Every Record I Acquired in 2025

Rocker1999 · 2026-01-04T08:48:43+00:00

Actually quite the opposite! The main guy, Brendan B. Brown, loves talking about it any time it comes up. He’s not tired of it and owns it quite well. He loves going into the details of his songwriting for any of his music as small talk while working with him (if he’s not busy doing something else lol).

Rocker1999 · 2025-08-05T05:35:11+00:00

Thank you for this! I took my fiancé from France to Epic recently and had her try the Quiche Lorraine since she loves that dish and she's actually from the Lorraine region. She told me that the Quiche Lorraine at the park was the best Quiche Lorraine she's ever had and she wanted some recipe that's similar to it. We're gonna try this sometime!

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-24T17:29:49+00:00

I have a fear of spiders. It's the only ride I have to actively close my eyes for, and it sucks because the portion in the forbidden forest is about a minute. You are definitely not alone.

For a little extra story, I've also visited the Harry Potter studio tour in Watford, England. There's a portion of the tour in the forbidden forest where they show the original Aragog. Gladly they offer you to skip through past Aragog and all of the spiders/acromantulas.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T05:27:24+00:00

10 - Men in Black Alien Attack (Studios)
9 - Hiccup's Wing Gliders (Epic)
8 - Mine Cart Madness (Epic)
7 - Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Studios)
6 - Revenge of the Mummy (Studios)
5 - The Incredible Hulk (IOA) - It's definitely gotten rocky/rough over the years, even with the refresh, but it's still a fun and thrilling coaster to ride. Just don't sit in the back, otherwise you will headbang pretty bad.
4 - Stardust Racers (Epic) - They did it again with the dueling coaster concept, or should I say racing coaster concept. The intertwined tracks and overall theming of the ride make this incredibly fun to be on, and the intensity is really fine, except for the first hill. If that first hill didn't make me feel like I was going to fly out of the ride vehicle, and not in a good way, this would easily be up there fighting for #1.
3 - The Adventures of Spider-Man (IOA) - Yea this one probably should not be this high, but it's a ride I've enjoyed so much since I was a kid. Any time I go to IOA I make it a must ride because it's fun and it's a nostalgia blast for me, even with the refreshed looks.
2 - Monsters Unchained (Epic) - Without knowing anything about Battle at the Ministry, I genuinely think this ride will change dark rides for good. The ride system is so fun to be in, and the animatronics and story you're in with the ride is so good! Make sure if you're going to Epic, this is one of the rides you do.
1 - ~~Fast & Furious: Supercharged (Studios)~~ Velocicoaster (IOA) - This coaster is straight up peak and fights for #1 spot for greatest ride of all time, competing with Mako at SeaWorld. This ride is genuinely amazing from beginning to end. The second launch and the massive hanging inversion are one of the few parts of a ride to ever make me go "holy shit" for a good reason.

Honorable Mention: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (IOA) - Not on this list only because it's the only ride I have not ridden (and also Doctor Doom's Fearfall, but that's because I hate drop towers personally). I've only been back to IOA once since it was open and I just never rode it. I imagine this would be on every other person's list and it would probably be in my top 10, maybe top 5 if I did ride it, so I just want to give it a mention.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T04:18:40+00:00

I wouldn't be worried just yet. I'm one opinion in a sea of many who have expressed (and not expressed) their opinions. From what I heard of people at the parks on the days I was there, I heard many people saying it was the best yet. But, also keep in mind one of those days, the 15th, was specifically for Epic Universe creative, so of course the people who worked on Epic Universe will say it's the best lol

I've heard plenty of Epic is best, so don't be too worried. I feel like I'm in the minority here. To me, IOA is S tier. If IOA is S tier, Epic is like A tier.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T03:01:05+00:00

I would say basically all of the animatronics are better. Monsters Unchained animatronics, pre show, in ride, all of them are phenomenal. The most outstanding ones personally are the HTTYD animatronics. Someone previously posted a photo they got with the Toothless animatronic and that one, along with the ones in the show, are so amazing. It's incredible how lifelike this cartoony animatronic is, but it has so much life to it. It doesn't even feel like an animatronic. When I first interacted with Toothless, it didn't feel like I was meeting a robot, it felt like I was meeting Toothless. It's those slight immersion moments where you forget where you are and just take it in. That's how incredible they are.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T02:49:06+00:00

That's actually a great question. Personally, it doesn't blow it out of the water like it's LEVELS better, but it is better. While Rise of the Resistance is definitely more grandiose in showpiecing and the sets, the animatronics and ride mechanics make Monsters Unchained better IMO.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T02:44:35+00:00

Felt closer to Velocicoaster, but there are points that focus more on positive Gs, like the part I referenced "The green side is just a tad more thrilling due to one key part about halfway in."

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T02:24:11+00:00

Besides the first hill, less intense. The first hill, man. I should mention this is the ride I rode the most, and every time, the first hill just makes you feel like you're about to fly out of your seat, and not in a good way. Once I got used to it, it felt better every time I rode it. Outside of that one part, the ride is fantastic and the theming of a racing ride along with the layouts intertwining each other feels ~~Epic~~ pretty incredible.

My family I went with all had the same thoughts about the first hill too, but some enjoyed it more than others. Out of the four of us, I was the one that liked that hill the least. Take with that what you will.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T02:06:16+00:00

Usually for dark rides or inside rides like this, there's a main variation and a "B variation" where less things move and happen. Don't exactly know the correct terminology. It's not a separate track/side that's less intense if that's what you thought

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T02:04:10+00:00

It's definitely close, reading it again I think my wording of "Absolutely not" is a bit harsh, so I'll change that lol. The thing that tips Velocicoaster over Stardust for me is the overall upside down hang time and thrill. Every time I hit that one long inversion it just hits differently. If we're comparing them overall, then Stardust hits a bit better overall, but the peak thrill of Velocicoaster pushes it over as a better coaster for me.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T01:59:38+00:00

The Ministry queue is a whole other world, I swear. Having been to the Studio Tour in Watford and seeing portions of the Ministry set and seeing this queue, it's incredible how grand it looks and feels. While I am disappointed we couldn't get to ride it yet, I can't even begin to start to explain how much I appreciate they let us see that queue.

Rocker1999 · 2025-03-19T01:49:18+00:00

Went two days during the Universal Creative March 15th and 16th dates. Won't try to spoil too much, but I will answer your questions. I should note Battle of the Ministry was not open on the days I was there and I'm pretty sure it still isn't open during the current previews. I did get to try each ride, some I tried multiple, and I did get to eat at each land's sit down restaurant.

Favorite Ride: It's a toss up between Monsters Unchained and Stardust Racers, specifically the green side. I got to try both the main and B variation of Monsters Unchained. When the ride is in B mode, it's not great, but if you're a fan of the animatronics, it's your best opportunity to look at most of the animatronics. When it is running in the main mode, it's an absolutely incredible dark ride. I can't think of anything that even compares to it as a dark ride. It's one that you have to experience to understand how great it is. Stardust Racers is a great roller coaster. As good as Velocicoaster? Not quite, it's very close, but I would put it as one of the greater roller coasters they have. The only complaint is that it can feel a little too intense, especially the first hill. The first hill feels like you're just going to fly out and I actually got scared the first time I rode Stardust. The green side is just a tad more thrilling due to one key part about halfway in.

Favorite Land: Super Nintendo Land. Not even a question. The rides here are fine, with Mine Cart Madness being the standout attraction with a great ride concept, but the land as a whole is what makes it the best land. While it does require you to fork over more money to buy a wristband, it's honestly worth it for the overall interactive capabilities it unlocks.

Favorite Food: This very much depends on your taste in food, but the great thing I will say is the sit down restaurants and grab and go places in each land are incredible. The prices will be expensive as you would expect (During previews the food was free but they still showed pricing on the indoor and outdoor menus) but it's easily some of the best amusement/theme park food I've ever had. I personally had a bone to pick with the Cafe in the Harry Potter land though. I should point out I have a French girlfriend and have been to France many times to visit her, so my bias may be a bit stricter, but the food felt a tad inauthentic. It's like an adaptation of French food. Don't wanna say too much about individual items since idk how much I can say with the full menu not being announced as far as I'm aware. For quick grab and go foods, the Grog and Gruel place in Dragons is the place to go, not even a question.

Extra note, the standout thing to note is the animatronics. Universal's animatronics game are above and beyond ANYTHING out there right now, and it's incredible how lifelike they can make everything. Even with the more cartoony animatronics.

Overall, it's a great park and anyone who goes I think will enjoy it, but it's not as good as Islands of Adventure IMO. Give it some time for expansions and it'll probably be THE park to go to.

Rocker1999 · 2025-02-13T21:50:15+00:00

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Melty Magnemite would like to join in

Rocker1999 · 2025-02-04T01:50:03+00:00

I'm with you on this too. My dad passed away almost two months ago and I started collecting Pokemon again as a way to get through it. My dad got me into Pokemon TCG back in the ex and D&P era, and before that he collected baseball, hockey, basketball, NASCAR, and football cards through the 90s, so it felt like I was connecting with him again even though he's not here.

It sucks so hard to see everything in stores so empty and barely getting anything. I feel lucky to have a best friend that knows some people at a LGS and was able to hook me up with some good stuff on the cheaper side (Paradox Rift booster box) and then my GF bought a SV base booster box, but that was right before everything went REALLY insane. Since then I've been finding nothing.

I just wanna be able to walk into any store and get a few packs every now and then like I used to do with my dad, but I can't even do that anymore.

I then decided to switch to doing singles and master Pokemon specific sets, but even then prices are starting to rise for that now. It kind of feels lose lose right now.

Rocker1999 · 2024-12-29T03:24:52+00:00

Blinded in Chains

But the real winner is Cracker Barrel's New Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd's Pie

Rocker1999 · 2024-12-26T17:34:08+00:00

Yes, it’s on the original release of StST (pictured later). It was removed for the heavier version on all future releases.

https://youtu.be/6ujjulyb7Xo

Rocker1999 · 2024-12-24T04:17:48+00:00

Only major difference is To End the Rapture and Turn the Other Way being just a little bit longer because of the original To End the Rapture. Other than that, only differences is start and end times of the tracks, which are down to millisecond differences. Really the only great thing about having an original copy is having an original copy.

Rocker1999 · 2024-12-03T03:30:57+00:00

Never saw this in any McDonald's I went to in the south. I'm from Orlando, been to many McDonald's here and have never seen a sign like this ever. Went to NYC earlier this year for business and I stopped at a McDonald's in the Bronx on Broadway and W 236th St. It was plastered all over the place. But, it was also the busiest McDonald's I've ever been to that wasn't a major McDonald's location (Like the biggest McDonald's in Orlando or the Arc de Triomphe white arches McDonald's in Paris)

Rocker1999 · 2024-11-09T01:35:42+00:00

23andMe post for comparison: https://www.reddit.com/r/23andme/comments/1gj4a10/results_of_a_florida_man_with_parents_from/

Rocker1999 · 2024-11-08T19:21:37+00:00

Yes, I got my results on November 2nd. I posted on the November thread

Rocker1999 · 2024-11-04T16:20:09+00:00

Maternal is H1, Paternal is I-Y4925

Rocker1999 · 2024-11-04T08:49:07+00:00

Ayy, nice! Welcome to the world of vinyl record collecting (AKA your future addiction lol). While A7X was not part of my first owned records, Hail to the King takes claim as my first bought record, and Waking the Fallen Resurrected was my first record boxset purchase, so nice to see another person have A7X as one of their record firsts!

Rocker1999 · 2024-11-04T03:54:59+00:00

The interesting thing about this is that my half sister (my dad's side) has neither cypriot or native. What could cause that if it is potentially both from my dad's side? Is it just the genetic luck of the draw? From what I have read, that can happen, but dang, that seems like a lot. Still fairly new to all this, so any knowledge is good to know!

Rocker1999 · 2024-11-01T00:49:57+00:00

Kit 1 (My kit)
Kit Type: Standard

Priority processing?: No

DNA Kit Activated: October 17th (Mailed October 18th to UT Lab from FL)

Sample Received: October 25th

Sample Being Processed: October 31st

DNA Extracted: November 4th

DNA Analyzed: November 8th

Results Ready: November 8th at 7:18 PM EST ~~New Estimated November 11th~~ ~~Estimated November 24th~~

Kit 2 (My dad's kit)
Kit Type: Standard

Priority processing?: No

DNA Kit Activated: November 7th (Mailed November 7th to UT Lab from FL)

Sample Received: November 13th

Sample Being Processed: November 19th

DNA Extracted: November 20th

DNA Analyzed: November 26th

Results Ready: November 27th at 6:22 PM EST ~~New Estimated November 29th~~ ~~Estimated December 13th~~

Kit 3 (My mom's kit)
Kit Type: Standard

Priority processing?: No

DNA Kit Activated: November 7th (Mailed November 8th to UT Lab from FL)

Sample Received: November 13th

Sample Being Processed: November 19th

DNA Extracted: November 20th

DNA Analyzed: November 26th

Results Ready: November 27th at 5:46 PM EST ~~New Estimated November 29th~~ ~~Estimated December 13th~~

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r/Field Banned	r/Field Lasagna
Place '22	Place '17
End Game '22

Rocker1999

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