Thom25

^ Thanks for the update - If you see any links for Videos - that would be ideal. Pictures are great (no doubt), but I wanna see this bad boy in action - it looks GREAT !

Great Pictures - THANK YOU. Has anyone come across any videos of the ride testing?

^ Could not agree more - Moonsault looks insane and painfull (wish I riden it) - Steel Hawg and the new Ball coaster look amazing for such a compact design (shit, it would fit in my back yard) - and I'd also add El Toro (the most amazing woodie I've ever been on)

I'd take Mean Streak at Cedar Point and have the world's largest bonfire. Such a waste of valuable space, but one beautiful ride to look at.

Tkky, the idea of a land swap at CP is interesting (no doubt), and suspect even if it was true at one point, things have changed, while I do remember SFMM announcing they were planning on reclaiming the title of most coasters. Now with their current financial situation, that may have been delayed or changed as well. ^ While I agree us CP fanboys swoon, there is MUCH more to it than that imo. America's Roller Coast falls a bit flat when another park has more coasters, don't ya think. And to be honest, SFGA and SFMM are quickly becoming viable competitors to CP. I live in Boston, SFGA is much closer, but up until ET, their line-up was always a bit short. Now, it's light house point and the CP atmosphere that motivates me to drive the extra 6 hours to CP from Boston vs. SFGA. I think you're going to see Demon Drop get removed next year and replaced with the worlds biggest Intamin Zac Spin. CP can't loose the title if they want to "seriously" market themselves as America's Roller Coast. imo. I also suspect they know exactly how they are going to reclaim the height record and are just waiting for the right moment.

^ The link worked great for me - THANK YOU for sharing. It looks like one killer ride.

jdso3, I think you hit the nail on the head. I didn't even think of a suspended coaster until dbru mentioned it, then you took it too the next level (flyers). I never thought much of the concept, but after seeing it in action, it does look like it would be similar to a suspended (no doubt). In my opion, the one major weakness of flyers is the lack of a "free swing" - but some B&M seats on the bottom side of the "boats" (for lack of a better word) - and you would have one hell of a ride.

It would be easier to point you in a good direction if we had more information. The US is HUGE, so how long of a trip are you planning? If I were selecting a time of year to travel, my suggestions would be May or September to help minimize wait times. If your budget is large, you certainly could do both MM and CP, by adding an additional flying leg to your trip. Assuming your budget is limited, I would suggest focusing on which coasters you have to ride - KK/TTD or "X2". Personally, If I had a week to 10 days, I would land in NYC, rent a car and drive around (Coney Island, SFGA, CP, etc). There are over 30 parks within a 12 hour drive of NYC covering an area from Boston, to Williamsburg, to Cedar Point.

I've done more than a few simulators over the years. I can't remember them all, but certainly Star Tours and Body Wars were some of my first. Personally, I can't stand them. They are cool at the beginning, but they always try to push things to the limit, causing me in most instances to close my eyes to avoid getting a headache or worse. They are a great way to get out of the heat (no doubt), but I've never been able to watch one beginning to end. Give me the real thing anytime.

Thanks for the picture. Very interesting. SFNE is my home park, while RoS is my personal #1. I like the color, though purple and blue doesn't really "pop" in my opinion. Regarding the possible name change, only SF would do something that stupid. As mentioned by others, you rename things to minimize a bad reputation, not a good one ! No matter what they name the ride, once the GP sees it and rides it, the differences will be so minimal, people will continue to call it Superman or RoS like they have for the last 10 YEARS! Old habits are hard to break (imo). And finally, I will be bummed beyond belief if they add OTSR - it just won't be the same, and certainly NOT better. My $.02.

I just filled out my ballot - Thank you Rob for posting the links! This poll truly is the best of the best, and wish it was promoted more aggressively throughout the general media. It's hard to argue with the results, given the methodology. With all due respect Rob (TPR), why do you support the "cut and paste" method? I've avoided this poll in the past because it is so time consuming to fill out. Yes, it's a labor of love, but when you've ridden over 400 coasters, it's a monumental task ranking all of them accurately. The Coasterfanatic site, in my opinion, makes filling out the poll light years easier. My only suggestion would be making moving coasters up and down even easier. I believe that as Coasterfanatic makes improvements, the more submissions they will receive. Let's be honest, the more ballots they receive, the more valid the results.

Glad to see it's finally official, while having 5 air time hills is a bit disapointing. Personally, I think it will be a great family ride, but nothing a "thrill seeker" would travel for. I expected more to be honest, but a new coaster is always welcome.

^ Excellent point with mid-course brakes - even on Nitro - WHY? People bash Intamin way too much. I know why they exist (capacity) and thank god some rides don't have em. Another reason RoS just kicks ass. With that said, I do not understand your Maverick observation at all. Was it a joke? Maverick brakes before the launch and comes to a complete stop (arg). There is a brake at the top of the hill after, but fortunately that is barely felt.

^^ Excellent points while I definitely forgot about restraints - OTSR suck - period. Ejector air rules (no doubt) - ET and RoS. And regarding lift hill height, there is no doubt the higher you go, the scarier the situation becomes - MF - TTD - etc... I've been on MF at least 75 times, and I still get a tingle in my spine when the lift kicks into high speed, and you approach the 300 foot point - my god - exhilarating. I will take exception with any ride that has multiple lifts or launches - they suck. The ride gets a great pace going (Maverick), and then you stop (? - WTF) and launch - WHY? It feels like I'm on two small rides instead of one large one. I just don't get it, and for me, it doesn't add to the experience. With that said, Volcano rocks, because you don't stop, you just accelerate to an even higher speed - SWEET. I wish Maverick's launch was more like Volcano's.

Boy, you'll be able to write a paper just from all the responses I suspect you'll get. I think the components of maintaining speed, good laterals, smooth yet forcefull, pacing, and uniqueness makes a world class ride. Maverick is low to the ground and still gives a great "world class" ride experience. Part of it is the unique lift hill and beyond verticle drop. Farenheit has it's verticle lift and beyond verticle drop, making it a world class ride along with all of the other components of pacing, speed, and elements. If you've never been on RoS at SFNE, it is the combination of all of the above that makes it the #1 coaster in the world on many polls. Two tunnels, two helixes, flat section, amazing EJECTOR airtime, relentless pacing, and significant length combine to make it one hell of a ride. Your ride doesn't have to be big, but if it's unique and has striking elements like the pretzel loop on B&M flying coasters, it will set your work apart. Hope you share it when it's complete.

^"the positive changes we experience within the park."? - Are you being sarcastic? I'm sure I'll have tons of positive things to say after riding RoS next year at SFNE, with the new OTSR. (I AM being sarcastic).

^ I think it's all awesome. When I ride RoS and MF, I can't tell that much of a difference. For me anyway, they both feel like you basically going straight down. It's the length of MF's drop that makes it so exceptional, along with the 80 degrees - I know - lol It's the airtime hills that are getting me excited. They easily look as good as Nitro, and think they could produce some ejector air (one can hope).

^ Great pictures - thank you for sharing. It's looking great so far.

^ I think we ALL want Six Flags to succeed and be succeed, or we wouldn't be coaster enthusiasts. With that said, I wouldn't have taken the risk, unless you are so well funded like Bill Gates, you can afford the loss. I hope you got the stock at a good price, while we all know the adage about a fool and his money.

^^ Very funny and true. To think that the CFO of Six Flags has forgotten about or isn't aware of the February date is highly unlikely. I am sure they have a contingency plan, which may include bankruptcy as a last resort. They will survive either way, and the girl will go to the front of the line with their obligations.

Well, I think the best case will be that the park will open as planned next year and then be closed permanently no later than Labor Day and probably by July 4th. The problem in my opinion is the park and it's attractions. HRP has nothing worth traveling for unless you're a credit whore - nothing. There are a tons of FREE substitutes of consumption throughout the market, and on a beautiful summer day, potential guests choose between the beach, free water parks at their hotels, or smaller pay as you go attractions all along the beach. In my opinion, HRP is a "me too", with nothing unique or buzz worthy. The attractions they installed (wet or dry), should be record or news worthy and they built nothing other than the ferris wheel coaster that looks cool, but nothing more than a kiddy ride. How about the world's largest dark ride, or most intense coaster in terms of G's, anything would have worked and there were plenty of options to fit the bill that would cost less than Led Zeppelin. I hope I am wrong and wish HRP the best, but I feel the entire project was ill conceived and doomed to failure.

I have to agree and chime in as well. EVERY park should have a Lo-q, especially Cedar Point !! I also think given the firm doubled market expecations that we can conclude the system is profitable for both the park and manufacturer. Larry, it doesn't matter, though I suspect SF pays a percentage of gross, if the company's profits are strong, then they are doing something right. Six Flags is ALL about the benjamins. I doubt they paid for the system, I know the agreement generated significant income from it (first and foremost), so for Lo-q to exceed expecations, both made out well. I've sold to SF, they demand to know manufacturing costs, SF controlled Lo-q's revenue, and they still hit a home run (thank god). I know the arguement of people getting prefferencial treatment and a like. But for someone that can only get to a park like CP, or SFGA once or twice a year and has a few extra pennies. Being able to "cut" season pass holders how have been on a ride countless times, is worth the additional fee. In fact it's priceless. Cedar Point needs a replacement to their old system, which I LOVED (RIP)

I think the ride is perfect for Holiday World and visually striking as well. Intamin always exceeds expectatons with their designs. The park is so far North, I just wonder how many months/days per year people will want to get that wet. Can't wait to watch the construction and opening.

^ Actually, I took yours and just sent Robb an email.

^ Oh please.... Coaster Joe works in the industry !!! Do you think for one minute that he would be totally candid if the ride sucked on a PUBLIC board that anyone in the industry or his company could see ? I don't mean ANY disrespect to coaster Joe. I've never met him. But proffessionalism does dictate that unless you have something good to say, you keep the negatives to yourself and allow everyone to make their own respective conclusion.