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^That's a bit sad, although it's much better to have one than none. Even having some background info on the attraction, I still was shocked to discover just how complex it is.

I've had the misfortune of riding two Pole Positions, both of which were equally boring and painful. In 2009 I rode the remaining Butler Amusements one at the California State Fair; this year I rode a Crabtree Amusements one in Texas. I hope to check out Castle Park at some point; it appears to be the only California park I need, other than Legoland, that has more than one coaster. ^^Sadly, I have ridden two Butler Amusements Wacky Worms, both in the same year.

I'm so thankful I loved the park when I visited in 2010. By that point, many people had already grown to dislike it. I think it helped that I was a first time visitor, so I wasn't able to pick up on any declines in charm or quality that clearly were evident to repeat guests. I wasn't impressed with all the employees or park policies, but I generally enjoy seedy places, and Indiana Beach delivered on that front (albeit a little too much, as it was quite dirty). As for this development, that's ridiculous. The park needs to improve or die. I hope if it does stay open, it turns around, so I can be a happy guest once again. If it closes, I'm saving up for Steel Hawg.

Huss Flippers do look like fun. I'd like to try out the one at Adventurers in Brooklyn.

Great captions and interesting ride reviews. Roller Coaster definitely didn't hurt as much as the Quassy Dipper.

"What you've been looking for in a Family Amusement Park, you've found at Knoebels." (Brochure) I find this simple little statement to not only be true, but more true for Knoebels than for any other park. I walked in and immediately identified it as "my kind of park", and that realization only intensified throughout the day. It was nice to read that brochure and not feel nostalgic and sad for once. Knoebels has preserved not only all of their charm, but many of their classic rides as well.

No. I've only visited Times Square on a random, nonsignificant summer night, and I doubt I've watched more than a snippet or two of the New Years proceedings on television, if that. Have you ever counted sheep in an effort to fall asleep?

It's easier for me to judge overall rides than launch sections. Plus there are variables to consider such as where I sat, etc. But being naughty and considering all launches, I'd have to go with Maverick. It's too intense for me in the front seat. Also, I tend to like the fastest launches, even if the coaster (or the launch itself) is considered weak. So I was impressed with TTD, KK, and even S:TE.

Those are some artful backstage shots you got there.

^Same. It was providing uncomfortable, "Batman-like" forces during some of my backseat rides. I am becoming a bit of an inversion whore, though, so I enjoyed this coaster.

This trip really did have an amazing park lineup. Perfect combination of quality and quantity. I don't think I've even fully processed our day at Great Adventure. One of the best long park days I've had, even though I did eventually fall asleep outside Rolling Thunder.

The Trailblazer Catering photo really was a bit shocking. I hope the park recovers well (of course, I'm sure they will).

Great photos! Kennywood has such an unusual collection of rides. I'm glad people still find the classics worthwhile.

Based on past reports, I didn't even realize there was cause for worry until I saw the latest photo update. Best of luck to the park in getting everything back in order. I know they know what they're doing, but this can't be easy.

Want. Intamin. Launcher. 'Course, I'm sure whatever they get will be enough to bring me back.

That's tough since Woodstock's really does suck, but yes. Jr. Gemini. It's worse than Toro, Maverick, and even Bizarro! Can you see the donkey in my toast?

^^^I'm so thankful I've only seriously listened to three of those. That's well more than enough for a lifetime.

I can't very well rank them, but here are some opinions. Flying: I adore pretzel loops. Otherwise, flyers are pretty tame and relaxing, but the lift hills are some of the most intimidating in the business, and flying through the other inversions can be mildly disorienting at night. Sitting: Wildfire has an excellent setting and some fun inversions. Granted, I can't really use it to judge the category by, but it was once an honorable mention for my top 10 and is still easily within my top 50. Mega: I was impressed with Raging Bull's backseat first drop and its twisty, somewhat-airtime-filled layout. (I did ride it under favorable conditions and may have a strong first-B&M-hyper bias towards it.) I also love the pops of sustained airtime on Diamondback. However, I was a bit underwhelmed by the others I've ridden. Many hypers from other companies have similar layouts with superior airtime, or better layouts that make up for their smaller amounts of air. Floorless: I've still never met a floorless I didn't like. I love my top three, and I don't think my least favorite three are all that much worse. They can be a bit tame, but I tend to like their inversions. Inverted: You can't truly go wrong with a B&M invert. There are several I thought were somewhat forgettable, but there are plenty more I found to be pleasantly forceful and/or interesting. Stand-Up: My two least favorite B&Ms are stand-ups. But I have no real problems with this controversial ride type, apart from a little too much headbanging on the older ones and some overwhelming positive Gs. I enjoy the lengthy layouts, fun inversions and interesting forces on the newer models.

On one of my visits, THBS was my favorite coaster in the park. At times (when seated to ride backwards up the lift, I believe), I'd get a massive pop of airtime at the end of the ride. That said, it's not quite unique or thrilling enough for me to really miss it.

I picked up 12 bottles of soda today, including birch beer, sarsaparilla, root beer, Cheerwine, and a custom six pack of Faygo. So far I've enjoyed my beloved birch beer the best. I'll start on the Faygo tomorrow.

Like many who posted earlier, I love the name and logo. As far as the coaster itself, all I care to say now is that I'm looking forward to riding it. These big non-loopers (both hyper and giga) tend to have a lot of what I'm looking for in a coaster. If this has at least a couple good airtime spots to go with its height and speed, I'm sure I'll regard it well.

What a handsome shark! I learned from TPR that captive Great Whites are a rarity, so this seems to be a unique opportunity.

I don't associate the rides strongly with the animals or with the areas of the park they're located in. So although names like Hammerhead Shark, Thrilla Gorilla, and Tasmanian Devil are cute, "random" names don't bother me.

Great story, Benny! I'm not surprised you two were able to pull it off. I've never felt more awkward credit whoring than when I was gearing up to ride Jr. Gemini, probably because the wait was so long. Thankfully, the chosen lady couldn't have communicated better with her child, and she conversed a little with me as well. I'm actually more uncomfortable with the idea of paying (non-TPR) kids than not; to each their own.

Your cursive is impeccable. I vote for going all-out and describing the non-corporate parks as "fantabulous".