willh51

A line for Time Machine, I actually am happy to see it. Also, how does it work now, do you just walk through the old preshow area into your train when called?

This isn't super rare but I am glad to have ridden both sides of The Chiller with the heartline rolls and without OTSRs. Of course The Bat would be pretty rare, too.

I always liked Deja Vu. Also: Renegade Raptor/Talon Rolling Thunder Rebel Yell Nitro Hurricane Basically any Busch coaster

Oops, must have had Great Adventure on my mind. No, Rebel Yell was only running the right side. They were working on the roof of the brake shed all day on the left side, though I know they sometimes don't run both on weekdays.

Kings Dominion is technically my home park along with Carowinds, since they are virtually the same distance from my house. I had a Cedar Fair pass two seasons ago when you could get into all the parks for about $70 but didn't get one last year and never made it to the park to ride Dominator after its reconstruction. Although the weather forecast tried to scare us off, a couple of friends and I hit the park Wednesday to find no lines, sunny skies and a good operations. I've done Kings Dominion trip reports before so I'll spare some of the details (though the opening plaza looked great!) and talk mainly about the rides. Volcano: Ran right to Volcano to see a short line but realized after only hearing a train launch every five minutes or so that only one train was on the circuit. Fortunately, a mechanic walked by and soon it was announced that the second train was being added. It was pretty cool seeing the transfer track work but the angle still doesn't allow you to see the bay when the curtain is pulled back. There also are lights indicating (I presume) which trains are on the track, which is a neat touch. No sign of the third train. Ultimately we waited almost an hour at first, which was kind of annoying, but more than excusable in the grand scheme of things. The ride was still running great, one of my favorite Intamins through and through because it's always so much fun. We came back later in the day to find it a WALK-ON, which I've never seen, and scored front and back rides without leaving the train. Props to KD for allowing this all day and not pulling that "walk-around" crap that I've seen at some parks. Anaconda: I've always enjoyed this and today was no exception. Rode in the back row, pretty smooth except for the jolt after the butterfly turn. Looks like it'll be needing a paint job soon (maybe to go along with a new hyper for next season...they should hire me for planning). Flight of Fear: Nice to see the operators having fun with the minuscule line, asking people if they knew how many inversions there were. Funny range of answers, but I just shut up so I didn't spoil the fun. Running really fast, even with the midcourse on full-out stop mode. Drop Tower: The operators on this ride always seem kind of clueless. Today they had the height-check bar blocking off where to stop in the queue but never came and moved it. I got told "not to do that" by one operator even though two guys had walked around me and moved it. I seem to always take the fall. I'm not sure why they load this ride the way they do, I suppose it has something to do with balancing the weight. Rode twice in a row, great as usual. Grizzly: This has become one of my favorite wooden coasters. Despite getting track grease (I assume) all over my shorts, this ride was kicking ass today. Running fast with great air, and the retracking (mostly the second run-out toward the woods) made a huge difference. The badass tunnel always gets me. Rode twice without leaving the train. White Water Canyon (I think): Fun, no wait, long ride. The operator drenched us multiple times with water cannons. Thanks. Dominator: Very striking color scheme on this baby, looks great from the parking lot. There was no wait and the main operator was doing a fun spiel, asking people how their ride was, etc. The ride itself is solid and a lot more forceful than some B&M coasters. I rode front, back, and middle multiple times, but I think I prefer the back. The B&M rattle is there but not really felt until the flatspins and final helix. The drop is great, nice hangtime in the loops, great g's on the turnaround, nice smooth cobra roll. The trim before the cobra roll was not on at all, and the midcourse grabbed a bit but still let you get airtime in the back row. The flatspins are intense, as is the final low helix. All in all a great addition to KD. Props again to the crew for really fast dispatches and great enthusiasm. Some notes: - Skipped Shockwave, it's still there - Skipped Hurler/Ricochet - Skipped Rebel Yell (my friends aren't as gung-ho about marathoning coasters as i am) - running one side, they were working on the brake-run roof of the other - The Tornado slide is amazing over at the water park - Mostly friendly/enthusiastic staff minus Drop Tower - Most food places closed - Hypersonic's station is still there - Effects working on The Crypt - Back Lot Stunt Coaster's effects seemed to be off/partially working - Please build a hyper by the lake So that's it. Kings Dominion has always been a good time and Wednesday's visit didn't disappoint. It's hard to complain when you could walk-on Volcano, Dominator, Drop Tower and Grizzly. Thanks for the multiple train operations, too!

Those are beautiful pictures. I had a similar experience on my last visit. There was a huge storm and most of the park left but they stayed open. Except for the employee bitching in the bathroom about how Cedar Fair sucked for making him stay, it was awesome. Got to marathon Top Gun, Hurler (which has good and bad seasons), etc. Gotta get back to try the boomerang (did I really say that?). Is Thunder Road up and running for the season?

Still waiting on mine. A bunch of friends and I registered at one time and all got confirmation e-mails, so we'll see if it pans out. I guess I won't end up getting down there until the summer, so I guess it's a good time to visit Sea World again, too.

When you put it that way... But yes, I actually agree with you Robb. That probably should have said that eventually restructuring the ride isn't a lack of foresight, as I meant more in the long run in regards to making it into a new experience. But you're absolutely right, as pickings are very, very slim for the younger guests. That was always my thought about the park, you can't have NOTHING for younger kids and expect them to have a good time. Though I wonder if they would be able to open the ride at all since I assume getting the rights for that would be difficult, too. Maybe change the name to "Electric Carnival" or something. Did they at one point set up some carny portable rides or a little coaster, or did I dream that? An yes, the themeing is going to have to be for 2010, there's no way in hell they can transform an entire park in a couple of months.

I have to disagree with the notion that removing this ride shows a lack of foresight. I went to the park last summer, had a great time and really talked it up to friends, etc. As much as I liked NIWS, I noticed that each time I rode, the ride only got a good reaction from one or two people in the car (the older folks as expected). That said, they can probably turn this into some kind of interactive ride with said laser guns. A shame, yes. Stupid, no. I think the first mistake was using the old pottery for the ride. It is a nice open space but the ride was kind of removed from the main midways. That said, I hope the park is thinking carefully about the way they want to present themselves theme-wise. I'd be fine with keeping a Rock 'n' Roll theme, but I hope it doesn't become a junky hodge podge based on which rides they could license the current theme. One thing I really appreciated about the park was its attention to detail - the "sh*****g bricks" signs, sculptures, bathroom murals - so I hope that stuff is preserved. My one suggestion would be to get rid of the Led Zep preshow. It's fun once but no way did I enjoy it 10 times. I think keeping the theme would be the best bet for this ride, but maybe have the video in the main queue instead.

Awesome pictures, and I agree, Mantis is definitely underrated and kick-ass. Don't count on a Flyer or Intamin Woody though, as I read an interview with Dick Kinzel a year or two ago that said CP would absolutely not be getting either of those coasters (or maybe he was trying to throw us off). I'd put money on a GCI.

This might have been mentioned, but is it possible they are just removing dummies gradually until they test with empty trains? I assume they load them down at first and then drop all the weight to see if it makes it, which from the looks of it won't be an issue.

Well that just sucks. My buddy went to Japan not too long ago and I specifically told him after reading this site not to go to Fuji-Q. He likes coasters but is a "GP" so that would have been a nightmare for him. I'm surprised though, because according to him, things were pretty efficient in Japan. Like the trains, the guys would pack you in to save time. Guess not so much here. And correct me if I'm wrong but there is no reason why the 4-D can't run in light rain.

Surprised at all the negativity toward Kings Dominion. I live half-way between it and Carowinds and had a season pass in 2007. I have always enjoyed the park on my visits and have often been able to marathon the coasters. Volcano is incredible and I think Grizzly is vastly underrated. I didn't actually get out this season because of several weekends of bad weather ruining plans to go, but I can't wait to try Dominator next season. While I can understand them saying they were in the league of Busch Gardens was not accurate, I think the park is a nice, regional amusement park. And now that the POS Hypersonic is gone...

Nice pictures! It's been awhile since I've visited the Orlando parks but it looks like they are still a lot of fun (and why wouldn't they be?). Surprised that Kraken was rough though. Did it have that now-distinct B&M rattle? Maybe it's the rolling stock or something because it was glass smooth. Then again I rode it in its first week of opening, but 20 rides should have given me a pretty good idea. Also, I may have misread above but Millennium Flyers absolutely could go on Gwazi, they're built by GCI, as is the coaster. Hershey added them to an older GCI (Wildcat) so I'd expect that Gwazi would benefit from them greatly.

Manta is definitely looking good, but what I'm wondering is why they need that MCBR and how hard it is going to be on? I wonder if they plan on slowing it to almost a halt at that point? Also, if the train has to be stopped for some reason, I assume it is going to CRAWL back to the station since the MCBR is not that much higher than the final brakes. Overall, it just feels strange. No matter, it should be a nice ride, love that preztel/swoop/roll combo.

This ride is beautiful, I just hope they don't have to repaint it soon because that will be a bitch.

I would like to see a Huss Delirium constructed. I finally realized that it's like 3 Frisbees with water. Also, what happened to the new style of PTC trains that were possibly going on the Ravine Flyer but did not to make sure it hit deadline? I believe they were tailored, 1 row per car and longer like Millennium Flyers.

Sorry if this is off topic, but did SFNE ever rename the floorless Batman: The Dark Knight? Because if not, we could have a problem...

I do love Vekoma... That model of the Whirlwind got me wondering if it was originally designed to run two trains since there is a storage track in the model. I've only ridden the now defunct one at Knoebels, but I don't think I've seen pictures of any other Whirlwind with 2 trains, either.

I'm going to have to say Intamin. My absolute top rides are from Intamin, and although I love B&M, their newer rides have gotten that nasty rattle. Now keep in mind I haven't ridden their new hypers, so maybe that would change my opinion. But hey, it's not like either company is bad.

Deja Vu Rock 'n' Rollercoaster Eagles Life in the Fast Lane

I'd have to agree that Alpengeist is somewhat overrated. Something about it just seems too fast and it's definitely near the bottom of the B&M inverts; which still means it's very good, I guess.

I really liked Marine World when I went a few years back. Roar was a decent ride and I remember marthoning Medusa and V2, which was awesome. They also have some great flat rides. Of course the Top Spin and Frisbee are great, but so is the inverting one that is themed to a starfish or something.

Some of those pictures were really funny. Not so much if I was there, but funny to see from a far. Seems like it could be a fun place, but I can't imagine why they'd run a new coaster at 1/2 capacity. I guess the Pavilion only ever did run one train on Hurricane, though.

Nice. I tried to go there when I was in Florence last summer but ran out of time. What is Reset Year Zero actually like? Katun definitely looks nice, love the Stargate.