Galveston's Pleasure Pier

[Beau Derierre]

What's your thoughts of it? Reminds me of when I am on the tollway and see full service I think of the hobby.

[Out_of_Bounds]

$15 for parking alone.
Pay to get in even if you don'tplay any games or ride rides.
But if you do decide to there is no limit.

[Trey]

The PP only shows the need of an amusement park in Houston. Never thought I would miss astroworld but I truly do.

[ZedX79]

I think it's stupid. I doubt it's hurricane resistant. Fortunately we've been hurricane free since 08, but still.

[Out_of_Bounds]

Originally Posted by trey

The PP only shows the need of an amusement park in Houston. Never thought I would miss astroworld but I truly do.

No fucking kidding!
I got my first blowjob in the cable cars from my high school gf.

[Fancyinheels]

Tilman Fetita, local entrepreneur who owns the Pleasure Pier and a billion dollars worth of restaurants, hotels, casinos, and other recreational venues, had it built to the most hurricane-resistant standards possible, which, granted, don't amount to a mouse fart when Mother Natures decides on a big blow job. He has it insured enough to rebuild it twice.

It is expensive. I was there opening night, and was surprised that admission, about $30 per person, was all inclusive. Many people, especially families, I'm sure, would prefer to pay by the ride, but bear in mind Disney, Universal, and the other amusement parks do the same thing. Having fun just costs a lot, as you fellows well know.

It was lovely just strolling around arm-in-arm with a gentleman taking in the Coney Island atmosphere, smelling the sea air and hearing the roar of the waves interspersed with screams from the rides, seeing the night glitz and watching kids have a ball, sharing our cotton candy and ice cream (as opposed to what we'd be licking later), and we tried my Irish luck at the games. I came home with a trunk of stuffed animals, most of which will go to the Salvation Army Shelter at Christmas. (Except for 3 plush sea turtles and a giant squid, currently guarding my library at home.)

Since the parking was so excessive, many people were walking to the PP after leaving their vehicles along the Seawall for free, making beach access difficult, and worse, taking up the spaces on neighborhood streets so residents couldn't park in front of or even near their own homes, and some driveways were blocked. Traffic was awful that first weekend. They have since instituted parking permits for Islanders and enforced towing if cars are not in designated zones.

It was cool and reminiscent of my childhood and teenage years at Belmont Park in San Diego, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland in Anaheim. I look forward to going back and having a romantic ride with an amazing ocean view from the Ferris Wheel, as it and a couple of other rides hadn't yet been finished. However, I do think the fees are too high for the area, unless they start offering entertainment, too, like Disney, etc. The snacks were very overpriced, but again, in line with Disney, etc. The Bubba Gump Shrimp was walking around and posing for photos. I felt sorry for whoever was in that costume; on that hot eve he was being boiled like a crustacean.

[Trey]

Did you eat at bubba gumps?

[Fancyinheels]

Originally Posted by trey

Did you eat at bubba gumps?

No, we ate at Gaido's, my all-time favorite seafood place in Galveston, best shrimp bisque ever. I have eaten at Bubba Gump's in Hawaii and Florida. They were good, but not outstanding, not worth the huge line and hour-to-90-minute wait prospective diners dealt with at this location on opening night. I will try this Bubba next time I'm on the Isle for lunch. Btw, they have a separate entrance, so can be accessed without paying the PP fee.

[Guest072624]

It wasn't bad at àll took my son and ate at bubba gumps...I'm from los angeles where there santa monica pier rocks!!! But still had a good time, also you can get prkng validated at several restaraunts.

[ObyDATY]

It sucks, Tillman's family has been heavily involved in the mob since the 1900 hurricane and he is broke. Landry Corp's only saving grace is the Golden Nugget, he had to sell Joe's Crab Shack to pay off debt that was due. Landry's nearly went into chapter eleven in Jan 2009. Check out their balance sheet it resembles the the US gov't, LOTS of red.

[boardman]

Originally Posted by ObyDATY

It sucks, Tillman's family has been heavily involved in the mob since the 1900 hurricane and he is broke. Landry Corp's only saving grace is the Golden Nugget, he had to sell Joe's Crab Shack to pay off debt that was due. Landry's nearly went into chapter eleven in Jan 2009. Check out their balance sheet it resembles the the US gov't, LOTS of red.

That's just paper...The unrealized gains on real estate holdings alone must be enormous. It must be nice to be able to sell off one small portion of your empire to pay off your debt.

At some point Galveston will have gambling. The Fertita family will be in the driver's seat. Bankruptcy happens every day. Hell, look at Trump. The more they use the system to their advantage the richer they become and the more they are able to use the system to their advantage. Tillman didn't get to where he is today by being dumb or having dumb lawyers.

[copper]

Same Fetita that owns the UFC ?

[copper]

Kemah Boardwalk is Fetita owned. The taxes taken in by the City of Kemah provides for all of the new police SUV's and some bad azz, black Camaros, low crime rate and drama free living. The new mayor's name is Cummings, so bring it, hobbyists. And, if you've not ridden "The Bullet", it's the real deal. The clatter of the wood constructed tracks is akin to the old Coney island experience.

[AllisonofHouston]

Originally Posted by Fancyinheels

No, we ate at Gaido's, my all-time favorite seafood place in Galveston, best shrimp bisque ever. I have eaten at Bubba Gump's in Hawaii and Florida. They were good, but not outstanding, not worth the huge line and hour-to-90-minute wait prospective diners dealt with at this location on opening night. I will try this Bubba next time I'm on the Isle for lunch. Btw, they have a separate entrance, so can be accessed without paying the PP fee.

I like Gaido's too, it's reasonably priced plus it's right on the sea wall, I'm actually thinking about going this weekend, I've had a good week but I need to relax and have some fun...

[carkido45]

Give me Matagorda Beach where there is very little land development and I can go on the beach and ride my 4x4 and at night check out the stars with no light pollution getting in the way