coolcalicoaster

I saw Robin Quivers and Bababooey at SFGADV. I heard Richard Christy and Sal the Stockbroker were there also.

^ I know that, but is the refurbishment's on SOB and Mean Streak as extensive as what they are expecting with TG. I mean they are always doing track work on MS. I haven't ever seen anything this extensive done to the ride. SOB just took out a loop and added some new/old trains. To me sounds like some work on a higher level, including track modifications and brand new trains built specifically for TG. I am only wondering. I am not a physics expert by any means so I do not know what is possible if enough money is put into it.

This is exciting news for Texas Giant fans and for people around the world that want their favorite woodie to be good again! I really wish more details of the refurbishment were stated. I wonder is there is some new technology that assists in redesigning specific elements, banking, drops, etc... in order to smooth out a rough coaster. I hope SOB and Mean Streak are next:)

Great photos!! I agree that Mantis is a very fun and underrated coaster. I think some people genuinely just don't like it as others tend to agree for the sake of agreeing. I compare it to people forming an opinion of a Movie because of a review they read before watching it. They cannot form an opinion of their own, separate from another's viewpoint. Some people would rather fit in with a particular group than go out on a limb with a true unbiased opinion of their own. You see a lot of that in these forums. More assertive TPR members, such as Robb, Elissa, and several others may stress a personal dislike for a particular coaster. Fair enough, they have the qualifications to give a valid viewpoint. Then you have the followers that would rather be in agreement with them than admit an honest opinion. This is how you get a negative misconception of a ride like, Mantis. While some may not like it, more people actually enjoy its thrill. The proof is in the fact that there is usually always a long line to ride. Same could be said for people in politics. Heaven forbid a republican disagree with Rush Limbaugh!!!! At least voice a contradiction to his commentary. Big Mike is a great example of someone that will always give his honest opinion without the effort to adhere to the predominate figures in TPR. Thats why I enjoy reading his posts and value his opinions and reviews.

I hope you are right! It is going to be fun to read all the reviews and maybe have the chance to ride and give one of my own:)

^No no no! I am sorry if it came across that I thought Manta was a waste of space. I was trying to say that the space around Manta was a waste. I see alot more room that could have been used to elongate Manta. I have been on the Superman flyers and it was neat at first but I would never wait in line again for such a short ride with little content as these short, cutout, flying coaster models. I do agree with you that the line should be great walking through the aquariums, but I just think they went cheap on the actual coaster. What they have now looks great but still seems lacking. I do understand some of your points.

Thank you. I have enjoyed this thread all along till now. How did the focus change to a crappy, now defunct coaster? Now that I got that out, I have to say I am so entertained by seeing the progress of this masterpiece. I enjoy all the photo reports. Keep them coming you guys, you are the ones that make this thread so enjoyable:) I think Universal has a winner on their hands. Lets hope the ride is as smooth and it looks.

The video actually demonstrates how short the ride is. I think sometimes parks put too much emphasis on the ride and not the aesthetics. In this case it is the opposite. I think there are so many tangibles that make the ride "look" interesting, but the ride itself just looks blah. It seems so very short:( I think more attention should have been put on the coaster itself. I think after a long wait people will be disappointed in how short this the ride portion is. So much wasted room:( I hope I am proved wrong, I really do. I love Sea World and the rides.

LOL Videos don't really give as accurate of details such as, how much airtime a ride will have! My guess is that the train will need to have plenty of speed generated to complete the loop everytime. Therefore, there will be plenty of airtime as you crest and start the descent of that hill. They aren't going to design this element so that there is just barely enough speed to get around the loop. If so there would be frequent rollbacks and by the look of the ride, it isn't going to be an easy task to get the train out of there. Moral of the story, don't judge a coaster by a video. Especially an animated video!

I couldn't agree more. Most people in Florida are going to get more hyped over Manta simply cause they have not ridden or maybe not even seen a flying coaster. However, I think most coaster enthusiast aren't nearly as hyped for Manta as they are for HRRR. I think Manta is a beautiful looking ride and the trains look great, but the Ride itself just looks blah. I could care less about going out of my way to ride it. HRRR, on the other hand, looks very fun and unique with a very interesting layout, unlike Manta. I would schedule a trip simply to ride it. As far as American coasters go, Manta would be last on my list behind Diamondback, HRRR, and what ever else is being built around the country. Hell, I would rather go all the way to SFMM to ride terminator than go out of my way for Manta. Maybe a good fit for Sea World but will definitely leave riders with something left to desire. IMO

Amen to that! What kind of improvements do you think they could make to optimize this coasters potential. It definitely need something. Is it possible to add some banking and dips where needed. There is a lot of straight boring sections that could benefit from a double down or a few hills. The real question I guess is, would they ever mess with The Beast?

Happy B-day Kristen!!!

Doesn't the Ohio State Fair have one every year? I saw one a few years back when I first moved here but haven't been back since. Not a big fan of state fairs! lol

Where I come from, weasel is an insult, pure and simple. Understand what coocalicoaster meant, but it's a still bad choice of words, especially towards Robb and what all he and his family do here. Noone's PO'ed, or upset, but I think some of us are saying casually and helpfully "be careful what you say and how you say it". That's all. Is the jury still out on a pretzel stand next to the Manta? I'd like that... I haven't been able to catch up on the forums lately because of how busy I have been. I normally wouldn't respond to this kind talk but for the sake of letting Robb know my intentions I will briefly respond. Sorry to revert back to this crap. I used the term 'weasel' because no matter how good the pictures are that people send in, Robb always manages to get behind the scenes and get the best and most unique views of the ride. I mean i have seen pics of him walking down the tracks of a coaster! I was using 'weasel' as a verb not a noun. I have great admiration for all that he has accomplished and my frequent stops at this site proves so. He and Elissa seem to make a great team at bringing us all this fun and information. I look forward to all of the trip reports, photos, and videos. I thank them for it:) As for the coaster, it is looking awesome and I cannot wait to see the que line. However, I can help but wonder why it wasn't made a little longer? Looking at the overview pics it seems that there is plenty of room. It seems like a good ride that could have been a true great in the coaster world.

I am pretty darn excited to see this thing in action. Somehow they have taking old coaster concepts, together with a few new ones and turned this machine into a totally new experience. Is their really anything to compare it to?

I don't think they can run Behemoths MCBR like that because there is a very intense helix that immediately follows. I would think that the helix is intense enough already. Correct me if I am wrong.

Currently living in Ohio, you would think I would be the most excited about Diamondback. However, This coaster has taken some of D-Backs thunder for me! The ride looks awesome! Anyone in or around Ohio agree?

"Weasel"? I'm sure you meant it as a compliment. But methinks Theme Park Review is simply that well known. If your park wants a big presence on the internet, or wants to connect directly with enthusiasts, then why wouldn't you want to invite over a nice man like Robb? I completely meant it as a compliment. I have great respect for what Robb has put together. As for you..... Maybe try not to look for negatives in everything. You got awfully defensive for something that wasn't addressed towards you. Robb does not need your backup, I am pretty sure of that. Again, great job Robb.

Great pictures Robb. You certainly know how to weasel your way in parks for some behind the seens looks. You got a talent kid! Keep up the good work.

Lets take bets on how long before this thread is locked!

I can see the SFMM has not changed all that much from the time I moved to Ohio. Greats rides, bad atmosphere:( MM can add all the new rides they want, but in the end it will still produce the same unsatisfying impression, at least to grown ups and families. I will catch crap for this, but I was hoping the rumors that swirled a few years back of MM being closed were true, so maybe they could move those world class rides to a new location where people are a little more positive and friendly as opposed to what MM produces. Same goes with much of the general public at the park. It is a far cry from some of the other major parks I have been to? You just don't get that pleasurable climate amusement parks are supposed to generate. Can anyone name a park that produces as much negativity as SFMM?

Has there been a discussion on best pizza at a park. I never go to CP without getting a slice of that pizza back by Maverick. KI has La Rosas which is great as well. SFMM didnt have the best pizza when I was t here but it has been a few years. Have they added anything new? I would love to hear from many of you on who has the best pizza.

^Is it me or does this post almost say the exact same thing as the guy before? Maybe thrillseeker and steelie94 are the same people, except one is 20 and the other is in his 30's! lol Very interesting! Anyway, I find the comment "I don't even think its worth riding" to be quite extreme. I mean there are some rides like Goliath at SFMM or Mystery Mine at Dollywood, that I am not paticularly fond of but I think they are always worth a ride. Oh'well, less people in line for MF. Sweeeeet!

I have to go with Tatsu. X2 is just too short.

Eyesore? WTF? This is a great addition to the skyline in my opinion.