larrygator

I want to keep this separate from the PCW thread since there is so much confusion with these passes. Well not so much confusion, but inconsistency. Here is what I noticed from checking a couple of park's websites. CP and GL - currently selling Maxx Passes that are good for admission to all CF theme parks for the remainder of 2006 and all 2007, not clear if it is good for special events. PKD, Carowinds, PKI - offering the Maxx Pass good for their own parks including special events for 2006, and good at all CF theme parks for 2007. PGA - offers what they call a "California Maxx Pass" good for PGA for the rest of this season and good at all CF theme parks in 2007. Dorney, MiA, WoF, VF - offering the 2007 Maxx Pass already, but it is not clear if it can be used at the selling park or any other parks in 2006. KBF - no mention of Maxx Pass on their website. Some CF parks will offer free parking at their park to season pass holders but others don't. Does that sound accurate to everybody? I know those in Ohio will complain that their Maxx Passes will cost more than other parks in the chain and those at other parks will complain because they have never had to pay extra for other CF parks before. Personally, I think this is a great business move for the company. Even if it doesn't appear good to us as enthusiasts, keep in mind if Cedar Fair doesn't continue with profits there will not be capital improvement upgrades in the future. They are not going to go down the same road as the old SF regime of building rides and hoping people come. They need people to come and then the rides will follow. The only problem I have is with the current CF parks outside of Ohio. It is not clear if purchasing the Maxx Pass today yields any benefit for the remainder of 2006. I would not be shocked to see Six Flags develop a similar pricing strategy in the future.

There a guy with long hair who is always riding the Flyers whenever I go to Knoebels. I'm sure I'll see him at PPP again.

I had no probelms with operations on my one visit to Knotts and 90% of ride ops were enthusiastic, granted it was a slow day. The next day I went to SFMM and it was also a light day and operations were far from great with ride ops who didn't seem to care. Those trips were in 2004. I'm going back to both next week and I have a feeling I will get the same treatment from both parks.

I guess next week is a bad time to be hitting SoCal Disney parks to finally get those credits. Oh well

thanks for the call out Jay - I'm going to try to experience El Toro goodness at least one more time this year

Nightwing at SFNE made me claustrophobic

f'n Sea Dragon was closed all day when I stopped at the park this summer, damn it! oh well another missed credit

my understanding is that MiA plans to expand the park to the left of the out portion of Shivering Timbers once they clear a long standing water rights issue with the municipalities that be.

Outside of Gobbler Getaway and the Tower Ride, I think their flats are horrible. But the coasters make it worth the trip.

I realized on the first day in England when I saw prices that we were getting a deal. I added up the estimated costs for the whole trip based on the prices I would have had to pay for everything and the group trip was at least 20% cheaper than I could have done on my own (not including ERT which I never could have gotten on my own). Besides that you have hours upon hours to relax on the coach not having to drive. Also, I don't even want to think of how I ever would have found the time to organize it all myself. Of course if you are the type that would have season passes to multiple parks, can get ERT on your own, likes staying at real cheap motels, can survive without sleep, enjoys hours of driving each day and don't want to hang out with people then I have to agree these types of trips might not be worth it. Just based on the fact that so many people on the UK Trip are planning on at least one trip in 2007 should be proof enough to anyone questioning where their money would be going. BTW, R&E - what % of people on the UK Trip do you expect to be taking at least one of your 2007 trips?

^Robb- definitely a fair comment: I have heard from others that have been there on multiple occasions that ST has its bad days.

I still think the Cyclone rocks, even after riding some other great new woodies like El Toro, Thunderhead, Voyage, Hades, Avalanche and Balder over the past 2 years. I know some don't agree but the Cyclone is still king in my book.

yup, it doesn't take Einstein to figure out which park is better

I rode Memorial Day weekend in 2005 and thought ST was great, although the park blows. I got plenty of air on my 22 rides. It is still one of my Top 10 woodies (but barely with all the good new ones)

Are all the mosquitoes and bugs included in the price?

Kristie looks pissed in every picture, except when you fed her the cotton candy, what's up with that. Was she that upset that Ryan King was not there to pound her?

one of the greatest adrenaline rushes on a flat ride - i would certainly do it again

James - for some reason I can't view the video on YouTube - When i was there the ride op ran an insane cycle as I watched - I gave him my ticket and said I wanted the same. He said hold on to the ticket and if i called for him to stop the ride I had to hand in the ticket, otherwise i could keep it. He gave me a 4-5 minutes cycle and i thought my neck would fall off.

Of course the non-corporate parks run their flats better. Astroland is great at this. However, the craziest flat at a park was Twister at Williams Grove is asked them to crank it up. Also, The Waltzer at South Pier in Blackpool and they ran their Breakdance almost as fast as Astroland.

gulp! I'm agreeing with Ryan. Alton Towers

A&E Driving Force sponsors Nitro at SFGAdv also

^Joe - I think you are wrong about when the e-mail was sent, i only got it this morning

The only thing I really enjoyed in the park was King Solomon's Mine, I was quite underwhelmed by Cyclone but I can understand why people who groe up with it would be upset. Chris - for the record I loved Blue Streak when I rode it last year. The only coaster I ever had to pull my hands down on to the bar

along the same lines are regular discount coupons for KBF still available at Ralph's. I would e-mail Dan, but he would probably delete it as junk.

PPP Info Rides operate as usual from 12-5, with a POP wirstband available for $18 PPP wristband for 5PM-10PM is $15. If you buy them both together it is $31