Gordon Bombay

Yesterday with the start of my spring break I had the opportunity to go with Dane to the Cincinnati Zoo. Admission to the zoo is not bad at all, especially if you're a senior... ...shouldn't you be 62 or older? I guess you get better with age... Dane and I each purchased the admission deal of one general admission ticket combined with one ticket to see a movie in their 4d theatre at 1 P.M. We had the choice of Spongebob 4d (the same film at Kings Island combined with 4d effects (It should also be noted that this movie is also playing at Newport Aquarium)) or the BBC's "Planet Earth." We opted for "Planet Earth" We started the day off by viewing some of the wildlife on display at the zoo: -Elk type thing. -Baby Elk type thing. -These things were dubbed the "chicken nugget monsters." -The Cincinnati Zoo is well known for its highly successful and highly regarded Sumatran Rhino breeding program. -It had been years since I had been to the Cincinnati Zoo, I didn't even remember that you could see the Elephants outside or even when you did it was limited access. The layout of the Elephant sanctuary was pretty interesting. -Monkey. -Kitty. -If you're a fan of Tom Goes to the Mayor you'll understand why I called this ape "Michael Davidson." I forgot they even had an ape display at the zoo. After viewing the Gorillas and Apes we hit up the Reptile house....I absolutely hate snakes so I didn't really enjoy that area but by the it was 1 P.M. and time for the 4d movie. The zoo's 4d theatre was made by Simex iWerks, the same folks who made the Kings Island Action F/X theatre and the movie theatre at the Newport Aquarium. However, unlike those two, the zoo's is a 4d experience. -In stark comparison to Kings Island, the picture here is VERY clear (yes, I know, its new.) The 3d glasses here were much more durable. The movie was really good except for the way they use the 4d effects to simulate the snakes....I hate snakes. Very, very cool attraction worth the price, and something new at the zoo. I was impressed. -Lioness Let's be mature about this.....we're in the animal kingdom remember. This is all the zebra did...he walked out... ...then walked back into his sanctuary. -Then it was time for Flamingo's, the one in the middle seemed like he was the boss and the others decided to pick a fight with him. -If you're looking for a local tourist destination for kids at a decent price, passes to the zoo are pretty reasonable with A LOT of stuff for younger kids to do. The petting zoo is one of those things. NEW FOR 2008!!!! -The Cincinnati Zoo presents an exhibition on the common city squirrel. ...not really, but the zoo currently does not have any giraffes, why? Because, in 2009, they are opening a new Giraffe exhibit which judging by the concept art will be quite impressive. Like I said, I hadn't been to the zoo in about 7 years, the amount of things they have added in that time was nice to see. -One too many. -Creepy statue that freaked out Dane in front of the bird sanctuary. inside said bird exhibit: -Yes, that is what you think it is. -The zoo is known for having Peacocks wandering all over the zoo. They are quite comfortable around people. So comfortable that this is how close you can get when sitting at a picnic table with them... and All in all I was really surprised with the zoo. As a kid, I hated going with the family. My sisters loved it and I just couldn't stand it. I didn't think we would spend much time there yesterday but we were there from about 11 A.M. till 3 P.M. It was really good to photograph and a great way to spend a beautiful day. Will definitely go back this season once I get the new camera and when all the gardens are in bloom. Hope you enjoyed the trip report, the zoo is open daily! (And you can park for free on Dury Ave. Even if you do pay for parking, its reasonable and CLOSE to the entrance.)

Awesome update Roller Nut, can't wait to hear about the changes. -Gordon Bombay, who SHOULD have been at Carowinds today, and Dominion tomorrow...

Chef, where will you be volunteering? My hope is to stop by and take some photographs for Coney Island Central, don't know if I'll have time to go to the show though.

Elitch Gardens? In Denver? Shouldn't kicking off your political party's convention be a celebration? <G> As for political talk, this is the type of political thread that is allowed (as per terms of service requirements) KEEP IT CLEAN.

Like I said, that policy has not been confirmed or announced at the park yet, thats just the way it is at a sister park. We'll have to wait and see.

Well the whole family can still ride, lets say there are 6 people in your party. Four wait in line, contact you and your partner when they are nearly getting on. You go up the exit, let the ride operator know, and I'm sure the operators will take care of you. Keep in mind folks, while King Maple pointed out CP's system, KI has yet to announce any changed to their policy.

What are all of the parks he represents? Could any of them possibly be getting it?

Been to many other midwestern parks?

iChase was nice enough to make one available for download here: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...ountdown+widget

I gots teh Tiger, No 1337 webclips for me!

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashboard_%28software%29 My dashboard:

Quite an interesting marketing technique

Thanks for the kind words Biscuit. I was going to post this after I took a shower, but maple beat me to it. Yeah, these photos were from our first visit, we got rained on pretty hard and were asked to come back another time, we did so in July. I also launched my website for all my photojournalism stuff that I've been covering for school, check it out if you're interested: www.ronnysalerno.com

Where are the photos of the new Drop Tower sign?

I, however, do think it is to scale, as I wholly trust in Cedar Fair.

Yep, sure does. Definitely another coaster I'd like to see live on, besides X Flight, BD was the best coaster at GL.

I believe he was being sarcastic.

I love how they have the American flag on the Eifel tower.....if only that were true.

I'd rather see a fantastic coaster be relocated for many others to enjoy for years to come, than to see a fantastic coaster rot and die. Robbie, I forgot that area does get used for special events, but lets say the eagle was to occupy it, would those events be able to be relocated anywhere else in the park? I just think the addition of the eagle would nicely round out Coney and it make it more appealing to a wider spectrum of guests. Stay tuned to www.queencitydisco.com in the coming days as I will probably update it with recently never before seen photographs from a separate trip to Americana.

Incorrect, most of it is not "rotting away." Without a doubt, it could definitely use some TLC and would need some major overhauling if moved to any park, but the ride was pretty much re-done for the 2002 season and well maintained throughout that year. Chippewa Lake's "Big Dipper" saw its last riders around 1979, the majority of the wooden structure of that ride is still standing in the woods on Northeastern, Ohio. Could it run? Ha! No! But, it is an example of how well a wooden ride can hold up un-maintained standing in the elements for years. Yes, I did have a chance to take a tour of Americana/Lesourdsville Lake last year along with Boddah1994 and Dane. The ride was rehabbed and pretty much overhauled pre-2002 by, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was GCI who had a hand in it. The structure has weeds growing through it and some flimsy sections, but for the most part it looks just like another wooden roller coaster in the off season. Now, I won't get into specifics nor am I a structural engineer or expert at re-locating rides, but I do have somewhat respectable experience when it comes to how wooden coasters run, and specifically how they are maintained, and there are others on here who can vouch for me and affirm that. It looks to me as if that coaster could be moved and with a lot of rehabbing could be up and running again. -Don't be fooled by rusty steel rails that sit on top of the wooden layers of the track. That is the way any wooden roller coaster will look after an entire off season of no rolling stock running on it and constant rain and snow. Granted, the majority of that steel would be replaced should it be relocated, but even at parks like KI and CP will take a few days of pre-opening cycles to polish up the steel and get ride of the rust. -The structure for the most parts seems stable, once again I am no engineer, but compared to other abandoned wooden roller coasters I've seen, its not sagging or falling apart. -The brake lines and electronics of the ride seem like they were re-done for the 2002 opening, and as of summer 2007 were still in good condition. From what I can tell, a relocation of the eagle could be done. Without a doubt, the biggest obstacle would be the cost of such an operation. I'm no Coney Island financial expert but I am not sure if Coney would have the funds to conduct such a project. If you check out this recent Coney Island Central aerial shot: ...it seems maybe they could fit it in the area next to the famous fairways mini golf. Without a doubt, I think the eagle would be a huge hit there, be a well-rounded addition to an excellent park, as well as grant Coney some excellent publicity and attendance numbers among both enthusiasts and regular guests. It's biggest obstacle: cost. Maybe the good folks at www.soaphs.com or a local historical society could take up donations to start a fund to help Coney relocate the ride.

MSN Maps and Windows Live tend to be the most recently updated, however, unless its a major urban center, I doubt most places will have photos from 2008 or 2007 even. You definitely won't be able to find satellite photos of KI's construction, if any exists, through those sites.

*Slaps head* thanks for pointing that out, that was going to a waste of a drive tuesday!

While the specifics of the auction have yet to be announced, Norton Auctioneers will be conducting an auction of what seems to be everything left of Geauga Lake. The only description they have provided thus far: It's the 17th and the 18th of JUNE. I wonder if this would be something worth checking out? Source: http://nortonauctioneers.com/upcoming.htm

I know exactly what you mean. But i don't like Vekoma's, well except Firehawk. How did you feel about Ninja at SFOG then? I was supposed to go to SFOG Easter weekend, and was looking at videos of the rides on the internet and this was about the same audio from each one of ninja... "ok here we go!' crests lift hill "oww, geeze....oww.....OWW" goes through some loops "OWW!.....its almost done.....wow......oww" pulls into final brakes "That sucked!"

There are more than three, pretty sure.