JimBeach

Hey Eric, last Sunday was fun. And even when X2 was running three trains I don't think it made any difference over two trains. They just stacked up. They did get them out pretty quick though. I agree it would be great if they could speed up Deja Vu, when it was running; I guess it's just due to the nature of the ride running both ways through the station so much.

I noticed while riding X2 a few days ago the fire is OK in the day but quite spectacular at night. During the day you mainly just feel the heat, at night it's both the fireball glow and the heat. The lights and fog have no effect in the day but are much better at night since the air is still and the fog lingers a bit, but I agree, not all that great. Tim told us the tunnels were going to be there but in the end just didn't figure into the final design. If you're a Colossus fan Jay said to look for something later on this summer that will be exciting, as it is Colossus' 30th anniversary.

I think it's Jim Morrison from the Doors.

I was there Sunday too as you were. I fully enjoyed the day. I love your shot of X2 and Viper from the Skytower. That is definitely a top attraction now for an overview of all the coasters flowing into each other. I did hear Tim Burkhart speak about the soundtrack on X2 and he originally wanted the Ozzy Osbourne song "Crazy Train" to be the first song since it synced perfectly right from when you left the station and kicked in right when you hit the top of the lift and down the first drop. But they went with Harry Connick Jr and Metallica instead. Also, at least for me, on the parking lot tram someone yelled out, "Are you in yet. Is everyone ready". And it received a round of applause. Cool also to see Jay Thomas around the park picking up trash and even acting as a ride operator on X2 and even riding with some folks Oh yeah, Deja Vu was also up and running for at least half of the day/night. I think I partially jinxed the park, while in line for Revolution it broke down right before I was a train away from boarding, same with Deja Vu. Rode Superman three times without getting off only to have it overrun the track and have to be towed back by maintenance. Also saw Viper stuck at the bottom of a drop. Otherwise a great day.

I just went to SFMM as part of ACE Day. I know TPR and ACE don't get along so maybe this will be deleted but I just wanted to talk a bit about my day there after not being there for roughly 22 years. Last time I was there the big coaster was Shockwave. When I was there yesterday it seemed all of us went to X2 twice to start the day. Then we hit up Tatsu, Viper, Ninja, Riddler, and then back to X2 just before 10:00 when the park opened. Amazing to ride X2 with no one there, when we got off it was a barrage of GP storming to X2 so we all went to the other rides. They were empty. We were supposed to get on Deja Vu and Revolution but they had problems and were closed off and on. So the other rides had no one in line and we got , Batman, Scream, Goliath, Colossus, and Gold Rusher. After lunch and presentations/tours we hit up all those rides again and finally got on Deja Vu and Revolution. In fact during the day with the GP almost every ride except of course for X2 and a little bit on Tatsu had no lines. I used a Flash Pass for Log Jammer and that was it. Nothing else needed it since there was either no line or so short, like Jet Stream, there was no reason to use it. Got on Superman in the evening, still open to the GP and there was no one there, rode it three times non-stop, until it overran the stop point and was closed briefly. Overall for a guy, who hasn't been there for 22 years, it was an amazing day, 35+ rides and most of them I rode solo or with just a few people. In the end Jay Thomas and his head management staff were acting as ride staff and riding with us. And upon leaving at midnight they were all there to talk and hang out as long as it took. Kudos to them and the entire staff of the park. I know this was an ACE event, but SFMM did much the same for TPR's camp-out. This is a great group in charge who really appreciate their fans. I'm new to this and am a full true believer in what they're doing. I can't wait to go back, whichever group sponsors it A final note, in the morning ERT on X2 they ran two trains, sometime in mid-day and throughout the rest of the night, and ERT, they ran three trains. No difference. They just backed-up waiting. Three trains seems to make no difference over two.

Thanks, great photo TR. I'll be there Sunday to see it all. Hopefully all five dimensions of X2 are working, along with everything else.

I think Colossus should remain the same, just fix it up a bit and have the two trains race. I don't think they should go the Speed Racer route. That would be a complete re-theme and after all, even though the movie is taking in a lot of money, it is still on its way to being a bust for the studio.

I live by the beach and am going to be at SFMM this weekend. Do they have winds and breezes there a lot which warrant between the early morning/late night and the main part of the day extra clothing? Just don't know since I'm used to beach weather, not inland weather. They do have lockers right?

I agree with you. An earlier person said it is going downhill and in major need of repair. I don't know since I haven't been there in a long time. But besides SFMM's Log Jammer, I love the ride at KBF for it's scenery and theme.

True, I don't know the history of this site except for what Robb has said and I do not know the poster in question. I just found it nice to read/see. I love your site and don't mean any upset feelings. We're all here to have a good fun experience and I thank you for this site.

Isn't your reply a bit harsh, to call it lightly. I haven't seen these posts before since this site is so large. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great photos and report. I'll see it all myself in a week.

I posted earlier that my favs are SFMM's Log Jammer and KBF's Timber Mountain but I forgot my worst. Back in the 70's the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Los Angeles had a tram/monorail tour of their facility and they decided to add a European style village attraction they called Busch Gardens; just a ploy to attract more people ad make some $$$. The only ride was a "log" ride with no theme, no point, nothing. It just roamed you around the "village", especially their three "beer gardens" (Bud, Michelobe, and Busch) and concluded with a drop. At times you went so slow you could physically stop our boat with your hands against the sidewalls, then push yourself back into motion. Needless to say, it, and the village are long gone. Fun as a little kid since it truly was one of the first actual "hands-on" rides.

The gum tree on KBF's flume ride reminds me of that "box/grill" or whever it is on the Goldrusher at SFMM. It is quite legendary as a repository of gum. At least it's not a scenic part of the ride being defaced.

The original movie says is all brilliantly. White Castle is an institution! I've only been there twice; most of us here in Los Angeles have to settle for the frozen supermarket version. But WC is to others what Tommy's, Tito's Tacos, and Pink's are to us here in LA.

BCF s a great place. Although I think you must say, just like they do in their ads, "not associated with Burlington Industries".

SFFM's Log Jammer was my first ever flume ride so it's my sentimental favorite. One of their premier rides back in the day. They added the Jet Stream I think to displace the lines at the Log Jammer, it's fun and the que moves quickly, but it's no comparison. Over at Knott's Berry Farm the Timber Mountain ride (I think they call it) is exceptional, it's mainly indoors and beautiful, like a classic Disneyesque attraction. Speaking of Disney, haven't been on Splash Mountain (I will this Oct) but I hear it is not to be missed.

Thanks, wish I was there Fri/Sat but I'll be there one week from today for ACE day to take it all in!

I haven't been there yet to see X2's fireballs at night but I was just wondering what it might look like from along the I-5 freeway. I was wondering if there have been any 911's or other calls reporting fires or explosions at the park?

Thanks to all for the great postings, so far, of the campout experience and all of today's events. I wish I could have made it. I'll be there June 1st for the ACE day (I know a lot of TPR'rs have some feelings about ACE'rs) but it the soonest I can get there. We get two hours of pre-public ERT and at least 90 minutes of post-public night ERT, but they say X2 is only ERT for the morning. I will have to wait in line to see it at night I guess.

I saw all over LA tv news today all the coverage of X2 in action today, full video rides ad photos. I was hoping antone can post some here or put up some links. Knott's did the same for their Pony Express today as well.

And in adding to that, they also have Batman: The Ride. Maybe if they add it they should rename one of them The Joker.

Luckily I an going to SFFM on June 1st for ACE day for my first time in 25 years. Luckily as an ACE member we get about four hours of ERT both before and after the park opens, including morning ERT on X2, and at least five other coasters. I guess I woun't have to worry about a FastPass.

mcjaco, Good idea! I'll see what I can do. Just need to plan a bit so my digital camera survives. Maybe a fanny pak or a large buttonable pocket. I'll talk to Robb about downloading the pics, I never seem to master how to do these things correctly. Stay tuned sometime in mid-June.

One thing I mean to clear up which another poster criticized me of. In the heading I used "returning after 25 years". I never meant that about the park. It was about me. I am returning after not being there for 25 years.