Nitro1118

Skyrush was very fun when I rode it in 2012, but it is one of those rides you need to prepare for. Unfortunately, I only got one ride on it, and riding it in the "hands up" position took away from the experience for me. It wasn't even so much the airtime/uncomfortable lap bar combo that did it...it was the openness of the trains on the s-curves, which tossed my upper body like a rag doll, which did it. If I was more prepared for this, along with the restraints in general, it would have went from a top 5 steel to number 2 (behind Bizarro at SFNE when it was still S:RoS). Can't wait to go back to Hershey. Great update as usual, Chuck!

I've ridden 2 B:TR clones, the former B:KF, Chiller, TDK, and B:DK. I'd rank them Chiller (preferred Batman side over Robin), B:KF, B:TR, B:DK, and then TDK.

Here's what's interesting.... Six Flags Astroworld: Batman The Escape - relocated from Six Flags Great Adventure Mayan Mindbender - relocated from Boblo Island Texas Tornado - relocated from the fair circuit Ultra Twister - relocated from Six Flags Great Adventure Viper - relocated from Six Flags St. Louis For years, people HATED and COMPLAINED that all they ever got was relocated crap from other parks... that is until they announced the park was going to close and then all those rides were cherished and beloved to everyone because they were about to be lost forever. Moral of the story? If Dorney Park ends up with Mantis, at least you didn't end up with Serial Thriller!!!! So shut up and quit your annoying complaining!!!! --Robb "I don't think the Six Flags America people complained this much when they actually got Iron Wolf!" Alvey Unless Dorney is in fear of closing the dry side, I don't think it's accurate comparing it to a defunct park that may not be defunct if their collection wasn't an array of dated hand-me-downs. Mantis might spike the attendance numbers for a year, but it is not the type of quality attraction that will keep people coming back. After 10 years of no new coaster additions, it'd be disappointing if that's what they came up with. To me, it'd be better suited at a park like KD or CW, to bolster already solid lineups that have seen major additions the last few years, with something new and custom going to parks like Dorney and Knott's. With all that said, it's a coaster, and I'll still be visiting next year. But, I was hoping more for Dorney's next addition than a 3rd straight hand-me-down, even if it meant a couple more years of nothing.

Dorney deserves so much better than Mantis. They ripped out Laser, added a relocated impulse, neutered Thunderhawk and have (IMO) 2 of the worst hyper and floorless coasters around. With 3 other CF parks adding gigas the last 5 years, and KI getting the biggest invert in the world, they could do better than a 20y.o CP castaway. Then again, GAdv's 2015 "coaster" addition is a Ring of Fire, so at least Dorney would be winning that battle

My guess is they haven't received approval yet...BUT, that doesn't mean they shut the door on it, either. Time will tell.

At Wawa, just left the park. Got last train of the night on Toro, back row!!! The ride was hauling tonight, with each train cheering when it got back to the station. Very fun. Got to the park at 7:45. Went to Toro and waited 25min. The line reached the 2nd switchbacks but they kept the line moving. Went to Ka next as I haven't been on it all year...annnnd of course it breaks down right after we get in line. So, we went to Zumanjaro since we haven't gotten a night ride on it yet. Wait was about 35min, with a 5min breakdown and it went down another 5min for apparently killing a frog (no idea how exactly that happened haha). Ride was fun. After that we walked over to Toro for that last ride. Park wasn't horribly packed, probably because it was overcast most of the day and we got there pretty late. I'm sure it was still pretty crammed early in the day, though.

Very, very concerned they ditched Namtab last second. I still haven't tried that experience and it would be enough to satisfy my new coaster craving for another year. I rode a Ring of Fire a few weeks ago...still can't believe that's our new "coaster" that will be ready to go "late spring!" Here's to hoping 2016 is the year we been waiting 10 years for...

Kind of disappointing. Was hoping for at least a new slide. I don't think LD is a bad addition, but I'm really praying for a legit, full-sized coaster for 2016.

Chiller at SFGAdv. I was heartbroken when they removed it. Gave the park an amazing top 7 (Toro, KK, Nitro, B:TR, Medusa, and the two sides of Chiller). The coaster lineup just hasn't been the same since for my home park. Speed: The Ride. Packed a huge punch, especially the launch, first turn and loop. Highlight of my 05 Vegas trip. BBW at BGE. The only great suspended coaster I got a chance to ride.

We would have definitely seen land clearing by now if there was a major coaster coming (except maybe a 4D free spin). I'm still crossing my fingers, but 2016 looks to be the year a new coaster is coming.

I still think the loop clues involve a new HH slide, but a Super Loop wouldn't be a terrible addition. The park has been building its flat collection for the last couple of years and it would beef that lineup a bit. Definitely a cheesy, underwhelming addition for arguably the chain's crown jewel, but at least it's something.

We DID have that...it was called Movietown Water Effect, right next to Chiller. I highly doubt we'll see a ride just like it ever again.

There isn't much room by the lake, and personally I'd much rather see that area overhauled with new stunt show, landscaping and maybe restaurant. It's the only area that has the original park's old charm. But I'm with you 100% on a Blitz where Chiller was. That's my dream attraction for the park. A perfect fit to the lineup and proper replacement to Chiller.

It isn't just the area between Toro and KK...the entire old safari entrance and baboon area could theoretically be used for expansion. And that is a massive chunk of land.

My gut feeling is an addition to HH and a flat or two to the park. Any major coaster project, besides a small-sized S&S free spin, is almost out of the question at this point.

Oh, we don't. But ripping out essentially 5 coasters ( 2 sides of Chiller, GASM, and 2 sides of RT) in 7 years and replacing them with a cloned indoor mouse and a 15y.o B&M nut-banger is making us very thirsty to see some track on flatbeds come through!

Check out the rumored red supports by KK as well. Probably a hoax but it's been 8 years since a new, adult-sized coaster has been built at the park (rode Chang at KK, too) so I'm starting to get antsy Don't disagree about the park needing other improvements, but as an enthusiast I'm greedy.

So, my girlfriend and I decided to go to HH today for the first time this year. However, right before leaving we decided our season passes were nowhere to be found. After ripping apart the apartment they were nowhere to be found. Looking online we discovered there is a $20 fee to get a duplicate, which we found quite pricey. Depressed and determined to hit up HH, we made our way to the park. Forgetting that we had free parking included in our membership, we had to cough up $25 for parking. We headed to guest relations, with expectations low. However, we were greeted by an extremely nice rep who was not only efficient, but waived the $20 fee for both passes and gave us a refund for the parking! For all the hate the park receives, this experience was very refreshing, and I later noticed at HH the employees also seemed friendly and to move quickly. I was going to send the park an e-mail or something complimenting said employee, but I didn't get her name and I figure she definitely went against policy to satisfy us. Regardless, I hope to see her again and let them know they got a gem there. Onto HH, the place was PACKED! We only got on one slide, and due to crowds and poor policy with the tubes, we were unable to get a tube at the lazy river after 20min of effort. It was literally a zoo at the lazy river. They need more staffing and better policy to prevent this kind of thing from happening. Also, they really should consider expansion. I get the vibe they have the land to do this, and right now there just isn't enough to spread the crowds out and warrant the fees they charge.

If anyone actually think SF would take a job at arguably the best coaster manufacturer in the world who they've been working with for over 20 years...then I don't know what to tell you.

I'll go with Chiller at GAdv. You could distinctly hear it all the way from HH. Hulk, Mantis, and pretty much all the older B&M's are up there too.

That's what I thought but the S:UF's pretzel loops have a height of 78' (at least the GAdv version).

My point was comparing regional parks to established resort destinations is like comparing apples to oranges. Very different animals, with Disney (the gold standard in theme parks) and SF in particular being polar opposites. Of course Disney also has a big local crowd, but they built themselves big enough to pump $2B into their parks 2 seasons ago through being a resort destination. Those visitors spend multiple days at the parks, spiking attendance figures dramatically, especially when you got 24 hotels on one property. Like I said, Universal was seeing steep drops in attendance for a year or two despite being arguably the 2nd best chain in the world. Quality doesn't always reflect itself in attendance figures. Cedar Fair, and to a lesser extent Busch parks are more appropriate comparisons for SF, just like Knoebels is a better comparison to Holiday World than an SF park is. And like it or not, revenues are up higher than attendance is down. I don't necessarily agree with their methods of price gouging, but it is climbing a company that was in bankruptcy 5 years ago out of the hole. Coorperations are in it for the money, and right now SF is definitely succeeding financially. Will this work out long-term? Maybe, maybe not. But it's very difficult for me to say they are anywhere near failing at the current moment.

Disney and Universal are far from regional parks. Even so, I'm pretty sure IOA attendance was dropping at a very steady rate until the $200M Harry Potter expansion. To put that price tag in perspective, I'm pretty sure that is higher than all of GADV's coasters COMBINED (probably goes for SFMM, too). As far as SF goes, we are just halfway through the season. Let's wait for the annual report. Not every park or chain sees positive spikes in attendance every year, and they are still seeing an 11% increase in revenue (whether they do it in a way TPR approved manner is another story, but business is about $$). I disagree with a lot of what SF does, but as a chain I have been pleased at some of the changes made compared to the previous 10 years.

I meant unique to the area, but it is larger than the Kilamanjaro safari, and I am not sure if the Kilamanjaro one has the rest stop where you can get out and feed the animals, enter an exhibit and the other little things it has. It does not, but if it did you wouldn't have to pay for the activities. Yeah, because the park that charges nearly $100 for one day admission would never, ever price gouge like GADV does...right.

I meant unique to the area, but it is larger than the Kilamanjaro safari, and I am not sure if the Kilamanjaro one has the rest stop where you can get out and feed the animals, enter an exhibit and the other little things it has.