Photo TR: Divv's Mid-American Adventure

I know this is MONTHS later than is usually acceptable for posting a TR but I figured at least a few of you are actually interested in seeing the TR I said I’d do for the Mid-America trip. My plan is to have all my trip reports up to date before I head to Japan in June. We’ll see if I make it… As with all other most post TRs on TPR lots of comments are encouraged and appreciated if for no other reason than it lets new updates appear on new a page which helps keeps things neater in my weird OCD world. Thanks!

I’ll start off by saying the Middle-America trip was AMAZING, though you probably knew that already it really is worth stressing! I travelled to a lot of these parks on my first TPR trip in 2007 which made for a stunning comparison as it showed to me how much TPR trips have evolved over the years. How Elissa and Robb really do everything they can to make sure the trip is so good is astounding. If you’ve never been on one of these trips before you really need to get yourself on one. They really do become the best few weeks of your year. Every year!

UPDATES:

Day 1 - ARRIVAL (Below)

Day 2 - ADVENTURELAND

Days 2 & 3 - WORLDS OF FUN

Day 4 - SILVER DOLLAR CITY

Day 5 - GATEWAY ARCH & CITY MUSEUM

Day 6 - SIX FLAGS ST LOUIS

Day 7 - HOLIDAY WORLD

Day 8 - INDIANA BEACH

Day 9 - SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

Day 10 - IT'S ALL ABOUT BRYAN!!!

Day 11 - VALLEYFAIR

DAY ONE:

ARRIVAL

Due to work commitments I didn’t arrive as early as the majority of the group. Actually I’m fairly certain I was the last one to arrive. My late arrival meant that I wasn’t able to take advantage of the early arrival park which was the Park at Mall of America. Luckily I visited there in 2007 so it wasn’t a disaster for me. It would have been nice to hit the Euro-fighter but I’m not upset about it. I guess I’m just not the credit whore I used to be.

Even without a park for me to visit day one was fantastic! Day one of TPR trips are always a big deal for me now as it tends to be the first time in at least a year that I get to see a lot of these friends I’ve made of the years. Just as exciting as meeting old friends is how generous they all are when it comes to feeding my snack addiction with the International Snack Trade! That’s right, once again my friends from all over presented me with many different Doritos of many different nationalities to boost the Dorito credit count to over 50! Thanks everyone!

On top of all that we had a brilliant welcome dinner at Buca di Beppo and an absolutely CRAZY encounter with the legend that is Leslie Hall! I’ll let the photos tell the rest of the story!

A big plane in Heathrow must mean that it’s time for another TPR trip! 10 hours is a long time to travel but it’s worth it when your first stop when you arrive is…

BUCA DI BEPPO! This was my first Buca experience!

Made even better by getting catch up with old friends like the Roachman!

As well as catching up with all those old friends I had to put up with bloody TPDave again!

TPDave loves having his hand underneath two big meaty balls.

Doesn’t that cheesecake just look amazing? It was so good that there wasn’t enough to go around and sadly Russ didn’t get any.

Not wanting his vertically challenged friend to be disappointed, TPDave set about reducing Russ’s disappointment from missing out on the cheesecake by using some actual cheese and sauce from the main course.

Looks delish!

Russ LOVED it!!!

It doesn’t get more serious than the Pope Room!

Once we got to the hotel the 2010 International Snack Exchange begun! Also known as Divv’s excuse to get everyone to bring him Doritos from all over the world! Thanks to everyone who supplied me with Doritos this year! I’m up to sixty different flavours from around the world now!

As if things couldn’t get more exciting than copious amounts of Doritos! Leslie Hall decided to get in on the action!

Pictures cannot capture the hilarity of this night!

Just like any night on a TPR trip really…

What a crazy start to TPR’s Mid-America trip!

More bigger updates to come! Up next, an actual park – Iowa’s Adventureland!

Awesome start Divv!

Sounds like it was an incredible night. Leslie Hall should be a part of every TPR trip!

I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate Buca and Leslie Hall into all future TPR Trips.

Dammit, now I'm hungry!!!

Divv, I know I'm not one to shy away from cameras, but there are a few too many TPPhotos in this TR...

Cool report nonetheless, can't wait to relive the awesomeness! I'm waiting for one evening's instalment in articular (and it had better include video!!)

Dave

+1 Awesome!

Divv, I know I'm not one to shy away from cameras, but there are a few too many TPPhotos in this TR...

 

Cool report nonetheless, can't wait to relive the awesomeness! I'm waiting for one evening's instalment in articular (and it had better include video!!)

 

Dave

Fret not, TPFriend you shan't be disappointed. Plenty more TPPhotos to come!

Thanks guys!

DAY TWO:

ADVENTURELAND (Not the place from the movie)

The first park of the trip (at least from my point of view) was Adventureland in Iowa. This was a new place for me and really a place I hadn’t heard a whole lot about so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. In actuality I was very impressed with this park. It certainly is a place filled with charm and to me seemed to show off the local flavour of Middle-America, maybe I’m wrong but that’s the impression I got.

Adventureland has a few coasters, the most unique of them being the Underground. The Underground as the name might imply is an underground rollercoaster, an underground woodie to be precise. Pretty damn cool and pretty unique!

The other two woodies were pretty good for what they were, Outlaw has certainly held up a lot better over the years than a few similar coasters at other parks.

Just be sure to brace yourself on The Dragon! Ouch! That thing is deadly!

One of the themes you might have noticed from other TRs is that there was a lot of food consumed on this trip and certainly a lot of unique contraptions. Adventureland pretty much sealed its approval in my mind when Elissa informed me that the park offered a taco mixed in with a bag of Doritos! Really! The “Travelling Taco” became a must for me and it sure delivered!

Good morning from my first park of the trip – Adventureland!

I can’t quite put my finger on it but there’s something a bit familiar about this place…

Wahay! Time to actually ride something!

Lou’s a bit disturbed by the Iowa locals…

Although they're still better looking than the locals in the Scottish parks!

All the big brands have set up shop in Adventureland!

While other places have ponies, or parrots... we have dragons.

Eats its victims... burns its victims... buries its victims, chokes its victims, turns its victims inside-out...

Chuck is actually the star of the upcoming movie sequel How To Train Your Wagon.

Adventureland has a very RCT looking park map.

Thorpe Park got jealous when they saw this photo and just had to have one of these rides.

I thought I recognised that lack of sleeves! Hi Larry!

That’s right, Adventureland has a ride named after the hit NBC show, Outlaw!

OMG, it’s Larry’s long lost son!

Don’t worry, they’re all as tall as the line.

Outlaw was fun. A bit of a surprise really!

It's definitely one of the CCIs that has held up better over the years.

Russ JUST made it onto Tornado.

That’s right this ride is named for a whole host of SyFY movie tie-ins.

This coaster was actually alright as well. The wood coasters at Adventureland were all pretty rideable.

Gotta love the RCT style bacon shop.

We’re special, so special…

The rapids at Adventureland is the first rapids in the world to feature Blue WKD instead of water.

Make sure TPDave doesn't drink it!

At the Skeeball parlour things started to get VERY serious!

Lou’s been trying for ages to get that monkey off her back.

Expression number 2 is getting pretty worn out by now.

Early doors on the trip and I'm not yet used to the heat. I almost considered riding this thing just to get a little shade!

CAUTION: Overlord at work!

Here’s Larry completely failing at winning birthday toys for Jon.

This is the park’s shot tower. I forget what it’s called but it’s okay because Larry got a photo of the ride sign.

See!

Carousel! Pretty!

Now for the greatest place in the whole of Adventureland – Taco Villa! Why is it so amazing?

Because they’ll give you a taco in a bag of Doritos!!! Amazing!

TPDave can’t believe he’s not getting in on the questionable food action.

That’s it from Advenutreland. A really nice park that really gives you a feel for what Middle America is all about. A great way to get the ball rolling on this trip!

Hurray for an Adventureland PTR! I grew up in Minnesota and had been to this park a few times in the late 80's, (before Outlaw and Underground). I seem to remember the rapids ride being really rough. Is it still like that? Was the Dragon really head-bangy? I just remember it being really intense.

Thanks for the update!

Great update Divv! I forgot that Jon's birthday was that early on in the trip, I remember it being a few days in.

That was the best value skeeball ever, I played a few times and won once or twice, very reasonable. I think Larry did the lion's share of the winning though, probably making up for embarasing himself in Finland a couple of years ago...

Morgan, I don't remember specifically what was wrong with the Dragon, I think it was mostly just PAIN. Apart from that, a really nice park with some cool attractions and just a generally nice feel to the place

Dave

I remember Adventureland before the fire, it was a fun place then and looks to be the same today as well thanks for posting this DIVV!!

I really like this park. The waterpark had a ton of new slides and attractions too.

Thanks for sharing, but do you have any pictures of Russ, I can't seem to find him in any of your pictures?!?!

I've only been there once. I think it was in 2006, maybe 2007. And I'm from Lincoln, Nebraska. For the Europeans, it's about three hours west. Saw the commercials all the time.

Were they only running one train on the Tornado? They were when I was there. They said because of the seat belts they couldn't do two, but I think they could. There was on ride on that coaster where I was getting mega-airtime. I'm talking stratosphere here. I can't imagine riding it without seat belts.

The other thing I noticed is that I had never seen so many people with deformities of one kind or another in one place. Missing fingers, arms, legs, stuff like that. Farm country I guess.

That was the best value skeeball ever, I played a few times and won ONCE not twice, very reasonable. Larry WON the lion's share of the winning though, probably making up for embarasing himself in Finland a couple of years ago...Dave

Dave - Fixed. Your memory is failing you.

25 cent skeeball was awesome.

However, I have no recollection of this Finland place.

DAY TWO, Part Two:

WORLDS OF FUN

Time for the first "corporate" park of the trip! This was World’s of Fun, originally built themed to the Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days. Current owners Cedar Fair have done their usual stand up job at preserving this theme. Erm…

The park itself was actually pretty nice, definitely not as bland and lifeless as some of the other Cedar Fair parks I’ve visited. There’s quite a range of coasters: the Morgan Hyper, Mamba rides like every other Morgan Hyper – good but nothing amazing; Patriot is one of the more forceless B&M inverts unfortunately; the boomerang is a death trap and the spinner is alright.

I should probably mention the woodie – Timber Wolf gave a CRAZY ride at night!

Oh yeah, there’s also that new thing that open quite recently that’s purported as the greatest thing since Phileas Fogg took his knife to a loaf. I’ll get to that in the photos.

Our next park is World’s of Fun! See how the park represents the entire world with it’s selection of flags at the entrance.

We’re special, so special.

What better way to start of your experience at a Cedar Fair park with the imaginatively named, Boomerang.

At least we’re getting it out the way early, right?

And at least we didn’t need to queue.

Next up we checked out the Morgan hugeness that is Mamba… Wasn’t too bad actually.

And if there was any doubt you were in a Cedar Fair park…

Please excuse TPDave whilst he enters Coasters to update his Coaster Count.

Timber Wolf delivered some CRAZY night rides. I can see why everyone says Worlds of Fun has one of the craziest wooden coasters in the world!

Watch Chuck as he perfects his technique at training a spinning wagon.

The Gerstaluer spinners don’t compare to the Maurer Sohne ones in my opinion but they’re fun for what they are.

Riding at night also makes the experience more fun.

Before the park closed we were sure to get a ride on Patriot. Even though we had ERT scheduled the next morning it’s always good practice to get your ride in as early as possible!

It’s a cheap Sub Land knock off , but it’ll have to do.

When I saw the Worlds of Fun had an indoor ride I was pretty intrigued…

Then I found out it was a spinning ride. Oh well, I’m glad that it still exists! Cedar Fair should have more indoor rides!

Okay, I realise that I have totally overlooked World’s of Fun’s latest new attraction. You know, the new attraction that has been celebrated by visitors from all over the world. The attraction that was the very reason for me signing up for the Mid-America trip. I wanted to build a bit of excitement and anticipation before mentioning the new attraction but rest assured we were able to experience it in all its glory at the end of our first night at Worlds of Fun.

That’s right everyone, behold the beauty of…

SNOOPY’S HOT SUMMER LIGHTS!!!

How this thing didn’t win number one in last year’s Hot Summer Light poll, I’ll never know!

Glorious!

Beautiful!

Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights rocked my world! I don’t think this trip can hit a higher high now!!!

Ha! Epic report, you certainly captured the essence of the park.

I think I rode my new favourite woodie at this place, I just couldn't believe how intense Timber Wolf was!!

Dave

DAY THREE, Part Two

Okay, okay. I know a lot of you read the last report and would have rightfully picked up on the fact that I omitted a very important aspect of the day.

And you’re right, I mean how could one visit World’s of Fun and not mention it? And you’re right, it is reason enough for visiting Missouri.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at how we closed our day at World’s of Fun…

That’s right we went to WAFFLE HOUSE!!! How could I forget to include this most important part of the day!

So many choices!

TPDave likes his hash browns “All the way!”

As if a day at Worlds of Fun can’t get any better! I mean how do you top Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights?

I LOVED my hash browns all the way!

Thanks Waffle House! What an experience!

More World’s of Fun to come! Can it get any better than this?

DAY THREE, Part One:

WORLD’S OF FUN

The next morning we went back to World’s of Fun. Some of us had to pick up that all important Wacky Worm credit and there was the little case of a TPR trip perk to embark upon…

Another morning and another trip to the international esplanade that is Worlds of Fun!

Over at the Wacky Worm we have some very sordid dealings going on…

You dirty b*stard, Joey!

TPWhore.

Kidtums was loving all the time she got to spend in the kiddie area this morning!

TPLiar.

Being Divv3k I wanted to get a K one of these for myself, but sadly they only had 4Ks. =(

After lunch the entire group was treated to a VERY special backstage tour.

That’s right, we got to see behind the scenes at Timber Wolf!

How this thing only got 124 in Mitch Hawker’s poll I’ll never know.

Look at the amount of love that TPR is giving Timber Wolf!

Ben just wants to be the victim of a Timber Wolf crucifixion. I can’t say I blame him!

Bye bye, Timber Wolf – you rocked all my worlds of fun!

OMG, Adam got a piece of Timber Wolf to take home with him! I hope this has pride of place on your mantle piece!

Oh and by the way, World’s of Fun is Scottish Steve approved!

World’s of Fun was incredible. Between Timber Wolf, Waffle House and Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights I don’t think this TPR trip experience can be topped!

You truly covered the best aspects of Worlds of Fun. Snoopy's HOT Summer Lights and a nearby Waffle House. Perfect!

Didn't someone dumb in our group ask about the 4 K's?!?!

Wafflehouse! That was an amazing night! I love the picture of everyone taking a picture. Boy, what nerds we are.

Didn't someone dumb in our group ask about the 4 K's?!?!

LOL! So they did! Totally forgot about that!

DAY THREE, Part Two:

LAMBERT’S CAFÉ!

After World’s of Fun the bus made it’s way to Branson. Though before we got to our hotel we had the small matter of a group dinner to enjoy…

Hands down the BEST group meal on a US TPR trip I’ve ever had. Do I need to say any more?

Before our group dinner we got to check out the local area. Mike Fudge would have loved this place!

Can always count on the supermarket to make me feel like I’m home!

Russ is a bit confused by Coffee Crisp being sold in the British section…

It’s just like checking the top shelf at a magazine shop…

Now that’s HOT!

Supermarket takeover complete!

Our group dinner this evening was at Lambert’s. I wasn’t quite sure what a “Throwed Roll” was going in, but it is indeed exactly as it sounds!

Nice jugs, Stace.

There be a roll comin’ atcha!

Good catch!

This was some amazing food! Seriously one of the best TPR dinners ever!

TPDave just can’t get enough!

The chocolate pudding was incredible too!

We’re all pretty stuffed now, what an amazing meal!

When a restaurant can have their own gift shop you know they must be doing something good!

"Get the perfect date, perhaps a lifetime mate!"

I’ve got my reading for the next long bus ride sorted!

Why do all the photos of Prowler have captions calling it Timber Wolf?

^You had to have been there.

Didn't someone dumb in our group ask about the 4 K's?!?!

Was Josh on the trip?

I can't believe I missed the supermarket takeover, but I guess its a good thing because I already had about three bags of snacks! Are you crying in the picture with the Doritos? I thought so That chocolate pudding at Lambert's was amazing! I never thought pudding could be that good.

DAY FOUR:

SILVER DOLLAR CITY

This place was fantastic. I visited quite a few parks in 2010 and if I had to pick a favourite I’d name this place.

I don’t think I’ve visited a park in the US with so much charm. Silver Dollar City is very different from the reams of corporate parks you’ll find in the US. Lots of greenery all over the place, fantastically friendly staff and some of the best food you’ll ever get at a theme park.

They have some pretty awesome coasters too! Wildfire is a solid sit-down B&M in the same vein as Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure. Often a coaster like that would be the best at the park but not here – Powder Keg, the S&S launched thingy is just brilliant. Plus, there’s also the very quirky and cool indoor dark ride/woodie called Fire in the Hole which is right up there with best attractions in the park!

Oh yeah, the whole park is built right next to a hubongous cave, that you can explore the deepest and darkest depths of!

Did I mention the food was AMAZING???

And now for what ended up being my favourite park of the trip – Silver Dollar City!

What a great time to make your first visit to this park – it’s 50th birthday season!

Wildfire was very good! It’s not often you see a B&M coaster poking out the trees like this!

Whilst not quite up there with Kumba and Dragon Khan this ride still exceeded my expectations.

TPDave, if it’s beer you can’t have it!

Now for Fire in the Hole, this ride was brilliant!

Baldknobbers?!?! I’m always wary of them!

This poor little dog was stuck in this cage at Fire in the Hole’s station. I hope someone lets it out for a run from time to time!

It seems that the Dalmatian living in the station is a regular thing.

Skinny Anth and Colin were loving some fire in their hole.

I did not know that. Thanks, Silver Dollar City!

Understood!

Wow, that’s a lot of jerky!

TPFriends.

Hi Rick and Jackie! Looking forward to getting blown away?

Powder Keg is an excellent S&S launch coaster.

And we never saw Rick or Jackie again.

That’s me! Call me Senora!

I didn’t see these in Thorpe Park.

That’s TPHim!

The new Screaming Swing is a big hit in my book!

My Jon, you do that awfully well.

Amazing funnel cake, cocaine or both? You decide!

TPDave cannot resist.

No snorting off the floor!

TPBad!

Hello rapids!

The skillets in Silver Dollar City just looked and tasted incredible.

Why can’t more parks have food as good as this?!

TPTasty!

Not to be outdone by TPDave’s delights, Lou finds a cookie that is bigger than TPDave’s head.

Jason is also loving the “Bigger than TPHead” cookie.

After such a fun experience on Mirabilandia’s Splash Battle I was very excited to check out Tom and Huck’s River Blast.

It definitely delivered in getting us soaked! Though I prefer the European version that lets you move around the boat a bit more.

August isn’t a bit early for a Christmas store? Not in Middle America I guess!

It’s funny to the Brits, okay?

Next up is SDC’s other steel coaster, the Arrow mine train – Thunderation.

Arrow’s bringing the thunder back to Silver Dollar City.

I’m dubious as to whether someone actually changes this selection every day…

Colin’s just doomed himself to fall to his death by sitting in seat 13.

Allow me to break the ice. His name is Kyle. Learn it well. For it's the chilling sound of your doom.

Silver Dollar City’s County Prison Mine luckily doubles as a shooting dark ride!

Pretty cool theming!

Gotta love the ride op outfits!

Miles is quick to point out that he’s not shooting blanks.

No matter what anyone tells you, Kyle, it really is the size of your gun that counts.

Time for a skillet serving!

This is a “tater twister”, absolutely delish!

How about some strawberries and cream for dessert?

Another big attraction at SDC is Marvel Cave. You don’t want to miss this!

That’s where we be going!

Mike Austin behind bars. Did we ever doubt we’d see the day?

You’ve gotta go down a lot of stairs to get into the cave.

This is the last vegetation we’ll be seeing for a while.

Everyone’s excited to see what delights Marvel Cave will offer.

Pretty ray of light poking through the cave’s entrance.

Cave stuff.

The cave was originally called Marble Cave, after explorers in 1882 saw what they thought was marble on the cave's ceiling. They were wrong.

The further down you go the tighter the walkways get! Kinda like a woman.

Watch your head!

H2Whoa.

Marvel-lous.

Is that woman behind Lou picking her nose?

I’m pretty sure these are stalactites.

What an impressive hole Marvel Cave has.

After you’ve been to the bottom everyone gets to pile into a cable train to take them back to the surface. Definitely a good bonding experience for the TPR contingent.

How the hell did we all fit in there?!

TPHot!

I was originally planning on leaving most of the food from the TPR included meal so that I could get more of the stuff out in the park, but this included meal was just fantastic too. So I just had even more than planned!

TPWinning!

Kyle’s very taken with the Tiramisu Fudge.

I think Dave and Mike would approve.

A couple of glory holes…

Hey look, a mug just for Mike Fudge!

TPDave’s loving the spray action from these guns.

The huge bags of kettle corn from SDC are of excellent use even when you’re not hungry!

Does this count as breaking park rules?

All sorts of crazy things go on in here…

Yet another of Lou’s fantasies fulfilled on a TPR trip.

TPDeathDefying.

Choo choo!

The Silver Dollar City train ride was hilarious. It was fantastic how all the staff got really into their roles as the bandits tried to rob the train. They probably got a bit more than they bargained for from us!

SCIENCE!!!

Silver Dollar City is an absolutely fantastic place. I can’t stress enough how much fun I had this day. It really is one of the best parks in the US and if you haven’t been then you really should make every effort to get there!

St Louis fun up next!