coolhandluke

Oops, I posted on your other CP KI thread before noticing this... KI has many decent rides, most of which are fun for the first couple times you ride them. CP has many decent rides plus 6-7 standout rides (as you've noticed, I'm sure) which are always fun. If you had ridden Maverick and Raptor your first time, I'd say KI all the way. But those two rides change it (as mentioned by others). I think that is a testament to their quality in itself! Despite being three times as far away and (all expenses considered) about $80 more expensive (for a college kid, that's a ton!), I'm planning a CP trip. And I've already ridden those 2 rides!

I would say it depends on what you'd like to do at the park. If you want new credits, go to KI, they have plenty. If you want to revisit a great experience and try two rides almost everyone holds in high regard, you might want to head back to Sandusky. At KI, Beast is a MUST at night. Although 99% of ppl hate SOB, I enjoyed it and didn't find it rough. Firehawk is smooth (despite its maker) and fun (the loop in the back row is pretty forceful too). Face/Off's forces made me literally drool as I lost control of my facial functions on the reverse trip (oops, it's Invertigo now). Flight Deck (ugh, what a name...) is really short, but most ppl really enjoy it. Flight of Fear is enjoyable, and nothing super intense. Vortex is pretty standard for an Arrow looper in terms of roughness, and fairly uninspired with back to back loops, then double corkscrew, then batwing. I can't vouch for Reptar and Adventure Express, or Fairly Odd (I haven't been on that in about 12 years...) So take that (plus what others say about KI), and compare it to your time at CP plus the hype about Raptor and Maverick (as it is ALL true!). As I said, it comes down to what you'd want to do at the park. I wish you luck in your decision!

Eh, don't get your hopes up too much. Cedar Point has many stand out, unique coasters. Kings Island...not so much. They have a bunch of good to decent clones with two unique woodies, one in a good way and one for...well... If you had a great time at CP without hitting a couple of the big names, though, you certainly seem to be able to make the best out of your situation. Kudos to you for that! Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed KI (and I am one of a few who enjoyed SOB), and I hope you do too. Just don't expect a bunch of MF and TTD quality rides.

^ Then something like Gemini, as that has twice as many tracks to accomodate riders?

Busch Gardens America...themed to different states (Florida, Oklahoma, California, Alaska, Hawaii). That could work. Oh, if it's in Dubai, North Dakota, DC then they wouldn't theme it to our home state. Nevermind. China? Is that a foreign enough city?

^ Is there really only one path over the road that runs through the park? And the two "double T" rides should leave eventually. Maybe an Intamin pre-fab where Twisted Twins is and a Batman invert where T2 is? Over the next several years, of course. That'd make 3 (or 4 with GL) big-name coasters, a few decent supporting rides, and (from what I hear) a really good waterpark. This really isn't a lost cause of a park.

^I think you hit the nail on the head. Busch is selling BGA to Cedar Fair, and building the Aquatrax they were supposed to put where Maverick is. Naming it Coaster With Water Around It, as "Aquatrax" itself is too cool of a name. I mean, it wouldn't have anything to do with Jungala or the Sea World coaster construction, so that must be it.

^, ^^, ^^^ AMEN! I never go to a park without them, just like my wallet and keys. What's unfortunate is when you go with someone wearing athletic shorts, so any ride with more inverted-ness or airtime than a HUSS frisbee means you're suddenly responsible for their stuff as well...

^LOL! They *almost* had a perfect opening...

While that may have been easier, that would've added precious weight to the trains, one of the biggest driving forces behind the changes they're making. I agree it would solve problems about being able to hear the music, but it just wouldn't be practical to add all that weight after working so hard to minimize the weight of the cars.

I remember reading about the slides that go through the dolphin exhibit and the fish display on the lazy river (I think it's the lazy river...?). Those look awesome. Can't wait for the whole report!

^It is, but that doesn't make it uninteresting. Hell, I wish I could travel enough to do one of my own. Well done, and good staging, setup, and timing of some of the scenes.

^Part of the theming on Furius Baco. It's set in a winery/vineyard.

^Try one page ago... Sure, Led Zeppelin doesn't seem too inspired in terms of design, but it wasn't made specifically as a "blow you away" coaster. It was made to be a fun, solid coaster (and it's B&M, so odds are it will be). What sets it apart is the way it fits into the park, most notably with the Led Zeppelin theming and, something people seem to overlook, the ON-BOARD MUSIC. Sure, it's not completely original, but it does provide a great sensation to the overall experience. I agree, this is a park enthusiast's park, not a coaster enthusiast's park, but Led Z. does have more thought in terms of overall experience than people seem to give it credit for.

Haha, that reporter sounded like a typical member of the GP during the animations (calling the camelback the lift hill and subsequent decline the 75-degree drop, the "big slow down", etc). Not that I expected him to be as knowledgeable as the members on here, but it still makes me smile when an "Average Joe" takes me on a run-through of a coaster. Impressive, that B&M constructer has pieced together 14 other coasters...I can't help but wonder which ones and if this is indeed his largest undertaking yet...

^Like the 4th Deja Vu credit (Stunt Fall), the 4th Top Gun credit uses a pseudonym. It makes sense.

Wow, thank you for starting this! I'm trying to plan a small trip through Pennsylvania and SFGAdv as well (though I can't hit all the parks you hope to go to). I didn't want to start a thread as I don't know what parks I could hit yet, but your trip covers all my options! I'll be watching this thread carefully. Also, if I find anything I know to share.

^Easy there. He is right. But I'm looking forward to seeing this Norwegian Loop go up. In the animation (yes, I realize it's NoLimits) it seems to really pitch you to the right as you enter the loop on top before flipping you around and under to the left. I'm curious to see if there is a noticeable roll to the outside before dropping or if that was just a NoLimits animation mishap.

It has to be the world's tallest, fastest, most natural log flume. They wouldn't even have to theme it any more than it already is. Just redirect a small portion of the river water to the side and set up a 167-ft tall log flume. Case Closed.

^ The way I listed the criteria, I agree. I did a pretty bad job relating exactly what the site said, as I'm sure the actual lists worded the stuff differently so kiddie coasters are covered by the lists. Again, this is a subjective interpretation, as are all coaster definitions. I just wish I could remember where I saw it...

I know I read somewhere online a fairly accurate description of what constitutes a roller coaster, though unfortunately I can't remember where. But the article/web page said that (in their opinion) a roller coaster had to meet seven of eight characteristics they listed. I know the following characteristics were included, though they may be written or grouped differently: A lift or launch to start the coaster High speeds Quick changes in direction Noticeable changes in elevation Other various elements (like inversions) Powered by gravity Predetermined route on a track Again, this is in no way a definite definition (and the lists are probably worded better than my version as well), but when I found it I thought it was a good general characterization of a roller coaster.

^^Didn't Cedar Fair SAVE FoF from being moved? Or did I read that wrong? And Dominator was the highlight of Geauga Lake--unless it got extremely messed up on the truck trip it should be perfectly fine (it's a B&M after all). Kings Dominion is not a bad park, nor is beloved Volcano in any apparent danger. I never had the opportunity to ride Hyper. And while people say good riddance and say I am lucky for never riding it, it is much easier to say that after being on it. For someone who has never experienced it, I wanted to try it, despite knowing I would never want to ride it again. It's just that whole thing about "letting people decide for themselves". I rode SOB at KI and (ready?) ENJOYED IT. [GASP] But oh well, I won't lose any sleep over it.

Even without counting the kiddies, I've still missed a decent number. My problem is that, although I'd love to get all the credits, I can never seem to justify passing up a great ride for a "meh" coaster just so I can say I rode it. Cedar Point--Wildcat, Disaster Transport, Blue Streak (I really regret skipping Blue) Kings Island--Reptar, Adventure Express, Italian Job Also, back when coasters scared the crap out of me, Dollywood--Tennessee Tornado (Thunderhead was in the process of being built). I did do Blazing Fury though.

Definitely Kings Island and Cedar Point (opening day...?) Wherever my family vacation is, I will go to the park around there (looking like BGE or Hard Rock Park as the finalists). I'm also planning a summer trip to Princeton NJ to visit a friend, so Hersheypark and SFGAdv would be on the docket. I would add more, but finances probably won't allow it.

We discussed the corkscrews on page 2. They aren't actually interlocking, just intersecting. And there are like 15 Vekoma Boomerangs made before 1992 that had "boomerangs," which are Vekoma's cobra rolls. But yes to the other two. Wicked Twister--Cedar Point: firts double-twisted impulse coaster (and first impulse to exceed 200ft in height.