Jeezus Juice

OK, let's get this steam donkey back on track! As long as you have a valid 2006 Six Flags season pass you're good to go. Yes, that day that is blacked out on the SFMW site is for this event. What I'm not sure about is if there will be onsite pass sales on that day or not. Also, I need to check to see if a SFMW season pass voucher will be valid. I really don't see why not, but I'll check on this. ALSO VERY IMPORTANT: If you have picked up your ticket book on a day prior to the event there is a free 'bring a friend' ticket good for this day only. So you don't nessisarily need a pass at all, provided you know someone who has picked up his/her ticket book already. I'm not sure, but you may not actually have to be friends at all! I can't see how they would enforce that. Now, wether or not someone would be able to enter the park, process a pass, get the coupon, and meet you outside of the park is unknown, but may be within the realm of possibilities. So come join us! Even if you're like ol' neckbeard and have to leave right away! And Tom, I'm with Bill on this. If not the UK section of Epcot, definately by the dumpsters out back at around 5 o'clock. BYOPB (Bring your own paper bag). -Don

^I thought about that too until I remembered that these things seat like 32 people, about the same as a fully loaded B&M train. Also, I'm not talking about a hyper-coaster or anything, more like a large oval with two banked turns at either end. A ride time around 1:30 would give you the capacity of a regular Disk-O ride, give or take. And as for you ^^ shut up or I'll post that video of you topless at the kareoke bar!! Stand by your man indeed! -Don

You know I bought a trampoline as soon as I got back home! I can't believe how fun they are! Do you know that people we're actually asking me where I learned those tricks?! As if jumping and landing on your head is hard or something! LoL! We're going back this year and I've gotten a whole lot better on them since then. So look out for more high-flying Don antics in the future! Glad you liked the DVD! Yay! Don "Still lands on his head occasionally" Garrison

Well, it's probably not meant for the riders as much as people on the midway bugging the ride-op. It might not be just a safety thing but a "Leave me alone I have work to do/I'll be with you in a damn minute" kinda thing. -Don

I didn't even think about the gyro forces...I guess a zero-g roll is out! Imagine though putting the turn at the apex of a hill, and have it go 180 degrees or so and continue on an out and back sort of layout. Otherwise I'd love to see Zamperla bring back the old Virginia Wheel concept, only much bigger of course! -Don I'd love to see a disk-o take this turn! Photo by me.

^ Zamperla now markets an extended layout version of their ride as a "Disk-O Coaster". I suppose with something like a high-banked 'half-pipe' style turn you'd be able to get a disk-o to turn corners. Something similer to what Maurer has been doing with their spinners. OMG, can you imagine riding Shivering Timbers on a Disk-O?! God, that would be so insane. Hopefully they are already working on the idea. -Don

I remember seeing an 'ok' pov of the PKD version online somewhere. I don't know anything about a PKI version. Was it a flume ride as well? Great, now I want to see pictures/video as well.

^ Actually after she read that she told me that she likes it rough! So you should be all good. Barry has to stay away though! lol! Don "Learning new things about this girl everyday" Garrison

Credit questions aside, they're replacing the loop on GL, WTF?! Seriously, that doesen't even make any sense, I'm confused. As for the coaster, I count relocations (although I've only been on one) but I don't re-count ones that have off season work done to them. Unless they end up all bent over like stupid V2. Bent! -Don "Replace the loop? WTF!" Garrison

If you look at the base of the lift chain assembly you'll see the counterweight that keeps tension on the chain. With B&M coasters it's pretty easy to see. The Counerweight absorbs the "ka-chunk" so the rider feels more of a bounce than shake. CCI coasters (and now GG and GCI) have very noticeable bounces going up the lift hill. That is due to the counter weight as well. Most of those steel Arrows are from the 70's before they had really figured it out. That is why it's so noticable. I'll try and find a picture for you. -Don -edit- found one. This is what absorbs the impact of the train meeting the chain. Next time you go to a park, watch the weights as a train engages the lift and you'll see how it works. The counterweight system on Patriot. Photo by jonnyupsidedown and from rcdb.

Looks like there's going to be hot Monica and Craig action Wally! Still no Don though... -D

I'm working that weekend but it looks like Monica will probably make it down. If she does I'll be driving down on Monday if you feel like sticking around for a couple more days. Oh, and Wally, I wouldn't worry. British people aren't allowed at Knott's! They've had a policy of intolerence since 1776! -Don

I have scissors and paste, it works fine on my monitor at home! -not being very helpful, I know. Back into the corner...

Sorry for the double-post, but I have a link to the season passholder event page for anybody that hasn't recieved the e-mail (which should be most of you who probably don't have a SFMW pass!). Heres the link: http://cdi-mail.net/SFMW/blasts/SFMW_2006-02.1/ And the here is the pertenent information: Friday, March 17 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring your family to the exclusive Sneak-A-Peek night and enjoy Six Flags Marine World with your fellow Season Pass holders. As a bonus, inside the 2006 coupon book you will receive one FREE Bring-A-Friend ticket valid only on this Sneak-A-Peek night. Enjoy!

Improved dramatically = wasn't hurt in the first place. If I was there and some clumsy oaf shut down a ride for the entire day by being stupid I'd take a swing at him while they took him away on the gurney. Sounds like the news guy needs a good smack too. -Don "Hates stupid media crap like this" The Avenger

Speak for yourself! Recent file photo of Guy, just before recieving his medication.

Let's see if we can get Wally drunk enough to try this! Dude! This is better than DDR and Twister combined!!

I actually liked the ride quite a bit. It is definatly better than the one at SFStL. I like the old school style Arrow OTSRs like the Demon coasters have. The way they rest on your shoulders prevents headbanging. I've found that the Vekoma made trains ride a little smoother sometimes. Here's how to tell the difference. Sorry my thoughts seem random, I must be getting tired. Both pictures are from rcdb.com. -Don Vekoma trains have a more rounded nose. These seem to run smoother than arrow trains on boomerangs for some reason. Arrow trains have sharp, pointy fronts.

Well, on the surface it seems like a no brainer. Put this new and very entertaining film show in the incredibly bland and lackluster park across the way and squeeze -maybe- 20 more minutes out of the guests until they jump ship over to the good park. Meh, it still won't save this park, although it would do quite a bit for DCA. (The former Millionaire building comes to mind.) Unless they find a way to tie a Mysterious Island themed area into the studios, this alone probably won't do much for the park. It is a good show though, so it'll give those unable to visit either of the other two a chance to see it. -Don

All of Tokyo was just amazing. Japan (what I've seen of it) totally rocks! We can't wait to go back! Andy, we stepped off of the JR train and went right into the welcome center. If you've already made your reservation (yoyaku) head down stairs and you can take care of everything at the desk (leave your baggage, pick up your monorail tickets, resort coupons, even buy park admissions and charge them to your room!) From there you can go directly to the parks. You still have to check into your hotel later at the desk, but that doesn't take too long and they'll walk you up to your room! As for food Ikispiri is huge and full of dining and shopping. We spent 4 days there and diddn't see all of it. We liked the french bakery on the main floor, 'Chez Something' for sandwhiches and bagels/croissants. Newdays and the burger place next door at the JR station has just about every thing else you'd want really cheap. Plus Ikispiri doesn't open until 10am so Newdays was our breakfast spot! We ate at the Rain Forest Cafe one night and that was pretty good. The two of us both had an Entree, drinks, and dessert for 5500yen. Since we we're resort guest we had a 5% discount coupon as well. It was very resonable. Other than that there is a planet hollywood, an italien cafe, and assorted other eateries that we didn't try. You shouldn't have any problem with food at all, even if you don't like shrimp!! -Don The Blue Bayou restauraunt at TDL looks just like the one at Disneyland in CA. Stop here if you feel like having a nice meal at the park. The menu is fairly japanese however. If you do go to the RFC, don't leave without your Volcano! They are actually pretty good here! Just head here and go down the spiral stairs inside and to your left Ikispiri, gateway to the gastronamie! Beckers, the English burger pub...sort of. Here's the station and the shops located around, labeled for your convience!

Just stay off of the boat ride underneath it. Coastin' Steve, you have your first PPP costume idea of the year.

Lay off the Berry Punch dude!!!

Here's one more for Lou so she knows what a REAL american Gangsta looks like!! Keep it thugin'

Dude, I rock so hard. It's been a while since I updated y'all so here you go! Don't forget it! Ichi-Ban!!

Wow, looks like it'll be a plethora of aweful colors. Are you sure this isn't in Knott's parking lot! It's totally a coaster! -Don "An ugly, ugly coaster" Garrison