CoasterLine

^ The 'puffballs' are seeds from Cottonwood trees, and the bugs are Muffleheads. All too common around Cedar Point early on in the year.

I haven't really been following this thread so I am not sure if this has been discussed previously or not, but either this is a new model or Maurer Söhne has updated the Xtended SC 2000 a tad bit. From what I can see the the turn right before the first block brake has been banked (where it was previously flat on other models), a drop out of the 2nd block brake (rather than a turn then decline down into the turn going into the "trick track" section), and a new ending section after the 4th block brake. Different drop out of the 2nd block brake (rather than a turn then decline down into the turn going into the "trick track" section), and a new ending section after the 4th block brake. Turn right before the first block brake has been banked.

Yes. It is the exit/gift shop, similar to Mavericks exit. On a side note, the trains keep shuffling, but no sign of full-testing yet.

Found this on one of my tech blogs that I read fairly often. Thought it would be enjoyed here. [vimeo] [/vimeo]

Waldameer says theirs is 140'. I love these ARM rides better than S&S. With the plate over your head blocking upward view, and no stop between upward and downward, I love it. The northern facing seats on X-Scream are awesome because of the view over Presque Isle, and how the sound of the park below completely drowns out as you travel up (mainly due to being in one of the most remote places in the park). Great choice for Knoebels!

This is a great recreation. Setting and support work is right on the money, though I probably wouldn't have used an prefab supports at all, but compared to the custom work, that isn't a fault at all. The only thing I see in the recreation that is a miss from the real thing are the snappy transitions. I lot of the banking is too fast, as MF has very smooth transition in banking, no quick flips into a bank, as well as there being a more flat (no banking) area after the first overbank. Other than that, great job!

Some track and supports are waiting to ship to Cedar Point...

It might be that the lease nullifies or retains a shelf-life on transfer of property ownership. I know a lot of stuff like leases retain grandfathering, but it might have been in their lease that the property was only leased while current ownership retained the property, or some other clause allowing new ownership to either renew the lease, or boot them. Not really too sure, but sounds like that could be the case.

Here is the diagram of the total property of the park... The green area has been is an area that has been in "purchase" discussion for years, from what I've heard. This green area would add about 12.5 acres to the overall footprint which would make the total park around 64.5 acres, over the current 52 acres (once the Inn purchase is closed) This is very exciting for the park, and the area. The park had started to become very landlocked and this is a great way to add more space, as well as make new avenues for new rides while retaining the feel of the current park. I can't wait to see how all of this turns out.

Here you go: http://www.goerie.com/article/20120923/NEWS02/309229901/Waldameer-to-buy-motel-build-wave-pool

So you mean Montezooma's Revenge?

AJ, why are they moving Scrambler, rather than placing the Music Express in the Hoop Shot location? I would think the Music Express would have a smaller footprint than the Scrambler does (especially with the spacing/gap between ride rotation and the outside fences). Is this to open up more of the midway for better traffic flow? I have noticed that the small space between the Scrambler fence and the Dodgems to be kind of a jam sometimes on busy days. Any words on the restaurant/eating area planned for the old merry-go-round pavilion? I know that it has been discussed for a while now... just curious.

If it was handled through a sort of "ATM" type machine, it wouldn't be as nightmare-ish, I wouldn't believe. I'm not arguing for a refund system, I am just stating that I believe some sort of refund system (even if it was over "X" amount) might lead for more spending. All matter of theory rather than a study in practice. In all fairness, the cashless system is really the only "major" thing happening at Waldameer this year, and is the main discussion. Only so much can be said about any other addition to the park this year. This really is the main discussion point of this season. There are no new rides to really discuss, and there isn't much to be said about a new train, and new braking system for the Comet...

While I still have two "Wally Cards" in my wallet with money/points left on it that I haven't finished using yet, I feel this new system is beneficial to the park in terms of being adequately compensated for rides. I know many times throughout my childhood that I would go to the park, purchase 6 ride tickets and ride almost every ride in the park due to operators being negligent of collecting tickets, or checking me for a wristband at all, let alone the correct one. Me alone, as a kid, cost the park revenue in free rides (of which I look back on negatively that my immaturity made me think this was at all a morally correct thing to do), let alone the others that ever did the same thing. Luckily the park continued to thrive and continues to grow. While I can see this system being the correct thing to do for rides, I don't think that arcade games and refreshment stands should operate solely on a cashless system. I do not see the benefit in that, as arcade games are not a system that you could really "cheat," in terms of playing without paying, and the cashless system alone in stands won't really stop attendants from handing out anything for free that they weren't before (possibly to friends, family, etc.) Rides to me fit perfectly into the barcode/card system, but others seem more of an extreme to me that didn't need to be touched. I feel like this will lead to less of the "impulse" plays on the midway where people leaving the park might pull out a couple bucks to play a game before they leave, instead forcing them to load a card to play, which might just turn them to say "let's just leave." As for the "no refunds" policy, I feel like this doesn't really affect locals as much as the out-of-towners that might get frustrated being forced to spend the remains of their card, otherwise losing their investment. As I mentioned, I still have two loaded Wally Cards that I know I will be using for rides this coming season, but for people from out of town, any residing money on the cards are pretty much a "park investment" that they will never see a return in, essentially a donation. It would be nice to see a "refund" booth type machine, similar to an ATM, where a card could be inserted, and you can get the money back. I don't see the negatives behind such a machine, other than it doesn't force people to spend money within the park knowing they can get it back afterwards. I feel with said machine, it would allow people to put more money on a card knowing they can get it back. For example, knowing there are no refunds, a person might be more cautious and only load a card with say $10, spending all of it. Where-as if they know they can get back what they don't spend, they might be more apt to load a card with say $30, and actually spend more than the $10 they would normally load with, but still get back some in return if not fully spent. Just my honest opinion.

Also, you have a typo on your sign... it should be "Flying Turns" not "Flying Trurns" correct?

While I'd love to ride a classic woodie in the snow... Nothing yet has beat my experience with the TPR crew on Ravine Flyer night-time ERT two years back in the insane lightning and rain... Felt like a completely fake experience. Never have I even been close to riding a coaster with that much lightning and rain and damn, was it fun

Full awards listing: http://www.goldenticketawards.com/pdfs/2011_golden_ticket_section.pdf

Top 10 Wood Coasters: 1. The Voyage - Holiday World 2. Phoenix - Knoebels 3. El Toro - SFGAdv 4. Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce 5. Thunderhead - Dollywood 6. Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer 7. The Beast - Kings Island 8. Hades - Mt. Olympus 9. Shivering Timbers - Michigan's Adventure 10. Prowler - Worlds of Fun Top 10 Steel Coasters: 1. Millennium Force - Cedar Point 2. Bizarro - SFNE 3. Nitro - SFGAdv 4. Goliath - SFOG 5. Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood 6. New Texas Giant - SFOT 7T. Apollo's Chariot - Busch Gardens Williamsburg 7T. Expedition GeFroce - Holiday Park 9. Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point 10. Magnum XL-200 - Cedar Point

2011 Golden Ticket Award Winners announced at industry event hosted by Holiday World & Splashin' Safari SANTA CLAUS, Ind. — In an awards show hosted today by Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Amusement Today announced the winners of its prestigious 2011 Golden Ticket Awards, which are presented to the "Best of the Best" in the amusement industry. Calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today, the Golden Ticket Awards are the results of a detailed survey that is sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world – in balanced geographical regions – asking them to rate the "bests" in 25 categories such as "amusement parks," "roller coasters," "food," "Halloween and Christmas events" and "water rides." This is the 14th annual year for Amusement Today's coveted Golden Ticket Awards, which are the most sought-after awards in the business of amusements and attractions. The awards have become the subject of much discussion by park aficionados the world over and have garnered mentions in such notable media outlets as USA TODAY and the Chicago Tribune, by venerable radio newsman the late-Paul Harvey and were the topic of a one-hour documentary on the Travel Channel. Personally chosen by Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Today, this year's Publisher's Pick Awards were presented in the categories of Park of the Year and Supplier of the Year. Respectively, the 2011 recipients are Gröna Lund in Stockholm, Sweden, for its rich history and creative ability to thrive despite its small space; and Chance Rides in Wichita, Kan., for its 50 successful years of delivering rides and fun to the amusement industry. The honoree of this year's Legends Series, which pays tribute to an amusement legend who has impacted the industry in a unique way, is Richard L. Kinzel, President and CEO of Cedar Fair, L.P., in Sandusky, Ohio. Kinzel began his storied career in t he amusement industry in 1972 and will retire in January. He has left his mark on the business through his vision, passion and commitment to improving and investing in the Cedar Fair properties. Kinzel is the first living recipient of the Legends Series. For the seventh consecutive year, Amusement Today recognized college students who plan to pursue a career in the amusement industry and are employed by the ceremony's host park of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari and Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Ky., as Ms. and Mr. Golden Tickets. These individuals exemplify the spirit and integrity of the amusement industry by promoting the cornerstones of safety, service, courtesy and cleanliness at the highest level, while consistently exceeding job expectations. This is an annual designation by Amusement Today to promote education in the field of hospitality and amusement. Amusement Today newspaper covers international amusement and waterpark news and trends and in its 15-year history is a five-time winner of various awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. For a detailed outline of the 2011 winners and survey results, please log on to www.goldenticketawards.com. http://www.goldenticketawards.com/award_winners.html Best New Ride: New Texas Giant - SFOT Best New Water Ride: The Falls - Schlitterbahn Best Park: Cedar Point Best Water Park: Schlitterbahn Best Children's Park: Idlewild Best Marine Life Park: SeaWorld - Orlando, Florida Best Seaside Park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Best Indoor Water Park: Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Friendliest Park: Holiday World Cleanest Park: Holiday World Best Shows: Dollywood Best Food: Knoebels Best Water Ride: Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls Best Waterpark Ride: Wildebeest Best Kid's Area: Kings Island Best Dark Ride: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - Islands of Adventure Best Outdoor Show Production: Epcot Best Landscaping: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Best Halloween Event: Universal Orlando Best Christmas Event: Dollywood Best Carousel: Knoebels Best Indoor Coaster: Revenge of the Mummy - Universal Orlando Best Funhouse / Walk-Through Attraction: Noah's Ark - Kennywood

I like their creative usage of both Kingda Ka and X-Flight (SFWoA) footage inside an advertising push for Goliath. X-Flight hasn't been in the chain for years, and Kingda Ka resembles nothing to the rider experience of a suspended. Classy and clever.

What I don't get is how people rant and rave about how good Behemoth is, yet people are complaining about this ride, which is essentially Behemoth on steroids. The coaster was announced. The coaster is being built. Quit complaining. They could be getting nothing for years like MIA. The decision is questionable, sure, but quit complaining about it.