PhantomNick

Nitro @ Six Flags Great Adventure

^^ The abrupt airtime doesn't surprise me.....if Phantom's Revenge taught me anything, it's that Morgan can do abrupt airtime!! Lightning Run looks quite awesome!! I love how fast it tears through the course. And the airtime does appear to be quite strong, which is of course a great thing! I also like the look of those quick turns right before the final bunny hops. Just looks like a real winner overall. Hopefully it rides as wonderfully as it looks like it does! I also dig the look of that metallic purple train! Now to somehow find my way to Kentucky......

Adam, I'm always a fan of double-impact donations like this!! $15 headed your way! Good luck with your fundraising!

^ Yep, CGA's schedule was posted on the first page. And don't feel bad, because we at KD have Anaconda to look forward to! ^^ Thanks for the heads up on KD's schedule being posted, Jeremiah! Only park left to release their itinerary is Carowinds. Front page is up to date again with the new park itineraries (KD and Worlds of Fun), a link to Adam's page at KI, and updated totals for each park's Team TPR! We continue to steadily make progress with our fundraising!!

Totally agree with this post. A Mack or Premier would be a fantastic choice for HW.....though I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I am totally rooting for the first U.S. Mega-Lite to land here (or anywhere, to be honest!). Those coasters look remarkably good, and they just seem like they would "fit" perfectly into HW's lineup. Here's hoping!

^ I know! We watched it off of our DVR last night, and I was pretty shocked. Of course, that's why we really love that show. It's hysterical most of the time, but it still will dive into a more serious subject every so often. A newer show that we've totally gotten hooked on is The Goldbergs! That show is truly fantastic, and very funny!! Having grown up in the 80's, so much of the subject matter is stuff I totally remember from when I was a kid!

Most places around here are sitting at a nasty $3.89 per gallon for regular. Getting dangerously close to that dreaded $4 level. I don't know how you folks in California do it! You guys are constantly dealing with some of the highest prices (if not THE highest prices) for gas in the country!!

Diamondback @ Kings Island

For as much as my wife and I LOVED BGW, it makes BGT very, very high on my wish list of parks I want to visit. The place looks absolutely fantastic, especially with all the animal exhibits (which definitely speaks to us). Plus, I'd love to ride Kumba to see if it lives up to all the hype (not to mention, I haven't been on a B&M sitdown looping coaster before)......and ride Montu, as it always has looked like one of the better inverted coasters out there. Banshee recently took over the crown as my favorite invert, so I'd love to see how it compares to Montu. I will say (since I've seen this coaster mentioned in comparisons here) that my wife and I both thought that Apollo's Chariot was certainly the best coaster at BGW, so I could see where people who have been to both parks may like that coaster best. Kumba sounds wonderful, and I might like it better, but we all know this is a hobby of personal preferences and opinions. I don't think statements like "If Kumba isn't your favorite, you're doing it wrong" make much sense, and get fairly close to that fine line of trying to jam your favorite ride down people's throats. Just my thoughts on it.

^ I dunno, with the pics I've seen and the lift/track that's visible, it sure looks like a credit to me! I'm very intrigued by this ride, as it sounds like an awesome blend of mild thrill/coaster and potentially a great dark ride! I'll be looking forward to hearing what people think of it when it opens up! I'm just impressed that Cedar Fair is actually adding a ride like this. If it takes off and is popular, I'd love to see similar rides added at other parks in the chain.

^ Indeed they are! Fantastic coverage and photos of the new Gemini midway!! Thanks so much for posting this! I think the whole area looks great, and is a remarkable upgrade over how it looked before. It also looks like it was a ridiculously fun and awesome event put on by the park. I thought about going, but my schedule wouldn't allow it.....seeing this report makes me bummed I couldn't make it. Can't go wrong with some rides on Millennium as a bonus!! The new rides look like a lot of fun too. And I dunno, our one local news station had someone up there early this morning reporting on the new stuff, and since it was still dark you could see all the lights.....I actually thought Monster looked good, at least on TV anyway. Weird about the belt thing on the Lake Erie Eagles. Is this a common thing on the newer flyer installations?

Okay, TPR teammates, I have updated the first page again......and I have some HUGE news!!! With another surge of donations this week, after running the latest totals I am beyond proud to say -- that Team TPR has an "officially posted total" (with others still raising money to be posted later.....that line's for Jason ) now of $10,092 raised for GKTW!!!! Folks, that is AMAZING!!!! Seriously, let that number sink in for a minute and realize the kind of impact you all are contributing towards. This will do so much for GKTW, and the best part is, we still have about a month to let that number grow higher and higher! THIS shows why TPR is such a wonderful collection of people. You should all be proud of what we are doing as Team TPR! Also, the size of our team continues to grow too. We now are up to 68 riders across the 11 parks. Great stuff. Thank you, everyone, for your continued support and hard work! Let's keep this wave of momentum rolling along!

If you ever wanted proof that some people seriously LOOK for things to b**ch about, there you go! This is another crazy, awesome-looking coaster from one of the ballsiest companies making coasters today, and you want to moan about the sign?? Yep, Leviathan and GateKeeper both have better looking signs. But, I'm guessing that will be the only thing they will have over Goliath once it's open and people start riding it. Give me the better ride experience any day over a fancier sign! (For the record, I actually kinda dig the roman-esque columns around the entrance!) Goliath looks fantastic! It is killing me that I've yet to ride an RMC coaster.....gotta fix that at some point, as they all look incredible!

^ Nice! You aren't alone, my friend.....and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who still uses it! CG is what I used when I really started getting into the hobby, and the simplistic nature of it kept me using it ever since. They also "count" pretty much dead on to how I do, including the rarity of just counting a racing coaster (where the layouts are essentially the same) as 1 credit (which is what I do.....i.e., I only count Lightning Racer as 1 credit. I realize that I may be in the minority, but oh well). I have thought about bringing the data over to Excel as well, just in case these sites go belly up at some point. I need to get on that.

This. As the old phrase goes: those who know, don't talk......and those who talk, don't know. Is anyone from TPR going to their little media preview for the new Gemini midway?

You're lucky you don't have a "Columbus Day" section--then you'd have to choose Nina, Pinta, or Santa Maria, which could've meant a much longer meeting. Not necessarily......."Holiday World announces World's First "Triple Dueling" swinging ships for the Columbus Day section -- Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria!!" Meeting adjourned! Mayflower looks great, and feels like a perfect addition to the Thanksgiving area. Now for that 2nd coaster in Thanksgiving.......

^ Cool video. Looking forward to my first visit of the season in a week or so! Saw some pictures posted from Saturday's opening day. I think the Johnny Rockets location looks pretty good from the outside. I like that the main vibe of the old carousel building appears to be staying in tact. I'll definitely check it out at some point this year. The new "ordering kiosks" for the Potato Patch are interesting. I'll be curious to see if it helps the lines when the park gets really busy. By the look of the one picture I saw, it appears that there are 3 ordering kiosks, but I'm not positive on that. Also, the new Phantom trains don't appear that much different (which is probably a good thing!).....although I would've liked to have seen them keep the "Kennywood" decal on the front of the train. Very minor thing, for sure, but it looked a little weird without it. Also, the new headlights that returned to the Thunderbolt look GREAT!!

^ As it should! That coaster is a HUGE win for Kings Island!! Although, after debating it in my mind, I discovered something about Banshee that I don't like........the fact that it resides 4 and a half hours from me!! That awesome thing needs to be closer.

Muchas Gracias!! I've sent matching donations back to you both! Go Team TPR!! One spot still up for grabs.....who else wants to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by supporting GKTW??

I have to say, the new Gemini midway area looks absolutely fantastic!! This stretch really did need a freshening up/overhaul, and it now looks a hundred times better. Everything looks so clean and vibrant, and the 2 new rides both look great! I've yet to ride a flat (yes, I used the right word.... ) like Pipe Scream, but it looks like it would deliver a cool ride.

Well, since today is Cinco de Mayo and all about "5's", I thought about trying something fun. The next 3 people who donate a multiple of 5 to my page will receive a matching donation back from me! (I am able to match a maximum of $20 per donation) Matching donation will go back to the donating person's fundraising page (if they have one) or to the page of a participant of their choice. Here's your chance to make a double impact with a simple donation!! Offer good through the remainder of Cinco de Mayo! Ole! And gracias to those who donate!! So, who will grab those 3 spots??

Awake - Godsmack

Burgers for me, no question! (Even though I do like a good burrito) There's a local place that has popped up in the Pittsburgh area named Burgatory and it is pretty much burger perfection. You can customize your own creation, from beef to bison to wagyu beef to veggie.....with ridiculous amounts of toppings! And their shakes?? Holy crap! Mmmmm, Burgatory Now after all that talk, I need to head there for a burger!

Jack Rabbit @ Kennywood

^ Winner! And boy, would a coaster like that be welcomed up there! I dunno, I love Premier launching coasters, and I think this model (though I've yet to ride one) looks pretty awesome myself! Add some Busch theming and I think the park has a potential kick-butt and unique (the only other one in the U.S. is on the other freaking side of the country!) ride on their hands. I haven't seen anything that dismisses the notion of a dual station, so I don't think anything can be ruled out until the park announces something. And if it doesn't have a dual station? It won't change the fact that it's a great ride. Shoot, if the line is that long, then that's what Quick Queue is for!!