chadster

So what happens when you send a train and it doesn't come back? Well at SFOT you cover the train with a tarp and leave it there. Yup, somehow the park managed to valley Giant yesterday morning. Whether it was the first drop or leading up to the brake run I couldn't tell for sure, but temps in the morning were around 40.

We witnessed a person of junior ACE size ride on Wednesday so there shouldn't be any worries if you come in under 300.

^Thanks! Sorry we weren't able to meet up

You know, I didn't ride this time out and I kinda missed it! I'm sure it will be getting a courtesy ride next time

Howdy Partners, Cowboy Chadster is back bringing you this amazing opening day report from Silver Dollar City! The weather was perfect hitting a high of around 80 degrees and the park was extremely busy! Hmmm, I wonder why?!?! Oh yeah, this little known coaster built by Rocky Mountain Construction opened. You may have heard of it, it's called Outlaw Run, and it is without a doubt my new favorite woodie. Yes, that's right, it is my new #1 My opinion on what is my favorite part of the ride has changed so many times that I can't keep track, but for now I am settled on the final of the two barrel rolls. The hangtime is amazing as you slow down and float through. There is no other ride in the world like it, no other ride feeling in the world like it, and there is no other company in the world that could ever pull it off. But Outlaw Run wasn't the only new thing that was built at the park for this season, the park tore down the old Polly's and replaced it with OMFG delicious brick oven pizza. Right across from that Coke lovers will rejoice, you'll see why in a moment. So how about I shut my jaw, saddle up, and make like an Outlaw and Run through this opening day report! Yaw! Feels strange being in the park at 8am, it's so quiet! But that will soon change as people have already begun to line up for opening day of Outlaw Run! People just kept pouring in, it's only 8:30, the park doesn't open for another hour! Spot is here to keep everyone in check! For those who are curious, she belongs to the captain over at Fire in the Hole. Note: I don't know the dogs real name The first official riders have lined up! These lucky people won contests on radio, tv, and facebook. The first train is loaded up And offffff they go! And the second train is ready to ride And off they go! weeee! And the flood gates are opened, Outlaw Run is officially open! And the cowboys and cowgirls go wild! Simply amazing The crowds are taking over! For the control panel enthusiasts Hmmm, at least one CTPR person is on this train, can anyone spy him? Yes, it's a him, TPR has like 3 girls in its membership. Gettyup! 68mph! twisty! Hurry up, the outlaws are after ya! But they are no match for this stage coach! Nerd Shot! You guys have almost made it! And the good guys win again! By 10am, the lines were enormous Nope, keep going back OK, that's far enough. The line at it's peak stretched almost underneath the Frisco bridge and topped out around 3 hours. OMG! Elsewhere in the park the swings were swinging The water battle was water battling And the food was cooking. Mmm, bacon. Mooo! Yup, I give Outlaw Run a huge thumbs up too Sorry about that Meanwhile the line has now shortened somewhat so that we can actually see the parks newest restaurant featuring brick oven pizza and other fresh handmade awesomeness. It was without a doubt the most popular restaurant at the park and for good reason. It's crazy good. You've got to try it out! Note: This is where Aunt Polly use to live. Walkways have also been redone to assist in traffic flow to OR Over at Outlaw Run the wait time at 1pm was 90 minutes. The themeing here is amazing. Robb and I were pretty confident that the handles were added to the trains so cameras could be mounted. Turns out, they also serve as 'oh shit' handles. These Outlaw Run cups can hold a unique Frozen Barq's Rootbeer, it's crazy good and a must try. Only available outside of Outlaw Run. People were riding, and getting back in line all day. Not a single person had anything negative to say about the ride, everyone was coming off with smiles on their faces and the want to do it again. Cokes and Floats is open in front of the Splash Battle, pretty awesome! How about a Coke? FIRE IN THE HOLE! All that walking and waiting has me hungry again. Such a beautiful sight. Down the hatch Over to WildFire to visit my favorite crew! Hey, what is that!?!?!?! GET OUTTA THE WAY CRITTER! Never even phased him. Yup, I like. Splish Splash I was takin a bath I'm hungry again. gobble gobble I'm flying! Wave swingers always make for great photo ops making my way through the crowds. Hard to believe it was to be even busier on Saturday! Pulled pork skillet. Must.Try.Next.Time. More amazing themeing at OR! By 5pm the lines had leveled off to around 45 minutes. The crew was hauling at an amazing pace and the ride performed very well for it's first day on the job. The park looked great and I saw many familiar faces working the rides and stands. Outlaw Run is an amazing ride and everyone should get out and ride it. I was lucky enough to have the honor of riding last train of the night with the man in charge of building this magnificent coaster. Seeing the smiles and happy people is what makes all of his hard work and dedication worth it. I know he reads this site and as I said when I left, thank you again for building a kick ass ride. We all appreciate and enjoy what you do!

And I'll bet Outlaw Run wasn't too shabby either. And they both produce happy endings!

^Close! The top 2 layers of wood are replaced with 'topper track' which is then flooded with a special 'grout' mixture. With a 5 year track warranty, this baby is meant to ride like day 1 year after year. More to come tomorrow from Silver Dollar City! You won't want to miss it!

Mmmm, Italian Nachos, so wrong, yet they were pretty darn good. Robb summed everything up perfectly. Outlaw Run is the complete package. From the ride area theme, the unique frozen Barq's root beer, and of course the ride itself. The trains are comfortable and will fit those with larger diameter buttocks. I witnessed a person who was easily 300lbs get in and obtain the needed green light on the lap bar so no worries there for those of you whom it would apply to. My opinion on what my favorite element is has changed pretty much each time I have ridden. I'd say after today though that my favorite part of the ride is the second of the barrel rolls. Why? Simple. Hangtime. When you ride it, and you must, you will know what I mean Don't forget to like RMC's Facebook Page! (And tell them TPR sent you!)

30 minutes as of Monday. I know they were expecting a ton of people this week for spring break, but in general, 30-45 minute wait is average.

^It kicks all types of ass

An FYI for anyone coming out tomorrow...Turnstiles open at 8am at which time you can grab breakfast or check out the gift shops on the Square. The first riders of the day will be contest winners. To those who choose to arrive early you will be allowed to line up for Outlaw Run. Once on the square, go towards the left where you will be able to line up and wait to be led down the hill to the ride. Keep in mind the rides park does not open until 9:30, only the Square will be open to wondering around. It's a top 5 ride, you won't be disappointed! Your stage coach awaits

It's to check the distance of the lap bar to the train. If the block slides through no ridey if it can't be corrected (pushed down hard on while the guest sucks it in)

So this ride delivers like no other. From the top of lift to brake it's a heart pounding 39 seconds. The fake drop after the lift chain truthfully fooled people into thinking they were about to take off before plunging 81 degrees speeding towards the outer over banked turn that delivers a bit of weightlessness before planting you into a 3g plus turn over a few airtime hills that push you sideways through the lift. The airtime pops are comparable to NTAG, forceful and quick. The barrel roll is crazy and with a light train (few people riding) you get an insane hangtime coming out of the second roll. This is a solid ride that should easily be in the top 10 and without a doubt should be a golden ticket winner. If you have any expectations of what this ride will do, once you've ridden it, your expectations will be blown away. Get out here and ride!

NTAG only ran three trains it's first season, and even then it was rare. The park is now keeping one train in continuous rehab, same as they do with Titan, Pando, and Shockwave.

A few of the parks have experimented with teh drink bands the last few years, however, continuing to hear similar requests from guests is always a positive in regards to getting something implemented or built. For example, in my trip report a few pages back(where the wristbands were brought up ) I mentioned about the arcade being open but you wouldn't know as several jewelry/facepainting/drawyourface/otherstuff carts were in the way. Today....it's been shifted down 10 feet and you can see that the arcade is open. Just goes to prove that parks read this site and take what is said into consideration. I've got a small, fun update for later tonight/tomorrow, or whenever I become unlazy.

USO has always been hit and miss for me and I wouldn't call it perfect as they routinely have to stop the platform for one reason or another. Here is the thing on the continuous loading at SFOT. It really needs, IMHO, three train ops to be successful and over the past two years they have only had two trains on the rails with one in overhaul. With two trains there was a lull in the loading action if you will. The idea was to have three queue lines, one front, one back, and one everywhere else and ALWAYS be loading/unloading. It *may* still happen at some point this year but I wouldn't want to see it unless they can run it full tilt. BUT, and there is always a BUTT, continuous loading requires more staff over the three + the midcourse person they can run it with now using two trains. Payroll costs may be the driving factor here, after all, it's still Six Flags. I've heard various park employees say it actually increased dispatch frequency and I think it could increase ridership, but again, to the random coaster enthusiast I think three trains is key.

You actually wouldn't even know they ever had the continuous loading system save for the added extra dispatch pole they installed next to the panel. All of of the signage and other markings are gone.

I wonder what the odds are that they will poke a hole in the floor with that thing? Anyone care to drop my the MGM and find out?

^This. The algorithmic formula varies from manufacture to manufacture and even at that there really isn't a way to reconstruct ones fingerprint based solely on those key points. In essence, its not big brother watching over you.

Nothing here, move along, or, go back one page, heck this could even be deleted if someone was so inclined OR better yet, if you liked my awesome opening day report, clicky the coasting for kids banner and donate a few bucks! It's for the Children!

^^They are of the biometric variety and supposedly will only be used for pass holders. Of course like you mentioned, most of the public doesn't know the difference. But being Six Flags it wouldn't surprise me if one day they switched to fingerprint scanners, aftetall they now have ride ops doing the "sprinkler" as part of the infamous visual scan... ^ Its listed that way on employee information cards On a side note, NTAG is not using the continuous loading.

As indicated above, my new home park was slammed yesterday due to a super cheap opening weekend price. As Joco07 and I saw, the park is still making a lot of changes, changes for the better, changes that I'm about to show you, one of which is an all day unlimited soft drink wristband for souvenir cups price at $3.99. So ready, set, foto! La Vibrator in its new colors, the pods have also been repainted. Wowzers. Thankfully they weren't actually using the fingerprint readers. Inside the park we took a right and what did we find? Our first change! No more ice cream, this will soon be Funnel Cakes. There are also changes in progress to the retail center. Can't say what's going in there just yet. Granny is now making fries instead of cakes And pricing for those curious. One of the newstands taking the place of ice cream Talked to the dippin' dots guy; he said they were putting in an aquatrax in 2015 But across from him you will find a shiney new Coca Cola stand. Look familiar? And this is what it looks like when its open. First five people to tell me where these originated at will get a park map. Woot, big prize. (Government workers don't make a lot of cash!) Meanwhile, something I didn't show at Holiday in the park, but new signage went in. Oh yeah, you wouldn't know it because this thing is in the way, but the arcade has been cleaned up and opened up. Also new this year.....DOLE WHIP! Holy crap it's huge! (That's what she said) Moving past the line we spotted Elmo. Everyone was waiting for batman to open up. Temps were right at the minimum that it could run, 41 and he was having none of it. But after a little talking to, batman came outta the bat cave. Refurbished signs can also be found in the bat area this year. Moving on to Flashback. Oh. Wait. Have fun with it SFStL! One day you will be gone too. Moving over to the parachutes. Oh. Wait. Move over chutes (or fall over) it's time for 400ft of fun! So yeah, there is the progress, and that's about where it's gonna stay for a few weeks. Those who know anything about large concrete pours know they must cure. And I believe this was a recent pour. If you still miss the parachutes, you can come by and say goodbye to the exit sing. It's still over there. Breyers has moved in and the clocktower is getting painted. Taking it back old school. Back to batland we found the new lock up your stuff for an hourly fee machines. But they didn't put a ton of them in, at least not yet. So either they aren't going to or they didn't have enough to go around. Time will tell. Batman!! And for the second year in a row, Joco07 and I were the first public riders of the year on Mr. Freeze, reverse blast. Not sure if that's a major accomplishment or not, but we are going with it is. This is listed as Corn Dog Stand 1, anyone know where Stand 2 is? There are 2 of them, we just couldn't find Stand 2. Very roller coaster tycoon like. It's back to school weekend!!! What?!?! Wait. It's March. hmmmmm The day turned out to be quite nice, the park was busy. Adios from Texas. And if you like this report any at all, please kick me a few bucks to coasting for kids. but wait....there's more! on the way out of the parking lot.... we ran across some colorful pieces... Yup, laddies and gents Texas Star Flyer has started to arrive! I'm thinking this part goes into the ground somehow. Or not But when it gets down to it, who really cares? Because the 400ft tall poop your pants Star Flyer is here!! Praise be to Anton. Amen.

Pretty sure your head is gonna get chopped off in teh tunnel

Crazy busy today, guess the $18.23 admission promotion did it's job.

^This. I'm seeking donations other than facebook as most all of my 'themepark' friends are participating this year and to pitch $5 to each of them, well, I might has well donate $300 to myself.