cal1br3tto

^Plus I doubt their reputation is good enough for many, if any, more of them to crop up. Even if the newer ones supposedly run better than X2. As for a B&M giga...really?! At least if that happens, the "two similar coasters in the same park" discussions won't be quite as bad (at least among knowledgeable folks like us), since it's been done before.

It's funny to me...it seems like when I first got into theme parks, I got the impression that Perilous Plunge was a signature attraction and must-ride at Knott's. But now that it's gone, I keep hearing it was forgettable or just plain bad. Kind of the opposite of what often happens with other ride removals. It might just be me, though.

Totally missed this, but not like it's badly out of date or anything. Sounds acceptable to me. Admittedly, I am the type to mourn the loss of buzz bars, even on rides that don't offer the right kind of airtime to enjoy them to the fullest. But I remember Rolling Thunder in 2011 as an airtime-free ride. Though incidentally, 2012 on a rainy day was a different story, as it surprised me by being just a bit of an airtime machine (and nowhere near the back row, at that).

^Even as a flat ride fan, I could care less, since I don't like the way several of the flats at Hershey are run. Also, great pics, Chris! I always thought Comet looked so nice and classic with its white paint, but now I see it also looked right at home in the park with unpainted wood.

Aquatrax.

^Seconded! I was thoroughly charmed by the Starlight experience at Cedar Point in 2011, and I've enjoyed the nighttime lights at some other Cedar Fair parks like Worlds of Fun and Kings Island as well. The more lights, the better!

Let me just jump in and say that Mystic Manor looks absolutely stunning. If I were to clone a Disney attraction for personal residential use, that just might be the one.

Seemed pretty amateurish to me too. Not that we don't have more important things to worry about!

So who has the X2XHALE plate? I still remember it from WCB 2010. I'm not really interested in a coaster or theme park-themed plate, but if I did get one, I'd try for something as creative as possible. Or maybe go for a ride or park name that also stands on its own as particularly cool or enigmatic.

Just pretend Gold Striker is the replacement.

Now there's an interesting idea. I was thinking I wouldn't combine two true theme parks, since they all seem to stand well on their own, and I have few to no complaints or disappointments about most of the ones I've visited. But I think those two would blend very well together. Both have top-notch theming in compatible styles. BGT's coaster collection is one of the best, and SWO's is modest but also high-quality. Six coasters among both parks are in my top 50!

Just got all caught up here! I miss the Florida parks... SeaWorld is a really easy park to do on the quick without feeling like you missed out on much, and I mean that in a good way. With the excellent theming surrounding you it still feels relaxing. I agree about Cheetah Hunt; it isn't ultra-intense, but it's well-rounded, fairly thrilling, and has one of the best settings ever. I also don't get why you never hear about Scorpion as it's one of the most intense Schwarzkopfs still standing. YES! I knew I couldn't be the only one who noticed real airtime mixed in with the rattle.

^^Why do I keep expecting to see a train climbing up that lift hill? I guess I'm just ready for iRat to be finished.

2010 Little Dipper, SFGAm (relocated) 2011 Fiesta Express, Gillian's Wonderland Pier (relocated) Gotham City Gauntlet, SFNE (relocated) Green Lantern, SFGAdv (relocated) New Texas Giant, SFOT (re-designed) Soarin' Eagle, Scream Zone (relocated) Steeplechase, Scream Zone Untamed, Canobie Lake Park Wacky Worm, Gillian's FunLand (relocated) Wooden Warrior, Quassy Amusement Park 2012 Apocalypse, Six Flags America (relocated) Dragon Wagon, Fun Stop (relocated) Iron Shark, Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Kiddie Coaster, Fun Spot USA (relocated) Skyrush, Hersheypark Superman Ultimate Flight, SFDK Verbolten, BGW Wild Eagle, Dollywood

^To make matters worse, this person has also ridden Grizzly at CGA.

I don't rank my inverts anything like you do, but I think I agree with this part. I think of Raptor as either my "worst very good invert" or, less strongly, my "best middle of the pack invert."

I do think the teasers point to the possibility of a coaster, though that could just as well be enthusiast wishful thinking. Then again, I'm sure there are at least a few tall, inverting flat rides out that haven't yet made a US (or world) debut.

^^^I was wondering the exact same thing! And depending on how they counted, they may have meant "...among all 50 states," since I know there are several states that don't have any parks with coasters. I'm wondering if they mean a custom model of something that exists in the US? Or something that exists elsewhere but not in the US? Or something completely new? Can't wait to find out! My guess: LOOPING MEGALITE.

I'm going to count anything no longer operating at the park where I rode it. Tree Top Racers, Adventure City Invertigo, CGA Hurricane, SCBB Pandemonium, SFDK Deja Vu, SFMM Iron Wolf, SFGAm Funtown Family Coaster, Funtown Pier Looping Coaster, Funtown Pier Mighty Mouse, Funtown Pier Fiesta Express, Gillian's Wonderland Pier Miner Mike, Gillian's Wonderland Pier Disaster Transport, CP Wildcat, CP Roller Soaker, Hersheypark iT'Z Express, iT'Z Family Food & Fun Rattler, SFFT Flashback, SFOT Rainbow Chaser, Fun Forest Windstorm, Fun Forest Monster Mouse, Puyallup Fair My list crept way up this year, to 20. Thankfully, a good number have been relocated or are for sale. Sadly, the Casino Pier coasters could be added as well (I'm still confused as to whether the surviving ones may return someday). I have already ridden Iron Wolf in two locations and I'm sure to track down a few of the others, starting with Flashback.

^I'm going to have to do that hardcore with the steel poll. Even then, it will still feel like a big awkward cluster to me. And to think I used to be obsessive about avoiding nearly all ties in ranking.

Knoebels and Kennywood. I actually think Kennywood has a more impressive classic ride selection than Knoebels, with more extremely rare or last-of-their-kind attractions such as Noah's Ark, Kangaroo, Turtle, Auto Race, and Bayern Kurve. They also have the resources and interest to build major rides such as Phantom's Revenge and Sky Rocket. Knoebels, on the other hand, holds its own with a ring carousel, Lusse Auto Skooters, Flyers, Haunted Mansion, and a Fascination parlor, among other well-run classics. Knoebels would also bring in the most perfect atmosphere I have ever encountered in an amusement park. Kennywood, while not bad, is a little further down on my list in that regard.

I don't want to lose out on the classic rides the way they're run now. In my perfect world, the Dragon Coaster, Derby Racer, Whip, three dark rides, carousel, and bumper cars would stay. Heck, I love the carny ride selection too, but those can go. That said, this is still a very interesting (and surprising) proposal, and would definitely bring me back to see the changes. It's just too bad that a Lego Derby Racer and Lego Whip would probably not try to kill you.

Don't get me wrong, I know these kinds of rules are extremely common (if not nearly universal), and I understand the reasons behind them. But it's still annoying to hear about a change. At least to me. I don't envy whoever has to deal with the inevitable obnoxious and poorly thought out complaints, even if more people are okay with it this time around.

My experiences are from 2011, when Fast Lane was more limited than it was this year. If you're into credits, hit up the kiddie section ASAP (the smallest coaster requires a child, but the other two don't). Then (or first thing) hightail it to a low-capacity ride like Invertigo. In fact, this may still be good advice even if some of those rides are on Fast Lane.