Noxegon

Understood. I think it's probably fairer to say that the intensity of the top speed is like nothing else out there; correct me if I'm wrong, but I cannot think of any other scenario where people travel that fast without some form of protection from the wind, be it a helmet or otherwise.

Agreed on both points. Formula Rossa is a great ride, no question about that, but I don't think I could describe it as "one of the best in the world". Impressive statistics alone do not make for a top drawer coaster. For me the best coasters are those which I'd happily repeat ride for hours on end; the majority of the B&Ms fit into that category for me, as do most Intamin coasters over two hundred feet, the Morgan hypers, and of course the late and lamented Eagle Fortress. As impressive as Formula Rossa is, the full speed portion stretches the limits of human endurance. Six laps was my limit, those spread over a few hours. IMHO it is something that every enthusiast should ride once, but I can't see it being the top of any polls; personally I don't think it'd make my top fifty. Having said that, I will definitely make the effort to get back there again some day; when I'm flying to anywhere in Asia my most convenient connection is through Abu Dhabi International, and it's close enough to the airport to fit a visit into a five/six hour layover; the perfect way to loosen up after a long haul flight! Er... I think I can describe it... A launch that seems to go on forever; the wind blasting you in the face no matter where you are in the train; two seconds of absolute silly speeds before the hill and trim brake (which pulls a good chunk of speed off the train); then some fast and wide turns for thirty seconds or so, then a brake run?

Can you think of another worthwhile reason to visit North Korea? Just curious...

I've been on all fourteen operational floorless coasters, and I'd give it to Dominator too.

Chimelong may not be all that far away, but tourists need a visa to enter China proper whereas they don't need one for Hong Kong.

None whatsoever.

The only thought I'd have there is that just about all of the other indoor places are attached to shopping malls where they have regular footfall to keep them going. Ferrari World is standing out on its own. As I noted in my trip report it was deserted the night I was there; hopefully this was an anomaly rather than the general rule. Formula Rossa rocks anyway

I was there last week. Here is my trip report: http://www.bannister.org/coasters/trips/2011/0113.htm

Gravity Max, hands down. It's a superb ride.

I stayed in the Crowne Plaza Guatemala City. Honestly, it seemed absolutely fine to me; I wasn't worried about safety. I hired a car/driver through the hotel, though with the benefit of hindsight I probably would rent a car for a second trip. The only thing unusual about the driving was having to stop on the way to Xetulul for a check point where local police make sure you're not carrying fruit; it's illegal to move fruit across the country without a license due to local problems with bacteria/etc. Xetulul is a beautiful park but (IMHO) is not a multiple day place really; there's not enough to do there for more than one day, though if you're a water park person you might want to spend some time at Xocomil next door.

I've just returned away from a long weekend away in Guatemala, taking in all five roller coasters in the country as well as some general tourism. I've got to say that the Mundo Petapa and Xetulul constitute two of the nicest parks I've ever visited, with the theming at the latter in particular being on the far side of stunning. The country itself felt like a spanish-speaking version of Florida, a stark contrast to the mayhem that is Mexico. Here are a few preview shots: Xetulul Xetulul Mundo Petapa Mundo Petapa Galerias Primma The full photo albums are up at ThemeParks.ie; here are some direct links: - Galerias Primma - Mundo Petapa - Xetulul I've also posted trip reports at the following links: - December 3rd - Xetulul - December 4th - Mundo Petapa, Galerias Primma Enjoy!

There is a road bridge. However, to enter Saudi you need a visa, and getting a tourist visa is difficult at best. The following is from the US State Department: Bahrain also requires a visa, but you can apply for a tourist visa electronically and no itinerary is required. http://www.evisa.gov.bh/

As you correctly point out, it's to each their own. Only observation I would add, though, is that all these figures need to be taken as a percentage of a total holiday. If you're spending (say) $4000 to spend a fortnight in the United Arab Emirates, then spending 10% of that amount on one day of the trip (while above average) is IMHO easily justified if you need it to ride a top notch coaster in a location well off the beaten track. There are some coasters that you simply can't get to for any less unless you live/work in the country, and while many are not worth it, Jungle Storm most definitely is.

Not really. It's only an hour flight from DXB, and there are plenty of flights every day operated by a few different airlines. I believe I paid about $200 for the round trip airfare. Having done Bahrain already, I'd pay twice that to do Chakazoolu again; it really is that good.

I missed it too, though in my case it was based on a gamble (made in January) that the park would be open at the start of October. It was (and is) no big deal; I'll get back there soon enough I'm sure. The UAE is well worth it as a destination even without the coasters. Anyone going there should definitely day trip Bahrain for Chakazoolu BTW; the coaster there is the best I've done in the middle east by a huge margin.

Er, well Elissa *is* wearing a rain coat... Understood; I have to say I really liked the UAE too. Honestly, I'd say the only thing holding it back as a tourist destination is the inability to get beer in many restaurants. It doesn't bother me at all, but the average european traveller wants to be able to have a few pints during their holiday.

I'm amused at the number of peopls who keeP mentioning Dubai for Ferrari World. 1) Ferrari World isn't in Dubai. It's eighty miles away in Abu Dhabi, which has its own direct long haul flights from all over the world. 2) There is a direct flight from LAX to Dubai which would probably be the preferred option if R/E were going there...

Ah now, we've got a traveling Schwarzkopf that turns up about a mile from my house for three weeks a year. I can't argue that one... http://www.themeparks.ie/fairs/2009fund/shockwave2.htm

I'm thankful that my nearest SLC is in another country!

That video seems to be part of a more detailed report, found here: http://malcolmspage.blogspot.com/2010/11/ferrari-world-abu-dhabi.html

Both of the above articles are lifted directly from First Drop magazine. Can I assume that both the original posters have permission to post these unedited (and uncredited) scans?

I've been there. It's a good ride, fairly intense despite its stats. Trip report here: http://www.bannister.org/coasters/trips/2009/0529.htm

One of the perks of having your coaster log in a database means this is a five second query Adhari Park Adventure Island Delhi Adventure Park USA Adventureland Sharjah Adventurers Family Entertainment Center Al Nasr Leisureland Alton Towers Antics Land Aquashow Family Park Bal Parc Barry's Amusements Belantis BillyBird Park Hemelrijk Bracalandia Brean Leisure Park Busch Gardens Europe Camelot Theme Park Carowinds Castles n Coasters Cedar Point Chakazoolu Indoor Theme Park Conny-Land Crystal World Dennlys Parc Didiland Dorney Park Dubai Festival City Efteling Escape Theme Park Essel World Fami Parc Festilandia Fêtes du Genève Florida Parc Foire Kermesse de Mulhouse Folly Farm Freizeitpark Lochmuhle Fun City Fun Valley Funcenter Greenwood Forest Park Happyland New Hersheypark Hili Fun City Hoge Boekel Speelpark Holiday World Holly Park Kid Parc King Richards Park Kings Dominion Knightlys Funfair Knoebels Amusement Park Kokomos Family Fun Center Kongeparken La Coccinelle Landmark Forest Park Les Poussins Loudoun Castle Lowry Park Zoo Luna Park Melbourne Luna Park NYC Luna Park Sowinski Lunapark Lodz Matějská pouť Michigan's Adventure Mini Mundi Nicco Park Nigloland Oakwood Theme Park Papea Parc Parc de la Vallee Parc du Bocasse Parc Touristique des Combes Parque de Atracciones de Madrid Parque Warner Madrid Pink Pearl The Fun City Platinum Resort Plopsa Indoor Coevorden Pola Park PPS Park Platja d'Aro Rabkoland Rodelarena Wasserkuppe Safari Land Saqr Park Science City Sea World Orlando Sega Republic Seville Feria de Abril Six Flags Great Adventure Six Flags Great America Six Flags St Louis Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko Space City Sparkys Family Fun Center Mazyad Speelstad Oranje Stargate Sybrandys Ontspanningspark Tibidabo Tikuji-ni-Wadi Tivoli World Universal Studios Florida Universal Studios Singapore Vaikų Pasaulis Walygator Parc Water Garden Salmaniya Wild Adventures Wonderland Worlds of Fun Worlds of Wonder Zoomarine

Riders have to wear safety goggles; I love it. I wonder if we could send some of those pictures to Knotts, or indeed any other park that insists that glasses secured with a strap cannot be worn...

Thanks.