CoasterComet

I'm sure they look at the coaster geek sites like this one, but I would think a more legitimate form... like letters, filled out forms at Guest Relations and phone calls/emails would get more of an audience on their side (the park's side). Although I'm all for "big grassroots campaigns" there is a step before that. It doesn't have to be an ALL/NOTHING thing. You don't have to go to an extreme to get a point across. Letters, emails, forms at GR, calls... (OK now I'm repeating, sorry)

Look at all these *GREAT* suggestions and ideas from people that know how this stuff works - US! We ride all the time, we observe, compare and critique operations. Many of us have spent several or more seasons operating rides... SO... who's gonna write the park a formal letter? Who's gonna call the park? If presented in a logical and polite fashion, your suggestions can *really* help. Or should we just all spend more time behind our monitors? Every little bit helps...

I am about 100% sure that if they had a single rider queue (the kind where you sit where you are told, and that's that...) they would have full trains continuously. Some people don't care, they just wanna ride...

Great report! Did you let the park know your concerns about capacity on Skyrush? It's really *OK* if we, as coaster geeks (whether or not we are representing a coaster club) take the time to give the park constructive criticism. It could HELP them. If they don't get letters, calls and probably most importantly those filled out forms at guest relations - then they will remain complacent. There is a way to complain in a very polite and nice way. Fill out the forms, write the letters. Don't be in the "Well... I don't like to complain" lemming/spineless crowd. Let them know. Trust me, you would be doing everyone a favor.

Hrm... I think this would just place the pain somewhere else - the tender shoulder/collar bone area. I had bruising and pain from I-305, Maverick, and Fahrenheit from their obnoxious shoulder noodles (yes, I rode I-305 with the new backpack-like soft noodles. The result is a displacement of comfort; you get held DOWN and BACK, as well). Shoulder noodles have NEVER been the solution for a coaster... I think a "part of the solution" compromise would be to add a large amount of super-padding to the lap bar. In my defense, I never said that. No defense needed my friend I think I just hit the "quote" button a couple pages back.

Hrm... I think this would just place the pain somewhere else - the tender shoulder/collar bone area. I had bruising and pain from I-305, Maverick, and Fahrenheit from their obnoxious shoulder restraints (yes, I rode I-305 with the new backpack-like soft restraints. The result is a displacement of comfort; you get held DOWN and BACK, as well). Shoulder restraints have NEVER been the solution for a coaster... I think a "part of the solution" compromise would be to add a large amount of super-padding to the lap bar.

So you want to neuter the coaster for comfort? I wouldn't exactly say it that way... But I will say that I would MUCH rather have the type of airtime on Cyclops where I can still enjoy comfort and the "I'm gonna fly out" thrill over the "my eyes are going to rip out of the top of my head" - while being stapled, feeling.

Have you ridden Cyclops in the back seat? Thats *real* airtime; is it really *airtime* if you are stapled to the seat? I think it's *upward forces* - isn't that was Great Adventure used to call it? The 2nd to last bunny hop on the new Zippin Pippin in Wisconsin has the most violent/ejector moment of air time I have ever come across. It's almost too much. It left seat belt bruises on my outer thighs. Has anyone else experienced that? The new Zippin Pippin, not the old one in Memphis (which was great too, especially with the old buzz bars.. but that 2nd to last speed bump on the new one was a *goodie* thrown in by Gravity Group I believe.) Skyrush sounds great, cannot wait to ride. Although, from looking at the pictures, I have also wondered why the bottoms of the lap bars weren't designed with more surface area to absorb all the upward force generated (more like the B&M clamshell)... At a certain point, the negative G's surpass the point of fun, and venture into just plain discomfort. Too much of anything is not good. Especially when the damn restraint becomes tighter and tighter. Would it be a *fair* trade off to back off the -G's just a *hair* and then supply a little more room in the seats to move up and down?

Hanno, does the ride have seat belts? I can't see any in the pictures. That makes me think - does any GCI NOT have seat belts?

Can't wait to see how BB develops. I've been eagerly awaiting the day when another park could see the "Holiday World Treatment." I do wonder what they will do with the weird, out of place walkway back to Twins, etc.

Thanks Shane! That picture of Revolution on the 4th hill, alone, could hold me forever. Well,.... not as much as a ride on it back then, but you know. Great pictures

Thank you for posting this! More, indeed. Shockwave is top 5 steel for me, but Mind Bender (Six Flags Over Georgia) is def #1. Tops most woodies I've ridden. I often say these 2 Anton's are like "a very smooth woodie with loops." Basically, the best of all worlds. Simple, to the point. Pacing, check. Comfort, check. Perfect loops and airtime, check. The new "Intamin" rides are nice, but don't hold a candle to these old Anton/Intamin creations. Those new T-lap bars suck. I also love how these Anton rides have 'give' in them; you can get a smooth ride but still feel the wheels leaving the track and landing back down - softly. I'm glad they are constantly rehabbing Shockwave (and Mind Bender!) and keeping them fresh and lubed. Shocker has had several horrid paint jobs consecutively. Those trains and track deserve a great paint job; my favorite was when the track was silver with blue supports and blue trains. Here is a little 'tribute' video I did a while back to all things Shockwave: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2437125800376&set=vb.1018652629&type=2&theater

^No, they are not taking it out. It's a tribute b/c I love the ride. Maybe I used the wrong title....

A video compilation I put together paying tribute to several types of Shockwaves: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2437125800376&set=vb.1018652629&type=2&theater Shockwave construction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC2EFNMTs5k Shockwave commercial, 1978: http://www.youtube.com/user/TiggerCoaster?feature=mhee#p/u/6/X3LjvHEdbg0 And here is a video I put together as a tribute to Palisades Park and Blondie: http://www.youtube.com/user/TiggerCoaster?feature=mhee#p/u/8/tl4vMPnghgI Hope you all enjoy.

I think Turbine will eventually roll! With some much loved steel coasters (Whizzer, Mind Bender, Shockwave) outliving their projected "service-life" of 30 years, I don't see why not. Parts (trains, track, everything) can be rebuilt (Mack was contacted about building a new identical Whizzer). Of course it costs money, but has proven to be worth it, in some special cases

The first generation Anton shuttles with the weight drop - they don't have the same take off acceleration, but I prefer them as it's a strange feeling of speeding at the rate of dropping. It's got a nice natural feel to it. We have plenty artificial/super high intensity take offs now. Just b/c it's faster or newer, doesn't always mean it's better

Can't wait, Shane. I have gotten hours and hours (weeks!) of enjoyment from all your attic stuff! Keep up the great work

^^DDD = Dare Devil Dive?

^Thank you Chuck! Very kind of you my friend!

Thanks to Robb and TPR for a nice hefty donation! The donation lines are still open - I've gotten from $2 to $100 - no donation is too small or too large! Thanks everyone

Hey everyone, I'll be on the RACER at KI on the 24th raising money so very sick children can enjoy an Orlando vacation. Any help would be great, it's quick and easy. And of course, if you can't help, wishes and prayers always work! http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/BillyO/coastingforkids-kingsisland Thanks, Billy

Mind Bender (SFOG) Legend (HolidayWorld) Thunderbolt (Kennywood) Phoenix Magnum XL-200 Oh yeah!!!! Magic Mountain (such a GREAT park name seems to be a thing of the past, THANKS six flags...)

ADMIN EDIT - VIDEO LINK REMOVED. PLEASE NOTE THAT CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON COASTERS AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA. IN ORDER TO FILM ON A ROLLER COASTER AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA, YOU NEED PERMISSION FROM THE MANAGEMENT AT THE PARK OR THE PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE. "RIDE OP PERMISSION" IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, SORRY. From the Scorpion BGT Website:

^Uhhh.... aren't you forgetting a couple? Scorpion, awesome powerful and rare Anton lap-bar only looper. Gwazi... with new trains to boot! I could pass up most B&M's. However, the ones at the Busch parks do seem to be very special. When Goliath at SFOG was new, had one ride, then spent the day on Mindbender. The B&M's just kinda all feel the same to me - but I know they are good rides, very popular, efficient, etc.

^I hear ya, and appreciate the support Pretty much, for a serious alcoholic like me, it would be like a crack addict trying to stay clean around people smoking alotta crack (yes I did that too, in order to drink more booze). Sure, booze is social and accepted (and should be enjoyed) but at the levels I see it being 'enjoyed' in the TPR events (and the stories I have heard) it wouldn't be comfortable for me. It's ok, there is alot for me to do; the one day TPR visit to SFGAm this past summer was great! Everyone was very friendly. Plus, I still love ACE and am happy with those events as well. So many make fun of ACE, but where would all these other newer clubs be, if there was never an ACE?