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Wow, that is the coolest, cutest little attraction I've seen in a long time, something that everyone in the family can truely get a kick out of. Kudos Dollywood! Thanks for the PTR!

All they have to do is COVER the break runs, (a practice you don't see much on coasters anymore, guess to cut costs...) or just switch to magnetic breaks as KW did the PR and JR, though for different reasons, but problem solved. God forbid CP would spend money to improve the park experience, instead of their ride count.

VERY COOL, the concept, and you're new job! Wish we had something like that down here. Oh wait, we do, drag bars.

Ahh, the memories, we watched the fireworks off the tower from CC's employee parking lot. Then went over to the party. I wouldn't have been invited if it werent for my generous comping of steak dinners to a Strat employee just a week beforehand. I also remember the original name "Let It Ride-High Roller", named after the popular, and patented game, which later removed their name off the ride due to it's lameness. Big Shot was also my 1st S&S, and in my opinion, is STILL the best one. Turbo-Drop at Stateline sucked in comparison. I too have the original Lightning Bolt cred. I'm on one of the local newsreels (sitting on the backlot river cruise) during their employee preview/Press day. I just remember all the hype that went into MGM, and was so disappointed. I refused to be interviewed, it was SO bad. LOL

OK, I'm just downright scared. That is the creepiest robot evar! It's too real!

Is that a Prada?

Awww, what a sad day for my rollercoaster history. I know they did this a while back, but this is the first time I've seen pictures! I am totally hunting for my video and pictures of the construction now. Me, opening day on the Strat. (Don't laugh, ok, laugh, I was so nerdy!)

They showed clips of this video on NBC Nightly News last night. Great find Robb!

A few comments, opinions, blah blah blah... -I too also heard that it will not have any true inversions. (A separate source other than screamscape.) -It IS Maurer-Sohne!!! Kids, follow along, read, and avoid the "OOH, I hope it's a..." speculation. More than likely, it's their X-car. The LAST thing Florida needs is ANOTHER (yawn) B&M. -I'm actually a little excited for this ride. I really hope they do it "right" with all the theming and technology. I'm a big fan of really loud/chaotic experiences on rides, and the louder, the better. (No wonder I love major carnivals!) But, what I fear is lame soundtracks, low audio volume, and cheesey interactivity. It really depends on who they're trying to attract with this ride. If it's the "Hulk Riders", we may have a big winner on our hands. EDIT:Typos

You're young! ALL woodies used to have leather/leatherish seating, no dividers, occasionally a leather strap. The "plastic trend" is only about 15-20 years old. Thanks PTC! Dennis "is ready to go back 20 years"

They'll know Friday if there will be a lengthy delay or not during the appeals hearing.

Great trip report, thank you! I did see one funny thing wrong with the park... Cows with udders are FEMALE! hehehe

Just look at Kennywood, it was the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World" through the 70s and 80s, and they only had 5. (At one point, only 4!) Funny how that slogan has been recycled to so many parks. Other than KW, CP, and SF, has any other park used this term? Was Kennywood the 1st?

Now KW has gotten smart. Any time they have old stuff they used to throw away, now gets auctioned on E-bay. I almost got an old Steel Phantom shell, (Yellow train) and a Raging Rapids boat. Unfortunately, my parents (who still live in Pittsburgh) would not let me store it there, since I only get up there every couple of years.

Just as we were discussing classic coaster trains on another thread... OH NO! WHAT DID THEY DO?!?!?!?!? Great PTR! Thanks for sharing!

I'm not sure if they are still there, but one of the old blue racer cars was on display in Station Square in the 80's. (Downtown Pittsburgh) Later on in the late 80's, I found the full Red/Yellow multi-colored trains rotting under the Ft. Pitt Bridge. (Also owned by Station Square.) There was a large carnival back there one year, and thats how I found them, there were bums (or carnies, ya never know) sleeping on them.

I'm so with you on this one. I miss the coaster trains of my youth. With the advent of PTC standard trains spreading in the 70's, it all fell apart from there. Trains made from massive wood, overstuffed leather seats, and just a leather strap with a leash-latch on it. Those were the days! Such comfortable rides. I hate to say it, but those Jack Rabbit trains are destined to become extinct soon. (Side note question: has it lost it's "classic status" since the brakes were replaced with the new magnetic ones?) These trains today are so cheaply made. (In the quality sense of the word, I know they're not cheap!) The previous KW Racer trains were so awesome, the PTC's they have now just squeak and crackle, there's no body to them at all. Am I making sense?

Unfortunately, for as much as both sides of my family loved to go the the amusement parks for get togethers, (separately, of course, yay for me!) NOBODY ever brought a camera. We have no family pictures of these events until I was a teen, then instead of taking pictures of family, I took pictures of the park and rides. Sadly, my archive was lost. I had an extensive collection like yours dating from 1979 to 1998 covering the North-East in the early years and South-West. (Also had about $8000 worth of HO-Scale ride models. Only I would have 4 Achter Bahns! Hehehe!) Even though I was scared on the Whippet, I do remember that the ride itself was comfortable. (Seems that any of the classics with those old overweight trains are!) I also remember, being used to Kennywood's standards, was scared because much of the Whippet didn't have catwalks or railings. And of course, my pot-head parents joking around saying "Oh geeze, this thing is going to fall apart on us." The Dips, on the other hand, I just didn't like at all. I Really was too young to be on that. The banked curve was a tad brutal. (Locals called it "Devil's Bend", "Devil's Curve" etc... local folklore.) I used to get excited riding the train that passed along side and under the Dips, until I rode it. LOL And I would LOVE to see that model. I've always heard about it, but have never seen it!

I was lucky enough (and very young) to attend West View's last 2 seasons. (I was 6 on the final visit.) Oddly enough, I remember every detail because that final year was so terrible, and our entire family talks about it all the time. I remember everything needed a coat of paint, nothing was consistant. I'm suprised there were no major accidents in the last year, not just because of poor upkeep, but I was 6, and got on ALL the rides, including the Dips and Whippet. I think my biggest memories (besides falling off the tumble bug!) were of the Tempest (a ride i should not have been let on...) the Paratrooper ride from hell (it lasted 5 minutes...) being escorted out of Davie Jone's locker because of a derailment, the 2 story dark ride that scared the crap out of me, and of course, the coasters. Being so young, I only liked the Kiddie Dips, the others were a tad too big, but the Racing Whippet wasn't too bad. I distinctly remember telling my mom after that last visit that I liked Kennywood better, and asked when we were going there. I think the only thing in the park that looked "fresh" was the "old time cars", one of the rides I didn't get to go on. Awesome pictures! I agree, we want more! LOL

Agreed. What in the world is Zomg?

I love fun trip reports. This was just fun! Thanks for updating us!

If I sound stupid, educate me. (Or just slap me.) It's amazing how a "brand" sells a park. I will never understand this aspect of the amusement industry, especially when you ask just about anyone which amusement park they have the most fun at, or has the best rides, it's none of these top parks. Big parks with few rides get millions of people, vs. medium parks with more rides, better food, and less expensive have less attendance. Heck, if I had the secret, I'd be rich. Lets see... -Make something boring... -Brand it... -Force people into believing it's fun or cool... -People pay you too much money. What am I missing?!?!?

Happy Birthday E!!!!! Par-tay.....Heeeeeyyyyy!

Kennywood's Cosmic Chaos. A theme that has absolutely nothing to do with it's park, or surroundings. Kenny Kangaroo's Spinning Spaghetti Supper-Plate would have been better, and much more funnier! Kenny statue in the middle of the disk, holding a knife and fork, with streaming noodles all over him. And the sound-track could have been "On top of Spaghetti"....

OK, I'm an idiot. I own a video that shows one train going backwards. Once you mentioned "Morgan", I remembered. Dennis "has gotta dye his hair"