rcroques

I stand by the ideology of destroying S:TE and building an Intamin rocket coaster in it's place. Start where the station is now. Now, we must remember that Xcelerator takes 157 feet in order to reach the top of the tower. Figuring SFMM will break a record, they will need little more than three hundred to four hundred feet in order to gain enough speed to summit the top hat, which will probably reach a height of about 470 to 480 feet. The top hat will be quite standard, although if they wanted to really freak some people out, they should turn it upside down. Anyhow, from the top hat it will drop down to the bottom of the hill back behind the Colossus County Fair games and Johnny Rocket's and then do some low-to-the-ground turning followed by a large overbanked turn over the station and queue line. From there, it should proceed back behind Log Jammer and Bucaneer and all that, still turning and getting airtime. Another overbank turnaround and it heads into the brakes and then, ultimately back to the station. Keep in mind that I have no clue if this will ever happen, but it's what I want to see. Estimated Stats: Speed: 145 - 150 m.p.h. Height: 470 ft. from station to crest, about 530 from crest to bottom of hill. Cost: ... a lot.... Sincerely, R.C.

^I've only ever noticed the red lights in the tunnels. I did happen to get twelve rides in with the mist on Thursday... the only thing I didn't like about the mist was the coldness of it. Other than that, I thought it was pretty cool. I have 33 rides on Terminator so far and every ride keeps getting better and better. The trains are breaking in quite nicely. Sincerely, R.C.

LOL I just saw that now. Anyway the vomiting on Ninja might result from the way it sways from side to side. I know to me it's not a very thrilling ride but it is possible. I guess that could be it. It just confused me. Even when I worked Viper and X, I never saw that many people puke. In fact, I never saw anybody puke on those rides. I saw a lot of other crazy things (this guy lost his prosthetic leg on X), but I never saw vomiting. Sincerely, R.C.

The Riddler's Revenge's barf bonanza can best be explained by it's forces and inversions. What I never understood is, when I worked there, multitudes of people were barfing on rides like Ninja. I swear, we were 10-7, 10-38 way too much when I was at that ride. Seriously, why did Ninja make so many people vomit? Sincerely, R.C.

The North I-5 off-ramp to Magic Mtn. Pkwy. will be closing very soon, if it hasn't already. While the signs will say to use Valencia Blvd as a detour, I recommend Lyons or McBean. Valencia's liable to be full of cars randomly screeching to a halt in the middle of the road when they all realize just how many lanes must be crossed in order to make that quick right onto The Old Road. Agreed. Seriously, what were the designers of that intersection thinking? I almost get hit each and every time I go through that intersection. In actuality, you could also take the offramp for Newhall Ranch Rd., although it would take a little back tracking. The easiest would be McBean, although you can bet there'll be massive traffic on The Old Rd. when the park is jammed. Lyons isn't a bad option but honestly, your best bet is McBean. Sincerely, R.C. Sincerely, R.C.

I understand that you haven't ridden the actual coaster and are working with just a POV and pictures, but I'd like to offer a few constructive criticisms... - The diagonal drop before the first tunnel has a little bit too much of a bump before it drops... not really too bad but it just needs a little adjusting to be completely accurate. - The turn toward the station fly-by is too gradual. On the ride, that turn is pretty tight and it kind of throws you around a little bit. In fact, that section from the turnaround to the end of the ride is pretty violent (in a really good way). - The aforementioned turn is also banked really high. It's probably about a good 65 - 75 degree angle. - After the second tunnel, the track actually climbs a little bit before making the right turn toward the sweeping curve. So, after the tunnel, it is still straight for just a little bit longer until it banks right. - Lastly, the little camel hill after the sweeper is a little more straight. Not by much, mind you, but it rises, straightens and then curves on the down side. Other than that, you've done a great job thus far. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, R.C.

I've ridden it 21 times... and it still amazes me. Today I went with a buddy who hadn't ridden it yet due to the fact he couldn't make the employee preview... he was just as amazed as I was. I also saw a few of the TPR crew while at the park and saw William, though I didn't really get to say hello as the crew was doing an absolutely fabulous job of getting people on the ride. I wish I had pictures, but my camera was being tempermental... however, I had a friend just outright give me enough cash for a new digital camera (yeah, I don't know why, but hey, he straight up told me to use the money on something I truly wanted). Great job to everyone at Magic... you've got an absolutely insane woodie here. The park has turned around in so many ways and I, for once in my life, am completely proud to call it my home park. Sincerely, R.C.

Stay on I-5! It's a straight shot from San Diego to Valencia that way. However, every time I have driven back to Valencia from San Diego, I've hit traffic right about the Encinitas area and then again right before the East LA Interchange. However, the 405 is not any better... heck, it's probably worse. Enjoy your stay in Valencia! Sincerely, R.C.

1. X2 2. Terminator Salvation: The Ride 3. Tatsu 4. The Riddler's Revenge 5. Batman 6. Scream 7. Ninja 8. Goliath 9. Viper 10. Revolution 11. Deja Vu 12. Goldrusher 13. Superman 14. Colossus Then again, with the roughness of Colossus, no wonder it's placed so low. Although Psyclone, if it were still around would be toward the top of the list and it was rougher than Colossus... then again, I also had a connection with that ride. It was the first large coaster I operated and I rode it well over two thousand times including a 45 ride marathon. Sincerely, R.C.

I went into last night with high expectations of Terminator. I had already thought it would be my absolute favorite wooden coaster that I've ridden and I thought that it would be an awesome experience. It exceeded my expectations. I don't know how Jay, Neal, and Tim keep pulling off amazing things, but Terminator is absolutely flawless in my opinion (although the pre-show does drag a little bit). The airtime was absolutely amazing... the turns were quick and well-paced... the soundtrack was awesome. Everything came together for my new number two ride at SFMM and favorite woodie. The thing is, as much as you read, you have to ride it to truly appreciate the beauty. Sincerely, R.C.

I WON! Looks like I'll see you all there tomorrow night! I can't really afford any true TPR swag, but I will wear my WCB shirt (also known as my official coastering t-shirt). I am completely STOKED! Sincerely, R.C.

I'm somehow feeling TPR meet-up with ERT... If so, I'll be there. I'm already going to be there on Saturday for the opening... I don't care about the lines... I want me some Terminator. I'm shivering just thinking that in few days I'll have a new coaster to ride. Sincerely, R.C.

My first word was "Coke". Apparently, I was thirsty and my dad had a Coke so I wanted some of it. Sincerely, R.C.

Cuckoo-Ka-Choo-Choo?! John Lennon is turning in his grave. Sincerely, R.C.

I think the theme is completely feasible. It's possible that since the machines have taken over, the Resistance is forced to start again from the bare bones, hence the wooden coaster idea. I may be reaching, but it's the way that I see it as working if they are going to make the ride fit the theming. That said, those are some sexy trains... can't wait to see these things test. Sincerely, R.C.

If what I have heard is true, we could get one at Knott's. As you said, it's a matter of fitting it in. However, I could see them crossing the street if need be. They've already done it with GhostRider. Sincerely, R.C.

I agree that Goliath can be quite intimidating to some people, including the fact that the restraints really do not feel all that secure. I, myself, think that the back row of X is possibly the most intense experience I've ever had on a coaster. Deja Vu is a pretty cool ride, but I agree that the hang time is definitely not my cup of tea. Sincerely, R.C.

It's not so much an idea for a roller coaster as it is an idea for an ultra-themed dark ride concept, but why not build a "choose-your-own-adventure ride. | / \ | | / \ / \ | | | \ | / \ | / ----- Above is a cheaply-made diagram of what the concept would look like in play. Each train would hold 12 riders two-across with a small television screen and a set of buttons in front of them. These buttons would correspond with each choice of track throughout the ride. Instead of being one experience with differing effects (i.e. Indiana Jones) it would be a ride with various experiences, therefore prompting riders to re-ride to try and get the different experiences. If the correct theme was found, such as a medieval or adventure sort of theme, I do believe that this concept would create a ride that would be both popular, and with the right choice of promotional material, could make a park money for years to come. And keep in mind, you could even use a coaster-style ride... make every adventure through the guest for a "loop". Sincerely, R.C. P.S. -- I'm sorry for the crude drawing... when I get a chance I'll post a better graphic.

I agree on the Millenium Flyers. It would make that ride an even more impressive ride than it is. Sincerely, R.C.

Wait, wait, wait. So you're saying because SFMM is located where it is, it's at risk because just everybody who lives here are vandals? I live in this geographic location. Am I a vandal? Robb lives here too. Is he a vandal? Have you ever actually been to Valencia? We have one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. Clearly you have very little knowledge about SFMM's geographic location. You're insulting an entire population because a few bad apples drive themselves to a certain place and cause problems once in a while, and all because you want to make some point about handrails??? Wow. Agreed... I live in Valencia as well and we are definitely one of the safest areas in the nation. However, you also have to factor in that a lot of folks from Los Angeles metropolitan area visit the park too. That said, I've seen carvings at pretty much every park I've been to and I've smelt weed at EVERY park I've ever been to. Sincerely, R.C.

I too have heard that they could get said hyper. However, the area that you've described doesn't sound like it's big enough to support a massive coaster. Not to say that they couldn't circumvent that, but I think it's more likely that it will not just be in those areas. From what I've heard, they may try to cross the street again. Sincerely, R.C.

What rides are farther away? I guess Deja Vu is but I don't recall a big rush there even in 01. I don't know why but I thought the ride would exit by the Deja Vu entrance. From the look of it, I'd actually say that the exit could be near Deja Vu based on the opening supported by steel right next to Deja Vu's cobra roll. Of course, I could be totally wrong. Sincerely, R.C.

I wonder that too, but unfortunately I haven't heard anything about the Georgia Cyclone. I will say that Viper at SFGAm was a heck of a ride, but from what I remember, it wasn't built by Dinn - Summers and was an inhouse job by Six Flags. What a job they did, though, since Viper reminded me of Psyclone and made me wish that Psyclone was a clone of Viper's construction. Sincerely, R.C.

Seriously, I've come up with better names for theme parks than "Freestyle Music Park". Why couldn't they have used something like "Melody Beach" or "Harmony Harbor"... I know, not the best but a lot better than "Freestyle Music Park"? Freestyle Music Park vs. Freestyle Melody Beach vs. Freestyle Harmony Harbor Opinions? Sincerely, R.C.

I tend to think that the B&M trains were too heavy for Psyclone's meager and poorly built structure but they are probably not too heavy for Colossus' structure. It seems to me like that ride was built really tough and once they fix the roughness, I'd like to see them run one side backwards all year. As people have said, Psyclone's downfall was poor construction (one of my crew members on that ride could shake the southern turnaround just by grabbing the wood and shaking), Northridge Earthquake and the trains that were way too heavy for the ride. If they could have fixed all that and bought PTC's for that ride... Psyclone could have been a great ride again. Sincerely, R.C.