Skycoastin Steve

I would have to say the deaths of Will Koch and the SeaWorld trainer, as well as the girl who was severely injured at the Dells (and any other accidental fatalities and/or serious injuries in the industry) were the biggest disappointments. Let's be real, rides being removed, parks being closed, etc. are disappointing, but pale in comparison to death or life-threatening injuries.

I always thought it was a fun coaster. Nothing life changing, although it was probably one of the first 10 or 15 coasters I rode in my life, and was one of the ones that really got me into coasters (the other major one being Drachen Fire, go figure). Riding it was always more of a novelty to me than anything else, and as others have said, it was a great nostalgic experience. I was most definitely bummed out when they removed it, but I have a good feeling that its replacement will do plenty to make up for it.

Check out my trip report from the backstage tour, it's definitely worth it. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=54424&p=951413#p951413

^I get it, but I've posted probably 8 or 9 in the past and it was never a problem.

^If someone doesn't know how to find GCI on facebook......well, then......they have bigger problems in life.

Another breathtaking picture from China, courtesy of GCI's facebook.

^Just depends on the rider. I'm tall enough where the restraints smack my neck, but it's honestly not THAT bad. Some have higher thresholds for small amounts of pain.

I wonder if the castle is going to be rebuilt around the top of the first drop after they have finished construction.

You know it's only going to be going about 10 mph through there, right?

I would have been there in about a week-ish......BUT my holiday travel plans were postponed. Looks like I won't be around until this time next month now.

I really wonder what widening the track will entail, and I wonder how well it will curb the positive g-forces experienced during the turn. Guess we'll find out in a few months!

^Sandusky has Eats 'n Treats, which is leaps and bounds better than Dairy Queen. East of Chicago was always a great place to get food, certainly better than DQ.

So I've been told to expect the wood poll being up and running within the week.

I watched the POV again and counted roughly 15-17 moments of airtime throughout the ride. Granted, it's an animation and we won't know how it truly rides until we see a real-life POV and get TR's on it, but you can surmise fairly easily where the moments of airtime are. Not to mention that those two swooping curves up the mountain side have pretty big drops coming back down, and this thing is going to be hauling some MAJOR ass for most of the layout.

Crane. Can't wait to hear about testing! Very exciting for sure. March can't come soon enough! thats uhh not what i meant... lol i meant like if the train was consistantly valleying what do they change to stop that from happening? Rockets on the back of the trains.

^That actually wouldn't be a horrible idea. Might help them compete early on.

^Part of what I was told included poll sabotaging enthusiasts.

I heard a grumbling from someone that he may not have the want to do the poll anymore. Take that for what it's worth.

I still can't believe they gave it the same name as the Skycoaster.

Have you heard back?

For the record, paiging_jen did tell me that there are now No Trespassing signs all over the perimeter fence to the parking lot where the track is being stored. So for anyone that might have any bright ideas of taking pictures standing next to the track, you might want to reconsider.

Wood Coaster Poll has been released. VOTE! http://www.ushsho.com/bestrollercoasterpoll.htm The actual ballot is here: http://www.ushsho.com/woodballot2010.txt And a very useful Ballot "helper" is here: http://www.wardleystunnels.org/hawker/

^Sure.

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful ride taken by a beautiful lady.

^Remember that people were very unimpressed with the Prowler animation, as well.