odene497

That's such a unique ride experience, riding with all the water dummies! The trains definitely look cool, very open. I'm happy I got a chance to ride this past summer with the PTCs, because next time I'm there I'll be able to compare!

This is huge. I was nervous on the Halfpipe at Mall of America. This would be crazy fun. But it looks like it has "stuff" on one side, and not the other. Does it lift up one side then just roll back and forth? Or is it launched back and forth like the Intamins?

The backseat of X2 during ERT at West Coast Bash. The flip at the bottom of the hill happens so fast in the back. I was afraid I was falling out every time I had my legs almost ripped out over the top of the hump...love that ride so much.

Some of the Batman clones, Behemoth (airtime speaking), I think the most intense stand-up I was on was Vortex at Carowinds... I love my forces, but if I have to keep on top of gray-outs it's a bit meh. I'd prefer a smooth, twisty, *fun* ride over a super forceful one that I have to be concerned about blacking out on.

Nice report, good to see some opinions on this park. When I went over the summer I really loved it. It wasn't too busy and we also had a flash pass. I agree on Goliath (pronounced "Gonyack" in the station ) being spectacular. It was really my number one B&M hyper (I don't care if it's not technically a hyper, it's the style that counts). Although I did ride Behemoth the other day which one-upped it. But it's still an excellent ride. I almost feel like they don't race Le Monstre for ride integrity reasons. Did you see how much the bottom of the first drop sways? It's incredible. Kind of cool though. And one other thing...did you ride the shot tower? It was easily the best I've ever been on. I too was thrown off by seeing the empty top portion of the ride, but this one is unique. There are two sets of pulley wheels, the ones the cables above are slung up and over, but also another set of pulley wheels right above those. There aren't any cables attached under the carriage (which most have, to pull up/down.) This one launches up, and shoots the carriage up and above the pulley wheels, flinging it up past its own cables. Some launches turn out weak and don't surpass them much, mind you, but a few cycles I was on had the most intense launch I've experienced as well as a freaky "holy crap we're launched above the ride itself" crazy ejector air. So that's sorta what the excess "tower" is for. It's nice to read a TR of this not so talked about park. Thanks for the pictures Not the most zoomed in shot...but if you look close you can see the top-side only cables stretched down as the car flies past the pulleys.

While the physical steel parts (track, supports) might be somewhat salvageable (some probably needing replacement), Almost the entire ride would need to be stripped and redone. Everything. Trains, motor components, really pretty much everything. And from what I'd heard when the ride was originally plopped there, much of the ride was either damaged or missing, and there were no plans to build it. And now it's 5 years later. The only thing being wasted by it sitting there is scrap metal, not a possible coaster.

Behemoth on Sunday in the fog! It was most excellent.

^^Thank you, I too remember seeing them a few years ago after seeing a show. Not positive if they're still there but can't imagine they've done anything new with them. I remember my friends making fun of me for being more excited over the trains than the show we'd just seen. I was lucky enough to get on it a few months ago, and it was really unique. A bit bumpy but not unrideable, and the one hill before going up into the midcourse produced some really weird airtime. I enjoyed it but wouldn't exactly be excited if this one at Darien Lake ever ended up being built (which I'm pretty positive it won't).

So while heading home from Ontario today (after visiting Canada's Wonderland) I decided to get off the highway to take a look at the rusting lot of Intamin Standup, currently across the street from Darien Lake. The park obtained it after Six Flags Astroworld closed, and it's been in pieces there ever since. I'd been meaning to take a gander for the past year but always forgot to stop by. It was just me driving today so I wanted to stop while I had the chance, and figured some people might find the photos interesting. Consider me giddy like a schoolgirl It was definitely showing its age... Part of the lifthill Intamin everywhere! Ride sensors were still hooked everywhere This was heavy. The side sections of the loop Brake run! Walkways and staircases All in all I can't really imagine this ever being rebuilt. I guess we'll see what happens with the parts over the next few years.

I loveeeeeed X2. It's too bad you didn't try the back. I didn't find it really too much rougher than the front, but that issue aside the first drop makes it totally worth it. The speed you're at when it flips at the bottom had me up on top of the hump of the seat every time. One of the most intense coaster experiences I've had.

I did the haunt at Canada's Wonderland last night for the first time at it was really good! Some of the mazes were had really cool setups and atmospheres. There was also an unusually thick fog that covered the park and entire surrounding area all day, so you couldn't see more than a couple hundred feet around you. Everything was very surreal.

Sounds like you had a fun time. Lake Compounce is definitely one of my favorite parks to just walk around and take in. It's such a pretty setting, the rides are fun, it's not usually too busy. Boulder Dash is great during the day, but truly does become a #1 ride at night. I had two days worth of it a few weekends ago, can't wait to return on the Northeast Trip! -Nick

Awwww. I'm going to the park for the first time Sunday and love those rides. Oh well.

As for Non-coaster launch, Orbite at La Ronde was by far the most powerful S&S space shot I've been on. But coaster-wise, Top Thrill Dragster, Maverick, and Volcano at Kings Dominion are pretty good.

I went to Lake Compounce for their haunted graveyard which was amazing as usual. They also have the park set up wonderfully with stuff everywhere, random fog, and random people. I was at SFNE for the night, but saw maybe 1 scare actor, and didn't pay to do the house stuff. I was at Darien Lake the other night, and did their haunted house for the first time, and only because I got a free ticket for renewing my season pass. It was alright, like a 10-15 minute walk through. After doing Lake Compounce's every year it's tough to beat it. I'm also going to Canada's Wonderland on Sunday so I guess I'll see what that's like!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to the park Sunday for what will be my first time, I'm super excited! Can't wait to see more.

I wish theme park spies would creep in on my life...

God this place was incredible. I'd probably rather go back there than like half of the parks on the trip! Just the most screwed up place ever. It's like as soon as you walk in you simply can't take it all in and just run around screaming. At least that's pretty much what I did. These pictures are excellent! Definitely have to return someday...

Hopefully this will be beneficial. S&S is one of my favorite manufacturers.

How does it get up into big inversions? Or anywhere, really? I don't understand how it could be powered to push itself somewhere like that...

I've got my coin jar growing for that Best of China deposit...

This is really neat! Whenever I heard the term "pothole" it just made me think of little kinks and dents in the steel pieces of track making a rougher ride, I never even thought about the pieces of track bowing like that. Very cool, thanks for the video!

Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer! Love itttttttt.

Neat park! I agree in that I think it looks cooler than Blizzard Beach. It's like there are more grays and open areas, which I think make it look more realistic. Being right on the shore helps too.

This is looking more and more gorgeous. I've never been to Texas, but might need to make an effort next year.