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Matt’s Moderate Adventures

A blog by Matt 236 in General

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About this blog

Prepare for physiological cred journey!

Entries in this blog

Disney California adventure- California Extremin

California Extremin- Part 5 Disney’s California Adventure & conclusion

Welcome to the fifth and final addition to my California trip report. You’ve heard of car park coasters, now get ready for car park theme parks! Ok, this place doesn’t look like a car park. At least not anymore! Opening in 2001 on the former original car park of Disney, the neighbouring Disneyland was a magical, immersive and well themed destination. This place had none of them and was seen as a disaster and embarrassment. Flash forward two decades, and through various updates and expan
California Extremin- Disneyland Part 1

California Extremin- Part 4- Disneyland- the original

Hello, here is the fourth and final report from my recent California trip so no better place to end than in Disneyland. Not Paris, but the one that started it all, which Walt built and set foot in.  Opening in 1955, the park and resort marks for one of the first and oldest theme parks (not amusement parks) around, which perfectly boasts and balances traditional character, but also modernity as well. Unlike its French and Floridian counterparts, this one (at least in landmass) is much sm
Knotts Berry Scary Farm

California Extremin- Part 3, Knotts Berry (Scary) Farm

Welcome back, if the other parts didn’t  bore you. Here’s my report for Knotts Berry Farm. But first, here’s a photo of the Hollywood sign. Seeing this in the flesh was just exciting.  Out of the California parks I visited, Knotts has got to be the most divisive one I’ve done so far. A somewhat underwhelming park in the day, plagued by disappointing operations, some rundown areas and other bits. That said, the beef meal at the BBQ place was superb.   Owned by Cedar Fair
California Extremin Part 2 Universal Hollywood

California Extremin, Part 2- Universal Studios Hollywood 

Hello and welcome to part 2 of my California 2024 trip reports. This entry takes us Universal Studios Hollywood, the original universal park which has now been open for over 50 years, predating every other park considerably. Even the Orlando resort. As oldest Universal park, at first glance this park is significantly smaller than its other parks with considerably fewer attractions, especially compared to the Orlando resort. However this park makes up for much of that shortfall. 
California Extreming

California Extremin, Part 1- Six Flags Magic Mountain 

Hey all, I initially thought that I would be handing in my blogging quill  following my Florida trip 2 years ago. However I guess my passion and interest for parks and traveling has perhaps resurrected this.   Until last month, I had never set foot in a Six Flags park (shock horror). However that finally changed, following a significant trip to California. After some sightseeing shenanigans in San Francisco, it was time to experience my first major park. Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Trip review and report

Creek’s Orlando Adventure- Park Ranking, The Second Part 

Welcome to part 2, my list and ratings will now continue.  7/ Busch Gardens  Home to three excellent B&Ms, a good RMC and other mostly decent rides that complement the lineup. Busch Gardens was one of the parks I was most anticipated about.  Well, the rides I can happily say met their expectations. Montu is a fine invert and Sheikra is probably my favourite dive coaster. Iron Gwazi may be the lower of the three RMCs, but it’s still awesome. Cobra’s curse was disappoint
Theme park trip

Creek’s Orlando Adventure- Park Ranking

Creek’s Orlando Adventure- Park Ranking Orlando! A prime tourist destination and a paradise for lovers of theme parks. After nearly 5 years of waiting, I was finally able to experience this wonderful place. In what is without doubt my favourite park trip to date.    Having experienced numerous attractions out there, rather than write full on reports which might be longer than the upcoming Avatar sequel, I’ll just condense it into a rating list. Where I’ll focus on the main aspe
Carters Steam Fair

Farewell To The Fairground- Carters Steam Fair

2022, we’ve seen many hellos and goodbyes this year especially the latter.  Carters Steam Fair, as we know it is another which will end in 2022. Although it won’t disappear completely, the current owners (The Carter family) intend to sell the collection to a permanent site. Making this year their final tour.  I was thankful to get a chance to visit them in Croxley Green (near Watford), where they have stopped for a number of years.    The last time I visited may be as far
Theme park

Riding Solo: A Danish Adventure Part 2 Tivoli Gardens

Hello and welcome to part two of my solo holiday trip report.   After feeling somewhat underwhelmed following my 90 minute trip to Bakken, it would now be time to revisit Tivoli Gardens.    I visited here back in 2019, so it felt nice to be back. Even if on my own.    The thing I love about Tivoli Gardens is their dedication and preservation to their history and character. The Rutschebanen (sp) at over 108 years old and such a phenomenal attraction! The way it
Theme park

Riding Solo: A Danish Adventure Part 1 Bakken

Life, the last number of years have been something of a disappointment to many for a number reasons. Mostly Covid.    Now having, an outstanding flight voucher following many cancelled trips, an idea came to me. A solo holiday/adventure. After much debate, I decided to return to Copenhagen. Whilst not the cheapest, it’s a city I had liked previously and also felt reasonably safe from what I remembered.    The flight from Gatwick was a little bumpy. From the hideously long security

Seven Rides That Summarise 2020

This year May not be over yet but it has been one long roller coaster ride and sadly not an enjoyable one other . As this horrible time remains  dominated by a  never ending pandemic, here’s some rides that may be a reminder and summarisation of how 2020 is going. Hold on tight and remain seated, you are in for a very bumpy ride! 1/ Meanstreak- Cedar Point  Tall, long and dominating. The whole presence of this attraction should deliver something great to live up to it’s name. Sadly 

Rage Against The Time Machine

It has been five years since I last visited this quirky little place and quite a lot has changed for better and worse. With a horrible virus still at large and more countries on the quarantine list, I probably won’t be going abroad for a while so staycation it is. But is it all worth it? New for 2019 the park added Axis, a flat ride which is like an afterburner but goes over the top (360) giving an intense but unique experience. It’s easily the best flat ride and probably one of the be

A Fantasy Island Like No Other 

2020, it’s been one crazy roller coaster ride and sadly one that hasn’t been particularly enjoyable. It has been rougher than a ride on Saw or Gouderix.   With a massive pandemic halting life as we know it, everything has been challenging in general, let alone theme parks. Skip ahead to now and with parks cautiously reopening I would finally get to visit a one again, this time a new one.  Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells near Skegness is an amusement located adjacent to a large op

Current Thorpe Park Attractions Ranked Worst To Best

Some love it, others love to hate it. That’s Thorpe Park! Home to numerous attractions, some are delightful, others are worse than that Hunchback Of Notre Dame sequel and a few are just alright.    Here’s my honest and “potentially” spoiler inducing opinions on the Island’s current offering.   27/ Wet Wet Wet  Literally says what it does on the tin. You go down a slide and then get wet, wet, wet. Mind blown, who would’ve thought it! Next you’ll tell me it’s only intended for k

Ten Defunct Attractions I Wished to have  Experienced

In a (usually) ever moving world, parks change and update. Whether that be building attractions themed to blockbuster movies, the latest children’s book or original ideas. whilst new attractions rise, old ones will naturally and unfortunately fall. Due to age, redevelopment or reasons unknown. On the ever-growing list, here’s 10 attractions I wished to have experienced.   1/ Pirate Adventure- Drayton Manor Theme Park Operated 1990-2015 I have quite a soft spot f

10 Theme Park Related Things To Enjoy Right Now

Unless you’ve been living under on a distant island  or on a galaxy far away,  you will be fully aware of the current  pandemic that is happening, causing for much concern and cancellation of next to everything fun, social or entertainment related.   Whilst there are definitely bigger concerns out there, we probably won’t get our park fixes again now for at least a little while. This is why I’ve pitched up the idea of 10 Theme Park related things you can do and enjoy in the comfort of y

A Frightening Shocking Time Of Year

Halloween! It’s usually my favourite time of year. Parks are open longer, the darkening evenings lead to more night rides and the parks play host to scare mazes, spooky shows and creepy theming. Maybe all three.   Now 2019 is far from my best and favourite year of Halloween. I haven’t visited as many attractions this year, due to numerous commitments and setbacks unexpectedly happening to me lately. However I’ve tried to enjoy and make the best of what I have been able to do.   

Why Parc Asterix is Underrated:

Many enthusiasts boast about Efteling, Europa Park and Phantasialand. This isn’t my quote but it’s true. These parks boast quality attractions, theming and usually lead the way when it comes to innovation.. but what about Asterix?   Parc Asterix is a fair sized “family park” located in Plailly France, just outside of Paris. This place boasts a well rounded diverse selection of attractions and is based off the Asterix comics.  Despite it’s continuation of investments, class ride

Creekenhagen- Dansk Hygge- Exploring The City

Welcome Back. In this section we take a look  at same of the many  places and jewels to explore in this city of Fairy Tale and wonderous city.  Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital city, a place famous for Lego, Hans Christian Anderson and  creativity. It is the largest and busiest city in Denmark (naturally) and Scandinavia. It also features rich history and  it’s own Royal family.    Attractions: Copenhagen features a large diversity of attractions and architecture, from moder

Creekenhagen: Dansk Hygge- Tivoli Gardens:

Many years ago a man visited a smallish yet popular Danish amusement park. That place was Tivoli Gardens. He was inspired by the charm and character of the place which lead him on to creating his own park. That man was Walt Disney. Tivoli Gardens has been somewhere I have always wanted to visit, whether that be it’s significant history, interesting pallet of attractions, or to say I have visited the fourth most visited European park? These were just some of the reasons, not to mention

Seeing The Point: Creek goes to the USA- Part 2- All The Mall Things

Welcome Back (if you didn’t get bored last time).    Previously, I left you with a Cliff hanger on whether we managed to get on Top Thrill Dragster. I’m afraid this is going to be a bit of a disappointment, because we didn’t return to the park. On the second day (at least).    Day 2- A Pointless Day Although our hotel package included park tickets, these were only valid for three days, so at least one of our days was to be away from the park.    With adverse weather

Seeing The Point: Creek goes to the USA Part I

America! It’s somewhere I have wanted to go and visit since I can remember.    I had always dreamt of visiting here, since seeing it in films, television and more. The style and the culture.    Recently that dream became a reality, thanks to a great opportunity with some great mates. Bringing not only a chance to visit the states but one of it’s most iconic parks Cedar Point.    Now you’ve probably already read Mark9’s informative trips from here, so a different scope sh

Wickerman- A Hot Topic

The Wickerman marks a noticeable and remarkable  change from previous Secret Weapon coasters. Not only does it aim more towards older families (over thrill-seekers) but it doesn’t feature a ground breaking element (if one can excuse their previous claims. It’s made out of wood too by the way. This review contains spoilers.    Now enthusiasts, fans and the like have been wanting   a wooden roller coaster at Towers for years. Previously with little success, until now. Cross Valley

Eye Of The Tiger

Chessington. It is arguably one of the most iconic and notable tourist attractions in the United Kingdom and naturally enriched in facts and history.   Opening it’s doors in 1931, Chessington Zoo was born and was once the largest private zoo in England as a result. Years passed by and Pearsons brought up the zoo. When the 1980’s arrived, the zoo was believed to be in decline and Tussauds (part of Pearsons) had the challenge of rejuvenating the attraction to a new generation.  

Phantasialand: Ein Deutsches Winterwunderland

Phantasialand is one of my favourite theme parks, it may not be the biggest park out there, but they certainly know how to mix a combination of attractions within remarkable footprints.   Just over a year following my first visit, I decided to make a return visit for Winter to see the park beautifully lit up and decorated for Christmas. Berlin Street, a beautiful park entrance (at least once you get past the street). It borrows some elements from Main Street but also makes i

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