cfc

I still haven't ridden the Orlando Eye, but these additions will give me more reasons to visit this park.

She never skips leg day. There was no prop under her leg--just to clarify.

Finnegan's Flyer photos from the media day.

Flyin' High Over Ireland (and a Bit of Scotland): Finnegan's Flyer Media Day Finnegan's Flyer is now roaring high over Ireland and a wee bit of Scotland at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The park officially opened its new S&S Screamin' Swing to the public on Friday, May 3 (they held a "soft opening" the previous Sunday, too). It's hard to miss this huge new attraction as you walk across the bridge between Ireland and Scotland, or even as you emerge from the path between France and Ireland. Finnegan's Flyer is huge--and a lot of fun. As many of you know, I'm not a "flat-ride" person, but I do enjoy Screamin' Swings, and I like what BGW has done with their version, from the placement to the color scheme. That little pop of airtime at the top of the arc doesn't hurt, either. Here are the essential facts: Swinging height--81 feet Capacity--32 riders Maximum speed--45 mph One thing to note about the "swinging height": The ride sits on a 30-foot platform, which adds to the whole experience as you're propelled by whooshes of compressed air. It even swings out over the queue house; sit on the green side facing the Loch Ness Monster, and you can look straight down at guests who are waiting to ride. They provide plastic bins for your loose items, too (and glasses require a strap). The park shot videos of all those who participated in the media event on May 3: POV, 360-degree, and "foot cam." (Yes, a camera was attached to a rider's foot.) I still have to upload the video footage to Robb, but here are some photos of FInnegan's Flyer in action. Sign photos for the park index make Larry happy. Finnegan's Flyer from the far side of Ireland. As I said earlier, it's hard to miss. Here's how it looks from the Scotland side of the park. I'm sure you'll be OK, guys . . . . . . well, reasonably sure. A wee bit of "hair time" on the green swing. High kicks with the foot cam. This gives you a better look at the camera rigs. Yep--I think this'll be a hit for the park. Hi Griffon--how you doin' today? Remember that Grogan's is the place for Cinco de Mayo! Arriba and begorrah! Thanks for reading.

Just out of curiosity, what made you enjoy Kawasemi slightly more than Piraten? The fact it was in Japan! Same here!

OK, I'll share my top 25 and bottom 10, too. Top 25 1. New Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas) 2. Balder (Liseberg) 3. El Toro (Six Flags Great Adventure) 4. Expedition GeForce (Holiday Park) 5. Maverick (Cedar Point) 6. Twisted Timbers (Kings Dominion) 7. Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point) 8. Wildfire (Kolmarden) 9. Goliath (Walibi Holland) 10. Intimidator 305 (Kings Dominion) 11. Phoenix (Knoebels) 12. Kawasemi (Tobu Zoo) 13. Piraten (Djurs Sommerland) 14. Fly Over Mediterranean (Happy Valley Cheudu) 15. Mega-Lite (Happy Valley Shanghai) 16. Cheetah Hunt (Busch Gardens Tampa) 17. Lightning Run (Kentucky Kingdom) 18. Karnan (Hansa Park) 19. Skyrush (Hersheypark) 20. Twisted Colossus (Six Flags Magic Mountain) 21. Phantom's Revenge (Kennywood) 22. Olympia Looping (Traveling) 23. Goliath (Six Flags Great America) 24. Millennium Force (Cedar Point) 25. Nemesis (Alton Towers) Bottom 10 (#1 is the worst) 10. Loopen (Tusenfryd) 9. Thunderbolt (Luna Park) 8. Eejanaika (Fuji Q) 7. Goudurix (Parc Asterix) 6. Cyclops (Mt. Olympus) 5. Zeus (My. Olympus)* 4. Zamperla Volare (Various Parks) 3. Anaconda (Walygator Parc) 2. Bandit (Movie Park Germany) 1. Space Mountain: Mission 2 (Paris Disneyland)** *I haven't ridden the version with the inversions. **I haven't ridden this since 2008, but the memory is very evil (Disney had no business building a major coaster that's this bad).

I prefer Twisted Timbers slightly over Steel Vengeance, because as much as I love the latter ride, it's almost "too much" (at least for me).

The selection at Grogan's isn't as extensive as the Brauhaus, but they improved it a few years ago. Grogan's is a nice place to relax, too (but it can get crowded at times).

They have quite a few beer taps in Grogan's in Ireland, too.

But I'm a bit disturbed by "Bearspray." I don't think I want any spray from a bear. Or is that "Bears Pray"?

It's a mixed bag. They assign row 2 on Apollo's Chariot for Quick Queue, but on Alpengiest, QQ gets you into the station and you pick your own row. InvadR has an assigned row, too. They don't assign rows for Verbolten, Griffon, or Loch Ness Monster.

Yep--the pouch is down low and between your legs. You'd have to be a contortionist to reach it.

They are opening their first water coaster this year: Cutback. Water Country is a very good water park (especially Aquazoid, Big Daddy Falls, and Hubba-Hubba Highway, a fast lazy river).

KD's log flume is open, and people were riding LeScoot at BGW last Sunday.

. . . or a famous Italian daredevil's bicycle stunt. But, yes, your average park guest isn't going to make the connection with Tempesto.

Yeah, why not Buffet-related names like "Parrothead Plunge" or "Wastin' Away Again Lazy River"?

The only sometimes "rough" patch on Dominator is the corkscrews after the MCBR, and it isn't all that bad. At least that's been my experience.

This ride is even trippier than "Nights in White Satin: The Trip" at Hard Rock Park.

Looks like a nice setting for family coaster. My only experience with a Vekoma Family Boomerang is Raik at Phantasialand.

Since it is themed to pets, I bet the water will be themed to something else. Beware the fire-hydrant scene!

Agreed that they are useless, but do they now at least not hurt? I wasn't planning on even riding Tigris based on my Tempesto ride last summer with those stupid, painful collars, but if there's been a change I'll at least give it a courtesy ride. Didn't hurt me at all last week.

I was wondering if they did the same thing to other versions of this ride. Either way, the comfort collars are useless.

Our 2018 Annual Report is like that at work (comes out in spring 2019, but talks about 2018). I guess you could go with the "2018-1019 Coaster Poll." Other than that, I think "2019" might be best, being as last year's was just a "test run," anyway.

IllumiNations had a good run (I first saw it when they still had the parade, too).

There was another interesting little change on Tempesto. The "comfort collars" previously used car-seat-belt buckles; now they use carbiner-like clips. I have no idea why this was done.