BrandonR

Well if the fire marshal's concern was lighting the wooden structure on fire, it seems like shooting the flames from the top would be a safer bet as it'd be further away from the structure. But who knows, it still looks nice... I'm just not sure it's appreciated given this has been the second hottest summer in Texas' recorded history.

Looks like they finally got the approval to get the oil derrick to shoot fire: Odd that it shoots from the bottom of the derrick. I thought for sure it'd be shooting out the top...

So I was invited to take part in a Six Flags ride naming survey that's supposed to influence what ride names they pick out for 2012. Part of the survey was ranking ride names, and repeatedly I saw that several of them seemed like they would apply to a Windseeker-esque ride which makes me think Six Flags might be adding some for next year. Anyone heard any rumors? Oh, and some of the ride names were just god-awful. Like "Chairway to Heaven," "OMG," and not to mention "OMG 400!" And there were tons of superhero names mixed in, but I tended to rate them low for some reason...

That's true. It's actually a pretty interesting agreement: Also, Clint is the real deal with it comes to SFoT history. He has posted thousands of historical pictures of the park over at SFoT Former Employee Forums, not to mention his book and this documentary he made about the park's early years. Here's a link to his book: http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/the-golden-age-of-six-flags-over-texas/10279086

True. On Superman Tower of Power at SFoT I know of at least one specific incident that resulted in a major change of protocol. That protocol now involves your restraint being checked no less than three times by at least 2 different people. Sure it's overboard, but theme park guests are idiots and are incapable of ensuring their own safety.

Have you considered taking one of those little spray bottle/fan combos that you can mist yourself with? It's the closest thing to having a portable air conditioner with you. I was at the zoo yesterday and it was hot (about 100) and it seemed everyone had one except me...

Sounds like you had a good time. Your first picture is of downtown Dallas, not Fort Worth. And except for the credit, you didn't miss much by not riding Judge. That ride has killed my back on the first two drops the last several times I've ridden it so I usually just skip it. It's in desperate need of some rehab. And I agree about the creepy Mr. Six character. He looks straight out of a burn ward. But in terms of creepiness at the park, few things have this guy beat: (from the Texas section)

If German ride ops are just consistently fast and efficient, I'm wondering how well they're getting paid. In the US, theme parks generally can't attract quality employees at the rates they pay, and it's hard to be enthusiastic when you're getting paid next-to-minimum wage to check lap bars for 16-hour days (no overtime) in unbearable summer weather. I know I've been there. Speaking of unbearable summer weather, how warm does do German summers get? Because I'm sure many US parks have much hotter summers which only makes it that much more challenging to remain quick and enthusiastic, especially when working double-shift days.

I'm guessing German ride ops don't check every single restraint to ensure it's locked... That's a huge chunk of time right there. Then again, how many obese people do you have trying to fit into rides they won't fit in over in Germany?

For those who don't know what planking is: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=planking

Yeah Matterhorn is older, so what they should say is that the Mine Train is the first tubular steel coaster with traditional-type roller coaster trains... But that doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well does it? For what it's worth they've also stated that the Shockwave is the first coaster with consecutive double loops, when Double Loop at Geagua Lake opened a few years prior.

Ding ding ding ding. If you looked close enough you probably also noticed the faux stitching to make it resemble a leather saddle.

Yes he put it on his hand and stuck it in my face as soon as the ride's last doors opened. Easily the most scared I've been on any dark ride, especially because when you see the last set of doors with sunlight peeking through you tend to completely let your guard down.

Actually, I'd say the dark ride is very unique. If by unique you mean old. I think I had the same operator on it though when I was at the park about a month ago. He wore the wolf mask and nearly gave me a heart attack at the end of the ride.

A kid almost drowned under me at that Sandy Lake pool when I was a kid. The pool used to have these cinder block retaining walls separating the deep section from the shallow sections. The walls had square cutouts and apparently some kid stuck his arm through a hole while under water and couldn't get it out again. A lifeguard had to go down and basically break his arm to get him out. After some CPR I vaguely remember him coming back, but I don't remember ever going back there to swim! Sandy Lake is a very basic family park, so don't believe that you missed anything if you weren't able to make it there.

I can't tell if the ride ops have been intentionally stapling or if they're just having a hell of a time pushing down the hydraulic lap bars so they compensate and push a lot harder, which can sometimes result in a stapling. Either way, it's good for safety to have a snug lap bar and I don't think it detracts from the ride's airtime one bit. I'm also eager to ride it this summer when it gets scorching hot and the trains really start flying. I also detest the people vandalizing rides. I recall back when I operated Titan a certain group of kids came back from a ride, Sharpie in hand, writing on the train. They did not like it when I kept their lapbars locked until security arrived.

Good to know they haven't given up! I noticed they already have the sound effect working so it's quite strange to see a train passing and triggering an explosion sound minus the explosion.

Was it mentioned during the Q&A when the oil derrick's fire effect would be working?

Wow those Texas Giant lines are huge! They weren't using the overflow last weekend that's for sure... Guess the nice weather enticed everyone to go to the park today!

For what it's worth, I was at the park last Saturday and it was absolutely packed. Even the overflow lot was getting full and the rows of buses were crazy. Most of the lines did look rather long, but surprisingly the Giant's line was only about a 45 minutes to an hour most of the day. I guess it all depends on what all you plan on doing throughout the day.

That ride only gives air on the first drop and the one airtime hill.

Just got back from the park. It was kinda cold and rained this morning so the park was empty. Even Texas Giant was a walk-on. Got 4 rides in before I got hungry and decided to leave.

I finally got around to doing something I've been wanting to do for a while - aerial comparison shots between the old and new Giants! One obvious observation: the midcourse looks to be considerably lower than the original's.

Yeah, the Judge has needed some serious TLC for a while now. I make it a point to avoid it nowadays. A coaster that small should not be that unnecessarily painful.

Some of John Wardley's interviews would be a good starting point for this, as I seem to recall reading stuff of his where it dived down into such topics. Google "John Wardley interview" and you may find some good stuff!