cal1br3tto

^Not to go overly off-topic (sorry...), but I agree that TPR would be as good a place as any! Well, probably better... I was inspired to post that by what Larry said. Sometimes people post ride reviews or opinions (I do this a lot as it's pretty much all I'm qualified to talk about!) in the forums, but they get lost and buried. Personally, I love reading reviews so I can compare them with mine, or learn about a ride I hope to visit in the future. But TPR isn't currently a place for that, and some of the review sites don't even include rides built as far back as the late 90s! (WTF.) The problem is always either not enough reviews, too many dumb reviews, or not enough coasters included! [/rant, which hopefully doesn't include anything to "qualify" me for this thread! ]

^I absolutely second that! Here's a caveat copied from their site: It looks like they list 7 "major rides", so there's a good chance the Dipper would be one of them! Santa Cruz is an amazing park. It's a great overall experience, and Giant Dipper is a very fun classic woodie! I actually don't think there's a bad ride in the park, they all run great and there's a good variety during full operation.

^/^^ I am seriously borderline traumatized by that thread. Almost to the point where I regret contributing, but it seems that my rant was benign enough that it was allowed to stay. Maybe the coaster community needs more review sites. All the ones with decent (organized collections of) reviews I've found are disturbingly out-of-date. Are coaster reviews played out or something?

I feel compelled to summarize how I feel...It's not original or anything, but I just want to get it out there. First, most importantly. I expect to enjoy this ride. It's not like it's even physically possible for it to turn into a Dragon Wagon or something (regardless of joking)...I mean, the height, speed and layout have to mean something, regardless of modifications, right? Is it possible that if I'd ridden a good selection of similar rides and then i305, I'd be disappointed? Of course it's possible, but I can't even begin to imagine. I've only ridden one hyper (Goliath "West"). I enjoyed it a lot. It's not considered that good. I stand by my current opinion, but I still realize it could be shaped by my lack of experience. Second, I think what I'm getting from this debate is this. There is no proof that this is a mistake, but if it is, we as humans should understand, because every human and company makes mistakes. Is this off base? Third, I have absolutely no problem with criticizing a ride. I don't think it "takes away from the fun" as some say; in fact, it adds to the fun for me. However, I personally judge rides based on how much fun I had on them. I don't really think about what business decisions went into making them that way. Again, is this off base? (Or stating the obvious...)

^I think the SCBB Dipper is easily the best woodie in California, and I've ridden them all except for the Belmont Dipper. I don't personally think of it as underrated, but I think my affection for it is more...perhaps..."extreme" than others'. Although I'm a bit biased toward the "classic" feel because I love that, I actually think it provides a very solid ride experience. No, it isn't scary, but it's incredibly fun. Time will tell (soon, actually) if my opinions are only due to lack of experience, or if it's just the way I feel and I won't change even if it seems silly to others.

Mexican Coke

^I understand your point that there could hypothetically be a tiny chance. But also, I don't think any park would openly call anything their "biggest mistake" when they could put a much more positive spin on the issue, or simply not bring attention to it at all. Pre-post edit: Sorry, apparently didn't read the last part of your post, which says basically what I just said. Well, obviously, I agree!

www.facebook.com/pages/Doswell-VA/Intimidator-305/286899794190 Not that anything in my post isn't blatantly obvious, but just for the record: This is false information. I know I'm not the first to notice this, but I was tipped off for sure when they called it "Intrimidator". That would be unbelievably unprofessional for the park.

Wild River will probably look a lot different in order to fit in with all the shiny new rides--I can totally understand the 6-week cleaning session. I actually thought it was a pretty enjoyable flume. I bet it won't be as janky as it was at Fun Forest. This sounds like it will be a cute, well-rounded, family-friendly park! I hope all goes well!

^Totally agree. I thought Colossus was perfectly decent, and not overly rough. There is indeed a reasonable amount of mild airtime, from what I recall. I wouldn't mind riding it again. But then again I love old wood, so that's just a given.

I'm an anti-elitist; my favorite group is ICP. True fact.

^I figured that out the other day too! Did we both find that out the same way? I used to think shark themed planes were SO COOL. Which they are, of course.

^I think it would help to know what your personal issues with saving money are. And of course, your age, expenses, and overall position in life make a difference in whether the advice fits. Personally, here's what I do. --I make a LOT of sacrifices. What was once important no longer is. I don't really "go shopping" anymore; I don't insist on buying souvenirs; I've only bought a few CDs and mp3s recently. I'm even very conservative about my theme park and carnival expenses! I've drawn pretty strict lines on what is and isn't worth attending. --I take nearly every opportunity to earn money, and I'm not shy about it! I'm still pretty young and my parents are relatively generous, so this is working out well. --I sell some possessions. Warning: many common items are only worth a few cents or dollars, even if you know they actually sell for much more. However, it can add up! --To help support my efforts psychologically, I like to put nearly all my money into the bank, and I don't carry cash. At work, always do your best, and take any and all additional hours offered! It's impossible to regret it.

Yes, I have a cassette tape wallet made with the help of a Blenderhead tape (an excellent album which I also own on CD). It's for display only as it's delicate and low-capacity. However, I stopped using cassette tapes a while back after a lengthy obsession. They are somewhat annoying, especially since I prefer to put all music I own onto iTunes, and all the music I like is also--usually more readily--available on CD and mp3. I may have a couple lying around, though. Have you ever won a heated bidding war on eBay?

Yes, my answer is "no". (Did I do that right???) Have you ever ridden an elephant?

I'd like to credit whore Castle Park sometime. Glad to hear the other credits should be up and running. But now I really don't get why Screamin' Demon wasn't on my park map? (I've ridden its clone sibling, and yeah, not that great. But there's a bit of airtime and the janky lift is kinda funny/freaky.) I'm really glad I got the chance to ride Scandia Screamer, but I was not that impressed. And this is coming from someone who loves airtime and is strangely drawn to janky portable style coasters. It's just not an overly memorable ride imo, but I'm still glad I got a chance to ride this surprisingly tall, record-breaking Miler. I'd only seen pictures, and WOW, it looks even bigger in person. Entertaining TR of some parks I've visited in person or voyeuristically.

Tremors gives excellent airtime on multiple hills, although obviously not as much as its older sibling. This was a wonderful surprise as that of course isn't necessarily what Tremors is known for (I have seen the airtime heavily praised in reports from several years back, though). Be sure to ride front or back--with a loose lap bar, if possible. I'm pretty sure it's a "front seat ride" as that's where I remember a forceful ejector pop on one of the earlier turning hills, but I only rode back seat once this time, so it may have its own special benefits I've forgotten. Timber Terror, of course, is a "back seat ride" as you do not want to miss out on that outstanding first drop! However, the front provides excellent airtime in its own right--only slightly diminished apart from the first drop, I believe, and perhaps better in some spots. Remember, I'm clueless about the physics! I love that famous airtime hill on Goliath (SFMM), and I actually feel the ride has reasonable airtime overall (or maybe I've just been brainwashed by that one hill). Here's my list... 1. Giant Dipper 2. Timber Terror 3. Tremors Single moments (it's too hard to rank such diverse types of coaster) --On Coaster Thrill Ride --On Olympic Bobsleds --On Goliath

^Haunted Mansion?

^^I totally agree. Especially when you get used to the height, hangtime and vertical drop (all lovely btw), the launch really begins to stand out. Here's how I rank all the launched coasters I've been on, regardless of type. (This is judging the entire ride, not just the launch.) 1. California Screamin' (9/10) 2. Montezooma's Revenge (7/10) 3. V2: Vertical Velocity (7/10) 4. Superman: The Escape (6/10) 5. Pony Express (2/10) As you can see, the LIM launches make a decent showing.

Olympic Bobsled: This is an SDC coaster owned by Butler Amusements which I rode at the California State Fair last year; it's not a model I'm familiar with (Hurricane, Galaxi, etc.). There were absolutely no signs or verbal warnings prohibiting riders from putting their hands up or recommending that they don't. I put my hands up like I always do. On the second drop, there is a massive pop of stand-up airtime allowed by the single-position lap bars (which only lock in one very generous position, regardless of rider size). During this pop, my hands hit the track above me. Due to lack of signage I see no way I could possibly be at fault. I rode with my hands down after that. That's still one of the most amazing airtime moments I have ever experienced (on all my laps, not specifically the one where I hit the track.) Chance Yo-Yo: I rode this at a Butler Amusements carnival, and it's a model that tilts. There is both a typical restraint and a chest strap, which I was unfamiliar with. Anyway, there is one dip where I'm absolutely certain that if you didn't hold on, you would be thrown. I used to always like to put my hands up on rides, even when it wouldn't enhance the thrill on a given ride, but this was a very obvious exception to make. Monster Mouse: This coaster at the Puyallup Fair is held together by giant safety pins. I find this endlessly amusing. (Note: I have a strange sense of humor.)

I onced noted that Timber Terror seems a bit underrated in comparison to Tremors. This is somewhat true, as they are both solid coasters. However, quite a number of people are vocal about preferring Timber Terror. On to my main point... It's become painfully obvious that both Tremors and Timber Terror are underrated. It's not that they're in bad spots on Mitch's Poll or other such places. It's just that they're apparently highly under-visited. Seriously, I was talking to a ride op on Saturday who said he doesn't see many visitors from TPR. I'm really not sure how hard or out-of-the way this trip is in comparison to other coaster trips, as I'm one of a relatively small pool of enthusiasts who live in the road-trip zone for it. I know it's not exactly in "coaster country" like most of the other greats are, but it is totally worth the trip! I would recommend either doing a "Northwest Tour"--there are a couple examples here on TPR--or just a Spokane/Silverwood trip, as Spokane is a very appealing mid-sized city. [/borderline-rant]

I consider myself very fortunate to be so close to such world-class...oh, who am I kidding? Home park (distance): Oaks Amusement Park Although some may hate it to the point that they actually prefer the kiddie coaster, for me it's a more obvious choice: Looping Thunder. The first drop is actually decent, there is airtime, and there's one other fun drop somewhere in the compact layout. I also think it's great that Oregon has a looping coaster (I believe the only one in its history). That said, Zooooom! is a fun Miler kiddie with entertaining ejector air. Home park (lifetime visits): Enchanted Forest I love Ice Mountain Bobsled! It's so charming...it even haunts my dreams. I like the theming, setting, airtime, and sensation of speed. I actually don't especially love the other credit, Big Timber Log Ride, but I must point out that overall I judge it as a flume, not a coaster. Home park (recent visits): Six Flags Discovery Kingdom My favorite is easily Medusa. It's very fun, thrilling and rerideable. V2's simplicity has ended up causing me to downgrade it a couple notches--although there's something appealing about simple designs. Roar is fun but by no means among the best woodies I've experienced. THBS avoids the upper echelon due to fact it is, at its core, simply a modest family coaster. The rest I'm sure you can guess why they're not contenders. You're lucky I didn't make up excuses to make any other parks my "home park". Silverwood would be the next in line if I did.

Corkscrew at Silverwood yesterday, to celebrate its 35th birthday (and its 20th Silverwood anniversary). I discovered that it's not quite as forgettable as I had thought; it has ejector on the first drop, which I enjoyed. It's at least as rough as I remembered, though.

mmm...Pretzel loop... (was totally not thinking of the food connotation when I wrote "mmm")

^ That reminds me of that commercial where they're trying to move a piano into a tall building, but at the last moment it falls and crashes to the ground!!! FOUND IT!!! Now I forgot what I was going to say.