DiSab

In honor of St. Patty's Day, Guinness!!

Regarding theming, it really depends on the ride type, layout, etc. to determine the level of theming that you can do. I guess we can count tunnels as theming, so I'll use that for a few examples. The Beast at KI doesn't have an obnoxious amount of theming, just enough to get the job done. The station looks like a run-down mine shack, and the tunnels definitely add something to the ride. I'm not saying that it would be a bad ride without the tunnels, but it definitely would be a different experience - especially in the final helix. Also, Maverick may not have the best theming out there, but it gets the job done. The canyons are a nice touch, and add a little more thrill to the first part of the ride. The tunnel under the station is a nice part to have, and probably wouldn't be quite as fun if it were just an open launch under the station. I'll take Robb's word on Terminator, since I haven't gotten out there yet. You can definitely enhance a ride with a little theming here and there, but too much could hinder the ride more than help it.

OMFG -- Deluka

Mmmm, I'm licking my chops just hearing about this. I think I need to find a way to Texas and ride this one. And I would imagine that the wheels would need to be pretty tightly locked to the track (a la steel coasters), 'cause too much shuffling side-to-side could run the risk on hitting the bolts in the track.

Just because I want to throw a giant wrench into this whole thing, what would we consider Rattler now that it has both wood and steel track?

Dare (Rock Remix) -- Gorillaz

I had my reservations about the trains when I first saw them, and they're still not my favorite, but they do looks better on the track than I was imagining. I can only hope they can get this on Mean Streak and turn that sucker from losing to WINNING. I've always liked the layout and whatnot, but its just too damn rough. Sounds like Rocky Mountain has a big winner in this, lets hope they start rolling out the renovations.

Maybe its just me and maybe its the quality of the video, but it looks like it takes those hills after the MCBR fairly slowly. I'm guessing its just the video, but I don't see a lot of airtime on those hills. I really hope I'm wrong, and I probably am (as usual ), so we'll see once this thing opens.

Mmm, looks nice. One of these days I'm going to have to get out there and ride this. I like the amount of gravy it looks like it's giving us.

I can see both sides of the argument, and personally I don't have a problem with the lines. Whenever I go, I generally plan on going on the less-busy, middle-of-the-week days so the lines aren't crazy. But I understand that waiting in lines are a part of going to parks. And given that the parks in my area don't have a virtual queue system, it's kind of a moot point. But if I were to go to a park for a day that had the virtual queue option, I might consider it, although whether or not I can actually afford it would be the biggest decider.

This really makes me want to go back to NYC. When I was there a few summers ago we didn't see that Muppet place, but I will definitely get there next time I go. Looks pretty cool.

How much does Dan love getting all these emails from us?

So Rattler is part RM topper track and the rest is still the wooden track? Is the transition between the track types smooth?

Machinehead -- Bush

I don't know him, and he doesn't know me. But I did it anyway.

Mine Smell Like Honey -- REM

Mmmm, super sexy. I've always like the Maverick-style restraints myself (though I haven't ridden the newer strap restraints yet), and the trains really look good. Can't wait to see them on the track.

Rope -- Foo Fighters

Lotus Flower -- Radiohead

Personally, I think the biggest issue is the cost and maintenance that would come with bigger and faster coasters. The elements would need to be bigger to withstand the G-forces, and the track would need to be more sturdy to accommodate said forces. With the way the economy is, I don't think many parks can afford the greater expenses that would come with the biggest coasters. Besides, with the types of rides and elements you can get with a smaller coaster (under 200 feet), there really is no need to build the biggest and fastest anymore. One thing I was thinking, would using LSM technology be a feasible option for big launch coasters? I would imagine that the electricity costs would be astronomical to accelerate the trains to 150+ MPH as much as they would need to, but it would probably remove the danger with the cable launches. Just a thought to toss around a bit.

Echoes -- Klaxons

Haven't had a chance to DL The King of Limbs yet, but I heard a few tracks on the radio today, and I must say I like what I hear. Looking forward to getting the full album - I figure I'll wait another day or two so the download hopefully won't as slow as I hear its going now.

Take Me Out -- Atomic Tom

We Used To Wait -- Arcade Fire

^All the more to whet the appetite of us enthusiasts. And starting the speculation early isn't a bad thing. And now that we have a good idea that something big looks to be coming, its more incentive for people to get to the park this year to follow the construction (especially once its starts).