A.J.

If this becomes mainstream (which it probably will), it might pretty much eliminate the long loading times normally associated with virtual reality attractions. It makes me wonder if virtual reality and computer graphics really are going to supercede physical sets in future theme parks.

Freizeitpark Plohn and Mack have released a new Dynamite video with an on-ride view and off-ride shots. Check it out! The transition into the loop looks crazy good. Also... When will we get the Big Dipper cars in NoLimits 2?

Grona Lund says hi.

The back row is pretty freaking good as well, that double-down is terrifying. Pick your favorite but ride in rows 1, 3 and 12 at least once. You'll see numbers on the deck of the station that point you to where you need to go.

"Upside down" is generally thought to be any bank / roll of more than 135 degrees. Above 135 degrees, your body is more upside-down than it is sideways.

Knoebels is NOT a "maximum thrills" park. It's a "maximum fun" park. Pretty much all of their "best" attractions are unique in some way. Phoenix with its buzz-bar-enabled airtime buffet, Flying Turns for obvious reasons, Twister with its inspired layout, the best sets of Flying Skooters AND bumper cars in the US, the cheesy-yet-still-wonderfully-terrifying Haunted Mansion... The list goes on. There is so much variety in Knoebels' selection of unique attractions that you'll be able to find something "new" and interesting pretty much immediately after you begin to feel like something gets "old". It's a Maurer spinning coaster. The same size as a wild mouse but with larger drops and twists as opposed to back-and-forth switchbacks. Steel Dragon at Waldameer and Whirlwind at Seabreeze are outdoor examples. Add me to this camp as well.

We also got no such candy at the end of the ride. They used to do it back when the ride opened years ago. First it was a Reese's mini, then it was a sample of whatever their newest candy was (like Kissables) then they just stopped doing it.

Good to know on the possibility of Twisted Cyclone opening early. The intent is to get at least one lap on every coaster in the park. I'm definitely looking forward to Goliath, Mind Bender and Georgia Scorcher, and my ride on Twisted Cyclone will determine whether or not I end up joining the Cult of Rocky Mountain. It'll also be my first new coaster park since I visited Kennywood in 2014.

All right, I've decided that I'm going to shoot for Sunday the 9th of September to go to Six Flags over Georgia, weather permitting. First time going - anyone have any battle plan advice? I intend on being there open to close. I will only consider purchasing Flash Pass if it's absolutely necessary. Thanks everybody!

They're back!

When B&M was doing SheiKra and Griffon, the modern dive coaster was still a new thing. For all we know, Canada's Wonderland's upcoming dive coaster could be an even better layout than Valkyria's. I also call shenanigans on the "flat piece of land" thing. Shambananacreampie, Katun, Nitro, Raptor / Monster, Diamondback, Valravn... All apparently really good B&Ms that were built on open plots of land.

Things will get very interesting if they do a themed hotel with a park gate that's exclusive to those that would be staying there.

It's often been speculated that the current generation of young professionals (my age, a bit older, possibly a little bit younger) is the first to, as a collective whole, target the themed entertainment industry as a career from the start of their educational studies. From my own experience, a lot of the "old guard" actually started off as professionals in different fields, such as architects and producers, and migrated to themed entertainment. My only experience ever working directly in / for a park was a five-month Disney College Program, seven years ago. Even less than ten years ago, it was absolutely unheard of for students to form a club or organization at their university specifically geared toward getting careers in the theme park business - let alone show up to the IAAPA Attractions Expo to learn and network. Now, things are different. Designing themed experiences is my master's degree. I've worked in California, and I'm working now in Florida on some crazy huge stuff as a designer. I have old friends from my student organization that are today helping to manage entire portfolios of theme parks. I have current friends who are working as artists and designers for the big companies. They knew what they wanted to do years in advance, and they are doing it right now.

Being one of those "kids", this hits home for me. If I would have picked up a job after graduating high school and then did classes on the side / at night, I would not be where I am today, with a relatively stable job in the theme park industry, which I love. I wouldn't be where I am now, had I not had the opportunity to intern with this company a few summers before, in between the semesters / quarters of my full-time schooling.

To add to this discussion, they want to tell a story and / or create a certain atmosphere, right? Sometimes, getting to that level of immersion can't be accomplished with existing foliage and / or site conditions. Perhaps they want a to include certain number of tree species that aren't normally native to the area where the park is located. Or, perhaps, the construction that will happen in the area will leave such a huge impact on existing foliage / wildlife that the cheapest and most effective solution is to basically wipe the slate clean and replant.

I believe so. It looks like, in terms of rides, the land will have a 453m Vekoma Suspended Family coaster, a Larson Flying Skooter, and several Zamperla family / children's rides.

Here's Pete Owens' release on the new Wildwood Grove land coming to Dollywood in 2019: https://blog.dollywood.com/index.php/2018/08/03/dollywoods-new-land-offers-attractions-experiences/

That could have been the cause of the problem. Remember that section of GaleForce that was like...in the middle of the layout that couldn't fit properly?

It looks great. It complements Balder well and almost channels the hang time of a wing coaster with that last zero-G roll.

Unfortunate but from what I understand that sort of thing isn't uncommon. I'm not sure how much Dollywood is in the hole in terms of repair costs for Lightning Rod, but they shouldn't be as all of the necessary parts and work should be warrantied (ex. Rocky Mountain's 5-year warranty on the track system). The loss of business as a result of Lightning Rod's somewhat sporadic operation is probably a lot harder to prove. I'll take "unreliable systems and controls" over "destroying its own super-cheap structure with every cycle" any day of the week.

I guess I'm thinking Sunday the 9th or Saturday the 15th to go then. Hopefully there won't be too many people that use the bring a friend free perk. Saturday the 8th is Greek day so I'm staying away from that.

Interesting, but that's only for passholders and members, right? Do you think that it would make the Saturday a better day to go? Must. Not. Purchase. Flash. Pass.

I die inside every time one of my local friends calls it the "salt and pepper shakers".

As good as the Raptor track coasters apparently are, I'm not sure they're as huge of an investment as some people are making them out to be. In terms of height, length, spacial requirements, etc, I feel like they're equivalent to a larger Euro-Fighter (Huracan, Speed, Dare Devil Dive, among others), and I believe that's part of the point of that particular design.

First question. Friday crowds will definitely be less than Saturday and / or Sunday. The park may be more crowded than a usual Friday because the Crystal Pool area is still closed after the flooding. But "crowds" at Knoebels only ever translate to waits of no more than 15-20 minutes for every attraction that isn't named Flying Turns. Second question. Bill has a good wisdom. Come hungry, eat a lot. Third question. "Must-rides" are Phoenix, Twister, Impulse, Flying Turns, Flyer, Looper, StratosFear, Skooters, Haunted Mansion, Pioneer Train, Grand Carousel. Flying Turns is the only attraction that may dictate what order you do your rides in, as the queue moves slowly.