts the TPR culture day arranged by Elissa with the top tour guides in Mexico City. However, I did have two Chorizo Quesadillas in the park.

We boarded a bus with our tour guides Sergio and David who first took us to some Aztec pyramids and then later to some buildings in the historic district.

Although I enjoy history you may not, so sit back an enjoy a potentially boring set of pictures before I get to the amusement parks.

Here's the first pyramid we climbed.

One of many vendors hawking cheap souvenirs. Vendors were aggressive, but not nearly as aggressive as in China. I bought a few souvenirs, because I love the haggling process for cheap items.

Neat rock work and sculptures at the first pyramid.

Some people climbed down the stairs backwards on their butts, but I'lll leave out the vowels in their names the protect the offenders (Clff, nth, Gry)

Over there are more pyramids, but that's a far walk so we wisely took the bus.

This is from the top of either the Pyramid of the Sun (or the Moon). It doesn't matter which one, just a bunch of rocks where they sacrificed people. It's actually a strenuous climb and wisely broken up by breaks at different levels.

Next we stopped at this hole in the wall restaurant which was incredible. I think I had tortilla soup and beef fajitas.

On the way back to the historic district of Mexico City we made a surprise credit stop at Parque Francisco Villa for a Crazy Worm.

Craziness!!!!!

Back to culture

Mural by some famous artists depicting the history of Mexico. Aztecs rule, Spainards conquer, Mexico gains independence, Mexico fights the US, Mexico embraces Socialist principles.

More architecture of a building that is sinking. Many parts of Mexico City are sinking as it was built over an old lake bed. Cedar Point is not sinking, because it was built next to the lake, not over a lake.

The Mexican army is not as scary looking as the Chinese army we encountered last year.

It was Palm Sunday and there was a lot of celebrating outside this old Catholic Church.

Many locals were for creating souvenir tributes to Our Lady of Guadalupe with palm fronds.

I opted not to go to the ballet, so my day ended with an excellent dinner at this 100 year old restaurant. Again excellent food, including amazing Chilaquile Verdes.

Great start, Larry.

Looking forward to more.

Larry PTRs always entertain. Off to a great start!

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One of many vendors were hawking cheap souvenirs. Vendors were aggressive, but not nearly as aggressive as in China. I bought a few souvenirs, because I love the haggling process for cheap items.

I approve.

^Were there any laser pointers?

Looking forward to more of your always unique take on TPR Trips, Larry.

No laser pointers. The big item was ceramic items shaped like jaguar heads to make a roaring jaguar sound. Must off us that bought the noise makers could not perfect the jaguar sound, but those hawking the products did it pretty well.

^ I was so surprised, that I didn't buy those uh whistles/jaguar sounds whatevers like the rest of you did!

Who knew I could withstand such "selling" from the locals LOL?

The TPR China Tour must have prepped me for this, heh heh.

^We saw one cool laser thing, but never saw it again. I remember because I brought up the China trip when we saw it.

There were no jaguars with frickin' laser beams for sale?

^^ I think I saw them too, but it was so brief, and in daylight...

Like some of that stuff I bought at the factory gift shops in China

- so needed - but when you get it home... totally useless

It seems to be a complete and perfect option. Swings and a place which looks like the discovery of Archeologist and which looks like the base of Army as well

Any how this wonderland is a complete option because the elder male and female are also there so it mean that they have the source of recreation there with kids too.

Restaurant makes the deal bigger and double. Its simply amazing.

This is an interesting start. Looking forward to seeing more, Larry.

Great start! Can't wait to see more!

I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my jaguar thing.

Like some of that stuff I bought at the factory gift shops in China

- "so needed" - but when you get it home... totally useless.

^ Like I said, Chris. Once you get the dang thing home...

Looking forward to more, Larry!

Sounds like I'm having the same issues as Gary, trying to find hours to continue work on the PTR. I'll try to get the next update done tomorrow.

Make no bones about it, the Mexico Trip was a credit whore trip for most people. However, in the end Six Flags Mexico did impress everybody. While operations may have been a little slow and odd at times, the theming and atmosphere are excellent. The park is clean, the staff is friendly and the patrons are orderly. I did not see one instance of line cutting the whole day nor did not see any trash thrown on the ground.

The coasters were not great, but I was a little under the weather all day and wasn't looking for a lot of rerides anyway. Luckily it was not an attack from Montezuma, but ignorance on my part in not monitoring my dairy intake for 24 hours. The potatoes au gratin for breakfast seemed to really push me over the edge. OK, TMI, so back to the report.

We collected our VIP wristbands and lunch vouchers as the operations manager led us to all the major coasters before they opened for filming sessions. Robb and Elissa also arranged for the all trip participants to gather at the opening of the park's newly made over haunted walk-through for entry before the public.

Authentic Mexican architecture at the front gate. Built by cheap Mexican labor, not surprising.

First order of the day was Superman El Ultimo Escape, and here's some theming in the queue.

The coaster does not run close to many rides making is difficult to photograph, so I can only show you the second train and transfer track.

Someone didn't want to be photgraphed on The Joker. It's amazing what a lttle bit of theming can do. Cars were spinning quite a bit (not as much as the spinner as La Feria Chapultepec) but enough for Elissa to hate her ride, which is awesome. I think Kristen commented that this is now how second favorite coaster. The Joker is not currently on the park's VIP pass, but the manager's brought us to the front of the line.

Such a happy looking pineaple.

This Corona barrel opens up into a beer bar.

Batman is not a B&M invert, it's only a Vekoma.

Theming outside The Dark Knight. Everything in the queue appeared the same, execpt they still have fake rats and they are bigger than the ones that used to be at SFGAdv.

There is a Big Wheel behind these trees.

Themed scrambler.

Character photo opps.

Non-character photo opps.

It appears that in 2010 SFM set a World Record with Menthos and Coke.

Siesta Time!

Fiesta Time!

I'm Batman!

I really wanted to see the Batman Stunt Show, but the arena is completely unshaded.

Instead I caught an indoor show ,"Lights Out", that was recommended but the park manager. Some parts of it were cool, but the air conditioning was even cooler. This is not the Lights Out show, this is the Dolphin Show, where the trainers seemed to make stuff up as they went along.

S&S love

The haunted walk-through

and a back story. I'll interpret: "Enter this castle and our vampiric actors will try to scare the hell out of you"

This is some of the park's older theming. I know because I saw it in some older photos. It's one entrance into the kiddie ride area.

Scenes from the gift shop: Picture fail, but Domo pillows

Yes, Six and Flags.

The ChinaTown restaurant is located in the Swiss section and the building facade had German theming. Then again many Swiss speak German and eat Chinese food occasionally.

If you want to see more really awesome ride signs, visit TPR's Park Index.

Churro Elvis says stay cool until the next update.

The ChinaTown restaurant is located in the Swiss section and the building facade had German theming. Then again many Swiss speak German and eat Chinese food occasionally.

Reminds me of how I had a choice of pizza or Chinese food in the Festhaus at Kings Island a few years ago.

Where would place this park in the grand scheme of Six Flags parks, Larry?

Interesting that they had a Corona bar as I have heard from people I work with that travel there say that most Mexican's call Corona gringo beer and don't even drink it.

But in honor of the TPR trip and the fact that I couldn't go, I picked up a variety twelve pack of Mexican beers at Wegmans today. Dos Equis Amber and regular, Sol and Tecate. I'll be sucking some of these down whilst reading some of these great trip reports!

Where would place this park in the grand scheme of Six Flags parks, Larry?

The coaster quality is just not there (yet), but in terms of atmosphere it is at or above the level of SFoT, SFFT and SFGAm. The empoyees really seemed t care and the locals respected the park. Even found a little French cafe in the French area that made crepes and served awesome desserts.

Flat ride package was excellent, even though I couldn't ride much. There is plenty of shade in the park except in the show arenas.

I was sick as a dog all day and still enjoyed myself immensely.

Looks like she's wearing the hammock she should be laying on.

Interesting that they had a Corona bar as I have heard from people I work with that travel there say that most Mexican's call Corona gringo beer and don't even drink it.

 

But in honor of the TPR trip and the fact that I couldn't go, I picked up a variety twelve pack of Mexican beers at Wegmans today. Dos Equis Amber and regular, Sol and Tecate. I'll be sucking some of these down whilst reading some of these great trip reports!

I had also heard this Corona rumor as well before we went, but it's everywhere and people were drinking it. It seemed that in Mexico, most establishments would have 4 or 5 different kinds of Mexican beer, and Heinekin. I also learned that Modelo and Corona are the same company.

That was yet another check off of the 'Everything I've heard about Mexico is false' list

Themed scrambler.

Every park with a Monster is a good park. Looks like quite a new version of the Schwarzkopf Monster - either by Wieland or Gerstlauer...

Could this be the old monster from Liseberg? The theming looks quite like it. Was the middle figure a jukebox? Liseberg got a brand new monster by Gerstlauer in 2012...

Great update. I love how they even have Domo down there!