Skycoastin Steve

First time I rode Anaconda was in '94 and it was my first inverting coaster. Pretty much scared the bejesus out of me. I rode Drachen Fire the next year and loved it, but I had gotten over my fear of "loop-de-loops" by then.

I don't think many people had a problem with the first drop, it was everything that came after it. My only ride on SOB was post-loop in the front row, and it was a pretty intense drop for sure. I just wish I could have jumped off the ride before it completed the rest.

12/20, and damn near all of the right answers were guesses. I must be a good guesser!

Who will we look to for inside info on future theme park attractions now???

Is it too late for my "everyone is afraid of the boogeyman because of the fear mongering media" rant?

I think roughly 78% of your posts mention that you want a B&M invert at KD. I really, really hope you aren't holding your breath.

SkyRush is absolutely #1 on my list of most anticipated coasters next year, followed by Leviathan, Verbolten, and Wild Eagle. I'm not going to ride X-Flight next year, so it's not really on my excite-o-meter. Leviathan is highly anticipated for obvious reasons, and I'm looking more forward to Verbolten more than Wild Eagle basically because of the "unknown" factor with Verbolten. Wild Eagle looks fun, but I honestly don't think it'll be anything more than a standard B&M with a different seating arrangement. The best thing is that SkyRush, Verbolten, and Wild Eagle are all opening in some of my favorite parks in the country, so I'm compelled to ride all three next year. Leviathan is at a new park for me, so I'm also compelled to make the trip there for that, as well.

^It's a change of pace for those not interested in the Holy Ghost.

I've never heard anyone say anything like that for any park, why would anyone object to something that would be there to make them safer? There are people who carry around weapons, and while I'm not saying park violence is a common thing, I'd rather wait an extra minute or two to know no one has any sort of weapon. And just because they haven't had any issues doesn't mean they don't need them. Don't wait until something happens to install them, install them right away so nothing ever will happen. Believe me, with the time I've spent in and around parks in my time, I've heard plenty of people comment saying "this is confidence inspiring" when the first thing they do is go through metal detectors and pat downs. And like I said, the extra staffing and cost of that infrastructure has got to be absurdly high. There are parks all over the place that have no bag checks/metal detectors at the front gate and remain perfectly safe. Just because one or two morons act like idiots doesn't mean the park should have to spend tons of extra money and man power in response to it. Punish those who do it rather than inconveniencing your company and future guests. I could go into a whole rant about how our country is too damn scared of the boogeyman (thanks to the fear mongering media), but I'll spare that one for another day.

It was ruined by extensive trimming a long time ago. This won't make much of a difference.

Plan trips for next year. Probably going to move to Orlando at the end of the year, so my offseason will end then!

^There are a lot of other ride types that aren't B&M or flyers.

We all know how rumors get escalated to the point of ridiculousness, and this is a prime example. I've never heard of any issues regarding weapons and safety at CP, hence why they don't have metal detectors. I honestly think it sends the wrong message to the people visiting the park when the first thing they have to do is go through a metal detector and bag checks. Plus it makes the admission procedure that much longer, rather than just being able to enter the park. I hope they continue on as normal in the future, there's no need for enhanced security. Also, I'm sure park officials know exactly what happened, and I'm sure is not even remotely close to being as bad as rumors indicate. And when it boils down to it, whatever happened won't be serious enough to warrant the purchase of a rather expensive front gate security system that would have to be in place at four gates (and involve a LOT more staffing at each gate on a daily basis). I know we enthusiasts are prone to knee-jerk reactions to overblown stories, but this will turn out to be nothing in the end.

The city should put some of that $13 million towards bulldozers.

So the first drop definitely dips into a trench. Eagerly awaiting the official speed and drop statistics.

All you can eat $hit still means you're eating $hit.

Invisibility cloak. Wave of the future!

This is an unfortunate thread. And to make it better, I give you.....the cutest video ever!

^If I'm remembering correctly, they are 8-row trains.

Got a chance to swing by the park for closing day today, left before the crowds got out of hand. Took a few pics of Verbolten's indoor section before the walls went up. Looks like they've started building some of the walls already. As you can see, some of the wall is going up. The big swoop from the brake run to the drop track. Fun looking transition right there. That transition goes into the upward helix into the brake run. This helix could potentially pull some g's. Part of the drop mechanism it seems. More of the drop track area. Footers leading into the building. Closer look at the wall that has started to go up around the track. I do like the logo, even if the name is nonsensical. More tapering has been done where the bridge is going to go. You can also see the re-bar where the footers are going to be for the bridge. Also rode Mach Tower today, my second ride on it. Still think it's a fun ride!

Wait... am I missing something? Other than Verbolten, why is 2012 such a big year for Va? Windseeker at Kings Dominion. Oh, so they're introducing a new ride type to the United States! And introducing a new upcharge educational experience that's never been seen, either! Or maybe it's exciting for Virginia because the nearby SFA is getting a brand new, never before seen stand up coaster! ........................

^I really hate when excessive rubbing doesn't get it off.

Does this coaster have inversions?

Creature Coaster, Funtastic Park, Guam.

If they could use the launch from Hypersonic and build a better ride after it.......