thrillerman1

Yes! That was the "Spindle Top" rotor ride. I remember it being located near the Drunken Barrels, and I still look for it whenever I go to SFOG...too bad it and the barrels are long gone! Thanks to everyone for all the birthday love for this thread!!! Tune in for the next update which will include a look at New York's (Martin's) Fantasy Island.

^ Now that is mind blowing...so then what happened to Grayson's Nightwing character? Hope your new game does well Robb!!!

Major EXCITEMENT! I can't wait for Issue #2!!!

Robb...this looks AMAZING! I love the retro look of the game and totally want a Nintendo DS now. Big congrats to you dude!!! By the way, I've been on a Batman binge lately, and just watched the new "Batman: Under the Red Hood" animated movie which I highly recommend. Why has no one ever told me that there was another Robin (Jason Todd) character after Dick Grayson?!?!

^ Hear hear...now that is a GREAT idea!!!

The sad reality is no. You have to remember that the reason why arcades in the 80s basically existed in the first place is because that was the only venue to play those games. The technology did not yet exist in your home. And today, when you can play an exact frame-to-frame copy of Dragon's Lair and Space Ace on your iPhone...well, the video game resurgence is actually happening in the home. --Robb "Sorry to go off topic...just happens to be a subject matter I know a lot about!" Alvey Robb, I know you're right. I just miss the whole game arcade environment...all the sounds, lights, crowds of people cheering, etc. - that community experience which is hard to replicate at home. We actually have a mall game arcade here in Nashville which seems to be doing pretty well. I think what helps it is that they've diversified their business to include holding game tournaments as well as buying/selling/trading games. I know I'm a relic of the 80's.

This looks cool. I'm stoked for the new movie, and I have admittedly delusional hopes it will lead to a video game arcade resurgence.

The park seems to have been quiet this week about the Timberliner trains testing. Has anyone heard the latest of what's going on with them?

MouseShoppe has some classic Disney attraction posters such as this one for Space Mountain: http://www.mouseshoppe.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=MS2497&Category_Code=371

Looking forward to the trip reports! By the way, it finished #1 in the Pepsi Refresh Project, so it will receive the $50K. Kudos to all who voted.

Can I get a yawn with a side of ? They must not know that Mystery Mine has a pause element on its beyond vertical dive. They might want to update their materials again after this update lol.

I'm not a fan of Mystery Mine although I like the theming. I hope this turns out to be more like Bon Bon Land's Vild-Svinet.

This was Vettel's unique "sandwich-style" track. He used this on the Blue Streak, Lakeside Cyclone and Pontchartrain Zephyr. Scott, thanks for that info and the photos too!

I don't think I've ever seen track ties that go THROUGH the track, or else I've just never noticed this on any other wooden coasters I've ridden. Is this unique construction on the new track or has it been done on other woodies?

My votes are in. Since it's been at #1 for a while now, I really don't see how it could fall out of the top 10 at this point. Regardless, let's make sure it goes out on top & everyone that has not voted, please do it NOW!!!

Wow, I haven't been to Virginia Beach since I was a wee lad. I don't really remember anything about it, so it's interesting to see it now. Looks like you were having a lot of fun there, and I'm looking forward to seeing your next update. Thanks for these great pics Jason!

^ I would enjoy seeing Buford make a return visit to the park. Quick...somebody start an online petition or Facebook page! I think the years you worked at SFOG was around the time period when I temporarily lost my park/coaster enthusiamness. I did come back to my senses and go shortly thereafter to get the Z-Force credit.

The poster on the previous page is amazing! Does anyone know if it can be ordered online anywhere?

Thanks for the warm birthday wishes Jason. I've saved you a piece of cake! I'm glad you're enjoying these expanded updates. It really is fun and interesting to look back at how parks have morphed over the years. Hurry to SFGAdv or SFOT and ride one of those parachutes towers while you still can. Oh and if you're doing the TPR Japan trip next year, you could ride the one at La Qua in Tokyo. I remember as a fifth grader that SFOG's parachutes really did take my breath away on the drop. I'm not sure if it was a total free fall before the cable grabbed the ride carriage, but it sure felt like it back then. Years later not so much, so either the ride was tamed or my memory is slightly skewed. Larry, I vaguely remember Buford. He was quite witty if memory serves correct. That is crazy about Percy Pelican. I wonder how long that show lasted before it got canned by MAPP lol. It's too bad that most of these puppet characters have been done away with, but fortunately Dollywood still has theirs last I visited. I seem to remember one at USH (maybe it was Shrek themed?) a few years ago too. Yeah, that was a clever name for KD's flyers - glad to confirm for you.

HOORAY...it's birthday #3 here at the Paradise!!! To celebrate, today I have a megaginormous Six Flags Over Georgia update. Growing up in northwestern Alabama in the 1970's left little options for visiting theme parks. The closest park was Opryland, which did little but whet the appetite for much bigger/exciting thrills, so I always greatly anticipated those ever so rare visits to SFOG. To this day Mind Bender ranks near my top 10 steel coasters and Goliath is certainly IMO one of the best B&M's anywhere! Since I'm planning a visit to SFOG next weekend (and taking a week off from my updates to this thread), I thought I'd share some of my SFOG collection with TPR. Here we go (and by the way what is SFOG teasing us with in those Facebook pics as new for 2011???)... GASP! It's the park entrance in the 1970's! At one time, the Great American Scream Machine was a world record holder. I love the SF font on the front of the train. Believe it...or not. Chaser lights and fire make everything better. 77 was a good year. If you were to buy park postcards or other souvenirs in the 70's, you got this sweet bag too! Let's move forward to the 1980's. Hey Rapidsnerd! Besides rides, SFOG used to actually have some good shows too...like Mega Dolphins. In 1982, the park continued operations until late November! Discount #1...score! With this coupon receive a WHOPPING $1 off the park admission price. It's good at Astroworld too. This coupon is a better deal offering $2.50 off the admission price! Hello my name is Mark, and yes I am a park souvenir hoarder. Hoarder example #2. Hoarder example #3. Hoarder example #4. Every SFOG fan should own this book. The book features many black & white photos of attractions long gone from the park. Let's check out my SFOG souvenir book from the 1970's. Here's the cover featuring a two tone blue sky! Here's the intro page noting when the park featured a new bird show and a "crazy" new swing ride - The Highland Fling. Jolly jolly jolly. Gasp! Here is the park entrance before the "Main Street" shops were later added. Can you say "Antebellum"? I knew that you could. Mega dolphins! WARNING...beneath these waters lies SHARKTOPUS!!! Schwarzkopfian goodness. Better than Shock Wave! SFOG had TWO intertwined log flume rides in the 70's. Take the tunnel! Hey Chicago...what's up? I miss you Mo Mo, but at least The Wheelie is still here although not in the USA section anymore. Exclusive centerfold! Saying "Okefenokee" is even more fun than saying "antebellum"! I'd forgotten all about the Buford Buzzard show. Did you know Buford's cousin lives up north at Mystery Mine??? Fiesta de Ninos. Everyone loves Mexican jumping beans! We see you Mini-Mine Train. Does anyone recognize these furries? Let's say "antebellum" again, shall we? Giant paper flowers were all the rage in the 70's. INTAMIN ARROW INTAMIN. Hey Dollywood...how's it going? More flags more fun. See you next weekend Mind Bender! Be sure to send this thread LOTS of birthday love, and see you all in two weeks for the next update!!!

Oops lol...wait I totally take back my answer and this is definitely for Opryland!!!

One of the GCI interns blogged that they'd be breaking ground for their shop building expansion this week, so my guess is that this photo is from that. While that's cool and all, I really hope it's for an actual mystery coaster.

^ According to RCDB.com, the order of locations for King Kobra is: Kings Dominion > Jolly Roger Amusement Park > Alton Towers > Hopi Hari. http://www.rcdb.com/637.htm

King Kobra was not just any shuttle loop either, but a Schwarzkopf! According to RCDB, you can still ride it at its most recent locale in Brazil at Hopi Hari: http://www.rcdb.com/1152.htm. Hopefully I can make that TPR Brazil trip someday to ride it again. Yeah, Guy, that ticketing system totally reminded me of Disney too. I always hated that I had to choose between rides with that system.

That really was an amazing save. I've never seen anything like that - much less in person. Thanks for sharing!