A.J.

^ Because Knoebels, that's why!

Again, I say... Never change, friend.

I respectfully disagree. I don't ride coasters because they're intense, I ride them because they're fun. Does that mean that my opinion shouldn't be counted because I happen to rank Phoenix above El Toro for that reason? (Disclaimer: I'm not on the panel.) Likewise, does this mean that someone who ranks Flight Deck or Kumba above Intimidator 305 shouldn't be counted either, because Intimidator 305 is the "obvious" choice for #1? The point of polls like these is to reach and represent the most colorful set of demographics as possible, regardless of how well- or poorly-executed the poll ends up being. You can be the judge of how well-executed the Golden Ticket Awards were, but reading through everyone's posts I get a general consensus. The phrase "coaster enthusiast" reaches far and wide. There are enthusiasts who like Schwarzkopfs. There are some that like classic wooden coasters, some that like fun and re-ride-ability over sheer intensity (like myself), some that want to grey out during every ride, some that like inverted coasters... To say that someone shouldn't be on the panel because they don't fawn over every kind of coaster you like is missing the point. If a coaster is as good as you say it is, then those "outliers" shouldn't even matter in the long run, right?

^ Nope. http://www.fantawild.com/

Honestly, it all depends. Most amusement parks open at 9 or 10 in the morning, which is fine by me as I'd be at work by then. The deal breaker is when the park / rides close. 8 PM? Sure, no problem. 9 PM? If I were living on my own without children, fine. 10 PM? No thanks, I'm filing a noise complaint. Based on their current schedule, they don't close until 11 every night during normal operation. If Gale Force were open all the way until then, and THEN took all the riders remaining in the queue afterward, as a neighbor, I'd be very upset.

I'm curious if Vekoma has ever considered developing a similar 689m-ish suspended looping coaster using the new track and train systems. Same footprint, similar layout, but likely a much smoother ride.

It looks like they have the mid-course brake turned off? Maybe?

Finally, a use for that blasted spiral staircase.

I highly doubt it. That sort of situation is why companies have different teams for different projects. Just because one team is dealing with whatever is going on with Lightning Rod doesn't mean that other teams will stop designing center lines, selling coasters to parks, manufacturing track, or other things.

I'm pretty sure they have to do that on all track sections that can be seen above the tree line.

Ah, there's the second one. I knew ProSlide was building another one before Thunder Rapids but I forgot which one.

NERD ALERT - So, this is the second or third ProSlide Rocket Blast installation, but I think it's the first in the United States. The propulsion is similar to the original Master Blasters in that it uses sequential water jets on either side of the uphill sections. The rafts themselves also have kind of cup-like pockets for the water to push against. The slides also use a sensor system to turn the jets on and off. As for the "saucer" sections, I would guess that they carefully adjust the radii of the turns to make sure the rafts experience the same amount of positive Gs as they go around the entire turn.

Never change, my friend.

The headlining Star Wars attraction is supposed to feature the Millennium Falcon, right? The cockpit of the Millennium Falcon is way off to the side, as opposed to most starships where it's in the center. The sideways orientation would give designers opportunity to have train / hull / body / etc theming on the left side of the seating area, much like the Falcon, while leaving the right side open.

Yeah, but don't trains and seats have sensors that will prevent the train from dispatching if the restraint / harness isn't lowered far enough? Let me tell you what, I hate it when someone lowers the restraint for me. I'm a very small guy and I've been stapled on several occasions, it's not fun and it doesn't make me any more safe than if I would have lowered it myself.

Yeah, how long as Universal been selling tickets with displays at Publix stores anyway? It wasn't until a month or so ago that I started noticing but it must be working well enough...

Some huge advantages that older suspended coasters had when compared to inverted coasters were that the cars were narrow, they were closed in, and they had floors. For the same reasons why you can have super-tight clearances on a Schwarzkopf coasters, a fixed-train / non-swinging variant of the suspended coaster, with proper banking, would be able to get insanely close to terrain and scenery elements.

Not sure, but it was made by I.E. Park, who is no stranger to little coasters, even those with inversions. In terms of layouts they're like a better Pinfari or L&T.

I mean, isn't this only the second installation of a Mondial Inferno at all? The only other example of this ride I've ever known of is the traveling Airwolf. I've heard it's one of the craziest flat rides ever designed. EDIT: On-ride video:

Yes, but it's not all about the iconic rides! Theme parks can't, and don't just target our demographic. What is wrong with announcing additions that A) target the family demographic and / or B) improve the park's infrastructure?

If you're driving that way from the Hazleton area you'll be getting off Interstate 80 at 236A for Bloomsburg and PA-487. There's a Weis near downtown Bloomsburg on US-11, and another one in Catawissa on PA-42. Both are just a few blocks away from the route I would personally take doing that direction. Bloomsburg - https://goo.gl/maps/MuybJUgadSK2 Catawissa - https://goo.gl/maps/7XuTz7gajMD2 EDIT: Getting off at 241 and going south on US-11 will take you right by that one in Bloomsburg. Hop on PA-487 afterward and off you go. EDIT 2: I always spell Hazleton wrong...

What's your itinerary? Are you driving in?

They also like to put a carnival playground structure near Flying Turns and Stratosfear.

Yeah, I'm not sure what to think about the lawsuit, but I've heard the restaurant itself is very good.

Gerstlauer does sometimes use the three-tube track for spinning coasters. Galaxy Orbiter and Masquerade come to mind.