John Knotts

However this turns out, there are still 2 wonderful parks in the area to be grateful for. I thought no one liked CGA anyway? Other than nostalgia reasons (which I understand), would this really be such a great loss? One terrific Invert and little to anything else.

You make a good point. There is alot of doom and gloom in this thread, and some of it with good reason. But let's not forget, CGA is as land locked as any park can get. Once they were unable to build the wooden coaster where they wanted, there isn't much choice other than to remove a ride in order to build a new one. Invertigo is the most logical choice given it's location and operational issues. Another park with a larger maintanance budget would be a better fit for the ride, and it frees up an area for something else. As I said earlier, the parks next statement will come towards the end of this season when everyone who cares, will be on the look out for possible construction. Now a days there are so many thrilling coaster options for parks on a budget, with limited space. It's also possible to build a station and queue in that area, and have the actual coaster jump over and out of that immediate area (several coasters at Knotts do just that). Things don't look good right now, but this is far from a done deal yet.

Keep in mind that most Operation/General Managers have their own ideas as to what will work and what won't in their park. The folks out at SFMM have shown time and time again that they prefer "unique" over "classic". Even Goliath bucked the trend of what hypers are "suppose" to be. Green Lantern is another example of a unique ride that no other US park can claim. Of course this is nothing I can say for sure, but there are definate patterns when it comes to additions at SFMM. If other parks in the area have one, they probably won't (unless they add it first or make it unique in some way).

Well, 2012 will tell the tell. Rumors are that SFDK will add a big new ride next year, so if that plus the removal of Invertigone does nor spur a major addition for 2012, you can forget it. And usually there are hints, signs or rumors of a new ride by the end of summer, so we'll have to wait and see.

Ahhhhhhh....brings back so many wonderful memories! If onlt the park could have ever built on the potential created the year this ride opened. It was like nothing I've experienced since (at least in California). The year Ghostrider opened probably comes the closes.

^ I honestly think that's one of the reasons this ride was chosen. It gives the park the coaster count, yet it will function as a well-needed flatride. It's the best of both worlds. Enthusiasts however (myself included), will moan about the capacity issues because technically it is a coaster. lol

^ LMAO! I was thinking the same thing. Let them do their usual run towards the left side of the park. I'm going to the right. Goliath, Green Lantern, Batman, Apocalypes and Superman. After that, who cares!

Wow, this is going to be one low capacity ride (Green Lantern), especially on days when the crew can't get it together and pump out those cars. Maybe it's a good thing that this ride is opening at SFMM, where it can share the load with several other major coasters. I would hate to try and ride this at a park where it is the only "star" option. lol

I always thought an indoor coaster like Flight Of Fear would work well at CGA. It could go in thew spot of the old Pictorium. CGA is also the perfect park to introduce the Mega-lite design to the USA. I just don't think Cedar Fair is going to invest in this park until the stadium situation works itself out, as frustrating as that sounds. As long as there is a chance they could unload this park, why put anything but the minimum amount of money into it. I wonder how they will respond if SFDK adds a major ride next year?

Although I won't get my hopes up, here's to hoping the park adds a few more family flats/rides in or near DC Universe!

^ Agreed. It also looks at least to me, that Boulder Dash is going to rank remarkably high (perhaps even #1), standing as a LOUD testament to what great care and upkeep can do for a decade old woodie. Cedar Fair take note please!

Somehow, I don't see Tidal Wave lasting much longer at all. That ride has become an eyesore, with low ridership to boot. I think something like Pilgim's Plunge may replace it elsewhere in the park one day, especially with a new park relationship with Intamin. That would free up the space needed to tie that whole section together. And I think we will see a "Flash" ride at some point. Isn't there a film being developed?

CAN-NOT-WAIT! Boy did I pick a great year to do a Florida trip!

If you're not going to be honest, what a waste of time to do all that work just to try and stack the deck for or against a particular coaster. It takes balls to admit you love a coaster other people may tease you about. But hey, tough! I know a few people afraid to admit they still love Ghostrider and have it in their top 5. lol There is nothing wrong with liking what you like!

I'd argue that it's not just love for the park (otherwise, where is the top 10 placement for Legend?), but rather that style of woodie, out of control, challenging and set in the woods. If you look at rides with that type of placement (Prowler, Raven, Boulder Dash) they all rank much higher than they would if they were placed on concrete in my opinion. I'd also bet that 80 percent of Voyage's #1 votes are based on night rides at enthusiast events. And yes, in 2010 there was no doubt the ride hurt like hell.

I think it's very possible Voyage may be unseated by of all rides, Boulder Dash. It had a truly great year, while Voyage's last PTC year was it's worse by far. I won't get into the "why I think Voyage is the best" debate again, but even as a fan I can admit I was done after just a few rides last year. I'll be very interested in how it will ride this year.

^ Agreed. Besides, I haven't decided if I'm going to buy a season pass this year or not, so this is very much in line with what I would expect to pay anyway. Plus, getting there early, I don't have to pay for parking. It's a non issue for me. Still trying to decide on Knotts though.

The prices this year are a bit on the steep side, but I can attest to the fact that the ERT alone is the best any park has ever delivered. Throw in possibly having the re-tooled Superman all to ourselves without the major spring break crowds, and what ever other goodies thown in, I won't miss this year, no way.

^ Oh wow, thanks for that! Gotta love modern cameras/cell phones!

They could also be running Superman at full power with no intention of keeping it that way. We'll just have to wait and see.

Interesting list Robb. Who ever thought that both of SFMM's woodies would rank higher than Knotts. Also interesting that your top 3 are all Intamin woodies, yet only one has been built in the United States. We need more!

Starting mine now! - Voyage fell from my #1 spot, down to #5, the ride simply was not running it's best in 2010. Terminator/Apocalypse also rose in my rankings, cracking the top 15. Top 5: 1) Boulder Dash 2) EL Toro 3) Tremors 4) Ravine Flyer II 5) Voyage

Yes we can. Unless you have worked in the amusement industry and are familiar with AB850 (the California assembly bill passed that regulates the amusement industry) and the ASTM F.24 standards on ride designs... Actually, I believe he cited ASTM standards as the reason why they can't do anything else and said it was a company-wide policy to follow those guidelines. Which translates to: we don't want to spend the money for train modifications, so we're just going to run with the excuse that "we can't make any changes because we have to operate the ride based on the SOP, and the SOP says OTSR's!" I certainly don't blame them (there are a lot better things that money can go to), but there really is nothing preventing them from doing so if they wanted to. I guess the point I was making is that this isn't something that's going to change so people just need to deal with it. It doesn't matter whether there is any law on the books or not. The ride ain't changing, ever. So it's been a moot point since...well forever. I don't blame them either, because the bottom line is no one really cares except enthusiasts. Besides, this notion that Revolution would be so great with just lap bars is probably a myth at this point anyway. The ride remains over-braked and poorly maintained regardless of the restraint system. Sure it would be easier to ride with comfortable restraints, but I doubt ridership would increase enough to warrant the funds spent.

But he ( Burkhart ) never said anything of the sort. He said it was Six Flags decision to add the OTSR to Revolution, and that the ride can no longer operate any other way, period. It has nothing to do with any law, and he never even hinted that was the case.

I have two questions actually. Will Superman hit the 100mph mark again? And will both sides operate at the same time? If the answer is yes and yes, color VERY excited to ride this. Otherwise, while I admire the effort, I will be only midly interested.