pianojohn

As someone who actually rode that ride at Ikoma Skyland in Japan, I don't remember it being all that rough. It was like a mini Jumbo Jet, with decent speed and banking. I will have to look at my videos from that day to see if I took any on ride footage!

Nope, and they need to! The line has been averagin 80 minutes, and you KNOW there are lots of empty seats going to waste!

So, what if no one comes forward to buy the parks OR worst case scenario, someone buys all of them and then turns around and closes them all for the land they are built on. Any thoughts about what we would really lose if all of the Six Flags parks closed? Seriously! I was thinking about all of the top ten coasters in the country, and not one is at a Six Flags park. (Ok, maybe Supermen at SFNE, SFDL, and SFA, but they could be moved to a park that would take care of them!!) I, for one, would miss the history of the park chain, but since it was bought by Premier, the parks have gone so far downhill that I cannot remember a time when we did not complain about them. They took a successful chain, added WAY too many smaller parks, slapped the Six Flags name on them, and basically watered down what was once a reputable company into one that is the laughing stock of the industry. Discuss among yourselves...

DAMNIT! Once again, I will be out of town doing a show in Virginia Beach. Oh well, have a blast! And if you are near BGW, gimme a shout!

How about this: if you come to a ride you aren't sure about, and you have read all of the warnings and signs, DON'T RIDE IT! Geez!! Remember all those cool one-of-a-kind signs at Cedar Point for each ride? They were all replaced by boring, VERY wordy signs which lists all of the safety requirements and warnings.

I remember back in the 80's there was an incident at the one in Chicago where the car went up the shaft but did not move forward at the top. It then dropped straight down, injuring the 4 riders. They closed all the Intamin FreeFalls until they could figure out why it malfuctioned. I think I remember cutting out an article about it when it happened. The next time I am home in Cleveland, I will look for it.

My sentinments exactly! I went to Dollywood for the first time this summer and I will definately be back as often as possible! The landscaping reminded me more of Opryland, but the attention to detail and excellent food are Busch Gardens Williamsburg-esque!

Funny story: when I was working at Cedar Point back in the 80's, we used to have rock groups come to the park all the time after performing in either Cleveland or Toledo. My friend Jackie was stage managing one of the shows at the front of the park. A group of guys approached her and asked if they could rent out the park for the day. She said she didn't think so. Then one of the guys said "But we're from Skid Row." Jackie had never heard of the group Skid Row, and thought they meant skid row, as in homeless! They told her they were a famous band. To shut them up, she said, "Well, I am more of a Barry Manilow fan myself!" They were not amused, but I was and still am!

nice pics and comments! Makes me miss the Point!

How about this: get the guys who built Gwazi to re-track it, add some Millenium Flyer cars, and VOILA! A top ten ride! I can dream, can't I?

Wow, Opryland! I was lucky enough to go to the park twice, once in 1989 and once in 1991. The park was the only place you could see totally live shows. As someone who works in the Entertainment area of theme parks, I appreciated that and the effort it took to keep them running. After visiting Dollywood this past spring, I felt a little Opryland there as well. Hopefully they will continue their tradition of totally live entertainment. As for coasters I wish I rode, the only ones I can think of that I missed since I was too scared are the Coaster at Chippewa Lake, the Jumbo Jet at Cedar Point, and the Bavaruan Beetle at King's Island. I DID however ride Gemini in 1978, its opening year, and was scared to death!

I think the rough part is paying $12.50 and then getting beat up in addition to that! Yes, the ride just sucks. Although, I think Viper at SFGA is even worse.

I know this was mentioned, but those of you who REALLY like HHN, this is a great deal! I have not been to HHN in several years, but the trick back then was to try to go both early in the season and NOT on a weekend. I did go to BGT's Halloween thing a few years back and it was WAY too crowded. Of course, the worst thing was the traffic into the park. That should be fixed now that they have widened the road and installed the bridge under which the trams travel. Info below for those interested in the Frequent Fear Pass! Also on the website: Frequent Fear Pass 11 Nights for the Price of 1! Now you can get admission to Halloween Horror Nights EVERY Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday when you purchase a Frequent Fear Pass. Plus, you also get admission on the FIRST Friday and Saturday AND Halloween Night! Frequent Fear Pass admission dates include Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 9, 12, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 and 31. $59.75 + tax

Cedar Point: Mill Race Shoot the Rapids Funhouse Earthquake Pirate Ride Tiki Twirl Trabant Schwabinchen Double Ferris Wheel Rotor Frontier Lift (Sky Ride) Super Jets Jumbo Jet And that S&S Upcharge which lasted a few months (I forget the name)

I am with you there! I did ride the Raven in the afternoon as well as early evening, but the Legend REALLY impressed me more. I could never tell where it was going, and it seemed to just pick up speed towards to end. A great ride in my opinion! I also went to PKI a few days before Holiday World, and like you, I don't care if I ever go there again! However, I have been telling EVERYONE about how awesome Holiday World is, and I cannot wait for next year's visit! Glad you enjoyed it as well!!

Great pics! I really enjoyed seeing HKDL pre opening. The park looks beautiful, and the setting is definately one of a kind. I have seen pics of the castle with the mountains behind it. Too bad there are no mountains (natural ones anyway) at WDW. Anyway, thanks again for the entertaining comments and awesome pics. I am soooooooo looking forward to this year's DVD!!

Did Sheikra last Monday three times. And the amazing thing is tha even though the park was crowded, they were REALLY getting people through the que quickly! Taking the plunge!!

At Dollywood a few weeks back, a mother and daughter were standing in line behind me for Thunderhead. As the train passed by, the daughter (with an accent that would rival Cletus the Yokel from The Simpsons) says, "Mama, does this one do the loop dee loop?" I then knew I was in the south.

Great report! As someone who spent 2 months on Osaka, I can relate to just walking around to get your bearings but also find some of the comforts of home. I have friends working at Hong Kong Disneyland. Hopefully you will be able to check it out or at least stick your camera through the front gate for some pics! Enjoy!

Hmm....I think he meant good wood you can ride without having to have traction afterwards!

If a coaster is moved to a new park (ie Greezed Lightnin' at SFKK formerly Viper at SFOG) is it considered another credit? I have ridden this and many other coasters in 2 parks, but I was wondering what you think. Thanks

As someone who actually rode this thing back in 2001, I was VERY unimpressed. It felt like a bigger version of Magnum rather than a true hypercoaster. The cars were very big and boxy, and not that cool to look at. The ride itself felt overly long and boring. Even the first drop was just kind of...there. I had a better time on the Ultra Twister and shuttle loop than Steel Dragon! Just my two cents...or should I say 2 yen! Me in front of Steel Dragon circa 2001

Good job! And I third the idea of getting there early. In my travels, I was one of the first people in the park at SFKK, CP, and Lake Winnie, and I got on all the major rides with no wait!

In a word: horrible! It is too bad that Disney felt the need to dumb down and make more "family friendly" the one original attraction idea they have had in years. The whole Magic Kingdom is for kids! How about just ONE adult attraction? Or better yet, finally build that adult theme park that everyone has been asking for.

Thanks Elissa! I guess there are stupid people everywhere!