TR - IOA (Long)

Kenny wrote:

> > First, let me say that IOA is a really nice park. It's attractive, wonderfully
> > themed with great detail. I knew I wouldn't like the coasters.
>
> Why the negativity?

My guess...B&M. I'm actually kind of in the same territory as Bob in that I don't think
that B&M coasters are "all that." They're probably my least most liked brand of coasters
of all the ones that I have ridden. Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of multi looping
steel coasters and that's what B&M specialize in. (Admittedly they do it with different
seating arrangements and I also have not ridden any of their non looping creations so
far.)

That being said, I have been to Islands of Adventure twice and I enjoyed the park both
times. There was a lot more for me to do there besides just riding the B&M coasters so I
found other ways to keep myself occupied.

Kenny wrote the following:

> I've heard "overrated", but never met someone who didn't like
> it...huh.

Add me to the list - Hulk is worthless trash. On the other hand, Fire
Dragon is my #1 steel.

> Being a native born Floridian, who is amidst a 93 degree temperature
> right now, I think that's nearly impossible, espeically in August.

The record low for August is 65 degrees, so it's very possible to be
below 70. I know I've been out at the parks after a rainstorm and was
pretty chilled!

> The trains are weighed beforehand. Whichever is lighter, starts a bit
> before the other. See: Gravity; Newton, Isaac.

The weight of the train is calculated on the lift, and adjustments are
made from there. If they're dispatched too far apart, there's not enough
time to adjust fully. It happens fairly often.

> I'll give you that, for rows 2 - 8. But you broke the cardinal rule,
> if you ride DD, especially if its your first / only time there, RIDE
> THE FRONT ROW!!! Head and shoulders better than the other rows,
> obviously. Trust me, you'll see the point of dueling.

But you'll miss the forces. As far as I'm concerned, the only seat for
Fire Dragon is back right.

Jeff

>How many major rides are at the MK?
>
>Space, Splash, BTMRR, Mansion, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Alien
>Encounter, Buzz, Pooh, Raceway, Goofy's Barnstormer. That's 11. Add
>in a few basic dark rides and kiddie rides and shows. I never
>understand this bash on IOA. The only ride there that is lame is
>Storm Force. Everything is at LEAST Disney quality.

Wait one second if you will - is this a usual "bash" on IOA? I've never heard
it. I haven't heard much about the park in general. I didn't intend it as a
bash, anyway. It was a comment about the number of rides. I think the
difference between other parks and IOA (I already said this in a separate
reply) is that other parks might have the same number of major rides, but IOA
didn't have anything else. So there's nothing for the crowds to do but to get
in the lines for the major rides and a couple of shows. On a very busy day,
it's frustrating. Even at that, if they'd just not even offered the 2-park
1-day ticket, I'd have not felt ripped off. That was their decision to offer
it. Sell it even (as I already said) with a warning that crowds might make it
impossible to see both parks, and I'd have been warned. Then it would be my
decision, and my fault.


>You have to give Uni another chance in the off season, you'll see the
>err in your ways.

I'll agree it was basically Disney quality. I just feel they didn't offer as
much quantity as Disney. No parades, no other "filler" as you previously said.
I'm not sure what my "err" was....

As for the season I visited (and I didn't get into this), I was in Florida when
I was so my wife could visit her sister, and this was the time that most
convenient for both of them, and most convenient for my church position (in
terms of vacation time). Besides, I've been to Disney in mid Fall, and felt
that with the curtailed hours and some reduced capacity on rides that there was
no real advantage. Maybe IOA is different in off season. One friend did tell
me summer ought to be ok because at least they'd be running max trains. No one
warned me about lines of 60 and more minutes. Oh, well.

Bob Hooley

>It's said a lot on the Disney groups. It was the basic talking point
>that the Diznoids came up with to bash IOA from the start. Not to say
>you are like them. I just think it is not true. Yes, Disney's filler
>takes up folks' time, but even Disney doesn't really put filler in any
>more. Hell, AK has 4 major rides and not much filler either.

I never look at a Disney group - heck, I hardly usually look at RRC. I seem to
spend less time on line these days. I haven't been to AK. I'm just used to
parks that have rides of all kinds to absorb crowds. I think one of the
reasons I haven't been to AK was because I sensed it didn't have much to offer.
One thing to keep in mind - the decision to do IOA instead of a Disney park
was MINE - no one else in my family cared either way.

>Like I said, I just think you were VERY unlucky with your visit. IOA
>is a phenomenal park.

I might have been unlucky. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's phenomenal for
my taste.

>One question, was Pteranadon Flyers operating?
>

Yes, but with a maximum height restriction.

Bob

Todd Long wrote:

> I'm sure Mike will be called upon to defend DAK more in depth now by
> someone now that he has expressed a liking to it.

I remember that exact same thing happened to me when I said that I liked the
park and spent a few days there.

It's rather humorous (or pathetic, depending on one's perspective) how
people can't accept that others see things differently.

"Bob Hooley" <bobcoaster@> wrote in message
news:20030816183631.10910.00000146@mb-m14....

> Please tell me where in my TR I said I expected to duplicate my friend's
45
> minute romp through IOA. Show me my words that said I expected that.

Dude, the fact that you brought it up obviously meant that you thought it
could be done! Why even bring it up?

<snip>

Joe "going out now" C.

"Joe Campanella" NitroJoeC@charter.net wrote:

>I would want to relax and not try to
>rush my day by purchasing that ticket option.

You know Joe.... of all of the trips you've planned, relaxed isn't a
descriptive word that comes to mind at all, buddy! :-) "Ok, so me and Mike
will get off work at 6, drive from Illinois to Oklahoma, pick you up at 5, get
to SFoT by opening, spend a day, find the hotel. Then we'll get up at 6 or 7
to get to SFFT by opening and get pulled over for a blinker...." Relaxed, and
calm, eh? :-P


-Glenn Dobbs
1. Steel - Expedition GeForce
1. Wood - Shivering Timbers
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