cfc

And the last time I checked, B&M, Gerstlauer, and Zirer were European companies. It all depends on what a park wants and needs. Other companies are offering different types of rides (Mack has been coming on strong, too). It'll be interesting to see what comes out of IAAPA this year.

^That would make the ride experience a bit less painful.

Go right ahead. Good TRs are always welcome.

The "credit" question has been discussed elsewhere: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=392923#p392923. The short answer is that a "credit" is what you want it to be. If you want to count Gemini as two, go ahead.

More from WCB's Six Flags Day at Magic Mountain, wherein Lex Luthor taunts me, the park talks about Revolution's new trains, Daffy Duck wins a prize, and Eric and I spend an entire evening on Twisted Colossus before returning to Buena Park. The Drop of Doom queue is very enticing for two reasons. First, it's air conditioned. Second, it has this cool "Power Armor," which I imagine is also air conditioned. Aw, why so worried, guys? If you can't trust Lex Luthor, Superman's arch enemy, who can you trust? Another look at my favorite part of YOLOcoaster. This huge loop is really cool. But, remember, this park is all about the pistachios! Time for lunch and a TPR prize drawing. Cups, pieces of the old Colossus, and backstage tour tickets were on the line, and Sylvester and Daffy weren't about to miss out on the action. Hmm--for whom should I root here? "I've written a haiku to describe the new Revolution trains: Revolution's trains Gave riders painful headaches The new trains will not. Thank you. Never before have coaster enthusiasts had so much wood. Daffy wins a cup, but mistakes it for a hat. Sorry, Sylvester! I was pulling for you, buddy! Can one "yodel" while "yoloing"? These people do not appear to be yodeling. "Gimme more donuts!" And as the sun sets on Yolocoaster . . . . . . we amble down to the bizarrely illuminated Screampunk sign to await night rides on Twisted Colossus--and to experience dueling! That's all for the Six Flags day of WCB. My thanks to Robb and Elissa and Magic Mountain for a great time! And, no, I did not buy this hat. Next up will be Knott's Berry Farm.

The Six Flags Day: Getting Twisted at Magic Mountain I missed traveling with TPR this year. Due to family commitments, I had to back out of the Japan Trip and, thus, missed out on the insane fun, good friends, early mornings and late nights, and miles of walking to which I had become accustomed since my first TPR Trip back in 2006. Call it my "TPR Workout Regimen." How to recapture the magic? I know--an intense five days in southern California hitting Disney, West Coast Bash, and SeaWorld in San Diego! Perfect! So, after visiting my family in Sacramento for a few days, with a side trip to Ashland, Oregon, I flew down to Orange County, met up with Eric Wilson at the airport, and checked into our base camp at the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel for some great days of extreme park hopping from Valencia to San Diego. Somewhat exhausting, but a hell of a lot of fun. Technically, we started at Disney on Friday, Sept. 11, but I'll save that stuff for a later post. Let's kick things off at the first day of TPR's annual West Coast Bash at Six Flags Magic Mountain, where it's all about . . . do I have to say its name? I repeat: Do I have to say its name? Well, I will anyway. Twisted Colossus! Let's get this out of the way right off--this is a damn good coaster. Much better than the pile of rotting wood it replaced. Insane speeds, crazy airtime, and great "twisty" moments. This ride is very good when it doesn't duel. When it does duel, it becomes remarkable--particularly from the back row. The experience of looking down (or up) at the other train as you pass it is the best coaster moment I've experienced since the "High Five" element on Dualing Dragon in China. And there are some great "oh crap" moments in the front seat (particularly on the two big drops). Is it the best RMC? Well, that double lift hill, while true to the tradition of the original Colossus, does hurt the momentum halfway through; however, when it duels, it's fun to urge the second train on as you climb. I've ridden three RMCs and rank them as follows: New Texas Giant, Twisted Colossus, and Goliath. Twisted Colossus may not be the best, but it's unique and will probably make my top ten. It's tough to beat day and night ERT on Twisted Colossus, but I liked Full Throttle, as well. I' m a fan of the Premier coasters, and this one featured nice, intense launches. The only mild disappointment was the lack of airtime on the return hill over the loop at the end. Still, a solid ride. I enjoyed Lex Luthor's Drop of Doom quite a bit, too--particularly the little speech from Superman's chrome-domed nemesis right before the plunge. Here's a look at the first day of West Coast Bash. The multitudes arrive and demand entry! And donuts! It's quiet now, but looks can be deceiving. After all, "Fear the Walking Dead" is set in LA, and zombies could make their way up to Valencia at any time! In fact, many coaster enthusiasts resemble zombies until they've had donuts. Then they become ravening wolves! First stop, morning ERT on the RIDE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME! Erik is ready to go "yoloing." Brad is considering whether "yoloing" is the direction his life should take. It is a rather large commitment--to yolo or not to yolo. Yes, Shakeapeare pondered this choice in his first draft of "Hamlet." But a-yoloing he did, indeed, go. Hi ho the merry oh, a-yoloing we did go! The launch into the loop is great. Then it whips through this curve, does some other stuff, makes it to a tunnel, and briefly becomes Tempesto only with loud music and flashing lights. Would've liked a bit of air on this hill, but it's still a fun drop--and the view from the front seat is amazing. And they're back, after a fun, if somewhat eccentric, ride. Sheesh! You'd think Halloween was coming or something--or is that when they put up the Christmas decorations? A ride on Goliath while we make our way to Twisted Colossus? Why not? I like that ride. Hey, wait a minute! No one said anything about fighting any freakin' monsters on Goliath! What? We gotta camp out and kill and cook our own food? When did they do this to Goliath? Ah ha! So it's all about selling "monster-slaying implements," eh? Are these available in the ride gift shop? Er, OK . . . No sign of any Gore Megala or Pokemons or Ninja Turtles here. I guess someone got that pesky Gore Magala before I rode. Never laid eyes on it. Relieved that the Gore Magala didn't shed our blood, we made the trek to the park's new Screampunk District. And here's the main reason, next to seeing old friends, for my pilgrimage to Magic Mountain. Hmm--is this the steampunk form of Viagra? If twistiness persists for more than four hours, consult your physician. Look at all that polite, Victorian-like applause for Twisted Colossus. "I say, it was, indeed, a rather exhilarating experience that does proper honor to her Majesty, the Queen without provoking excessive naughtiness." "I concur. I was able to gather together my humors after only a mild application of smelling salts while still feeling proper, ladylike exhilaration." I missed out on the backstage tours, so I apologize for not having better pictures of the ride. That being said, go out west and ride this--you won't be sorry. More to come.

I had a bottle of Oculto over the weekend. Pretty smooth and not really filling (decent summer brew).

I enjoyed Magnum despite its "clunkiness." There are some fun "throw-you-out-of-your-seat" moments that you don't get on the Morgan hypers or on Blackpool's Pepsi Max.

I was evaced off of Ellen's Energy Adventure at Epcot years ago, just after the dinosaur portion; this spared from enduring the rest of the show.

At the WCB Q&A, Trapped came up, and the answer was that they felt it had run its course.

Looks like I'll have to Avatar before this new section opens, so that I can understand what the spectacular theming is all about.

I really enjoyed these two parks on two TPR trips. Need to get back to them, as they've made a lot of changes since. I'm particularly intrigued by Karnan. Do they still have the "haunted queue" for the Wing coaster at Heide?

You and I would probably make a special trip to ride this--and that's about it. Great special effects, lousy script.

The pumpkin snake is pretty cool, indeed.

^In a word, "yes"--followed by hanging out in western North Carolina with friends last weekend.

Er, no thanks.

X2--Six Flags Magic Mountain

Nice, detailed report, Dallas. I like the Halloween maze in Florida last year (better than expected), and it looks like they've made some nice additions to the California version.

Thanks for the Bier Fest report. I had commitments both weekends and couldn't attend, but definitely will next year (I hope they expand it).

No one destroyed my last picture, so I guess I have to do it.

Smart move ending with a food picture. You certainly know your audience. Great job on the TR and the photos.