zottewoef81

From what I have heard Dodonpa's launch is not pleasant... It's painful. Everyone says it is like being hit in the chest by a bag of bricks. That just doesn't sound fun to me. I will gladly take TTD's launch over it any day. Fast, fun, and not painful, and still packs a punch! Like you said, from what you've heard. If given the opportunity, you should check it out for yourself. Until then you can't take TTD's launch over Dodonpa's. Personally, I like short and intense launches (S&S style). But I can understand why some people don't like that and prefer 'softer' launches. For example, the launch of Top Thrill Dragster is nice, but it doesn't stand out for me. Back in 2007 we did TTD the first day of our trip and several days later, we were at Kings Dominion, in line for Hypersonic. I can honestly say, when we saw that train flying onto the top hat, we almost sh*t our pants. One hour later, the ride delivered what we expected. In 2010 Dodonpa exceeded all expectations. If it wasn't for the slow operations and long lines, I would've kept riding it for hours. The only Intamin launch that's somewhat powerful to me, is the one of Formula Rossa, but that one gets negative points for being trimmed too much on the first hill.

When it comes to just the launch, I would have to go for Dodonpa. Nothing (except Hypersonic XLC (R.I.P.)) comes or came even near this beast. If I look at the entire ride, I'm going for Maverick, with Anubis (= Lynet 2.0) as second and Storm Runner as third

Wow, a German forgetting one of the best German coasters in (for me) the 2nd best park of Germany? Never saw that one coming !

1) Black Mamba 2) Nemesis 3) Katun 4) Monster (it ran better than Raptor) 5) Alpengeist Looking at all these lists, it seems that I must ride Banshee and Montu one of these days, so I can compare them to Europe's best B&M inverts.

Next year Belgium will have the shuttle coaster capital of the world: Walibi Belgium! I don't think any park has 3 shuttle coasters: a boomerang, a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop and the 2016 Mack watercoaster/shuttle thinghy. And besides these quality rides, they also have Vampire, a SLC that will defintely suck the life out of you; a Vekoma wood coaster named 'Werewolf' where you feel like you actually get attacked by one and a baby Zierer ladybug coaster for you speed freaks out there.

1. Maverick 2. El Toro 3. Eejanaika 4. Bizarro (SFNE) 5. Apollo's Chariot 6. Black Mamba 7. Wood Coaster 8. Nemesis 9. Top Thrill Dragster 10. Blue Fire

a second tilt coaster?

Looks like I got it right, except for the drop towers, who are still on this concept art. Doesn't matter, it only gives the ride that bit of extra. I'm excited!

Like Robb said: these are concept arts. And whoever drew this, probably based it on Kingda Ka. It's that simple. They have to surpass the 100mph or 160kmh to break the European record. With that speed and given the fact that it probably will be a TTD/KK lookalike, we should see a coaster of around 90 meters (300ft). So personally I'm betting on the fastest and highest coaster of Europe, but without the drop tower (artist based it on KK and why build one that's lower than Huracan Condor)!

You like that, don't you !? Wow, 90 parks is indeed a whole lot to digest. Oh, forgot to mention this. You said you wanted to do the flying Island, well you had to be Lucky to actually ride it! For some reason it had a weird operating schedule. Me and Holger were passing by, we also went on it to take some pictures, but when we wanted to ride it again (there was no one waiting), they told us the ride would be closed for 30 minutes. We looked at it several times from throughout the park and apparently that's how they operated it all day. 1 ride, 30 minute wait. Why? We will never know... I'll see if I have some free time this weekend and if I do, I will send you the pics I took.

For me the best Happy Valley park. Despite not having a big signature coaster (no, the mega-lite isn't one in my eyes), it had the best theming and atmosphere. To bad the weather wasn't on our side. David, that big glass building you can't remember what it is, that's actually the entrance/exit. Come on man, wake up!

Again some nice pictures! Chengdu was a real nice, modern city, to bad it also had the worst weather. If I remember correctly, it has something to do with the fact the city is located in a valley? As for the paper Martin needed to fill in, this is certainly not standard in china or for foreigners. I remember Holger needing some pills for his cold too. And I think we also got them in Chengdu, but he didn't need to fill in any paper.

Thx for the pics David! Floraland was indeed a nice surprise, only to bad that the expansion part wasn't open yet. It seemed even more fun! As for the Revolving Pulley coaster, for me it was actually the best one we did. We spun like crazy! But then again, what do you expect if you have 2 big guys like Karl and me on one side and only Scottish Steve on the other as counterweight. The cardboard cash register isn't the only high-tech system they've got at the park. Remember on both coasters how a guy took pictures of riders (standing under the coaster track), then ran his A$$ off to the photo boot to upload them on the computer? Great way to get your body in shape!

Rheinkirmes was great! Me and Ledgy had a lot of fun. Turns out that beer and schnaps are an ideal combo to do the fun houses And Olympia Looping is still one of the best coasters in the world! Amazing how smooth and intense a 24 year old coaster can be. Anton sure knew how to make legendary coasters back in the days.

Great suggestion! We are heading to Cranger Kirmes from Phantasialand so that could work out pretty easily. How does it work with getting on rides at these fairs? Do you buy individual tickets for the rides? Also, is it pretty much a cash-only sort of setup? Any advice in general for Americans who are going to a German fair for the first time? If I were you, I would first go to the Annakirmes. It's only a half hour drive from PHL. It's also the swallest fair of the 2, so you'll get around quicker here. Then after a couple of hours, go to the Crangerkirmes. That's what I did 2 years ago, it works just fine! General advice: there are several (small) parking lots nearby each fair. Normally, if you get off the highway, there will be signs to these. If you want to save a couple of euro's, you can always try to find a parking space somewhere in the streets, but that's a long shot. As far as getting on the rides, yes, you buy individual tickets for each ride. As far as I know, it's cash only. Maybe some of the bigger rides, like OL and AB, have a card terminal, but I doubt that. However, there are ATM machines at the fairs. 2 years ago, these machines stood inside one of the beergardens (Crangerkirmes). Signs around the fair will guide you to them. Keep in mind you will spend around 50€ on both fairs (depending on what you want to ride, eat and drink off course). Some other advice: - On Olympia Looping, be sure that you keep your back straight in the first loop. If you don't do this, then there's a good chance the shoulder restraints will come down even more (because of the high g-forces), causing you to sit quite uncomfortable for the rest of the ride. That's the only, somewhat bad thing about this ride tough, the rest is pure awesomeness! Also, you must do OL at least once in the dark, it's even more kick ass then! - Don't be alarmed by a big line on one of the big rides (OL, AB, Spinning Racer,...), these work at full speed/capacity and you'll be amazed on how fast the line goes. Sometimes you barely have the time to get in your seat properly. - Try out every beergarden there is and stay there during shows for the great atmosphere. The food stands are also very good and not that expensive. - At some rides (like a break dance) there are a lot of people standing around the ride, waiting to get on it. Be fast and determined or you won't get on it for another couple of rides. - just enjoy and have a lot of fun!

Great Pics, thanks! I'm going this saturday with Ledgy. It seems like we'll be having a blast! @ Swimace: If you have a car, you can also go to the Annakirmes in Düren, it's only a 1h15m drive from the Cranger Kirmes. That way, you can do both OL and AB!

Finally got the time to read this fabulous TR! It has been almost a year now, but I still enjoy reading about it and seeing the great pics. Keep 'em coming David, you're doing a great job! ps: I DID count the alpine coaster at the great wall, just because I'm sad and pathetic...I mean, come on, it has a real chain lift! And secondly, by not using a poncho on the shoot-the-chute at Victory Kingdom and not getting sick; I prooved that the water, which we all tought contained several diseases, was actually quite safe. However, it was impressive to see a giant brown wall of water coming towards you.

Exactly. Some who had ridden before us claimed that Hair Raiser was rough and rattly and that we would all hate it. But it turned out to be the best new B&M ride of the last couple of years. I put these folks in the same category as those who claim Verbolten is "too rough." Yeah, well, I'm staying with my opinion. It's the worst (roughest) B&M ever! Maybe it's because there were only 2 people on both my rides that it rattled like all hell broke loose. You all rode it with full trains, so that might keep the train better on the track, I don't know. The only thing I do know is that I had a serious headache afterwards. And it didn't matter front or back. But it is strange hearing all this good things, since I rode it 1,5 weeks before you guys.

Another great report Chuck! I'm going with Neil on the flat rides. They all had very long cycles, but the frisbee and Somalian Waikiki Wave were so intens that I almost lost breakfast (and whatever else was in my stomach at that moment). The other flat however was very good! I would be happy seeing one of those here in Europe. Victory Kingdom really was an odd park. Unfinished theming and rides, the 'what did we just eat'-Stomach King fast food restaurant, etc. The image that I remember best of this park however; is that giant, brown wall of infectious water that doomed up when we hit the water on the splash boat ride. It was like a Tsunami of bacteria and other little monsters. It's a miracle that none of us got sick!

For the people that don't have access to the Beijing china forum (or don't visit it anymore), here's a little movie I made. Once again, sorry for the bad quality.

There were some people who said they "counted" it... Oh, boy.... Well, it is some kind of shooting powered coaster with a HUGE drop at the end, so technically... OK, I'm just sad and pathetic...

Great stuff Megan, keep it comin' !

Congratulations! Just found out I missed a B&M in Japan last month (Diavlo), damn me!

Damn, clearely the second level is more awesome then the first one! Congratulations however for making it to the second level! To everybody, thanks for your replies! It makes me want to write more TR's on this forum. Here's an amateuristic compilation video of (almost) all the coasters I've done in Japan, enjoy!

Well, first of all, I'm a credit whore. Second, the layout and manufacterer is different then in Europe's versions. Third, Eejanaika wasn't open at that time. And last, why am I writing this in english while we both speak dutch?