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Everything posted by scooterdoug
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Doug's CoasterDynamix Models
scooterdoug replied to scooterdoug's topic in Roller Coaster Games, Models, and Other Randomness
Howdy stranger! The train handles the non-inverting loop just fine...pretty much the same as it would handle any inversion. -
(In my best National Geographic voice): And here we see 3 YOLOs in their natural environment. Notice the bright plumage on the female in an attempt to secure a mate. Truly fascinating creatures. That's awesome! So, what do they eat, who are their predators..... I have so many questions! They eat YOLO riders (think about it, have you actually seen any riders get off the ride?). Their only known predators are deadlines.
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I like that POV (what there is of it, that is). The hang time in the loop looks quite epic. However, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed that the POV didn't show the Top Hat. I mean, let's face it, the $64,000 question is: Is there ANY airtime in the Top Hat? Not that big a deal, though...we'll find out soon enough.
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Doug's CoasterDynamix Models
scooterdoug replied to scooterdoug's topic in Roller Coaster Games, Models, and Other Randomness
OK, so here are some pictures of my latest model. While I wasn't very impressed with the last one, this one makes me proud. The shaping flaws are minor and few. Can you see what coasters/manufacturers influenced this design? I hope to have a new design built by summer's end (since, as a teacher, I'm now on summer break, I should have time to get some good work done). I'll be going back to an inverted design, I haven't built one of those in years. As usual, any comments/compliments/criticisms are most welcome. Enjoy! -Doug -
I just went to the park during the recent spring break, and found a pretty good way to get a bunch of rides in before the crowds necessitate a Flash Pass (learned this strategy on here). As you're thinking of doing, head to X2 first during the early entry. Take a jog there to be first on the ride (they assign seats, so running can assure you a front row seat on the first train of the day). After you get off, smile smugly to yourself as you pass the now frighteningly long line. Skip Tatsu (you'll walk right by it) and head to the back of the park. There, you can ride Lex Luthor, Batman, Riddler's Revenge, and Green Lantern many times over. It takes at least an hour for the crowds to work their way to the back of the park, so you can have it to yourself for a while. This worked beautifully for me, and I was there on a busy day. Have fun! And, say hi to X2 for me. It might be a glorified gimmick, but I'm a total sucker for that first drop and raven turn.
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Doug's CoasterDynamix Models
scooterdoug replied to scooterdoug's topic in Roller Coaster Games, Models, and Other Randomness
It's a totally different layout (I took down the old model completely). However, the far end of the living room is the coaster space, so the footprint for all my coasters remains the same, thus the similarity. -
Hello, So, I've made a couple of models recently, and I decided (inspired by another CD modeler on here) just to make one thread and post my models in here, rather than a new thread each time. With 2 kids to deal with, I don't complete models as frequently as I used to, but I manage a few a year. So, enjoy my designs. And, as usual, any comments/compliments/criticism accepted happily and gratefully. So, to start things off, I made a model back in 2012 that was inspired by Eurofighters and a variety of Intamin coasters. This was not nearly my best work, there are a lot of flaws and odd track shaping that irked me. But, sometimes the design that's in my head just doesn't want to be built. I guess this was the case, but I pressed ahead anyways. Not awful by any means, but not up to my usual standards. Enjoy the photos and video, another model will be posted soon. -Doug MVI_3244.AVI
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Retainers on roller coasters?
scooterdoug replied to ArundelHigh Coasters's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Since retainers are made to fit on teeth with pressure, I doubt they'll go anywhere...even if you open your mouth to scream on that first drop. -
Rich parents skipping lines at Disney!
scooterdoug replied to GrapesLie's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Agreed. A disabled person capitalizing on their disability in this way is not exactly on the moral high road. I could see a disabled person having the mindset of "I have been cursed with this unfortunate condition, I may as well make some profit off it". While I can sympathize, renting yourself out to help wealthy people avoid waiting in line is morally ambiguous at best. Take my sister as an example. She had her entire left arm amputated as part of cancer treatment back in 2004. She went to Six Flags Magic Mountain with some friends, and was told by guest relations that she could take advantage of a disabled pass (along with her friends). She chose not to do it, as she thought that would be taking advantage of her disability. Now, she can obviously stand in long lines, as her body is perfectly intact in every other way. However, the juxtaposition of my sister and someone using their disability to make money makes it difficult to approve in any way of this profiteering. Why are rich 1% saving money anyways? It seems silly for multi millionaires to be saving $1000 a day, while on a 4 day trip. Um, what? Honestly, what does your point (confusing as it is) have anything to do with the text you quoted? Er, yeah. This whole thread is about rich people spending lots of money to skip lines. Are you referring to them avoiding the more expensive Disney VIP tours? I'm glad I'm not the only one who was confused by this post. Some clarification would be nice. -
Rich parents skipping lines at Disney!
scooterdoug replied to GrapesLie's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Agreed. A disabled person capitalizing on their disability in this way is not exactly on the moral high road. I could see a disabled person having the mindset of "I have been cursed with this unfortunate condition, I may as well make some profit off it". While I can sympathize, renting yourself out to help wealthy people avoid waiting in line is morally ambiguous at best. Take my sister as an example. She had her entire left arm amputated as part of cancer treatment back in 2004. She went to Six Flags Magic Mountain with some friends, and was told by guest relations that she could take advantage of a disabled pass (along with her friends). She chose not to do it, as she thought that would be taking advantage of her disability. Now, she can obviously stand in long lines, as her body is perfectly intact in every other way. However, the juxtaposition of my sister and someone using their disability to make money makes it difficult to approve in any way of this profiteering. -
Rich parents skipping lines at Disney!
scooterdoug replied to GrapesLie's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
While I don't doubt that this happens, I'm skeptical of the "This is how the 1 percent does Disney" quote...I can't imagine anyone being dumb and/or arrogant enough to utter that offensive line (though, this is America). If this article is true, then I'm guessing that some rich folks are accumulating some bad karma. I mean, to specifically use someone's handicap to cut lines...that's a special kind of low. -
Had a great second day of riding yesterday. As others have said, while busy, they keep that line moving very quickly. I also got e-stopped on the lift hill a couple of times, providing for lovely views of the park, our friends at the Prudential Building, and the impossibly huge 49 stadium. I would also like to take this moment to award Angry_Gumball with the Good Guy Greg Award for the day. Our group of 8 was assigned to the first 4 rows on one particular ride. I was assigned to row 3, and was grousing about how I had yet to be blessed with a front row ride. Angry_Gumball, who was in the front and who had gotten the privilege of a front row ride before, offered to switch with me...an incredibly generous gesture. Happily, I finally got to experience an unobstructed view of Gold Striker's undulating curves. So, thank you, Mr. Gumball, you are indeed a very awesome person.
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That's definitely a more accurate representation of the ride than the "first train" video. It's much quicker here (trains got a chance to break in), and does a much better job of conveying the intensity of the ride. I will also take this opportunity to thank the park management for putting on this event. Free admission, free refreshments, and ride as much as you like. Definitely much appreciated, CGA! I've never done an event like this before, and I really enjoyed myself. It was also great to see everyone, as well as make some new friends. Good times...
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I will join the chorus of praise for Gold Striker, the ride is absolutely awesome. From looking at the layout and watching the POV, I was not expecting much. The ride caught me completely off guard. Fast, smooth, relentless pacing, and significant airtime. Blue Fire Guy was right behind me while counting instances of airtime, he quite accurately counted 13 moments during the ride. Gold Striker is, without a doubt, the best woodie in California. I also rank it as my #2 coaster, second only to El Toro at SFGAdv. I don't normally go to CGA, as I live much closer to SFDK. However, I would definitely go back to ride that again...especially in the back. Well done, GCI, well done.
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Just got my other 2 confirmations in my inbox today. However, I'll only be able to go to the one tomorrow (darned my kids!). I signed up for all 3 days thinking that I would only get one day. However, that turned out not to be the case. I simply emailed back and told them that I would only be able to go to one day. They replied, "No problem". I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow evening...some that I've met, and some that I haven't yet. I'm psyched!
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Who's got two thumbs and will be riding Gold Striker this Tuesday? This guy! Just got my confirmation email today. I'm very excited, I've never done a promotional shoot before. Looking forward to seeing the TPR NorCal contingency again. Also, a very sincere thank you to Robb for posting the link. If not for his heads up, I would not have known about this opportunity. So, in all seriousness, thank you Robb. -Doug
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I used to be a big fan of both, but that was when my only coaster experiences were west coast. As I rode more and more coasters, I became spoiled by good ejector airtime. Floater airtime hills that used to put butterflies in my stomach now do nothing for me. I agree with the sustained vs. brief floater airtime opinions here. The bunny hops on Nitro at SFGAdv, for example, don't do much for me. However, I love the airtime hills on Millennium Force, especially the first one (there's a nice opening for all the "What airtime?" jokes). Still, ejector air is my favorite. I do not like the bunny hops on Magnum because they're, well, Arrow painful. However, Maverick's airtime hill is simply delightful. Between brief and sustained ejector, I'll take sustained any day. For example, the first few airtime hills on Bizarro at SFNE are heavenly. As for the (justifiably) famous El Toro, mere words seem insufficient to describe those glorious first two hills. So, yeah, to sum it up: sustained ejector > brief ejector > sustained floater > brief floater >>>>>>>> getting your thighs beat to s**t by hard Arrow lap bars.
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I received the survey as well. Considering that I live in the Bay Area and got my season pass at Discovery Kingdom, I'd say that Six Flags is sending it to all season pass holders, not just those who call Magic Mountain their home park. It was indeed aimed at families, though it was tough for me to answer the questions, considering that my kids are 1 and 2 years old. Not exactly the age to be able to fully enjoy theme parks.