Tomkatt7

Like I said, he was being a jerk, but its still just a joke. He wasn't trying to scam the other site out of money or trying to scam people out of money. He could've made his point in a nice way, but he made the parody site. Jerk move, but still... it was a joke. Wow. Comparing apples to oranges much? That example is a little extreme and unnecessary. By what you're saying, Kat's website is the equivalent of a mentally challenged individual? He made fun of a good cause, he didn't make fun of mental disabilities. Wow. Agree, he could've made a valid point in a respectful manner. Wow....regardless of Robb being a jerk...this comment is just as bad as any parody site he may have made. Am I saying her site is the equivalent of a mentally challenged individual? Or am I saying that just like what he is doing, it is wrong to laugh at a retarded kid? I know in my heart it is wrong to laugh at certain things. You obviously do not. Something will happen in your life someday that devastates you, and someone will say something inappropriate about it. You will understand then. Hopefully when it does, one of your "friends" won't stand by and say, "yeah, that was wrong, but it was pretty funny"

I would like to offer another angle, as well. If you want to make a "parody" site, or poke fun at something, then take on someone your own size. This would be funny if he were making fun of Bill Gates or something, but there are real struggles, and real people involved here. I think everyone has had something they love taken from them. In this situation a person is trying to save it, with no help, no money, and so far, not much luck. It must be a struggle everyday to just keep fighting for the cause. I find it sad that people are defending the other site as it "is only a joke". You need to rethink this. I could go out and follow a retarded kid all day. Mimic his movements. Laugh at the way he talks. Make a website that trashes how his mom tries to take care of him. Would you laugh at my site? It's just a joke. It doesn't matter if he having fun or not. It is a matter of class, or an extreme lack of. There is an appropriate time to laugh and make fun, and a time not too. This guy is just a horrible human being. I don't care how much money he has, what site he runs, how many friends he has......If he were laying on the street dieing, I would not waste my time to stop and spit on him. Maybe that makes me sound like a horrible person too, but oh well. I would like to see Kat's effort succeed, just to put it in this guys face. Sadly, it may not. He won't lose any sleep over what he's done though, he is too consumed with own awesomeness to notice how much pain he caused. Oh well. I could ramble all night about this issue. But I will just leave it at this: The joke is not funny. A joke is not a joke if it hurts someone. I hope Karma kicks this guys teeth out!

I like to sit in the middle of the train. I think that gives the most "balance" to the rider as far as ejector, vs. floater air. The only time I wait extra time for the front seat is on Flight Deck. It's a much more fun ride from the front when you can't see the track. It really gives the impression of flying.

When I was 9 or so, I was dared to ride Double Loop by a friend. I did because backing out of a dare is worse than being scared at that age! My first pleasurable ride was when I conquered my fear at age 13. The Racer cured me, buzz bar and all! LOL

Really ridiculous if it came from a Nascar fan. Dale Earnhardt was best known for his performances at Daytona and Talladega. For those of you who don't know, those tracks use what are called "restrictor plates" They limit the amount of air going in to the carburetor, reducing the power, and slowing the cars down. Basically they are putting trims on the cars, and he won more of those races than anyone in his era. Just sayin'

Looking at the routes you can take, you will either go through Dayton, or Columbus. I don't know anything about Dayton. I live in Columbus. If you come this way, you can take (from Sandusky) St Rt 4, to St Rt 95, to St Rt 23, to I-270, to I-71. This would keep you out of the city. If you go across to Toledo, and then down I-75 it may be an easier drive, but longer in distance. That route takes you through Dayton though. I have no idea about congestion, construction, or anything else there.

I went to the park this past Monday. Even with huge school trips the same day, the park was dead! Every ride was a walk on that I rode. The only stuff that I could see with any type of line were the consession stands. The blue ice cream place was HAMMERED when we were there. The only downfall to the park being empty, and this is only aguess, there may have been other reasons was the fact that the side walk stuff was closed. No lemonaide stands working, the dippin dot guys must have been out hunting up new "unknown to everyone else facts" or something beacuse they were nowhere to be found. A lot of the small shops stayed closed. Was this because the park was empty? Or beacuse it's still early in the season? I don't know. Also, one side of Racer is all that was running. I would have liked to have ridden both sides, but considering I was able to walk straight in the station and get the front car of the train sitting there, I can understand only running one side. A lot of the photo booths were closed too. the ones that come to mind are Beast, Boo Blasters, and FoF. Our Keyhole photo took a long time to get too. Maybe these are just early seson glitches that haven't been ironed out yet. Anyways, back to the point. Any day through the week before it gets late in the year should be good. Keep the hours in mind though. We were able to walk on to the rides, but the park closed at 8. We still got multiple rides on everything, and were whooped when we left, but not getting a night ride made me feel a bit let down on the way home.

Too true. The park has smoking sections right now because legally they are allowed to and they choose to accommodate all of their guests. Things may not stay that way. They may. Who knows? I will offer another little gem of knowledge to the non smokers. Almost all smokers would like to quit. It isn't easy. I have tried several times and failed. I will make it eventually, just not yet. Encouraging a smoker to quit is not necessary, complaining about smokers has a negative effect. I have never known of a smoker putting out a cigarette because people were being nasty, and self righteous. If anything it causes more smoking. If someone came in to a smoking area and was complaining about the smoke, it would only cause me to wander a little nit out of the area, and smoke a little more. They have signs, but not a positively marked boundary. I can always say that if i can see the designated smoking area sign, then I am in the area. You can't prove that wrong. Give the smoking thing a rest. Non-smokers don't like it. We get it. Leave us alone, and we'll leave you alone.

My family and I got to spend the day in the park today too. It was the most empty that I have ever seen! The field trips didn't start rolling in until about 11:30 or 12. Until then, EVERY ride was a walk on, and many still were after that! What a great day to ride. We walked straight on to FoF, The Beast, and went to try our luck on DB, but it was down early on. We were scared that our luck had ran out. Alas it got going quickly. I rode it 4 times today, and if I waited a total of 5 minutes total in line for it, I'd be surprised! I was worried I was gonna have a heat stroke, but that was the only draw back. Lot's of ice water, and I got through just fine.

I'll give you a little insight from the view of a smoker. I am happy to have all the areas. Nothing would suck more than to be in an area, and have to walk a long way to get to a smoking section. As long as they have smoking areas I will use them. Yes, I know, some people don't. I can't control those people, and for blanket statements to be made that "Smokers don't pay attention to the areas, and smoke wherever they want" is not fair. I do think though, that if the park was ever changed to a non smoking park, the problem would be worse. If I am going to spend an entire day in the park, I will smoke, end of story. I will just be doing it anywhere I can get away with it. I won't be worried about being thrown out, because #1, like The Interpreter already said, I'll just take my money somewhere else. They don't want that. #2, The park can't control line jumping, vandalism, and crude language that is done right in front of them, how are they going to enforce smoking? Having said all that, I have kids too. I think there should be NO smoking areas in the kids area at all, and I would limit it to one very closely monitored area in Boomerang Bay where so many people are running around barefoot.

Looks like we are going to make our first trip this year on Monday. It's the first weekday that the park is open. What do you guys think? Crowded, or not? Any chance on seeing anyone else there?

Wasn't the collapse during construction due to storm? I can't remember for sure, but if it was, I don't think you could fault a poor design if it was. All wooden structures are "weak" or "wobbly" until the entire thing is built, and supports are added.

Nice to hear you had a good time. I have one question though. Reading that you rode Adventure Express, Flight of Fear, and Firehawk, I am wondering why you didn't get a lap on The Racer? It's a great coaster, and it seems like you were all around it. It didn't catch your eye? Or did it not look good to you?

Oldiesmann- The Columbus Zoo is Awesome! and it seems to get better every year. Like I was talking about with WSYXguy, the new bear exhibit set to open in May is supposed to be a state of the art facility that could change the way we get to see the animals. Check out the zoo if you can, it is a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Alluna- I don't know enough about the animals individually to tell one from the other, but I can tell you that there was one gorilla that was constantly barfing in his hand and eating it. He was sitting right beside the booger picker, By that, I mean the gorilla pictured, not my 5 year old!!! LOL

Well, the first half of Africa is in the African Forest, back along the river. This portion has the jaguars, drills, bonobos (one of only a few zoos in the counrty to have them), drills, and Gorillas. In 2012, the zoo is supposed to open an African Savannah exhibit, which will hold lions, african elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and other savannah animals. This exhibit (which is rumored to be around 70 acres!) will go on currently empty land purchased from a church a few years ago. The zoo is also planning a "Madagascar" Biome on another seperate expansion pad inbetween Asia Quest and North America. Once the Savannah is complete, you'll have a zoo made up completely of "Biomes": North America, Asia, African Forest, African Savannah, The Islands Of SE Asia, Australia, and the Shores. The penguins, alligators, discovery reef, manatees, and reptiles make up the "Shores" region of the zoo. A sea lion pool has long been rumored for this area as well, in the large grassy field that sits infront of the Discovery Reef and Manatee Coast. This area was formerly taken up by the Johnson Aquatic Complex until it was demolished in the early 2000s. I should note that arranging the animal collection into "Biomes" is different than standard geographical classification, as a Biome is grouped by climate conditions. Even though all the animals in the Shores region aren't necessarily from the same geographical area, they share climate characteristics. Thanks for the response. It all makes sense once it is explained. I really like the biomes idea. I think I like the savanah idea as much as any of them. To see all those giants roaming 70 acres will be special. I have only seen the Rhino in his cage inside ever sense the big "rocky" display went away. We have talked everyday sense our trip about going back in May to see the new bear exhibit, and the baby manatees. I think the zoo should get used to seeing us! The 109 dollar family pass seems like a great investment.

I do not remember the near escape.I take it that happened awhile back. Reason being that Jungle Jack was there, and the fact that no one sued the zoo for "mental trauma" LOL If I had one complaint about the zoo, it would be the scattered set up. It looks like they are trying to set the exhibits up by continent, which would be really cool if they do that completely. I may just not be giving them enough time but the Australia and the Islands was put in awhile ago, last year the Asia building, and now the new bear exhibit is going in to North America. Where is Africa, and South America? Why are the penguins between alligators, which should be in North America, and the reptile house? With the current location of the Gorilla exhibit, and the Pachyderm building, they are going to have trouble trying to put the Africa animals together. I want my giraffes and zebras back too!!! LOL

But really, did anyone think he would actually say, "Oh yeah, Intimidator is loads better than Diamondback"!!!! LOL I'm not saying he thinks that, but even if he did, we'd never know

No. I don't think they open that area up until around Memorial Day

They may be a bit behind schedule. They told us it would be open around the end of May. Yes, the old bear cages were bad. I always thought of it as dig big hole, and throw a bear in it!

We are excited too. I remember when the Columbus Zoo had polar bears! We used to be able to feed them too!

We live in Columbus, but we do not seem to take advantage of how close we are to the zoo. It is ranked high every year for best zoo, and we really have a great time every time we visit. We decided to grab the new camera, and take a quick unplanned trip. Sometimes those seem to be the best ones. We started off out trip through Asia, because the little one wanted to see the tigers. Before we could see the animals outside, we had to walk through the building. In there were Flying Foxes, Fluffy the huge reticulating python, and across the path were the rhino, and elephants. Momma had a baby last year, and they still stick close together! We headed on over after that to the lion enclosure. One of the females was standing with her nose right up against the fence. The zoo keeper told us that she can see the tiger from there, and they like to "flirt" with each other. In the enclosure was a couple of females, 3 cubs, and a male lion. They were just laying around, soaking up the sun. Around the back of the pond, and under the tunnel we went. When you come out of the tunnel, the flamingo's are right in front of you, with the alligators next door to them. After that, we went to what I feel is one of the best parts of the zoo. Discovery Reef, and the Manatee recovery center. The reef is a huge floor to ceiling aquarium, and living reef. Manatee Bay receives injured Manatees from Florida. Puts them on display until they recover enough to be released back to the wild. They have 4 new babies now, but they aren't on display yet. 3 of them have frostbite from the harsh winter, and one has boat prop injuries. When we came out of Manatee Bay, we headed across the path to the Reptile house. Not many pictures there, they don't seem to turn out too well with the low light, and glass fronts to the cages We wanted to head back to the Australia area, and the gorilla's, but first, we couldn't get the little one past the carousel without at least one ride. It is a really nice ride. Made in 1914, they restored it, and put it indoors to keep it out of the weather. It looks nice except for the many runs and drips on the polyurethane coating covering the horses. Now we get to go visit Australia and the islands. Back here we saw the kangaroos, the Bird Avery, and the leopard. After this, we went back to see the gorillias. They really are a reflection of humans. One was constantly piccking his noew and eating his boogers, and one was chewing grass, then spitting it back in to his hand, and then eating it again. There was a very strange looking animal on our way back towards the front of the zoo. It was called an Okapi. It had a head like a giraffe, a butt like a zebra, and the body like a horse. Very strange. The sign said it is the only known relative to the giraffe, the stripes function as a guide for the young ones to follow them, and the kids at the zoo really seemed to love these things. One last enclosure on this side of the zoo, and then we headed back up front, and in to the North America area. Once in North America, we got to see animals we were a little more familiar with. A Trumpeter Swan, and a Mexican Wolf. Bison, and some Prairie Dogs The Grizzly Bear The big American cat goes by three different names, Cougar, Puma, or Mountain Lion. No matter what you call it, just don't come across on in the woods! The cute little Lynx. We finished up our trip with some really good shots of the Bald Eagle. The Columbus Zoo released 18 Bald Eagles back to the wild between 1980 and 2001. Overall a really good trip. It was a little chilly, but the sunshine felt good. the animals were pretty active, and that made for a good viewing experience. I wish we could have seen the baby manatees, and the keepers we talked to said the new Polar Bears are on site, but the exhibit isn't complete yet, so they aren't on display yet. This means we will have to return for another visit. I guess that's not a bad thing.

I'd put Express at about a 3, and Drop Tower around a 523!!!! LOL

Awesome! Now CF has to pay 6.5 million to not sell the park? I wish I had a better mind for business.

I know that the Terp has his sources, I was just head scratching for a minute. I have mentioned in the past that the change was all about money, but then I was told not necessarily. My personal opinion, LOL, Is that with Viacom opening their parks in the big mall, and in Louisiana, I think, that they wanted to have a proprietary park. A small scale Disney of sorts. The best way to do that? Jack up the existing parks using the license to where they would be crazy to re new it. My point is, with all the information that is ultimately leaked, why hasn't the license amount came out yet. Maybe I am speaking for just myself here but, I would be a lot more apt to embrace the changes at the park if management came out said what the price to renew Nick was going to be. Now, before you say it's not my business, and they don't have to reveal that info, I will reply by saying that pro athletes salaries are released even though they may not be necessary for me to know, it helps me understand why when two different players have equal numbers, one gets cut, the other does not. I hope I am making my point clearly, I have a tendency to ramble, and no, I was not just poking The Interpreter with a stick!

Wow, was not aware No disrespect intended, but if anyone else threw this statement out there, we would get jumped right away. "Cite, your source"! "Don't state opinion as fact". Now, maybe you do know the number, I have no idea. To just throw out a bland idea like that has no credibility. What is a breath taking number? 10 million a year for 10 years? 100 million? I am one of the people that was/is very disappointed to see Nick U leave. The argument about why it is being replaced is always blamed on money. I have done it myself. I would just hope that if money is really the reason, that someone would say, "Yeah, we switched to Snoopy because Nick wanted 20 million dollars a year to renew, and we got Snoopy for 1 million, saving enough money to completely retheme the area, and still save money".