cfc

I'd like to check out more of those Arrow suspended coasters (only been on BBW and Vampire--with its Vekoma trains). Vortex looks pretty good. I am both intrigued and repulsed by Tomb Raider--banging people around in bird cages? The hell? Call it, "Ow, Canaba." The thought of a Vekoma Top Gun is pretty frightening, too. Looking forward to seeing more of your travels, Tom.

^To which you have added another page--congrats! I think people are just enjoying the debate; plus, it has grown beyond whether Racer "deserves" a plaque to whether such awards are worthwhile.

Ahh but Derek, you forget!!! Doesn't one of the Executive Committee Members run a sign and trophy company!?!?!? (Emphasis added.) Oh yes, he does...hmmm, interesting! This is one of the funniest little tidbits I've ever read--and it sure explains a lot.

Er, Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, 1959? Sure seems like a "signature roller coaster" to me. I'm not demeaning Racer here (never been on it), but I'm just not sure that your premise holds.

^^Vekoma Boomerangs deserve an award all their own, that's for sure--"Worst Effect on the Industry," perhaps? I hereby nominate the X-Coaster's inverted lifthill for "Worst Concept."

I'd like to point out that Rebel Yell at KD has been an "ACE Landmark" for quite some time--a heckuva lot longer than Racer (from which it was supposedly "cloned"). BGE's Loch Ness Monster also has an ACE plaque (first coaster with interlocking loops, first ERT session ever held). Does that mean long lines for these coasters at either park? My experience would indicate "no." (And I like these coasters, so I'm not bashing them.)

It does make one yearn for the time when a station ended its broadcast day and just ran that test pattern with the Indian chief in the middle of it. KCRA (channel 3) in Sacramento used to run these really sappy short subjects to end their broadcast day: a bunch of jets flying around while some guy recited the poem "High Flight" ("For I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth . . .") and a series of random nature scenes while some really irritating tenor sang "The Bluebird of Happiness" ("So be-e-e-e-e like I-I-I-I-I-I/Hold your head up hi-i-i-i-i--gh/[something something]/Bluebir-r-r-r-rd of Happi-i-i-i-ness-s-s-s-s-s-s!"). Informercials are hardly an improvement.

Cameron, you have so made me want to go the Missouri. Is this payback for me making you want to go to Hersheypark? Damn you!

I presume that "Amish etc." on your line-jumping list would includes Menonites? Personally, I keep my eye on Methodists. Excellent TR.

Hmm--it does look like Michigan's Adventure is Michigan's version of Dorney Park (although the latter looked a bit nicer). Looking forward to seeing more, Tom.

I look at Dorney as a nice, traditional, "nieghborhood" park--not as a theme park. When I was there two weeks ago, the weather was perfect, and the grounds were quite green and attractive; in short, the environment there was more pleasant than, say, Kings Dominion (then again, Dorney was all new to me). I do agree that Hydra looks better than it rides (in fact, it's a bit rough in the front seat, of all places).

Granted, Dorney is not a top-tier park, but I don't think I'd call it "ghetto" (but that's just my opinion).

Silver Dollar City looks great! The boat on that raft ride looks like it's sinking. Looking forward to seeing more, Cameron.

^Yes, according to sci-fi from the 1930s, we should all be traveling via biplane, autogyro, or jet pack by now!

What? You couldn't take the fabulous LA subway system to Chris's party?

Hmm--curious. Oblivion, I believe, can claim to be the "first" dive coaster, so I guess they streteched a point because Sheikra was the Busch chain's "first" dive coaster; ergo, the "first" Busch dive coaster has gone floorless (even though Griffon, Busch's "second" dive coaster, has been running since Mother's Day). Nah--doesn't make any sense.

Excellent, Erik--the "floorless experience" on BGE's Griffon is great, too (unless you're sitting in the middle seat, which has a little yellow platform under it). I like how the two ride's color schemes are reversed--red track/blue trains for Sheikra, blue track/red trains for Griffon. I'm looking forward to taking a spin on the "new" Sheikra in October. The "old" one was pretty dang cool.

It was just pulling away from the dock as we got there, but being as you're the captain of the Lady Gay, you already know that. And Heath and Kim, I'm sorry we missed you, too.

That's better--much easier to follow. Sorry you had such a bad day--an "off" day for the park, perhaps? I haven't been to KI in years. Skramp, no offense meant here, but unless you were there that day and know otherwise, I would avoid statements like "there's no way that happened" and "I think you were just nit-picking." After all, enough "nits" can leave one feeling very uncomfortable.

^That it was, Lou--lots of fun (even Dutch Wonderland has its charms). Thanks for all the kind words, folks.

^I would've loved to have ridden the flyers, but time got away from me--it was a long haul back to Williamsburg. (Should've skipped Runaway Reptar.) But I imagine I'll hit Carowinds again someday, when I have a bit more time to check it all out.

Yeah, I still pay bills with checks (although I usually use a debit or credit card when shopping). I'm still a bit nervous about letting too many companies have access to my bank account for bills and such (although I am going to make an exception for my mortage payment).

Being as I neglected to mention this in my earlier post, good job, Jahan! It does seem a bit strange that Disney would hide Screamin's loop behind a cupola, but I'l reserve judgment until they're finished. Frankly, although the subs seem pretty cool, I'm more intrigued by Toy Story Mania.

^My guess is that Storm Runner might give you the most trouble. Great Bear, as is typical of B&M inverts, does have "big boy" seats in the middle cars of each train. The trains on Wildcat and Lightning Racer might be a tight squeeze, too. But I don't know how big you are.

I'm not a big fan of flat rides, especially of the "spinning tea cup" variety, but I do like flyers and magic carpets.