scooterdoug

I would guess Mab-ill-ard (with no guess as to the subtleties of the sound). My reasoning is that the name is most likely French. The "y" sound for the double-L spelling is used in Spanish, not French. Of course, I am not a linguist and could be way off. Anyone is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong.

Photobucket!!! I figured it was something super simple like that (luckily, I have a photobucket account). Thanks Ryan. Your help is much appreciated. -Doug

Thanks for the reply, Ryan. Yes, I do like the format of simply telling the story of your day. I agree that uploading pics directly to the site limits how much you can type. However, I have no idea how to get the pictures into the TR except by uploading them directly to the site using the "Add Photo or Attachment" feature. My question is: How do you get the pictures on there in the "Jahan Style" fashion? Man, I feel like such an amateur asking this question. I feel I should know how to do this, but I don't. So, if you (or anyone else) could tell me how to get pictures into the TR without using the "Add Photo or Attachment" feature, I would be eternally grateful. Again, great TR. It's something to aspire to when I head to CP in a week and then Japan in June. -Doug

Well, this is a bit disappointing. I have already made plane/hotel/car reservations. However, I timed my trip to avoid crowds (before schools let out)...Maverick was just an extra bonus. While I was pissed to hear about this, there are still 16 other coasters. I mean, it's gonna be difficult to be upset about Maverick while you're cresting Millie's lift hill. I'm still way psyched to get to CP next week. Now, I just have to hope that the weather is decent...

Just backing up a couple pages to address the Maverick model. Paul is a friend of mine, who I happen to be meeting up with at the Point in a week. He actually put that model together pretty quickly, getting the bulk of the work done in a matter of weeks. I never am able to put my CoasterDynamix models together that fast. Now, this next bit will surely make many of you jealous (I sure as heck was when he called me last night and told me the news). His model so impressed the Cedar Fair people that they sent him an invite to Maverick Media Day this Thursday. Yep, he's gonna get to ride Maverick before the rest of us suckers AND will probably be on TV/in ads to boot. So, for those of you wondering how to get invited to media day: either be in the media or build a whopping, spot-on replica of the featured Media Day ride

Fantastic TR Ryan. I especially like the opening shot of Medusa (such a beautiful floorless). I also like the format. I plan on taking a stab at a TR soon, and would like to do one "Jahan style" as well. How is that done? I've used the search function on the forums, but the sheer volume of results is staggering. Any advice on a "Jahan style" TR that you (or anyone) could give me would be much appreciated. Thanks. And, again, great TR. It makes me want to ride Medusa again. -Doug

^We definitely see the same movie differently. I saw The Shining when I was 17, and it scared the crap out of me. I couldn't sleep that night. Every time I started nodding off, I saw those two girls *shudders* and jumped back awake. Signs also freaked me out. The home footage of the alien on the news cost me a night's sleep. The image just tapped into something in me, I found it very disturbing. I recently saw The Descent. I didn't lose any sleep, but it was definitely not a relaxed viewing experience. I mean, I was on the edge of my seat...and then the flesh-eating "crawlers" started making their presence known. IMO, one of the best creature reveals on film. Right up there with Jaws ("We're gonna need a bigger boat").

This is simple: Maverick and Eejanaika. Maverick shouldn't be a problem (24 days and counting...), but I don't trust Fuji-Q. I'm praying that the weather will be decent and all the rides will be open.

1. X - SFMM 2. Millennium Force - Cedar Point 3. Tatsu - SFMM 4. Montu - Busch Gardens Tampa 5. Riddler's Revenge - SFMM 6. Medusa - SFDK 7. SheiKra - Busch Gardens Tampa 8. Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point (because my first ride on it was a rollback in the front row) 9. Goliath - SFMM 10. Psyclone - SFMM (before it went to s**t) This list could easily change pending my trip to CP in a month and my trip to Japan this summer. I'm definitely excited to ride Maverick. And, I have a feeling that I'll like Eejanaika more than X (I just hope I actually get on it..."SFMM of Japan").

In my opinion, any move that upsets bigoted ultra-conservatives is a good move. I'm really impressed Disney is opening up this ceremony to everyone. Hey, even if it's just to increase the amount of people that they can potentially get money from, the fact that a huge family and children-oriented company is showing such acceptance is a positive step. Now, if only our government could do the same thing.

Ok, I guess I'll take a stab at posting some photos of myself. Please bear with me, as I have never posted photos to a forum before. This will be good practice, as I plan on doing a TR soon. Please let me know if a photo needs to be resized or anything like that. Obligatory coaster photo. Me and my friend Rob on my favorite ride. Diving in the Red Sea, Eilat, Israel On my beloved Mt. Rose (that's my hometown, Reno, in the background on the left) Me and my wife, Susanne

I agree that there is absolutely no excuse for inattentive ride ops. However, I don't think that people passing out can be blamed on the park. I mean, yeah, Goliath definitely has the helix of doom. However, if you are in good health, then you'll be just fine. People with pre-existing conditions should not be strapping themselves into an intense roller coaster. The sign at the entrance warns you about the extreme g-forces. If someone ignores the clear warning and then passes out on the helix because they have low blood pressure, then that's on them. I don't really see the park being responsible for a guest not being mindful of their own health status. Still, perhaps there will be some good from this report. I mean, if this lights a fire under SFMM's a$$ and gets them to finally crack down on cell phone distracted ride ops, then that would definitely be a good thing.

I went to SFMM the first Friday in June 2005. X had a long line (we avoided it by being gate crashers and running straight to X, before that line built up), but the rest of the park was pretty quiet. Not counting X, we rode every major ride at least twice. It was great. Can't speak for the other parks though.

It has been quite a few years since I last went to the Halloween Haunt. However, I do remember that it indeed goes all October. And, if memory serves (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), the haunt actually starts in late September. This is known as "Freak Preview". Basically, it's a cheaper ticket and significantly smaller crowds. I'm not sure if they still do that. But, if they do, it's a great time to go. Basically, the Haunt is in full swing, but the tickets are cheaper and the crowds are smaller. Oh yeah, like others have said before me, there is indeed no scaring going on during the day. However, they might have some of the anamatronics dressed scary (most likely on the log ride), even during the day (I'm not sure, but I think that is the case). However, rest assured that if you go during the day, nobody will be jumping out and scaring your brother.

Twilight Slider - Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Who the heck is the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra? www.tokyoska.net

^^San Diego is fantastic. I'm from there, and I would take it over Ohio any day. There's plenty to do in SD, and the Mountain is pretty darned cool (trust me, you won't be thinking about MF or TTD when you're cresting the top of the first drop on X). Yeah, you're looking at a 3+ hour commute to Santa Clarita. You could make a whole weekend out of it. And, in a couple years, you'll be able to drive yourself there. Oh yeah, if you are really dead set on working at an amusement park, you could always check out Belmont Park http://www.rcdb.com/qs.htm?quicksearch=belmont+park. It may not be much, but it's right in SD. Also, the Giant Dipper is a fun little woodie.

Thanks alot! My plan was to go the 15th and 16th, so I will stick to that. I just hope the weather is good. Thanks again.

^Thanks for info, especially that Physics & Math day tidbit. I plan on going for a couple days the week of May 14-18. I checked their website, specifically the "Today in the Park" page under the "Plan a Visit" tab. It doesn't say anything for that week. Does that mean I'm cool, or is there somewhere else on CP's website I should check? Thanks again, Skramp!

^Yes, Joe Cool passes get you in the park an hour early for the ERT on select rides, just like for resort guests. For a measly $15, that Joe Cool pass is a heckuva deal!

To me, roller coasters are a kind of art. From towering, sprawling Intamins to tight, twisted B&Ms, they are like sculptures to me. Even better, coasters are the only works of art that you can actually ride! That's why I love coasters...that and the G forces (especially negative ).

Thanks, RJD, for starting this thread. With all the CP questions that have beep popping up, this makes perfect sense. Before I get to my question, I would like to impart my experience at CP. I went last September. From my experience, I would say to hit Maverick and MF first. TTD takes a while to wake up in the morning and probably won't be open when you first arrive. From what I remember, they have don't open it until each of the trains makes it over the Top Hat 3 times empty (correct me if I'm wrong, as I have only been there once). Keep an eye on TTD as you ride other rides in the AM (it's easy to see from anywhere in the park as it is so tall), and go to it the second you see a train launch with riders. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get a rollback. My first ride ever on TTD was a rollback...in the front seat to boot! Without a doubt, that was the shining highlight of the day. So, now for my question. I am seriously considering heading to CP in May as well. I have a free roundtrip ticket on Southwest Airlines, and this seems like an excellent way to use it. I definitely expect larger crowds when the park first opens. Once can probably predict a veritable mob scene on opening weekend. However, what will it look like mid-week after opening weekend? Will the crowds be bad on, say, Tuesday, May 15 (the park opens Saturday, May 12)? Would the following week be better? Obviously, I have no plans on going during the weekend...I'm thinking only mid-week. So, oh knowledgable TPRers , what can I expect mid-week the first and/or second week the park is open? Thank you all in advance for your suggestions. -Doug

^Yeah, for alot of people, that horrid commute is worth it. For what it costs to rent a little apartment in Los Angeles, you can pay mortgage on a 2 story house with a yard in the Antelope Valley. I had a friend in high school who lived there, still does. It was such drama to simply go and visit him on his turf. Too much car time. But, people are willing to suffer in their cars for 4-6 hours daily just for a piece of the American dream...in this case, owning a large house. My advice would be to just stick to the 5 and be sure to have plenty of music on hand to get you through the slow haul.

^When you get close to the 14, most of the traffic that you are dealing with is people who live in the Antelope Valley (Palmdale, Lancaster) and work in LA. The most direct route between the two is the 14. I would guess that, once you pass the 14, traffic moves quicker than before the 14. However, bear in mind that I used to live in the San Fernando Valley and drove to SFMM in the morning...when all the traffic is coming the other way. However, whenever I leave SFMM in the evening, traffic seems fine coming the other way (north on the 5)...until you reach the 14/210 madness, that is.

Hi all, I hope nobody minds me adding a similar question to this thread, I figured it was better than creating a whole new thread. I am also considering heading to CP, either the week of May 13-18 or May 20-24. These are the first two weeks it is open and I would definitely be going mid-week. I went in September 2006 (the Sunday after Labor Day) and experienced very low crowds. A friend of mine who lives near Cedar Point said that I should expect more crowds during mid-week May than the Sunday in September that I went (especially considering the opening of Maverick). Yet, I have read in another thread there that May is a great time to visit. Does anybody have any advice/opinions on these conflicting estimates? What kind of qeues can I expect mid-week in May? Thanks for the tips. Also, since I am somewhat new to these forums, please let me know if posting a similar question in a topic is considered not appropriate. I certainly don't want to inadvertantly "hijack" any topics. Cheers, Doug

I grew up in LA and absolutely LOATHE the traffic there. Unfortunately, I have to agree that you should probably leave somewhere in the vicinity of 3 hours for the trip you are talking about. Normally, things do get pretty good after you pass downtown LA. However, since it will be Friday, then you also have to take into account people going out of town. Las Vegas, Big Bear, Mammoth Mountain...they all require one to drive east of downtown. So, it is entirely possible to experience traffic from the moment you get on the freeway until you exit in Santa Clarita. Also, the advice to wait until 7:30 is good, but traffic has a nasty habit of popping up at all hours. My advice is to simply be prepared for a multi-hour commute in heavy traffic. Oh yeah, like georgeriley15 said, avoid the 405 parking lot...avoid it as if it were a Vekoma SLC.