Louise

AWESOME PTR Ryan, I really enjoyed it! It's really nice to see somebody saying so many positive things about SF employees in particular. It's not like everybody here slates every SF park or employee, not at all, and I do see some positive comments in with the negative, but as somebody who's never visited a Six Flags park, it's the bad things said that stand out to me, and let's face it, we're all quick to jump on our soapboxes when we see poor customer service, but rarely praise the good stuff. So it was great to see such positive reviews! I do have a complaint about the PTR though: No Ryan pictures!!! And WTF is with high-fiving Medusa's ride ops?? You didn't pound them?!

GREAT analogy, but I only partly agree with your sentiments. You're totally right that people shouldn't necessarily have to chalk up their losses to "inherent problems", but at the same time, it's a risk you take. When the iPod was first announced I was ridiculously excited about it, but I didn't buy a 1st Gen one because I knew full well that the 2nd Gen would be far better. I was right, and glad that I waited, and each generation has only gotten better... When I saw the 3Gs, I wished I'd waited for one of those, but whatever. My point is, when a new console comes out, or an MP3 player, a car, or when a new coaster opens, you have two choices: either go for instant gratification and take the risk that what you get might not be as good as you hoped, there'll be flaws that need ironing out, etc, or else you wait until you know the product will be more reliable, and likely much improved. The difference between buying a new electronic product and going to a park to ride a new ride is that if you buy a new console and the screen cracks, you have every right to ask for it to be fixed/replaced, that's part of your warranty. When you book park tickets/accommodation/flights, there's no refund policy that states that if a particular coaster doesn't open, you get your money back. It doesn't work that way. And you know that full well. I'm not saying you all shouldn't be upset but... It's a risk you take. *shrug*

^ I think you meant "scary", Théo, but your English is wonderful, don't worry. Well, I'm a little sad I most likely won't get to ride this now (to experience the awfulness of it I mean, not to try and enjoy it), but will be glad to never see it open again if it'll stop people from getting hurt. Just a terrible shame somebody had to lose their life in order for something to be done, whether it be closing the ride or just fixing its problems.

LOL!!! Dangerous ground, my friend, dangerous ground... Robb's pretty old, but Elissa's still in her mid-20s. They have plenty of time, and I'm sure aren't even thinking about this yet. Plus, it's not like the world's going to end, they'll survive.

I'm sure your name was on the package, but even if it wasn't, it's been sent now and there's nothing you can do about it. It'll find its way to you!

That's a really cool shirt! I hope you have fun over there!

^ Why would that be, Jow?

I'm with Tom on "why not wait", but regardless, if all Vekoma woodies are as insane when wet as Thundercoaster was, I'll be heading up to Yorkshire quite often when the weather's bad as of 2008! I enjoyed Flamingoland a lot in 2006, but it sort of had that missing-something feeling, if that makes sense. Couple of fun coasters, mixed flats, but... Didn't feel like it was quite "complete" to me. Hopefully this will change that.

Thanks for providing the link, Tom!

I don't know if "coking" was a deliberate typo, but if not, it should have been!!

Read the whole thread before making generlisations that we're all insensitive, Flipdude. It's a coaster enthusiast site, it's natural that we're going to look at the mechanics and the business side of it, the same way as plane fans will analyse engine manufacturer reputations and the like after a flight crash. It's natural. Doesn't mean we don't all feel great sympathy for the victims and their families.

That sheet is probably covering up where the car impacted the guard rail. The de-railed car is probably just where the train finally stopped. I'd imagine the impact was probably pretty gruesome. Ah, that makes more sense, understood. Very tragic, I feel for the deceased's family. Just showed this to my mum. "But, but, Robb and Elissa won't still take you all there will they? Not after this?"

Every media outlet seems to have a different version of this, I'm wondering just what's true. The caption on one site for the picture Robb posted at the top states that the part of the train "from which the seats fell off" is covered by the sheet, but then what's going on with that second car?? Also wondering what it means by "seats"... The only stand-up I've ridden is Shockwave at Drayton Manor, and assuming the restraints are always somewhat similar, I can't figure out what could happen to allow somebody to be thrown from those. Not that I trust the media anyway.

^^ We've had SEVERAL near-misses with this kind of thing in the UK, I remember a few quite vividly, but no actual fatalities spring to mind. I think perhaps Larry does have a point, fences are higher (metaphorically and literally) in the US in many instances due to fear of litigation.

^ FAB! I've always used Photobucket but the past few months it's been taking FOREVER (literally, I leave one photo uploading, come back to it two hours later and it's still only half done, if that) and I've totally lost patience with it. That might help! Thanks!

I'm sad. I want BTTF back. I'm sure this'll be great though. Looking forward to more details!

^ I kind of agree with that. Obviously the guy has anger issues, and yeah, speaking to his 11 year old daughter that way isn't great, but honestly, it's not like he really threatened her in any specific way, he didn't swear at her or call her abusive names (other than "pig", but seriously, she's 11, I guarantee she's been called worse)... He TOTALLY over-reacted, and I'm not denying that, but my father has left FAR worse messages on my voicemail and said *much* worse things to that in person. And I know I'm not the only one here who's experienced that, and I'm fine. Families go through shit, and say things they shouldn't. Blown out of ALL proportion. The guy has anger issues. Maybe he isn't a great dad. Doesn't mean he deserves some of the criticism levelled at him this weekend, it's ridiculous.

Whoa, how did I miss that we have a bowling thread?!?! This is pretty much me too!! My high score is like 170-something, but it was a total fluke. I generally bowl 120-140 these days... I'm really erratic, and tend to be in the extremes, either bowl really well (by our group's standards I mean, not by you guys ), or else REALLY badly. One of my favourite things to do though, I love to bowl! Sucks it's so damn expensive.

Lovely New York shots! Why do you not look happy in any of the pictures?!?!?!

I loooove Ben & Jerry's. Cookie Dough is my favourite. When I was living with my ex he used to hate that I'd pick out the cookie dough, eat some of the ice cream, but just leave the half a tub of vanilla in the freezer.

I think she looks pretty too!! Glad you had fun at Oakwood and didn't die at Coney Beach. Oakwood is near the top of the list of UK parks I'd like to re-visit this year, Speed was one of my favourite new coasters from the UK Trip.

C'mon Will, look at the poll, I have 10 more votes than my nearest competitor!! Make me!!!

We already have a pretty decent sized thread on this here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19618 ...which was only about halfway down the page, by the way. Feel free to re-post this there! Wouldn't recommend you publishing peoples' pictures elsewhere without their permission though. Thanks! --Louise

Yup, Will's right, please feel free to post a review or whatever in the Movie thread at the top of the page! Thanks! --Louise

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