Geauga Dog

Though I don't think the layout will change I, personally, would like to see them try to at least break the American records for most inversions on one coaster since the most we have is seven. Don't know how they would be able to add four more inversions to the existing layout but I would love to see a zero-G since I don't see the inclined loop staying. Will the ride go back to three train operation like Mantis was originally supposed to run or will they stick with two?

What, no Worlds of Fun? The return of EXT!

Very good video. A great way to tie it into the upcoming Halloweekends but that's all there is? Not a good year for stand-ups with Skyrider and now Mantis, even though it was rumored a change was coming to the latter well in advance.

Just a heads up that Saturday, September 13th is PointFest, a Christian music concert. It may be a bit crowded.

I always wondered what those Technical Park Flying Fury rides looked like in action - thanks for positng. Us too-easy-getting-queasy Americans couldn't handle it.

Isn't MFI looked upon as being more of a "kiddie park" compared to Darien Lake? If that's the case, and considering the recent additions they've added the past few years, it seems they are trying get people to look at it as being more than just a "kiddie park". If they are trying to go head to head with Darien Lake they have a very loooong way to go and quite a few large investments to make to even get close. I can see a few areas that could be expanded upon. I don't see the mini golf course lasting too much longer as I've never seen anyone using it the few times I've been there. There's still quite a few open spots at the front of the park as well as where the log flume used to be (though I can see a gradual expansion of the water park take up some of that land in the future). As for a replacement for Beanstalk it wouldn't surprise me if they added an ARM/Larson Super Shot, probably the best drop tower for its size, which would be a perfect fit for that park.

^Sounds like a normal visit to Darien Lake IMO. I've never been there at night but I'm surprised to hear that the booths closed immediately with the park as that is always a big time for that last funnel cake or souvenir as guests make their way out of the park. While MFI was briefly mentioned and there is no discussion thread about the park I noticed this on the ITAL used ride site. Is Fantasy Island removing the Beanstalk ride, the Moser spring ride? They just removed the log flume this year. http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=1885

I'm usually not critical when it comes to new ride announcements as I usually love what I'm seeing/reading but this year's crop of Six Flags 2015 additions leaves A LOT to be desired. Of all of them the only thing that somewhat stood out is Wicked Cyclone, and it didn't stand out as much. I'm anticipating a backlash as I say I haven't ridden an RMC yet and I'm sure they are incredible rides but between Twisted Colossus and Wicked Cyclone they both seem cookie cutter. Personally it's almost like the RMC novelty is wearing off because looking at both rides it's like the same thing over and over again - steep angled first drop, lots of overbanked turns, and an inversion or two (or three). I would love to see RMC do something a bit more "traditional", if that's a good word to use, instead of using "tricks" to improve a lackluster ride.

Kings Island is the same way. The two weekends after Labor Day are closed for private outings.

I hate the idea of online game play and wish they would just stick with playing the game without having a need for an internet connection. Wasn't that one of the big complaints of the latest Sim City game, which obviously bombed?

Thank you for the report. I love th elook of this ride - the colors and the wings on the sides of the ride carriages are a cool bonus. It's definitely on my to do list if I ever get down to Florida. My mouth waters at the sight of that Pretzel Bacon Fury. Why must you tempt us?

Nice report! I went to Worlds of Fun once back in 1989 as part of ACE's Spring Conference for Timber Wolf, which was new. I remember the park beingf illed with trees which I'm glad still seems to be the case today. I do want to return in the near future to not only snag new credits but take a spin on Geauga's old Carousel, which looks beautiful fully restored.

My two biggest years were 2001 when I hit both SoCal and NorCal parks and in 2005 when I hit Hersheypark, SFGAdv, Dorney, and Knoebels.

Just got back from a drive by even though it was something I didn't want to do. As stated Wolf Bobs is completely gone. I took a couple of photos. I did not take photos of Big Dipper though it is still standing but it is amazing how fast nature has taken over the former ride side. I'm sure trees have sprouted up through Dipper's structure by now. I went the back way (Pettibone Rd. to Geauga Lake Rd. to where it ends at Depot Rd.) Raging Wolf Bobs would have been visible from this angle. The old concrete trough of the Grizzy Run rapids ride still remains. This is where the ride platform used to be. Seven years ago you would have seen maintenance buildings on the left, park offices in the distance, and Double Loop's lift hill and Villain from here.

I do believe that RWB has been demolished. Big Dipper is the only ride still standing.

Great TR so far, Chuck. Looking forward to reading about the rest of the trip. Like you I'm not a fan of the flying coaster concept. As for Firehawk, I used to somewhat like it when it was X Flight at Geauga Lake but when I rode it last year during Haunt I hated it. It felt very different from when it was at Geauga. Very uncomfortable but to me Flight of Fear is the worst coaster there with Firehawk not far behind. I still love Vortex, especially riding in the back seat.

While I don't know much about Valleyfair as I have yet to visit the park but looking at the map it seems CF has quite a bit of room to expand on however would CF be willing to risk building in areas prone to flooding especially after what had happened at the park this year? Is this the reason Valleyfair hasn't grown beyond its current boundaries over the years?

Compared to Soak City it is a much, much nicer water park and thankfully CF was smart in keeping some of the Sea World landscape intact when they built it. It's sad, though, that the Columbus Zoo has a much better looking water park with Zoombezi Bay, where they actually have some unique slides. Northeast Ohio has lost a few water parks over the years like Dover Lake and who remembers Wildwood Lake back in the day and I also think WWK's days are numbered.

Okay, you've totally confused me. I was always under the impression that Herschend wanted Lake Monster since they had the success with Outlaw Run and CNL backed out thus giving them the reputation of being tight with the purse strings.

I haven't been to the water park since it became a stand alone "attraction" in 2008 but based on prior visits during the years GL was open there is still the whole other half of the former Sea World side where the old Shamu Stadium used to be to develop. It was supposed to be part of a Phase II in 2006 that was drastically cut back to just being the Tidal Wave Bay wave pool. There is also the former Happy Harbor area, which is the area behind the Thunder Falls water slides. When you go up the stairs you'll get a good look at the decrepit remains.

^I'd be happy with that lineup of rides or even a Mack Splash Battle which Dollywood and SDC both have. IIRC Seabreeze has a single arm Zamperla Hawk but a double arm like Kennywood's Aero 360 would be a nice fit plus if one side goes down for some reason they could always just run one side. I'd stick this ride in the old UFO spot and leave the old Ranger spot for something that could fit in Rowdy's Ridge better (I'd say Rockin' Tug but MFI just put one in recently to replace the Crazy Bus).

Congratulations Carowinds! Looks like a great ride and a reason to make another trip down there next year. I've always thought that giga coasters were about speed, not airtime, and if you did get some airtime then that is just a bonus. This doesn't look anything like Intimidator so it will be a very different ride experience. I might be the only one a little bummed by it but I thought the antebellum themed main entrance was one of the more unique entrances to a park and I would miss it. This new entrance seems like a clone of CP's new gate, which is waaaay better then the old one at CP, but seems rather bland at Carowinds.

^I like the sound of that. Would work well if DL were to have a full blown Halloween event.

Scary that I've ridden them all except Hercules and OTG. My pick would be Mean Streak before it was neutered so bad. The first few years it was open it was actually decent and I've had a few "good" night rides on it. I did ride Timber Wolf during the ACE Spring Conference back in 1989 and it was a great wood coaster back then. Sad to hear it's deteriorated so bad. From what I remember the upward helix was an unusual feature of the ride, slowing the train a bit without needing trims to do it. Raging Wolf Bobs was an okay ride when it opened in 1988 but those trailered PTCs really beat the hell out of the track. Once Six Flags and Cedar Fair retracked the ride and had put Villain's third Gerstlauer train (and later Holiday World's old Legend train) on the ride it brought some life back to it. Despite its less than thrilling layout it became a decent, speedy ride at night in complete darkness. I do like Predator's layout, it has potential, but it suffered the same fate as RWB did with the trailered trains. I don't think Darien Lake has fully retracked it as it still has a few rough spots but the Voyage trains have improved the ride somewhat.

Nothing wrong with a Gerstlauer. They do make a decent spinning coaster (Tony Hawk/Pandemonium at SFStL) and Euro-fighter (having only ridden Dare Devil Dive at SFOG). Based on past additions at their other parks Herschend will theme it and put a story behind that theme. With Darien's country type atmosphere the possibilities are endless.