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Yay! Some random early thoughts: Makes sense, since I think they are very comparable, and I like them about the same. I ranked Outlaw Run just above El Toro but there are things I like better about each--setting and innovation of Outlaw Run; relentless speed from drop to brakes on El Toro. Clearly my personal rankings at a "mere" 8 and 9 did them no harm. I had been most curious about Gold Striker, and it's nice to see it so high at #13, though that could be the "new GCI effect." I've heard a lot of glowing praise for it and no complaints, and I'm hoping its reputation holds up over time as more people get a chance to ride it (I haven't yet). I'd been predicting a small ratings bump for Coaster since I noticed recent riders placing it very highly. I'm glad we were able to bring it up to #21 as it had seemed a little overlooked the last few years. However, not all rides that seemed highly praised enjoyed a similar bump.

^Good point about the temps. Aren't GIBs highly temperature-sensitive? I know Aftershock doesn't run in the cold.

"Ragtop Deluxe" - Molly Hatchet

I've gotten in a good mix of new coasters since 2010, from relocated kiddie coasters all the way up to headline-grabbers. Here's a full reckoning, for posterity. 2013 (Seven: 5 major, 2 relocated) Boomerang, SFStL Coast Rider, KBF Full Throttle, SFMM GateKeeper, CP Iron Rattler, SFFT Outlaw Run, SDC Rainier Rush, Washington State Fair 2012 (Eight: 5 major, 1 relocated, 2 kiddie) Apocalypse, Six Flags America Dragon Wagon, Fun Stop Iron Shark, Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Kiddie Coaster, Fun Spot USA Skyrush, Hersheypark Superman Ultimate Flight, SFDK Verbolten, BGW Wild Eagle, Dollywood 2011 (Nine: 4 major, 3 relocated, 2 kiddie) Fiesta Express, Gillian's Wonderland Pier Gotham City Gauntlet, SFNE Green Lantern, SFGAdv New Texas Giant, SFOT Soarin' Eagle, Scream Zone Steeplechase, Scream Zone Untamed, Canobie Lake Park Wacky Worm, Gillian's FunLand Wooden Warrior, Quassy Amusement Park 2010 (One: 1 relocated) Little Dipper, SFGAm

^To put it politely, that was a slightly startling picture to come across... Regardless, I'm sorry someone lost their kitty. Apparently he was a young cat.

Have to agree with the consensus here: this report is chock-full of the fun kind of details, and some interesting photos too! I'll be sure to keep up with it.

^^I saw that. It's too bad the date was false, but at least at this point it should be less than a month until it comes out!

I was going to give serious answers, but lemme make a personalized description of mine: Your friends all call you a whore, and you love it! You feel a pang of guilt when you realize your list of quality coasters ridden is hundreds fewer than your total number of credits. You love the very front or back car of many coasters...because most of the ones you encounter feature a fanciful animal's head or tail. You try to get on coasters you're too tall for with the reasoning that if your height reflected your maturity level, you'd easily be under 56".

^^"Unknown" at Azadi Park.

^That's an interesting-looking angle. I barely remember what it looked like before!

Not super important, I know, but earlier pictures must have been really unflattering, because the color scheme on the GIB actually looks really nice all of a sudden. I had to look back and see if it had been changed, but apparently not! Must depend on the lighting.

I actually thought that at first glance, as well. Makes sense that the real design is more space-saving and compact.

^Nice find! Wonder who figured that out, since I couldn't find any other evidence. I was expecting them to get something predictable, like a spinner or even a new mouse. I will definitely stop in next time I'm in town for Knott's.

Based on both my own very limited experience, and common advice others can probably back me up on: One day is fine for Kings Island, especially since they now have Fast Lane. Two days has long been recommended at Cedar Point, partly to account for unpredictable weather conditions that could close down some rides. I personally think there's a lot to do on property, so I'd go for two days even with Fast Lane. For all the crowds, it can be a relaxing place to wander or check out the array of non-coaster attractions.

Today is as good a day as any to post the highlights and lowlights of my list. Hard to believe it's my fifth year voting! Top 25 01. Boulder Dash 02. Coaster, Playland 03. Voyage 04. Phoenix 05. Giant Dipper, SCBB 06. American Thunder 07. Timber Terror 08. Outlaw Run 09. El Toro, SFGAdv 10. Tremors 11. Prowler 12. The Beast 13. Thunderhead 14. The Legend, HW 15. Cyclops 16. Tornado, Adventureland 17. HellCat, Timber Falls 18. Renegade 19. Lightning Racer L 19. Lightning Racer T 21. Comet, Great Escape 22. Wild One 23. Viper 24. Wooden Warrior 25. Yankee Cannonball Hall of Shame 84. Hades 360 85. Hoosier Hurricane 86. Comet, Hersheypark 87. Georgia Cyclone 88. High Roller 89. Thunderhawk 90. Wildcat, LC 91. Hurler, Carowinds 92. Hurler, KD 93. Grizzly, CGA

^Nice catch on the video. I'll say it again; someone is my hero for getting us those Century Flyers. And I spy White Lightning's Millennium Flyers, too!

^Twisted Coaster at HotZone.

These are awesome! Kind of makes me wish I had taken that extra step. I like the bold design of those TPR bags.

Stoked that we now have a date!

^You might be a coaster nerd if...

Planned: EL LOCO Any other possibility would be on the west coast, but I think I can make myself wait three more months.

Yay, Middle America Trip. No yay, Iron Wolf. (Actually, I did enjoy Iron Wolf a little. But it's no loss.)

^I really hope that name is just an invention of the rumor mill. That's pretty awful.

I love when parks theme their pavement/walking surfaces (or even simply have attractive ones).

"Keep It Moving" - KJ-52