PhantomNick

WOW!!! That coaster looks insane!! That is one of the best looking projects yet coming from the guys at GCI. US parks, please take note of this! In fact, I can think of a certain home park of mine that loves to build coasters that interact with the terrain. Hmmmm......

Nice to see they started the pull-through, and I think it's pretty amazing how they've stayed on schedule considering the loads of snow they've received down there. As for the coaster itself, I think it looks gorgeous!! Frankly, I could give a crap less what kind of restraints it has, as it looks like one heck of a sweet ride. Probably won't make it there this year, but a trip there is now definitely on the horizon.

Wow, after reading the stories and seeing all those photos, that's pretty crazy. Thank goodness everyone (including Robb) made it out of there okay! I'm still shocked that none of the alarms or sprinklers went off. That's a pretty scary thought.

^^ Really good job on that rendering! Looks about right for the most part. If that's anything close to the finished product, I think there will be some pretty happy coaster fans (myself included) up here in PA! Can't wait to see some vertical construction! I'm still trying to wrap myself around the notion that after 10+ years, my home park is finally getting another brand NEW coaster (Phantom's Revenge, while fantastic, is not something I consider as "new".....I consider the Exterminator to be the last truly new coaster Kennywood has received).

I voted No, simply because I just don't see this park getting another lease on life. Apparently the Myrtle Beach area just isn't conducive to having a major amusement park in the area. I'm sure someone will scoop up the majority of the coasters though. And for the record, those pictures that Robb posted of those mine trains were AWESOME!! It's amazing what a little theming can do for a ride!

I'm definitely glad to see an older ride spared from the wrecking ball, although I have to admit I'm still scratching my head over the choice of Dorney to receive Demon Drop, especially considering that they already have Dominator. I would think an ideal candidate for this ride would be a place like Michigan's Adventure, since it's a smaller park and currently has no drop tower. Also, I'm glad to see their Krazy Kars go, as I found those to be annoying to operate, while being a lame overall excuse for a set of bumper cars. Maybe now they can get a real set to put somewhere in the park.

We're heading down to North Carolina in July to visit some of the wife's family, and we've already planned a day-trip to Carowinds while we're there. Intimidator is a huge reason why, as this coaster looks fantastic! That second hill looks intriguing and extremely fun. Glad to see the testing moving right along so smoothly. I have to say, B&M really does have their system "down", as these coasters of theirs go up quickly, test smoothly, and hardly ever have any real problems. I'm very stoked to ride this, especially after riding Diamondback last year and watching it instantly vault into my Top 5. I'm sensing some copious amounts of that lovely airtime on this puppy!

After conducting a search through the forums, I didn't find a match to this, so hopefully a new topic is ok. If there's another forum I should direct this to, please let me know. I figured I'd come to the community of experts when it comes to trip advice. My wife and I are in the process of planning our summer trip, a week-long journey to North Carolina to visit some of the wife's family. A visit to Carowinds has already been confirmed while we are there, and on the way down, we have decided to hit up the Williamsburg area for about 3 days. We'll be leaving July 17th (a Saturday) and heading to Williamsburg, where we will stay Sunday through Tuesday. Neither of us have ever been to Williamsburg, and anyone on here knows that a visit there would not be complete without a day or more at Busch Gardens Europe! As we've started our initial planning, I had a couple questions. 1. We're planning on going to Colonial Williamsburg along with Busch Gardens. On the BG website, we noticed a "Williamsburg Bounce Ticket" for a rather reasonable $98.80 each. It says with the ticket you get unlimited visits for up to 7 days at BG, the waterpark, and Colonial Williamsburg. Considering a ticket to BG alone is about $62, we're thinking this would be our best bet. What all is included in the Colonial Williamsburg part though? Is it all the museums/historic homes/shows? If so, then this ticket is a no-brainer, especially since it allows more than one visit to BG. Is parking included with this ticket, or is that always a separate fee? 2. Has anyone here tried the "Quick Queue" system they have? The first option is a very reasonable $15, including one front-of-line pass to each of the major rides, plus one "bonus" ride of choice. The other option, for "unlimited" access is $40. Since we'll likely be at the park on a weekday (Monday or Tuesday), is the first option (the $15 one) sufficient, or would neither be necessary? (typically, that is. I know nobody can predict what crowds may be like on any given day) Other than those couple questions, I'm looking for general tips/advice on all Busch Gardens has to offer. Any great restaurants we shouldn't miss? Any shows worthy of viewing? Would a full day plus an evening be enough time to experience most of the park? Post away, and any info you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks in advance, everyone!

Wait, wait, wait!! So let me get this straight - you're telling me that FC stands for a Floorless Coaster?!?! Now I'm all kinds of confused. I was pretty positive that FC stood for Fraggle Coaster! Are you sure that's not right?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hRyf_p4YI&feature=related

Wow, I don't know if you're psychic or what, but in tandem with the new modifications to Rockit, Universal is opening a "truly one of a kind" restaurant near the coaster's exit. "Universal's King Mac" will open in time with the new coaster. They will serve Big Macs on Burger King Buns, along with McDonald's Fries in the shape of BK onion rings! Apparently the PR Director at Universal felt the move was only appropriate, since coaster fans will be "hungering for more" after just one ride. First the coaster itself, now this....I have to admit that Universal is opening whole new avenues this season! The gift shop nearby will be fully stocked as well with both Rockit gear and souvenir shirts for the new restaurant. Early shirt ideas (for the restaurant portion) include "I like a King Mac inside me!" and "I just had the King Mac, and now I'm spent!" Due to the merging chains for this one of a kind eatery, both the BK King and the Hamburglar will be on hand for the public unveiling of Rockit and will be granted first rides. All I can say is that you Florida folks have it awfully good this year!

^^Well, yeah, who wouldn't want to be on Air Toro? But my point is that the park seems like coasters and not much else. I love coasters as much as anyone, but even more than that I love to visit a park that offers a bit of everything. It just seemed odd to me that the park would ditch a good number of flats with this new Six Flags regime that is nicely focusing on families as much as thrills. A prime example of one of those "complete" parks that I've been to resides in the chain - Six Flags Great America. I was extremely impressed with what all they had to offer ride-wise, and that included loads of flats and some top notch coasters.

Medu....err, "Bizarro" (Bizusa? Maybe Medarro??) is the best floorless coaster I've ridden to date, and some new "bells and whistles" won't change that. I give Six Flags credit for trying to revitalize the coaster, but the whole Bizarro theme is a puzzling choice, to me anyway. The paint job looks nice enough at least. It just seems like a cheap way to introduce a "new" attraction without actually putting in one. If I had my choice, they should've used the money from this and started putting in/replacing some flat rides. Their flat selection is honestly disgraceful.

WOW. I thought before that Manta looked like it would be a great addition to Sea World, but I never expected it would look this stunning! The layout is great to begin with, but the landscaping just takes this over the top. Boy, do I wish I could make it to Florida to check this park/coaster out!!

Out of the ones I have ridden thus far, the "winner" is Predator at Darien Lake, by a wide margin. Ever wonder what it feels like to ride a wooden coaster with potholes? Well then, this is the ride for you! This thing just irritates me, because the ride looks like it should be pretty great, but boy are looks deceiving in this case! What a pile of rough, rotten, wooden garbage.

Diamondback has really shaped up nicely, and I am psyched to ride it at some point this spring/summer. Those test runs looked great, and this has the potential to be quite a ride. They're now adding some landscaping touches around the queue area/splashdown, and that will just finish it off perfectly.

^I believe his post utilized that lovely language that is foreign to many....known as "sarcasm"

Well, I sure do hope that these new trains did wonders, because when it was at Geauga Lake this thing was about the equivalent of rolling down a hill in a trash can. For the most part I find boomerangs to be fairly enjoyable, but not so for Head Spin. I will say that the positive reports thus far are encouraging. On a side note, although the color choice to me is puzzling, I do like the logo a good bit.

I'm very excited to ride the Phantom again with its new first drop. I always thought the first drop was rather smooth as it was, so now it should be even better! If only May could get here quicker.... Also, I'm glad to see the Kurve come back to Kennywood, as it has always been a favorite of mine. I never cared for Wipeout either, so the fact that the Kurve is replacing that is like a double bonus!

Awesome trip report! This was a very in-depth look at the park, with tons of stellar photos. The California parks have intrigued me for years, with SFMM topping the list, and one of these days I will make it out there.

Well, these tend to shuffle around a bit, but heading into the 2009 coastering season, here are mine: Top 5 Steel: 1. Millennium Force, CP -- For now, this sets the standard that all other steelies need to beat. 2. Top Thrill Dragster, CP -- Yep, it's short, but I don't care. Absolutely love this thing, and it hasn't gotten old after 30+ rides on it either. 3. Phantom's Revenge, KW -- Most seismic airtime I have experienced (consistently too!) on a steel coaster to date. I feel this is one of the most underrated coasters in the country. 4. Raging Bull, SFGAm -- Some find it a disappointment, but I thought it delivered. Loads of airtime and a winning layout. 5. Maverick, CP -- Could climb much higher with additional rerides. I've liked this one more and more after each of my 3 rides on it. I love its wide array of elements. Top 5 Wood: 1. Voyage, HW -- My #1 overall coaster, this thing is incredibly intense and a marathon of coaster adrenaline! 2. El Toro, SFGAdv -- The airtime KING, hands down, and barely behind Voyage. Could easily flop spots if I got more rides on it, as I have a mere 1 to date. 3. Ravine Flyer II, Waldameer -- What an awesome coaster, full of airtime, visuals, and (of course) NINETY DEGREES! Great star for a nice park. 4. Phoenix, Knoebels -- A classic, plain and simple. It's funny, when I rode this I thought no other woodie could touch it. Now, 3 have surpassed it in the past 3 years. 5. Lightning Racer, HP -- Sometimes a coaster vaults up here because it's not only a great ride, but just infectious FUN to ride! LR is the perfect example of that.

Sadly, all that Darien Lake really has going for it (from a coaster standpoint anyway) is Ride of Steel. That coaster is excellent, but the collection as a whole is weak. Granted, the last time I was there their Motocoaster was not installed yet, but that strikes me as a fun, but rather forgettable family coaster. The boomerang is just a boomerang, there's an SLC, and there's the most disgraceful pile of wooden trash I've ever ridden in Predator. Viper's decent enough, but it was showing its age when I went there last. It's a great park for the locals, I'm sure, but for someone like me who lives over 5 hours from the park, I can think of about a couple dozen other parks I'd like to visit before that one.

For me, there are two that jump to the top: Line jumpers Park Negligence (under-staffing coasters, lethargic crews, or not running multiple trains to accommodate crowds) causing needlessly obnoxious ride lines - *cough* Great Adventure's coasters *cough*

Well, my home park is Kennywood, and although I love all of their coasters, picking the best one is relatively easy. Phantom's Revenge - Ejector airtime heaven!

As my family would sing (after the normal birthday song), Happy, happy, happy birthday! Happy, happy, happy birthday! Happy, happy, happy birthday! To you, to you, to YOU!! OLE!!! Happy Birthday Big Mike!

Hmmm, there are a lot of great ones. My top 3 are: 1. Millennium Force - Just awesome, especially in the back car 2. Raging Bull - Pre drop, then diving down into a tunnel. Again, back row rocks the best 3. Phantom's Revenge - Although the second drop is the money shot, I'm a huge fan of this twisting dive First steel coaster drops I want to experience - Superman Ride of Steel (SFNE), Diamondback, Apollo's Chariot, Expedition GeForce, and Goliath (SFoG)