larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 6/7/2006 10:16:25 PM
24 hours from now I will be on a plane on the way to England meeting up with coaster05 and his wife along with 50 others.
When I return I'll try to post a concise but detailed TR. I know that people aren't going to care what time I woke up, waht I ate for breakfast or where I sat on the bus. I'll focus on the rides, coasters and atmosphere. Funny thing is I'm not bringing a camera and coaster05 isn't crazy with his camera like the rest of the people we are meeting up with. It seems like most of them are going to be documenting the trip.
I'm not even bringing my laptop with me.
Anyway I'm not making this post to promote another site but only to say if you want to keep up on my goings on check out the updates people will be posting at ThemeParkReview.com
We are pretty much riding every coaster in England and then traveling to Norway and Sweden with the final stop culminating with the riding of Balder, the #1 woodie in Mitch's pool. I'll be very curious to say how it holds up against the great line-up of US coasters. Beyond that there are many unique flats and other experiemces not to be found in the US amusement parks
I'm actually I little upset about the trip since BobFunland had to back out of the trip and he is one of the people who originally talked me into going.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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6/8/2006 12:09:18 AM
I am not very happy to be in the States for the next few months, and not only do I feel bad for ditching my roomie, I regret this decision with every day of useless work.  With that said, I hope you guys have a blast, and I doubt that it will be anything short of awesome. In between the 3 hours of ERT on Balder, take a few minutes and ride Lisebergbanan for me, will ya? 
Bon Voyage 
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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6/8/2006 1:36:17 AM
Larrygator, I'm very much looking forward to that trip report, especially your impressions of Balder and how things are done across the Big Pond. Cheers, as they say.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/8/2006 5:56:48 AM
Hey Larry I am packing to head out in 2 hours.
BFL I have to say I am very sorry to hear that. I was really hoping this internship would be everything you hoped it was. I have been, and always will be, skeptical of companies. I hope it turns around for you.
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Scott
Posts: 2766
Registered: 11/7/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 12:00:59 AM
Have a blast guys. Please, don't spend all your time riding coasters. There is so much culture in europe, you can't miss that either. Have a great time. I'm jealous.
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RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 9:38:39 AM
I hope that you & Coaster05 will have an amazing time in England. I really wish that I could make it out there one day & go to amusement parks like Blackpool Pleasure Beach & Alton Towers. I'm also jealous about the both of ya'll too. BobFunLand, I'm sorry that your plans didn't come out the way you wanted to. I hope that in the near future your plans will come to life just the way you wanted it to be now. Make sure that you'll check out the historical buildings Europe has & the many different types of art museums. Can't wait until you come back here with an extensive TR about every park you went to & all of your coaster experiences. Don't be all coastered out (no pun intended) now & have fun.
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 1:46:26 PM
i'm curious to hear if the parks have good beer. good beer is scarce in american parks, IMO. i was generally blown away by how good the beer is in england. go into some little pub in the boondocks and the beer is awesome.
that would sure be a plus- to round off a good day of coasters kicking back with a righteous pint of dark ale...
Message updated 6/9/2006 1:51:07 PM by hrrytraver
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taylorb251
Posts: 1181
Registered: 3/8/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 1:53:43 PM
Don't ask coaster05 how good the beer is, he doesn't drink beer. I hope you have fun on your trip Rich. Talk to you when you get back.
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 6:38:50 PM
I, like Scott, am also jealous, and I have even been lucky enough to go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach already! Have a great time guys, I hope it's awesome, as I imagine it should be, and I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back. Enjoy what is most likely your first time riding a coaster with no restraint systems of any kind! 
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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6/9/2006 6:53:05 PM
I think they added restraints to it though 
Unfortunately, sightseeing would require extra days over there. I think Rich and his wife were headed over a little early... the trip really is just about coasters, but the upside is that you can immerse yourself in an area by visiting the local parks just as well as if you were sightseeing elsewhere. IMO, you learn more about a place's culture from a park than you ever would touring local museums, churches and art galleries.
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Google Search TPC BEFORE you create that new thread
Message updated 6/9/2006 6:53:22 PM by BobFunland
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 9:04:14 PM
Ugh, I see from rcdb that it appears that you're right.  What a bummer, it was great to experience a coaster with no restraints, and a non-kiddie coaster at that.
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Scott
Posts: 2766
Registered: 11/7/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2006 11:16:46 PM
Wild chipmunk at lakeside has no restraints, at all. The whole thing feels like it's about to collapse. lol.
Anyhow, while you guys ride balder, I will visit sfeg. Hooray.
BTW joe, If I am ever fortunate enugh to visit england, I would spend very little time at the parks.
Message updated 7/16/2006 1:21:08 AM by Scott
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
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6/10/2006 8:40:55 AM
^ Agreed. I have been to Europe, and although I did go with my family, so the whole trip was not my exact planning, I would not spend a tremendous amount of time at the parks even if I were on my own. Europe has so much heritage, history, and culture, and although at least certain parks can probably give you a taste of that, there's nothing like getting out in the towns themselves and just observing and mingling.
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taylorb251
Posts: 1181
Registered: 3/8/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/10/2006 12:23:27 PM
Rich and his wife are spending four extra days at the end of the trip. They are spending most of that time in london. So they will atleast see the sites in London.
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/10/2006 7:43:47 PM
...which will no doubt be awesome. London is a great city, just amazing, I thought. It's great that they're taking a little bit of extra time to see some of Europe (or England, anyway) outside of the parks.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/14/2006 3:38:16 PM
I've got 3 hours of ERT tomorrow at Blackpool Pleasure Beach! It should be awesome!
Rich and Melanie say "HI!!!!!" to Ang & Craig! (BTW Craig, Mel had a beer and it was awesome!!!)
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taylorb251
Posts: 1181
Registered: 3/8/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/14/2006 9:51:25 PM
I didn't say that Mel won't have on. I just know that you don't drink beer. Hope you guys are have a great time.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/21/2006 10:27:23 PM
The trip was insanely great. The tour organizers went all out to manage every little detail down to the most minute details. I'll be working on a TR over the next couple of days. They did have European beer at all parks but I only had one drink at one park. At Liseberg they had an Ice Bar. It was 10 degrees inside and everything was made from ice. They made you were an insulated jacket. I spent the equivalent of $15 for a Black Current Absolute drink poured into a glass made out of ice.
Message updated 6/21/2006 10:28:30 PM by larrygator
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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6/22/2006 2:36:11 AM
Welcome back. Did you happen to catch a ride on one of those new EuroFighters with the 97 degree drop? The latest ACE News has a picture of one (Speed at Oakwood in Wales), and it looks freakin' insane.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/22/2006 4:03:37 AM
Yea I got 8 rides I believe on Speed and it was really good.
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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6/22/2006 1:56:50 PM
Quote:
coaster05 said:
Yea I got 8 rides I believe on Speed and it was really good. |
Well, come on, bro', spill. Those of us without passports want details.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/22/2006 2:14:24 PM
I'll speak for Rich since he is still in London with his wife (and has limited internet access). Rich really enjoyed it.
On the other hand I found it a little uncomfortable. The restraints are similar to Storm Runner bith whch the elements involved I did get a lot of neck banging (similar to the old Viper at SFGAdv). I heard from a couple of other people on the trip that many of the 5ft 8 inch and under riders had similar painful experiences.
I still rode it 6 or 7 times but riding defensively took away from my enjoyment.
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