Archive - Park Journey

Published on

January 15, 2015
Review: Foo Fighters Epic Night at The Forum
So I know what you are asking yourself, why is a "theme park" site writing about a concert? I come here to see pictures of rides, and parks, and dirt and wood. What's the deal?

The deal is, we like lots of different stuff. But honestly, we do a lot of non theme-park stuff, and we don't always write about it. But we're making an exception for this one because it was just that awesome.

Written by Gregg Condon
(Click on any of the images below to see a larger version)

I've been on this planet for 39 1/2 years. In that 39 1/2 years I've been to a lot of amazing concerts. Like A LOT. Rush 12 times. The Rolling Stones. Lolapalooza 1994 (when it was still amazing). Rod Stewart. Elton John. Tool. Paul Simon. Weird Al Yankovic (yes, he puts on an amazing show, you should see him). Primus. Paul McCartney. 2012 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction Concert. Nine Inch Nails. Radiohead. Morrissey. Guns N Roses (the good version). Bon Jovi. Aerosmith. Green Day. Dave Matthews Band. Depeche Mode. Rage Against The Machine. Metallica.

You get the idea.

Out of all of the bands I've seen, I could literally count on one hand my remaining "Bucket List" (active) bands. Those would be the likes of Muse, Peter Gabriel, Pearl Jam, Genesis and Foo Fighters (as far as mainstream bands are concerned. I won't bother you with the bands you've never heard of). The reasons I never got to see any of these bands live are way too involved and unnecessary for this particular article. =)

Even though we were at the "back" of the stage, they played "In The Round" so everybody was at the back at some point.

We got to see all of the special guests come out first

"It's gonna be a long F'ing night". And boy was it.

So when a "surprise" Foo Fighters show was announced last week, with actual reasonable tickets ($65 for all tickets, with ticketbastard fees) we jumped at the chance.

What followed was an epic night of music, special guests and pretty much one of the most epic concerts we've ever seen.

When the band came out, Dave pretty much announced that it was going to be an Epic night, that we shouldn't plan on going home for a LONG time and it would be a night we wouldn't forget. He was right.

Rotating Stage of awesomeness

Who would have ever thought the drummer from Nirvana would turn into one of the best Rock N Roll frontment

When the show started, right off the bat they brought out Paul Stanley from KISS to sing Detroit Rock City and Do You Love Me. As you'll see from the setlist below, they weren't messing around.

Detroit Rock City (KISS) w/ Paul Stanley
Do You Love Me (KISS) w/ Paul Stanley
All My Life
Rope
The Pretender
My Hero
Happy Birthday w/ Jack Black and thousands of people (for Dave's Bday)
Tie Your Mother Down (Queen) w/ Tenacious D and Slash
Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin) w/ Tenacious D and Slash

Happy Birthday Balloons coming down

You can kind of see Jack Black rocking out

Congregation
Walk
School's Out (Alice Cooper) w/ Alice Cooper
I'm Eighteen (Alice Cooper) w/ Alice Cooper
Cold Day In the Sun
Monkey Wrench

Now a cool thing about Monkey Wrench, it contained one of the most awesome crowd participation moments ever. I'm usually not one to take a lot of pictures or videos at shows (most of these were taken by my wife) but I'm glad I got this one. Dave really had the audience in the palm of his hand and it shows here.

Two Headed Dog (Roky Erickson) w/ Nick Oliveri
Learn To Fly
White Limo
Arlandria
N.I.B. (Black Sabbath) w/ Zakk Wylde
Fairies Wear Boots (Black Sabbath) w/ Zakk Wylde

Two Headed Dog

Crowd Participation at it's finest

Times Like These
Outside
Mountain Song (Janes Addiction) w/ Perry Farrell
Miss You (Rolling Stones) w/ Perry Farrell
Something For Nothing
This is a Call
Jam w/ Trombone Shorty

Another note about this Jam, it doesn't even come remotely close to describing how awesome this moment was. If you saw the Sonic Highways Documentary (and if you haven't, why not) then you'll know who this guy is. If not, check out the video below, this guy is amazing.

At this point it was about 11:30pm, they'd already been playing for over 3 hours, and you'd think it was coming to an end. You'd be wrong.

Best Of You
Panama (Van Halen) w/ David Lee Roth
Ain't Talkin' Bout Love (Van Halen) w/ David Lee Roth
Everlong
Let It Rock (Chuck Berry) w/ Lemmy Kilmister, Slash and Zakk Wylde

Best of You!

David Lee Roth. Charisma is still there even if the voice has aged a bit.

The show started at around 8:25 and they played until about 12;15am. And everything about the show was amazing. Sure, some of the special guests didn't sound great (David Lee Roth) but the moments were amazing. Even my wife who doesn't really like KISS or Alice Cooper or even know who Motörhead is was thoroughly entertained. Plus she got to stare at her musical crush for 4 hours.

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Published on

January 13, 2015

Offseason work and Iron Reef Construction at Knott's

First off, if you missed our coverage of the Knott's for the Cure event that was held on Saturday, be sure to check it out by clicking the link above. It's a great event that you should definitely support whether it's via tickets or the great merchandise.

Written by Gregg Condon

We took some time to enjoy the park after the event and the rest of the family needed to get their passes processed. We also had my Mother In-Law with us and it was her first visit to Knott's since 1975, so it was interesting seeing the park through her eyes.

We'll start off with a look at Iron Reef construction.

Lots of work going on both inside and outside the building.

Lots of work going on inside the station

A peek inside, the mural is still there.

Looking forward to seeing the ride take shape over the next few months.

Elsewhere in the park, a few offseason things going on.

The Log Ride is closed now until the end of the month.

Most notably work is being done on the final lift and drop.

The train was closed for some work last week on the crossing near Fiesta Village. Nice quick refurb.

Over on Montezooma's Revenge, a new elevator has been installed.

One of our site contributors will be very happy about this.

We had our first chance to try one of the Boysenberry Latte's on Saturday, wow. So great.

Keep Calm and Ride on Knott's what? This has officially run it's course.

Speaking of things that have run their course. Yes, I know they've had these for awhile.

Coasters is closed for a bit of a refurb.

According to our friends at Westcoaster, word is that the Calico Saloon is going to be closing for a refurb, which makes sense. So we figured we'd take a look inside.

Sadly the upstairs was closed.

Purple train in refurb on Xcelerator.

That's about it for today's Knott's update. Now that we have our passes processed we'll be taking more trips down to the farm this year for updates and such. And as summer approaches, we'll definitely be getting use out of our CF Platinum passes. Can't wait!!

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Published on

January 12, 2015

Knott's kicks off another year of support for Komen OC

This past weekend, Knott's kicked off another year of their Knott's Pink event in support of Komen Orange County.

We were very proud to be invited again to this event this year and to do whatever we can to support this great event and great charity.

The event started off on a cool and damp morning as the rain arrived much earlier than expected.

Beautiful new flower display at the front of the park.

The mine ride will be lit up pink every night of the event. We'll be sure to get a few pictures next time we're at the park.

The event was once again held in the Boardwalk Ballroom.

Snoopy and Sally are all ready for this great event.

As always Knott's puts on a great event with great food.

The room decked out in pink.

Speakers included president of Knott's Raffi Kaprelyan

Some great and inspirational stories were once shared. Always a great and humbling moment.

After the breakfast everybody headed over to Jaguar for a ride.

Hands up for the ride!!

In addition to the Knott's Pink tickets. there are some great shirts and other merchandise and proceeds will go to Komen.

Beautiful pink flowers in Ghost Town

Even pink kids stuff

Virginia's out in the Marketplace also has the merchandise.

That's going to wrap it up for this update. Be sure to check visit https://www.knotts.com/what-s-new/knott-s-for-the-cure to get your pink tickets and read about the entire event.

We'll have a regular Knott's update tomorrow or Wednesday.

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Published on

January 7, 2015

Hogwarts rising at Universal Studios Hollywood

2015 Attractions 2016 Attractions Fast And Furious: Supercharged Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Hogwarts Simpsons Springfield Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World

Can you believe we are about 14-16 months away from Wizarding World being open at Universal Studios Hollywood and only a few months away from Springfield and Fast and Furious? It's ridiculously crazy ... and also ridiculously awesome.
As you'll see below, they are working at Lightning Scar speed to get these attractions open as soon as possible. And yet, Disneyland hasn't announced any E-Tickets to compete with any of this. But expect price increases any day now. =)

* All pictures by CoasterMatt

House of Horrors is no more

What's this I see peeking over yonder?

The new entrance for Shrek ... but really, how much life does this attraction REALLY have left?

Hogsmeade

New "Plaza" type area in front of Animal Actors and Production Central. I'm actually pretty impressed at how much open space they were able to get out of this area.

That's a LOT of open space for Potter World queue switch-backs. =)

Moving over to Springfield, themed elements are starting to show up on the buildings

Nice

Looks great

You can see where Springfield ends on the right, and where Hogsmeade begins on the left. Still interested to see how they are going to pull this one off.

And last but certainly not least, a look at Hogwarts, complete with pointy stuff.

The Skyline of Universal Studios Hollywood is forever changed, at least for the rest of our lifetimes.

That's going to wrap it up for this update, with all the work going on and how quickly it's going, I'd expect we'll have another USH update very soon.

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Published on

January 6, 2015

Twisted Colossus Update #13

2015 Attractions Colossus Six Flags Six Flags Magic Mountain Twisted Colossus

Happy New Year and welcome to our first Twisted Colossus update of 2015. There has been a LOT of work going on at the site over the past couple of weeks, not so much of things being built, but more things being torn down.

We'll also bring you the first edition of "Challenge Accepted" Journey. Because really, how many pictures of dirt and track do you need to see? And how many do we really need to take?

The Holidays are over, Holiday in the Park is over so now the focus shifts squarely to Twisted Colossus, the ScreamPunk District and everything that goes along with that including Scream(ing) for Sandwiches (see what I did there?).

As seen from the lot, a lot of the Colossus structure has been removed. I know this is disconcerting to a lot of people because it's not as big, but bigger isn't always better (see Phoenix at Knoebels).

Green Track ready to go somewhere. They were working in this area with the crane as I was leaving later in the day.

Colossus ... you have been chopped.

You can pretty much see all the way into the station from the parking lot now.

More work being done on the first turn around, looks like track could be ready to go up at any time.

They were also digging a hole ... like a VERY big hole. I don't recall this from the artwork or the animated POV. We'll keep an eye on it.

Sorry for the sun flare, it was bright. But basically the hole is deep enough where you can't even see the tractor that is digging it.

Signature Shot

Crane is ready to move some track

Inside the park ... a wall. I'd assume some kind of artwork will show up here shortly like they did for Lex Luthor and Full Throttle. Hopefully we'll get another hard hat tour once there is some work done. (hint hint)

"Fire Hydrant" Journey

Earlier today on our Facebook and Twitter pages we posted a question asking what else, other than coasters, people would want to see in our updates. We figured we'd see things like "Gardens" or "Games" or "Ride signs". But the first one we got was from Jim at Westcoaster, and being Jim it was a request for Fire Hydrants. Every Fire Hydrant in the park. So Challenge thrown out, and challenge accepted.

We'll be doing more of these in the future, because we got some really great suggestions, and why not have some fun with these updates and let you guys decide what they are about.

So if you have more suggestions, please share them with us, we'll certainly be up at the park enough to get through all of them. =)

So without further ado ... The Fire Hydrants of Six Flags Magic Mountain. If you can guess where they all are, you'll win absolutely nothing.

88 lines about 44 hydrants ... (well, 44 lines about 22 hydrants)

This is Priscilla. Note to readers ... don't go to Urban Dictionary for your definition of P.I.V.. Seriously, you'll have to clear your internet history.

This is Floyd, the most popular hydrant in the park. You should be jealous. He gets a lot of action. Just not from Priscilla.

Howard just laughs at the dude with glue in his hair. What does Got 2b Glude even mean?

Chelsea is camera shy and totally tried to run away when I was taking her picture. No TMZ update for you.

Drew is just waiting ... waiting and waiting. Smokey the Bear isn't amused at the reason Drew is waiting.

Ally is hiding in the bushes ... never trust Ally

Bruce is just lonely because Bruce used to have his own action show.

Clark is in disguise.

Nigel thinks he's a ninja. Nigel the Ninja. Who comes up with this crap?

Harry likes to disappear. Seriously, I walked by this one twice.

Franz is happy because he lives by the best ride ever.

Alex likes to eat healthy, but he can never seem to find it open.

Edward lost his marbles, and whatever covering goes there.

JB, which stands for Jemmifer (yes, Jemmifer) Bumblebee. You can usually find her down at the abandoned sports bar on the Old Road (if you know what I mean).

Mary is just hanging out, trying to catch a wave.

Jay can get your fire out in a flash ...

Diana just had some work done and likes to remind everybody. For some reason they can't seem to find her.

The Dude. He Abides. But can't find his rug. It really tied the planter together.

Walter is just waiting for his ride to reopen. Dude, seriously. What's up with that ride?

Vanessa warned me to stay away. Apparently there were zombies here not too long ago.

JONES!!!! (You know what I mean)

And last but not least, James. James is the life of the party, standing in the dance circle, never able to get out. Must be all the beer flavored Jelly Belly's.

Alright, that's gonna wrap it up for this little update. We hope you enjoyed our little bit of silliness to go along with another update. We promise we'll get a little more clever the next time around. We've already got some ideas for some of the suggestions we've had.

We should have another update soon.

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Published on

January 5, 2015

Why Six Flags Over Georgia is better than your home park (RD Sussman)

EDITORIAL

That means this is the opinion of one person, not a trip report or news article. Please keep that in mind as you are reading.

appy New Year. RD is back today with another great article, this time about his "Home" park Six Flags Over Georgia.

If you've been to this great park then you know that it's really one of the crown jewels in the Six Flags chain with a great mix of rides, scenery and fun for everybody. So it's hard to argue RD's points below. But I'm sure some of you will try. - Gregg

* Click on any of the photos below to see a full size version

Written by RD Sussman

As many people know, I'm a long-distance from my home parks. As I'm a jet-commuter (yes, it is a term!) from Phoenix, I can consider my two home parks to be 'distant' from where I am; the first is Disneyland - an hour flight from here, and the other is Six Flags Over Georgia (SFoG). Why? Simply put: SFoG schools every other SF park in the chain. It is simply that good.

Six Flags Over Georgia entrance

One of the great SFoG employees

So what makes SFoG so much better than every other SF park? It isn't one thing or another - but rather a combination of things that go beyond the standard SF operations. It is a park that has stayed ahead of the game for attractions, while not forgetting about their classics. It is a park which remains loyal to what Angus Wynne created 50 plus years ago, while keeping up with the times. And it is a park that I've yet to have a bad day in over the past 15 years.

Mindbender

German perfection

Now that isn't to say that SFoG hasn't had its bad times: It has - and in spades. The 1990s were a rough time for the park, with Time Warner's control of the SF chain being obtrusive to the point where the park's ownership sued Time Warner. [Side note: SFoG isn't owned by Six Flags, inc - it is owned by a trust of people including the Wynne family, private banks & investors - and less than 20% of the voting holdings are Six Flags. It is the only park in the chain which has this ownership basis, and the Wynne family retains control over it.] Found guilty in 1996, Time Warner finally relented & provided improvements to the park under their duties as the park's oversight.

Great family rides

Sky Ride

But I digress. During this period of turmoil, operations were not at their prime. SFoG was notorious for line jumping & well-known in park fights, guest service did the best that they could, but the park was a black eye. Even the worst of the SF parks surpassed how SFoG was viewed, and many people thought the park was not worth saving.

The 2000s were the turning point. Melinda Ashcraft took the helm, and worked magic across the board. Her guidance & leadership of the staff was astounding, and the park began to rise to the top. Training was emphasized. Clean was in. Operations improved, and the park hit its stride. Over the decade, the park recreated itself internally, with older attractions not scrapped, but rather lovingly restored & improved.

So what is it that really sets SFoG apart?

Dare Devil Dive

Dare Devil Dive

Let's look at the mix of rides in the park: Every single demograpic has an attraction that they can ride - from one of the earliest Mine Trains, all the way up to a rare US installation of a Gerstlauer Eurofighter. Coasters that stand out include the notable Goliath Hypercoaster, which winds around the front area of the park, to the standing coaster Georgia Scorcher. And just about everything in between (yes, even the rather painful Ninja...)

Swings!!!

Acrophobia

Flat rides range from the simple (A wave swinger) to the latest (A StarFlyer known as Sky Screamer). And the park's classic Log Jamboree is a wonderful log flume that when weighted correclty can drench people (Sorry about that Shawn.... hehehhehehee). Add in a two-stop in park train, a Sky Ride and plenty of slower family attractions, and you get a park that is nearly perfectly balanced.

Sky Screamer

Mine Ride

SFoG has not lost sight of their older coasters either. Great American Scream Machine is one of the most beautiful & photogenic coasters, and runs wonderfully at 42 plus years of age. MindBender, the park's terrain build Schwarzkopf coaster stands out as one of the best rides on the planet. Monster Plantation shows that Disney does not have a monopoly on the ability to do a great ride-through attraction, and still retains a charm & class that very few parks in the world have in their attractions.

Monster Mansion

GASM!!!

SFoG hasn't left the park to rot. Buildings are kept in excellent condition, painted & cleaned. Trees cover the park, providing plenty of shade for those notorious Georgia summer days. There are benches everywhere, particularly in the shaded areas, which allow those of us who like to rest some good space to people watch. And the park is immaculate.

Over the past few visits - at different times during the year no less - the park has been clean & well kept. Trash is almost non-existant, something I've had a hard time finding outside a Disney park. For the most part, the facilities are kept clean, including an area I tend to look at more closely - the restrooms. Dining establishments are continually checked for trays, trash & refuse, with garbage cans emptied regularly. This to me is an important thing all around, as nothing is more disgusting than an overflowing trash bin in a dining area.

What has impressed me most of all are the people: While every park has its fair share of 'I'm here because it is a job' types, and SFoG is no exception to this, SFoG's staff tend to be much friendlier than I've encountered at many other parks. Staff are more apt to go out of their way to help. And I saw more smiling staff there than any other park I've been to in the Six Flags chain. People were having FUN with their jobs. And they showed it.

Now the food follows the typical Six Flags model - I'll digress from that aspect except for one thing: At several private events I've attended, the fried fruit pies are NOT to be missed. They are astounding. Incredible. AND WONDERFUL!

SFoG has not forgotten what a theme park should be. You don't find an uber-attraction standing out like a sore thumb as you find in other parks. The rides all seem organic, and fit to where they belong; even mighty Goliath (Which sits in the very middle of the park) looks like it belongs there - and has for years. Attractions are spread out, and use the terrain were possible. They look as if the ground grew a mine train, or a looping coaster, or a log flume. Buildings are not obtrusive, but fit into the areas appropriately, blended into the scenery & the areas nicely. And there are signs. Lost? Follow the arrow. It is easier to negotiate SFoG than most every other park in the USA.

So while other parks are busting their seams with the biggest rides, SFoG keeps doing what they do best: A good park with a great feel & out shining everybody else. When I think of my next visit to a Six Flags park, I can assure you that I'm headed to Atlanta - and headed to the best Six Flags park in the country.

Editors Note:
It should be noted that Six Flags Over Georgia's new "coaster" for 2015 is The Joker: Chaos Coaster coming in Spring 2015. Our feelings about this being a coaster aside, we are taking a wait and see approach with how these rides will fit into their respective parks.

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