John Peck

Last year it started on Thursday. It's almost guaranteed to happen, and the worst thing that can happen is you wait and it doesn't. There's no benefit to buying a pass in advance. Yes. Look into the memberships too, they're more convenient in my opinion. Boldikus wrote the book on this. I suggest giving this a read. Most coasters have a no loose article policy so don't bring anything with you that can't fit in your pockets. Kingda Ka, Joker and El Toro have a strict no loose article policy so you'll need to buy a l.ocker to ride them. You can't have anything with you (phones / keys / wallets), not even in a zippered pocket. L.ockers are $1 for 2 hours or for $8 you can buy an all day l.ocker pass that lets you transfer things from locker to locker all day. Thank you for answering my questions thus far, I guess i wonder how loose is loose... I have a camera in a camera case that attaches to my belt, it's not going anywhere, my wife thought about a fanny pack for keys and camera, so I don't know if that's fine. I guess a lock er rental will have to happen if these aren't acceptable. I suppose umbrellas are allowed if it's raining, correct? I also wear glasses with a Cedar Point strap, are they okay? There was also the chance I might not get to ride some of these due to my fatness, what is the test seat situation? I saw the list that you gave me for Boldicus... he mentioned riding dark knight later on, but with lower capacity is it still a popular ride? How have the lines been for Justice League? Onto passes... with the labor day pass sale, does anybody have a ball park figure what it cost them last year? (obviously, it would be a cheaper renewal... but I haven't had a six flags pass since 2006. Should I buy the pass online and will that give me the free parking if I have my paperwork with me? or do i get reimbursed when I process the pass if I buy it at the park. Why would a membership be a better option, coasterbill? And last, as I was looking on the SF website and didn't see it... how early do you get into the park? do they have rides open earlier, or do they just let you in early? Due to a budget, we won't be able to swing a flash pass, and there are rides we have done before (Chang, superman), so we can skip some.

Yes if you buy a pass during the Labor Day sale you can use it for the rest of this year and next. You do have to go to the park that you got the pass from first. Then you can use it at any of the SF parks. Okay, we are getting closer to planning some vacation, and since I don't have a SF pass, we were trying to get the 2018 pass early so we can use it this season, too. Is the Labor Day Flash sale almost guaranteed to happen? Because we are planning to be in the area on sunday and monday. When historically does the sale start for the weekend? What can you experts tell me about the passes? From what it looks like the gold gets you early entry and free parking at ALL six flags... is that correct? What other advice can you give me about the park? What is up with this loose article rule on the rides? I'll ask more questions as I plan a little more.

Apparently "It" at Moreys Piers is now back open after being closed as a precaution (very similar model). Also, the entire Midway at the Ohio State Fair (sans the Fireball of course) is reopening today.

A of A actually got the their Fireball in 2000, it was at the Ohio State Fair that year as well as a Chance Slingshot (the only one to ever show up at the OSF)

Slightly off topic from the fireball itself... Some of the "low impact" Ohio State Fair rides (giant slide, skyride, kiddie rides) have started reopening today after everything being closed down since the accident.

Some of my freinds and I are thinking did that portion of the gondola hit something? It sounded like it hit thinner metal—like the the metal floor that raises up (similar to delirium and maxair)—and then break loose. It was a loud, hollow-sounding sheet metal bang, so i don't really know... it moves so fast. So one thought was did the operator accidentally raise the floor while the ride was in motion or did some fencing come loose? Once the arm broke off, it stays in air just long enough for the other side to kick it, so i wonder if that force broke the other restraints loose as you can see others falling from a higher height. I have ridden that ride many times and it is one of my favorites. The ride is at least a 1999 and it has had no problems in the past. Matter of fact, it went through a long refurbishment about 8 years ago. This is not something you see in this country. Here is the video, keep the sound up to hear that lighter metal sound:

Dragon Challenge is not movable. Its needs a total refurbishment. It's cheaper to build something new.

Battech Enterprises makes a brand new portable spider, so they could probably whip together a park model, but that's too low capacity for this park. not my photo

I was just thinking... what if the new coaster is like Fahrenheit at Hershey... vertical or near-vertical lift and a relatively compact layout and 12 riders per train. Plus Intamin which would be the renewed relationship... Thoughts? Sorry if someone mentioned that.

Based on company wide removals, I'd say the Fling is going if anything. And that really is a shame. Great America lost theirs last year. That's weird about the Carousel... those are the heart of any theme park, though Kings Islands could use some love. Anyway, I hope you guys get something nice and new for next year.

I don't know if I think Hurler will get the RMC treatment. It's their only major wood coaster now. Dominion has two others with Hurler being the worst of the three (in my opinion). I COULD see a GCI wood twistie in Crossroads since Thunder Road is gone.

I thought that Sesame Place at one time had a "shopping pass" where you go to the ticket booth, pay admission, but if you are back within an hour, you get the entire ticket price credited back to you. We did that about 10 years ago or so and wound up paying then $10 to park which I still found annoying.

A couple things... I still think the waterpark expansion/entrance won't happen for a couple years. I just think the overall project is bigger that what we are thinking... I'm thinking a 2-year phase... back-stage stuff first and the parking lot, entrance and expansion the following year, but with Excalibur being removed during off-season this year or next. And a new ride for the dry park in 18. Just my theory. As for Thunder Canyon: Dorney Park has their rapids ride shared with the dry park and the waterpark, there is an entrance from each park, so I'm sure they can figure out something.

Oooooo... WHAT IF... it's a single rail, with the single wide seating, but it's called "Whizzers Revenge"... as an inspiration to the former ride.. Mull that one over, kiddos. (of course the tire tracks can play part in that somehow)

So, I was thinking about season passes... is there an option (historically) where you buy a pass for next season and you can use it THIS season at any of the parks? My thought was, since I have limited vacation, to buy a 2018 pass when the promos start in the early fall this year and use it for part of this year, too at different six flags... like maybe I buy it at great adventure and do six flags America on the same trip, but in the spring, make it out to St Louis.

I know the Knotts Boomerang had its train bodies thrown in the trash (there is a photo out there of them in a dumpster) and the rumor I heard was a brand new Vekoma Train was purchased recently... so put two and two together. My thoughts of the Boomerang coming to Valleyfair has been very unpopular with some of the readers here, but I still think there may be a 50/50 chance of it coming, refurbished with a new train. I thought CGA was going to get it, and it still might, but who knows. Cedar Fair mentioned they will be building 4 new coasters for 2018, so I hope the Boomerang isn't considered one of those "new ones" and they in fact install 5 coasters next year. As for the "family park" thoughts... Nick U is considered family and they have some pretty wild and thrilling stuff, so I wouldn't get all stressed that VF won't get anything wild in the future.

Magnum didn't have an official sign until only a few years ago. Sometimes Cedar Fair doesn't budget it into the ride cost.

Once it does happen, I would think there would be two main attractions with the waterpark expansion.. some sort of slide complex and a 0-depth entry family attraction. I think with the new Waterpark entrance, new amenities and food locations, that could make a pretty hefty price tag just with all that... probably close to $15 Million. Not sure what will happen with the Geauga Lake slides, I once thought that they would be moved, but then Knotts destroyed their Tornado slide, so who knows.. all the GL stuff could be ripped down.

I think Excalibur is a big enough ride that would warrant a special closing date and/or event

Well, whenever they announce the announcement, it will get all the excitement going full-force. I can't wait to see what's going on with the markings and flags... not knowing is more exciting for me.

Yes, we are just down to only 2 remaining 2nd generation Top Spins in the Cedar Fair chain. Six Flags still have quite a few left, but I think those are all Gen 1. The Gen 2 models have seats on both sides of the gondola and your feet dangle, the Gen 1 has a floor and "ball-crushing" bars.

They are using it for parts.

I'm reposting Donomike05's pictures. So can somebody circle on the google earth of where this all is? I see you got a shot of the Knotts Riptide gondola. photo by Donomike05 photo by Donomike05 photo by Donomike05

I don't know if it was a combination of things or this reason: when I went to my Olympus on a $7.00 ticket day it was understandably packed... however the day was cooler and very overcast, so that caused the coaster lines to become freaking insane and the waterpark less so. So, prepare for huge crowds, but maybe try and watch the weather to find a hotter day and that may help you with the crowds dispersing.

Unfortunately, a HUSS giant Frisbee hasn't been built in this country since 2005, (I wish I knew why) so we have I think 4 Zamperlas (3 six flags and kennywood) here now and 2 Mondials (KD and Can Wonderland), so both of those models are slightly smaller than the HUSS ones, with the Mondial being the smallest of the 3. With the continuing relationship with Mondial, I would think that would be the best contender for a giant frisbee. I just don't think that will be the next ride, personally.