Roller Coasters
Last visit June 2001 Fathers Day weekend with my Brother, Niece, and me. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting X ride to be open along with Deja Vu. So I haven't been back. When X ride opens, I'll be there to get the thrill of my life. It will be one mind-blowing ride when your roller coaster car rotates as you are traveling down the track. I can't wait.
The best time to go is usually the month of October when they do fright feast every year. They run some of the roller coasters in the complete darkness and some rides run backwards. If you have never ridden the Colossus backwards, you are missing out.
I saw on their web page that X is now open. I'll have to get a group of people together to go sometime so we can experience this new ride that the seats rotate as you ride along the track above you. I'm sure it will mess with my body the first time on it. I don't know if I'll do that ride first or go on all the others incase this one makes me sick. Which would be a first for me on getting sick from a roller coaster.
Knott's Berry Farm
Well, I went to Knott's in July. I was really looking forward to riding Ghost Rider. Last time I had been there, the wait was 3 hours. So I passed and didn't go on it. This time it was the first ride I went on when we got there. I'd have to say that I was very disapointed in the ride. It is to be the longest wooden roller coaster, but there isn't a lot of thrills like some of the other wooden coasters I've been on. It was very bumpy and you were thrown around quite a bit. I wished I had been aware of their new ride Xcelerator. It is a very fast ride. I of course wimped out because I didn't have all the facts or time for me to work myself up for the ride. But it will be one that I will ride the next time I go there.
Well I got to go there for the first time on New Years Eve compliments of my Sakow friends. They had some free passes and enjoyed myself. I really like the miniture land of famous places. It was all decked out for the holidays. A good place to go with kids.
Disneyland Parks
I went to Disneyland over the Christmas 2001 break and really liked the way they did the Haunted Mansion in the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. It was really well put together. I was amazed on how they transformed the Haunted Mansion. I hope they do it every year. I took my Brother and Niece for their Christmas gift. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and had a great time at both parks. Hoping to make a trip before 2002 is over and see what the new features they added to the Nightmare Before Christmas in the Haunted Mansion. Well they have a new attraction with Winnie the Pooh. I still need to check this out. Well I like the Winnie the Pooh ride better here than in Florida. The haunted mansion for 2003 is even better than the previous 2 years. It's a must see if you go to Disneyland. If you haven't gone in 2003, now is the time to go and see the holiday lights at Disneyland and to see the Haunted Mansion in it's third year as it is themed "The Nightmare Before Christmas." This year they added a new character. Well, 2006 has come and gone and they have redone a bit. The 50th was fun and now the year of dreams is in. 2008 I got to ride the Finding Nemo submarine ride in Tomorrow Land. Pretty cool. Lines are smaller now that it isn't soon new of a ride.
Took my Brother and Niece to DCA in 2001 and we had a great time. It was their first time to the new theme park. We had a great time going on all the rides. We enjoyed California Screamin', Malibumer, California Soarin’, and all the 3D attractions. I also made sure that we saw Blast. It is a really great 30-minute Broadway show that they have at the new park. If you like percussions, you'll really like this show. It is a must see if you go to the park. I went to the park in November 2002 and the new Bugs Life area for children is neat. They have an area of fountains that kids young and old can enjoy. The Chew-chew ride is nice, but slow in speed. Same with the bumper cars. My favorite was the Ladybug ride. It is like the tea cups but with a lot less work to get it spinning. If you have children, it is a nice area, but isn't all that big of an area. Plus I cannot wait till they open Towers of Terror in 2004. You can already see it under construction and it towers over the park in size. In 2003 they have replaced the Blast show with the new Aladdin Show. It is nice, but you should see the show from anywhere but the first floor. There is one sceen where they are flying on a carpet and you cannot see much with them flying over your head. Well, on Nov 18th, 2003 they had an annual pass holder event in the Back lot that showed pictures and the uniform for the new Twilight Zone attraction that will be openning up in 2004 late Spring as they called it. They also had hot apple cider and tea to drink and gave a special pin for being a pass holder. It was nice, except that it was held during the middle of the week, which meant you had to take time off from work to go. Waiting for the new ride from Toy Story to open up this April 2008.
Walt Disney World
Where to start? I really enjoyed this park the most of all the Disney World resorts. I liked the Aerosmith Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire Play It, the Animation area. They have rides here that are also at Disneyland so I didn't go on them, Star Tours and Muppets 3D. So I do not know if the waiting areas look similar to the ones in my back yard. I would like to spend another day at this park and try to see and experience everything it has to offer.
This is a very unique park. It was the first time I was ever walked off a ride at any theme park. I had just got on Spaceship Earth I believe, the big golf ball looking thing, and it stopped not even half way up the first incline. My second trip to Florida I did get to ride the whole thing and almost thought I was going to have to walk when we got to the top and it stopped again. I'd have to say that this park is one that you'll have to spend more than one day at. There is so much to see and experience from each country. It is neat that they also have a few interesting rides. Test Track Dummies is one I enjoyed. There is also the Living Sea area that is wonderful if you like the Ocean like I do. Summer 2005 went here for only 2 rides, California Soarin' and Mission Space. Disneyland has California Soarin' and Mission Space was awesume. I really enjoyed it. I'd ride it again.
I haven't had the chance to experience this park as much as I'd like too. I have been to it twice now, but only hours at each visit. It has some rides that Disneyland has also, but they each differ a little. Like the seating at Space Mountain is different. Also the Haunted Mansion is made of bricks. It is also spread out a lot more than Disneyland. Some things are similar but in larger proportions. Like Main Street and the Castle are much bigger than Disneyland. They do look similar when you first walk into the park. 2005 Summer. Got to the park and got to visit it for almost one day. Mickey's PhilharMagic was really good. I also enjoyed the Hall of Presidents. It was in repear last time I was there. Big Thunder Mountian is better than the one at Disneyland. Much longer. Pirates was shorter than Disneyland. Still would like to spend more time there to really enjoy myself.
This is a very different park in itself. I did enjoy how it seemed like you were in the wild. I got soaked from head to toe on the rapid ride. I still like the one at DCA better. They were building a roller coaster in the Dinosaur area when I was there last summer 2001. They also have the Touch to be a Bug 3D show like DCA. The Dinosaur ride is like Indian Jones ride at Disneyland. I do believe they could do a better job on the Safari ride where you get to see the animals. It's pretty corny and they do not stop so you can enjoy the view.
Las Vegas Roller Coasters
Coming soon. ":O)
Speed at Nascar Cafe/Sahara Hotel
It is a fun, fast starter ride. It is similar to the Monta Zuma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm but is shaped differently. I really enjoyed the ride. You do not realize that you are out with the public while the ride is going.
Hoover Dam
I finally made it to Hoover Dam. It took forever to get to it because they are doing road construction for the new bridge they are going to build to defer the traffic off the Dam. We went on April 9th, 2004. Took the $10 tour to see the turbines that create hydro for AZ, NV and Southern CA. They tell us we are lucky we came when we did. The normal summer tempurature there is 130 degrees F in the shade. I think it was in the 80s when we were there. I was hoping to see a line where the AZ and NV border was like in the movie "Fools Rush In." We couldn't find it. It is pretty amazing site. Hard to believe it will last 2,000 years. If you are in Vegas and want to do something different from the Stipp, I'd recommend the short trip to Hoover Dam. On the way there we saw advertisements for a $29 helicoptor ride over the Dam. I think it would be fun to do it on my next visit when I have more time. Another sad thing about the Dam, you could see how low the water level was due to the lack of rain we've been having her out in the West. We were told it was 37 feet below normal. That's a lot.
This is one place I like to go to relax. I have had the privilege to live near this neat Zoo growing up in San Diego. I have watched them improve the enclosures from behind bars to exhibits what resemble more of their natural habitats. It's a nice touch that other Zoos should follow. Their newest project is the Heart of the Zoo. It will be nice when it is finished.
Just around the corner from where I live. It is neat how this park is huge, but still small for it's size. It has a lot of neat exhibits that are not animals. They have hiking areas that show you different flora and fauna of our area. An Aivery of insects that pollen flowers and exotic birds of small body masses. Or you can go on a ride through the different savannas of different continents and see the animals roaming over 100's of acres with different species. It's wonderful how they are bringing back populations of animals that would other wise be extinct in their natural habitat like the California Condor and Southern White Rhino. Their Spring Exhibit for the Butterflies and Orchads we wonderful. Well Lion Camp is great if you haven't seen it. They now have a balloon you can ride to see the park from above. Haven't done it yet due to weather. Maybe next time.
I was really surprised how well I liked this Zoo. I had no idea what to expect from it. I have had never heard anything about this Zoo. It reminded me of the Wild Animal Park in San Diego. It is very spread out and they have a lot of neat themes as you walk through the Zoo. I was amazed I got to see the Lion and Lioness as they sunned themselves. I also got to experience the big roar from the Lion's mouth. It was a wonderful experience. I plan on going back the next time I am in Arizona.
This is a nice some what small Zoo. It was nice to see the other half of the elephants that were saved from an African reserve there. They were playing in the water and having a great time. The other half of the herb made it to the SD Wild Animal Park and they have had 2 calves since their arrival. I liked what I saw and would go back again. I really enjoyed their wild life that is there even not part of the zoo. I was fascinated by the lizards and frogs they have there.
Another place I have grown up with. It has changed a lot since I was in High School. They have been for the better. I still have not hat the pleasure to ride the rapids ride. Every time I have gone to Sea World, the weather has been cold and over casted and I don't want to walk around wet all day. Last year they had Haunted Houses for Halloween. It was great. They had different levels of scariness. One of them even was 3Dish with black lights. It was pretty cool. I enjoy the different aquariums they have throughout the park. I'm hoping they continue the Terrors of the Deep each year for Halloween. It is a nice touch and a fun place to go that is safe and spooky.
I haven't been here since November 1998 when 3 of us went for a friend's birthday. It was my second trip there and I got to see the new expansion that was under construction when I was there Spring Break of 1994. I am hoping to go back this year and enjoy the sights of Carmel and Monterey. At this aquarium was my first time seeing a live Sand Dollar. They look very different than their shells you see at the gift stores.
I still have not been here but hope to do so soon. I might have to gather some friends up that also want to go but just haven't gotten to it either. I was hoping to do it over Christmas break, but ended up working on my condo instead.
I went to the aquarium on Sunday March 2, 2003 and had a good time. It has an aquarium side and a museum side (which has a lot of the same stuff as the old aquarium had). They also have an exhibit on Sea Horses that is really fascinating to see. I didn't know they come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. They also have a tide pool and a place where you can touch Sea Cucumbers, Slugs, Sea Stars, and other tide pool animals. You have a nice view of the La Jolla Peir and some of the San Diego Coastline. I'll be going back when I have some company in town. They took out the old stuff and have an exhibit on sounds in the ocean. Pretty neat, should check it out if you have time someday. It is also fun to take night shots of the whale statues they have outside.
I really liked this place much better than the one I talked about above. I have only been here once Dec. 2000 and spent a lot of time looking at the different aquariums and exhibits of sea creatures. I found it fascinating. I took a few rolls of pictures while here because I got to see sea life that isn't here at home.
John Paul Getty Museum
I still haven't had the chance to see this museum. There are a few that I'd love to see but just haven't planned it out to go and see them. I'd like to take a trip of the California Coast and see some sights/museums as I go. I'm hoping to take a field trip to this place next year 2003 with Palomar College and see this wonderful place.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
I went in November of 2007. It is near the Tuscan area and very pleasant. It's out doors and I would think of it more of a zoo than museum. They have birds, wolves, mtn lions, and other animals. The parking lot reminds me of the national parks I've been to in Utah. If you are in the area and are looking to fill a day in AZ, head on to the museum and get lost in their exhibits. I did.