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I still think it could be coincidence, unless there's some Cedar Fair B&M hyper I'm forgetting about. I think they're either not on Leviathan because they're more difficult to install but will be later when they finally find the best way, or there's a remote chance that it's more of a "test," with Canada's Wonderland being the best place to make direct comparisons. Or am I just completely missing something here that everyone else is getting?

^^^Next month might be a good time to go to Wild Waves. Base prices for two of the weekends are only $9.99--in fact, it looks like all tickets are at least half off through June! I've heard opening day is quiet (not sure how smoothly it usually goes), and I guess the water park is a massive draw since the tickets are cheapest when it's closed.

^Yeah, they do seem to be much better-received than any Six Flags TVs, in concept and by those who have already experienced them. Though I think I've seen a report of decent TV programming at a Six Flags this year, too.

Yeah, it's not just the worst or most "expected" parks that sell awful, pandering merch. But what can you do, right?

So far, I prefer BGT over BGW. And I visited BGW first, am not particularly interested in African theming over European, and do feel BGW has more potential with its terrain (though BGT does an amazing job with what they have). I feel like I "got" the atmosphere of BGT right away, whereas I was a little "off" about BGW and had to gradually get into it, though that's not necessarily a sign of lower quality (also has happened to me with places as fine as SDC and Hersheypark). I think BGT also has a better coaster collection; one of the highest-quality in the nation. Then again, it matters little in the end as I have BGT as a top-5 park and BGW as a top-10 park, a small difference in the scheme of things.

I'm way more inclined to think it's a coincidence. I don't know why we're comparing to other chains when it's widely believed to be a Cedar Fair issue, not a B&M one. Fair point that it may be more difficult to install the belts on the traditional trains, as we've all seen the issues with cars that were never meant to have belts. But I don't think that means we got lucky with that train style. I'm sure that either it is more difficult and they'll find a more convoluted way to add them once they get a chance...or they're coming to Leviathan a little later, like how we thought none of the others would get them just because they didn't open the season with them...or maybe they really are an "experiment" and they wanted to make a direct comparison between the two options at Canada's Wonderland.

That is a nice way of putting it. As for the "trendy" merch, the saddest thing to me is not the predictable tackiness, but just the fact that parks always seem to start/keep selling things years after the trends are (or should be) old news!

I had typed a longer post, but I just wanted to reiterate that I'm glad to see that loving classic rock is still such a thing. I hadn't really been getting that impression lately, until recently. Lots of good stuff in here!

A new bird exhibit!

^Thanks to you and Kyle for your answers. I know we'll be getting in plenty of reports clarifying all the details in the coming days, and I'm sure some changes will occur over time as well.

I rarely hear bad news about the El Toro crew...sometimes they're almost scary good. Hope it all gets worked out!

I wouldn't expect that. As a non-expert, I just can't see anything overriding whatever their justification was for adding them, especially since I'm sure they at least made an estimate on the effects on capacity. However, seatbelts have been removed from coasters in recent times, so it's not impossible. Just don't get your hopes up. I suppose there could be truth to the rumor that they were added to some coasters as an "experiment," but that sounded like it was more an invented theory than something with an official source.

I'm not sure if keeping the bars locked is all bad...wasn't that what we wanted for some rides that added belts? But I do hope they find ways to maximize efficiency, and that some of the issues were more due to the start of the season.

Minor update: I saw this the other day. Source above; red box mine. I wish they had called it Great Dane! I don't recall seeing that before, nor am I aware of any non-coaster they would be calling a "coaster," so I bet this is the mouse. Anyone know if it's open or if they just got the info up early? I have found zero evidence of this otherwise.

Thanks for all the updates! The new ride is looking sharp (and quite coasterlike, though I look forward to riding it either way). While the mountain is unique to CW, I hope other parks have interesting structures of their own to add these to.

I'm curious (though not excessively worried) about a few things. I've read at least twice that the belts are retractable, is this true? If so, perfect. But I thought one of the benefits of that was unoccupied seats don't need to be buckled, and I've read conflicting reports over whether or not they were being buckled on Diamondback--any confirmation?

I'm not totally on board with any complaints about this being a clone (are there many?). As an enthusiast, it won't draw me to the park, so I understand the disappointment for us folks. And I guess they won't have any claims to "first" or "only," unless it's regional or they can wring out some arcane record. Otherwise, not the biggest issue for me. All the evidence posted is from public records like planning documents, correct?

I was about to be mad I missed this by a couple days, but I think Easter weekend was the small window of time that Adventuredome was running the rides I wanted to hit. Also, this is from one of my local carnival companies, so I can try to track down the Flitzer closer to home. Though it seems the closest it got last year was just below Canada... Cool report, looks like a non-terrible collection of rides to me, albeit of the sketchy carny sort.

^^Are there also parks that allow visual checks? Or have sensors proving they're buckled? I could swear on some rides, I never noticed the belt being physically checked at any time, but I know that could be easy to overlook.

I wondered about that. I get that its debut ranking may have been inflated, but it suffered a hefty drop this year. I agree that they'll at least impress us with the theming, plus isn't there still a chance it will be a modified or custom layout? Also, weren't we all horrified about the predicted capacity for S:UF, only for there to be plenty of opportunities for short waits? (Granted, could've just been due to low crowds with fewer people flocking to it than expected.)

I'd agree that being at each of those parks for a whole day (as well as just being there at night) is well worth it, though I'm not necessarily saying to cut one out if you can't. I was going to say that the white broccoli pizza seems pretty famous. Cesari's isn't personally my favorite pizza, but I certainly have no reason to recommend against it. Oh yeah, and try the birch beer!

Yeah, I feel our complaints are legitimate, but if you just want to start accepting it, it does help to remember the numerous rides that have had them forever, and ride fine with reasonable dispatch times. And this.

I have no idea if we can trust this source (so don't make fun of my naivete if it's false or berate my lack of trust if it's true!). But if it does happen, I hope we can at least try to appreciate the positive aspects. These are fun little rides.

^That definitely bodes well for all future installations (glad RMC caught this early so we aren't left with a bunch of parks too cheap to upgrade). My issue was actually that they pressed my legs into the bench behind them, but I still imagine the shape will make them more comfortable. It's also a nice contrast to the evolution of Premier leg bars. I never had an issue with them and didn't "get" why so many people complained...but then they started getting worse and worse with each installation!

I soooo want that to be able to say AIRTIME something. That could totally fit, right?! Just playin'.