PKI Jizzman

Ahh, Chi-town. They're known for their (wrong style of) pizza, radioactive-green relish, a tall building, Ditka, and their always well-behaved and recently bathed residents. Wait, I screwed up on that last part. Relish? Naw, pickles. And I'd say hate for ketchup above the deep dish pizza. But that's what I've gathered after living here for 6 months. The crowd I saw on Sunday was unlike anything I've seen. I would have rather been at Mt. Olympus where at least most of the crowd are friendly Wisconsinites. As for lines - like I said most were overflowing with the exception of American Eagle, the only ride I went on. Superman was 2 hours, Goliath was 90 min+ and broken when I walked by, V2 was probably 90-120 min. Viper (the shortest queue) was probably the shortest line at 30 minutes. Demon was all the way out to the entrance...same with Condor, too.

Here's your Justice League update. It's humid, 70*, and cloudy yet it's one of the most crowded days I've ever seen. Also this crowd is the most unfriendly, rude, and unclean I've ever seen.

If you do any Haunt attraction, do Madam Fatale's Cavern of Terror. It's the best effort King Island has put forward to offer. It's very well themed, a bit short...but it's well done. And it's inside the Crypt. Friday nights are usually very manageable. I'd pick two haunts for sure (one inside, one outside since they open at different times) and just wait 10 minutes before they open and it's a short wait. OH! The Kill-Mart attraction that was new last year was great! So was Board To Death. It was fun. Coming from a former Haunt actor, those are worth your time.

Black Widow's combo if height and ride duration makes it FAR superior to the HUSS Frisbee as well as the makers IMO. It got on the ride expecting it to be a fun ride like the others I've been on, but I was blown away. The airtime was in a whole different ballpark, and the ride just...kept...going!!! It was absolutely amazing. I seriously think the ride was about 4 minutes long from start to finish. It's my favorite flat ride next to Intamin drop towers/Indiana Jones/well themed dark rides.

Thanks for posting! Im doing this trip minus WOF in a week and can't wait. Really enjoyed reading this!

Love the photos! Thanks for sharing. Shopping for a new wardrobe in China...it's probably hard to stand out!

Thanks for posting, Larry! I visit SDC in less than two weeks, I'm very excited to check out the park. Really enjoyed the photos and reviews.

Went on Saturday 8/22 mainly for the waterpark. Hurricane Harbor doesn't open 'till 11:30AM ....so what to do? Walk back to be one of the first trains on Goliath. What's this? It's 10:20AM and they're letting passengers board? +1 Flag for opening 10 minutes early, Six Flags! Goliath: This was my 3rd ride on this coaster. 2nd time in the back seat. It's smooth. It's tall. It's weird. Of course the first drop is fantastic, the airtime hill is outrageous, and the LOOOOONG zero g stall is something else. You hit the break run and ask yourself WTF just happened. Can't wait to ride Outlaw Run in 2 weeks. I have no problems with the restraints, and the crew was running at an acceptable pace. Old invert vs Banshee talk: With some time to kill before the waterpark, I took a spin on Batman since I hadn't been on an invert since Banshee last year. These rides kick ass, and I really like SFGAm's because of how the ride is so close to the trees and flies over the water in the second half of the ride. Forgot about that! I prefer the old restraints to the new restraints. Even though they ones on Banshee don't tighten anymore, I still like how the old OTSR's only touch my thighs. It gives me more freedom to move around. I also noticed how snappy Batman was - you really get whipped around the loops, around the turns. Which was a nice change of pace! But man I was seeing spots after the ride. Banshee is very fluid; still intense at parts, but doesn't have the whip that you feel on Batman. This isn't a positive or negative thing in my book, just noticed how they felt different. Jo and I rode the Raging Rapids since we were already in bathing suits - WOW! What a nice rapids ride! I had never seen it or been on it before. There's some really solid theming in the tunnel, and it was all around a good ride. You do bump off of the walls and it seems like the ride is trying to throw you off the raft at some points. Seriously, hold in tight because this raft ride is wild! We all got soaked and the water was pretty cold, altough it wasn't too hot at 11am. Hurricane Harbor: Best waterpark I've been to. It's new, it's clean, it's colorful, the sand is clean and authentic, and the music/environment is welcoming and relaxing. The flowers could use a spruce up, but wow I was really impressed with the quality and upkeep of the park overall. What a fantastic waterpark. Slides - there are too many to count. The one thing I did notice is that there isn't the standard open air body slide. If you're someone who doesn't like tube or enclosed slides, you might have slim pickin's here. Wahoo Racers - Standard proslide 6 lane mat racer with a double drop. Great airtime, I came flying down in first place! Bahama Mama/Bubba Tuba or something - Family raft ride, but one side you are only allowed 2 riders? We went on the one with the double drop and you come flying out and have to skid to a stop on the pavement. Crazy!!! Tube slides - Between the 2 bowl sides, I believe there are 6-8 other single or double tube slides. Wow. What a variety. Skull Island - It's a massive water play ground, not just for kids. There are two tall body slides connected (they were closed for some reason during my visit) And of course the massive water bucket attracts a crowd. Wipeout - It's the Proslide Tantrum. I don't get it. You don't go up the sides of the mini funnels at all. The water pushes you the other way so you don't ride up the side like the Tornado does. WTF? Let's all take a minute to bask in the glory of the drop-pod slides. Yes. That was incredible. I can't imagine how great Dive Bomber at Kentucky Kingdom is. Wow. The purest sensation of freefall. I actually got nervous for the ride and I came off the ride shaking and laughing hystarically. What an ingenious creation. Must do for those who love airtime. If you're scared, seriously suck it up and try it. You'll be impressed with yourself and Proslide. Also, shout out to the lazy river. It took about...20 minutes to cruise around. How great is that? Once again - overall a beautiful waterpark, everything is clean and fresh. I didn't even ride half the slides in the hours I was there, too! There is so much to do. The only thing they're missing is water coaster/rocket slide and some classic open air body slides. I'm sure they'll be added sooner than later. Wait times weren't that bad either. Went 11:30-3. Rode everything 11:30-2 and laid out for an hour. -Zach My body is ready Hey Great views from the waterpark!

Anyone interested in going to the park on Saturday? Going in for a ride on Goliath and then to the waterpark.

70ft speed slide complex - the type with drop capsules.

Kings Island has only added slides when the Beach waterpark (across the street competition ) adds slides. They added a 4 lane mat racer this year. The last time The Beach put in slides? 2004. Kings Islands last slide input? 2004.

Anyone gone to the waterpark this before? I've never been and might go this weekend or the next. The selection looks amazing - been dying to ride a trap door speed slide. How have the lines been? Any point if attack? I can skip the Tornado..

I believe Cedar Fair turned all backwards rides forwards when they acquired Paramount due to insurance or ride manufacture reasons. Maybe an Ohio thing? Did Ohio ban parks from running rides against their factory suggested settings? I remember conversations about that when Backwards Racer was turned around. Doubtful on backwards.

Bumping because this got buried under the Boomerang/Bumper cars discussion. Any help? Cool places to eat outside of the park? Thanks! I would def go JLBFM first thing if It's open when the park opens.If it's not then Mr. Freeze is directly across from it. My favorite place to eat in the park is JB"s BBQ. Good food and very large portions and its indoors with tons of tv's and Freestyle coke machines. Pulled pork nachos are a must have. Okay, good to know. If it's packed I'll probably do Flash Pass, but we'll see. Any other flats I shouldn't miss? Is there a logflume/is it good? Any other outside eats recommendations from the locals? I know the place in the park is decent but I've never been in the STL area before so I'd rather explore a new part of the county than pay for mediocre food in a theme park.

I have to agree with how you describe Millennium. When I rode for the first time in 2006, it was everything I had hoped it to be. The music in the station is memorable as well. I love Maverick for the fantastic variation of superb elements..I couldn't really pick which coaster I enjoy more since they are so different.

Bumping since I got buried under pages of SDC vs CC. Any help?

Bumping because this got buried under the Boomerang/Bumper cars discussion. Any help? Cool places to eat outside of the park? Thanks!

Nooo!! Say it ain't so! I hate that practice! Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Just tell the grouper you really want the back row and maybe they will let you. So far I've never been assigned. I tell them front/back and they're cool. You shouldn't sweat it.

If you ride the front row you will miss the air on the first drop. You will be very sad. And so will I.

I do always get the feeling just from watching the POV, that it is crazy short. If I have to wait in a ridiculous long line for it, that will become a factor in judging a short ride (which is partly why TTD isn't in my Top 20 coasters). I guess my point is simply that for what it is - it looks REALLY fun, especially since I have no previous RMC experience! Personally, I LOVE when parks twist their coasters all over each other, like some of the delicious pictures you posted! I know SFGAm could have done that with Goliath, but there really isn't much precedent for it there, or really at any other SF park that I can think of. FWIW, even CF doesn't really do that with their coasters too often. I'm not sure what it is about more corporate parks, but they seem to follow a mantra of "A footprint for every coaster, and every coaster in its footprint." So, knowing SF operates with that mentality, I feel like they did they best they could do given their limits (granted, some of them self-imposed) to pack a powerful, fun, and record breaking coaster into that small area. Could they have done better, if they'd have been willing to broaden their horizons, and run it over some other things? Certainly! But like you said, this is Six Flags we're talking about here... I wouldn't let the length of the ride deter your from riding or lower your expectations. I'm a fan of long ride duration (Millennium, Beast, Space Mountain) but I didn't really even think about that before riding Goliath. For sure ride the back seat. It's one of the most ...odd rides I've ever been on. It's got the giant steep Millennium-esque first hill, a tunnel, the big turn arounds, a massive air hill, and then there's the two hang time moments. A strange combination of elements in one ride. It's worth the wait. It accomplishes a lot for the duration it has.

Hey everyone! I see there has already been some trip advice discussion - I'm going to get in on the action. Visiting Labor Day weekend (Sat and Sun). Anyone been in the past? What were the queue times like? I read about getting there early on Sunday to take advantage of the time while everyone's in church still. How about restaurants/bars in the area outside of the park? I believe I'm staying at a hotel right across the street, as we got tickets/hotel in a package deal from Branson.com. First time visiting the park. I've been to Dollywood before so I know that taking the time to slow down and enjoy the scenery/arts and crafts is a must at the park. If it's too crowded, honestly I'll but their version of the fastpass. Seems like a good deal. But yeah, looking for any other tips - especially things to do outside of the park as far as bars and restaurants go since the park closes somewhat early. Thanks everyone! -Zach

Hey everyone...interesting discussion here. I'll have to read up on the past 10 pages or so when I get a chance. I'm visiting Monday the 7th (Labor Day) since it's closed the Friday before. I'm just hitting it on the way to/from SDC, but plan on a full day that Monday. Honestly besides Justice League and Mr. Freeze (A fantastic, fantastic coaster IMO) I'm excited to visit the park because it does look like it will take me back to the late 90's/early 2000's. Just seems like it has been frozen in time besides the addition of Justice League. What's the plan of attack for this park? Probably Boomerang first, right? Anyone else been to the park during Labor Day? Any tips on line lengths/where to sit/ where to eat outside the park, etc will be appreciated. Looks like we have some locals that could really help me out! Thanks again in advanced for the help. -Zach

Looks like it will kick the NYNY Coaster's ass!

I'm very surprised by the lack of photo trip reports/reports/reviews/photos in general for Batman. It's a brand new type of ride no one has been on and there's only 15 pages of discussion since the media day. What gives? Enthusiasts just haven't gotten to Texas much this year? Are Fury/Thunderbird/TC/Wicked Cyclone stealing the thunder and leaving this ride overshadowed? Imo, yes.

Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with the ride when I rode it in the front last year. Got my second ride this year - in the back seat. So much more fun. The front is great for the view..but you miss out on airtime on the first drop, both turn and drops. The main airtime hill is spectacular on both ends of the train. But trust me - you'd rather be whipped over the hill rather than be leaning against your restraint with your butt in the seat halfway down the hill. I don't think I've heard anyone claim Goliath's front seat as their favorite seat. Prove me wrong? O: