Dragon Khan

^ ^ I am sure you will, indeed. If it is any consolation, I feel the same way (and will share the flaming with you)... My favourite manufacturer is (was) Schwarzkopf. If you really look for intensity, Anton built some masterpieces. I LOVE both Swiss manufacturers equally, and I think even if I agree on the forcelessness of some beemers, I would lie if I said every single Intamin I have ridden was the new wonder of the world. Some are, some aren't. As a musician, I would say lots of guitar players will only live for Fender or Gibson. This is a vast majority. I personally prefer ESP guitars. Should I be ashamed for that ? I won't, because they just play better FOR ME. Just as I don't care if I'm the only one to love a ride which everyone praises, or on the opposite, I have absolutely no problem to not like (it would be far fetched to say I hate) what is systematically ranked the best Intamin hyper in North America (no need to give the name). a "pointless boring" coaster can be just that for some, and the contrary to some other people. and you know what ? no one is right or wrong, since it's a matter of taste. I don't feel I have to say amen just because a majority thinks differently. Oh, one thing too: Do you notice how many dismiss Leviathan as the most UNanticipated coaster for next season ? Look at the "most wanted for 2012" thread... you'll find about as many people whose fantasy is... LEVIATHAN. Weird, isn't it ?

^I think both posts above are a lot more balanced... I agree with Eric on the fact proximity / distance play a huge role in interest (call that hype). That's probably why I'm most definitely looking at rides opening closer to my area. Incidentally they're B&M's (Asterix / Port Aventura) but I'd be as excited if Turbine finally opened again (won't happen till 2013)

I hear from several very travelled coaster enthusiasts this cyclone clone was once the best of them all (I personally like Viper in Guernee very much). Anyone here would confirm this ? If they restore it to its former glory, or even better, then I have one more reason to be envious on those people on New Hotness.

Incidentally, those are the parks I'll be hitting this summer too !!! I''m excited for April 7th (Asterix opening, and I'll be there), I must say the woodie at Europapark is one more reason to return, Thorpe because it will be my first Wingrider, and I'm curious to see how those compare to Baco ( which I'm no big fan of), andPort Aventura, not only for the new hyper (which everybody is convinced will be forceless, but I don't care) but for the fact it's home to my favourite coaster ever (Almighty Khan). I would have LOVED to be able to afford a US trip to ride all the new hotness over there, but I'll have to wait one more year till I return.

I'm now 37 and my first ever was Boomerang @ Bellewaerde Park when it was inaugurated in 84 (I was ten, you're good at maths !) . Advantage of starting on a Vekoma (if you enjoy it) is that almost all coasters to follow promise to be better And indeed, I was in for a revelation when the next 2 were Schwarzkopfs ! (Looping Star and Sirocco)

Matter of taste I guess, but do you think my idea about Werner Stengel's involvement is totally out of the loop or might it play a role ?

How about "Mon Cul" (for the French speaking people out there) Mods, feel free to delete this bad taste pun

I absolutely got your point, Robb. I mean, I included could be disappointed by Leviathan if I had the opportunity to ride it, but this could as well be considered as B&M's answer to Millennium Force too ! (playing the 's advocate here, admittedly, though not in love with this coaster, nightrides are sooo much fun) Really Robb, I think you know me enough to know I'm quite peaceful (lol) and not into "conflicts"... Moreover I am quite in agreement with the general opinion on the lack of forces of more recent Beemers... general in the meaning there have been exception,s and there probably will be again in the future.( if those happen to be the Inverter at Asterix and Shambhala, I'm more than content, they're closer ) Now, it may be interesting to see, independant of the manufacturer, if the involvement of Werner Stengel is not more of a criterion as to which ride is boring or not... which seem to coincide with the date you mentionned about B&M's recent boredom... opinion that I respect, of course (even if not shared... Black Mamba is quite recent and even if not extreme, I wouldn't say it's boring...)

Just as I cannot the "hatred" against Verbolten, I can also not understand the (let's choose our words carefully, and please keep in mind I'm writing in a foreign language right now, be indulgent before you throw stones at me/ delete my post) amount of criticism about the incredible (yep, I said it, and I'm not even ashamed of being in love with B&M) Leviathan either. I have always wanted to be out of this stupid battle the fans have launched between both Swiss manufacturers. Why am I mentionning this ? Just because I think it has become "fashionable" to "almost flame" B&M in favour of the wonderful Intamin goodness... which I appreciate AS MUCH as other enthusiasts, but which I appreciate as much as B&M goodness too. I think Robb was really right saying all coasters don't have to be the next TTD or KK... just the same for new tall coasters (be they hyper or giga)... they do NOT all have to be the next Bizarro (which incidentally I found poor, and utterly overrated, but don't kill me yet...it's just PERSONAL opinion) Some will prefer ejector, some will prefer floater, some will prefer loops, some will prefer roughness...Another thing about B&M and their "forcelessness"... I DO agree some of the most recent I have ridden were just "meh" Patriot, Hydra, ... could go on a lot with B&M's that did NOT impress me. It's not a bad coaster manufacturer though: I really think they build what their customers want them to build. Ride Khan, Kumba, Nemesis, Batman the Ride among others... they can't be considered lame, I think. I'm aware I will definitely appear as someone who wants to defend a tribe... then this may surprise you: I WANTED Port Aventura's new coaster to be an Intamin (Goliath and Expedition Geforce are my favourite non looping coasters... WAY above Nitro, Appollo's Charriot, Silverstar... So am I biased ? I honestly do not think so... I just think B&M's are best at some stuff (I guess everyone knows what my favourite coaster / looper is, by now), just as Intamin are the best at other stuff. They compliment each other nicely imho. Back on topic: I would love to ride Verbolten too, even if it's more family oriented (I got 2 kids and enjoy anything, now) and I am curious to see bigger badder Zierer coasters being built, but this wouldn' make me cross the Atlantic, whereas Levi WOULD (and definitely WILL in the future) I wonder how many of those people "unimpressed with overrated Leviathan" will flock to the park for the Bash which is more than likely to be organized on Leviathon tour... a bit paradoxical, isn't it ? PS: you'll notice I criticise NO manufacturer, and criticise no fan of either company... just expressing a point of view about the topic. I also thought a ride could be (over/under) rated after it had been ridden... Overhyped, that's something else. Don't forget the appearance of a coaster has NOTHING to do with how it rides... that's how Mean Streak < Blue Streak, Nemesis > Alpengeist, Dutch Goliath > Bizarro (I hear teeth grinding already, but keep in mind it's my dorky opinion only) No one can tell if Levi will be lame/tame or if will turn out better than you thought

Acyually, you live for rollercoasters, and I believe that there is not a single one for 2012 that you not look forward to ride. Oh, that's about the biggest line of crap ever! I live for women too, but I wouldn't bang every single one of them. (ok, I would, but I'd have to really get really liquored up for some!) Or some would have to really get liquored up for you ! J/K of course, sexy Robb

It's going To Bagatelle, a small park in Northern France, where it will be called Triops. It's the first real thrill machine they're adding. Here is the ad

Very cool pictures of a very cool fair. I lovethis "Kirmesse" and Herne is the place where I rode Eurostar several times. I'm not sure how many times Olympia landed here. Anyway, I hit this at night with 2 fellow TPR members (besties Nick and Chris) while we were on a coaster road trip in Belgium / France / Holland / Germany. My purpose is of course NOT to hijack your thread but I thought you might want a couple of night time pictures of some of the rides and the beer tents which are MUCH MUCH FUN !!! look at the atmosphere... it's no Oktoberfest but can give you a "little taste" of the happy drunkenness of German popular events. As a matter of fact, you'll realize the older people are (oldJJman, are you reading ? , the more fun they seem to have. Alcohol might play a role though. ok, it's not Oktoberfest, but it's REALLY an essential element of Cranger Kirmesse too people flocking in Pump auf das Bier ! Heute abend werden wir alle getrunken sein ! there's no age to have fun ! Jeff Johnson, get on a plane ! what are those rings I see in the distance ? <3 that was after our EXCLUSIVE RIDE WITH LIGHTS OUT !

Comums seem to be anodized metallic grey, from some of the pictures on the site and the video linked above. I woud have expected the hyper and Khan to share the same supports' colour, just the track differing them. But I still think the white part may really look great in the sunny sky of Costa Dorada. It will probably shine a lot and make contrast in the very blue sky, and (ok, far fetched) symbolize the eternal snows of the Himalaya ?

Fantastic update and report, as usual, Jason. I've never been to this park but from what I see, even people walking on the parking lot will have an awesome view. What part of the layout are those footers near the trees the park has cleverly decided to keep ? a tall part of the track or more "close to the ground" ? In any case, it will be fun th see trains flying by in the morning arriving at the park, or going back to your car... it's definitely not a parking lot coaster, but due to its size, I expect it to be a show in itself even from outside the park.

No matter if this drop is 299, or 300 or 306 or 310 feet. No matter if it is 75 , 80 or 85 degrees... It's just darn sexy and make me envious of all the lucky Leviathon participants.... This coaster can simply NOT be lame

Thank you for the confirmation. It was high time they took care of this gem which was slowly turning to a brownish shade. A fresh brighter red track will make Khan stand out especially with "Shambhala" above / behind it. Now I hope vertical construction (especially the lift / drop) starts soon. I'm very excited at Levi's pictures but will probably be even more with this one since I've booked my stay on property with the kids for August

I do not speak Spanish but I tried to decipher what was written on the site all the pics come from, and in someone's comment, I THINK I have understood that they're going to paint Khan this week while they're at it with the cranes. Can anyone who is familiar with this language confirm ? (German / French / Dutch = ok but I can only say crude dirty things in Spanish lol)

And while this is getting built, we -poor Europeans- are still waiting for our first Giga to happen one day... I'm so envious of it. I think it's uneasy to imagine the scale of it all, just because of the XXL spine on the lift / drop but once on top, the view will just be extraordinary... once again: wow...

Hello folks. I know it is NOT a roller coaster but I thought you might be interested in having a look at this contemporary sculpture, currently exposed in Duisburg, Germany. This is a sculpture pedestrians can actually walk on, however, it is not allowed to give a try at negociating the loop. The original article said even Hussein Bolt wouldn't make it through the loop if he wanted I think this is something that would do well at City Museum St Louis, wouldn't it ?

^Welcome to the world of coaster enthusiasts... I am one and am not ashamed. Is it bad, doctor ?

I rode it it its first year and it was an EXCELLENT very intense (think BTR) coaster. The overbank between the loop and the inline twist was comparable to Nemesis' "helix". The inline itself was very "snappy" (like old B&M zero G's) and the downwards helix at the end (before the brake run) was a nice ending too. HOWEVER, I rode it some years later (in one of its last touring years) and it had aged BAD. Even the cross ties reinforcements didn't help: this ride became shaky. But still intense and rideable though. I remember getting a chip of iron falling from the mid course brake run right into my face ! Felt sooo safe LOL. But I would ride it again with no hesitation

^^ here's another one since you seem to like them...

^got your point, but "rushing" ? They 've let this SBNO for 3 seasons already ! IF (capital letters) it reopens in 2013, they'll have taken 5 YEARS to fix it...

I also believe this "train delivery delay story" is just another excuse for NOT bringing anything new for seasons. In my previous post, I forgot to mention that at this fan day, they ALSO said that there would be no new major ride at the park till 2015 !!! because as they said it themselves: the park does NOT need that, and attendance is high enough ! SHAME. At best, it was said that a new film for the 4D theater could happen, but not much more... really: Walibi Joke, the park.

^I do enjoy observing the changing views during inversions: TWSS !!! (I do too, Laura On a sadder note now... It seems this park's purpose is to get on my nerves with teasing me about my Anton gem. There was a Fanday at walibi Belgium last week, and it was heard that while they are REALLY working on Turbine now, it seems they are not even sure it will be ready for 2012 because Compagnie des Alpes was late in accepting to allow a budget to it, and it seems they now need a new train to run on it... so it might be 2 0 1 3 !!!!! (what did they do with the train they purchased from Bobbejaanland when they closed Looping Star ?) After the several year long "Vertigo" comedy, it's the once crown coaster of the park to put shame on the park's management. I have tried to avoid falling in the easiness of criticizing this park like lots of people do, but I won't be able to deny evidence any longer... Walibi Belgium is becoming a JOKE of its own.