OldJJman

Excellent video!! Thanks for sharing! JJ

I'd almost agree with Elissa, but since I haven't been there yet, I had to vote yes. That being said, I have heard many bad stories about the park, especially related to operations. Fortunately, I will be heading up there next year doing a midwest trip of 10-12 days, hitting pretty much everything I haven't done in IN, IL, MN, MI, IA and maybe KS and back to Branson. I've done most of the parks, now it's time to get ALL of the other credits. (This is such a damn stupid hobby sometimes!!) JJ (Who now is determined to hit 700 next year! 88 to go.)

Cool! Another credit when I make it back to Florida!!! JJ

612, and no new credits since June of this year.. It's so depressing. JJ

What about Silver Bullet? JJ

^ Go east on Katella to Harbor Blvd. Turn left (north) find the 5 north. Exit Magic Mountain Pkwy. Turn left. JJ

If for ANY reason you take the 405 (other than flying into LAX, or are staying in the LAX- Santa Monica areas) you can most definitely add1-1/2 hours onto your trip!!! JJ

I would gracefully DISAGREE!! (So much for grace ) The Ozark Wildcat is my #1 wooden coaster (out of 138 ridden). I like this better than Hades, Thunderhead, BD, Legend, Raven, GR, ST... etc. Though it may fall to my #2 this year in Mitch's poll to J2 (Tsunami). Haven't quite decided yet. I know that others feel the same way. I think that Robb & Elissa both have this ranked highly as well. The reason that you probably don't hear all that much about it is, it's just so far off the beaten path!! A lot of people haven't made it there yet. Granted CC isn't all that big, but with a sister park like SDC 10 minutes away, it makes a great destination weekend, or longer!! JJ

OMG! Don't even use those directions!!! (Unless you have an extra hour+ to kill!) Stay on the 5!! I'm assuming that you'll be coming up from the south. If that's the case, you would have already gone through the heaviest traffic before the 134 anyway. Stay on the 5! JJ

Another great TR Tim! I was saddened to read about the racheting restraints on the Venus coaster. It looks so damn cool!! Just wondering, are the restraints similar to those on Zonga (Taz)?? Are the forces comparable?? Granted, I didn't like those restraints too much, but I was able to sit straight up for most of the ride. Certainly defensive riding. Jeff

Well, I'm certainly not going to be original here but: 1. The un-named woodie at Beach Bend, being built by GCI. Even after riding Hades this year, the Ozark Wildcat is still my #1 wooden coaster. I love the way the newer GCI's (Dollywood's Thunderhead is also good) have a more out-of-control feeling and the great endings they have. Also perfect for their millennium flyer trains!! This should be no different, and my expectations are very high for this one! Especially not having seen any layout. 1.1. The Voyage at Holiday World, being built by The Gravity Group. I think that Hades was a GREAT debut for the company, especially the way that way the ride is handled before the lift hill, the sections in the tunnel, and the sustained speed. With the animation of The Voyage, I also have very high expectations for this ride. 3. Expedition Everest It looks very interesting. I think that the themeing and the storyline can only add to the illusion that this ride will create. It ought to be a blast! 4. SFGAd's woodie I liked Colossos, but not nearly as much as some other people here. Granted, the new Intamin track IS VERY SMOOTH and FAST. I just happen to like a little more out-of-control ride. (I'll be riding Balder next summer ) The rocket coasters are fun (except Kingda Ka--hated it, shuffled and shook violently--1 week before the accident.), so I guess I can add the mini Kingda Ka. I can also add Goliath at SFoG. I like the B&M hypers, and this layout looks VERY promising. With all of the above, I still reserve judgement until AFTER I have ridden them! I am looking forward to all of these, becasue I WILL be riding all of them. JJ

Absolutely awesome TR Tim! Keep 'em coming!! Jeff (Who wonders if Robb can actualy schedule a typhoon?!?!)

JE - Thanks for storyline! That sounds very plausible, and quite entertaining! Given that the Disney Parks in Tokyo have a much higher budget that here in the states, this thing sounds AWESOME!! (OK Robb-- Where do we send the deposit?? I will be there!!) JJ

So where do I send my deposit?? Or should I say when? JJ

Robb-- Thanks for the quick emails and truth about what's going on. You guys are really running a quality site. It shows. Jeff

This actually comes as no surprise. More of a relief as CP fanboys think TTD or MF is the best. (They need to get a clue!) EGF is a spectacular, awesome, heaven sent ride!! Of course, S:RoS at SFNE is damn good as well! But, it does have that SF moniker attached to it. (sigh) Jeff

Great topic! Bad endings: I'd have to agree with the general consensus about Ninja (SFMM) and Adventure Express. They are pretty bad, yet both are OK rides. Why didn't they go with seperate load/unload stations. (ala Rock-n-Rollercoaster.) Decent endings: The Beast's helix The tight helix on Shivering Timbers J2 (Tsunami) and it's cousin Avalanche. Both are sooooooo wrong, it's just cool As far as best IMO: Steel: Big Thunder at Disneyland Paris (That tunnel and pop into the light is so good!) Colossus at Thorpe (Good call Derek!) Wood: The Texas Giant's final "magic carpet" ride is too awesome for words!! (Granted, I did ride it during an ERT session in the light rain) The Ozark Wildcat is a very close second to the TG. Probably better on an average day. JJ

The dilapidated (now closed) Herschel Mad Mouse at J's Amusements in Guerneville, CA., really scared me pretty good. Especially, when the ride op controled the final brakes. However, my vote goes for King Solomon's Mines, over the one at BPB. Wicked, nasty airtime, while sitting about a low as you can go. Loved it! JJ

I've never been there, what are all the blue canopy looking things? IIRC--they are canopies over the walkways, as there are (seriously) about 3 trees in the park, and lots and lots of concrete. I believe that at one time they were going to incorporate misters in to all of the canopies. That was (obviously) pre-SF. JJ

Well, what can I say?? I've known of Robb and TPR for 7-8 years, maybe more.I knew him mostly thru RRC. I first met Robb at the media day opening of GR. Very cordial, very helpful, very rotund. We had met several times at various places. In the spring of '99 I went to the opening day of Tremors at Silverwood. Later in the summer of '99, I did 29 parks in 24 states in 21 days. I even called Robb and gave him a sound byte for TPR while riding coasters at Lagoon. He even hosted some of my pictures later on. Are those pics and soundbyte still here?? I met Elissa at the IOA preview day in April (?) of '99. A skinny litte cutie! They are good friends, and the two of them have done wonders with this site together. Despite the fact they both call me OLD!! JJ (Like Derek said, RRC has become troll city, though I still read and occaisionally post. I also see that Kip and Tim have started posting here. It's good entertainment!)

Derek, I can't believe you haven't made it to ST until now! About time! Your TR absolutely captures what everyone who has ever been there has said in their TR's. It's kinda funny. Nice pics too. I also think that almost everyone who has been there has taken the same pics, same angles. It's just not the greatest laid out park. But ST is good. Much better at night. You should make your next visit at Timbersfest! FWIW--I have ST ranked at #24. Good ride, just repetitive. JJ

IF I can get off work early, I'll try and make it for the DVD party etc... JJ