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I made my first visit to Universal today and managed 3 rides on Velocicoaster. This coaster really lives up to all the hype. The barrel roll over the water is my favorite part, but there also isn't a single dead spot on this coaster. It's a blast from start to finish! Seriously, get to Orlando and ride this! It is also a capacity monster. The line average around an hour but was often 30-45 minutes too. With four-train operation and 50-second dispatches, the line moved very fast. It also had incredible uptime, and only went down (along with every other ride in the park) for about 2 hours mid-day when a rainstorm passed through. I also rode Hagrid, which impressed me quite a bit. It was faster and more intense than expected. I never rode Dueling Dragons, so I cannot comment on whether this was a worthy replacement, but it was more popular than VC all day, pulling 90+ minute waits. So the public seems to enjoy it. It's not quite the capacity monster like VC but it didn't go down once during my 90-minute queue time and consistently pumped out trains, so hopefully most kinks are worked out with this coaster by now. It's a great ride and I'm looking forward to riding on the bike since I rode in the sidecar this time. Hulk was also a HUGE surprise. It was glossy smooth (in the back left seat) and extremely intense and AWESOME. People seem to rave about Kumba but I honestly prefer Hulk. It's not only smoother but also has that sweet launch into the barrel roll and a more unique layout. This may be my favorite B&M looper in Florida - and there is some good competition in that category. Overall with VC, Hagrid, and Hulk, this park has an unmatchable one-two-three punch for the coaster people, aside from all the other incredible experiences that park offers. We did make it over to the studios park near the end of the day and snagged a ride on Escape from Gringotts (which was loads of fun), but I plan on riding Hollywood RRR and Mummy later this week. Can't wait!

Laugh reacts only...

based on the teaser they just dropped today? it's looking like a pretty decent sized coaster. . and could this possibly be the initial part of a "loop" inversion? has RMC done a "Traditional" loop inversion on any of their coasters? I must admit I'm surprised this section of track is as large as it is! this is gonna be a decent sized coaster they are adding. . so it's GOT to be going into that field by the parking lot. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1361156040974689

Honestly, if they name it anything except "Quimera" or "Chimera," it's a win.

After spending two days at CP (Sunday and Monday of this week... with Monday being HORRID with crowds and rides not operating, and staffing issues), we drove to Mason for a Tuesday visit to K.I. our first ever. Having PTSD from previous days, seeing amazing forecast, and seeing early car lines trying to get in before opening... we panicked and purchased FL+. BEST DECISION EVER. We've never been "pay extra to skip the line people" but outside of drop tower, we NEVER waited more than 10 minutes. Got 24 coaster rides in. Never checked online for times. Grabbed our funpix after every ride. Ate a nice off-peak lunch at Miami River by diamond back. Had some nice beer. And closed down the park. The ops were SPECTACULAR. The rides were consistently running. The crowd was fun and engaged. It was our family's best amusement park experience of all time. We'll be back!

A few years ago I thought Six Flags parks were shitholes, and Cedar Fair was a much better company. Now, I think Six Flags parks are shitholes, and Cedar Fair needs to get their shit together.

I think the simplicity of it fits with the nostalgia charm the park is going for.

On my last trip to the park I hit a milestone!

The theatrical atmosphere in the station when the train dispatches is just magical - gave me goosebumps. Nice to hear the dispatch music subtly in the video. Classy indeed - wouldn't expect anything less from Phantasialand.

No offense, @tndank, but anyone not recommending the very front, let alone the back car, for Beast is just a glutton for punishment. Not sure how old you are, but bodies with some years on them can't handle it. Here's my overall recommendations for @bert425: Adventure Express - Row 2 or 5. Backlot - Back row. Banshee - Back row. Dem forces. Bat - Back row. Beast - Front row. Nowhere else. Especially at night. Diamondback - Row 2. Do not get stapled. Flight of Fear - Back row. Flying Ace Aerial Chase - Back row. Invertigo - Don't. If you must, somewhere in the middle. Mystic Timbers - Do two rides, Front and Back rows. They're both awesome but back holds a slight edge for me. Orion - Back row. Don't get stapled. Typically I'm a front row guy on coasters based on speed, and don't get me wrong, it's good here, but that first and second drops in the back.... Racer - Row 1 or 2. It's a lot smoother now, but you still want that non-wheel seat if you're not in the front. Woodstock Express - Back row or not at all.

Racer: front or back car middle row Banshee: front for the views, back right for the airtime on the first drop and intense gs Flight of Fear: front car, I haven't done the back in a while since it can be rough Mystic Timbers: try the front! It's great anywhere, it's that fast Orion: try front and back, but it's relentless speed in every row. Diamondback: Row 2 to hang off the wing seats, very back row to reach back and touch the water spout. Row 10 is a favorite of mine too for a mix of floater + pull out of your seat since it's towards the back Bat: front is cool and back is great as well, has a nice airtime pop! Adventure Express: good anywhere Italian Stunt Copyright Coaster: back? It's been ages since I rode it Invertigo I haven't been on in ages... I'll be there to help escort you around the park one of the days for sure! Probably Friday.

I keep seeing this question popping up across multiple threads (and all over FB group too). . so figured I could start a thread answering the question: I'm going to xxxx park on xxxxx day, do you think crowds will be big enough that I should buy the upcharge skip the line pass? --> EVERYTHING is different in 2021. . . pent up demand from COVID closures for 15 months has resulted in every park being slammed, most every day (unless poor weather keeps the crowds away). Many parks are also dealing with staffing issues, resulting in shorter hours, and hella long lines for food places that *are* actually open. so the answer to "should I buy Flash Pass / Fast Lane / Skip the Line?" is YES thruout 2021, the answer is YES. the only reason not to get it, is if you don't mind not riding much, and just want to go for the atmosphere to walk around the park, maybe grabbing only 1 or 2 rides. (for example, your "home park" and you don't care if you ride much, you just want to go out and enjoy the day and people watch). Personally tho? if I'm traveling specifically to go to a park? damn right, I'm paying the upcharge to get Flash Pass/Fast Lane +/Timesaver, etc. . . especially if I plan to eat in a park, and I know I'll spend 45 minutes in the food line? I want to make up that time elsewhere on a ride. (steps down off soapbox)

so I know from your input, Diamondback row 2 is the magic row. and I'm sure I'll check out Orion in multiple rows. . but since my 1st ever visit to KI is coming up in 3 weeks. . any other seat / placement recommendations for any other rides at KI? I trust your judgement, so asking

My only advice is to ride the coasters at Dorney once, ride Demon Drop, ride Thunder Creek Mountain and then leave immediately and go to Knoebels / Great Adventure / Hershey... anything.

I moved your topic here so you can get more opinions!

look, I LOVE, Knoebel's. . but you might want to rethink your comparison here: they had over 25 rides closed yesterday, many due to . . . yup, staffing. so is a park being "open" but with half the attractions shut down (including Twister!) better than a park shutting down on some days?

Oscar’s Wacky Taxi at Sesame Place with my daughter!

So I could only be at the park until 3 due to evening commitments and they opened Jersey Devil at... Of course, 3. So being the good boyfriend I am I decided to hold off this trip and... Oh, who am I kidding, of course I had to stay and get at least one ride in, plans be damned! I won't go into detail because I don't think I'd be adding anything that hasn't already been said, but yes it is worth the hype. Don't listen to anyone who negatively overreacts because it "isn't the best RMC", or Raptor for that matter. Because if you come from a park that doesn't have an RMC, you would want this ride at your park, and wouldn't be nit-picking. My one word of advice (and I apologize if it's already been mentioned) is to remember it has the same loose article policy as El Toro and Kingda Ka, but the lockers are quite separated from the entrance, they're back next to the funnel cake stand. Quite a few riders got turned away after waiting in line not realizing this. Photos below of test runs, apologies for the sun glare. This is a ride best photographed in the morning for sun angles, but didn't have that luxury today. Also one of the early tests stalled entering the MCBR (pic attached), and barely made the inversions. On a side note, there was a security guard turning people away today from Nitro's entrance if they had loose articles, a-la El Toro style. This is my first time seeing this, and some guests were argumentative (presumably because they know this is a ride that doesn't usually do that). Anyone else know if they've done this before from time to time? My thinking is maybe they had an issue with an on-board rider taking out a phone previously today, but who knows.

So as there has been no legal photo/video material about the station of FLY and the train, Phantasialand just uploaded a new video where you get to see the waiting que and the side tilted train: Full video (station can be seen at 0:39): Not sure if an Eng-Version will come up of this.

oh a great morning at DCA, super quick to get in, I think I was in the web slinger line by 9am with boarding pass group 11🕷🕸🕸 I've gotten boarding passes at both noon windows, and 1 out of 3 for boarding passes at 7am. hopefully my partner makes it in by noon for a shot at rise of the resistance!!! update: well my partner didn't make it in until 3pm, but I got a Rise boarding pass! it seems like it's the "full experience" but we where moved passed the first show room as it was coming back from a downtime overall very good trip!!! love the mobile ordering and losing fastpass wasn't too bad (it feels like we traded ride fastpass for food fastpass )

When can we all start asking if Cedar Fair's leadership sucks?

The argument about that shouldn't take place on here at all because at the end of the day we know that Cedar Fair is only doing what they're mandated to do. Even Knott's lifted the restrictions ASAP. There's nothing that the park can do about it. Guests should follow the rules even if they're excessive because riding a coaster with a mask on is better than not riding one at all. Nobody's mask is going to fly off though.

You'd be able to see every tourist trap for miles!

Drive back was a success! Left home at about 9:30, couple rest stops and surprisingly light traffic later I pulled in at 1:15. Already 3 rides in on Jersey Devil! First couple were in the middle of the train, which wasn't all that powerful but definitely super fun. 3rd ride was the magical back seat, and wow! Insane ejector air on the first drop and a couple other spots, and it takes some of the twists faster back there also. I definitely think it's a step above a lower tier RMC like Wicked Cyclone. Makes me more interested in trying Wonder Woman or Railblazer, can't imagine how intense those are! Definitely a home run for the park. Very efficient with loading, line never stops moving. Only a 10 minute wait today, definitely going back for more laps later! Park isn't too crowded so hitting stuff on this side of the park for a bit. Line for Nitro wasn't even long enough to write this post. Excellent ride in back as usual! Edit to include thoughts from the rest of the day: Hit Batman which would've been a quick line but broke down for 15 minutes. Great ride as always. While I still contend that Banshee is the B&M invert masterpiece, I love the Batmans for sheer intensity reasons. Really need to try Montu! Had a couple beers at the Skybar, which was a bit of an ordeal as there were probably 20 people there trying to get free water or drink bottle refills. Nice spot once you get your drinks. Hit the other side of the park real quick. Mine Train was a walk on and was quirky as always. That last hill is the best airtime on a steel coaster in the park. Hit Bizarro after a 10 minute wait. Not sure if it's the age, but this ride gets more meh to me the more I ride it. I think I have a vendetta against floorless coasters that aren't or haven't once been themed to Batman. Caught El Toro reopening from a breakdown so hit that in the magic seat. Actually got a bit of a battle wound...my stomach (ok...my gut) got pinched between the seatbelt and lapbar and really got squeezed on the first hill and looks like it got pierced now. Was bleeding at the end of the ride. Worth it though! Superman was posting a ridiculous queue time of 70 mins, I don't usually bother with Green Lantern, and I got a few rides on TTD 2 weeks ago which is far superior to Kingda Ka, so I was good with that side of the park and headed back to the other side. Jumped on Skull Mountain in back, fun as always. Wrapped up the day with 2 more back row rides on Devil. Was by myself today, so they called out for a single to fill the back row. Then when I got back they once again needed a single for the back row, but no one stepped up so they told me I could hop back on lol. If Jersey Devil is on the HITP list, it will be an unbelievable lineup. Honestly would have no reason to go to the other side of the fountain (except to go get Pork Kabobs). Fun day, worth the 8 hour round trip for the 2nd time in 3 days.

I rode it on June 5. So yes.

Skip Kennywood.

Laugh reacts only, please

So for anyone who is interested I got some details on the turkey leg incident. This was via my personal ride op who got it from a supervisor, so it's been through a few people BUT........apparently, there are only a finite number of turkey legs available each day due to the fact that they have to smoke/roast overnight. So they had told the people in line we only have enough to get through person A but that the other stand still had some and they could go there, which most people did. However, one person started arguing about it since that line was longer and she clearly did not understand what a finite number means That started the argument, that turned into a fight, that turned over the cart, that killed the fly, etc etc. Best part: the "cart" that was turned over were the turkey legs that were getting ready to go into the cooker for the next day so they were fighting over turkey legs that were not even cooked yet. I hope they all got sick.

So, let me get this straight... A larger version of Dragonflier, in the expansion area, that's directly next to Dragonflier. They have good master planners working for them, I don't think that's going to happen. Willing to eat my words though, a new terrain inverted coaster along the lines of Big Bad Wolf or Eagle Fortress would be killer, wherever it ended up.