Pre-TAM Dare-Devils: Join Us for Some Insane Rides Before the Rationality Convention

[Wowbagger]

For the past several years, I have organized trips to various attractions that involve Not Fearing Heights: Tandem Skydiving (from an actual airplane), Indoor Skydiving (in a vertical wind tunnel), and the Stratosphere's SkyJump. Last year we did the Voodoo Zipline between the Rio hotel towers.

I would like to continue that tradition this year. But, first we must decide on which rides to go on!

The Freemont Street area has two new "Slotzilla" attractions we can try: The Zip Line (where one is seated, for $20), and the Zoom Line (where one flies Superman-style, on a higher line, for $40). The Zoom Line would be my first choice. If we have time, I could try both for comparison purposes. More information can be found in this ugly-looking, buy still informative web site: http://vegasexperience.com/slotzilla-zip-line/

Another option could be: Insanity: The Ride, where you are swung over the top of the Stratosphere tower! We almost did this two years ago, but it was closed due to high winds. I would like to try this thing out, at some point in my life, if I can ever manage to get there when it is open! (I have done all the other rides on top of the Stratosphere.) Prices: $18 Tower Admission required before ride tickets. Each ride (including Insanity) is $15 in addition to that. So Insanity, alone, will cost $33 total. More Info: http://www.stratospherehotel.com/Activities/Thrill-Rides

For those less daring, perhaps a tumble through the giant High Roller Observation Wheel would be sufficient. I would actually like to go on that thing, too, even though it is far less insane than the other two options. Ticket prices seem to vary depending on your age, time of the ride, and if you want an extra-long ride with an open bar.

And, I am open to other ideas, if anyone has any.

So, who is up for any of these crazy things?!

 

[Wowbagger]

No daredevils, this year, so far, eh?

 

[bumlet5]

You know I'm down for a good zipline. I'm not so sure about Insanity right now. I looked at the Rio zipline, but the chair-style is a little tame.

 

[Swordfishtrombone]

No daredevils, this year, so far, eh?

Oh, why not. I'll only regret it once, at most. Count me in.

One thing though - you mention in the title "before the rationality conference" - when, exactly? I'll be in town well before the conference personally, but for the conference days, I'm kinda thinking of taking part in the desert bus tour... I don't know if that's going to be on Thursday or Sunday.

Except... if I end up buying the pass for the workshops, then I won't be going on that tour if it's on Thursday, after all... still scheduling to think about, it seems.

So, I'm in, provided that the timing doesn't too badly interfere with anything I've got scheduled, that I'm commited to and/or paid for already.

 

[Wowbagger]

I looked at the Rio zipline, but the chair-style is a little tame.

Yeah, that's why I'm aiming for the Zoom Line.

But, if we have time, I would like to try both on Freemont Street, just for the sake of completeness and comparisons and stuff.

So, I'm in, provided that the timing doesn't too badly interfere with anything I've got scheduled, that I'm commited to and/or paid for already.

Ah, that's the question we have to answer!

I am generally flexible, myself. I am willing to miss some of the workshops for this (like I did in some years). But, we don't necessarily have to.

The problem is that might be flying in later this year, than previous years. I usually get in on Wed. morning before TAM. This time, it might be Wed. evening. I am sure the rides will still be open, though.

The good news is that the venue is closer to where the rides are, than most previous years. So, it will take less time to get there and back.

We can put this up to vote!

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

No daredevils, this year, so far, eh?

Were the events canceled?

 

[Swordfishtrombone]

evening[/U]. I am sure the rides will still be open, though.

Wednesday evening would be a good time for me - though given that that's when you arrive, that would mean that any travel delays would throw a spanner into the works.

There's nothing in these rides that needs to be reserved in advance though? So if something like travel delays screws the schedule up, participants can just reschedule on the fly, right?

 

[Wowbagger]

Were the events canceled?

No, not yet. If they are, I will let everyone know, myself. You have no authority in this thread.

(For those of just joining the forum, Scrut and I like to say that to each other, just for kicks, apparently. Though, I really wish he'd stop, at some point.)

Wednesday evening would be a good time for me - though given that that's when you arrive, that would mean that any travel delays would throw a spanner into the works.

There's nothing in these rides that needs to be reserved in advance though? So if something like travel delays screws the schedule up, participants can just reschedule on the fly, right?

I would recommend we get our reservations in advance, just so we have them, even though it is usually not necessary. We might even get a group discount by doing so, maybe.

If I am delayed, the rest of you folks could go on without me, if you'd like.

But, I will see what I can do to try to get in as early as possible, if Wednesday is the day to do this.

 

[Swordfishtrombone]

I would recommend we get our reservations in advance, just so we have them, even though it is usually not necessary. We might even get a group discount by doing so, maybe.

If there's enough of us going, then that might work. Worth a try!

If I am delayed, the rest of you folks could go on without me, if you'd like.

Or, just reschedule. Wouldn't want to leave the instigator out of the dare-devil stuff.

 

[Hamradioguy]

I'm certainly up for... something. Getting in around 4PM on the 15th.

 

[Wowbagger]

So, this is the first year in my entire history of going to TAM, that my (projected) work schedule is interfering with my ability to fly in as early as I wanted to.

My flight gets in at 7:09 PM. That's not a lot of buffer time.

Assuming my flight gets in on time, and assuming we should add a couple of hours as a buffer, any way... I say we can probably hit Slotzilla any time after 9:00 PM!

I also assume my room will be ready to pop my bags into, but even if it's not, I can check them someplace. I could, theoretically, transport directly from the airport to Slotzilla, if I needed to.

But, the ride is open late, anyway, so perhaps it doesn't even matter all that much.

 

[Swordfishtrombone]

So, this is the first year in my entire history of going to TAM, that my (projected) work schedule is interfering with my ability to fly in as early as I wanted to.

My flight gets in at 7:09 PM. That's not a lot of buffer time.

Assuming my flight gets in on time, and assuming we should add a couple of hours as a buffer, any way... I say we can probably hit Slotzilla any time after 9:00 PM!

I also assume my room will be ready to pop my bags into, but even if it's not, I can check them someplace. I could, theoretically, transport directly from the airport to Slotzilla, if I needed to.

But, the ride is open late, anyway, so perhaps it doesn't even matter all that much.

Sure, that would work - though that's dependent on the flight not being late.

So another idea: how about doing it Sunday, after the live million dollar challenge (it ends at 9 p.m.)? There's no scheduled programming on Sunday after 9 p.m.

(Just checked, and it should be open till midnight on Sundays)

 

[Wowbagger]

I will probably leave to fly back home after the MDC.

If you think it's safer to move it to 10 PM on Wed., we can do that. Though, I think 9 PM should likely be fine.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Swordfishtrombone]

I will probably leave to fly back home after the MDC.

If you think it's safer to move it to 10 PM on Wed., we can do that. Though, I think 9 PM should likely be fine.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Yeah, if it's ok with everyone, maybe having the extra hour of buffer time would be better - 10 pm on Wednesday sounds good to me at least.

 

[Wowbagger]

I suppose now is as good a time as any to.... Assemble The Table!

If you'd like to join us for a 10 PM (or thereabouts) journey across Freemont Street in a Zip Line or two, on Wednesday, July 15th; please add your info to this list. In alphabetic order, if you can. Don't forget to remove the QUOTE tags.

Exact details on where to meet up will be posted here, eventually. If the list feels long enough, I will call them about the possibility of a group rate. So, you do NOT need to buy your ticket, just yet.

If you can provide transportation, let us know how many passengers you can handle.

A friend of mine, named Georgina, will likely be joining us, even though she is not active on this forum. She joined us on the Voodoo Zip Line last year.

[table=head]Forum Name|Real Name (optional)| Can Provide Transport?|Favorite Rodent|Notes
(None)|Georgina|(I doubt it)|Guinea Pigs|Friend of Wowbagger. Not active on this forum.
Wowbagger|Mitch Lampert|No, not this time|Mice!|Organizer of this event
[/table]

 

[Swordfishtrombone]

[table=head]Forum Name|Real Name (optional)| Can Provide Transport?|Favorite Rodent|Notes
(None)|Georgina|(I doubt it)|Guinea Pigs|Friend of Wowbagger. Not active on this forum.
Swordfishtrombone|Jarno Lahtinen|Nope, sorry|Jerboas|-
Wowbagger|Mitch Lampert|No, not this time|Mice!|Organizer of this event
[/table]

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I suppose now is as good a time as any to.... Assemble The Table!

If you'd like to join us for a 10 PM (or thereabouts) journey across Freemont Street in a Zip Line or two, on Wednesday, July 15th; please add your info to this list. In alphabetic order, if you can. Don't forget to remove the QUOTE tags.

Exact details on where to meet up will be posted here, eventually. If the list feels long enough, I will call them about the possibility of a group rate. So, you do NOT need to buy your ticket, just yet.

If you can provide transportation, let us know how many passengers you can handle.

A friend of mine, named Georgina, will likely be joining us, even though she is not active on this forum. She joined us on the Voodoo Zip Line last year.

[table=head]Forum Name|Real Name (optional)| Can Provide Transport?|Favorite Rodent|Notes
(None)|Georgina|(I doubt it)|Guinea Pigs|Friend of Wowbagger. Not active on this forum.
Wowbagger|Mitch Lampert|No, not this time|Mice!|Organizer of this event
[/table]

Let us know if this gets canceled.

 

[bumlet5]

I also assume my room will be ready to pop my bags into, but even if it's not, I can check them someplace. I could, theoretically, transport directly from the airport to Slotzilla, if I needed to.

Or we can pick you up at the airport and keep your bags in the car until after. We don't have a lot of trunk space, but we have a bit.

[table=head]Forum Name|Real Name (optional)| Can Provide Transport?|Favorite Rodent|Notes
Bumlet5|Ashley|With Shrimploaf|Capybara|
Shrimploaf|Robert|Yes|squirrel!|
(None)|Georgina|(I doubt it)|Guinea Pigs|Friend of Wowbagger. Not active on this forum.
Swordfishtrombone|Jarno Lahtinen|Nope, sorry|Jerboas|-
Wowbagger|Mitch Lampert|No, not this time|Mice!|Organizer of this event
[/table]

 

[Wowbagger]

If I end up in such a squeeze to get there, you're all better off going to the zip lines without me, and I would travel directly from the airport.

I appreciate the offer. But, picking me up would probably waste too much time. I'd rather not see you other folks be late.

Though, being in such a squeeze is very unlikely, anyway, of course.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Hamradioguy]

I seem to have done really well at missing all these past "Adventures with Wowbagger" but am willing to try again. Getting in around 3:30 on the 15th and hopefully not too long a delay to get to the hotel.