redfoot12

^I thought mega-lites were around 10-12 million?

I hadn't seen the Top 50 list yet, that does seem a little high as Mitch pools has only 15 woodies in their Top 50. My bad, I phrased my stance incorrectly. The voting options are skewed to US based attractions, at least 80% of the voting options were in the US, sure you can write-ins candidates, but a write-in is unlikely to ever win. So even with international ballots those internationals are not concentrated in any one area where a consensus of the international voters can get behind their home coaster. Since there's already a huge slant towards the US I wonder if they should just make the results "Best in the US". Rides like the Intamin Mega-Lites, Blue Fire and iSpeed didn't even crack the top 50 (which I know some folks on here would take to task).

Let the bitching and moaning commence...

My policy on Hurler for the past several years is to torch the thing and insert GCI in its place.

^Why not?

Which parks? (so I can plan a credit run before they close down) I believe it was Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I'm just curious, but roughly what were their roles with Hard Rock/FMP? I find it crazy that someone who had a hand in the Hard Rock debacle would have a prominent role at one of the country's biggest parks.

Which parks? (so I can plan a credit run before they close down)

After the first drop it just twists and turns and I find that boring for it having such a huge drop. I wanted more hills and at least one inversion. I did not feel the need for over the shoulder restraints. I understand that may have something to do with safety or what not but I still do not see the point. The quick twist during the ride were quite rough as well. I had more fun on EVERY other coaster at the park. I have more fun on Steel Force at Dorney. Millennium Force looks fun, have not rode it yet. My BF did not like the coaster either and thinks Millennium Force is a way better ride. I will make my opinion once I ride it. As for the park, I have been several times over the years (I do not live far at all from it). I have NO issues with the park at all, just that ride. The park is taken care of A LOT better now that Cedar Fair owns it in my opinion. The rest of the coasters are a lot of fun. My favorite is Dominator which is followed by Grizzly. Just curious, but how many times did you ride I305? After my first ride I wasn't too impressed with it either. As I rode it more it really grew on my and by the end of the day it was my favorite steel.

Shenanigans!

I went to these two parks a couple of weeks ago while visiting friends in Colorado. Elitch was pretty blah, although I didn't think Twister II was too rough, more just uneventful. The Mind Eraser at Six Flags America was a lot worse in my opinion. My shoulders hurt just from looking at this pic though. I agree with the general sentiment that Elitch needs a signature coaster. I didn't get to spend as much time at Lakeside but I loved Cyclone. It became my #2 favorite woodie (although my woodie track record is not very extensive.) Wild Chipmunk is my favorite wild mouse as well.

They just got one of the biggest coasters in the world to be built in the last decade. Hopefully that will keep you guys happy for more than a few months! --Robb What!!??? No Intamin prefab!!???

^^^I wouldn't be too sure. The only thing I find rough about Alpengeist is the turn into the mid course brake run. My last few rides on Alpengeist were in the middle and the rattle was awful and gave me headaches. I had never experienced that on Alpie. I typically ride Alpengeist in the front so I'm not writing it off yet.

All I know is that Volcano is a lot smoother than Alpengeist these days.

Because "Drop Zone" was a movie made by Paramount. Awesome pics! Glad to hear everyone had fun! I guess the next question would be why would Paramount decide to name a ride after a movie that bombed?

Wild Chipmunk at Lakeside August 12 Interesting ride!

Alpengeist Thursday night. Wow this coaster has gotten extremely rough and rattley. It was so buttery smooth once upon a time.

^^Darkstitch--you making it up for East Coast Bash?

I only rode it once last night and I may have had a slight gray-out but it was kind of hard to tell at night. In any case, I definitely felt the gray-outs more before the trims based on this one ride.

On a different note, I finally rode I305 with the trims and the new restraints earlier tonight. I rode in the back (with TPR member U2Rox) at night and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Definitely different and not as intense but still an excellent ride. I'd still like to see if they can adjust the trims at some point to make the first hill as awesome as it was "before" but I'm not going to complain if they don't. On a side note, my riding partner preferred Millennium Force as she wasn't a fan of the gray outs on 305. She still liked it a lot though. Her favorites were Rebel Yell and Volcano. After getting beaten up on Grizzly earlier in the day and expressing her disgust with the ride, I convinced her to ride at night. She sort of changed her tune. Overall, she said she had a great first time at the park. Peace out.

I went through a "hating-on KD" phase about 10 years ago. When I started getting back in to coasters again I decided to change my view of the park and realize that I've got several great coasters in my backyard. It's definitely lost a lot of the charm it had from 20 years ago and I hate some of the decisions they've made--clearing out the woods around Grizzly, Hypersonic, and the general transformation from a somewhat themepark to a blacktop thrill park. I think some of the comments in that tirade were a bit overblown but there was some merit hidden in there.

I'm not too knowledgeable of this kind of thing but can the owners of the park sell off their assets, coasters, whatever to pay their creditors? Or is that what the courts are likely going to make the owners do? I just can't see some company buying the park to sell everything off. The land seems to be in a deadzone when it comes to profitability.

^You just have to get your digs in

Is there anything else that could possibly confirm this? I'm still doubtful. And "XWORKS" X raptor?????? I think he was having fun with the SFA locals.

^Nope. Still just a rumor.

All I have to say about Great American Scream Machine is that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I won't miss it and Chang looks to be a great addition. I don't know why anyone would complain about losing a mediocre to terrible coaster for a what's been a proven crowd pleaser. Edit to add: If this were one of my home parks (KD or BGW) I'd let them take out these rides for Chang: Loch Ness Monster Anaconda Hurler Shock Wave Avalanche The above are all rides that I have some nostalgia for but can recognize the fact their time may be up.