montezooma

I understand all of the negative feelings towards the managers of the parks wanting money for driving a failing project. And they deserve all the flames they get on here. And I can see your point about movies that you know are going to suck and are glad when they do. But new major theme parks are so rare in the states these days, I just thinks it sucks that when one does come along, it doesn't make it. I am not really bummed I missed Led Zep, I mean those B&M's are a dime a dozen, and as for KIWS, I pretty much already rode that ride during my college years. But I am sorry I didn't get to experience the park, I like the Rock & Roll theme and really wish I would have gone. If it does open next year, you can bet I will be there within the first week. Well as far as the management goes. Feel free to rip away, but I am just saying I am not pleased to see a new major park fail

Boy I am on a roll tonight...here is one more. Can you believe the Busch company ever had an "off-the-shelf carnival type ride?" Well it did, and it was Glissade. If you are going to succeed as a theme park you should always start with Schwarzkopf!

I don't understand that as "coaster and park enthusiasts" you revile in the failure of a park? I am extremely upset that this park did not succeed and I don't don't understand those of you that express enjoyment at a new park closing. Sure it may not have been perfect at it's opening but neither was Magic Mountain when it first opened. If it had closed, looked what we would have missed out on. These parks need time to find their niche, so those of you that "have all the answers" and "knew that this park was doomed from the beginning"... why are you not working in this industry as consultants or experts??? Since you have all the answers, seems like you would make a fortune as operators.

Mexico City was incredible, there will be a trip report that will come soon with all the details. Unfortunately both parks I visited did not have any post cards, believe me I looked everywhere. So for the time being you will have to do with this one... Frontier City, my old home park when I worked for Six Flags. Can you believe this park was once the Head Quarters for Six Flags?!?!?!

Yes that first drop on the old Rattler was amazing and truly "one of a kind". I also like that brochure cover for Six Flag's Georgia Cyclone. Even though it was 1990 it sure has a 1970's feel to it. I sure hope they didn't stay with that marketing company too long, that cover is awful, but I love the picture of the Texas Cyclone!

Agreed! Restoca has some great postcards, so does Mark...and yes I post here every now and then, but I sure would think that there would be a lot more contributors to this thread. It doesn't take much to scan in a post card and post it on here to share with us. I encourage those of you that have a post card collection, no matter how small or large, to share them with us. This can be an even better thread if we get some more contributers... Now get scanning! Here is a great old card from Cedar Point. not many of these attractions have survived the years

I will liken my post today to yesterdays political events. With the historic results of yesterdays election we are finally rid of the old regime and ready for change!!! (Mc Caine = 1st gen free falls) Unfortunately one relic (prop 8 = Demon Drop) continues to hang on. I am Shane Huish and I approved this post

I love that version of the AstroWorld with the Bats. The old AstroWorld logo was always one of my favorites that is why I chose it to be my threads logo for this season. I always thought it funny that people that where not familiar with the park would sometimes call it CastroWorld when they saw the logo. So are we done with the Scare theme now?

^ Yes a truly devious contraption, but I rode it twice and never got it to swing 360 degrees. I feel robbed! I don't think I have a picture of it but will look and if I do, I will post tomorrow.

We rode this coaster on the TPR Japan tour last year. Even though it is mentioned in the brochure that it is designed to speed up the operating process that DEFINATLY was not the case. But the transverser did provide two different riding experiences, one standing and one sitting. The standing position was actually smoother than this sitting.

Hahaha, I love how there's a a giant path leading all the way from wonder mountain to SkyRider! Looks so ridiculous! That whole area was supposed to be another themed land when the park opened. It was supposed to be a Gold Rush Canadian Frontier Land. Only one ride from that section was built...The Minebuster, the rest of the area was value engineered...or cut for budget reasons. When I worked for Paramount I saw the original plans for this section, it would have been really cool, I remember there was an Arrow mine train that was designed for the area also.

Well you now have the BIG THREE: Coasters, Boobs and controversy. There is no way my thread will be able to compete. Game Over BTW. I can't wait for the 2009 road trip. This is a great thread that is informative and fun to read. I can do without the bikinis...

TOGO Here is a company that burst onto the North America scene with the introduction of King Cobra at Kings Island, the first stand up coaster in the US. Well the same company pretty much disappeared with the removal of the same ride. While Togo has some hits is Japan, most of it's North American installations have been misses. Manhattan Express, probably their most successful installation, is a big yawner. Viper at SFGAdv was lackluster and do I even need to mention the disaster that was Knotts' Wind Jammer. The one innovative ride that I would really like to see one or two more of is the Ultra Twister. It is the best thing that has come out of the Togo factory. Look closely at the Ultra Twister in the catalog and you will see an unusual interpretation of it...A large turn around or "turn over" instead of the switch track. Thanks Togo for the memories....but not the migraines! I rode this log coaster in Japan and thought it was quite good! "Enjoyment and Pleasure...we produce"...that's what she said. I really like Ultra Twisters. It is a shame that we have on here in the states just rotting away. More Togo goodness...or badness??? model of the Kings Island version and a unique stand up sit down version located in Japan. a couple different layouts Togo introduces the stand up. Some like it...some not so much. more lame flats there is some Intamin goodnedss behind that one carousel Togo also makes an assortment of rip off flat rides. Here you can see the unique turn around on this one of a kind Ultra Twister. The Bandit in Japan is a Togo winner! Intorducing Togo, coaster builder from Japan....ouch!

Whosh...my comment went right over your head... Gemini is a steel coaster.

Roller Coaster Expert: Gary Kyriazi Do you sometimes get confused between a steel coaster and a wood coaster? Well in case you do I have dug this out of my RETRO VCR to clear up any confusion. Before Gary Kyriazi got a job as one of the Geico Cavemen he was all us coaster enthusiasts had in the way of an "expert". At the time he had ridden 80 coasters in 4 weeks (eat your heart out Big Mike) He also wrote books, produced documentarys and gave us the Top 10 list. Enjoy this look back at coasters and parks in this rare interview from 1980. There should be no more confusion between wood and steel after you watch this riveting interview...no confusion at all unless you are Gary Kyriazi, who lists Gemini as his #10 wooden coaster.

Knott's Berry Farm Souvenir Book #2

Knott's Berry Farm Souvenir Books Today I share with you my most prized Knott's memoribilia...The Souvenier Books. So many great pictures, and the true essence of the Knott's hey-day is in these books. The first one I share (from 1977) is particularly my favorite. It is how I most fondly remember Knott's. Through the years Knott's has really had some hits and misses but that seems to be the natural progression of parks. They must constantly change and reinvent themselves to keep guests coming back. As much as I loved the airfield section of the park I understand that a modernization had to take place to keep people interested. The same goes for many of the attractions that are sorely missed. In the nooks and crannies of today's Knott's you can still find little bits and pieces of old Knott's. It is what it is... and even though I miss the rides, charm and feel of "Knott's Old Time Adventures" I still have my memories and I still have a GREAT experience every time I visit. Yay Knotts!!! Here's Book #1

Well I have loved the SCAREadise theme but it has "bled" me dry. I will be in Las Vegas all next week for the World Waterpark Convention, then off to Mexico City for the weekend. So my posting of post cards my be scattered next week. Here is a scary postcard...remember this ride??? Scary on so many levels... oh damn, I didn't scan the back. Oh well it is from Eftling

Hey look at this, I found another Scary one. (sorry Mark, but I will be glad when this "scare" theme is over, I am completly dry now)

ooooh...look at that blood red waterfall...Now that is scary!

Todays update is from my collection of photos I took at Knott's over the years. The Corkscrew when it was white, Cycle Chase, Montezooma's Revenge and more. I wish some of them were more clear, but at the time I only had a Kodak 110 camera. Remember those? Don't miss the finale tomorrow of my week long look at Knott's. I have some great souvenir books to finish up with. -Shane And now for my favorite. For those of you that don't know...I LOVE Schwarzkopf shuttle loops, this one being my favorite of them all! Gold Ol' Log Ride. It has withstood the tests of time! The Corscrew turns blue I think this is one of the biggest mistakes Knott's has made over the years. Removing this attraction would be like removing the Matterhorn. It was a local Icon. "this is the entrance to the Sky Cabin...Not the the Parachute Sky Jump. The entrance to the Parachute Sky Jump is on the opposite side of this attraction." remember that spiel??? Loop Trainer Flying Machine This was taken when they ran individual motor cycles. Later they combined three cycles together to make a small train. the Cycle Chase from the Sky Jump. can you believe that queue used to fill up? early parachites and train going thru first corkscrew transfer track was in an unusual place, right off the lift rather than near the final brake run before the station. The Corkscrew 1976 I loved this sign! I wonder if it is still around somewhere. If so I will buy it! (knott's are you listening?)

Yes, the Gypsy Camp! I had totally forgotten about that. It was where the Hollywood Beanery was. And I also remember those cars, but they weren't inside the park...weren't they over near Independence Hall in the corner of the parking lot? I wish I had more pictures of the Tijuanna Taxi, I used to love that ride as a kid. Do you remember that path along side the back of the log ride and it had all those models of the California Missions?

neither one ever had a waterfall on the loop rocks, but they both have waterfalls after the tunnel going into the corkscrews. They used to be blood red, not sure if they still do that or not.

^Hey, that was really nice. I appreciate that you are enjoying it so much and that you took the time to let me know. I know what you mean about the memories, when I first started going through all this old stuff, much of it I had not seen in over 20 years, so many great memories came rushing back. New Coasters are still very exciting to me but there is something about those early days of the steel looping era that are really special to me. Thanks again for the nice words....and stay tuned, there is lots more to come! -Shane

Oh that last post was great cause now I can post this and you will be able to really see the difference between the two Demons. I love that they give a shout out to the Turn of the Century! Six Flags Great America's Demon with more square angled rockwork.