cfc

Ride ops were working the line during the breakdowns, asking people how they heard the ride was "open" (Facebook was the most common answer). They were trying to keep the crowds as light as possible due to yesterday just being a "soft opening." Maybe this weekend will mark the "official" opening?

The butter in the butter cow is three years old? Ewwww! (Then again, that wouldn't stop Homer Simpson from licking it.)

I didn't ask, but the whole "boarding card" thing looked temporary to me. Guests, for the most part, seemed to be doing OK with it.

I got back from BGW about an hour ago, and here's my take on Mach Tower. I had to wait about 45 minutes or so, thanks to two breakdowns--after a drop, the carriage (or whatever they call the thing that hauls the passenger seats up the tower) tended to get stuck in the same place on the way down. After a few tests, the technicians seemed to have it ironed out, and it worked smoothly after that. I rode it twice before I headed home. Although in terms of sheer "punch" I have to give the edge to KD's Drop Tower, Mach Tower, thanks to the additional gimmicks Busch and Moser have added to it, is a fun ride and a good fit for Oktoberfest. What really makes this ride, at least for me, is the rotation on the way up--no one has a "bad" seat and everyone gets a great view. This will be particularly nice when Verbolten opens next season. You get great views of Griffon and Alpengeist, too. The music (a bit of Beethoven, I believe) is a nice touch. The vibrating seats are "interesting." (I guess this is the only drop ride equipped with "Magic Fingers.") The vibrations did seem to surprise some people, but I can take or leave them, myself. But at least you know that when the "butt massage" ends, the drop begins. The drop provides a nice thrill with some good airtime, but without being too intense. This seemed to please some of the more apprehensive riders. A number of people commented that the drop was fun without being too scary for them. Call it a "family" drop tower. Mach Tower through the trees on the way from Italy (where I had cannelloni for dinner). Just in case you forgot why I was here. There was a steady stream of people, but breakdowns aside, operations were pretty efficient. The public seemed to enjoy the ride, too. When you reach the turnstile, you're given either a red, blue, yellow, or green card. Here's mine. There are not baskets or cubby holes to put your loose items, but if you place them at your feet, they'll be waiting for you. Your seat always ends up in the same place where it started, despite the rotation. The color on your card corresponds to the color of the decal over your seat--simple, eh? Hmm--I'm guessing these tape boxes are just temporary. It goes up. It comes down! Yay, it works! Being as this was a "soft opening," there was some tweaking yet to do. I'll leave you with some purty lights in Italy.

In line for Mach Tower, but it just broke down for an est. 30 minutes. Stay tuned.

According to the Amusement Wire, the ride is having a "soft opening" today. I'll head over there after work.

^The park already has a small museum devoted to coal mining, but I understand your point. Black Diamond also contains a sort of memorial to miners who were killed in an accidental explosion many years ago (they were trying to dig more coal out of an already closed mine when it happened). It's an interesting concept for a dark ride, and I think they're handling it well. And, heck, there is a famous Disney attraction that "celebrates" a band of desperate men who sack and burn a Caribbean port.

^If so, I'll definitely head over to the park to check it out.

^I think you're looking for this thread: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=59983. I've never been to Maine.

^Aw-w-w-w-w . . . here's a lollipop. All better now? Seriously, I'm sorry you can't make it.

Well, there is this thread: Weirdest breakdowns. I think everyone should just post their stories there.

^It's all the work of the Joker! He's probably using the now abandoned Hard Rock/Freestyle Music Park as his hideout to plot his next nefarious scheme!

I hope the Mach Tower preview goes well.

^Sigh . . . what did I just say again? Everyone cool off--thank you.

Yes, I think basing an opinion on BGW's new ride based on a ride in a video that will, most likely, be almost nothing like Verbolten is a mistake. All are entitled to their opinion--but no flame wars, please.

^^Understood--but whatever your decision, you're gonna have a great time! A TPR Bash + a Halloween Event = Amazing! (Or "Amazeballs," as Piers says.)

I'd say so--I think SFMM's Viper is OK. Drachen Fire was a nice-looking ride, at least (especially at night).

^I suppose that's one way of looking at Drachen Fire. Mine was through double-vision after it had beaten me senseless. Well, maybe I wasn't actually seeing double, but I did have a throbbing headache, an upset stomach, and two huge bruises on my shoulders after I rode that thing for the first time. There are those who have ridden Drachen Fire, liked it, and now miss it. I am not among them, although it wasn't as bad as GASM (Rest in Pieces) at Six Flags Great Adventure.

So this isn't even a "quasi Quassy query"?

Big Bad Wolf was a member of a dying breed--the suspended coaster. While I liked BBW and thought it was fun, it was hardly a top coaster for me personally. However, with its 40-inch height minimum, it was a solid coaster that families could enjoy together, and I think that's what BGW is aiming for with Verbolten. As others have said, I'm glad that the park is doing something interesting by including an indoor section (rather "Disney-like" of them). Time will tell--let's see how the project progresses.

^Based on my personal experience with Howl-o-Screams on Saturday nights, you will need the Quick Queue. It can get crazy crowded.

Everybody in this thread needs to cool off. Let's not have this discussion devolve into some idiotic flame way over some concept art. RocketJet94, you stated your opinion. Skycoastin Steve disagreed. Let it go at that. And Jet, Steve hardly went "aprecrap" or "crazy" in his initial response to you. cfc Site Moderator

I would say "not really" as they haven't been hyping this as some sort of "psychological thrill ride" ala Th13teen. The rides do share some similarities, but I think BGW is playing this up more as a "family" ride that provides some thrills (like BBW). But we'll see what happens after they make a formal announcement and their promotional campaign kicks into high gear.

^OK, I'm using a broader definition of "sit-down" here, which includes diving, floorless, and hypers (or whatever B&M calls their 200-foot-plus coasters). But I'm not here to wage a war of definitions. Thank you for clarifying your statement, as originally it sounded like you were saying they'd built only five inverted and sit-down coasters. Please use proper capitalization and punctuation, as well--both are required under TPR's Terms of Service. Thank you.

Huh? Seems to me that B&M has built considerably more than five "Inverters and Sit-downs." Or am I just misunderstanding you here?