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How I Spent My Monday Night

Author: Pat McCabe

Ride Review: Steel Hawg

Author: Pat McCabe



So I rode Steel Hawg yesterday and it is a pretty cool ride. The new S&S coaster at Indiana Beach is different thats for sure. I actually had to wait an hour for this ride, which is quite a long time for me to wait for anything. The ride is in a really odd spot, in that it is right near the non-bridge entrance to IB and not really close to any of the other rides. Of course with the 4 person cars the capacity sucks ass, but it works for Indiana Beach cause they don't get too too many folks in the park. The ride cars aren't super comfy and the dual restraint system (like the old togo sitdowns) is kinda goofy, but the ride itself is smooth.

The ride starts out with a very steep lift, which is pretty neat. The turnaround after the lift hill is fantastic, as it provides a picturesque view of Lake Shafer. The 120 degree first drop is cool, but not as good as it could be because it has some brakes that limit the crazyness. Then there is a series of VERY VERY LOUD & TERRIBLE sounding mid course brakes. The next feature is very cool and thats the turn with the outward banking turn, something I don't think has been done on any coaster before and gives a real out of control feeling. Next up is the highlight of the ride, the flip over-hang time and loop. The loop I think is bigger then the drop and sends screaming guests past people in the queue. The ride keeps the crazy elements coming with the downward inclined heartline twist and followed with the overbank curve finale into some more noisy brakes.

I liked the ride itself and could best be described as a Wild Mouse on crack and is worth the ride. With its limited capacity be prepared to wait to ride the Hawg this summer at IB.

Heres some pics:














2009 Is Gonna Be A Good Year!!

Author: Pat McCabe


YES. I know its August of 2008 and most of us nerds are still thinking about the last few months and upcoming Halloween events of the 08 season, but I find myself REALLY looking forward to the 2009 season. I mean, was it just me or was 2008 just a complete suck year for new roller coasters. We saw a bunch of coasters moved around (Aftershock, Dominator (DAMN), Voodoo, Thunderhawk), some cheap stuff from Six Flags (Dark Knights/Tony Hawks), rehabs billed as new attractions (X2, Simpsons). I mean there were some bright spots Evel Knevel & Ravine Flyer have gotten good reviews, Toy Story Mania is a blast and all eight people that went to Hard Rock Park seemed to enjoy it mostly for the details and theme not the rides. Farhenheit looks rather mediocre, as do the dual coast motocoasters. But nothing that really had the HOLY SHIT book my flight I gotta get on that.

NOW 2009 on the other hand is going to just kick ass. I mean you already have three coasters announced in Sea Worlds Manta, Universal's Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Kings Island's Diamondback that look better then any of the coasters that opened in this country this year. Then there is a trio of un-officially announced GCI coasters for California's Great America, Worlds of Fun and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sure 09 has what a few that no one really care about (American Idol, Carowinds Boomerang and the insanely dumb Creature from the Black Lagoon Musical), but those 6 we know about sure sound solid. Out of the 6 I think I am most looking forward to Rip Ride Rockit pretty much cause I have never been on one of those before and flying around Universal Orlando with music blasting is gonna be outstanding.

So I'm Pretty Much A Podcast Whore

Author: Pat McCabe

After recording the hour and a half long episode of In The Loop and posting the latest A Walk In The Park video podcast, I came to the realization that I am a Podcast Whore. In the last 2 weeks I have been on 4 different podcasts and probably listened to 15.

Heres What I Been On:

A Walk In The Park
Of course, this one, it is my show after all. I posted a really fun video from my old home park of Six Flags Great Adventure. My favorite part is when me and my brother are too fat for the Parachutes!!




http://awalkinthepark.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2008-08-12T04_13_50-07_00


In The Loop
We are rolling strong with In The Loop now. This week we talk about Disney possibly buying Sea World, Hard Rock Park strug-a-ling, Diamondback, Sesame Street To BGE and plenty more.
http://www.coastercrew.com/intheloop.php?action=play&fileid=157


Rachel's Coaster Cast
One of the two up & coming podcast I guested on recentely. Very similar to In The Loop in the relaxed roundtable format.



http://rachealscoastercast.podomatic.com/


Coastin' East Podcast
Second of the two up & coming podcast I guested on recentely. Very similar to In The Loop in the relaxed roundtable format.
http://coastineastpodcast.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2008-08-09T11_13_03-07_00


So those were the ones I been on, and heres all the ones I listen to:
Inside The Magic
WDW Today
WDW Radio Show
Window To The Magic
Magical Definition Podcast
Laughing Place Podcast
The Meandering Mouse
Coasterbuzz Podcast
Season Pass Podcast
Rex & The Beast

Writers Block

Author: Pat McCabe

Yep. There haven't been many updates here on the blog recentely. I haven't had any genius ideas for things to banter on has been one of the reasons (please if you got any ideas for things I should write about post in the comments section and I will do it up). I also have been working a lot, tomorrow is day 7 of 12 in a row.

Thats the latest.

SFGAm Trip Report

Author: Pat McCabe

I have some thoughts and pictures from my visit to Six Flags Great America from this past Sunday the 27th

THOUGHTS

- Holy shit was it crowded. I got to the park at 10:10 and already lines for The Dark Knight Coaster were 2 hours and Superman Ultimate Flight was 1.5. Lines didn't get any shorter all day long, crowds were nuts. V2 had a full queue with the full emergency line filled. Raging Bull was steady at an hour. The waterpark was at capacity and had a massive line.

- It didn't take me long before I realizied that I had to options: Buy the $27 Dollar FlashPass or have a miserable day. I bought the pass.

- I saw the parks big 'Show Stoppin' musical stage show. Pretty worthless with the exception of watching the hotties dance around the stage.

- Every ride in the park was operating, which was very good to see.
- I rode The Dark Knight twice, I still enjoy the ride. Preshow is cool and as a wild mouse its a good one.

- The Pretzel Loop on Superman might be the most intense move on a coaster ever.

- The Planet Earth 3D show had beautiful visuals on the giant screen, but not great 3D.

- American Eagle is highly underrated.

- I think there was a show, sometimes multiple shows (most crappy) on every stage in the park, which is nice to see.

- Lunch was complete price gouging, $14 dollars for philly, fries and drink. Fuckin Six Flags.

- The souvenir shop had some pretty sweet shirts I picked 2 up, cause I just needed more coaster shirts.

PICTURES
Psh, Way to totally rip off my name six flags
Enjoyment Pose: Stand In Shower & Prepare For Deepthroat
$14 & Mediocre
Crowds Were Large
NO CHANCE IN HELL I Would Wait In That Line In The Heat
I Woulda Bought This One, But I Don't Like Tall Girls.
I Did Buy This One.
Its odd seeing disney stuff in a non disney park. One souvenir stand was selling Wall-E, Cars, Hannah Montannah and High School Musical merch.

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

Author: Pat McCabe


Yes, It was as awesome as it looked in the previews.

I absolutely loved this film. By far my favorite movie of the summer and the year. Its 2.5 hours of eyes being glued to the screen. The storyline is rather simple Joker trying to destroy Gotham, Batman protects Gotham. Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker was awesome, the character was funny, creepy, evil & interesting. Now I was never a big fan of his and thought most of the roles I seen him in were 'lil bitch' roles, but he was very good in this one. The movie I thought wasn't without its faults, I hated the female lead, thought the ending could have been on a more 'spectacular' scale to match the rest of the movie and I thought Christain Bale's 'Batman Voice' was a bit of overacting. This movie is really helped by the small roles of Morgan Freeman & Micheal Caine, who both do an exceptional job. This is one I might have to go see again, it was that good.

THUMBS UP

Movie Review: Hancock

Author: Pat McCabe


So I went to go see Hancock this week. This was one of the movies of the summer i was really looking forward to mostly because it was an original story not a sequel (Dark Knight, Indiana Jones, Mummy) not based on a comic book (Iron Man, Hulk) not an old TV Show (Get Smart). Nothing against those films, but sometimes I want to go see a big budget blockbuster based on a character I know nothing about. This one lived up to the hype I set for it, a very enjoyable movie. Will Smiths character is hilarious and had me cracking up quite a few times during the movie. One thing about Hancock is that in the middle of the movie there is a HUGE TWIST right in the middle, I was completely caught by surprised. It was nice to see some originality in Hollywood and I recomend going to see it.

THUMBS UP

and now to contradict most of what I just said tonight I am going to see the one movie this summer I was looking forward to more then any other The Dark Knight

WDW Trip Report

Author: Pat McCabe



So I was at the Walt Disney World Resort this past weekend and like all trips to my favorite place on earth I had an absolute blast. This trip was a little different then the other two times I been to Orlando in that there was no new rides to be the highlight of the trip and no media days to cover, it was just four days of playing in the ultimate playground with a good friend.

This was the first time I have ever used Disney's Magical Express service and was generally impressed with it. Within an hour of landing I was sitting in my hotel room at Port Orleans Riverside. This was also the first time I was staying at the resort and it was enjoyable, although I would have preferred to stay in the Magnolia Bend (Southern Mansion Style) instead of the Aligator Bayou (Southern Swamp Style) I ended up in. The resort has a sweet pool (even though rain kept me out of it) and an arcade with some excellent video games. The first night I got in I hopped on the boat ride to Downtown Disney for a night at (you could have guessed it) Pleasure Island.

If you read my earlier blog post, then you know of my displeasure at the decision to close the 6 PI clubs. In my evening (hooray for 2 dollar draft beers) I caught a show in the Comedy Warehouse, which was a lot of fun for an improv comedy club. When one of the comedian asked for a scene and a guest yelled out "protest against pleasure island closing" some really good laughs followed.

The real highlight of the night was the 3 or so hours I spent at the exceptional Adventurers Club. I encourage all readers out their to join the 5700+ that have signed the pettition. The Adventurers Club is a tough place to describe, so I am going to let these three youtube videos do the describing for me (the third one was taken last thursday night when I was there during the hoopla.....HOOPLA).





Looks fun doesn't it. I am still thinking that the AC will live on in some form past September 27th.

Well Adventurers Club closes down at 1, but me and my friend weren't quite done yet as Motion didn't shut down for another hour. And I must have been either pretty drunk or just in a really good mood, because I actually ended up on the dance floor.

Friday morning was well a tad hung over, but it was off to Magic Kingdom (my favorite of the WDW parks). Spent the morning/afternon there, before a trip back to the hotel to refresh and head back for Extra Magic Hours. Here are some thoughts from my day:

- Haunted Mansion is soooo much better with the enhancements
- Captain Jacks Animatronic in the barrell is my favorite of the three
- You gotta be crazy to wait 75 minutes for Pan
- Small World is the longest ride ever
- Country Bear Jamboree is a very fun attraction
- Carousel Of Progess is a very boring attraction (even though I love the song)
- Its a blast to tour the parks with another big time WDW fan
- My favorite Jungle Cruise joke: "No one make the sound of a white marble, cause there are Hungry Hungry Hippos"
- Wishes is my favorite WDW nighttime show
- Stitch isn't nearly as bad as some people complain about it being
- Laugh Floor is a lot of fun
- Extra Magic Hours until 2 am are both awesome and exhuasting
- The geyser on Splash Mountain can really soak you
- Some people really like to scream in the tunnels on Big Thunder
- Polynesian is a beautiful hotel

Saturday it was time for the EPCOT/DHS tag team. I hit Toy Story Mania twice early (122,000 and 149,000 not too shabby) I like this attraction more and more everytime I ride it. The single rider line at Rock & Roller Coaster works great, and allowed me to ride three times. Tower is still exceptional and Star Tours is still outdated. The new Narnia exhibit was not long or impressive at all.

EPCOT i did the high capacity attractions in the late afternoon (figment, grand fiesta tour, nemo, Spaceship Earth, HISTA). Honey I Shrunk The Audience was actually a lot of fun for an attractions thought of as 'stale' by many fanboys, the crowd reaction is priceless. I did American Adventure for the first time this year complete with all the warm & fuzzy feelings. A pastry from France and Illuminations Reflection of Earth made for a great end of the night.

I hit Animal Kingdom for the final morning of the trip. AK is home to my 2 favorite live shows at any theme park Festival of the Lion King (Timon has a talking head now!!) and Finding Nemo The Musical. Also home to some great thrills in Dinosaur & Everest. Before the Magical Express ride home it was back to MK for one more spin on Pirates, Mansion, Country Bears & Jungle Cruise.

One day removed from the trip with PDD (Post Disney Depression) in full swing, what I really will remember from this one isn't any particular rides or shows, but instead all the good times, laughs and stories between me and my friend who I visited with, which probably doesn't make for the best blog post, but made for one hell of a trip.

Pat Goes To The Fair PTR

Author: Pat McCabe

So a few weeks back I check out the local carnival, heres some pics:


The fair was complete with old man band.


Heres a prize the kids will love, inflatable patriotic machine guns


Spinnin' Teddys


Goofy looking kiddy boat ride


They had some of these GIANT sized games, that I'd never seen before


Another


I didn't go in to the 'Ghost Pirates' dark ride, but I was tempted. I bet theres nothing but Disney quality stuff in there!!


And it was a classy attraction too


This booth was pretty cool, I bought one of the cheaper bears.


Power Surge, I hate these rides.


Carnival Ferris Wheel's, I never trust em'


I don't have a clue what that is


Sweet pic, don't like this ride either.


Tilt-A-Whirl, nothing specail here


Now THIS, is one bad ass ride


Cause every park/fair needs one of these


No fair is complete without food


I had pieorgies for dinner, tasty stuff


A trip to the fair isn't complete without some deep fried goodness


I saw this sign and just had to try one of these


Despite looking more like a deep fried cock, then a fried twinkie, it was pretty tasty.

Hope you all enjoyed the pics.

June Blog Report

Author: Pat McCabe

A good month for site traffic, a lot of hits coming from the Indiana Beach PTR.

June Blog Page Views: 2,688

May Oddball Searches

+knott's headspin youtube

a walk in the park movie

being overweight at magic mountain

did people complain about the giant cobra being to loud on the indiana jones ride at disneyland

erik yates theme park thrill radio

giant bouncy ball at downtown disney

hm satin boxers snoopy men

i walk in the park and stand in the dark

indiana beach dooms

irreport+cnn

knoebels crystal pool locker room

mayweather photos at press confrence on sat march 29 2008 in orlando fl

rideable "monster truck" michigan arcade

streetmosphere and screeen test 1992

the mask 3d ridefilm

water slides blades

Some of those searches are just bizarre

Movie Review: Wall E

Author: Pat McCabe


There were some things I liked about this movie and some that I didn't. First off the guys at Pixar do an incredible job with the animation, there movies are almost like watching pieces of art. I went into this movie with really high expectations (as I do with all Disney/Pixar movies) it was my second most anticipated movie of the summer only behind The Dark Knight. The movie is based around Wall-E, an extremely loveable charming robot. His character was the best part of the movie. Of course since its a Pixar movie one of the small roles in the film was voiced by John Ratzenberger. There was a lot of this movie that I didn't like. First off the other main character is EVE, Wall-E's love interest, I thought she was too bitchy to be enjoyable (.....yes its an odd way to describe a robot). The main thing I didn't like was the overall feel and preachy-ness of the movie. Where a large Wal-Mart-esque company pollutes earth to the point where we have to leave and humans turn into fat blobs in hoverchairs. While the movie was enjoyable and original, it wasn't the funny or happy movie I was expecting. I am going to give it a thumbs up............ but this one was close.

THUMBS UP

Turn Out The Lights, The Partys Over

Author: Pat McCabe


Well by now I am sure most of you have heard the news, that Disney Is Closing The 6 Remaining Pleasure Island Clubs. I have had a day to think about this, and I am still depressed over it.

While I understand Disney's reasoning behind the move, PI sitting between the family friendly Marketplace & West Side wasn't the best place for a drunken party town and that they could make more money off high end shops/restaurants that are open longer hours then just the evening. But I still don't like it.

Now I haven't been 21 all that long (a little over 2 years now) so I don't have the long relationship with Pleasure Island that many others have. But I really enjoyed my time I spent drunkenly exploring all the clubs on Pleasure Island. When I go down in 11 days, you know a night of Adventurer's Club and Comedy Wharehouse shenanigans is in the works.

My thoughts are that there is really no big loss in the closing of 5 of the 6 clubs, because I can get similar experiances in my hometown at comedy or dance clubs, the real true loss is the closing of the Adventurer's Club. The Adventurers Club is a incredible and extrememly unique place to spend a night drinking. If you have never been the best way I can describe it is like drinking in a Ripleys Museum with live actors playing different roles and interactive experiances all over the place. There is a awesome library room complete with stage and mysterious piano that plays itself, where most of the main shows are performing including the HOOPLA to end the night. Also I think the AC appeals to a different audience, then the riff-raff associated with the 'dance clubs'. Adventurers Club has become a must do on disney property whenever I go, and I am going to miss it greatly.

I also hate that the plan to replace the clubs and bars with even more shops. Personally I hate the Downtown Disney West Side and this change appears to be an extension of it. I like to go to Disney World for experiances that I can only get their, I can go to a nice shopping mall and get the same experiance I can get at West Side.

Also closing all 6 clubs at once in addition to the 2 large dormant buildings on PI, gives a very dead lifeless area in Downtown Disney. I think it would have been smarter to go with the slow death method for the clubs, closing the individual clubs one by one (yes, the cover price would have had to be lowered) as the new owners are ready to start construction on whatever is next.

I am sure that I'm not the only one upset by the closing of the Adventurers Club & Pleasure Island. There's the thousands of cast members that would use PI as a place to socailize and relax after a shift. I am sure all the people that dumped big money on the 50 year agreement on buying into the Disney Vacation Club, aren't going to be happy that one of the few 'adults only' experiances is being taken away.

I know there is Citiwalk down the block at Universal (which if you take out the Adventurers Club, looks like the superior party location), but if I am staying at Disney there is no bus transportation to get there and it would cost probably around 60 dollars for a round trip cabfare. Sure there is the Atlantic Dance Hall & Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk, which both seem fun and I'm sure business is going to be booming for both of those come October. I have heard nothing but good things about Jellyrolls, which is a dueling piano bar and might stop by on my trip in a week and a half.

I really think that the Adventurer's Club could have some possibilities down the line, I mean it could work as a restaurant for lunch and dinner for families, kids would love interacting with the colonel and the rest of the wild stuff on the walls. Then come 9 o'clock take out the tables and have it be a club again. Sounds good to me, but its just a pipe dream.

I do encourage all the readers of this blog to sign Petition To Save The Adventurers Club. Even though it won't do any good, I will attach my name to it.

Adventurer's Club will be missed and I encourage you all that haven't been to go down and spend an evening in this truly unique establishment, before it gets replaced by something else.

Oh yea, one last thing..........

KUNGALOOSH

Movie Review: Get Smart

Author: Pat McCabe


I really liked this movie. Its based around the old tv show......... which I have never seen. The movie was a lot funnier then I thought it would be. Steve Carrell has this outstanding dry humor that had me laughing the entire film. And of course the other big name in this movie is Dwyane The Rock Johnson, my favorite wrestler of all time and former guest of the A Walk In The Park Podcast, Rock's good in his role, but could have been in the movie a lot more. Anne Hathaway is the female lead, and is hot as shit. The plot is nothing spectacular nor are the action scenes, the humor is what makes the film. The movie also features outstanding small roles from The Great Khali and Azamat from Borat, Azamat is absolutely hilarious.

THUMBS UP

Trip Alert: Wisconsin Dells

Author: Pat McCabe

This weekend I am taking my first trip ever to Wisconsin Dells, actually now that I think about it I have never been to the state of Wisconsin. I am going to be at the Coaster Enthusiast Event at Mt.Olympus on Saturday, definetely looking forward to Hades & the giant wave pool. Not sure what I am going to do the rest of the time I'm there, but from the looks of all the attractions in town I know I won't be bored.

If anyone is gonna be up there this weekend, leave a message in the comments section.

New Blog Out There

Author: Pat McCabe

Well folks theres a new blog out there in the theme park blogosphere, and this one is by my buddy Micheal aka The Rapids Nerd

Be sure to take a visit to his blog here:

http://therapidsblog.blogspot.com/

and welcome to the neighborhood ........ or blogosphere as it may be in this case!!

Off To NY

Author: Pat McCabe

Hey Guys,

After work today I am heading back to NY for a few days. I am planning on hitting up SFGAdv tomorrow and attending what will probalby be the last Yankee Stadium game I ever go to on Saturday.

Back To Blogging Monday!!

Will Hard Rock Park Be The Next Wild West World?

Author: Pat McCabe



So its been over two weeks since the highly antcipated Hard Rock Park had its Grand Opening. And so far the reviews have been well.............. mixed. Check out some of the reviews:

Clint & Will on In The Loop
The Coaster Critic
Coaster Critic Reader
Theme Park Review Gang
TPR Forum User

The reviews, some good, some not as good, but here are some things that are similar in most of the reviews.

- The park is small & doesn't have a whole lot of rides.
- The theming is pretty good & the little details (insulting cow & wild bathrooms) are very well done
- Led Zepplin is shaky for a B&M, especailly a new one. (The engineer in me thinks maybe the extra weight of the sound systems on the train might have thrown off B&M's smoothness algorithm)
- Bohemian Rhapsody is well done.
- Nights in White Satin is very bizarre and very cool
- Everyone who has been there, thinks the park has the possibility of becoming a great park in the future.

The two most glowing reviews came from my good friends Clint/Will and the other from the coaster critic. They all visited the park during the media preview and I am always hesitant to believe reviews from things like that for two reasons. One the park tends to pull out all the stops to impress the media (free admission, free food etc.). Two I think a lot of fansites would be reluctant to post a negative review of a media event for fear they won't be invited back.

But the thing that has me thinking is that according to the reports I have seen online, well, no one has been showing up to HRP. This Report From Saturday June 7th (the first saturday of normal operation) saw Less Than 100 Cars in the parking lot at 1 in the afternoon and This Report From Saturday June 14th (the second saturday of normal operation) saw maybe 150 cars in the lot the whole day. These are what I imagine to be VERY TROUBLING to the people running the park. I mean this would mean theres around 600 people in the park on these SATURDAYS DURING PEAK SEASON, thats less then the hourly capacity of many rides.

So I been racking my brains coming up with reasons no one is showing up, and here is what I came up with:

- The high gas price paranoia sweeping the nation has been keeping a lot of people in there homes.
- People don't know its open.
- People don't know what it is.
- Theme Parks are generally a family atmosphere and the Hard Rock theme doesn't exactly scream family friendly. I can't see too many moms saying to dads "Honey we gotta bring the kids to the new Hard Rock Park, one of the big rides they got a ride that simulates an acid trip."
- There aren't enough rides.
- The parks is priced to high at $50 for a one day ticket.
- Myrtle Beach can't support a large scale theme park.
- Led Zepplin, Moody Blues, Eagles only really appeal to older men.

Those were all I could come up with. I really hope the park is a sucess, because it seems rare that a new park opens up anymore. I really wanna try the Nights in White Satin and Bohemian Rhapsody. I am planning on visiting the park with my In The Loop Partners September 6-7 and I am just hoping that the park is still around.

When thinking about that level of crowd. I can't help but think about the simpsons episode where no one shows up to Euro Itchy & Scratchy Land.

Booth man: Hello? Itchy and Scratchy Land open for business. Who are you to resist it, huh? Come on. My last paycheck bounced. My children need wine.

PTR Indiana Beach

Author: Pat McCabe

Well today I spent the afternoon at Indiana Beach. It was their anniversary weekend so Sunday afternoon all the rides were only 25 cents, quite the deal. I figured this would result in absolutely insane crowds, but it really wasn't anymore then I am used to at IB.

Before wasting anymore time I know you all want to see the Steel Hawg Construction Pictures:










First off, the pictures really don't do this ride justice as in real life it looks a lot taller. Second off, this thing looks ABSOLUTELY INSANE, the first drop on this thing is really gonna be a exhilirating moment and the inversions look really wild. Like everything at IB the layout is really compact. If this ride is smooth it will be a winner. Steel Hawg is really separated from the rest of the park and is back behind some cottages, check it out on this map:


See, odd location. Anyway this is one before my visit today, I wasn't really looking forward to, but seeing it in person now I can't wait until it opens (next month I hope). I was so excited by the structure I even bought a Steel Hawg T Shirt.


Not a bad deal for $12.95, I also picked up this pennant to put in my Amusement Park Themed Bathroom!!!


The non-steel hawg related part of the trip was very enjoyable as most trips to IB are. I rode all my favorites, played some games and ate some park food.


The Lost Coaster Of Superstition Mountain is one of the things I think of as "very indiana beach". Its a true one of a kind ride with the odd 8 person trains and decievingly wild ride thru a faux mountain. This is also a ride a big park would never be able to pull off because of the terrible capacity. Today they were only running one train which would run the circuit about every 5 minutes or so which means:

8 Guests Per Train x 12 Dispatch's An Hour = 96 Riders Per Hour

But I waited about 15 minutes, so no complaints today.


Skyride got a nice coat of paint this year.


As did some waterslides.


The park changed its 3D Ridefilm this year to a new Monster Trucks in 3D one. I am always up for a new simulator, but this one wasn't the best. The pre-show sets up the lame story about 2 friends are going to drive monster trucks to see who was the better driver. The film itself is just footage from in and around monster trucks mostly on a typical 'monster truck style' course. Last year they had the classic Dino Island 2: 3D movie, you know the one "WE GOT TO SAVE TONY". Even though the monster trucks weren't my favorite, I am sure this will be popular with the Indiana Beach clientelle, which is filled with lots of motor sport loving trashy crowd.


Of course no trip to IB is complete without a game of Fascination.


I did pretty good, played 8 games and won 2, both times winning double tickets for hitting the bonus line. Which allowed me to win this sweet Bernie Williams Framed Picture.


Speaking of games, the park got some new industrial looking game sheds this year. One is set up in front of the disgusting carp pound and the other in front of the former Chaos spot.


They don't really seem to fit in with the rest of Indiana Beach's 'random' style of building design.

I don't have a picture of it but I really like the Cornball Express. Thats a impressive wooden coaster for a park of this size.

I also did the House Of Frankenstein for the second time ever.


Its a neat house. Really more of a spooky themed fun house, then something designed to be frightening, but thats fine with my wussy ass so I enjoyed it. I really liked the room with all the doors in it and the Monster Band scene.


I rode the Den of Lost Thieves. I am not a big sally shoot em up dark ride guy, and this one is probably one the biggest reason as i have been on it a million times. Every time i ride it i think less and less effects work.


I shot a 490 today, not bad......... I think. When I was doing some shopping I did come across this T Shirt.


Hmmmn, "Dead Men Tell No Tales" wonder if I heard that at a theme park before.

The longest line in the park all day was this one:


It was for the specail 25 cent anniversary weekend hot dogs, I didn't wait for one.

My day at IB was cut a tad short because of weather, look at these two pictures one from when I arrived and the other from when I left:




Yea, that 'dark cloud of doom' brought with it quite the thunderstorm.

O yea I had to post this picture, Once I got back to my apartment look what I found parked in the lot:


WHAT THE HELL

Anyway, the afternoon outing was a blast and i really enjoyed myself. If you got any questions bout my day just post them in the comments section.

Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda

Author: Pat McCabe


This morning I decided to hop in the car and drive to a movie theater I never been to, because they were showing Kung Fu Panda in IMAX. The theater turned out to be really sweet and the IMAX was massive. It really did make the movie better being able to watch the actions of a Panda 60 feet tall.

The movie itself I enjoyed, but wasn't quite what I was expecting. Going in I figured this would be more of a comedy like Shrek, turns out the movie was more story and less laughs like Ratatouille (no, it wasn't as good). The movie follows the story of Po, a fat Panda voiced by Jack Black. There were actually a lot of celebrities used as voices (Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan) but while watching the film I only noticed Black & the hilarious Seth Rogen (who had a small role). I don't want to say too much about the story, but it is very well done and has a sort of 'Star Wars' feel with people being the roles of master & good/evil. The animation looked surprisingly good on the giant screen, while it wasn't the work of art like the Pixar films, it looked well. Overall I liked the movie and would recommend it for anyone looking to relax for an hour and a half.

THUMBS UP

My Favorite Parks

Author: Pat McCabe

Someone started this thread over on the coastercrew forums and I decided to share my thoughts on the topic with all of you, here's my list:

1.) Disneyland
2.) Magic Kingdom
3.) Disney's Hollywood Studios
4.) EPCOT
5.) Disney's Animal Kingdom
6.) Islands Of Adventure (*could move up if potter is as good as i think its gonna be)
7.) Busch Gardens Africa
8.) Busch Gardens Europe
9.) Cedar Point
10.) Six Flags Great Adventure
11.) Hersheypark
12.) Universal Studios Florida
13.) Six Flags Magic Mountain
14.) Dollywood

Those 14 parks are the ones that I have been to that I really consider my 'upper echelon' of parks. If you read the blog it is very clear that the Disney parks are my favorite. I love them for all the reasons, the food & sit down restaurants, the 100 million dollar attractions, the parades that are far beyond any other park, the immersive theme of the parks and the nightime spectaculars.

Thats not to say I don't love all other parks, the Busch & Universal places are outstanding.

I am actually thinking about hitting Indiana Beach this Sunday for the first time (I will post pics if I do go). I know I am definetely going to SFGAdv this friday for the first and probalby only time this year.

The Beauty of EPCOT

Author: Pat McCabe

When is was at EPCOT last month the International Flower & Garden Festival was going on. This was something going into the weekend I would probably blow off, but one part I really enjoyed and that was the Topairy. They had these everywhere, all over World Showcase and they were spectacular. Check out these pictures:












Which one is your favorite?

Waterslides + Roller Blades = Crazy

Author: Pat McCabe

Ever wanted to see someone Rollerblade down a Tornado Slide??


Check this video out

RIP Kong

Author: Pat McCabe

Well last week part of the Universals Hollywood Backlot Tour Burned to the ground. Probably the biggest thing to be lost in the fire was the King Kong part of the tour. This to me wasn't that big of a deal, cause Kong was big time outdated.

But this does mean the world will never again get to experiance the wonder that was
SANTA KONG..................

IOA Detail

Author: Pat McCabe



I saw this sign on my last trip to Universals Islands of Adventure in the Marvel Superhero Island section. I assumed there had to be some kind of story or comic book connection to the sign, so I decided to post it on the blog to see if anyone knows where this is from, cause I got no idea.

Any Thoughts? Post in the comment section of this post.

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