MidtownCoaster

I've gotta go with GCI. The amount of thrill, airtime, and just plain power they put in relatively small coasters is astounding. I also have to say many of my favorites are the in-house designers. SFGAm's Viper and the Beast will always be in my top 5.

Thanks for a great report. Although you're raggin' on one of my favorite parks, PKI, I'll forgive you. It looks like y'all had a blast!

Thanks for the TR. I can't believe I lived in Indiana for 22 years of my life and never made it to Indiana Beach or Holiday World. I will have to correct that at some point.

Just to explain, they are not taking out the stones as of yet. They merely have stopped selling them. I am hoping for a slight revamp of the area to reduce the number of stones, but I will say they look pretty cool at night against the wandless SSE. I think the park is getting pushed back in the more progressive, less "cheesy fun" direction. Long live the Center. ha ha.

"Have it your way? I think I shall!". . . so he did. 9 months later, out popped...

Currently doing so. When was the last time you wanted to throw something at your neighbor for making noise at wee hours in the morning?

Let's see... Wabash Cannonball (Opryland) Delta Demon (Opryland) Midnight Chaos (Opryland) Rock 'n Roller Coaster (Opryland) Lightning Bolt (indoor and out - MGM Grand Adventures) King Kobra (PKI) Shockwave (SFGAm) Thunder Run (SFGAm) Python (BGA) MOVED/ALTERED COASTERS: Toboggan (Little Americka/Enchanted Forest) Kiddie Coaster (Little Americka/Enchanted Forest) Wild Mouse (Little Americka/Enchanted Forest) Steel Phantom (Kennywood)

IOA is an interesting park. I am an avid Disney lover, so I will try to keep my personal biases for that aside. I was personally disappointed with IOA, but it had been hyped up a LOT before I went. I grew up in the Midwest, so "mega coasters" had a very different meaning for me. I also am one that believes that themeing must carry through from the beginning to end of the ride. I found IOA had some great attempts at themeing that weren't carried through (ironically, very unlike USO). I honestly thought Hulk was a phenomenal first half and a terrible second half. Spiderman just doesn't do it for me (although 3D attractions never really have without a great storyline), and DD was just way to week and the themeing runs out when you board the coaster IMHO. I basically went in expecting Disney with major coasters, and that was not the case. Having bashed it, it is ABSOLUTELY a place you should visit. There are great things about it, and I will freely admit I am in the minority in viewpoint. It has some good rides and some cool effects. Many people adore it, and you could easily be one of those. It really is very different than Disney, so go in with that attitude and enjoy!

ha ha. That's awesome. I was just in Gatlinburg about two weeks ago and saw the ads for it. We skipped it. We clearly missed out.

That is really sad. Glad they have helped it out and returned it to the family.

THREAD REVIVAL! But, a good one! I'm an attorney... until I go back to Disney.

I am seriously cracking up right now. That's hillarious.

That Aerosmith concert that seems to be happening everyday at MGM. I never seem to make it to the concert itself, but the car ride over is AWESOME.

Thanks for the updates so far. Looks like you guys had a great time. A sexy, crazy, Midwestern time.

I started off with thrillride.com followed shortly by screamscape.com. My how time (and the amount of it I now spend on coaster and Disney websites) flies.

Thanks for the report. I miss living up there and going to those parks. I'll have to make a trek sometime soon. Who's coming with me!

The Disney resorts, especially the moderates, are a wonderful place to get some walking in. But, you won't have any coaster views, unfortunately.

In defense of DT, it has BECOME a WTF ride. I remember when it opened, the story was much more cohesive (well, sort of). The whole Dispatch Master concept was interesting in the early 90's, but it kind of went to pot since then, and the new attempts with the day glow and splatter paint have just been very strange.

It's really tragic that it takes these brutal reminders that RULES ARE THERE FOR A REASON! The invincibility factor of people never ceases to amaze me (and, it never ceases, period). My sympathies to his fiance and to the young lady on the train.

I don't have major experience outside of the Midwest and Florida parks, but I would have to put the original Toboggan up there.

Pretty self explanatory. I just moved to a place in Midtown Atlanta, and, well, I love roller coasters.

I've got to second the goldfish call, but you've gotta follow it with coke! C'mon! Or Coke Zero (OK. I live in Atlanta). Honorable mentions go to Cool Ranch Doritos, Nutter Butters or Oreos & Milk, good tortilla chips, or Original Pringles.

I would love to see this concept updated. I think moving it indoors and with some newer technology, this could be a really neat addition.

Thanks for the pics. It is interesting to see this park getting piecemealed. I remember going to SW Ohio as a kid. It was a nice park, but odd in the cooler weather. God, I'm old...

Thanks for a solid TR. I would love to see some of those items make it onto a nigiri menu here in the states. ha ha.