coolhandluke

^Robb's Manhattan Express Video Nice report! It's also refreshing to see a few landmarks/tourist spots that aren't coasters every now and then.

^It must gives you a bit of amnesia as well. I'm still curious about the wing dip effect and how that'll work, particularly if they are going to have a "splash" effect or just "slice" through the water.

^From what I've heard HHN has been a bit to blame for the delay in vertical construction. But also remember, Manta will have a ton of theming added to it, including live animals. HRRR won't have near as extensive theming to it (from what I've heard).

^^^People are just trying to hold true to Wes' "LIFE CYCLE OF A 'NEW COASTER' THREAD ON TPR". But they don't have a "crudely done 3D video", so we can only use a more-crudely done 2D photo. ^Agreed. And it's not like they could've built a second Tatsu even if they wanted to. They don't have the elevation change to make a 120+ft pretzel loop, much less in the second half of the ride after it loses some momentum. I'm really pleased with what they have. After all, Kraken and Kumba and Great White and Steel Eel all appear to be fairly "generic" and "run-of-the-mill" layouts. I don't hear a lot of complaints about those.

^^I loved those updates. Your near-death experiences make these US parks seem so...safe...and boring. I'm curious to see how T Express does with those voters coming from the China trip. From what I've read here virtually everyone put it top 3...will it top the other Intamin pre-fabs? And the fact that the Golden Tickets fail to recognize a Balder-El Toro lovechild in even their top 50 is enough proof that their lists are basically BS. My top steel is Maverick, with Primeval Whirl at the bottom. Clearly, I need to ride a lot more terrible coasters, but I don't think I will ever enjoy a Reverchon.

There's been some discussion going on about Sasquatch here. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46308&highlight=great+escape+2009

^Sometimes I jump in, but I'm sure to do it respectfully and in a way that doesn't sound snobbishly arrogant. Like for the TTD example, I'd mention that the magnets weren't the case on this coaster, though he's absolutely right that a lot of coasters utilize magnetic launches, like Wicked Twister and Maverick. I think it's OK to correct people, but there is certainly a right way and a wrong way to do it. And to contribute to the topic of the thread, at KI earlier this year (though still after the Diamondback announcement), I heard a group of people wondering why KI would "waste their money and add concrete flowerpot columns in the walkway...?"

Don't forget that Great White is a shortened B:TR, and not quite an *exact* clone. Less track but the same elements equals an even more intense version of an already intense layout. Some other TRs on the site affirm this.

Oh, God no. Shamu would have a tough time performing on concrete instead of water.

Celebration City in 2003? Oh, wait... The original DCA in 2001? Oh, wait...(Ok, maybe it didn't fail, but it wasn't really successful) Of the major parks, I have to go back to IOA and Animal Kingdom in 1999 (AK in April, IOA in May). Unless I'm missing an obvious one... It's a shame the park isn't going to be around, as I think I would've enjoyed myself there for a day. But with regards to the high-up people of the park, I don't have any remorse or sympathy. I wasn't really all that knowledgeable on the whole scenario, but just reading the stuff on here got me prepared to mark HRP off as a "would've liked, but won't get the chance" place. I look forward to the ensuing "Geauga-esque" garage sale of rides in the coming months/years.

^And that's the beauty of them...they show exactly what the ride experience truly is, not what it's supposed to be or made out to be. I might even enjoy your POVs with comments more than a silent one, just because I can't tell how enjoyable/smooth/intense/fun the ride is without your eloquent Tourette's interjections . And they easily beat out a review of the layout. Even something as simple as "Holy crap, this ride is good" (Pyrenees) is more effective for me than any play-by-play guy who feigns enjoyments no matter what. Basically, your POVs are genuine. Genuine is good.

Generally, I'm not a fan of "play-by-play" commentary during the POV. However, I do find a big difference between the "play-by-play" commentary and a person's reactions during the ride. I enjoy hearing reactions on the POVs much, much more than a monotonous run-through of the elements. It gives me a better idea of how the actual experience of the ride is, not just the layout. Prime example would be Robb's Manhattan Express POV. I learned more about that ride from Robb's reactions than I ever could from a commentary. "Oh, holy an*l-sex-sheep-s**t-f**king-monkey-bastard s**t..."

First odd number with a 7.

^^Not quite. On another note, I felt a bit depressed seeing that second picture ^. I really hope they replace those trees. But yay for the top of the lift! And as much as I love Millie's drop, I think a mile of airtime hills will outweigh one prolonged "HOLY SHIT!" moment.

^I found this in the 2008 FAQ page. I'm assuming it still applies to 2009 trips. On another note, I have been crunching numbers like a madman recently trying to find out if either Deep South or Texas is manageable on top of college. I'll probably send in the initial fee to be safe, and go from there. I'm hoping my school-less month of December provides me with a nice income.

^And she probably isn't as naive about coasters as Leno seemed to be. She tends to hold a series of shows each year at Universal Orlando and rides Hulk (and DD?) herself. So you know she may not slam your hobby as hard as Leno

That has got to be one of the best photo captions on this site. Though I've learned to exepct a lot from your reports, and this didn't disappoint. I must admit it took me a while to understand and appreciate the video, but the more I watched, the more I realized how difficult it is for me to wander through a maze like that with almost no change of emotion. Great job on the pics and the video!

^But they are all coherent, thought-out, well-constructed posts that contribute to the conversation at hand. No one ever remembers those.

^And its sister post...

I've heard it was on Chiller the year before they took out the zero-Gs as well. But that wasn't a good thing either...Yeah, you're right. And about Medusa having no chance at revenge because of Perseus, please remember that the Hydra was slain by Hercules, but that didn't stop it from having its revenge... I wouldn't be surprised with Goliath. Since Viper was already used.

Awesome. Something like this was alluded to earlier when the "Spider of Doom" visited the ride. Screamscape actually called this, but then blew it off: I'm wondering what all the new transformation will entail. It said the Greek Mythology theme is leaving, so new name as well? This could essentially be a brand new coaster to the GP (if they fail to see the X-->X2 change...) I'm glad my trip up there in September fell through! Can't wait for next year!

Well there goes Wildcat, Great Bear, S:UF, B:TR, and every kiddie coaster on the planet. And Thunderhead and Raven and Nemesis (among many others). But Balder survives by 10 feet 6 inches!

So it's both basic and unusual? I'm not sure you actually meant to say that. But it sounds like you would have preferred a usual ride...? Like a clone...? ^I disagree SO MUCH with your 3500 ft rule. I'm from that state where more than half of our adult woodies are over a mile long. And yet the 2550-ft Blue Streak is the best wood in the state (besides Beast at night, IMO). I'd easily trade 2 of our massive wood monstrosities for one Terminator.

This looks like a solid addition. Actually, the biggest complaint I have is about the way they chop up the offride and onride video segments in the animation (I prefer to watch one way straight through). Like others, I'm a bit curious about the theme, but I can't imagine it hurting the ride in any way. Besides, the world could always use some more GCI & Millennium Flyers.

^^Sometimes Maverick just slows down a bit on the brakes before the launch without stopping, then enters the launch for an additional burst. I suppose it could still kill the cohesiveness of the 2 halves of the ride, but it certainly isn't near as halting as the complete stop. As for the topic question, my favorite aspect of the ride is airtime, followed closely by sense of speed, both of which can be found on either wood or steel coasters. I have yet to ride any noteworthy wood (Beast and Blue Streak are my tops...ouch...), so I can't use any testimonials there (though Beast does fulfill my sensation of speed fix). As for steel, I think a lot of the previously mentioned rides are well-critiqued. Also, I thoroughly enjoy indoor coasters, especially launched indoors (a la FoF or RnR), once again, for their sensation of speed.