Taylor Finn

^ I remember seeing that thing on New Hotness and wanting to ride it so bad. That is a real shame. On a separate note, I remember walking past an independent vendor at Coney Island with a Himalaya called Polar Express and a misc. Dark Ride that I forget the name of. My question is: what is special about the Himalaya aside from it being in poor condition? They wanted 10 bucks for it as compared to the Haunted House at 6. I really wouldn't mind heading back there with a pocketful of money, just to blow it on some of those independent rides (like the Bump Bump Your Ass off, etc, etc.).

I saw the video Robb posted a while back. I am sure it is, and they are in no position to pour money to make it bearable. I just think it is interesting they want to get it. I suppose the asking price can hardly be very high.

^ I don't know... a coaster is a coaster. Though I am still not sure how well it fits with the theme of the place. Either way, I hope they have the maintenance capabilities to bring these rides back and running nicely and keep them that way. I am becoming more certain they are capable of just about anything at this point.

I think coasters like Steel Phantom and Pippen are unique to Phantom's Revenge and Thunderbolt, but Hades is not unique to Hades 360. As was said, significant differences in the ride need to exist.

Pleasant Surprises: Backlot Stunt Coaster (KD): I mean, I really wish the special effects would work, (at least SOME of them) but the ride itself was quite a bit of fun. The layout incorporated some of the terrain in the area and so the elements all made sense. I re-rode this one later in the day. Mystery Mine (Dollywood): I really didn't have great expectations for this ride. It killed the other eurofighter on New Hotness (Dare Devil Dive). Though the steepness of Mystery Mine's drops was less than DDD, they felt a lot more dramatic. Also, the dark ride section in the beginning with the funky little turns was a nice touch. The ride really blew me out of the water. Tennessee Tornado (Dollywood): Again, just incredible and I didn't expect it to be. Easily the best Arrow out there. The course is pretty short, but the inversions are very dynamic and fluent. I loved this park so, so much. Not a bad coaster in the park. Steeplechase (Scream Zone): Someone else mentioned this, but I thought very little of this ride going in. The launch really surprised me. I think it is only 0-40, but it felt really solid. I would've loved to ride this again. But I wasn't paying 7 more dollars. Leap the Dips (Lakemont Park): Honestly, I knew I was going to have fun on this ride for the sheer nostalgia but it was actually a really fun little ride. Unpleasant Surprises: Ravine Flyer II (Waldameer): Don't get me wrong, this coaster still kicks butt. I rode it in 2010 and again this year... and the difference is immense. I don't know what happened between then and now. We convinced my mom to ride telling her it was really smooth, (because it WAS) and she came off beaten up. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom); I won't say this ride isn't neat or well done. It is. And my surprise by this is not that it was rough or anything. But the backward portion makes me sick every time. The first hill you go up backward feels like an inversion and both my father and I have gotten sick riding it. On the plus side, the queen for the ride is simply incredible. Skyrush (Hershey Park): I don't know what it was, honestly. It wasn't necessarily the restraints that bothered me. All I know is, the next morning at King's Dominion, I had to leave ERT early to get some ice for my neck which hurt every time I turned it. I can place the blame on Skyrush because it was the only coaster that day that I really didn't look forward to re-riding after my initial three rides. The ride has a solid layout, and the airtime is just insane. But it isn't running like a brand new coaster should run. That's all.

Lights, a Canadean electro-pop artist at Mr. Smalls in PA. It was absolutely incredible. Insanely talented artist. I am actually in love.

With every update, I get more and more excited. I assume most work for the year is done with winter impending. Either way, it excites me to hear a Tumble Bug could come his way. Even if he just opens a few attractions next season, that can get him some funding to push forward with the midway. This Old Mill...is the implication that the ride would be similar to the one Kennywood had 7 or 8 years ago? Or is this a model name? As usual, thanks for keeping us posted. This is the most interesting thing for me.

I think this will add some much needed flair and life to Downtown Disney at night. The whole area has been a bit lacking for a while. I just hope they don't charge highway robbery for the food. Sure, it will be more expensive than their other locations. 15% or so would be fine, not 40. I am absolutely looking forward to checking this place out when it opens. The structure looked ridiculously large back in May when I visited.

Awesome job, guys. Seriously. It is so sweet to literally be THERE with you guys. And that observation tower/coaster duo looks so incredible. I seriously would be so excited for this if it shows up at a park in the coming years. Sure, the selling point they are making is that it is compact for parks short on space. That makes sense. But at the same time, i think the novelty of the coaster being so 'vertical' is what could make this such a hit with guests. If a park can afford to buy a contraption like this, they could easily invest in some more land to place both rides. S&S are really really stepping it up though. I'm awfully impressed with their innovation.

It is sort of a shame. A family run park on the bigger side. If they spent some money to maintain their coasters, and had good operations, I'd be stoked to go there. I love how loosely the Greek Theme is played, too. It seems like they just don't care. The additions to Hades could be nice. A retracking would be great, but if they aren't going to maintain it, then who even cares?

Thanks for the awesome coverage, guys. Truly great to be able to experience this through you guys! Seems like a lot is going on in 2013!

See, that is exactly why I am against replacing Main Street Bakery. It did just fine before. Sure, they'll make the theme work with everything. But I feel as if Main Street Bakery easily supported itself and always had long lines at the end of the day. Writer's Shop in Hollywood Studios, this location in Epcot, and I'm sure one in Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney seems good to me. But at the end of the day, it isn't really a huge deal.

What I am really most concerned about is not the theme of the Starbucks matching Main Street and its image. They will figure it out. I am concerned that the prices are going to be much higher than at Main Street Bakery. My family always used our snack credits on the DDP for our breakfast the next day and this was our go-to-stop. Hopefully, the DDP and Starbucks also come to a partnership. On a side note, if they replace Starring Roll's at Hollywood Studios with a Starbucks, (as they did mention in another report that they were looking at adding two to Hollywood Studios) I will be very upset. The Writer's Stop location could easily be converted and fit the theme, but I really, really liked the pastries at Starring Roll's. Though in the long run, I think that Hollywood Studio's is the park that really does make the most sense for a modern place like Starbucks.

I heard someone mention somewhere that they would just uncork their wine BEFORE going to a restaurant to avoid the uncorking fee. Is that something you can do? I imagine it is probably frowned upon, if at all permissable.

I guess mine didn't post. Honestly, this was my best year for coasting, by a complete landslide thanks to New Hotness. Some highlights. -Jurassic Jungle Boat ride and subsequently TgI Friday's -Absolutely incredible Phoenix night ERT. I probably got on 15-20 times, and quite a few in the legended 3rd seat. -Thunderhead ERT with cinnamon bread. Honestly, we would just get off the ride and SPRINT around to get back in line. There was a certain level of adrenaline that pulled me through it. -Dollywood, Knowbel's, and Busch Gardens in general. Though I had been to all three before, I still really enjoyed myself. Parks like these just make Cedar Fair and Six Flags seem like total disappointments. -Experiencing the NEW Coney Island area. I had been there previously, and to see all the work that had been done was incredible to say the least. -And as per non New-Hotness related highlights... -Going to Delgrosso's, Lakemont, and Idlewild in one day for under 30 bucks. It was seriously just a blast to drive all around with my friend and go to these parks. I especially enjoyed my ride on Leap the Dips and my first (probably last) toboggan credit. -Goimg to Disnry with my high school marching band my senior year. It was fantastic to sort of be the tour guide and watch people enjoy Disney World for the first time. Specifically, my best friend and I getting stuck on Pirates of the Caribbean for 40 minutes and almost not being back in time for departure, watching cast members push our boat to 'shore' and ultimately receiving 15 fifteen fast passes as a result of my dad calling in and exaggerating the circumstances. -Above all, just meeting 50 people who I can finally relate with. I did not know many people who shared my passion for roller coasters quite like the people on New Hotness. I made some fantastic friends in Adam and Jeremy, to name a few and had the best two weeks of my life this summer. If that's not a solid enough argument to convince all of you to do a TPR trip, I don't know what is.

1. El Toro 2. Intimidator 305 3. Maverick 4. Phoenix 5. Griffon 6. Millenium Force 7. Thunderhead 8. Alpengeist 9. Bizzaro (SFGAdv) 10. The Beast I'm not too sure, though. I feel like I am neglecting something. 6-10 could go in any order, really. And my top 10 basically contains 10 unique 'types' of coasters, which I'm proud of.

I'm glad I made my way on here, albeit in drenched form. I am thinking about posting up my pictures as well. A very nice reminder of a summer well spent!

I have always liked storm runner. I like how they announce it, stupidly enough. 'Get ready. Cuz here we go.' And I also like FOF at King's Dominion, for a weird reason. When I went there on New Hotness, I was always so amused with how the operator handles his job. He would purposely do things like '12,9,3' and then he would launch us. The rides actual launch system is nice because unlike rides that 'click back' before they actually launch, FOF just kinda goes for it.

Always wanted to check this out. I can see why someone would wanna operate a haunt event here. It's perfect. The creepy flats just add. How was the devil's den? And what about the haunt inside the bumper cars ride? Thanks for the TR and review, by the way.

It's scary as hell what is happening. Obviously, amusement parks are the least of the real concerns, but the most of our concerns. Hahaaha, either way... the picture of Coney Island was straight up frightening. NYC can't take much more rain, either. The water is *already* 60 inches high.

Thank you, Larry! I will be driving to this place whenever it all gets up and running in a few years. I've always loved dark rides, as they are all completely unqiue in their ride experience. A good dark ride can give a park character. To have an entire place dedicated to them is just incredible. I hope they keep up the work and get this place open.

I really love this thread, I patiently await the updates as soon as the new ones come out. This place is going to just be incredibly unique and apparently over-the-top awesome fun. I know earlier in the thread and on the website and stuff it lists a certain number of planned attractions, etc, etc. When Bill does open this place, will only some of them be open? How many? I'm sorry if this has been answered already. Thanks!

I really love what has happened to Coney Island as of these past few years. It was much needed, and though Luna Park is super modern, the change just made sense. What makes it all so neat is that Deno's is right next door. I really don't know what it is. But the old time 'charm' of that place gets me. I really really wish they would do something with the parachute tower, though I have no real idea of its present condition/history. Wonder what the big lot where Thunderbolt used to be located will be used for. In general, I really want Luna to expand, but at the same time, the sheer charm and character that Deno's and the other independent operators possess makes me hesitant to let Zamperla wipe them out. I wish I would've done the Dance dance Dodgems and the Breakdance while I was there on New Hotness. They might not be there when I go back. This is more or less me just stating everything about Coney Island that has been crossing my mind so I'm sorry for its scattered nature!

I really, really appreciate you covering this cruise. It looked like a fantastic time. I have always wanted to cruise. It's just been something my parents put on the back burner, in favor of more trips to wdw. I intend on showing this to them. Though it may seem I'm at the awkward age where I'm too old to enjoy it as a kid and too young to enjoy it as an adult. I am a Disney freak though.

The backlot stunt coasters. I know nobody hates them, really. But if they patched up the special effects, (even a bit) they would be a blast. The one at King's Dominion makes excellent use of terrain, even for such a small coaster. It is just awkward going into the show room and waiting for nothing to happen. Dragon Mountain-I really enjoyed myself on this when I went 5 or 6 six years ago. Granted, it was like a two hour walk to the back of the park. The coaster actually being plopped down on top of the 'mountain' is really pretty sweet. A unique layout, nothing too intense or exciting, but definitely fun.