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Jhcbiinoc

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Everything posted by Jhcbiinoc

  1. Tough one. I narrowed it down to three, at least for the moment. Favorite B&M coasters: 3. Wild Eagle/Dollywood 2. Goliath/SFOG 1. Tatsu at SFMM Favorite Intamin Coasters: 3. Volcano: The Blast Coaster/Kings Dominion 2. Xcelerator/Knott's 1. Intimidator 305/Kings Dominion If it had to be one each, then I would have to say Tatsu as best B&M and 305 as best Intamin. However, will have to re-evaluate both lists after riding Fury 325, Thunderbird, Gatekeeper, Banshee, Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster next year.
  2. A great job covering IAAPA again this year once again, have been revisiting all of the reports again today. I really enjoyed the live and interactive feel of everything, and I think the new format was a good move.
  3. Major progress this week on Fury 325-it looks as if they are about halfway done with the first hill. They put up some of the last support for the lift yesterday. https://www.carowinds.com/swarm/building-the-nest/live-camera-feed
  4. 1. How do you most often watch videos? (DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download, Streaming.) DVD and Streaming are the two main methods. (If I owned Blu-Ray, I would include that as well.) 2. What streaming services do you use the most? I never got into Netflix at all...if I watch a movie, I usually either buy the DVD, watch On Demand through uVerse or use uVerse Streaming. 3. How many DVDs or Blu-Rays do you buy a year on average? Maybe 5-6 at the most. If it is a movie/program I really liked and want to own, I will purchase it as soon as it is released either online to be sent mail order, or at a retail location such as Best Buy or Costco. I also sometimes will pick up a DVD out of the discount bins at Target or other stores. 4. Do you use a device like Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast? No. 5. How much do you watch videos on YouTube versus all the mediums listed in the poll? I would venture to say that I watch more on YouTube than any of the others...although I do not use it for watching full length movies.
  5. First was Goliath at SFOG; ;last will be either Wild Eagle at Dollywood or Goliath at SFOG again during Holiday In The Park.
  6. Carowinds (at least once for Fury 325), SFOG and Dollywood multiple times (have passes to the latter two and seriously considering a CF Platinum Pass this year), and then Holiday World, Kings Island and Cedar Point in the fall.
  7. SFOG is a great park, with some great coasters-Goliath is in my top five steel and there are some great classic rides at the park like Mindbender and Monster Mansion. In the past few years, however, there have been some lapses in quality as far as general operations, upkeep and so forth. I can really only speak for myself here, but I think that the primary reason that those of us who call it our home park are disappointed in the recent announcements is that we don't want to see it become a park like SF St. Louis or SF America, which seem to always get a raw deal when the new additions come. Dare Devil Dive is a fun little coaster, and SkyScreamer is a nice flat ride, but the last "big" addition was Goliath 8 years ago, and to get smaller rides a few years in a row is just a shade disappointing when other parks and other chains are getting major additions. Not everyone is a water park fan...I think it was a good decision, but I feel that they should invest more in the dry side of the park. While I think flat rides are good, essentially they are hyping up two low capacity carnival rides as major additions and calling one of them a "coaster". I get the frustration with that, because I feel the same way. That said-I still did renew my pass for 2015 (although I support those who elect not to), even though I will likely spend more time at Dollywood and Carowinds this coming year. It isn't to me about a sense of entitlement, as much as it may seem that way to some. And I also don't feel that it is corporate somehow "dissing" certain parks while favoring others...I think SF is experiencing some serious issues at the top which caused them to have to make some decisions which ultimately led to some being let down. I think when people see Great America can get a brand new $16 Million B&M one year and then a brand new RMC the following year, and their park gets smaller additions, that seems a bit unbalanced. I am hoping that 2016 or at least 2017 will finally bring something big coaster wise again. Given the competition in the region (Carowinds with Fury325 for 2015 and the rumored something major for Dollywood in 2016) I think they might.
  8. This was one of those instances where I was not only very excited for a new coaster announcement and had high expectations, but where it actually exceeded my expectations. I am thrilled to see a coaster of this magnitude coming to a park which is in my region (about a 6 hour drive). While I cannot pass judgement until I get the opportunity to ride it next year, I anticipate that I will really enjoy it since I enjoy B&M Hypers a great deal, and because the layout looks amazing to me...it is as if they took Leviathan and refined and revised it. Congratulations to Carowinds, Cedar Fair and B&M on what looks as if it will be an awesome new coaster, I feel they made the right decision and I not only look forward to riding but seeing what the park has in store in the future...I am actually considering purchasing a Platinum Pass due to this.
  9. LOL-actually, that one just made me nearly choke on the soda I was trying to drink-hardest I have laughed in a while. Whatever five year plans are in place for my two home parks (SFOG and Dollywood, and if you want to add the closest Cedar Fair park, Carowinds) are already set. I can tell you that I would realistically predict the following in the next three years based on what few rumors I have heard: SFOG: 2015: Probably nothing, although a new ride would be nice. I would be happy if they just painted Goliath and worked with B&M to get rid of the rattles that seem to be happening on one of the trains. 2016: Waterpark Expansion, maybe a smaller coaster 2017: New coaster (I'd personally love to see Ninja depart for a floorless or an X-Flight Clone, and/or see Cyclone get Iron Horsed.) Dollywood: 2015: Nothing for the park, Hotel opens, Splash Country might get something 2016: Major new ride, my guess (and hope for) is a custom RMC like Outlaw Run 2017: Expansion into train loop begins, family attraction or nothing Carowinds: 2015: B&M Giga Coaster, New Front Gate, New Toll Booths 2016: Waterpark expansion, Hotel added 2017: Family ride or flat ride (I think they need a log flume but who knows)? I could say how much I would love to see X2 cloned at SFOG, or a new coaster every other year but realistically, I don't see those happening. I do know that they are investing a lot at these three parks over the next few years, but I would rather see them do intelligent and well thought out investments with a good ROI than something that will create what happened with Six Flags a few years back.
  10. Six B&M coasters is I believe the most they have done in a one year time frame. I think it's great to see them doing a lot of new projects, and given the positive reviews of Banshee and the jump to an LSM launch and unique layout on Thunderbird, I am anxious to see what else is in the works. From what I see so far: Holiday World-B&M Launched Wing Coaster (Thunderbird)=Orange Track Gardaland Dive Machine=White Track Wanda/China Park Flying Coaster=Yellow Track Efteling Dive Machine=Red Track That leaves the teal and the new teal with yellow stripe. On those two, I am guessing: Carowinds Giga Coaster=Teal with Yellow Stripe Either SF Fiesta Texas or some mystery US park/Flying Coaster=Teal Track Are there any other parks in the US clearing large areas? The only one throwing me here is the teal flyer track.
  11. ^Three things that make that even more interesting: 1. The listed height of the Superman: Ultimate Flight clones is 106' (rcdb.com/1976.htm) 2. B&M Flyer track outside of the Clermont Steel Plant that is not the one going to the Wanda Park in China 3. The aforementioned B&M clue Could be way off...don't know where the 92.5 comes in-this is just a guess.
  12. Congratulations to Holiday World on an extremely well thought out new addition and a truly brilliant marketing campaign! This was the very first time in a long time where I had high expectations for an announcement (I was expecting a B&M Wing Coaster, but nothing like what was presented-the layout is great and the launch really surprised me) and it not only exceeded them but blew me away. Personally, as B&M is in my opinion the absolute best steel coaster manufacturer there is and their Wing Coaster model is one I personally enjoy, I was really impressed; this appears to be a model that will truly take things to the next level and has the potential to be a real game changer. Outstanding choice on the ride, and the entire package-including the theming and back story, are top notch. I know this has inspired me to include HW in my plans for 2015!
  13. Of all the 2015 additions we know about so far, I have to say that I am most excited for this one as I only live 5-6 hours from Carowinds and am extremely excited to try out a B&M Giga Coaster! All signs are pointing to the name Centurion so far as far as I can see. Interestingly, I am not 100% convinced that the layout will be just like Leviathan (although that would not get any complaints from me) but rather offer something new and not yet seen...this announcement cannot come soon enough!
  14. I am wondering if this could be one of the new S&S Free Fly X coasters...
  15. I am late chiming in to this one, but this is my prediction-this will either be: 1. B&M Wing Coaster approximately the scope of Wild Eagle-complete with the 50" height requirement-and 3 or 4 inversions (loop, zero g roll and corkscrew) as well as some not-before-seen water feature; 2. B&M sit down coaster with 3-4 inversions and the first of its kind being either the new restraint system on the trains to allow for a lower minimum height and/or a water splash element; 3. A new B&M type altogether (maybe an LIM launch), although I think this is probably unlikely. Whatever the case-I think this is a solid, intelligent and bold move for this park. I look forward to the full reveal and wish the park the best as I have heard nothing but good things about Holiday World in general. As it became clear that they were adding a B&M coaster from the clues (the pieced together blueprint from the scraps of paper, the footers, the cost and the other clues) I was surprised that they were getting one, but thought it made perfect sense. Even if this does turn out to be option #1, I would be happy about that if it were my home park. I know I am in the minority as a fan of the Wing Coasters (well, as much as I can be only having ridden Wild Eagle thus far), but if I owned a park and could only get one B&M coaster to start out with, that is likely what I would buy as they are visually impressive, can manage a lower minimum height, and are fun and thrilling while still accessible for most people.
  16. If New Orleans ever gets a new theme park...this would be a perfect fit for it. Well done!
  17. This gets my vote for one of the most visually stunning coasters I have ever seen!
  18. ^Just from my own experience-I personally like to stay closer to the park or right next to it as it makes the late nights/early mornings - especially considering the hihgly unpredictable nature of So Cal traffic -flow more smoothly. I have always stayed at the same two hotels: the Holiday Inn Express across the street from SFMM the night before the day at SFMM: Holiday Inn Express by SFMM And then the night before Knott's I always stay at the Knott's Resort Hotel; if you have an annual pass, they used to have a discount on the room for that. It is a nice hotel and literally steps from the park: Knott's Hotel I have also heard good things about this one: Holiday Inn Buena Park Also-if you are flying in, I highly recommend trying to fly into John Wayne (SNA) as opposed to the horror of LAX!
  19. I am going to say both, the same one in both places...I love reading the updates and always get them on the forum, but it is great to see them in the Park Index as well.
  20. I will say that I think the no headbanging is a plus, as well as the fact that they seem to facilitate a lowered minimum height restriction (Wild Eagle at 50" and Gatekeeper and Banshee at 52") but I think they may still be working out some of the details on the restraint system before transitioning more models to this system. One, there has been an issue with the restraints tightening on some of the Wing Coasters (which supposedly they are working on) and there also seems to be a cap on rider height with the new vest restraints of 78", which to my knowledge does not exist with their existing restraints (clamshell and OTSR, which have the minimum height of 54" and no maximum height cap which to me would seem to allow more people to ride). In any case, I can definitely see them wanting to move to the newer type, and I thought it was interesting that S&S are using a similar type on their 4D Free Spin model. Regarding stand up coasters-I enjoy Georgia Scorcher and Riddler's Revenge (and those are the only two stand up coasters I have really liked) but the ride experience to me is not as appealing as the sense of flight and freedom with the inverts/floorless/wing and hyper coasters. I am sure B&M would build another one, but I would rather see them invest the resources into new developments, such as the long rumored launching and 4D types they are supposedly working on.
  21. For me personally: Knott's Berry Farm: Silver Bullet, Xcelerator, and GhostRider Six Flags Magic Mountain: X2, Tatsu and Scream Dollywood: Wild Eagle, Thunderhead, and Mystery Mine Silver Dollar City: Outlaw Run, Wildfire and Powder Keg Six Flags Over Georgia: Goliath, Superman: Ultimate Flight, and Batman: TR Worlds Of Fun: Patriot, Prowler, and Mamba Carowinds: Intimidator, Afterburn and whatever new coaster is going in in 2015; they really need one more great coaster for a trio. Out of these, Knott's, SFMM, Dollywood and SDC are my favorite "trios".
  22. Just renewed for another year! Trying to figure out if there is any way I can make it to Banshee Media Day.
  23. Just did mine...added a lot of new coasters for the past year. Afterburn and Intimidator at Carowinds made my top ten this year.
  24. I have come up with some ideas like this in the past, but over the past few years have had the opportunity to reflect on it a bit more. Ideally - if there were no financial restrictions or realities, I would have a ton of big coasters from the outset, including a B&M Hyper over 200 feet, a huge B&M inverted the size of Banshee, S&S 4th Dimension like X2, huge S&S or MACK launched coaster, RMC wooden like Outlaw Run but about twice the length, a smaller GCI wooden coaster, MACK spinning family coaster like Sierra Sidewinder, and a smaller coaster for kids, but just that list of rides alone would be hundreds of millions before any other attractions, and having that much would be a recipe for financial ruin. So here's my somewhat more realistic idea, a concept I feel could actually work if executed and marketed correctly: Coasters: -GCI wooden coaster, 100-120 feet high, combination of out and back/twister and somewhere in the ballpark of $10-14 million -B&M Wing Coaster, 140-150 feet high, with 4 or 5 inversions including a zero-g-roll and unique theming, in the price range of $20-23 million -MACK launched family coaster on the scale of Manta in San Diego, no inversions and with a mine train theme with dark ride sections, don't know what these usually cost but will guess in the $15-18 million range Water Rides: -OD Hopkins Flume ride, with themed dark ride sections -EIther an OD Hopkins or Hafema white water rapids ride -MACK Splash Battle ride Flat Rides: -200-250 foot tall S&S Turbo Drop/3 Towers -S&S 42 Passenger Screaming Swing -Zamperla Air Race -Chance Revolution -Zierer Wave Swinger 2-3 other flat rides from Zierer, Zamperla or Chance Rides Other Rides: -Chance Rides antique cars -Train ride around the park -Custom Sally Dark Ride -Carousel -Giant Wheel -Bumper Cars -Selection of children's rides (S&S Frog Hopper, Zamperla Balloon Race, Rocking Tug and a few others) which are not segregated to one area but intermingled with the other attractions. That would be it for rides on opening, as future coaster additions I would plan to add a huge RMC wooden coaster, a B&M hyper or maybe even Giga coaster, and another family coaster of some kind. I would definitely want to stagger additions so that the "big" coasters would be every few years, and family rides/attractions on alternate years. Somewhere in the master plan I would want to have a water park as well. For shows I would want to have at least 2-3 live show venues, some kind of film show (IMAX, 3D Cinema, etc), and a concert theater for national touring acts. I would want attention to detail on the theming, and create an atmosphere that would be conducive to a wide demographic, and friendly to families and thrillseekers. As far as dining, at least 2-3 really good sit down locations with a variety of options, 3-4 more large counter service locations, and a few small locations. Then of course the usual merchandising options, games, arcades, etc. Eventually, as part of the master plan, I would want to add a hotel on property, as well as a few shopping/dining locations outside of the park. How it would all be themed would depend on where it was located; if it were in the the South, areas would be themed to various regions like the rural areas, mountains, coastal cities, etc; if it were Northeast, perhaps historical eras associated with the region-I have not given a ton of thought to how it would all be themed. I do know I would want to avoid licensing as much as possible, and come up with something signature, unique and original. Perhaps most importantly, I would want to have enough capital remaining once the park was built to hire a stellar marketing team, as well as the best possible operations and management team to run everything and a staff of employees who are paid well, trained and managed well, and who are committed to and passionate about what they do.
  25. As a smoker, I will say that there should be designated areas for smoking that are away from the main path and not where non-smokers have to walk through them, and I will add that I wish the parks would enforce the policies better. I get angry when I see other smokers lighting up in a non-smoking area and especially in line. Just because I elect to smoke, those who do not wish to smell or breathe it should NOT have to.
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