bgwfreak

Lake Winnie has a tilt-a-whirl. I'm not sure about the other ride you mentioned. There's another park I went to this year that had one, I can't remember if it was Beech Bend or Holiday World. Lake Winnie had a great collection of old flats.

Borg has the same layout except that it has corkscrews instead of inline rolls, and also it does not have a helix at the end like the other two do. Since we're talking about Borg and such, I also want to point out that the park put on MAGNETIC brakes for this season!!! It's such a smooth stop on the brake run now!!! Last year I had to push on the leg restraints to reduce the awful jerking motion it caused.

Did they shorten the ride time on Tomb Raider??? It seemed so much shorter this time than it did in 2002 when I was last up there before this May. I still like it, it's just way too short.

Awesome pics and TR!!! Wes "Wishes he had enough money to travel to Europe" Connell

^ I'd actually like to see a park built in Columbia. It's only like 1.5 hours from my house (now that I-485 is finally open to the South). It'd be awesome to have two parks within a short driving distance. I'm 25 minutes from Carowinds. I think we might see it within the next 10 years or so if the Hard Rock park gets off to a good start, maybe we'll see a park in Columbia. I'm so jealous of people that live in PA or CA and have like 7 parks to choose from.

I've been on 3 suspended so far I think and by far Big Bad Wolf blew Iron Dragon and Top Gun out of the water. BBW is actually an intense coaster, without actually beating the crap out of you like Top Gun can do. Top Gun is like being put in a blender at spots. lol

^ I agree. I feel exactly the same way. I've been on S:UF, Batwing and Borg (of course).

He started his company with $40, not Disneyland. I work for Bank of America and basically Bank of America is responsible for Disneyland. Nobody wanted to give him the money, at the time a "theme park" was a radical idea and costed far too much money in their eyes. Well of course Mr. Disney proved everyone wrong when it was a huge success. Basically you need to have some capital (money) of your own, maybe have some rich investors and then get loans as well. Much like everyone else said. It also helps if you're in a region where you wouldn't have too much competition (like you wouldn't open up across the street from SFMM). It's not impossible to do, it's just kind of difficult today with the way the economy has been. But the past year and this year have turned into good years for the amusement industry, so I can see us staying out of the slump if this keeps up. I think the "sting" of 9/11 is over, and most people aren't afraid of terrorists enough to not go on vacation anymore.

B&M all the way!!! I was looking at my Top 10 list (readjusting some things) and like 5 or 6 of my Top 10 are B&Ms!!!

This comes from the Paramount's Carowinds newsletter sent yesterday. They had an article stating the following: Here's the direct link to the AOL list. http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/cityattractions/?page=toptenthemeparkthrills&photo=9 I'm sorry, but this is the 2nd time in recent history that Carowinds has been called "best in the country" for something (there's a list that was done by msnbc.com I believe that said Carowinds was one of the Top 10 parks in the country). I'm not here to berate (sp?) the park and put it down, but I would hardly call Borg a top 10 attraction in the country. Unfortuantley like the ads for the coaster last year, it's a little deceptive saying that the coaster has 8 inversions when it really only has about 5 if you count each flipover as a half inversion like you should. Oh well, I'm glad that the park is getting recognized, it just seems like it's always something for the CP fanboys to make fun of when it does happen. lol And don't take this the wrong way, I love Borg and I'm glad we got it. I just wouldn't rank it up there with Kingda Ka and TTD.

I don't think these have been mentioned yet.. Oaken Bucket from Carowinds ( a rotter ) I loved that ride! Little Rock-N-Roller Coaster from Opryland (hey the kids got to have something to ride) plus it was my first coaster. Chaos - Opryland http://www.rcdb.com/ig164.htm?picture=1 The special effects were cheesy, but it was way ahead of it's time.

Now if SFOG would only learn what customer service and security are.

Let the Road Trip planning begin!!!! If this turns out to be true I'm already planning on renewing my Six Flags pass next year.

Wow again. Wow. I can't believe all the self-operated rides!!! I guess that's how they can afford to run these smaller parks. No having to pay minimum wage to a teen that has a nasty attitude like at certain US parks. lol Have fun and be safe.

Wow Tivoli looks gorgeous. Makes BGW look like a Six Flags, ok maybe not but you catch my drift. Hope you have a good trip. Looks fun! Wes "Wishes he was there" Connell

Carowinds - 25 minutes Jeepers Concord Mills - 15 minutes (does that mean it's my home park?)

This might have already been said but one of the biggest problems is that Vekoma has a gap between the rails and the wheels on the coaster train. As a result you get a lot more bumping around (especially on the SLCs (Supsended looping coaster). T2 is without a doubt the worst coaster ride I've ever had and it's a SLC. Also, it seems that Vekoma has designed all their restraints for maximum headbanging results.

Cool. The gravitron at Beech Bend felt like it was going to fall apart mid-ride. lol :shock: Wes "Misses the old Rotor at Carowinds" Connell

As always, Thunder Road at PC. I usually start my loop at Top Gun and work my way around the park that way and end at TR. http://www.rcdb.com/ig84.htm?picture=2 Sunday is bring a friend day. Yeah crowds!!!

Interestign article. Confirms what I've been hearing about Intamin not have that hot of a safety record. I still think changing the restraints on the hypers was rediculous when the death was caused by the rider and operater, not the design of the coaster or train.

Carowinds isn't the only park that doesn't allow "childless-adults" on the kiddie coasters. I know that PKI and IOA do too. I don't know how but I got lucky one day and got my credit on Taxi Jam, the op looked at me kind of funny but she let me ride. I heard from someone that they started doing it because teenagers were getting on there and scaring the little kids. I tried to ride the PKI version the other week and they wouldn't let me on, no biggie.

Ok let me say first I'm not saying this because I'm a Carowinds fanboy I've been on 3 flyers (Borg, Batwing and Superman - GA) and honestly I think Borg is the best. Borg and the other Vekoma flyers have a much better layout. Although the B&M version is much smoother, but tends to be a bit boring on the layout part. If they did a B&M layout like or similar to the Vekomas, they'd kick (that body part I can't say). lol Plus Borg's first two drops are over a pond, Batwing is over a field and so is Superman. Wow, exciting.

It depends on what type of coaster we're talking about. The Vekomas flying coasters are actually pretty smooth, whereas the Vekoma SLC's make you pray for the ride to be over. Overall I'd say Arrow, but Vekoma does make a few (flyers) that are better.

My suggestion is to go counter-clockwise. They say most people go into a park and hang a right out of habit. Most parks this works well at except for Carowinds (which has a back entrance too) and Dollywood which has Thunderhead to the left of the entrance.

Nice pics You guys have a really nice looking apartment. Where is that Beverly Hills ??? Wes "Suspects that Robb is actually the mastermind behind XBox" Connell Too bad I'm only 3000 miles away give or take a few or I'd join you next time.