CoasterComet

Wow! Enjoy it! I'm in 'recovery' and sad I won't be along for the TPR trips as I can't be around booze at all anymore. Just not a safe place for me. 2.5 years sober this Thursday Have one, or a bottle for me!

^And I want Demon's trains, with their original 3D logo's in-tact

You know what would look REALLY good in Laser's old spot? LASER!!!! Ugh Cedar Fair... Blue streak - Gauga Lake - Laser - John Allen racers .... concrete... ugh!

^Thanks for the reply The gap still looks like you could 'stick a notebook in it' in the summer.

Nice pictures The gap in the Dragster's launch track - does the metal shrink that much in the cold! Wow! Anyone know? I'll never get over the Blue Streak "de-classic-ifying" of 1995. I hope to do an article with pics at some point. Look at all that extra wood on the ride now, due to those heavy PTC 'upgrades'. YUCK!

Thanks for the Scorpion love, aimster. I *heart* Scorpion (or any Anton). Cheetah looks GREAT. Now imagine how it would be with some nice old OTSR-free Intamin trains. mmmmmmmmmmm

Amazing or not, it was certainly more entertaining, interesting and FUN than MOST every B&M I have ridden (minus Great Bear, Kumba, and Apollo's). It was a rough ride, kinda, and could have been greatly improved as the worlds first Arrow suspended to be converted to lap bars only. Imagine that I thought it was kinda lame - the reasons the park gave for taering it down. It was VERY popular...

How about if they can afford to pay to bypass the lines?

I guess my point here is that... if someone REALLY cannot wait in line do to ANY illness (including ADD/ADHD, etc.) AND they have a doctor who is responsible enough to determine that - and honest - then a note from the doctor should be enough to get a go to front of line pass. Many people are told they are ADD/ADHD, but the illness isn't severe enough to warrant a skip the line pass. It's not a black or white issue is a good point. I don't think being labled ADD/ADHD alone is enough - but many people who may be ADD/ADHD may have a list of illnesses (such as PTSD, Touretes, etc.). The doctor should make the determination. Don't you actually need a doctors note to qualify to skip the line anyway?

Saying addiction is not a disease is like saying HIV and diabetes are not diseases, or disabilities. (All reportedly caused by underlying issues, or the 'real problem'). As I type this, I'm a rather normal functioning and healthy adult, devoid of any prescribed medications, etc., etc. Let's say I become depressed over something, and start drinking heavily and regularly to ease the pain........am I now "diseased," or suffering from a weakened mental state? [/devil's advocate] If you start drinking, can't stop and have horrible negative consequences (there are million) such as... anything - loss of job, you blackout and kill someone, have withdrawal seizures... etc. If you continue to drink heavily in light of those negative consequences, you would probably be a real "Addict." People who have compulsive sex due to emotional issues, for example getting depressed over time, and become host to HIV or any other form of disease, are they 'diseased'?

Saying addiction is not a disease is like saying HIV and diabetes are not diseases, or disabilities. (All reportedly caused by underlying issues, or the 'real problem'). ADHD and drug addiction (including the hard drug/narcotic Alcohol and the hard drug Nicotine) are both listed in the DSM - the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Of course most people can have a manageable life on nicotine , and most folks are ok with occasional (or consistently stupid drunk) - but not a REAL (clinically diagnosed) addict. Unfortunately, ADD/ADHD, depression and related have gained much 'popularity' over the past 10 years, especially. All those conditions are not black and white, everything is a continuum. So someone who may joke "yeah im ADD" may have had a doctor (non-Psychiatrist) tell them that, but that same person perhaps hasn't been hospitalized for that condition (or another condition they have relating to it.) Just adding info to an old thread (and technical responses), just in case anyone is reading

Anyone still out there? Any updates? Will Six Flags, Cedar, etc., give front of line privileges to folks with ADD/ADHD? I know someone that is clinically diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, has tourettes syndrome, PTSD, dissociation issues, etc. You wouldn't notice it like you would with someone who is retarded (whats the modern word to use?) or in a wheelchair, but he suffers. Sometimes he will go to a park, and leave out of the anxiety it causes and not wait in any line over 10 minutes. It's way too much for him. I would like to see him enjoy parks and have a good time.

Its really strange to hear mid-sized woodies such as Grizzly needing RM treatment. I think many (MANY) woodies got rough when PTC added 200lbs extra, per car, with awful ratcheting lap bar hardware. That extra weight equates to magnified forces, etc.. Just look at all the extra pseudo-bents added to poor little CP Blue Streak (I will NEVER get over that one...) The helix(s) on the American Eagle could definitely use these steel tracks. The ride has been a relatively smooth, top-bat-outta hell ride (other than the helices) for the past few years.

Will it have airtime or "forcefully wedged between a lap bar that I'm straddling, and a seat" force!? So many new coasters are like that - not real airtime. "uplift force" time though. ehhh...

Ah yes... Giant during the ACE 1990 summer convention, right after the ride opened. Only time I ever knocked heads with someone on a coaster - it was funny though. I have pics of the blue train using a white car from the white train as the lead car - the ride was falling apart the week we were there. It was an incredible ride. One morning, returning to the park, we saw the installation of a trim on the first drop they had put on overnight. That ride was incredible then.

It's really sad. The Big Dipper, was different than, but on par with Screechin' Eagle from 1989 on, as the best woodie in Ohio - hands down. That's how I always referred to them, the best woodies in Ohio (but different from one another). Next one was Blue Streak, until 1995, and I will NEVER get over that one. It's very sad to me, having worked on BS in 1992/93, then to see how the trains were 'updated' by PTC (massacred). In a huge park of that significance, to not be able to keep ONE CLASSIC COASTER, baffles and saddens me, so I should stop here about Blue Streak. It's all been said about how CFair is a corporate business, etc, and it's true. It brings back the anger and sadness from when they initially shut down GLake, with no notice.

LINK REMOVED.

Damn... if it were earlier in the day, I'd head out! It's about an 8 hour drive from Chicago (I stop alot), so it's too late now. I like doing spontaneous things. I've wanted to ride this ride forever... literally since the mid-80's. Had the chance in 2006 just missed by a day after it was hit by lightning. Can't wait to ride it!

I don't think its mentally possible to change ones orientation, maybe physically but not mentally. But that's just what I think. Me too, hell - I tried. Plus, there have been studies, etc., til they were blue in the face, and they always prove what we think as well. God made up like we are, all colors and all sexual orientations, genders, etc...

Wow! Old topic but grabbed my attention. I'm a guy who likes guys, perfect as a straight line I remember when I was younger (teen) that it was kinda weird being closeted (even to myself) but somehow reassured at ACE gatherings with so many other 'guys who like guys'.

Yup! Have you been to Great America? The Viper and American Eagle MUST be the tightest and best wood coasters in the chain. For years, Eagle was rough and trashy, full of brakes, but it's like a bat outta hell now. They both also have non-fall down individual lap bars (custom and I haven't seen them on ANY other PTC). Very cool. Vipers bars, infact, only go down to a certain level (about the level that a buzz bar goes to!) cool, ain't it!? I wonder who facilitated that...

Actually both Tidal Waves are currently in Kentucky... Gurnee's Tidal Wave is still running while its sister coaster is being used as parts IIRC. . What is IIRC?

Some old pics from when I worked on the Blue Streak in 92/93 (RIP!!!) Hmmm... how do I post mustiple pictures in one post? ADMIN EDIT - You click the "Add Photo" button and then repeat. Looks like you hit the "submit" button which submits the post.

^Hey now, not THIS coaster enthusiast! Remember, we come with all sorts of varying 'fanboy' attitudes towards different rides, manufacturers, etc. Me, I could take or leave most B&M's and new Intamin mega's. But to most, they are big shiny and awesome. I rather spend time on a quality ride in a quality place (damn that sounds snotty).

no no no no! This topic is named wrong Shoulder harness cause more (mostly minor, but still painful) injuries than not having enough 'restraints'. I hope you enjoy Mind Bender in Atlanta. It's still firmly at the top of my steel list (I'm not a big B&M or 'new' Intamin coaster fan). It's fun time after time, year after year. I often describe it as a smooth woodie (with airtime/laterals) with 2 nice big loops