See the fight that knocked Rosie off "The View" here!And you gotta feel bad for Sherri Shepherd, the guest host that day. What a nightmare to be plopped into the middle of!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday At The Square line-up announced!
It's going to be a summer full of awesome free concerts in Buffalo!
Some highlights...
Some highlights...
June 14: Augustana
June 28: Joan Osborne
August 16: Soul Asylum
Thursday, May 10, 2007
"Lost" and Jacob - Is he real?
Decide for yourself.Check out this YouTube clip - a slowed down version of what aired. It went by so fast, I completely missed it when I was watching last night!
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Other recommended amusement parks...
If you’re going on a long road trip this summer and run across one of these parks, it’s definitely worth stopping...
SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND
Location: Agawam, MA
Distance: 6 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Thomas The Tank Engine themed area for kids coming in June
Similar to: Darien Lake. While I love Darien Lake’s Ride Of Steel, this park’s version is different and is considered one of the best steel roller coasters
in the country (and I agree). They also have an incredible selection of spin rides including Nightwing, similar to Darien Lake’s Enterprise / Silver Bullet except you ride it on your stomach! Another fun ride is the Catapult, pictured.
LAKE COMPOUNCE
Location: Bristol, CT
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: Zoomers Gas ’n Go Antique Car ride. Also, Rainbow Riders Balloon Ride for little ones.
Similar to: Darien Lake.
CANOBIE LAKE
Location: Salem, NH
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Xtreme Frisbee - one of the greatest spin rides ever!
Similar to: Fantasy Island
MOREY’S PIERS
Location: Wildwood, NJ
Distance: 8 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Sunny’s Lookout Lighthouse for kids (on Mariner’s Landing Pier)
Similar to: The park itself reminds me of a gigantic Crystal Beach, except it’s all on three large piers overlooking the ocean. The boardwalk is super long and has all sorts of crazy shops. If it’s too long, take the tram. Trust me on this - after visiting, you won’t be able to get “watch the tram car, please” out of your head.
KING’S DOMINION
Location: Doswell, VA
Distance: 9 hours
Opening Date: Now open
New for 2007: Three new water attractions - Tidal Wave Bay, Tornado, & Zoom Flume
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland
BUSCH GARDENS: EUROPE
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Griffon, the world's tallest floorless dive coaster with a 90-degree drop, opens May 25th
Similar to: Imagine Canada’s Wonderland w/ more extreme roller coasters, fewer rides, and a lot more shops & restaurants.
BEECH BEND
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Distance: 10.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Their rare Scat 2 ride (pictured) is one of the most intense spin rides when run at full speed.
HOLIDAY WORLD
Location: Santa Claus, IN
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Bakuli, a 7-story waterslide through a dark, steep tunnel. Also Turkey Whirl, a turkey-themed Tilt-A-Whirl.
Similar to: Darien Lake, but geared more to young kids.
DOLLYWOOD
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
Distance: 11 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Mystery Mine, a heavily themed steel coaster that plunges into darkness.
Similar to: Unique. Stores and restaurants outnumber rides here, but the rides are all good.
INDIANA BEACH
Location: Monticello, IN
Distance: 8.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: What Crystal Beach used to be.
MOUNT OLYMPUS
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Distance: 12 hours
Opening date: Indoor park open now, outdoor park opens May 26th
Similar to: Unique. It’s an amusement park made up of nine long wooden go-cart tracks (the Trojan Horse and Medusa's Drop tracks are pictured), seven roller coasters, and a gigantic indoor and outdoor waterpark.
The entire town of Wisconsin Dells is a giant version of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. Nearby, the Timber Falls Adventure Park has an amazing wooden roller coaster called Avalanche. There’s also a puzzle-like adventure down the road called Wizard’s Quest which is definitely worth checking out.
SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND
Location: Agawam, MA
Distance: 6 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Thomas The Tank Engine themed area for kids coming in June
Similar to: Darien Lake. While I love Darien Lake’s Ride Of Steel, this park’s version is different and is considered one of the best steel roller coasters
in the country (and I agree). They also have an incredible selection of spin rides including Nightwing, similar to Darien Lake’s Enterprise / Silver Bullet except you ride it on your stomach! Another fun ride is the Catapult, pictured.LAKE COMPOUNCE
Location: Bristol, CT
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: Zoomers Gas ’n Go Antique Car ride. Also, Rainbow Riders Balloon Ride for little ones.
Similar to: Darien Lake.
CANOBIE LAKE
Location: Salem, NH
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Xtreme Frisbee - one of the greatest spin rides ever!
Similar to: Fantasy Island
MOREY’S PIERS
Location: Wildwood, NJ
Distance: 8 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Sunny’s Lookout Lighthouse for kids (on Mariner’s Landing Pier)
Similar to: The park itself reminds me of a gigantic Crystal Beach, except it’s all on three large piers overlooking the ocean. The boardwalk is super long and has all sorts of crazy shops. If it’s too long, take the tram. Trust me on this - after visiting, you won’t be able to get “watch the tram car, please” out of your head.
KING’S DOMINION
Location: Doswell, VA
Distance: 9 hours
Opening Date: Now open
New for 2007: Three new water attractions - Tidal Wave Bay, Tornado, & Zoom Flume
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland
BUSCH GARDENS: EUROPE
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Griffon, the world's tallest floorless dive coaster with a 90-degree drop, opens May 25th
Similar to: Imagine Canada’s Wonderland w/ more extreme roller coasters, fewer rides, and a lot more shops & restaurants.
BEECH BEND
Location: Bowling Green, KYDistance: 10.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Their rare Scat 2 ride (pictured) is one of the most intense spin rides when run at full speed.
HOLIDAY WORLD
Location: Santa Claus, IN
Distance: 10 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Bakuli, a 7-story waterslide through a dark, steep tunnel. Also Turkey Whirl, a turkey-themed Tilt-A-Whirl.
Similar to: Darien Lake, but geared more to young kids.
DOLLYWOOD
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
Distance: 11 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Mystery Mine, a heavily themed steel coaster that plunges into darkness.
Similar to: Unique. Stores and restaurants outnumber rides here, but the rides are all good.
INDIANA BEACH
Location: Monticello, IN
Distance: 8.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: What Crystal Beach used to be.
MOUNT OLYMPUS
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI
Distance: 12 hours
Opening date: Indoor park open now, outdoor park opens May 26th
Similar to: Unique. It’s an amusement park made up of nine long wooden go-cart tracks (the Trojan Horse and Medusa's Drop tracks are pictured), seven roller coasters, and a gigantic indoor and outdoor waterpark.
The entire town of Wisconsin Dells is a giant version of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. Nearby, the Timber Falls Adventure Park has an amazing wooden roller coaster called Avalanche. There’s also a puzzle-like adventure down the road called Wizard’s Quest which is definitely worth checking out.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Other New York amusement parks...
SYLVAN BEACH AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Sylvan Beach, NY
Distance: 3 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach was.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 25th
New for 2007: Tornado, a waterslide
down a winding tunnel into a 60-foot wide funnel (opens June 23rd).
Similar to: Fantasy Island. This is where the Crystal Beach Comet (pictured) now is. It’s been modified a little, but it’s still a good ride.
MAGIC FOREST
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 19th
Similar to: Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides.
NORTH POLE / SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Location: North Pole, NY (near Lake Placid)
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: June 23rd
Similar to: Unique. An amusement park for young kids themed to Santa Claus & his reindeer.
ASTROLAND
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Unique and in its final year. The Cyclone roller coaster will remain after the park closes. If you go, try the Breakdance ride (pictured) - because of the way they manually run it, it’s the highlight of the park in my opinion.
DENO’S WONDER WHEEL AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island. It’s within walking distance of Astroland and has the world famous Wonder Wheel, a giant ferris wheel with some cars that travel on tracks and swing into and out of the wheel structure!
LONG ISLAND’S ADVENTURELAND
Location: East Farmingdale, NY
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island
Location: Sylvan Beach, NY
Distance: 3 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach was.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 25th
New for 2007: Tornado, a waterslide
down a winding tunnel into a 60-foot wide funnel (opens June 23rd).Similar to: Fantasy Island. This is where the Crystal Beach Comet (pictured) now is. It’s been modified a little, but it’s still a good ride.
MAGIC FOREST
Location: Lake George, NY
Distance: 5 hours
Opening date: May 19th
Similar to: Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides.
NORTH POLE / SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Location: North Pole, NY (near Lake Placid)
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: June 23rd
Similar to: Unique. An amusement park for young kids themed to Santa Claus & his reindeer.
ASTROLAND
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Unique and in its final year. The Cyclone roller coaster will remain after the park closes. If you go, try the Breakdance ride (pictured) - because of the way they manually run it, it’s the highlight of the park in my opinion.
DENO’S WONDER WHEEL AMUSEMENT PARK
Location: Coney Island, NY
Distance: 7 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island. It’s within walking distance of Astroland and has the world famous Wonder Wheel, a giant ferris wheel with some cars that travel on tracks and swing into and out of the wheel structure!
LONG ISLAND’S ADVENTURELAND
Location: East Farmingdale, NY
Distance: 7.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
Similar to: Fantasy Island
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Ohio amusement parks...
Ohio is the home for three major amusement parks, all owned by Cedar Fair...
GEAUGA LAKE
Location: Aurora, OH
Distance: 3 hours
Opening date: May 25th
Similar to: Darien Lake. It used to be a sister park to Darien Lake in the 80’s.
CEDAR POINT
Location: Sandusky, OH
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: Maverick - a steel, launched roller coaster with a 95-degree first drop! Pictured to the right is Maverick going through the Heartline Canyon. Check out animated footage of the new ride here and expect it to open in early June.
Similar to: Unique with 17 roller coasters!!! That’s more than any other amusement park in the world!
KING’S ISLAND
Location: King's Island, OH
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Firehawk - a flying roller coaster you ride on your stomach! This was previously the X-Flight coaster at Geauga Lake.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland with bigger roller coasters.
GEAUGA LAKE
Location: Aurora, OH
Distance: 3 hours
Opening date: May 25th
Similar to: Darien Lake. It used to be a sister park to Darien Lake in the 80’s.
CEDAR POINT
Location: Sandusky, OH
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: Maverick - a steel, launched roller coaster with a 95-degree first drop! Pictured to the right is Maverick going through the Heartline Canyon. Check out animated footage of the new ride here and expect it to open in early June.
Similar to: Unique with 17 roller coasters!!! That’s more than any other amusement park in the world!
KING’S ISLAND
Location: King's Island, OH
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Firehawk - a flying roller coaster you ride on your stomach! This was previously the X-Flight coaster at Geauga Lake.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland with bigger roller coasters.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Pennsylvania amusement parks...
If you like traditional amusement parks, Pennsylvania is the place to go! And definitely visit Knoebels - one of my favorite places.
KNOEBELS
Location: Elysburg, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Flying Turns, a wooden bobsled roller coaster. These were popular in the 1930’s and then slowly disappeared. This will be the only one of its kind in the world when it opens! See more construction photos here.
Similar to: Unique and highly recommended for all ages! Free parking, free admission, very reasonable prices, and some of the best wooden roller coasters in the country!
CONNEAUT LAKE PARK
Location: Conneaut Lake, PA
Distance: 2.5 hours
Opening date: It looks like the park will remain closed this year. Hopefully, it will re-open in 2008.
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach used to be.
WALDEMEER PARK
Location: Erie, PA
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: XScream 140-foot Drop Tower
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island
KENNYWOOD
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Cosmic Chaos thrill ride (pictured) & S.S. Kenny kiddie ride
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland
DELGROSSO’S PARK
Location: Tipton, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 6th
Similar to: A small Fantasy Island
LAKEMONT PARK
Location: Altoona, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 19th
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Remember Roseland is Canandaigua? This is where the Roseland Skyliner wooden roller coaster now is. This is also the home of the world's oldest roller coaster, Leap-the-Dips.
IDLEWILD PARK
Location: Ligonier, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 24th
New for 2007: Flying Aces, a Flying Scooters ride
Similar to: Fantasy Island
HERSHEYPARK
Location: Hershey, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 4th
New for 2007: The Boardwalk at Hersheypark - a new section of the park covering over 200,00 square feet and including interactive water-play experiences.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland
DORNEY PARK
Location: Allentown, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: AquaRacer, a six-lane mat racing waterslide.
Similar to: Darien Lake
SESAME PLACE
Location: Langhorne, PA
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Elmo’s World - a new land with 3 new rides.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an entire amusement park for kids based on Sesame Street!
KNOEBELS
Location: Elysburg, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: Now open
New for 2007: Flying Turns, a wooden bobsled roller coaster. These were popular in the 1930’s and then slowly disappeared. This will be the only one of its kind in the world when it opens! See more construction photos here.Similar to: Unique and highly recommended for all ages! Free parking, free admission, very reasonable prices, and some of the best wooden roller coasters in the country!
CONNEAUT LAKE PARK
Location: Conneaut Lake, PA
Distance: 2.5 hours
Opening date: It looks like the park will remain closed this year. Hopefully, it will re-open in 2008.
Similar to: A smaller version of what Crystal Beach used to be.
WALDEMEER PARK
Location: Erie, PA
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: XScream 140-foot Drop Tower
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island
KENNYWOOD
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Cosmic Chaos thrill ride (pictured) & S.S. Kenny kiddie ride
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland
DELGROSSO’S PARK
Location: Tipton, PA
Distance: 4 hours
Opening date: May 6th
Similar to: A small Fantasy Island
LAKEMONT PARK
Location: Altoona, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 19th
Similar to: Fantasy Island. Remember Roseland is Canandaigua? This is where the Roseland Skyliner wooden roller coaster now is. This is also the home of the world's oldest roller coaster, Leap-the-Dips.
IDLEWILD PARK
Location: Ligonier, PA
Distance: 4.5 hours
Opening date: May 24th
New for 2007: Flying Aces, a Flying Scooters ride
Similar to: Fantasy Island
HERSHEYPARK
Location: Hershey, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 4th
New for 2007: The Boardwalk at Hersheypark - a new section of the park covering over 200,00 square feet and including interactive water-play experiences.
Similar to: Canada’s Wonderland
DORNEY PARK
Location: Allentown, PA
Distance: 5.5 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: AquaRacer, a six-lane mat racing waterslide.
Similar to: Darien Lake
SESAME PLACE
Location: Langhorne, PA
Distance: 6.5 hours
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Elmo’s World - a new land with 3 new rides.
Similar to: Unique. It’s an entire amusement park for kids based on Sesame Street!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Buffalo area amusement parks...
Amusement park season has begun in the northeast!
While this isn't a complete list of all amusement parks, it does include all the ones I feel are worth a visit. If you think I missed something, e-mail me at janthony@entercom.com and I’ll add it to the list.
Click on the park name for the official website. And always check the park’s calendar before visiting, as each one starts and ends their daily schedules in a different way. All distances listed are from Buffalo...
DARIEN LAKE
Location: Darien Center, NY
While this isn't a complete list of all amusement parks, it does include all the ones I feel are worth a visit. If you think I missed something, e-mail me at janthony@entercom.com and I’ll add it to the list.
Click on the park name for the official website. And always check the park’s calendar before visiting, as each one starts and ends their daily schedules in a different way. All distances listed are from Buffalo...
DARIEN LAKE
Location: Darien Center, NY
Distance: 45 minutes
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Le Grande Cirque show (starts June 22nd)
Opening date: May 5th
New for 2007: Le Grande Cirque show (starts June 22nd)
Distance: 15 minutes
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: Full Tilt thrill ride (pictured below)
MARINELAND
Location: Niagara Falls, ON
Opening date: May 12th
New for 2007: Full Tilt thrill ride (pictured below)
MARINELAND
Location: Niagara Falls, ON
Distance: 30 minutes
Opening date: May 19th
New for 2007: Huss Topple Tower thrill ride opening late in the season. Also, work continues on the World’s Largest Aquarium Complex.
CANADA’S WONDERLAND
Location: Just north of Toronto, ON
Opening date: May 19th
New for 2007: Huss Topple Tower thrill ride opening late in the season. Also, work continues on the World’s Largest Aquarium Complex.
CANADA’S WONDERLAND
Location: Just north of Toronto, ON
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 6th
New for 2007: Endless Summer - On Ice (an all new ice skating show beginning June 27th)
MIDWAY PARK
Location: Bemus Point, NY
Opening date: May 6th
New for 2007: Endless Summer - On Ice (an all new ice skating show beginning June 27th)
MIDWAY PARK
Location: Bemus Point, NY
Distance: 90 minutes
Opening date: May 26th
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides
ONTARIO PLACE
Location: Toronto, ON
Opening date: May 26th
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island with all kiddie rides
ONTARIO PLACE
Location: Toronto, ON
Distance: 2 hours
Opening date: May 5th
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island with mainly kiddie rides
SEABREEZE
Location: Rochester, NY
Opening date: May 5th
Similar to: A smaller Fantasy Island with mainly kiddie rides
SEABREEZE
Location: Rochester, NY
Distance: 90 minutes
Opening date: May 19th
New for 2007: The Helix (a waterslide through four stories of pitch black tunnel into a gigantic bowl) & The Banzai Pipeline waterslide (the Banzai Speedslide is now enclosed and steeper)! A Cirque En Vol acrobat show will also begin at the park in mid-June.
Similar to: Fantasy Island
Opening date: May 19th
New for 2007: The Helix (a waterslide through four stories of pitch black tunnel into a gigantic bowl) & The Banzai Pipeline waterslide (the Banzai Speedslide is now enclosed and steeper)! A Cirque En Vol acrobat show will also begin at the park in mid-June.
Similar to: Fantasy Island
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