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Showing content with the highest reputation on 04/23/2021 in Posts
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I have no clue what kind of mental gymnastics people are doing to make a perfectly flat huge park with tons of space a "challenging location". They just really want this coaster at Cedar Point so they can get off it and immediately film a hype vlog where they declare it the 7th best coaster in the park.6 points
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Tells someone to keep politics out of it. Procedes to add politics. Typical As for SFMM, they're going to follow what is required by the state... At least on paper. So your shove it comment is misplaced.6 points
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Cedar Point is a great choice. A totally flat park with tons of land is notoriously difficult to build on, plus if they do a coaster like Smiler it can easily break the record for most wind closures in a single season.4 points
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As far as Eagle and the double up; I was 8 when Eagle opened (yes you young uns' I was born in the 60's) so I definitely rode it with the double up. However, being just a kid, not at all knowledgeable about coasters and their elements I really have no memory of that specific element, although I definitely remember the original trains (my Dad used to slide over and squish me) and I do remember the banking being added to the turns; but just don't remember the double up or realizing it had been removed.3 points
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2 points
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the deciding factors in what's up or down at SFFT is not rain. I often visit on days when rain is forecast. The deciding factor is wind (will shut down: Poltergeist, Goliath, Iron Rattler - as those all valley), and lightning in the area (will shut down ALL major rides). your best bet is going to be Sunday morning at open - park tends to be very slow on Sunday mornings until ~2pm (Texan's love their Church). when you say "Batman" to be clear, are you talking Batman cloned B&M (at SFFT it's called Goliath, and is among the snappier versions of it) or "Batman" S&S spinner - the one at SFFT is the first one ever built and runs way different than the one at SFOT. (more intense and more flips. . at SFOT, it's called Joker by the way). your first ever visit to the park? and limited time? yes, I'd get flash pass, but you'll need to splurge for Platinum to allow you to book on either Joker pendulum, Wonder Woman, or Daredevil Dive. Iron Rattler is running 1 train operations. So if you don't go there 1st - and are there at park open (again, I'd suggest Sunday). . don't even have that on your list or you will hit none of your other rides - that line will be hours long. if you hit Iron Rattler first? DDD is right next door, and that one too, is best to hit early, before line forms. Typically, I'd go to WW at rope drop, as can get in several rides before main crowd gets back to that corner of the park. But with IR with 1 train operations? go there first, if you can be at park for rope drop (the park gates open ~1 hour before rope drop, so you can get in before official opening time). Superman is a people eater. you'll have no issue on that. Or on Goliath (Batman B&M clone) if you hit that later in the day (starts out busy since at front of park). Wonder Woman, Joker, DDD, Poltergeist are all very low capacity (and the restraints on Poltergeist make loading take forever, so even a short line on that can take a while - tho Flash pass puts you directly into the station bypassing any line). Scream has 3 towers, but they recently have only been running 2 - which both have been running the "combo" program: Slow lift to the top, drop, bounce, drop. Have fun. . and don't miss out on Pirates, on the boardwalk, which never has a line. . a fun, dark shooter ride.2 points
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My Dad was the same way, I almost bailed after we had been in line for a while but he talked me into it. In the summers when school was out, he used to have Thursdays off because he worked Saturdays and we would "do stuff" every Thursday. I can remember we both got in trouble with my Mom after a day at the park, she had prepared a nice dinner and after a day of rides and lots of junk food neither one of us could touch it. She was quite put out and we got lectures that night!2 points
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I like all their major coasters best in the back row, particularly Iron Rattler and Wonder Woman. The park is likely going to be empty tonight, so as long as they don't close you should have the park to yourself and they usually will run things in the rain as long as it isn't a monsoon.2 points
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^On the app right now, it shows Poltergeist, Joker, & Wonder Woman as closed. If its raining, lines might not be that bad, and the park is open until 9. Doesn't say if they're temporarily down or not, so there's a chance they could open, but don't expect it. Scream is a combo tower on all sides I believe. Might want to go and see what you can get on if you have a season pass or membership, but be weary of what might happen if the rain increases. EDIT: Might not need a fast pass if the rain cleared people out, but you could check too.2 points
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So I originally wasn't going to do a trip report for my visit on Saturday, March 6th, primarily because I was being lazy, but after my previous post here and having some time, I figured I might as well. This was my first time in San Antonio, and thus my first time at the park. I got there about 9:40ish, & the Covid & security checks were a breeze. My platinum card/quick queue/dining pass were set up at guest relations, then into the line to get into the dry park itself, all before 10. It was not a very busy day at the park, and with the quick queue & multi-train ops most of the time, I never waited more than maybe 10min for a ride. Food lines weren't too long either, again waiting maybe 10min max, and I got four or five uses out of dining deal (VERY worth it). All the food I had was delicious, particularly the barbecue grill place near Texas Stingray. For Covid procedures, they were spraying/wiping the trains down every hour or so (wasn't able to discern the actual timing), and Wave Breaker was the only coaster loading every row. I also split may day at the park with a quick pop over to ZDTs for Switchback, leaving about 2pm and getting back at 5pm. It was certainly a quaint little place, definitely an FEC, but one that managed to shoehorn in a great unique coaster. Switchback was running one train, with the middle seats closed, and being wiped down between each cycle. Fortunately, since it wasn't much to do, the ops were still able to clean, load, and send the next train in under a minute each cycle. The line was never more than 12-15 people, but I waited about 15min max for one of my front-row rides due to an amassing of kids there that took up probably four cycles. As for the rides themselves, here are my thoughts in the order I rode them. I only rode the major coasters between the two locations, but with not much else for my tastes at either, I was very satisfied with the amount of rides I got in. I'm going to rate the coasters by listing where they stand in my current rankings. Steel Eel - 5x This was my first-ever Morgan coaster, and though my first ride near the front did not give as much airtime as I was told there'd be, all my subsequent rides across the train did. I think I prefer the back of the train, as though the airtime was better in the second half in the front, the first drop and larger hills were genuinely intense in the back after the ride warmed up. For not actually being a hyper it still felt plenty tall and fast, too. Overall, I was impressed and look forward to comparing it to other Morgans when I'm able to get them. #17 of 68. Wave Breaker - 5x I was very excited for this ride, as it was the latest new-to-me Intamin coaster I'd ridden since first riding my local Half-Pipe, an eight-year gap. The riding position was interesting, as it felt very exposed but still comfortable, and being able to hunch over & grab the handle bars was unique. I'd heard people bash this ride for being boring, but I thought it was a wonderful family-oriented coaster, with more intense launches and laterals than I was expecting. Flying over the water was cool too, and it was perfect to just let go and enjoy the ride. #30 of 68. Great White - 4x I hadn't been on a Batman clone in almost a decade, not since last riding the original at SFGAm in late 2011. This coaster was fun, and though it slouched a little bit compared to its sister coaster a few miles down the road, I found it to still be plenty intense on the positive G's, while running smooth and having some solid whip. Truly can't go wrong with a B&M invert. You can tell Great White was adjusted for its' terrain, and I thought the coaster's color scheme, landscaping, and station design all worked very well together. #20 of 68. Texas Stingray - 22x This GCI was my most anticipated ride in this park, and that shows by how many rides I squeezed in. I think it's a work of art, and it (very) slightly edges out GoldStriker as my current favorite wooden coaster, though I didn't get to ride GS nearly as much as this ride. Definitely a back row ride, especially for that first drop, which provided increasingly-strong airtime as it went. Being a warm day, this ride showed its masterful pacing that held a sense of speed to the end, and it is still very smooth. I love the variety of sensations among the airtime and laterals that are packed in to this course. Night rides here were some of the best I've ever had too. I'm partial to enjoying wood coasters, and GCI has become my favorite manufacturer of them with the three I've been on, so it is no surprise I thought Texas Stingray was excellent. #6 of 68. Switchback - 4x Gravity Group really showed their engineering ability with both how this ride works, as well as how much they fit into such as small space. While this coaster was much shakier than the other San Antonio-area woodie, and the seats were a bit less comfortable (I'm not a large guy, but it surprisingly felt like a tight fit), the first half of this coaster was dramatically intense. The air hill after the first drop shoots you out of your seat, and then it feels like the train further pulls out from beneath you as it suddenly banks to the right. Going forward, up until the hill prior to the spike, is just jam-packed airtime and laterals, with the fun overbank too. I preferred the ride in the back, but the spike was better in the front, with just a second or so of weightlessness, and it is definitely weird for a wood coaster to suddenly just fall backwards and complete the course that way. Not a bad ride to have in rural Texas. #18 of 68. Now for some photos: The view from across the lake was great! I didn't get any specific photos of Wave Breaker, so this will do. Steel Eel's placement definitely makes that 150ft look very prominent. It felt like you could get very close to Great White's loop. Great White is such a pretty coaster. Definitely glad this park has, what I consider, a truly stand-out coaster. Spike! Was weird coming upon this coaster that not just dominated the park, but this whole section of town. Got this photo of the entrance at night. I left SWSA with a high opinion of it, and think that with the ongoing investment, this park will continue to be a worthwhile visit for those visiting San Antonio. Will probably do a trip report soon for my visits to SFFT in the two following days.2 points
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Well, that escalated quickly. All caps, huh? That's...a choice.2 points
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You have to carry the big cup. I agree with some others that it would be nice if they did it like CF parks where you just scan your card and use a refill station. Those move people through much faster than the cup refills too.2 points
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Getting colder. I'll give you a hint. You had the right number of lines for a haiku, you just needed to change the number of syllables. Hope that helps.2 points
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SFMM can take that vaccine card and shove it. and for member called JEW, keep politics out of it, by saying republican states are worse. Republican states arent living in fear.2 points
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why do You keep typing your posts this way is there something wrong with your keyboard2 points
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US Thrillrides LLC has announced a new thrill concept called the Skyscreamer, a sister attraction to the classic SkyCoaster ride. https://www.usthrillrides.com/skyscreamer INTRODUCING THE EVOLUTION OF A LEGEND The Skycoaster was one of our founder, Bill Kitchen's first mega-hit inventions. After 20+ years of success you can find over 200 still in operation around the world with an impeccable safety record. Now, US ThrillRides is introducing version 2.0: the Skyscreamer, which takes everything great about original and amps it up several levels while simplifying and streamlining operation. A win with customers and a win for venue owners means the Skyscreamer is set to break every record set by its predecessor! Skyscreamer amplifies the thrills by seating 6-24 riders side-by-side on a circular platform before raising them off the ground and then building the tension by reeling them hundreds of feet in the air. After a few moments of anticipation, the ripcord releases and sends patrons into a momentary free fall before the swing motion catches them and sends them soaring over the enthralled onlookers. A patented pendulum damper then gently and effectively reduces the swing arc, bringing the breathless riders to a stop before lowering them to earth - no doubt raving about the rush and ready to go another round! SPECIFICATIONS Core Stats: Height 200 - 350 Feet Riders 6 - 24 (Configurable) Ride Duration: 4 minutes Capacity 81 - 324+ People per hour Three-tower design wrapped in ETFE for a striking and cost-effective design US and Foreign Patents Granted https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/04/22/skycoaster-inventor-bill-kitchen.html?ana=twt Orlando ride inventor Bill Kitchen, who invented the SkyCoaster ride seen around Central Florida and beyond, has a new tall thrill ride on the way. Windermere-based US Thrillrides LLC, which was founded by Kitchen, unveiled the Skyscreamer, a sister attraction to the SkyCoaster that can accommodate more guests than the typical three riders of its predecessor. The ride, which can range from 200-350 feet in height, can accommodate up to 24 riders — or more than 324 people per hour — and generate an estimated $2.2 million in gross revenue for an operator, based on a roughly $10 per rider cost, according to the company's website. Here's more from the company's website: Skyscreamer amplifies the thrills by seating 6-24 riders side-by-side on a circular platform before raising them off the ground and then building the tension by reeling them hundreds of feet in the air. After a few moments of anticipation, the ripcord releases and sends patrons into a momentary free fall before the swing motion catches them and sends them soaring over the enthralled onlookers. As the attraction free-falls, it will rotate to add to the thrill sensation for riders. It has a "pendulum damper" that helps the swinging ride gradually decrease in momentum until it comes to a stop, which eliminates riders needing to grab a self-stopping device often seen installed on existing SkyCoasters. The cost of the ride varies based on the height and size of the ride platform, Kitchen told Orlando Business Journal. For example, he said a 200-foot version costs about $1.8 million for a 6-person ride system; while the 35-foot versions can be upward of $4 million with a 12-person saucer. In addition, the ride has already grabbed some attention, from "several interested parties out of state — amusement parks and mega-malls," he told OBJ. That includes a potential first installment somewhere in Orlando, but no specific location was provided. New rides like these can help bolster the appeal at amusement parks or other entertainment outlets. In fact, that may help as the overall industry seeks to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged business. The overall U.S. amusement parks industry market value dropped to $71.6 billion in 2020, compared to $73.5 billion in 2019, according to Statista.com. That decrease was "mainly due to the economic slowdown across countries owing to the coronavirus pandemic and the measures to contain it," said the site. However, it added that the industry should see a resurgence to beyond $89.5 billion by 2023.1 point
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Thanks! I'm hoping the app isn't super accurate and I'm gonna try tonight. I only have tonight, tomorrow from 5 ish to close it Sunday 5ish to close, so tonight it is! Wish me luck!1 point
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I would put $ on it that's not rain. all of those run in the rain (and WW HAULS when the track is wet). THAT is lightning in the area. 100%1 point
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oh, and WW back seat is way more intense. Iron Rattler is for sure a back car ride. Goliath & Superman are both B&M, so back row, left side of train is most intense.1 point
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Hey y'all, I'm visiting SA and I want to get to the park, but I'm really limited in my time. I have tonight after 4, or saturday and sunday after 4:30. Tonight would be the best option because I'm out earlier, Saturday there are other events I'd be skipping, and Sunday the park closed at 8 instead of 9. It's raining and looks like there's a high chance of rain for the rest of the day. Is there a way to find out what's running and what isn't? When should I go? I'm listing my must ride list below. Should I get a fast pass? For those familiar with the park, how should I attack my ride list? Will I be able to do em all? I'm a 34 y/o coaster nerd, but I'm in shape so I'm more than happy to run from ride to ride if needed. Seat recommendations or other recommendations are also heloful. All help is appreciated, TIA! Rough ranking: Wonder women, iron rattler, superman, poltergeist, dare devil, joker, scream(are the towers up or down?), And batman if possible but I'll hopefully be at sfot next month so I can ride it there.1 point
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^Ahead of Millie, of course, because "where is the airtime on that thing?" *be sure to like and subscribe as it helps with the algorithm*1 point
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Kings Island always has Been a #1 family park. Look At all those golden tickets It is the best Kids area in a theme park in the world1 point
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You got me by one year ... I was 9 in '76. I rode it opening year with my Siblings. I almost chickened out when we got to the station and I looked at the height of lift hill. My sister said 'No way!' and forced me on. Glad she did1 point
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^ so many fun memories from that entire trip (and so many pictures) Anyway, next day we had a long drive and stopped at Indiana Beach. Back then (07) it reminded me a lot of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (only because i had been there the year before) Rides and shops on top of each other and all kinds of random things around loved how it's located along the water, gives fun opportunities and also a fun water stunt show to look at (back then) first coaster you see as it goes along the waterfront fun for all ages and then there was this "thing" such a fun and crazy ride water stunt show folks playing around fire is always good for entertainment and then there is this still one of my all time favorite pictures. Just having time to try something different and getting that as a result was so much fun. Next up, another 2 park day1 point
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Ha! When I first saw the art concept, I immediately thought of the St.Louis Arch. In three pieces, lol.1 point
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If Six Flags or any amusement place near/in St. Louis doesn't get one of these and theme it to the Gateway Arch, that's a huge missed opportunity.1 point
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Just for the sake of nostalgia... Eagle was my first “big boy” coster as it was for my sister. My sister rode with a another kid her first time and got off crying and didn’t enjoy coasters ever since. My first ride my dad held me down ( I might have been an inch or two too short) and sat next to me. I was hooked from then on out. ^Nobody is too old or young to share! We are all here because we share similar interests in roller coasters and theme parks!1 point
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I feel to young to be in this conversation, I was born in 94, and didn't get my first ride on eagle with my dad till I was 12. My home parks was Kiddeland in Melrose Park and Santa Claus Village in East Dundee Gosh I wish Six Flags would copy Cedar Fair, as those members cups are awful, I hate having to lug that thing around. Better yet, copy Holiday World and give us free drinks1 point
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Oh please, we all know it's because the coroner hasn't completed their investigations yet. Keep an eye out for the chalk outlines, Dan! Good luck!1 point
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Why do you guys keep getting me excited that something is actually happening here? This thread is supposed to be dead like the WOF thread, aren't you guys supposed to be getting a GG shuttle or something? Sheesh! Glad you aren't losing another coaster this year at least... according to speculation.1 point
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I am quite upset I didn't get here early enough to share that video! You can see the modification when you ride if you look close, it is after the main turnaround (after the first drop). I am not old enough to have ever experienced the double up, and I was born in 1992! That said, I probably didn't ride eagle until I was about 6, if that gives any frame of reference for time. Regardless, yes, Eagle used to have a double up near the end of the course that has since been removed. vs1 point
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They don't exist, they're just a myth. You must be confused by the less exciting Trax at Lotte World.1 point
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Let's get this thread back on track... Like others have said, this is a very odd announcement as you'd think a real park wouldn't want something like this announced ahead of THEIR announcement but it's a weird world nowadays so... My guess is Jersey Shore. Weren't they always rumored to get something crazy, and this company is very Jersey friendly from what I understand.1 point
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In the same way that MM isn't checking for proof of residency, I'd be astounded if they actually checked for vaccination status by doing anything more than asking "Are you vaccinated?" or making you click a box somewhere.1 point
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...and we have reservations to ride it! Yay!1 point
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^ & ^^ Thanks for the inputs. I've made reservations with the park, a hotel, & rental car for May 17-19, but won't book flights until the park confirms that vaccinated out-of-state-ers will be able to enter. I know the park is a bit of a mess right now, but the cost of the trip would be fairly cheap. Fortunately I'll be getting my second dose next week, so if they officially lift the restriction, my immunity should be kicked in by those dates.1 point
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Yeah pricing for those Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodges etc aren't really a fair comparison. $150 a day is steep, but a room for $300 a night which includes 2 days of access for a family of 4 isn't to bad. That's the game they're in.1 point
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Six Flags is going to open their park as much as possible to as many people as possible as soon as possible. That's been their playbook chain-wide throughout. Right now it looks like they're close-to-full and likely to end up totally booked every day for awhile so there's no harm in keeping the restriction as long as it doesn't impact them and makes it look like they're being careful but the second they feel like lifting it will make them more money, they will. I expect them to do it very soon.1 point
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"Select attractions" probably means "Whatever we can staff" and they might not even know until last minute.1 point
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They aren’t going to get shut down unless the state and county will also be shutting down every other large venue again in the event things get out of control for another big wave. You can watch fans not wearing their masks all night long in the dugout club on every Dodger broadcast. Or anywhere else you go. 100% compliance is not feasible while these businesses are limited on what profit they make. I bash SFMM as much as anybody, but it’s very clear they added more security to do the best they can. Anyone who visits a theme park knows the risks. You are knowingly going to a place where you know there will be thousands of people. Posting on Tik Tok to get some clout for still complaining about covid stuff is dumb and in no way a reflection of reality. You want to see blatant ignoring of safety measures? Try visiting a six flags park in a Republican run state. SFoG will make you very much appreciate SFMM.1 point
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I'm sorry but I just had to give an exasperated laugh. Why would they not use clear dividers, good grief can you even imagine the immediate and constant frustration of being a ride op in that situation1 point
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I'm not a big donut fan... Like, I usually avoid them at all cost... But the other day someone brought in some "gourmet" donuts... and I couldn't pass up the lucky charms donut. It looked something like this: and HOLY F***K it was AMAZING!!!1 point
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Good Ol Glazed Donut...or I would go for a Maple Bar Jud'ys Donuts - Right Gisco?1 point
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Such a difficult choice . . . I am partial to old-fashioned blueberry donuts . . . . . . and maple bars.1 point
