bucknuticus
Member
Theres one of those at both.
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Theme Parks & Roller Coasters |OT| The Happiest Place on GAF
- Thread starter Goldrusher
- Start date
Theres one of those at both.
Goldrusher
Member
Those were everywhere in the seventies and eighties. They're getting rare now.
We have a park here - Bobbejaanland - which has the world's only flying version:
There was a second one at Six Flags New England, but it closed in 2008.
That's good to hear, because they definitely need to invest the money & work into both parks. 9/11 really set nearly every theme/amusement park back 7-8 years.
Universal's basically just been replacing rides (Kongfrontation --> Mummy) or essentially updating them (BTTF: The Ride --> Simpsons, HB --> Jimmy Neutron --> Despicable Me, Earthquake --> Disaster) since then at USF, sans the coaster they put in. I think there's still less stuff to do there than in the 90s at their peak.
IOA basically has just gotten Harry Potter since it opened up which was huge but they can't wait another 10 years to put something new over there.
That's the big issue with 4 parks is they all constantly need new stuff. EPCOT & Disney Studios both need new attractions on the calibur of what they're doing with the Fantasyland Expansion.
Universal's been pretty heavily involved with Spielberg on the Parks side for years (and have the rights to Jaws/ET/Jurassic Park, etc), so I can't see a Spielberg/Lucas land at Disney Studios happening unless they have the rights already to Robopocalypse & Interstellar through the distribution deal they have with Dreamworks Pictures, and those films become big hits.
Nice to see the Holiday World love. I've lived in Indy basically my whole life and had never been to Holiday World before this summer. I was blown away by the quality of the rides, especially The Voyage. Probably the best coaster I've ever been on. They had an article about it in the NYTimes a couple months ago.
BertramCooper
Banned
So are those audio-animatronics? If so, wow. Just...wow.
The attraction itself looks like it's primarily geared toward youngsters, but damn, that tech is impressive.
I know lots of visitors from the UK will book into a Universal Hotel just for one night, even though they have paid for two weeks accommodation elsewhere just to get the unlimited fast track passes. One night on site gets you two days fast track I believe.
Leeroy3101
Banned
vagabondarts
Member
All the Disney parks in Florida need a bunch of smaller dark rides and little intimate hideaways like New Orleans Square. Disneyland in California has so many rides in comparison to Magic Kingdom, for example. There should be 4 or 5 'C' or 'D' ticket dark rides for each park and added intimate touches for each.
Disney Studios needs the most help in this regard. Epcot has too much sprawl in Future World and the theme is tired for both the future world side of Epcot and Studios. It's not a real movie studio... nobody is fooled.
Disney Studios needs the most help in this regard. Epcot has too much sprawl in Future World and the theme is tired for both the future world side of Epcot and Studios. It's not a real movie studio... nobody is fooled.
Captain Tuttle
Member
Took the family to Knoebels this summer and had a great time. One of the things that struck me was how much they respected the history of amusement parks. Both of their big wooden coasters were bought, dismantled and lovingly re-assembled on site. Same with some of their other rides.
There's one, Flying Turns, that they've been building since 2006. From Wikipedia:
It's got no rails, the cars just slide along. I was talking to a guy working on it and he said that getting the cars right was the problem, just alot of trial and error.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Turns_(Knoebels)
Anyway, a really nice park, clean, shaded and well cared for. Pretty good food too.
There's one, Flying Turns, that they've been building since 2006. From Wikipedia:
It's got no rails, the cars just slide along. I was talking to a guy working on it and he said that getting the cars right was the problem, just alot of trial and error.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Turns_(Knoebels)
Anyway, a really nice park, clean, shaded and well cared for. Pretty good food too.
The Xtortionist
Member
Yep, on-site express is valid check-in through check-out. I'd much rather pay 200-300$ for a room rather than $225 per person for one day of unlimited express, which is what they were charging at the gate a few weeks ago. Personally I stayed on-site for four nights and felt it was worth it. Paid between $180-200 a night but the water taxi service, atmosphere (Royal Pacific), and ease of everything justified the price to me. Nothing like getting up in the morning, taking the water taxi to one of the parks, and blowing through everything with the express pass. Then get up next morning and do it again lol. The great thing about unlimited express is that everyone that bought the regular express probably uses it pretty early in the day. So even the most popular rides are near walk-ons mid-afternoon when everyone's regular express is used and most hotel guests are tired and back in their rooms. There was one day at around 3PM where I could have walked on Spiderman 10 times if I wanted. Settled for 3 lol.
Precisely the reason why DL's Fantasyland makes MK's look like a joke. I believe DL and DCA have about as many rides combined as all of WDW's parks.
DL is so fucking dense. You can't walk 10 feet without finding something cool to do.
BertramCooper
Banned
So you get free Fast Track if you stay in a Universal hotel?
That rocks. I have a work conference that's being held at the Royal Pacific next May. (I'm pretty excited, as I haven't been to US or IoA yet. Just Disney.)
That rocks. I have a work conference that's being held at the Royal Pacific next May. (I'm pretty excited, as I haven't been to US or IoA yet. Just Disney.)
The Xtortionist
Member
Yep, just go to the concierge and they'll set you up with one. Think of it as an unlimited Disney Fastpass for almost every ride with no specific return time. It seriously feels like cheating. You won't need specific touring plans or anything, just hop on whatever you want. I honestly walked onto Spiderman twice when the standby line was 40-50 minutes and into the overflow queue.
The only thing is that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (IoA) and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (US) don't have express lines because of the way they load. On the other hand, hotel guests are allowed into the Harry Potter section of IoA an hour before the park opens, so you can just do that. Rockit's lines shouldn't be bad earlier in the day either.
Sounds great and as you say worth doing a one night stay. I'm really hoping to get back to Florida next year (finances permitting) its been a long time (1999).
The only thing that's slightly concerning me is we are a family of five and I think all the on site hotels have a max room occupancy of four, so it would mean booking two rooms.
The Xtortionist
Member
Their rooms sleep five but it will be pretty tight on space. You may want to consider getting a suite.
Auron_Kale
Member
Wow, RSR was fun when my friends and I got to ride it (was right around Fourth of July). The first day we rode it, we expected it to be a 3hr line but it was cut down considerably due to the ride breaking down. We persevered by chatting and playing our 3DS' and were finally able to get on after nearly 2hrs. Second time, we had a magical morning for DCA so we ran from our hotel (Paradise Pier) and picked up our fast passes. Used them in the late afternoon so that we could watch fireworks at Disneyland.
Great thing about RSR is that it loads 6 people at once so you can take advantage of the single-rider line, though it's still long. Planning to go back in late December to see if the lines are any better lol.
Jeff Albertson
Member
Thanks for that, I'll make sure we ride the teacups on Sunday as that's one we can do as a family which the boy will be able to go on
bucknuticus
Member
Debating on a trip to Orlando, havent been there in a good 10 years. Just trying to decide best time to go. Last 2 times I went we would go the week after thanksgiving and the place was dead, was so great. So debating between then or Jan/Feb.
I rode Spiderman so many times the first time I went to IoA because of this. Best way to experience a theme park ever.
I'm hoping Disney puts a lot more attention into WDW now, since it is certainly lacking the love Disneyland receives. The Fantasyland Expansion is a step in the right direction, so hopefully they'll continue to improve each park further.
Having said that I still love WDW, and it is certainly my favourite collection of theme parks.
Jeff Albertson
Member
We stayed a week in RPR for a week once and we fully exhausted everything at IoA and must have done jaws 6 or 7 times at universal
Jim Hill seems to disagree about the lack of monetary love shown to WDW.
I literally just read that.
Went to Disneyland (CA) for the first time since Cars Land opened up yesterday with my girlfriend. Only went for 5 hours (we have the cheapest annual pass). California Adventure feels so great now, it honestly looks and feels more complete. I don't like Cars, but I was so excited to see Cars Land. It was also dapper day which is a really cool tradition. First time I've done that.
Goldrusher
Member
Yesterday, Richard Rodriguez once again broke a roller coaster riding record.
He's been riding Blackpool's Big One for 103 days in a row now...and he's still going.
video: http://www.itv.com/news/granada/story/2012-09-10/roller-coaster-record/
Rodriguez was born December 12th, 1958 in Brooklyn, New York.
He is a lecturer at Fordham University in New York. He currently lives in Murphy, North Carolina.
His achievements (most of these are 24/7 with 5 min breaks)
1977 - Coney Island Cyclone, USA - 104 hours
1978 - Swamp Fox, USA - 110 hours
1978 - Rebel Yell, USA- 124 hours
1979 - Roaring Tiger, USA - 128 hours
1979 - Big Dipper, England - 140 hours
1979 - Ghost Town Coaster, USA - 150 hours
1979 - PNE Flyer, Canada - 168 hours
1980 - Florida Hurricane, USA - 172 hours
1980 - Big Dipper, UK - 209 hours
1981 - Super Manege, Canada - 220 hours
1982 - Superwirbel, Germany - 328 hours
1994 - Big Dipper, UK - 549 hours
1998 - Big Dipper, Blackpool - 1013 hours (46 days)
2000 - Big Dipper, Blackpool - 2000 hours (3 months)
2001 - The Boss, USA - 100 days (daytime only)
2002 - Expedition GeForce, Germany - 104 days (daytime only)
2003 - Expedition GeForce (day) & Superwirbel (night), Germany - 49 days
2007 - The Big One, UK - 17 days
2012 - The Big One, UK - 104 days and counting (daytime only)
He's been riding Blackpool's Big One for 103 days in a row now...and he's still going.
video: http://www.itv.com/news/granada/story/2012-09-10/roller-coaster-record/
Rodriguez was born December 12th, 1958 in Brooklyn, New York.
He is a lecturer at Fordham University in New York. He currently lives in Murphy, North Carolina.
His achievements (most of these are 24/7 with 5 min breaks)
1977 - Coney Island Cyclone, USA - 104 hours
1978 - Swamp Fox, USA - 110 hours
1978 - Rebel Yell, USA- 124 hours
1979 - Roaring Tiger, USA - 128 hours
1979 - Big Dipper, England - 140 hours
1979 - Ghost Town Coaster, USA - 150 hours
1979 - PNE Flyer, Canada - 168 hours
1980 - Florida Hurricane, USA - 172 hours
1980 - Big Dipper, UK - 209 hours
1981 - Super Manege, Canada - 220 hours
1982 - Superwirbel, Germany - 328 hours
1994 - Big Dipper, UK - 549 hours
1998 - Big Dipper, Blackpool - 1013 hours (46 days)
2000 - Big Dipper, Blackpool - 2000 hours (3 months)
2001 - The Boss, USA - 100 days (daytime only)
2002 - Expedition GeForce, Germany - 104 days (daytime only)
2003 - Expedition GeForce (day) & Superwirbel (night), Germany - 49 days
2007 - The Big One, UK - 17 days
2012 - The Big One, UK - 104 days and counting (daytime only)
I've been working at the Pleasure Beach this summer. I finally took advantage of the free wristband today. It was great because the park is dead so I could just walk on anything I wanted and the ride ops would send us round again if we wanted. The Big One wasn't open due to the winds though.
I have to say that I was shocked how not used to rollercoasters I am. I've only been on a few at Disneylands and Universal Studios etc. I still feel fairly sick from today though, perhaps that is to do with going on everything in under 2 hours and not having time to rest though.
P.S. I've met the guy doing the Big One world record this summer, he's a really nice guy and I've got a lot more respect for him after how I felt today even though I never went on the Big One.
I have to say that I was shocked how not used to rollercoasters I am. I've only been on a few at Disneylands and Universal Studios etc. I still feel fairly sick from today though, perhaps that is to do with going on everything in under 2 hours and not having time to rest though.
P.S. I've met the guy doing the Big One world record this summer, he's a really nice guy and I've got a lot more respect for him after how I felt today even though I never went on the Big One.
The Xtortionist
Member
Wait, so did he ride it once every day or continuously for 103 days?
He rides it from when the park opens until, I think, 5 or 6pm in the evening. The park usually closes at 8pm and sometimes goes up so the time he finishes isn't necessarily when the park closes. Also I assume he gets a day off when the Big One is closed due to the weather. He wasn't on it today because it was closed and I recall it being closed a few time this summer.
The Xtortionist
Member
Holy shit. That makes me riding Revenge of the Mummy 5 times in a row look like riding Small World once.
Razgriz-Specter
Member
wow, I start seeing stars after about the 5th time on something like Batman.
thezerofire
Banned
I missed Dapper Disney Day!?
also Radiator Springs Racers was pretty fun. Not quite as fast as I would have liked, seems like there's a governor on it. It still breaks down way too much.
Goldrusher
Member
Uh... no.
Disneyland Paris is much cheaper.
$100 for the Florida parks
$90 for the California parks
€61 for the Paris parks (€46 online)
(1 day, 1 park tickets)
also:
Also, this year, you can get a free ticket (1 day, both parks) for the week of your birthday.
You can still register here until Sep 30, the tickets are valid until Oct 6, 2013, on your birthday or within the following week.
I was referring to more than 1 day.
A 14 day ticket at WDW works out much cheaper than a 4 day ticket at DLP.
Oh and thanks for the heads up!
This.
Disneyland Paris is ridiculously expensive for a park that's inferior in every way to the other Disney parks around the world. They somewhat cleaned it up last year by doing some much needed maintenance and refurbishment, but the staff is still as rude as ever and all the French dubbing (which they started doing after French people complained) just stinks.
They need to realize more than 50% of the visitors are from other countries.
The Xtortionist
Member
Their Big Thunder seems pretty cool *shrug*
Goldrusher
Member
Where do you guys get these prices?
A 4-day-ticket for the Paris parks costs you only €162.
I can't even find a 14 day ticket on the WDW website.
The max is 10 days, which costs you over $400. ($375+tax)
How is that cheaper?!
You can even get an unlimited season pass in Paris for €199. Access to both parks 365 days a year, with early access and free parking.
I haven't been since '95, but it felt a bit more fresh to me, but that's a given considering the age of the park.
I wouldn't mind going back, but I'm certainly turned off by the prices.
I'm getting the prices from the UK sites.
A 14 day unlimited ticket is £236 at the moment, whereas a 4 day ticket to DLP is £141. That's an extra 10 days for just under £100, and there's more to see.
Given how many more days you get, a day at WDW works out cheaper.
Of course on a whole a trip to WDW will cost you more, but I do think Disneyland Paris is ridiculously expensive.
You simply have to be aware that the cheaper option for long term DLRP stays is to get an annual pass. As someone else stated, it's 199 and you get 365days access. And also some reductions at restaurants.
To put in in your words: That's an extra 351 days and all that for about 70 less!
For some reason I actually missed that when I read Goldrusher's post.
I'll have to look into it...
Edit: Is it just applicable to French residents? I can't find out where to get it in the UK.
Goldrusher
Member
No.
Scroll down a bit for a nice comparison:
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/booking/annual-passports/
€199: 365 days pass, free parking, tons of discounts (35% at hotels, 20% in shops, 10% in restaurants, cheaper tickets for friends, discounts at Buffalo Bill, Disney Village cinemas, etc.)
€159: 320 days pass, free parking, some discounts (and smaller percentages)
€119: 280 days pass, parking is €30 extra --> this one is for French residents only
So I went to Thorpe Park today, and I'm amazed as to how much the place has gone downhill.
It lacks a soul.
Oh and you guys seen this? It's a walkthrough of the Fantasyland expansion and it looks incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z34EkQmZ0fE
It lacks a soul.
Thanks for the link!
Oh and you guys seen this? It's a walkthrough of the Fantasyland expansion and it looks incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z34EkQmZ0fE
Anticitizen One
Banned
The Xtortionist
Member
But...dat queue!
Lots of Universal construction stuff from Amusementpics.com. Samples:
Transformers (the two tall pieces in the background are apparently part of the elevator systems)
WWoHP2.0 Gringotts show building
Leeroy3101
Banned
I love this time of year for theme parks/amusement parks. Lots of fond memories from a local one I used to go to. Leaves on the ground, the smell of fall, cheesy halloween music playing, cool fall air with a breeze, halloween themed across the park, scare characters patrolling the midways at night, guests screaming and a rickety classic wooden coaster.
I've done Halloween Horror Nights and it's top notch. I miss being down there during this time, too.
I've done Halloween Horror Nights and it's top notch. I miss being down there during this time, too.
aparisi2274
Member
As amazing as the theming is in NFL, I have to agree that its just a shame there are no new rides (well until 2014 at least, when the mine train ride opens). It seems weird to build an entire expansion and have 1 *new* ride and a refurb and a clone of another ride (Dumbo).
As much as I like this new expansion, I still think it was thrown together rather hastily to kind of answer the Potter expansion at Universal.
Anticitizen One
Banned
It was fast tracked to retaliate potter but its nothing like it. Potter opened with a major e ticket plus a castle and town you can walk around and explore not to mention incorporating some existing attractions into the Harry potter world with new theming. New fantasyland is a little mermaid ride, a short mine cart ride that replaces Snow White that wont be open until 2014, and a eatery that is kind of sort of like beasts castle from beauty and the beast.
Those were everywhere in the seventies and eighties. They're getting rare now.
We have a park here - Bobbejaanland - which has the world's only flying version:
There was a second one at Six Flags New England, but it closed in 2008.
rip nightwing
I would use my fast pass to reserve a spot on superman, and ride nightwing over and over until i could get on. It was such a fun ride.
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