Destination: Vegas

My fiancee, Liz, finally 'got me back' for a surprise birthday party that I threw for her last June. My 30th birthday is this Friday, February 7th, and she told me a few months ago that she and I (and another couple) were going to Atlantic City, NJ...and that I should save some gambling money. ;)

Well, this past Sunday, she revealed to me that we're actually going to Las Vegas. Needless to say, I was utterly surprised, especially since I've never been there before. I'm excited about hitting the casinos, naturally, but I'm primarily looking forward to riding the four coasters there (unfortunately, I won't be able to make it out to Buffalo Bill's to ride Desperado, but no big deal).

I have a question about Manhattan Express for those of you who have experienced it. It appears to have the same trains and restraints as SFGAdv's Viper. I've seen a POV of ME, and it looks pretty intense. Does it beat you up as much as Viper? I personally liked Viper, but it does jerk you around a bit. Liz hated it, and for good reason--the slight left turn after the first drop practically threw her neck out...it was sore for a few days afterward. I'd like Liz to ride ME (*prepares for M:TR jokes* ;) ), but not if it's going to require a visit to the chiropractor...

Wow...you could drive a Kenworth through the hole I just left. Anyway, any info and/or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Living on the East coast my whole life, this will be the first time I will have ridden a coaster on my birthday! :)
------------------
-Vater
Take a ride...
*** This post was edited by Vater 2/4/2003 10:10:27 AM ***

Vater - its been a few years since I've ridden ME but I do recall a bit of headbanging. There's a very recent trip report from someone who just went to Vegas...check it out.

FYI, High Roller will only operate in optimum weather conditions, i.e. no high wind. I have missed it on every single visit in the last few years because I waited too long in the day. I suggest finding out what time Stratosphere Tower opens and going there at opening. Unless things have chaned it does cost money just to go up the tower *unless* you make reservations at the restaurant. Now, whether you keep your reservations once up there is up to you. The food is quite good in the revolving restaurant.

If you have any other questions or need advice about Vegas email me.

Moosh

edit: Happy Birthday ;)

------------------
"The movies are weird--you actually have to think about
them when you watch them."
--Britney Spears at the Sundance Film Festival

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/4/2003 11:14:08 AM ***

Thanks, Moosh. I'm kinda worried about the Stratosphere now. Hopefully the wind won't be a factor when I'm there, as I'd be missing out on two rides (I'm actually looking forward to riding Big Shot moreso than High Roller--HR will be mostly for the count).

------------------
-Vater
Take a ride...

ME bashed me about terribly! The restraints are unusual so try getting the front seat, or at least the front seat of any car as the visuals are crap otherwise as the headrests are so tall. The first couple of drops are good, but brace yourself as you hit the compact area of the ride out the front. This is where the loops and sharp turns are, and this is obviously the headbangy bit! Try Speed as a much better coaster IMO! & have a great time!

------------------
www.ukrides.info
*** This post was edited by colin mcwilliam 2/4/2003 1:50:18 PM ***

All I can tell you is this, Vater. If you look up and see the rides operating drop what you're doing and get there ASAP!

Moosh - who still needs his High Roller credit

------------------
"The movies are weird--you actually have to think about
them when you watch them."
--Britney Spears at the Sundance Film Festival

Take it from someone who lives in vegas the ME is a tourist trap rip-off. The only good part about it is the quite cool twist and dive but other than that it is terrible,rough and way overpriced at about 12 bucks. Speed at the Sahara is excellent as is the big shot and the canyon blaster is worth the trip to circus circus. Bring some warm clothes too as the weather has suddenly turned quite chilly.
------------------
I hope they kill that iron yuppie. Thinks he's so big. The great homer simspon

I had a feeling ME was going to cost a bit more, since there's no price listed on their website. 12 bucks is definitely a rip-off, but I have a feeling I'll enjoy it, at least somewhat. I'm one of those sadists who enjoys a TOGO coaster.

------------------
-Vater
Take a ride...

Mamoosh, that's a great sig, and incredibly telling...;)

I've never found ME to be that rough. It hurts my pocketbook far more than my neck/ears. But, if you like Togo (sadist) then ME is one of the best. Two of my favorite visuals are on that ride: the high turn over Las Vegas Blvd. (with an awesome view of the Strip), and the lead-in to the gnarly half loop and twist. After that, I found the ride more boring than rough.

If you have any sort of fear of heights (I do, but it never stops me ;-) the Big Shot will mess your $#@& up! Just being up in the Tower was bad enough; I had to force myself to go out and get it over with, LOL! The High Roller, while not talked about much, is actually a pretty cool little ride....it's a junior coaster with one hell of a view.

Speed remains my favorite ride in Vegas, however...too bad I had a hang-over the one time I rode it!
------------------
Mike Miller

Intamin Fan says we have to behave. Let's bring this discussion back to coasters. Do you people think I have all day to dick around?

Maybe that's what made it so good, BaSSiStiSt... ;)

Or not.

---

the lead-in to the gnarly half loop and twist.

---

Yes indeed, that's what I'm most anticipating. The first inversion on Viper is just crazy, and it looks similar to ME's twist-and-dive.

------------------
-Vater
Take a ride...

Hehe... Mamoosh's quote. I think Ebert and Roeper commented about that on their show too. Hey, but don't cap on poor Britney. It's not like any other 20 something year olds go to movies for the plot. We want to see some action!

------------------
"Hey, man! Is that Freedom Rock?! TURN IT UP!!!"

I didn't find ME to be as rough as some told me it was. If I remember correctly, the roughest section was the dive into the vertical loop. There was (when I rode it two years ago), a nasty shuffle while going down the drop into the loop.

I guess I will have to give it another ride this Friday or Sunday when I am in town as I do remember liking the ride.

-Sean

Vater - if you keep spotting the same person on the different rides this weekend, it'll be your fellow buzzer, Olsor. Or some Vegas stalker... you never know. My girlfriend is whisking me away to Vegas this weekend, too, although it's in honor of her birthday. Pretty good deal for me, I think.

This will be my first trip to Vegas, so, thank you, voldemort, for the price breakdown on ME. Man... 12 bucks?!? I knew I'd lose money going to Vegas, but not that way.

I've been wondering - is there any such thing as a re-ride on any of the coasters in Vegas, or am I going to shell out full-price for every spin? In other words, should I plan on hitting the low-stakes blackjack tables when I'm done riding, or the really embarrassingly low-stakes blackjack tables?

Vegas, baby! Vegas!

ME is a great ride. And forget about it being rough. It's probably the smoothest ride I've ever been on. In fact, I didn't think it was even that thrilling. It's more of a great sight-seeing experience. I was lucky enough to get front seat of this thing. Because when you get there, there's a guy that tells you what row to get in. So if you can, try to ask the guy if you could have front row. It makes the ride 10x better.

I'd suggest Speed:The Ride too. That's great. It's more thrilling and cheaper than ME, and you get to ride it twice.

------------------
If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot 'em?

On Speed: the Ride, you can buy an all-day pass pretty cheaply. Speed is by far the best ride in town, so go for it.

About Manhattan Express - personally, I liked every part of it: the huge drops, the crazy flip, even the bunny hops and helices at the end. Yes it's rough, and freaking expensive, but worth it for one ride.

And don't do as I did and forget about Canyon Blaster at Circus Circus. It's near the Stratosphere.

------------------
A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

Way ahead of all of you...Speed, Canyon Blaster, ME, and High Roller are all on the agenda. BTW, are the kiddie coasters there (check on RCDB for the ones in Vegas) only for kiddies? Can big kiddies ride them too? So far, the only place I've found where I've been able to ride the lil' ones was in Coney Island.

Hey Olsor, every time you get in line for a coaster, just yell 'VATER!!' at the top of your lungs...I'll keep an ear open. ;)
------------------
-Vater
Take a ride...

Even if High Roller is closed... go on Big Shot! That alone is worth the $ to get to the top and all. Once you get off, you can buy re-rides for $3. We rode it twice and skipped High Roller, as it looked terribly lame.

You can read my TR, it's a little old but it's still there.

------------------
Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

I did read it GP, thanks. I do plan on riding Big Shot. I've been on Dr. Doom's Fearfall, which was great, but I really want to have that same experience 1000 feet in the air.

Man, that's got to be insane.

------------------
-Vater
Take a ride...
*** This post was edited by Vater 2/5/2003 8:23:57 AM ***

General Public took the words right out of my mouth. The Big Shot is not to be missed.

High Roller get a big "ehh" from me. The only excitement is the height of the coaster; the coaster itself is pretty lame. The one ride I've had on it is enough (I usually go for two rounds on the big shot!).

And to repeat what some others have said: Speed: The Ride is fantastic, and it's worth a trip to Circus Circus to take a lap on Canyon Blaster.

I'm counting down to my LV trip in April...Roll them bones for me, Vater. :)

------------------
Pinball and Coasters...Any Questions?

If you're interested in going to the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix, adults are allowed to ride the kiddie coaster there. It was funny when we went there we were the only people there. They must've gotten a kick out of 2 adults wanting to ride the kiddie coaster. :-)

Sue