stdragon03

I m sorry im not computer literate as some you's guys. All the trip reports and photos are on rideworld's messageboards. Cheers Ed

Last week i joined a group of coaster enthusiasts from Rideworld for a week long trek up the Eastcoast of America and finishing of with conclave coaster events at Hersheys and Knoebels. I had an awesome time visiting 8parks with Sixflags New England rolling out the red carpet for us.(free Qbots,ERT on Tornado water ride and the park manager taking time out to talk to us about superman ROS and apologise for the uncomfortable restraints they had to put on the Coaster and the ride Ops for severly stapling us down).Knoebels for giving us nightrides on pheonix wooden coaster a top five coaster Steel or Wood. I would like to thank Chris & Natalee Godsey who were very accommodating and worked hard to make sure we had a great time.I for one hope to return and do their trek again next year and hope i can get a few more Aussie enthusiasts to join us next year for their next trek. check out some of the trip reports and photos/videos www.rideworld.com Thanks Ed

Kneobels i reckon is the best pay as you go park.Maximum ticket price was $2.00 for the twister coaster.The group that i was with we spent probaly over $600.00 worth of tickets because they had some great flat rides and two great woody's which you could have ridden all day long. It was also nested in a picnic and camping setting,very friendly atmosphere. By paying as you go it pays for parking and brings down the cost of food.Saying that it was some of the best and probaly one of the cheapist of any park in the world.At Knoebels you get pretty good value. Compared to say BuschGardens Williamsburg where you pay a fortune $42.00 Entry fee $10.00 for Parking or $13.00 if you want to park near the front gate.Another $20.00 Per person on food plus gifts,Onride photos.In a disappointing atmosphere.

Here`s mine 1-Cedarpoint 2-Knoebels 3-Sixflags NewEngland 4-Dollywood 5-FujikyuHighlands 6-Disneyland 7-Nagashima Spaland 8-Lake compounce 9-Europa Park 10-Alton Towers I would have put in BuschGardensWilliamsburg but the staff looked like that they didnt want to be their and spoiled a bueatiful park.

Today i completed all the amusement parks of my trip.i have done 15 parks in the last 3weeks its been a marathon.I just spent a wonderful week doing an East Coast Trek with bunch of great guys from Rideworld coaster club visiting Sixflags America,Great Adventure,New England which put out the red carpet for us(Superman ride of steel was open and it does live upto its reputation).Lake compounce another small scenic park with a great wooden coaster boulder dash. Great escape Lake George,Hersheys and Knoebels and the Pheonix Air Machine Coaster. My highlights of the trip would be the new Friends i met.and some of the most Bueatiful parks and the great coasters too many to mention sorry.My coaster count has Quadripled and i have stopped counting and my top ten has changed in a enormus way. i am flying home tomorrow absolutely coastered out. Take Care Ed

Dollywood would get my vote as the most attractive theme park in the world.It is surrounded by the Smokey Mountains.The landscape and Garden were extremly attractive.They had lots of lovely buildings showing off mountain trades like Glass making Blacksmiths.Also a 1930 restored steamtrain that took you up in the Mountains.You could just wander around and not do any rides.Staff and General public were very laidback and friendly. They have the best rollercoaster in the world wood or steel.Thunderhead absolutely Rocks.(Maybe the Beast at night) but that had trim brakes that has tamed it.Where as Thunderhead doesn't It Starts of with a 100ft steep right hand drop into an s curve then up to an overbanked helix that would rival any wood or steel coasters.It had a lot of these elements throughout.The ride was very smooth and slick with loads of Airtime.Thunderhead is a fabulous coaster. Wooden Coasters are coming back in a big way and one of these would be great for any Aussie Park.

Reading your article about park efficency at Dreamworld.my opinion it comes down to How many staff you can employ and the attitude of staff. After visiting CedarPoint apart from Maybe Disney no other Park would compare.On all their Coasters they would have a about six operators plus the driver.Even more on their Popular Coasters and they all wanted to be their.Encouraging riders.They had 3 trains going on most rides even the less popular rides. Dreamworld has the most Potential of all Australian parks to Develop in a Great park but only if it wants To.Employ More Enthusiastic staff.

Trip report Geuaga Lake & Kings Island Geauga Lake (Formely SixFlags World of Adventure) A small Park in a Nice area not to crowded but lots of school kids hanging around which made it a little Uncomfortable also the staff wasn't as enthusiastic as Cedar Point.Most rides Were walk on.My highlight Dominator a Bollinger Mallibard Floorless it is a fun ride and walk on after a few rides it actually got boring. Big Dipper A very old Wooden coaster but had loads of Airtime and spent half the ride out of your seat. Steel Venom. An Intamin Impulse Launch Shuttle Coaster not as good as wicket Twister but Fun. Villian was Jerky and uncomfortable to ride.The same with X flight Flyer. THe Boomerang Coaster made the Demon at wonderland look a Decent Ride, Kings Island THe day we went the Park was Packed lots of Teenagers and Kids.The lines for everthing would be over and hour long.So we picked and choose what we wanted ride. The BeastWooden Coaster Talk about a diamond in the Rough.Oasis in a Mirage.I have to say the Best Wooden Coaster i have been on Including Raven and Legend at holiday world. eventhough it has been heavily braked throughout the ride. At night it was Mind blowing riding through Those Helix turns in Pitch Black tunnels.My Favourite of the Trip. Son Of Beast Wooden Coaster Talk about Contrast Probaly the worst ride including Thunderbolt at Dreamworld,Boomerang at Geauga Lake.The Restraints were very Uncomfortable it was rough and Jerky i got of bruised and Battered. The Dissapointment of the Trip. THe other Highlights of this Park would be Racer Wooden Coaster a Very fun ride especially doing it Backwards i was surprised you get airtime going backwards. Delirium Gyro Swing I lined up for and Hour and ten minutes with capacity of 50 People it sure was moving slow.I hope thats not the same with the one being built in Dreamworld.Anyway it was a good ride Pulls lots of Gs and swings up to 270 degrees into the Air.You are virtually upside down. Kings Island is in a nice setting but i think it has only one or two decent attractions Compare with Cedar Point it really doesnt.The Beast is worth it. Off to Busch Gardens Today and i will do a trip Report for Holiday World and Dollywood later. Cheers Ed

How are you all doing.Its been a week and i have no access to a computer.Since then i have been in the thick of things Lots of driving and Coaster riding.Actually i wont be doing this again for awhile at least.Anyway Heres a couple Trip reports Cedar Point 1st-3rd June. A wonderful Amusement Park its Not Scenic like a theme Park But very Friendly and Efficient in Terms of handling crowds and Ride Cues.All the Major Rides would have at least 6 Ride operators Pumping the People through their rides and encourage the people to enjoy the rides they look like that they enjoy what they are doing.majority of the coasters had wait time ( with exception of Total Thrill Dragster and Millenium Force) walk on to 10 minutes Max. My highlights Would be Total thrill Dragster the launch was exhilirating to say the least and the Drop the best in the world.i Manage to get 3 rides on it due to large wait and poor weather the next day.My only disapointment this is only a one trick pony and cannot run in the rain even the slightest. Raptor my overall Favourite ride in the Park they had three trains going and what would have been a 30-60Minute waite was only 10 -15 max.At night it was virtually walk on.Great pacing and all the elements were well design. Millenium Force To me was a good ride with a great Drop but not much after eventhough it travel with alot of speed throughout.Having ridden Both Millenium Force and SteelDragon.My vote would be Steeldragon as the best. Magnum xlr which i think is a better Ride than MF. Gemini my first actuall racing coaster which we had lot fun on. Overall i can honestly say that out of the 14coasters i went on their wouldnt be a bad Ride.All rides were in good Condition and Fun.

.2nd trip report Knotts berry Farm & Las vegas 22.05.04 I only spent a few hours as i was very sick and jet lag.the park was packed so just rode Ghostrider and Excellerator. Ghostrider Probaly my favourite woody lots of airtime and lot of crossovers which i liked. The line was at least an hours wait.i would like to go back and get some more rerides someday. Excellerator an excellent launch coaster but i cant wait to the make these coasters longer than a i trick pony. 23-25 Las vegas Took a Greyhound bus to Las vegas it took around 9hours and i was warned about and didn't listen and hated People were rude they packed the bus.I sat near some stoned out people that never heard of deodorant. i was only staying one night but because of being crook i stayed and rested and extra day. Anyway i really enjoyed Vegas.i did most of the coasters and attractions. Manhattan Express very uncomfortable and rough ride. Speed the Ride the pick of the coasters a good Launch coaster. High roller very boring for a coaster but great view. X scream a Waste of money Big shot lots of fun. Star Trek the Experience is Great i loved it but only if you like that sort of thing.My favourite was the Gondola rides at the Venetian hotel. An experience was better than being in venice i reckon. Flying to Newyork to sick to Bus Across like i planned.

Trip Report First stop was SFMM on Friday 21st May. I rocked up at 5.00pm in the afternoon running late because of jet lag and getting loss anyway i had 5 hours their.The park was pretty crowded since it was a Friday afternoon.First ride was the X i ve been wanting to ride that since 2001 when i was last over their.The que was 1 hour long which was prepared to line up for.Anyway after i malfunction and a 2hour wait i was on. I my experience of the ride was it is a fun ride but not much more.i found it to shake myself about a bit and the restraints real uncomfortable. Scream I see why people say its rough but i thought it was actually great ride.Maybe that they engineered that shaking into the ride.My only critism of Floorless Coasters their not intense ride say compared to BMs Inverted coaster. Other rides Goliath best in the park Gold rusher Great fun especially at night De ju va Disappointing since last time i rode. Ninja My favourite of the night also i felt during the day its a good ride but at night it goes into another leaque Batman nothing changed with this over the years it always maintained a great standard would be my favourite but ninja out matched it especially at night. Cheers Ed

One week to i Fly out.Looking forward to the trip. However I am not happy with SROS at SFNE,SFA being shut down and little chance opening by the 16th June but thats out of my control. Anyway before i fly out i want to buy a digital camera for the trip any ideas let us know that would be helpful.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his family. Lets hope they can get through the investigation quickly and the ride wont be out of action to long.

I would actually like to see an organised tour of Aussie Coaster enthusiasts go across down the track it would make things alot easy in terms of costs in accomodation,transportation and maybe more chance of Exclusive ride time. As i am planning this their is alot more Parks that i didnt even know about that really be worth getting to Lake Compounce,Great Escape Lake George,Holiday world. So you need to spend alot of time to do alot of the East/Midwest USA and when i will get back their will be more i still have missed.

I Leave Sydney on 20th may to LA via Tokyo I fly out From Newyork to Tokyo on the 27th june Spend a few days in Japan which i love as a country (people very friendly and honest) before i return to Sydney 1st Of july.I originally attended to do a tour of the west Coast Particularly San Fran which i really enjoyed last time.Especially the music scene their was great.I always wanted to do a Camping tour of the GrandCanyon.TrekAmerica had a Camping tour which was looking at doing and included a Visit to Sanfrancisco. However i Planned to be in Cinncinatti on 29th of may.So the tour didnt fit in those plans So instead im flying on the 22nd of May to Baltimore and going to spend alot more time and on East Coast.Maybe get in a Few more themeparks than i originally planned to do.I didn't want to Rush the Trip just take my time.The only set plans i have is a hotel i booked at CedarPoint on 31st of May to 3rd of June.Also Coaster Tour with other enthusiasts starting on 13th june Starting in Philadelphia. I will be ok moneywise i have been planning this for at least 6months and the most expensive thing i had to pay is my Airfare $2089.00 Plus taxes.Accomodation is Quite Cheap if your prepared to stay in Budget motels or Hostels which i will be doing.

I will have two coming and sorry about the delay.

That would be great to meet up if i can get the day of i will try and come.Do you have a time and meeting point.

This is sad news i have been going to wonderland since it open.This on top of the Luna park debacle.There is going to nothing for the youth,Families and us coaster enthusiasts to do. Who do you aim your disgust at the Park Management obviously they dont listen to their customers or even the State government for not doing enough to help with issues such as insurance premiums. What does the future hold for us in Sydney? I hope the Government does see a need for a decent theme Park and make it easy for someone to invest or create a new park hopefully this time build properly.

My Actual airfare is to LA via Tokyo Make my own way to NYC and fly home Via Tokyo. I will probaly spend about a week on the westcoast before Flying on to cleveland.i hope to spend a couple of days in SanFrancisco and hopefully this time i will get to see Alcatraz and on to las vegas to see Grand Canyon which i missed out on the last time i was over their.Only theme park on the westcoast will probaly be SFMM only to ride the X Coaster which was in the testing stage when i was their last. PS If anyone wants meet up while im over their very much welcome to do so.Just Email us

Apart from the different track Shape and Design. Which is Better Vekoma's Flying Dutchman or BM's Flyers.Do they Produce the same G force Effects or is one more smooth or intense than the other. When i rode Stealth a few years ago i found when i came of it i felt light headed and dizzy.I think that is due to the way your position especially when you dive down from the drops and loops which in turn it made your blood rush to your Head. Maybe its me as i get older and less flexable

I am like you Richard i cant stand long flights.I am flying with Japan Airlines as they have stopovers in Tokyo and the flight is only 9 Hours and about 6 to Los angeles. On the way over Jal pay for one nights Accomodation and transfers to and from the Airport in Tokyo but not on the return journey.i will be flying back from New york via Tokyo on my return Journey anyway.

The reason i am not going to orlando is that i have a Daughter who i promised to take her their and i wouldn't go without her.We went to Disneyland a few years ago and we had an awesome time and she loves Goofy and i wont go to disneytheme parks without her. On another note i would like to see a group of Australian coaster enthusiasts to maybe organise coaster tours around the world sometime down the track if possible.

Hey Guys just bought my airline tickets to NYC to embark on a Month long coaster tour.My plans to travel to Ohio to do Kings island,CedarPoint and Sixflags Ohio.Then head towards to Williamsburg to do BuschGardens and Kings Dominion.That will be the first part After that i will be joining up with other enthusiasts to do a East Coast Trek including Sixflags America,Great Adventure and New England.Dorney Park,Knoebels and finishing at Hersheys. Still not sure whether to hire a car or bus it around to Save costs.

I reckon a BM floorless would be awesome, but im also a fan of chance morgan hypers something like Steel Force at Dorney Park.It would become our first Hyper and probaly would't cost as much as Intamin or BM hyper.

With all the dissatisfaction around Wonderland.it would be better of being sold.If they dont do something soon it wouldn't take much for a Cedar Fair or Sixflags to open a franchise in sydney it would be the end of wonderland.I do believe Their is a Market in Sydney for this type of thing.