The Year in Beaver 2017

I'm a little late on this, mostly because I had some Mac issues and couldn't post. Anyways, 2017 was a really great year. I went a lot of new places, had a lot of fun, and ended the year riding coasters. Oh, I also went international for the first time. On to 2018!

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

I still love living in Charlotte. Seven years in I still get excited seeing the skyline.

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Early in the year, an American Institution was announced to be closing for good, so I had to take a chance and go see it for my final time.

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

I wanted to go see the other touring group in Greensboro a month later, but I had to miss it, so this was my final time seeing The Greatest Show on Earth!

NC Museum of Natural History 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

In February, my friend Isaac and I spent the weekend in Raleigh/Durham and I finally got to go to the NC Museum of Natural History. It was opened a few years ago, and I've been wanting to go ever since.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Spring wouldn't be complete without a trip to Carowinds to sample the new wares. Four new (much needed) flat rides debuted along with other additions. The area looks great. They had some hiccups, some that lasted most of the season, but all four rides are a lot of fun.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Also in the Spring I headed to Atlanta for the second (of 4) trips of the year, and hit up Six Flags. This wasn't open yet, and I've still yet to ride it. I did, however, get to ride Blue Hawk (Formerly Ninja) with it's new paint/train/etc. and it is now a good ride.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Supes looks good with the new paint job, but every time I tried to get Isaac on over 2 visits, the ride kept breaking down. He finally got to ride 2 B&M flyers in Japan, but still doesn't have this one.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Fair season is a little different in NC than I'm used to. It starts in the spring but ramps up in the fall. My first of 2 fairs this year was the Queen City fair. When I first moved here, there was one small fair in Charlotte, now there are a couple of decent ones.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Went to Va for the weekend. I really like InvadR. Next time I return I hope the day isn't quite as busy so I can ride much more.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

This year I came to the realization that, though I like the park, Kings Dominion just isn't a park I'm hugely excited about. I didn't used to feel this way. However, Twisted Timbers could change that.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Along with several Friday nights at the park enjoying rides in the cool weather, I also hit up Carowinds for the Taste of the Carolinas a couple times. Food is really good.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Took five attempts to finally ride this, and it was really great. Took longer before the lights were installed, and nearly all seas (Winterfest) till all of the lights started working.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Spent a weekend in Asheville and saw Franz Ferdinand. Great show, great weekend in Asheville. I love Asheville.

Charlotte Fair 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

My next fair was the Charlotte Fair. I went for the credit.

Charlotte Fair 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

The only reason I didn't ride this was because I'd just eaten. A few weeks later, this was the very same one that was involved in the fatal Ohio accident.

Eclipse 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

This happened.

Japan Day 1 Asukasa by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

And then THIS happened! No, not Epcot. I finally, after nearly 2 decades, made my way to Japan!

Japan Day 1 Asukasa by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Tokyo was amazing.

Japan Day 1 Asukasa by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Such an amazing place.

Japan Day 1 Asukasa by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

We just happened to stumble across the oldest park in Japan, with the oldest coaster in Japan, and my first international credit on our first full day.

Japan Day 2 Kyoto Imperial Grounds by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

We headed to Kyoto where we got our first, but not last, taste of a typhoon.

DSC03832 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

But seeing the Imperial complex in Kyoto, even in the rain, was breathtaking.

Japan Day 2 Kyoto Imperial Grounds 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Also amazing? The food. We had sushi once. And I don't regret not having it more because everything else was so amazing. Didn't have a bad meal there. Not even McDonalds.

Japan Day 4 Space World by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Cedar Fair's aggressive secret expansion in to Japan was shocking.

Japan Day 4 Space World by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

I hate that this park closed 12/31. It was a really great park with some unique rides, not the least of which was the log flume with a helix.

Japan Day 4 Space World by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Good ride. If it had better restraints, it would have been great.

Japan Day 4 Space World by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

First and last time ever.

Japan Day 5 Universal Studios by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Universal Studios Japan was the best of the Universal parks I've been to, and that is saying a lot. They took the best of USH, USF, and IoA and put them right in the middle of Osaka.

Japan Day 5 Universal Studios by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

This was the best coaster of the trip, surprisingly. LOVED it.

Japan Day 5 Universal Studios by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Cosplaying/Parkbounding is Huge in Japan. Mostly adults, and not just young adults and millennials.

Japan Day 5 Universal Studios by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Express Pass and planning helped us get the most out of the park, even with Halloween Horror Nights starting at 6pm.

Japan Day 6 Himeji Castle 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Himeji Castle may have been my absolute thing in Japan. One of Japan's 12 original castles, and one of the 3 highest regarded, you get to explore all 7 floors (you take your shoes off and walk on the hardwood, and it was great), as well as much of the rest of the complex. Also the town of Himeji was charming.

Japan Day 6 Himeji Castle 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

There was a park/zoo right by the castle that we didn't have time for, and another park across town with a Batman clone & more that I forgot about, so no credits, but no regrets. Look at that castle!

Japan Day 7 Mt. Inari 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Spent the nite in a traditional Japanese Ryokan, and it was great.

Japan Day 7 Mt. Inari 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

So charming.

Japan Day 7 Mt. Inari 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

We went to Mt. Inari. I got to hike up into the bamboo forest, and it was amazing.

Japan Day 7 Mt. Inari 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

The Inari Shrine is famous for it's 5000 Tori gates.

Japan Day 8 Nagashima 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

The day started out gloomy with little hope, and it was the only day we could go to Nagashima Spa Land. However, the only major coaster that didn't end up opening was the Jet Star. I love Schwarzkopfs, but I've ridden this model before.

Japan Day 8 Nagashima 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Steel Dragon was a lot of fun, and even the Corkscrew, which was very retro Arrow, was fun.

Japan Day 8 Nagashima 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

White Cyclone wasn't as bad as I'd heard. But its closing and apparently RMC is re-doing it. That would get me back there.

Japan Day 9 Tokyo & Shibuya 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Went to the Tokyo Dome area and adjacent park. Like I said, Cosplayers everywhere. Apparently Sundays are Cosplayer day at Tokyo Dome City.

Japan Day 9 Tokyo & Shibuya 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Thunder Dolphin is the only coaster left at the park, and was closed for several years. It is visually impressive, and fun, but not what you would normally expect from an Intamin hyper coaster.

Japan Day 9 Tokyo & Shibuya 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Gekki-On Live is the current coaster at Joypolis. Its a Gerstlauer spinning coaster, with interactive elements, and an inversion. It was super fun.

Japan Day 9 Tokyo & Shibuya 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

The light show on this building was amazing.

Japan Day 9 Tokyo & Shibuya 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

The park near Joypolis was really great. The area is very touristy, but the beach had loads of locals enjoying their evening in the humid weather.

Japan Day 9 Tokyo & Shibuya 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Finally got to experience Shibuya Crossing, the busiest crosswalk in the world. It's basically Tokyo's Times Square (Even though we actually visited an area themed to Times Square elsewhere in Tokyo).

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Why, yes, Fuji Q was as bad as everyone says. But as long as you get there and get some skip the line passes, you can have a really fun day. Fujiyama was great.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Eejanaika was a lot of fun.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Though I'd have loved to have ridden before, the launch and loop on Do-Dodonpa was really good.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Then of course you get great views of Mt. Fuji and rollercoasters, like the amazing Takabisha. Can't wait till the clone of this comes to New Jersey.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Spent the nite in a pod hotel. It was interesting.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

One of the Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Me & Mt. Fuji.

Japan Day 11 Fuji Q 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Just so stunning.

Japan Day 12 Tobu Zoo 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Regina at Tobu Zoo was outstanding! I didn't expect it to be so good.

Japan Day 12 Tobu Zoo 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Kawasemi was also a lot of fun. I like the mini Chance HyperGTX a bit better but this was fun.

Japan Day 12 Skytree 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Tokyo SkyTree is the second tallest building in the world.

Japan Day 12 Skytree 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Tokyo is just so Massive! But so clean and beautiful.

Japan Day 12 Skytree 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Mixing old and new in Asukasa, Tokyo, Japan.

Japan Day 13 DisneySea 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

DisneySea was amazing.

Japan Day 13 DisneySea 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

So different, but so amazing.

Japan Day 13 DisneySea 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

This is unquestionably the best themed park in the world.

Japan Day 13 DisneySea 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Volcanoes at parks are in now.

Japan Day 14 Disneyland 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Tokyo Disneyland was a bit of an odd mix. It was super busy, obviously. And of course, there were amazing things like Pooh, there were copies of amazing things from DL and MK, but then there were parts of the park that needed major overhauls like Tomorrowland. I know they're planning on and currently working on updating the park. I can't wait to go back when it's done.

Japan Day 14 Disneyland 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Hopefully this will get the Disneyland overlay inside. Otherwise it's just music and a projected starfield.

Japan Day 14 Disneyland 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Again, Cosplayers everywhere.

Japan Day 14 Disneyland 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

But of course, parts of it are so very familiar.

Japan Day 14 Cosmoworld 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

We made a last minute decision to head back to Yokohama early and hit up Cosmoworld, which we kept having to push back. Diving Coaster: Vanish was a lot of fun, and the area was very charming.

Japan Day 14 Cosmoworld 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

No update including Japan can go without a massive Ferris Wheel, of which we saw several.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Arriving back to the states, I knew the rest of September and October were going to be insane as I had major plans nearly every weekend, including a work trip, that just happened to be at the beach.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Followed by Trips to SCarowinds.

Untitled by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

And another SFoG-less trip to Atlanta where I ran into Robocoaster.

DELETE by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

In November I hit up Winterfest. Fun, but not something I needed to do more than once. I took November easy.

Janet State of the World Tour Columbia 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

December, however, was back to being busy. I followed Janet Jackson around on her last 2 stops of the State of the World Tour.

Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

I saw her in Columbia on Saturday nite.

Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

At 51 years old, with a baby, she looks amazing as usual. Still dances too.

Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Then it was time for my final trip of the year to Atlanta for the final show. She brought Missy Elliott out on stage, and there were several celebs there, like Samuel L. Jackson. Janelle Monet was supposed to be there, but I believe she got stuck at the airport, as this was the weekend that ATL (Thats the Atlanta Airport Code, Jason) shut down.

Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

We lucked out and got rooms at the Omni CNN Center, which is attached to the venue for the concert, for $99 a nite. And that was split 3 ways.

Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

I had taken Monday off work, so Isaac and I did some exploring.

Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

And I finally did this. Not my first time having Beverly or Mezzo Mix, either. Still like both.

Wild Adventures 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

At the end of the month I headed to Florida by way of Valdosta GA to stop by Wild Adventures. The day was rainy and my time there cut short, but it's a fun park, and I'll likely go back next time I head south.

Wild Adventures 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Herschend has done a great job with the park. I'd like to see them add something like a HyperGTX or one of those newfangled Vekoma mini loopers.

Disney Springs 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

While in FL, went to Disney Springs a few times. Discovered Blaze Pizza. Imagine my surprise when I found out there are TWO in Charlotte (I went to one for dinner this past Friday nite).

Sea World Orlando 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

SeaWorld was also fun. And I got to get the Manta and Acrobat credits back to back, which was kinda neat.

Sea World Orlando 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Mini Fury was also great, as was Kraken.

Sea World Orlando 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

Whales! (not so much...)

Fun Spot America Orlando 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

This! This was a lot of fun!

Fun Spot America Kissimmee 2017 by C. E. Beavers, on Flickr

And so was this!

So heres hoping for more travels in 2018. My major trips I'm planning for are a week long cruise with NO coasters but a new country credit in Mexico, as well as heading to NY/Canada for coasters and another new country credit. Plus CP and SDC, but not on the same trip. And if I get lucky, maybe finally getting to NorCal in November or December.