The Yeti

I think Branson will always have some major attractions. I go there every year, but not to go see shows in Branson and not really for SDC either. Table Rock Lake is a pretty big draw to the area and SDC is on the far North side of everything, but I do think a new coaster could bring back crowds that haven't been in a while. There are always new attractions being built on the strip that bring in a fair amount of crowds - have you tried to drive down there on a weekend night in summer?

What exactly was wrong with Thunderhawk? Last year it was not operating when I went, and I'm pretty sure the gondola was not attached to the arms. I remember something about a weight or balancing issue years ago, but I hadn't been in four years until last year.

Oh, and you still wanted one? NICE!

Opening a new coaster really could help keep the lines down on the other rides...or it could just draw massive amounts of people who haven't been there in years. I usually visit in late June and Powder Keg's capacity is never much better than The Giant Swing running one side. Wildfire is never too bad with lines, though. I'm excited to see what they'll build, but I don't want to get my hopes up with Silver Dollar City. It is RMC's first wooden coaster project, and while they seem to know what they're doing, I'd be a little skeptical as to how big SDC would go. With the land(scape) they have available, SDC could get crazy, but doubtful...either way I think it's guaranteed that you'll get quality at SDC!

Sheikra is my favorite first drop with Maverick's first drop close behind. If a Stengel Dive is a drop, throw Maverick's in third. Wildfire is my favorite drop on a B&M sit-down or floorless looper. Orient Express's first drop was terrifying in the back seat, and so memorable. I'm not a big fan of drops on Inverted coasters since most provide little airtime, but both Dragon Challenge and, especially, Patriot have a nice whip down the first drop near the back seats. Manta's Pretzel Loop is one of my favorite elements, but I'm not sure that qualifies as a drop... *Gotta love that last drop on Space Mountain!* And let me just say Dudley Doo Right's finale is the best drop on a log ride with or without seatbelts, and pretty much any other drop on the ride is up there. Weather and lines permitting, I would not pass up a chance to ride it! As for wooden coasters...none of the ones I've ridden should make this list ...I hope to change that this year!

I don't think it was rumored to be a complete transformation like the Texas Giant, but more like a refurbishing of the current track by the same company. Gwazi has potential because I know it used to be great and I still like it. It used to be quick and even disorienting towards the end, but last time I rode Lion it really lacked the airtime I felt either side used to deliver, and it felt rickety and sluggish...the new trains had done little yet, so track refurbishment sounds like the next option and it really could do wonders for this ride.

I'm pretty sure it was like that a year ago when I went...they used to be there, not sure if they took them out permanently or if they remove the doors around this time of the year for some sort of rehab. Some times the doors would be there, but they'd stay open and other times they'd open right on cue - but maybe it's just easier that they're gone.

OzIris really is a sweet name...I'd say Busch came up with a lot of my favorites. Kraken, Kumba, Montu, Sheikra, Alpengeist...

I think this looks like one of the best B&M loopers I've seen lately. Judging by the layout, it seems like everything up to the first corkscrew is actually pretty forceful. This zero-g roll looks pretty good and I really do like the placement, but it doesn't look like a particularly intense element on this ride.

I AM *************** EXCITED. I'm pretty sure it is being built by them, and I will bet you a dollar, if it is by RMC, that it will have a loop. I don't know it for a fact, but if RMC has it ready I could see SDC being a sucker for having a looping woodie.

Cheetaka

This isn't really a stupid story, just kind of weird and freaky. On Timberwolf at Worlds of Fun, back in the late 80's or early 90's, two girls switched seats during the ride - probably just before the first drop, and one of them fell off the ride. My friends and I were talking about the incident while we were in line for the ride in 2002, and the lady in front of us told us she was friends with that girl. It's pretty weird, but she was telling the truth, and I felt pretty bad for bringing up the tragic story in front of her.

How does Mach Tower compare to other drop towers, such as the one Kennywood just sold or the drop tower at SFGAm? I am a huge fan of Intamin drop towers, so I hope whatever BGT gets is an Intamin or can compare...or the first spinning S&S Space Shot, anyone? Is it possible that the piece blocking some of the seats is just the top of the ride?

I see it going over better than JRS...I mean, JRS doesn't have a vertical spike and it really wasn't that great of a coaster. I rode it going forward, it was even less than I expected, and all I expected was a little air time. Mr. Freeze delivered every time I rode it, and being that it is a much more thrilling coaster it will probably go over better. The only issue is that you already get to do the ride backwards, just not a vertical dive or a backwards launch, so that is the one fault I see with this change.

It seemed to be running faster in those 3D test runs than on the ones just shown. I noticed on the POV posted to Screamscape the lift is moving much faster before it reaches the top of the lift and then crawls over the top of the hill, and I can't imagine that is what they intend to do when the ride is open.

I think it really depends on the B&M coaster as to how much I like the corkscrew, but I wouldn't call any of them rough by any means. I probably do enjoy their inverted coaster's corkscrews more than a normal sit down coaster - and I can't wait to try out a wing rider! Some of their corkscrews do have a bit of a snap, but I would say that's more fun that trying to keep your head still for a whole corkscrew. I will ride pretty much any Arrow or Vekoma looper out there...they're fun, but they're generally not smooth. With Vekoma's new track maybe they can produce a smoother corkscrew? Bringing Intamin into this...Maverick has two of my favorite corkscrews, if those in the horseshoe element count.

So they are preparing ground work near the old train robber's station? I have no idea where in the park that is...but I've always dreamed that the park would somehow be able to utilize land on the other side of the road that goes down Indian Point near Thunderation for a coaster. Sort of like Ravine Flyer II, but this would mean a bigger drop into a deep trench which could go awesome for a terrain coaster - or really any coaster! If RMC is developing a looping wooden coaster, or if they have it ready now, I could easily see SDC going for that. While the park may not be too big on major thrills, SDC seems to take pride in their unique rides even though they may only be unique by some small specification (Buzzsaw Falls - a water coaster/boat ride, Powder Keg uses old track from Buzzsaw Falls and a weird transfer track, Thunderation was or is the fastest mine train coaster and has frontward and backward facing seats, Fire in the Hole??). A looping coaster that is wooden, or steel with wooden supports, could fit SDC in a strange way... I'm very happy that SDC is going to get a new coaster and being from RMC it does sound promising!

I've ridden Prowler, Gwazi, and Ozark Wildcat. I'd probably say Prowler. It was mostly pops of airtime, but there were a lot for how quick the ride is. I think Gwazi used to be great...maybe it's just because I was younger, or the ride was smoother, but I really enjoyed it. I rode it last year and liked it, but I really don't think the new trains made the ride that much better. How has nobody mentioned Knight Valley in China? That ride looks insane, and looks like it would have some good air! With how long the ride is, it has to have the most.

I really think this ride looks great. It looks way better than the other Happy Valley S&S launch coaster and better than Powder Keg as well. I hope we can see more like it in America, but honestly if they build these anywhere else I will be happy just to know they're out there!

http://rcdb.com/214.htm?p=20051 This is one of the only woodies under 75 ft tall that I've been on, and it's a decent ride. It's got some ejector airtime, especially in the front seat cresting the top of the second hill. It's a rough one... I really want to try out this Wooden Warrior ride. It looks and sounds quite impressive for its size. Some of the others mentioned here sound great, too. I would much rather ride one of these woodies than many of the big, rough ones!

My parents took Alien Encounter's age discretionary signs to heart the year it opened, and after they rode it they were glad they did. Once I was around 8 years old I rode it and loved it. It was scary, but I did my best to try and make it scarier for kids whose parents did not follow those discretionary signs. As far as coasters go, I see no need for age restrictions. Kids see what they're getting into generally, and my 7 year old nephew won't ride anything he can see that is tall. He rode HP and was a little freaked out by the dragon, but also rode Rockin RollerCoaster and loved it. My cousin was 5 and rode Millenium Force back in 2001 - I remember seeing her picture and she was all smiles! I guess it goes to say that fear or terror related content may present the need for an age restriction, but I don't think a thrilling ride has the need for an age restriction. Edit: Maybe Shambahla needs an age restriction because it's so sexy.

I'm not sure if we've met, but I'm The Yeti. Just thought I'd stop in and say happy birthday to KidTums. I like your name!

That looks like a good headchopper there, too! Hopefully it flies through this element!

I'd say it's rare because it's a B&M sit-down looper with airtime on the first drop as well! Someone mentioned PowderKeg's track shifty section thingy was unique. Doesn't Mr. Freeze use that same system in order to run two trains? The Big Ohhh! is Nebraska's only real rollercoaster...the but that's the only unique thing about this Zyklone.

^^ That happened to me at Wet N Wild in Orlando once...obviously since it was at a waterpark, it was slightly more discomforting - and I was like 12. My biggest pet peeve of any park is when Worlds of Fun runs one train on each major coaster all day. Sure each ride may be a walk on if they ran 2 trains, but at least everyone is happier.