cfc

Ironically, the ride that scared me the most actually got me interested in coasters: the old wooden Wild Mouse at Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk. I used to be scared of the Giant Dipper, but then I rode the Mouse. The way the cars leaned over on the hairpin turns,and the old "double dip" that threatened to hurtle you into the Pacific, where hungry sharks no doubt lay in wait, convinced me that the Dipper couldn't possibly be as terrifying.

^Agreed, even though I think the basic concept is good. Japan used to have its own version of Tivoli Gardens.

So, has anyone been to "Scarowinds," Carowinds' Haunt? How does it stack up to Haunt at Kings Dominion and other Cedar Fair parks?

Just noticed that "log flume" on the poll. I had no idea that Schwarzkopf ever desinged a log flume.

^I accept your explanation. Silly Martin!

^In the Loop tends to be a bit fanboyish in favor of Kings Dominion, but I do agree with them that Haunt was better than Howl-o-Scream last year (haven't been to Haunt yet this year). HOS is more "PG" while Haunt tends to be more "PG-13" to "R."

Any change to Innoventions, including gutting the building in favor of new bathrooms, would be an improvement. It's really just a walk-through for "new technology" that you can purchase at any Best Buy.

Planning to head up there this weekend, No Vacancy sounds particularly interesting.

^My impression was that most of the "haunt-style" action was in Adventureland.

^I'll go along with those two and throw in Bandit at Movie Park (it's either that or just burn it down).

I really enjoyed the "Ghost Galaxy" overlay they did for Space Mountain--rather edgy for Disney. Here's what they had set up in front of the castle. Yes, it is a wee bit creepier than the pumpkin people in Florida and California.

^Vekoma and Grona Lund did it right with Kvasten. Other parks should follow suit.

I never did either. Such is life.

^They should just turn it into a haunted walk-through attraction.

^Thanks for the info. Their initial plans were certainly ambitious, and I hope the project proceeds smoothly. Then again, we won't really know until the first guest enters through the front gate.

I dunno. Disney is going to need an awful lot of klass to compete with Carnival.

^That's what I understand. I don't think Robb and Elissa could remember hearing any reports that it had even been running since then at all.

I'm shocked that more parks haven't installed coin-operated, radio controlled vehicles--what a great new "money making idea"! I don't remember ever seeing the "Computer Odyessy" thing anywhere--what the heck was it?

And to hanging out with the "Twister Twins"?

^Renegade mold? I thought the Peoples Republic only allowed sanctioned, organized mold!

I remember reading about this park when it first opened, but my family never paid a visit to Nashville. It did look like a nice place.

^Does it now? Thank you for clearing that up.

An indoor Ultra Twister with some cool lighting and sound could be a great ride--a natural for for a fantasy or sci-fi theme.

^Sad, but true. Ultra Twisters can be a lot of fun. I liked the two in Japan.

Suspended coasters are naturals for theming. However, the old Big Bad Wolf, with its German village, was the only suspended to take advantage of this (at least as far as I know). I'd love to see a new suspended coaster that swoops through, say, a desert canyon setting or perhaps around a snow-covered mountain.