carolinacaniac

You know, considering that they shortened the season a bit and still had the same attendance, that is not too bad. I kind of agree that the two coasters were just kind of stuck out there in the front. It may have been better if they were towards the back to spread the wealth around the park (Or at least one of them. I think I like the idea of Venom going to Carowinds But who knows

Gary: Greenville, North Carolina I think I am about an equal distance from both Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Europe. If the Zippin Pippin is still being relocated to Carolina Crossroads, that may change.

I know there are specific days that payments were due, but since there are still spots open, for someone who may just join, is there a revised paymenty schedule or is it the same?

Both excellent points if you ask me. I had not even thought of the International appeal of Harry Potter.

Everything depends on how long you will be there. Are you staying over night or are you doing it all in one day?

A lot of people are pointing towards the timing as to a main reason for it being a bad idea, but how often do you see a ride based on a show or movie come out the same year or even a year after? The only exception I can think of is that Batman and Robin came out in 1997, and the next year SFGAdv came out with The Chiller. Look at Italian Job, it came out in 2003, and rides based off of it came out in 2005 and 2006. The movie may not have been as popular at the time, but people still like the rides. I am with most people in that I would rather have the Lost Continent stay the same, but I don't think it will be such a failure to do the Harry Potter thing

I know that there were new additions after this picture was taken, since Timberhawk would take up a chunck of the south area, but I still think there is space right beside the parking lot to the right of it (if you look at it with North facing the top. They could also move some of the parking from the bottom part of the pond or lake or whatever they want to call it, and make something that goes all the way around the lake. Just a few thoughts

It was Alpengiest at Busch Gardens Europe. I loved watching that commercial, here the guy put all that effort into saving his Pepsi on the ride, just to blow it when checking his watch!

Who really cares though? Both trips should be pretty fricken' cool! I would agree that if I were to pick one, it would be a toss up (unless the cost of one was more significant than the other). I don't think it will work out for me though, concidering that I am getting Married in June of '08 (Don't get me wrong, I am excied to death about it). I do though think that I am gonna reward myself for graduating college in '09 by either going on my own coaster trip or maybe I'll try for a TPR trip, I guess I will have to be patient and see what the dynamic duo offer in '09

I'm curious too about what will happen to good old Wild Waves coasterfan. I grew up in Seattle and Bremerton until 1999 when we moved here to NC. We went to Wild Waves pretty often, but I have yet to have been there since 1999. So I havn't done to 2002 additions or TimberHawk yet, but I am planning on going this summer when I visit my Dad in July! I was looking at Google Earth over the park, and there is still a decent amount of space they can use for expansion.

I think the one time I had been to Carowinds, Frenzoid was closed. I am not a huge fan of the looping ship rides, but I say good for Carowinds to bring it back as I know there are people that like it. I am sure my fiancee and I will ride it once since she wanted to do Berzerker at Kings Dominion last july but we did not get around to it. I can't wait for March 31st (first planned trip of '07!) Top Gun is gonna be sweet!

I think that it is possible that these and the new train that Shapiro was talking about could be connected. If you think about it, both of the coaster locations are great spots in the park to have train stations. Flashback is right in the front of the park, and Psyclone in the back left corner. I would guess the third station would be in the upper right corner or right side somewhere. I also think the Thomas the Tank Engine station in Psyclone's spot is very possible too! I have to admit I am bummed I can't get the credits, but it would not be the first time it has happend. At least the other 15 coasters will still be there!

I know that the Joyland developers were looking into reopening Libertyland but wanted the Zippin Pippin to stay with the park. Since they have apparently backed out, does anyone know if the relocation to Carolina Crossroads is still on or still held up? Or has it just been cancelled all togeather? I am hoping it goes through, I was planning on going the day the ride opens!

Thanks for the info! That will be really helpful

I have been thinking about Lunear too. We have also been concidering extending our trip longer (two weeks or so instead ofjust one). We may try for other areas of italy besides rome, just depends on what kind of money we have when the time comes. I might also think about Gaardaland instead or both it and Mirabilandia. Not sure yet, there is still time to plan.

Another thing to think about with the Breakers Express is that they also have shuttles that go from the breakers express and castaway bay to the main property. Early to Mid June would be your best bet for lighter crowds. When the evening comes, some of the older major rides may have shorter or even walk-on lines. I remember when I worked there they first summer I was there, I went to the park on the first sunday of June during my day off, and Raptor had a walk-on line at around 4 in the afternoon. This senario may not always happen, but it is possible. You also are right in Cleveland being better for shopping. If you head that way, I recommend Tower City. It is a really neat mall with some cool arcitecture with many stores, a large food court and a movie theater. Another place that seems to be popular near Cedar Point is the Eire Islands, that maybe something to look into. There is also a Carosuel Museum in downtown Sandusky.

There is nothing wrong with being a geek, I do it all the time, it will be fun to be around others who know what I am talking about. I could tell my girlfriend about how B&M started from intamin, but she could not care less (at least she still loves me as a coaster nerd!). It was neat to be around others who knew about other rides at the media day event. I guess that is why I would love to do a TPR trip

I wonder if cedar fair will actually take advantage of it. The reason I ask is this. Before the Increase, Ohio min. Wage was $5.15, but Cedar Point's base rate of pay was $6.25. I am not suggesting that people who go to work there should expect $7.95 (A $1.10 difference), but they may at least get paid more than last year. I think cedar fair may eventually realize that it can't get the good sataffing at less than minimum wage.

Well, I think I may try for my first enthusiast event this april when the coaster zombies host Volcanomania at Kings Dominion. Has anyone been to this event before and if so what did you think? What do you all think about Coaster Zombie members? (Are they more like the dreaded ACE members some people elude to or are they better?) I met a few when I went to media day for Italian Job at KD last may, and they seemed like friendly people. Any thoughts are appreciated

Anthony, Thanks for the information! It should be pretty helpful for us. I may take your offer on the Italian lessons, although I don't plan on mastering the language, I do not want to be an ignorant traveler and seem to expect that everyone should know english.

2008 sounds like it could be a good year to get on a tour! I suppose all of those trips are in the early stages of planning? (meaning no specific parks yet, more or less just ideas of regions to go). By the way, just for curiousity, are all the spots on the three trips filled?

I know that the ride you operate can have an effect on how repetetive it can be and it may also depend on the park. I worked at Cedar Point two summers as a ride host, and they tend to do their operations in cycles. What I mean is that you go from one position to another every 30 minutes or so. That way you are not doing the same thing each and every time. The minimum age at Cedar Point was 18 so anyone who was a ride host could be certified to operate the controls. Coasters with two or more trains had more specialized training.

Hey everyone, Merry Late Christmas to all, I just had a quick question about Martin's Fantasy Island. My girlfriend and I are thinking about visiting her mom and three youngest siblings in Buffalo next march or may, and I wanted to see if anyone knew when it was that the place opens for the season? I tried checking out the website, but I found nothing (I guess they are still planning). I am just looking for an approximate time frame, kind of like how Cedar Point opens around early-mid May. I think the Silver Comet looks like a blast!

Before I add my two cents I have a question about two other loops: 1) Anyone know if the loop on California Screamin' is being recmoved completly, being temporarly removed or replaced? 2) Someone mentioned that Batman at SFNO had it's loop removed, when did that happen? Now my two cents. I think that while many people of the general public will realize the loss of the rides major gimmick, I don't know that it will loose as many riders as most people here think. For one thing, SOB is stil the tallest coaster in the park, and GP peeps (RCT reference) like going on the tallest coasters. I also think many people are prejudging the ride without the loop before riding it. Maybe most people didn't like it before because of how rough it is? But what if these modifications turn out to be all that is needed to make it a good ride? I know the first couple times I rode it I could not believe how steep the first drop was and how fast it was thoughout the ride. All I am saying is give it a ride first before you say this was a bad move. I would be willing to admit that it was still a bad ride and now doesn't even have a loop after riding it if I found it to be that way.

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted, but here is a little more "proof" that its a Gravity Group product. Fair enough, I will conceed the notion of it possibly being a GCI.