Archive for RCCGB FORUM Message Board for Members of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain to discuss club events and all things theme park related.          RCCGB FORUM Forum Index -> USA Trips Steven Burns USA 2009 - Stand Behind The Yellow Line Ok guys. I looked at my bank account and my cheque has cashed. So i decided to check out the websites for the parks mentioned on the trip in the new Airtime Magazine. See what is on offer in the parks. I clicked on the official site for WILDWOOD PIERS and have just picked up a virus. AVG got it but cant delete it, so its in me vault isn't it. Now scanning everything. So try avoiding the site guys. Andy Hine MBE Someone asked me why I dropped Hard Rock Park from next years itinerary.  Well apart from the mileage to get there and back (which would have added quite a few hundred dollars to the trip), I was worried that the park may be closed.  This press report just confirmed my fears:- "Hard Rock Park rock 'n' roll theme park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina which opened in April 2008 has announced that it will not be open for the rest of the 2008 season. Hard Rock Park has filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy claim, which means that the business can have time to reconstruct its debts while also continuing to operate. The park said it will open for 2009, but with all the recent problems the park has been suffering, only time will tell if it truly will open or not." Andy Hine MBE More news reports.... Local Impact of Hard Rock Park’s Bankruptcy Debated in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina September 28 Sun-News (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA) Some business people speculate that the recent news about Hard Rock Park's bankruptcy may negatively impact Myrtle Beach’s reputation and its ability to attract new businesses.  The president of the local Chamber of Commerce said it was not a “devastating blow” to the destination. nemesis scribe Its a real big shame about this park and recent events as it looks a good park with some good rides. It was just very unfortunate and very bad timing that they chose their opening year at the worst possible time with regards to the US economy / credit crunch etc. I hope the park can recover and grow. reg I was quite keen on going to HRP during the run up to its opening, but having seen what is on offer, I am not really that bothered now. Trip reports have suggested that Led Zepplin is average at best, and the rest of the rides and coasters are nothing that cound not be found in several other parks around the USA. Maximum RPM has a good feature, being the 'ferris wheel' lift. but after that its no great shakes. Maybe if they can get their financial status sorted out, they may be able to realise the full potential of the park, but closing early for the first season and filing for Chapter 11 protection does not bode well for the future. nemesis scribe reg wrote: I was quite keen on going to HRP during the run up to its opening, but having seen what is on offer. I think thats a bit harsh. I personally dont pass any judgement on a park until i have actually been there. reg That's fair enough. You are just as entitled to an opinion as me. ccp latest on hard rock Hard Rock Park needs $30 million to get through the winter and reopen in the spring. more on link below chris http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com:80/business/story/613020.html Andy Hine MBE Details sent To everyone who has sent an SAE your USA 2009 details have been sent today   The good news is that I did manage to keep the trip under £2000 (although it was difficult with the exchange rate!). Booking deadline will be Nov 3rd and the deposit is £190 (payable to 'USA Trip).  Don't send the payment until you get the booking form though. Pre-bookers will be send booking form automatically. Thanks for your patience - this one has not been easy due to the world financial markets! nemesis scribe Excellent news Nev. Looking forward to next years trip already!! Ad   stevencaine So looking forward too next years Usa trip i see also there is a Vegas trip in November could be worth looking at frosty stevencaine wrote: So looking forward too next years Usa trip i see also there is a Vegas trip in November could be worth looking at and we all know what's in Vegas, the Stratosphere Tower and associated rides! Andy Hine MBE Vegas trip only provisional - I haven't confirmed leave yet! bradpeet USA 2009 details arrived this morning!!! It's getting closer (just like a roller coaster lol) reg Has everyone got their details for the USA 2009 trip? I've not got anything yet Have emailed you Nev, but I'm guessing it's not going to turn up if some people have already had theirs for over a week now. frosty Did you send in an SAE for the details and 'draw' entry or did you send off the £500 pre-book? I did the latter and have not received anything in the post, but reading Nev's posts and the part in AirTime about the SAE, I assumed that pre-bookers will be sent details further down the line. Nev will probably respond and clear this up - as I was also a little concerned krusty_the_clown People who pre booked should of also received booking details we still need to return the contract and also have the amended payment amounts for January and March if you havent received anything yet then send Nev an Email, he will respond as soon as he can - however I know that he receives a ridiculous amount of Emails everyday so put the subject something along the lines of 'URGENT USA 2009' frosty Thanks Krusty. I'll wait to see if there's anything waiting when I get home and if not I'll email Nev. bradpeet krusty_the_clown wrote: People who pre booked should of also received booking details we still need to return the contract and also have the amended payment amounts for January and March if you havent received anything yet then send Nev an Email.... My understanding is that these contracts have not been sent out at all yet.  The ones for those of us who will be subject to the draw will not be sent out until after the draw takes place.  I would have thought it would be logical for Nev to send out all the contracts / booking details at the same time. But perhaps one person should e-mail Nev and seek clarification  (Frosty sounds like a good choice - if he doesn't mind) and then post the response on here so that we are all clear. frosty I emailed Nev about this yesterday. He must be busy convincing the training camp that a wooden coaster would be great for morale and that being a closed group, ERS's are a given - queue jumpers would be subject to house arrest It makes sense that contracts would be sent out after the draw. Andy Hine MBE Hi Everyone Sorry for delay (been doing Exams!!). All pre-bookers should have received a confirmation letter by now (except Frosty who has been sent another one today!). All SAE's receieved have been returned with details inside. All contracts (for everyone) will be sent after the draw (contracts still being drawn up!) Hope that answers everything!   reg Andy Hine MBE wrote: Hi Everyone All SAE's receieved have been returned with details inside. Hope that answers everything!   Have you received one from me Nev? stevencaine I pre booked and have had one form back from Nev not the contract forms hope that helps Greg   bradpeet I'm getting impatient for news now   The post has arrived, and there's nothing there from Nev.  And the draw was yesterday - wasn't it? Ah well - I guess impatient just sums me up.  And I know that Nev is even busier than his usual busy self with his new job. (but I still want to know!!!!!   ) frosty Good luck with the draw Peter. Fortunately this time around that's one thing I did not have to hold out hope for. reg Got the details back today, and I've been successful! YAY!     bradpeet I knew I was just being too impatient. I got my details too, and am absolutley thrilled to know I got a place.       nemesis scribe Got my details too and shall be returning the contracts this weekend . . . wooo - hoooo   C P Raptor Lady 2009 USA Trips Hi everyone!  I've been reading all the postings & can't wait to see ya'll again.  They offered me the Raptor Video Booth for the '09 season & naturally I accepted!  I love that place, I know I'm crazy!  Please let me know the dates you will be here at Cedar Point so I can mark my calendar!  Take care till then!! Debbie reg Unless there is a surprise detour to Cedar Point, we won't be there at all, as it's not on the trip to my knowledge. frosty Pity as it would be great to visit CP and catch up with Debbie again. CP is after all the roller coast I wonder how far away we'll be from CP when we're closest? Steven Burns I love Cedar Point and it was the park i wanted to do the most before joining the RCCGB. But after 3 USA trips there, i`m bored of it now. Pleased its not on the trip next year. Gonna give it a few years before i revisit it, make it fun again. My first two visits were great but the weather killed this year for me and i`d it gave me nothing new. Great staff and park but just done with it. I would rather visit Dorney Park or Shivering Timbers in Michigan isn't it. ccp frosty wrote: Pity as it would be great to visit CP and catch up with Debbie again. CP is after all the roller coast I wonder how far away we'll be from CP when we're closest? From waldameer it's about 167miles over 3hrs away. bearing in mind we finish in toronto would probably have to back track too much. Hope we go to darien lake and seabreeze which is possible looking at the map wherever we go it'll be fab chris frosty Last year was my first time in the US and I really enjoyed the whole trip - parks, extras and just being over there. It was a shame we got as soaked as we did whilst in CP, but as Steve says, it will come round again and I look forward to my 2nd visit and multiple TTD rollbacks. Best be on the same run as Lisa to ensure that! Next years trip and line-up looks equally great. I'm so looking forward to sampling more of the worlds finest parks. C P Raptor Lady Where ever you all go I know you'll have a GREAT time!  I'll sure miss ya'll though!  I know the weather wasn't good this year, but I enjoyed talking to a few of you at the Raptor while it did rain.  Hopefully I'll still be there the next time you come to CP.  Either way I love reading about your adventures & seeing the pic's.  I kinda get the feeling I was there with you.  Will keep in touch, & you keep me informed of ALL your FUN ADVENTURES!!! Debbie stevencaine I for one love cedar point and the ers are a great way of ending a fantastic holiday thanks cedar point for always making us feel so welcome its a shame we wont be seeing you next year But the Usa is huge and we have got too see other parks and ride other coasters,Cant wait too see you again soon Bonsai Warrior I've been to Cedar Point 3 times now and am nowhere near bored with it! The ERS on both Millenium Force and TTD are great thanks to efficient, enthusiastic and fun ride crews, especially TTD.   Looking forward to our next visit there. frosty I missed out on riding Maverick and Iron Dragon as they were closed when we passed them by. So for these rides and all the other great rides and atmosphere of the park, next time CP is up for grabs, I hope I'm there. nemesis scribe No-one could ever get bored of Cedar Point!! TTD, Millenium Force, Blue Streak and dippin' Dots!!! It is the Roller-Coast afterall   Pete the Chef Canada Wonderland has some great coasters. Behemouth is a worthwhile steelie. For you woodie lovers even Scooby Ghooster coaster is worth a ride. A fair mix of Wood and Steel. Hope it doesn't rain for you, as the canadians close the rides quickly. H&S or something I was in the park just one day, it sure beat anything else I did in Toronto. No rides on top of CN Tower, just a glass floor! stevencaine Kinda late reminder to any one that may have forgotten Nev needs £900 by the 2nd January Nearly 6 months now and counting Steven Burns I sent my payment today. I`ve been really lazy over the last few months which is not like me. So hope the payment makes it lol. I sent £700 because i paid the early £500. I thought that was what i have to pay. I lost all my paper work due to me living in London during the week and Cheltenham during the weekends. Thinsg keep going missing lol. Ah well, sure it will all turn out fine. Can`t wait for the USA trip. frosty Your fine Stevie. There's two payments of £695 for those that paid the initial £500 deposit. The two payment dates are the 02/Jan and 14/Mar. I'm looking forward to the whole 2009 coaster season starting with my first ever trip to Thorpe and riding SAW. bradpeet For anybody who needs accommodation near Heathrow before the US trip (or for any reason really   ) you may wish to consider Travelodge.  They have a sale on at the moment. I have just booked a room at Feltham for £9.  (I'm actually going out in advance of the main trip, so I'm there on the night of Sun 31 May.  From what I can see, public transport is a realistic option from Feltham but not from any of the airport ones.) c anderson Busch Gardens Europe have stopped giving out free beer, Ryans trip costs have just increased. Magic c anderson wrote: Busch Gardens Europe have stopped giving out free beer, Ryans trip costs have just increased. And Busch's share holders give a sigh of relief. Rough Rider c anderson wrote: Busch Gardens Europe have stopped giving out free beer, Ryans trip costs have just increased. Oh my God   Looks like I might have to take plastic now!!!       nemesis scribe Rough Rider wrote: c anderson wrote: Busch Gardens Europe have stopped giving out free beer, Ryans trip costs have just increased. Oh my God   Looks like I might have to take plastic now!!!       Oh god Ryan, you sound rather rattled   Rough Rider nemesis scribe wrote: Rough Rider wrote: c anderson wrote: Busch Gardens Europe have stopped giving out free beer, Ryans trip costs have just increased. Oh my God   Looks like I might have to take plastic now!!!       Oh god Ryan, you sound rather rattled   Well done N.S. I would gladly give up beer ..........just to ride the "RATTLER" again. Any chance of a slight detour Nev to Texas, HA! Just realised what I said     Oh my word.....................I didn't really mean I would give up beer. Just had a weak moment   Beleive that guys and you will beleive anything (The beer giving up that is)     Rough Rider Magic wrote: c anderson wrote: Busch Gardens Europe have stopped giving out free beer, Ryans trip costs have just increased. And Busch's share holders give a sigh of relief. Just had a thought Magic. With the money they save they could install a decent coaster in the park.....................Hmm!! What comes to mind????? Oh YES!! "RATTLER"               nemesis scribe Beer + Rattler = Ryan   coastergraham I am sure that most of you already know this but on the off chance somebody does not I thought I would provide this little snipet of information for you. As of tomorrow the way you enter the USA will change somewhat. You will need to apply for an ESTA (electronic system for travel authorisation) if you wish to travel to the USA. Homeland security recomend doing so at least 72 hours before you fly. But you can apply as early as you know when you are travelling to the USA. The application is valid for two years. If you fly to the USA without filling out an ESTA you may be denied entry. Here is the link. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/est...1BA23-0F16-88B8-BE8F-10EB818B84B9 nemesis scribe coastergraham wrote: If you fly to the USA without filling out an ESTA you may be denied entry. Here is the link. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/est...1BA23-0F16-88B8-BE8F-10EB818B84B9 Yeah, i was not aware of this until Nev sent the recent letters out. However, the site is easy to use and i my application went through OK. Better to get it sorted now than later though!!   reg I've been recommended this restaurant in Atlantic City. Anyone fancy it when we are there? It's a bit pricey, but it apparently worth it. http://www.docksoysterhouse.com/ Death reg wrote: I've been recommended this restaurant in Atlantic City. Anyone fancy it when we are there? It's a bit pricey, but it apparently worth it. http://www.docksoysterhouse.com/ I'm not going on the USA trip this year, but I used to know a really good steak house on I-40 just out of Atlantic City. Apparently the meat they served there was always fresh off the bone and juicy as anything. Strangely enough, times that they were low on food always seemed to coincide with a drop in the number of stray dogs around the area...But as the food and the service goes, this place were right up my street! Unfortunateley, I just tried to look it up on Google...And either I've forgotton the name of the resturant, or it's not there anymore... Farewell...and Güten essen! >> Death << frosty reg wrote: I've been recommended this restaurant in Atlantic City. Anyone fancy it when we are there? It's a bit pricey, but it apparently worth it. http://www.docksoysterhouse.com/ I'm not that keen on seafood (by that I mean not the crab, muscle & oyster stuff) so it's good to see they also offer steaks. Maybe Reg, we'll see how things play out at the time. Just over a week to go now - roll on USA 2009! coaster-andy I have already started to pack I will be ready to go in a weeks time . Come on USA 09 reg Has anyone either got a response or a tshirt from Wildwood yet? I emailed Louise my details the week after we got back, but have never heard a thing. krusty_the_clown reg and all, they are being sent accross the atlantic as we speak. expect them soon Steven Burns reg wrote: Has anyone either got a response or a tshirt from Wildwood yet? I emailed Louise my details the week after we got back, but have never heard a thing. She replied to me when i emailed her. Plus Nev did post the other day saying they were going to be sent very soon. Think it was this thread. Just scroll back a few pages. frosty Big Stevie B wrote: reg wrote: Has anyone either got a response or a tshirt from Wildwood yet? I emailed Louise my details the week after we got back, but have never heard a thing. She replied to me when i emailed her. Plus Nev did post the other day saying they were going to be sent very soon. Think it was this thread. Just scroll back a few pages. I emailed Lindsey Young towards the end of June and got a really nice reply the next day. She was a contact I found in the pack we were given. frosty krusty_the_clown wrote: reg and all, they are being sent accross the atlantic as we speak. expect them soon Have they made the UK yet? Death frosty wrote: Have they made the UK yet? Aye...The Gods forged this great island of ours around about 47,500,000 years ago. They've got even more planned for that massive space we call the Atlantic, once they've had a brief rest and supped a tankard of fine ale or two...        RCCGB FORUM Forum Index -> USA Trips Page 1 of 1