Geauga Dog

Kings Island just posted on their Facebook page that Windseeker is expected to open tomorrow. http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=bbd8e9500932615ecc138b36f47ee896!/visitkingsisland/posts/10150335666133368

I rode Dare Devil Dive twice and I don't think the capacity is a problem, granted there are only four cars on the ride. The line moved pretty well even though the queue was only three switchbacks before the ramp to the station and the crew was good with dispatches. Being my first Gerstlauer Euro-fighter, I was pretty impressed with it. Very smooth and ultra-quiet. Laughed all the way through the ride.

It was my original intention to visit the Texas parks this year but I'm not quite ready to board a plane yet (last time was in June 2001). In the meantime I was hearing Carowinds call out to me and I began making plans to visit the park. Seeing that Atlanta was about a 4.5 hour drive from Charlotte I included Six Flags Over Georgia in my plans. I spent two days at both parks which I didn't need to as I was able to hit all the main credits on the first visit but I do this for new-to-me parks because I never know if or when I'll be able to get back to them again. Crowds at both parks were rather light, with walk-ons to minimal waits for the coasters. I did like Carowinds. It was an easy park to get around in though it needs a bit more shade in some areas and a few updated flat rides (like most parks). I took a good number of photos but I'll share just a few since most of the photos I've taken are similar to what has been posted on past TRs already. Hello Carowinds! What a nice profile you have, Intimidator. Welcome to Carowinds, where "Everyday is Saturday." The cool theme song sounds like it came straight from the "Lawrence Welk Show." Intimidator was a very good coaster and a ride Carowinds needed. One of my favorite parts of the ride. Nighthawk. It's deja vu all over again as I rode this when it was Stealth in 2001. Though it has a nicer location here. I liked how you "flew" over water on some parts of the ride. Carolina Cyclone looks bigger in pictures. Only ran one train both days. Though I have to admit it has one of the worst paint schemes I've ever seen. I wonder how they came up with painting it this way. Vortex wasn't that bad - if you sat towards the back of the train. Towards the front of the train - it was Iron Wolf's evil twin. Carowinds doesn't have a lot of shady areas outside of Planet Snoopy and parts of Carolina RFD but there is this nice little area by Vortex with a fountain. Hooray for old school mine trains! Carolina Goldrusher was a pretty good ride. Loved the second half. To paraphrase the classic song from Peaches and Herb - "Reunited and it felt so good." Great to see you again Head Spin. Miss having you back here in Ohio. I know it's just a boomerang but I'd rather have this than not have the place it used to call home. The new Vekoma train is awesome though the vest felt almost like it was digging into my shoulders. Hurler, Hurt-ler, or whatever you want to call it, was probably the weakest of the coasters. The blue train just shook and shimmied its way along the course, which does absolutely nothing. I don't even think Rocky Mountain topper track could save this ride. The red train did track a bit better but the layout is still a little boring. One of the smallest I've seen but still a decent drop tower. Thunder Road was pretty good, especially with all the new track work. Only running one train on each side they didn't even bother racing the trains on both days. Too bad it's a ride that's hard to photograph. Boo Blasters was well done and IMO better than the Kings Island version. Despite the odd restraints, I like Looping Starships and it's rare for me to ride one. Saving the best for last - Afterburn, IMO, is best described in three words - Best invert ever!! This ride is amazing and is now my #2 favorite steel coaster, knocking Alpengeist down a notch. The train coming out of the Immelman. I must add that in a world where the cobra roll has been a dominant element found in plenty of B&M's the batwing was a welcome change from the norm and I wish there were more batwings than cobra rolls out there. They are fantastic. I know this view has been posted millions of times but you can't help it - Afterburn is a work of art. Thanks for viewing.

This is my choice. Given this particular period of time you could make a bundle by having some big bands perform at the dance hall (could make it into a temporary supper club where guests could dine and dance the night away).

If the past is any indication generally when an attraction is closed mid-season it's usually a coaster or other large project that is planned for that site. Removing GASM at Great Adventure is one example. While I have never visited SFA yet and following its history on the Net I wouldn't say that the park is neglected, IMO, as it has seen some investment but given what has been added to the other regional parks in the last couple years maybe it's time to add something much more significant. With SFGAdv and Kings Dominion more than likely not getting anything big next year the park could finally add something to grab more attention to the park.

Sky Rocket is a pretty good ride. I like the fact that you don't stop before you launch, you just take off when the train hits the LIMS. I was really surprised with the airtime. The top hat has a big pop of air even with the brake on top and some nice floater air in the inversions. The only let down is the somewhat weak ending after the mid-course. The zig-zag track does nothing for the ride. The Intamin drop towers feel more like a freefall than the S&S turbo drops, which seem too controlled to me even though I enjoy them. The Intamins also feel a bit more intense, especially the gyro drops.

^They'd call it Turkey Hunt and put it in the Thanksgiving area. Kind of surprised it hasn't been brought up but something similar to Kennywood's Sky Rocket would be a nice addition - it has a decent launch, three inversions, two vertical drops, airtime, and isn't a huge ride. The only thing is they would have to make the second half a bit more thrilling and modify the trains for better leg room.

When I first read of the closing the first thing I thought of, as some have mentioned, a Gerstlauer Euro-fighter, probably a clone of SFoG's Daredevil Dive.

Back in the day they used to fill up the pre-show area before the IMAX movie and have a short live show there. Then the doors would open to the theater. The movie would always make me feel a little woozy as a kid. With that in mind let's bring back the Bayern Kurve and Schwabinchen, the original neighbors. Back to reality, Wildcat has fulfilled its time at the Point and maybe it's time to retire it and make room for something else. It also does seem kind of redundant to have three car rides in the park (Cadillac Cars, IMO, are better than the Antiques in Frontiertown) and the Turnpike cars do take up a nice chunk of real estate with two tracks. Whatever they may have planned it might be a tight fit.

You got some very nice shots in your report. I agree - night time is the best time at CP with all the lighting however the midges/bugs are pure hell on the coasters. Since a lot of capital has been spent on the back of the park and the Oceana/Wicked Twister midway these past few years it's only fitting that the Blue Streak side gets some love for a change. I also like Calypso and Chaos' old spot would have been a nice area to relocate it.

Side B please.

I haven't ridden an Intamin wood coaster yet but based on the rave reviews they get it seems they are "spoiling" (and I use that term loosely) riders who seem to expect all wood coasters to be like them. From what I remember of my rides on Timbers was that it was a great ride and just because it may be a bit rough now doesn't mean it's time to make it a steel coaster with topper track.

Now that the SFSC chapter is about to close just wanted to thank you for the journey from humble Charleston Gardens to one of the best looking SF parks (even compared to some of the real life SF parks) I've seen on TPR. Looking forward to your next endeavor.

Went to Kennywood today and after my ride on Phantom's Revenge the guy in front of me says "They need to put harnesses on this thing."

The park sure has improved a lot since I was there last, which was the year CF first bought it and I think Be Bop Blvd. was under construction. While CF doesn't have to worry about sterilizing it - it was already that way. Regarding CP Rules' comment, I don't understand why CF has kept it either given the attendance but at the same time what would Michigan's Adventure be like today if they didn't own it?

The ride looks very good on the KI skyline and is quite picturesque from different vantage points (sorry no pics as I didn't take my camera to the park this time around). It was going up and down the tower all day Saturday but was not spinning.

I didn't think they still did the walk back as they have early rides for KI Gold Pass and CF Platinum Pass holders. Was at the park yesterday and as soon as the gates opened it was early rides on Diamondback and The Beast.

Nice TR. Too bad things didn't turn out the way you hoped. It sucks that it feels like "Mayvember" (got that from the local news) and that it won't stop raining. The way things are now I would be surprised if summer was hot and dry like last year. I didn't comment on it in Real's TR but I like what they've done with Ocean Motion, which is a huge improvement from when it was by the beach. The sign looks great as well. Did they ever fix the support lighting on Millennium Force? The last time I was there the lights were not as vibrant or almost burned out or have they changed the lighting altogether?

Two things... What hurts BG more are the neighbors. Everything has to be approved. KD doesn't seem to have this issue. Where BG excels at is theming their rides into their respective areas. At KD it's just plop the ride wherever we can fit it. Nothing says Congo like I-305 or Flight of Fear.

I absolutely love this quote. That's pretty sad that a park that proudly boasts being the "best" happened to be the "worst".Yes, I know it's only opening day It is uncalled for to have that many rides closed given that on various reports it did not rain until late afternoon. The CP of old never would have let that happen. Otherwise, great photos. When that thick fog covered Cleveland in the early afternoon I thought about what it might have been like in Sandusky. I bet it offered some unique rides.

Mach Tower looks very nice. I like the look of the base area. I wonder if this is the tallest drop ride Moser has ever built.

That error was pointed out to MFI when they first showed the map on their Facebook page. Not sure if they were able to fix it for their gate maps.

I was surprised at how quick the blue train warmed up and the great rides Ravine Flyer was giving. Still the best wood coaster around here. I also heard that Whacky Shack has seen some new paint on some of the scenes as there were a few I didn't remember seeing before. Amazing that this ride continues to be in good shape for how old it is. IIRC ride-all-day wristbands are $20.00 throughout May. That's a great bargain considering RFII is worth that price alone.

My longest wait is 4 hours for Dragster on opening day 2003. I have never waited that long for a ride before. The worst queue is Millennium Force. Seems to go on forever and then you go up the ramp to the station.

Waldameer is the first park in my neck of the woods to open for the season and the weather couldn't have been more ideal. Finally some sun, warmth and blue skies after a record setting rain filled and cool April. The park wasn't very crowded though the longest lines were for the season pass processing. So after my 1.45 to 2 hour drive from Cleveland my 2011 season has officially begun. Having been out of practice taking photos i did take a few to share with everyone. Hope you enjoy. First ride of the year and it still runs great! One train today. Red train nowhere in sight. Got four rides in before I left for home. The new North End. It was a tight fit for three rides but they did a great job with it. Here's a few for Larry. Wendy's Tea Party. The sign is behind the ride on RF II's structure. Flying Swings Sign Flying Swings. Zamperla makes a very nice swing ride. You do not swing over the cliff but you do get the sensation you are. You do swing over the train and close to RF II. SS Wally You get this great view of Ravine Flyer's turnaround from the Flying Swings exit. Ferris Wheel and Ravine Flyer III from near the North End entrance. No visit is complete without a ride on this classic. Don't let the size fool you. This is a pretty potent drop ride. Steel Dragon only ran two cars but was down to just one before I left for home. These are great little spinning coasters. Since the trees haven't fully filled in this is the most you'll get to see of Comet from the Sky Ride. Mega Vortex in action. Paratrooper In case you haven't been to Waldameer, here is the park map. Until next time, thank you for a great day.