Flagg O'Dim
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Posts posted by Flagg O'Dim
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^I'm hoping that Slaughterhouse is the one that gets updated. I felt that it was the weakest maze, despite some interesting moments (navigating through the hanging bodies, and the restaurant ending). More attention to detail and a Thomas Tissot-produced theme song would do wonders for this maze.
The removal of Witch Doctor's Trail isn't really disappointing to me. That scare zone was just kind of...there. While all the other scare zones had a distinct theme, I was really hard-pressed to find anything other then a bunch of fog with WDT. Last year, I witnessed some lady run right into one of the barrels that was sitting in the path, and fell on top of it. It looked painful.
Even the monsters seemed bored in WDT...one ran up to me and yelled "Is it 12:00 yet?" (referring to closing time).
I'm wondering if the expansion of Dead Mans Cove will extend into Boomerang Bay...
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^We can only hope, right? Would be a perfect way to sell more season passes.
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Nice porn--I mean pictures! Looks like you guys had a great time!
Interesting about Tidal Wave's station, although it's pretty far gone now to be of any use for a new ride. Makes me wonder if Paramount had some plans for it that never came to be.
I need to get me one of the Firefall shirts, or any kind of CGA shirt for that matter.
If there is an event next year, I will definitely be there!
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Great pictures and video!
I'm digging that new hearse. I wonder when it's going to get a Haunt makeover?
^Nope we did here that Cedar Fair does have plans for the park. That the corporate people went out to the park and looked at the Invertigo site and supposedly have plans. Thats all we heard from them.What the park told you guys almost sounds word by word from what they were telling us back in January...I'm starting to doubt if these "plans" have substance.
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Nice report!
About CGA's no glasses policy, if you have straps attached to your glasses, you can ride just about everything. I have them on my sunglasses, and the ride operators always tell me that I'm OK to ride with the straps. Although some rides I prefer to just put them in my pocket.
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More good news for attendance, from Cedar Fair's second quarter earnings conference:
The strongest region this quarter was our western region where our parks in California reported an increase of more than 10% in revenues, a result of both higher attendance and average in-park guest per capita spending...our campaigns in the western region placed a renewed focus on our seasons pass customers at California’s Great America and continued our momentum from last year at Knott’s Berry Farm. This region also reported strength in group business attendance through this past weekend a result of a more renewed and targeted sales program. -
^^I was at the Boardwalk yesterday, and saw you Nicholas! When I got there around 5:30, the sign said that you were on your 53rd ride. When I was leaving at 10:50, you were still there. That's dedication, kudos for hanging in there!
Since it was my first visit since 2007 (despite the fact that I live only 35-40 minutes away, and the fact that I had been going to UC Santa Cruz for the past two years), I figured I would write a quick report. It was PACKED. Every line was way out the entrance, and it was anyone's guess as to where they actually started. Only got on 10 rides, and I'm extremely disappointed that I didn't get a chance to ride the new Haunted Castle. I was about 15 minutes in the line when it broke down, and it never reopened for the rest of the night.
What I rode:
Giant Dipper: It's been awhile since I've ridden a real wooden coaster! (cough Grizzly cough). Best ride in the park in my opinion, and tons of air time to be had here. The ride operators were flying through the trains. Even though the overflow queue was about halfway full, the line was only 10 minutes.
Hurricane: I don't know why this coaster has such a bad reputation. I enjoyed it, it really packs a punch (in a good way). Those who say that it's rough have obviously never ridden CGA's Vortex. If the removal rumors are true, I'm glad I got my last ride in.
Double Shot: The anticipation for the launch is the best part of the ride. The launch itself isn't quite as forceful as I remember it being. It's a fun ride to be sure, but it still left me asking, "Eh, is that it?"
Cyclone: Wow. I seriously underestimated this ride. I will admit, I was a little nervous when I was getting on and saw that there was really nothing to hold you in (that seatbelt is more for show than anything else). But I soon found out that you don't need anything to hold you in, the momentum had me glued to the wall, and I could barely move. Also, the ride just...never...stops. I haven't gotten that "eyes spinning in your head" dizzy for a very long time. Fun ride, but there's no way I could ride it more than once per visit.
Crazy Surf: Still one of my favorite rides in the park, but I had to double check to make sure that the restraints weren't made out of brick.
Ghost Blasters: Where's the theme song? That seems almost criminal to turn it off. I swear you could hear crickets during the ride, that's how quiet it was inside. Disappointing, although I did get a decent score (1398).
Rock and Roll: It looks nice.
Fireball: I love this ride! Definitely worth the wait. The program it runs is fast, intense, and unpredictable. Definitely better than CGA's Delirium.
The rest...
Speed Bumps and Logger's Revenge.
It was an okay visit, the extremely overcrowded walkways and closed Haunted Castle hindered my experience. This park looks great at night, and I forgot just how LOUD it is. Also, major props to the friendly ride operators, even past 10:00 they showed no signs of fatigue.
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^I'm actually the one who emailed the news to Screamscape . Lance seemed pretty excited about it when he emailed me back, and from what he wrote on his site, it looks like he believes something is on the way.
If the coaster is actually coming, it's probably more likely that we'll get it in 2013, hence the "two" year extension.
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Something came up, and looks like I won't be able to go. I will be anxiously awaiting the reports from you guys!
I'm also very intrigued about the surprises that CGA is trying to put together!
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I wonder if any of those neighbors realize that in not allowing construction of new rides they are digging their own graves? There are probably a vast amount of small business owners within the vicintiy of the park, and the park helps their businesses. If they reject a new ride, their economy will only slowly go downhill. If the park closes, well, the area is in trouble. So, your best friend could be at risk of losing his job in the future, but all you care about is a little noise? You could be at risk of having your own bisiness collapse, but an unnoticable sound is the only thing that matters?
On the flip side, why doesn't GCA just add tunnels in parts on the outskirts of the park? However, with those neighbors, the ride would become Tunnel: The Ride.
Unfortunately, the neighbors are all about "me, me, me," and fail to realize the positive impact the park has on their business. I know this has been said before, but don't like the noise? Then don't move next to a theme park! Stupidity never ceases to amaze.
You know...Tunnel: The Ride actually sounds kind of awesome.
Can anyone tell me if all the Jackaroo Landing slides-4 big ones have been open for awhile? I went on Wed & was so surprised to see them finally open! & Why were the 3 big raft slides closed? That was shocking. They have always been open.I don't know about Jackaroo Landing, but when I went on Tuesday, the three raft slides were operating. Could have just been a fluke day when you went.
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I dug through the archives of the Santa Clara City Council meetings, and found some interesting things. In 2008, the council rejected Prudential's whiny "concerns," as you can see here:
Approval to accept the peer review conducted by Wilson, Ihrig & Associates of the noise analyses submitted by the opposing parties for the proposed new roller coaster at California's Great America Theme Park and its conclusions that there is not a significant noise intrusion within nearby office buildings, and therefore deny the appeal and adopt the resolution of findings that determines that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and that approves the height variance for a 111-foot high roller coaster subject to conditions.I also found a 30-page report of back-and-forth between Prudential and the City. Pretty interesting, but I found that the city fully supports CGA 100 percent. To paraphrase, they believe that continued investment in the park is crucial to it's success, and to deny the new coaster would be a significant blow to the park. Not that we didn't already know this, but I learned that the city genuinely cares about the park, something that I used to be a little uncertain about.
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August seems to be the official "announcement" month. I noticed on the Santa Clara permit website (my new favorite site for the day) that they applied for a permit for "New Top Spin Attraction" in August of 2007.
I found something possibly noteworthy on the Santa Clara Planning Committee's website. Apparently, last month Cedar Fair requested a two-year extension for the 111-foot height variance for a wooden coaster, at least in my understanding. Here's a screenshot from the committee's meeting agenda:
http://santaclaraca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5637
Seems a bit strange that Cedar Fair requested an extension even though the project is supposedly dead?
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I found the website for the Santa Clara Permit Center. This is what I found for CGA:
Scroll down to the permits with "2011" in the title for the latest. I'd recommend that everyone keeps checking this site, interesting stuff. Also interesting that they applied for a permit to remove Invertigo before the rumor hit the Internet. The "Landscape Plan" was also approved in the same permit...
Some other cool things, like the removal of the seats in the Pictorium in 2008 and the addition of a stage in the building in the same year.
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Yes, Boomerang Bay's a nice little feature to CGA and adds to the park's water ride count greatly. I love Down Under Thunder, it probably happens to be my favorite slide in the park. I would recommend checking out the rest of the water park if you could. But the nice thing about 2 of the 3 original slides is that you don't get any more wet than you would on the rapids ride, and you can kind of get away with wearing your street clothes on it (though I would totally avoid wearing jeans like I've seen many do...I feel sorry for them:) ).
Lastly, the Rapids...I'm bummed that one of the main soaking features that was working at the start of the season is now dead again...you know, that last soaking from that trough overhead. It was not working the past couple visits I went...so probably the last month if not more? I do still find it funny though that people are actually spending the $5 to dry off when you can be nearly dry in a half hour by going on rides (depending on what you're wearing).
The only reason I've stayed away from Boomerang Bay for so long is that, until today, I've never brought along a pair of swimming trunks. But yeah, as I learned today, and like you said, you don't really need them. I've gotten way more soaked on White Water Falls.
I barely got wet on the Rapids today. I wish I rode it when the fountain was working!
This is the second day Firefall has been down now. To me, it seems like ever since they took the gondola off (from the start of the season to about May-when the gondola was returned) it seems like that was the start of the series of extended downtimes this ride has- seeing as it is almost August now and it's only operated maybe a week or two total this season-haven't really kept track. I've noticed the wobble/shaking it does too when I went on it as a guest and in the morning doing the test ride before the park opens. Or maybe it's just it's age has finally caught up with it.... either way, I've been wondering the same, if it will actually be removed at the end of this season.
That's a first, haven't heard that from a guest yet myself, clearly that guest must of not walked by it and seen that all 40 of it's seats are still intact.
I'm going to be prepared if Firefall is removed....I don't want to be caught off guard like I was with the Invertigo announcement.
Well, I would say, "Get your rides in on Firefall while you still have the chance," but that is pretty difficult these days!
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In other brain-dead GP "news," I saw some kid exit out of Rue le Dodge via hopping over the fence on the left side of the building. And as we all know, the exit is on the RIGHT side of the building. Yeah, the kid got yelled at for that one. The kid then had a fit, "why are you yelling at me?!" .....................
Firefall was closed all day. There were no mechanics on site, maybe they were letting the ride "rest" for the day? Sounds silly, I know, but with a ride as fragile as Firefall, you can't take any chances I suppose. I have a bad feeling that we will be making "GardenFall" jokes on these forums next year...
Good news: The Demon voice in the tunnel is working once again!
After visiting the park every week this summer, I decided to try something different: Stepped foot into Boomerang Bay for the first time ever (sad, I know) and rode Downunder Thunder! It was great, but the lines were a little long for everything, so it's the only slide I went on. Can't wait to try the others. Also, I rode the Rapids three times in a row...It was a water ride day.
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Back to CGA... I was near the park today, was actually going to my niece's softball tournament (which was an epic fail on her team's behalf, got slaughtered). From where we were sitting in the stands, I could see Drop Tower peeking above the office buildings. I did notice (from what I could see) that one cabin is back to being useless again. Also, sadly, I noticed dispatches seeming to happen every 5-8 minutes.
Yep, cabin #1 has been sitting dormant for the past couple weeks. I always choose to ride on the left side of the tower now because it has three cabins running...higher capacity means faster line! I remember a time last season when the Tower was running three cabins total...it was nightmarish.
About the dispatches, there seems to be a sharp increase in GP with coins, making more work for the ride ops. Last time, my brother and I noticed some stupid kid behind us in line getting coins from his mom. My brother told the ride op before we got on, and the kid got nailed for it. It was pretty funny.
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Firefall was running great today! It seems to be running a slightly modified program, and it really improves the ride as a whole. Before the gondola reaches the top of the second swing, the brakes are released early, which actually causes it to flip, and gives you a sense of diving head-first into the water. (I know I explained that badly, so you just have to ride it and see for yourself). It also feels like it puts a lot of stress on the ride.. the gondola was shaking side-to-side, I've never felt that before.
Rode it twice in a row in the morning, thought about marathoning it, but my brother and I wanted to ride on Delirium and Psycho Mouse before their lines got crowded. Ended up riding Firefall four times.
One more thing...the name "Firefall" is now a bit misleading..."Steamfall" is probably more accurate . Not a big deal, I'd rather have Firefall without effects than no Firefall at all.
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^Most probable: Smaller version of Windseeker. Ouimet dropped some hints during his recent visit to Kings Island that "If something works at another park...there is no reason to keep it hidden" (paraphrase). Granted, he was specifically mentioning Kings Island, but it was implied that all parks could benefit.
What most of us want: A coaster that could reasonably fit in Invertigo's area (I prefer either a Zacspin or Eurofighter).
I don't think anyone's said it yet, but I have a strong feeling that something important will be announced during the Q&A session on the TPR day. It's in August...and why would the park agree to a Q&A session if all they are planning on replying with is "We can't comment on plans that are not definite"? Surely they don't expect all the questions to be about Boot Scootin Boogie or whatever.
At the very least, certainly Haunt details will be announced.
I just wish the park would come out and say "We are/are not adding anything new in 2012." I'm tired of trying to read between the lines with every quote that comes out of Cedar Fair.
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I see some weird stuff happening north of Ripsnort Ridge/Screamin' Wombat in the plot of land where there's nothing until Top Gun. In that plot of land, I saw a bulldozer with caution tape around it. Plus, I saw gardeners pulling some plants out in the garden next to the covered bridge in between Action Theater and Firefall. The side the garden it was on is toward Rip Roaring Rapids. Some wild guesses is that the garden could be an enterance to a coaster and that huge plot of land could be where a coaster would be located OR the huge plot of land can become a water park expansion. The Invertigo site would be hard to put a coaster in there, though a nice big flat ride could be located there (large Screamin' Swing, Star Flyer).
I remember seeing a bulldozer in that same area around this time last season. I've always felt that something big could be added in that area. But if anything were to be added, it would likely be a water park expansion.
Interesting about the gardeners removing plants...there's usually Haunt decorations in that spot, maybe they're preparing?
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I went to the park today and had a very good time until later on and I will get to that in a bit. A few things I noticed today FireFall was back open and running great it seemed I did not ride it today. That Grizzly is only running the Blue train for some reason and that Vortex seemed to be very rough today. The park seemed fairly busy for a week day from when I seen in the past. Now to the bad news and well I learned a lesson also. I was ridding Delirium today and as it swooped down my phone fell out and completely shattered luckily I have a black tie plan through Best Buy and I am able to get a new one in a couple days I included a picture for your enjoyment.
Figures that Firefall reopens the day after I visit Let's see if it breaks it's record of two straight days in operation, and make it to October!
That sucks about your phone. I've seen it happen before on Delirium, and it's a painful sight. Your best bet is to wear shorts with velcro pockets and put your phone in them (works for me), or to just put your phone on the shelves.
hmm..Grizzly was running two trains yesterday.
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Here's a "new opportunity" that we've been waiting for: The Invertigarden has been officially named "The Green," and now has a stage sitting in the center of it for Bay Area Bands. I saw it today, and seems horribly out of place, but also looks temporary. They were sure quick to remove the plants in the center for it, so maybe the landscaping really is temporary. Parkthoughts' Flicker page has a good picture of it. (I tried to post the link, but it wouldn't work. Just search for recent pictures of "Invertigo" on Flickr).
At last, Tiki Twirl has a real sign. Parkthoughts has a picture of it as well.
Park was dead today, I rode Drop Tower seven times!
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^It's only obvious that someone died on it, that's why they shut it down. --The GP's reasoning when a ride is down.
Good day today, even if it was (very) hot. Glad to see White Water Falls running three boats again. But they were getting stacked, due to GP trying to seat five across/standing up/bringing their 3-year-olds on it/whatever they can do to make more work for the ride ops. Funny moment: Some guy took his shirt off while the boat was on the lift, and ride op stopped the lift, saying "put your shirt back on!"
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I'd say the new CEO's visit to CGA is a positive gesture. I wonder if he is touring all the Cedar Fair parks, or if he specifically chose CGA to visit?
In other Cedar Fair news, they recently trademarked the name "Stinger" for a future attraction. NewsPlusNotes seems to think that it is for Invertigo, though. Full article here: http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/stinger-speculation.html
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And at the end of the clip where the stand is blown up with the annihilator 2000, part of the Hometown Square Station queue ramp(maybe it's exit?) is visible, part of which still remains today as a concrete ramp behind the control room for Celebration Swings (to the left of Triple Play) and no longer accessible to the public as one has to go through Triple Play's old spot to access it.
I made an effort to find the old ramp today after reading your post. I spotted it while on the turnaround for Vortex, interesting how they just left it there. Almost seems eerie, in a way.
California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
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^Can't wait! That sounds great, thanks for sharing!