downunder

Add more bunny hops to Millennium Force like everyone else has said. Top Thrill Dragster - take the drop down to ground level so it is 420 ft (take that Kingda Klosed), add a couple of ride of steel (sfne) style camelbacks straight after that, then an overbank, some more bunny hops, and then a spiral helix and then the brake run. Here here to bonfires involving Mean Streak and Psychlone, maybe Son of Beast could have a similiar event (I haven't ridden it but most people seem to say it is atrocious). Goliath (SFMM), make the first and second drop 90 degrees, and more airtime. Ride of Steel (SFNE) : ditch those leg restraints though I wouldn't change a thing about the coaster except maybe make the first drop steeper. Nitro: make it more intense, maybe 2 person wide trains would make it more intense because the layout is unreal. Batman Chiller: make it an operating coaster, instead of an enticing lawn ornament.

Most painful - definitely Psychlone - I wanted to know who threw rocks on the track but there wan't any, maybe there was an eathquake while I was riding - no, it was just rough. I watched that Manhattan Express coaster video with the sound on the other night - that guy sounded like he was having fun. Most fun: Ride of Steel at SFNE, can't get enough of that one.

Great Adventure was just a gangsta's paradise, couldn't wait to leave - shame it's got some good coasters. SFMM always leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. Both parks just seem very indifferent about customer service. La Ronde gets my award for ride op indifference - I was concerned I may have to wake them up.

I think Cedar Point is a lot more than just coasters which is what makes it so great to visit - they do lack a great wood coaster, and a hyper of the quality of Ride of Steel at SFNE (even though they have two very good ones). They don't have a floorless or flyer but I am not real broke up about that. SFMM, I found wasn't particularly pleasant place to visit, they have one ride I consider exceptional in X (which valleyed the day I was there I presume bvefore opening), one that is good in Deja Vu, and Batman and Riddler's aren't bad but the rest are just blah. Goliath is a big disappointment. I'd rather be at Knott's.

I prefer thrill rides to Disney, it's fun but I won't go back until there is a lot of new rides since I last went, so that will be 2020. The evidence of how much I like Disney, I went to the USA (and LA) 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005 - years I went Disney 2001, that's it. I now put on my flame proof suit.

Is it ever open, I was there the friday before the labour day weekend and they couldn't even get it open then, but I wasn't too disappointed I'd had 18 rides on Dragster that week. Also what's the go with Chiller Batman, that's getting to be like Flashback at SFMM in terms of being open, shame cause it looks like a great ride. The bottom line is that the actual drop is only another 18 feet, and I reckon 128 mph is KK's maximum speed whereas I have hit up to 124 mph on Dragster personally (that was an awesome ride, front row too). Personally, I find these coasters are an impressive one off experience but they aren't as exciting to ride over and over again, whereas I could ride Superman Ride of Steel at SFNE for a week continuously, I love that coaster. I really hope in the future, they add to the layout of coasters like TTD because there is so much potential.

The third row of the front car of Magnum is known as the ejector seat, give it a try, but it is brutal airtime. Top Thrill Dragster and Millenium Force are great at the front, worth the wait at least once. Get to Dragster first thing with early entry (if you have it by staying at a resort) tends to be a lot faster on the first rides I found - 124 mph in the front, first ride of the day on my recent visit was awesome.

Check out www.ozcoaster.net for the latest update on Superman Escape, downunder's first rocket. The launch track is in place, the top hat supports are going up, and there is a very interesting helix coming together. Authorised by Rabid Disney and Ozcoaster.

I have been to LA a few times but I have never used the public transport. What is it like, is it safe - in particular the trains (if that's what you call them)? I am staying near the airport so I was going to use it to get to Knott's and Disney. Getting to Magic Mountain (alas the day after the TPR meet) by public transport looks impossible.

One thought about Cedar Fair's purchase of GL was that is was made just because they may have been getting a bargain, $145 m for all of GL when six flags (I believe) paid $110 mil just for the sea world part. It has become obvious from the decline in attendance that the animals was what differentiating GL from Cedar Point in the market. My initial thought when the CF purchase happened was that they would close it real soon and move the rides to other CF parks and possibly make a killing on a sale of the land. It will be interesting (probably sad) to see what happens to GL because now it is really just a poor man's Cedar Point.

Lake Compounce is supposed to be not too far from SF New England, and that has one of the best wood coasters in the world in Boulder Dash, might be worth investigating. I found that if you are a member of an an automobile association, you may be entitled to the discounts that AAA members in America are entitled to, my Australian membership ceratinly does. There is plenty of good discounts to be had, like 15% off at Days Inn. I think the program is called Show Your Card and Save. Check the Cedar Point website for coupons for their on site accomodation for late season, I got $20 off a night for hotel breakers last year. I'll be travelling to a lot of the same places just before you guys so if I find any other good discounts (and I can get on the net) I'll let you know.

Buffet at Bellagio was really good and only about $16 - in 2003 so I don't know if that is changed.

pure determination to make the most of my visit, and if that doesn't work - no doz or coke.

I find I get bored after a while and then I just move onto the next ride, here are some of my consecutive ride records all except Magnum and Ride of Steel were ended out of boredom: 9 on Magnum 8 on Xcelerator, Ghostrider & SFNE Ride of Steel 7 on Strom Runner, Top Thrill Dragster 6 on Goliath, Scream(all front row), Millenium Force, Duelling Dragons I'm going to do some serious marathoning when I get to Cedar Point this month, especially Magnum.

I play guitar or at least hard rock approximations of guitar.

Went on high roller last time I was in vegas (the ride op was spot on about the soon to be built X-Scream) and it has to be the wimpiest coaster in terms of what it does, but being 1000 ft I had a look on my face like that girl in Jurassic park with t-rex getting up close and personal. The buffett at Bellagio is my favourite destination, do some carb loading before I get to Cedar Point the next morning.

I'm stopping by Vegas on the 27th August, is Buffalo Bills worth the trip - note I'm only there for 12 hours in between flights. Also what is X-Scream, the one on the stratosphere tower like?

Does credit whoring also entail the lengths you will go to to get a new credit? For example who's heading to Nebraska to get the credit for their new coaster.

I'm sure plenty of people on this board will be heading there for the credit. Nebraska makes New Zealand look like the coaster capital of the world.

Crikey, Goliath is a 1000 times better than anything in my country, well at least til Superman opens at Warner Bros Movie World later this year. I liked all other hypers I have been on better than Goliath - Millenium Force, Magnum, Ride of Steel (SFNE), and Nitro. I must admit it does pull some G's in the helix section and if you would like your nose remodelled just relax at the mid course break run and you will find your face smashing into the head rest of the seat in front of you.

Bummer, I am going to be at magic mountain on the 18th September, it's the only day I can be there on my 2005 USA tour - not getting in to LA until 1am on sat night/sun morning. Ha ha - maybe I can drop by for left overs on Sunday.

Nothing has blown me away, exciting but not blown a circuit - I've been on Top Thrill Dragster. I haven't ridden Dodonpa though I think G force at Old Town has similiar exceleration, my read out after said something like 110 mph in less than 2 secs. Thinking of going on an aerobatic flight to up the ante a bit, know someone who does flights and they sell it as - think of the biggest coaster and multiply the intensity.

For me IOA first daylight second in Orlando. It would probably be easier to peronally rate them park by park: IOA, Sea World, USO, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM - Animal Kingdom I haven't been to but I heard it blows big time (Everest might change that), haven't been to BGT either. In conclusion Universal it is.

they got in a car and went and ordered drive through chinese and then.

Four. If you could be a rollercoaster, which one?