Geauga Dog

All of Busch Gardens Williamsburg except Festa Italia, which seems light in theme compared to the rest of the park. If there is one area I'd like to see them makeover like they did Oktoberfest it is this one. Hometown Square and Southwest Territory at SFGAm.

From my memory the trains on X-Flight didn't raise to the sitting position as they entered the station. Glad you had a great time. I had been planning on heading down there to get my Gold Pass processed again for next year and get my final rides in but it has been difficult this past month to do that. I'll have to get my pass next year.

Raptor in 1994.

Storm Runner is currently my top favorite launched coaster followed by Maverick, Mr. Freeze, and Volcano.

I think Lake Winnie has one (OH-Zone!). These drop towers are also among my favorites. I like how forceful the drop is and the unexpectedness (is that a word?) of that drop.

In no particular order: 1. Ninja at SFOG. Vekoma put a lot of coaster in a tight footprint with several moments of head choppers. I didn't experience any headbanging since my head cleared the OTSR. I also really like the look of the butterfly element. 2. The Vekoma Boomerang family (including Invertigos and GIBS). 3. I finally got to ride Dark Knight at SFGAm this year and I was shocked at how good a standard Wild Mouse ride could be. All the mice I've ridden are usually braked so hard that it kills the momentum. Dark Knight was brakeless and insane in the dark. Some people thought it was strange that I rode it twice. 4. Shock Wave at SFGAm and not because it was a walk on when everything else in the park had waits. It had one of the coolest first drops and I liked the long rise up into the first loop. 5. Drachen Fire. I only got to ride it in its opening year and loved how unique it was for an Arrow coaster.

Can I get an "Amen" for that? That part actually scared the heck out of me the first time I rode Ninja in 2010. As for SFOG Ninja I wonder if it's the fact your head doesn't clear the OTSR. I had no problem with roughness when I rode Ninja in 2011 and actually enjoyed the ride alot. Vortex does have its moments, especially that tight right turn into the mid-course brakes, but riding in the very back is quite tolerable.

Viper's my favorite at the park. I agree that the boomerang does jar you a bit but it's an overall smooth coaster. The longest I've waited to ride was when the line stretched out to where the base of the vertical loop is and the wait wasn't that long either. Majority of the time Viper is a walk on to a minimum station wait.

Each time I see Ocean Motion at the front of the park just looks odd and out of place yet I'm glad to see its ridership is up, or at least appears to be up. I really like the new sign. I think my favorite building on the Main Midway is the Pagoda Gift Shop. It really stands out from the other structures. The photo of the flowers under the Sky Ride with Raptor in the background is beautiful.

Wow, those shades of blue are going to look pretty sharp twisting over the front of the park. Hopefully winter won't be too bad this year as I'd like to go out to Sandusky a few times and see this thing being built from Battery Park.

Doubt I'll ever get to ride one but how are these Maurer Sohne Sky Loop rides?

It's pointless to have Fright Fest when you're not even open through Halloween though it's understandable given the location of the park but it would be easier to just have a fall/harvest festival those last remaining weeks. Bring in some live entertainment, people to sell crafts, maybe a few food vendors so you're not totally relying on staffing all the food stands, maybe offer one haunted house, and keep most of the rides open if possible. Reduce admission if you have to if you'll end up having limited availability of rides. Just an idea.

Bayern Kurve. Nothing beats the ride at full speed when the horn goes off. Shame it's a ride you don't find anymore, except at Kennywood, but how long will they keep it before they rip it out again?

I did say "a part of me" would like to see RoS replaced. I know how insanely popular it is and it will never happen but come on, you can't say that you wouldn't mind seeing something a little better especially with all that Intamin has done since RoS first opened. It seems everyone wants the "next big coaster" to come to the park. Why not improve what you already have?

Maverick @CP

Shipwreck Falls was added in 2002 so it's really not that old. A part of me would like to see RoS replaced and I know that would not be a popular decision given it's the signature ride there. The ride seems to have bad karma or something.

What is up with Shipwreck Falls? It seems every time I go to the park it's closed. Thunder Rapids seems to be much more reliable. I think UFO or Ranger might be next to exit the park.

When did Intamin start representing Schwarzkopf or were they always the ride broker for him?

Now there's an idea for the old building. Put the Scrambler inside the Galaxy Theater, add lights, pulsating dance music and fog and you'd have a new attraction - the "Technodome".

I'm very pleased with this announcement. If Rowdy's Ridge is any indication this area will be very well done next year. Maybe they will finally remove some of that blacktop for new pavers. I don't see why they would not put LED lighting on the Giant Wheel with this renovation, even if they just put lights on the midway side only like CP did with theirs.

I was a bit disappointed that the little bit of paint they did apply to RoS was the same color. I would have preferred something that didn't scream "Superman". The red track is fine but the supports should be a different color - dark gray possibly? Hopefully when they get around to painting Mind Eraser they will choose a totally new color scheme for not only the track but also the trains. I wouldn't necessarily say that Martin's is focusing solely on families. There seems to be much more growth going on at MFI than at Darien in recent years at least in the thrill ride department. Mind Warp and Devil's Hole (even though it's just a replacement for the Starship 2000) are thrill rides. Mega Disk'O and Full Tilt and, to an extent, Flight are right on the border of family and thrill rides. I very highly agree. The go-carts and batting cage are a waste of space. Other than Tin Lizzys and Twister that particular stretch of pavement is dead.

Didn't Ranger just get a slight refurb recently? I will say that Ranger does seem awkward as a part of Rowdy's Ridge and would be nice if it was relocated though a Zamperla Hawk does the exact same thing, is a much more modern ride and would be a worthy replacement. Looking at the park map I wouldn't mind seeing a drop tower go in UFO's spot instead of Raging Sea's spot since that location would offer some awesome views from that side of the park.

I could see Rowdy's Ridge being open since it is new but they'll probably close off Mind Eraser and the Thunder Rapids/Corn Popper area. I wonder how much longer those Huss rides will last. It seems like UFO goes down often. Ranger had issues a couple years ago.

Or they could just tear it out and permanently relocate Viper's exit through there like they do this time of year since they have the UFO/Sleigh Ride/Mind Eraser side of the park closed off and in the process of winterizing. The extra space left from the building could be home to a new flat or two.

What about an indoor,somewhat themed Wild Mouse? I would love to try a Gerstlauer Bobsled as they seem to do a lot more than your standard Mack or Maurer Sohne models. Compact and family friendly and would at least tie them over until the next big thing, which I have no idea what they could put in at Darien Lake. Despite the Boomerang (one of my favorites) and SLC I think the park has a pretty solid lineup for a park its size. Come to think of it a themed Gerstlauer spinner would be a nice fit for the park as well. Tony Hawk/Pandemonium at SFStL was a very fun little coaster.