Mind Eraser

Couple albums I've been listening to: Artist: Portishead Album: Dummy Artist: Cirque du Soleil Album: Solarium/Delirium Artist: Backstreet Boys Album: Never Gone Artist: Valentin Album: (Various Remixes)

Great updates, guys! These TR's are making me miss Europe a lot. I'm really upset that I forgot to do Walibi Belgium's flume! Dammit. It looks fun. One thing that should be mentioned, however, about the "Vekoma woodies": from what I've heard, Robin Hood and Loop Garou were designed by Allott & Lomax (awesome engineers!), and the trains and hardware were done by Vekoma. So I think these great woodies can be, at least, partially credited to Allott & Lomax - don't wanna give Vekoma TOO much credit . Allott & Lomax also did Tusenfyd's Thundercoaster, I believe (along with the Antelope and the Big One modifications). Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your updates! -kip-

Homey G wrote: I agree. I really liked AIR, so I gave SFoG's a spin, and it was horrible! Went to GADV and skipped that SUF. I'm going to SFGAM in July, and I plan on skipping their SUF too. Even if it's a walkon, why waste my time when I could be riding Viper or whatever. "Credits?! I don't need no stinkin' credits!!" Seriously, I would take Batwing ANY day over SUF. I think the Vekoma Flyer layouts are magnificent. -kip-

That map you drew made me almost vomit. I don't know why. -kip-

Skull Mountain, bitches!!

I've ridden Jack Rabbit before and after the seatbelts were installed, and they don't make a bit of difference. You're still ejected off the seat. -kip-

These are the bomba... -kip- Holla for the Arrows! So beautiful I want this...bad romping thru the woods sheer madness, I tell ya Back seat, baby! Hotness So much better than SUF! Drop of all drops I hope this picture isn't too big

Bums me out that Tonnerre De Zeus started running really well soon after our group left. It was pretty bad on the ECO. I wanna go back to Asterix because I know Tonnerre has a kickass side. -kip-

You have a crush on Elissa. -kip-

God, I'm older than most of them! I remember when I started watching Real World, it was Season 2, in early nineties. I've seen most of the Real Worlds; however, I lost track of Road Rules after the second season! I remember when I wanted to be on Saved By The Bell. -kip-

Most bad attitudes on the employees part are a direct result of being treated like shit from the guests constantly. I stand by my assertion that SFA has the worst-behaved guests of any park in the country (worse than SFMM or SFGADV) mainly because the inner-city kids can take public transportation to the park. And when people are constantly arguing with you, cussing you out, threatening you, and even throwing objects at you, your morale goes way down. Combine that with the hot sun and low pay, seriously, do you expect the average 16 year old employee to be cheery and polite? I used to work there. I can vouch first hand. -kip-

I went to Ocean City a couple times last year. I love it. It's sorta trashy though. My favorite coaster in OCMD is the Pinfari ZL42 called Looping Star at Ocean City Pier Rides (the only pier in OCMD I believe). Ride in the back car, it's not as rough and the first drop is sick. The front was rougher. Ocean City Pier Rides has a real shitty dark ride, a Breakdance, a ferris wheel, and a few other crap rides. And all the employees smoked, even the ones operating the coaster. Trimpers is right down the block. It has a really old and smooth Boomerang called Tidal Wave. It has a horrible looking Chance drop tower, a Chance Toboggan (which yes, is a tight fit). I honestly don't know about SooperJet, I didn't try to ride it because it's powered. And, there is arguably the best dark ride on earth at Trimpers. Quite a ways down the highway is Jolly Roger, and they have a Maurer-Soenhe Wild Mouse. I skipped it because I didn't feel like riding it, and I'm not a credit slut. There's a couple Wacky Worms around OCMD too. Oh yeah, about Blue Diamond - ride the Streak, very back. On the first drop, close your eyes, pick your feet off the floor, and raise your hands. You'll almost shit your pants, it's so scary. And I can't say I recommend the Sky Diver. It's pure evil. I hated it. Hope this helped, -kip-

Jarmor wrote: Interesting. Thank you. BTW, I really enjoyed the video! -kip-

Hey Matt! I'm not sure when Action Park had their Space Shot. It was on S&S's reference list years ago. I wanna say they had it mid-late nineties? I actually saw a picture of it years ago, too. It's was a first generation Space Shot (Mark 1). It's now in Orlando, I saw it last month too. I forget the place's name, but it's near IOA. There's also a huge Slingshot now at the same place. I actually heard that the place is closing or already has closed? Okay, well, it appears S&S has taken it off their reference list, which makes sense since the tower was relocated. However, I did find out the place in Orlando, it's called Magical Midway. Edit: Oh, lol, one more thing, Matt - my friend said the exact same thing about most people leaving with a scar. -kip-

I'm not here to bust your chops at or cast judgement at all; honestly, I don't give a shit - but how did you get your camera on Joker's Jinx? I know there is a strict no-camera policy (or any other baggage, for that matter). When I worked on Jinx, we were taught to strongly enforce this rule. The operator had to have known you had it, because the op booth is right next to the front car. I'm just curious. Before you answer, I'm gonna guess that the op just didn't care? -kip-

For myself, there's a fine line between thrillseeking and just asking to get hurt. That looping slide looks absolutely retarded. I'm surprised it didn't drop someone on their head and snap their neck. Doesn't surprise me though, I've heard horrible war stories about Action Park. I think the safest ride they had there was the S&S Space Shot (which now resides in Orlando). -kip-

Remember when they tried to sell whales to save the park? LOL! Save Whalom, Adopt A Whale! -kip-

I think I would have to say, waiting in line for my first time on Summit Plummit at Blizzard Beach, I was 12 and terrified. It really wasn't that bad, everything except for the f**king atomic wedgie at the end, that sucked. Oh, and waterslides with tight enclosures - I'm somewhat claustrophobic and the thought of getting stuck in a waterslide (like during and earthquake or something) FREAKS me out! Has a waterslide ever scared you? Tell. -kip-

"pvcoasterguy" is right about Adventureland's Dragon. When I rode, it was horribly rough. There is no need for the shoulder restraints. I rode Desert Storm in Phoenix, which is a double looping Hopkins coaster with only lap bars, and it was really enjoyable. Plus, Hopkins coasters look and feel very cheap. I thought the Dragon's train was gonna fall apart mid-ride. -kip-

Hey Phishy - you got a headache with the lap bars?? Or have you not ridden it since the retrofit? -kip-

Removing Top Gun would be a complete shame. I consider it to be the best suspended in North America. Better than its clone at PCW, better than Big Bad Wolf and Ninja, and obviously better than Iron Dragon, XLR8, etc. Not only does Top Gun have a solid layout, the setting amidst the trees is breath-taking. -kip-

Ted wrote: Except that Tsunami really did deserve some kind of recognition. It wasn't the "Greatest Coaster that had ever Existed", but it was a helluva lot better than just "good", in my opinion. Personally, I haven't ridden a crazier woodie. At one point, I thought we were gonna derail. I honestly didn't understand how the train was successfully staying on the track. It's just really wild. I likey -kip-

Fortunately, I got to ride Tsunami last season. It was absolutely insane. But, all winter, there have been rumors that J2 has been tamed down. Anyway, today is opening day apparently. If anyone goes, please report back here, I would like to know what Clementon did to the coaster, if anything. Thanks! -kip-

I recently heard somewhere that PKI is removing "something" after this season. So, what are your guesses? I'm gonna state for the record: I think they will take out Vortex. It's old and rough (I still like it though!), and the current trend seems to be tearing down big Arrow loopers. And, if they removed Vortex, they'd have a large, prime spot for a new ride. What do you guys think? -kip-

Great post. I've always wanted to see Calgary's Corkscrew coaster, it's probably one of the least photographed coaster in North America. It actually looks really awesome, I love those colors. Doesn't change the fact that it's still an Arrow Corkscrew though. -kip-