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Yup. Even stronger words from me, but it's not my preference to be more than moderately critical or negative on the Internet, so I'll refrain. It's disgusting that (unless I'm misreading, which admittedly I'm good at, or the poorly-written article is wrong) apparently an adult was directly involved in breaking the rules, which in this case were undeniably for the safety of the riders, rather than serving some other purpose. While the changes that enthusiasts complain about, that won't affect anyone else's enjoyment of the ride (barring comfort issues, etc.) are what hit me hardest as a rider, what seems even more disappointing overall is the move toward higher height restrictions--that's no fun for people in the rides' target audience.

Absolutely, positively. Very disappointing if that's gone; one of the highlights of a top-quality haunted house. I love this park in theory, and more-or-less in practice (visited in 2010 and 2014), but reading about the declines and negative changes is always disheartening. I hope things (continue to?) get better.

I literally just finished swallowing (lol) as I type this. When was the last time you downloaded an app?

^We both answered the same question at the same time! Or else you have a very unusual phobia, in which case I apologize profusely.

Yes! Do you use an umbrella when it rains?

I'm enjoying this report, Larry. I see we agree in a number of coaster opinions as well as approaches to prioritizing parks to visit. This shorter report format is really readable but still includes a lot of useful details. What did you think of Tornado and Outlaw this time around?

^I'd say the same for a top five (and I basically agree with your rankings in general). I'm definite on X2, Twisted Colossus, Tatsu, and FullThrottle, although I get why Goliath could be debatable.

Definite: Oaks Amusement Park Planned California trip: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom California's Great America Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Possible bonus parks This must happen. It was already ridiculous before next year's announcements. I don't know yet if I'll do one big-yet-still-small trip, or two or more 1-2 park trips to get all three parks in. I might even go down to SFDK this year. I haven't been to SCBB and CGA since 2009, and it's been five years since I've been to SFDK. Short list of other parks: Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, Six Flags Over Georgia, Silver Dollar City, Knoebels, Dollywood. No thoughts on the logistics at this point, but at the same time, it's painful to imagine not going to these places next year. Maybe: SFFT and SeaWorld San Antonio. This would be much closer to a given if it weren't for RailBlazer. It should probably still happen anyway though. Likely due to proximity: Enchanted Forest Theme Park My current priorities, not all of which are reflected above, are as follows: 1) the parks with major new coasters for 2018; 2) parks and major coasters that are new to me; 3) revisiting old favorite parks and rides. With other bits and bobs thrown in for good measure, I suppose.

Hahahahaha. Actually, just last month I bought a cute t-shirt from the Albany Brass Ring Carousel. In fact, one of my other recent posts in this thread was about some stuff I bought there. Yes, I bought multiple stuffs! Last proper theme park, probably Knoebels in 2014. That was...also a carousel t-shirt (but I mean, c'mon, it was Knoebels). On a more positive note, I no longer own that one. When was the last time you ate something deep-fried?

Enjoyed your report! Your opinions on the coasters at Valleyfair are very similar to mine. I'd forgotten all about Renegade, which is not an insult, just an oversight, since I really enjoyed it when I rode it seven years ago--looks like it's still holding its own in my top 20 woodies, for whatever that's worth.

I'm...pretty sure I never rode Log Jammer. Might have something to do with the torrential downpours during my longest visit to the park....I'll live, though, since I've never quite considered log flumes a must-ride. I'm much happier about the unique attractions I did get to enjoy at KW than I am about missing a more common one, even though it sounds like it was a winner.

I last posted in 2014. So... 2015 Batman: The Ride, SFFT Blastin' Barrels, Cultus Lake Adventure Park Runaway Mine Train, Cultus Lake Adventure Park Switchback, ZDT's Amusement Park 2016 Flight of the Hippogriff, USH Storm Chaser, Kentucky Kingdom I'm not listing any new coasters for 2017, but I rode the Albany Brass Ring Carousel on its opening day, and I also rode Rainier Amusements' Arctic Blast coaster, which is new to the company. What I just learned from RCDB: I've been slackin' terribly on keeping track of brand new coasters, let alone riding them! Granted, most I came across were kiddie rides or run-of-the-mill, likely-not-good family rides.

This! Rides over the water trip my irrational fears in the most delicious way...doubly so when it's one of the few rides that I'm a tiny bit apprehensive of to begin with. Even though, if the unthinkable happened, they might well be a bit safer than rides over concrete if it's not a huge fall. I like the idea of backwards SkyScreamers. My brain weirdly wants to convince me that this would be queasy-making, but luckily backwards rides don't bother me in real life.

^I was going to ask if they'd actually sliced the lists down to 25 for Reasons, or if the full lists just hadn't come out yet, but that was a question too nerdy (even for me) for something I care so little about. I remember there were maybe a couple years where I felt outspoken in being more interested in these awards than other enthusiasts, but even five years ago I understood why they were meaningless for us. Compared to Mitch's Poll, any other coaster poll comes off as massively pointless and uninteresting.

No; I want the new Apple Watch. Are you going to pre-order a new Apple product on Friday?

Things I say to myself every time someone brings up El Toro. So, like, every day...

Yup. Not to get all up in arms about this, but I think "far superior" is a stretch when it comes to other woodies surpassing El Toro. Granted, I can see it if someone has preferences that El Toro just doesn't fit (classic coasters/trains, different pacing or airtime, etc.); I myself have preferences that put several other woodies above it. At the same time, El Toro is world-class and easily one of my favorites!

Even less interesting than previous years. I mean, I always like looking over the results to give my enthusiast brain some opinions to chew on...but this is, as we all know, little more than a laughable popularity contest.

01. Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland 02. Knoebels 03. Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Florida*, and Islands of Adventure* 04. Busch Gardens Tampa 05. Cedar Point 06. Dollywood 07. Silver Dollar City 08. Hersheypark 09. Mitsui Greenland 10. ??? *Based on a 2012 visit, not my current opinions of the parks.

Great trip report! I like your story of how you discovered the place; I wish that could happen to me, but I research parks too much. I approve of the airtime on Tornado, and I really enjoyed the crazy-teacups Tip-Top ride. Now I wish I'd ridden the kiddie Whip, lol.

Ma and Pa are both giant breeds! Based on the ranges for lady-dogs of each breed, she could be anywhere from 23-31 inches tall, and 88-115 pounds.

This is Junebug. She is half Great Pyrenees and half Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff).

When it's there (which it has been for a while, but that's no good when it isn't running), it's Arctic Blast at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds is two miles away, or a 5-7 minute drive, and the coaster is about 1.7 miles away if you're a very single-minded coaster enthusiast crow!

This. And that, 'n' the other.

A couple weeks ago. I bought carousel necklaces for me and myself! When was the last time you saw a farm animal?