John Peck

You may be right on that one... I think at one time they booked in Bates Cliffhanger, so I may be thinking of that. The Vertigo Swingtower had shown up this year, (along with the Scorpion, Disk-O and one other ride) but it got red tagged... so they couldn't put it up.

The Ohio State Fair usually has a midway of 65-70 rides... usually half of them are booked in from elsewhere, so many more of the "cons" rides you list were not even owned by A of A... This year, the Swing Ride was booked in by Strates, the Space Roller (as mentioned), the Ali Baba was by Strates, The Swinging ship was from someone else as well as the Cliffhanger and the brand-new Spider was booked in through Poor Jacks. I think A of A can still book out their crazy mouse coaster... they set it up at the IX indoor amusement park, and who knows, even though A of A isn't the main contractor, it doesn't mean they won't be asked to supply some rides. My freinds company gets asked a lot, but his problem is help... he can't find enough people to run the rides (a growing problem in the industry)... so he won't show up. Also, Talley DOES own a KMG Fireball called "The Beast", but I seriously doubt it will show up. There were a total of 5 different companies that bid on the contract including Belle City and A of A. (despite the accident, A of A was still in the top 3 running) Bell City, which provides a good amount of the rides (Sky Wheel, Scorpion, scooter, Rock N Roll Music Express) were not in the running, but I don't know if that means they will or will not provide anything in 2019.

You also have to remember something else about Log Flumes... many of these were put in as a way to cool down guests way before the days of in-park waterparks. As waterparks get more popular and other types of higher capacity water rides hit the market, the log flume is no longer as valuable like it was in the past. I love em, though.

^ The thing is, is Amusements of America was one of the biggest, safest, respected and sought-after amusement companies in the country... it was no means a little carny company... that's was makes this situation so much worse.

This is just such a terrible tragedy. As an avid carnival ride fan, I still won't shy away from them. These rides get inspected even more so than the permanent ones, and it really bugs me that something like this was either overlooked or ignored. The only thing good coming out of this awful situation is it will change the way inspections are done and the way rides are built.

There's a slightly longer video staring the CEO Jim Reid-Anderson. I love it when he's in the vids.

I was thinking about getting a diamond elite membership... do all of the perks here transfer to other parks? If I add a dining pass, would that only be for 2019? Is there any early entry or perks with the membership at SFoG?

A few things: At Kings Island we lost Dinos at the end of last year and this year the area was not in use and they moved a smoking section to where the main entrance was. We think perhaps a portion of it "May" become part of our new Antique cars, but a layout has yet to surface. Even if you don't get a ride next year, keep your eyes open on other infrastructure improvements... Cedar Fair has been putting in a lot of dual-line restaurants lately, so watch for one to possibly go in place of Starship... Another thing to notice: you have gotten flat rides the last three years, so even if you get nothing new next season, perhaps a larger investment is coming your way in 20. Of course, I would have thought the waterpark expansion would have started by now, but who really knows.

Awesome, Jarmor! Thanks a bunch! After seeing the ride pad go in for what looks very much to be the Flyers, does anyone think that they could be up and running by Haunt or Winterfest? I can't tell though if a control shed has been started or not. I'm not making a trip this year, I'm just looking for opinions.

Looks amazing... and maybe counted as two coasters! (yeah, I went there). My first thoughts were how it indeed looked like a Maverick-West type of ride... Low to the ground launches, track interwoven and relentless speed. Pretty excited about this. I am also going to think it's Premier or S&S.... they have been building a lot of brand new coaster rides from American manufacturers lately, which is nice to see.

Looks great and a perfect replacement for the Frisbee that was removed a couple of years ago. One bit of curiosity... I see a wave swinger, still... is that being rethemed or slightly moved?

"Tallest Thrill Ride in New York" So over 200 I would imagine. Probably around the 230-240 height. (Edit: I just saw the 242 height) And this is what I mentioned before, everyone... large rides can take a good 2 years to manufacture, so this must have been ordered pretty quickly once the park was signed over and in the hands of Six Flags.

I'm heading to Dollywood in a few weeks (on a friday) for the first time since 2001. Any advice on what to hit first and what direction I should go? Also, if there is any advice you can give on discounts and where to find them. Also, we will most likely have one meal there... what would you all suggest?

So I am planning my 3rd-ever trip to the park in Mid september (on a sunday)... I haven't been there since 2001, so I think they built a ride or two since then. Based on what I was reading, it sounds like we should go to Wicked Cyclone first and then DDD. Any other advice on this? There will be some rides I can't ride, but the wife can. Does anyone know if the train has re-opened? I would hate to miss it. I have a six flags great adventure gold pass, (Even though I live in Ohio) and I want to renew it, but if I renew, does that mean I have to go back to SFGrAd and renew it, or is it automatic? I ask, because I might just buy a whole new pass during the sale and just process it in Georgia. That takes me to my next question.... Does SFoG have any passholder perks (early ride times especially) Also to you locals... any advice on Lake Winnie is appreciated, too... again, it's been since 2001 since I was last there.

That's a pretty good-sized area. I do hope they keep the wave swinger, those are park staples.

Whatever park you buy from for 2019 is where you have to process it. So, if you buy off of SFGAdv website you have to process it there. Since, all gold passes have the same benefits at all parks, they don't want people just going to the site and buying at the parks that sell them the cheapest that are nowhere near where the person lives and isn't their actual closest (home)SF park. FYI, many benefits from 2018 Gold Passes bought during last years fall sale are now just gold plus membership benefits. SF grandfathered those passes in 2018, but the new list of benefits chart is different for gold passes. If you value those extras yu might end up having to get a membership, which is about $30 to $40 more on annual basis. Okay, so that means EVEN on renewals, too, correct?

Season pass question... I'm from Ohio, but have a 2018 SF Gold season pass that I bought last year during the sale and used it at a few six flags parks already (including SF Gr Adv.). If I renew, do I have to go back to Great Adventure to process it, or is it automatically processed? I'm heading down to Georgia soon so I wanted to decide if I should buy it for that park instead, or just simply renew it.

My guess is a Starflyer or even a Zamperla mini Discovery. Most coasters can take 2 years to order and build if they are relatively large, and I doubt that Six Flags would have ordered a coaster for Darien not only the year following a coaster addition, but until for certain they were sure they would get the management contract.

I think Griffon has the double belt on all three rows as well... Raptor actually put the double seatbelts on for the first time in its history two or three years ago, so that was a nice surprise. The walk of shame is not fun... every eye staring at you... fortunately, I'm working at it. Occasionally I will try the test seat on the Intamins to see how close I'm getting, but those are too small for me.... i am shaped like a bowling pin, so I have very heavy legs and backside... I'm also 6 ft 1". so long legs can be an issue, too.

Valravn have one red belt in each row, Gatekeeper has the red belts in the 4th row. Raptor and Rougoru have the double seatbelt in row 4 and another row. I got on Valravn on Sunday, but had to walk off the Gatekeeper 4th row. I am able to just barely make any seat on Raptor and Rougoru.

I really hope it's a Zamperla Endeavor 48. I really hate losing Witches Wheel, but it's dying.

Exactly. I ONLY blame myself. Not the park, not the manufacturer, not Hostess or KCF, not even the way the sun hits.... only myself.

I would personally love a return of the Coney Mall sign/theme and a classic paint job and trackwork for racer and a few new flat rides in that area. "The Mall" used to be the place to be back in the day.

As I stated on Wonderlands Facebook Page, this coaster has exceeded all of my expectations. What a fine looking layout. I Look forward to riding it. Oh and with many rides, I wanted to give this a nickname... I call it Yukon Cornelius... yes... you heard it here first! (some of you may get the reference)

I like how they are using the vinyl record as the background. Maybe 1950's-era themed? (though records have technically been around for over 130 years—1887)