SoCalCoasters

Ditch the custom tracks. They're actually illegal due to copyright laws, and lag the heck out of your computer.

Made a couple hour stop at Universal today, I'll have a full report up later. Were there any TPR memehers working on Transformers in the mid afternoon? I swear I recognized someone. Here's a quick synopsis. Lots of construction all over the upper lot. The Wild Wet Stadium is completely gone, as perilously reported...anyone know anything about what's replacing it? The Cyberdine building was being torn apart. Couldn't see much though because of all the absolutely awesomely themed construction wall sets with propa they had in front. Transformers has held up pretty well, haven't noticed much deterioration in effects aside from occasionally not having the "bullet spark" effect right at the start, which wasn't a big deal. Still insanely popular, drawing about a seventy minute wait by the time we left. People really need to learn what SINGLE RIDER LINE means though. You wouldn't believe how many people got this glazed over or aghast look on their face when they had to get seperated, or parents with little kids too short to ride without them. Mummy is much more efficient with two trains loading simultaneously. (Unlike my previous August visit where only one was loaded at a time) Also, as we were leaving, we saw a huge group of people who looked to be some kind of Back to the Future group were heading towards Simpsons. Thought the timing was interesting considering John Murdy's announcement.

It takes a considerable amount of skill to drive a Jet Boat like that, so I assume MovieWorld will probably be using professionals trained in driving such boats. I hope. Terrifying? Most certainly. Dangerous? Well compared to most other theme park attractions there's a higher risk because of the unpredictable nature of the boats, but compared to a lot of other "extreme" diversions this one seems well polished and well contained.

I've seen Knott's stop Sierra Sidewinder on the lift multiple times to tell people to put their cell phones and such away. With how close you come to a lot of SS's path, it doesn't surprise me that they're very strict about recording.

Well, I know Space Mountain Paris has restrictive shoulder bars because of the tight clearances throughout the layout. However, based on what we're seeing, I don't think there are any clearances as tight as SM:MII that warrant restrictived arm movement. Gerstlauer has been one of the companies openly willing to put lapbar a on their looping coasters (Dare Devil Dive, SDL Trains, and Iron Shark), so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a large waist-hugging lap bar instead of shoulder restraints.

There's been some cool photos of the construction from backstage floating around various sites like Screamscape, sounds like there was some kind of a special media hard hat tour today. I'm really looking forward to this ride and the new details we've been hearing about the FullThrottle area. It may not be the most impressive attempt at a themed area, but it looks like SFMM will be putting quite a decent amount of effort into making the area look nice.

So it appears we'll most likely have to scan images inside the park in May to get the rest of the content?

The Smiler App is now available for download on iOS devices in the US.

I've not sure of my top ten, but I do know my #1: The World Ends With You (DS, iPad) With an extremely powerful narrative, relatable characters, and robust game play, all wrapped up in a beautifully illustrated art style, accompanied by a very fitting soundtrack, this game is amazing. Now that it's on iPad, it's even more accessible. While it's a bit of the pricy side for an app ($20 I think?), it's so worth it.

This pretty much allows you to make almost any flat ride out there! I can't wait to experiment with this!

^From the concept work we've seen so far it looks like the outdoor portions of the powered coaster will be on the side facing the park, eliminating potential noise issues like those they were experiencing with Woodan. In terms of construction noise and such...who knows.

I've ridden Green Lantern about three dozen times, and I've had a few nasty hits. The final maneuver is the killer though. if you enter it at just the wrong angle, you either get thrown forward into the restraint or whacked backwards into the seat. Both are equally uncomfortable. Green Lantern does have some unique forces, and if you hit the park, just use the single rider line and give it a few whirls.

^I think they're all unique and fit their respective locations. They each were done with different styles in mind. I'm trying to look at this from the perspective of an attraction designer.

^My post said I didn't have any problems with any of the facades. I liked the variations of all of them. Please allow to elaborate since everything I post seems to keep being mis-interpreted. I have a strong interest in themed entertainment attractions and their theming. I chose to comment on them because of my interest in such attraction elements. I like all three variations of the Transformers Ride buildings. I do not dislike any of them. There's no simpler way for me to state it.

Eye rolling .gifs don't change my view on the subject. There's nothing wrong with not disliking any of the facades.

Have you seen it in person? It actually looks quite cool. Of course you would say that... Personally I appreciate the aesthetics of it. I like how all three of the attractions have thematically varied styles in their facades.

Have you seen it in person? It actually looks quite cool.

I see Pirate Reef has been given a Polar X-plorer Overlay Looks great.

To add fuel to the rumor mill fire.... the "Marmalisation" stage icon in the Smiler Gameplay videojust so happens to be a gyroscope rotating.

I am tasked with reading through Food Inc. for an English Class... So far I've found that this book isn't about food, as I've counted more statements about politics than I have about food.

^It's a marketing image, accuracy isn't important.

It's nice to see you've taken your time with this, as it's paid off.

Awesome news!

Jump^2s are not terribly reliable, plus they have a very large footprint. Unique yes...Reliable and likely? No.

While I know that most cruise ships are strapped for space as they are, do you think we'll ever see a miniaturized amusement area on a cruise ship that contains a more than one or two flat rides? It would be pretty cool to see an area on a cruise ship with a ghost train and maybe a small set of other attractions. One of the issues I can think of aside from forces on the ship's structure is the capacity that would probably be needed for such large crowds.