jrkstl

1 year older, but same here too!

Growing up in Quincy, IL we didn't get to SFoMA to ride the Eagle until 1977, it's second year. And I was born in 1965, so I was nearly 12. Yeah, I'm old... I was slightly hesitant, especially after seeing the lift hill in person (was completely obsessed with the ride during construction - couldn't see enough photos!) but my older brother was all "we are riding now!" Once we reached the top of the lift, the fear completely left me and I couldn't get enough.

Regarding changes on the Eagle... For the 1990 season of the "New FASTER SCREAMING EAGLE!" the park changed the following: Replaced original three bench PTC trains with buzz bars to the current two bench configuration - they were an early set of the PTC trailered trains. If my memory is correct, the lead car had both sets of wheels, but the remaining cars just had the rear set. The thought was less friction = faster speeds. I believe that the original trains on the TX Giant had these too? Anyway, they were soon configured to the current two axle configuration. Also, the track was banked at first left curve, the 180 turn and the last right curve, which was also done in the name of "Faster!" I still lament these changes as the original trains (no headrests and seat dividers) with the lesser-banked track gave a much better ride. The removal of the double-up hump happened sometime around 95 or 96, I think. I can recall when it was done that they left that section unpainted. I can remember thinking "it looks like a tiny portion of Raven track" without the paint. Tiny bit of trivia - the Eagle opened with 5 car three bench PTC trains. After the first few seasons, they removed the fifth car to run many years as a four car train. You can still see in the station where the last car used to load.

Congrats Zach!

OMG this! So freaking true...

I received that one too...

Yes, I do... It sat where Ninja is now located, which is on the site of 1/2 of the Runaway Mine Train that was sold to Dollywood. The year of the Condor (tee hee) was 1987, I believe. That year the soon-to-be-sold mine train half sat unused for the year, and a chunk of track after the second lift was removed for the Condor. It was odd to see the track just hanging in the air, but that's what they did.

Just visited SFFT this weekend, and thought I’d share my thoughts on two (possible, maybe?) future attractions that get discussed as potentials for SFSTL Finally rode my first S & S 4D and LOVED it! Like a good Zipper ride, which is what I hoped it would be like. Just wish that it wasn’t so short, but yes please! Also, Wonder Woman was really, really great. Again short ride, but WOW. I’m normally a back seat rider and this one didn’t disappoint. Two of the drops even made me see stars in the back. Just amazing. So, if we were to ever get one of these two, I’d be quite happy. Carry on...

I seem to remember very clearly (I was 15 or 16 so not a little kid) that it was closed down immediately after the accident and while one side reverted back to Mine Train the other side closed down and Ninja went in like 4 or 5 years later. I looked it up on rcdb and it only shows it operating during the 1984 season and I seem to remember the accident was pretty early on in the season. I know we wanted to ride it but never were able to. But it was a long time ago so maybe I'm mixed up. Were you around at that time? Anyone else remember the details? P.S. - I do remember the news interviewing her family at the time and thinking they didn't sound all that upset.....it was kind of weird. The Railblazer did close for a bit after the accident, but reopened with additional seatbelts (unlocked with a special key) and staffed with about a dozen crew members it seemed. I rode it after the accident, and due to the slow, extra careful loading the capacity was terrible. I’m sure this was the real reason that it only lasted for the 1984 season. I was in college when it happened, and a guy in my dorm worked first aid and was there that day. He couldn’t say much, but the circumstances were suspicious. The other mine train operated as a sit down ride until it was removed. The year that we had The Condor here (ride rotation program - one year only in 1987) it sat where the Ninja is, and that side of the mine train was SBNO with a chunk of track removed. It left in 1988 I believe. FYI, Jet Scream was removed at the end of the 1988 season, and Ninja opened in 1989.

Great to see the video. Rode Jet Scream too many times while it was here. Too bad our model didn't have the trees that show in the video, as it definitely had a very temporary look to it here. The video also perfectly shows off the curve next to the first drop that made me duck and move sideways every. single. time. I rode it. I never attempted it, but wouldn't doubt that the track was close enough to touch. Once moved to Astroworld, they enclosed the first drop with a tunnel. I always wondered if that curve is why? It was this or Orient Express for my first looper - I just can't recall which one I rode first.

According to the ride rendering on the SFSTL Facebook page, we are getting the smaller 24 passenger version. Because of course we are While it’s definitely the best replacement for the Highland Fling, it’s pretty disappointing that corporate decides to use a simple replacement as our “incredibly thrilling” (or whatever hyperbolic language they used) big! New! Attraction! for 2019. Will probably discontinue the membership that I never use.

In my opinion, the Boss is a far better ride in the Gerstlauer trains than it was with the PTCs. Obviously, it wasn't really "broken in" for Media Day, and they made it through the ride just fine. Perhaps if a set of brand new PTCs were added, I'd be okay with them. Keep in mind that I'm not a fan at all of the horrid headrests on the Eagle PTC, and for whatever reason, the seats seem deeper than normal. Also, I cannot stand (for long) how the Eagle trains make me feel like I'm sitting nearly sideways, due to the way the lapbar hits my legs. YMMV

Yes, the quote is real. Actually, she told me directly "seven times" that the original plans had to be redrawn. This was told to me during an offseason event at Holiday World. Because I'm old, I remember the hype surrounding the ride. Honestly, it was relatively low key, but this was the year that CCI opened multiple rides (was it 7 that year?) and so attention with enthusiasts was all over the map. Once the Boss opened, it was given "meh" reviews - due mainly to the majority of out of town enthusiasts hitting the ride early in the year after a Holiday World event, and it just wasn't yet running up to speed. Later in the year, the ride found it's grove more or less, but opinions had been solidified. CCI took a ton of heat that year with construction quality issues, blander than normal rides, etc. They were definitely stretched too thin... I was at Media Day with the Screaming Eagle PTC train, but due to the seat divider I was given the largest coaster bruise I've ever seen Over the years, the Boss has really grown on me, and I appreciate it for what it is, and what it isn't. I adore RMC rides, but I really hope that they simply keep it in decent running order like it is now. Considering that Six Flags was not known for wooden coaster maintenance, we really cannot complain about that here. It should be noted that a ride the size of Boss, not having major reprofiling done is a rarity - especially for Six Flags. That it remains mostly intact from the original design is something to be celebrated - to me anyway

So, according to the SFStl's Pass Holder announcement email sent today, they are making an official announcement regarding a new ride for 2017 on September 1st. Let the speculation and b*tching continue

So this made me chuckle

Viking TR part 3 And finally the end - sorry for the delay... Viking does an excellent job with food, and it's pretty remarkable what they can prepare in the small kitchen onboard. I'm not one to take tons of food photos, but I did snap a few, which will follow. We are both vegetarian, and the chef did an excellent job with meatless dishes! The dinner at Chateau Kirwan was especially memorable. With Viking, beer and wine is included at lunch and dinner and the wines used were actually quite good. Our glasses were never empty River cruising has been going on for years, but obviously has gotten more popular. It's a wonderful way to see the countryside, and to appreciate some of the smaller towns that might not otherwise be seen. Viking is certainly the biggest player in Europe, but there are multiple other options to choose from. I did some research before taking our first cruise last year, but I kept coming back to Viking. Since you frequently "raft" next to other cruise ships, I gotten up and close with Uniworld, Scenic, Ama Waterways, Avalon, Arosa, etc. but still find Viking to fit our aesthetic much better. If you decide to look into Viking, be aware that while they always offer the "Two for One" special on fares, you can get incredible airfare deals through them. Looking forward to the Rhine in 2017! Starter course - Tomato Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella Entrée served at Chateau Kirwan. So good! Stuffed tomatoes with herbed rice Eggplant pancakes with spinach. Dessert time! Forgot the name, but very very good! Another dessert winner And another And yet another

So, the ACE Convention is in full swing, and the park has rolled out the red carpet and is doing a fantastic job! Also? Both The Boss and The Eagle were running really, really well last night, and both are in about the best shape I've seen in years. Multiple comments heard last night about how wonderful the Boss is running, and I think that it gained quite a few fans. I've always really enjoyed it, but it was good to see it in such great shape

Viking TR part 2 Hello again. This time, I'll speak of the cruise itself and about the itinerary. The "Chateaux, Rivers and Wine" cruise is unusual and unlike most river cruises, as it's a roundtrip from the city of Bordeaux to the city of Bordeaux. The three main rivers in the region are all estuaries, so the trip is very dependent on the tides. Due to higher than normal waters, our boat was unable to cruise to Cadillac, France, since even with low tide we wouldn't be able to clear the Pont du Pierre bridge. All ports, however, are fairly close and reachable via coach. Our cruise consisted of tours of Bordeaux, Cadillac, Sauternes, Saint Emilion, Bourg, Blaye, Paulliac, and the Margaux region. We took an option side trip to Cognac, where we were able to learn and blend our own bottle of Camus Cognac. Neeless to say, this cruise is very much a "Booze Cruise" and the focus is on the wines/spirits of the region. I gather that on average, the Forseti goes through about 2000 bottles of wine per week And now, on with the pictures! I'll finish part 3 later, where I'll discuss food, etc. The Bordeaux Chartrons District where the Forseti is docked. Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux Grand Theatre, Bordeaux Monument aux Girondins, Bordeaux Chateau d'Arche in Sauternes, France Chateau d'Arche Cadillac, France. Yes, the car is named after this town. Cadillac, France On the way to Libourne, France. The middle part of this bridge raises up so that cruise ships, etc. will fit under On the way to Libourne. Rain on the way! Oh, Hi there random castle! Libourne, France Market day in Libourne. My dream is to return some day soon, rent a house and cook a ton. I wanted one of everything! Saint Emilion, France. My favorite stop of the trip. Saint Emilion. Gorgeous! Shopping for wine. Why yes, I do believe that we'll have you ship a couple of cases to St. Louis The Citadel at Blaye, France In the Citadel Making my custom Camus Cognac blend Dave adds just a tad more... Chateau in the Medoc region Chateau Margaux Barrels of fun Yes, one of each please The ship's staff host a dinner at Chateau Kirwan, which was a major highlight of the trip. Dinner at Chateau Kirwan The new Cite du Vin in Bordeaux. Such a cool building! A great light show at night too. Wine shop inside Cite du Vin. We didn't have the time to visit the main part, but the shops, etc. were really cool. Wine shop at Cite du Vin

Viking TR Part 1 Greetings! It's been a week now since our return from the Viking River Cruise "Chateaux, Rivers and Wine" itinerary through the Bordeaux region of France, and I'm ready to pack my bags and go back! This was our second Viking River cruise, and we loved it so much that we've booked another one for 2017 Quick background - My partner and I were never much into the idea of a cruise, but then those beautiful Viking River Cruises commercials started playing before Downton Abbey, so we were intrigued. Since I turned 50 last year we celebrated my birthday with our very first cruise of any type, which was the Viking "Romantic Danube" cruise from Budapest, Hungary to Nuremburg, Germany (with side trip to Prague). This was such a success that it was a no-brainer to sign up for cruise # 2 when friends decided to do their first cruise through Bordeaux and asked us to join them. While I have no other cruising experience to compare. we have thoroughly enjoyed Viking's approach, and you're pretty much spoiled by the crew the moment that you board. I could happily live on one of their Longships! For this part of the TR, I'll speak of ship details, etc. All of the Viking Longships are pretty much identical with the exception of some minor cosmetic differences, and each has a passenger capacity of 190. There are three levels of rooms, and 5 rooms types. All of the "aquarium" class standard rooms are on the lower level, then floor two and floor three hold the French Balcony rooms, the Veranda staterooms (with private balcony). The 2 suite-style rooms are on level three. While I wouldn't mind being upgraded to a "better" room at some point, we find the standard room to be more than sufficient, especially since you're only in your room to shower and sleep. There is one main dining room on the ship, and then in front of the Lounge is where the "Aquavit Terrace" is located. Here they serve a buffet-style lunch and dinner, and you can dine alfresco should the weather permit. The upper deck has multiple areas to sit, relax, practice your golfing skills, play shuffleboard, or take a jog on the track. We pretty much spent our free time up here, especially to enjoy the view while cruising. For TR Part 2, I will get into the food, wine, and itinerary specifics. And now some pictures for your TR enjoyment The commercial shot of the Viking flag, taken while docked in Blaye, France aboard the Viking Longship Forseti Boarding the Forseti at low tide in Bordeaux, France The atrium of the Forseti Random seating area 1 Random seating area 2 Random seating area 3 Library One of 2 Coffee/Tea/Water stations Herb garden on the top deck. Yes, the chef actually uses them Sliding glass door entrance to the Lounge Bar inside the Lounge Seating area in the Lounge More Lounge seating Hallway to rooms Cozy bed in our lower level stateroom Stateroom, with peek at the window size Desk, TV, drawers, etc. The rooms are very Scandinavian, and very organized! Bathroom. A tight squeeze, but thoughtfully laid out. Oh, and the floors are heated too! Shower, with surprisingly strong water pressure.

There aren't any lights on the Voyage spaghetti bowl at all, and they even changed the camera light on the block brake to infared years ago. I did notice last year, however, that lights from Thuderbird's brake run were visible, and this is most likely what you saw.

Alrighty then, will post a photo TR once home. As stated before, this will be our second Viking river cruise, and our second cruise of any type. We did the "Romantic Danube" itinerary in August of last year (from Budapest to Nuremburg, with the Prague post-cruise add on trip) and liked it so much, that we booked the Bordeaux cruise shortly after getting home. Cannot believe that the time is almost here! Viking does an excellent job of spoiling you, and I'm looking forward to gaining the inevitable 10 pounds Since we'll be in Bordeaux, we *might* drink a little bit of wine

Hello everyone. In a couple of weeks I'm taking my second Viking River Cruise, this time through the Bordeaux region of France. Is there any interest in my posting a photo trip report? Would be happy to if you like. Can't wait!

Ha! You're welcome! The name of the "dance club" was "Tremors." Still can't remember what the local TV show was called...

Jetscream was located on what was the Super Sports Cars ride, which is now currently the home of Batman. Ninja was installed in a spot that was the original home to one half of the River King Runaway Mine Train - which is now Big Bad John in Arkansas. The year that Ninja was installed (1989), Jetscream was moved to Astroworld and renamed the Viper. The Jetscream plot of land was left vacant ride-wise, until Batman was installed in 1995. As someone mentioned earlier, they moved a round tent to that location, which was home to "The Carrot Club" (meal and show) and also a frequent dance party location as well. Wasn't there a local TV show filmed here? Anyone remember the name?

Yes, I realize this, but IMHO it was an odd choice. Probably mostly due to ease of moving it.