Leaderboard

RMC's booth at IAAPA this week has a big "Opening 2023" display for ArieForce One.

Anyway, glad you got to experience it Boldy. And thanks for writing it up! I agree the dolphin swim is one and done, but the lazy river and reef I could stay in all day. Did you feed the birds at all? Those things are crazy. DC used to always be a must visit for me back when you could get a combo with SEAWORLD and Busch and it only cost like $50 above and beyond the 2 park ticket anyways, so it was a no brainer. Itching to go back, though.

I think Darkoaster will be a great addition to the park. It gives them another family coaster and will also be a ride that can be open in colder temps. My kids are older now, but when they were younger, we were always looking for coasters with 42" or 48" height requirements. BGW will now have 4 major coasters with a 48" height requirement, which will be great for families.

Yes. It can vaguely be seen in these images from 1997: Yellow is Zulu, blue is where Zinger was, orange rectangle with arrow is the entrance. Compared to today (Zulu at the very top of the image): Boomerang can be seen in the background in the last image. Timber Wolf is nothing special overall, but it is at least enjoyable now and has a good amount of airtime. There was even more fresh track on it this year than last, got to give credit where credit is due. They are doing a heck of a job maintaining TW.

New ice cream flavor? It sounds delicious. So long as there's no pumpkin in it.

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you to everyone who gave me advice a few weeks ago. I went to Knoebels last Sunday and absolutely LOVED the place. Everything else aside, Phoenix and Twister absolutely blew away all my expectations. Their operations are impressive enough but they both were just fantastic. Phoenix's airtime feels illegal and Twister brings lots of intensity and laterals that I was not expecting. I was a bit worried Phoenix would be the "Millennium Force of woodies" and would become overhyped after all these awards it wins but... yeah I totally get it. Also managed to get on Flying Turns and Impulse, both of which are about what I expected. And despite my slight dairy intolerance, I tried the BBQ pizza anyway and it was delicious and I have no regrets lol (and it was cheap?!). A large slice of pizza and a drink for 6.50 seemed dirt cheap. I didn't spend the entire day at the park but a good 5-6 hours and taking it all in, riding the coasters many times, and enjoying the atmosphere. Oh and the drop tower is also nuts. Black Diamond was closed so I unfortunately didn't do that. I didn't get around to the Haunted Mansion either because the line was just ridiculous and I wanted to get more re-rides on Phoenix and Twister to use up the ride tickets I bought. Overall though I had an amazing time. The park felt like a combination of Lagoon and Holiday World but better than both. I already can't wait to go back. I will also say, the drive from Knoebels directly to Dorney Park was quite... strange? So many back roads and through small, old colonial/Americana towns. Such a different feel than out west or in the south. That drive was one of the most memorable, surprising, but also strange parts of the trip. I've never really done any drive like that.

Even if they did construct a spike, a swing launch would totally destroy the ride's capacity. It would greatly lengthen the ride and only one train would obviously be allowed on the swing at a time. Something I noticed is Cedar Fair's terminology. With Montezooma, they said it was undergoing "major refurbishment" which will actually turn out to be almost an entirely new ride. They didn't say Montezooma was "retiring" like they are here for TTD. I feel like if we are seeing some kind of LSM/new train/track makeover to TTD, they would word it in a similar way as a "refurbishment" rather than the ride retiring? I don't know? Obviously Knott's and Cedar Point are separate parks and could say it however they'd like but it's something to think about.

If only they would follow through.... Shorter lines for the rest of us.

Guys, clearly this is a SF/CF swap!!! Mr. Freeze basically had the same announcement, so you heard it here first, Mr. Freeze going to CP and TTD going to SFOT!

Smol update: My friend and I had a blast at Magic Mountain on Saturday - yes, it was unbelievably hot, but the crowds were minimal and every ride was a walk-on. In fact, the longest we waited was 15 minutes for X2 right at opening. (That was more due to slow operations, despite running two trains.) The best part of the day was getting my friend on X2 who was completely blind to the ride experience. We were assigned row 4 (no choice of row, kiddies) and received a surprisingly smooth ride. The first drop is incredible out of sheer virtue of its theatrics: it forces you to acknowledge your imminent doom in the most sadistic manner possible - an experience my friend learned for himself. We both loved it, and X2 remains our favorite ride in the park. My friend also ranked it above pretty much every ride he had ever ridden. See, my friend regarded Cedar Point the same way I regarded Six Flags Magic Mountain: a relic of childhood road trips past, with neither of us having visited the other's home park. (Perhaps next time I meet him at Cedar Point? ) Every ride was a new experience for him, and a few were completely new to me, as well. I last visited in 2012 and boy has the park changed. X2 and Tatsu were both lovely (the latter being far more graceful than the first) but that was only the beginning. I'll chalk it up to the 107 degree heat: everything was running super fast. West Coast Racers was a lovely 1st time experience: it was whippy, punchy, and offered a few great pops of air. I honestly felt undersold on the quality of this Premier coaster, and place it firmly in the #4 ranking of the day, with X2 at #1 and Tatsu at #5. Killer Gs in those helixes, by the way. Up next was Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage, a wicked single-rail coaster from Rocky Mountain Construction. I rode Railblazer (RIP) back in May and was thoroughly blown away by its intensity. Wonder Woman isn't quite that intense, but it came close. The back is obviously the best seat for airtime (the whip over the first drop is legendary) with its best moment being the hill immediately following the raven dive. Nothing puts a smile on your face quite like 4 seconds of sustained ejector airtime. #3 The greatest airtime of the day (and possibly the best we've ever experienced) arrived in the form of Twisted Colossus. I had the privilege of riding in both the front and back rows, and I'm honestly stumped on which I preferred. Yes, the airtime is world class in the back car, but the front offers a hell of a ride too. I think it ultimately comes down to what you want out of the first drop: do you want to dangle helplessly at 80 degrees for a few seconds, or do you want to get hulk-smashed to the ground? #2 We enjoyed a remarkably good run on Goliath next. The elongated bunny hill offered some gentle but pleasant floater air, and the helix is as grey-out inducing as ever. But damn, do those mid-course brakes suck. #7 Full Throttle exceeded my expectations as well, mainly due to the weird amount of flack it received at opening. Is it short? Yes. Is it still pretty freakin sweet? Yes. The launch rules, the hang time is other-worldly, and the bizarre reverse launch sequence is a lot of fun. #6 We ultimately left after marathoning those 7 rides for 5 hours in the park due to the unrelenting heat. (PSA: if you're going to Six Flags Magic Mountain at any time during the next week, it will be HOT. Remember your sunscreen and hydrate regularly - there were a few who experienced heat exhaustion, including my friend. He's totally okay, but remember that heat-related illness is no joke.) Final Rankings X2 Twisted Colossus Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage West Coast Racers Tatsu Full Throttle Goliath

Honestly I think all it needs are the new Vekoma vest-restraint trains and it'll be perfectly fine.

Best inquiry ever into the park! You bribed your husband with turkey legs! I'm sure they go well with a cold beer. At Six Flags Saint Louis, the turkey legs are so good they're worth fighting for.

^Glad to hear bout the Scream Machine being open. Haven't seen it run at ALL this year. Went today and an empty train was stopped on the lift. Took my kid today as a reward for doing well for the first week of school. He's got some behavioral issues so this was actually a pretty big deal. Got to meet up with a friend, Doug, from the boards and the Mini East Coast trip several years ago. IT was awesome seeing him and meeting his kids. Got a few rides with them before heading our separate way. My kid LOVES water parks, even the one there. I am NOT a fan at all He did awesome in school last week for the first week of school, so I took him today and we went to the water park. Their biggest slide, with the toilet bowl and boomarang wall....they hand you this massive and heavy 4 person raft and have you carry it up 5 flights of stairs. My 6 year old did his best to help, but my tired old ass did not enjoy it....AT ALL. Spent the whole walk up hoping I wouldnt die and the whole ride down trying to catch my breath. Definitely a one and done for us. The wave pool must have been on "high" because it was kicking out butts. Kiddo loved it....me....not so much LOL Dry side was not crowded at all, which was awesome. Rode Dare Devil Dive with like a 10 minute wait (which is nothing for that.) Also managed rides on Mindbender, Catwoman, and Blue Ninja Hawk. One train on Blue Hawk, but the ops were on point and doing a good job and seeming to enjoy themselves - so kudos to them! Food service was miserable, as expected, but the food was good and there was plenty of it so I guess it balances out. If he's good again this week, I guess I'll be repeating this next Sunday.

We got our first trip to King's Island as a part of our road trip about a week ago now and I think it might be my new favorite park. The operations were outstanding, the park itself is well maintained all around, and there is legitimately not a bad coaster built for adults in the park right now. Mystic Timbers is just below the top tier of woodies, awesome ride. Diamondback is probably my favorite B&M hyper now. Orion might be the weakest of the three B&M gigas, but that still makes it a top 25 coaster. We also made what turned out to be the right decision to wait for dark to ride the Beast for the first time. Not only did we get an amazing experience that was one of the most fun coaster rides of my life, but while in line we lucked into a great view for the fireworks/drone show which was great too. I left the park with zero complaints.

For those of you who have been wondering what's been going on with the old candy shop in Germany . . . Sip in Secret at an ALL-NEW Theme Park Speakeasy, Opening this Month at Busch Gardens Williamsburg For a Limited-time, Guests Can Save 20 Percent on Reservations for this Exclusive Experience Something new is brewing at the all-new Bürgermeister’s Hideaway This immersive, one-of-a-kind experience debuts on July 20 Guests 21+ can enjoy handcrafted cocktail flights customized to each season For a limited-time, all reservations receive a 20 percent grand opening discount Save up to 55 percent on tickets, Fun Cards and Memberships during the Summer Sale A one-of-a-kind, immersive bar experience is debuting this summer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg with the addition of an all-new speakeasy. Bürgermeister’s Hideaway will open on July 20 and offers guests an opportunity to partake in a spirited experience with festive drink and fantastic ambiance. Behind a sweet façade visitors will explore an exclusive hideaway bar that houses mystery and marvel for all to enjoy. The tale of Bürgermeister’s Hideaway dates back to a centuries-old mystery bar that offers a different type of counter service with a drink that is contrary to its country. This hidden den, run by Busch Gardens’ iconic Bürgermeister, offers signature cocktail, mocktail, wine, and beer flights that will leave guests craving more. Beverage flights are chef curated and seasonally inspired, debuting with the vibrant flavors of summer. Guests who select the cocktail flight can sip on the perfect blend of sweet and spice with the refreshing Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita and the Banana Nutella Martini, a smooth and savory concoction with a hint of hazelnut. Prost to sweet surprises with this ALL-NEW adventure at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Visitors must prebook their speakeasy visit here. Each reservation includes a timed entry to Bürgermeister’s Hideaway and one drink flight. For a limited-time, guests can save 20 percent on reservations purchased before July 22. Throughout the year, Members receive a discount on this all-new experience.

A retheme means.... No more "Ready To Go" on repeat. A moment of silence is necessary.