Theme parks and coasters

#26
#26
MSME Vol said:
Been multiple times in the past several years. The number of days you want depends largely on how big of a Harry Potter fan you are. I could easily spend a bulk of each day in each of the Harry Potter sections. The areas, especially diagon alley, are the most immersive things ever built.

Lots of old classics in the parks have been replaced at this point. At this point only ET remains from my childhood. The replacements vary from ok to terrible IMO. Except for the mummy, that ride is worthy of replacing the original King Kong.

I could see spending a day each in islands and universal for the attractions outside of Harry Potter stuff. Bring quick dry clothes for your islands day. Dudley, Popeye, and Jurassic Park can all drench you.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, the park hopper is a must. It's the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express. Be sure to ride it both ways as the experience is different on each.

Finally I could be wrong, but I'm near positive Florida resident tickets look different and require a photo ID to prove you live there. So if you go that route, consider asking a college freshman where to buy a good fake ID.
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We used to buy tickets for our out of state family and get resident deals some way or another, but that was a long time ago, I'm sure you're right and they have closed whatever loopholes we used. Making it be where you have to have the park hopper option just to ride the Hogwarts Express has to be making them tons of money. There is really no other good reason to spend that much money just to get a park hopper.

I disagree though about one thing, you cannot experience all the attractions and rides in each park in one day if you go anytime during the summer. If you're gonna do it, might as well get a 5 day and do it all if your travelling in from out of state.

We used to go in early May after all the Spring breaks were over, and it was like having the place all to yourself. It was surreal after being there when it was packed.
 
#28
#28
kev20 said:
Back in the day, nothing used to beat matching up with your friends on opposite sides of the platform so you could slap hands as the two trains came side-by-side on the Gemini. Also, sitting in the rear car of the Blue Streak and unbuckling so you could catch some air. Holding a quarter on your knee on the Demon Drop so it would float in front of your face as you dropped. Wildcat was a classic that never got old. Corkscrew would always give me a headache from my head banging back and forth on the restraints. Remember the Iron Dragon? LOL! So many memories from my youth there.
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Iron dragon is still there and corkscrew is still bumpy!!!!
 
#31
#31
NEOCON said:
It’s decent.
Has a few good coasters but nothing amazing.
Park feels small and winding.
They have a nice area for kids too small to ride coasters.

I would go to Holiday world though over Dollywood.

Very clean park. Same amount of coasters. Really cool indoor shooter ride with turkeys and sun tan lotion and Pepsi is free. Water park is also included.
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You’re stuck in Indiana though.
 
#32
#32
Ulysees E. McGill said:
We used to buy tickets for our out of state family and get resident deals some way or another, but that was a long time ago, I'm sure you're right and they have closed whatever loopholes we used. Making it be where you have to have the park hopper option just to ride the Hogwarts Express has to be making them tons of money. There is really no other good reason to spend that much money just to get a park hopper.

I disagree though about one thing, you cannot experience all the attractions and rides in each park in one day if you go anytime during the summer. If you're gonna do it, might as well get a 5 day and do it all if your travelling in from out of state.

We used to go in early May after all the Spring breaks were over, and it was like having the place all to yourself. It was surreal after being there when it was packed.
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It really depends what part of Summer you go in. If you're talking about around the 4th, then you're absolutely correct. If you're taking about the rest, especially early September, then it isn't too bad. There has been a trend for about 3-4 years now where summer months at Disney aren't the "busy" season anymore. (Universal crowds usually follow suit to Disney). There are a variety of reasons such as restructuring of school calendars and The economy of Brazil. Read more about it here.

Summer Isn't Peak Season at Disney World Anymore - Disney Tourist Blog
 
#33
#33
Me and my family are universal passholders, go multiple times a year and love it. We always stay at the hard rock resort. Unlimited express included, plus its so convenient to the parks and city walk. Literally a 5 minute walk tops. Diagon alley is our favorite right now, but the new potter coaster is going to be fantastic. Multiple launches, a drop track, backwards sections. I can't wait!
 
#34
#34
Also for reference, I was there in mid June 2017 for a Thursday and Friday and rode every major ride I cared to in 2 days. The wife and I skipped most of Seuss land and things like the Barney show, but by and large with one extra day we could have done every attraction. That was after we did all things Harry Potter 3 times each lol
 
#35
#35
Berry4Heisman14 said:
Iron dragon is still there and corkscrew is still bumpy!!!!
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Holy crap! Really? I swore they took that thing out years ago. It's almost as big a joke as the Mine Ride used to be. Or Avalanche Run (Disaster Transport).
 
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#36
#36
MSME Vol said:
Also for reference, I was there in mid June 2017 for a Thursday and Friday and rode every major ride I cared to in 2 days. The wife and I skipped most of Seuss land and things like the Barney show, but by and large with one extra day we could have done every attraction. That was after we did all things Harry Potter 3 times each lol
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It has been awhile since we have been to Diz or US so I'm sure you are right. We went a lot in the 2000s when we lived in Florida. We literally never went to either park from mid may to october because of the weather and crowds. We had season tickets to Busch Gardens and Sea World so it wasn't a big deal if we got rained out.
 
#39
#39
Ulysees E. McGill said:
I do love the Hulk also,but I would love it more if it was longer. That is another reason why I love Montu so much, it gives you a lot longer ride..but they are both awesome, both are just complete classic beautiful rides.

I hope to do a three day excursion to Universal soon. I really want to go to HP world, everyone tells me it is amazing, and even better since the expansion.
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Stay at a Universal resort and you get to enter the park an hour early and unlimited express passes.......HP World fills up fast after the gates open for everyone.......and YES, it is amazing!!
 
#40
#40
I see people talking FL Resident tickets.....be aware that ALL adults have to prove FL residence to be able to buy the discounted ticks.....they use finger print tech each time you enter......they have pretty much figured out all the ways to get around the "cheating" on the tickets.......

Manta, @ Seaworld is actually my fav coaster......I love lying basically flat to ride......
 

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#41
#41
NEOCON said:
I am a huge fan of coasters and theme parks.

Just wanted everyone’s opinions on parks around the country and rides they loved or loved that are gone.

My favorite park is Cedar Point.
My favorite ride was the Mantis front row.
My second favorite is The raptor.

I always wanted to visit Kennywood.

I am headed to universal Orlando next year so would love advice on that park etc.
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If you are looking for some good universal info, check out orlando informer. Lots of good stuff on that site. My advice is stay onsite, one of the three deluxe hotels if money is no issue. The water taxis and walking paths give you so much flexibility as far as coming and going, and the unlimited express you get makes the trip so much more relaxing.
Great pool areas too to come back and chill at.
 
#42
#42
Have you guys ever ridden Blazing Fury? It really builds the suspense with fire everywhere and scenes of domestic violence. Then at the end it gets dark and there’s this drop that has to be at least 8 feet. Warning: you will probably pee you pants. Do not recommend for anyone under 21 or people with heart conditions.
 
#43
#43
DancingOutlaw said:
Have you guys ever ridden Blazing Fury? It really builds the suspense with fire everywhere and scenes of domestic violence. Then at the end it gets dark and there’s this drop that has to be at least 8 feet. Warning: you will probably pee you pants. Do not recommend for anyone under 21 or people with heart conditions.
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Do they still have the blazing fury?
 
#44
#44
DancingOutlaw said:
Have you guys ever ridden Blazing Fury? It really builds the suspense with fire everywhere and scenes of domestic violence. Then at the end it gets dark and there’s this drop that has to be at least 8 feet. Warning: you will probably pee you pants. Do not recommend for anyone under 21 or people with heart conditions.
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As a little kid, I was tricked into riding the underground train by an uncle. Still won't let him forget it, scared the ish out of me.
 
#46
#46
DancingOutlaw said:
Have you guys ever ridden Blazing Fury? It really builds the suspense with fire everywhere and scenes of domestic violence. Then at the end it gets dark and there’s this drop that has to be at least 8 feet. Warning: you will probably pee you pants. Do not recommend for anyone under 21 or people with heart conditions.
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Lol! Domestic violence is quite a stretch. The last drop used to have a water pool and air jets would splash the water onto the train and riders. It was later removed allegedly because the water was causing problems with the cars.

joevol33 said:
Do they still have the blazing fury?
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Yes, it's actually a Silver Dollar City original.
 
#47
#47
T-TownVol said:
I see people talking FL Resident tickets.....be aware that ALL adults have to prove FL residence to be able to buy the discounted ticks.....they use finger print tech each time you enter......they have pretty much figured out all the ways to get around the "cheating" on the tickets.......

Manta, @ Seaworld is actually my fav coaster......I love lying basically flat to ride......
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Manta is a slick ride for real, the best flyer I've ridden by far for sure.
 
#48
#48
hog88 said:
It's long gone but I loved the Shooting Star coaster at Lakeside in Salem, VA.
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Man, I never run across anybody who’s been there. I think I could still draw you a map of that place, including the locations of a few trash cans I threw up in. It was just a great little park, all the classic rides, great wooden coaster (as you mentioned), and I really miss the big ol’ humpity slide on those scratchy mats. I think the only small local park I’ve been to that gets close to its old school mojo is Lake Winnie south of Chattanooga, but it isn’t anywhere close to Lakeside in my reckoning, biased tho it may be.

Another thing about Lakeside, seemed like so many notable country artists showed up there in the 70s. I remember when I was little I liked Conway Twitty’s tour buses because they had Tweety Bird on them (the Twitty Birds). And in the mid 70s my sister got away from my dad there and took off running, and as she ran past a radio booth Hank Jr was coming out, saw her and scooped her up and handed her back to Dad. Dad actually wasn’t too pleased about it because he hated Hank but we all thought it was cool.

Anway, thanks for the mention! Great memories.
 
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