Real

Yea, you wouldnt want someone dropping or tossing something in your direction in those sections, would you? I like the addition of Zinga right on top of Legend. Adds to the cramped feeling. Thats what makes those rides shine - they are designed right into the hills and trees as its supposed to naturally feel cramped. I also liked watching the train rocket by while on the walkways for Zinga and Zoombabwe. Very, very cool. Sadly I wanted to get pictures from there but didnt want to crowd my way through the people. I think next time Ill run up there as it opens and let people walk by me. Most people were VERY courtious. Its amazing - just get a very nice camera, throw a nice lens on it with a tripod and carry a camera bag and youll command attention from anyone. Ive had people at CP ask me to show them pictures in the picture viewer. I tend to gather a crowd when I take my tripod...not sure why though. Do photographers have some "allure" or something?!@

Umm...no brainer... RAVEN

Indiana Beach July 2nd ========================================== Drove 4 hours and arrived at Indiana Beach at approximately 3pm. It was exactly as I left it last September accepted much, much more busy. Upon my last visit to IB I had not gotten to ride any of the rides with a full train due to the park being so empty. This proved to give me a ton of re-rides but the trains were empty - I knew I was missing out on something. That "something" was INCREDIBLE airtime, at least for Cornballs sake. The ride was completely different with a full train of riders. I knew that the extra weight would make a difference however I was unprepared for the kind of change it would make. My original back seat ride provided nothing more than pure floater airtime - which I was content with. It was simply crazy how every hill threw me in the air but kept me right under the buzzbar. This time things were very, very different. Cornball Express ========================================== Right from the drop I was thrust up and right, into the restraint and held there the entire way. Then up and to the left, then diving and yet again, being thrown into my buzzbar. Then a great pop of floater air before the wonderful drop over the water. WOAH! I was completely ejected into the buzzbar and held there the entire way. Up and under Hoosier Hurricane and yet again, more buzzbar hitting airtime. Then more pure floater, smooth and forceful helix (seemed both smoother and more force with full train) and ended the ride with 2 airtime hills so powerful I was standing up on both of them - knees locked against the buzzbar. Needless to say I was completely stunned at the difference a full train makes. Cornball, at 4pm was already starting to encroach on Shivering Timbers #1 spot simply because of how crazy the airtime was. However, it still didn’t beat it. ========================================== Hoosier ran harder, not anymore air, but just harder. More laterals in the helix and the jab turns came quicker and with more force. The ride is certainly a blast to ride still and while not like Cornball, still a solid ride any park I would think would be proud to own. The Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain was down for a short while for problems with the elevator lift but was soon fixed. This thing was crazy - just as I left it and ran not any different, just the same most insane lateral producing machine I have ever ridden. Nothing yet has topped it and I doubt anything will. We did end the night with some very late night cornball rides around 10pm. I had heard that these wooden coasters get faster at night but wasn’t sure how much faster they got. I was in for a very, very rude awakening. ========================================== It was INSANE! It was the airtime previously x2. Every hill that had floater before was ejector and every hill that was ejector well, just got more intense! It was simply ridiculous how much faster the ride got. I would think it was at least 5 seconds faster all around which doesn’t seem like much but it’s a definite increase in overall quickness. Needless to say, this night ride meant that Shivering Timbers fell from its #1 spot to this late night Cornball ride. Simple amazing airtime made more amazing by buzzbars. Holiday World July 3rd ========================================== So we left IB around 10pm and drove 5 more hours to Holiday World, the real reason for the trip. We arrived in Santa Claus Indiana at 3am and tried to get a hotel or a motel or a lodge, didn’t care. I had the next night (Sunday Night) booked at Santa's Lodge so we went there. The lady at the desk told us that not only were they booked for the holiday weekend but everywhere for an HOUR away was booked solid. I didn’t believe her but I called quite a few places and even drove around. Eventually, I returned there (it’s across the street from the park) and we slept in our car in the parking lot. Having not yet showered after a hot day my sister had the great idea to go into Splashin Safari first and not only change for the water park, but use their showers! Great thinkin sis We got on Zinga, which is one of those crazy Funnel-tilted on side-slides where you get into a huge clover leaf 4 person tube and slingshot down a slide into the oversized oil funnel and careen back and forth till you are spit out the small end. VERY VERY fun ride, very. We then rode Zoombabwe which is the worlds tallest and longest enclosed family raft ride in the world. This was also an instant favourite because I love enclosed rides - the darker the better and this was simply funtastic. Now, the real reason for the entire Trip Report - Raven and Legend!!! Legend ========================================== First, Legend. I decided not to ruin Raven by riding it first so I rode The Legend first. I got very near the back seat, in fact the seat just in front of it. I knew that this ride wasn’t an airtime machine but rather was just a long, lateral producing ride that pummels you from start to finish but leaves you not feeling pummeled but rather, refreshed. It starts with a small right hand turn and up into the lift. Upon reaching the lift and starting into the hard right pre-drop the train triggers a wolf to howl which can be heard around the park. The train then dives down a fairly large hill and starts to the left - producing great back seat airtime and careening down into the tunnel. The train continues turning left and pulls up (still going left) then levels off, banks right, turns right and dives down under Zoombabwe. Receiving a bunch of laterals and a little air the train is hurtling down under the water park goers at a furious speed - CCI trademark. We pull up and turn to the left and head up for our turn back to the park but we do so going around Zinga's station which provides those waiting in line a close up view of the riders straining to hold on for the laterals as you dive down and to the right under a dripping water slide (yes, the water will drip on the riders of Legend) and using the terrain, diving low and then pulling back up. The train at this point crosses over itself and goes into a double up - first hill giving some great, great airtime in all seats while the top really only gives air in the back. Still using the wonderful terrain in Santa Claus the ride dives what seems like down another very large hill and actually into the ground via a tunnel - yes - turning right at the same time. If Legend does one thing well it does that. It turns whenever it can, wherever it wants too. During drops, hills, bottoms of drops, tops of hills, wherever. The train still going to the right pulls up out of the tunnel but instead of going up, (still flying at this stage) it levels off and unbanks while still going right providing some sick laterals and some crazy effects. The train dips down then pulls up to the left and enters the top of the double helix. At the top the train slows down – what seems like your only breath – and starts rightward into the double helix. Laterals pound you from the right and force you left for what seems like eternity but it only gets worse! At the end of the helix and upon exiting the 2nd tunnel on the helix the turn unbanks and does another small pop of air at ridiculously fast speed! Every time I rode this I just couldn’t believe this was integrated into the ride for it seemed like it just wasn’t possible. The Legend then pulls up, turns left, dives down, then pulls up. Turns right and dives down – takes your picture – pulls up. Another hard left turn right against the station wall which dives down again and into a swooping final turn and hard into the brakes. Seem like a long ride? It is. It’s got a drop of 113ft and a track length of 4042ft. Custom Coasters did one thing perfectly – taking a ride that should lose speed and make it never lose any intensity. Raven ========================================== The REAL reason I typed this up – Raven!!! I’ve heard all of the stories. The insane airtime. Stark Raven Mad. How crazy it is at night, in the day, all day, every day. How the back seat is some of the craziest airtime anywhere (barring only a few other wooden coasters) How the new train isn’t fast, etc. I have dreamt of riding this ride ever since I got into coasters some many years ago. Here’s my chance. I boarded the train for the first time in – you guessed it – Car 6 row 2 – the back seat. Going up the lift I reminded my sister sitting next to me that someone died from this very seat which didn’t bother me – MY seatbelt was staying on but nonetheless a little spooky. By this time the ride was warmed up but probably too warm from the midday sun which beat down upon us relentlessly the whole day. (Thank goodness for free soft drinks!) We climbed to the top of the small little 80ft hill and turned right… I was completely ejected into my lap bar as we flew down into the tunnel. The airtime on the drop alone was spectacular which made me only anticipate more “The Drop” that awaited me later on. Upon exiting the tunnel upwards we level out and turn right at a furious speed and then dive back down – yet more glorious airtime. We pull up and bank right as we enter the famous helix over the lake. This was one of two spots where the ride is rough and could be retracked but still, it’s a heck of a lot smoother still than most wooden coasters I have been on so I won’t complain. We pull up out of the helix and turn left while dropping (see a theme with that?) pull up and turn left into “The Drop”. I’ve heard many things of “The Drop” but to experience it was incredible. I had gotten about 1-2 clicks higher than I should have and had loosened my belt a touch (all still within safe lines) and enjoyed some of the best airtime ever. We got yanked over the top and headed down the ravine and through the trees. The airtime was simply amazing every single time I rode it. This is where the ride goes nuts. Upon dropping down the largest drop of the ride one would expect to pull back up. Nope, not Raven. From here on out it stays what seems to be within 30ft of the ground. So instead of pulling up to lose some speed, we stay fairly flat and turn left, then right with LITTLE to no banking. This gives a serious shove of laterals in both directions further disorienting the riders. The train dips down then pulls up – banks right and enters a long turn around which swoops down, then up. The train then dives again (more airtime) and turns right and up to end its journey into the station. Wow. Yea, it’s a mere 43.57 seconds long (I watched the operator’s panel every time I sat in the back) but it’s the most heavenly 43 seconds one can experience. Both trains ran equally and it just didn’t matter what train I was in, I was sitting back seat. The best part of the day was getting RE-RIDES in the back seat. Two complete trips around without getting out – you can’t do any better than that. The best was yet to come. Again, just like Indiana Beach I have heard the stories of Raven at night. The pitch black craziness that grips its riders after dark as the train picks up its pace and not only does the airtime and laterals get more intense but you can’t see a dang thing! This is no joke. We got on at 8:40 – 20 minutes before closing and got another back seat ride. The sky still had some light and thus it wasn’t too dark but the ride had gotten significantly faster. Airtime = wow again. We got back out and sat at the entrance, debating to ride it again or ride Legend one last time for the night. An employee began to shut the gates to Raven and politely asked us if we wanted to be the last ones on the ride for the night. Not being able to turn down that request, we hopped in. We were the last riders on Raven that night and it’s a ride I will never forget. In just 20 minutes time it went from dusk to what seemed like the middle of the night. The cameras for the Ride Operators were in night vision and I couldn’t even see the lift hill from the station. I knew we were in for real treat. We boarded back car again and I got back seat. We took off, last train of the night and going up the lift clapped our hands for the people in the parking lot – who hollered back at us and clapped along with us. We reached the top and saw light for one last time before we took off on what has to be one of the most wild night rides in the world. Down the drop with crazy airtime and into the tunnel which was 100% pitch black. I couldn’t see the people in front of me, nor my own hands. We pulled up and saw some light, but not much. We turned over the lake and did actually make out some campers across the way but that was it. From there on out it was just us and the ride. By the time we got to “The Drop” I knew we had more speed and it was about that time we hit the drop and WOAH. Maybe it was the darkness, maybe the train was faster. All I know is I was ripped from my seat and shoved into the bar for some crazy, crazy airtime. From there on out its nothing but incredible mayhem as the Raven tossed us about like rag dolls. You can’t prepare for the turns – you can’t see them. You can’t do anything when you ride this late at night except throw your hands up and let Raven do what it does so well. That nightride was the single most incredible coaster experience I have ever had. The airtime was out of this world and the changes in direction combined with lateral force and smoothness – all the while careening through the woods was simply crazy. It’s a must ride and if you get the chance, wait till they go to close the gates and jump in for the last ride – it’s worth the wait. The park itself is wonderful. It’s got no smoking, no spitting, no cursing, and no acting like a fool. I don’t dislike smokers, just smoking. As for spitting, it gets a bit gross. Cursing? It’s just nice to be around families and people who know how to speak intelligently and use language either suitable for families or suitable for smart kids. The free soft drinks is just an amazing deal and I have no clue how they profit from it but they do. Its just one of the many perks of Holiday World. Sure, there’s not much to do there (till 2006) and it’s a family park but Raven, Legend and the water park are sure to be hits with ANY enthusiast. Heck, its no wonder it houses two of the greatest wooden coasters on the planet and also one of the greatest water parks as well. With only a little bit to offer, what it does offer is World Class and I highly, highly recommend going to Holiday World whenever you get the chance. I will be back – this year! Pictures here: http://www.real-coasters.com/images/gallery/Holiday%20World/index.html These pictures are far from my best. I made the mistake of forgetting to turn my ISO from 800 to 200-400 and all of them turned out grainy in the process. I had to size them down to get rid of the graininess so they arent of the same quality all around. However, this means I just have to go back, ride some more and take more pictures. At least I know the hot spots and pictures I have that others dont have. Zinga - this things cool (literally) Raven through the forest Legend out of the tunnel Legends Drop Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain Hoosier Hurricanes Drop Cornballs Drop

This is very comparable. When I listen to it, its like Im there all over again. Brings tears at certain moments http://www.live365.com/stations/parkhopperradio

Amazed you got no airtime. I rode in both trains (new and old) and the airtime was amazing with a slacked belt. Neither train seemed different. Tons of substantial airtime. I got air on drop, 2nd drop, 3rd drop and "The Drop" (should be 4th drop - wheres this mysterious drop between it and the helix?) was crazy. The airtime in there was far more than on Legend in both power and time. Legends air was a bit more muffled aside from the double hill coming back from Zinga. It was there but not with the same power or abundance - more like little pops of airtime. However the longer ride for some makes it better. Im not a quantity person - all about quality. You REALLY must have caught it at a bad time. I rode in the morning...afternoon...and last rides of the night. It only ever got faster from the morning. Very, very strange.

Apparently Gravity Group is using a new technique in the design of their rides because many people have claimed that Hades is odddly smooth. Very smooth. They are doing something with the fabrication of the wood rails and steel running rails (well duh) and its supposed to prolong the life of these rides and make these MUCH larger wooden rides more stable and longer lasting. I must say the few POV stills Ive seen of Hades do stand out as "different" I just cant put my finger on what. Lets hope this is both true and works out. We could see a newer age of larger wooden coasters. I also find dragster to be a good rush. I love a good speed feeling. Height does nothing for me however. But I love going fast.

Well they claim floater but I bet thats floater in the front seat. With a train 7 cars long the back seat will be rockin some ejector for sure.

^Everything he said is everything we did and had a BLAST. So much so, planning another trip there. Im not too far, but not too close at 6.5 hours via highways. I was fortunate to get re-rides in both front seat and back on Raven as well as THE very last ride of the day on Raven which was the most absolutle ridiculous ride out there. Period. Just get in line as they close the gates somewhere around 20-30 minutes before close (depends on line). Worth the wait by far. I could go on and on about how much I love that park now. Its such a beautiful place with awesome rules and even better attractions and park.

Other changes in video: New ties. Support structure vertically is more condensed - not perfect squares. Hand rails thinner and taller. 7 car train holds TON of speed. Someone from the event said they talked to the GG guys and it is indeed NoLimits. They said they worked with Ole on it however I just think when they talked to him they either pushed that to be finished or it was already close and it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the new look. As said earlier, Ole has long been told what changes need to be made for the wooden coasters to look and feel proper.

I dont think its a pro version. I think its an updated version of what we have. Many people, including myself have pointed out all the flaws with the wooden coasters and they all seem to have been fixed. I see no reason to keep it from the public. So hopefully that comes our way in the near future. As for the ride, OMG.

My lower quarters - like it? Most dangerous thing you have done on a coaster.

Given the amount of people they draw, they should keep it like it was last year and just do some re-designing of the layout and such. I didnt think it was too drawn out at all. It was fantastic to have all that room to explore the stuff at night.

Funny how alot of these girls as pre-adults look great. They have curves and God-forbid, they have a shapely figure. Once they turn 18 Hollywood and the media get ahold of em and they turn into sticks. Its quite gross if you ask me. I like to have something to hold onto, something to hold and think "Yea, this is a person, not a pole."

I should just design it in NL and send them a nice video DVD and make them crap themselves.

Ok, so all I really want to know are line lengths. What kind of lines for the busiest time anyones been there?

Really, someone has to have some actual information on this.

Looks like wood to me. Would you also put the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood in it's own category? It also deviates from the standard "stacked" layer construction. It has sections (most notably the turns) where the boards are laid sideways. You guys can be amazing sometimes... I never said it wasnt made of wood. (for the billionth time) As for Jack Rabbit - the whole track isnt made like that. That sounds like an interesting anomoly. It would be interesting to know why it was designed like that. Theres going to be exceptions (I already said that as well) however the Intamin Plug n Plays are the only ones to deviate completely from the process. Doesnt make the ride bad. I dont see what the fuss is with not thinking its a wooden coaster in the sense of tradition. Its its own class of wooden coaster, just not traditional. (I also feel that the manufacturing process is closer to that of steel than wood too - same for assembly - but thats another story all together since I still wouldnt call it a steel ride but it shares a lot in common)

For those native to the area, how are the crowds at those 2 parks on this upcoming July 4th weekend? I know that normally CP is pretty packed. I was wondering how these smaller parks get and how they handle it? Looking to go on a little CCI trip

BEGIN RANT! Ok Real, with all due respect, because I love your NL work, BUT...... I just have to comment about this. How could you NOT count a wooden coaster as a wooden coaster??? You guys missed my point. Its not the supports, as you know, that makes a wooden ride wooden. Its the planks its built on. Hence why rides such as Gemini are steel coasters, duh. I started to really examine the Intamin Plug n Play prefabricated track and it doesnt have the 8 layered wood like all other woodies do. Its a trait that has been in almost every single wooden coaster to date. When I look at this picture, I dont see the 8 layer wood. http://www.orlandofun.de/bilder/balder/balder38.780x580.jpg http://www.orlandofun.de/bilder/balder/balder41.805x580.jpg (in second photo that looks to be a bunch of laminated peices - like plywood just much stronger) In respect to it actually still being made of wood, it should just be in its own class. Its hard for me to classify it as a true wooden coaster when the very essense of a wooden coaster, the rails on which its built, dont coincide with what makes a wooden coaster a wooden coaster. Sure, its got more wood than the CCI Steel structure rides, but they still run on the 8 layer rails. Surely someone whos been into coasters as long as you knows that. They have built wooden coasters that way for almost a century (maybe longer) Also, roughness has nothing to do with it at all. Heck, Thunderhead was and probably still is the most smooth wooden coaster I have ever been on. I never felt so much as a shimmy on the entire ride no matter where I sat. Their engineering is some of the best in the world when it comes to wooden coasters - mostly because they last a long time. So I wasnt exactly kidding. However, Im not basing it on the feel of the ride but more the make up of the ride. I base it on the construction of the ride - just like you base the powered coaster stuff on the construction - what makes the ride what it is. Does any of this negate the fact that Balder is probably one of the craziest rides in the world? NO. The very first time I ever saw the pictures on coastersandmore.de I was amazed at the compact layout and the first video I saw from its media day proved it hauled some serious butt. I just have a hard time calling it a wooden coaster when the very essense of a wooden coaster, thaose hand laid 8 layer rails, are non-existant. If you feel the need to continue to rant, go ahead. Obviously I cant stop you but I see no point in going any further. No more can be said than whats already been said. Plus it shouldnt matter what I classify it as, as long as the ride is good. Frankly I dont even get into the analysis anymore like I used too. I just ride it and enjoy it. I only analyze when provoked. So see Robb, there was more to it than meets the eye.

I just wouldnt be able to classify it as a wooden coaster, it would still be steel to me (Balder that is). I never had any doubts it that it looked like a stellar ride, it just doesnt have enough wooden characteristics for me anyways to be a wooden coaster. But even classified as a steel I could see it being right up there with any great steel coaster you could find because of the insane layout.

First, you shouldnt have reordered it. That was a waste of 30 bucks unless you had a mac version but even still Id think you could pick which ever one you want. It should work on all platforms of Windows. All you had to do was contact Mad-Data with as much information as you had from the first purchase and they could set you up with a new download link and give you back your information. I will try to get back with you in a day or 2 as to some basics. Hopefully with pictures too.

Saturday morning we took our new boat up to the Marina to do something we have never done at Cedar Point in 12 years...spend the night! We got our slip at the marina around 9:30am and got into the park by 10. We started our year at CP by riding Millennium Force: Back seat. Of course, a great ride but doesnt do as much for me as other rides. Ive been spoiled by traveling these last 12 months so things have changed some. The trains however seem to have been rehabbed. They dont shimmy or shake nearly as much and its evident by how quiet they are rolling around the last turn. Secondly we made a mad dash for MaXair. I knew going in these things were 2 things: Huge and awesome. The huge thing yes, the awesome thing, no. It was AMAZING. These Giant Frisbees are wicked. No matter where you sat (we rode 3 times on Saturday) you get at least 2 swings where you are facing up at full swing and 2 while down. So far the only place I havent sat is seats faving the games on opposite side of the loading platform but I have ridden right next to platform and on the left and right ends. I cant say enough about these flat rides. IMO its some of the most fun in the park, period. Its just one of those rides that gives you a unique experience and you laugh the whole way through. Not to mention it does live up to the name, Max Air. Next we rode Raptor. Great favourite of mine, but doesnt compare to Dueling Dragons Fire. Ran very good as most of the rides seem to have gotten quite a good checkup over the winter unlike winters ago. Saturday pretty much ended there with riding. We did go back and ride MaXair two more times and Magnum before the day was done. I parked myself by MaXair near 9:30 and had a host of photographers come over next to me to take pictures of MaXair and the fire works at night. Speaking of which, one of the most impressive fireworks shows Ive ever seen Cedar Point put out, period. Sunday was more of the same, except started slower. We rushed to Dragsters line and were 3-5th people in line. The ride was down for about 2 hours as they were having trouble getting the ride up to full speed. A few earlier test runs proved it just wasnt getting full power. At around 11:45 however we got our first tests and not only was it working, but this thing was launching at 125mph consistantly. It was hitting 125 all day rest of the day in what seemed like attempts to keep it from rolling back. Well, the 2 people in front of us got out of line and our friend had to leave so we were #1 and #2 in line for the day. We jumped in front seat of the first train that day and got the honor of riding the first ride of the second day of the season. We desperatly hoped for a roll back but didnt get one. Sucks. After that it was back to more MaXair and taking the rest of my pictures. Im planning on going up here in a little bit to finish out my picture taking and probably ride MaXair and the usual suspects. Pictures are found at: Real-Coasters.com 8)

You get the class 4 deatomizer and I get the midget cricket?! Happy Gilmore

I purchased it and while its 25 bucks, its the freakin coolest screensaver ever. I just start it up when Im going out, turn music on but softly, then turn the rides on automatic and set it to automatically scan the park. Its fun just to watch even if its not totally immersive. I love flat rides, so its natural.

Cant wait till I can drag my future wife on trips like this. Spontaneously picking someplace to go and hit it up as a side trip. Those are usually the best. Great TR, as always. BTW the real Dueling Dragons logo is quite different, but I agree, the resemblence is a bit scary. I guess since theres more than one train, thats what makes it plural