ECZenith

SFNE.com has posted a construction update showing that a great deal of Catapult's (S&S Sky Swatter) structure is already up! http://sfne.com/index.php?cat=updates&id=14 I'm very happy to see a new monster flat ride added to SFNE's already impressive collecton. Has anyone seen Lake Compounce's Thunder & Lightning recently? I haven't heard anything in regards to its construction.

5 acres sounds more realistic. A vertical drop going directly through the station would be awesome, but I'd imagine it would be a huge distraction to the ride ops. Then again, fly-throughs have been done before. I wonder what they would theme/name the ride. It can't really be named after a beast in typical B&M/Busch logic as Alpengeist is right in the area. Anyone wanna take a stab at what time of the year they might announce this project?

I'm pretty sure the ride operator simply waits for all the restraints to clear, signals for the other attendants for dispatch, and then presses the big shiny button. When you're just starting off, they'll probably have you checking restraints, and then eventually move up to ride operations. I've never done it before, but I know a couple ops at SFNE.

If it's going to be a B&M, I'd guess a Speedcoaster. Don't know where they'd squeeze it in, but... yeah.

If this ride is to open in 2007, I doubt very much that track would be on site already.

Man, this coaster is just all over the place! Less than a month to go!

Cool, thanks for the update Thrasher. Wonder why they decided to cover IOA's tunnel some more?

Both RNRC's aren't known for being rough and they're launched Vekomas. I'm not sure how Xpress is maintained but I haven't heard anything bad about it. I'd love to see one of these coasters come about.

http://www.jccegov.com/newsreleases/cur ... 22107.html Whatever it is they're getting, it's going to be around 210' tall and as previously mentioned will be in the New France section. Definately time to add a new coaster at BGW, should be interesting to see what this ends up being. I apologize if this is old news. Structure Height Simulation - Busch Gardens, Williamsburg Expansion Date: February 17, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David German, JCC Planning Division Phone: (757) 253-6685 Fax: Email: planning@james-city.va.us Notice is hereby given that a balloon test will be conducted on Friday February 24, 2006; to simulate the height of a 210-foot tall structure. This test is being done as part of Case No. SUP-02-06 and HW-01-06: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg Expansion. The balloon will be in the air from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The initial meeting place for the test will be at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot for the old Fire Station #2 facility at 8421 Pocahontas Trail (please use the parking lot for the unused station house only). The balloon will be extended from the location of the future expansion inside Busch Gardens Theme Park, which can be further identified as Parcel No. (51-4) on the James City County Tax Map No. (1-9). In case of unfavorable weather conditions, a make-up balloon test will be held on Monday, February 27, 2006, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Maps depicting the site of the balloon test are available from the James City County Planning Division, 101-A Mounts Bay Road, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Please call the James City County Planning Division at (757) 253-6685 for further information.

WDW is a must-see place. Especially if you have never been before, there's nothing else like it. But like Maliboomer said, you won't appreciate it much if you're JUST looking for huge, fast rides. The beauty is in the theming and attention to detail.

It's not really a fair arguement. The East Coast has much higher numbers than the West. While the West Coast does have some great parks, there just aren't enough of them to have a lot of GREAT parks. Plus there seems to be more classic, original amusement parks in the east that you don't really see out west.

This webpage may help. http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/fall_97/beyerly/design.htm The lift in that picture is a fixed grip lift, which means you basically have to jump into the gondola as it goes through the station. The cable is attached at the top of the gondola and a bull wheel (the big horizontal wheel usually in the station) pulls the cable through the line. The versions that can stop while the rest of the line is in motion are a bit more complicated. Lake Compounce has an awesome Garaventa fixed lift. It takes a half hour to complete the circuit and the views are outstanding. I shouldn't know this stuff...

I'ce decided to switch the days around a bit thanks to these tips and the ERT event at Magic Mountain (which I had no idea was even going on!) This is what I'm currently planning... T May 16- Fly in to LAX from PVD, Drive to Buena Park Hotel (Knott's later) W May 17- Full day at Knott's Berry Farm T May 18- DLR then DCA F May 19- DCA then DLR (open later) S May 20- Drive to Castaic Hotel (late SFMM entry) S May 21- ERT Event at SFMM M May 22- Drive to LAX, fly out to PVD If anyone's going to be at the parks any of those days, or the ERT event at SFMM lemme now. Thanks for all the help.

Volcano, that second launch after the the turnaround was a big surprise to me the first time I rode it.

Thanks for the help so far! Is it true Mulholland Madness at DCA will be down in May? Any other closings we know of?

Good find man, very interesting stuff. (AND ALL TRUE!)

Sorry to bump... but I'm getting plane tickets Thursday, thought I'd try again.

Superman: Ride Of Steel @ SFNE

That sunroof shot is an especially interesting angle.

Outstanding I'll be there in October without a doubt. Then on to HHN... Great photos, BTW.

http://www.coastergallery.com/2001/SW01.html You can kind of make out what they look like here. It's a shark's head. The front of the train also has teeth across it.

I really like Alpengeist's in particular. The entire trains are themed so well and the covers match perfectly.

I said it before, but man I really love the colors! Stands out so well as seen from the front gate! How far from the Atlanta airport is SFOG anyways? Maybe I can arrange for a nice long layover on my way to Orlando this year.

I can't believe that thing is even capable of harming someone. Should be interesting seeing exactly how he got out of the restraint.

Alpengeist... Beautiful photos