OldJJman

Great point Elissa!! Maybe it'll all be revealed on April 1!!

I'd agree with that, as they're still working on the tunnel project under the mountain, to create another passage to the rear of the park. Major, major expenditure. I just say - wait and find out, or until the clues give it away. As it stands now - I think that the "clues" have been awesome! They create speculation, and truly give away nothing!! I love it! JJ

I like your quotes about no alarm, Robb. That ought to get some lawyers out there soon!! I also liked the quote at the end: "Workers at the Promenade Apartments were not allowed to comment Sunday about the fire." Ya think?? From what Elissa has said in the past, I'd be surprised they showed up at all.

Did anyone consider (besides me, apparently) GCI's Facebook posting on January 13?? Their post was: Great Coasters International, Inc. Ni hao That's how you say "hello" in Chinese. My bet is a Chinese park. JJ

"Everything's better with fire!!" - Robb Alvey Good to know you're OK Robb!! Jeff "I could've sworn I put that cigarette out!" Johnson

Elissa, didn't we witness this firsthand?? Natasha, the Chinese girl with us in '08, didn't she have to have a special visa just to get into Hong Kong? I remember that she couldn't go with us to Macau because her visa didn't permit it. So that *may* be a reason why more people from the mainland haven't gone to HKDL.

18/20 Yay! Not a total geek!!

Just a couple thoughts... Could the height restriction be insurance related?? Afterall, in sue-happy, idiotic California, roller coasters are killing/maiming machines. For a cash strapped company like SF, that could add up to quite a bit of $$. Now, before anyone mentions that other SF parks have the same ride with the 36" requirements, SFMM is (technically) open year round. Thus, effectively doubling or tripling, insurance payments for SFMM on the same ride. That could also *possibly* explain why the change was made to Jaguar. (Figuring that the old policy was in effect when CF bought KBF, and to renew the policy with the new owners, the insurance company demanded the changes be written.) Disney, OTOH, is not as cash strapped as the others, and markets everything specifically towards families, much like Legoland would. I do understand that families are not the core audience of SFMM, but if increased insurance costs are their reasoning behind this, it's time to bite the bullet, pay the difference, and market the ride as it is/was intended. JJ

I took a look at the poll, (because I do like them for fun) and decided against voting. It seems as if it was just put up to justify a couple of people's opinions of what would make the list, as opposed to an actual poll. (Aside from the fact there's no way to prevent a single person from voting 2000 times, aka: Discovery channel "polls") I also found it interesting that under the category of "Water Coasters", there is only one actual coaster, and several water rides. I would assume, by definition, that for something to be considered a "water coaster" (which IMO is a TERRIBLE term for a ride), it's principal mode of flow/movement is caused by water. Atlantis Adventure does not require water to run at all, though it does enhance the experience. It would still be a top tier ride without any water at all. It just came across as a little too Mickey Mouse to me (speaking of - DCA=Epic Fail). Sorry. JJ

Jds03 I really like your design! However, I think that "Family Membership" could be a bit smaller, and the "Club TPR" could be a bit bigger. Perhaps even swapped locations. Maybe even tone down the coaster a bit. VERY nice. Just my thoughts. JJ

Wood - 291 Steel - 292

^ The design of that "TPR" is awesome!! I wonder if it would look better if all of "CLUB" was in gold. EXCELLENT!!

I love how the word "CLUB" has evolved to be gold so far. I'm just wondering if it should also be in the "Gadzooks" font?

A few other thoughts of my own, as I'm quite the simpleton: Angry Gumball - Nice, but the black is a bit overpowering. Needs more color, or shades thereof. J Man - I like this one as well. But the white rectangle with the info kinda ruins it for me. LOVE the look of the donkey though. Another question - Do the words "Name", "TPR Screen name", and "Member Type" really have to be there? I understand "Member Since" and "Expires" (or "Expiration date") I think nothing would be good for the persons name. (i.e. The word "Name" doesn't actually appear on the card.) Something like "TPR ID" for their screen name, instead of "TPR Screen Name". Instead of "member type" and then the actual type, how about "Single membership" or "Family Membership" etc... as a single line. The word "type" just doesn't belong IMO. JJ Edited to add: n7 - I love the changes made!! Love the "ThemeParkReview.com" in the gold!!

Robb, quick question that might be an idea. Have you thought about putting the web address on the back of the card, or is that cost prohibitive? It's kind of like the fine print on the back of credit cards. Anyway, just a thought. JJ

^Die!

I would concur with both Elissa and Chuck (^^&^^^). Grizzly's just BORING, like Mechanic said above (^^^^). Slow, but terribly consistent! It's always been that way. I truly think that Anaconda will fall to that last place spot before too long, especially once the relocated Orochi (Raptor clone) opens at the dreadful Walygator Parc. I would even think that Bandit should be lower than grizzly. Someone needs to find and post Steve & Lou's ride on it from a couple of years ago. (Granted, I think it would be rated "R" for language!)

You got me.

But Joe, that is a matter of opinion (one that both I, and the polls, tend to agree with). There are still people out there that absolutely sing the praises of Magnum, still saying that it's a "top ten" ride. Being that it was made by Arrow, AND it's at Cedar Point AND it's an American company, "validates" their opinion. The only thing that really surprised me about the poll was Fireball. I thought it was a good, solid ride, but I only ranked it at #17. As for the GCI's - I really like them. They're fun. But, almost all of them feel the same after awhile. I suppose that even Terminator (my #18) will drop over time. I still love Troy (my #8) and could ride it for hours (which I have!). But my favorite GCI is still the (SBNO) Ozark Wildcat (my #2, behind T-Express), which I'm afraid I'll never ride again. It's just a kick ass ride to me. I think it's just fun watching how some rides fall in the polls year after year, and the staying power of others. Classic examples: Ghostrider (#55 on Mitch's, #100 on my ballot, (previously, my #1-years ago)) - Look at the fall that it has taken over the years. It WAS a great ride. Lack of care and proper maintenance over the years has taken it's toll. Coaster (PNE)(#23 on Mitch's, #10 on mine) - This tiny coaster continues to hold it's own against all of the newer, bigger, faster rides that come along. Just an awesome ride. I enjoy the discussions created by the results. But NO results are worthy of giving ANYONE the right to take an "I told you so" or "You'll see" attitude, here or anywhere else. The results are simply a measuring stick to show others where to find better (and/or worse) rides than what they may have ridden, and can hopefully plan on riding in the future. Mitch's poll is simply the best. Please take the time to thank him for his continuing to do this year after year. JJ

Don't forget - They're also so damned hyped up on saving older, dilapidated, boring coasters, that travelling outside of their comfort zone (be it county, state, province OR country) that nothing else matters. I remember a few years ago (7-8), that there were a couple of "enthusiasses" who BOLDY proclaimed that any coaster outside of the USA automatically was inferior, due to the FACT that USA was #1 in EVERYTHING! Having now traveled a bit myself, I see how ignorant that statement really is. JJ

Agreed. No doubt. In MY opinion, the trashing of Eejanaika is well deserved, and has very little to do with the park. Granted, I like the park (mostly due to it's setting). The rides are average, and I really did like Fuji. It's the operations that are horrible. From what I understand, each ride is owned & operated by a different vendor. So, there is no consistancy in operations. Getting back on topic. Having ridden X2 (and the original X) a couple hundred times over the years, thru the good and bad times, and in every seat, X2, was NEVER NEARLY as bad as my single ride on Euthanasia (sorry, Eejanaika). Eejanaika was just bad, in my opinion. (I would speculate that there are/were some issues with proper clearances as to the wheels' proximity to the track. Visible gaps of 3/4" on every wheel, etc... Very similar to what you'd see on most older SLC's.) I was so violently shaken by the ride, that it instantly made my "Never Again" list! Something X2 (X) never even approached. And, I have to make my ranking based on my own experience, not what it could, or might feel like, but what it did. My .02 for the day. JJ

Ghostrider peaked at #4 in 2000. Of course, that was back when they took care of it. JJ

Very well put, Joe!

Thanks for the ongoing updates Adam!!

^^ I'm pretty sure you can. I believe they were posted so people can make corrections. Just send Mitch an email stating your changes and I'm sure he'll take care of it.